[Advances in the use of bevacizumab for the treatment of respiratory papilloma].

Respiratory papilloma is a relatively common benign tumor of the respiratory tract, and a few patients may develop malignant changes. The disease has an insidious onset and lacks specific clinical manifestations, and its manifestations are closely related to the growth mode, location and size of the tumor. It can involve multiple parts, such as the larynx, trachea, bronchus, and lung parenchyma, which cause coughing, hoarseness, dysphonia, and, in severe cases, may lead to obstruction of the respiratory tract. At present, the treatment of respiratory papilloma lacks standardization, and there is no effective method to cure the disease. Surgery remains the main treatment for alleviating patients' symptoms and preventing airway obstruction. However, due to the high recurrence rate of respiratory papilloma, multiple surgeries are often needed, which reduces the quality of life of patients and increases their disease burden and economic burden. Bevacizumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor-binding antibody inhibitor, is a promising adjuvant treatment modality that shows good potential for reducing symptoms and the frequency of surgery. This article aimed to review the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab for the treatment of respiratory papilloma and discuss the differences and efficacy of the systemic application and intralesional injection of bevacizumab for the treatment of respiratory papilloma.

[Investigation on the cognitive level of Mpox among MSM population in Shenzhen and analysis of the influencing factors in 2023].

From June 16 to 30, 2023, men who have sex with men (MSM) who had visited Voluntary Counseling Testing (VCT) clinics in the Luohu, Futian and Nanshan districts of Shenzhen were included in this study to analyze their awareness of Mpox and the influencing factors. The mean age of the 262 MSM was (34.78±8.94) years, with the majority being unmarried (75.2%) and 79.0% confirmed to be infected with HIV. The awareness rates for five primary indicators, current status of Mpox, pathogen and source of infection, mode of transmission, population susceptibility, clinical manifestations and treatment were 68.4%, 84.7%, 60.3%, 87.8%, and 52.5%, respectively. The awareness rates for five secondary indicators, earliest transmission location (44.7%), main mode of transmission (54.2%), role of masks (46.9%), drug accessibility (46.6%), and self-limiting nature (38.2%) were all below 60%. The MSM population in Shenzhen perceived their likelihood of being infected (2.76±1.32) and discriminated against (3.87±1.26) as relatively low. The logistic analysis showed that the high school or vocational school education (OR:3.094, 95%CI:1.180-9.299), college or above education (OR:5.360, 95%CI:2.159-15.501), and higher scores on questions affecting learning or work (OR:2.196, 95%CI:1.409-3.599) were promoting factors for Mpox awareness, while higher scores on questions concerning the possibility of Mpox mortality (OR:0.591, 95%CI:0.432-0.791) was the hindering factor for Mpox awareness.

[Effect of SHP-1 knockout in airway epithelial cells on emphysema phenotype in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in mice].

Objective: To construct and characterize conditional Src homology region 2 protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) knockout mice in airway epithelial cells and to observe the effect of defective SHP-1 expression in airway epithelial cells on the emphysema phenotype in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: To detect the expression of SHP-1 in the airway epithelium of COPD patients. CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to construct SHP-1flox/flox transgenic mice, which were mated with airway epithelial Clara protein 10-cyclase recombinase and estrogen receptor fusion transgenic mice (CC10-CreER+/+), and after intraperitoneal injection of tamoxifen, airway epithelial SHP-1 knockout mice were obtained (SHP-1flox/floxCC10-CreER+/-, SHP-1Δ/Δ). Mouse tail and lung tissue DNA was extracted and PCR amplified to discriminate the genotype of the mice; the knockout effect of SHP-1 gene in airway epithelial cells was verified by qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. In addition, an emphysema mouse model was constructed using elastase to assess the severity of emphysema in each group of mice. Results: Airway epithelial SHP-1 was significantly downregulated in COPD patients. Genotyping confirmed that SHP-1Δ/Δ mice expressed CC10-CreER and SHP-1-flox. After tamoxifen induction, we demonstrated the absence of SHP-1 protein expression in airway epithelial cells of SHP-1Δ/Δ mice at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels, indicating that airway epithelial cell-specific SHP-1 knockout mice had been successfully constructed. In the emphysema animal model, SHP-1Δ/Δ mice had a more severe emphysema phenotype compared with the control group, which was manifested by disorganization of alveolar structure in lung tissue and rupture and fusion of alveolar walls to form pulmonary alveoli. Conclusions: The present study successfully established and characterized the SHP-1 knockout mouse model of airway epithelial cells, which provides a new experimental tool for the in-depth elucidation of the role of SHP-1 in the emphysema process of COPD and its mechanism.

