Evolving Primary Care Utilization of Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming People at a Community Sexual Health Clinic.

Purpose: Prior research has found that transgender people are less likely to have access to health care and health insurance than their cisgender peers and are more likely to delay seeking care due to systemic discrimination and stigma. To this end, this study seeks to measure transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) clients' primary care utilization and compare them to their cisgender peers.

Methods: Demographic data and self-reported primary care utilization from 14,372 clients attending a community health center in Los Angeles, CA, from 2018 to 2020 were examined.

A qualitative assessment of barriers to healthcare and HIV prevention services among men who have sex with men in non-metropolitan areas of the south.

HIV cases are increasing in the rural Southern United States, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). To facilitate healthcare access and encourage HIV prevention for non-metropolitan MSM, it is essential to examine their barriers to care. This qualitative study conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 MSM living in non-metropolitan areas of the South.

High proportions of rectal and pharyngeal chlamydia and gonorrhoea cases among cisgender men are missed using current CDC screening recommendations.

Objectives: Pharyngeal and rectal (CT) and (NG) infections are often undiagnosed due to their asymptomatic nature. This study aims to determine (1) the prevalence of CT/NG infections by anatomical site among cisgender men; (2) the proportion of missed CT/NG rectal/pharyngeal infections if urogenital testing alone was performed or screening depended on self-reported behaviour alone; and (3) the predictive probability of self-reported behaviours for rectal CT/NG.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used electronic health records collected at a sexual health clinic in Los Angeles from 18 November 2018 until 28 February 2020.

Salvianolic Acid B (Sal B) Protects Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells from Oxidative Stress-Induced Cell Death by Activating Glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1).

Protein glutathionylation, defined as the formation of protein mixed disulfides (PSSG) between cysteine residues and glutathione (GSH), can lead to cell death. Glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1) is a thiol repair enzyme which catalyzes the reduction of PSSG. Therefore, Grx1 exerts strong anti-apoptotic effects by improving the redox state, especially in times of oxidative stress.

The novel triterpenoid RTA 408 protects human retinal pigment epithelial cells against H2O2-induced cell injury via NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation.

Oxidative stress-induced retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell damage is an important factor in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Previous studies have shown that RTA 408, a synthetic triterpenoid compound, potently activates Nrf2. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of RTA 408 in cultured RPE cells during oxidative stress and to determine the effects of RTA 408 on Nrf2 and its downstream target genes.

Glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1) Protects Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells From Oxidative Damage by Preventing AKT Glutathionylation.

Purpose: Glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1) belongs to the oxidoreductase family and is a component of the endogenous antioxidant defense system. However, its physiological function remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated whether and how Grx1 overexpression protects the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells against H2O2-induced apoptosis.