Exosomes, as crucial mediators of intercellular communication, exhibit a wide range of biological functions in the onset and treatment of atherosclerosis (AS). Recent studies have indicated that exosomes can carry various active substances, including miRNA, lncRNA, proteins, and lipids. By regulating inflammatory responses, lipid metabolism, vascular endothelial function, and the immune microenvironment, they mediate the formation, progression, and reversal of AS at multiple levels. Specifically, miRNAs within exosomes can target and regulate the expression of inflammatory factors, inhibiting macrophage activation and foam cell formation. Meanwhile, exosomes derived from endothelial cells (EC) or stem cells can enhance vascular endothelial integrity and suppress endothelial dysfunction (ED). Furthermore, exosomes have been extensively explored as natural carriers for delivering drugs and nucleic acid molecules. Their membrane structure possesses excellent biocompatibility and targeting capabilities, showcasing significant potential as a novel therapeutic tool. Starting from basic mechanistic studies, this article summarizes the molecular pathways and key biological effects of exosomes in AS intervention, and further explores their current clinical application and multiple challenges they face, aiming to provide theoretical support and research directions for novel cardiovascular disease intervention strategies.

This article summarized the general situation,impact and evaluation of voice disorders in children.According to the five models of clinical research in the field of speech therapy and audiology,the research on behav-ioral intervention of voice disorders in children was organized as follows:Model 1 involved studies on treatment se-lection and efficacy prediction.Model 2 focused on efficacy exploration and clinical trial preparation.Model 3 encom-passed studies on clinical implementation and efficacy verification.Model 4 involved comparative studies that explore different treatment methods.Model 5 focused on the analysis of social cost.These models could be used as a refer-ence for scientific research and clinical professionals.

Chronic liver disease is the"devil's trilogy"in which the liver progresses from inflammation and fibrosis to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma,which poses a great challenge for hepatologists worldwide.Statins have played a significant role in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and hyperlipidemia since their introduction,and in recent years,they have also demonstrated the potential to improve hepatic steatosis,exert an anti-inflammatory effect,regulate the phenotype of hepatic stellate cells,reduce portal venous pressure,and improve hepatic microcirculation in chronic liver disease.This article reviews the latest advances in the basic and clinical studies of statins in chronic liver disease,in order to provide new insights into the research,prevention,and treatment of chronic liver disease.

Background and objective Pembrolizumab(PEM)has been shown to be effective in clinical trials for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC),but clinical trials were based on cohorts of patients selected on specific criteria,and whether the findings are consistent with real-world patients is debatable.The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PEM in the treatment of advanced NSCLC based on real-world data.Methods A retro-spective collection of real-world data from patients with advanced NSCLC receiving PEM was conducted.Propensity score matching was used to eliminate inter-group differences and assess the efficacy and safety of PEM compared to chemotherapy.Results Among 450 matched patients,the incidence rates of any-grade adverse events were 79.87％in the PEM group and86.71％inthe chemotherapy group,while the incidence rates of grade＞3 adverse events were 4.03％and 7.31％,respectively.The objective response rates were 48.63％for PEM and 36.00％for chemotherapy(P=0.011).The median progression-free survival was 15.5 months for PEM and 8.8 months for chemotherapy(P＜0.001),and the median overall survival was not reached for PEM and 26.2 months for chemotherapy(P＜0.001).Conclusion PEM treatment for advanced NSCLC demonstrates favorable survival outcomes and acceptable safety in real-world clinical practice.

Influenza imposes a significant disease burden on society and individuals annually, and influenza vaccination is considered a significant public health measure to prevent influenza and reduce influenza-related severe disease and death. The low influenza vaccination rate in China is partly due to certain factors affecting the willingness and behavior of individuals to receive them. Scientific research and targeted interventions on these factors can effectively improve the vaccination situation. Commonly used individual-level theoretical models for influenza vaccination behavior include the health belief model, protection motivation theory, and theory of planned behavior. This study reviews theoretical models commonly employed in researching influenza vaccination willingness and behavior. An overview of these practical applications and challenges models is presented to provide references for relevant research and intervention programs in China.

Objective To study the differences in features of event-related potentials(ERPs)and target detection accuracy between five brain regions(frontal,temporal,central,parietal,and occipital)in target detection tasks based on rapid serial visual presentation(RSVP)brain computer interface(BCI)under six target concealment conditions.Methods Twelve participants were selected for the study,whose scalp electroencephalogram(EEG)signals were collected under the six concealment conditions using a NeuroScan SynAmps2 EEG acquisition system.The ERP waveforms,P300 amplitudes and latencies,among other things,were compared across the five brain regions.The hierarchical discriminant component analysis(HDCA)algorithm was used to classify the EEG signals while the differences in classification accuracy were probed across the five brain regions.Results(1)Under the six concealment conditions,target images elicited distinct ERP waveforms in all the five brain regions;(2)For P300 amplitudes,the temporal region exhibited the smallest values;(3)Regarding P300 latencies,the parietal and central regions showed longer durations than other brain regions(except for small camouflage and small occlusion conditions);(4)In terms of classification accuracy,the parietal and central regions outperformed other brain regions(except for the large camouflage condition).Conclusion The selection of parietal and central channels can offer a new perspective for enhancing the performance in concealed target detection based on RSVP-BCI,and is expected to spark new ideas for the design of miniaturized,simple and wearable BCI devices.

