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Hepatitis B is a bloodborne virus that is routinely screened for within integrated sexual health services. Many guidelines, including those from the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH), have identified certain ‘at risk groups’ that should be offered hepatitis B screening (2017 interim update of the 2015 BASHH National Guidelines for the Management of the Viral Hepatitides). Our integrated sexual health service has developed outreach services targeting some of these groups, namely sauna users, commercial sex workers and prisoners. With the damaging cuts to the public health budget, …

ObjectivesIn the UK, people of black ethnicity experience a disproportionate burden of HIV and STI. We aimed to assess the association of ethnicity with sexual behaviour and sexual health among women and heterosexual men attending genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in England.MethodsThe Attitudes to and Understanding of Risk of Acquisition of HIV is a cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire study of HIV negative people recruited from 20 GUM clinics in England, 2013–2014. Modified Poisson regression with robust SEs was used to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) for the association between ethnicity and various sexual risk behaviours, adjusted for age, study region, education and relationship status.ResultsQuestionnaires were completed by 1146 individuals, 676 women and 470 heterosexual men. Ethnicity was recorded for 1131 (98.8%) participants: 550 (48.6%) black/mixed African, 168 (14.9%) black/mixed Caribbean, 308 (27.2%) white ethnic groups, 105 (9.3%) other ethnicity. Compared with women from white ethnic groups, black/mixed African women were less likely to report condomless sex with a non-regular partner (aPR (95% CI) 0.67 (0.51 to 0.88)), black/mixed African and black/mixed Caribbean women were less likely to report two or more new partners (0.42 (0.32 to 0.55) and 0.44 (0.29 to 0.65), respectively), and black/mixed Caribbean women were more likely to report an STI diagnosis (1.56 (1.00 to 2.42)). Compared with men from white ethnic groups, black/mixed Caribbean men were more likely to report an STI diagnosis (1.91 (1.20 to 3.04)), but did not report risk behaviours more frequently. Men and women of black/mixed Caribbean ethnicity remained more likely to report STI history after adjustment for sexual risk behaviours.DiscussionRisk behaviours were reported less frequently by women of black ethnicity; however, history of STI was more prevalent among black/mixed Caribbean women. In black/mixed Caribbean men, higher STI history was not explained by ethnic variation in reported risk behaviours. The association between STI and black/mixed Caribbean ethnicity remained after adjustment for risk behaviours.

The overall purpose of these guidelines is to provide guidance on best clinical practice in the treatment and management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive pregnant women in the UK. The scope includes guidance on the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) both to prevent HIV mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) and for the welfare of the mother herself, guidance on mode of delivery and recommendations in specific patient populations where other factors need to be taken into consideration,such as coinfection with other agents. The guidelines are aimed at clinical professionals directly involved with, and responsible for, the care of pregnant women with HIV infection.

Snow is a highly unstable and porous material which is composed of frozen water (ice) and air. It undergoes constant change due to ambient conditions and becomes essential matter in earth's climate system. This makes snow physical parameters as an important tool to study global climate change especially when satellite data provide timely and efficient information about large land area. In the present paper, one of the snow physical parameters (i.e snow grain size) has been estimated using spectral angle mapper (SAM) method and validated with existed grain index (GI) method. Study was carried out by using NASA's hyperspectral EO-1 Hyperion sensor. The analysis procedure consists of Fast Line-of-sight Atmospheric Analysis of Spectral Hypercubes (FLAASH) atmospheric correction code derives its physics-based algorithm from the Moderate Resolution Transmittance (MODTRAN4) radiative transfer code as well as topographic correction to retrieve surface reflectance. The spectral reflectance of different types of snow grain size, vegetation-mixed snow and boulder-mixed snow has been collected in field, using optical spectro-radiometer and compared with satellite derived spectra. The study reveals a good agreement between the grain size classes i.e. fine, medium and coarse and quantitatively retrieved grain sizes using SAM theory.

Resonant spin-flavor precession scenario with twisting solar magnetic fields has been confronted with the solar neutrino data from various ongoing experiments. In particular, the anticorrelation apparent in the Homestake solar neutrino data has been taken seriously to constrain the twisting profiles of the magnetic field in the convective zone of the Sun. The twisting profiles, thus derived, have been used to calculate the neutrino detection rates for the Homestake, Kamiokande (super-Kamiokande) and the gallium experiments. It is found that the presence of twisting reduces the degree of anticorrelation in all the solar neutrino experiments. However, the anticorrelation in the Homestake experiment is expected to be more pronounced. Moreover, the anticorrelation of solar neutrino flux emerging from the southern solar hemisphere is expected to be stronger than that for the neutrinos emerging from the northern solar hemisphere.

The Be/B neutrino flux anomaly has been examined within the framework of the resonant spin-flavor precession scenario with twisting solar magnetic fields. It is found that the twist of the toroidal component of the solar magnetic field, leads naturally to a complete disappearance of 7 Be neutrinos emerging from one of the solar hemispheres. However, the 7 Be neutrino flux emerging from the other solar hemisphere with oppositely twisted magnetic field must survive completely. Thus, this scenario predicts seasonal variations of the 7 Be neutrino flux to be observed in the Borexino experiment.

