Liver fibrosis is a chronic liver injury resulting from factors like viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, fatty liver disease, and cholestatic liver disease. Liver transplantation is currently the gold standard for treating severe liver diseases. However, it is limited by a shortage of donor organs and the necessity for lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into various liver cells and enhance liver function when transplanted into patients due to their differentiation and proliferation capabilities. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative therapy for treating liver diseases, especially for liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver transplant complications. However, due to the potential tumorigenic effects of MSCs, researchers are exploring a new approach to treating liver fibrosis using extracellular vesicles (exosomes) secreted by stem cells. Many studies show that exosomes released by stem cells can promote liver injury repair through various pathways, contributing to the treatment of liver fibrosis. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms by which stem cell exosomes affect liver fibrosis through different pathways and their potential therapeutic targets. Additionally, we discuss the advantages of exosome therapy over stem cell therapy and the possible future directions of exosome research, including the prospects for clinical applications and the challenges to be overcome.

Liver fibrosis is a chronic liver injury resulting from factors like viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, fatty liver disease, and cholestatic liver disease. Liver transplantation is currently the gold standard for treating severe liver diseases. However, it is limited by a shortage of donor organs and the necessity for lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into various liver cells and enhance liver function when transplanted into patients due to their differentiation and proliferation capabilities. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative therapy for treating liver diseases, especially for liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver transplant complications. However, due to the potential tumorigenic effects of MSCs, researchers are exploring a new approach to treating liver fibrosis using extracellular vesicles (exosomes) secreted by stem cells. Many studies show that exosomes released by stem cells can promote liver injury repair through various pathways, contributing to the treatment of liver fibrosis. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms by which stem cell exosomes affect liver fibrosis through different pathways and their potential therapeutic targets. Additionally, we discuss the advantages of exosome therapy over stem cell therapy and the possible future directions of exosome research, including the prospects for clinical applications and the challenges to be overcome.

Liver fibrosis is a chronic liver injury resulting from factors like viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, fatty liver disease, and cholestatic liver disease. Liver transplantation is currently the gold standard for treating severe liver diseases. However, it is limited by a shortage of donor organs and the necessity for lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into various liver cells and enhance liver function when transplanted into patients due to their differentiation and proliferation capabilities. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative therapy for treating liver diseases, especially for liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver transplant complications. However, due to the potential tumorigenic effects of MSCs, researchers are exploring a new approach to treating liver fibrosis using extracellular vesicles (exosomes) secreted by stem cells. Many studies show that exosomes released by stem cells can promote liver injury repair through various pathways, contributing to the treatment of liver fibrosis. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms by which stem cell exosomes affect liver fibrosis through different pathways and their potential therapeutic targets. Additionally, we discuss the advantages of exosome therapy over stem cell therapy and the possible future directions of exosome research, including the prospects for clinical applications and the challenges to be overcome.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescent depression is prevalent, and teen suicide rates are on the rise locally. A systemic review to understand associated risk and protective factors is important to strengthen measures for the prevention and early detection of adolescent depression and suicide in Singapore. This systematic review aims to identify the factors associated with adolescent depression in Singapore. METHODS: A systematic search on the following databases was performed on 21 May 2020: PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO. Full texts were reviewed for eligibility, and the included studies were appraised for quality using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Narrative synthesis of the finalised articles was performed through thematic analysis. RESULTS: In total, eight studies were included in this review. The four factors associated with adolescent depression identified were: (1) sociodemographic factors (gender, ethnicity); (2) psychological factors, including childhood maltreatment exposure and psychological constructs (hope, optimism); (3) coexisting chronic medical conditions (asthma); and (4) lifestyle factors (sleep inadequacy, excessive internet use and pathological gaming). CONCLUSION The identified factors were largely similar to those reported in the global literature, except for sleep inadequacy along with conspicuously absent factors such as academic stress and strict parenting, which should prompt further research in these areas. Further research should focus on current and prospective interventions to improve mental health literacy, targeting sleep duration, internet use and gaming, and mitigating the risk of depression in patients with chronic disease in the primary care and community setting.
Humans ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Adolescent ; Risk Factors ; Depression/etiology* ; Protective Factors ; Male ; Female ; Life Style ; Suicide