The GluN2B-Containing NMDA Receptor Alleviates Neuronal Apoptosis in Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy by Activating PI3K-Akt-CREB Signaling Pathwa.

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a disease caused by insufficient blood supply in the brain in newborns during the perinatal period. Severe HIE leads to patient death, and patients with mild HIE are at increased risk of cognitive deficits and behavioral abnormalities. The NMDA receptor is an important excitatory receptor in the central nervous system, and in adult hypoxic-ischemic injury both subtypes of the NMDA receptor play important but distinct roles. The GluN2A-containing NMDA receptor (GluN2A-NMDAR) could activate neuronal protective signaling pathway, while the GluN2B-NMDAR subtype is coupled to the apoptosis-inducing signaling pathway and leads to neuronal death. However, the expression level of GluN2B is higher in newborns than in adults, while the expression of GluN2A is lower. Therefore, it is not clear whether the roles of different NMDA receptor subtypes in HIE are consistent with those in adults. We investigated this issue in this study and found that in HIE, GluN2B plays a protective role by mediating the protective pathway through binding with PSD95, which is quite different to that in adults. The results of this study provided new theoretical support for the clinical treatment of neonatal hypoxic ischemia.

[Effect of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies on pregnancy outcome in patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion].

Objective: To investigate the effect of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) on pregnancy outcome and perinatal outcome of single live birth in patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA). Methods: The clinical data of 351 cycles of the first transfer of a blastocyst through whole embryo freezing in the Reproductive Center of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2019 to 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether PGT-A was performed before the transfer, the patients were divided into two groups: the PGT-A group (160 cycles) and the control group (191 cycles) were treated with in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm microinjection (IVF/ICSI). To adjust for confounding factors, propensity score matching (PSM) was carried out in a 1∶1 ratio between the two groups of patients. After matching, 98 patients in the PGT-A group and 98 patients in the control group were compared for pregnancy outcome and perinatal outcome of singleton live births. Results: Before PSM, the female age in the PGT-A group was (33.6±4.0) years, lower than that in the control group (34.5±4.5) years (P=0.049). Male age in the PGT-A group was (33.6±4.1) years, lower than that in the control group (35.3±5.1) years (P<0.001). There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in infertility factors, female body mass index (BMI), years of infertility, number of spontaneous abortions, basal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), endometrial thickness on the day of transfer and the percentage of high-quality blastocysts (all P values<0.05); After PSM, there was a statistically significant difference in fertilization methods and infertility factors between the two groups (P<0.05), while other differences were not statistically significant (all P values>0.05); There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in implant rate [63.3% (62 cycles) vs. 49.0% (48 cycles), P=0.044], clinical pregnancy rate [63.3% (62 cycles) vs. 49.0% (48 cycles), P=0.044], and live birth rate [42.9% (42 cycles) vs. 28.6% (28 cycles), P=0.037]. There was no statistically significant difference in perinatal outcomes between the PGT-A group and the control group in obtaining single birth live births (P>0.05). Conclusion: Compared with conventional IVF/ICSI assisted pregnancy, PGT-A assisted pregnancy significantly improves implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate in URSA patients. PGT-A improves the pregnancy outcomes in URSA patients but not perinatal outcomes in patients with singleton live births.

[Current status and influencing factors for physicians in different departments prescribing novel hypoglycemic agent with cardiovascular benefits].

