Reunion Research Articles

The embedded Wh- in situ clause: French tout court? Les spasmes musculaires incontrôlés, je sais pas c’est quoi (France Info 20/10/21)

AbstractAlthough not studied by the generative approach (Shlonsky 2017), the embedded Wh- in situ clause nevertheless belongs to the French language spoken in a large amount of areas, and, we believe, to “français tout court” (Blanche-Benveniste & Jeanjean 1987): until now, it has mainly been studied in Quebec (Lefebvre & Maisonneuve 1982; Blondeau & Ledegen 2021) and in Reunion Island (Ledegen 2007a, 2007b, 2007c, 2016; Ledegen & Martin 2020), but it has recently been massively attested in the Multicultural Paris French project in the suburbs of Paris (Gardner-Chloros & Secova 2018) and Strasbourg (Marchessou 2018). These new data could be read as a language contact, as a recent linguistic change, or as a long-established “popular” structure (Guiraud 1966), different analytical hypotheses that will be detailed in this study. These recent data also argue in favour of the methodology of ecological corpora, obtained within the framework of a strong acquaintanceship and located at the pole of communicative proximity (Koch & Oesterreicher 2001). The examination of various existing corpora will reveal the structural functioning of the structure and contrast the corpora following the modes of interaction, the oral or written medium, as well as on the chronological axis.

Grossesse par insémination intra-utérine après hystérosalpingo-foam-sonographie ou hystérosalpingographie

ObjectiveTo compare clinical pregnancy rates following intrauterine insemination performed after hysterosalpingography (HSG) or hysterosalpingo-foam-sonography (HyFoSy). Material and methodsThis is a retrospective study including 242 intrauterine insemination (IUI) performed between 2015 and 2020 at the fertility center of the Reunion Island. Among these inseminations, 121 with previous HSG and 121 with previous HyFoSy were matched. The main outcome of interest was clinical pregnancy rate. Secondary outcomes were birth rate and time to pregnancy after tubal patency test. ResultsThe pregnancy rate after insemination was 9.9% for the HSG group and 11.6% for the HyFoSy group, with no statistically significant difference between the groups (P=0.66). The live birth rate was similar in the two groups (7.4% for HSG and 10.7% for HyFoSy; P=0.37). Over half (57.1%) of the pregnancies occurred within 6 months after HyFoSy, whereas only 8.3% after HSG. ConclusionIUI results are not influenced by HyFoSy compared to HSG with regard to the pregnancy rates. Use of HyFoSy in infertility assessment allows global evaluation and more rapid adapted management. This approach could optimize management of patients undergoing IUI.

Obstacles and facilitators to preventing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a qualitative study with general practitioners.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are the leading cause of non-genetic intellectual disability. The damage caused, although completely preventable, is irreversible and requires lifelong support. General Practitioners have an important role in the prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. However, evidence suggests that General Practitioners do not monitor systematically alcohol consumption among pregnant women. The aim of this study was to understand the barriers and motivations of General Practitioners in the prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders on Reunion Island. A qualitative research study was conducted by conducting semi-structured individual interviews with general practitioners. Participants were selected by random or snowball sampling. General practitioners who worked only in unscheduled care services were excluded from this study. After the interviews were transcribed, a verbatim analysis was performed according to the principles of grounded theory. Twenty interviews were conducted by two researchers between November and December 2020. General practitioners expressed discomfort in addressing alcohol consumption and excessive drinking in women. They had inaccurate theoretical knowledge and a lack of practical experience with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. They also showed little knowledge of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders care pathway available on Reunion Island. Both patients and general practitioners expressed discomfort when discussing women's alcohol consumption. Conflicting government policies were highlighted as alcohol promotion campaigns overshadowed Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders prevention initiatives. General practitioners should be open and non-judgmental in their interactions with women and couples, with a focus on early detection and short-term intervention. General practitioners should be better educated about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and have a clearer understanding of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders care pathway.

