Examining the Effects of PrEP Use on Sexual Behaviors and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Chinese Men who have Sex with Men: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) is a high-risk population for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective in HIV prevention. This study aims to examine the differences in sexual behaviors, STI prevalence and HIV/STI testing across subgroups of MSM with various PrEP use. Data were collected via a cross-sectional survey in an MSM community in Xi'an, Shaanxi, from 2022.01 to 2022.09. Participants were categorized as 'PrEP-naïve and unwilling to use', 'PrEP-naïve but willing to use', and 'current or former PrEP users'. Shannon index was used to assess sexual act diversity and multivariate logistic regression analyzed factors associated with PrEP use. Of the 1,131 MSM participants, 23.52% were PrEP-naïve and unwilling, 64.98% were PrEP-naïve but willing, and 11.49% were current or former PrEP users. The PrEP-naïve but willing group had the highest recent STI testing rates at 73.06% and showed greater sexual act diversity (Shannon index 1.61). This group also had the highest syphilis rates (7.49% vs. 6.47% and2.54%, p < 0.01). Younger age (18-30: OR = 0.39 (0.18-0.85); 31-40: OR = 0.43 (0.20-0.96)) and lower education (high school/vocational: OR = 0.15 (0.04-0.58); associate degree: OR = 0.21 (0.06-0.71)) were factors that negatively influenced PrEP use. Current or former PrEP users had the highest oropharyngeal gonorrhea (14.39% vs. 9.68% and 5.80%, p < 0.01) and overall gonorrhea rates (20.86% vs. 17.17% and 8.37%, p < 0.001). 'PrEP-naïve but willing' participants consistently demonstrated high-risk sexual behavior, increased STI testing, and more diverse sexual acts, whereas PrEP users had the highest STI prevalence.

Associations between antibacterial mouthwash use with sexual behaviours and sexually transmitted infections among Chinese men who have sex with men: a cross-sectional study.

Background Mouthwash is a commonly used product with the potential to prevent STIs. This study aimed to determine the association between mouthwash use frequency with sexual behaviours and STIs among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among MSM in Xi'an, China, from January to September 2022. Participants were categorised into non-mouthwash users, occasional (used it less than once every week) and frequent (used it more than once every week) mouthwash users. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to identify the association between mouthwash use frequency with sexual behaviours. Results Of 838 MSM included in the analysis, 621 (74.11%) reported never using mouthwash, whereas 47 (5.60%) used it occasionally and 170 (20.29%) used it frequently. Frequent mouthwash users had a lower prevalence of chlamydia compared with occasional users (8.33% vs 23.93%, P Conclusion MSM with more sexual partners or lower condom use frequency were more likely to be frequent mouthwash users. However, frequent mouthwash users had a lower chlamydia prevalence.

Integrated Network Analysis to Determine CNN1, MYL9, TAGLN, and SORBS1 as Potential Key Genes Associated with Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) is challenging to treat. It is necessary to screen for related biological markers to accurately predict the prognosis and recurrence of prostate cancer. METHODS: Three data sets, GSE28204, GSE30521, and GSE69223, from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were integrated into this study. After the identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PCa and normal prostate tissues, network analyses including protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were used to select hub genes. Gene Ontology (GO) term analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed to annotate the functions of DEGs and hub modules of the networks. Survival analysis was performed to validate the correlation between the key genes and PCa relapse. RESULTS: In total, 867 DEGs were identified, including 201 upregulated and 666 downregulated genes. Three hub modules of the PPI network and one hub module of the weighted gene co-expression network were determined. Moreover, four key genes (CNN1, MYL9, TAGLN, and SORBS1) were significantly associated with PCa relapse (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CNN1, MYL9, TAGLN, and SORBS1 may be potential biomarkers for PCa development.