A networked iron and nitrogen-doped ZIF-8/MWCNTs heterostructure for oxygen reduction reaction.

Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks-8 (ZIF-8) is commonly used as an ideal precursor for non-noble metal catalysts because of its high specific surface area, ultra-high porosity, and N-rich content. Upon pyrolyzing ZIF-8 at 900 °C in Ar, the resulting material, referred to as Z8, displayed good activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Then the ZIF-8 was mixed with various conductive carbon materials, such as multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), Acetylene black (ACET), Vulcan XC-72R (XC-72R), and Ketjenblack EC-600JD (EC-600JD), to form Z8 composites. The Z8/MWCNTs composite exhibited enhanced ORR activity owing to its network structure, meso-/microporous hierarchical porous structure, improved electrical conductivity, and graphitization. Subsequently, iron and nitrogen co-doping is achieved through the pyrolysis of a mixture comprising Fe, N precursor, and ZIF-8/MWCNTs, which is denoted as FeN-Z8/MWCNTs. The intrinsically high electrical conductivity of MWCNTs facilitated efficient electron transfer during the ORR, while the meso-/microporous hierarchical porous structure and network structure of Fe, N co-doped ZIF-8/MWCNTs promoted oxygen transport. The presence of Fe-containing species in the catalyst acted as activity centers for ORR. This strategy of preparing Z8 composites and modifying them with Fe, N co-doping offers an insightful approach to designing cost-effective electrocatalysts.

The efficacy of auto-cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel in addition to oestradiol and intrauterine balloon insertion in the prevention of adhesion reformation after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the efficacy of auto-cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel use in preventing adhesion reformation after intrauterine adhesiolysis? DESIGN: This was a single-centre, double-blind randomized controlled trial. RESULTS: In total 171 participants successfully completed the study (84 in the treatment group and 87 in the control group). There was no significant difference in pre-operative variables between the two groups. The primary outcome measure was the adhesion reformation rate at second-look and third-look hysteroscopy. At second-look hysteroscopy, there was no significant difference in adhesion recurrence rate between the treatment group (20.2%, 17/84) and the control group (23.0%, 20/87; P = 0.662). At third-look hysteroscopy, there was also no significant difference in adhesion recurrence rate between the treatment group (9.5%, 8/84) and the control group (11.5%, 10/87; P = 0.675). The secondary outcome measure was the median American Fertility Society (AFS) score, which was not significantly different at second-look hysteroscopy 4 weeks after surgery between the treatment group (0, range 0-4.0) and the control group (0, range 0-4.0; P = 0.475), and at third-look hysteroscopy 8 weeks after surgery between the treatment group (0, range 0-3.5) and the control group (0, range 0-4.0; P = 0.965). Regarding the menstrual flow improvement rate 3 months post-operatively, there was no significant difference between the treatment and control groups (67.9% versus 64.4%; P = 0.630). CONCLUSIONS: The application of auto-cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel does not seem to reduce the incidence and severity of intrauterine adhesion recurrence or affect the menstrual pattern after hysteroscopic removal of mild to moderate intrauterine adhesions.

Correlation between Body Mass Index and Cognitive Function in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Evidence regarding the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and cognitive function was limited. Therefore, the objective of this research is to investigate whether BMI is independently related to cognitive function in Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation after adjusting for other covariates. Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional study. A total of 281 patients with atrial fibrillation who were hospitalized at the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University in Shandong Province from January 2021 to November 2021 were included in the study. The target independent variable and the dependent variable were BMI and cognitive function in patients with atrial fibrillation, respectively. The patients' general information, BMI, past history, medication history, and other disease-related data were collected. The Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA) was used to evaluate cognitive function. Results: A total of 244 patients with atrial fibrillation were collected in this study, with an average age of (67.28 ± 10.33) years, of whom 55.3% were male. The average BMI was (25.33 ± 4.27) kg/m2, and the average cognitive function score was (19.25 ± 6.88) points. The results of the smooth curve fitting and threshold effect tests showed that there was a curve correlation between BMI and cognitive function score, and its inflection point was 24.56 kg/m2. To the left of the inflection point, the relationship was significant; the effect size and the confidence interval were 0.43 and 0.01-0.85, respectively. To the right of the inflection point, there was no significant correlation between BMI and cognitive function (P=0.152). Conclusion: When BMI is lower than 24.56 kg/m2, the cognitive function score increases by 0.43 points for each unit increase in BMI in patients with atrial fibrillation. An increase in BMI at this time is a protective factor for cognitive function. Within the normal range of BMI, the higher the BMI in atrial fibrillation patients, the higher the cognitive function score. We encourage atrial fibrillation patients with normal BMI to maintain their current weight.

