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The purpose statement is to analyze the socio-demographic, clinical, epidemiological, and behavioral characteristics of patients with only HIV infection and those co-infected with HIV and Tr. pallidum, which are under supervision in St. Petersburg GBUZ «Center for the Prevention and Control of AIDS and Infectious Diseases».Material and methods. The data of outpatient cards of 588 patients who were registered in the dispensary at the St. Petersburg Central Clinical Center in the period from 2018 to 2020 were studied, and the data of the cards of males (435 people) were selected. Patients were divided into two groups: with HIV monoinfection (198 people) and with a combination of HIV infection and syphilis (237 people).Results. Patients co-infected compared with HIV-only patients were less likely to have higher education, were less likely to be married, were diagnosed with HIV infection more often at self-report and during routine examination, there were more men who hade sex with men (homosexual), and bisexual men. Co-infected patients were less likely to have used drugs in the present or in the past and were primarily infected with HIV through sexual contact. They were diagnosed mainly with early forms of syphilis. In patients with coinfection, concomitant diseases of the kidneys, cardiovascular, endocrine systems were often detected, and a high comorbidity with chronic hepatitis B was also noted.Conclusion. The identified socio-demographic, clinical, epidemiological and behavioral characteristics of men with HIV + syphilis coinfection indicate the need for more active work aimed at popularizing barrier contraception among men, especially MSM and prone to bisexual contacts; when syphilis is detected in HIV-infected patients, conduct a thorough examination of all organs and systems, extraordinary for the presence of viral hepatitis.

The Van Allen Probes Electric Fields and Waves (EFW) instrument provided measurements of electric fields and spacecraft floating potentials over a wide dynamic range from DC to 6.5 kHz near the equatorial plane of the inner magnetosphere between 600 km altitude and 5.8 Re geocentric distance from October 2012 to November 2019. The two identical instruments provided data to investigate the quasi-static and low frequency fields that drive large-scale convection, waves induced by interplanetary shock impacts that result in rapid relativistic particle energization, ultra-low frequency (ULF) MHD waves which can drive radial diffusion, and higher frequency wave fields and time domain structures that provide particle pitch angle scattering and energization. In addition, measurements of the spacecraft potential provided a density estimate in cold plasmas ($ < 20 eV ) from 10 to $3000~\text{cm}^{-3}$ 3000 cm − 3 . The EFW instrument provided analog electric field signals to EMFISIS for wave analysis, and it received 3d analog signals from the EMFISIS search coil sensors for inclusion in high time resolution waveform data.The electric fields and potentials were measured by current-biased spherical sensors deployed at the end of four 50 m booms in the spacecraft spin plane (spin period $\sim11~\text{sec}$ ∼ 11 sec ) and a pair of stacer booms with a total tip-tip separation of 15 m along the spin axis. Survey waveform measurements at 16 and/or 32 S/sec (with a nominal uncertainty of 0.3 mV/m over the prime mission) were available continuously while burst waveform captures at up to 16,384 S/sec provided high frequency waveforms.This post-mission paper provides the reader with information useful for accessing, understanding and using EFW data. Selected science results are discussed and used to highlight instrument capabilities. Science quantities, data quality and error sources, and analysis routines are documented.

Context. Whistler waves are electromagnetic waves produced by electron-driven instabilities, that in turn can reshape the electron distributions via wave-particle interactions. In the solar wind, they are one of the main candidates for explaining the scattering of the strahl electron population into the halo at increasing radial distances from the Sun and for subsequently regulating the solar wind heat flux. However, it is unclear what type of instability dominates to drive whistlers in the solar wind. Aims. Our goal is to study whistler wave parameters in the young solar wind sampled by Parker Solar Probe (PSP). The wave normal angle (WNA) in particular is a key parameter to discriminate between the generation mechanisms of these waves. Methods. We analyze the cross-spectral matrices of magnetic fieldfluctuations measured by the Search-Coil Magnetometer (SCM) and processed by the Digital Fields Board (DFB) from the FIELDS suite during PSP's first perihelion. Results. Among the 2701 wave packets detected in the cross spectra, namely individual bins in time and frequency, most were quasi-parallel to the background magnetic field but a significant part (3%) of observed waves had oblique (> 45{\deg}) WNA. The validation analysis conducted with the time-series waveforms reveal that this percentage is a lower limit. Moreover, we find that about 64% of the whistler waves detected in the spectra are associated with at least one magnetic dip. Conclusions. We conclude that magnetic dips provides favorable conditions for the generation of whistler waves. We hypothesize that the whistlers detected in magnetic dips are locally generated by the thermal anisotropy as quasi-parallel and can gain obliqueness during their propagation. We finally discuss the implication of our results for the scattering of the strahl in the solar wind., Comment: 15 pages, 14 figures, recommended for publication in A&A

Context. Solar Orbiter is expected to have flown close to the tail of comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) during the spacecraft’s first perihelion in June 2020. Models predict a possible crossing of the comet tails by the spacecraft at a distance from the Sun of approximately 0.5 AU. Aims. This study is aimed at identifying possible signatures of the interaction of the solar wind plasma with material released by comet ATLAS, including the detection of draped magnetic field as well as the presence of cometary pick-up ions and of ion-scale waves excited by associated instabilities. This encounter provides us with the first opportunity of addressing such dynamics in the inner Heliosphere and improving our understanding of the plasma interaction between comets and the solar wind. Methods. We analysed data from all in situ instruments on board Solar Orbiter and compared their independent measurements in order to identify and characterize the nature of structures and waves observed in the plasma when the encounter was predicted. Results. We identified a magnetic field structure observed at the start of 4 June, associated with a full magnetic reversal, a local deceleration of the flow and large plasma density, and enhanced dust and energetic ions events. The cross-comparison of all these observations support a possible cometary origin for this structure and suggests the presence of magnetic field draping around some low-field and high-density object. Inside and around this large scale structure, several ion-scale wave-forms are detected that are consistent with small-scale waves and structures generated by cometary pick-up ion instabilities. Conclusions. Solar Orbiter measurements are consistent with the crossing through a magnetic and plasma structure of cometary origin embedded in the ambient solar wind. We suggest that this corresponds to the magnetotail of one of the fragments of comet ATLAS or to a portion of the tail that was previously disconnected and advected past the spacecraft by the solar wind.

