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.

Objective To investigate the relationship between occurrence of heart failure (HF) and blood pressure variability in patients with hypertension complicated with unstable angina pectoris (UA). Methods The data of 385 patients with hypertension and UA admitted to the Nantong Third People's Hospital from January 2022 to January 2024 were collected and analyzed. After discharge, the enrolled patients were followed up for 1 year via outpatient visits or telephone calls. The study endpoint was new-onset HF. The relationship of blood pressure variability with new-onset HF was analyzed. Results According to the clinical risk stratification of UA, the blood pressure variability in the high-risk group was higher than that in the low-risk group and the medium-risk group (P<0.05). There were 46 cases (11.94%) of new-onset HF among 385 UA patients with hypertension. After adjusting for confounding factors, the risk of new-onset HF in UA patients with hypertension was increased with the increases of 24 h systolic blood pressure standard deviation (24 h SSD) [HR (95% CI)=4.20 (2.33-14.79)] and nighttime systolic blood pressure standard deviation (nSSD) [HR (95% CI)=1.94 (1.53-2.46)] (P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicated that the AUCs of Model 1 and Model 2 in predicting new-onset HF were 0.776 and 0.869, and 95% CI values were 0.707-0.844 and 0.820-0.918, respectively. The AUC of Model 2 was higher than that of Model 1 (Z/P=3.734/<0.001). Conclusion For patients with hypertension complicated with unstable angina pectoris, the blood pressure variability indicators at admission have high predictive value on new-onset heart failure.

Objective To investigate the prognosis and its influencing factors in patients with hypertension complicated with heart failure (HF). Methods A total of 381 patients with hypertension and HF who were treated in our hospital from March 2022 to April 2025 were chosen. The patients were followed up for the prognosis within 6 months and split into good prognosis group (n=266) and poor prognosis group (n=115). The clinical data of the two groups were compared and analyzed. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors of poor prognosis. Results The group with poor prognosis had higher proportions of atrial fibrillation and New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III-IV, as well as increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVED), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVES), interventricular septum thickness (IVS), and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW) compared to the group with good prognosis (P<0.05). Additionally, levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), creatinine (Cr) were elevated (P<0.05), while left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was decreased (P<0.05). NYHA classification, LVEF, LVED, LVPW, NT-proBNP were independent influencing factors of poor prognosis in patients with hypertension complicated with HF (P<0.05). Conclusion NYHA classification, LVEF, LVED, LVPW and NT-proBNP are closely related to the poor prognosis of patients with hypertension and HF.

Objective : To compare the antiviral efficacy and renal safety of nucleoside analogs(NAs) monotherapy versus combination therapy in hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients with high viral load. Methods : This study enrolled a total of 353 treatment-naïve HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with high viral load , the treatment regimen was divided into 5 groups , consisting of 4 monotherapy groups and 1 combination therapy group as follows : 88 cases in the Entecavir (ETV) group , 135 cases in the Teno- fovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) group , 34 cases in the Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate (TAF) group , 25 cases in the Tenofovir Amibufenamide (TMF) group , and 71 cases in the ETV combined with TDF (ETV + TDF) group . A retrospective cohort study design was adopted to analyze HBV DNA levels , serological indicators ( HBsAg and HBeAg levels) , renal function indicators ( serum Scr levels , eGFR) at 24 and 48 weeks of treatment across various groups , as well as the HBsAg clearance rates , HBeAg seroconversion rates and HBV DNA suppression rates (HBV DNA < 20 IU/ml) at 48 weeks across the groups . Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the influencing factors for HBV DNA suppression . Results : At 24 weeks , the HBV DNA level in the ETV + TDF selected . Key miRNAs included hsa-let-7b-5p , hsa-let-7c-5p , hsa-let-7b-3p _ 1ss22CT , and hsa-miR-199b-5p , with BACH1 and IFNAR1 identified as their shared target genes . GO analysis revealed that the enriched target genes were primarily involved in protein binding , metal ion binding , transferase activity , DNA binding , transcriptional regulation by RNA polymerase Ⅱ , and nucleotide binding. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the target genes were mainly associated with metabolic pathways , cancer-related pathways , the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway , and the Rap1 signaling pathway . Conclusion Differential expression of miRNAs in amniotic fluid exosomes was ob- served between DS fetuses and those with normal karyotypes . Combined analysis with placental miRNAs revealed hsa-miR-199b-5p as a common differentially expressed miRNA in both DS amniotic fluid and placenta. It is hypoth- esized that BACH1 and IFNAR1 , shared target genes of hsa-miR-199b-5p , hsa-let-7b-5p , hsa-let-7c-5p , and hsa- let-7b-3p_1ss22CT , may play a role in the pathogenesis of DS .

