In an earlier study where 01% w/v sodium acetate was added, it w

In an earlier study where 0.1% w/v sodium acetate was added, it was found that of a mixture of 40 μM VC, t-DCE, and TCE, ∼30% of the added VC and t-DCE were degraded after 216 h of incubation. Here, when Methylocystis strain SB2 was grown with 0.1% v/v ethanol and a mixture of 40 μM VC, t-DCE, and TCE, ∼13% and 12% of VC and t-DCE, respectively, were degraded after 120 h of incubation. Different time periods were used for ethanol- http://www.selleckchem.com/products/ly2109761.html and acetate-grown cultures to reflect the time of active growth, i.e., Methylocystis strain SB2 grown on ethanol entered the stationary phase of growth

more quickly that when grown on acetate. It may be that with a longer incubation time, ethanol-grown cultures of Methylocystis strain SB2 may have degraded more of these compounds. In summary, these data show that the competitive PARP inhibitor inhibition of pMMO is a key factor in controlling the ability of methanotrophs to degrade a variety of chlorinated hydrocarbons. Given that via facultative methanotrophy, pollutant degradation is uncoupled from carbon assimilation, the addition of alternative substrates such as ethanol or acetate to promote methanotrophic-mediated pollutant degradation may be a useful strategy for enhanced bioremediation of polluted sites. It should be kept in mind, however, that both substrate and product toxicity of chlorinated hydrocarbons can limit the growth of methanotrophs regardless

of the growth substrate, and by extension, their ability to degrade these compounds. Future work should determine the abundance and distribution of facultative methanotrophs in situ, as well as the ability of facultative methanotrophs to compete for alternative substrates in the presence of heterotrophic microorganisms in more complex systems, for example, soil microcosms. Finally, more research is needed to consider how best to use facultative methanotrophic communities for pollutant degradation both in aboveground reactors and in situ. “
“A metagenomic approach was applied using 454-pyrosequencing data analysis for the profiling of bacterial communities in the

brine samples of the water reclamation plant. Some physicochemical Interleukin-3 receptor characteristics of brine samples were also determined using standard methods. Samples ranged from being lightly alkaline to highly alkaline (pH 7.40–10.91) throughout the various treatment stages, with the salinity ranging from 1.62 to 4.53 g L−1 and dissolved oxygen concentrations ranging from 7.47 to 9.12 mg L−1. Phenotypic switching was found to occur due to these physicochemical parameters. Microbial diversities increased from those present in Stage I reactor (six taxonomic groups) to those in Reverse Osmosis (RO) stage I (17 taxonomic groups), whereas in the second phase of the treatment, it increased in Stage II clarifier (14 taxonomic groups) followed by a decrease in RO stage II (seven taxonomic groups). Overall, seven phyla were detected, apart from many bacterial sequences that were unclassified at the phylum level.

We can use the model structures to predict the roles that the mut

We can use the model structures to predict the roles that the mutations may play in NK function. As shown in Fig. 3b, many mutations were far away from the active TGF beta inhibitor pocket, and two mutations (V150 and T224) were close to the active site. The hydrophobic pocket of the active site

was broadened as a result of all of the amino acid substitutions (Fig. 3c), which may lead to changes in the protein structure and the catalytic activity. In the current study, we investigated how to improve the fibrinolytic activity of NK using directed evolution to broaden its medical or commercial applications. In vitro molecular evolution strategies are the most efficient methods for creating proteins with improved or novel properties. We generated a library of NK variants by the shuffling of genes encoding subtilisin NAT (NK), BPN′ and Carlsberg. To screen large libraries, the NK variants were expressed in E. coli. BL21(DE3)pLysS using a prokaryotic signal peptide, PelB, for efficient secretion. NK variants were selected based on zone-forming activity on agar plates with skim milk or fibrin. A mutant NK showed

a 2.3-fold increase in fibrinolytic activities compared Selleck HSP inhibitor to the wild-type NK from Bacillus natto. The further sequence and structural study of the mutant enzyme will offer some insight into the structure-function relationship of NK. The amino acid sequence alignment of the three parents and the mutant enzyme revealed that the catalytic triad and the substrate-binding site were conserved. Nine amino acid substitutions were derived from SB, and Baf-A1 cost the rest from SB or SC. No new mutations were introduced into the mutant enzyme sequence (Fig. 3a). To understand the functions of the amino acid substitutions, the identified