In the context of the use of distance learning forms in the existing system of medical education, the authors consider current issues of finding optimal models of training content and organizational forms, methods and tools that facilitate the effectiveness of distance learning for the professional training of modern medical specialists. Based on the analysis of awareness, previous experience and attitudes of students and teachers of the First St. Petersburg State Medical University an anonymous survey of students and clinical residents, as well as teachers, students and teachers working at various departments of medical and dental faculties of the University was conducted with regard to the development and implementation of distance learning technologies in practice. As a result of the study, it was shown that students at both pre- and post-graduate levels have a more accurate understanding of the essence of distance learning system than teachers. Most students believe that the quality of the knowledge they receive is higher in face-to-face teaching, but they also believe that the advantage of distance learning is that there is no time limit on how long they can learn the material, and that they can create flexible schedules. Most teachers believe that the use of distance learning in the medical education system is most effective in training specialists for advanced training and retraining courses, as well as in training clinical residents. As the main conclusion of the article, the authors point out that in modern conditions of digitalization, it is expedient to use information and communication technologies and distance learning in a medical university only in combination with traditional teaching and methodical means and methods of professional training. At the same time, distance learning cannot be an alternative for the traditional form of professional training and retraining of doctors, but information and communication technologies and digital technologies, as well as distance learning should be integrated into the existing educational system of a medical university in the context of its digitalization.

Professor Sergei Iakovlevich Kulnev, student and follower of the founder of the Russian syphilidology Veniamin Mikhailovich Tarnovsky, was the head of the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases at St. Petersburg Medical Institute for Women in the difficult years of its formation – from 1903 to 1924. In fact, the merit of establishing the Department with clinic in the newly formed educational institution for women belongs to him. In 1913, with the active participation of S.Ia. Kulnev, the separate building for the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases was built, and to this day, it is still located at this premise. Also, for almost a quarter of a century (from 1901 to 1924) S.Ia. Kulnev was the chief physician of the Kalinkinsky Hospital, the oldest specialized dermatological and venereal hospital in Russia and in Europe, where, in fact, Russian syphilidology was born.In Soviet times, the merits of S.Ia. Kulnev who was an actual state councillor and representative of the famous noble Russian family, as an organizer of the Department with Clinic of Skin and Venereal Diseases, was undeservedly ignored.His activity appeared to be in the shadow of achievements of his brightest students, graduates of Medical Institute for Women A. A. Sakhnovskaia and O.N. Podvysotskaia, who alternately headed the Department after the death of Sergei Iakovlevich.The objective of the article, dedicated to the 160th anniversary of the birth of Professor Kulnev, was the desire to pay tribute to the memory of a remarkable physician, teacher and man, whose whole life was devoted to the development of Dermatovenereology and the organization of women’s medical education in Russia. The property of S. Ia. Kulnev is not only a thing of the past. His works laid the foundation of today’s educational, scientific and medical activities of the Dermatovenereology Department of Pavlov First St. Petersburg State Medical University.

Until recently in Russia the general methodology for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV-infection and blood-borne infections (BBI) has not been developed and targeted preventive interventions aimed at vulnerable populations have not been applied. As a rule, domestic researchers have been confined to detailed analysis of epidemiological data on the prevalence of STIs and other socially significant diseases in general population and their clinical features without offering social prevention technologies. Meanwhile, a large number of scientific researches aimed at improving the prevention strategies for STI/BBI and comprehensive preventive programs combining biomedical and behavioral components are being carried out all over the world. Unfortunately, preventive programs developed abroad cannot be mechanically introduced into the practice of Russian health care system. The programs should be adapted and implemented in the context of the socioeconomic and cultural uniqueness of Russia. The current epidemic situation necessitates switching from secondary and tertiary STI/BBI prevention and traditional biomedical approach to primary prevention and multidisciplinary approach. The multidisciplinary approach to healthy life style promotion and prevention of self-destructive behaviors including alcohol and drug use and risky sexual practices is a new branch of medicine. The presented article is aimed to analyze theoretical, methodological and practical aspects of the development, implementation and effectiveness evaluation of behavioral preventive interventions focused on socially significant infections.

We present measurements from the Radio and Plasma Wave (RPW) instrument suite onboard the Solar Orbiter mission during the first Venus encounter. RPW consists of several units and is capable of measuring both the electric and magnetic field fluctuations with three electric antennas and a search-coil magnetometer: The Low Frequency Receiver (LFR) cover the range from DC up to 10kHz when measuring the electric and magnetic waveform and spectra; the Thermal Noise and High Frequency Receiver (TNR-HFR) determines the electric power spectra and magnetic power spectra from 4kHz-20MHz, and 4kHz to 500kHz, respectively, to determine properties of the electron population; the Time Domain Sampler (TDS) measures and digitizes onboard the electric and magnetic field waveforms from 100 Hz to 250 kHz. The BIAS subunit measures DC and LF electric fields as well as the spacecraft potential, which gives a high cadence measure of the local plasma density when calibrated to the low-cadence tracking of the plasma peak from the TNR. Solar Orbiter approached Venus from the induced magnetotail and had its closest approach at an altitude of 7500 km over the north pole of Venus on 27 Dec 2020. The RPW instruments observed a tail region that extended several 10’s of Venus radii downstream of the planet. The induced magnetosphere was characterized to be a highly dynamic environment as Solar Orbiter traversed the downstream tail and magnetosheath before it crossed the Bow Shock outbound at ~12:40 UT. Polarized whistler waves, high frequency electrostatic waves, narrow-banded emissions, possible electron double layers were observed. The fine structure of the bow shock could also be investigated in detail. Solar Orbiter could hence enhance the knowledge of the structure of the solar wind-Venus interaction.

A large-amplitude impact-induced like electric field signal is often observed by the Radio and Plasma Wave (RPW) Instrument onboard Solar Orbiter. The signal has a sharp increase followed by an exponential decay, typically observed when spacecraft experiences a dust impact. The amplitude can reach several V/m. The impact dust size can be estimated from the electric field amplitude and is similar to the characteristic dust size near the sun expected from the zodiacal-light observations. On the other hand, the signal's decay time is the order of second, unusually long compared to the dust impact signals previously reported by the other spacecraft. We will show the characteristics of these signals and discuss the origin.

Whistler waves are thought to play an important role on the evolution of the electron distribution function as a function of distance. In particular, oblique whistler waves may diffuse the Strahl electrons into the halo population. Using AC magnetic field from the RPW/SCM (search coil magnetometer) of Solar Orbiter, we search for the presence of oblique Whistler waves in the frequency range between 3 Hz and 128 Hz . We perform a minimum variance analysis of the SCM data in combination with the MAG (magnetometer) data to determine the inclination of the waves with respect to the ambiant magnetic field. As the emphasis is placed on the search for oblique whistler, we also analyze the RPW electric field data and the evolution of the electron distribution function during these Whistler events.