The Effect of Estrogen in the Prevention of Adhesion Reformation after Hysteroscopic Adhesiolysis: A Prospective Randomized Control Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether estrogen therapy can reduce adhesion reformation after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis. DESIGN: A single-center, single blinded, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A tertiary University Hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 207 patients with mild (American Fertility Society [AFS] score 1-6) and severe (AFS score 7-12) intrauterine adhesion who underwent hysteroscopic adhesiolysis. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to a treatment group or a control group, stratified according to the preoperative AFS adhesion score. The treatment group received estrogen, and the control group did not. All patients had second-look hysteroscopy at 4 weeks and third-look hysteroscopy at 8 weeks after surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Primary outcome measures were adhesion reformation rate and AFS score at third-look hysteroscopy. Secondary outcome measures included adhesion reformation rate and AFS score at second-look hysteroscopy and menstrual pattern improvement rate at 3 months after operation. Among subjects with mild intrauterine adhesion, there was no significant difference between the treatment group and control group with regard to adhesion reformation rate at third-look hysteroscopy (10.6% vs 13.6%), AFS score (mean ± standard deviation) at third-look hysteroscopy (1.1 ± 1.2 vs 1.3 ± 1.2), and menstrual pattern improvement rate at 3-month follow-up (89.4% vs 86.4%). Similarly, among those with severe intrauterine adhesion, there was no significant difference between the treatment group and control group in adhesion reformation rate at third-look hysteroscopy (32.6% vs 26.7%), AFS score (mean ± standard deviation) at third-look hysteroscopy (2.5±2.2 vs 2.7±2.1), and menstrual pattern improvement rate at 3-month follow-up (84.8% vs 73.3%). CONCLUSION: Postoperative estrogen therapy did not appear to reduce the incidence or severity of adhesion reformation, nor did it improve the menstrual pattern, regardless of whether the pre-existing intrauterine adhesion was mild or severe.

The association of chronic endometritis with mid-trimester loss due to cervical incompetence and the outcome of laparoscopic cervical cerclage.

PURPOSE: To examine the association of chronic endometritis (CE) with cervical incompetence (CI) in Chinese women with mid-trimester loss, and the impact of the presence of CE on the outcome of laparoscopic cervical cerclage (LCC). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included a study group of 293 women with mid-trimester loss due to CI (group I) and a comparison group of 332 women with recurrent first-trimester miscarriage (group II). Immunohistochemical study using CD138 epitope for the diagnosis of CE was completed in all subjects. Pre-conception LCC was undertaken in 247 women in the study group (group I). The study was approved by Institutional Review Board (IRB) (number 2015FXHEC-KY005). RESULTS: The prevalence of CE in group I was 42%, significantly (P < 0.001) higher than that of 23.5% in group II. Among 247 women in group I, there were no significant difference in mid-trimester loss rate, preterm delivery rate and term delivery rate in women with and without CE (2.2, 12.0, 85.8% vs. 1.8, 10.1, 88.1% respectively) and between women with CE treated and not treated with antibiotics prior to conception (2.3, 9.3, 88.4% vs. 2.0, 14.3, 83.7% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Mid-trimester loss due to cervical incompetence is associated with chronic endometritis; However, the presence or not of CE and whether it was treated with antibiotics prior to conception did not appear to significantly influence the obstetric outcomes of women with CI after LCC.

