1.Effects of oral microbiota and immune cells on oral leukoplakia: a Mendelian randomization and mediation analysis
WANG Yongkang ; GUAN Cuiqiang ; GUO Hongbo
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(2):129-138
Objective:
To assess the causal association between specific oral microbiota and the risk of oral leukoplakia (OLK) using a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, and to elucidate the potential mediating role of immune cells.
Methods:
Summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of the oral microbiome, GWAS data for immune cell phenotypes, and GWAS summary statistics for OLK from FinnGen were used. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was adopted as the primary approach, and it was supplemented by MR Egger regression, simple mode, weighted median, and weighted mode methods for additional analyses, to investigate the causal relationship between 3 117 types of tongue coating and salivary microbiota, as well as 731 immune cell traits, and OLK. Furthermore, a two-step MR approach was applied to explore the potential mediating role of immune cells in the association between oral microbiota and OLK.
Results:
IVW analysis revealed causal associations between 15 oral microbial genera and OLK. Among these, Streptococcus, Neisseria, and Catonella were associated with a reduced risk of OLK, with Fusobacterium showing the most significant protective effect (OR = 0.41, P = 0.023). In contrast, genera, including Microbacterium, Campylobacter, and Haemophilus_A, were linked to an increased risk of OLK, with Lancefieldella exhibiting the strongest risk effect (OR = 2.66, P = 0.006). Eleven immune cell phenotypes with potential causal associations with OLK were identified, including four protective and seven risk-increasing factors. Mediation analysis further identified four key mediating pathways: pathogenic genera, particularly Campylobacter_A and Lancefieldella, may promote the development and progression of OLK by upregulating highly activated pro-inflammatory immune subsets such as activated monocytes, B cells, and myeloid cells. Conversely, the potentially protective genus Catonella appeared to exert inhibitory effects on OLK by significantly downregulating dendritic cell subsets.
Conclusion
This study is the first to reveal, at the genetic level, causal pathways through which specific oral microbial genera influence the risk of OLK by mediating immune cell responses. These findings provide novel insights into the immunopathological mechanisms underlying OLK and offer potential targets for intervention strategies aimed at modulating specific microbial genera or immune cell subsets.
2.Expert consensus on the construction of integrated outpatient clinic for cervical cancer prevention and treatment in General Hospitals
Nan YU ; Dongli KONG ; Lei WANG ; Yihan LU ; Hongbo WANG ; Dongru LIU ; Ling PENG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(2):1-6
Objective To implement the disease prevention and control strategy of being "proactive and grassroots-focused," and to enhance the overall effectiveness of general hospitals in the tertiary prevention of cervical cancer, this consensus aims to provide an actionable guiding framework for the standardized construction of "Integrated Outpatient Clinics for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control" in general hospitals at all levels. Methods This consensus systematically elaborates on the specific elements for establishing such integrated clinics and formulates the corresponding standards. Results It is anticipated that the consensus will promote the establishment of standardized, homogeneous, and high-efficiency frontline positions for cervical cancer prevention and control within general hospitals, thereby contributing to the strategic vision of accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer. Conclusion The formulation and promotion of the consensus aim to provide robust clinical practice support for accelerating the realization of China's strategic vision of eliminating cervical cancer.
3.Study on microwave radiation aggravating the impairment of cognitive functions in mice with experimental periodontitis
ZHOU Hongjin ; WANG Jianhui ; LIU Lin ; LI Hongbo
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(6):541-545
Objective:
To explore the effects of microwave radiation on cognitive function and neuroinflammation in mice with experimental periodontitis, providing experimental evidence for understanding how environmental exposure may be linked to the risk of neurodegenerative diseases by modulating chronic inflammation as a shared pathological mechanism
Methods:
This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences. C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a control group (C group, untreated), a microwave radiation group (R group, exposed to microwave radiation only), a periodontitis group (P group, ligation-induced periodontitis only), and a periodontitis + microwave radiation group (PR group, ligation-induced periodontitis plus microwave radiation exposure). A periodontitis model was established using the silk ligation method. Eight weeks after modeling, the R and PR groups were subjected to whole-body microwave radiation at 2 800 MHz and 10 mW/cm2 for 10 h/day for 7 consecutive days. Behavioral tests were conducted: the open field test and elevated plus maze test were used to assess anxiety-like behavior, the Y-maze test to evaluate spatial memory, and the novel object recognition test to assess learning and memory abilities. Micro-CT, hematoxylin & eosin staining (HE), and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were used to analyze periodontal tissue pathology and local inflammation. Serum and brain levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The composition of the oral microbiota was analyzed based on 16S rRNA sequencing.