Context.The Radio and Plasma Waves (RPW) instrument on board Solar Orbiter has been operating nearly continuously since the launch in February 2020. The Time Domain Sampler (TDS) receiver of the RPW instrument is dedicated to waveform measurements of plasma waves and dust impact signatures in an intermediate frequency range from 0.2 to 200 kHz.Aims.This article presents the first data from the RPW-TDS receiver and discusses the in-flight performance of the instrument and, in particular, the on-board wave and dust detection algorithm. We present the TDS data products and its scientific operation. We demonstrate the content of the dataset on several examples. In particular, we study the distribution of solar Langmuir waves in the first year of observations and one Type III burst event.Methods.The on-board detection algorithm is described in detail in this article and classifies the observed waveform snapshots, identifying plasma waves and dust impacts based on the ratio of their maximum amplitude to their median and on the spectral bandwidth. The algorithm allows TDS to downlink the most scientifically relevant waveforms and to perform an on-board statistical characterization of the processed data.Results.The detection algorithm of TDS is shown to perform very well in its detection of plasma waves and dust impacts with a high accuracy. The initial analysis of statistical data returned by TDS shows that sporadic Langmuir waves that are not associated with Type III events are routinely observed in the inner heliosphere, with a clear increase in occurrence rate closer to the Sun. We also present an example of RPW observations during an encounter of the source region of a Type III burst, which exploits the on-board calculated histograms data.

A variety of kinetic waves develop in the solar wind. The relationship between these waves and larger-scale structures, such as current sheets and ongoing turbulence remain a topic of investigation. Similarly, the instabilities producing ion-acoustic waves in the solar wind remains an open question. The goals of this paper are to investigate kinetic electrostatic Langmuir and ion-acoustic waves in the solar wind at 0.5 AU and determine whether current sheets and associated streaming instabilities can produce the observed waves. The relationship between these waves and currents is investigated statistically. Solar Orbiter's Radio and Plasma Waves instrument suite provides high-resolution snapshots of the fluctuating electric field. The Low Frequency Receiver resolves the waveforms of ion-acoustic waves and the Time Domain Sampler resolves the waveforms of both ion-acoustic and Langmuir waves. Using these waveform data we determine when these waves are observed in relation to current structures in the solar wind, estimated from the background magnetic field. Langmuir and ion-acoustic waves are frequently observed in the solar wind. Ion-acoustic waves are observed about 1% of the time at 0.5 AU. The waves are more likely to be observed in regions of enhanced currents. However, the waves typically do not occur at current structures themselves. The observed currents in the solar wind are too small to drive instability by the relative drift between single ion and electron populations. When multi-component ion and/or electron distributions are present the observed currents may be sufficient for instability. Ion beams are the most plausible source of ion-acoustic waves. The spacecraft potential is confirmed to be a reliable probe of the background electron density by comparing the peak frequencies of Langmuir waves with the plasma frequency calculated from the spacecraft potential., 13 pages, 12 figures

International audience; The Radio and Plasma Waves (RPW) instrument on the ESA Solar Orbiter mission is designed to measure in situ magnetic and electric fields and waves from the continuum up to several hundred kHz. The RPW also observes solar and heliospheric radio emissions up to 16 MHz. It was switched on and its antennae were successfully deployed two days after the launch of Solar Orbiter on February 10, 2020. Since then, the instrument has acquired enough data to make it possible to assess its performance and the electromagnetic disturbances it experiences. In this article, we assess its scientific performance and present the first RPW observations. In particular, we focus on a statistical analysis of the first observations of interplanetary dust by the instrument’s Thermal Noise Receiver. We also review the electro-magnetic disturbances that RPW suffers, especially those which potential users of the instrument data should be aware of before starting their research work.

We use the plasma density based on measurements of the probe-to-spacecraft potential in combination with magnetic field measurements by MAG to study fields and density fluctuations in the solar wind observed by Solar Orbiter during the first perihelion encounter ($\sim$0.5~AU away from the Sun). In particular we use the polarization of the wave magnetic field, the phase between the compressible magnetic field and density fluctuations and the compressibility ratio (the ratio of the normalized density fluctuations to the normalized compressible fluctuations of B) to characterize the observed waves and turbulence. We find that the density fluctuations are out-of-phase with the compressible component of magnetic fluctuations for intervals of turbulence, while they are in phase for the circular-polarized waves around the proton cyclotron frequency. We analyze in detail two specific events with simultaneous presence of left- and right-handed waves at different frequencies. We compare observed wave properties to a prediction of the three-fluid (electrons, protons and alphas) model. We find a limit on the observed wavenumbers, $10^{-6} < k < 7 \times 10^{-6}$~m$^{-1}$, which corresponds to wavelength $7 \times 10^6 >\lambda > 10^6$~m. We conclude that most likely both the left- and right-handed waves correspond to the low-wavenumber part (close to the cut-off at $\Omega_{c\mathrm{He}++}$) proton-band electromagnetic ion cyclotron (left-handed wave in the plasma frame confined to the frequency range $\Omega_{c\mathrm{He}++} < \omega < \Omega_{c\mathrm{H}+}$) waves propagating in the outwards and inwards directions respectively. The fact that both wave polarizations are observed at the same time and the identified wave mode has a low group velocity suggests that the double-banded events occur in the source regions of the waves., Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures

Context.Solar Orbiter was launched on 10 February 2020 with the purpose of investigating solar and heliospheric physics using a payload of instruments designed for both remote and in situ studies. Similar to the recently launched Parker Solar Probe, and unlike earlier missions, Solar Orbiter carries instruments designed to measure low-frequency DC electric fields.Aims.In this paper, we assess the quality of the low-frequency DC electric field measured by the Radio and Plasma Waves instrument (RPW) on Solar Orbiter. In particular, we investigate the possibility of using Solar Orbiter’s DC electric and magnetic field data to estimate the solar wind speed.Methods.We used a deHoffmann-Teller (HT) analysis, based on measurements of the electric and magnetic fields, to find the velocity of solar wind current sheets, which minimises a single component of the electric field. By comparing the HT velocity to the proton velocity measured by the Proton and Alpha particle Sensor (PAS), we have developed a simple model for the effective antenna length,Leffof the E-field probes. We then used the HT method to estimate the speed of the solar wind.Results.Using the HT method, we find that the observed variations inEyare often in excellent agreement with the variations in the magnetic field. The magnitude ofEy, however, is uncertain due to the fact that theLeffdepends on the plasma environment. Here, we derive an empirical model relatingLeffto the Debye length, which we can use to improve the estimate ofEyand, consequently, the estimated solar wind speed.Conclusions.The low-frequency electric field provided by RPW is of high quality. Using the deHoffmann-Teller analysis, Solar Orbiter’s magnetic and electric field measurements can be used to estimate the solar wind speed when plasma data are unavailable.