Diagnostic performance of the WHO definition of probable dengue within the first 5 days of symptoms on Reunion Island.

The relevance of the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for defining probable dengue had not yet been evaluated in the context of dengue endemicity on Reunion Island. The objective of this retrospective diagnostic study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the 2009 WHO definition of probable dengue and to propose an improvement thereof. From the medical database, we retrieved the data of subjects admitted to the emergency department of the University Hospital of Reunion Island in 2019 with suspected dengue fever (DF) within a maximum of 5 days post symptom onset, and whose diagnosis was confirmed by a Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). The intrinsic characteristics of probable dengue definitions were reported in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR-), using RT-PCR as the gold standard. Of the 1,181 subjects who exhibited a positive RT-PCR, 652 (55%) were classified as probable dengue. The WHO definition of probable dengue yielded a sensitivity of 64% (95%CI 60-67%), a specificity of 57% (95%CI 52-61%), a LR+ of 1.49 (95%CI 1.33-1.67), and a LR- of 0.63 (95%CI 0.56-0.72). The sensitivity and LR- for diagnosing and ruling out probable dengue could be improved by the addition of lymphopenia on admission (74% [95%CI: 71-78%] and 0.54 [95%CI: 0.46-0.63] respectively), at the cost of slight reductions of specificity and LR+ (48% [95%CI: 44-53%] and 1.42 [95%CI: 1.29-1.57], respectively). In the absence of, or when rapid diagnostic testing is unreliable, the use of the improved 2009 WHO definition of probable dengue could facilitate the identification of subjects who require further RT-PCR testing, which should encourage the development of patient management, while also optimizing the count and quarantine of cases, and guiding disease control.

Phylogenetic analysis of Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: nitidulidae) from Reunion Island

The small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida Murray, native to sub-Saharan Africa, is a parasite of Apis mellifera causing significant damage to honey bee colonies. For the past decades, it has spread to many countries worldwide and once established, eradication is difficult or not feasible. In July 2022, an outbreak was reported for the first time in a French department in the Indian Ocean, Reunion Island. The origin and the pathway of the introduction were not identified. The molecular characterisation of SHB specimens collected in the southern part of the island, where the beetle has infested several apiaries, was investigated in order to provide elements on the invasive source. The sequencing of the partial Cytochrome oxidase I gene from two specimens showed that they belonged to the same new haplotype. Phylogenetic analysis suggests an introduction either from an unidentified African source or from the Asian continent since the haplotype is similar to those characterized from China and Philippines.

Prévalence des ménorragies chez les femmes à la Réunion

ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of menorrhagia in women in Reunion Island using the Higham score, to evaluate self-reporting as an alternative diagnostic method, and to study women's level of knowledge about menorrhagia and its impact on their quality of life. MethodsThis was a descriptive, cross-sectional observational study involving 185 adult women with menstrual periods living in Reunion Island. Women volunteered to answer an online self-questionnaire proposed by healthcare professionals from January to May 2023 in Reunion Island. They completed a general information questionnaire, the Higham score, a menorrhagia knowledge questionnaire and a menstrual quality of life questionnaire. ResultsThe prevalence of menorrhagia in the sample was 48.1% using the Higham score and 46.5% using self-report. Women's level of knowledge about menorrhagia is still insufficient, given the significant impact on quality of life during menstruation among those suffering from this symptom. ConclusionThe prevalence of menorrhagia in our sample of women on Reunion Island is high. Measures need to be taken to break the taboos surrounding menstruation, promote menstrual education and foster a better understanding by women of menstrual pathologies, particularly menorrhagia. Early detection of this symptom would enable faster treatment and avoid complications and adverse effects on quality of life.