Objective To investigate the expression of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) in thymic T follicular helper cells (TFH) and its significance in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods Fifteen MG patients who underwent surgical treatment at the Myasthenia Gravis Comprehensive Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Henan Provincial People’s Hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 were selected as a MG group, including 7 males and 8 females, aged 12-30 years. Twelve patients who underwent partial thymectomy to optimize surgical field exposure during cardiac surgery at Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 were selected as a control group, including 5 males and 7 females aged 20-35 years. Thymus single cell suspension was obtained by grinding the thymus tissue, and flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of α7nAChR in TFH cells. The thymus cell suspension was purified using density gradient centrifugation, followed by immunomagnetic bead separation to obtain CD4+T cells. CXCR5 antibody and coupled magnetic beads were added to isolate TFH cells. Real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were performed to further investigate the expression of α7nAChR in TFH cells. Results Compared with the control group, the proportion of thymic TFH cells in the MG group was significantly increased (P<0.05), along with significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of α7nAChR within these cells (P<0.01). Conclusion The findings suggest that there is a reduced expression of α7nAChR within thymic TFH cells in MG patients, leading to weakened immunosuppressive function which may indirectly contribute to disease onset and progression.

Abstract Ferroptosis , a novel , non-apoptotic form of cell death discovered in 2012 , has garnered significant at- tention. It is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of various intestinal diseases , including colorectal canc- er, intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury , functional gastrointestinal disorders , and inflammatory bowel disease. These processes involve multiple pathological mechanisms such as inflammation , immune dysregulation , and intesti- nal epithelial dysfunction. By reviewing and summarizing recent literature on ferroptosis-related mechanisms in in- testinal diseases , this article explores the roles and effects of ferroptosis in different intestinal pathologies.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Jincheng between 2015 and 2020. Methods Clinical data of 8,578 medical check-ups at Physical Examination Center of ou hospital from January 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively selected. The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the last 5 years was recorded, and Logistic regression was utilized to identify the risk factors for the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Results The overall prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Jincheng was 14.57% in 2015-2020. The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was higher in men than in women (16.99% vs 10.98%) and highest in the 40-59 age group (18.76%). No statistical difference was reported in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) between groups (P>0.05), while statistical difference was found in diabetes, hypertension, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, weekly exercise frequency, daily vegetable intake, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and uric acid (UA) between two groups (P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis denoted that BMI (OR=2.794, 95% CI: 1.745-4.550), waist circumference (OR=2.586, 95% CI: 1.585-4.299), diabetes (OR=0.644, 95% CI: 1.425-2.781), hypertension (OR=1.479, 95% CI: 1.121-2.290), weekly exercise ≥6h (OR=0.617, 95% CI: 0.519-0.709), daily vegetable intake ≥300g (OR=0.590, 95% CI: 0.467-0.652), TG (OR=1.481, 95% CI: 1.122-1.996), TC (OR=1.562, 95% CI:1.143-2.135), LDL-C (OR=1.440, 95% CI: 1.139-2.048), HDL-C (OR=0.656 , 95% CI: 0.587-0.783) , ALT (OR=1.591, 95% CI: 1.056-2.183), and UA (OR=1.412, 95% CI: 1.009-1.887) were risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (P<0.05) . Conclusion The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Jincheng City from 2015 to 2020 is 14.57%, the prevalence of males is higher than that of females, and the prevalence rate is the highest in the 40-59 age group. Moreover , diabetes mellitus , hypertension , BMI , waist circumference , weekly exercise , daily vegetable intake , serum TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, ALT, and UA are all associated with the risk of the disease.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant global public health challenge, with an estimated mortality rate of 13 per 100,000 people in China. Bedsides the immediate neurological consequences,[1] TBI is associated with long-term sequelae and an elevated risk of neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy. Moreover, TBI can induce systemic effects, including acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI), contributing to poor patient outcomes.[2]

