A Short Message Service Intervention for Improving Infant Feeding Practices in Shanghai, China: Planning, Implementation, and Process Evaluation.

Background: Although mobile health (mHealth) has been widely applied in health care services, few studies have reported the detailed process of the development and implementation of text messaging (short message service, SMS) interventions.

Objective: Our study aims to demonstrate the process and lessons learned from a community-based text messaging (SMS) intervention for improving infant feeding in Shanghai, China.

Methods: The intervention included planning and development, implementation, and process evaluation.

Evaluation of different mucosal microbiota leads to gut microbiota-based prediction of type 1 diabetes in NOD mice.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a progressive autoimmune disease in which the insulin-producing beta cells are destroyed by auto-reactive T cells. Recent studies suggest that microbiota are closely associated with disease development. We studied gut, oral and vaginal microbiota longitudinally in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice.

Minimal infectious dose and dynamics of Babesia microti parasitemia in a murine model.

Background: Babesia microti is a parasite that infects red blood cells (RBCs) in mammals. It is transmitted to humans by tick bites, transfusion, organ transplantation, and congenital acquisition. Although the Babesia natural history and seroprevalence in donors have been well described, gaps in knowledge relevant to transfusion remain.

Dysregulation within the salience network and default mode network in hyperthyroid patients: a follow-up resting-state functional MRI study.

This study investigated the aberrant connectivity of the salience network (SN) and default mode network (DMN) and the relevance between these abnormalities and symptom improvement in hyperthyroid patients using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Seed-based functional connectivity (FC) analyses were performed on state fMRI data to reveal possible differences in critical node connectivity in the SN and DMN between 41 new-onset, untreated hyperthyroid patients and 41 healthy controls. Subsequently, follow-up data were available for 25 patients treated with methimazole for one month.

Facilitators and challenges in recruiting pregnant women to an infant obesity prevention programme delivered via telephone calls or text messages.

Background: Recruitment of pregnant women into trials is a challenge exacerbated by a number of factors, including strict eligibility criteria. There has been little in-depth examination of the recruitment process to trials involving pregnant women. This paper presents the findings of a study conducted to identify facilitators and challenges in recruiting pregnant women to the Communicating Healthy Beginnings Advice by Telephone (CHAT) randomised controlled trial, which aims to reduce the prevalence of infant and childhood obesity.

Effects of four weeks intermittent hypoxia intervention on glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, GLUT4 translocation, insulin receptor phosphorylation, and Akt activity in skeletal muscle of obese mice with type 2 diabetes.

Aims: The aims of this study were to determine the effects of four weeks of intermittent exposure to a moderate hypoxia environment (15% oxygen), and compare with the effects of exercise in normoxia or hypoxia, on glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, GLUT4 translocation, insulin receptor phosphorylation, Akt-dependent GSK3 phosphorylation and Akt activity in skeletal muscle of obese mice with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: C57BL/6J mice that developed type 2 diabetes with a high-fat-diet (55% fat) (fasting blood glucose, FBG = 13.9 ± 0.

AMPK Hyper-Activation Alters Fatty Acids Metabolism and Impairs Invasiveness of Trophoblasts in Preeclampsia.

Background/aims: Preeclampsia (PE) has long been assumed to be an ischemic disease of the placenta, although there is limited evidence as to how the ischemia impacts on the placenta. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key regulator of cellular energy metabolism and plays an important role in a variety of ischemic diseases by enhancing energy production. The present study investigated placental metabolism in PE, and the role of AMPK in regulating trophoblast function.

Modulation of the immune system by the gut microbiota in the development of type 1 diabetes.

T1D is an autoimmune disease characterized by T cell-mediated destruction of insulin-producing β-cells in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans, resulting in hyperglycemia, with patients requiring lifelong insulin treatment. Many studies have shown that genetics alone are not sufficient for the increase in T1D incidence and thus other factors have been suggested to modify the disease risk. T1D incidence has sharply increased in the developed world, especially amongst youth.

