Radiotherapy is a crucial treatment modality for head and neck tumors. However, while effectively killing tumor cells, it significantly disrupts the homeostasis of the oral microecology, which is closely associated with various complications such as radiation-induced oral mucositis. Literature review indicates that as radiotherapy doses accumulate and treatment durations extend, the richness and diversity of the oral microbiota show a declining trend, with the genus Streptococcus decreasing most markedly. In contrast, radiotherapy selectively promotes the proliferation of bacterial phyla such as Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, which are rich in opportunistic pathogens. Mechanistically, radiotherapy activates the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway, triggering chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, damaging the epithelial barrier, suppressing local immunity, and causing damage to organs such as the salivary glands. It can also induce systemic diseases via the oral-gut axis, forming a multi-level, interconnected pathogenic network. In terms of interventions, treatment strategies including probiotics and prebiotics have shown promising efficacy against side effects such as radiation-induced oral mucositis. Saliva-based oral microbiota transplantation is an emerging strategy that is expected to become widely utilized for restoring oral microecological balance. Existing interventions provide preliminary pathways for clinical practice, but this field still faces several key scientific questions. The association between oral microecology and systemic diseases remains largely correlative, lacking causal evidence. Furthermore, critical parameters for oral microbiota transplantation, such as donor screening criteria, transplantation protocols, and long-term safety, are not yet well-defined. Therefore, future research should focus on conducting large-scale clinical trials to establish standardized protocols and safety evaluation systems for oral microecological interventions, and explore combined treatment therapies such as probiotics, prebiotics, and microbiota transplantation to advance the development of personalized precision modulation. These will enable more effective management of radiotherapy-induced oral microecological dysbiosis and improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients with head and neck tumors.

Objective:To summarize assessment tools for taste dysfunction in patients with head and neck cancer and provide a reference for clinical evaluation by healthcare professionals.Methods:A computer-based search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, China Biology Medicine disc, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and VIP for literature on taste dysfunction in head and neck cancer from database inception to May 10, 2025.Results:A total of 31 articles were included: five on tool development, three on tool validation, five on cross-cultural adaptation, and 18 on tool application.A total of 16 assessment tools were identified overall: ten subjective instruments and six objective instruments. Reliability and validity were most commonly examined using internal consistency reliability and criterion-related validity.Conclusions:A wide variety of tools exist for assessing taste dysfunction in patients with head and neck cancer. Tool selection should be based on clinical context and patient characteristics. Future work should develop disease-specific, locally adapted instruments aligned with the features of head and neck cancer.

Objective:To explore healthcare professionals′knowledge and experience regarding trismus exercises following oral cancer treatment, aiming to provide reference for developing standardized exercise protocols.Methods:A phenomenological qualitative research approach was employed. Using purposive sampling, 16 healthcare professionals from the Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Radiotherapy, and Rehabilitation Departments of the Ninth People′s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, were selected between June and October 2023. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data was analyzed using Colaizzi′s method.Results:Among the 16 research subjects, there were 7 males and 9 females, aged (43.63 ± 7.04) years. Four main themes emerged: methods for assessing trismus, including objective and subjective evaluations; types of trismus exercises, encompassing passive opening exercises, active opening exercises, and other oral movements; timing of trismus exercises, including when to start and when to end; factors influencing exercise effectiveness, including patient-specific factors and treatment-related factors.Conclusions:Rehabilitation for trismus following oral cancer treatment should combine objective and subjective assessments, primarily employing passive and active mouth opening exercises supplemented by other oral training methods. Exercises should begin as early as possible and be maintained long-term. When developing personalized exercise regimens, both individual patient characteristics and treatment factors should be considered.

Objective:To summarize assessment tools for taste dysfunction in patients with head and neck cancer and provide a reference for clinical evaluation by healthcare professionals.Methods:A computer-based search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, China Biology Medicine disc, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and VIP for literature on taste dysfunction in head and neck cancer from database inception to May 10, 2025.Results:A total of 31 articles were included: five on tool development, three on tool validation, five on cross-cultural adaptation, and 18 on tool application.A total of 16 assessment tools were identified overall: ten subjective instruments and six objective instruments. Reliability and validity were most commonly examined using internal consistency reliability and criterion-related validity.Conclusions:A wide variety of tools exist for assessing taste dysfunction in patients with head and neck cancer. Tool selection should be based on clinical context and patient characteristics. Future work should develop disease-specific, locally adapted instruments aligned with the features of head and neck cancer.