Functional analysis of miRNAs combined with TGF-ß1/Smad3 inhibitor in an intrauterine rat adhesion cell model.

In this study, we aimed to study the role of miRNAs in intrauterine adhesion (IUA) disease. An IUA cell model was constructed by TGF-ß1. Smad3 inhibitor (SIS3) can inhibit the Smad3 signaling pathway and affect the role of TGF-ß1; thus, it was used to identify the role of Smad3 and related miRNAs in IUA. Cell number significantly increased in the TGF-ß1 group after 72 h and 96 h, respectively, compared with that in the control group (P < 0.05). However, cell proliferation was significantly decreased in the TGF-ß1 + SIS3 group (P < 0.0001). Cell apoptosis was increased in the TGF-ß1 + SIS3 group compared with that in the TGF-ß1 group. Western Blot (WB) analysis suggested that TGF-ß1 treatment could effectively increase the expression of α-SMA, COL1, Smad3, and p-Smad3, which could be inhibited by SIS3 treatment. A total of 235 and 530 differentially expressed miRNAs in the TGF-ß1 + SIS3 group were significantly up- and downregulated compared with those in the TGF-ß1 group, respectively. These differentially expressed miRNAs were enriched in the MAPK and PI3K-AKT pathways. The ten most differentially expressed miRNAs were selected to verify their expressions using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Furthermore, overexpression of rno-miR-3586-3p and rno-miR-455-5p can promote cell proliferation and exacerbate the IUA pathogenic process. However, overexpression of rno-miR-204-3p and rno-miR-3578 can inhibit cell behavior and IUA progression. The above results can provide detailed information for the understanding of IUA molecular mechanisms.

Durations of intrauterine balloon therapy and adhesion reformation after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis: a randomized controlled trial.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Does placing an intrauterine balloon for different durations (7, 14 or 28 days) affect the recurrence of intrauterine adhesions after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis? DESIGN: Prospective randomized control trial involving 138 patients recruited over a 12-month period and followed up post-operatively for 15 months. The primary outcome measure was the rate of adhesion reformation at third-look hysteroscopy. RESULTS: At third-look hysteroscopy, 8 weeks after the initial hysteroscopy, the adhesion recurrence rate in women who had an intrauterine balloon for 28 days (20%) was significantly (P < 0.01) lower than that of women who had the balloon for 14 days (55%) or 7 days (36.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Placing an intrauterine balloon for 28 days instead of 7 or 14 days after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis resulted in a greater reduction in the recurrence rate of adhesions. However, the study was underpowered to address whether the ongoing pregnancy rate could be improved by keeping the balloon in the uterine cavity for a longer period of time.

CircPlekha7 plays an anti-fibrotic role in intrauterine adhesions by modulating endometrial stromal cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Circular RNA (circRNA) plays a key role in the development and progression of several diseases; however, its role in intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) is not well understood. This study aims to investigate the expression profiles and potential role of circRNA in IUA. RNA-sequencing was performed to screen for abnormally expressed circRNAs in TGF-ß1-induced IUA endometrial stromal cell (ESC) model (IUA group) and an SMAD3 inhibitor, SIS3-treated IUA ESC model (SIS3 group). Gene Ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses were performed to uncover the key functions and pathways. Interaction networks were constructed and analyzed based on the competing endogenous RNA hypothesis of circRNA. CircRNAs were validated by Sanger sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured using MTS and flow cytometry, respectively. The protein and mRNA expression levels of fibrosis-related proteins were measured using western blotting and reverse transcription-qPCR, respectively. A total of 66 circRNAs were differentially expressed between the IUA and SIS3 groups. CircPlekha7 was identified as one of the significantly upregulated circRNAs in the SIS3 group. Overexpression of circPlekha7 enhanced apoptosis, decreased the viability of ESCs, and suppressed the expression of α-SMA, collagen I, and SMAD3 in ESCs; whereas knockdown of circPlekha7 exhibited opposite results. Altogether, the results indicate that circPlekha7 plays an anti-fibrotic role in IUA and may serve as a promising prognostic biomarker for patients with IUA. Therefore, overexpression of circPlekha7 could be a potential treatment strategy for IUA.