Objective To investigate effects of pterostilbene(PTE)on H2O2-induced hypertrophy of H9C2 cardiomyocytes.Methods H9C2 cardiomyocytes were cultured in DMEM,cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model was created by using 50 μmol/L H2O2,and they were randomly divided into control group(group C),cardiac hypertrophy group(group H)and cardiac hypertrophy+PTE group(group H+PTE).After 48 hours of intervention,surface area of H9C2 cardiomyocytes was detected by using cellular immunofluorescence,protein p62 and p-mTOR expression were detected by using Western blot.Results Compared with group C,surface area of cardiomyocytes and expression of p62 significantly increased in group H,and expression of p-mTOR/mTOR significantly decreased in group H(P<0.05).Compared with group H,surface area of cardiomyocytes and expression of p62 significantly decreased in group H+PTE,and expression of p-mTOR/mTOR significantly increased in group H+PTE(P<0.05).Conclusion PTE alleviates H2O2-induced hypertrophy in H9C2 cardiomyocytes by regulating autophagy through inhibition of mTOR signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence for further reducing the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) according to investigation of the prevention and control of CLABSI in intensive care unit (ICU) in Shandong Province. METHODS: The questionnaire was developed by experts from Shandong Critical Care Medical Quality Control Center, combining domestic and foreign guidelines, consensus and research. A convenient sampling method was used to recruit survey subjects online from October 11 to 31, 2023 in the province to investigate the management status of central venous catheter (CVC) in ICU units of secondary and above hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 201 valid data were collected, involving 186 hospitals in the province, with a total of 201 ICU units, mainly comprehensive ICU (91%). The beds in ICU units were mainly single rooms (89%) and triple rooms (79%), and the ratio of doctors to total beds was 0.54 : 1. The training on the knowledge and operation of intravascular catheter-associated bloodstream infection in each ICU unit was mainly irregular (49%), and 96% of the catheter operators were authorized by the hospital. In terms of CVC selection, 89% of ICU units used dual-chamber CVC, and 86% of ICU units used catheters without antibiotic coating. When selecting the placement site, for conventional CVC catheterization, 65% preferred subclavian vein. Femoral vein was preferred in 87% of ICU units undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy. 95% of ICU units had established standardized operation procedure (SOP) for CVC placement. 86% of ICU units were capable of ultrasound positioning or guided puncture at the time of catheterization. During catheterization, 88% of ICU units met the sterile dress code. Before and after catheterzation, 81% and 77% of ICU units standardized hand hygiene. Only 31% of ICU units were covered from head to toe by aseptic wipes. For the choice of skin disinfectant, the majority of ICU units (72%) only used iodophor. After tube placement, 54% of ICU units chose sterile transparent dressing and 25% chose sterile gauze dressing. 98% of ICU units were sutured to secure the catheter. Regarding catheter replacement and removal, 45% of ICU units could not be removed or replaced within 2 days in emergency situations where the principle of sterility was not guaranteed. When CLABSI was suspected, 55% of ICU units were able to obtain the catheter tip, transcatheter blood culture, and contralateral peripheral vein blood culture at the same time. For CVC replacement frequency, most ICU units (75%) would not be replaced regularly, and some ICU units would be replaced regularly, but the frequency of replacement was different. For CLABSI prevention and control, 82% of ICU units developed a verification form or supervision form. When analyzing the sources of CLABSI data, most of them were filled in by themselves (60%). As for the frequency of data analysis, 57% were once a month. CONCLUSIONS All ICU units in Shandong Province are standardized in terms of the authorization of operators, the formulation of SOP, the formulation and implementation of verification form and supervision form, ultrasound-guided puncture, and hand hygiene before and after catheterization. However, there are still deficiencies in the training on knowledge and operation of intravascular catheter-associated bloodstream infections, maximum aseptic coverage, catheter replacement and removal, and the reporting sources of CLABSI data, which need to be strengthened in the follow-up work. At present, the selection of CVC, the selection of catheterization site, the selection of skin disinfectant and the selection of dressings after catheterization still need further research.
Intensive Care Units ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; China/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Catheter-Related Infections/epidemiology* ; Catheterization, Central Venous/methods* ; Cross Infection/epidemiology* ; Central Venous Catheters/adverse effects* ; Infection Control/methods*

