Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a global public health concern characterized by repeated upper airway collapse during sleep. Research indicates that OSA is a risk factor for the development of various diseases, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, respiratory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Exosomes, extracellular vesicles released by most cell types, play a key role in intercellular communication by transporting their contents-such as microRNA, messenger RNA, DNA, proteins, and lipids-to target cells. Intermittent hypoxia associated with OSA alters circulating exosomes and promotes a range of cellular structural and functional disturbances involved in the pathogenesis of OSA-related diseases. This review discusses the potential roles of exosomes and exosome-derived molecules in the onset and progression of OSA-associated diseases, explores the possible underlying mechanisms, and highlights novel strategies for developing exosome-based therapies for these conditions.
Humans ; Exosomes/physiology* ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/metabolism* ; Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism*

Objective:To study the current status of longitudinal extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in extremely preterm infants (EPIs) and to develop a prediction model based on clinical data from multiple NICUs.Methods:From January 2017 to December 2018, EPIs admitted to 32 NICUs in North China were retrospectively studied. Their general conditions, nutritional support, complications during hospitalization and weight changes were reviewed. Weight loss between birth and discharge > 1SD was defined as longitudinal EUGR. The EPIs were assigned into longitudinal EUGR group and non-EUGR group and their nutritional support and weight changes were compared. The EPIs were randomly assigned into the training dataset and the validation dataset with a ratio of 7∶3. Univariate Cox regression analysis and multiple regression analysis were used in the training dataset to select the independent predictive factors. The best-fitting Nomogram model predicting longitudinal EUGR was established based on Akaike Information Criterion. The model was evaluated for discrimination efficacy, calibration and clinical decision curve analysis.Results:A total of 436 EPIs were included in this study, with a mean gestational age of (26.9±0.9) weeks and a birth weight of (989±171) g. The incidence of longitudinal EUGR was 82.3%(359/436). Seven variables (birth weight Z-score, weight loss, weight growth velocity, the proportion of breast milk ≥75% within 3 d before discharge, invasive mechanical ventilation ≥7 d, maternal antenatal corticosteroids use and bronchopulmonary dysplasia) were selected to establish the prediction model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the training dataset and the validation dataset were 0.870 (95% CI 0.820-0.920) and 0.879 (95% CI 0.815-0.942), suggesting good discrimination efficacy. The calibration curve indicated a good fit of the model ( P>0.05). The decision curve analysis showed positive net benefits at all thresholds. Conclusions:Currently, EPIs have a high incidence of longitudinal EUGR. The prediction model is helpful for early identification and intervention for EPIs with higher risks of longitudinal EUGR. It is necessary to expand the sample size and conduct prospective studies to optimize and validate the prediction model in the future.

Objective:To explore KRAS, NRAS, BRAF gene mutations and microsatellite instability(MSI) in colorectal cancer tissues as well as their correlation with the clinicopathological characteristics of patients.Methods:The clinicopathological data of 473 colorectal cancer patients in Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from October 2020 to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The mutation status of KRAS, NRAS and BRAF gene in the paraffin tissues were detected by using amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-capillary electrophoresis was used to analyze MSI status, and the correlation of the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with gene mutations and MSI status was analyzed.Results:The mutation rates of KRAS, NRAS and BRAF were 45.03% (213/473), 2.96% (14/473) and 5.50% (26/473), respectively in 473 patients with colorectal cancer. No case harbored both 2 gene mutations was detected. The mutation rate of KRAS gene in well differentiated adenocarcinoma was higher than that in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma [47.4% (175/369) vs. 36.5% (38/104), χ2 = 3.89, P = 0.049]. NRAS mutation rate in female was higher than that in male [5.0% (10/202) vs. 1.5% (4/271), χ2 = 4.86, P = 0.027], and the NRAS mutation rate in patients with tumor diameter ≤ 3 cm was higher than that in those with tumor diameter >3 cm [7.1% (7/98) vs. 1.9% (7/375), P = 0.013]. BRAF mutation rate of tumors located in colon was higher than that in rectum [11.7% (20/171) vs.2.0% (6/302), χ2 = 19.81, P < 0.001]; BRAF mutation rate in poorly differentiated tumor was higher than that in well differentiated tumor [10.6% (11/104) vs. 4.1% (15/369), χ2 = 6.62, P = 0.010]; BRAF mutation rate in patients with mucus was higher than that in those without mucus [10.9% (11/101) vs. 4.0% (15/372), χ2 = 7.19, P = 0.007]; BRAF mutation rate in patients with lymphatic metastasis was higher than that in patients without lymphatic metastasis [8.2% (15/182) vs.3.8% (11/291), χ2 = 4.29, P = 0.038]. The incidence of high frequency MSI (MSI-H) in 473 colorectal cancer tissues was 7.19% (34/473). The incidence of MSI-H in colon was higher than that in rectum [14.0% (24/171) vs. 3.3% (10/302), χ2 = 18.82, P < 0.001]; the incidence of MSI-H in patient with poor differentiated tumor was higher than that in those with well differentiated tumor [17.3% (18/104) vs. 4.3% (16/369), χ2 = 20.46, P < 0.001]; the incidence of MSI-H in patients with mucus was higher than that in those without mucus [11.9% (12/101) vs. 5.9% (22/372), χ2 = 4.24, P = 0.039]; and the incidence of MSI-H in patients without lymphatic metastasis was higher than that in patients with lymphatic metastasis [10.0% (29/291) vs. 2.7% (5/182), χ2 = 8.75, P = 0.003]. In addition, the incidence of MSI-H was on the rise in patients with BRAF mutation ( P < 0.001). Conclusions:KRAS, NRAS, BRAF gene mutations and MSI status are correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with colorectal cancer; there is a close relationship between MSI-H and BRAF mutation.