Objective: To investigate the knowledge, use and barriers when prescribing GLP-1RA and SGLT2i among cardiologists, endocrinologists and general practitioners, and explore the influencing factors that hinder the use of these medications. Methods: A questionnaire was conducted among physicians in the above departments in Peking University Third Hospital and health service institutions at all levels in its medical consortium. A total of 342 physicians were involved. Among them, 40.6% (139) were cardiologists, 28.9% (99) were endocrinologists and 30.4% (104) were general practitioners; 66.7% (270) came from Beijing while 33.3% (72) from other provinces. The survey included clinicians' knowledge and current use of GLP-1RA and SGLT2i, and the possible reasons that influenced the prescription of these medications. Medical therapies of physicians were investigated by simulating different clinical scenarios. The difference of measures among physicians in different departments was compared. Results: A total of 342 physicians were involved, with the average age of 40 (35, 46) years old and the average working time of 13 (7, 20) years. Among them, 40.6% (139) were male. 77.5% (265) physicians had comprehensive knowledge of SGLT2i and prescribed it, which was higher than that for GLP-1RA (70.5%, 241) (P<0.001). 21.1% (72) physicians prescribed SGLT2i more than 20 times per month, which was higher than that for GLP-1RA (8.2%, 28) (P<0.001). Endocrinologists had more knowledge and prescribed more GLP-1RA and SGLT2i compared with other physicians (both P values<0.001). 38.1% (53) cardiologists, 22.2% (22) endocrinologists, and 30.8% (32) general practitioners believed patients needed an endocrinologist to evaluate and adjust GLP-1RA, which was the primary barrier for the use of medications (P=0.042). 27.4% (38) cardiologists, 14.1% (14) endocrinologists, and 30.8% (32) general practitioners believed patients needed an endocrinologist to evaluate and adjust SGLT2i, which was the primary barrier for the use of medications (P=0.018). 21.6% (30) cardiologists, 45.5% (45) endocrinologists, and 31.7% (33) general practitioners believed side effects of SGLT2i was the primary barrier for the use of medications (P<0.001). For patients with unqualified glycemic control and cardiovascular complications, 65.4% (75) cardiologists, 69.7% (69) endocrinologists, and 43.3% (45) general practitioners chose the above medications (P<0.001). For patients with qualified glycemic control, combined with cardiovascular complications and diabetic organ damage, 35.3% (49) cardiologists, 52.5% (52) endocrinologists, and 25.0% (26) general practitioners chose the above medications (P<0.001). Conclusions: Physicians had more knowledge and prescription of SGLT2i than that of GLP-1RA. Endocrinologists had more knowledge and prescription of the above medications than other physicians. The side effect of medications was potential primary barrier for the use of the novel hypoglycemic agent with cardiovascular benefits. In clinical practice, most of physicians considered that high-risk patients with cardiovascular comorbidities need to be referred to cardiologist or endocrinologist to adjust clinical therapies.

Environmentally vulnerable or sensitive groups exhibiting varying concerns toward air pollution can drive government response to improve air quality.

Air pollution seriously threatens human health, and its consequences are particularly prevalent among environmentally vulnerable or sensitive groups. However, whether the concerns among these groups are different and how they affect air pollution governance remain unclear. Here, we extract 3.8 million haze-related posts from China's Sina Weibo and analyze the concerns raised by these groups by constructing an air pollution notability index. The results show that protection is the key theme for women aged 20-35 years, while elderly individuals are easily influenced by haze-related product ads yet lack awareness of scientific-based protection. Concerns shared by young individuals are more effective in pressuring the government in cities that experience higher levels of pollution. Concerns shared by women are more effective in cities that experience lower levels of pollution. This study evidences the influence of the public concerns conveyed via social media on air pollution governance in China.

[Impact of activities of daily living on depression in the elderly aged 60 and above in China].

