The Changing Narratives of Death, Dying, and HIV in the United Kingdom

Death and infection were closely linked from the start of the HIV epidemic, until successful treatments became available. The initial impact of mostly young, gay men dying from HIV was powerful in shaping UK responses. Neoliberal discourses developed at the same time, particularly focusing on how citizens (rather than the state) should take responsibility to improve health. Subsequently “successful ageing” became an allied discourse, further marginalising death discussions. Our study reflected on a broad range of meanings around death within the historical UK epidemic, to examine how dying narratives shape contemporary HIV experiences. Fifty-one participants including people living with HIV, professionals, and activists were recruited for semistructured interviews. Assuming a symbolic interactionist framework, analysis highlighted how HIV deaths were initially experienced as not only traumatic but also energizing, leading to creativity. With effective antiretrovirals, dying changed shape (e.g., loss of death literacy), and better integration of palliative care was recommended

HIV-related stigma in the UK then and now: to what extent are we on track to eliminate stigma? A qualitative investigation

Background The introduction of effective antiretroviral treatment in the late 1990s led to the perception that HIV was a chronic but manageable condition. Nevertheless, stigma remains one of the major hurdles for people living with HIV (PLWH) to accessing healthcare and biomedical preventions. Thus, Fast Track Cities has set a target of zero HIV discrimination by 2030 as part of its strategy to end HIV transmission. Methods Fifty-three participants from the United Kingdom, including PLWH (n = 21, 40%), health and social care workers (n = 24, 45%), and charity workers and activists (n = 13, 25%), were recruited. Semi-structured interviews investigated stigma and discrimination, focusing on both before and after the widespread use of effective antiretroviral treatment in the late 1990s. Data were analysed using a thematic approach. Results Before effective antiretroviral treatment narratives were shaped by two main themes: 1) the media’s role in influencing public opinion and contributing to misunderstandings of HIV transmission; and 2) personal experiences of HIV-related stigma, which for PLWH included incidents of physical violence and aggression, as well as fears of their HIV status being publicised. Contemporary narratives on stigma experiences were organised around four themes: 1) discrimination in healthcare settings; 2) stigma amongst men who have sex with men (MSM); 3) stigma towards African and Afro-Caribbean PLWH; and 4) the limits of change in public HIV-related knowledge and attitudes. Contemporary narratives indicated a reduction in enacted stigma, but continued anticipation of discrimination and self-reported shame, particularly in MSM and African and Afro-Caribbean PLWH. Conclusion The nature of stigma against those with HIV has evolved. The intersection of PLWH and minority groups (e.g. MSM and African and Afro-Caribbean persons) may enhance anticipatory and internalised stigma, with some suggestion that this may contribute to reduced engagement in HIV care and prevention services. Our findings indicate the need for further research in this area, as well as proactive interventions with community groups to enhance knowledge of HIV

Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae in Madagascar

An account of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) for the Flore de Madagascar et des Comores (Paris) has recently been completed and submitted for publication (Sales and Hedge 2004). The flora account deals with 15 genera and 31 species in the subfamilies Hydrocotyloideae, Saniculoideae and Apioideae; some of the species are globally widespread and/or doubtfully native. Five new species will be described in Peucedanum (2), Phellolophium (1) and Pimpinella (2). Here, we concentrate on subfam. Apioideae, draw attention to some features of special interest and provide a checklist of the native 11 genera and 20 species currently known to occur in Madagascar

4-Formyl-3-p-tolyl­sydnone

In the title compound, C10H8N2O3, the oxadiazole ring is essentially planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.006 (1) Å for the two-connected N atom. The mean planes through the aldehyde unit and the methyl-substituted phenyl ring make inter­planar angles of 13.60 (9) and 59.69 (4)°, respectively, with the oxadiazole ring. In the crystal structure, adjacent mol­ecules are inter­connected into a two-dimensional array parallel to (100) by inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds

4-[3-(1-Naphthyl­oxymeth­yl)-7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thia­diazin-6-yl]-3-p-tolyl­sydnone

In the title sydnone compound, C24H18N6O3S {systematic name: 4-[3-(1-naphthyl­oxymeth­yl)-7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thia­diazin-6-yl]-3-p-tolyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2,3-oxadiazol-3-ium-5-olate} an intra­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bond generates an S(6) ring motif. The 3,6-dihydro-1,3,4-thia­diazine ring adopts a twist-boat conformation. The essentially planar 1,2,3-oxadiazole and 1,2,4-triazole rings [maximum deviations of 0.006 (1) and 0.008 (1) Å, respectively] are inclined to one another at inter­planar angle of 44.11 (4)°. The naphthalene unit forms an inter­planar angle of 66.40 (4)° with the 1,2,4-triazole ring. In the crystal packing, pairs of inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link adjacent mol­ecules into dimers incorporating R 2 2(12) ring motifs. Further stabilization is provided by weak C—H⋯π inter­actions

