Return rates and partner notification in HIV-positive men seeking anonymous versus confidential antibody testing.

This study investigated whether HIV-positive men who seek confidential versus anonymous HIV counseling and testing differ in demographic variables, risk behaviors, return rates for posttest appointments, and agreement to partner notification. chi 2 tests were not statistically significant for return rates for post-test appointments or partner notification between the two groups. HIV-positive individuals in the confidential groups were more likely to utilize medical and follow-up services than those in the anonymous group. Anonymous and confidential counseling and testing both appear to achieve the public health objectives of HIV case finding and referral. Hypotheses are offered regarding what may be a progression of testing behaviors (i.e., from anonymous to confidential) with suggestions for future research are suggested.

[Answer to the study by von Hopf et al: recommendations to patients with idiopathic scoliosis concerning sports activities]. / Erwiderung zur Arbeit von Hopf et al: Empfehlung zur sportlichen Betätigung von Patienten mit idiopathischen Skoliosen.

A danger for patients with idiopathic scoliosis results not only from push but also from bendstress. For this reason patients treated with a brace should wear it in sports except swimming. Sports with permanent unilateral torsion are to be avoided. Sports with an extremely lordotic or kyphotic effect may be positive in patients with severe kyphosis or lordosis. The patients should take part in school sport activities.

Fatal errors in set as a cost of dispersal and the influence of intertidal flora on set of barnacles.

Cyprid larvae of Balanus cariosus settle preferentially on slate plates with a biota characteristic of the lower intertidal shore, and the cyprids also prefer plates with more algae. Cyprid larvae of Balanus glandula had the same preferences in two out of three experiments. We conclude that some component of the flora guides both species during settling and metamorphosis. Data on vertical distribution and fecundity of B. glandula show that the preference for the lower shore decreases fitness of B. glandula at the site of the settling experiments and at most other sites sampled in or near the San Juan Islands, though in some restricted habitats in the San Juans and extensive areas in the adjacent regions of Puget Sound a preference for the lower shore is appropriate. Extensive dispersal among sites is possible in the planktonic period of 2 to 4 weeks. This example supports the hypothesis that a cost to large scale dispersal is lower fitness at many sites within a species' range. In this case the cost is through poorer correlation between stimuli guiding choice of habitat and favorability of habitat.