Objective:To compare the clinical characteristics of patients with drug-induced liver injury (DILI) caused by Polygonum multiflorum and other drug-induced liver injuries (DILI).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data of seventy-three cases confirmedly diagnosed with DILI caused by Polygonum multiflorum, 168 cases diagnosed with DILI caused by other traditional Chinese medicines, and 225 cases diagnosed with DILI caused by modern medicines admitted to Peking University First Hospital, the Fipth People's Hospital of Wuxi, Yantai Qishan Hospital, and Qinhuangdao Third Hospital from January 1995 to August 2019 were selected and collected as the research subjects. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of skewed distribution of continuous data between two groups. The Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test was used for comparison between three groups. The χ2 test was used for comparing count data between groups. Results:Among the 73 cases with DILI caused by Polygonum multiflorum, 11 (15.1%) took a single herb of Polygonum multiflorum (including its powder and boiled water), 37 (50.7%) took traditional Chinese patent medicines containing Polygonum multiflorum, and 25 (34.2%) took a traditional Chinese medicine formula containing Polygonum multiflorum. The age of the DILI group caused by Polygonum multiflorum was 48 years old, which was lower than the other two groups (the DILI group caused by other traditional Chinese medicines: 55 years old, the DILI group caused by modern medicines: 52 years old; P<0.01). The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase were all higher than the other two groups ( P<0.05). The proportion of patients with antinuclear antibody positivity rate and severity of liver damage grade 3 was higher in the DILI group induced by Polygonum multiflorum than those in the modern drug-induced DILI group ( P<0.05). The liver cell injury type accounted for 96.6% (57/59) in the DILI group caused by Polygonum multiflorum, which was higher than that in the modern drug-induced DILI group (69.3%, 156/225) ( P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05) in gender, age, medication duration, and various biochemical indicators between patients with DILI caused by Polygonum multiflorum monotherapy and compound preparations in terms of compatibility. The ALT level in the DILI group caused by raw Polygonum multiflorum was higher than that in the DILI group caused by processed Polygonum multiflorum [the DILI group caused by raw Polygonum multiflorum: 1 289.0(921.8, 1 851.8)U/L, the DILI group caused by processed Polygonum multiflorum: 890.0(304.0,1 320.0)U/L; P<0.05] according to the comparison of processing methods. Conclusion:The degree of DILI caused by Polygonum multiflorum is more obvious than that caused by other drugs. There was no difference in the degree of DILI caused by the single and the compound formulation. However, the liver damage caused by raw Polygonum multiflorum was more severe than that caused by processed Polygonum multiflorum.

Objective:To investigate feedback on teaching effectiveness and optimization strategies for flipped classrooms in pediatric probation of eight-year clinical medicine programs, and to provide insights for enhancing the educational quality of pediatric probation.Methods:From June to September 2022, eight-year clinical medicine students from the class of 2018 undergoing pediatric probation were included in the study using purposive sampling. The subjects participated in one-on-one, offline, semi-structured, in-depth interviews to provide feedback on traditional lectures and flipped classroom teaching. The sample size was determined based on the principle of data saturation, with nine students participating in-depth interviews. NVivo 12 software was used for coding and classifying the interview data, which were then analyzed using thematic framework analysis to identify key themes.Results:Analysis of the interview data revealed three themes and ten sub-themes. Specifically, theme 1: The flipped classroom enhanced learning effectiveness but increased students' workload; theme 2: The current pediatric probation was scientifically designed but could be improved; theme 3: Several strategies exist for optimizing the flipped classroom teaching in pediatric probation.Conclusions:The flipped classroom in pediatric probation is in its early stages. While offering some benefits, further exploration and optimization are needed in curriculum design, student motivation, and supervision and evaluation methods.