Objective: To explore the impact of activities of daily living (ADL) on depression in the elderly and the role of social networks and children's support. Methods: Data used in this study were obtained as participants aged 60 and above from the "China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey 2018",with a sample size of 10 215. ADL, social network and depression were measured on scales. The moderated mediation model was used to analyze the role of social networks and children's support. The SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis, the PROCESS 3.3 macro program was used to test the moderated mediation effect. Results: A total of 10 760 participants aged 60 and above were included. Activities of daily living showed a direct impact on depression in the elderly (ß=-0.090, P<0.01), with social network playing a mediating role (ß=0.035, P<0.01; ß=-0.064, P<0.05) and children's support played a moderating role (ß=-0.029, P<0.05) in the relationship between the elderly's ADL and depression. Conclusions: The social network is an essential buffer to declining ADL's negative impact on depression of older adults. Children's support is a powerful supplement to enhance social networks' positive role and reduce the risk of elderly depression. Exerting the combined advantages of social networks and children's support are important ways to maintain the elderly's mental health.

[Association of GMF-ß expression with Ki-67 and its significance in the prognostic evaluation of astrocytoma].

Objective: To clarify the correlation of the expression of glia maturation factor-ß (GMF-ß) with Ki-67 in astrocytoma, and to investigate the prognostic implications of combined detection of GMF-ß and Ki-67. Methods: One hundred and forty human astrocytoma samples (WHO Ⅱ-Ⅳ grade) were collected at Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (the Third Military Medical University), China from 2006 to 2009. Clinicopathological information and 3-year follow-up data were collected. Expression of GMF-ß and Ki-67 was detected by single and double immunohistochemical staining, then the association of GMF-ß expression with Ki-67 and its significance in prognostic evaluation of astrocytoma were statistically analyzed. Results: GMF-ß expression in astrocytoma cells was correlated to both tumor grade and Ki-67 (both P<0.05); Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that GMF-ß and Ki-67 expression were negatively correlated to the 3 year-survival rates, respectively (both P<0.01). Further analysis demonstrated that the two factors were co-influenced on survival, showing a trend of "GMF-ßlow Ki-67low>GMF-ßhigh Ki-67low>GMF-ßlow Ki-67high>GMF-ßhigh Ki-67high" in 3-year survival rate with significant intergroup differences (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusions: GMF-ß expression is positively associated with Ki-67 in astrocytoma. Combined detection of GMF-ß and Ki-67 can predict prognosis of patients with glioma.

LncRNA FOXD2-AS1 knockdown inhibits the resistance of human osteosarcoma cells to cisplatin by inhibiting miR-143 expression.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) FOXD2-adjacent opposite strand RNA 1 (FOXD2-AS1) on the sensitivity of osteosarcoma cells to cisplatin and its possible underlying mechanism. Our findings might help to provide a certain reference for clinically preventing the drug resistance of osteosarcoma cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cisplatin with a certain concentration gradient was used to induce the stable acquired resistance of human osteosarcoma U2-OS cell line. Subsequently, the expression level of lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 was determined in osteosarcoma cells in non-resistance group (Control group) and Cisplatin-resistance group (Cisplatin-RES group), respectively. Next, the cell line with stable lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 knockdown was constructed in Cisplatin-RES group using small interfering RNA (siRNA). The effects of stable knockdown of lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 on the proliferation of human osteosarcoma cells and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of cisplatin were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining was performed to measure deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) replication level in each group of cells. The protein expression levels of apoptosis-associated genes B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) in each group of cells were measured via Western blotting. The migration and invasion abilities of cells in each group were determined using wound-healing assay and transwell assay. In addition, the expression of micro RNA (miR)-143 in each group of cells was detected via Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Compared with Control group, the expression level of lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 rose significantly in cells in Cisplatin-RES group (p<0.05). Knockdown of FOXD2-AS1 evidently decreased the IC50 of cisplatin in human osteosarcoma cells (p<0.05). According to EdU staining results, the knockdown of FOXD2-AS1 distinctly inhibited the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells (p<0.05). Western blotting results demonstrated that the knockdown of FOXD2-AS1 remarkably upregulated the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax and repressed that of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in drug-resistant human osteosarcoma cells (p<0.05). Moreover, the knockdown of FOXD2-AS1 significantly weakened the migration and invasion abilities of drug-resistant human osteosarcoma cells (p<0.05). Finally, it was found that the expression level of miR-143 was distinctly elevated in drug-resistant human osteosarcoma cells after knockdown of FOXD2-AS1 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA FOXD2-AS1 knockdown inhibits the resistance of human osteosarcoma cells to cisplatin, promotes their apoptosis and weakens their invasion and migration abilities. The possible underlying mechanism may be related to the inhibition of miR-143 expression by lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 in drug-resistant cell lines.

