Leishmaniavirus genetic diversity is not related to leishmaniasis treatment failure.

Objectives: The outcome of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) may depend on the presence of the Leishmania RNA virus (LRV). This virus may be involved in treatment failure. We aimed to determine whether genetic clusters of LRV1 are involved in this therapeutic outcome.

The use of structural equation modelling and behavioural theory to target priority interventions to increase condom use among the intimate partners of sex workers in French Guiana.

French Guiana is the French overseas territory that is most affected by HIV. Sex work seems to be an important driver of the epidemic. Although female sex workers are informed by local NGOs, they still have risky behaviours, including not using condoms with their intimate partner despite knowing HIV is highly prevalent.

HIV-testing among female sex workers on the border between Brazil and French Guiana: the need for targeted interventions.

The border between Brazil and French Guiana is a place of economic, cultural, social and sexual exchange. Female sex workers represent a high risk population for HIV in this area where sexual tourism is particularly developed. HIV testing seems to be an important element in the fight against the epidemic.

Observational study on immune response to yellow fever and measles vaccines in 9 to 15-month old children. Is it necessary to wait 4 weeks between two live attenuated vaccines?

Background: The use of 2 live attenuated vaccines (LAV) is recommended to be simultaneous or after an interval of at least four weeks between injections. The primary objective of this study was to compare the humoral response to yellow fever (YF) and measles vaccines among children vaccinated against these two diseases, either simultaneously or separated by an interval of 7-28 days.

Subjects And Methods: A prospective, multicenter observational study was conducted among children aged 9-15 months.

Predictive factors of unprotected sex for female sex workers: first study in French Guiana, the French territory with the highest HIV prevalence.

French Guiana is the French territory that is most affected by HIV. AIDS incidence is much higher than in mainland France and sex work seems to be an important driver of the epidemic. The objective of this study was to describe consistent condom use among female sex workers with their clients and their intimate partners and to identify determinants of non-use of condoms.

Evaluation of aerodynamic and rolling resistances in mountain-bike field conditions.

Aerodynamic and rolling resistances are the two major resistances that affect road cyclists on level ground. Because of reduced speeds and markedly different tyre-ground interactions, rolling resistance could be more influential in mountain biking than road cycling. The aims of this study were to quantify 1) aerodynamic resistance of mountain-bike cyclists in the seated position and 2) rolling resistances of two types of mountain-bike tyre (smooth and knobby) in three field surfaces (road, sand and grass) with two pressure inflations (200 and 400 kPa).

Influence of climate and river level on the incidence of malaria in Cacao, French Guiana.

Background: The epidemiological profiles of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, are strongly associated with environmental conditions. An understanding of the effect of the climate on the occurrence of malaria may provide indirect insight into the anopheles mosquito vectors endemic to a particular region. The association between meteorological and hydrographical factors and the occurrence of malaria was studied in a village in French Guiana during an epidemic caused essentially by Plasmodium vivax.

New method to estimate the cycling frontal area.

The purpose of this study was to test the validity and reliability of a new method to estimate the projected frontal area of the body during cycling. To illustrate the use of this method in another cycling speciality (i.e.

Systemic sclerosis and occupational risk factors: a case-control study.

Aims: A case-control study was carried out between 1998 and 2000 to investigate the relation between systemic sclerosis and occupational exposure.

Methods: Eighty cases of systemic sclerosis admitted consecutively to the Department of Internal Medicine at the University Hospital of Tours from 1998 to 2000 were included. For each case, two age, gender, and smoking habits matched controls hospitalised during the same period in the same department were selected.

The micronucleus assay in human exfoliated urothelial cells: application in a genotoxicity study of workers exposed to a mineral jelly containing sodium nitrite and N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine.

Exposure to certain chemical agents in occupational settings has been identified as carcinogenic to the human bladder. Micronucleus (MN) analysis in exfoliated urothelial cells is an interesting method for biomonitoring genetic damage in human populations. However, few studies have been performed in an occupational context.