1.Research progress on the bidirectional association between periodontal disease and depression/anxiety
WANG Liwen ; CAI Yutai ; RUAN Yaru ; ZHANG Fan ; YU Hongmei ; GAO Yanhui
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(3):281-291
There are practical and cost-effective opportunities for the prevention and early intervention of periodontal disease, a common oral condition. Depression and anxiety represent major global mental health challenges, and they are characterized by high prevalence rates and an elevated suicide risk. Their clinical management is complicated by extended treatment timelines and substantial healthcare costs. Accumulating evidence demonstrates a statistically significant bidirectional association between periodontal disease and depression/anxiety disorders. However, established clinical pathways integrating these conditions remain lacking. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of current research examining the relationship between periodontal disease and mood disorders, specifically depression and anxiety. This study explored the bidirectional mechanisms within the microbiota-oral-brain axis, which includes both periodontal disease inducing neuroinflammation through pro-inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) activating the TLR-4/NF-κB signaling pathway, and depression and anxiety leading to “glucocorticoid resistance” through hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, thus causing dual immune dysfunction that exacerbates periodontal tissue destruction, as well as the mechanisms by which biological, psychological, and social factors contribute to the bidirectional association between periodontal disease and depression/anxiety. We propose implementing bidirectional referral protocols between dental and psychiatric services in clinical practice, incorporating mental health screening tools, such as Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7(GAD-7), for patients with moderate-to-severe periodontal disease, and incorporating periodontal examination into routine assessment during psychiatric services. This multidisciplinary approach aims to break the vicious circle between these conditions and provide clinicians with pragmatic intervention strategies.
2.Effect of miRNA-381-3p/MuRF1 axis on cardiopulmonary injury in mice with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension
Bin WU ; Zigeng YANG ; Ling JIN ; Jing ZHANG ; Hongmei WEI ; Bingbing CAI ; Yuying WEI
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(6):571-577
Objective To explore the effect of microRNA-381-3p(miR-381-3p)/MuRF1 axis on cardiopulmonary injury in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension(HPH)mice and its potential mechanisms.Methods Sixty mice were randomly assigned to four groups:the normal control group(NC),the hypobaric hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension(HPH)group,the HPH+agomir control group and the HPH+miR-381-3p agomir analog group(HPH+miR-381-3p agomir),with 15 mice in each group.The HPH mouse model was established using a low-pressure and hypoxic artificial chamber.Three weeks prior to the establishment of the HPH model,miR-381-3p agomir and its corresponding control agomir were prepared by dissolving them in RNA-free phosphate-buffered saline(PBS)according to the experimental requirements.These solutions were administered via tail vein injection at a dose of 10 mg/kg,twice weekly for three consecutive weeks.Right heart function was assessed using echocardiography.Right ventricular systolic pressure(RVSP)was measured via cardiac catheterization.Pulmonary vascular remodeling was evaluated through hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Levels of inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Real-time quantitative fluorescent PCR(RT-qPCR)was employed to analyze the mRNA expression levels of miR-381-3p and MuRF1.Potential targets of miR-381-3p were predicted,and pathway enrichment analysis was conducted.A dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to confirm the direct regulatory effect of miR-381-3p on MuRF1.Results Compared with the NC group,the mRNA expression of miR-381-3p was significantly decreased in both the HPH group and the HPH+agomir control group,whereas the mRNA expression of MuRF1 was significantly increased(P<0.05).In contrast,compared with the HPH group and the HPH+agomir control group,the mRNA expression of miR-381-3p was significantly increased in the HPH+miR-381-3p agomir group,while the mRNA expression of MuRF1 was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Additionally,compared with the NC group,RVSP,right ventricular anterior wall thickness(RVAW),right ventricular hypertrophy index(RVHI),right ventricular collagen volume fraction(CVF),distal pulmonary artery wall thickness ratio(WT),pulmonary artery wall area ratio(WA),as well as IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α levels in alveolar lavage fluid were significantly increased in the HPH group and the HPH+agomir control group,whereas the right ventricular diameter(RVID)was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conversely,compared with the HPH group and the HPH+agomir control group,RVSP,RVAW,RVHI,right ventricular CVF,WT,Wa and RVID were decreased in the HPH+miR-381-3p agomir group,and IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α levels of alveolar lavage fluid were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Furthermore,the downstream target genes of miR-381-3p were predicted in the database,and MuRF1 was a potential target,and the Cytoskeleton in muscle cells ranked first in the significant enrichment of target genes.Compared with WT-MuRF1+mimic control group,the luciferase activity was decreased in the WT-MuRF1+miR-381-3p mimic group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the luciferase activity between the Mut-MuRF1+mimic control group and the Mut-MuRF1+miR-381-3p mimic group.Conclusion Overexpression of miR-381-3p can improve cardiopulmonary injury in HPH mice,and the mechanism may be related to the targeted inhibition of MuRF1 by miR-381-3p.