Context.The Radio and Plasma Waves (RPW) instrument is one of the four in situ instruments of the ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter mission, which was successfully launched on February 10, 2020. The Low Frequency Receiver (LFR) is one of its subsystems, designed to characterize the low frequency electric (quasi-DC – 10 kHz) and magnetic (∼1 Hz–10 kHz) fields that develop, propagate, interact, and dissipate in the solar wind plasma. Combined with observations of the particles and the DC magnetic field, LFR measurements will help to improve the understanding of the heating and acceleration processes at work during solar wind expansion.Aims.The capability of LFR to observe and analyze a variety of low frequency plasma waves can be demontrated by taking advantage of whistler mode wave observations made just after the near-Earth commissioning phase of Solar Orbiter. In particular, this is related to its capability of measuring the wave normal vector, the phase velocity, and the Poynting vector for determining the propagation characteristics of the waves.Methods.Several case studies of whistler mode waves are presented, using all possible LFR onboard digital processing products, waveforms, spectral matrices, and basic wave parameters.Results.Here, we show that whistler mode waves can be very properly identified and characterized, along with their Doppler-shifted frequency, based on the waveform capture as well as on the LFR onboard spectral analysis.Conclusions.Despite the fact that calibrations of the electric and magnetic data still require some improvement, these first whistler observations show a good overall consistency between the RPW LFR data, indicating that many science results on these waves, as well as on other plasma waves, can be obtained by Solar Orbiter in the solar wind.

Impacts of dust grains on spacecraft are known to produce typical impulsive signals in the voltage waveform recorded at the terminals of electric antennas. Such signals are routinely detected by the Time Domain Sampler (TDS) system of the Radio and Plasma Waves (RPW) instrument aboard Solar Orbiter. We investigate the capabilities of RPW in terms of interplanetary dust studies and present the first analysis of dust impacts recorded by this instrument. We discuss previously developed models of voltage pulses generation after a dust impact onto a spacecraft and present the relevant technical parameters for Solar Orbiter RPW as a dust detector. Then we present the statistical analysis of the dust impacts recorded by RPW/TDS from April 20th, 2020 to February 27th, 2021 between 0.5 AU and 1 AU. The study shows that the dust population studied presents a radial velocity component directed outward from the Sun, the order of magnitude of which can be roughly estimated as $v_{r, dust} \simeq 50$ km.$s^{-1}$. This is consistent with the flux of impactors being dominated by $\beta$-meteoroids. We estimate the cumulative flux of these grains at 1 AU to be roughly $F_\beta \simeq 8\times 10^{-5} $ m$^{-2}$s$^{-1}$, for particles of radius $r \gtrsim 100$ nm. The power law index $\delta$ of the cumulative mass flux of the impactors is evaluated by two differents methods (direct observations of voltage pulses and indirect effect on the impact rate dependency on the impact speed). Both methods give a result $\delta \simeq 0.3-0.4$. Solar Orbiter RPW proves to be a suitable instrument for interplanetary dust studies. These first results are promising for the continuation of the mission, in particular for the in-situ study of the dust cloud outside the ecliptic plane, which Solar Orbiter will be the first spacecraft to explore., Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures

International audience; The search‐coil magnetometer (SCM) measures the magnetic signature of solar wind fluctuations with three components in the 3 Hz – 50 kHz range and one single component in the 1 kHz – 1 MHz range. This instrument is important for providing in situ observations of transients caused by interplanetary shocks and reconnection, for the identification of electromagnetic wave modes in plasmas and the determination of their characteristics (planarity, polarization, ellipticity and k‐vector) and for studying the turbulent cascade in the kinetic range. Two similar triaxial search‐coils have been built for the Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter missions. Here we describe the science objectives of both missions which led to the SCM design and present the characteristics of the two instruments.

Context.On December 27, 2020, Solar Orbiter completed its first gravity assist manoeuvre of Venus (VGAM1). While this flyby was performed to provide the spacecraft with sufficient velocity to get closer to the Sun and observe its poles from progressively higher inclinations, the Radio and Plasma Wave (RPW) consortium, along with other operational in situ instruments, had the opportunity to perform high cadence measurements and study the plasma properties in the induced magnetosphere of Venus.Aims.In this paper, we review the main observations of the RPW instrument during VGAM1. They include the identification of a number of magnetospheric plasma wave modes, measurements of the electron number densities computed using the quasi-thermal noise spectroscopy technique and inferred from the probe-to-spacecraft potential, the observation of dust impact signatures, kinetic solitary structures, and localized structures at the bow shock, in addition to the validation of the wave normal analysis on-board from the Low Frequency Receiver.Methods.We used the data products provided by the different subsystems of RPW to study Venus’ induced magnetosphere.Results.The results include the observations of various electromagnetic and electrostatic wave modes in the induced magnetosphere of Venus: strong emissions of ∼100 Hz whistler waves are observed in addition to electrostatic ion acoustic waves, solitary structures and Langmuir waves in the magnetosheath of Venus. Moreover, based on the different levels of the wave amplitudes and the large-scale variations of the electron number densities, we could identify different regions and boundary layers at Venus.Conclusions.The RPW instrument provided unprecedented AC magnetic and electric field measurements in Venus’ induced magnetosphere for continuous frequency ranges and with high time resolution. These data allow for the conclusive identification of various plasma waves at higher frequencies than previously observed and a detailed investigation regarding the structure of the induced magnetosphere of Venus. Furthermore, noting that prior studies were mainly focused on the magnetosheath region and could only reach 10–12 Venus radii (RV) down the tail, the particular orbit geometry of Solar Orbiter’s VGAM1, allowed the first investigation of the nature of the plasma waves continuously from the bow shock to the magnetosheath, extending to ∼70RVin the far distant tail region.

