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 intestine and liver are closely connected both physiologically and pathologically, forming a so-called gut-liver axis, with the gut microbiota serving as a pivotal link in their bidirectional communication. Gut microbiota dysbiosis and gut-liver axis disruption play a key role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM), though the underlying mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated. Certain gut microbiota, such as Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp., can breach the intestinal barrier and translocate to the liver, promoting the formation of pre-metastatic niche. Fusobacterium nucleatum and Enterococcus faecalis enhance tumor cell invasion/migration, while Parabacteroides spp. suppress anti-tumor immunity in the liver TME. Interventions like fecal microbiota transplantation, dietary modifications, and traditional Chinese medicine have shown potential in clinical and preclinical studies to improve patient outcomes by targeting the gut microbiota, but their long-term efficacy and safety require further investigation. Future research should focus on elucidating the effects of specific bacterial species, metabolites, viruses, and fungi on tumorigenesis. Exploring the potential of gut microbiota-based precision medicine and personalized therapies will improve risk stratification and enable more targeted interventions for CRLM patients.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a glomerulonephritis characterized by diffuse deposition of immune complexes mainly composed of IgA in the mesangial area of the glomerulus. However, some patients show monotypic IgA deposits in the immunofluorescence examination, and its clinicopathological significance is not yet clear. The renal pathological changes of IgAN with monotypic IgA deposition are similar to those of proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal IgA deposit (IgA-PGNMID), which has a risk of progressing to hematological malignancies and a worse clinical prognosis. It is necessary to differentiate them based on clinical pathological manifestations and hematological examinations. Based on previous literature reports and the research results of our research group, this review summarizes and analyzes the mechanism, clinical and pathological characteristics, and prognosis of IgAN with monotypic IgA deposition, and the relationship between IgAN with monotypic IgA deposition and IgA-PGNMID, to improve clinical doctors' understanding of IgAN with monotypic IgA deposition, reduce missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, and improve patients' prognosis.

AIM:To investigate the mechanism by which muscle segment homeobox 2(Msx2)regulates the differentiation of outer enamel epithelial cells in the enamel organ.METHODS:Tissue paraffin sections were prepared and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining to analyze the effect of Msx2 deficiency on the differentiation status of epithelial cells in the enamel organ at the morphological level.At the ultrastructural level,alterations in cell structure were analyzed.The intermediate steps mediating cell differentiation were identified.Transcriptome sequencing analysis was performed to validate the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed phenomena.RESULTS:Msx2 deficiency was innovatively found to induce severe squamous epithelial hyperplasia in outer enamel epithelial cells of enamel organ,accompanied by dynamic restructuring of the cell cytoskeleton and alterations in cell adhesion at the ultrastructure level.As a transcriptional repressor,the loss of Msx2 expression results in significant increases(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01)in the mRNA expression levels of integrin β2(Itgβ2),ItgαM,Itgα4,Rac family small GTPase 2(Rac2),Rac/Cdc42 guanine nucleo-tide exchange factor 6(Arhgef6)and protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type C(Ptprc).CONCLUSION:Msx2 regu-lates cytoskeleton structure and cell-cell interaction through the Rho GTPases signaling pathway,thereby influencing the differentiation state of outer enamel epithelial cells.This study reveals the mechanism through which Msx2 regulates the differentiation of outer enamel epithelial cells,providing a theoretical foundation for the prevention and treatment of enam-el-related clinical dental diseases.

Objective To investigate the relationship between quantitative parameters of the histogram of global fat fraction(FF)in the infrapatellar fat pad(IPFP)and the severity of knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Methods A total of 120 patients were prospectively selected and divided into the non-KOA group(KL grade 0-1),the mild KOA group(KL grade 2),and the severe KOA group(KL grade 3-4)based on the Kellgren-Lawrence(KL)classification criteria of knee X-rays.The FF maps of the IPFP were obtained based on the mDIXON-Quant technique.The region of interest(ROI)was delineated using 3D Slicer software,and global histogram analysis was performed to obtain quantitative parameters,including mean,median,10th percentile(10th),90th percentile(90th),skewness,kurtosis,and entropy.Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between each quanti-tative parameter and the severity of KOA.The diagnostic efficacy was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Results As the progression of KL classification,the mean,median,percentiles,and kurtosis of the global FF histogram quantitative parameters in the IPFP decreased,while skewness and entropy increased,with statistically significant among the three groups(P＜0.001).The mean,median,10th,90th,and kurtosis showed negative correlations with the KL classification(r=-0.563,-0.448,-0.614,-0.294,-0.450),while skewness and entropy showed positive correlations with the KL classification(r=0.385,0.637),all of which were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)for diagnosing KOA were 0.799,0.725,0.828,0.636,0.741,0.688,and 0.830,respectively.The sensitivity of the 10th and entropy were 74.4％and 77.9％,respectively,and the specificity were 85.3％and 88.2％,respectively.Conclusion The quantitative parameters of the histogram of global FF in the IPFP are correlated with the severity of KOA and can reflect the pathophysiological changes in the IPFP.They can serve as objective indicators for diagnosing KOA and assessing its severity.

