Using Self-Reported Sexual Positioning as an Indicator for Rectal Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Screening Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China: A Missed Opportunity.

BACKGROUND: Rectal Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) are escalating public health concerns. This study aimed to explore (1) the reliability of self-reported sexual positioning as an indicator for rectal CT and NG screening, and (2) factors associated with rectal CT and NG infections in Shenzhen, China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2 settings in Shenzhen, China, from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, and basic CT knowledge were collected. Urine and self-collected rectal swabs were collected for CT and NG testing. RESULTS: In total, 195 MSM participated in the study, and 5.1% tested positive for urogenital CT, 29.2% for rectal CT, 1.0% for urogenital NG, and 8.2% for rectal NG. Among those who reported exclusively insertive anal sex, 69.2% of CT infections and 85.7% of NG infections would have remained undetected with urine testing alone. Risk factors for rectal CT infection included engaging in both insertive and receptive anal sex, with a significant association found for coinfection with rectal NG. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported sexual positioning was found to be an unreliable indicator for CT and NG screening, as a substantial proportion of infections would have remained undetected. The findings suggest that CT and NG screening in China should be offered to all MSM regardless of self-reported sexual positioning, and that the dual CT/NG testing is recommended.

Mechanism of apoptotic induction on T24 cells by honokiol and its synergistic anticancer effect in combination with hydroxycamptothecin.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of honokiol (HNK) on bladder cancer cells and its synergistic anticancer effect with hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT). METHODS: Control, HNK, HCPT, and HNK plus HCPT groups were established. The morphological characteristics of T24 cells were examined microscopically. The maximal experimental concentration of HNK and HCPT were determined according to IC10 detected by MTT. T24 cell viability and the percentage of apoptotic cells were assessed on the basis of MTT and flow cytometric analysis. The expression of caspase-3, caspase-9, phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)-p65, Akt, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) proteins were analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: Apoptosis in T24 cells was observed microscopically in both the HNK and HCPT groups and even more obvious in the HNK plus HCPT groups. The percentage of T24 cell viability decreased down to 19.41% , and the percentage of apoptotic cells rose to 54.08% when treated with HNK plus HCPT in an HNK dose-dependent manner. The induction of caspase-3 and caspase-9 proteins and the inhibition of phosphorylation of NF-κB-p65, Akt, and ERK proteins in T24 cells were demonstrated in the HNK groups, and more significantly in the HNK plus HCPT groups, but not in the HCPT group. CONCLUSION: The anticancer effect of HNK may be due to the activation of the caspase pathway and inhibition of phosphorylation of NF-κB, Akt, and ERK. HNK in combination with HCPT produces a synergistic cell-killing effect on bladder cancer cells.