Results:
Behavioral tests showed that anxiety-like behavior was significantly exacerbated in the R and PR groups, and spatial and recognition memory impairments in the PR and P groups were more severe compared with the R and C groups, respectively (P < 0.05). Histological and molecular biological analyses revealed that periodontal inflammation infiltration, alveolar bone resorption, and local expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) were further exacerbated in the PR and P groups compared with the R and C groups, respectively (P < 0.05). ELISA results showed that in serum, LPS levels in group P and group PR were increased compared with group C and group R, respectively. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in group PR were significantly higher than those in group P and group R, with a synergistic increase in TNF-α level (P < 0.05). In brain tissue, LPS and TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 levels in group P were significantly higher than those in group C; all the above indicators in group PR were significantly higher than those in group P and group R, and LPS and IL-6 levels showed a synergistic increase (P < 0.05). Oral microbiota analysis found that microwave radiation further reduced microbial diversity on the basis of periodontitis, leading to increased relative abundances of Lactobacillus and Enterococcus, and decreased relative abundances of Staphylococcus. Correlation analysis confirmed that these differential bacterial genera were positively correlated with brain inflammation levels and negatively correlated with cognitive function indicators.
Conclusion
Microwave radiation exposure can exacerbate cognitive impairment in mice with experimental periodontitis, and its mechanism may be related to aggravated local periodontal damage, disruption of oral microbiota homeostasis, and subsequent induction of systemic and central neuroinflammatory cascades.
4.The dual regulatory effect of locoregional therapy on the tumor immune microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma: Mechanisms and combined treatment strategies
Enyu WANG ; Hongbo WANG ; Liou ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(5):1198-1203
Locoregional therapy (LRT), including transarterial chemoembolization, transarterial radioembolization, and various ablation techniques, is an important treatment method for hepatocellular carcinoma. Many studies in recent years have confirmed that LRT has a dual regulatory effect on tumor immune microenvironment. While LRT induces immunogenic cell death, activates dendritic cell-mediated and T cell-driven immunity, and triggers systemic antitumor responses, it concomitantly upregulates the adenosine signaling pathway, promotes the accumulation of TREM2+ macrophages, and enhances the expression of immunosuppressive factors, thereby forming an immunosuppressive microenvironment. At present, the combination of LRT and immune checkpoint inhibitors has shown a promising future and has promoted the exploration of novel targets within treatment-associated immunosuppressive pathways, such as adenosine, TREM2⁺ macrophages, and IL-6. This article summarizes the dual regulatory effect of LRT on immune microenvironment and highlights that multi-omics techniques and clinical trials should be used in the future to decipher its dynamic alterations, in order to optimize combination strategies, realize individualized precise treatment, and improve the prognosis of patients.