AIM:To investigate the mechanism by which muscle segment homeobox 2(Msx2)regulates the differentiation of outer enamel epithelial cells in the enamel organ.METHODS:Tissue paraffin sections were prepared and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining to analyze the effect of Msx2 deficiency on the differentiation status of epithelial cells in the enamel organ at the morphological level.At the ultrastructural level,alterations in cell structure were analyzed.The intermediate steps mediating cell differentiation were identified.Transcriptome sequencing analysis was performed to validate the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed phenomena.RESULTS:Msx2 deficiency was innovatively found to induce severe squamous epithelial hyperplasia in outer enamel epithelial cells of enamel organ,accompanied by dynamic restructuring of the cell cytoskeleton and alterations in cell adhesion at the ultrastructure level.As a transcriptional repressor,the loss of Msx2 expression results in significant increases(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01)in the mRNA expression levels of integrin β2(Itgβ2),ItgαM,Itgα4,Rac family small GTPase 2(Rac2),Rac/Cdc42 guanine nucleo-tide exchange factor 6(Arhgef6)and protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type C(Ptprc).CONCLUSION:Msx2 regu-lates cytoskeleton structure and cell-cell interaction through the Rho GTPases signaling pathway,thereby influencing the differentiation state of outer enamel epithelial cells.This study reveals the mechanism through which Msx2 regulates the differentiation of outer enamel epithelial cells,providing a theoretical foundation for the prevention and treatment of enam-el-related clinical dental diseases.

Objective To investigate the relationship between quantitative parameters of the histogram of global fat fraction(FF)in the infrapatellar fat pad(IPFP)and the severity of knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Methods A total of 120 patients were prospectively selected and divided into the non-KOA group(KL grade 0-1),the mild KOA group(KL grade 2),and the severe KOA group(KL grade 3-4)based on the Kellgren-Lawrence(KL)classification criteria of knee X-rays.The FF maps of the IPFP were obtained based on the mDIXON-Quant technique.The region of interest(ROI)was delineated using 3D Slicer software,and global histogram analysis was performed to obtain quantitative parameters,including mean,median,10th percentile(10th),90th percentile(90th),skewness,kurtosis,and entropy.Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between each quanti-tative parameter and the severity of KOA.The diagnostic efficacy was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Results As the progression of KL classification,the mean,median,percentiles,and kurtosis of the global FF histogram quantitative parameters in the IPFP decreased,while skewness and entropy increased,with statistically significant among the three groups(P＜0.001).The mean,median,10th,90th,and kurtosis showed negative correlations with the KL classification(r=-0.563,-0.448,-0.614,-0.294,-0.450),while skewness and entropy showed positive correlations with the KL classification(r=0.385,0.637),all of which were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)for diagnosing KOA were 0.799,0.725,0.828,0.636,0.741,0.688,and 0.830,respectively.The sensitivity of the 10th and entropy were 74.4％and 77.9％,respectively,and the specificity were 85.3％and 88.2％,respectively.Conclusion The quantitative parameters of the histogram of global FF in the IPFP are correlated with the severity of KOA and can reflect the pathophysiological changes in the IPFP.They can serve as objective indicators for diagnosing KOA and assessing its severity.

The intestine and liver are closely connected both physiologically and pathologically, forming a so-called gut-liver axis, with the gut microbiota serving as a pivotal link in their bidirectional communication. Gut microbiota dysbiosis and gut-liver axis disruption play a key role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM), though the underlying mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated. Certain gut microbiota, such as Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp., can breach the intestinal barrier and translocate to the liver, promoting the formation of pre-metastatic niche. Fusobacterium nucleatum and Enterococcus faecalis enhance tumor cell invasion/migration, while Parabacteroides spp. suppress anti-tumor immunity in the liver TME. Interventions like fecal microbiota transplantation, dietary modifications, and traditional Chinese medicine have shown potential in clinical and preclinical studies to improve patient outcomes by targeting the gut microbiota, but their long-term efficacy and safety require further investigation. Future research should focus on elucidating the effects of specific bacterial species, metabolites, viruses, and fungi on tumorigenesis. Exploring the potential of gut microbiota-based precision medicine and personalized therapies will improve risk stratification and enable more targeted interventions for CRLM patients.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a glomerulonephritis characterized by diffuse deposition of immune complexes mainly composed of IgA in the mesangial area of the glomerulus. However, some patients show monotypic IgA deposits in the immunofluorescence examination, and its clinicopathological significance is not yet clear. The renal pathological changes of IgAN with monotypic IgA deposition are similar to those of proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal IgA deposit (IgA-PGNMID), which has a risk of progressing to hematological malignancies and a worse clinical prognosis. It is necessary to differentiate them based on clinical pathological manifestations and hematological examinations. Based on previous literature reports and the research results of our research group, this review summarizes and analyzes the mechanism, clinical and pathological characteristics, and prognosis of IgAN with monotypic IgA deposition, and the relationship between IgAN with monotypic IgA deposition and IgA-PGNMID, to improve clinical doctors' understanding of IgAN with monotypic IgA deposition, reduce missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, and improve patients' prognosis.