[Traffic accidentability and risky driving behavior in young people in New Caledonia. Results of study Situation Sociale et Comportements de Santé des Jeunes en Nouvelle-Calédonie]. / Accidentalité et prise de risque sur la route en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Résultats de l'étude Situation sociale et comportements de santé des jeunes en Nouvelle-Calédonie.

BACKGROUND: New Caledonia has one of the highest global rates of death from road accidents: 240 deaths per million inhabitants in 2011 with a majority of young people. However, research on driving behaviors has remained rare. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey based on face-to-face questionnaire with 1400 male and female youth aged 16 to 25 was conducted in 2007. It was used to measure the frequency of accidents and to compute a score of driving behaviors and their associations with socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyles as well as other health behaviors. RESULTS -  CONCLUSION: A total of 10.6% of boys and 6.5% of girls reported a car accident in the previous twelve months period. Among male participants risky driving behavior was associated with having a degree (ORa=2, 95% CI [1.1-3.8]), sport practices (ORa=3.7, 95% CI [1.9-7.05]), involvement in a fight in the last twelve months (ORa=2.2, 95% CI [1.4-3.4]) and precocity of cannabis use (ORa=1.8, 95% CI [1.2-2.8]). Youth living in couple and those with children presented with higher risk-taking scores. Among female participants, young age at cannabis initiation (ORa=3.1, 95% CI [1.5-6.4]) and at sexual debut (ORa=2.4, 95% CI [1.1-5.1]) were associated with driving risk-taking. Finally, younger age at first alcohol intoxication was associated with risky behavior on the road in both sexes. These results highlighted the multidimensional nature of risk-taking behaviors on the road and showed that they are part of, for boys and girls, a larger pattern of risky behaviors. Such results suggest to include behaviors on the road in a comprehensive approach of prevention.

Risk of autoimmune diabetes in APECED: association with short alleles of the 5'insulin VNTR.

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare autoimmune disease causing a wide spectrum of autoimmune dysfunction potentially including diabetes of an autoimmune etiology. We have previously described a pair of discordant APECED siblings and pointed to a possible role of 5'insulin variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) locus IDDM2 in the appearance of diabetes within this disease. In vitro studies have previously suggested that class I VNTR alleles were associated with decreased fetal thymic insulin expression. We genotyped the 5'INS VNTR locus and several flanking 11p15.5 markers in 50 Finnish APECED subjects and explored the possible contribution of IDDM2 in the development of diabetes. The shorter 5'INS VNTR class I alleles (<35 repeats) were more prevalent in the diabetic Finnish APECED subjects than in non-diabetic APECED subjects. Logistic regression analysis revealed that having 1 short (<35) VNTR allele did not increase the risk of developing diabetes (95% CI 0.6-27.0), whereas having 2 short alleles conferred a 43.5-fold increased risk (95% CI 3.0-634.6). We conclude that short 5'INS VNTR class I alleles play a role in susceptibility to autoimmune diabetes in the context of APECED.

Prenatal ozone exposure abolishes stress activation of Fos and tyrosine hydroxylase in the nucleus tractus solitarius of adult rat.

Ozone (O3) is widely distributed in the environment, with high levels of air pollution. However, very few studies have documented the effects on postnatal development of O3 during pregnancy. The long-term effects of prenatal O3 exposure in rats (0.5 ppm 12 h/day from embryonic day E5 to E20) were evaluated in the adult nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) regulating respiratory control. Neuronal response was assessed by Fos protein immunolabeling (Fos-IR), and catecholaminergic neuron involvement by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) labeling (TH-IR). Adult offspring were analyzed at baseline and following immobilization stress (one hour, plus two hours' recovery); immunolabeling was observed by confocal microscopy. Prenatal O3 increased the baseline TH gray level per cell (p < 0.001). In contrast, the number of Fos-IR cells, Fos-IR/TH-IR colabeled cells and proportion of TH double-labeled with Fos remained unchanged. After stress, the TH gray level (p < 0.001), number of Fos-IR cells (p < 0.001) and of colabeled Fos-IR/TH-IR cells (p < 0.05) and percentage of colabeled Fos-IR/TH-IR neurons against TH-IR cells (p < 0.05) increased in the control group. In prenatal-O3 rats, immobilization stress abolished these increases and reduced the TH gray level (p < 0.05), indicating that prenatal O3 led to loss of adult NTS reactivity to stress. We conclude that long-lasting sequelae were detected in the offspring beyond the prenatal O3 exposure. Prenatal O3 left a print on the NTS, revealed by stress. Disruption of neuronal plasticity to new challenge might be suggested.

