1.Antibacterial properties of piezoelectric materials and their applications in stomatology
ZHANG Shujun ; WANG Xiuqing ; HUANG Xiaojing
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(1):86-95
Microbial infections are a prevalent challenge in the prevention and treatment of oral diseases. Antibiotic therapy faces clinical limitations due to its single-target mechanism and tendency to induce resistance with repeated use, necessitating novel antibacterial strategies. Stimuli-responsive antibacterial materials, whose antimicrobial activity can be modulated by external stimuli, offer advantages such as remote controllability, potential for localized precision treatment, and a reduced risk of inducing resistance. Among these materials, mechanical force-triggered piezoelectric materials exhibit significant antibacterial activity in the biomedical field owing to their unique piezoelectric effect, excellent stability, and good biocompatibility. Research has shown that piezoelectric materials can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy in response to external forces, which enables antibacterial effects without requiring an external power source. The underlying mechanisms primarily include direct electric field effects, generation of reactive oxygen species, and immune modulation. Preliminary applications in treating oral infections (e.g., dental caries, periodontitis, and peri-implantitis) have confirmed their stability and biocompatibility, establishing a foundation for clinical translation. However, long-term efficacy and biosafety in the complex oral microenvironment require further validation. Future research should focus on optimizing material preparation protocols to enhance antibacterial efficacy and stability, further investigating the underlying antimicrobial mechanisms, and systematically evaluating their therapeutic outcomes and safety profiles across various types of oral infections. This review summarizes the antibacterial effects, mechanisms, stability, safety, and research progress of piezoelectric materials in the stomatologic field, aiming to provide new insights for further research and application in this area.
2.Short-term efficacy of low-dose transscleral cyclophotocoagulation for persistent ocular hypertension in acute angle-closure glaucoma
Qiaoyun LI ; Yong JIA ; Baike ZHANG ; Xiaojing GUO ; Cong LU ; Xinli WEI ; Xuemin TIAN
International Eye Science 2026;26(4):706-710
AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-dose transscleral cyclophotocoagulation(TSCP)in the management of persistent ocular hypertension after an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma(AACG).METHODS:This retrospective study enrolled patients diagnosed with persistent ocular hypertension after an acute AACG attack at the No.988 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese PLA between September 2023 and September 2024. All patients underwent low-dose TSCP using a semiconductor diode laser. Subsequent cataract surgery combined with goniosynechialysis was performed once intraocular pressure(IOP)was stabilized. Changes in anterior chamber depth(ACD), best-corrected visual acuity(VA), and IOP were compared before and after TSCP, as well as before and after phacoemulsification. Post-TSCP complications were also documented.RESULTS: A total of 21 patients(21 eyes)were enrolled, including 8 males and 13 females, with a mean age of 67.95±7.25 y. Compared with pre-cyclophotocoagulation values, ACD increased significantly at 3 d post-TSCP(1.49±0.18 vs 1.22±0.21 mm; P<0.001). BCVA and IOP decreased significantly at 1 d post-TSCP, pre-phacoemulsification, 1 wk post-phacoemulsification, and 1 mo post-phacoemulsification compared with pre-TSCP IOP(all P<0.01). Regarding postoperative complications, 2 eyes experienced pain on the day of the procedure, 5 eyes developed mild corneal endothelial folds, 2 eyes exhibited moderate anterior chamber inflammatory reaction, and 12 eyes showed shallow ciliary body detachment. No serious complications occurred during the 1-month follow-up period.CONCLUSION:Low-dose TSCP appears to be an effective bridging therapy for patients with persistent ocular hypertension following an AACG attack. It facilitates rapid IOP reduction, alleviates symptoms, and helps preserve visual function with a favorable safety profile, thereby reducing the risks associated with subsequent intraocular surgery.