[Application of two-stage crestal approach sinus elevation in severe atrophic posterior maxilla].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of two-stage crestal approach sinus elevation in severe atrophic maxilla. Methods: A total of 25 patients (male: 13 cases,female: 12 cases) who attended Department of Implant Center, Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University from May 2016 to May 2018 were included in this study. The age of the patients was 32-49 years old. The inclusion criteria were: single or multiple tooth loss in posterior maxilla with residual bone height ranged from 1.5 to 3.0 mm and vertical bone width≥6 mm, no pathological changes or septum were detected in the sinus. The elevated sides were divided into three groups according to different buccal-palatal sinus width (SW): wide (16 case, SW＞15 mm), normal (12 case, 12 mm≤SW≤15 mm), narrow (5 case, SW<12 mm). Finally, 23 patients with 33 implants were placed by the two-stage crestal approach for sinus elevation. Six months after implant placement, final restorations were delivered. Implant survival rate, implant stability quotient (ISQ), immediate vertical bone height (VBH) after surgeries, changes of sinus elevation height (cSEH), marginal bone loss (MBL) at 1 year follow-up were examined. Results: Twenty-three patients were finally included in the study, including 12 males and 11 females, aged (41.2±7.6) years old. All implants healed uneventfully. ISQ (wide: 50.81±2.69; normal: 60.58±2.54; narrow: 63.12±3.58), immediate VBH after 1st surgery [wide: (7.99±1.13) mm; normal: (8.95±0.81) mm; narrow: (9.18±0.90) mm] and 2nd surgery [wide: (11.46±0.88) mm; normal: (12.77±0.49) mm; narrow: (12.57±0.55) mm], cSEH six months after 1st [wide: (3.87±0.43) mm; normal: (2.01±0.65) mm; narrow: (1.49±0.33) mm] and 2nd [wide: (1.16±0.29) mm; normal: (1.04±0.33) mm ; narrow: (0.97±0.41) mm] surgery, MBL [wide: (0.91±0.05) mm; normal: (0.79±0.10) mm; narrow: (0.74±0.07) mm] were significantly different among three groups (P<0.05). In all the three groups, cSEH was barely detected at 1-year follow-up (P>0.05). Conclusions: Two-stage crestal approach for sinus elevation might be an alternative protocol in severe atrophic posterior maxilla, especially in cases with narrow and normal buccal-palatal width. There is an urgent need for long time follow-up and more clinical cases.

LINC00473 promotes lung adenocarcinoma progression by regulating miR-1294/ROBO1 axis.

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) LINC00473 has been reported to be involved in the regulation of several human cancers. However, the regulatory mechanism of LINC00473 is still unknown in lung adenocarcinoma. In this study, RT-qPCR was used to measure the expression of LINC00473, miR-1294 and ROBO1. The functional mechanism of the LINC00473/miR-1294/ROBO1 pathway was investigated by CCK-8, Transwell and dual luciferase reporter assays. The results showed that LINC00473 was up-regulated and miR-1294 was down-regulated in lung adenocarcinoma tissues and cells. LINC00473 can bind to miR-1294, and reciprocal inhibition between LINC00473 and miR-1294 expression was identified in lung adenocarcinoma. Functionally, LINC00473 promoted cell proliferation and motility in lung adenocarcinoma by downregulating miR-1294. In addition, miR-1294 directly targets ROBO1. ROBO1 served as an oncogene in lung adenocarcinoma. In particular, LINC00473 promoted the progression of lung adenocarcinoma by upregulating ROBO1. In conclusion, LINC00473 acts as a tumor promoter in lung adenocarcinoma by regulating the miR-1294/ROBO1 axis.