Women living with HIV still lack highly effective contraception: results from the ANRS VESPA2 study, France, 2011.

OBJECTIVES: Advances in antiretroviral treatment (ART) have led to improvements in reproductive health for women living with HIV. This paper aims to investigate the pattern of contraceptive use among women living with HIV in France. STUDY DESIGN: Data were drawn from the ANRS VESPA2 study, which included a representative sample of HIV-positive people. Contraception methods were documented, including condoms, highly effective contraception methods (HEC) and traditional methods. We measured the frequency of not using any modern contraception (neither condoms nor HEC) and of HEC use and studied their correlates (i.e., geographic origin, age, parity, partnership status, education level, material deprivation, employment status, health insurance, visits to a gynecologist, being on ART, cardiovascular risk) among women at risk of an unintended pregnancy. RESULTS: Of the 662 women of reproductive age, 327 were in need of contraception. Overall, 20.5% used HEC, 58.8% used condoms and 20.7% used traditional or no methods, with no difference according to geographic origin [sub-Saharan African (SSA) women vs. French and other migrant women]. Among SSA women, being <30years old [odds ratio (OR) 16.39, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 2.77-97.01], having had at least one child (OR 3.75, 95%CI 1.75-8.04) and being employed (OR 2.36, 95%CI 0.99-5.61) were associated with HEC use; among French and other migrant women, HEC use was associated with being in a stable partnership (OR 4.5, 95%CI 1.2-17.2) and material deprivation (OR 3.3 95%CI 1.4-9.8). Gynecologist visits, health insurance status and cardiovascular risk were not associated with HEC use. CONCLUSIONS: Condoms remained the predominant contraceptive method despite the absence of restrictions on hormonal contraception and intrauterine device use for HIV-positive women. The recent recommendations about dual method protection should be actively promoted, targeting HIV-positive women, HIV specialists and gynecologists to overcome the barriers to effective contraception. IMPLICATIONS: The information provided in this study constitutes a major contribution to comprehensively inform the scientific community on contraception practices among women living with HIV in France in the early 2010s. Our results show that the therapeutic advances since the late 1990s and the removal of restrictions on hormonal contraception use have not led to the expected shift in contraception patterns. There is an urgent need to promote dual method protection, as condom use may decrease in the future in the context of the preventive effect of ART.

Cloning, physical mapping and cross-hybridization of the canine adenovirus types 1 and 2 genomes.

Cloned HindIII fragments of the type 1 and type 2 canine adenovirus (canAd) genomes were mapped with respect to the BamHI, EcoRI, HincII, PaeR7 and PstI restriction endonuclease cleavage sites. Considering the large differences found between the canAd-1 and canAd-2 DNA molecules, in terms of number and location of restriction sites, cross-hybridization experiments were performed. Homologous DNA sequences were located on the canAd-1 and canAd-2 physical maps. Both viruses are genetically related to the extent of 57%. Our results confirm the existence of two distinct Ad species in the dog.

Coprecipitation of topoisomerase activity with simian virus 40 nucleoprotein complexes by divalent cations.

Simian virus 40 (SV40) nucleoprotein complexes extracted from nuclei of infected monkey cells (CV1) were precipitated with Ca2+, Mg2+, and Mn2+ divalent cations. Most of the viral chromatin but only a fraction of the proteins in the crude nuclear extracts were recovered after precipitation with 10 mM MgCl2. At this optimal concentration, DNA topoisomerase activity (nicking closing enzyme) coprecipitated with the SV40 nucleoprotein complexes.

Production of single- and double-strand breaks in plasmid DNA by ozone.