In 2016, a national one million general population cohort project was set up in China for the first time in "Precision Medicine Research" Key Project, National Key Research and Development Program of China, which consists of general population cohorts in seven areas in China. As one of the seven major areas in China, northeastern China has unique climate and specific dietary patterns, and population aging is serious in this area. And the burden of chronic and non-communicable diseases ranks tops in China. Therefore, it is of great significance to establish a large general population cohort in northeastern China to explore the area specific exposure factors related to pathogenesis and prognosis of chronic and non-communicable diseases, develop new prevention strategies to reduce the burden of the diseases and improve the population health in northeastern China. In July 2018, the general population cohort study in northeastern China was launched, the study includes questionnaire survey, health examination and blood, urine and stool sample collection and detection in recruited participants. By now, the cohort has covered all age groups, and the baseline data of 115 414 persons have been collected. This paper summarizes the design and practice of the general population cohort study in northeastern China to provide reference for related research in China.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination has been shown effective in controlling the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and reducing severe cases. This study was to assess the flare and change in disease activity after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with stable rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: A prospective cohort of RA patients in remission or with low disease activity was divided into a vaccination group and a non-vaccination group based on their COVID-19 vaccination status. Each of them was examined every 3 to 6 months. In the vaccination group, disease activity was compared before and after vaccination. The rates of flare defined as disease activity scores based on 28-joint count (DAS28) >3.2 with ΔDAS28 ≥0.6 were compared between vaccination and non-vaccination groups. RESULTS: A total of 202 eligible RA patients were enrolled. Of these, 98 patients received no vaccine shot (non-vaccination group), and 104 patients received two doses of vaccine (vaccination group). The median time interval from pre-vaccination visit to the first immunization and from the second dose of vaccine to post-vaccination visit was 67 days and 83 days, respectively. The disease activity scores at pre-vaccination and post-vaccination visits in the vaccination group patients were similar. At enrollment, gender, RA disease course, seropositivity, and disease activity were comparable across the two groups. Flare was observed in five (4.8%) of the vaccination group patients and nine (9.2%) of the non-vaccination group patients at post-vaccination assessment ( P  = 0.221). In terms of safety, 29 (27.9%) patients experienced adverse events (AEs) after vaccination. No serious AEs occurred. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 vaccinations had no significant effect on disease activity or risk of flare in RA patients in remission or with low disease activity. Patients with stable RA should be encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.
Humans ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Cohort Studies ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects* ; East Asian People ; Prospective Studies ; Vaccination/adverse effects*

Psoriasis is characterized by abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes, as well as infiltration of immune cells into the dermis and epidermis, causing itchy, scaly and erythematous plaques of skin. The understanding of this chronic inflammatory skin disease remains unclear and all available treatments have their limitations currently. Here, we showed that IMMH002, a novel orally active S1P modulator, desensitized peripheral pathogenic lymphocytes to egress signal from secondary lymphoid organs and thymus. Using different psoriasis animal models, we demonstrated that IMMH002 could significantly relieve skin damage as revealed by PASI score and pathological injure evaluation. Mechanistically, IMMH002 regulated CD3 T lymphocytes re-distribution by inducing lymphocytes' homing, thus decreased T lymphocytes allocation in the peripheral blood and skin but increased in the thymus. Our results suggest that the novel S1P agonist, IMMH002, exert extraordinary capacity to rapidly modulate T lymphocytes distribution, representing a promising drug candidate for psoriasis treatment.

