Gut microbiome dysbiosis in men who have sex with men increases HIV infection risk through immunity homeostasis alteration

ObjectivesRecent studies pointed out that gut microbiome dysbiosis in HIV infection was possibly confounded in men who have sex with men (MSM), but there is a lack of evidence. It also remained unclear how MSM-associated gut microbiome dysbiosis affected human health. This study aimed to compare the differences in gut microbiome changes between HIV and MSM and reveal the potential impacts of MSM-associated gut microbiome dysbiosis on the immune system.MethodsWe searched available studies based on the PubMed database, and all gut microbiome changes associated with HIV infection and MSM were extracted from the enrolled studies. The gutMgene database was used to identify the target genes and metabolites of the gut microbiome. Bioinformatic technology and single-cell RNA sequencing data analysis were utilized to explore the impacts of these gut microbiome changes on human immunity.ResultsThe results showed significant overlaps between the gut microbiome associated with HIV and that of MSM. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis revealed that gut microbiome dysbiosis in MSM had an impact on several pathways related to immunity, including the IL-17 signaling pathway and Th17 cell differentiation. Additionally, target genes of MSM-associated gut microbiome were found to be highly expressed in monocytes and lymphocytes, suggesting their potential regulatory role in immune cells. Furthermore, we found that MSM-associated gut microbiome could produce acetate and butyrate which were reported to increase the level of inflammatory factors.ConclusionIn conclusion, this study highlighted that MSM-associated gut microbiome dysbiosis might increase the risk of HIV acquisition by activating the immune system. Further studies are expected to elucidate the mechanism by which gut microbiome dysbiosis in MSM modulates HIV susceptibility

Parallel Expansions of Sox Transcription Factor Group B Predating the Diversifications of the Arthropods and Jawed Vertebrates

Group B of the Sox transcription factor family is crucial in embryo development in the insects and vertebrates. Sox group B, unlike the other Sox groups, has an unusually enlarged functional repertoire in insects, but the timing and mechanism of the expansion of this group were unclear. We collected and analyzed data for Sox group B from 36 species of 12 phyla representing the major metazoan clades, with an emphasis on arthropods, to reconstruct the evolutionary history of SoxB in bilaterians and to date the expansion of Sox group B in insects. We found that the genome of the bilaterian last common ancestor probably contained one SoxB1 and one SoxB2 gene only and that tandem duplications of SoxB2 occurred before the arthropod diversification but after the arthropod-nematode divergence, resulting in the basal repertoire of Sox group B in diverse arthropod lineages. The arthropod Sox group B repertoire expanded differently from the vertebrate repertoire, which resulted from genome duplications. The parallel increases in the Sox group B repertoires of the arthropods and vertebrates are consistent with the parallel increases in the complexity and diversification of these two important organismal groups

Association between Meteorological Factors and Mumps and Models for Prediction in Chongqing, China

(1) Background: To explore whether meteorological factors have an impact on the prevalence of mumps, and to make a short–term prediction of the case number of mumps in Chongqing. (2) Methods: K–means clustering algorithm was used to divide the monthly mumps cases of each year into the high and low case number clusters, and Student t–test was applied for difference analysis. The cross–correlation function (CCF) was used to evaluate the correlation between the meteorological factors and mumps, and an ARIMAX model was constructed by additionally incorporating meteorological factors as exogenous variables in the ARIMA model, and a short–term prediction was conducted for mumps in Chongqing, evaluated by MAE, RMSE. (3) Results: All the meteorological factors were significantly different (p < 0.05), except for the relative humidity between the high and low case number clusters. The CCF and ARIMAX model showed that monthly precipitation, temperature, relative humidity and wind velocity were associated with mumps, and there were significant lag effects. The ARIMAX model could accurately predict mumps in the short term, and the prediction errors (MAE, RMSE) were lower than those of the ARIMA model. (4) Conclusions: Meteorological factors can affect the occurrence of mumps, and the ARIMAX model can effectively predict the incidence trend of mumps in Chongqing, which can provide an early warning for relevant departments

Factors Related to HPV Vaccination Intention among MSM in China: A Bayesian Network Model

