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 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.

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 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.

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.

Objective To evaluate the effect of modified vertical tooth preparation with full zirconium crown resto-ration in molar area.Methods A randomized study was conducted in 84 patients with all-ceramic crown restoration of posterior teeth.90 full crown restorations were collected and randomly divided into two groups:45 teeth in exper-imental group were treated with modified vertical tooth preparation,while 45 teeth in control group were treated with conventional horizontal tooth preparation with full zirconium crown restoration.When patients wore teeth,the resto-ration effects of the two groups were evaluated respectively,and then the marginal and internal fitness of the two groups were measured by silicone rubber replication method;gingival index(GI)and sulcus bleeding index(SBI)scores were recorded 6 months after wearing teeth.Results The results of chair-side evaluation of the two groups showed that the marginal fitness of the experimental group was better than that of the control group,and the differ-ence was statistically significant(P=0.036);the measured value of marginal fitness of prostheses in experimental group was better than that in control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.001);after 6 months,there was no mechanical complication between the two groups,and there was no significant difference in GI and SBI scores of periodontal soft tissue indexes.Conclusion Modified vertical tooth preparation abutment can significantly improve the marginal fitness of all-ceramic crown,which will not change the health status of peri-crown gingiva.

Objective To investigate the impact of esketamine hydrochloride in combination with ultrasound-guided transverse thoracic muscle plane block on stress response and inflammatory levels in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement under general anesthesia.Methods A total of 120 patients who underwent elective extra-corporeal circulation-supported median open heart valve replacement were selected and randomly assigned into four groups using the random number table method:general anesthesia alone(Group G),general anesthesia with intrave-nous administration of esketamine(Group E),general anesthesia with transverse thoracic plane block(Group T),and esketamine combined with transverse thoracic muscle plane block(Group ET);each group consisted of 30 cases.Patients in group E and group ET received a continuous infusion of esketamine hydrochloride injection at a rate of 0.2 mg/kg-1?h-1 until the completion of the surgical procedure,while patients in group G and group T received an equivalent volume of saline solution until the completion of the surgical procedure.After the induction of general anesthesia,patients in group T and group ET underwent ultrasound-guided bilateral transverse thoracic muscle plane block,while patients in group G and group E did not receive any specific intervention.All four groups received identical protocols for anesthesia induction and maintenance,with self-controlled intravenous analgesic pumps administered to all patients postoperatively.The following time points were recorded:1 day prior to surgery(T0),pre-induction of anesthesia(T1),1 minute post-tracheal intubation(T2),1 minute post-median sternotomy(T3),1 minute prior to initiation of cardiopulmonary circulation(T4),1 minute after cessation of cardiopulmonary circula-tion(T5),1 minute after completion of surgery(T6),1 day post-surgery(T7),2 days post-surgery(T8),and 3 days post-surgery(T9).Mean Arterial Pressure(MAP)and Heart Rate(HR)were continuously monitored from T1 to T6.The levels of blood glucose and lactate were measured and recorded at T1,T4 to T6.The levels of White Blood Cells(WBC)and C-Reactive Protein(CRP)were assessed at T0,as well as at T7 to T9.The occurrence of postoperative adverse reactions was documented in all four groups.Results(1)Comparison of hemodynamics among the four groups:Compared with group G,there was a significant decrease in MAP and HR at T3 in group T(P<0.05).At the T5 time point,MAP was lower in group ET compared to group E,while HR was higher in group ET compared to group T(P<0.05).(2)The lactate and blood glucose levels of the four patient groups after extracorporeal circulation transfer were higher than those at the T1 time point(P<0.05).Patients in group E had lower lactate values at the T5 time point and lower blood glucose values at the T6 time point compared to group G(P<0.05).Additionally,patients in group E exhibited lower lactate and blood glucose values at both the T5 and T6 time points compared to those in group T(P<0.05).(3)Compared to T0,the levels of white blood cells(WBC)and C-reactive protein(CRP)were increased in all four groups after surgery(P<0.05).At the T7 time point,the WBC levels in group E and group T were significantly lower than those in group G(P<0.05).Furthermore,compared to group E and group T,the level of WBC in group ET was significantly lower at T7,while the level of CRP was significantly lower at T8(P<0.05).(4)There were no significant differences observed in postoperative adverse reactions among the four groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Combining low-dose esketamine hydrochloride with transverse thoracic muscle plane block under general anesthesia during open heart valve replacement surgery can effectively stabilize the patient's hemodynamics,mitigate perioperative stress response and postoperative inflammation levels,thereby demonstrating significant clini-cal utility.