Evaluation of a Rapid Syphilis Test in an Emergency Department Setting in Detroit, Michigan.

Background: Syphilis transmission can be prevented by prompt diagnosis and treatment of primary and secondary infection. We evaluated the performance of a point-of-care rapid syphilis treponemal (RST) test in an emergency department (ED) setting.

Methods: Between June 2015 and April 2016, men aged 18 to 34 years seeking services in a Detroit ED, and with no history of syphilis, were screened for syphilis with the RST test, rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test, and Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay (TP-PA).

Evaluating the effectiveness of intervention in long-term aphasia post-stroke: the experience from CHANT (Communication Hub for Aphasia in North Tyneside).

Background: Despite recognition of the need for increased long-term support for people with aphasia following stroke, there remains limited evidence for effective service-level interventions.

Aims: To evaluate the outcomes and experiences of people participating in the Communication Hub for Aphasia in North Tyneside (CHANT), a 2-year partnership project between health, local authority and third-sector services, shaped by people with aphasia, which provided a coordinated programme of support and interventions for people with long-term aphasia following stroke.

Methods & Procedures: Quantitative and qualitative methods were used in the evaluation.

Apraxia of speech: how reliable are speech and language therapists' diagnoses?

Objective: To discover how reliably speech and language therapists could diagnose apraxia of speech using their clinical judgement, by measuring whether they were consistent (intra-rater reliability), and whether their diagnoses agreed (inter-rater reliability).

Design: Video clips of people with communication difficulties following stroke were rated by four speech and language therapists who were given no definition of apraxia of speech, no training, and no opportunity for conferring.

Settings: Videos were made of people following stroke in their homes.

Preliminary results from using the Panjabi adaptation of the Aphasia Screening Test.

The Panjabi adaptation of the Aphasia Screening Test (AST) has been used with a small group of stroke patients and the preliminary results are reported. All the patients are described and their test results plotted. Observations are made about the test procedure, with recommendations for its further use.

Heavy metal levels in the near vicinity to roads in a north London Borough.

The ingestion and inhalation of heavy metals through soil, surface dust, air and food contamination may have a detrimental effect on human health. Metal levels have been measured in a Local Authority in London, UK and are discussed where possible in relation to health risk and relevant guidelines.

Air quality in the vicinity of urban roads.

Motor vehicle emissions are a major source of CO, NOx and lead particulate concentrations to urban air quality. London urban Boroughs with high traffic densities are therefore a particular cause for concern. The air quality was monitored at an urban background site in the London Borough of Haringey for 2-years.