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.

Objective:To investigate the staging of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome before onset, and to analyze its impact on short-term prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods:The clinical data of 2 993 patients with AMI from January 2017 to December 2023 in Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. The basic information, baseline data, in-hospital data, cardiac-related examination results, CKM syndrome staging and in-hospital outcomes were recorded.Results:Among the 2 993 patients with AMI, the CKM syndrome stage 0 was in 23 cases (0.77%), stage 1 in 35 cases (1.17%), stage 2 in 2 015 cases (67.32%), stage 3 to 4 in 920 cases (30.74%). The male proportion, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with CKM syndrome stage 0 and 1 were significantly higher than those in patients with CKM syndrome stage 2 and 3 to 4, the hypertension proportion, diabetes proportion, chronic kidney disease proportion, triglyceride (TG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1c) and creatinine were significantly lower than those in patients with CKM syndrome 2 stage 3 to 4, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05); the body mass index (BMI) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) proportion in patients with CKM syndrome stage 0 were significantly lower than those in patients with CKM syndrome stage 1, 2 and 3 to 4, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05); the cerebrovascular diseases proportion, Killip stage ≥3 proportion, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and left main coronary artery lesions proportion in patients with CKM syndrome stage 0, 1 and 2 were significantly lower than those in patients with CKM syndrome stage 3 to 4, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05); the global registry of acute coronary events score (GRACE score) in patients with CKM syndrome stage 0 was significantly lower than that in patients with CKM syndrome stage 3 to 4, and there was statistical difference ( P<0.05). Although there were statistical differences in low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and number of blood vessels involved among the four groups ( P<0.05), but pairwise comparisons showed no statistically significant differences ( P>0.05). There were no statistical differences in age, smoking history, hyperlipidemia, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, uric acid, cardiac troponin I (cTnI) peak, left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter among the four groups ( P>0.05). The incidence of in-hospital major adverse coronary events (MACE) was 10.76% (322/2 993). Among them, the incidence of MACE, all-cause mortality and longer length of stay in patients with CKM syndrome stage 0, 1 and 2 were significantly lower than those in patients with CKM syndrome stage 3 to 4: 4.35% (1/23), 8.57% (3/35) and 8.59% (173/2 015) vs. 15.76% (145/920), 0, 2.86% (1/35) and 2.38% (48/2 015) vs. 4.78% (44/920), (8.17 ± 3.87), (8.15 ± 5.32) and (8.89 ± 6.42) d vs. (9.81 ± 9.29) d, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05); the incidences of acute kidney injury and atrial fibrillation in patients with CKM syndrome stage 0 and 1 were significantly lower than those in patients with CKM syndrome stage 2 and 3 to 4: 8.70% (2/23) and 8.57% (3/35) vs. 24.17% (487/2 015) and 34.35% (316/920), 0 and 0 vs. 3.52% (71/2 015) and 10.00% (92/920), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05); there were no statistical differences in the incidences of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation, cardiac arrest, mechanical complications and mechanical circulatory support among the four groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The severity of CKM syndrome is closely related to the occurrence of AMI. CKM patients with higher CKM stages have more severe AMI and poorer in-hospital prognosis. CKM syndrome staging can serve as a potential prognostic indicator for AMI patients.

