Pulmonary hypertension (PH), marked by sustained elevation of pulmonary artery pressure, imposes a heavy burden on the right ventricle and may culminate in right heart failure. Its pathogenesis is multifaceted, encompassing endothelial dysfunction, vascular smooth muscle proliferation, inflammation, thrombosis, and genetic factors. Animal models serve as core tools for exploring PH mechanisms and therapies, each with unique strengths and limitations. The single-dose monocrotaline (MCT) model is one of the most commonly used experimental animal models of PH and is widely applied in mechanistic studies, drug screening, and efficacy evaluation; it offers simplicity and cost-effectiveness, can induce PH within a short period, yet its pathophysiology differs to some extent from human idiopathic PH. In contrast, the Sugen5416 combined with chronic hypoxia model better mimics PH progression by placing animals under hypoxic conditions to induce pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling, but it requires a longer modelling time, and the degree of hypoxia has a substantial impact on experimental outcomes. Beyond these two commonly used modeling approaches, a variety of emerging techniques have been applied in PH research; gene-editing technologies enable precise investigation of specific gene functions in PH. Additionally, induced pluripotent stem cell-based 3D organoid technology allows for individualized modelling while preserving patients' genetic information for precise clinical translation. Each model or technology can simulate different aspects of the pathological processes of human PH, and their findings provide key insights into the nature of the disease and serve as an important platform for the development of novel therapeutic targets. This paper comprehensively describes various animal models and emerging technologies used in PH research, analyzing their characteristics, applications, and limitations, with the aim of providing experimental and technical support for the development of new therapeutic strategies and drugs.

