RESUMEN
Young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) are often underrepresented in sexual health research because of concerns about safety, privacy, and the potential for research harms. Empirical data are needed to understand YBMSM experience of participating in research, benefits and harms (discomfort), to inform policy and regulatory decisions. Using qualitative methods, this article examines 50 YBMSM, aged 15-19 years, experiences of benefits/harms, challenges of participating in sexual health research, and contextual factors impacting research experiences. Participants were asked about benefits and harms experienced in answering questions about sexual orientation, first same-sex attraction, and same-sex sexual experiences after completing an in-depth interview. Interviews were transcribed and coded. Inductive open coding was used to identify themes within and between interviews. Participants were able to describe perceived direct benefits resulting from research interview participation, including awareness of risky sexual behaviors, a safe space to share early coming out stories and same-sex sexual experiences, and a sense of empowerment and comfort with one's sexual orientation. Indirect benefits described by participants included perceptions of helping others and the larger gay community. Few participants described harms (discomfort recalling experiences). Our data suggest that participating in qualitative sexual health research focused on sexual orientation, sexual attraction, and early same-sex sexual experiences may result in minimal harms for YBMSM and multiple benefits, including feeling more comfortable than in a general medical visit.
Asunto(s)
Negro o Afroamericano , Homosexualidad Masculina , Adolescente , Adulto , Negro o Afroamericano/psicología , Negro o Afroamericano/estadística & datos numéricos , Homosexualidad Masculina/psicología , Homosexualidad Masculina/estadística & datos numéricos , Humanos , Masculino , Investigación Cualitativa , Salud Reproductiva , Asunción de Riesgos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
First sex may be a sentinel event crucial to understanding sexual health trajectories of young Black same-sex attracted men (YBSSAM). We sought to understand whether satisfaction, condomless anal sex, and contextual factors during first sex were associated with sexual risk and recent condom use in YBSSAM. A total of 201 YBSSAM aged 15-24 years completed an Internet survey exploring first sex, current condom use, and sexual risk. High risk was defined as ≥3 of the following: new/concurrent sex partners, STI history, and no/inconsistent condom use. Multivariate logistic regression assessed the association between predictor (satisfaction and first condomless anal sex) and outcome (sexual risk and condomless sex in the past 3 months) variables. Mean age at first sex was 15.2 (SD = 2.9) years, and emotional satisfaction (51.7 %), physical satisfaction (63.7 %), and condomless first anal sex (55.2 %) were common. YBSSAM describing high levels of satisfaction were no more likely to be at high risk or engage in recent condomless sex. Condomless first sex (AOR = 4.57, p = .001), younger age (AOR = 3.43, p = .02), and having a partner >5 years older (AOR = 2.78, p = .03) at first sex were significantly associated with increased risk. Only condomless first sex (AOR = 4.28, p < .001) was associated with condomless recent sex. Satisfaction at first sex may not influence later sexual risk in YBSSAM. However, context of first sex, including condom use at first sex, may play an important role in subsequent risk. Prevention strategies on condom negotiation prior to first sex may help to mitigate HIV burden in YBSSAM.
Asunto(s)
Negro o Afroamericano , Homosexualidad Masculina , Satisfacción Personal , Conducta Sexual , Sexo Inseguro , Adolescente , Adulto , Negro o Afroamericano/psicología , Negro o Afroamericano/estadística & datos numéricos , Condones , Homosexualidad Masculina/psicología , Homosexualidad Masculina/estadística & datos numéricos , Humanos , Masculino , Conducta Sexual/psicología , Conducta Sexual/estadística & datos numéricos , Sexo Inseguro/psicología , Sexo Inseguro/estadística & datos numéricos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
PURPOSE: HIV disproportionately impacts young black men who have sex with men (YBMSM). Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective strategy that can avert new HIV infections in YBMSM. Barriers exist for YBMSM to access PrEP. METHODS: We sought to determine factors associated with awareness of and willingness to take PrEP in a sample of YBMSM. RESULTS: Only 8% were currently on PrEP despite many (66%) reporting condomless anal sex, a recent provider visit (54%), disclosing their sexual orientation to their regular medical provider (62%), or a willingness to take PrEP (62%). In bivariate analysis, increased number of lifetime partners, current PrEP use, and disclosure of sexual orientation to a doctor were associated with awareness of PrEP, while condomless anal sex and higher perceived risk was associated with willingness to take PrEP. Sex with females was associated with lower willingness. CONCLUSIONS: Providers may be missing key opportunities to educate YBMSM about PrEP and incorporate PrEP into comprehensive sexual health care.