Toll-like receptor 9 negatively regulates pancreatic islet beta cell growth and function in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes.

Aims/hypothesis: Innate immune effectors interact with the environment to contribute to the pathogenesis of the autoimmune disease, type 1 diabetes. Although recent studies have suggested that innate immune Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are involved in tissue development, little is known about the role of TLRs in tissue development, compared with autoimmunity. We aimed to fill the knowledge gap by investigating the role of TLR9 in the development and function of islet beta cells in type 1 diabetes, using NOD mice.

Is there an association between early weight status and utility-based health-related quality of life in young children?

Purpose: Few studies focus on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of preschool children with overweight or obesity. This is relevant for evaluation of obesity prevention trials using a quality-adjusted life year (QALY) framework. This study examined the association between weight status in the preschool years and HRQoL at age 5 years, using a preference-based instrument.

The efficacy and safety of pulmonary vasodilators in patients with Fontan circulation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

No previous meta-analysis has evaluated the efficacy and safety of pulmonary vasodilators in Fontan physiology. Recent relative trials have obtained conflicting results regarding improvements in peak oxygen consumption; the relatively small number of patients in each study may be a limiting factor. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pulmonary vasodilators in Fontan patients.

[Effects of Topography, Tree Species and Soil Properties on Soil Enzyme Activity in Karst Regions].

Soil extracellular enzymes are crucial in biogeochemical cycle and ecosystem functioning. Yet uncertainty exists in terms of major determinants on soil extracellular enzyme activity (EEA), especially at calcareous areas. In this study, soil samples (0-15 cm) were collected from different topographic conditions (different slope positions and aspects) and different tree species ( and ) in a forest located at Mulun natural reserve, a typical karst area.

TRIF deficiency protects non-obese diabetic mice from type 1 diabetes by modulating the gut microbiota and dendritic cells.

The incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is determined by both genetic and environmental factors. In recent years, the gut microbiota have been identified to be an important environmental factor that could modify diabetes susceptibility. We have previously shown that Myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88), a major adaptor protein downstream of most innate immune Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, is important for mediating diabetes susceptibility in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of human T1D.

Cyclophosphamide-modified murine peritoneal macrophages induce CD4 T contrasuppressor cells that protect contact sensitivity T effector cells from suppression.

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CY) is one of the most widely used alkylating agents in the treatment of various cancers and some autoimmune diseases. Numerous reports suggest that CY exerts immunoregulatory effects. Animal studies have shown CY affects contact sensitivity (CS) response by depleting CD4CD25 T regulatory cells and CD8 T suppressor (Ts) cells.

Regulation of contact sensitivity in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice by innate immunity.

Background: Genetic background influences allergic immune responses to environmental stimuli. Non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice are highly susceptible to environmental stimuli. Little is known about the interaction of autoimmune genetic factors with innate immunity in allergies, especially skin hypersensitivity.

Transient High Pressure in Pancreatic Ducts Promotes Inflammation and Alters Tight Junctions via Calcineurin Signaling in Mice.

Background & Aims: Pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (PEP) is thought to be provoked by pancreatic ductal hypertension, via unknown mechanisms. We investigated the effects of hydrostatic pressures on the development of pancreatitis in mice.

Methods: We performed studies with Swiss Webster mice, B6129 mice (controls), and B6129 mice with disruption of the protein phosphatase 3, catalytic subunit, βisoform gene (Cnab mice).

A multi-body dynamics based numerical modelling tool for solving aquatic biomimetic problems.

In this paper, a versatile multi-body dynamic algorithm is developed to integrate an incompressible fluid flow with a bio-inspired multibody dynamic system. Of particular interest to the biomimetic application, the algorithm is developed via four properly selected benchmark verifications. The present tool has shown its powerful capability for solving a variety of biomechanics fish swimming problems, including self-propelled multiple degrees of freedom with a rigid undulatory body, multiple deformable fins and an integrated system with both undulatory fish body and flexible fins.