Objective:To dynamically assess liver fibrosis using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and explore factors associated with fibrosis reversal in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).Methods:This study included data from patients diagnosed with MASH by liver biopsy who underwent at least two MRE examinations. Patients were divided into a fibrosis reversal group and a non-reversal group according to whether MRE values decreased by 20% during follow-up. Differences in clinical data between the groups were compared using analysis of variance, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and the chi-square test. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore independent risk factors for fibrosis reversal in MASH.Results:A total of 46 cases were included in this study (mean age 50.1±12.3 years, BMI 26.1±3.1 kg/m2). Among them, the reversal group accounted for 26.1%. The rate of decrease in MRI proton density fat fraction (PDFF) was significantly higher in the reversal group (-50.0% vs. -8.1%, P=0.001) than in the non-reversal group between the two MRE examinations. The reversal group showed a more significant change rate of decreases in fasting insulin (-37.3% vs. -3.6%, P=0.011), insulin resistance index (-38.6% vs. -6.5%, P=0.044), and ALP (-24.9% vs. 0, P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the rate of change in MRI PDFF was an independent predictor of fibrosis reversal ( OR=0.96, 95% CI: 0.92-1.00, P=0.046). Conclusion:A decrease in MRI proton density fat fraction levels is independently associated with liver fibrosis reversal in MASH, suggesting that intervention targeting liver fat content may be an effective treatment strategy.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological and genetic characteristics of malignant transformation of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (FD) in long bone.Methods:A retrospective analysis of clinical characteristics and morphological features was conducted from 4 cases of malignant transformation of FD diagnosed at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from January 2016 to December 2023. Hotspot mutations for GNAS gene were tested in 4 cases by Sanger sequencing, in which both FD and malignant tissues were detected in 3 cases respectively.Results:There were 2 female and 2 male patients, aged 46 to 53 years [mean (49±3.2) years], and the course of the disease spanned from 2 months to 36 years. The tumor involved the femur ( n=2), tibia ( n=1) and humerus ( n=1). Three of them were diagnosed with FD before surgery. Single photon emission computed tomography showed multiple increases in bone metabolism, CT showed poorly margin, cortical destruction and soft tissue mass with uneven enhancement. Three cases had both FD and sarcoma components, while the remaining case exhibited exclusively sarcoma. The sarcomas displayed significant morphological variation, with 1 case diagnosed as osteosarcoma and 3 cases classified as low to high grade spindle cell sarcoma. Immunohistochemical results did not provide any indications for clear classification. Sanger sequencing demonstrated GNAS mutations of p.R201H (c.CGT>CAT, n=2) and p.R201C (c.CGT>TGT, n=2). All 4 cases were followed-up for 18 to 76 months, and received chemotherapy after surgery; 2 cases maintained disease-free, one case was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer through a core needle biopsy 3 months after chemotherapy, and another one was found to relapse 18 months after surgery. Conclusions:Some cases of polyostotic FD occur in association with café-au-lait macules and/or endocrine hyperfunctioning in McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS); polyostotic FD and MAS have more malignant potential than monostotic FD, but they are not the risk factors for FD malignancy. GNAS mutations may be involved in the occurrence and development of FD. The histologic types of malignant transformation of polyostotic FD in long bone are diverse, the sarcoma components of FD also present the GNAS mutation, suggesting potential involvement in the pathogenesis of FD malignancy.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of acute respiratory infections(ARIs)during the autumn-winter season in Beijing,providing evidence for the prevention,control,diagnosis,and treatment of ARIs.Methods A convenience sampling method was employed,enrolling patients who visited Peking Union Medical College Hospital(PUMCH)between September 2023 and February 2024 due to ARIs.Na-sopharyngeal swabs were collected,and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect six common respiratory pathogens[influenza A virus(FluA),influenza B virus(FluB),human rhinovirus(HRV),Myco-plasma pneumoniae(MP),respiratory syncytial virus(RSV),and adenovirus(ADV)],as well as SARS-CoV-2 infection.The distribution patterns of pathogen infections were analyzed.Results A total of 5556 eligible patients were included.The overall positivity rate for the six common respiratory pathogens was 63.7％,with sin-gle-pathogen positivity at 54.0％,dual-pathogen positivity at 8.9％,and triple or more pathogen positivity at 0.7％.The predominant pathogens detected were FluA(16.1％)and RSV(15.7％),followed by ADV(11.1％),MP(11.1％),HRV(10.0％),and FluB(10.0％).No significant difference in overall pathogen positivity was observed between genders.However,significant differences were found between autumn and winter(x2=34.617,P＜0.001)and among pediatric,young/middle-aged,and elderly patients(x2=422.38,P＜0.001).Specifically,MP(x2=8.647,P=0.003),FluA(x2=131.932,P＜0.001),and HRV(x2=174.199,P＜0.001)exhibited significantly higher positivity rates in autumn than in winter,whereas FluB was more prevalent in winter(x2=287.894,P＜0.001).In pediatric patients,MP,RSV,HRV,and ADV positivity rates were significantly higher than in young/middle-aged and elderly patients(all P＜0.001),whereas FluB was more common in young/middle-aged patients(both P＜0.001).The positivity rates of the six common respiratory pathogens significantly declined during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic period,exhibiting an asynchronous seasonal pattern.Conclusions The prevalence of respiratory pathogens in Beijing is associated with age and season.Tar-geted preventive measures should be implemented in different seasons and for key populations.

Background: Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including AF, which is one of the most common cardiac arrhythmias globally. AF is strongly associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart failure (HF), and cardiovascular mortality. Although intensive blood pressure lowering has been shown to reduce adverse cardiovascular events, its effect on the risk of AF remains debated. Some studies suggest a beneficial effect, whereas others are inconclusive. Therefore, a comprehensive review and meta-analysis are needed to clarify these effects. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact of intensive blood pressure lowering on the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in hypertensive patients. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library up to September 2, 2024, for randomized controlled trials comparing intensive blood pressure lowering with standard treatment in hypertensive patients. Studies were included if participants were 40 year or older with systolic blood pressure between 130 and 180 mm Hg (1 mm Hg≈0.133 kPa). Data extraction was conducted by 2 independent researchers, and statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. A random-effects model was applied if heterogeneity was detected (I > 50%). Results: A total of 6 randomized controlled trials involving 34,824 participants were included in the analysis. Intensive blood pressure lowering significantly reduced the risk of new-onset AF compared with standard treatment (RR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.62-0.93, p < 0.01, I = 0%). Reductions were also observed in stroke (RR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.58-0.87, p < 0.005, I = 7%), HF (RR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.45-0.99, p = 0.05, I = 53%), and nonfatal coronary events (RR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.70-0.92, p < 0.005, I = 39%). However, intensive blood pressure lowering had no significant effect on cardiovascular mortality or all-cause mortality compared with standard treatment. Discussion: Intensive blood pressure lowering significantly reduces the risk of AF and other cardiovascular events, such as stroke, HF, and nonfatal coronary events, particularly among high-risk hypertensive patients. These findings support the potential benefits of intensive blood pressure management in reducing AF incidence and improving overall cardiovascular outcomes, but the evidence is limited.