Autophagy promotes phagocytosis and clearance of Treponema pallidum via the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages.

BACKGROUND: Elucidating the mechanism of the macrophage phagocytic response will improve our knowledge of host defence against Treponema pallidum. OBJECTIVE: To explore whether autophagy promotes T. pallidum phagocytosis and clearance via the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages. METHODS: The interactions between autophagy and phagocytosis and the role of NLRP3 in these processes in T. pallidum-treated macrophages were investigated through experiments using human monocytic cell line (THP-1)-derived macrophages. Treponema pallidum clearance after phagocytosis was evaluated by inoculating rabbits with macrophage-treponeme mixtures. RESULTS: Activation of autophagy and phagocytosis in T. pallidum-treated macrophages occurred in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The percentage of spirochete-positive macrophages (22.34% vs. 70.93%, P < 0.001) and spirochete internalization (MFI: 9.62 vs. 20.33, P < 0.001) were notably reduced by silencing Beclin1. Inoculation of macrophage-treponeme mixtures into rabbits showed a 3.00-day delay in lesion development (17.55 ± 3.73 vs. 14.55 ± 1.99 days) and decreased lesion numbers [11 (36.7%) vs. 20 (66.7%) of 30; χ2  = 5.406, P = 0.020] in the control compared with the si-Beclin1 group. Furthermore, silencing NLRP3 decreased the mRNA and protein levels of Beclin-1 and LC3B [mRNA: 49.86% and 43.02%; protein: 22.31% and 24.24%, respectively, differing significantly from the control group (P < 0.001)] and reduced the percentage of spirochete-positive macrophages (30.29% vs. 70.53%, P < 0.001) and spirochete internalization (MFI: 9.82 vs. 19.33, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Treponema pallidum induces autophagy in macrophages to promote phagocytosis and clearance. The NLRP3 inflammasome modulates autophagy and phagocytosis in vitro. These data may be useful for understanding the host-pathogen relationship and establish the groundwork for strategies to combat syphilis.

[Relationship between angiopoietin-2 and vascular endothelial factor and vasodilation function in hypertensive patients].

Objective: To analyze the relationship between angiopoietin 2 (Ang2) and vascular endothelial factor and vasodilation function in hypertensive patients. Methods: Patients with new onset grade 1~2 hypertension (n=40) and healthy control group (n=25) wereenrolledprospectively. Serum Ang2 and nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), endothelin-1 (ET-1) were measured in both groups. Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) were measured in hypertensive patients. The above indicators were reviewed in hypertensive patients after antihypertensive treatment until blood pressure<140/90 mmHg. Results: Compared with the control group, serum Ang2 (P=0.049) and ET-1 (P<0.001) were significantly higher. Serum NO (P<0.001) and eNOS (P<0.001) was significantly lower in the hypertensive group. Compared with baseline, serum Ang2 (P=0.049) and ET-1 (P<0.001) were decreased significantly, meanwhile serum NO (P<0.001) and eNOS (P<0.001) were significantly increased. Serum Ang2 after antihypertensive treatment was not significantly different from that of the control group, but no statistical difference was observed in FMD after antihypertensive therapy. Correlation analysis found that serum Ang2 was positively correlated with mean arterial pressure (R=0.432, P<0.001), and negative correlated with serum NO(R=-0.374, P=0.001) and FMD (R=-0.368 0, P=0.002). Multiple linear regression found that serum Ang2 was independently associated with body mass index, mean arterial pressure, and serum NO. Conclusion: Serum Ang 2 can reflect the degree of endothelial and vasodilation impairment in hypertensive patients. Antihypertensive therapy can improve endothelial function, but whether it can restore damaged vasodilation function needs further verification.

Galanin receptor 1 plays an antinociceptive effect via inhibiting PKA activation in the nucleus accumbens of rats with neuropathic pain.

