ObjectiveThis study aimed to establish a monocrotaline （MCT）-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension （PAH） rat model to systematically evaluate the protective effect of Xiao Qinglongtang （XQLT） on right cardiac function in model rats and further elucidate the underlying regulatory mechanism. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly assigned to the normal group， model group， XQLT low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （XQLT-L/M/H）， and the beraprost sodium tablet group （BST）. Except for the normal group， rats in all other groups were given a single subcutaneous injection of MCT （60 mg·kg^-1） to induce PAH. Three weeks after injection， rats in the XQLT-L/M/H groups were administered XQLT intragastrically at 3.07， 6.14， 12.28 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively. Rats in the BST group received beraprost sodium at 12.6 μg·kg^-1·d^-1， and rats in the model group received an equal volume of saline. All treatments lasted for 3 weeks. Right ventricular systolic pressure （RVSP） was measured by right ventricular catheterization. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. The right ventricle was weighed to calculate the right ventricular hypertrophy index （RVHI）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， Masson staining， and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe myocardial morphology. Serum metabolomic changes were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS）. Data-independent acquisition （DIA） proteomics was used to detect differentially expressed （DE） proteins in the right ventricle， and Western blot was used to measure the expression of uncoupling protein 3 （UCP3）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit p110α （PIK3CA）， L1 cell adhesion molecule （L1CAM）， and quinone oxidoreductase （CRYZ）. UPLC-MS/MS was used to analyze the chemical components of XQLT. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly increased RVSP and RVHI （P<0.05）， along with pathological changes in myocardial morphology. Compared with the model group， all XQLT-treated groups exhibited reductions in RVSP and RVHI as well as significant improvements in cardiac function and myocardial morphology. Among the XQLT groups， XQLT-M showed the most pronounced effects （P<0.05）， comparable to the BST group. Serum metabolomics revealed 105 differential metabolites in the XQLT groups versus the model group ［variable importance in projection （VIP） >1， P<0.05］， including 58 upregulated and 47 downregulated metabolites. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that XQLT intervention downregulated phenylalanine metabolism （P<0.01） and upregulated unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis （P<0.05）. Proteomics analysis showed that 982 DE proteins were identified in the MCT groups versus the normal group， including 455 upregulated and 527 downregulated proteins （|fold change （FC）| >1.3， P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， 237 DE proteins were identified in the XQLT groups， including 124 upregulated and 113 downregulated proteins （|FC| >1.3， P<0.05）， with 57 overlapping DE proteins. KEGG enrichment suggested that XQLT mainly modulated pathways related to mineral absorption， ribosomal biogenesis， peroxisomes， glycolysis/gluconeogenesis， spliceosomes， and thyroid hormone signaling. Western blot analysis showed that， compared with the model group， XQLT increased the expression of UCP3， PIK3CA， and L1CAM， while decreasing the expression of CRYZ （P<0.05）. ConclusionXQLT exerts a protective effect on right heart function in MCT-induced PAH rats， and its mechanism is associated with maintaining myocardial homeostasis and alleviating right ventricular remodeling.

OBJECTIVE: Humans are exposed to complex mixtures of environmental chemicals and other factors that can affect their health. Analysis of these mixture exposures presents several key challenges for environmental epidemiology and risk assessment, including high dimensionality, correlated exposure, and subtle individual effects. METHODS: We proposed a novel statistical approach, the generalized functional linear model (GFLM), to analyze the health effects of exposure mixtures. GFLM treats the effect of mixture exposures as a smooth function by reordering exposures based on specific mechanisms and capturing internal correlations to provide a meaningful estimation and interpretation. The robustness and efficiency was evaluated under various scenarios through extensive simulation studies. RESULTS: We applied the GFLM to two datasets from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). In the first application, we examined the effects of 37 nutrients on BMI (2011-2016 cycles). The GFLM identified a significant mixture effect, with fiber and fat emerging as the nutrients with the greatest negative and positive effects on BMI, respectively. For the second application, we investigated the association between four pre- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and gout risk (2007-2018 cycles). Unlike traditional methods, the GFLM indicated no significant association, demonstrating its robustness to multicollinearity. CONCLUSION GFLM framework is a powerful tool for mixture exposure analysis, offering improved handling of correlated exposures and interpretable results. It demonstrates robust performance across various scenarios and real-world applications, advancing our understanding of complex environmental exposures and their health impacts on environmental epidemiology and toxicology.
Humans ; Environmental Exposure/analysis* ; Linear Models ; Nutrition Surveys ; Environmental Pollutants ; Body Mass Index