Objective: To explore the current status and influencing factors of eating behaviors in adolescents, so as to provide a theoretical foundation for health promotion education among adolescents. Methods: Based on the database from Survey of Chinese Family Health Index (2021), by a random number table method, 1 065 teenagers were selected from the provincial capitals of 22 provinces and 5 autonomous regions in China, as well as 4 municipalities directly under the central government. A general characteristic questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Short Form of the Family Health Scale (FHS-SF), 10-item Short Version of the Big Five Personality(BFP-10), Content-based Media Exposure Scale (CM-E) and Sakata Eating Behavior Scale Short Form(EBS-SF) were used to collect information. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis was employed to identify and analyze related factors of eating behaviors among adolescents. Receiver operating characteristic was used to validate the predictive ability of the EBS-SF score for overweight and obesity among adolescents. Results: The average scores of BFI-10,C-ME, FHS-SF, PHQ-9 and EBS-SF were (33.08±4.64)(19.20±4.55)(38.48±6.65)(6.09±5.63)(16.75±4.36), respectively. Multivariate linear regression showed that family type (other types), agreeableness, conscientiousness, family health and depression were the main related factors of EBS-SF scores among adolescents( B =2.61,-0.42,0.20,-0.11,0.23, P <0.05).The analysis of receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the EBS-SF scores had a good ability in predicting obesity among male adolescents ( AUC= 0.73, P <0.01). Conclusions Family type, big five personality, family health,depression are the related factors of eating behaviors among adolescents. EBS-SF scores are predictive of obesity in adolescents, which would provide a new perspective for promoting healthy eating habits among adolescents.

Anxiety disorder is a major symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with a comorbidity rate of ~40%. However, the neural mechanisms of the emergence of anxiety in ASD remain unclear. In our study, we found that hyperactivity of basolateral amygdala (BLA) pyramidal neurons (PNs) in Shank3 InsG3680 knock-in (InsG3680^+/+) mice is involved in the development of anxiety. Electrophysiological results also showed increased excitatory input and decreased inhibitory input in BLA PNs. Chemogenetic inhibition of the excitability of PNs in the BLA rescued the anxiety phenotype of InsG3680^+/+ mice. Further study found that the diminished control of the BLA by medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and optogenetic activation of the mPFC-BLA pathway also had a rescue effect, which increased the feedforward inhibition of the BLA. Taken together, our results suggest that hyperactivity of the BLA and alteration of the mPFC-BLA circuitry are involved in anxiety in InsG3680^+/+ mice.
Animals ; Prefrontal Cortex/metabolism* ; Basolateral Nuclear Complex/metabolism* ; Mice ; Anxiety/metabolism* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Male ; Gene Knock-In Techniques ; Pyramidal Cells/physiology* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Neural Pathways/physiopathology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microfilament Proteins

The study explores the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） diagnostic and treatment approach to coronary microvascular disease （CMVD） from the perspective of "disharmony of blood collaterals and dysfunction of qi transformation". It is proposed that the core pathogenesis of CMVD lies in these two mechanisms. From an integrative medicine perspective， different CMVD types are analyzed based on their specific pathogenesis. Through clinical practice， four targeted treatment methods， i.e. warming， unblocking， tonifying， and activating， are formulated. CMVD caused by atherosclerosis is primarily associated with myocardial ischemia， myocardial infarction， and coronary revascularization， with corresponding pathological mechanisms of latent pathogenic obstruction， toxic accumulation in the collaterals， and deficiency with collateral stasis. The disease progression exhibits characteristics of correlation， staging， and transformation. Accordingly， treatment principles include warming to assist qi transformation， unblocking obstruction and dispelling turbidity， activating to disperse toxic stasis and invigorate collaterals， and tonifying to eliminate stasis and nourish collaterals. For CMVD unrelated to atherosclerosis， attention should be paid to the underlying disease， analyzing the main syndromes of blood and collateral disharmony. An approach combining disease-syndrome differentiation with blood and collateral regulation is emphasized for precise treatment.