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is common in Singapore, with moderate to severe OSA affecting around 30% of residents. These consensus statements aim to provide scientifically grounded recommendations for the management of OSA, standar-dise the management of OSA in Singapore and promote multidisciplinary collaboration. METHOD: An expert panel, which was convened in 2024, identified several areas of OSA management that require guidance. The expert panel reviewed the current literature and developed consensus statements, which were later independently voted on using a 3-point Likert scale (agree, neutral or disagree). Consensus (total ratings of agree and neutral) was set a priori at ≥80% agreement. Any statement not reaching consensus was excluded. RESULTS: The final consensus included 49 statements that provide guidance on the screening, diagnosis and management of adults with OSA. Additionally, 23 statements on the screening, diagnosis and management of paediatric OSA achieved consensus. These 72 consensus statements considered not only the latest clinical evidence but also the benefits and harms, resource implications, feasibility, acceptability and equity impact of the recommendations. CONCLUSION The statements presented in this paper aim to guide clinicians based on the most updated evidence and collective expert opinion from sleep specialists in Singapore. These recommendations should augment clinical judgement rather than replace it. Management decisions should be individualised, taking into account the patient's clinical characteristics, as well as patient and caregiver concerns and preferences.
Humans ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/diagnosis* ; Singapore ; Consensus ; Adult

BACKGROUND:There are few studies on the effect of degeneration of paraspinal muscle on osteoporotic vertebral compression refractures treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty in postmenopausal women.This paper intends to reveal the relationship between them. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between degeneration of paraspinal muscle and osteoporotic vertebral compression refractures in postmenopausal women treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty. METHODS:The medical records of 81 postmenopausal female patients who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from May 2018 to March 2021 for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture and received percutaneous vertebroplasty were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into an osteoporotic vertebral compression refracture group(n=39)and a control group(n=42)according to whether they had osteoporotic vertebral compression refracture after percutaneous vertebroplasty.General data,vertebral bone mineral density,paravertebral cross-sectional area and mean CT value(Hu)of the two groups were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Univariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference in age and mean CT value of psoas major between the two groups(P>0.05).The body mass index,vertebral bone mineral density,paravertebral cross-sectional area and the mean CT value of the posterior vertebral muscle group in the control group were significantly higher than those in the osteoporotic vertebral compression refracture group(P<0.05).(2)Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low vertebral bone mineral density(OR=0.004,95%CI:0.000-0.555,P<0.05)and low mean CT value of posterior vertebral muscle group(OR=0.940,95%CI:0.894-0.988,P<0.05)were independent risk factors for postmenopausal osteoporotic vertebral compression refracture.(3)It is indicated that degeneration of paraspinal muscle will increase the risk of osteoporotic vertebral compression refractures in patients treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty,especially in postmenopausal women with a low mean CT value of low posterior vertebral muscle group.

With the evolving of information technology and push models,as an important mobile application in the Inter-net,WeChat official account is an important platform for the implementing the"Internet plus Medical"model.Effective dissemi-nation of more medical knowledge is also an important component of achieving a healthy China.This is not only a task for public hospitals,but also a responsibility.This paper takes the health communication strategy managed by the WeChat official account of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital as the research object.From the perspective of health communication,we conducted a comprehensive analysis of its development overview,content production,and push effectiveness.On the basis of sorting and sum-marizing the existing problems,suggestions were proposed to focus on content construction,strengthen overall management,and deepen training supervision.The study aims to provide reference for public hospitals to improve the operation and construction of WeChat official account,offer practical reference for scientific,standardized,and orderly management of self media so as to a-chieve high-quality health communication.

Objective To develop a time-resolved fluorescent immunoassay kit for the rapid,accurate and quantitative detection of S100B protein in serum and to evaluate its performance.Methods The test strip was prepared using time-resolved fluorescent microsphere-labeled anti-S100B polyclonal antibody and rabbit IgG antibody,labeling pads,sample pads,S100B nitrocellulose films and absorbent paper,and an S100B time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay kit was obtained by assembling the cartridge.The performance of the kit developed was evaluated by standard curve,accuracy,minimum detection limit,linear interval,specificity,reproducibility and stability.The reference intervals of 199 pieces of healthy human serum and plasma samples from a certain region were detected with the kit,and the clinical performance of the kit and Roche Elecsys S100 kit was tested by synchronous blind method to assess the consistency of the results of the two kits for 142 samples.Results The S100B time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay kit had the standard curve beingy=(1.133 02+1.752 24)/[1+(x/1.082 20)×(-0.603 52)]-1.752 24,R2=0.999 08 and the linear range being[0.05,30]ng/mL,which met the requirements of the relative deviation of the accuracy within±15％,the minimum detection limit not hgier than 0.05 ng/mL,the relative deviation of specificity within±15％and the coefficient of variation of intra-and inter-batch difference less than 15％.The stability test results indicated that the kit was valid for 12 months at 2-30 ℃ conditions.The reference intervals of serum and plasma samples measured by the kit were both lower than 0.3 ng/mL.Clinical trials showed that the results by the kit and Roche Elecsys S100 Assay Kit were in high agreement(Kappa=0.906 1＞0.80)and met the requirements.Conclusion The kit developed detects the concentration of S100B protein in serum quickly,accurately and quantitatively,and provides references for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases,autoimmune diseases,cerebrovascular diseases and etc.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(1):47-55]

