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Recent evidence suggests that glia maturation factor β (GMFβ) is important in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hpertension (PAH), but the underlying mechanism is unknown. To clarify whether GMFβ can be involved in pulmonary vascular remodeling and to explore the role of the IL‐6‐STAT3 pathway in this process, the expression of GMFβ in PAH rats is examined and the expression of downstream molecules including periostin (POSTN) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is measured using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and western blot analysis. The location and expression of POSTN is also tested in PAH rats using immunofluorescence. It is proved that GMFβ is upregulated in the lungs of PAH rats. Knockout GMFβ alleviated the MCT‐PAH by reducing right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), and pulmonary vascular remodeling. Moreover, the inflammation of the pulmonary vasculature is ameliorated in PAH rats with GMFβ absent. In addition, the IL‐6‐STAT3 signaling pathway is activated in PAH; knockout GMFβ reduced POSTN and IL‐6 production by inhibiting the IL‐6‐STAT3 signaling pathway. Taken together, these findings suggest that knockout GMFβ ameliorates PAH in rats by inhibiting the IL‐6‐STAT3 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We examine how state spending on children is associated with the size of socioeconomic gaps in maternal childcare time. Background: Persistent socioeconomic divides in the amount and nature of parental time with children have prompted consideration of the factors that mitigate inequalities within the family. At both the national and local levels, the welfare state plays an important role in structuring opportunities for children. Thus, it is important to understand the institutional factors that shape parental behavior. Yet, little research examines how the social safety net is associated with family processes. Method: Using rich data on maternal time with children from the American Time Use Surveys (2003–2016), combined with longitudinal data on public spending in states on major programs affecting children and families, we examine how state spending on children is associated with the size of socioeconomic gaps in maternal childcare time. Results: We found that higher levels of state spending were associated with significant increases in childcare time among low‐educated mothers at both the extensive and intensive margin, increasing the likelihood of spending any minutes on primary childcare in a typical day, as well as increasing the number of minutes spent on childcare. In contrast, we observed no variation in the behavior of highly educated mothers as state spending changes. Implications: State‐level investments could meaningfully narrow socioeconomic gaps in maternal time with children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]