3.Analysis of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Periodontitis Multimorbidity from Perspective of Abnormal Collateral Theory
Xiaojing GUO ; Jiuli DING ; Hongyuan SUN ; Lei ZHANG ; Min LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):280-287
The multimorbidity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis (PD) has drawn increasing attention, as both conditions are characterized by chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and progressive bone destruction. Modern research confirms that PD is a significant risk factor for RA development, and their coexistence mutually exacerbates disease progression. However, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) currently lacks a systematic theoretical explanation for this complex multimorbid relationship. This study, based on the TCM theory of abnormal collateral, thoroughly examines the intrinsic connection between RA and PD multimorbidity, proposing "abnormal collateral as the pivot, with accumulated toxins eroding bone" as the core TCM pathogenesis. The research elucidates PD as the "origin of abnormal collateral", where its pathogens act as toxic factors that invade the joints through collaterals, triggering RA via mechanisms such as molecular mimicry. The dynamic pathological progression of RA-PD multimorbidity can be described as follows: the displacement of Ying and Wei at the microscopic level manifests as immune hyperactivation, leading to collateral malnutrition; heat-toxins traversing collaterals induce collateral hyperactivity, resulting in pathological angiogenesis; ultimately, toxin accumulation at the pivotal abnormal collateral site erodes bone, activating the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANK) signaling pathway-driven osteoclast differentiation. This theoretical framework innovatively integrates modern findings in oral microbiology, immune-inflammation, and bone metabolism, offering a holistic and dynamic perspective to understand the complexity of multimorbidity. Given the limited efficacy of current periodontal treatments for RA and the scarcity of reported TCM compound interventions for multimorbidity, the abnormal collateral theory proposes a systematic intervention strategy centered on "governing diseases through collaterals and regulating collaterals with herbs", along with TCM therapeutic principles such as "unblocking, clearing, and nourishing collaterals". Potential herbal treatments for multimorbidity are also highlighted. Future research should focus on refining TCM syndrome patterns in multimorbid patients and leveraging omics technologies for deeper exploration, thereby providing a theoretical foundation and research direction for TCM in addressing complex multimorbid conditions.
4.Analysis of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Periodontitis Multimorbidity from Perspective of Abnormal Collateral Theory
Xiaojing GUO ; Jiuli DING ; Hongyuan SUN ; Lei ZHANG ; Min LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):280-287
The multimorbidity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis (PD) has drawn increasing attention, as both conditions are characterized by chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and progressive bone destruction. Modern research confirms that PD is a significant risk factor for RA development, and their coexistence mutually exacerbates disease progression. However, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) currently lacks a systematic theoretical explanation for this complex multimorbid relationship. This study, based on the TCM theory of abnormal collateral, thoroughly examines the intrinsic connection between RA and PD multimorbidity, proposing "abnormal collateral as the pivot, with accumulated toxins eroding bone" as the core TCM pathogenesis. The research elucidates PD as the "origin of abnormal collateral", where its pathogens act as toxic factors that invade the joints through collaterals, triggering RA via mechanisms such as molecular mimicry. The dynamic pathological progression of RA-PD multimorbidity can be described as follows: the displacement of Ying and Wei at the microscopic level manifests as immune hyperactivation, leading to collateral malnutrition; heat-toxins traversing collaterals induce collateral hyperactivity, resulting in pathological angiogenesis; ultimately, toxin accumulation at the pivotal abnormal collateral site erodes bone, activating the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANK) signaling pathway-driven osteoclast differentiation. This theoretical framework innovatively integrates modern findings in oral microbiology, immune-inflammation, and bone metabolism, offering a holistic and dynamic perspective to understand the complexity of multimorbidity. Given the limited efficacy of current periodontal treatments for RA and the scarcity of reported TCM compound interventions for multimorbidity, the abnormal collateral theory proposes a systematic intervention strategy centered on "governing diseases through collaterals and regulating collaterals with herbs", along with TCM therapeutic principles such as "unblocking, clearing, and nourishing collaterals". Potential herbal treatments for multimorbidity are also highlighted. Future research should focus on refining TCM syndrome patterns in multimorbid patients and leveraging omics technologies for deeper exploration, thereby providing a theoretical foundation and research direction for TCM in addressing complex multimorbid conditions.
