Background Air pollution exposure has a significant impact on maternal and child health. However, the research on the association between ambient ozone (O₃) exposure during pregnancy and the risk of premature birth in newborns is limited, and the conclusions are inconsistent. Objective To investigate the association of ambient O₃ exposure during pregnancy with the risk of preterm birth in Guangdong Province. Methods Data of pregnant women in Guangzhou from 2013 to 2019 and Foshan from 2018 to 2023 were collected, and O₃ concentrations during different trimesters were assessed according to maternal residential addresses. Bilinear interpolation was used to evaluate the concentrations of air pollution. A cohort study design was adopted in our study. Restricted cubic spline curves were used to evaluate the exposure-response relationship between O₃ exposure and preterm birth risk and explore potential exposure threshold of O₃. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association of O₃ exposure with preterm birth. Results A total of 702 924 pregnant women were included in this study, of whom 43 051 (6.12%) were preterm. The average O₃ exposure concentrations of pregnant women during the first, second, third, and whole trimesters were 95.51, 97.51, 100.60, and 97.87 μg·m⁻³, respectively. We observed J-shaped associations between O₃ exposure and preterm birth risk during the second, third, and whole trimesters of pregnancy using restricted cubic spline curves. This study found that there were threshold concentrations between O₃ exposure and preterm birth risk during different gestational periods, and the threshold concentrations in the first, second, third, and whole trimesters were 112.32, 99.83, 111.74, and 112.46 μg·m⁻³, respectively. During the second, third, and whole trimesters of pregnancy, after adjusting for maternal age, baby sex, pre-pregnancy body mass index, mode of delivery, baby birth weight, gestational diabetes, and gestational hypertension, the odds ratios (OR) of preterm birth were 1.02 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.04), 1.02 (95%CI: 1.00, 1.03), and 1.17 (95%CI: 1.13, 1.21) for each 10 μg·m⁻³ increase in O₃ concentration above the O₃ threshold. No significant association was found between O₃ exposure and the risk of preterm birth during the first trimester. Conclusion There is a nonlinear association between the risk of preterm birth and O₃ exposure during pregnancy, and higher concentrations of O₃ exposure during pregnancy are associated with the risk of preterm birth. Above the O₃ threshold concentration during pregnancy, especially during the second, third, and whole trimesters, the risk of preterm birth elevates with the increase of O₃ exposure concentrations.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Objective To investigate the expression of lncRNA SNHG8 in placenta accrete(PA)and its effect on trophoblast invasion and migration.Methods qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of lncRNA SNHG8 in placenta tissue of 30 cases in PA group and 30 cases in control group,and the correlation between lncRNA SNHG8 expression and prenatal ultrasound score of 30 cases in PA group was analyzed.Transwell and scratch assay were used to detect the effect of lncRNA SNHG8 interference on the invasion and migration of human chorionic trophoblast cells(HTR8/SVneo cells),and western blot was used to detect the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9.The downstream targets of lncRNA SNHG8 were predicted by StarBase software,and the expression of lncRNA SNHG8 was detected in placental tissues of the two groups.Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to detect the targeting relationship between lncRNA SNHG8 and miR-542-3p.Results Compared with that of the control group,the expression of lncRNA SNHG8 was up-regulated in the placenta tissue of the PA group(P<0.05),and it was positively correlated with prenatal ultrasound score.Interference with lncRNA SNHG8 inhibited the invasion and migration of trophoblast cells(P<0.05);the protein expression of MMP-9 and MMP-2 also decreased signifi-cantly(P<0.05).Biological prediction indicates that miR-542-3p had a binding site with lncRNA SNHG8,and miR-542-3p expression was down-regulated in PA placental tissue(P<0.05).Dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed that lncRNA SNHG8 could target miR-542-3p.Compared with si-SNHG8+inhibitor-NC,co-transfection of si-SNHG8 and miR-542-3p inhibitor enhanced the invasion and migration ability of trophoblast cells(P<0.05).Conclusion lncRNA SNHG8 is highly expressed in PA and is related to the severity of PA.LncRNA SNHG8 promotes the invasion and migration of trophoblast by regulating the level of miR-542-3p.The study suggests that lncRNA SNHG8 plays an important role in the invasion and migration of PA trophoblast cells,which is expected to be a clinical diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target.

ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of modified Shengjiangsan in alleviating endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress and reducing urinary protein in the rat model of diabetic nephropathy （DN）. MethodSeventy-five SD rats were randomized into normal， model， low-， medium-， and high-dose （4.37， 8.73， 17.46 g·kg^-1， respectively） modified Shengjiangsan， and irbesartan （0.014 g·kg^-1） groups， with 10 rats in each group. Rats were administrated with corresponding doses of medications or distilled water by gavage， once a day， for 8 consecutive weeks. After the last administration， the levels of glucose （GLU） in the blood， 24-hour urinary protein （24 h-UTP）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） in the renal tissue were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin staining， periodic acid-Schiff staining， and transmission electron microscopy were employed to observe the pathological changes in rat kidneys. Immunohistochemistry was employed to measure the expression levels of nephrin， podocin， glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP）， and activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4） in the kidneys of rats. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of silent information regulator 1 （Sirt1）， phosphorylated （p）-protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK）， and p-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha （eIF2α） in rat kidneys. ResultCompared with the normal group， the modeling caused pathological damage to the kidneys， elevated the levels of GLU and 24 h-UTP （P<0.05）， up-regulated the protein levels of GRP78， CHOP， ATF4， p-PERK， and p-eIF2α （P<0.05）， and down-regulated the protein level of Sirt1 （P<0.05） in rat kidneys. Compared with the model group， modified Shengjiangsan and irbesartan lowered the GLU and 24 h-UTP levels （P<0.05）， alleviated the pathological damage in the renal tissue， down-regulated the protein levels of GRP78， CHOP， ATF4， p-PERK， and p-eIF2α （P<0.05）， and up-regulated the protein level of Sirt1 （P<0.05）. ConclusionModified Shengjiangsan up-regulates Sirt1 expression and inhibits phosphorylation of proteins in the PERK/eIF2α pathway to reduce ER stress and oxidative stress in the renal tissue， thus alleviating the pathological damage in the renal tissue and reducing urinary protein in DN rats.