(1) Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and HPV vaccination is the best strategy to prevent HPV infection. Accepting HPV vaccination is an essential factor affecting vaccine promotion among MSM. We aimed to explore the factors related to HPV vaccination intention among MSM and analyze the potential relationship between these factors. (2) Methods: We adopted a nonprobability sampling method to recruit MSM volunteers. Information collection included general demographics, personal behavioral characteristics, knowledge of HPV/vaccine attitudes, and risk threat perception. Bayesian networks (BNs) were used to analyze the data statistically. (3) Results: The BNs showed that perceived HPV risk and attitudes toward vaccine promotion were directly correlated factors, whereas knowledge of HPV/vaccines, a history of HIV testing, and the number of male sexual partners in the past 6 months were indirectly correlated factors. (4) Conclusions: The results of this study illustrate that MSM have a relatively high propensity to receive HPV vaccines. The proposal that strengthening the propagation of HPV and its relevant vaccines, encouraging MSM to undergo regular corresponding tests, and improving their risk perception of HPV infection can be raised to promote HPV vaccination among MSM

Analysis of HPV Vaccination Willingness amongst HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex with Men in China

Objective: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are high-risk groups of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the best measure to prevent this is the HPV vaccine. However, few studies have investigated HPV vaccination willingness in the MSM population in China. We aimed to explore the willingness of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative MSM for HPV vaccination and the factors affecting their willingness to vaccinate. Methods: We adopted a non-probability sampling method to recruit HIV-negative MSM volunteers. Participants completed a questionnaire, including sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behavior characteristics, HPV infection and vaccine-related knowledge, risk perception, and HPV vaccination willingness and promotion attitudes. Results: Of the 406 HIV-negative MSM surveyed, 86.21% were willing to receive HPV vaccine. HPV infection and vaccine-related knowledge (odds ratio [OR] = 2.167, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.049–4.474), HPV infection risk perception (OR = 5.905, 95% CI = 1.312–26.580), and HPV vaccine promotion attitude (OR = 6.784, 95% CI = 3.164–14.546) were all related to HPV vaccination willingness. Conclusion: MSM have a high willingness for HPV vaccination. Strengthening health education for MSM, raising their awareness of HPV infection and vaccines, and promoting their risk perception of HPV infection will help increase their willingness for HPV vaccination

Factors influencing HPV vaccination willingness among men who have sex with men in China: a structural equation modeling analysis

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). Some countries have incorporated MSM into their HPV vaccination strategies. The acceptance of the HPV vaccine is an important factor affecting vaccine promotion in MSM. This study aims to analyze the factors influencing HPV vaccination willingness among MSM in China. Non-probability sampling was used to recruit MSM in China in June 2021. The information collected included demographic characteristics, HPV knowledge, attitude, behavior, history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and HPV vaccination intention. A structural equation model was used to analyze the data based on the theory of knowledge-attitude-behavior. Among 889 participants, 736 (82.79%) of the MSM were willing to receive the HPV vaccine. The results of the structural equation model showed that knowledge, attitude, behavior, and STD history influenced the vaccination intention, of which knowledge (total effect of .36) and attitude (total effect of .31) had the greatest influence. Since most MSM in China were willing to be vaccinated against HPV, they should be considered for inclusion in the HPV vaccination program. Enhancing HPV awareness and improving risk awareness may be useful in increasing the vaccination willingness of MSM in China

A structural equation modeling approach to investigate HIV testing willingness for men who have sex with men in China

Abstract Background A substantial risk of contracting Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exists among men who have sex with men (MSM), and HIV infection rates have been rising. This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing the Chinese MSM population’s intention to test for HIV. Methods Nonprobability sampling techniques were employed in June 2022 to recruit MSM in Chongqing and Sichuan, China. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM), which is based on the knowledge-attitude-behavior (KAB) theory. Results Among 1687 participants, 964 (57.1%) of the MSM were willing to have an HIV test. The results of the structural equation modeling (SEM) showed that knowledge, attitude, and behavior all influenced the testing intention, with attitude having the greatest impact (total effect of 0.22). Conclusion HIV testing needs to be increased among MSM as they exhibit a moderate willingness to test. Improving education on HIV knowledge and risk behavior might enhance the willingness of MSM to test for HIV in China

Psychological Status of Men Who Have Sex with Men during COVID-19: An Online Cross-Sectional Study in Western China

