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*

The high permeability of glass ceramics limits the application of glass ceramics chair-side immediate restoration technology to pulp-free anterior teeth.This paper introduces a new digital intracoronary color-shielding veneer restoration technology,which uses computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing(CAD/CAM)technology to fabricate zirconia veneer in glass ceramics full crown,which can shield the influence of discolored abutments on the color of full crown and expand the clinical application range of high permeability glass ceramics.

Objective To observe the depressive behavior and neuronal damage induced by different doses of corticosterone(CORT)in mice,and to explore the optimal dose for a corticosterone-induced depression model in mice.Methods Forty male C57BL/6J mice were divided randomly into four groups:control group and low,medium,and high CORT groups(20,40,and 60 mg/kg,respectively),treated with the corresponding drug dose by subcutaneous injection for 4 weeks.Behavioral c hanges in mice after corticosterone administration for 3 and 4 weeks were detected by sugar water preference,forced swimming,tail suspension,and open field tests.Morphological changes in neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area and forebrain cortex area were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Nissl staining.Serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Depression-related behavioral changes induced by different doses of corticosterone were compared.Results The bodyweights of mice in all three CORT groups(20,40,and 60 mg/kg)decreased(P＜0.05)and the preference for sucrose solution decreased(P＜0.01)compared with the findings in the control group.The immobility time in the forced swimming test was prolonged in the CORT 20 and 40 mg/kg groups(P＜0.01)and the immobility time of mice in the tail suspension test was prolonged in the CORT 40 mg/kg group(P＜0.05).The total distance,the length of time spent in the peripheral area was prolonged and the time entering the central area in the open-field experiment were decreased in the CORT 40 and 60 mg/kg groups(P＜0.05),and average speed were decreased in the CORT 40 mg/kg group(P＜0.05).In addition,CORT injection result ed in abnormal neuronal cell morphology,cell deformation,and nuclear condensation in the hippocampal CA1 and forebrain cortex areas,to different degrees.Serum 5-hydroxytryptamine levels were reduced in the CORT 40 and 60 mg/kg groups(P＜0.05).Conclusions CORT 20,40,and 60 mg/kg can induce depression-like behavioral changes and neuronal damage in mice to varying degrees,with the most notable effect at 40 mg/kg.Under experimental conditions,we consider that 40 mg/kg is the best dose for replicating corticosterone-induced depression in model mice.

Objective:To investigate the use of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing primary retroperitoneal tumors.Methods:The study included 100 patients suspected of having primary retroperitoneal tumors, who were admitted to Xidian Group Hospital between February 2017 and February 2023. All patients underwent pathological biopsy, with the pathological diagnosis serving as the "gold standard." Additionally, each patient underwent both CT and MRI examinations. The diagnostic value of CT and MRI alone or in combination for primary retroperitoneal tumors was compared. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of CT and MRI alone or in combination for primary retroperitoneal tumors.Results:Among the 100 patients with suspected primary retroperitoneal tumors, 90 were pathologically diagnosed with primary retroperitoneal tumors. These included 21 cases of liposarcoma, 18 of schwannoma, 17 of malignant lymphoma, 14 of malignant fibrous histiocytoma, 12 of leiomyoma, and 8 of lipoma. CT confirmed 81 positive cases, MRI confirmed 83 positive cases, and the combined CT and MRI diagnosis identified 89 cases as positive. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the sensitivity and specificity of the combined CT and MRI diagnosis for primary retroperitoneal tumors were 98.9% and 90.0%, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.944, which was superior to that of either CT or MRI alone.Conclusions:CT and MRI play a crucial role in the diagnosis of primary retroperitoneal tumors. The combined use of these two imaging techniques significantly improves both the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis.