Clustering daily solar radiation from Reunion Island using data analysis methods

A partitioning of daily solar radiation using Hierarchical clustering on Principal Components method is proposed based on daily distribution of direct fraction in solar irradiance. This tool, similar to clearness index, is only based on diffuse and global solar radiation measurement, taking in account the local topology. The clustering method is applied on data collected in Reunion island (21◦S, 55◦E), a southern subtropical site. We obtain five daily solar radiations classes as results. The interpretations of the average time series signals for each class shows that daily dynamics curves are correlated with local meteorological phenomena. The season distribution of classes is correlated to the intensity of trade winds f low. Thus, it helps us to define an approach to predict the solar radiation for different time horizons and the energy potential of the day.

New Insights in Lifetime Migrations of Albacore Tuna (Thunnus alalunga, Bonnaterre, 1788) between the Southwest Indian and the Southeast Atlantic Oceans Using Otolith Microchemistry

To clarify potential trans-oceanic connectivity and variation in the natal origin of albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) from the southwest Indian Ocean (SWI) and the southeast Atlantic (SA), lifetime otolith elemental signatures were assessed from 46 adults sampled from Reunion Island, and 26 juveniles(group 2+) sampled from two locations along the Atlantic coast of South Africa. LA-ICP-MS analysis was used to assess the multi-elemental composition in B, Ba, Mg, P, Sr, and Zn along the otolith edge (chemical signatures of the capture area), but also near the otolith primordium (spawning origin) and in an area located at 1400–1600 µm from it (nursery origin). Two groups of distinct near-primordium multi-elemental signatures, denoting potentially discrete spawning origins (SpO), were identified using hierarchical clustering. Each of the two SpO was found to contribute to the albacore stocks from all the areas sampled, suggesting a common spawning origin in some fish from the SWI and from the SA, and complex migrations between the two oceans. Three potentially discrete primary nursery sites were identified, each contributing to SA juvenile and SWI adult capture sites differently. The timing for the trans-oceanic movements observed for each albacore capture zone and its implications for local stock management are discussed.

Uses of scientific discourses and markers in shark attack risk management on Reunion Island

The article discusses how the uses of scientific discourses and markers, by activists and policymakers have been perceived by scientific experts and journalists and generated tensions related to science use in managing shark attack risk on Reunion Island. Following a series of shark attacks in 2011, a scientific research program was funded by French authorities to help political decision-making to reduce shark attack risk on the island's west coast, from 2011 to 2015. This program collected a large set of data to understand the ecology of the shark species implied in the attacks. The authorities have also funded a selective fishing program as an operational management device, which opposed activists from sea users' NGOs requiring shark fishing and environmental NGOs requiring sharks' protection. Based on sixteen semi-directional interviews led with local scientific experts, activists, journalists and a mandated fisherman, the study explores how activists and policymakers are perceived as having reappropriated scientific discourses to legitimize their position on shark risk management in Reunion Island. The scientific experts’ perception of activists depends on the epistemology of their discipline and the values they carry about the management of living beings. Otherwise, the political shark risk management strategy on Reunion Island is perceived as preferring to use scientific rationality instead of social claims to justify public policies. These uses of science generated conflicts between scientific experts, policymakers and sea users, and argue for the need of a dialogical process between parties to manage shark attack unpredictable risk, by better considering its social interpretation.

Biogeochemical evidence of flow re-entrainment on the main fringing reef of La Reunion Island

Understanding factors influencing seawater chemistry variability in coral reef environments is a major challenge to improve predictions of their evolution in the context of ocean acidification. In this study, autonomous sensors for current speed and direction, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO) and pHT were deployed three times between 2021 and 2022 offshore and on three reef flat sites of the main fringing reef of La Reunion Island. Discrete sampling of seawater for DO, pHT and total alkalinity (TA) at different times of the day complemented the monitoring. Diurnal variation of those variables on the reef flat was mainly driven by benthic community metabolism but hydrodynamics and reef geomorphology played also a key role. DO and pHT variations were decoupled in time, especially at night when we observed DO rebounds while pHT values were stationary. The reef flat was also largely TA depleted compared to offshore waters. We hypothesize that the strong offshore-alongshore current redirected TA depleted water exiting from reef channels into the reef flat. This seawater re-entrainment could also explain specific variations of DO and pHT values. This result highlights the important role of reef geomorphology in modulating changes in seawater chemistry. Neglecting this phenomenon could lead to substantial errors in the estimation of carbonate budgets when using the Eulerian approach.