Prevalence and confounders of chronic endometritis in premenopausal women with abnormal bleeding or reproductive failure.

In this retrospective cohort study, a consecutive series of 1551 premenopausal women underwent hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy. Chronic endometritis was diagnosed when plasma cell in endometrial tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry using CD138 epitope. The overall prevalence of chronic endometritis in the population studied was 24.4% The prevalence was significantly increased in the following conditions: recurrent implantation failure (40.8%; P < 0.001), abnormal uterine bleeding (40.7 %; P < 0.001), endometrial hyperplasia (50.0%, P < 0.05) and submucosal fibroid (59.1%; P < 0.001) than those without the respective conditions. The prevalence in specimens obtained from the proliferative phase (26.0%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those from the luteal phase (17.5%). Logistic regression analysis showed three significant factors affecting the prevalence, in descending order of importance: clinical presentation, endometrial hyperplasia and stage of the cycle from which the specimen was obtained. The confounding variables identified in this study may account for the wide range of published prevalence of the condition, and should be considered in the analysis of prevalence data relating to chronic endometritis.

SIRT1 exhibits antioxidative effects in HT22 cells induced by tert-butyl alcohol.

Tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) is a principal metabolite of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), a common pollutant worldwide in the ground or underground water, which is found to produce nervous system damage. Nevertheless, few data regarding the effects of TBA has been reported. Studies indicated that oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in MTBE neurotoxic mechanism. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) has been reported to exert a neuroprotective effect on various neurologic diseases via resistance to oxidative stress by deacetylating its substrates. In this study, we examined levels of oxidative stress after exposure to TBA for 6 h in HT22 cells and HT22 cells with SIRT1 silencing (transfected with SIRT1 siRNA) or high expression (preconditioned with agonists SRT1720). We found that TBA activated oxidative stress by increasing generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and Oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and decreasing contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GSH). In additional, levels of TBA-induced oxidative stress were aggravated when SIRT1 silenced but alleviated when SIRT1 enhanced. Our study indicated that SIRT1 mitigated oxidative stress induced by TBA.

A safe and reliable neutralization assay based on pseudovirus to measure neutralizing antibody titer against poliovirus.

With the promotion of inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine (IPV) and live attenuated oral poliomyelitis vaccine (OPV), the global reported cases of poliomyelitis have reduced sharply from 0.35 million in 1988 to 74 in 2015. The Polio Eradication & Endgame Strategic Plan published by WHO in 2013 included the strategy of implementation of poliovirus safe handling and containment measures to minimize the risks of facility-associated reintroduction of virus into the polio-free community to prevent the re-import of poliovirus. Toward this strategy, we produced replication-incompetent pseudovirus of poliovirus type 1, 2, 3 attenuated strains by constructing poliovirus capsid expression vectors and poliovirus replicon then transfecting HEK293T cells and developed a pseudovirus-based neutralization assay (pNA) to determine neutralizing antibody titer which is more secure, time-saving and reliable than conventional neutralization assay (cNA). By using anti-poliovirus rat serum, we demonstrated excellent correlation between neutralizing antibody titers measured by cNA and pNA. It was concluded that pNA can be a potential alternative to replace cNA as a safe and time-saving system for titer determination after live poliovirus's safekeeping.

Inhibition of heme oxygenase-1 enhances the chemosensitivity of laryngeal squamous cell cancer Hep-2 cells to cisplatin.