Objective:To explore the relationship between the changes of quadriceps femoris and ICU acquired weakness(ICU-AW)in children.Method:A prospective collection of pediatric patients treated in the intensive care unit of Shenzhen children's hospital from October 2022 to March 2023.The thickness and cross-sectional area of rectus femoris and the thickness of vastus intermedius were measured by ultrasound on the 1st,4th and 7th day after ICU.The first day served as the baseline to calculate the atrophy rate for each muscle.On the 7th day,the Medical Re-search committee muscle strength score(MRC score)and critical physical function test score(PFIT-s score)were performed.According to the MRC score＜48,patients were divided into ICU-AW group and non-ICU-AW group to analyze the relationship between ICU-AW and the changes of quadriceps femoris.Result:A total of 21 critically ill children were included,including 11 males and 10 females.The incidence of ICU-AW in children was 41.2％(4 cases were not evaluated because of delirium).Within 7 days after en-tering ICU,the atrophy rate of cross-sectional area of rectus femoris was the highest,reaching-8.00％±15.10％.Both groups showed the greatest rate of change in the vastus intermedius thickness over 7 days,with the ICU-AW group mainly showing an increase in thickness(19.51％±16.51％over 4 days,14.14％±28.13％over 7 days),while the non-ICU-AW group primarily showed atrophy(-16.07％±17.46％over 4 days,-15.55％±30.04％over 7 days).The ICU-AW group had an average increase in rectus femoris thickness of 4.51％±8.38％within 7 days of ICU admission,while the non-ICU-AW group had an average atrophy rate of-8.19％±11.79％.There was no correlation between muscular atrophy rate and PFIT-s score(all P＞0.05),but there was a moderate negative correlation between rectus femoris thickness atrophy rate and femoral intermediate muscle thickness atrophy rate and MRC score within 4 days,respectively(ritual color 0.541 million 0.657 million 0.004),and moderate negative correlation between MRC score and thickness atrophy rate of rectus femoris and vastus medius within 7 days.There was no significant correlation between the atrophy rate of cross-section-al area of rectus femoris and MRC score.Conclusion:Compared with the non-ICU-AW group,the muscle thickness in the ICU-AW group is mainly thickened rather than atrophied,which can be identified by ultrasound on the 4th day after ICU.The specific diagnostic threshold is worthy of further study.

Objective:To explore the relationship between the changes of quadriceps femoris and ICU acquired weakness(ICU-AW)in children.Method:A prospective collection of pediatric patients treated in the intensive care unit of Shenzhen children's hospital from October 2022 to March 2023.The thickness and cross-sectional area of rectus femoris and the thickness of vastus intermedius were measured by ultrasound on the 1st,4th and 7th day after ICU.The first day served as the baseline to calculate the atrophy rate for each muscle.On the 7th day,the Medical Re-search committee muscle strength score(MRC score)and critical physical function test score(PFIT-s score)were performed.According to the MRC score＜48,patients were divided into ICU-AW group and non-ICU-AW group to analyze the relationship between ICU-AW and the changes of quadriceps femoris.Result:A total of 21 critically ill children were included,including 11 males and 10 females.The incidence of ICU-AW in children was 41.2％(4 cases were not evaluated because of delirium).Within 7 days after en-tering ICU,the atrophy rate of cross-sectional area of rectus femoris was the highest,reaching-8.00％±15.10％.Both groups showed the greatest rate of change in the vastus intermedius thickness over 7 days,with the ICU-AW group mainly showing an increase in thickness(19.51％±16.51％over 4 days,14.14％±28.13％over 7 days),while the non-ICU-AW group primarily showed atrophy(-16.07％±17.46％over 4 days,-15.55％±30.04％over 7 days).The ICU-AW group had an average increase in rectus femoris thickness of 4.51％±8.38％within 7 days of ICU admission,while the non-ICU-AW group had an average atrophy rate of-8.19％±11.79％.There was no correlation between muscular atrophy rate and PFIT-s score(all P＞0.05),but there was a moderate negative correlation between rectus femoris thickness atrophy rate and femoral intermediate muscle thickness atrophy rate and MRC score within 4 days,respectively(ritual color 0.541 million 0.657 million 0.004),and moderate negative correlation between MRC score and thickness atrophy rate of rectus femoris and vastus medius within 7 days.There was no significant correlation between the atrophy rate of cross-section-al area of rectus femoris and MRC score.Conclusion:Compared with the non-ICU-AW group,the muscle thickness in the ICU-AW group is mainly thickened rather than atrophied,which can be identified by ultrasound on the 4th day after ICU.The specific diagnostic threshold is worthy of further study.

