Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an increasingly widespread sleep-breathing disordered disease, and is an independent risk factor for many high-risk chronic diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, arrhythmias and diabetes, which is potentially fatal. The key to the prevention and treatment of OSA is early diagnosis and treatment, so the assessment and diagnostic technologies of OSA have become a research hotspot. This paper reviews the research progresses of severity assessment parameters and diagnostic technologies of OSA, and discusses their future development trends. In terms of severity assessment parameters of OSA, apnea hypopnea index (AHI), as the gold standard, together with the percentage of duration of apnea hypopnea (AH%), lowest oxygen saturation (LSpO₂), heart rate variability (HRV), oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and the emerging biomarkers, constitute a multi-dimensional evaluation system. Specifically, the AHI, which measures the frequency of sleep respiratory events per hour, does not fully reflect the patients’ overall sleep quality or the extent of their daytime functional impairments. To address this limitation, the AH%, which measures the proportion of the entire sleep cycle affected by apneas and hypopneas, deepens our understanding of the impact on sleep quality. The LSpO₂ plays a critical role in highlighting the potential severe hypoxic episodes during sleep, while the HRV offers a different perspective by analyzing the fluctuations in heart rate thereby revealing the activity of the autonomic nervous system. The ODI provides a direct and objective measure of patients’ nocturnal oxygenation stability by calculating the number of desaturation events per hour, and the biomarkers offers novel insights into the diagnosis and management of OSA, and fosters the development of more precise and tailored OSA therapeutic strategies. In terms of diagnostic techniques of OSA, the standardized questionnaire and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) is a simple and effective method for preliminary screening of OSA, and the polysomnography (PSG) which is based on recording multiple physiological signals stands for gold standard, but it has limitations of complex operations, high costs and inconvenience. As a convenient alternative, the home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) allows patients to monitor their sleep with simplified equipment in the comfort of their own homes, and the cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC) offers a minimal version that simply analyzes the electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. As an emerging diagnostic technology of OSA, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) adeptly pinpoint respiratory incidents and expose delicate physiological changes, thus casting new light on the diagnostic approach to OSA. In addition, imaging examination utilizes detailed visual representations of the airway’s structure and assists in recognizing structural abnormalities that may result in obstructed airways, while sound monitoring technology records and analyzes snoring and breathing sounds to detect the condition subtly, and thus further expands our medical diagnostic toolkit. As for the future development directions, it can be predicted that interdisciplinary integrated researches, the construction of personalized diagnosis and treatment models, and the popularization of high-tech in clinical applications will become the development trends in the field of OSA evaluation and diagnosis.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and metabolic disorders are the 3 major chronic diseases threatening human health, which are closely related and often coexist, significantly increasing the difficulty of disease management. In response, the American Heart Association (AHA) proposed a novel disease concept of “cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome” in October 2023, which has triggered widespread concern about the co-treatment of heart and kidney diseases and the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders around the world. This review posits that effectively managing CKM syndrome requires a new and multidimensional paradigm for diagnosis and risk prediction that integrates biological insights, advanced technology and social determinants of health (SDoH). We argue that the core pathological driver is a “metabolic toxic environment”, fueled by adipose tissue dysfunction and characterized by a vicious cycle of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, which forms a common pathway to multi-organ injury. The at-risk population is defined not only by biological characteristics but also significantly impacted by adverse SDoH, which can elevate the risk of advanced CKM by a factor of 1.18 to 3.50, underscoring the critical need for equity in screening and care strategies. This review systematically charts the progression of diagnostic technologies. In diagnostics, we highlight a crucial shift from single-marker assessments to comprehensive multi-marker panels. The synergistic application of traditional biomarkers like NT-proBNP (reflecting cardiac stress) and UACR (indicating kidney damage) with emerging indicators such as systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and Klotho protein facilitates a holistic evaluation of multi-organ health. Furthermore, this paper explores the pivotal role of non-invasive monitoring technologies in detecting subclinical disease. Techniques like multi-wavelength photoplethysmography (PPG) and impedance cardiography (ICG) provide a real-time window into microcirculatory and hemodynamic status, enabling the identification of early, often asymptomatic, functional abnormalities that precede overt organ failure. In imaging, progress is marked by a move towards precise, quantitative evaluation, exemplified by artificial intelligence-powered quantitative computed tomography (AI-QCT). By integrating AI-QCT with clinical risk factors, the predictive accuracy for cardiovascular events within 6 months significantly improves, with the area under the curve (AUC) increasing from 0.637 to 0.688, demonstrating its potential for reclassifying risk in CKM stage 3. In the domain of risk prediction, we trace the evolution from traditional statistical tools to next-generation models. The new PREVENT equation represents a major advancement by incorporating key kidney function markers (eGFR, UACR), which can enhance the detection rate of CKD in primary care by 20%-30%. However, we contend that the future lies in dynamic, machine learning-based models. Algorithms such as XGBoost have achieved an AUC of 0.82 for predicting 365-day cardiovascular events, while deep learning models like KFDeep have demonstrated exceptional performance in predicting kidney failure risk with an AUC of 0.946. Unlike static calculators, these AI-driven tools can process complex, multimodal data and continuously update risk profiles, paving the way for truly personalized and proactive medicine. In conclusion, this review advocates for a paradigm shift toward a holistic and technologically advanced framework for CKM management. Future efforts must focus on the deep integration of multimodal data, the development of novel AI-driven biomarkers, the implementation of refined SDoH-informed interventions, and the promotion of interdisciplinary collaboration to construct an efficient, equitable, and effective system for CKM screening and intervention.

