Sexual health problems and health-seeking behavior of men who have sex with men in Agra City, Uttar Pradesh.

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of acquiring sexually transmitted illnesses. The gross stigmatization of homosexuality and discrimination has always affected their health-seeking behavior. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to assess the magnitude of sexual health problems, factors associated, and their health-seeking behavior. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Agra city, Uttar Pradesh during December 2017 and November 2019 among a sample of 52 MSM. The Snowball technique of sampling was used to recruit the eligible subjects. Data were collected by interview and analyzed using MS excel. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of any sexual health problem in past 1 year was 71.2%. Anal/perianal problems (26.9%) and genital/oral vesicles (26.9%) were the most commonly encountered illnesses MSM who had all their sexual encounters with men (completely homosexual), those MSM who used to play both insertive and receptive roles, had 5 or more sexual partners, used condom irregularly had significantly higher chances of having sexual health problems. Most (70.3%) MSM sought treatment for their sexual health problem from an Allopathic doctor; 29.4% took treatment from a government health facility. The majority (94.1%) of them were reportedly satisfied with the health care facility. Most (79.4%) respondents preferred not to disclose their sexual behavior during interaction with their sexual health care provider. CONCLUSION: High prevalence of sexual health problems was found among MSM who engage in high-risk sexual behavior. MSM requires access to STIs screening. Behavior change communication is needed to improve their health-seeking behavior.

Comparative Study of Efficacy and Safety of Topical Squaric Acid Dibutylester and Diphenylcyclopropenone for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata.

BACKGROUND: Topical squaric acid dibutylester and diphenylcyclopropenone are still the most effective therapy for alopecia areata among widely available treatment options. Hence, it is important to know which one is more effective and safer between the two. AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare topical squaric acid dibutylester and diphenylcyclopropenone for the treatment of alopecia areata in terms of their efficacy and side effects. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In the time period of January-March 2015, a total of 40 patients were selected for this study from the outpatient department of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi. After dropout of 16 patients, the remaining 24 patients were randomly divided into two groups; that is, group A for squaric acid dibutylester and group B for diphenylcyclopropenone. Each group received treatment for 6 months between March-November 2015. Their efficacy and side effects were compared. STATISTICAL TEST: Unpaired student t-test was performed. P < 0.05 was considered to be significant and 95% confidence interval was also used to evaluate the efficacy. RESULTS: The mean values of percentage change in baseline severity of alopecia tool score for squaric acid dibutylester and diphenylcyclopropenone were 52.25 and 34.45, respectively. At 6 months, 95% confidence interval was 43.5-61% for group A and 25-44% for group B. In 58.33% of group A patients, A3 (50-74%) grade of improvement was observed, whereas in group B patients, it was 33.33%. A4 grade of improvement (75-99%) was also seen in 1 patient of group A. Minor side effects were seen in 2 patients of group A and 10 patients of group B. None of the group A patients showed major side effects, however, 2 patients suffered major side effects in group B. CONCLUSIONS: Between squaric acid dibutylester and diphenylcyclopropenone, squaric acid dibutylester is more efficacious. Further, frequencies of major and minor side effects are also lower than diphenylcyclopropenone.

Effects of fetal bovine serum and estrus buffalo serum on maturation of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) oocytes in vitro.

AIM: The aim was to assess the effects of fetal bovine serum (FBS) and estrus buffalo serum (EBS) on in vitro maturation rate of oocytes in buffalo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Maturation rate of oocytes was assessed in two maturation media supplemented with 20% FBS and EBS. Oocytes maturation rate was evaluated on the basis of cumulus cell expansion and extrusion of polar body after 24 h of in vitro culture in CO2 incubator. RESULTS: The average percentage of in vitro matured oocytes in FBS was 83.80%, and EBS was 77.45%, respectively. The results revealed a significant (p<0.05) increase in maturation rate of oocytes in FBS than EBS. CONCLUSION: Buffalo oocytes were better in vitro matured in FBS than EBS.

A vero cell derived combined vaccine against sheep pox and Peste des Petits ruminants for sheep.

The combined sheep pox and Peste des Petits ruminants (PPR) vaccine was prepared in lyophilized form containing recommended doses of both vaccine viruses. Safety and immunogenicity of this combined vaccine was evaluated in sheep. Sheep immunized subcutaneously with 1ml of live attenuated vaccine consisting of 10(3)TCID(50) each of sheep pox virus (SPV) Romanian Fanar (RF) strain and Peste des Petits ruminants virus (PPRV-Sungri/96 strain) were monitored for clinical and serological responses for a period of four weeks post immunization (pi) and two week post challenge (pc). Specific antibodies directed to sheep pox virus could be demonstrated by indirect ELISA and serum neutralization test (SNT). Competitive ELISA and SNT were used for demonstration of antibodies to PPR virus. All the immunized animals resisted challenge with virulent SPV or PPRV on day 30pi, while control animals developed characteristic signs of disease. Specific virus could be detected in the unvaccinated control animals after challenge but not from any of the immunized sheep. Combined vaccine was found to be safe and potent as evident from sero conversion as well as challenge studies in sheep. This indicates that component vaccines did not interfere each other and can be used in target population for economic vaccination strategies.

Binding of iron(II) ions to the pentose sugar 2-deoxyribose.

Iron(II) ions are able to form a weak complex (apparent equilibrium constant about 10(2) at pH 7.4 and 25 degrees C) with 2-deoxyribose over a range of pH values, including pH 7. Evidence for this complex formation has been obtained by spectrophotometric experiments and by studies of Fe(II) oxidation. Iron(II) ions bound to deoxyribose seem to react with H2O2, in a site-specific reaction, to form hydroxyl radicals (.OH) that immediately damage the deoxyribose molecule.