1.Research progress on oral microecological imbalance and intervention strategies after radiotherapy for head and neck tumors
LIU Xue ; LI Yufei ; YANG Xinyao ; LI Hao ; ZHANG Ailin ; CUI Lei ; HUANG Zhengwei ; HOU Lili
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(4):385-394
Radiotherapy is a crucial treatment modality for head and neck tumors. However, while effectively killing tumor cells, it significantly disrupts the homeostasis of the oral microecology, which is closely associated with various complications such as radiation-induced oral mucositis. Literature review indicates that as radiotherapy doses accumulate and treatment durations extend, the richness and diversity of the oral microbiota show a declining trend, with the genus Streptococcus decreasing most markedly. In contrast, radiotherapy selectively promotes the proliferation of bacterial phyla such as Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, which are rich in opportunistic pathogens. Mechanistically, radiotherapy activates the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway, triggering chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, damaging the epithelial barrier, suppressing local immunity, and causing damage to organs such as the salivary glands. It can also induce systemic diseases via the oral-gut axis, forming a multi-level, interconnected pathogenic network. In terms of interventions, treatment strategies including probiotics and prebiotics have shown promising efficacy against side effects such as radiation-induced oral mucositis. Saliva-based oral microbiota transplantation is an emerging strategy that is expected to become widely utilized for restoring oral microecological balance. Existing interventions provide preliminary pathways for clinical practice, but this field still faces several key scientific questions. The association between oral microecology and systemic diseases remains largely correlative, lacking causal evidence. Furthermore, critical parameters for oral microbiota transplantation, such as donor screening criteria, transplantation protocols, and long-term safety, are not yet well-defined. Therefore, future research should focus on conducting large-scale clinical trials to establish standardized protocols and safety evaluation systems for oral microecological interventions, and explore combined treatment therapies such as probiotics, prebiotics, and microbiota transplantation to advance the development of personalized precision modulation. These will enable more effective management of radiotherapy-induced oral microecological dysbiosis and improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients with head and neck tumors.
2.Effect of medical-community linkage model on psychological status and motor function in community-dwelling patients with stroke
Yuhong GU ; Jinxiu DUAN ; Mingyang XUE ; Jie YANG ; Xia WU ; Hua LIU ; Yufang GAO ; Menghui ZHANG ; Caide YE
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(5):597-603
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of the medical-community linkage model on activities of daily living, psychological status and motor function of stroke patients in the community. MethodsA total of 60 stroke patients admitted to two community health service centers and their affiliated stations in Fengtai District, Beijing, from January, 2024 to August, 2025 were enrolled and randomly divided into control group (n = 30) and intervention group (n = 30). The control group received routine medicine, dietary care and rehabilitation management, while the intervention group underwent rehabilitation with the medical-community linkage model, for twelve weeks. They were assessed with modified Barthel Index (MBI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) before and after intervention. ResultsAfter intervention, the MBI, HAMA, HAMD and FMA scores of patients improved in both groups (|t| > 5.599, P < 0.001), and improved more in the intervention group than in the control group (P < 0.05), except MBI. The HAMA and HAMD scores of family members decreased in both groups (|t| > 10.333, P < 0.001), and decreased more in the intervention group than in the control group (t > 5.681, P < 0.001). ConclusionThe medical-community linkage model can further improve the motor function of stroke patients in community, as well as the psychological status of both patients and their family members.