5.Spatiotemporal characteristics of diesel exhaust particle pollution in confined space and impacts of ventilation and airflow: A laboratory simulation study
Zheyu HUANG ; Jian ZHANG ; Lihua HE ; Wenchu HUANG ; Zihui LI ; Bilige HASEN ; Hongbo WANG ; Yun WANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(7):814-821
Background Diesel engines are widely used in transportation, agriculture, construction, industry, and other fields. Diesel exhaust, classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, emits particles (DEP) that can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, posing significant health risks. DEP pollution is particularly severe in confined environments, necessitating effective control measures. Objective Under laboratory simulation conditions, to explore the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of the mass and number concentrations of DEP as it diffuses indoors and to reveal the effects of ventilation and additional airflow on indoor DEP pollution levels. Methods A diesel engine was placed in a laboratory (length 3.39 m × width 2.85 m × height 2.4 m) with its exhaust emitted from east to west. An air purifier was installed 1 m south of the engine. Eight measurement points (1 m horizontal distance from the exhaust outlet, height: 1 m/1.5 m) were setup to monitor DEP concentrations using portable laser particle sizers. The effects of engine power (4.05 kW vs. 5.15 kW), ventilation (maximum airflow: 600 m3·h−1), additional airflow intensity (low and high), and direction (forward/reverse) on DEP pollution were analyzed. DEP levels of 5 diesel vehicle models were also compared. Results The mass and number concentrations of DEP indoors increased immediately after the diesel engine started. The peak mass concentration time at the eastern measurement point (−1, 0) m opposite to the exhaust direction (17.70 min) was significantly longer than that at the western (1, 0) m (16.20 min), southern (0, -1) m (14.45 min), and northern (0, 1) m (12.70 min) points (P<0.05), with no significant differences between the other points (western, southern, and northern) (P>0.05). The northern point (0, 1) m exhibited the highest DEP mass and number concentration peaks (174.62 μg·m−3,
6.Applicability study of CT pulmonary angiography in evaluating treatment effect after balloon pulmonary angioplasty in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Zhihui LU ; Chen ZHANG ; Jun WAN ; Yao XIAO ; Lei ZHAO ; Guanyu LU ; Hongbo ZHANG ; Lanling WANG ; Xiaohai MA
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(4):447-453
Objective:To investigate whether changes in CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) parameters before and after balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) are correlated with treatment effects in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted, including patients with CTEPH who underwent BPA treatment at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from November 2021 to Febbruary 2024. Clinical data and CTPA parameters were analyzed before the initial BPA session and at least 6 months after the final BPA session. Clinical data included WHO functional class, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), and plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels. The CTPA parameters included the widest diameter of the pulmonary artery diameter (dPA), ascending aorta diameter (dAA), the widest transverse diameter of the right atrium (dRA), the widest short-axis diameter of the right ventricle (dRV), the widest short-axis diameter of the left ventricle (dLV), and the diameter of right ventricular free wall thickness(dRVW). Multiple linear regression was applied to identify variables associated with the decrease in mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) among the CTPA parameters.Results:All CTEPH patients underwent a total of 115 BPA treatments. Postoperatively, the WHO functional class of the patients improved compared to preoperative levels ( χ2=5.01, P<0.001), 6MWD improved ( t=4.50, P<0.001), and NT-proBNP levels decreased ( Z=4.47, P<0.001). Hemodynamic parameters, including mPAP, pulmonary vascular resistance, cardiac output, and cardiac index, were significantly improved postoperatively (all P<0.001). CTPA-related parameters, including dPA, dRA, dRV, dRVW, dPA/dAA, dRV/dLV, and dRA/dPA, significantly decreased compared to preoperative values (all P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the decrease in dPA ( β=0.314, P=0.037) and dRA ( β=0.334, P=0.046) were significantly correlated with the improvement in mPAP. Conclusions:Exercise tolerance, hemodynamics, and CTPA parameters in patients with CTEPH significantly improved after BPA treatment. The decrease in dPA and dRA were significantly correlated with the improvement in mPAP, suggesting that CTPA is a potentially novel, objective, effective, and noninvasive method for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of BPA.
7.Fetal intracranial toxoplasmosis: MRI findings in a case report
Yan SONG ; Yunlu MO ; Hongbo PU ; Hongyu YIN ; Xi CHEN ; Qiyan WANG ; Yangmei PU ; Min KANG
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2025;28(10):899-901
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Congenital toxoplasmosis is a common form of intrauterine infection and is associated with severe neurological sequelae such as cerebral palsy and cognitive impairment. This report presented the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of a fetal intracranial toxoplasmosis case, including bilateral ventriculomegaly, multiple intracranial cystic lesions, and parenchymal calcifications, without concurrent retinal abnormalities or hepatosplenomegaly. Post-termination analyses confirmed the presence of T.gondii DNA in amniotic fluid and umbilical venous blood, with histopathology revealing necrosis and eosinophilic infiltration. MRI demonstrates superior soft-tissue resolution in evaluating the extent of cerebral lesions and parenchymal damage, underscoring its diagnostic value in fetal toxoplasmic encephalopathy.
