Mass drug administration of azithromycin for trachoma reduces the prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the Solomon Islands.

OBJECTIVES: Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection and is frequently asymptomatic; ocular C. trachomatis strains cause trachoma. Mass drug administration (MDA) of azithromycin for trachoma might also reduce the prevalence of genital C. trachomatis. In a survey conducted in the Solomon Islands in 2014, prior to MDA, the prevalence of genital C. trachomatis was 20.3% (95% CI 15.9% to 25.4%). We conducted a survey to establish the impact of MDA with azithromycin on genital C. trachomatis. METHODS: Women attending three community outpatient clinics, predominantly for antenatal care, 10 months after MDA with azithromycin given for trachoma elimination, were enrolled in this survey. Self-taken high vaginal swabs were for C. trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae using the BD Probetec strand displacement assay. RESULTS: 298 women were enrolled. C. trachomatis infection was diagnosed in 43 women (14.4%, 95% CI 10.6% to 18.9%) and N. gonorrhoeae in 9 (3%, 95% CI 1.4% to 5.7%). The age-adjusted OR for C. trachomatis infection was consistent with a significant decrease in the prevalence of C. trachomatis following MDA (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.94, p=0.027). There was no change in the prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae between following MDA (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.22, p=0.13). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a 40% reduction in the age-adjusted prevalence of genital C. trachomatis infection following azithromycin MDA for trachoma elimination.

Imidacloprid impairs the post-embryonic development of the midgut in the yellow fever mosquito Stegomyia aegypti (=Aedes aegypti).

The mosquito Stegomyia aegypti (=Aedes aegypti) (Diptera: Culicidae) is a vector for the dengue and yellow fever viruses. As blood digestion occurs in the midgut, this organ constitutes the route of entry of many pathogens. The effects of the insecticide imidacloprid on the survival of St. aegypti were investigated and the sub-lethal effects of the insecticide on midgut development were determined. Third instar larvae were exposed to different concentrations of imidacloprid (0.15, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0 and 15.0 p.p.m.) and survival was monitored every 24 h for 10 days. Midguts from imidacloprid-treated insects at different stages of development were dissected and processed for analyses by transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence microscopy and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) assays. Imidacloprid concentrations of 3.0 and 15.0 p.p.m. were found to affect midgut development similarly. Digestive cells of the fourth instar larvae (L4) midgut exposed to imidacloprid had more multilamellar bodies, abundantly found in the cell apex, and more electron-lucent vacuoles in the basal region compared with those from untreated insects. Moreover, imidacloprid interfered with the differentiation of regenerative cells, dramatically reducing the number of digestive and endocrine cells and leading to malformation of the midgut epithelium in adults. The data demonstrate that imidacloprid can reduce the survival of mosquitoes and thus indicate its potentially high efficacy in the control of St. aegypti populations.

[Determination of urinary free cortisol by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) and UV detection]. / Dosage du cortisol libre urinaire par HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) et détection UV.

Using basal isocratic equipment of HPLC and only one step extraction the determination of urinary free cortisol is available in non specialized laboratory. Results are displayed about reliability and specificity of the method. An extraction coefficient of 97.8 per cent, a good practicability in connection with the use of C18 column chromatography and a reagent flow of 0.5 ml/min. enable a low cost of this determination. Reference values are established for a working adult population.

[Effects of puberty on the self-concepts of adolescents]. / Effets de la puberté sur l'image de soi des adolescents.

AIM: This research was aimed at assessing the effects of pubertal maturation on the self-image of adolescents. METHODS AND PATIENTS: Three components of self-image have been studied: body image (physical well-being, attractiveness and efficiency), perceived relations with peers of the opposite sex, and self-esteem. A sample of 159 French boys and girls aged from 11 to 16.3 years completed self-report scales and a semantic differential. Their pubertal status was measured by school physicians in terms of Tanner stages. RESULTS: Correlational patterns indicated stronger reciprocal links between the different components of self-image in girls than in boys. Results from regression analyses confirmed that the impact of pubertal maturation on self-image is qualitatively very different between the two sexes.

The effects of pubertal changes on body image and relations with peers of the opposite sex in adolescence.

The purpose of this research was to study the impact of pubertal maturation on body image and on the perceived quality of relations with opposite sex peers in adolescence. A sample of 157 French adolescents aged from 11 to 16 years filled in self-report scales; physical development was measured by physicians using Tanner criteria (pubic hair, genitalia and breast growth). Results of ANOVAs confirmed that boys evaluate themselves on attractiveness more positively than girls, and showed no difference between the sexes on perceived physical condition. Multiple regression analyses revealed different effects--according to sex--of pubertal status on body image and relations with opposite sex peers. Correlational patterns suggested that the experience of the body and the experience of relations with opposite sex peers are not built in the same way in girls and boys during adolescence.