3.Staged Prevention and Treatment for Low Anterior Resection Syndrome Using Acupuncture
Ruotong CAO ; Mengqi WANG ; Xue CAO ; Yuning QIN ; Jia LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(11):1157-1161
Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is a common complication of sphincter-preserving rectal cancer surgery, and its manifestations change dynamically at different stages. By analyzing and summarizing the clinical symptoms and pathomechanism evolution of LARS across different stages, this paper proposes a staged prevention and treatment strategy using acupuncture. During perioperative stage, the main principle is activating the transport function of the body, supplemented by regulating the mind, with the use of dredging the bowels as needed. During the stoma reversal stage, treatment focuses primarily on fortifying the spleen, with draining dampness as a supplementary method, to help consolidate the intestines. During the radiotherapy or chemotherapy stage, the main focus is reinfor-cing healthy qi, with reducing toxin as an adjunct, to achieve the effect of activating the transport of the pivot. During the survival management stage, treatment primarily focuses on tonifying the kidneys and secondarily on fortifying the spleen, with regulating the corporeal soul as the therapeutic emphasis. Acupoints are selected and combined in accordance with the treatment principles at each stage, and different stimulation methods such as electroacupuncture and moxibustion are applied. An analysis of the mechanisms underlying acupuncture for LARS is also provided, offering a theoretical basis and practical approach for the prevention and treatment of LARS with acupuncture.
4.Efficacy of yttrium-90 selective internal radiotherapy in treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Yijun ZHANG ; Xuehua SUN ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Xue LIU ; Baolong WANG ; Yang LIU ; Naijian GE ; Yefa YANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(4):866-873
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, and to provide a reference for the selection of clinical treatment regimens. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 73 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who received yttrium-90 microsphere SIRT in Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital from May 1, 2023 to September 1, 2024. According to tumor characteristics, physical status, liver reserve function, laboratory tests, and SIRT treatment strategy, the patients were divided into radiation segmentectomy group with 9 patients, conversion therapy group with 47 patients, and palliative treatment group with 17 patients. Based on the results of postoperative follow-up, modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors were used to assess radiographic images. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between three groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between three groups; the Logistic regression model was used to perform the multivariate analysis. ResultsThere was a significant difference in postoperative outcome between the radiation segmentectomy group, the conversion therapy group, and the palliative treatment group (χ2=30.060, P<0.001). The disease control rate was 100.0% (9/9) in the radiation segmentectomy group, 83.0% (39/47) in the conversion therapy group, and 29.4% (5/17) in the palliative treatment group, with a significant difference between the three groups (χ2=19.575, P<0.001), and there was also a significant difference in objective response rate between the three groups (χ2=17.749, P<0.001). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the number of tumors (odds ratio [OR]=0.085, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.008 — 0.906, P=0.041) and combined targeted immunotherapy (OR=18.808, 95%CI: 1.704 — 207.616, P=0.017) were independent influencing factors for achieving complete response. ConclusionThe number of tumors is an independent influencing factor for the efficacy of SIRT and is an important basis for selecting different treatment goals. SIRT combined with targeted immunotherapy may achieve better efficacy.
5.The compensation mechanism for drug clinical trial damage in India and its enlightenment to the formulation of relevant systems in China
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(5):565-570
With the improvement of China’s scientific research capabilities, the number of innovative drug enterprises and clinical trials has increased, and disputes over damage compensation have also risen accordingly. It has become a consensus to resolve such disputes through institutionalization. Given the similarities between China and India in terms of population and development level, this study analyzed India’s compensation mechanism for clinical trial damage, including the definition of damage, compensation procedures, and calculation methods. Through a comparison of the mechanisms between China and India, this paper put forward suggestions for improving China’s compensation mechanism for clinical trial damage, that is, clarifying the compensation process for clinical trial damage, the scope and calculation methods of damage compensation, and the compensation ratio corresponding to the correlation between damage and clinical trials. It also proposed to use disability weights to measure the participants’ health status before their enrollment in clinical trials, and to calculate the amount of compensation for disability and death based on their health status.