Galanin and galanin receptors (GalRs) have been reported to be involved in the transmission and modulation of nociceptive information in the central nervous system (CNS). However, the underlying mechanism of the antinociception of GalRs in neuropathic pain remains unclear. This study investigated the antinociception induced by galanin receptor 1 (GalR1) via protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of rats with neuropathic pain. A mononeuropathy model was replicated by ligation of the left sciatic nerve, following which the expression of phospho-PKA (p-PKA) in the NAc were markedly up-regulated at 14(th) and 28(th) day after ligation of sciatic nerve, and p-PKA expression was down-regulated by intra-NAc injection of GalR1 agonist M617, but the GalR1 antagonist M35 did not have an effect. We also found that M35 in the NAc blocked the M617-induced increase in the hind paw withdrawal latencies (HWLs) of rats with mononeuropathy, but M35 alone had no effect on HWLs, and PKA inhibitor H-89 attenuated the M617-induced an increase in the HWLs. These results suggested that GalR1 induced an antinociception via inhibiting PKA activation, implying that GalR agonists may be potential and potent therapeutic options to treat chronic neuropathic pain.

[Relationships between percentage of skeletal muscle mass and cardiorespiratory fitness in elderly patients with coronary heart disease].

Objective: To determine the relative percentage of skeletal muscle mass (SMM) in elderly patients with coronary heart disease, analyse the relationship between percentage of SMM and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), predict exercise capacity and cardiac reserve. Methods: Patients aged 65 years and over after PCI, receiving cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) during February 2014 to December 2016 in Department of Cardiology at Peking University Third Hospital were enrolled.All patients' basic data, percentage of SMM and CPET related parameters, including peak oxygen uptake (VO(2)peak), oxygen pulse (VO(2)/HR), oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) and other cardiorespiratory endurance indicators were collected, to do correlation analysis. Results: There were 402 patients enrolled, with average age (71±5) years, including 283 cases of male (70.40%) and 119 cases of female patients (29.60%). There were 62 patients with acute myocardial infarction (15.42%), 113 patients with old myocardial infarction (28.11%), and 227 patients diagnosed with angina pectoris (56.47%). The percentage of SMM was correlated to CRF.The percentage of SMM[97.00 (92.05, 102.10)%] and VO(2)/HR (r=0.231, P<0.001) and OUES (r=0.264, P<0.001) were positively correlated.Body mass index was negatively correlated with VO(2)peak(r=-0.162, P=0.001). Visceral fat area (VFA) was also negatively correlated with VO(2)peak(r=-0.126, P=0.016). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that Body mass index and VFA were negatively correlated with VO(2)peak (r=-0.204, P=0.014; r=-0.031, P=0.013). The percentage of SMM was positively independently correlated with OUES(r=11.020, P<0.001). Conclusions: Muscle content is positively correlated with exercise capacity of patients.The percentage of skeletal muscle mass determines the core index of cardiorespiratory fitness, such as the slope of oxygen pulse and oxygen uptake efficiency.These indexes can be used as an important criterion for predicting and guiding rehabilitation exercise in patients with coronary heart disease.

Pre-natal and post-natal exposure to pet ownership and lung function in children: The Seven Northeastern Cities Study.

To evaluate the association between pre-natal and post-natal exposure to pet ownership and lung function in children, a cross-sectional study named Seven Northeastern Cities (SNEC) study was conducted. In this study, children's lung function including the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1 ), forced vital capacity (FVC), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured by spirometers, and pet ownership situations were collected by questionnaire. Analyzed by multiple logistic regression and generalized linear modeling, we found that for all subjects, pet exposure in the first 2 years of life was significantly associated with lung function impairment of FVC<85% predicted (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 1.63). For current pet exposure, the increased odds of lung function impairment ranged from 35% (aOR=1.35; 95%CI: 1.12, 1.62) for FVC<85% predicted to 57% (aOR=1.57; 95%CI: 1.29, 1.93) for FEV1 <85% predicted. The in utero exposure was not related to lung function impairment. Compared with other pets, higher odds were observed among children with dogs. When stratified by gender, girls with current pet exposure were more likely to have lung function impairment than boys. It implies self-reported exposures to pets were negatively associated with lung function among the children under study.