Objective:To adapt the Mindful Breastfeeding Scale (MINDF-BFS) into Chinese and assess its reliability and validity among breastfeeding mothers in China.Methods:Following the Beaton cross-cultural adaptation guideline, the original scale was translated, back-translated, discussed by experts, pre-tested, culturally adapted, and revised to develop the Chinese version of the MINDF-BFS. A convenience sampling method was used to select 305 postpartum women from Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, who visited between March and June 2024, as the study participants. The reliability and validity of the Chinese version of MINDF-BFS were evaluated.Results:The Chinese version of MINDF-BFS consisted of nine items, with the item-level content validity index ranged from 0.900 to 1.000, and the average scale-level content validity index was 0.990. Exploratory factor analysis extracted one common factor, with a variance contribution of 73.290%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good model fit. The Cronbach's α coefficient for the scale was 0.923, the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.915, and the test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.926.Conclusions:The Chinese version of MINDF-BFS has good psychometric properties and is suitable for assessing the mindful breastfeeding levels of Chinese postpartum women.

Objective:To investigate the long-term prognosis and related factors in children with multiphasic myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD).Methods:A bidirectional cohort study was conducted. This study included 41 children with MOGAD who were treated at the Children′s Medical Center of Peking University First Hospital between January 2013 and December 2024, with a disease duration of ≥5 years. Demographic characteristics, clinical episodes, therapy, and prognostic indicators (including the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and modified Rankin scale (mRS)) were collected. Children were stratified into relapse and non-relapse groups based on the presence or absence of relapse within 5 years of the last follow-up. χ2 test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze factors associated with relapse. The Log-rank test was used to compare relapse-free rates between children with disease onset 0-<5 years and those with onset at 5-10 years. Results:A total of 41 children were enrolled, including 20 boys and 21 girls. The age at onset was 5.3 (3.8, 8.5) years, the age at last follow-up was 16.1 (13.2, 17.5) years, and the disease duration was 9.4 (8.1, 10.9) years. The annualized relapse rate (ARR) during follow-up was 0.34 (0.19, 0.56) times/year. The duration to first relapse was 0.8 (0.4, 1.5) years. At the last follow-up, the EDSS score was 0.0 (0.0, 0.0) score, and the mRS score was 0 (0, 0) score. A total of 40 children (98%) experienced relapses within the first 5 years after onset, while only 1 child (2%) relapsed at 6.7 years. The relapse rate between 5-10 years was lower than that between 0-<5 years ( HR=0.27, 95% CI 0.16-0.47, P<0.001). A total of 25 children (61.0%) exhibited clustered relapses during the disease course. There were 20 children (49%) in non-relapse groups, who were aged 16.6 (14.8, 17.6) years, disease duration 9.8 (9.3, 10.8) years at the last follow-up. Among those 20 children, 15 children (75%) had discontinued corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. The relapse group had higher clinical event rates and ARR compared to the relapse-free group (both P<0.01), the age at last follow-up was yonger ( P<0.05), while no significant differences were observed in age at onset, disease duration, or timing of immunosuppressant use (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Pediatric multiphasic MOGAD generally has a favorable prognosis, about half of patients remain relapse-free for ≥5 years at last follow-up. Relapses predominantly occur early in the disease course (mostly within 5 years of onset) and often exhibit a clustered pattern.

Background and Aims:Hepatectomy is an important treatment option for hepatic hemangioma,and the approach has gradually shifted from traditional open surgery to laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery.However,there is still no consensus on whether robotic assistance provides better treatment outcomes than laparoscopic surgery for hepatic hemangioma.Therefore,this study was performed to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy and safety of robotic-assisted and laparoscopic hepatectomy for the treatment of hepatic hemangioma.Methods:The clinical data of 184 patients who underwent minimally invasive hepatectomy for hepatic hemangioma in the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery,Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University,between February 2021 and July 2024 were retrospectively collected.Among them,30 cases were in the robotic group,and 154 cases were in the laparoscopic group.Propensity score matching(PSM)was performed based on baseline data such as patient demographics,tumor characteristics,and surgical resection range,with a 1∶2 matching ratio.Intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were compared between the two groups after matching.Results:After 1∶2 PSM,24 patients were in the robotic group and 48 in the laparoscopic group.Preoperative variables were well balanced between the groups(area under the ROC curve was 0.588).The robotic group had significantly shorter operative time(138 min vs.168 min,P=0.024)and hepatic hilum blocking time(25 min vs.45 min,P＜0.001)compared to the laparoscopic group.Postoperative albumin levels on day 1 and day 3 were higher in the robotic group,while transaminase levels on postoperative day 1 and day 3 were lower(all P＜0.05).However,the hospitalization cost was higher in the robotic group than that in the laparoscopic group(74 746 yuan vs.49 644 yuan,P＜0.001).No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of intraoperative blood loss,intraoperative transfusion rate,open conversion rate,postoperative length of stay,and postoperative complication rates as well as complication severity(all P＞0.05).Conclusion:For suitable cases of hepatic hemangioma,robotic-assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy is a safe and feasible treatment option.Compared to traditional laparoscopic surgery,it reduces operative time and hepatic hilum blocking time,and minimizes the impact on postoperative liver function.However,the treatment cost is higher,and selection should be based on the patient's individual needs.

