Inhibitory effect of anti-malarial agents on the expression of proinflammatory chemokines via Toll-like receptor 3 signaling in human glomerular endothelial cells.

Objective: Although anti-malarial agents, chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) are currently used for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, their efficacy for lupus nephritis (LN) remains unclear. Given that upregulation of glomerular Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) signaling plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of LN, we examined whether CQ and HCQ affect the expression of the TLR3 signaling-induced representative proinflammatory chemokines, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) in cultured human glomerular endothelial cells (GECs).

Methods: We examined the effect of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly IC), an agonist of TLR3, on MCP-1, CCL5 and interferon (IFN)-β expression in GECs.

Prevalence trends of hypertension among 9-17 aged children and adolescents in Yunnan, 2017-2019: a serial cross-sectional surveillance survey.

Background: We aim to describe the prevalence and trends of hypertension among 9-17 school-aged students from 2017 to 2019 in Yunnan, China.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study by using data from the Students' Health Surveillance Surveys of 2017, 2018 and 2019 in Yunnan. The Students' Health Surveillance Surveys in Yunnan collected date on physical fitness and health status of students in Yunnan through multistage-stratified sampling in 3 prefectures.

An impact of dietary intervention on blood pressures among diabetic and/or hypertensive patients with high cardiovascular disorders risk in northern Thailand by cluster randomized trial.

Background: Global sodium intake remains above the recommended levels to control blood pressure (BP). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a dietary intervention on BP through salt reduction among community-dwelling participants with high risk of cardiovascular disorders (CVD).

Methods: This cluster randomized trial (February 2012 to January 2013) included cooking instruction using the pocket salt meter among patients with diabetes and/or hypertension who were treated at health center in Thailand.

Indoor volatile organic compounds exposures and risk of childhood acute leukemia: a case-control study in shanghai.

A case-control study was conducted to investigate the relationship between indoor air pollution and childhood acute leukemia (AL) in Shanghai. 97 cases and 148 gender-, age-, and residence-matched controls were included. Indoor air pollution was evaluated by questionnaires and quantitative measurement including 14 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen dioxide (NO) in the homes of the two groups.

[Association between trunk fat index and carotid intima-media thickness among children aged 6-8 years old in Beijing].

The study is to explore the association between trunk fat index (TFI) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) among children aged 6-8 years old in Shunyi District, Beijing. The participants were enrolled from the child cohort on sensitization, puberty, obesity and cardiovascular risk (PROC) conducted in Shunyi District, Beijing from October 2018 to June 2019. The PROC used a community-based census-like design, and all eligible first-grade children from six public non-boarding primary schools in urban area were approached.

[Association of blood pressure and left ventricular mass in children from the PROC cohort study].

To explore the association between blood pressure (BP) and the left ventricular mass (LVM) in children aged 6-8 years. The participants were from the community-based census-like design child cohort on sensitization, puberty, obesity and cardiovascular risk (PROC) conducted in six public non-boarding primary schools in Shunyi District, Beijing. Repeated three measurements on anthropometrical, M-mode and 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic imaging (2D/M ECHO) and blood biochemical assay, and BP measurements were carried out at baseline and follow-up from October 2018 to June 2019.

[Sex difference in height growth and blood pressure change among Beijing school-age children and adolescents: a ten-year longitudinal study].

To explore sex difference in height growth and blood pressure (BP) change among Beijing school-age children and adolescents. Using physical examination data of 70 769 school-age children and adolescents from primary to high school during 2009-2018 in Shunyi District, a longitudinal dataset was formed with completed anthropometrical measurements of height and blood pressure (BP) after individual information linkage. Age-specific height, BP, growth rate of height and BP as well BP growth rate based on age at peak height velocity (PHA) were calculated.

Expression of IFN-induced transmembrane protein 1 in glomerular endothelial cells.

Background: Glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) are directly exposed to circulating viral particles in the glomerulus. Although viral infections may trigger the development of acute kidney injury or the worsening of pre-existing chronic kidney disease, the specific molecular mechanisms underlying antiviral reactions via the activation of endothelial Toll-like receptor 3 signaling in the kidney remain to be determined. Interferon (IFN)-induced transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1), a member of interferon-stimulated gene protein family, is involved in the prevention of viral entry into cerebral vascular endothelial cells, respiratory epithelial cells, and endometrium.

IFIT Proteins Are Involved in CXCL10 Expression in Human Glomerular Endothelial Cells Treated with a Toll-Like Receptor 3 Agonist.