mutations in the selected mutant was distributed throughout the model of the mutant structure based on the three-dimensional model of NK that was previously constructed by our lab (Zheng et al., 2005). The three-dimensional structure showed that the strictly conserved residues of the catalytic centre (D32, H64, S221) and the substrate-binding sites (S125, L126, G127) were positioned in the pocket, which comprised two α-helices and seven β-strands (Fig. 3b). However, in the current study, none of the mutations was located in those strictly conserved regions throughout the mutant. Most of the mutations were located in the surface regions and far away from the pocket, with the exception of the substitutions A150V and T224S (Fig. 3b), which were very close to the Ser221 in the catalytic centre of the enzyme. This change may not be involved in hydrogen bonding with other residues. However, the combination of this change with other substitutions may result in the formation of a larger active-site pocket to improve the catalytic efficiency (Fig. 3c).

Patients had been on cART for a median of 44 years prior to base

Patients had been on cART for a median of 4.4 years prior to baseline. The majority of patients (1029; 56.3%) were on an NNRTI-based cART regimen after starting new ARVs at baseline. Selleck UK-371804 The main reason reported for starting new ARVs was toxicity or patient/physician choice. Nine hundred and thirty-two patients (51%) only started one new ARV and 349 (19%) started a completely new cART regimen (at least three ARVs). Patients had a median viral load of 4.54 log10 copies/mL when they started cART. The median time to first viral suppression after cART

initiation was 3.0 months (IQR 1.3–7.4 months). Five hundred and eighty-nine patients (68%) experienced at least one viral rebound prior to baseline after cART initiation. Of those patients who had rebounded prior to baseline, 206 (35%) had experienced a viral rebound to >10 000 copies/mL and 137 patients (23.2%) had experienced a viral rebound in the year prior to baseline. Overall, patients had spent a median of 98% (IQR Selleck PF-562271 86–100%) of the time on cART virally suppressed (viral load <500 copies/mL) after cART initiation. After starting a new ARV(s), 451 patients (24.7%) experienced virological failure, with an incidence rate (IR) of 7.3 per 100 person-years of follow-up (PYFU) [95% confidence interval (CI) 6.7–8.0]. Patients who took longer to achieve initial viral

suppression after cART initiation had an increased rate of virological failure after baseline (IRR 1.04 per 6 months longer to achieve suppression; 95% CI 0.99–1.09); however, this difference was not Thalidomide statistically significant (P=0.14). Figure 1 shows the rate of virological failure after

baseline by the number of viral rebounds the patient had experienced prior to baseline. There was a 41% increased rate of virological failure after baseline for each viral rebound experienced prior to baseline (IRR 1.41; 95% CI 1.31–1.51). Patients who had a low viral rebound prior to baseline (501–1000 copies/mL) had a 30% lower rate of virological failure after baseline (IRR 0.70; 95% CI 0.49–1.01; P=0.06) and those who had a medium viral rebound (1001–10 000 copies/mL) had an 18% lower rate (IRR 0.82; 95% CI 0.60–1.10; P=0.19) compared with patients who had experienced a high viral rebound (>10 000 copies/mL) prior to baseline (Fig. 2). There was a higher rate of virological failure in patients who had virally rebounded more recently before baseline (Fig. 3). For example, patients who had virally rebounded in the year prior to baseline had a 3.4-times higher rate of virological failure compared with patients who had never virally rebounded (IRR 3.37; 95% CI 2.59–4.39; P<.0001), whereas there was no significant difference in the rate of virological failure between patients whose last viral rebound was more than 3 years prior and those who had never rebounded (IRR 1.10; 95% CI 0.81–1.49; P=0.54).


“Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid-β (A


“Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in the brain, neuronal cell loss and cognitive decline. We show here that retinoic acid receptor (RAR)α signalling in vitro can prevent both intracellular and extracellular Aβ accumulation. RARα signalling increases the expression of a disintegrin and metalloprotease 10, an α-secretase that processes the amyloid precursor protein into the non-amyloidic pathway, selleck chemicals llc thus reducing Aβ production. We also show that RARα agonists are neuroprotective, as they prevent Aβ-induced neuronal cell death in cortical cultures. If RARα agonists are given to the Tg2576 mouse, the normal Aβ production in their brains is suppressed.