Objective To observe the depressive behavior and neuronal damage induced by different doses of corticosterone(CORT)in mice,and to explore the optimal dose for a corticosterone-induced depression model in mice.Methods Forty male C57BL/6J mice were divided randomly into four groups:control group and low,medium,and high CORT groups(20,40,and 60 mg/kg,respectively),treated with the corresponding drug dose by subcutaneous injection for 4 weeks.Behavioral c hanges in mice after corticosterone administration for 3 and 4 weeks were detected by sugar water preference,forced swimming,tail suspension,and open field tests.Morphological changes in neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area and forebrain cortex area were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Nissl staining.Serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Depression-related behavioral changes induced by different doses of corticosterone were compared.Results The bodyweights of mice in all three CORT groups(20,40,and 60 mg/kg)decreased(P＜0.05)and the preference for sucrose solution decreased(P＜0.01)compared with the findings in the control group.The immobility time in the forced swimming test was prolonged in the CORT 20 and 40 mg/kg groups(P＜0.01)and the immobility time of mice in the tail suspension test was prolonged in the CORT 40 mg/kg group(P＜0.05).The total distance,the length of time spent in the peripheral area was prolonged and the time entering the central area in the open-field experiment were decreased in the CORT 40 and 60 mg/kg groups(P＜0.05),and average speed were decreased in the CORT 40 mg/kg group(P＜0.05).In addition,CORT injection result ed in abnormal neuronal cell morphology,cell deformation,and nuclear condensation in the hippocampal CA1 and forebrain cortex areas,to different degrees.Serum 5-hydroxytryptamine levels were reduced in the CORT 40 and 60 mg/kg groups(P＜0.05).Conclusions CORT 20,40,and 60 mg/kg can induce depression-like behavioral changes and neuronal damage in mice to varying degrees,with the most notable effect at 40 mg/kg.Under experimental conditions,we consider that 40 mg/kg is the best dose for replicating corticosterone-induced depression in model mice.

Objective:To investigate the use of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing primary retroperitoneal tumors.Methods:The study included 100 patients suspected of having primary retroperitoneal tumors, who were admitted to Xidian Group Hospital between February 2017 and February 2023. All patients underwent pathological biopsy, with the pathological diagnosis serving as the "gold standard." Additionally, each patient underwent both CT and MRI examinations. The diagnostic value of CT and MRI alone or in combination for primary retroperitoneal tumors was compared. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of CT and MRI alone or in combination for primary retroperitoneal tumors.Results:Among the 100 patients with suspected primary retroperitoneal tumors, 90 were pathologically diagnosed with primary retroperitoneal tumors. These included 21 cases of liposarcoma, 18 of schwannoma, 17 of malignant lymphoma, 14 of malignant fibrous histiocytoma, 12 of leiomyoma, and 8 of lipoma. CT confirmed 81 positive cases, MRI confirmed 83 positive cases, and the combined CT and MRI diagnosis identified 89 cases as positive. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the sensitivity and specificity of the combined CT and MRI diagnosis for primary retroperitoneal tumors were 98.9% and 90.0%, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.944, which was superior to that of either CT or MRI alone.Conclusions:CT and MRI play a crucial role in the diagnosis of primary retroperitoneal tumors. The combined use of these two imaging techniques significantly improves both the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis.

The high permeability of glass ceramics limits the application of glass ceramics chair-side immediate restoration technology to pulp-free anterior teeth.This paper introduces a new digital intracoronary color-shielding veneer restoration technology,which uses computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing(CAD/CAM)technology to fabricate zirconia veneer in glass ceramics full crown,which can shield the influence of discolored abutments on the color of full crown and expand the clinical application range of high permeability glass ceramics.