3.Research progress on PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal cancer
Liji CHEN ; Hongmei MA ; Shifa ZHANG ; Kaize ZHONG ; Dongbao YANG ; Jiuhe SUN ; Hongfeng LIU ; Ru SONG ; Jishan ZHANG ; Haibo CAI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):714-721
Esophageal cancer is one of the malignant tumors that poses a threat to human health, with both high incidence and malignancy. Currently, surgery following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer; however, the long-term prognosis remains unsatisfactory. In recent years, inhibitors of programmed death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (programmed death ligand-1, PD-L1) have achieved breakthrough progress in other solid tumors, and research on esophageal cancer is gradually being conducted. With the demonstration of good efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the first-line and second-line treatment of advanced unresectable esophageal cancer, their incorporation into neoadjuvant treatment regimens has become a hot topic. Therefore, this article reviews the mechanism of action of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and their application in the neoadjuvant treatment of esophageal cancer.
4.Network Pharmacology Study of Tongguanteng Injection Inhibits the Proliferation and Migration in Cervical Cancer Cells via Targeting FGF2/MAPK
Dongxu ZHU ; Zhaoying CAI ; Jie XIANG ; Ruoyu ZHOU ; Qiong XU ; Yayun QIAN ; Hongmei LU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(4):1179-1187
Objective To explore the targets and mechanisms of Tongguanteng Injection in inhibiting the proliferation and migration of cervical cancer.Methods The biological activity of Tongguanteng Injection in inhibiting human cervical cancer SiHa cells was determined by MTT method.Detecting the effect of Tongguanteng Injection on SiHa cell migration through wound healing assay.Using network pharmacology to collect the key targets for treating cervical cancer,and perform molecular docking and enrichment analysis on the targets.Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the key proteins to validate the network pharmacology predictions.Result Tongguanteng Injection significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration in a dose-dependent manner in human cervical cancer SiHa cells.Based on the main active ingredients of Marsdenia tenacissima,81 therapeutic targets for cervical cancer were obtained,which may treat cervical cancer by affecting key proteins such as FGF2,MAPK1,and MAPK3.Immunohistochemical results indicated that FGF2,MAPK1 and MAPK3 were expressed in cervical cancer tissues.The western bolt assays showed that Tongguanteng Injection could significantly reduce the FGF2 protein expression.Meanwhile,the MAPK1 and MAPK3 protein expressions were significantly increased.Conclusion Tongguanteng Injection may regulate the FGF2,MAPK1 and MAPK3,effectively impede the proliferation and migration of cervical cancer.
5.Expert consensus on the prevention and treatment of radiochemotherapy-induced oral mucositis.