Gliomas tend to have a poor prognosis and are the most common primary malignant tumors of the central nervous system. Compared with patients with other cancers, glioma patients often suffer from increased levels of psychological stress, such as anxiety and fear. Chronic stress (CS) is thought to impact glioma profoundly. However, because of the complex mechanisms underlying CS and variability in individual tolerance, the role of CS in glioma remains unclear. This review suggests a new proposal to redivide the stress system into two parts. Neuronal activity is dominant upstream. Stress-signaling molecules produced by the neuroendocrine system are dominant downstream. We discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms by which CS impacts glioma. Potential pharmacological treatments are also summarized from the therapeutic perspective of CS.

Objective:To analyze the efficacy and safety of tislelizumab in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer.Methods:The clinical data of 54 patients with advanced gastric cancer in Baotou Cancer Hospital from July 2022 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 27 patients were treated with chemotherapy (control group), and 27 patients were treated with tislelizumab combined with chemotherapy (combination group). The efficacy was evaluated after 2 cycles. The patients were followed up until March 2024, and the survival status was evaluated by progression-free survival (PFS) and duration of remission (DOR). The adverse reactions were recorded. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn, and the compared used log rank test. Binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors of efficacy in patients with advanced gastric cancer.Results:The effective rate and disease control rate in combined group were significantly higher than those in control group: 29.6% (8/27) vs. 7.4% (2/27) and 85.2% (23/27) vs. 59.3% (16/27), and there were statistical differences ( χ2 = 4.42 and 4.52, P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis result showed that the median PFS and DOR in combination group were significantly longer than those in control group (9.9 months vs. 7.2 months and 8.7 months vs. 6.4 months), and there were statistical differences (log-rank χ2 = 6.58 and 8.47, P<0.05). Among the 54 patients, 10 cases (18.5%) were effective, and 44 cases (81.5%) were ineffective. The efficacy was related to the number of organ metastase, prealbumin and Helicobacter pylori infection rate, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). Binary Logistic regression analysis result showed that the number of organ metastase >1, prealbumin <160 mg/L and Helicobacter pylori infection were independent risk factors of efficacy in patients with advanced gastric cancer ( OR = 0.089, 8.418 and 0.153; 95% CI 0.012 to 0.661, 1.255 to 56.449 and 0.025 to 0.944; P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The tislelizumab combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer can improve the efficacy and prolong the survival without increasing the incidence of adverse reactions.

Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) among acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023.Methods:The data of this study were collected from the ARI surveillance data from 16 provinces in China from 2009 to 2023, with a total of 28 278 ARI cases included in the study. The clinical specimens from ARI cases were screened for HRSV nucleic acid from 2009 to 2023, and differences in virus detection rates among cases of different age groups, regions, and months were analyzed.Results:A total of 28 278 ARI cases were enrolled from January 2009 to September 2023. The age of the cases ranged from<1 month to 112 years, and the age M ( Q1, Q3) was 3 years (1 year, 9 years). Among them, 3 062 cases were positive for HRSV nucleic acid, with a total detection rate of 10.83%. From 2009 to 2019, the detection rate of HRSV was 9.33%, and the virus was mainly prevalent in winter and spring. During the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the detection rate of HRSV fluctuated between 6.32% and 18.67%. There was no traditional winter epidemic peak of HRSV from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023, and an anti-seasonal epidemic of HRSV occurred from April to May 2023. About 87.95% (2 693/3 062) of positive cases were children under 5 years old, and the difference in the detection rate of HRSV among different age groups was statistically significant ( P<0.001), showing a decreasing trend of HRSV detection rate with the increase of age ( P<0.001). Among them, the HRSV detection rate (25.69%) was highest in children under 6 months. Compared with 2009-2019, the ranking of HRSV detection rates in different age groups changed from high to low between 2020 and 2023, with the age M (Q1, Q3) of HRSV positive cases increasing from 1 year (6 months, 3 years) to 2 years (11 months, 3 years). Conclusion:Through 15 years of continuous HRSV surveillance analysis, children under 5 years old, especially infants under 6 months old, are the main high-risk population for HRSV infection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence and patterns of HRSV in China have changed.

Gastric cancer has high mortality and case fatality rate worldwide,especially in East Asia.Che-moresistance or chemotherapeutic resistance remains an important issue affecting the prognosis of gastric cancer patients.Mutations in the AT-rich interactive domain 1A(ARID1A)gene,an important member of the chromatin remodeling complex,are common in gastric cancer and are closely related to the clinical manifesta-tions of patients as well as the response to chemotherapy.Deletion or mutation of the ARID1A gene may lead to increased resistance of gastric cancer cells to platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents.In this paper,the bi-ological role of ARID1A gene,the alteration of DNA damage repair and metabolic remodeling in cisplatin re-sistance,and the possible mechanism of ARID1A gene involved in chemoresistance in gastric cancer are re-viewed.