Background: The psychological status of men who have sex with men (MSM) as a vulnerable population during COVID-19 is worthy of attention. However, studies of Chinese MSM are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological status and influencing factors of MSM population and to provide a scientific basis for this group to actively respond to public health emergencies. Methods: From June to September 2020, we conducted an online survey. MSMs were recruited through collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and peer recommendations. The variables we collected included four aspects: demographic and HIV-related characteristics; COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors; COVID-19-related risk perception; epidemic exposure. The psychological status was assessed by the Psychological Questionnaire for Emergent Events of Public Health (PQEEPH), which defined the psychological status as five primary disorders: depression, neurasthenia, fear, anxiety, and hypochondria. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the influences of COVID-19-related factors on the psychological status. Results: We surveyed 412 MSM online during COVID-19. The five psychological status of high-risk states accounted for 16.99% (depression), 14.08% (neurasthenia), 16.75% (fear), 16.50% (anxiety), and 18.20% (hypochondria), respectively. Not being well-informed about the causes of COVID-19 (p = 0.020) and having experienced epidemic exposure (p = 0.006) were able to promote the occurrence of depression. Lack of knowledge of the curative effect of COVID-19 has a higher risk of occurrence neurasthenia (p p p = 0.003), being more susceptible to COVID-19 (p p = 0.005) had a positive effect on anxiety. Considering that the epidemic was not effectively controlled (p = 0.017), being more susceptible to COVID-19 (p < 0.001) was a contributing factor to the hypochondria. Conclusions: The incidence of psychological disorders in Chinese MSM was higher than that in other groups during COVID-19. Factors associated with COVID-19 may cause a range of mental health problems in this population. Greater attention should be paid to the mental health status of special populations during the epidemic, and effective preventive education and intervention measures should be taken

Analysis of the nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase family provides insight into vertebrate adaptation to different oxygen levels during the water-to-land transition

One of the most important events in vertebrate evolutionary history is the water-to-land transition, during which some morphological and physiological changes occurred in concert with the loss of specific genes in tetrapods. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this transition have not been well explored. To explore vertebrate adaptation to different oxygen levels during the water-to-land transition, we performed comprehensive bioinformatics and experimental analysis aiming to investigate the NAMPT family in vertebrates. NAMPT, a rate-limiting enzyme in the salvage pathway of NAD+ biosynthesis, is critical for cell survival in a hypoxic environment, and a high level of NAMPT significantly augments oxidative stress in normoxic environments. Phylogenetic analysis showed that NAMPT duplicates arose from a second round whole-genome duplication event. NAMPTA existed in all classes of vertebrates, whereas NAMPTB was only found in fishes and not tetrapods. Asymmetric evolutionary rates and purifying selection were the main evolutionary forces involved. Although functional analysis identified several functionally divergent sites during NAMPT family evolution, invitro experimental data demonstrated that NAMPTA and NAMPTB were functionally conserved for NAMPT enzymatic function in the NAD+ salvage pathway. Insitu hybridization revealed broad NAMPTA and NAMPTB expression patterns, implying regulatory functions over a wide range of developmental processes. The morpholino-mediated knockdown data demonstrated that NAMPTA was more essential than NAMPTB for vertebrate embryo development. We propose that the retention of NAMPTB in water-breathing fishes and its loss in air-breathing tetrapods resulted from vertebrate adaptation to different oxygen levels during the water-to-land transition

The Potential Risk Compensation after Receiving HPV Vaccination among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Southwest China: A HAPA-Based Analysis

Background: men who have sex with men (MSM) are a high-risk group for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and the HPV vaccine is effective in preventing it. However, according to risk compensation theory, people may increase sexual risk behaviors after receiving HPV vaccination. Based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA), this study investigated the influencing factors to predict intention to reduce condom use (risk compensation intention) among MSM after taking HPV vaccination in southwest China. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study among 948 MSM in southwest China using a non-probability sampling method and an electronic questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, sexual risk behavior characteristics, HPV-related prevention behavior, and the HAPA scale. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed using a structural equation model. Results: among 948 MSM, the incidence rate of reducing the frequency of condom use was 14.1%. The structural equation model showed that self-efficacy (β = −0.378, p = 0.020) and positive outcome expectancy (β = 0.366, p p p Conclusions: risk compensation may not be a major barrier to receiving HPV vaccination among MSM. Nevertheless, the recognition of possible risk compensation is necessary to implement appropriate interventions to reduce the occurrence of risk compensation