A Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Localized Protein Phosphatase Regulates Phospholamban Phosphorylation and Promotes Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in the Heart.

Phospholamban (PLN) is a key regulator of sarcolemma calcium uptake in cardiomyocyte, its inhibitory activity to SERCA is regulated by phosphorylation. PLN hypophosphorylation is a common molecular feature in failing heart. The current study provided evidence at molecular, cellular and whole heart levels to implicate a sarcolemma membrane targeted protein phosphatase, PP2Ce, as a specific and potent PLN phosphatase. PP2Ce expression was elevated in failing human heart and induced acutely at protein level by β -adrenergic stimulation or oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes. PP2Ce expression in mouse heart blunted β-adrenergic response and exacerbated ischemia/reperfusion injury. Therefore, PP2Ce is a new regulator for cardiac function and pathogenesis

Association between cannabis use with urological cancers: A population-based cohort study and a mendelian randomization study in the UK biobank

BACKGROUND: Legislation of cannabis use has been approved in many European and North American countries. Its impact on urological cancers is unclear. This study was conducted to explore the association between cannabis use and the risk of urological cancers. METHODS: We identified 151,945 individuals with information on cannabis use in the UK Biobank from 2006 to 2010. Crude and age-standardized incidence ratios of different urological cancers were evaluated in the entire cohort and subgroups. Cox regression was performed for survival analysis. RESULTS: Previous use of cannabis was a significant protective factor for renal cell carcinoma (HR = 0.61, 95%CI:0.40–0.93, p = 0.021) and prostate cancer (HR = 0.82, 95%CI:0.73–0.93, p = 0.002) in multivariable analysis. The association between previous cannabis use and both renal cell carcinoma and bladder cancer was only observed in females (HRRCC = 0.42, 95%CI:0.19–0.94, p = 0.034; HRBCa = 0.43, 95%CI:0.21–0.86, p = 0.018) but not in men. There was no significant association between cannabis use and testicular cancer incidence. Mendelian randomization demonstrated a potential causal effect of cannabis use on a lower incidence of renal cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Previous use of cannabis was associated with a lower risk of bladder cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and prostate cancer. The inverse association between cannabis and both renal cell carcinoma and bladder cancer was only found in females but not in males

Association Between Stigma Towards HIV and MSM and Intimate Partner Violence Among Newly HIV-Diagnosed Chinese Men Who Have Sex With Men

Background: HIV- and MSM-related stigma are well documented as common for Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV, yet there is sparse literature on intimate partner violence (IPV) and its relationship with stigma in this vulnerable population. To evaluate the association between HIV-stigma and stigma related to homosexuality and IPV among newly HIV-diagnosed MSM in China. Methods: Data were collected in the baseline survey among newly HIV-diagnosed Chinese MSM in a randomized clinical trial via face-to-face interviews. Univariate logistic and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the associations between IPV and HIV- and MSM-related stigma. Results: Of 367 newly HIV-diagnosed Chinese MSM, 23.7% experienced any IPV, including 16.6% physical, 7.4% psychological and 5.2% sexual IPV. Positive associations were found between HIV- and MSM-related stigma and IPV. Men with high HIV-related stigma (score ≥ 27) were 1.67 times as likely to experience any IPV as those with low stigma (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-2.76). Men with high MSM-related stigma (score ≥ 6) were 1.99 times as likely to experience any IPV as those with low stigma (AOR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.18-3.36). Conclusions: HIV- and MSM-related stigmas was positively associated with IPV experiences among newly diagnosed MSM in China. The manner in which stigma may exacerbate IPV, and/or the influence of IPV on worsening stigma should be further evaluated. The high prevalence of IPV and stigma in this population suggests that interventions should be taken to reduce stigma and prevent this risky behavior among MSM

Association between Stigma and Intimate Partner Violence among Newly HIV-Diagnosed Chinese Men Who Have Sex with Men

Introduction: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are more likely to experience Intimate partner violence (IPV) during their lifetime than heterosexual couples. HIV-status and related HIV stigma may play an important role in IPV within intimate partnerships among MSM. HIV- and MSM-related stigmas are common among Chinese MSM, yet there is sparse literature on IPV and its relationship with stigma in this vulnerable population. We evaluate the prevalence of IPV and its relationship with HIV- and MSM-related stigma among newly diagnosed HIV-infected MSM in Beijing, China. Methods: Data were collected in the baseline survey among newly HIV-diagnosed Chinese MSM in a randomized clinical trial via face-to-face interviews. Simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the associations between IPV and HIV- and MSM-related stigma. Results: Of 367 newly HIV-diagnosed Chinese MSM, 23.7% experienced any IPV, including 16.6% physical, 7.4% psychological and 5.2% sexual IPV. Positive associations were found between HIV- and MSM-related stigma and IPV. Men with high HIV-related stigma (score ≥27) were 1.68 times as likely to experience any IPV as those with low stigma (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-2.76). Men with high MSM-related stigma (score ≥6) were 1.98 times as likely to experience any IPV as those with low stigma (AOR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.19-3.31). Men with high HIV- and MSM-related stigma were 2.86 times as likely to experience any IPV as those with low stigma (AOR: 2.86, 95% CI: 1.44-5.69). Conclusion: HIV- and MSM-related stigma was positively associated with IPV experiences among newly diagnosed MSM in China. The manner in which stigma may exacerbate IPV, and/or the influence of IPV on worsening stigma should be further evaluated. The high prevalence of IPV and stigma in this population suggests that interventions should be taken to reduce stigma and prevent this risky behavior among MSM