Determinants of adult sedentary behavior and physical inactivity for the primary prevention of diabetes in historically disadvantaged communities: A representative cross-sectional population-based study from Reunion Island.

Populations undergoing extensive and rapid socio-economic transitions including historically disadvantaged communities face an increased risk of type-2 diabetes (T2D). In recent years, sedentary behavior and physical inactivity have been considered modifiable determinants when developing primary prevention programs to reduce T2D incidence. Reunion Island is a French overseas department with an increasing T2D population and a high level of socio-economic inequality. The objectives of our study were to identify the individual, social, and environmental factors associated with sedentary behavior and physical inactivity among the Reunion Island adult population, and to highlight these findings in order to propose T2D primary prevention strategies aiming at alleviating local social inequalities in health (SIH). In 2021, we conducted a population-based cross-sectional telephone survey using random sampling. Participants included adults over 15 years old living in ordinary accommodation on Reunion Island (n = 2,010). Using a sequential approach, multinomial logistic regression model (explaining 3 profiles of interest: sedentary/inactive, sedentary/active, non-sedentary/inactive), and sampling-design weighted estimates, we found that 53.9% [95% confidence interval: 51.1 to 56.7%] of participants had sedentary behavior and 20.1% [95% CI: 17.8 to 22.5%] were inactive. Abandoning physical activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001), final secondary school diploma or above (p = 0.005), student as professional status (p≤0.005) and living in fewer poor neighborhoods located far from city centers (p = 0.030) were four conditions independently associated with sedentary/inactive and/or sedentary/active profiles. Based on these findings, to help reduce SIH, we used a typology of actions based on the underlying theoretical interventions including four main action categories: strengthening individuals (using person-based strategies), strengthening communities, improving living and working conditions, and promoting health-based macro-policies. Our findings suggest several directions for reducing lifestyle risk factors and enhancing T2D primary prevention programs targeting psychosocial, behavioral, and structural exposures.

Using TOPSIS to Find the Best Model to Estimate Mean Hourly Irradiation at the "Cirque de Mafate" in Reunion Island

Using TOPSIS to Find the Best Model to Estimate Mean Hourly Irradiation at the "Cirque de Mafate" in Reunion Island

Premier signalement de Spanagonicus albofasciatus sur l’île de La Réunion (Hemiptera, Miridae, Phylinae, Nasocorini)

First report of Spanagonicus albofasciatus on Reunion Island (Hemiptera, Miridae, Phylinae, Nasocorini). As part of a study of functional biodiversity in sugarcane agrosystems aimed at developing management strategies for sugarcane pests, an arthropod trapping system was set up over a two-year period. As a result of these collections, Spanagonicus albofasciatus (Reuter, 1907), a species of bug of American origin, was reported for the first time in La Réunion. Thirty-two individuals of this species were caught in and around sugarcane plots, most of them above 500 m altitude. The biology of the species is presented below. Although its introduction does not appear to be deliberate, this bug already seems to be well established.