Asunto(s)
Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Homosexualidad Masculina/psicología , Aceptación de la Atención de Salud , Profilaxis Pre-Exposición/estadística & datos numéricos , Conducta Sexual/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Negro o Afroamericano , Femenino , Infecciones por VIH/prevención & control , Accesibilidad a los Servicios de Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Parejas Sexuales , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Despite high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) rates among young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM), there are limited data about condom use during first same-sex (FSS). This study sought to understand socio-contextual factors of 50 YBMSM aged 15-19 years that influenced condom use during FSS. Condom use was influenced by individual, partner, and community factors. Individual factors-recent illness or sexually transmitted infections (STI)-prompted condom use, while frequent HIV testing prompted nonuse. Partner factors-proactive encouragement from partners-prompted condom use, while trust and condom discomfort prompted nonuse. Larger community factors-such as presence of females-were key for use, while limited sexual health information combined with peers who discouraged condoms prompted nonuse. A multilevel approach may be useful in developing sexual health programming for these young men.
Asunto(s)
Bisexualidad , Condones , Homosexualidad Masculina , Adolescente , Adulto , Negro o Afroamericano , Humanos , Masculino , Conducta Sexual , Salud Sexual , Minorías Sexuales y de Género , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
PBX1 is a TALE homeodomain transcription factor involved in organogenesis and tumorigenesis. Although it has been shown that ovarian, breast, and melanoma cancer cells depend on PBX1 for cell growth and survival, the molecular mechanism of how PBX1 promotes tumorigenesis remains unclear. Here, we applied an integrated approach by overlapping PBX1 ChIP-chip targets with the PBX1-regulated transcriptome in ovarian cancer cells to identify genes whose transcription was directly regulated by PBX1. We further determined if PBX1 target genes identified in ovarian cancer cells were co-overexpressed with PBX1 in carcinoma tissues. By analyzing TCGA gene expression microarray datasets from ovarian serous carcinomas, we found co-upregulation of PBX1 and a significant number of its direct target genes. Among the PBX1 target genes, a homeodomain protein MEOX1 whose DNA binding motif was enriched in PBX1-immunoprecipicated DNA sequences was selected for functional analysis. We demonstrated that MEOX1 protein interacts with PBX1 protein and inhibition of MEOX1 yields a similar growth inhibitory phenotype as PBX1 suppression. Furthermore, ectopically expressed MEOX1 functionally rescued the PBX1-withdrawn effect, suggesting MEOX1 mediates the cellular growth signal of PBX1. These results demonstrate that MEOX1 is a critical target gene and cofactor of PBX1 in ovarian cancers.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas de Unión al ADN/metabolismo , Neoplasias Ováricas/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas/metabolismo , Factores de Transcripción/metabolismo , Sitios de Unión/genética , Línea Celular Tumoral , Inmunoprecipitación de Cromatina , Proteínas de Unión al ADN/genética , Femenino , Proteínas de Homeodominio , Humanos , Factor de Transcripción 1 de la Leucemia de Células Pre-B , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas/genética , Reacción en Cadena en Tiempo Real de la Polimerasa , Factores de Transcripción/genéticaRESUMEN
Neovascularization is required for solid tumor maintenance, progression, and metastasis. The most described contribution of cancer cells in tumor neovascularization is the secretion of factors, which attract various cell types to establish a microenvironment that promotes blood vessel formation. The cancer stem cell hypothesis suggests that tumors are composed of cells that may share the differentiation capacity of normal stem cells. Similar to normal stem cells, cancer stem cells (CSCs) have the capacity to acquire different phenotypes. Thus, it is possible that CSCs have a bigger role in the process of tumor neovascularization. In this study, we show the capacity of a specific population of ovarian cancer cells with stem-like properties to give rise to xenograft tumors containing blood vessels, which are lined by human CD34+ cells. In addition, when cultured in high-density Matrigel, these cells mimic the behavior of normal endothelial cells and can form vessel-like structures in 24 hours. Microscopic analysis showed extensive branching and maturation of vessel-like structures in 7 days. Western blot and flow cytometry analysis showed that this process is accompanied by the acquisition of classic endothelial markers, CD34 and VE-cadherin. More importantly, we show that this process is vascular endothelial growth factor-independent, but IKK beta-dependent. Our findings suggest that anti-angiogenic therapies should take into consideration the inherent capacity of these cells to serve as vascular progenitors.