Publications by authors named "Zheng-Mei Qi"
Article Synopsis
- The study explores the link between oral microbes and their potential role in developing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), revealing that these microbes can migrate from the mouth to the nasopharynx.
- It found an increased risk of NPC associated with oral-to-nasopharyngeal microbial translocation, with certain species like Fusobacterium nucleatum identified as prevalent in NPC patients.
- Additionally, the presence of these oral microbes in tumors influences the local environment and interacts with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) loads, suggesting a complex relationship in cancer development.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how diversity in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes affects cancer susceptibility across 25 types of cancer using data from the UK Biobank.
- HLA diversity, particularly in class I and class II genes, is linked to a reduced risk of certain cancers, like lung cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, emphasizing its protective role.
- The research highlights that HLA diversity may play a critical role in cancer development, particularly in tumors with higher mutation burdens and among specific groups, like smokers.*
Article Synopsis
- Various biomarkers, including oncofetal chondroitin sulfate (ofCS), are being tested for their effectiveness in detecting multiple cancer types through non-invasive methods, such as analyzing cell-free DNA and circulating proteins.
- In a study, an optimized ELISA was used to measure levels of ofCS in plasma, revealing that cancer patients had significantly elevated levels compared to non-cancer patients across six different cancer types.
- Further validation showed that individuals in the highest risk category had over 27 times greater likelihood of having cancer, with the potential for early detection based on elevated levels of ofCS.
Article Synopsis
- Recent research highlights the role of oral microbiota in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a cancer notably linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
- A study involving 303 NPC patients showed that those with the disease had a distinct microbiota profile characterized by lower diversity and specific bacteria like Streptococcus sanguinis, which is associated with increased EBV activity.
- Findings suggest that by producing hydrogen peroxide, S. sanguinis may activate EBV, influencing host cell signaling pathways and potentially contributing to tumor development in NPC patients.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to create a polygenic hazard score (PHS) to predict who would benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- It involved a retrospective analysis of 1,395 stage I-II NSCLC patients and included a genome-wide association study to derive the PHS from 37 specific genetic markers.
- The results showed that patients with a low PHS had significantly better outcomes with ACT, particularly stage II patients, suggesting that the PHS could help identify those most likely to benefit from chemotherapy.
Article Synopsis
- Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is linked to genetic factors and Epstein-Barr virus infection, making genetic counseling essential for high-risk families.
- A study involving whole-exome sequencing of 502 familial NPC patients revealed rare mutations in known cancer genes and identified 6 new susceptibility genes, with RAD54L showing the highest prevalence.
- Findings suggest that individuals with both rare and common genetic variants face significantly higher NPC risk, paving the way for better risk assessment and prevention strategies for those with a family history of the disease.
The Effects of Alcohol Drinking on Oral Microbiota in the Chinese Population.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
May 2022
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the impact of alcohol consumption on the oral microbiota of 150 healthy Chinese individuals, utilizing 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
- Results indicated that drinkers had higher alpha diversity and distinct microbiota compositions compared to non-drinkers, with specific genera and species being enriched or depleted in drinkers.
- Additionally, the research linked these microbial changes to altered metabolic pathways, suggesting that alcohol intake may influence overall health by modifying oral microbial composition and function, which could relate to alcohol-associated diseases.
Article Synopsis
- Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is linked to the Epstein-Barr virus and is particularly common in southern China; the study examines the role of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) variants in influencing EBV reactivation, a key factor in NPC development.
- A research team analyzed HLA alleles of 1,078 healthy males in the region and assessed EBV Zta-IgA levels, using logistic regression to examine the relationship between HLA variants and EBV activation, considering smoking as a factor.
- Results show that the HLA-DRB1*09:01 allele is associated with increased risk for Zta-IgA positivity, especially in smokers, indicating the need for smoking cessation efforts
Association Between Oral Microbiota and Cigarette Smoking in the Chinese Population.
Front Cell Infect Microbiol
July 2021
The oral microbiota has been observed to be influenced by cigarette smoking and linked to several human diseases. However, research on the effect of cigarette smoking on the oral microbiota has not been systematically conducted in the Chinese population. We profiled the oral microbiota of 316 healthy subjects in the Chinese population by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
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- * Recent studies showed that higher EBV levels in the nasopharynx are linked to NPC development, prompting investigations within families at high risk for the disease.
- * Findings revealed significant hereditary contributions to EBV loads, with a heritability estimate of 56.41%, suggesting that genetic factors may play a critical role in NPC susceptibility, especially in families with three or more cases.
The long-term and extensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the cultivation of Chinese materia medica has resulted in serious soil ecological and environmental problems such as secondary salinization, soil consolidation, soil acidification, continuous cropping obstacles, micro-ecological imbalance, and serious soil pests and diseases in the production areas of Chinese materia medica. Therefore, promoting the ecological planting of Chinese materia medica is the only way for the production of Chinese materia medica. Attapulgite(ATP) is a kind of water-rich magnesium-rich aluminosilicate clay mineral with layered and chain structure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSelf-reported smoking has been associated with higher seropositivity for the IgA response to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen (VCA-IgA) and transcription activator protein (Zta) in healthy men in southern China where nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is endemic. Results on the association of biochemically verified smoking status with EBV reactivation are scarce. We aimed to investigate the relations of serum cotinine level with serological markers of EBV in healthy women, in addition to men.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEpstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation, reflected by aberrantly increased levels of various serological antibodies, has been suggested to be an early indicator of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) onset and progression. We have previously suggested that certain lifestyle and dietary factors were associated with elevated serological levels of the antibody against various EBV antigens namely VCA, Zta, EBNA1, and oral EBV DNA loads among healthy population. It remains unclear whether these potential environmental factors would also influence EBV serological antibodies in NPC patients.
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