It has been previously reported that cisplatin is a well-known anticancer drug being used against a wide range of malignancies including head and neck, ovarian and non-small cell lung carcinoma, and demonstrated its anticancer activity by reacting with DNA or changing cell structure, immune response, reactive oxygen species level (ROS). In this research we proved that cisplatin induced cell injuries and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in laryngeal squamous cell cancer Hep-2 cells through ROS generation. The induction of HO-1 clearly protected Hep-2 cells from cisplatin-induced cell death and ROS reaction, and the inhibitor of HO-1 enhanced the cell death and ROS generation induced by cisplatin. Furthermore, the HO-1 expression induced by cisplatin was strongly inhibited by the knockdown of nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2), and the oxidative damages induced by cisplatin were significantly enhanced. Therefore, it may be concluded that the inhibition of HO-1 or the knockdown of Nrf-2 significantly enhanced cisplatin's anticancer effects on Hep-2 cells. In clinic, with the overexpression of HO-1 in laryngeal squamous cancer tissues, the combination of cisplatin with the inhibitor of HO-1 or Nrf-2 siRNA may act as a new method to the treatment of laryngeal squamous cancer.

Resident Endothelial Cells and Endothelial Progenitor Cells Restore Endothelial Barrier Function After Inflammatory Lung Injury.

OBJECTIVE: Disruption of endothelial barrier integrity is a characteristic of many inflammatory conditions. However, the origin and function of endothelial cells (ECs) restoring endothelial barrier function remain unknown. This study defined the roles of resident ECs (RECs) and bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (BMDEPCs) in endothelial barrier restoration after endotoxemic lung injury. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We generated mice that enable to quantify proliferating RECs or BMDEPCs and also to study the causal link between REC or BMDEPC proliferation and endothelial barrier restoration. Using these mouse models, we showed that endothelial barrier restoration was associated with increased REC and BMDEPC proliferation. RECs and BMDEPCs participate in barrier repair. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that RECs proliferate in situ on endothelial layer and that BMDEPCs are engrafted into endothelial layer of lung microvessels at the active barrier repair phase. In lungs, 8 weeks after lipopolysaccharide-induced injury, the number of REC-derived ECs (CD45(-)/CD31(+)/BrdU(+)/rtTA(+)) or BMDEPC-derived ECs (CD45(-)/CD31(+)/eNOS(+)/GFP(+)) increased by 22- or 121-fold, respectively. The suppression of REC or BMDEPC proliferation by blocking REC or BMDEPC intrinsic nuclear factor-κB at the barrier repair phase was associated with an augmented endothelial permeability and impeded endothelial barrier recovery. RECs and BMDEPCs contributed differently to endothelial barrier repair. In lungs, 8 weeks after lipopolysaccharide-induced injury, REC-derived ECs constituted 22%, but BMDEPC-derived ECs constituted only 3.7% of the total new ECs. CONCLUSIONS: REC is a major and BMDEPC is a complementary source of new ECs in endothelial barrier restoration. RECs and BMDEPCs play important roles in endothelial barrier restoration after inflammatory lung injury.

Does Anti-Mllerian Hormone Predict Outcome of Pregnancy in Women with Recurrent Miscarriage?.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of anti- Millerian hormone (AAMH) on the outcome of pregnancy in women with recurrent miscarriage (RM). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study; data from 98 women with unexplained RM were analyzed. The serum AMH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations prior to and within 6 months of conception were determined with enzyme-linked immu-" nosorbent assay (ELISA) on day 2-6 of a cycle. RESULTS: There was no difference in AMH or FSH results between those who had live birth or miscarriage. Neither AMH nor FSH results had any significant prognostic value on the outcome of the pregnancy. CONCLUSION: AMH and FSH on their own do not seem to predict the outcome of pregnancy in women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage.