Standardising field‐based assessment of invasion degree: A case study in two habitats of Reunion Island

Abstract Biological invasions represent one of the major threats to biodiversity conservation, especially in island ecosystems. Field‐based assessments of the invasion degree are required for managing and monitoring invaded habitats but there is no unifying measure available in the literature. Here, we developed a standardised method for quantifying invasion degree based on four metrics: alien and native species cover, alien species richness, the occurrence frequency of alien species and invasion level, and demonstrated its use in two contrasted habitats of Reunion Island. This rapid survey quantified relative abundance and diversity of alien plant species among three vegetation strata (herbaceous, shrub and tree) in a systematic sampling. In lowland tropical forest, it took 40 person days to survey 150 ha (344 plots), and 52 person days in subalpine vegetation to survey 125 ha (304 plots). Our results showed that the herbaceous stratum was the most invaded in terms of invasion level; more than 45% in lowland tropical forest and almost 55% in subalpine vegetation. Based on cluster analysis and kriging, we mapped three different levels of invasion highlighting potential invasion fronts. We found that it was important to differentiate invasion degree per vegetation strata as mean alien cover was significantly different between strata at each site. This method is suitable for the majority of protected areas where fine‐scale assessment is required to characterise the spatial pattern of plant invasions, monitor invasive species and identify invasion foci to control or populations of emerging species to eradicate.

Effect of crop management and climatic factors on weed control in sugarcane intercropping systems

ContextCover crops in intercropping systems have a high potential to manage weeds in tropical agroecosystems as an herbicide alternative. However, it still needs to be better investigated in sugarcane cropping systems. ObjectiveThis study assesses the weed control ability of cover crops in sugarcane intercropping systems depending on crop management and climate in tropical conditions. MethodsThis study was based on a set of eight experiments, including ten cover crop species, performed from 2012 to 2021 in three areas in Reunion Island (France) and comparing three inter-row management treatments: i) chemical weed control, ii) cover crops sown in the inter-row, and iii) low weed control. Mean weed and cover crop ground cover were measured during the entire crop cycle, and the complementary weed management practices (herbicide, manual weeding) were also recorded. Sugarcane yield and crop management were evaluated to assess the economic impact of a change in practice. ResultsMean weed ground cover was reduced by 51 % in the cover crop and chemical treatments compared to low control. Additionally, the cover crop treatment had an herbicide treatment frequency index lower by 37 % compared to chemical treatment but a higher number of manual weedings. In all treatments, weed cover increased with rainfall and temperature. In the cover crop treatment, a structural equation modeling approach allowed us to highlight the influence of cover crop (sowing date and species) and sugarcane management (crop cycle - plant or ratoon crop) on weed cover. Weed cover decreased with an increase in cover crop ground cover, which was higher for the early sowing date. Additionally, weed cover was lower in ratoon crops than plant crops but increased over time since intercropping was implemented. Finally, sugarcane yield was lower by 6 % in cover crop treatment compared to chemical treatment. The change in operating costs and revenues between these crop management induced a decrease in profits in intercropping compared to chemical cropping systems, variable according to the degree of mechanization. ConclusionsThis study highlights the predominance of management factors, compared with climate, to explain the effectiveness of weed control in sugarcane intercropping systems. ImplicationsDue to the change in weed cover over time, there is a need to assess the long-term sustainability of this practice and the potential change in weed communities.

Microplastics in the insular marine environment of the Southwest Indian Ocean carry a microbiome including antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria: A case study from Reunion Island

The increasing threats to ecosystems and humans from marine plastic pollution require a comprehensive assessment. We present a plastisphere case study from Reunion Island, a remote oceanic island located in the Southwest Indian Ocean, polluted by plastics. We characterized the plastic pollution on the island's coastal waters, described the associated microbiome, explored viable bacterial flora and the presence of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria. Reunion Island faces plastic pollution with up to 10,000 items/km2 in coastal water. These plastics host microbiomes dominated by Proteobacteria (80 %), including dominant genera such as Psychrobacter, Photobacterium, Pseudoalteromonas and Vibrio. Culturable microbiomes reach 107 CFU/g of microplastics, with dominance of Exiguobacterium and Pseudomonas. Plastics also carry AMR bacteria including β-lactam resistance. Thus, Southwest Indian Ocean islands are facing serious plastic pollution. This pollution requires vigilant monitoring as it harbors a plastisphere including AMR, that threatens pristine ecosystems and potentially human health through the marine food chain.