Objective:To investigate the interaction of risk factors for diabetic retinopathy (DR) occurrence.Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed.A total of 6 783 diabetic patients with complete survey data from 2005 to 2018 in the National Health and Nutrition Survey database were enrolled, among which 4 426 patients were included according to inclusion criteria and were divided into non-DR diabetes group of 3 491 cases and DR group of 935 cases.The related risk factors were collected, including age, gender, race, residential status, education, annual household income, body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, duration of diabetes, family history of diabetes, comorbidities, smoke, alcohol use, sleep, physical activity.Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess the psychological status.After the categorization of all variables, risk factors of DR were analyzed by logistic regression, and the interaction between factors was further analyzed.Results:Multivariate analysis showed that female[odds ratio ( OR)=1.33, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.02-1.72], duration of diabetes ≥10 years ( OR=1.03, 95% CI: 1.02-1.04), insulin therapy ( OR=2.38, 95% CI: 1.87-3.05), urinary albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥30 mg/g ( OR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.22-1.96) and depression ( OR=1.44, 95% CI: 1.13-1.83) were risk factors for DR, and BMI≤28 kg/m 2 ( OR=0.70, 95% CI: 0.55-0.89) was a protective factor for DR.Furthermore, interaction analysis revealed additive interaction between UACR ≥30 mg/g and insulin therapy [relative excess risk due to interaction ( RERI)=2.46, 95% CI: 0.84-4.09, attributable proportion due to interaction ( AP)=0.44, 95% CI: 0.26-0.63, synergy index ( S)=2.16, 95% CI: 1.37-3.41).The UACR ≥30 mg/g and longer diabetic duration ≥10 years had both multiplicative ( OR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.00-2.76) and additive interactions ( RERI=2.02, 95% CI: 0.79-3.25, AP=0.47, 95% CI: 0.27-0.66, S=2.53, 95% CI: 1.37-4.68). Conclusions:Patients with diabetes treated with insulin, with a duration of diabetes ≥10 years and accompanied by UACR ≥30 mg/g are at higher risk of developing DR than those with a single risk factor.

Objective To discuss the risk factors for impaired fasting glucose(IFG)and construct and validate a predictive model based on column charts of the risk of IFG occurrence.Methods This retrospective study included 3 037 individuals who underwent routine physical examinations at a hospital in Shenyang between August and December 2022.The population was randomly divided into a training group(n=2 126)and a validation group(n=911)in a 7∶3 ratio,and physical examination data were collected.LASSO regression analy-sis was used to screen predictive variables and logistic regression analysis was used to further screen and construct a column chart pre-dictive model.The validation group was used to conduct an internal validation of the feasibility of the model,and the area under the curve(AUC)of receiver operator characteristic(ROC)and goodness of fit tests were used to evaluate the model effectiveness.Results Among the 3 037 included individuals,2 880 did not experience IFG and 157 did.The results showed that age(OR=1.04,95％CI:1.02-1.05),body mass index(BMI,OR=1.10,95％CI:1.05-1.17),systolic blood pressure(SBP,OR=1.01,95％CI:1.00-1.03),triglycerides(TG,OR=1.20,95％CI:0.99-1.51),and a history of hypertension(OR=1.28,95％CI:1.04-1.59)were independent risk factors for IFG occurrence in this population.Based on these variables,a column chart prediction model was constructed.In the training group,the model predicted an AUC of 0.722(95％CI:0.68-0.77)for IFG occurrence,while in the validation group,it predicted an AUC of 0.907(95％CI:0.87-0.94)for IFG occurrence.The results of the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test showed that the models of the training and validation groups were not significantly different(P＞0.05);that is,the actual probability was consistent with the prediction probability of the model,and the models calibration was good.Conclusion A risk prediction model for IFG occurrence that included five variables:age,BMI,SBP,TG,and history of hypertension could be construted.This model might help to identify high-risk groups for IFG early and allow for inter-vention in a timely manner.