Background and Aims:Hepatectomy is an important treatment option for hepatic hemangioma,and the approach has gradually shifted from traditional open surgery to laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery.However,there is still no consensus on whether robotic assistance provides better treatment outcomes than laparoscopic surgery for hepatic hemangioma.Therefore,this study was performed to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy and safety of robotic-assisted and laparoscopic hepatectomy for the treatment of hepatic hemangioma.Methods:The clinical data of 184 patients who underwent minimally invasive hepatectomy for hepatic hemangioma in the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery,Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University,between February 2021 and July 2024 were retrospectively collected.Among them,30 cases were in the robotic group,and 154 cases were in the laparoscopic group.Propensity score matching(PSM)was performed based on baseline data such as patient demographics,tumor characteristics,and surgical resection range,with a 1∶2 matching ratio.Intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were compared between the two groups after matching.Results:After 1∶2 PSM,24 patients were in the robotic group and 48 in the laparoscopic group.Preoperative variables were well balanced between the groups(area under the ROC curve was 0.588).The robotic group had significantly shorter operative time(138 min vs.168 min,P=0.024)and hepatic hilum blocking time(25 min vs.45 min,P＜0.001)compared to the laparoscopic group.Postoperative albumin levels on day 1 and day 3 were higher in the robotic group,while transaminase levels on postoperative day 1 and day 3 were lower(all P＜0.05).However,the hospitalization cost was higher in the robotic group than that in the laparoscopic group(74 746 yuan vs.49 644 yuan,P＜0.001).No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of intraoperative blood loss,intraoperative transfusion rate,open conversion rate,postoperative length of stay,and postoperative complication rates as well as complication severity(all P＞0.05).Conclusion:For suitable cases of hepatic hemangioma,robotic-assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy is a safe and feasible treatment option.Compared to traditional laparoscopic surgery,it reduces operative time and hepatic hilum blocking time,and minimizes the impact on postoperative liver function.However,the treatment cost is higher,and selection should be based on the patient's individual needs.

Objective:To adapt the Mindful Breastfeeding Scale (MINDF-BFS) into Chinese and assess its reliability and validity among breastfeeding mothers in China.Methods:Following the Beaton cross-cultural adaptation guideline, the original scale was translated, back-translated, discussed by experts, pre-tested, culturally adapted, and revised to develop the Chinese version of the MINDF-BFS. A convenience sampling method was used to select 305 postpartum women from Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, who visited between March and June 2024, as the study participants. The reliability and validity of the Chinese version of MINDF-BFS were evaluated.Results:The Chinese version of MINDF-BFS consisted of nine items, with the item-level content validity index ranged from 0.900 to 1.000, and the average scale-level content validity index was 0.990. Exploratory factor analysis extracted one common factor, with a variance contribution of 73.290%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good model fit. The Cronbach's α coefficient for the scale was 0.923, the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.915, and the test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.926.Conclusions:The Chinese version of MINDF-BFS has good psychometric properties and is suitable for assessing the mindful breastfeeding levels of Chinese postpartum women.