Agarose gel electrophoresis and electron microscopy were used to determine the type of lesions produced in DNA by ozone. This strong oxidizing agent was found to relax, linearize, then degrade native plasmid (pAT153) DNA molecules in solution. Ozone, like ionizing radiation, thus produced DNA breakage. To ascertain this point, wild-type and radiosensitive strains of Escherichia coli were transfected with control or ozonated plasmid DNA, and the host cells were selected for antibiotic resistance. A significant reduction in the transforming ability of pAT153 was observed following ozonation. Mutants deficient in the repair of DNA single-strand breaks yielded less ampicillin- or tetracycline-resistant clones than repair-proficient strains. In E. coli, the same gene products are probably involved in the repair of both radiation- and ozone-induced DNA breaks.

Distinct regions of the human cytomegalovirus genome are responsible for the immortalization and tumorigenicity of animal cells.

Dog embryo kidney cells were efficiently transformed by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) particles or intact viral DNA. Negative results were obtained after transfection of the canine cells with recombinant plasmids carrying the HCMV Hind III-E subgenomic fragment or with limit Bgl II and Hind III digests of the viral genome. Immortalized dog cells with typical transformation properties appeared, however, after transfection with EcoR I fragments of the HCMV DNA. Distinct regions of the viral genome are probably responsible for the immortalization and the tumorigenicity of mammalian cells.

A simplified method for the characterization of nuclear polyhedrosis virus genomes.

A simplified restriction endonuclease analysis procedure is described which allows the characterization of baculovirus DNA obtained directly from a single larvae without purification of virus. This rapid method was used to demonstrate the genomic stability of nuclear polyhedrosis viruses (NPVs) from Agrotis segetum, Euxoa messoria and Mamestra brassicae after several passages in Euxoa scandens.

Genetic relationship between mouse adenovirus-2 (strain K87) and human adenovirus-2.

The DNA of mouse adenovirus strain K87 (MAd-2) was cloned and mapped with restriction endonucleases BglII, ClaI, EcoRI, HindIII and SphI. Large differences were found between the MAd-2 and MAd-1 (strain FL) DNA molecules in terms of number and location of restriction sites. The MAd-2 genome also appeared as larger in size than the MAd-1 genome (34.72 kb vs. 30.14 kb). Our results confirm the existence of two distinct adenovirus species in the mouse. Hybridization experiments, on the other hand, indicate that both MAd-1 and MAd-2 are genetically related to human adenovirus type 2 (HAd-2). Overlapping regions of DNA homology are located in genes coding for HAd-2 structural components which could explain serological relationships observed between the human and the murine adenoviruses.

Efficient transfection of mammalian cells with viral DNA in optimal culture conditions.

Standard or newly developed DNA transfection procedures were compared for both innocuity and efficiency using simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA and monkey kidney (Vero) cells as an indicator system. Optimal results have been obtained by treating the delicate cell monolayers with a solution of glycerol before infection with DNA-calcium phosphate complexes.

Separation of viral DNA molecules in horizontal agarose slab gels using a new type of wick.

A new type of rayon fiber wick was used to establish uniform electrical paths between agarose slab gels and the electrodes of a horizontal electrophoresis apparatus. Separation of viral DNA molecules, either digested with restriction enzymes or relaxed with eukaryotic topoisomerases, was achieved easily at both low and relatively high voltage.

Efficient recovery of cloned human cytomegalovirus DNA fragments from agarose gels.

A simple and efficient method for the recovery of DNA fragments from agarose gels is described. After electrophoresis, bands of interest are cut out of the gel and agarose slices pushed through the opening of a syringe needle. The resulting gel slurry is frozen and thawed three times and then centrifuged. DNA in the supernatant is precipitated, resuspended in a small volume of buffer and, finally, desalted. A recombinant pAT153 plasmid carrying the BamHI-P fragment of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) genome was detected using purified viral HindIII-E DNA fragment as a probe. Restriction endonuclease analysis was used to confirm the identity of the cloned fragment. Experiments performed with the recombinant pLCR127 plasmid indicate that our freeze/thaw method, with about 80% recovery and very little DNA degradation, is more advantageous than the well known electroelution and NaI/glass methods.

Increased DNA topoisomerase I activity in aging human cell chromatin.