Juan XIA ; Xiaoan TAO ; Qinchao HU ; Wei LUO ; Xiuzhen TONG ; Gang ZHOU ; Hongmei ZHOU ; Hong HUA ; Guoyao TANG ; Tong WU ; Qianming CHEN ; Yuan FAN ; Xiaobing GUAN ; Hongwei LIU ; Chaosu HU ; Yongmei ZHOU ; Xuemin SHEN ; Lan WU ; Xin ZENG ; Qing LIU ; Renchuan TAO ; Yuan HE ; Yang CAI ; Wenmei WANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Yingfang WU ; Minhai NIE ; Xin JIN ; Xiufeng WEI ; Yongzhan NIE ; Changqing YUAN ; Bin CHENG
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):54-54
Radiochemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (OM) is a common oral complication in patients with tumors following head and neck radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Erosion and ulcers are the main features of OM that seriously affect the quality of life of patients and even the progress of tumor treatment. To date, differences in clinical prevention and treatment plans for OM have been noted among doctors of various specialties, which has increased the uncertainty of treatment effects. On the basis of current research evidence, this expert consensus outlines risk factors, clinical manifestations, clinical grading, ancillary examinations, diagnostic basis, prevention and treatment strategies and efficacy indicators for OM. In addition to strategies such as basic oral care, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents, anti-infective agents, pro-healing agents, and photobiotherapy recommended in previous guidelines, we also emphasize the role of traditional Chinese medicine in OM prevention and treatment. This expert consensus aims to provide references and guidance for dental physicians and oncologists in formulating strategies for OM prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, standardizing clinical practice, reducing OM occurrence, promoting healing, and improving the quality of life of patients.
Humans
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Chemoradiotherapy/adverse effects*
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Consensus
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Risk Factors
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Stomatitis/etiology*
6.Effects of Multiple Lifestyle Factors on Cardiovascular Biological Aging and Their Relative Contributions
Jiajie CAI ; Ning ZHANG ; Yi XIANG ; Hongmei ZHANG ; Xiong XIAO
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(5):1357-1364
Objective To investigate the association between healthy lifestyle factors and cardiovascular biological aging,as well as the relative contributions of different lifestyle factors.Methods Based on the clinical biochemical data and anthropometric data from the baseline survey of the UK Biobank(UKB),the Klemera-Doubal method(KDM)was used to establish cardiovascular biological age(CBA),and CBA acceleration was calculated accordingly.Multiple linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between healthy lifestyle factors and CBA acceleration.Then,the Quantile g-computation(QGC)was applied to evaluate the relative contributions of different lifestyle factors to CBA acceleration,with further analyses conducted separately for male and female populations.Additionally,stratified analyses were performed based on age,sex,body mass index(BMI),racial background,and family history of cardiovascular diseases to examine population heterogeneity.Results A total of 251 478 participants were included in the study.Both the overall healthy lifestyle score and each of the 7 lifestyle factors were negatively associated with CBA acceleration(overall lifestyle score:β=-0.75,95%CI:-0.77 to-0.73).Regarding the relative contributions of different lifestyle factors,alcohol consumption and diet accounted for the highest proportions(25.8%and 25.7%,respectively).However,there were differences by sex—alcohol consumption contributed the most in men(29.5%),followed by diet(23.0%),while in women,diet contributed the most(34.5%)and alcohol consumption accounted for a relatively low proportion(5.5%).Stratified analyses suggested that sex,BMI,and race might be potential effect modifiers.Conclusion Lifestyle factors,as modifiable behaviors,can slow the rate of cardiovascular biological aging.Among these factors,alcohol consumption and diet may represent effective targets for intervention.