Objective:To investigate the long-term prognosis and related factors in children with multiphasic myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD).Methods:A bidirectional cohort study was conducted. This study included 41 children with MOGAD who were treated at the Children′s Medical Center of Peking University First Hospital between January 2013 and December 2024, with a disease duration of ≥5 years. Demographic characteristics, clinical episodes, therapy, and prognostic indicators (including the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and modified Rankin scale (mRS)) were collected. Children were stratified into relapse and non-relapse groups based on the presence or absence of relapse within 5 years of the last follow-up. χ2 test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze factors associated with relapse. The Log-rank test was used to compare relapse-free rates between children with disease onset 0-<5 years and those with onset at 5-10 years. Results:A total of 41 children were enrolled, including 20 boys and 21 girls. The age at onset was 5.3 (3.8, 8.5) years, the age at last follow-up was 16.1 (13.2, 17.5) years, and the disease duration was 9.4 (8.1, 10.9) years. The annualized relapse rate (ARR) during follow-up was 0.34 (0.19, 0.56) times/year. The duration to first relapse was 0.8 (0.4, 1.5) years. At the last follow-up, the EDSS score was 0.0 (0.0, 0.0) score, and the mRS score was 0 (0, 0) score. A total of 40 children (98%) experienced relapses within the first 5 years after onset, while only 1 child (2%) relapsed at 6.7 years. The relapse rate between 5-10 years was lower than that between 0-<5 years ( HR=0.27, 95% CI 0.16-0.47, P<0.001). A total of 25 children (61.0%) exhibited clustered relapses during the disease course. There were 20 children (49%) in non-relapse groups, who were aged 16.6 (14.8, 17.6) years, disease duration 9.8 (9.3, 10.8) years at the last follow-up. Among those 20 children, 15 children (75%) had discontinued corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. The relapse group had higher clinical event rates and ARR compared to the relapse-free group (both P<0.01), the age at last follow-up was yonger ( P<0.05), while no significant differences were observed in age at onset, disease duration, or timing of immunosuppressant use (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Pediatric multiphasic MOGAD generally has a favorable prognosis, about half of patients remain relapse-free for ≥5 years at last follow-up. Relapses predominantly occur early in the disease course (mostly within 5 years of onset) and often exhibit a clustered pattern.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab in pediatric myasthenia gravis (MG).Methods:Case series study. The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, treatment plans and prognosis of 27 pediatric MG patients treated with rituximab from June 2013 to June 2023 at Children′s Medical Center of Peking University First Hospital were retrospectively collected.Results:There were 5 males and 22 females in 27 MG children. The onset age was 2.1 (1.6, 4.8) years, ranging from 8 months to 11 years. The clinical classification included 20 children (74%) of ocular MG and 7 children (26%) of generalized MG. Seventeen children (63%) had positive MG-related pathogenic antibodies, including 17 children of anti-AchR antibody and 1 of them also had anti-MuSK antibody. Rituximab was used as first-line immunosuppressant in 13 children, second-line immunosuppressant in 13 children and third-line immunosuppressant in 1 child. Immunosuppressants used before rituximab including 8 children of cyclosporine, 3 children of tacrolimus, 1 child of azathioprine, 1 child of mycophenolate mofetil and 1 child of cyclosporine combined with azathioprine. Rituximab was used for at least half a year with a follow-up period of more than 12 months. At the last follow-up after rituximab treatment, all children achieved improved or above, 14 children (52%) achieved complete stable remission, 7 children (26%) achieved pharmacologic remission, 1 child (4%) achieved minimal manifestations, and 5 children (18%) improved. After rituximab treatment, 27 children all could reduce the immunomodulation therapy and shorten the course of glucocorticoid therapy, and 22 children (81%) had stopped the glucocorticoid therapy. Among the 14 children with poor efficacy of other immunosuppressants, rituximab had complete stable remission of 7 children. The most common adverse reaction was respiratory infection (4 children (15%)). Only 2 children had allergic reaction to rituximab and got better after symptomatic treatment.Conclusions:Rituximab has good efficacy and tolerance in pediatric MG. Early application of rituximab can improve the prognosis and shorten the course of glucocorticoid treatment.

Malocclusion,identified by the World Health Organization(WHO)as one of three major oral diseases,profoundly impacts the dental-maxillofacial functions,facial esthetics,and long-term development of～260 million children in China.Beyond its physical manifestations,malocclusion also significantly influences the psycho-social well-being of these children.Timely intervention in malocclusion can foster an environment conducive to dental-maxillofacial development and substantially decrease the incidence of malocclusion or reduce the severity and complexity of malocclusion in the permanent dentition,by mitigating the negative impact of abnormal environmental influences on the growth.Early orthodontic treatment encompasses accurate identification and treatment of dental and maxillofacial morphological and functional abnormalities during various stages of dental-maxillofacial development,ranging from fetal stages to the early permanent dentition phase.From an economic and societal standpoint,the urgency for effective early orthodontic treatments for malocclusions in childhood cannot be overstated,underlining its profound practical and social importance.This consensus paper discusses the characteristics and the detrimental effects of malocclusion in children,emphasizing critical need for early treatment.It elaborates on corresponding core principles and fundamental approaches in early orthodontics,proposing comprehensive guidance for preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatment,serving as a reference for clinicians engaged in early orthodontic treatment.