Introduction: Various viruses including a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) can infect the kidney. When viruses invade the glomeruli from the bloodstream, glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) initiate the innate immune reactions. We investigated the expression of interferon (IFN)-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats (IFIT) 1/2/3, antiviral molecules, in human GECs treated with a toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 agonist.

Anthropometric measurements of singleton live full-term newborns in Aden, Yemen.

Background: Neonatal anthropometry is the single most portable, universally applicable cheap, and non-invasive technique that deals with a variety of human body measurements. The anthropometric data for newborns, infants and children reflect their general health, nutritional status, and future survival by tracking trends in growth and development over time.

Patients And Methods: The present study was conducted on 1000 Yemeni singleton live full-term newborns (37-42 weeks gestation), 488 males and 512 females during first 24 h of delivery at Al-Sadaqa Teaching Hospital, Aden, Yemen during the years 2002-2003.

Podocyte sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase acid-like 3b decreases among children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

Aim: Sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase acid-like 3b (SMPDL-3b), a regulator of the cytoskeleton, is expressed on podocytes. Recent reports present evidence that it is directly targeted by rituximab in the treatment of intractable nephrotic syndrome. However, the implications of SMPDL-3b for treatment of paediatric-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) remain unclear.

Association study of toll-like receptors 4 polymorphisms and the risk of age-related macular degeneration: a meta-analysis.

Background: Toll-like receptor 4 (rs4986790, rs4986791) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been shown to be associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but the results are still inconclusive. The present meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between SNPs of TLR4 gene and AMD susceptibility.

Methods: Relevant articles were obtained through computer retrieval of Pubmed, Embase, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure and China wanfang database.

The Smartphone-Assisted Intervention Improved Perception of Nutritional Status among Middle School Students.

Misperception of nutritional status is common and hinders the progress of childhood obesity prevention. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a smartphone-assisted intervention to improve student and parental perception of students' nutritional status (underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese). We conducted a parallel-group controlled trial with a non-randomized design in three junior middle schools of Beijing, China in 2019.

Association between air pollution and lung development in schoolchildren in China.

Background: China has been facing nationwide air pollution at unprecedented high levels primarily from fossil-fuel combustion in the past decade. However, few studies have been conducted on the adverse effect of severe air pollution on lung development in school-age children.

Methods: Using wellness check and air pollution data from 2014 to 2017, we conducted a retrospective analysis of lung development in 21 616 school-age children from Shijiazhuang and Qingdao from North China with severe vs mild air pollution.

Association Between Outdoor Activity and Insufficient Sleep in Chinese School-Aged Children.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between outdoor activity (OA) and insufficient sleep duration (ISD) among Chinese children and to assess the potential age- and gender-specific effects. MATERIAL AND METHODS A national sample of 62 517 children aged 6-17 years were recruited from 7 provinces of China in the autumn of 2013. Children and their caregivers reported daily sleep duration (<7 h, 7-9 h and ≥9 h), daily OA time (<1 h, 1-2 h, and ≥2 h), and other behavior and demographic information by standardized questionnaire.

School health promotion in South-East Asia by Japan and partners.

School health promotion in South-East Asia has developed rapidly in recent years, and Japan has been one of the significant contributors to the reinforcement of school health promotion in the region. Starting from the Hashimoto Initiative on global parasite control, Japan advocated for international partnerships with several agencies for the development of school health programs in South-East Asia. Through a strengthened collaboration with international organizations, countries such as the Lao PDR, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Thailand have created and implemented school health programs on nutrition, sanitation, and deworming, among others.

Epidemiology and transmission of COVID-19 in 391 cases and 1286 of their close contacts in Shenzhen, China: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Wuhan, China, prompted heightened surveillance in Shenzhen, China. The resulting data provide a rare opportunity to measure key metrics of disease course, transmission, and the impact of control measures.

Methods: From Jan 14 to Feb 12, 2020, the Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention identified 391 SARS-CoV-2 cases and 1286 close contacts.

Poverty and other correlates of obesity and underweight among 7-year-olds from Croatia and Montenegro.

Objectives: This study aimed at investigating poverty and other correlates of childhood underweight and obesity in two urban regions with lower (Podgorica, Montenegro) and higher economic development (Osijek, Croatia).

Study Design: Comparative study.

Methods: A comparative study was conducted on 693 children (52% boys), aged 7 years old (224 from Podgorica and 469 from Osijek).

Impact of school-based malaria case management on school attendance, health and education outcomes: a cluster randomised trial in southern Malawi.

Introduction: Evidence indicates children who suffer from ill-health are less likely to attend or complete schooling. Malaria is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in school-age children. However, they are less likely to receive malaria treatment at health facilities and evidence for how to improve schoolchildren's access to care is limited.