[Effect of hydrogen-saline on lung injury and heme oxygenase-1 expression in the lung tissue of acute paraquat-intoxicated mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Hydrogen-saline on Lung Injury and HO-1 Expression in The Lung Tissue of Acute Paraquat-intoxicated mice. METHODS: 108 male clean-grade mice were divided randomly into 3 groups: normal control group (n = 8), PQ group (n = 50) and PQ HN group (n = 50), PQ group were lavaged with 20% PQ (50 mg/kg). PQ+Hyclrogen saline group were intxaperitoneal injected with 5 ml/kg saturated hydragen saline after lavaged, 2 times/d. We observe its performance after the poisoning, The lung tissue were taken to HE stained, MDA and SOD activity of lung tissue homogenate were detected, HO-1 activity were observed by immunohistochemistry and western method at 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, 7 d and 14 d. RESULTS: mice came to shortness of breath, exhaustion and death after poisoned. PQ+hydrogen saline group was more alleviative than PQ group. The lung MDA of PQ group was markedly increased at 6 h and 24 h and SOD was decreased at 6 h, 24 h, 3 d, 7 d, 14 d than normal control group. In Comparison with PQ group, the lung MDA was decreased at 24 h and SOD was increased at 24 h and 3 d (P < 0.05). HO-1 expression trend and distribution in PQ+hydrogen saline group are similar with PQ group, but were significantly higher than that of PQ group and the control group each time point (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress plays important roles in lung injury caused by paraquat. Hydrogen-saline may increase expression of HO-1 and alleviate oxidative stress damage in lung.

A matched cohort study comparing the outcome of intrauterine adhesiolysis for Asherman's syndrome after uterine artery embolization or surgical trauma.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of hysteroscopic adhesiolysis in women who had Asherman's syndrome after uterine artery embolization (UAE) with those who had Asherman's syndrome caused by surgical trauma. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study matched for age and intrauterine adhesion score (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: A tertiary hysteroscopic center in a teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Nineteen women with Asherman's syndrome after UAE and 57 women with Asherman's syndrome caused by surgical trauma. INTERVENTIONS: Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis was followed by a second-look hysteroscopy 1 month later. The scoring system proposed by the American Fertility Society was used to evaluate intrauterine adhesion during hysteroscopy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In the UAE group, only 42.1% of women experienced improvement in menstruation defined as a subjective increase in menstrual flow after surgery, which was significantly lower than that of 86.0% observed in the non-UAE group. In the UAE group, the reduction of the American Fertility Society (AFS) score after intrauterine adhesiolysis was 30%, which was significantly lower than that of 80% in the non-UAE group. The pregnancy rate and live birth rate in the UAE group (5% and 0%, respectively) were significantly lower than the corresponding rates in the non-UAE group (33% and 25%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The outcome of hysteroscopic adhesiolysis in women with Asherman's syndrome after UAE was worse than in women with Asherman's syndrome caused by surgical trauma.

[Epidemiological survey of childhood asthma in 2010 in urban Baotou, China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence rate of childhood asthma in 2010 in urban Baotou, China, as well as the characteristics of attacks and the status of diagnosis and treatment of childhood asthma. METHODS: More than 10 000 children (0-14 years) were selected from 3 secondary schools, 3 primary schools, 6 kindergartens, and 4 community vaccination sites in urban Baotou by cluster random sampling between September 2009 and August 2010. A standardized preliminary questionnaire was used for screening out suspected cases, which were then confirmed or excluded by a clinician; the confirmed cases underwent further questionnaire survey. Double entry and validation was adopted for all data using Epi-Info software, and analysis was performed using SPSS 13.0. RESULTS: A total of 11 323 children were surveyed. Asthma was diagnosed in 127 cases (including 121 children with typical asthma and 6 children with cough variant asthma), with a prevalence rate of 1.12%. The prevalence rate of asthma in male children was significantly higher than that in female children (1.51% vs 0.72%; P<0.01). The prevalence rate of asthma in 2010 was significantly increased compared with that in 1990 (0.55%) and 2000 (0.88%) (P<0.05). Systemic glucocorticoid use decreased significantly from 60.2% in 2000 to 25.9% in 2010 (P<0.01); inhaled corticosteroid use increased significantly from 13.6% in 2000 to 85.8% in 2010 (P<0.01); antibiotic use decreased from 98.1% in 2000 to 66.9% in 2010 (P<0.01). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that family history of allergy, allergic rhinitis, chronic cough, and recurrent respiratory tract infection were independent risk factors for childhood asthma. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rate of childhood asthma in urban Baotou shows an increasing trend. Inhaled corticosteroids have been widely used.