7.Analysis of clinical,imaging and pathological features of 123 cases of Kikuchi-Fu-jimoto disease
Jiaodi CAI ; Binshen OUYANG ; Chang ZENG ; Anqi LI ; Yuxiu ZHANG ; Haimin XU ; Guoqun CHEN ; Chaofu WANG ; Hongmei YI
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(4):458-463
Purpose To investigate the clinical,imaging,and pathological features of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease(KFD).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 123 pathologically confirmed KFD cases.Clinical and imaging data were collected,and histopathological features were evaluated using HE staining,immunohistochemistry,in situ hybridization for EBER,and molecular analyses(TCR/Ig gene rearrangements by PCR with capillary electro-phoresis).Results Among the 123 patients,the male-to-female ratio was 1∶2,with a median age of 30 years.All patients presented with lymphadenopathy.Among 30 hospitalized patients,63.3%(19/30)had fever,and 23.3%(7/30)had concurrent autoimmune diseases.Of the 12 patients who underwent PET-CT,91.7%(11/12)were sus-pected of malignancy,prompting biopsy recommendations.Among 47 consultation cases,27.7%(13/47)were ini-tially misdiagnosed as lymphoma.Histopathological examination revealed proliferative,necrotic,and xanthomatous phases,which coexisted or occurred independently.The proliferative phase was characterized by atypical lymphocytes and histiocytes,the necrotic phase by abundant eosinophilic fibrin deposits and nuclear debris,and the xanthomatous phase by clusters of foam-like histiocytes.Immunohistochemically analyses revealed that atypical lymphocytes were neg-ative for CD20,CD4,and CD56 but positive for CD3,CD8,TIA1,Granzyme B,and Perforin.Histiocytes expressed CD68,CD163,and MPO,while CD123-positive plasmacytoid dendritic cells were predominantly located around the le-sions and blood vessels.EBER was positive in individual cells in 4 cases.TCR gene rearrangement was positive in 2 cases and suspected positive in 3 cases,while Ig rearrangement was positive and suspected positive in 1 case each.Conclusion KFD exhibits clinical,imaging,and pathological features that can mimic lymphoma,highlighting the im-portance of accurate diagnosis to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
8.Network Pharmacology Study of Tongguanteng Injection Inhibits the Proliferation and Migration in Cervical Cancer Cells via Targeting FGF2/MAPK
Dongxu ZHU ; Zhaoying CAI ; Jie XIANG ; Ruoyu ZHOU ; Qiong XU ; Yayun QIAN ; Hongmei LU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(4):1179-1187
Objective To explore the targets and mechanisms of Tongguanteng Injection in inhibiting the proliferation and migration of cervical cancer.Methods The biological activity of Tongguanteng Injection in inhibiting human cervical cancer SiHa cells was determined by MTT method.Detecting the effect of Tongguanteng Injection on SiHa cell migration through wound healing assay.Using network pharmacology to collect the key targets for treating cervical cancer,and perform molecular docking and enrichment analysis on the targets.Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the key proteins to validate the network pharmacology predictions.Result Tongguanteng Injection significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration in a dose-dependent manner in human cervical cancer SiHa cells.Based on the main active ingredients of Marsdenia tenacissima,81 therapeutic targets for cervical cancer were obtained,which may treat cervical cancer by affecting key proteins such as FGF2,MAPK1,and MAPK3.Immunohistochemical results indicated that FGF2,MAPK1 and MAPK3 were expressed in cervical cancer tissues.The western bolt assays showed that Tongguanteng Injection could significantly reduce the FGF2 protein expression.Meanwhile,the MAPK1 and MAPK3 protein expressions were significantly increased.Conclusion Tongguanteng Injection may regulate the FGF2,MAPK1 and MAPK3,effectively impede the proliferation and migration of cervical cancer.
9.Analysis of clinical,imaging and pathological features of 123 cases of Kikuchi-Fu-jimoto disease
Jiaodi CAI ; Binshen OUYANG ; Chang ZENG ; Anqi LI ; Yuxiu ZHANG ; Haimin XU ; Guoqun CHEN ; Chaofu WANG ; Hongmei YI
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(4):458-463
Purpose To investigate the clinical,imaging,and pathological features of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease(KFD).