Chlorophyllum molybdites poisoning on Reunion Island

In France, mushroom picking is part of the culture. The practice is not without risk, as around 1300 people are poisoned each year by eating wild mushrooms on the French mainland. However, this practice is not part of local culture on Reunion Island, a French territory located in the Indian Ocean. Indeed, there are practically no reports of mushroom poisoning on Reunion Island. Here we describe, through a retrospective study, cases of mushroom poisoning recorded in the Indian Ocean toxicosurveillance system database from 2020 to 2021. Overall, 19 people were poisoned following wild mushroom ingestion on Reunion Island: 15 in 2020 and 4 in 2021. Six events were recorded: the majority of poisonings involved clusters (n = 5) during a shared meal (pan-fried), only one case was single mushroom poisoning by ingesting a raw mushroom. Of all patients, 15 cases presented a gastrointestinal irritant syndrome (latency between 30 min and 3 h). Chlorophyllum molybdites was positively identified by mycologists in 4 cases, suspected by emergency doctor in 1 case and in one self-declared case, Volvariella volvacea was consumed. Poisoning following ingestion of wild mushrooms does occur on Reunion Island, and Chlorophyllum molybdites is the main culprit.

Uncovering loggerhead (Caretta caretta) navigation strategy in the open ocean through the consideration of their diving behaviour.

While scientists have been monitoring the movements and diving behaviour of sea turtles using Argos platform terminal transmitters for decades, the precise navigational mechanisms used by these animals remain an open question. Until now, active swimming motion has been derived from total motion by subtracting surface or subsurface modelled ocean currents, following the approximation of a quasi-two-dimensional surface layer migration. This study, based on tracking and diving data collected from 25 late-juvenile loggerhead turtles released from Reunion Island during their pre-reproductive migration, demonstrates the importance of considering the subsurface presence of the animals. Using a piecewise constant heading model, we investigate navigation strategy using daily time-at-depth distributions and three-dimensional currents to calculate swimming velocity. Our results are consistent with a map and compass strategy in which swimming movements follow straight courses at a stable swimming speed (approx. 0.5 m s-1), intermittently segmented by course corrections. This strategy, previously hypothesized for post-nesting green and hawksbill turtles, had never been observed in juvenile loggerheads. These results confirm a common open-ocean navigation mechanism across ages and species and highlight the importance of considering diving behaviour in most studies of sea turtle spatial ecology.

Knowledge of type 2 diabetic patients followed for less than 5 years in primary care in the western region of Reunion Island: a cross-sectional pilot study.

The learning needs of newly diagnosed diabetic patients followed up in medical offices in Reunion Island are unknown, although necessary for the improvement of education programmes and disease control. To assess the knowledge of type 2 diabetic patients in primary care followed for less than 5 years. A cross-sectional study was carried out, using a self-questionnaire to assess patients' knowledge of diabetes, complications, follow-up, diet and physical activity. Patients were recruited from medical offices in the western region of Reunion Island. From 23rd April to 31st July 2021, 89 patients were included. The knowledge level of the total sample was moderate (mean correct answers 65 % ± 17). The best knowledge levels were in the areas "generalities on diabetes" and "complications", while the lowest levels were in the categories "follow-up" and "diet and physical activity". Glycated haemoglobin, libido disorders, frequency of urinalysis and dental consultation, and the recommended diet for patients with diabetes which is the same as for the general population, were the least known concepts. This study revealed gaps in patients' knowledge that could be used to improve education programmes which in turn could reduce or prevent diabetes complications.

Experiences of adolescents using sexual health services on Reunion Island: protocol for a qualitative phenomenological study

IntroductionAdolescence and early adulthood are often critical periods of sexual development. The discovery of sexual intercourse can lead to sexual risk-taking which may impact the incidence of sexually transmitted infections...