In contrast, neither RARβ nor γ-agonists affect Aβ production or Aβ-mediated neuronal cell death. Therefore, RARα agonists have Metformin order therapeutic potential for the treatment of AD. “
“Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a respiratory condition occurring during sleep characterised by repeated collapse of the upper airway. Patients with OSA show altered brain structure and function that may manifest

as impaired neuroplasticity. We assessed this hypothesis in 13 patients with moderate-to-severe OSA and 11 healthy control subjects. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to induce and measure neuroplastic changes in the motor cortex by assessing changes in motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in a hand muscle. Baseline measurements of cortical excitability included active (AMT) and resting motor thresholds (RMT), and the maximal stimulator output producing a 1-mV MEP. Intracortical inhibition (ICI) was investigated with short- and long-interval ICI paradigms (SICI and LICI, respectively), and neuroplastic changes were induced using continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS). At baseline, differences were found between groups for RMT (9.5% maximal stimulator output higher in OSA) and 1-mV MEPs (10.3% maximal stimulator output higher in OSA), but not AMT. No differences were found between groups

for SICI or LICI. The response to cTBS was different between groups, with control subjects showing an expected reduction in MEP amplitude after cTBS, whereas the MEPs in patients with OSA did not change. The lack of response to cTBS suggests Phospholipase D1 impaired long-term depression-like neuroplasticity in patients with OSA, which may be a consequence of sleep fragmentation or chronic blood gas disturbance in sleep. This reduced neuroplastic capacity may have implications for the learning, retention or consolidation of motor skills in patients with OSA. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a respiratory condition occurring during sleep characterised by periods of upper-airway collapse resulting in reduced (hypopnoea) or completely absent (apnoea) airflow (Eckert & Malhotra, 2008). Most apnoeic/hypopnoeic periods end with arousal from sleep, resulting in sleep fragmentation and altered sleep architecture (i.e.

The preterm delivery rate was 365% (n = 122), and 269% of deliv

The preterm delivery rate was 36.5% (n = 122), and 26.9% of deliveries (n = 90) were between 34+0 and 36+6 weeks of gestation. Over the observation period, the percentage of women with undetectable HIV viral load

(VL) increased significantly (P < 0.001), from 26.1% to 75%, leading to obstetric changes, including an increase in the rate of vaginal deliveries (P < 0.001), from no vaginal births to 50%. The preterm delivery rate decreased significantly (P < 0.001), from 79.2% to 8.3%. There were no significant changes in the rate of GDM, pre-eclampsia, PROM or preterm contractions. In the 11 years of our analysis, there was a significant reduction in the rate of preterm deliveries and an increase in the vaginal delivery rate, possibly reflecting learn more changes in treatment policies in the same period and the availability of more effective antiretroviral therapy options. The rates of complications such as GDM, pre-eclampsia, preterm contractions, PROM and postnatal complications were stable over the 11 years, but were

still increased compared with the general population. “
“In HIV-uninfected populations, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is commonly associated with cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and cognitive impairment. These comorbidities are common in HIV-infected Selleckchem Pexidartinib patients, but there are scarce data regarding OSA in HIV-infected patients. Therefore, we examined the prevalence and correlates of OSA in a cohort of HIV-infected and uninfected patients. An observational cohort study was carried out. Electronic medical record and self-report data were examined in patients enrolled in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) between 2002 and 2008 and followed until 2010. The primary outcome was OSA diagnosis, determined using International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition (ICD-9) codes, in HIV-infected compared with uninfected individuals. We used regression analyses to determine the association between OSA diagnosis, symptoms and comorbidities

in adjusted models. Of 3683 HIV-infected and 3641 uninfected patients, 143 (3.9%) and 453 (12.4%) had a diagnosis of OSA (p < 0.0001), respectively. HIV-infected patients were more likely to report symptoms associated with OSA such as tiredness and fatigue. Compared with uninfected patients with OSA, HIV-infected patients Reverse transcriptase with OSA were younger, had lower body mass indexes (BMIs), and were less likely to have hypertension. In models adjusting for these traditional OSA risk factors, HIV infection was associated with markedly reduced odds of OSA diagnosis (odds ratio 0.48; 95% confidence interval 0.39-0.60). HIV-infected patients are less likely to receive a diagnosis of OSA. Future studies are needed to determine whether the lower prevalence of OSA diagnoses in HIV-infected patients is attributable to decreased screening and detection or to a truly decreased likelihood of OSA in the setting of HIV infection.