Objective To summarize the epidemiological and clinical features of infectious diseases of the central nervous system(CNS)by a single-center analysis.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 1247 cases of CNS infectious diseases diagnosed and treated in the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from 2001 to 2020.Results The data for this group of CNS infectious diseases by disease type in descending order of number of cases were viruses 743(59.6％),Mycobacterium tuberculosis 249(20.0％),other bacteria 150(12.0％),fungi 68(5.5％),parasites 18(1.4％),Treponema pallidum 18(1.4％)and rickettsia 1(0.1％).The number of cases increased by 177 cases(33.1％)in the latter 10 years compared to the previous 10 years(P<0.05).No significant difference in seasonal distribution pattern of data between disease types(P>0.05).Male to female ratio is 1.87︰1,mostly under 60 years of age.Viruses are more likely to infect students,most often at university/college level and above,farmers are overrepresented among bacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis,and more infections of Treponema pallidum in workers.CNS infectious diseases are characterized by fever,headache and signs of meningeal irritation,with the adductor nerve being the more commonly involved cranial nerve.Matagenomic next-generation sequencing improves clinical diagnostic capabilities.The median hospital days for CNS infectious diseases are 18.00(11.00,27.00)and median hospital costs are ￥29,500(￥16,000,￥59,200).The mortality rate from CNS infectious diseases is 1.6％.Conclusions The incidence of CNS infectious diseases is increasing last ten years,with complex clinical presentation,severe symptoms and poor prognosis.Early and accurate diagnosis and standardized clinical treatment can significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality rate and ease the burden of disease.

Objective To investigate the association between four single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNP)(rs9340 in MAPK1,rs14804 in NRAS,rs712 and rs7973450 in KRAS)in the 3'UTR of ERK1/2 signaling pathway-related genes and non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods A total of 478 NSCLC patients and 480 healthy controls were enrolled in this study.Four SNPs were genotyped by using TaqMan assays.The association between the four SNPs and NSCLC was analyzed.Results The distribution frequency difference of the allele of rs9340 was statistically significant between the control group and the non-small cell squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)group(P = 0.009),suggesting that the G allele of rs9340 may be a protective factor for non-small cell lung squamous cell carcinoma(OR = 0.67,95%CI:0.50～0.91).In addition,in the<50 years age group,the distribution frequency difference of the allele of rs9340 was statistically significant between the control group and the NSCLC group(P = 5.07×10-4),indicating that the G allele of rs9340 may be a protective factor for NSCLC(OR = 0.46,95%CI:0.29～0.72).Conclusion The SNP rs9340 in MAPK1 may be associated with the risk of NSCLC.

The pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy(DCM)is complex.Autophagy plays a pivotal role in the development of DCM,and whether its level is stable or not is closely related to the development of the course of DCM.Numerous active components found in traditional Chinese medicines and compound formulations have demonstrated the ability to modulate autophagy levels.These interventions occur through various mechanisms,such as hypoglycemic,anti-apoptotic,anti-inflammatory,and anti-oxidative stress pathways.By mitigating autophagy-induced myocardial damage,enhancing cardiac function,and slowing the progression of DCM,these compounds offer promising avenues for DCM management.This paper aims to consolidate and present research findings from the last 5 years.Our goal is to provide valuable insights and references for the research,development,and clinical application of Chinese medicine in the context of combating DCM.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and clinical effects of the application of augmented reality (AR) navigation on assisted design of the chimeric twin-paddled anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTPF) in reconstruction of soft tissue defects in extremities.Methods:From June 2017 to June 2023, 8 patients with soft tissue defects in extremities received reconstruction of chimeric twin-paddled ALTPF designed with the assistance of AR navigation in Department of Hand & Foot Microsurgery Orthopaedics, Guigang City People’s Hospital. All of them were traffic accidents or machine injuries, with 3 cases of calf, 2 cases of ankle, 1 case of foot, and 2 cases of hand defects. All the wounds were wide or irregular (defect sized 14 cm×14 cm-25 cm×13 cm). The images of bilateral thighs were acquired by CT angiography preoperatively. The dominant side and dominant perforators were selected. Three dimensional reconstruction was performed by Mimics software. AR technology was applied to guide the design and harvest of the chimeric twin-paddled ALTPF. Flap area was 15 cm × 16 cm to 26 cm × 14 cm. The donor site was sutured directly. Follow-up with outpatient visits or WeChat images and videos at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively to record the appearance, colour, texture, recurrence of infection, and knee extension function of the flap donor site.Results:According to the preoperative design, the perforator flaps were harvested and transferred in all the 8 patients. All flaps survived and the recipient and donor sites healed in one stage. All patients entered postoperative follow-up for 3 to 12 (mean, 8.6)months. The colour and texture of the flaps were excellent, and the appearance of donor and recipient sites was satisfactory. Two patients with hand injuries were evaluated using the brief Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ), with scores of 43.74 and 81.25, respectively. Six patients with lower limb injuries were evaluated using the Maryland foot score, with scores of 2 excellent, 3 good and 1 fair.Conclusion:The application of AR navigation can effectively assist the design of a chimeric twin-paddled ALTPF. It also provides an effective basis for clinical personalised flap design.

Objective To explore the prognostic impact and clinical application value of therapeutic plasma exchange(TPE)intervention timing and liver injury periodization in patients with exertional heat stroke(EHS).Methods Data of 127 EHS patients from the First Medical Center of the General Hospital of the People′s Liberation Army from January 2011 to December 2023 were collected,then divided into the death group and the survival group based on therapeutic outcomes and into 5 stages according to the dynamic changes of ALT,AST,TBIL and DBIL.According to propensity score matching analysis,11 patients in the survival group and 12 patients in the death group were included in the statistical analysis,and 20 of them were treated with TPE.The changes in indicators and clinical outcomes before and after TPE were observed,in order to evaluate the impact of intervention timing on prognosis.Results Among the 23 patients,14 had no liver injury or could progress to the repair phase,resulting in 3 deaths(with the mortality rate of 21.43%),while 9 patients failed to pro-gress to the repair phase,resulting in 9 deaths(with the mortality rate of 100%),with significant differences(P＜0.05).The mortality rate of the first TPE intervention before the third stage of liver injury was 23.08%(3/13),while that of interven-tion after reaching or exceeding the third stage was 85.71%(6/7),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion TPE should be executed actively in EHS patients combined with liver injury before the third phase to lock its pathological and physiological processes,thereby improving prognosis and reducing mortality.