5.Bacterial community characteristics in water from public baths in Shanghai and their association with Legionella pneumophila contamination based on 16S rRNA sequencing and random forest model
Lisha SHI ; Jian CHEN ; Xiaojing LI ; Yiming ZHENG ; Lijun ZHANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(1):82-88
Background The contamination of public baths with Legionella pneumophila contamination has become a growing public health concern in recent years. However, research on its association with bacterial community characteristics in water samples remains limited. The integration of 16S rRNA sequencing and random forest modeling provides a new approach to elucidate the bacterial community characteristics of public bath water and their association with Legionella pneumophila contamination. Objective To investigate the bacterial community structure and diversity of public bath water in Shanghai, explore the association between Legionella pneumophila contamination and bacterial community characteristics, and identify key bacterial genera associated with contamination, thereby providing a scientific basis for formulating hygiene management regulations for public bath water. Methods From February to March 2023, water samples were collected from ten public baths in Shanghai which were selected based on business scale, regional distribution, and functional differences. Water quality parameters were evaluated, and the samples were categorized into Legionella-positive and Legionella-negative groups based on the detection results of Legionella pneumophila. The bacterial community structure, α-diversity, and β-diversity were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Redundancy analysis (RDA) was employed to examine the relationship between physicochemical factors and bacterial community diversity. A random forest model was employed to identify key bacterial genera distinguishing the two groups, with the importance of genera being evaluated based on the mean decrease accuracy (MDA). Results The oxygen consumption in the Legionella-positive group was significantly lower than that in the Legionella-negative group (mean values: 1.85 mg·L−1 vs. 6.81 mg·L−1, P< 0.05), while no significant differences were observed in other physicochemical indicators. The sequencing results revealed a total of 27 bacterial phyla and 454 bacterial genera, with Proteobacteria (63.00%) being the dominant phylum. The dominant genera included Pelomonas (8.50%), Acidovorax (8.13%), Mycobacterium (7.93%), and Acinetobacter (6.59%). The α-diversity analysis indicated that bacterial community richness (Chao1 and ACE indices) was significantly higher in the Legionella-positive group than in the Legionella-negative group (P<0.01). The β-diversity analysis showed no significant difference in the bacterial community structure between the two groups (P>0.05). The RDA analysis demonstrated that the bacterial community diversity was positively correlated with pH and negatively correlated with oxygen consumption and free residual chlorine. The RDA1 and RDA2 explained 23.92% and 21.30% of the bacterial community diversity, respectively. The random forest model identified 20 key genera significantly influencing the microbial community distribution between the two groups, including unclassified_Bradyrhizobiaceae (MDA=2.42), Meiothermus (MDA=2.37), and Flavihumibacter (MDA=2.26). Conclusion The diversity of bacterial communities in public bath water is influenced by pH, oxygen consumption, and free residual chlorine. Samples contaminated with Legionella pneumophila exhibit greater microbial richness and contain characteristic key bacterial genera that contribute to community differences. Machine learning random forest technology helps identify these distinctive key bacterial genera. The findings provide a basis for carrying out risk early warning strategies in such settings.
6.Construction of a prediction model for systemic inflammatory response syndrome in patients undergoing interventional surgery for type B aortic dissection based on logistic regression and decision tree algorithm
Pingzhen ZHANG ; Guiqin WU ; Yuanyuan FU ; Chunyan LIU ; Qiongyan DUAN ; Xiaojing PAN ; Zhouzhen CHEN ; Xia CHEN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(07):1085-1092
Objective To construct and compare logistic regression and decision tree models for predicting systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in patients with type B aortic dissection (TBAD) after interventional surgery. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of TBAD patients at Peking University Shenzhen Hospital from 2020 to 2024. The patients were divided into a SIRS group and a non SIRS group based on whether SIRS occurred within 24 hours after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of SIRS occurrence in TBAD intervention patients, and a decision tree model was constructed using SPSS Modeler to compare the predictive performance of the two models. Results A total of 742 patients with TBAD were included, including 579 males and 163 females, aged 27-97 (58.85±10.79) years. Within 24 hours after intervention, a total of 506 patients developed SIRS, with an incidence rate of 68.19%. Logistic regression analysis showed that the extensive involvement of the dissection, the surgical time≥2 hours, PET coated stents implanted, serum creatinine, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, monocyte (MONO), neutrophil count levels elevated, estimated glomerular filtration rate and decreased albumin levels were independent risk factors for SIRS (P<0.05). The decision tree model selected a total of 10 explanatory variables and 6 layers with 37 nodes, among which MONO was the most important predictor. The area under the decision tree model curve was 0.829 [95%CI (0.800, 0.856)], which was better than the logistic regression model's 0.690 [95%CI (0.655, 0.723)], and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). Conclusion The incidence of SIRS after TBAD intervention is high, and the decision tree model has better predictive performance than logistic regression. It can identify high-risk patients with higher accuracy and provide a practical tool for early clinical intervention.