6.Establishment and preliminary evaluation of a fluorescent recombinase-aided amplification assay for detection of Strongyloides stercoralis
Xiaodan CHEN ; Wanqiong CHENG ; Xiaoyin FU ; Jiayin LÜ ; Jiayue SUN ; Qiuhua BAI ; Xue HAN ; Yunliang SHI ; Dengyu LIU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(2):160-168
Objective To establish a fluorescent recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) assay for detection of Strongyloides stercoralis nucleic acid and to preliminarily evaluate its performance. Methods Six sets of specific primers targeting S. stercoralis 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene and one fluorescent probe were designed and synthesized. The optimal primer-probe set was determined through systematic screening and optimization to establish the fluorescent RAA assay. The assay was evaluated using S. stercoralis genomic DNA at concentrations of 100, 10, and 1 pg/μL, and 100, 10, and 1 fg/μL, as well as recombinant pUC57 plasmids containing the target gene fragments at 1 × 105, 1 × 104, 1 × 103, 1 × 102, 1 × 101, 1 × 100 copies/reaction, to determine the analytical sensitivity. Genomic DNA from Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Enterobius vermicularis, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Trichinella spiralis, Clonorchis sinensis, Schistosoma japonicum, and Taenia saginata was used to assess assay specificity. A total of 25 stool samples from patients suspected of S. stercoralis infection were tested by the modified Baermann funnel technique, PCR, and the established fluorescent RAA assay. The sensitivity, specificity, concordance rate and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) of these three techniques were estimated, and agreement between methods was evaluated using the Kappa coefficient. Results Exo-4 was identified as the optimal primer set screened from the six primer sets, and the best amplification performance was achieved when the final concentrations of the forward and reverse primers were 0.44 μmol/L and a probe concentration was 0.20 μmol/L. The limit of detection of the fluorescent RAA assay was 100 fg/μL for genomic DNA of S. stercoralis and 1 × 100 copies/reaction for recombinant plasmids. Specific fluorescence signals were detected within 5 min, with no cross-reactivity observed with A. lumbricoides, A. duodenale, E. vermicularis, A. cantonensis, T. spiralis, C. sinensis, S. japonicum, or T. saginata. Among the 25 clinical stool samples from patients suspected of S. stercoralis infections, the modified Baermann funnel technique and fluorescent RAA assay detected 19 positives and 6 negatives, whereas PCR detected 18 positives and 7 negatives. The fluorescent RAA assay showed a sensitivity of 100.00% [95% CI: (82.35%, 100.00%)], specificity of 100.00% [95% CI: (54.07%, 100.00%)], concordance rate of 100.00% [95% CI: (86.28%, 100.00%)], and a Kappa coefficient of 1.00 [95% CI: (1.00, 1.00)] (P < 0.001) relative to the modified Baermann funnel technique, and a sensitivity of 100.00% [95% CI: (81.47%, 100.00%)], specificity of 85.71% [95% CI: (42.13%, 99.64%)], concordance rate of 96.00% [95% CI: (79.65%, 99.90%)], and a Kappa coefficient of 0.90 [95% CI: (0.70, 1.00)] (P < 0.001). Positive amplification products emitted green fluorescence under a portable blue-light device, enabling visual interpretation of results. Conclusions The fluorescent RAA assay established in this study is rapid, highly sensitive, and highly specific. It enables detection of S. stercoralis nucleic acid under isothermal conditions and allows visual interpretation of results, providing a novel tool for rapid clinical diagnosis and field screening of S. stercoralis infections.