The goal of our study is to detect and characterize the electromagnetic waves that can modify the electron distribution functions, with a special attention to whistler waves. We analyse in details the electric and magnetic field fluctuations observed by the Solar Orbiter spacecraft during its first orbit around the Sun between 0.5 and 1 AU. Using data of the Search Coil Magnetometer and electric antenna, both parts of the Radio and Plasma Waves (RPW) instrumental suite, we detect the electromagnetic waves with frequencies above 3 Hz and determine the statistical distribution of their amplitudes, frequencies, polarization and k-vector as a function of distance. We also discuss relevant instrumental issues regarding the phase between the electric and magnetic measurements and the effective length of the electric antenna. An overwhelming majority of the observed waves are right hand circularly polarized in the solar wind frame and identified as outward propagating and quasi parallel whistler waves. Their occurrence rate increases by a least a factor two from 1 AU to 0.5 AU. These results are consistent with the regulation of the heat flux by the whistler heat flux instability. Near 0.5 AU, whistler waves are found to be more field-aligned and to have smaller normalized frequency ($f/f_{ce}$), larger amplitude, and larger bandwidth than at 1 AU., accepted in A&A

Radio emission from interplanetary shocks, planetary foreshocks, and some solar flares occurs in the so-called “plasma emission” framework. The generally accepted scenario begins with electrostatic Langmuir waves that are driven by a suprathermal electron beam on the Landau resonance. These Langmuir waves then mode-convert to freely propagating electromagnetic emissions at the local plasma frequency f pe and/or its harmonic 2f pe . However, the details of the physics of mode conversion are unclear, and so far the magnetic component of the plasma waves has not been definitively measured. Several spacecraft have measured quasi-monochromatic Langmuir or slow extraordinary modes (sometimes called z-modes) in the solar wind. These coherent waves are expected to have a weak magnetic component, which has never been observed in an unambiguous way. Here we report on the direct measurement of the magnetic signature of these waves using the Search Coil Magnetometer sensor of the Parker Solar Probe/FIELDS instrument. Using simulations of wave propagation in an inhomogeneous plasma, we show that the appearance of the magnetic component of the slow extraordinary mode is highly influenced by the presence of density inhomogeneities that occasionally cause the refractive index to drop to low values where the wave has strong electromagnetic properties.

All authors: Zouganelis, I.; De Groof, A.; Walsh, A. P.; Williams, D. R.; Müller, D.; St Cyr, O. C.; Auchère, F.; Berghmans, D.; Fludra, A.; Horbury, T. S.; Howard, R. A.; Krucker, S.; Maksimovic, M.; Owen, C. J.; Rodríguez-Pacheco, J.; Romoli, M.; Solanki, S. K.; Watson, C.; Sanchez, L.; Lefort, J.; Osuna, P.; Gilbert, H. R.; Nieves-Chinchilla, T.; Abbo, L.; Alexandrova, O.; Anastasiadis, A.; Andretta, V.; Antonucci, E.; Appourchaux, T.; Aran, A.; Arge, C. N.; Aulanier, G.; Baker, D.; Bale, S. D.; Battaglia, M.; Bellot Rubio, L.; Bemporad, A.; Berthomier, M.; Bocchialini, K.; Bonnin, X.; Brun, A. S.; Bruno, R.; Buchlin, E.; Büchner, J.; Bucik, R.; Carcaboso, F.; Carr, R.; Carrasco-Blázquez, I.; Cecconi, B.; Cernuda Cangas, I.; Chen, C. H. K.; Chitta, L. P.; Chust, T.; Dalmasse, K.; D'Amicis, R.; Da Deppo, V.; De Marco, R.; Dolei, S.; Dolla, L.; Dudok de Wit, T.; van Driel-Gesztelyi, L.; Eastwood, J. P.; Espinosa Lara, F.; Etesi, L.; Fedorov, A.; Félix-Redondo, F.; Fineschi, S.; Fleck, B.; Fontaine, D.; Fox, N. J.; Gandorfer, A.; Génot, V.; Georgoulis, M. K.; Gissot, S.; Giunta, A.; Gizon, L.; Gómez-Herrero, R.; Gontikakis, C.; Graham, G.; Green, L.; Grundy, T.; Haberreiter, M.; Harra, L. K.; Hassler, D. M.; Hirzberger, J.; Ho, G. C.; Hurford, G.; Innes, D.; Issautier, K.; James, A. W.; Janitzek, N.; Janvier, M.; Jeffrey, N.; Jenkins, J.; Khotyaintsev, Y.; Klein, K. -L.; Kontar, E. P.; Kontogiannis, I.; Krafft, C.; Krasnoselskikh, V.; Kretzschmar, M.; Labrosse, N.; Lagg, A.; Landini, F.; Lavraud, B.; Leon, I.; Lepri, S. T.; Lewis, G. R.; Liewer, P.; Linker, J.; Livi, S.; Long, D. M.; Louarn, P.; Malandraki, O.; Maloney, S.; Martinez-Pillet, V.; Martinovic, M.; Masson, A.; Matthews, S.; Matteini, L.; Meyer-Vernet, N.; Moraitis, K.; Morton, R. J.; Musset, S.; Nicolaou, G.; Nindos, A.; O'Brien, H.; Orozco Suarez, D.; Owens, M.; Pancrazzi, M.; Papaioannou, A.; Parenti, S.; Pariat, E.; Patsourakos, S.; Perrone, D.; Peter, H.; Pinto, R. F.; Plainaki, C.; Plettemeier, D.; Plunkett, S. P.; Raines, J. M.; Raouafi, N.; Reid, H.; Retino, A.; Rezeau, L.; Rochus, P.; Rodriguez, L.; Rodriguez-Garcia, L.; Roth, M.; Rouillard, A. P.; Sahraoui, F.; Sasso, C.; Schou, J.; Schühle, U.; Sorriso-Valvo, L.; Soucek, J.; Spadaro, D.; Stangalini, M.; Stansby, D.; Steller, M.; Strugarek, A.; Štverák, Š.; Susino, R.; Telloni, D.; Terasa, C.; Teriaca, L.; Toledo-Redondo, S.; del Toro Iniesta, J. C.; Tsiropoula, G.; Tsounis, A.; Tziotziou, K.; Valentini, F.; Vaivads, A.; Vecchio, A.; Velli, M.; Verbeeck, C.; Verdini, A.; Verscharen, D.; Vilmer, N.; Vourlidas, A.; Wicks, R.; Wimmer-Schweingruber, R. F.; Wiegelmann, T.; Young, P. R.; Zhukov, A. N., Solar Orbiter is the first space mission observing the solar plasma both in situ and remotely, from a close distance, in and out of the ecliptic. The ultimate goal is to understand how the Sun produces and controls the heliosphere, filling the Solar System and driving the planetary environments. With six remote-sensing and four in-situ instrument suites, the coordination and planning of the operations are essential to address the following four top-level science questions: (1) What drives the solar wind and where does the coronal magnetic field originate?; (2) How do solar transients drive heliospheric variability?; (3) How do solar eruptions produce energetic particle radiation that fills the heliosphere?; (4) How does the solar dynamo work and drive connections between the Sun and the heliosphere? Maximising the mission's science return requires considering the characteristics of each orbit, including the relative position of the spacecraft to Earth (affecting downlink rates), trajectory events (such as gravitational assist manoeuvres), and the phase of the solar activity cycle. Furthermore, since each orbit's science telemetry will be downloaded over the course of the following orbit, science operations must be planned at mission level, rather than at the level of individual orbits. It is important to explore the way in which those science questions are translated into an actual plan of observations that fits into the mission, thus ensuring that no opportunities are missed. First, the overarching goals are broken down into specific, answerable questions along with the required observations and the so-called Science Activity Plan (SAP) is developed to achieve this. The SAP groups objectives that require similar observations into Solar Orbiter Observing Plans, resulting in a strategic, top-level view of the optimal opportunities for science observations during the mission lifetime. This allows for all four mission goals to be addressed. In this paper, we introduce Solar Orbiter's SAP through a series of examples and the strategy being followed. © 2020 ESO., Solar Orbiter is a space mission of international collaboration between ESA and NASA with contributions from national agencies of ESA member states. The spacecraft has been developed by Airbus and is being operated by ESA from the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany. Science operations are carried out at ESA's European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) in Villafranca del Castillo, Spain. SWA is an international collaboration which has been funded by the UKSA, CNES, ASI, NASA and the Czech contribution to the ESA PRODEX programme. UAH authors want to thanks the Spanish MINECO-FPI-2016 predoctoral grant with FSE, and its project FEDER/MCIU-AEEI/Proyecto ESP2017-88436-R. The Spanish contribution to SO/PHI has been funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through several projects, the last one being RTI2018-096886-B-C5, and by "Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa" programme under grant SEV-2017-0709. RAH, RCC, DMM, SPP, and AV acknowledge the support of the NASA Heliophysics Division, Solar Orbiter Collaboration Office under IAT NNG09EK11I. JEP acknowledges grant UKRI/STFC ST/N000692/1. All French involvements are supported by CNES and CNRS. DV is supported by the STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship ST/P003826/1 and STFC Consolidated Grant ST/S000240/1. The authors thank the referee for her constructive comments and suggestions, which led to the substantial improvement of this paper.