Objective:To compare the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound and MRI in fibro-adipose vascular anomaly (FAVA).Methods:The clinical data of patients with suspected FAVA who underwent ultrasound and MRI examinations at Henan Provincial People’s Hospital from January 2011 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The imaging findings from ultrasound and MRI were analyzed, and then compared with the pathological findings. To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound and MRI in diagnosing FAVA by assessing sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and coincidence rate. Paired χ2 test (McNemar test) was used to compare the coincidence rate of ultrasound and MRI, as well as their combined diagnosis. A significance level of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 50 patients were included in the study, comprising 24 males and 26 females, with their ages ranging from 1 to 50 years and an average age of (16.2 ± 10.5) years. Pathology confirmed 43 FAVA patients and 7 non-FAVA patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and coincidence rate of ultrasound in the diagnosis of FAVA were 83.7%, 71.4%, 94.7%, 41.7%, and 82.0%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and coincidence rate of MRI in the diagnosis of FAVA were 69.8%, 85.7%, 96.8%, 31.6%, and 72.0%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and coincidence rate of FAVA were 90.7%, 71.4%, 95.1%, 55.6%, and 88.0%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound was higher than that of MRI, but the difference was not statistically significant ( χ2 = 1.41, P = 0.235). The coincidence rate of combined diagnosis was higher than that of ultrasound ( χ2= 0.71, P = 0.401) and MRI ( χ2= 4.00, P = 0.039), with a statistically significant difference. Conclusion:Both ultrasound and MRI are highly valuable in diagnosing FAVA. The combined usage of ultrasound and MRI can enhance the accuracy of preoperative FAVA diagnosis.

Objective:To compare the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound and MRI in fibro-adipose vascular anomaly (FAVA).Methods:The clinical data of patients with suspected FAVA who underwent ultrasound and MRI examinations at Henan Provincial People’s Hospital from January 2011 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The imaging findings from ultrasound and MRI were analyzed, and then compared with the pathological findings. To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound and MRI in diagnosing FAVA by assessing sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and coincidence rate. Paired χ2 test (McNemar test) was used to compare the coincidence rate of ultrasound and MRI, as well as their combined diagnosis. A significance level of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 50 patients were included in the study, comprising 24 males and 26 females, with their ages ranging from 1 to 50 years and an average age of (16.2 ± 10.5) years. Pathology confirmed 43 FAVA patients and 7 non-FAVA patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and coincidence rate of ultrasound in the diagnosis of FAVA were 83.7%, 71.4%, 94.7%, 41.7%, and 82.0%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and coincidence rate of MRI in the diagnosis of FAVA were 69.8%, 85.7%, 96.8%, 31.6%, and 72.0%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and coincidence rate of FAVA were 90.7%, 71.4%, 95.1%, 55.6%, and 88.0%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound was higher than that of MRI, but the difference was not statistically significant ( χ2 = 1.41, P = 0.235). The coincidence rate of combined diagnosis was higher than that of ultrasound ( χ2= 0.71, P = 0.401) and MRI ( χ2= 4.00, P = 0.039), with a statistically significant difference. Conclusion:Both ultrasound and MRI are highly valuable in diagnosing FAVA. The combined usage of ultrasound and MRI can enhance the accuracy of preoperative FAVA diagnosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF）， as a progressive lung disease， has a poor prognosis and no reliable and effective therapies. IPF is mainly treated by organ transplantation and administration of chemical drugs， which are ineffective and induce side effects， failing to meet the clinical needs. Therefore， developing safer and more effective drugs has become an urgent task， which necessitates clear understanding of the pathogenesis of IPF. The available studies about the pathogenesis of IPF mainly focus on macrophage polarization， epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT）， oxidative stress， and autophagy， while few studies systematically explain the principles and links of the pathogeneses. According to the traditional Chinese medicine theory， Qi deficiency and blood stasis and Qi-Yang deficiency are the key pathogeneses of IPF. Therefore， the Chinese medicines or compound prescriptions with the effects of replenishing Qi and activating blood， warming Yang and tonifying Qi， and eliminating stasis and resolving phlegm are often used to treat IPF. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that such medicines play a positive role in inhibiting macrophage polarization， restoring redox balance， inhibiting EMT， and regulating cell autophagy. However， few studies report how Chinese medicines regulate the pathways in the treatment of IPF. By reviewing the latest articles in this field， we elaborate on the pathogenesis of IPF and provide a comprehensive overview of the mechanism of the active ingredients or compound prescriptions of Chinese medicines in regulating IPF. Combining the pathogenesis of IPF with the modulating effects of Chinese medicines， we focus on exploring systemic treatment options for IPF， with a view to providing new ideas for the in-depth study of IPF and the research and development of related drugs.