Objective To understand the current practice status of central venous access device(CVAD)maintenance among intensive care unit(ICU)nurses in secondary and above medical institutions in Shandong province,and to provide a basis for further implementation of effective measures to reduce the incidence of central catheter-related bloodstream infections.Methods The CVAD maintenance practice questionnaire was compiled based on domestic and international evidence related to CVAD maintenance,and a survey was conducted in October 2022 to investigate the status of ICU nurses' CVAD maintenance practice in secondary and above medical institutions in Shandong Province.Results There were 1 492 nurses participated in the survey and 1 461 valid questionnaires were recovered,with a valid recovery rate of 97.92％.The type of CVAD used by the nurses was mainly central venous catheters[92.3％(1349/1461)],and the item with the best assessment at each operation was patency of the catheter[81.1％(1185/1461)],and the worst was the patient's feeling[40.7％(594/1 461)].When assessing catheter patency,[59.8％(873/1 461)]of nurses drew back blood into the catheter.In the use of infusion connectors,three-way connectors[76.0％(1 110/1 461)]and heparin caps[62.3％(910/1 461)]were most frequently used.When sterilizing needleless connectors,most nurses could follow the correct range of disinfection,but the time of disinfection needed to be extended,and the most used items for disinfection were povidone-iodine cotton balls/swabs[44.3％(647/1 461)].The timing of changing infusion connectors needs to be standardized.Most nurses would choose saline for catheter flushing,and the number of nurses choosing saline versus heparinized saline when locking the catheter was about 50％.Most nurses can use correct size syringes and follow standardized techniques for flushing and locking.When performing CVAD maintenance,84.7％(1 237/1 461)of nurses chose a specialized care package kit.The most used skin antiseptic was povidone-iodine[63.7％(931/1 461)].Most nurses could follow the standardized range of skin disinfection,but awareness of drying needs to be improved.Dressings covering puncture points were most frequently transparent[99.7％(1 457/1 461)]and gauze[94.7％(1 383/1 461)],and the frequency of gauze dressing changes needs to be standardized.Hand hygiene and aseptic awareness of nurses during CVAD maintenance was good,but hand hygiene and the timing of wearing sterile gloves need to be standardized.Conclusions ICU nurses' CVAD maintenance practices were generally in line with the latest evidence-based recommendations,but assessment,use of maintenance-related items,and hand hygiene and aseptic technique need to be further standardized.It is recommended that nursing administrators enhance ICU nursing human resource allocation as much as possible and form a central line associated bloodstream infection(CLABSI)prevention and control management system to gradually reduce the morbidity of CLABSI within the ICU.

Objective:To evaluate the role of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase (HO-1) signaling pathway in reduction of endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI) by esketamine and the relationship with NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in mice.Methods:SPF male wild-type (WT) and Nrf2 knockout (KO) C57BL/6J mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: control group (WT+ C group, KO+ C group), ALI group (WT+ ALI group, KO+ ALI group) and ALI+ esketamine group (WT+ ALI+ E group, KO+ ALI+ E group). ALI model was developed by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 15 mg/kg via the tail vein. Esketamine 10 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 30 min after LPS injection, and 6 h later the medication was repeated for one time in WT+ ALI+ E and KO+ ALI+ E groups, while the equal volume of normal saline was given in the other groups. The mice were anesthetized at 12 h after LPS injection, and blood samples were obtained by cardiac puncture for determination of serum interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and IL-18 concentrations, and bilateral lung tissues were also obtained for examination of the pathological changes of lung tissues(with the light microscope) which were scored and for determination of the content of reduced glutathione (GSH) and expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis-related proteins (NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD[ASC], pro-caspase-1, cleaved-caspase-1, gasdermin D[GSDMD]) (by Western blot). Results:Compared with the corresponding C group (WT+ C group or KO+ C group), the lung injury score and concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly increased, the content of GSH in lung tissues was decreased, and the expression of NLRP3, ASC, pro-caspase-1, cleved-caspase-1 and GSDMD was up-regulated in WT+ ALI group and KO+ ALI group ( P<0.05), and the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was significantly up-regulated in WT+ ALI group( P<0.05). Compared with the corresponding ALI group (WT+ ALI group or KO+ ALI group), the lung injury score and concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly decreased, the content of GSH in lung tissues was increased, and the expression of NLRP3, ASC, pro-caspase-1, cleved-caspase-1 and GSDMD was down-regulated in WT+ ALI+ E group and KO+ ALI+ E group ( P<0.05), and Nrf2 and HO-1 expression was significantly up-regulated in WT+ ALI+ E group( P<0.05). Compared with WT+ ALI+ E group, the lung injury score and concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly increased, the content of GSH in lung tissues was decreased, the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was down-regulated, and the expression of NLRP3, ASC, pro-caspase-1, cleved-caspase-1 and GSDMD was up-regulated in KO+ ALI+ E group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which esketamine reduces endotoxin-induced ALI may be related to activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, thus inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in mice.