The Search Coil Magnetometer (SCM) onboard Solar Orbiter is part of the Radio and Plasma Waves (RPW) experiment and measures the variations of the magnetic field between 10 Hz and 50 kHz on three axes and between 1 kHz and 1MHz in one axis. The SCM is located on the boom of the spacecraft and its signal is processed by the LFR, TDS, and HFR analyzers of the RPW experiment. These measurements are essential for the characterization of waves and turbulence in the solar wind. We will describe the first observations made by the instrument with an emphasis on its performances.

Switchbacks (rotations of the magnetic field) are observed on the Parker Solar Probe. Their evolution, content, and plasma effects are studied in this paper. The solar wind does not receive a net acceleration from switchbacks that it encountered upstream of the observation point. The typical switchback rotation angle increased with radial distance. Significant Poynting fluxes existed inside, but not outside, switchbacks, and the dependence of the Poynting flux amplitude on the switchback radial location and rotation angle is explained quantitatively as being proportional to (B sin(θ))2. The solar wind flow inside switchbacks was faster than that outside due to the frozen-in ions moving with the magnetic structure at the Alfvén speed. This energy gain results from the divergence of the Poynting flux from outside to inside the switchback, which produces a loss of electromagnetic energy on switchback entry and recovery of that energy on exit, with the lost energy appearing in the plasma flow. Switchbacks contain 0.3–10 Hz waves that may result from currents and the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability that occurs at the switchback boundaries. These waves may combine with lower frequency magnetohydrodynamic waves to heat the plasma.

Recently, management of patients co-infected with syphilis and HIV infection is becoming an increasingly important problem. Similarity of circumstances and ways of HIV and syphilis transmission as well as populations at risk of infection suggests that in the coming years the number of cases of co-infection will increase. The .negative synergy. of HIV infection and syphilis has been proven. This means a mutual reinforcement of the negative effect, when each of the diseases in their combination is more unfavorable than the separately existing disease. Syphilis increases the likelihood of HIV acquisition and transmission during unprotected sexual intercourse and contributes to the progression of HIV infection. On the other hand, it is traditionally believed that concomitant HIV infection can significantly change clinical features and course of syphilis and make its diagnosis and treatment more complicated. However, the widespread use of antiretroviral therapy has allowed to significantly reduce this negative effect. The review article is devoted to the problem of the biological and epidemiological .synergy. of these two infections, as well as to the analysis of modern data on the clinical features of syphilis developing against the background of HIV infection.

Context. The recently released spacecraft potential measured by the RPW instrument on board Solar Orbiter has been used to estimate the solar wind electron density in the inner heliosphere. Aims. The measurement of the solar wind’s electron density, taken in June 2020, has been analysed to obtain a thorough characterization of the turbulence and intermittency properties of the fluctuations. Magnetic field data have been used to describe the presence of ion-scale waves. Methods. To study and quantify the properties of turbulence, we extracted selected intervals. We used empirical mode decomposition to obtain the generalized marginal Hilbert spectrum, equivalent to the structure functions analysis, which additionally reduced issues typical of non-stationary, short time series. The presence of waves was quantitatively determined by introducing a parameter describing the time-dependent, frequency-filtered wave power. Results. A well-defined inertial range with power-law scalng was found almost everywhere in the sample studied. However, the Kolmogorov scaling and the typical intermittency effects are only present in fraction of the samples. Other intervals have shallower spectra and more irregular intermittency, which are not described by models of turbulence. These are observed predominantly during intervals of enhanced ion frequency wave activity. Comparisons with compressible magnetic field intermittency (from the MAG instrument) and with an estimate of the solar wind velocity (using electric and magnetic field) are also provided to give general context and help determine the cause of these anomalous fluctuations.