Objective To review the occurrence of allergic reactions during therapeutic plasma exchange(TPE)and to explore the risk factors of TPE allergic reactions.Methods The clinical data of 929 patients treated with TPE using plasma components by the Department of Transfusion Medicine in our medical center from 2018 to 2023 were collected.The influen-cing factors of allergic reactions were analyzed by univariate analysis,and the independent risk factors of allergic reactions were analyzed by logistic multivariate regression analysis.Results A total of 4 071 TPEs were performed in 929 patients.A-mong them,198 patients(21.31%)experienced 349 times(8.57%)of allergic reactions,with the incidence of gradeⅠ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ allergic reactions of 16.33%,81.38%and 2.29%,respectively,and no deaths.The univariate analysis showed that the patient′s age,allergy history,diagnosis of immune-related diseases,ICU admission,plasma consumption,total blood volume,maximum blood flow rate and combined use of albumin were related to the occurrence of allergic reactions(P＜0.05).Multivariate regression analysis showed that young patients,a history of allergy,immune-related diseases and non-ICU patients were prone to allergic reactions in TPE,but the treatment options of TPE such as substitute fluid category,plasma consumption and blood flow rate were not related to the occurrence of allergic reactions.Conclusion There are sig-nificant individual differences in the occurrence of allergic reactions for TPE,and young age,history of allergies,immune-related diseases and non-ICU patients are risk factors for allergic reactions in TPE.Identifying patients with risk factors be-fore TPE treatment and giving corresponding preventive measures can reduce the incidence of allergic reactions.

Background::Bladder cancer, characterized by a high potential of tumor recurrence, has high lifelong monitoring and treatment costs. To date, tumor cells with intrinsic softness have been identified to function as cancer stem cells in several cancer types. Nonetheless, the existence of soft tumor cells in bladder tumors remains elusive. Thus, our study aimed to develop a microbarrier microfluidic chip to efficiently isolate deformable tumor cells from distinct types of bladder cancer cells.Methods::The stiffness of bladder cancer cells was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The modified microfluidic chip was utilized to separate soft cells, and the 3D Matrigel culture system was to maintain the softness of tumor cells. Expression patterns of integrin β8 (ITGB8), protein kinase B (AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were determined by Western blotting. Double immunostaining was conducted to examine the interaction between F-actin and tripartite motif containing 59 (TRIM59). The stem-cell-like characteristics of soft cells were explored by colony formation assay and in vivo studies upon xenografted tumor models. Results::Using our newly designed microfluidic approach, we identified a small fraction of soft tumor cells in bladder cancer cells. More importantly, the existence of soft tumor cells was confirmed in clinical human bladder cancer specimens, in which the number of soft tumor cells was associated with tumor relapse. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the biomechanical stimuli arising from 3D Matrigel activated the F-actin/ITGB8/TRIM59/AKT/mTOR/glycolysis pathways to enhance the softness and tumorigenic capacity of tumor cells. Simultaneously, we detected a remarkable up-regulation in ITGB8, TRIM59, and phospho-AKT in clinical bladder recurrent tumors compared with their non-recurrent counterparts.Conclusions::The ITGB8/TRIM59/AKT/mTOR/glycolysis axis plays a crucial role in modulating tumor softness and stemness. Meanwhile, the soft tumor cells become more sensitive to chemotherapy after stiffening, that offers new insights for hampering tumor progression and recurrence.

The close relationship between gastric cancer (GC) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has garnered significant attention. On one hand, T2DM may play a role in the development and progression of GC, correlating with poor patient outcomes. On the other hand, after radical surgery for GC, T2DM can be effectively managed, potentially improving tumor prognosis. In recent years, bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS) has revolutionized T2DM treatment for obese and overweight patients. Comparative analyses reveal similarities between surgical approaches for gastric cancer and BMS, leading to the emergence of the onco-metabolic surgery (OMS) concept, which suggests that radical tumor resection and T2DM remission in GC patients can be potentially achieved through a single procedure. However, there are notable differences between OMS and BMS, including target populations, surgical details, and perioperative management. Therefore, optimizing the application of the OMS concept in GC patients holds significant clinical importance. This article provides a review to facilitate the better implementation of this concept in practice.