Objective To explore the influencing factors of physical activity behavior change in lung cancer patients and provide a basis for developing targeted intervention programs.Methods A descriptive qualitative research method was employed.Using purposive sampling,18 lung cancer pa-tients and 10 healthcare professionals were selected for semi-structured interviews from October to De-cember 2023.The health action process approach(HAPA)theory was used as the framework,and directed content analysis was applied to analyze the data.Results The barriers to physical activity behavior change in lung cancer patients were distilled into six themes:insufficient risk perception,negative outcome expectations,self-doubt and behavior avoidance tendencies,challenges in persist-ence and risk of interruption,lack of behavioral intention and demand,and absence of action and coping plans.The facilitating factors were divided into six themes:perception of the potential hazards of insufficient physical activity,perception of the health benefits of physical activity,cultivation and development of self-efficacy,stimulation of motivation for activity,formulation of differentiated activity plans,and formulation of adaptive coping plans.Conclusion Physical activity behavior in lung cancer patients is influenced by multiple factors.Targeted intervention strategies can be developed based on the HAPA theory to promote physical activity behavior change and improve physical activity levels.

Protrusive facial deformities, characterized by the forward displacement of the teeth and/or jaws beyond the normal range, affect a considerable portion of the population. The manifestations and morphological mechanisms of protrusive facial deformities are complex and diverse, requiring orthodontists to possess a high level of theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the relevant orthodontic field. To further optimize the correction of protrusive facial deformities, this consensus proposes that the morphological mechanisms and diagnosis of protrusive facial deformities should be analyzed and judged from multiple dimensions and factors to accurately formulate treatment plans. It emphasizes the use of orthodontic strategies, including jaw growth modification, tooth extraction or non-extraction for anterior teeth retraction, and maxillofacial vertical control. These strategies aim to reduce anterior teeth and lip protrusion, increase chin prominence, harmonize nasolabial and chin-lip relationships, and improve the facial profile of patients with protrusive facial deformities. For severe skeletal protrusive facial deformities, orthodontic-orthognathic combined treatment may be suggested. This consensus summarizes the theoretical knowledge and clinical experience of numerous renowned oral experts nationwide, offering reference strategies for the correction of protrusive facial deformities.
Humans ; Orthodontics, Corrective/methods* ; Consensus ; Malocclusion/therapy* ; Patient Care Planning ; Cephalometry

Enamel demineralization, the formation of white spot lesions, is a common issue in clinical orthodontic treatment. The appearance of white spot lesions not only affects the texture and health of dental hard tissues but also impacts the health and aesthetics of teeth after orthodontic treatment. The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of white spot lesions that occur throughout the orthodontic treatment process involve multiple dental specialties. This expert consensus will focus on providing guiding opinions on the management and prevention of white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment, advocating for proactive prevention, early detection, timely treatment, scientific follow-up, and multidisciplinary management of white spot lesions throughout the orthodontic process, thereby maintaining the dental health of patients during orthodontic treatment.
Humans ; Consensus ; Dental Caries/etiology* ; Dental Enamel/pathology* ; Tooth Demineralization/etiology* ; Tooth Remineralization

Objective:To investigate feedback on teaching effectiveness and optimization strategies for flipped classrooms in pediatric probation of eight-year clinical medicine programs, and to provide insights for enhancing the educational quality of pediatric probation.Methods:From June to September 2022, eight-year clinical medicine students from the class of 2018 undergoing pediatric probation were included in the study using purposive sampling. The subjects participated in one-on-one, offline, semi-structured, in-depth interviews to provide feedback on traditional lectures and flipped classroom teaching. The sample size was determined based on the principle of data saturation, with nine students participating in-depth interviews. NVivo 12 software was used for coding and classifying the interview data, which were then analyzed using thematic framework analysis to identify key themes.Results:Analysis of the interview data revealed three themes and ten sub-themes. Specifically, theme 1: The flipped classroom enhanced learning effectiveness but increased students' workload; theme 2: The current pediatric probation was scientifically designed but could be improved; theme 3: Several strategies exist for optimizing the flipped classroom teaching in pediatric probation.Conclusions:The flipped classroom in pediatric probation is in its early stages. While offering some benefits, further exploration and optimization are needed in curriculum design, student motivation, and supervision and evaluation methods.