In two studies, we tested a model in which the perceived (in)compatibility of being British and Muslim (identity incompatibility) was expected to mediate between group-based discrimination and the identifications and attitudes of British Muslims. In Study 1 (N = 76), anti-Muslim discrimination was associated with lower national identification and more negative attitudes toward non-Muslims, and these relationships were mediated by perceived identity incompatibility. In Study 2 (N = 70), we additionally found that anti-Muslim discrimination predicted stronger endorsement of Islamic group rights, and this relationship was also mediated by perceived identity incompatibility. The studies highlight the importance of groupbased discrimination in shaping the perceived (in)compatibility of being British and Muslim, and, in turn, the identifications and attitudes of British Muslims.

We examined women's preferences regarding the use of chaperones during intimate examinations by a female doctor or nurse in community-based family planning clinics. An anonymous questionnaire was completed before consultation and examination by 126 women attending five family planning clinics selected to cover a range of social and ethnic groups. The questionnaire explored women's views regarding intimate examinations by a woman and the presence of a chaperone. A clear majority (107 vs 19) of our community clinic users preferred to be alone with the woman doctor or nurse during an internal examination. There was no significant difference in preference or strength of feeling when analysed by age, ethnicity or previous experience.

Smoking has been associated, in epidemiological studies, with an increased risk of cervical neoplasia. This may be in part due to the presence of tobacco-specific nitrosamines in cervical mucous of smokers, which may result in carcinogenic DNA damage. We have thus examined whether cervical DNA contains alkylation damage arising from exposure to methylating agents (N7-methyldeoxyguanosine, N7-MedG). DNA was extracted from cervical cytology samples and N7-MedG levels were measured using an immunoslotblot assay. Ninety percentage of the DNA samples were alkylated and N7-MedG levels (mean, 95% CI) in ever-smokers (1.27, 0.90-1.81 lmol/mol dG) were significantly higher than those in nonsmokers (0.42, 0.20-0.91 lmol/mol dG: p 5 0.005). N7-MedG adduct levels were significantly correlated with number of cigarettes smoked per day and pack years of cigarette smoking in current smokers. There was no association with N7-MedG levels and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia status, age, parity or contraception use. Our study suggests that cervical DNA contains alkylation damage that can arise from exposure to cigarette smoke. ' 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Key words: alkylation; smoking; cervical cancer; N7-methylguanine Cervical cancer is one of the most common neoplastic diseases affecting women with a combined worldwide incidence of almost half a million new cases annually.1 Laboratory and epidemiological research has provided overwhelming evidence that some subtypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) are a ''necessary but insufficient cause'' for cervical cancer.2-5 Therefore, other risk factors are also needed for the initiation and promotion of cervical carcinogenesis.A number of epidemiological studies suggest that cigarette smoking may be an aetiological risk factor for cervical cancer. 6-10The risk for neoplasia appears to increase with longer duration and intensity of smoking. 11,12 The cervix is known to contain enzymes that can metabolise the carcinogens that are present in cigarette smoke, 13,14 and expression of these enzymes may be modified by HPV infection. 14,15 Cigarette-derived chemicals, nicotine and its major metabolite cotinine, have been found in cervical mucus at levels higher than those present in blood serum, [16][17][18][19] and the tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamine)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) is more prevalent in cervical mucus samples from smokers than those from nonsmokers.20 NNK alkylates DNA forming a range of DNA adducts including N7-methyldeoxyguanosine (N7-MedG), a poorly repaired adduct that can act as a biomarker of exposure to alkylating agents. 21 DNA adducts have been detected in human cervical tissues. [22][23][24][25][26][27] In most, but not all, of these studies, adduct levels were higher in smokers with the detected adducts, probably arising from exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons present in cigarette smoke. However, other DNA adducts, in particular alkylation-induced lesions, may also be present, but would not have been detected by the procedures used. Our recent r...

Size does matter and Homeopathic treatment of premenstrual symptoms Madam I am somewhat concerned that in the same issue of the Journal as the statistical paper entitled 'Size does matter' 1 there was an Overview on 'Homeopathy treatments for premenstrual symptoms' 2 which may be considered to have depended on evidence that contradicted the statistical paper. I would be grateful for your opinion as to the reliability of the one clinical trial by Yakir et al. 3 , which was cited as evidence in favour of homeopathy. I would like to make clear that my motivation is not to discredit homeopathy. 1. The Overview refers to the 'recent' trial by Yakir et al. It was actually carried out in 1992-1994 and not published until 2001. 2. The Overview refers to there being 20 women in the study but actually only 19 completed the study. 3. The Yakir et al. study claims 90% of the homeopathy group had improvementactually it was 91%, i.e. even more favourable to homeopathy than was claimed. 4. Yakir et al. set an arbitrary improvement level of 30% of the menstrual distress questionnaire to determine effectiveness of therapy resulting in three of the placebo group improving. However, Figure 2 shows that five of the placebo group had improved. 5. While claiming homeopathy effective they admit under Outcomes that, 'the between group difference ... fell just short of statistical significance'. 6. The study certainly suggests the possibility that homeopathy is effective so why no larger-scale trial 9 years later? My main concern is that our Journal has given credibility to the effectiveness of homeopathy in the management of premenstrual syndrome on the basis of inadequate evidence. What do you think?

Older adults with significant cognitive impairment require help with activities of daily living. The BASIC-Cognitive Project, set in Nueces County, Texas, is a community-based study examining trends in cognition among Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic Whites. Using cross-sectional data from a cohort study, we found that at least 7% of individuals aged 65 and older with a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score of <  20 (or <  15 for telephone MoCA), did not receive any caregiving help. This conservative estimate highlights an important community need for those with significant cognitive impairment and has implications regarding safety and care for older adults.