Relevance of placental type I interferon beta regulation for pregnancy success.

Pregnancy is a unique immunologic and microbial condition that requires an adequate level of awareness to provide a fast and protective response against pathogens as well as to maintain a state of tolerance to paternal antigens. Dysregulation of inflammatory pathways in the placenta triggered by pathogens is one of the main factors responsible for pregnancy complications. Type I IFNs are key molecules modulating immune responses at the level of the placenta and are crucial for protection of the pregnancy via their antiviral and immune modulatory properties.

Loss of CXCR3 expression on memory B cells in individuals with long-standing type 1 diabetes.

Aims/hypothesis: Islet-specific autoantibodies can predict the development of type 1 diabetes. However, it remains unclear if B cells, per se, contribute to the causal pancreatic immunopathology. We aimed to identify phenotypic signatures of disease progression among naive and memory B cell subsets in the peripheral blood of individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Differentiation Model Establishment and Differentiation-Related Protein Screening in Primary Cultured Human Sebocytes.

Sebocyte differentiation is a continuous process, but its potential molecular mechanism remains unclear. We aimed to establish a novel sebocyte differentiation model using human primary sebocytes and to identify the expression profiles of differentiation-associated proteins. Primary human sebocytes were cultured on Sebomed medium supplemented with 2% serum for 7 days.

Formative research to promote the Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service (GHS) in the Australian-Chinese community.

The free, telephone-based Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service (GHS) has made sustained improvements in healthy behaviours and weight change in the Australian population, but there is poor uptake of the GHS by culturally and linguistically diverse communities. This formative research study explored the Australian-Chinese community's awareness, perceptions and experiences of the GHS and their knowledge and cultural beliefs about healthy lifestyles. Conducted in Sydney, Australia, the research included 16 Chinese community-stakeholder interviews, a cross-sectional survey of 253 Chinese community members; and a review of Chinese participant GHS data.

Population pharmacokinetics and dosing optimization of cefathiamidine in children with hematologic infection.

Purpose: Cefathiamidine, a first-generation cephalosporin, has approval from the China Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of infections caused by susceptible bacteria in both adults and children. As pharmacokinetic data are limited in the pediatric population, we aimed to evaluate the population pharmacokinetics of cefathiamidine in children and to define the appropriate dose in order to optimize cefathiamidine treatment.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from children treated with cefathiamidine, and concentrations were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry.

QSOX1 regulates trophoblastic apoptosis in preeclampsia through hydrogen peroxide production.

Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE), by inducing trophoblast cell death and consequent placental dysfunction. Quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase 1 (QSOX1) is upregulated in many types of cancer cells; it promotes disulfide bond formation as well as hydrogen peroxide (HO) production. The aims of present study are to investigate the expression pattern of QSOX1 in placentae of pregnancies complicated by PE and the role of QSOX1 in the regulation of trophoblastic function, thus providing in-depth understanding of the putative involvement of QSOX1 in the development of PE.

Public support for bicycling and transport policies in inner Sydney, Australia: a cross-sectional survey.

Objective: To describe the degree of community support - and factors associated with this support - for a number of potential transport policy options among an inner-city sample of residents in Sydney, Australia.

Methods: This study analysed data collected from a cross-sectional online survey: Wave 3 of the Sydney Transport and Health Study, conducted in September-October 2015 (n=418).

Results: There was a high level of overall support for policies to make public transport cheaper (85%), have more bicycle paths separated from motor vehicles (82%) and have a public bike-share program (72%), with similar levels of support across usual commute mode, age and sex.

Association and cis-mQTL analysis of variants in CHRNA3-A5, CHRNA7, CHRNB2, and CHRNB4 in relation to nicotine dependence in a Chinese Han population.

Nicotine dependence (ND) is a worldwide health problem. Numerous genetic studies have demonstrated a significant association of variants in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) with smoking behaviors. However, most of these studies enrolled only subjects of European or African ancestry.