Objective:To analyze the value of droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) in detecting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in peripheral blood circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods:Peripheral blood samples of 63 patients with NSCLC who were treated in Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital from August 2018 to March 2019 were collected, and EGFR sensitive mutations in peripheral blood of patients were detected by ddPCR, and the results were compared with the results of amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR). Kappa test was used to analyze the consistency of the two methods.Results:The EGFR sensitive mutations were found in 31 cases (49.2%) by ddPCR in peripheral blood of 63 patients with NSCLC. Among them, 1 case (1.6%) had G719X, 12 cases (19.0%) had E19-Del, 11 cases had T790M (17.5%), 7 cases (11.1%) had L858R. Seven cases (22.6%) of the patients had double mutations. In comparison, the above 4 mutations were found in 26 cases (41.3%) by the ARMS-PCR method, with 0 case, 12 cases (19.0%), 6 cases (9.5%), and 8 cases (12.7%), respectively, including 5 cases (19.2%) with double mutations. L858R in one case was positive when detected by ARMS-PCR, while it was negative when detected by ddPCR. The consistency rate of the two methods was 90.3% (κ = 0.8, P < 0.05). The median abundance of EGFR mutations in peripheral blood ctDNA of 31 cases was 1.7% (range 0.04%-23.60%). The median abundance of E19-Del was 2.50% (0.35%-22.70%), that of T790M was 0.6% (0.04%-14.00%), and that of L858R was 2.3% (0.20%-23.60%). Ten cases with the abundance of EGFR mutations < 1% when detected by ddPCR, accounting for 32.6% (10/31) of total patients with mutations, but only 5 cases of them were detected by ARMS-PCR. The detection rate of T790M by ddPCR in patients who had received tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and had acquired drug resistance was 57.9% (11/19), while it was 0 in patients without TKI treatment. Among patients with T790M mutation, 1 case had a mutation abundance < 0.1%, 7 cases had a mutation abundance of 0.1%-2.0%, 3 cases had a mutation abundance > 2.0%.Conclusions:The ddPCR provides a non-invasive, highly sensitive and absolutely quantitative method for detecting EGFR mutations in peripheral blood ctDNA of NSCLC patients. It provides a new detection method for EGFR-TKI targeted therapy in NSCLC patients with difficult sampling or with acquired drug resistance who need to repeatedly sample. The approach provides an important basis for the individualized targeted therapy.

Objective:To study the basic characteristics and gene evolution of M segment of fever and thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV)in China.Methods:The full sequence of M fragment of SFTSV strain isolated in China before June 25, 2020 was obtained from GenBank. The BioEdit software was used for multi-sequence alignment and MEGA5.0 software was used to construct the phylogenetic tree to compare the homology of SFTSV, which came from different types and sources.Results:M fragments of 203 SFTSV isolated in China was collected from GenBank database.. Among them, 185 strains were isolated from humans (91.1%), 11 strains were isolated from ticks(5.4%), and 5 strains were isolated from goat, mice and hedgehog (3.5%). Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that C2 genotype was dominant in China, accounting for 42.4% of total. The nucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence homology were 96.4%~100.0%, 94.5%~100.0%, respectively. The homology of human and animal isolates was very high. The nucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence homology were 92.5%~100.0% and 92.0%~100.0%, respectively.Conclusions:Phylogenetic tree analysis of SFTSV isolates in China based on the M fragment showed that C2 genotype was dominant, and there are multiple types of co-circulation. By comparing M and S-segment-based phylogenetic tree, it suggests that SFTSV may potential undergo adaptive conversion from C-type to J-type.

Objective To investigate and analyze the reasons for the omission of adjuvant radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in patients with breast cancer.Methods The clinicopathologial characteristics and socioeconomic data of 55 breast cancer patients undergoing BCS without postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy in our hospital from 2012 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among the 55 patients who did not receive radiotherapy,25 patients were due to low local recurrence risk,12 patients were due to economic or family reasons,12 patients were due to fear of adverse reactions of radiotherapy,and 5 patients were not recommended by primary physicians for radiotherapy.In addition,3 cases with multiple distant metastases and 3 cases with concomitant thyroid cancer didn't received radiotherapy.Conclnsions Low risk local recurrence is the main reason for the omission of adjuvant radiotherapy,followed by the fear of radiation-induced toxicity and poor financial support.Patient education and medical insurance may improve the adjuvant radiotherapy compliance.