Prediction of non-dipper blood pressure pattern in Chinese patients with hypertension using a nomogram model.

Non-dipper blood pressure has been shown to affect cardiovascular outcomes and cognitive function in patients with hypertension. Although some studies have explored the influencing factors of non-dipper blood pressure, there is still relatively little research on constructing a prediction model. This study aimed to develop and validate a simple and practical nomogram prediction model and explore relevant elements that could affect the dipper blood pressure relationship in patients with hypertension. A convenient sampling method was used to select 356 inpatients with hypertension who visited the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College from January 2022 to September 2022. All patients were randomly assigned to the training cohort (75%, n = 267) and the validation cohort (25%, n = 89). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were utilized to identify influencing factors. The nomogram was developed and evaluated based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the area under the ROC curve (AUC), and decision curve analyses. The optimal cutoff values for the prevalence of dipper blood pressure were estimated. The nomogram was established using six variables, including age, sex, hemoglobin (Hb), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), ejection fraction (EF), and heart rate. The AUC was 0.860 in the training cohort. The cutoff values for optimally predicting the prevalence of dipper blood pressure were 41.50 years, 151.00 g/L, 117.53 mL/min/1.73 m2, 64.50%, and 75 beats per minute for age, Hb, eGFR, ejection fraction, and heart rate, respectively. In summary, our nomogram can be used as a simple, plausible, affordable, and widely implementable tool to predict the blood pressure pattern of Chinese patients with hypertension.

Chronic intermittent hypoxia exposure induces atherosclerosis in ApoE knockout mice: role of NF-κB p50.

Current animal models of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH)-induced atherosclerosis have limitations. Mechanisms of CIH-induced atherosclerosis are poorly understood. This study tested new mouse models of CIH-induced atherosclerosis and defined the role of NF-κB p50 in CIH-induced atherosclerosis. Mice deficient in apolipoprotein E (ApoE-KO) or in both ApoE and p50 genes (ApoE-p50-DKO) were exposed to sham or CIH. Atherosclerotic lesions on aortic preparations were analyzed. CIH exposure caused atherosclerosis in ApoE-KO mice fed a normal chow diet and with no preexisting atherosclerotic condition in an exposure time-dependent manner. CIH caused more pronounced atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE-p50-DKO mice on a normal chow diet without preexisting atherosclerosis. ApoE-KO and ApoE-p50-DKO mice exposed to CIH for 30 and 9 weeks, respectively, displayed similar areas of atherosclerotic lesions on cross sections of aortic root. P50 gene deletion in ApoE-p50-DKO mice significantly augmented CIH-induced serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-6, aortic tumor necrosis factor-α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and aortic infiltration of Mac3-positive macrophages. CIH caused a greater elevation in serum cholesterol level in ApoE-p50-DKO than in ApoE-KO mice. CIH down-regulated hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor and HMG-CoA reductase expression in ApoE-p50-DKO but not in ApoE-KO mice. We found two new mouse models that are useful for studying mechanisms and pathways of CIH-induced atherosclerosis. We showed that NF-κB p50 protects against CIH-induced atherosclerosis by inhibiting vascular inflammation and hypercholesterolemia.

A new target of radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy: regulatory T cells.

Radiotherapy is one important treatment for malignant tumours. It is widely believed today that radiotherapy has not only been used as a local tumour treatment method, but also can induce systemic anti-tumour responses by influencing the tumour microenvironment, but its efficacy is limited by the tumour immunosuppression microenvironment. With the advancement of technology, immunotherapy has entered a golden age of rapid development, gradually occupying a place in clinical tumour treatment. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) widely distributing in the tumour microenvironment play an important role in mediating tumour development. This article analyzes immunotherapy, the interaction between Tregs, tumours and radiotherapy. It briefly introduces immunotherapies targeting Tregs, aiming to provide new strategies for radiotherapy combined with Immunotherapy.