Background::Although overnight fasting is recommended prior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the benefits and safety of high-carbohydrate fluid diet (CFD) intake 2 h before ERCP remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze whether high-CFD intake 2 h before ERCP can be safe and accelerate patients’ recovery.Methods::This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial involved 15 tertiary ERCP centers. A total of 1330 patients were randomized into CFD group ( n = 665) and fasting group ( n = 665). The CFD group received 400 mL of maltodextrin orally 2 h before ERCP, while the control group abstained from food/water overnight (>6 h) before ERCP. All ERCP procedures were performed using deep sedation with intravenous propofol. The investigators were blinded but not the patients. The primary outcomes included postoperative fatigue and abdominal pain score, and the secondary outcomes included complications and changes in metabolic indicators. The outcomes were analyzed according to a modified intention-to-treat principle. Results::The post-ERCP fatigue scores were significantly lower at 4 h (4.1 ± 2.6 vs. 4.8 ± 2.8, t = 4.23, P <0.001) and 20 h (2.4 ± 2.1 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4, t= 7.94, P <0.001) in the CFD group, with least-squares mean differences of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.71, P <0.001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57–0.95, P <0.001), respectively. The 4-h pain scores (2.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.2 ± 1.7, t = 2.60, P = 0.009, with a least-squares mean difference of 0.21 [95% CI: 0.05–0.37]) and positive urine ketone levels (7.7% [39/509] vs. 15.4% [82/533], χ2 = 15.13, P <0.001) were lower in the CFD group. The CFD group had significantly less cholangitis (2.1% [13/634] vs. 4.0% [26/658], χ2 = 3.99, P = 0.046) but not pancreatitis (5.5% [35/634] vs. 6.5% [43/658], χ2 = 0.59, P = 0.444). Subgroup analysis revealed that CFD reduced the incidence of complications in patients with native papilla (odds ratio [OR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, P = 0.028) in the multivariable models. Conclusion::Ingesting 400 mL of CFD 2 h before ERCP is safe, with a reduction in post-ERCP fatigue, abdominal pain, and cholangitis during recovery.Trail Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT03075280.

The sample delivery method is one of the key steps in implementing serial femtosecond crystallography research using X-ray free-electron lasers. Serial femtosecond crystallography can effectively capture the ultrafast dynamic processes of biological molecules, such as protein conformational changes and intermediate states in chemical reactions. It is of great significance for scientists to better understand the structure and function of biological molecules, reveal the mechanisms of life activities, and provide important technical means for drug development and biotechnology. When conducting experiments at X-ray free-electron laser beamline station, it is crucial to transport the samples to the region where it interacts with the free-electron laser pulses. The choice of suitable sample delivery method plays a decisive role in the sample consumption and experimental efficiency, and it is also an important factor for the success or failure of the experiment. This article reviews the latest research progress and future development directions of sample delivery methods in serial crystallography. It also introduces commonly used sample delivery methods and their applicable ranges, aiming to provide reference and guidance for scientists engaged in serial crystallography research. The sample transport methods of free electron lasers mainly include liquid injection and fixed target sample transport. The liquid injection method is achieved through various liquid sample injectors. The aqueous solution is driven by a peristaltic pump on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) into a sample storage, and the aqueous solution pushes the piston in the sample storage to extrude the sample solution into the sample transport pipeline, and finally sprays it out through the nozzle to reach the XFEL interaction region. For micro-nano crystals,3 preparation methods are introduced, including free interface diffusion method, seeding method, and batch crystallization, and characterization methods are also introduced. For the requirements of high sample transmission efficiency and low sample consumption, a gas-based liquid flow transport method is introduced, which is based on the principle of focusing the sample jet by coaxial gas to form a jet with a small diameter and fast flow rate. At the same time, the extended double flow focusing nozzle and mixed injection nozzle are briefly described. For samples in viscous media, a high viscosity liquid injection device is introduced, and the advantages and disadvantages of different media are explained and exemplified. In addition, the principle and example of electrostatic spinning injector and piezoelectric driven droplet injection technology applied to low-velocity serial crystallography experiments are also introduced. For the above liquid injection methods, a characterization method using a coaxial microscope or side-view microscope to measure the diameter and stable length of the liquid flow is introduced. Compared with the liquid injection method, the fixed target method is to fix the crystal on a support chip with a periodic array structure, and collect data through scanning. The working principle, sample environment, support materials, etc. of the fixed target method are briefly introduced in the article. With the advancement and development of technologies such as free electron lasers and detectors, various sampling methods for serial crystallography are constantly being innovated and optimized. By selecting appropriate sample delivery methods, it will be possible to improve experimental efficiency, reduce sample consumption, and open up new possibilities for researchers in the field of structural biology of biomacromolecules.