Women in this study were only asked about sex with men Based on

Women in this study were only asked about sex with men. Based on responses to these items, the computer-based interview asked pertinent questions about sexual

behaviour. Participants were asked to provide the number of times they had engaged in insertive or receptive vaginal or anal sex with HIV-infected partners, HIV-uninfected partners and partners of unknown HIV status. Participants were also asked about the click here number of times they had used condoms (male or female) from the beginning to the end of penetration and the number of times sex was unprotected. Unprotected sex was limited in the questioning to any act of insertive or receptive anal or vaginal intercourse in which a participant did not use a condom, a definition that excludes risk acts produced by accidental condom slippage or breakage. Our primary outcome variable was TRB and was defined as unprotected anal or vaginal sex with HIV-negative or status unknown partners. The variable itself was binary (yes/no). We used bivariate correlations and, where appropriate, crosstabs to assess the extent to which our data replicated previously established

bivariate TRB risk and protective factors. In addition, we ran bivariate analyses selleck kinase inhibitor on all of the nonscale items of the ACASI interview (i.e. all items except those that were part of the Treatment Optimism and Self-Efficacy scales) to determine if any individual questions were viable predictors of TRBs. Because the TRB outcome measure was dichotomous, we chose binary logistic regression for the multivariate modelling. In addition to the variables we planned to test for a relationship with TRBs (i.e. self-efficacy, treatment optimism, age, substance use, engagement with medical care, awareness of risky behaviours and education), we initially entered other variables with reliable (P<0.05) or suggestive (P<0.10) associations with TRBs. After building the initial model we then removed the variable with the weakest association and re-ran the analysis. This process was repeated until all predictors had estimates with P<0.10. The primary purposes of the bivariate analyses were to validate that the present sample

was not dramatically different from previously described samples (i.e. that we could replicate established bivariate relationships) and to generate candidates for our multivariate models beyond those we Nintedanib (BIBF 1120) intended to test a priori. Therefore, we did not correct for type I error and individual analyses should be interpreted with caution. For all of the analyses described below, positive correlations suggest more TRB and negative correlations suggest less TRB. We were able to replicate bivariate associations in the hypothesized direction for age (r=−0.28, P<0.0005), frequency of alcohol use in the past 3 months (r=0.11, P=0.07), any methamphetamine use in the past 3 months (r=0.25, P<0.0005), any nonprescription sildenafil use in the past 3 months (r=0.20, P=0.001), any cocaine use in the past 3 months (r=0.11, P=0.

In the environment, there are numerous mutagens that may affect m

In the environment, there are numerous mutagens that may affect microorganisms genes. It is well known that mutagens induce mutations in microorganisms and change their susceptibility to bactericidal

drugs (Posnick & Samson, 1999; Takechi et al., 2006). However, bacteria have different susceptibility to the action of mutagens even within a same serotype, such as differences among Salmonella Typhimurium strains, tester strains of Ames test (Levin et al., 1982; Gee et al., 1994; Jemnitz et al., 2004). Therefore, we considered that susceptibilities to mutagens must be investigated in clinically important bacteria as to the emergence of drug resistance. We were unable, however, to find any reports describing whether or how these mutagens induce mutations in clinically important microorganisms, or if the induced mutations might confer resistance to antibacterial agents. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infects ABT-199 purchase immunosuppressed patients and causes high mortality in hospitalized patients (Stover et al., 2000).

It is unique because it possesses intrinsic resistance to a variety of antimicrobial agents (Chen et al., 2008). Ciprofloxacin (CPFX), a new quinolone antibacterial agent that inhibits type II topoisomerases, has been effective in treating P. aeruginosa infections. The emergence, however, of CPFX-resistant P. aeruginosa with mutations in gyrA/gyrB/parC/parE, find more which encode gyrase or topoisomerase IV, has been reported (Jalal & Wretlind, 1998; Akasaka et al., 2001; Mouneimne et al., 1999; Wydmuch et al., 2005). Essential for treating tuberculosis, rifampicin (Rif) is an inhibitor of RNA polymerase (Campbell et al., 2001). In Phospholipase D1 recent years, however, Rif-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis has become a serious worldwide clinical problem. Resistance to Rif is conferred by mutations in the rpoB gene, which encodes the β-subunit of RNA polymerase (Mariam et al., 2004). How Rif-resistant bacteria acquire mutations in the rpoB gene is not known. We designed this study to clarify whether and how mutagens in the environment and drugs are involved in the evolution of drug-resistant microorganisms. We exposed