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 123 pathologically confirmed KFD cases.Clinical and imaging data were collected,and histopathological features were evaluated using HE staining,immunohistochemistry,in situ hybridization for EBER,and molecular analyses(TCR/Ig gene rearrangements by PCR with capillary electro-phoresis).Results Among the 123 patients,the male-to-female ratio was 1∶2,with a median age of 30 years.All patients presented with lymphadenopathy.Among 30 hospitalized patients,63.3%(19/30)had fever,and 23.3%(7/30)had concurrent autoimmune diseases.Of the 12 patients who underwent PET-CT,91.7%(11/12)were sus-pected of malignancy,prompting biopsy recommendations.Among 47 consultation cases,27.7%(13/47)were ini-tially misdiagnosed as lymphoma.Histopathological examination revealed proliferative,necrotic,and xanthomatous phases,which coexisted or occurred independently.The proliferative phase was characterized by atypical lymphocytes and histiocytes,the necrotic phase by abundant eosinophilic fibrin deposits and nuclear debris,and the xanthomatous phase by clusters of foam-like histiocytes.Immunohistochemically analyses revealed that atypical lymphocytes were neg-ative for CD20,CD4,and CD56 but positive for CD3,CD8,TIA1,Granzyme B,and Perforin.Histiocytes expressed CD68,CD163,and MPO,while CD123-positive plasmacytoid dendritic cells were predominantly located around the le-sions and blood vessels.EBER was positive in individual cells in 4 cases.TCR gene rearrangement was positive in 2 cases and suspected positive in 3 cases,while Ig rearrangement was positive and suspected positive in 1 case each.Conclusion KFD exhibits clinical,imaging,and pathological features that can mimic lymphoma,highlighting the im-portance of accurate diagnosis to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
10.Effect of miRNA-381-3p/MuRF1 axis on cardiopulmonary injury in mice with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension
Bin WU ; Zigeng YANG ; Ling JIN ; Jing ZHANG ; Hongmei WEI ; Bingbing CAI ; Yuying WEI
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(6):571-577
Objective To explore the effect of microRNA-381-3p(miR-381-3p)/MuRF1 axis on cardiopulmonary injury in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension(HPH)mice and its potential mechanisms.Methods Sixty mice were randomly assigned to four groups:the normal control group(NC),the hypobaric hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension(HPH)group,the HPH+agomir control group and the HPH+miR-381-3p agomir analog group(HPH+miR-381-3p agomir),with 15 mice in each group.The HPH mouse model was established using a low-pressure and hypoxic artificial chamber.Three weeks prior to the establishment of the HPH model,miR-381-3p agomir and its corresponding control agomir were prepared by dissolving them in RNA-free phosphate-buffered saline(PBS)according to the experimental requirements.These solutions were administered via tail vein injection at a dose of 10 mg/kg,twice weekly for three consecutive weeks.Right heart function was assessed using echocardiography.Right ventricular systolic pressure(RVSP)was measured via cardiac catheterization.Pulmonary vascular remodeling was evaluated through hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Levels of inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Real-time quantitative fluorescent PCR(RT-qPCR)was employed to analyze the mRNA expression levels of miR-381-3p and MuRF1.Potential targets of miR-381-3p were predicted,and pathway enrichment analysis was conducted.A dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to confirm the direct regulatory effect of miR-381-3p on MuRF1.Results Compared with the NC group,the mRNA expression of miR-381-3p was significantly decreased in both the HPH group and the HPH+agomir control group,whereas the mRNA expression of MuRF1 was significantly increased(P<0.05).In contrast,compared with the HPH group and the HPH+agomir control group,the mRNA expression of miR-381-3p was significantly increased in the HPH+miR-381-3p agomir group,while the mRNA expression of MuRF1 was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Additionally,compared with the NC group,RVSP,right ventricular anterior wall thickness(RVAW),right ventricular hypertrophy index(RVHI),right ventricular collagen volume fraction(CVF),distal pulmonary artery wall thickness ratio(WT),pulmonary artery wall area ratio(WA),as well as IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α levels in alveolar lavage fluid were significantly increased in the HPH group and the HPH+agomir control group,whereas the right ventricular diameter(RVID)was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conversely,compared with the HPH group and the HPH+agomir control group,RVSP,RVAW,RVHI,right ventricular CVF,WT,Wa and RVID were decreased in the HPH+miR-381-3p agomir group,and IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α levels of alveolar lavage fluid were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Furthermore,the downstream target genes of miR-381-3p were predicted in the database,and MuRF1 was a potential target,and the Cytoskeleton in muscle cells ranked first in the significant enrichment of target genes.Compared with WT-MuRF1+mimic control group,the luciferase activity was decreased in the WT-MuRF1+miR-381-3p mimic group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the luciferase activity between the Mut-MuRF1+mimic control group and the Mut-MuRF1+miR-381-3p mimic group.Conclusion Overexpression of miR-381-3p can improve cardiopulmonary injury in HPH mice,and the mechanism may be related to the targeted inhibition of MuRF1 by miR-381-3p.


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