Background The prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is increased in HIV infection. The UK National Health Service Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP) guidelines therefore provide specific recommendations for HIV-positive women. An audit of cervical surveillance in HIV-positive women who attend the genitourinary medicine (GUM) department at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK was conducted. The objectives were to assess adherence to UK and local screening guidelines, prevalence of cervical pathology and appropriate referral for colposcopy. Methods A retrospective case note review of 130 HIV-infected women attending the GUM department between January 2000 and December 2005 was undertaken. Results Results showed that 76.2% of patients had cervical cytology within a year of HIV diagnosis and 42.4% of patients had abnormal cytology. All patients with dyskaryosis were referred for colposcopy according to local and national guidelines. Cytology results were consistent with histological findings and the prevalence of CIN was 15.2%. CD4 counts at presentation were significantly lower in those with dyskaryosis compared with those without dyskaryosis ( p = 0.038). Twenty-two patients were lost to follow-up after initial cytology. Discussion and conclusions A designated health advisor in the GUM department co-ordinates cervical surveillance in HIV-positive women. This, together with an increasingly integrated service with family planning services, may contribute to relatively successful surveillance. Overall, patients are carefully monitored to ensure that surveillance is adequate. Extra vigilance is, however, required and further cost-effective measures in future may include more active involvement of general practitioners.

An affinity chromatography technique was developed for separation of broad spectrum antilipopolysaccharide (LPS) IgA antibodies from human milk. The affinity column was prepared by immobilizing LPS from Escherichia coli O111:B4 on to porous chitosan beads using glutaraldehyde activation. IgA separated from human milk using a Jacalin column was cycled through the LPS-chitosan column at a slow rate. Bound IgA was eluted with glycineHCl, pH 2.6, and presence of IgA in the eluate was confirmed by radial immunodiffusion (RID) and by visualization on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Column binding capacity was 0.22 mg of LPS-specific IgA ml−1. The stability of immobilized LPS was confirmed upon repeated uses of the column with negligible leaching of the ligand. The affinity purified anti-LPS IgA accounted for 12.3% of Jacalin purified IgA and was found to cross-react highly with E. coli O128:B12, and Klebsiella pneumoniae using LPS-ELISA, demonstrating the use of this techn...

We have undertaken an ab initio computational study of 2-thioureidobenzoxazole based on the method of numeric localized atomic orbitals, pseudopotentials and DFT using SIESTA code. Electron Density of States, HOMOLUMO gap, formation energy, bond lengths and bond angles have been calculated. The bond lengths and bond angles are in close agreement with the experimental results reported earlier. It is also observed that the molecule is non magnetic and may behave as semiconductor as the HOMO-LUMO gap is 2.75827 eV.

Background/introduction We present a case of long term persistence of urethral chlamydia in a patient for over 1year, despite multiple treatments. We have not found any such case documented in the literature. Aims/Objective This case raises certain questions? Could this be happening more often in patients? If yes, what is the significance? May this also explain why CT-positive patients are more likely to re-test positive within 2 yrs? Methods In Jan 2015 a Slovakian man and his Czech female partner attend for asymptomatic sexual health screen. They were diagnosed with urethral and cervical Chlamydial infection respectively and were treated with a stat dose of Azithryomycin1gm. The only history of note is the female had had treatment for UTI requiring prolonged Nitrofurantion and the male CSW contact 3yrs ago. No other sexual partners were reported. Rescreen in March 2015 showed persistence of chlamydial urethral infection in the man while the female partner was negative. Results Conclusion Whilst untreated cases of chlamydial infection can resolve, to our knowledge this is the first case of persistent low load infection in a treated case and so is intriguing. It is unlikely to represent residual DNA after such a long period as in this case. The clinical significance of this is uncertain as he remained asymptomatic. The female partner was cured suggesting its not related to genotype and rectal carriage was excluded.

Two-loop contributions to Majorana mass and transition magnetic moment in a gauge model not in conflict with decaying neutrino dark matter (DDM) hypothesis have been studied. Another variant of an earlier model [J Dhar and S Dev,Pramana — J. Phys.39 541 (1992)] consistent with the DDM hypothesis is proposed and is shown to lead to large enough neutrino magnetic moment and consistent with the phenomenological constraints on neutrino mass.

Calculations based on the method of numeric localized atomic orbitals, pseudopotentials and DFT are presented using SIESTA code for the study of Electronic Density of States(DOS) of nano structured functionalized graphene. This material has emerged as an amazing material for microelectronic devices. It has been observed that as the percentage of hydrogen increases, a systematic variation in the band gap appears at the Fermi level pointing to a change in electronic behaviour of nano structured functionalized graphene from conductor to semiconductor/insulator.