The Solar Orbiter flyby of Venus on 27 December 2020 allowed for an opportunity to measure the suprathermal to energetic ions in the Venusian system over a large range of radial distances to better understand the acceleration processes within the system and provide a characterization of galactic cosmic rays near the planet. Bursty suprathermal ion enhancements (up to ∼10 keV) were observed as far as ∼50RVdowntail. These enhancements are likely related to a combination of acceleration mechanisms in regions of strong turbulence, current sheet crossings, and boundary layer crossings, with a possible instance of ion heating due to ion cyclotron waves within the Venusian tail. Upstream of the planet, suprathermal ions are observed that might be related to pick-up acceleration of photoionized exospheric populations as far as 5RVupstream in the solar wind as has been observed before by missions such as Pioneer Venus Orbiter and Venus Express. Near the closest approach of Solar Orbiter, the Galactic cosmic ray (GCR) count rate was observed to decrease by approximately 5 percent, which is consistent with the amount of sky obscured by the planet, suggesting a negligible abundance of GCR albedo particles at over 2RV. Along with modulation of the GCR population very close to Venus, the Solar Orbiter observations show that the Venusian system, even far from the planet, can be an effective accelerator of ions up to ∼30 keV. This paper is part of a series of the first papers from the Solar Orbiter Venus flyby.

A review article presents theoretical basics of the development of innovative STI prevention programs for high-risk groups Urgent need for integrated multidisciplinary preventive strategies aimed at correcting risky behaviors and adapted for the particular vulnerable populations is justified.

The history of the Department of Dermatovenereology of the First St. Petersburg State Medical University from its foundation in 1901 till 1956 is traced in the article. These years of formation and development of the Department were associated with the activities of the outstanding dermatologists such as T.P. Pavlov, S.Ya. Kulnev, A.A. Sakhnovskaya, O.N. Podvysotskaya.

The introduction of penicillin has been a breakthrough in the treatment of syphilis. For 70 years, penicillin remains the preferred drug for the treatment of all forms of the disease; its effectiveness has been proven by wide experience gained from clinical observations. However, a very limited number of published meta-analyzes, systematic reviews and data from randomized controlled trials on the comparative assessment of the effectiveness of various antibiotics and treatment regimens are currently available. Some aspects of syphilis treatment are insufficiently developed, particularly, the treatment schedules for neurosyphilis, syphilis in pregnancy, syphilis in HIV-infected individuals and persons allergic to penicillin. There are disagreements in the assessment of the clinical significance of serofast state after a course of antibiotic therapy. There is no uniform approach to the management of patients with treatment failures. This article compares the Russian standards for syphilis treatment set out in the «Federal guidelines for the management of patients with syphilis» with the current European recommendations of the International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI) and the recommendations of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The peculiarities of these guidelines, their strengths and shortcomings, as well as controversial issues of syphilis therapy are discussed. The differences between the domestic and foreign recommendations are more significant in the section concerning the treatment of syphilis than in the section of diagnosis.

The article explores the history of the Department of Dermatovenereology of the First St. Petersburg State Medical University from 1956 till present time. During this period the invaluable contribution to the development of the Department was made by eminent clinicians and scientists A. N. Aravijsky and I. M. Raznatovsky. Over the past 20 years, the department has been successfully developed under the leadership of professor Evgeny Vladislavovich Sokolovskiy.

A review article highlights the practical issues of design, implementation and effectiveness estimation of STI prevention programs aimed to correct the behavior leading to infection. the importance of epidemiological modeling method for the organization of preventive interventions is discussed. the prospects of the multidisciplinary behavioral approach to STI prevention are demonstrated.

A review article is addressed the issue of the diagnosis and treatment of neurosyphilis that is developing against the background of HIV-infection. HIV-infected patients are at higher risk of neurologic, ocular and auricular manifestation of syphilis as well as treatment failures and relapses. Diagnosis of neurosyphilis in HIV-positive patients is complicated because both infections cause similar changes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The effectiveness of neurosyphilis treatment in patients with HIV co-infection is difficult to estimate, since the normalization of their CSF goes slower comparing to HIV-negatives. The increase in incidence of syphilis and HIV co-infection is anticipated in the coming years. This necessitates a comprehensive study of the problem and requires the development of new approaches to neurosyphilis diagnosis and treatment in co-infected patients.

A review article highlights the practical issues of design, implementation and effectiveness estimation of STI prevention programs aimed to correct the behavior leading to infection. the importance of epidemiological modeling method for the organization of preventive interventions is discussed. the prospects of the multidisciplinary behavioral approach to STI prevention are demonstrated.

The article explores the history of the Department of Dermatovenereology of the First St. Petersburg State Medical University from 1956 till present time. During this period the invaluable contribution to the development of the Department was made by eminent clinicians and scientists A. N. Aravijsky and I. M. Raznatovsky. Over the past 20 years, the department has been successfully developed under the leadership of professor Evgeny Vladislavovich Sokolovskiy.

Статья подготовлена при поддержке гранта РФФИ (ОГОН) № 15-06-10506 «Комплексная дистантная программа профилактики социально значимых заболевании: психологические и медицинские основы разработки и оценка эффективности».

The history of the Department of Dermatovenereology of the First St. Petersburg State Medical University from its foundation in 1901 till 1956 is traced in the article. These years of formation and development of the Department were associated with the activities of the outstanding dermatologists such as T.P. Pavlov, S.Ya. Kulnev, A.A. Sakhnovskaya, O.N. Podvysotskaya.

The article summarizes the experience in developing, implementing and effectiveness evaluating of the sexually transmitted infection prevention program in the subpopulation of injecting drug users in St. Petersburg, Russia. The preventive intervention was aimed to correct behaviors leading to infection and was based on a multidisciplinary patient-centered approach. Long-term medical, social and psychological support of injecting drug users, combined with the group training sessions based on the peer-to-peer model has allowed to reduce their injecting and sexual risk, as well as to decrease the HIV infection incidence in the intervention group 1.84 times against the control group.

A review article presents theoretical basics of the development of innovative STI prevention programs for high-risk groups Urgent need for integrated multidisciplinary preventive strategies aimed at correcting risky behaviors and adapted for the particular vulnerable populations is justified.