Objective:To investigate the staging of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome before onset, and to analyze its impact on short-term prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods:The clinical data of 2 993 patients with AMI from January 2017 to December 2023 in Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. The basic information, baseline data, in-hospital data, cardiac-related examination results, CKM syndrome staging and in-hospital outcomes were recorded.Results:Among the 2 993 patients with AMI, the CKM syndrome stage 0 was in 23 cases (0.77%), stage 1 in 35 cases (1.17%), stage 2 in 2 015 cases (67.32%), stage 3 to 4 in 920 cases (30.74%). The male proportion, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with CKM syndrome stage 0 and 1 were significantly higher than those in patients with CKM syndrome stage 2 and 3 to 4, the hypertension proportion, diabetes proportion, chronic kidney disease proportion, triglyceride (TG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1c) and creatinine were significantly lower than those in patients with CKM syndrome 2 stage 3 to 4, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05); the body mass index (BMI) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) proportion in patients with CKM syndrome stage 0 were significantly lower than those in patients with CKM syndrome stage 1, 2 and 3 to 4, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05); the cerebrovascular diseases proportion, Killip stage ≥3 proportion, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and left main coronary artery lesions proportion in patients with CKM syndrome stage 0, 1 and 2 were significantly lower than those in patients with CKM syndrome stage 3 to 4, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05); the global registry of acute coronary events score (GRACE score) in patients with CKM syndrome stage 0 was significantly lower than that in patients with CKM syndrome stage 3 to 4, and there was statistical difference ( P<0.05). Although there were statistical differences in low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and number of blood vessels involved among the four groups ( P<0.05), but pairwise comparisons showed no statistically significant differences ( P>0.05). There were no statistical differences in age, smoking history, hyperlipidemia, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, uric acid, cardiac troponin I (cTnI) peak, left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter among the four groups ( P>0.05). The incidence of in-hospital major adverse coronary events (MACE) was 10.76% (322/2 993). Among them, the incidence of MACE, all-cause mortality and longer length of stay in patients with CKM syndrome stage 0, 1 and 2 were significantly lower than those in patients with CKM syndrome stage 3 to 4: 4.35% (1/23), 8.57% (3/35) and 8.59% (173/2 015) vs. 15.76% (145/920), 0, 2.86% (1/35) and 2.38% (48/2 015) vs. 4.78% (44/920), (8.17 ± 3.87), (8.15 ± 5.32) and (8.89 ± 6.42) d vs. (9.81 ± 9.29) d, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05); the incidences of acute kidney injury and atrial fibrillation in patients with CKM syndrome stage 0 and 1 were significantly lower than those in patients with CKM syndrome stage 2 and 3 to 4: 8.70% (2/23) and 8.57% (3/35) vs. 24.17% (487/2 015) and 34.35% (316/920), 0 and 0 vs. 3.52% (71/2 015) and 10.00% (92/920), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05); there were no statistical differences in the incidences of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation, cardiac arrest, mechanical complications and mechanical circulatory support among the four groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The severity of CKM syndrome is closely related to the occurrence of AMI. CKM patients with higher CKM stages have more severe AMI and poorer in-hospital prognosis. CKM syndrome staging can serve as a potential prognostic indicator for AMI patients.

Objective:To analyze the radiographic parameters of shoulder balance that affect the postoperative satisfaction of Lenke type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).Methods:A total of 98 patients with AIS who underwent posterior pedicle screw fusion in Xijing Hospital of Air Force Medical University from August 2017 to July 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 26 males and 72 females, aged 15.2±5.3 years (range, 10-24 years). Distribution of upper instrumented vertebrae: T 2 58 cases (59%), T 3 25 cases (26%), T 4 15 cases (15%); Distribution of lower instrumented vertebrae: T 12 63 cases (64%), L 1 28 cases (29%), L 2 4 cases (4%), L 3 3 cases (3%). Clavicle angle (CA), radiographic shoulder height (RSH), and coracoid height difference (CHD), clavicle-rib cage intersection difference (CRID), T 1 tilt angle, first rib tilt angle, clavicle chest angle difference(CCAD) and Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) scale were compared before and after operation. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the radiographic indicators of shoulder balance that affected the postoperative satisfaction of Lenke type 1 AIS. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to determine the threshold value of the imaging index. Results:All operations were successfully completed. The operation time was 260±80 min (range, 220-320 min), and the intraoperative blood loss was 360±110 ml (range, 300-700 ml). There was no nerve, dural or vascular injury during operation. RSH, CHD, CRID, T 1 tilt angle, first rib tilt angle, and CCAD at the final follow-up were 4.0 (0, 13.9) mm, 7.0 (0, 12.9) mm, 4.0 (0, 10.0) mm, 4.8° (3.3°, 8.2°), 5.3°±3.9°, and 5.5° (3.0°, 8.9°), respectively, which were less than the preoperative 10.6 (2.0, 20.3) mm, 10.3 (2.5, 15.9) mm, 8.0 (1.0, 15.2) mm, 7.6° (3.5°, 12.2°), 7.5°±6.9°, 8.5° (3.6°, 18.3°), and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The SRS-22 function, pain, appearance, and psychological scores at the final follow-up were 4.6 (4.0, 4.9), 4.1±0.5, 4.1±0.7, and 4.2 (3.9, 4.8) points, respectively, which were greater than the preoperative scores of 4.2 (3.8, 4.6), 4.0±0.7, 3.5±0.7, and 4.0 (3.5, 4.4) points, the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Binary logistic regression showed that CCAD was an independent radiographic indicator of shoulder balance that affected the satisfaction of AIS patients after orthopaedic surgery ( OR=0.826, P=0.040). ROC curve showed that the area under the curve and 95% CI was 0.726 (0.572, 0.865), and the threshold was 6.6°. Conclusion:CCAD is an independent radiographic parameter of shoulder balance that affects the postoperative satisfaction of AIS. Patients are more likely to achieve a satisfactory outcome when their postoperative CCAD is ≤6.6°, which can be used clinically as a radiographic parameter to assess the efficacy of orthopaedic spine surgery.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of alveolar lavage combined with montelukast in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and its effect on oxidative stress and inflammatory factors in patients.Methods:A prospective study was conducted involving 90 patients with AECOPD who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Shan County Central Hospital from December 2021 to December 2022. The patients were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 45 patients in each group, using the random number table method. The control group received conventional treatment, while the observation group was additionally treated with alveolar lavage combined with montelukast. Symptom score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, overall response rate, serum levels of oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal, and superoxide dismutase), and serum levels of inflammatory factors (C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and procalcitonin) were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Results:After treatment, the symptom scores for both groups decreased significantly compared with their respective scores before treatment ( t = 6.68, 11.32, both P < 0.05). After treatment, the symptom score in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group [(8.69 ± 0.84) points vs. (15.39 ± 1.18) points, t = 8.75, P < 0.05]. After treatment, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( t = 9.19, P < 0.05). The overall response rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [93.33% (42/45) vs. 75.56% (34/45), t = 4.56, P < 0.05]. After treatment, serum levels of 4-hydroxynonenal and malondialdehyde in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t = 4.20, 5.15, both P < 0.05), while serum level of superoxide dismutase in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group ( t = 5.23, P < 0.05). After treatment, serum levels of C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and procalcitonin in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t = 6.86, 5.60, 8.75, 4.89, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Alveolar lavage combined with montelukast can reduce clinical symptoms in patients with AECOPD, promote recovery, enhances clinical efficacy, decreases oxidative stress responses, increases the body's antioxidant capacity, lowers the expression of inflammatory factors, and reduces inflammatory responses.

Objective:To assess the safety and efficiency of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) combined delayed anticoagulant therapy in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients combined with cardiogenic stroke during anticoagulant therapy.Methods:Using prospective research methods, 35 AF patients combined with cardiogenic stroke during anticoagulant therapy from September 2020 to June 2022 in Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University were selected. All patients were treated with LAAC and delayed anticoagulant therapy. The endpoints were the safety and efficacy of LAAC combined with delayed anticoagulant therapy. The primary endpoint of efficacy was the composite endpoint of postoperative death, myocardial infarction, hemorrhagic stroke and systemic embolism. The safety endpoint was major bleeding as defined by the International Society for Thrombosis and Hemostasis and clinically relevant non-major bleeding.Results:Among 35 patients, 21 were males and 14 were females; the age was (68.5 ± 9.3) years old; the CHA 2DS 2-VASc score was 5 (4, 6) scores; the time to the last stroke was 95 (42, 98) d; the National Institutes of Health stroke scale score at the time of stroke was 3 (1, 6) scores. All patients successfully completed LAAC without perioperative instrument-surface thrombosis, death, new stroke or bleeding events. Thirty-two patients continued oral anticoagulant therapy 45 d after LAAC. The patients were followed up for (12.6 ± 4.3) months, 1 patient experienced recurrent ischemic stroke, 2 patients endured mucosal bleeding, there were no adverse events such as all-cause death, cardiovascular death, systemic embolism and hemorrhagic stroke. Conclusions:The LAAC combined delayed anticoagulant therapy is efficient and safe in patients with AF. For AF patients combined with cardiogenic stroke during anticoagulant therapy, LAAC combined with delayed anticoagulation therapy may be considered to further prevent ischemic stroke events.