Objective: To explore the expression level of PPFIA4 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and HCCLM3 cells and its regulation of the biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods : Bioinformatics analysis, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were employed to detect the expression of PPFIA4 in tumor tissues of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and analyze the prognosis of these patients. An siRNA plasmid was designed to knock down the expression of PPFIA4 in HCCLM3 cells. The effects of PPFIA4 knockdown on the migration and invasion abilities of HCCLM3 cells were then evaluated using scratch healing and Transwell assays. Furthermore, Western blot was utilized to detect the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-related protein markers in the HCCLM3 cell line after transfection with the siRNA plasmid. Results: PPFIA4 was highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and hepatocellular carcinoma cells( HCCLM3, Li-7, MHCC97H); the high expression of PPFIA4 indicated that the clinical stage of patients was late and the overall survival(OS) was short. After knocking down the expression of PPFIA4 in HCCLM3 cell line, the migration and invasion ability of HCCLM3 cells decreased(P<0.001) and the expression of EMT markers changed. The expression of epithelial cell marker E-cadherin increased(P<0.01), while the expression of mesenchymal markers Vimentin and N-cadherin decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01). Conclusion PPFIA4 is highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and is associated with poor prognosis of patients. Silencing PPFIA4 can regulate the biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and inhibit the migration and invasion of HCCLM3 cells. The specific mechanism may be related to EMT.

Objective To compare the long-term prognosis of elderly patients with stageⅠnon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after lobectomy or segmentectomy. Methods Data of elderly patients with stageⅠNSCLC between 2010 and 2020 were collected from the SEER database. According to the resection method, patients were divided into a lobectomy group and a segmentectomy group. The overall survival (OS) and lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS) of the two groups were compared by propensity score matching (lobectomy : segmentectomy=2 : 1). Results A total of 9990 patients were included, including 5840 (58.46%) females and 4150 (41.54%) males, with an average age of (70.48±6.47) years. Among them, 9029 patients were in the lobectomy group and 961 patients were in the segmentectomy group. After propensity score matching, a total of 2883 patients were matched, including 1 922 patients in the lobectomy group and 961 patients in the segmentectomy group. There was no statistical difference in baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). The 10-year OS rate and LCSS rate of the lobectomy group were higher than those of the segmentectomy group (OS: 51.15% vs. 38.35%, P<0.01; LCSS: 79.68% vs. 71.52%, P<0.01). Subgroup analysis showed that the survival advantage of lobectomy was found in patients aged 60-<70 years and ≥80 years; for patients 70-<80 years, there was no statistical difference in OS or LCSS between the two surgical methods (P>0.05). In addition, for patients with tumor diameter ≤2 cm (stages ⅠA1-ⅠA2), lymph node dissection number≥10, and receiving adjuvant radiotherapy/chemotherapy, segmentectomy could also achieve a similar prognosis as lobectomy. Conclusion Overall, for elderly patients with stage ⅠNSCLC, lobectomy can achieve better OS and LCSS. However, individual differences, tumor characteristics, and perioperative treatment plans should be considered comprehensively to determine the surgical method for elderly patients with stageⅠNSCLC.