Chromatin-associated DNA topoisomerase I activity was measured in human diploid fibroblasts during in vitro aging. No difference was detected as a function of cell age in the nicking and the closing activities of the DNA-unwinding enzyme. The capacity of type-I topoisomerase to relax superhelical DNA molecules was, however, increased in aged cells. An age-related increase in nucleoprotein content was also observed.

Mammalian cells contain a DNA-recombining activity that can be dissociated from topoisomerase activity.

The role of the topoisomerase enzyme in DNA recombination was investigated by extracting chromosomal deoxyribonucleoproteins from a variety of cultured mammalian cells and assaying for the formation of recombinant DNA structures. Although each of the crude deoxyribonucleoprotein preparations contained topoisomerase activity, they did not all contain DNA-recombining activity. A distinct, perhaps novel, enzyme may therefore promote DNA recombination in these cell-free systems.

Restriction endonuclease patterns of herpes simplex virus DNA: subtyping of HSV-1 and HSV-2 strains from genital and nongenital lesions.

Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) isolates from genital and nongenital infections were submitted to restriction endonuclease analysis for possible genomic changes in relation with the adaptation of the virus to a new site on the body. HSV-1 and HSV-2 strains were successfully divided into two subgroups using the Hin c II restriction enzyme. No correlation was found, however, between the proposed genomic subtypes H1A, H1B, H2A and H2B, and the genital or nongenital origin of the HSV strains.

Enhanced reactivation of ultraviolet-irradiated human cytomegalovirus in normal host cells.

Enhanced survival of UV-irradiated human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is demonstrated in normal human cells exposed to UV light prior to infection. The UV fluence that gave rise to maximum UV reactivation falls in the range of 15 J/m2. A large number of temperature-sensitive HCMV mutants were found under the peak of reactivation. These results confirm the existence of inducible SOS functions in human cells.

Repair of ozone-induced DNA lesions in Escherichia coli B cells.

Alkaline sucrose gradient sedimentation indicates that ozone can produce DNA single- and double-strand breaks in wild-type E. coli and ozone-sensitive mutant MQ1844(ozrB). Another type of DNA damage repaired only by the ozrB gene product may also be responsible for the killing effect of ozone on E. coli cells.

Genotypic characterization of type-2 variants of canine adenovirus.

Two canine adenovirus (CAV) isolates, apparently distinct from type-1 (Utrecht) and type-2 (Toronto A26/61) reference strains in their biochemical and/or immunologic properties, were submitted to DNA-restriction endonuclease analysis. Both isolates, designated IAF-81-2116 and IAF-75-95, appeared as genotypic variants of CAV-2. Isolate IAF-81-2116 was recovered from the intestine of a young pup with diarrheal disease. Seemingly, relatively small changes in the original CAV-2 DNA sequence allowed the virus to replicate at an unusual site in the dog.

Effect of a dietary vitamin E supplementation on colour stability and lipid oxidation of air- and modified atmosphere-packaged beef.

The effects of dietary vitamin E supplementation on tissue α-tocopherol level and on the susceptibility of fresh and modified atmosphere-packaged beef on myoglobin and lipid oxidation were investigated. Charolais cattle, aged 32-44 months, were fed diets containing 75 (control, n=8) or 1000 mg (supplemented, n=8) α-tocopheryl acetate/kg feed/day for 111 days prior to slaughter. Following vacuum packaging, M. Longissimus lumborum and M. triceps brachii were aerobically packaged and held under refrigerated display (3°C) for 9 days or packaged under modified atmosphere (MAP; 20% CO(2): 80%O(2)) and held under refrigerated display (8°C) for 13 days under fluorescent light. α-tocopherol concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.05) in meat from the supplemented group than from the basal one. Whatever the measured colour characteristics (a*, R(630)-R(580),% MetMb), the vitamin E supplementation had a positive but non-significant effect on the rate of discoloration. But by visual assessment, essentially with MAP, a significant and positive effect of vitamin E supplementation was noted to lower discoloration (P<0.05). TBARS values were significantly lowered (essentially at the end of storage time for the two packaged modes) after an α-tocopheryl acetate-supplementation.