AIM:This study was performed to investigate the feasibility and efficiency of exogenous mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) transplantation on post-infarction ventricular remodeling and heart function in rats and compare the effects between adult rat MSCs and neonate rat MSCs transplantation.METHODS:1-2 hours after left coronary artery ligation,MSCs cultured in ex vivo,marked with BrdU,were injected directly into the border of infarcts in exogenous rats.6 weeks after transplantation,rat' heart function,ventricular remodeling and pathological results were measured.RESULTS:MSCs transplantation decreased LV end-diastolic diameter and end-systolic diameter,limited LV chamber dilatation and reduced collagen content significantly.The numbers of blood vessels and cardiomyocytes were increased.BrdU-labelled MSCs with oval nucleus were widely distributed.There were no significant difference between adult rat MSCs and neonate rat MSCs transplanted groups.CONCLUSION:MSCs can survive and home in exogenous host infarct hearts without addition of any immunosuppressant.MSCs transplantation has benificial effects on remodeling processes and contributes to improvement of cardiac function,which may be related with the reduction of the amount of the collagen,promotion of myogenesis and angiogenesis.

Objective:To investigate the effect of a breathing pattern intervention (RPI) on the oral feeding of pre-term infants with suck-swallow-breath (SSwB) coordination disorder.Methods:Sixty pre-term infants with SSwB coordination disorder were divided into an observation group ( n=30) and a control group ( n=30) using a random number table. Both groups were given routine feeding training, including oral exercise intervention, non-nutritive sucking training, and swallowing induction training during nursing, while the observation group was additionally provided with 15 minutes of breathing pattern training once a day, including breathing pattern observation, resistive breathing training prior to eating and passive breathing pattern intervention during eating. Before and after the 7-day intervention, the Pre-term Infant Oral Feeding Readiness Assessment (PIOFRA) was used to evaluate each subject′s oral feeding ability. Rate of transfer (RT), proficiency (PRO), minimum oxygen partial pressure (SaO 2) and SaO 2 fluctuations were also recorded during the feeding process. Results:After 1 week of the intervention, significant improvement was observed in both groups. In the observation group the average RT (2.76±0.36ml/min), PRO, minimum SaO 2, the number of SaO 2 fluctuations, and PIOFRA score (33.28±0.58) were all significantly better than the control group′s averages. Conclusion:Breathing pattern intervention based on routine feeding training can enhance breathing coordination during swallowing and ultimately improve the oral feeding of pre-term infants with SSwB coordination disorders in a relatively short period of time.

Background As one of the key populations in the prevention and treatment of iodine deficiency disorders, it is important to continuously monitor the iodine nutritional level of school-age children. The current reference interval for thyroid volume in China is based on age only, without taking into account differences in individual developmental levels, and the distribution of thyroid volume may vary regionally due to economic, demographic, and environmental factors. The current reference cut-off points for thyroid volume proposed by the World Health Organization are not based on the Chinese population. Objective To understand the iodine nutritional status and distribution of thyroid volume (Tvol) among children aged 8-10 years in Huangpu District, Shanghai, China, to identify impact factors of Tvol, and to propose a reference range upper limit for local thyroid health surveillance, so as to provide a basis for goiter control and prevention. Methods Six hundred children aged 8-10 years in Huangpu District were recruited in 2017, 2020, and 2023, and body height, weight, thyroid volume, urinary iodine, and iodine content of household edible salt were determined. A multilevel model was constructed using population density and area as regional variables, and age, body surface area (BSA), and body mass index (BMI) as potential impact factors for at the individual level, to assess their effects on thyroid volume. Quantile regression of thyroid volume was performed, and the 98th percentile (P₉₈) of thyroid volume was predicted based on age and BSA. Results The iodized salt coverage in the households of surveyed children in 2017, 2020, and 2023 was 72.0%, 57.0%, and 48.0%, respectively, and the iodized salt coverage decreased by year (χ²=24.31, P<0.001). The urinary iodine level of children in 2017 was higher than that in 2020 and 2023 (χ²=18.77, P<0.001). The Tvol medians of children in 2017, 2020, and 2023 were 2.29, 2.49, and 2.97 mL, respectively, and the Tvol increased by year (χ²=60.04, P<0.001). The proportion of goiter was higher in children in 2023 than in 2017 and 2020 (χ²=6.57, P<0.05). Sex differences were not statistically significant for urinary iodine levels, thyroid volume, and goiter. The median Tvol was 2.26, 2.58, and 2.76 mL in children of 8, 9, and 10 years old respectively, and the Tvol increased with age (χ²=49.02, P <0.001). Tvol was positively correlated with age, BSA, and BMI with correlation coefficients of 0.2846, 0.3723, and 0.2950, respectively. The final quantile regression model showed that the strongest effect of BSA was associated with the 98th percentile of Tvol. Multilevel models considering population density or area as regional variables failed to achieve convergence. Conclusion To establish the upper limit of the reference interval for thyroid volume of healthy children in Huangpu District, the effects of age and BSA should be considered at the individual level, and the upper limit of the normal interval for goiter screening is suggested to be the 98th percentile value of BSA at the same age. In addition, the adaptability of population density and regional area as indicators of regional aggregation of thyroid volume distribution still needs to be further explored.