8.Research advances in roles of extrasynaptic GABAA receptors in postpartum depression and premenstrual syndrome
Xiaoli LIU ; Hongbo WANG ; Gang YU ; Ruibin SU
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2025;39(6):462-468
Extrasynaptic γ-aminobutyric acid type A(GABAA)receptors are a class of inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors that are distributed in non-synaptic structures such as cell bodies and dendrites.Extrasynaptic GABAA receptors are heteropentamers usually containing δ-subunit.Changes of δ-subunit expressions can be observed in model animals of postpartum depression and premenstrual syndrome,and δ-/-or δ+/-mice exhibit behavioral phenotypes of postpartum depression,suggesting that extrasynaptic GABAA receptors are involved in the pathogenesis of related diseases.The present review is concerned with the relationship between extrasynaptic GABAA receptors and postpartum depression as well as premenstrual syndrome in general,and the advances in research on drugs targeting extrasynaptic GABAA receptors for the treatment of these two conditions in particular.The article highlights the value of extrasynaptic GABAA receptors as a therapeutic target for female mood disor-ders,and may provide a reference for the development and application of related drugs.
9.Effects of deep hyperthermia on immune function during postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer
Lei ZHAO ; Hongbo WANG ; Wenzhi LIU ; Feng LIN ; Jian YU ; Mingjun SUN ; Baosheng YU ; Yunxiao ZHONG ; Yougang CUI ; Xu ZHANG ; Yupeng YI ; Na WANG ; Daocheng WU ; Chenyang LI ; Pan HU ; Ning FENG
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2025;34(5):461-467
Objective:To explore the effects of deep hyperthermia on chemotherapy-related adverse effects and immune-inflammatory indicators in the patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.Methods:This retrospective study included 52 patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer at the Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University from September 2021 to December 2023. The patients were divided into two groups based on treatment method: the combination group ( n=29) received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy combined with deep hyperthermia, while the chemotherapy group ( n=23) received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy alone. Both groups were treated with the XELOX regimen (oxaliplatin + capecitabine). The degree of bone marrow suppression during treatment was assessed by analyzing peripheral blood parameters, including hemoglobin, leukocyte count, neutrophil count, and platelet count. Immune-inflammatory indicators, including complement, procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), were compared before and after treatment in both groups to evaluate the effects of deep hyperthermia on the immune-inflammatory response. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test (two-tailed) was used to compare bone marrow suppression rates, and the immune-inflammatory indicators between the two groups were compared using t-tests or non-parametric tests, depending on whether the data conformed to a normal distribution. Results:In terms of myelosuppression, the incidence rates of moderate to severe decreases in leukocytes, neutrophils, platelets, and hemoglobin in the combination group were 31%, 31%, 21%, and 14%, respectively, compared to 52%, 61%, 48%, and 9% in the chemotherapy group. The change in PCT levels before and after treatment was significantly greater in the combination group than in the chemotherapy group ( P = 0.010). Both the combination group and the chemotherapy group showed significant reductions in SII, NLR and PLR after treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The change in NLR before and after treatment was significantly greater in the combination group than in the chemotherapy group ( P = 0.031). Conclusions:Deep hyperthermia can alleviate chemotherapy-induced adverse effects such as thrombocytopenia and neutropenia in patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. It also appears to improve the inflammatory response in these patients.
10.Research and progress in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases with metabolic drugs
Min SUN ; Hongya WANG ; Hongbo HE ; Zhiming ZHU ; Peng GAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(7):984-997
Cardiovascular disease(CVD),as one of the diseases with the highest morbidity and mor-tality rates globally,has always been a focus of med-ical research.In recent years,with a deeper under-standing of the pathogenesis of CVD,novel metabol-ic drugs have demonstrated great potential in its treatment.These novel drugs regulate multiple as-pects of cardiovascular metabolism,including reduc-ing blood glucose and lipid levels,inhibiting inflam-matory responses,and protecting vascular endothe-lial cells,thereby providing new strategies for the prevention and treatment of CVD.In terms of lower-ing blood glucose levels,SGLT2 inhibitors,GLP-1 re-ceptor agonists,DPP-4 inhibitors,and Metformin,as clinically commonly used drugs,have been prov-en to be beneficial for the prevention and treat-ment of CVD,regardless of the presence or absence of diabetes.For lipid regulation,PCSK9 inhibitors and Ezetimibe,as newly developed lipid-lowering drugs,not only reduce serum low-density lipopro-tein cholesterol levels but also directly protect the cardiovascular system from damage.The develop-ment and application of these drugs have not only improved the treatment outcomes of CVD but also provided patients with more therapeutic options.


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