P. aeruginosa to environmental mutagens. Then, we calculated the incidence of Rif- and CPFX-resistant P. aeruginosa and analyzed the gene sequences for rpoB and gyrA/gyrB/parC/parE. We found that environmental mutagens and an anticancer drug induce drug resistance in P. aeruginosa, and that the mutation spectra are similar to clinically isolated samples of drug-resistant P. aeruginosa. Ethylmethansulfonate (EMS) and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich, (St. Louis, MO). N-nitroso-N-methylurea (MNU) and benzopyrene (BP) were obtained from Wako (Kyoto, Japan). N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) was obtained from Toronto Research Chemicals Inc. (Ontario, Canada) and 1,6-dinitropyrene (1,6-DNP) from AccuStandard (New Haven, CT). MNU, 1,6-DNP, and NNN were each dissolved in DMSO.

4) Apart from PLFA nor16:0, the highest proportions of the plant

4). Apart from PLFA nor16:0, the highest proportions of the plant litter-derived 13C were detected in 18:2ω6,9 and 18:1ω7 (Table S2). Readily available C of both plant litter types thus promoted mainly fungi and Gram-negative bacteria, which is in accordance with recent studies. The rapid labelling of the fungal biomass after only 1 month of incubation was recently explained by fungal hyphae that grow into the litter from the mineral soil layer (Moore-Kucera & Dick, 2008). Twelve weeks after litter application, a large difference between L. corniculatus and C. epigejos was observed as a result of the

lack of Gram-positive bacteria in L. corniculatus (nor14:0, iso15:0, ant15:0), but also because of a decreased proportion of MS-275 chemical structure 13C in fungi (18:2ω6,9) in C. epigejos. This result underlines the competition between fungi and Gram-positive bacteria as discussed above; in C. epigejos treatments, a decrease in fungi results in

a decreased litter-degrading activity, which in turn promotes Gram-positive bacteria in the decomposition process. In both treatments, an increased proportion of litter-derived 13C was detected in Gram-negative bacteria, indicated by 16:1ω5, 18:1ω7, 18:1ω9 and cy19:0 (Table S2; Fig. 4). These results generally confirm the recent findings of Kramer & Gleixner (2006), who postulated a preferential uptake of litter C by Gram-negative bacteria, while Gram-positive bacteria utilized soil-derived C. The low C content of the soil might explain the outcompetition of Gram-positive bacteria mainly in the L. corniculatus treatments by fungi as long as available N from the litter material is present. Forty weeks after the application of litter learn more material, samples from L. corniculatus and C. epigejos treatments again showed a similar 13C distribution among the PLFA biomarkers. In contrast to the samples at 12 weeks, an increase of 13C in a number of Gram-positive Megestrol Acetate (iso15:0, iso16:0, iso17:0, 10ME17:0) and Gram-negative biomarkers (17:1ω8, 16:1ω5)

was observed in both treatments. This result is in accordance with experiments performed with soils from climax ecosystems, where, in the later phase of litter decomposition, the 13C distribution among a high diversity of microbial communities indicates a system in a steady state, where incorporated litter C has been recycled throughout the microbial community structure (Rubino et al., 2010). Both Gram-negative as well as Gram-positive bacteria have been found in context with complex and recalcitrant litter material decomposition (Peacock et al., 2000; Elfstrand et al., 2008). Overall, the results of the present study show (1) a stronger influence of litter quality on biological interactions between bacteria and fungi during the decomposition process compared with litter degradation in climax ecosystems, which in turn alters the process of litter decomposition and results in different rates of litter degradation of the two colonizer plants L. corniculatus and C. epigejos.

