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.Exploration and Reflection on the Construction of Pre-admission Processes in Public Hospitals
Guojie ZHANG ; Hongmei ZHANG ; Qinghua BAI ; Liluan YOU ; Wei ZHANG ; Xueqin SUN ; Jinjin GAO ; Zheng CHEN ; Weiguo ZHU ; Qing CHANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(5):1185-1192
Pre-admission is a critical initiative to optimize medical service processes and alleviate the challenge of "difficult access to healthcare. "However, there is currently a lack of standardized protocols for pre-admission procedures. This study aims to systematically analyze key nodes and risk factors in pre-admission process design and propose optimization strategies, providing a foundation for policy formulation and hospital practices. By constructing a "forward-reverse" dual-process model of pre-admission and identifying risk points based on stakeholder theory (patients, hospitals, healthcare administration, and insurance), the study reveals that while pre-admission can reduce the average length of stay, improve bed turnover rates, and enhance patient satisfaction, it also presents risks such as cross-period financial settlement, challenges in insurance policy adaptability, demands for information system integration, and the need for defining medical safety boundaries. To optimize the pre-admission process and mitigate these risks, this study explores framework improvements in areas including eligibility criteria, mode selection, cost settlement, transition between pre-admission and inpatient status, and cancellation of pre-admission, offering practical guidance for public hospitals. The authors argue that pre-admission requires tripartite collaboration among hospitals, insurers, and healthcare administrations: hospitals should establish top-level design, continuously refine processes, and implement dynamic risk assessment mechanisms; insurance providers should support cross-period settlement policies; and healthcare administrations should issue guiding policies or standardized protocols. Through multi-department coordination and collaborative efforts, the optimization and innovation of pre-admission processes can be advanced, ultimately delivering more efficient and convenient healthcare experiences for patients.
3.Analysis of treatment outcomes of elderly pulmonary tuberculosis in He'nan Province from 2017 to 2020
ZHAO Ahui ; LUO Hongmei ; GAO Min
China Tropical Medicine 2025;25(1):75-
Objective To analyze the treatment outcomes and influencing factors of elderly pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Henan Province, so as to provide a scientific basis for formulating relevant prevention and control measures as well as effective treatment strategies for elderly tuberculosis patients. Methods A retrospective research method was conducted to extract the case information of pulmonary tuberculosis patients aged ≥65 years in Henan Province from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2022, from the subsystem "Tuberculosis Information Management System" under the "National Health Insurance Information Project - China Disease Control and Prevention Information System". Percentage (%) was used to characterize the distribution characteristics, a chi-square trend test was used to describe time variation trends, and a chi-square test along with multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors. Results From 2017-2022, the successful treatment rate of elderly pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Henan Province was 94.89%(60 016/63 252), while the rate of adverse outcomes was 5.12%(3 236/63 252). The rate of adverse outcomes showed a fluctuating upward trend (χ2 trnd=50.577, P<0.01). Regarding regional distribution, Xuchang City had the lowest rate of adverse outcomes (3.71%) and Luoyang City had the highest rate (9.66%), with a statistically significant difference (χ2=78.531, P<0.01). Influencing factor analysis showed that, in comparison to females, those aged 65-<70, farmers, without comorbidities, newly treated, and pathology negative, the following were identified as risk factors for unsuccessful treatment outcomes: males (OR=1.332, 95% CI: 1.231-1.441), age 70-<75 (OR=1.302, 95% CI: 1.188-1.427), age 75-<80 (OR=1.659, 95% CI: 1.510-1.822), ≥80 years (OR=2.705, 95% CI: 2.479~2.952), those engaged in housework or unemployed (OR=1.408, 95% CI: 1.240-1.599), comorbidities (OR=1.327, 95% CI: 1.198-1.470), retreatment (OR=1.431, 95% CI: 1.297-1.579), and positive pathology (OR=1.562, 95% CI: 1.460-1.670). Conclusions The rate of successful treatment of elderly pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Henan Province from 2017 to 2022 met the planned target (90%), but the rate of adverse outcomes showed a fluctuating upward trend with uneven geographical distribution. It is necessary to focus on high-risk populations, including males, comorbidities, retreatment, positive pathology, and advanced-age individuals (especially ≥80 years).