3-(2,3-Dimethyl-5-oxo-1-phenyl-2,5-di­hydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)sydnone

In the title sydnone compound [systematic name: 3-(2,3-dimethyl-5-oxo-1-phenyl-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,2,3-oxadiazol-3-ium-5-olate], C13H12N4O3, the oxadiazole and pyrazole rings are essentially planar [maximum deviations = 0.006 (1) and 0.019 (1) Å, respectively] and are inclined at inter­planar angles of 37.84 (4) and 46.60 (4)°, respectively, with respect to the benzene ring. In the crystal, adjacent mol­ecules are inter­connected into a three-dimensional supra­molecular network via inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. Weak inter­molecular π–π aromatic stacking inter­actions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.5251 (5) Å] further stabilize the crystal packing

3-Phenyl-4-{3-[(p-tol­yloxy)meth­yl]-7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thia­diazin-6-yl}sydnone

In the title compound (systematic name: 3-phenyl-4-{3-[(p-tol­yloxy)meth­yl]-7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thia­diazin-6-yl}-1,2,3-oxadiazol-3-ium-5-olate), C20H16N6O3S, an intra­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bond generates an S(6) ring motif. The 3,6-dihydro-1,3,4-thia­diazine ring adopts a twist-boat conformation. The 1,2,3-oxadiazole and 1,2,4-triazole rings are inclined to each other at an inter­planar angle of 44.13 (13)°. The phenyl ring makes an inter­planar angle of 67.40 (13)° with the attached 1,2,3-oxadiazole ring. In the crystal structure, adjacent mol­ecules are inter­connected into two-mol­ecule-thick arrays parallel to (100) via C—H⋯O and C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds. A short S⋯O contact [2.9512 (18) Å] is observed

2-Bromo-3-phenyl-1-(3-phenyl­sydnon-4-yl)prop-2-en-1-one

The title sydnone derivative [systematic name: 2-bromo-1-(5-oxido-3-phenyl-1,2,3-oxadiazo­lium-4-yl)-3-phenyl­prop-2-en-1-one], C17H11BrN2O3, exists in a Z configuration with respect to the acyclic C=C bond. An intra­molecular C—H⋯Br hydrogen bond generates a six-membered ring, producing an S(6) ring motif. The 1,2,3-oxadiazole ring in the sydnone unit is essentially planar [maximum deviation = 0.011 (2) Å] and forms dihedral angles of 55.39 (13) and 57.12 (12)° with the two benzene rings. In the crystal structure, inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link mol­ecules into two-mol­ecule-thick arrays parallel to the bc plane. The crystal structure also features a short inter­molecular N⋯C contacts [3.030 (3) Å] as well as C—H⋯π and π–π inter­actions [centroid–centroid distances = 3.3798 (11) and 3.2403 (12) Å]

Short-term Exposure to Triclosan Decreases Thyroxine In Vivo via Upregulation of Hepatic Catabolism in Young Long-Evans Rats

Triclosan (5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-phenol) is a chlorinated phenolic antibacterial compound found in consumer products. In vitro human pregnane X receptor activation, hepatic phase I enzyme induction, and decreased in vivo total thyroxine (T4) suggest adverse effects on thyroid hormone homeostasis. Current research tested the hypothesis that triclosan decreases circulating T4 via upregulation of hepatic catabolism and transport. Weanling female Long-Evans rats received triclosan (0–1000 mg/kg/day) by gavage for 4 days. Whole blood and liver were collected 24 h later. Total serum T4, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Hepatic microsomal assays measured ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase, pentoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (PROD), and uridine diphosphate glucuronyltransferase enzyme activities. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of cytochrome P450s 1a1, 2b1/2, and 3a1/23; UGTs 1a1, 1a6, and 2b5; sulfotransferases 1c1 and 1b1; and hepatic transporters Oatp1a1, Oatp1a4, Mrp2, and Mdr1b was measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. Total T4 decreased dose responsively, down to 43% of control at 1000 mg/kg/day. Total T3 was decreased to 89 and 75% of control at 300 and 1000 mg/kg/day. TSH did not change. Triclosan dose dependently increased PROD activity up to 900% of control at 1000 mg/kg/day. T4 glucuronidation increased nearly twofold at 1000 mg/kg/day. Cyp2b1/2 and Cyp3a1/23 mRNA expression levels were induced twofold and fourfold at 300 mg/kg/day. Ugt1a1 and Sult1c1 mRNA expression levels increased 2.2-fold and 2.6-fold at 300 mg/kg/day. Transporter mRNA expression levels were unchanged. These data denote important key events in the mode of action for triclosan-induced hypothyroxinemia in rats and suggest that this effect may be partially due to upregulation of hepatic catabolism but not due to mRNA expression changes in the tested hepatic transporters