The testing history of those individuals attending community sett

The testing history of those individuals attending community settings was reported in 15 studies, with 13 of 15 showing that the large majority of clients (between 62 and 100%) had previously had an HIV test [18, 27, 31, 33, 34, 36, 41, 43, 47, 51, 59, 60] and only two studies [17, 25] reporting that < 50% of people attending had tested previously. Both of these studies used mobile vans to offer HIV testing and one targeted BME communities in the USA [25], while the other,

conducted in Spain, did not target any particular high-risk group [17]. Only one study compared the testing history of all those who tested with the testing history of those who received a positive result. Overall, 14% of attendees had never previously been tested. However, among those who were newly diagnosed, this proportion was higher, at 24% [59]. Where included studies compared clients who tested in community IWR-1 concentration settings with those attending more traditional testing services, such as sexual health or STI clinics, there were conflicting results. Two studies, one among MSM testing at a stand-alone HIV testing site in the UK [34] and one in Wisconsin, USA [19], showed that individuals attending community settings were less likely to receive a positive result than individuals

attending the local STI or traditional sexual health clinic. selleck chemical By contrast, a Los Adenosine Angeles, USA study found a higher seropositivity in MSM tested in a community setting

(5.3%) than among those tested at an STI clinic (3.9%) [43]. The fourth study showed that a similar HIV seropositivity was observed at a mobile clinic targeting BME populations compared with other testing sites within the same geographical area [55]. The proportions of patients who received their HIV test result ranged from 29 to 100% (data available for 16 studies) [17, 18, 20, 23-25, 27, 28, 33, 36, 38, 46, 51, 53, 57, 59]. Three studies, which conducted testing from mobile vans, had < 50% return rates (using oral fluid [36, 53] or serological testing [24, 53]). The use of rapid tests consistently resulted in higher proportions of individuals receiving their results (>80%) compared to when laboratory blood or salivary tests were used (five studies) [18, 20, 23, 27, 46]. Only three studies reported the proportion of those patients who received a positive HIV test result who were successfully linked to care, and this was 75% [33] and 100% [34, 38]. Overall, where reported, client satisfaction with community testing services was high (Table 3). Choice of test type [20], use of a noninvasive test [52], anonymous testing [21, 44], confidentiality and the test being free of charge [21] were cited as important factors by clients in choosing to test for HIV. Three studies showed that rapid testing was preferred by clients [18, 20, 27].

The testing history of those individuals attending community sett

The testing history of those individuals attending community settings was reported in 15 studies, with 13 of 15 showing that the large majority of clients (between 62 and 100%) had previously had an HIV test [18, 27, 31, 33, 34, 36, 41, 43, 47, 51, 59, 60] and only two studies [17, 25] reporting that < 50% of people attending had tested previously. Both of these studies used mobile vans to offer HIV testing and one targeted BME communities in the USA [25], while the other,

conducted in Spain, did not target any particular high-risk group [17]. Only one study compared the testing history of all those who tested with the testing history of those who received a positive result. Overall, 14% of attendees had never previously been tested. However, among those who were newly diagnosed, this proportion was higher, at 24% [59]. Where included studies compared clients who tested in community GSK2118436 research buy settings with those attending more traditional testing services, such as sexual health or STI clinics, there were conflicting results. Two studies, one among MSM testing at a stand-alone HIV testing site in the UK [34] and one in Wisconsin, USA [19], showed that individuals attending community settings were less likely to receive a positive result than individuals

attending the local STI or traditional sexual health clinic. EPZ5676 order By contrast, a Los tuclazepam Angeles, USA study found a higher seropositivity in MSM tested in a community setting

(5.3%) than among those tested at an STI clinic (3.9%) [43]. The fourth study showed that a similar HIV seropositivity was observed at a mobile clinic targeting BME populations compared with other testing sites within the same geographical area [55]. The proportions of patients who received their HIV test result ranged from 29 to 100% (data available for 16 studies) [17, 18, 20, 23-25, 27, 28, 33, 36, 38, 46, 51, 53, 57, 59]. Three studies, which conducted testing from mobile vans, had < 50% return rates (using oral fluid [36, 53] or serological testing [24, 53]). The use of rapid tests consistently resulted in higher proportions of individuals receiving their results (>80%) compared to when laboratory blood or salivary tests were used (five studies) [18, 20, 23, 27, 46]. Only three studies reported the proportion of those patients who received a positive HIV test result who were successfully linked to care, and this was 75% [33] and 100% [34, 38]. Overall, where reported, client satisfaction with community testing services was high (Table 3). Choice of test type [20], use of a noninvasive test [52], anonymous testing [21, 44], confidentiality and the test being free of charge [21] were cited as important factors by clients in choosing to test for HIV. Three studies showed that rapid testing was preferred by clients [18, 20, 27].