4.Study on the current situation of frailty and influencing factors in elderly patients with colorectal cancer before surgery
Siyuan ZHANG ; Huanling GAO ; Lihong LIU ; Hongmei LI ; Weijing CHEN ; Xiaolong DU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(11):1302-1308
Objective To analyze the influencing factors and action paths of frailty in elderly patients with col-orectal cancer,so as to provide a theoretical clinical intervention.Methods A convenience sampling method was adopted.A total of 254 elderly patients with colorectal cancer who were scheduled for elective surgery in a tertiary A hospital in Shanxi Province from March 2023 to September 2024 were selected as the research subjects.General information questionnaires,Fried frailty phenotype,Perceived Ageism Scale,Multidimensional Assessment Scale of In-teroceptive Awareness Version 2-Chinese,Cancer Patient Self-Management Assessment Scale,and Anderson Symptom Inventory were used for the investigation,and a structural equation model was constructed.Results The incidence of frailty in elderly colorectal cancer patients before surgery is 38.98%.Anderson Symptom Assessment and Per-ceived Ageism were positively correlated with frailty(r=0.534,0.568,P<0.01),while interoceptive sensitivity and the self-management level were negatively correlated with frailty(r=-0.444,-0.659,P<0.01).Self-management behavior had only a direct effect on patients' frailty(β=-0.349,P<0.001),while Anderson Symptom Assessment,perceived age discrimination and interoceptive sensitivity had both direct and indirect effects on patients' frailty(direct effects β=0.235,0.287,-0.220;indirect effects β=0.147,0.090,-0.113;all P<0.001).Conclusion The incidence of frailty in elderly patients with colorectal cancer before surgery is high.Attention should be paid to patients who are elderly,female and have a low level of education.Medical staff can take targeted measures to enhance patients' interocep-tive concentration and stability,so that patients can better monitor and regulate their bodies and emotions,and im-prove their health-promoting decisions and behaviors.At the same time,attention should also be paid to the prob-lem of age discrimination to create a good medical environment for patients.
5.The clinical value and application progress of triglyceride-glucose index in intensive care unit
Jiating BAO ; Jiawei JIANG ; Hongmei GAO
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2025;32(2):252-256
The triglyceride-glucose(TyG)index has emerged as a novel metabolic marker,and research on it in the intensive care unit(ICU)has gradually increased in recent years.The TyG index combines the levels of triacylglycerol(TG)and glucose,reflecting the body's insulin resistance(IR)and metabolic status,and its potential clinical applications have garnered widespread attention.Current studies indicate a significant association between the TyG index and the prognosis of ICU patients,metabolic syndrome,and various critical illnesses.However,despite some studies revealing the potential clinical value of the TyG index in critically ill patients,there is still a lack of systematic reviews to comprehensively assess the application status of this indicator in the ICU setting.This article aims to review the clinical applications of the TyG index in ICU patients and its relationship with prognosis,metabolic syndrome,and critical illnesses,emphasizing its importance in the assessment and management of critically ill patients,with the hope of providing references and insights for future related research.
6.Clinical pathway for integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of acute pancreatitis
Yuan ZHANG ; Hao WANG ; Haiyan YIN ; Shengwei JIN ; Bangjiang FANG ; Guiwei LI ; Xijing ZHANG ; Hongmei GAO ; Donghao WANG ; Changsong WANG ; Keliang XIE ; Lai JIANG ; Yan QU ; Zhaocai ZHANG ; Jianying KAN ; Daihua YU ; Junling LIU ; Jun LI ; Weiwei AN ; Yong CHEN ; Jianbo YU
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2025;32(3):257-261
Acute pancreatitis(AP)is a frequently encountered acute abdominal syndrome in clinical settings,and the integrated model of traditional Chinese and Western medicine(TCM-WM)has demonstrated notable advantages in the diagnosis and treatment of AP.To systematize and standardize clinical practices related to develop clinical pathway for integrated TCM-WM diagnosis and treatment of AP,which enhances the efficiency and quality of patient care.This pathway focuses on AP,a common acute and life-threatening disease within the digestive system,and outlines that the central pathological mechanism involves pancreatic injury and localized inflammation resulting from the abnormal activation of pancreatic enzymes.It has the characteristics of rapid onset,multiple causes,and complex manifestations.Severe cases can be life-threatening.At present,conventional treatments encompass a diverse range of modalities.Moreover,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)holds distinct advantages in alleviating relevant symptoms,and TCM-WM is gaining increasing prevalence.To enhance the standardization and consistency of diagnostic and therapeutic practices,this clinical pathway clearly delineates the target patient population,which includes individuals diagnosed with abdominal pain disorder according to TCM and with AP in accordance with WM criteria,as well as the corresponding inclusion standards.The diagnostic framework integrates both TCM and WM guidelines,and further incorporates disease staging,severity grading,and syndrome differentiation to support a comprehensive and integrated diagnostic strategy.The treatment integrates approaches from both TCM and WM.Within the WM framework,interventions consist of basic supportive care,infection control,nutritional support,and the management of complications.In the context of TCM,the protocol includes syndrome differentiation and corresponding therapeutic strategies(Distinct syndrome patterns are identified and managed during the acute and convalescent phases),such as acupuncture and retention enema.This clinical pathway addresses multiple key components,including preventive strategies,post-treatment follow-up,criteria for evaluating therapeutic efficacy,admission and discharge,admission examination protocols,discharge criteria,and the rationale for deviations or withdrawal from the pathway.It is designed to provide a systematic and standardized reference framework for relevant clinical practices.