7.Sleep Traits and Malignant Risk of Pulmonary Nodules: Evidence Triangulation From Questionnaire, Cohort, and Mendelian Randomization
Xiangyu CHEN ; Yiqiao XUE ; Mengqing LIU ; Yile HU ; Weizuo LIANG ; Hanqing LIU ; Yizheng WANG ; Mingfang ZHAO
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):663-676
To investigate the association between sleep-related phenotypes and the risk of malignancy in pulmonary nodules, and to provide complementary evidence from a general population cohort and genetic analyses. This study comprised three parts. Part 1 was a cross-sectional study that consecutively enrolled patients with imaging-confirmed pulmonary nodules at the First Hospital of China Medical University from November 2024 to December 2025. Nine sleep domains were constructed using items from the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), with domain severity coded on a 0-6 scale according to the frequency of occurrence. Benign or malignant status of pulmonary nodules was determined based on pathological results or clinical follow-up. Multivariable Logistic regression models with progressive adjustment were constructed. Stratified, interaction, and dose-response analyses (including categorical grouping and restricted cubic splines) were performed focusing on the insomnia symptom domain to explore the association between sleep-related phenotypes and the risk of malignant pulmonary nodules. Part 2 was a prospective cohort study using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) to investigate the association between sleep duration and incident lung cancer risk in the general population. Part 3 comprised genetic causality analyses, including two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) and linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC), using data from the OpenGWAS database, to assess whether directionally consistent genetic association signals exist between sleep-related phenotypes and lung cancer risk. In the cross-sectional study, a total of 800 patients with pulmonary nodules were included, of whom 288 (36.0%) were in the malignant group. In the continuous-variable main model fully adjusted for baseline confounders, all nine sleep domains, imaging findings, and depression and anxiety status, the severity of the insomnia symptom domain showed a positive association signal with the risk of malignant pulmonary nodules (fully adjusted model: per 1-point increase, In patients with pulmonary nodules, an association signal exists between insomnia-related symptoms and the risk of malignancy, but the dose-response relationship remains unclear. The CHARLS cohort and genetic analyses provide supplementary directional clues for the above associations, albeit with limited statistical strength and result consistency. Definitive conclusions regarding the association between sleep phenotypes and the risk of malignant pulmonary nodules require further validation in prospective studies.
8.Effects of Huatan Sanjie Formula (化痰散结方) on Tumor Tissue Stiffness and the Integrin β1/FAK/YAP Mechanotransduction Signaling Pathway in Triple Negative Breast Cancera Model Mice
Xiangyu ZHAO ; Jingyang LIU ; Minpu ZHANG ; Xue WANG ; Changgang SUN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(12):1305-1314
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of Huatan Sanjie Formula (化痰散结方, HSF) in the treatment of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) based on the integrinβ1/focal adhesion kinase/yes-associated protein (integrinβ1/FAK/YAP) mechanotransduction signaling pathway. MethodsFifty BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to a model group, doxorubicin group, low-, medium-, and high-dose HSF groups, with 10 mice per group. An orthotopic TNBC transplantation model was established in all mice using syngeneic implantation of 4T1 cells. After successful modeling, mice in the model group received intragastric administration of normal saline 0.2 ml each day. Mice in the low-, medium-, and high-dose HSF groups received HSF by gavage at doses of 5.99, 11.97, and 23.94 g/(kg·d), respectively. The doxorubicin group received intraperitoneal injections of doxorubicin (1.5 mg/kg) once every two days. All treatments lasted for 30 days. After the final administration, mice were sacrificed, and tumor weight and volume were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Masson's trichrome, and Sirius Red staining were performed to evaluate histopathological changes and collagen fiber deposition in tumor tissues. TUNEL staining was used to assess apoptosis. The Young's modulus of tumor tissues was measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The nuclear-cytoplasmic localization of YAP was determined by immunofluorescence staining. Protein expression levels of integrinβ1, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), YAP, and phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (p-FAK) were detected by Western Blotting. The mRNA expression levels of integrinβ1, FAK, and YAP were assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Pearson correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationships among tumor tissue Young's modulus, apoptosis rate, and the expression levels of proteins related to the integrinβ1/FAK/YAP signaling pathway. ResultsCompared to the model group, tumor weight was significantly reduced in the doxorubicin group and the medium- and high-dose HSF groups, while tumor volume significantly decreased in the doxorubicin group and the high-dose HSF group (P<0.01). Tumor weight in the high-dose HSF group was significantly lower than that in the low-dose group, and tumor volume was significantly smaller than that in both the low- and medium-dose groups (P<0.05). Marked improvements in histopathological morphology were observed in the medium- and high-dose HSF groups and the doxorubicin group, while the proportion of collagen fiber deposition and the nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio of YAP were significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared to the model group, all three HSF groups and the doxorubicin group exhibited significantly increased apoptosis rates, decreased Young's modulus, and reduced mRNA expression levels of integrinβ1, and YAP (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, protein expression levels of integrinβ1, p-FAK, and YAP in the high-dose HSF group were significantly lower than those in the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a significant negative correlation between tumor tissue Young's modulus and apoptosis rate (r =-0.93, P<0.01). In contrast, the protein expression levels of integrinβ1, p-FAK, and YAP were positively correlated with Young's modulus (r=0.88, 0.97, and 0.98, respectively; P<0.05) and negatively correlated with apoptosis rate (r=-0.93,-0.97, and -0.93, respectively; P<0.05). ConclusionHSF can significantly inhibit tumor growth in TNBC model mice. Its antitumor effect may be associated with reducing tumor tissue stiffness through suppression of the integrinβ1/FAK/YAP mechanotransduction signaling pathway.