7.Anti-Inflammatory Effects of the Triterpenoid Saponin-Enriched Fraction from She Medicine Clematis florida and Exploration of Its Mechanisms in a Rat Model of Cervicitis
Haitao ZHANG ; Yalan WEI ; Xiaojing FAN ; Lu CHEN ; Xudong ZHUANG ; Xinrui WANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(5):616-628
ObjectiveTo investigate the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of the triterpenoid saponin-enriched fraction Fr.B4 from the She medicine Clematis florida (C. florida) in a rat model of phenol-induced cervicitis and to preliminarily explore its potential mechanisms of action. MethodsThirty 6–8-week-old female SPF-grade SD rats were randomly assigned to three groups: control, cervicitis model, and C. florida treatment group, with 10 rats in each group. The model and C. florida treatment groups were induced with cervicitis by vaginal injection of 25% phenol gel (once every 2 d, for a total of three injections), and the vulva and cervix were examined to assess the effectiveness of model establishment. After successful modeling, the C. florida treatment group was administered Fr.B4 at 290 mg/kg daily by gavage (dissolved in normal saline), whereas the model group received an equal volume of normal saline; both treatments continued for 2 weeks. The control group received no modeling procedure and was administered normal saline for 2 weeks. After the last intervention, fresh feces and urine samples were collected from all rats. The rats were euthanized after anesthesia with 40 mg/kg Zoletil 50, and the serum and cervical tissue samples were harvested. ELISA was used to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in rat serum and cervical tissue. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in cervical tissue. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was employed to analyze differential metabolites in feces and urine, followed by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment and core metabolite analysis. 16S rDNA sequencing was used to assess the gut microbiota structure and diversity in each group. Statistical analysis was conducted using GraphPad Prism 9.0. ResultsCompared with the control group, rats in the model group exhibited cervical redness, swelling, and erosion, with significant increases in TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels in both serum and cervical tissue (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Pathological examination of cervical tissue showed thickening of the squamous epithelium, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and edema. Compared with the model group, rats with C. florida treatment showed marked alleviation of cervicitis symptoms, with significantly reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum and cervical tissue (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Cervical tissue edema was alleviated, inflammatory cells were reduced, and squamous epithelium thickening was ameliorated. Metabolomics analysis revealed 346 and 564 differential metabolites in the feces and urine between the model and control groups, respectively. After treatment with Fr.B4, 236 and 451 metabolites in the feces and urine showed significant shifts toward control levels, involving pathways including cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling, and glutathione metabolism. Anti-inflammatory metabolites like boswellic acid and oleanolic acid were increased (P<0.01 or P<0.001). Gut microbiota analysis showed dysbiosis in the model group, with an imbalance in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. The Fr.B4 treatment remodeled the gut microbiota. The α-diversity of microbiota shifted toward that of the control group. Specific bacterial genera were found to correlate significantly with metabolites (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionThe triterpenoid saponin-enriched fraction Fr.B4 from She medicine C. florida may exert anti-cervicitis effects by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, modulating the gut microbiota balance, and remodeling metabolism.