7.Association between gene expression profile of cervical exfoliated cells and endometrial receptivity in artificial cycles
Tongkun YANG ; Hongmei PENG ; Yizhuo YANG ; Yuan GAO ; Sha MU ; Mingli DONG ; Jialin LIU
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(6):571-580
Objective To investigate the gene expression profile of cervical exfoliated cells from woman treated by artificial cycle,and their potential association with endometrial receptivity in order to screen specific biomarkers closely related to the receptivity.Methods A total of 19 female patients were enrolled from those preparing for frozen embryo transfer(FET)at the Reproductive Center of First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from February 2024 to October 2024.Under the artificial cycle frozen embryo transfer protocol,the endometrial tissues were collected on the 4th day after progesterone administration(P+4)to verify their endometrial receptivity status.Additionally,cervical exfoliated cells were collected on the 4th day(P+4)and the 6th day(P+6)after progesterone administration.RNA sequencing(RNA-Seq)was used to detect gene expression profiles.Differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were identified using the criteria of|log2fold change|>1 and a false discovery rate(FDR)<0.05,followed by bioinformatics analysis.The protein-protein interaction(PPI)network of DEGs was constructed using R software(4.4.1)and analyzed with gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)analyses.The candidate genes were identified based on the PPI network using Cytoscape software.Quantitative reverse transcription PCR(RT-qPCR)was employed to validate the target candidate genes both in vitro and in vivo.Results The rsERT confirmed that all 19 women were in state of endometrial receptivity at P+6.RNA-Seq identified 3 458 DEGs in cervical exfoliated cells between P+4 and P+6.The up-regulated DEGs were mainly enriched in the pathways associated with immune response and cell differentiation,and the down-regulated ones were mainly enriched in the pathways associated with lipid metabolism and cell proliferation.Using maximal clique Centrality(MCC)algorithm in the PPI network,the top 20 genes were selected.Among them,6 genes,such as IFIT2,OASL,MX1,RSAD2,IFIT1 and IFIT3,tied for the first place,and the 6 genes all belong to interferon-stimulated genes(ISGs).qRT-PCR indicated that the above 6 genes showed significantly higher expression levels in the cervical exfoliated cells at the P+4 stage than the cells at the P+6 stage(P<0.05).Conclusion There are changes in the expression levels of the genes related to immunity and cytoskeleton remodeling in cervical exfoliated cells during the endometrial receptivity phase.The decrease in the expression of ISGs may serve as a potential biomarker for endometrial receptivity.
8.Effect of Electroacupuncture at"ShenShu"and"HuiYang"on Urinary Function and TGF-β1/Smad Signaling Pathway in Rats with Stress Urinary Incontinence
Mengwei YUAN ; Shen GAO ; Hongmei CUI ; Xin ZHAO
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(7):1726-1732
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture for stress urinary incontinence(SUI)in rats.Methods A total of 30 rats were randomly divided into three groups:normal group,model group,and electroacupuncture group[electroacupuncture at Shenshu(BL23)and Huiyang(BL35)acupoints],with 10 rats per group.Except for the normal group,a SUI model was established in the other two groups.After grouping interventions,the following assessments including sneeze test,urodynamic parameter measurements(including intravesical pressure),serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and creatine kinase(CK)were conducted,urethral histopathological change was detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,and Western Blot was used to detect protein expression of transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1),Smad2,Smad3,Smad7,typeⅠ collagen(Col Ⅰ),and type Ⅲ collagen(Col Ⅲ)in urethral tissues.Results Compared with the normal group,the model group exhibited significant increases in the number of sneeze test-positive rats,urine volume,residual urine volume,and serum LDH and CK levels,and protein expression of urethral Smad2 and Smad3,moreover,the model group showed significant decreases in urodynamic parameters[maximum bladder capacity(MBC),leak point pressure(LPP),abdominal leak point pressure(ALPP)],voiding efficiency,and protein expression of urethral TGF-β1,Smad7,ColⅠand Col Ⅲ,the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05).In comparison to the model group,the electroacupuncture group demonstrated significant reductions in sneeze test-positive rats,urine volume,residual urine volume,serum LDH and CK levels,and protein expression of urethral Smad2 and Smad3,additionally,the electroacupuncture group displayed significant improvements in urodynamic parameters(MBC,LPP,ALPP)and voiding efficiency,upregulation of protein expression of urethral TGF-β1,Smad7,Col Ⅰ and Col Ⅲ,the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture may ameliorate SUI by activating the TGF-β1/Smad pathway to promote pelvic collagen synthesis and reduce urethral injury,thus improving urinary function.