9.Development and Validation of a Clinically Actionable Prediction Model for Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Cardiac Surgery: A Focus on Modifiable Risk Factors
Ruoxi LI ; Meice TIAN ; Chuangshi WANG ; Yujia HUANG ; Weinan CHEN ; Ya SONG ; Bomiao LIU ; Liu DU ; Xue FENG
Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine 2026;50(1):50-61
Objective:
To develop and validate a clinically actionable prediction model for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in cardiac surgery patients, focusing on modifiable preoperative risk factors amenable to targeted optimization.
Methods:
In this prospective observational cohort study, 492 adults undergoing open-chest cardiac surgery between August 15, 2023 and December 31, 2023 were analyzed. Prespecified predictors included gas exchange variables, pulmonary function, inspiratory muscle strength, and physical performance. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to develop the prediction model. Discrimination was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).
Results:
A total of 90 patients (14.1%) developed PPCs after surgery. Five independent predictors were identified: elevated arterial PaCO2 (odds ratio [OR] 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–1.26), oxygen desaturation (SpO2<93%) (OR 12.47, 95% CI 3.51–48.13), reduced gait speed (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.04–0.71), lower FEV1/FVC ratio (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92–1.00), and diminished inspiratory muscle strength (MIP % predicted) (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92–0.99). The model demonstrated good discriminative ability with an AUC of 0.86 (95% CI 0.80–0.93) in the training cohort and 0.87 (95% CI 0.74–0.93) in the validation cohort.
Conclusion
This parsimonious model achieved high predictive accuracy using five modifiable physiological variables. By targeting abnormalities in gas exchange, pulmonary mechanics, muscle strength, and functional reserve, the model offers a practical tool to guide individualized prehabilitation strategies for reducing PPC risk in cardiac surgery patients.
10.Regulatory mechanisms of exosome secretion and its application prospects in biomedicine
Ruyue LYU ; Lulu GU ; Qian LIU ; Siyi ZHOU ; Beibei LI ; Letian XUE ; Peng SUN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(1):184-193
BACKGROUND:Exosomes,as a type of extracellular vesicle,have become a key medium for cell-to-cell communication due to their nanoscale size and enrichment of various bioactive substances.The study of exosome secretion regulation not only has important scientific value,but also has broad application prospects in clinical practice,and is of great significance for promoting medical progress and improving human health.OBJECTIVE:To review the biological characteristics,biological functions,biogenesis process and biochemical regulation mechanism of exosomes,and to explore the application prospects of exosomes in disease diagnosis,treatment and vaccine development,so as to provide theoretical basis and reference for basic research and clinical transformation of exosomes.METHODS:The first author searched PubMed and CNKI databases in October 2024 for relevant literature published from January 2010 to October 2024.Key words were"exosomes,biological functions,biogenesis,secretion or release,regulatory mechanisms,application prospects"in Chinese and English.Finally,92 articles were included for analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The secretion level of exosomes can be regulated through physical or biochemical means.Exosomes show broad application prospects in the fields of disease diagnosis,treatment,and vaccine development,and may play a key role in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases as well as cancer.This review provides valuable information for the clinical translation and application research of exosomes,helping to promote future progress in exosome research and application.


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