8.Key points of ethical governance in the clinical application of new biomedical technology
Ping YUAN ; Hongjuan LI ; Xiaojing LI ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Qiongge ZHANG ; Hongyu WANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(1):89-94
Given the current ethical issues such as unknown high risks in the clinical application of new biomedical technology, thus, medical institutions need to establish new technology management systems, including clarifying the concept, the assessment and admission mechanism, and ethical management systems of new technology. According to the direction of the development of new technology in the medical institution, the ethics review committee should also perfect the management system of ethics committees and the professional composition of ethics review committee members, improve the ability of ethics committee members to evaluate new biomedical technology, increase the assessment of ethical risks of new technology in the preliminary review stage, strengthen the requirements for emergency plan formulation, as well as set the frequency of the follow-up review based on the risk level of new technology. The ethics review committee should work together with the medical management department to formulate an ethical standardization training system for the clinical application of medical technology in the institution, and regularly conduct training for all staff, to promote medical workers’ understanding of the management requirements of biomedical technologies. Different types of new biomedical technology have different ethical risks. Therefore, the medical management departments and ethics review committees of medical institutions should formulate specific management rules based on the characteristics of new technology types. However, it should be noted that when new biomedical technology generally is first introduced into clinical practice, there are often issues regarding fairness and justice in the use of the technology.
9.Clinical Advantages and Key Research Points of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
Cong SUN ; Yujiang DONG ; Hongmei GAO ; Qing WEI ; Menghe ZHANG ; Xiaojing SHI ; Liya FENG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(2):133-138
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy has unique clinical advantages in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, mainly reflected in five aspects, improving quality of life, enabling early diagnosis and treatment, promoting cardiac rehabilitation, making up for the limitations of Western medicine, and improving the success rate of catheter ablation. However, there is insufficient evidence in current clinical research. Based on the current status of TCM research in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, it is suggested that future studies should focus on standardized research on syndrome differentiation and classification. This can be achieved through clinical epidemiological surveys, expert consensus, and other methods to establish a unified syndrome differentiation and classification standard for atrial fibrillation. Clinical efficacy evaluation indicators should be standardized, and core outcome measures for clinical research on TCM treatment of atrial fibrillation should be developed through systematic reviews, patient interviews, and other methods. Additionally, clinical research design, implementation, and data management should be improved. By leveraging modern information technologies such as artificial intelligence, the scientific and standardized nature of TCM intervention research on atrial fibrillation can be enhanced, ultimately improving the quality of research.
10.Role of dendritic cell membrane microbubbles in the activation of T cells and the killing of colorectal cancer cells
Han XU ; Liang ZHANG ; Xiaojing LENG ; Shujin YAN ; Hua PANG
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(6):750-757
Objective:To design and evaluate a cell membrane vaccine strategy based on dendritic cell membrane microbubbles(DCM@MBs),and to explore its potential application in tumor immunotherapy,especially the immune-specific killing of tumor cells through the activation of T cells.Methods:At first,tumor cell membrane proteins were extracted and dendritic cells(DCs)were acti-vated to confirm that tumor antigens could effectively stimulate the maturation of immature DCs.Mature DC membranes were then mixed with lipids to prepare DCM@MBs,which were characterized for morphology,size,and protein composition by confocal laser scanning microscopy and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.Finally,in vitro co-culture experiments were con-ducted to assess the effect of DCM@MBs on the activation of T cells and their ability for specific killing of tumor cells.Results:In the in vitro DC activation experiment,after stimulation with tumor cell membrane proteins,the 25 μg/mL group had a significant increase in the expression level of MHC class Ⅱ molecule(25.167%±1.203%)on the surface of immature DCs compared with the control group(P<0.001),and DCM@MBs presented with microbubbles encapsulated by red cell membranes,with uniform dispersion and a size of 1-5 μm.In the in vitro co-culture experiment,the amount of breast cancer cells(9.893±0.341)%.Conclusion:The DCM@MBs strategy proposed in this study shows significant potential in tu-mor immunotherapy and can effectively activate T cells and specifically kill and eliminate tumor cells,which provides new ideas for tu-mor immunotherapy.


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