Raw milk from non‐immunized cows and raw human milk from lactating mothers were examined for specificity and antibody activity against lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of five pathogenic bacteria, i.e. Escherichia coli O111:B4, E. coli O128:B12, Salmonella enteritidis, S. typhimurium and Shigella flexneri 1A in a particle concentration fluorescence immunoassay (PCFIA). Bacterial LPS was covalently coated on submicron polystyrene particles and used in an antibody sandwich technique with commercially available rabbit anti‐bovine fluorescein‐labeled IgG or goat anti‐human fluorescein‐labeled IgA. Comparison was made to a skim milk sample obtained from vaccinated cows. In general, specific activity of milk IgG against bacterial LPS did not parallel the trend of total non‐specific activity. Although the specific anti‐LPS activities were in general high in milk from vaccinated cows, milk from non‐immunized cows also showed significant activity against the bacterial LPS, sometimes higher than the vaccinated cows. IgA i...

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Potentilla fulgens L. led to the isolation of two new triterpenes, potentene A (1) and potentene B (2). In addition, three known compounds afzelchin-4alpha --8"-catechin (3), epiafzelchin (4) and rutin (5) were isolated. The structures of all these compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic and chemical evidence. Compounds 3, 4, and 5 exhibited significant 1,1,diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, with IC50 values of 1.21, 2.88 and 5.20 mg/mL, respectively; the known standard antioxidant, vitamin C, had a value of 0.44 mg/mL.

International audience; Background: Improving access to sexual health care is a priority in the UK, especially for ethnic minorities. Though South Asians in the UK report low levels of sexual ill health, few data exist regarding their use of genitourinary medicine (GUM) services. Objectives: To describe reasons for attendance at GUM clinics among individuals of South Asian origin relative to patients of other ethnicities. Methods: 4600 new attendees (5% South Asian; n=226) at 7 sociodemographically and geographically contrasting GUM clinics across England completed a questionnaire between October 2004 and March 2005, which were linked to routine clinical data. Results: South Asians were more likely than other groups to be signposted to the GUM clinic by another health service, e.g. in women 14% vs. 8% respectively (p=0.005) reported doing so from a Family Planning clinic. These women also reported that they would be less likely to go to clinic if their symptoms resolved spontaneously compared to other women (51% vs. 31%, p=0.024). However, relative to other clinic attendees, no differences in the proportions of South Asians who had acute STI(s) diagnosed at clinic were noted. Furthermore, South Asian men were more likely to report as their reason for attendance that they wanted an HIV test (23.4% vs. 14.8%, p=0.005). Conclusion: Despite having similar STI care needs to attendees from other ethnic groups, South Asians, especially women, maybe reluctant to seek care from GUM clinics, especially if their symptoms resolve. Sexual health services need to develop locally-delivered and culturally-appropriate initiatives to improve care pathways.

A SU(2) H symmetric variant of Zee model of lepton flavor violation is presented and is shown to lead to neutrino transition magnetic moment of the order required to explain the solar neutrino deficit and the possible anticorrelation of solar neutrino flux with sunspot activity via VVO mechanism. The use of horizontal symmetry leads to totally degenerate neutrino states which may be combined to form a ZKM Dirac neutrino with naturally small mass.

Editor – The recent lesson of the month by Menezes et al raises a number of issues ( Clin Med October 2008 pp 550–1). Clearly, early consideration of HIV infection as a possible diagnosis is vital in unusual, undiagnosed cases if one is to prevent severe and serious consequences. This becomes

Summary There was a wide range of activity and chlamydial diagnoses between the 177 clinics that responded. Most (92%) clinics have nucleic acid tests for chlamydial diagnosis. Different practitioners largely share roles in providing advice to patients about partner notification, treatment adherence, safer sex advice and abstinence. Most (97%) clinics have information leaflets about chlamydia, although about 30% of clinics lack leaflets containing information about antibiotics and hormonal contraception. About two-third clinics follow the National Guideline recommended interval for providing a test of cure where this is indicated. Only 18% of clinics routinely ask patients to reattend, with 40% having a policy of no routine follow-up and 62% using telephone or text follow-up. These categories were not mutually exclusive. Most (86%) of the 146 English clinics had a local Chlamydia Screening Programme coordinator for their Primary Care Trust area, although cooperation varies, with cooperation over treatment of 70% and Programme policy of 62%.

Summary Verbal information-giving is good, but only half of cases were reportedly given written information on chlamydia. Follow-up by ‘phoning or texting (43%) was as common as follow-up in clinics (39%). About one-fourth of cases did not have follow up, with no recall for around 60% of these cases. Advice about partner notification (PN) was provided by a health adviser or other suitably trained health professional to 91% of cases, and the method of PN was documented for 92% of these cases. PN outcome was not documented for about 25% of these cases. There was no information on the chlamydial status of sexual contacts of about half of cases, and no information about the treatment status of sexual contacts of about 40% of cases. The average number of contacts screened per index was 0.52 outside London and 0.29 for the London Regions, levels below those suggested in the National Guideline.

We study the impact of the measurement of a rise‐up in the normalized charge current flux at SNO.

We describe a patient who presented with an unusual bilateral migrating luetic chorioretinitis.