International audience; Chorus-type whistler waves are one of the most intense electromagnetic waves generated naturally in the mag-netosphere. These waves have a substantial impact on the radiation belt dynamics as they are thought to contribute to electron acceleration and losses into the ionosphere through resonant wave–particle interaction. Our study is devoted to the determination of chorus wave power distribution on frequency in a wide range of magnetic latitudes, from 0 to 40 •. We use 10 years of magnetic and electric field wave power measured by STAFF-SA onboard Cluster spacecraft to model the initial (equatorial) chorus wave spectral power, as well as PEACE and RAPID measurements to model the properties of energetic electrons (∼ 0.1–100 keV) in the outer radiation belt. The dependence of this distribution upon latitude obtained from Cluster STAFF-SA is then consistently reproduced along a certain L-shell range (4 ≤ L ≤ 6.5), employing WHAMP-based ray tracing simulations in hot plasma within a realistic inner magnetospheric model. We show here that, as latitude increases, the chorus peak frequency is globally shifted towards lower frequencies. Making use of our simulations, the peak frequency variations can be explained mostly in terms of wave damping and amplification, but also cross-L propagation. These results are in good agreement with previous studies of chorus wave spectral extent using data from different spacecraft (Cluster, POLAR and THEMIS). The chorus peak frequency variations are then employed to calculate the pitch angle and energy diffusion rates, resulting in more effective pitch angle electron scattering (electron lifetime is halved) but less effective acceleration. These peak frequency parameters can thus be used to improve the accuracy of diffusion coefficient calculations. Keywords. Electromagnetics (wave propagation) – magne-tospheric physics (energetic particles precipitating) – space plasma physics (wave–particle interactions)

A review article is addressed the issue of the diagnosis and treatment of neurosyphilis that is developing against the background of HIV-infection. HIV-infected patients are at higher risk of neurologic, ocular and auricular manifestation of syphilis as well as treatment failures and relapses. Diagnosis of neurosyphilis in HIV-positive patients is complicated because both infections cause similar changes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The effectiveness of neurosyphilis treatment in patients with HIV co-infection is difficult to estimate, since the normalization of their CSF goes slower comparing to HIV-negatives. The increase in incidence of syphilis and HIV co-infection is anticipated in the coming years. This necessitates a comprehensive study of the problem and requires the development of new approaches to neurosyphilis diagnosis and treatment in co-infected patients.

The introduction of penicillin has been a breakthrough in the treatment of syphilis. For 70 years, penicillin remains the preferred drug for the treatment of all forms of the disease; its effectiveness has been proven by wide experience gained from clinical observations. However, a very limited number of published meta-analyzes, systematic reviews and data from randomized controlled trials on the comparative assessment of the effectiveness of various antibiotics and treatment regimens are currently available. Some aspects of syphilis treatment are insufficiently developed, particularly, the treatment schedules for neurosyphilis, syphilis in pregnancy, syphilis in HIV-infected individuals and persons allergic to penicillin. There are disagreements in the assessment of the clinical significance of serofast state after a course of antibiotic therapy. There is no uniform approach to the management of patients with treatment failures. This article compares the Russian standards for syphilis treatment set out in the «Federal guidelines for the management of patients with syphilis» with the current European recommendations of the International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI) and the recommendations of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The peculiarities of these guidelines, their strengths and shortcomings, as well as controversial issues of syphilis therapy are discussed. The differences between the domestic and foreign recommendations are more significant in the section concerning the treatment of syphilis than in the section of diagnosis.

Despite the abundance of existing laboratory methods the diagnosis of syphilis still faces many challenges. Though direct detection of T. pallidum plays an important role in early manifest forms of the disease, serological tests remain the mainstay of diagnosis. Traditional syphilis screening algorithm based on nontreponemal tests with subsequent confirmation using treponemal tests is a standard worldwide. Recently, the ability to automate the treponemal tests promotes the increasingly widespread implementation of reverse algorithm when these tests are used for syphilis screening. None of the current serological algorithms are able to reliably differentiate between active and previously treated syphilis, which causes uncertainty in the management of patients. There is no «gold standard» for the diagnosis of neurosyphilis, ocular, auricular and visceral syphilis. The interpretation of serological tests in children born to seropositive mothers is also complicated. Diagnosis of congenital syphilis in newborns and, consequently, the prescription of antibiotic therapy often depends on assessment of the adequacy of maternal treatment during pregnancy, which leads to subjective decisions. This article provides a comparative analysis of the «Federal guidelines for the management of patients with syphilis» and their foreign analogues, discusses significant peculiarities of these guidelines and reviews current concerns and controversies in syphilis diagnosis.

The tertiary cutaneous syphilis has become extremely rare as a result of the effective treatment of early syphilis with penicillin and occasional antibiotic therapy for concomitant infections. We report a case of tertiary gummatous syphilis associated with asymptomatic neurosyphilis that was initially misdiagnosed as basal cell carcinoma of the skin. A 67-year-old woman presented with the 18-month history of multiple, firm, bluish-red asymptomatic nodes on the parietal scalp, chin and lateral part of the trunk that had developed without preceding trauma. One node on the trunk had small central ulceration covered with dry yellowish crust. On the left retroauricular area the brownish-purple atrophic scar was observed. Blood tests revealed reactive VDRL, ELISA and TPHA assays. Skin biopsy has showed endarteritis with endothelial swelling and caseating granulomas along with plasmocytic infiltrate in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Increased lymphocyte count and the positive VDRL test with cerebrospinal fluid have confirmed the diagnosis of asymptomatic syphilitic meningitis in this patient. The treatment with aqueous penicillin intravenously has lead to resolution of the skin infiltrates and progressive more than 4-fold reduction of follow-up serum VDRL titers. This case is reported as a reminder of the possibility of tertiary syphilis with misleading clinical patterns in patients infected during the epidemics of 1995-2000. We would like to emphasize the necessity to perform timely serological and pathomorphological study to prevent misdiagnosis and mistreatment.

Lichen planus is a disease characterized by a large variety of clinical forms and morphological patterns. Localized rash on the palms and soles is considered rare and may create certain problems in diagnosis if it is present as an isolated finding in the absence of typical papular rash on the skin and mucous membranes, and such problems may be solved by histological examination. We report a case of a 41-year-old male with palmoplantar lichen planus. The disease was characterized by pruritic erythematous well-defined plaques dotted wit h multiple, punctate brown keratotic plugs on the palms and soles, which were difficult to separate when scraping. Histological examination revealed changes in the excretory ducts of eccrine sweat glands. We suggest that the presented case is a unique clinicopathologic variant of palmoplantar lichen planus that may be designated by the term “lichen planoporitis.”

The relationship between level of childhood abuse (physical and emotional) and sexual risk behavior of sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic patients in St. Petersburg, Russia was examined through path analyses. Mediating variables investigated were: Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), drinking motives (for social interaction, to enhance mood, to facilitate sexual encounters), intimate partner violence (IPV), anxiety, and depression symptoms. Results showed a significant indirect effect of childhood abuse on women’s sexual risk behavior: higher level of childhood abuse was associated with a greater likelihood of IPV, motivations to drink, leading to higher AUDIT scores and correlated to higher likelihood of having multiple, new or casual sexual partner(s). No significant effect was identified in paths to condom use. Among men, childhood abuse had no significant effect on sexual risk behavior. Reduction in alcohol-related sexual risk behavior may be achieved by addressing the effects of childhood abuse among female participants.