Abstract Objective This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of serum microRNA-146a and pro-inflammatory factors in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia after azithromycin treatment. microRNA-146a is known to regulate inflammatory responses, and excessive inflammation is a primary characteristic of MPP. Methods Children with MPP received conventional symptomatic therapy along with intravenous administration of azithromycin for one week. Serum levels of microRNA-146a and pro-inflammatory factors were measured using RT-qPCR and ELISA kits, respectively. The correlation between microRNA-146a and pro-inflammatory factors was analyzed by the Pearson method. Pulmonary function indexes were assessed using a pulmonary function analyzer, and their correlation with microRNA-146a and pro-inflammatory factors after treatment was evaluated. Children with MPP were divided into effective and ineffective treatment groups, and the clinical significance of microRNA-146a and pro-inflammatory factors was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves and logistic multivariate regression analysis. Results Serum microRNA-146a was downregulated in children with MPP but upregulated after azithromycin treatment, contrasting with the trend observed for pro-inflammatory factors. MicroRNA-146a showed a negative correlation with pro-inflammatory cytokines. Pulmonary function parameters were initially reduced in children with MPP, but increased after treatment, showing positive/inverse associations with microRNA-146a and pro-inflammatory factors. Higher microRNA-146a and lower pro-inflammatory factors predicted better efficacy of azithromycin treatment. MicroRNA-146a, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and forced expiratory volume in the first second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) were identified as independent factors influencing treatment efficacy. Conclusion Azithromycin treatment in children with MPP upregulates microRNA-146a, downregulates pro-inflammatory factors, and effectively improves pulmonary function.

Using the volume-limited main galaxy sample constructed from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 (SDSS DR7), we have explored the environmental dependence of the fraction of 'unconventional' galaxies: luminous late-types and faint early-types. It is found that the fraction of faint early-types increases substantially with increasing local density, and that the fraction of luminous late-types weakly decreases with increasing local density. This shows that there is an environmental dependence for morphology beyond that for luminosity.

Usamos la muestra principal, limitada en volumen, del Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 (SDSS DR7), para explorar la dependencia ambiental de la fracción de galaxias 'no convencionales', esto es, galaxias luminosas de tipo tardío, y galaxias débiles de tipo temprano. Encontramos que la fracción de galaxias tempranas débiles aumenta significativamente al aumentar la densidad local, y que la fracción de galaxias tardías luminosas decrece un poco al aumentar la densidad local. Esto muestra que existe una dependencia ambiental de la morfología, además de la luminosidad.