9.Stromal infiltration of lymphocytes and expression of immune checkpoint genes in early esophageal cancer patients with different stages
Mingming ZHAO ; Hongmei ZHAO ; Jinping GAO ; Xinxin LIU
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(17):7-12
Objective To investigate lymphocyte interstitial infiltration condition and the changes of immune checkpoint gene expression in different stages of early esophageal cancer.Methods A ret-rospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 90 patients with early esophageal cancer.Based on the pathological depth of infiltration,they were divided into three types:T1a-M1,T1a-M2,and T1a-M3,with 30 cases in each type.Additionally,30 cases of paired normal mucosa tissues adja-cent to the cancer were selected.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe tissue morpholo-gy.Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of CD3,CD4,CD8,and CD20.Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was applied to measure the mRNA expression levels of immune checkpoint genes[programmed death ligand-1(PD-L1),cytotoxic T-lym-phocyte-associated protein 4(CTLA4),T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3(TIM-3),lympho-cyte activation gene 3(LAG3),programmed death receptor-1(PD-1),programmed death ligand-2(PD-L2),and T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains protein(TIGIT)].Results As the stage of early esophageal cancer progressed,the ratio of tumor cells to lymphocytes increased.The number of CD3+T cells was greater than that of CD20+B cells,and the proportion of CD4+T cells among total T cells was higher than that of CD8+T cells(P<0.001).The mRNA expression levels of gene in immune checkpoints in patients were elevated(P<0.05).Compared with normal adja-cent tissues,the expression levels of PD-L1 mRNA,CTLA4 mRNA,TIM-3 mRNA,PD-1 mRNA,and TIGIT mRNA were elevated in patients with T1a-M1,T1a-M2,and T1a-M3 types(P<0.05).Compared with normal adjacent tissues,the expression levels of LAG3 mRNA and PD-L2 mRNA were increased in patients with T1a-M2 and T1a-M3 types(P<0.05).Conclusion The progres-sion of early esophageal cancer staging is correlated with increased immune checkpoint gene expres-sion and a decreased lymphocyte ratio,suggesting that changes in the immune microenvironment may be involved in tumor progression.
10.Correlations of interleukin-1β level and percentage of CD16+CD56+natural killer cells in peripheral blood with severity of disease in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis
Ling YUAN ; Tiantian ZHANG ; Weiwei GAO ; Hongmei JIANG
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(18):102-105
Objective To investigate the correlations of interleukin-1 β(IL-1β)level and per-centage of CD16+CD56+natural killer(NK)cells in peripheral blood with severity of disease in pa-tients with pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods A total of 150 patients with active pulmonary tubercu-losis(APTB)in the Suqian First People's Hospital from January 1,2021 to September 1,2023 were selected as APTB group,and 150 patients with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis(IPTB)in the same period were selected as IPTB group.Level of IL-1 β and percentage of CD16+CD56+NK cells in pe-ripheral blood of patients with different disease severities were compared,and their correlations with severity of disease were analyzed.Results In the APTB group,level of IL-1 β in the peripheral blood was significantly higher than that in the IPTB group,while the percentage of CD16+CD56+NK cells was significantly lower(P<0.001).In the mild,moderate,and severe groups,level of IL-1 βshowed a significant gradual increasing trend in peripheral blood,while the percentage of CD16+CD56+NK cells showed a significant gradual decreasing trend(P<0.001).After treatment,the level of IL-1β in the peripheral blood decreased significantly,while the percentage of CD16+CD56+NK cells increased significantly in the APTB group(P<0.001).Correlation analysis revealed that level of IL-1β in the peripheral blood of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was positively correlated with severity of disease(r=0.732,P<0.001),while the percentage of CD16+CD56+NK cells was negatively correlated with severity of disease(r=-0.612,P<0.001).Conclusion Level of IL-1β in the peripheral blood is elevated while the percentage of CD16+CD56+NK cells is de-creased in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis,which is closely related to the severity of APTB.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail