1.Advances in computational approaches to herbal prescription recommendation in traditional Chinese medicine: A review
Xin DONG ; Geyan PAN ; Juxian TANG ; Xuchen ZHANG ; Yutong HOU ; Peng ZHANG ; Xiaohan MAO ; Zhipeng KE ; Zongyao ZHAO ; Xuezhong ZHOU
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(2):119-131
Intelligent prescription recommendation has become an important research direction in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), offering new opportunities to support clinical decision-making and promote the modernization of TCM practice. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), a variety of computational approaches have been proposed to learn prescription patterns from clinical data and generate personalized treatment recommendations. However, despite increasing research activity, systematic and comprehensive reviews of AI-driven methods for TCM prescription recommendation remain limited. In this study, we present a comprehensive review of computational approaches for herbal prescription recommendation (HPR) in TCM. Existing methods are systematically categorized into several major paradigms, including traditional machine learning methods, topic model methods, sequential generative methods, deep learning and graph-based methods, and large language model–based frameworks. In addition to summarizing methodological developments, we also review commonly used public datasets and evaluation metrics in this field. Furthermore, representative models with publicly available implementations are experimentally evaluated on multiple benchmark datasets to provide a comparative analysis of their performance on the HPR task. Finally, we discuss the key challenges that hinder the practical deployment of intelligent prescription recommendation systems, including data heterogeneity, limited interpretability, and insufficient integration of TCM domain knowledge. Future research directions are outlined to facilitate the development of more reliable, interpretable, and clinically applicable AI-assisted HPR systems for TCM.
2.Morphological identification of Lispe pumila (Diptera: Muscidae)
Shun-fang HUANG ; Ying SU ; Zi-dong CHENG ; Guo-sheng LIAN ; Ming-jian KE
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):141-143
In March 2024, three male and two female specimens of the genus Lispe were intercepted on cargo ships inbound for Wan Zai Port under Gongbei Customs. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular analysis, the specimens were identified as Lispe pumila. In this study, we describe the morphological features, diagnostic characteristics, and geographical distribution of L. pumila, with the aim of providing a reference for the identification of this species when intercepted at ports.
3.Necroptosis in Exercise-induced Skeletal Muscle Damage: Roles and Regulatory Mechanisms
Zhi-Fei KE ; Wen-Jing SONG ; Yun-Feng DONG ; Hua-Yu SHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1884-1895
Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is a frequent form of skeletal muscle microdamage that occurs after high-intensity, prolonged, or unaccustomed exercise, especially exercise dominated by eccentric contractions. It is commonly characterized by delayed-onset muscle soreness, transient loss of muscle strength, local inflammation, structural disruption of myofibers, and delayed functional recovery. Although mild EIMD may serve as a stimulus for training adaptation, excessive or insufficiently recovered muscle damage can impair exercise performance, disturb training continuity, and reduce participation in physical activity. Therefore, clarifying the molecular mechanisms that underlie the initiation, amplification, and resolution of EIMD is important for optimizing athletic training, improving post-exercise recovery, and guiding evidence-based public fitness practice. Necroptosis is a regulated form of programmed cell death mediated primarily by the receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK) 1/RIPK3/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) signaling axis. Recent studies have shown that necroptosis is closely involved in tissue injury, sterile inflammation, and repair remodeling. However, whether necroptosis acts as an initiating driver, a secondary damage amplifier, or an adaptive signal required for repair after EIMD remains unclear. This review aimed to summarize the potential role of necroptosis in EIMD and to establish a mechanistic framework linking regulated cell death, inflammatory amplification, immune regulation, and skeletal muscle repair. Relevant studies concerning EIMD, necroptosis, RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), inflammatory responses, immune cell recruitment, extracellular matrix remodeling, and muscle regeneration were reviewed and integrated. On this basis, the possible temporal and functional involvement of necroptosis in different phases of EIMD was analyzed. The main evidence summarized in this review suggests that EIMD is not merely a consequence of primary mechanical disruption. Instead, it develops through a dynamic sequence that includes sarcolemmal instability, calcium overload, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammatory mediator production, immune cell infiltration, necrotic tissue clearance, and regeneration-associated remodeling. Necroptosis may participate in this process through at least two interconnected mechanisms. First, in the early or progressive phase of EIMD, activation of the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling axis may promote MLKL phosphorylation and plasma membrane permeabilization, leading to the release of DAMPs such as high-mobility group box 1, ATP, mitochondrial DNA, and other intracellular components. These signals may activate innate immune pathways, amplify inflammatory cytokine production, and enhance the recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages, thereby aggravating secondary inflammation and extending muscle fiber injury. Second, during the resolution and repair phases, necroptosis-related signaling may also contribute indirectly to the formation of a regenerative microenvironment. By influencing the clearance of necrotic debris, the recruitment and phenotypic transition of immune cells, and the remodeling of extracellular matrix components, necroptosis may affect satellite cell activation, myogenic repair, and the eventual structural and functional recovery of injured skeletal muscle. Thus, the biological effect of necroptosis in EIMD may be context dependent rather than uniformly harmful. Its outcome may depend on exercise intensity, the extent of tissue damage, the timing of pathway activation, the involved cell types, inflammatory status, training background, age, and metabolic condition. In conclusion, necroptosis may represent an important molecular link between skeletal muscle injury, sterile inflammation, and tissue repair after damaging exercise. It may exert a dual role in EIMD by amplifying secondary damage while also contributing to repair coordination under appropriate temporal and microenvironmental conditions. Future studies should determine the activation pattern of RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling after different exercise protocols, identify the major cell populations undergoing necroptosis in injured skeletal muscle, and examine whether targeted modulation of necroptosis can reduce excessive inflammation without impairing necessary regenerative responses. This review provides a theoretical basis for understanding the pathogenesis of EIMD and for developing targeted strategies to improve skeletal muscle recovery after exercise-induced injury.
4.Analysis of the early efficacy of anterior cervical zero-profile interbody fusion and traditional titanium plate combined interbody fusion in the treatment of three-segment cervical spondylosis
Tao SHAN ; Fei WANG ; Chun LI ; Zhou DONG ; Zhihao NI ; Ke ZHENG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(9):1657-1665
ObjectiveTo evaluate the comparative clinical outcomes of zero-profile interbody fusion (Zero-P) and traditional anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with titanium plate (ACDF-plate) for three-level cervical spondylosis, providing a reference to optimize surgical strategies for three-level cervical spondylosis. MethodsIn this retrospective comparative study, 113 patients were included and assigned to either the Zero-P group (n=51) or the ACDF-plate group (n=62) according to their surgical approaches. Clinical outcomes were evaluated and compared between the two groups using operative time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, cervical range of motion (ROM), neck disability index (NDI), Cervical Disability Index (CDI), Japanese orthopaedic association (JOA) scores, and postoperative complication rates. ResultsCompared with the ACDF-plate group, the Zero-P group had a shorter operative time and less intraoperative blood loss (P<0.05); the neck pain VAS score was lower on the 1st day and 1st week after surgery (P<0.05); the cervical flexion range of motion was higher at 1 month after surgery (P<0.05); the JOA score was higher at 3 months after surgery, while the NDI and CDI scores were lower (P<0.05); the total incidence of complications (11.76%) was significantly lower than that in the plate fixation group (35.48%), and the incidence of neck foreign body sensation/stiffness was lower (P<0.05). ConclusionZero-P not only demonstrates safety and efficacy comparable to the ACDF-plate, but also highlights the significant value of the minimally invasive concept in facilitating early recovery. Both procedures have their respective emphasis on biomechanical maintenance and minimally invasive benefits, providing a clear evidence-based reference for individualized and precise surgical decision-making in three-level cervical spondylosis.
5.The Ameliorate Effect of Piezo1 Signaling Pathway on Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 in Exercise Intervention
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):290-298
Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) is one of the most common metabolic diseases in the world and has a significant impact on the health of patients. As a key factor in cellular mechanical transduction, Piezo1 protein plays a crucial role in regulating the basic life activities of the body. By participating in energy metabolism, it not only promotes the improvement of basic metabolic rate, but also helps to maintain the stability of the internal environment of the body. The activation of Piezo1 pathway has a significant effect on the release of insulin by islet beta cells, and also plays an important role in the production of adipose tissue after food intake. This study reviews the effects of exercise intervention on the expression and function of Piezo1 protein, as well as its role in metabolic regulation and insulin level regulation in T2DM patients. The study showed that a modest exercise intervention activated Piezo1 signaling pathway, which improved insulin sensitivity and improved sugar metabolism. In addition, the activation of Piezo1 pathway is closely related to the metabolic regulation of adipose tissue, helping to regulate the differentiation and maturation of adipose cells, thereby affecting the metabolic function of adipose tissue. Based on a comprehensive analysis of existing literature, Piezo1 pathway is found to play a complex role in the pathogenesis of T2DM. Exercise intervention, as a non-drug therapy, provides a new strategy for the treatment of T2DM by activating Piezo1 signaling pathway. However, the exact mechanism of action of Piezo1 pathway in T2DM still needs further investigation. Future studies should focus on the interaction between the Piezo1 pathway and T2DM, and how to regulate the Piezo1 pathway to optimize treatment for T2DM. The effects of exercise intervention on Piezo1 protein and its role in metabolic regulation and insulin level regulation of T2DM patients were comprehensively analyzed in this paper, aiming to provide a new perspective for further research and development of therapeutic strategies for metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
6.Diagnosis of mucormycosis in three children following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using metagenomic next-generation sequencing.
Yue LI ; Xiao-Hui ZHOU ; Xiao-Dong WANG ; Chun-Jing WANG ; Ke CAO ; Si-Xi LIU
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(2):219-224
This article reports the clinical characteristics and treatment processes of three cases of mucormycosis occurring after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children, along with a review of relevant literature. All three patients presented with chest pain as the initial symptom, and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) confirmed the mucycete infection early in all cases. Two patients recovered after treatment, while one succumbed to disseminated infection. mNGS has facilitated early diagnosis and treatment, reducing mortality rates. Additionally, surgical intervention is an important strategy for improving the prognosis of this condition.
Humans
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Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects*
;
Mucormycosis/etiology*
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Male
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High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/methods*
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Child
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Female
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Metagenomics
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Child, Preschool
7.Research on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children
Xinyi LIANG ; Jingnan CHEN ; Xuelian ZHOU ; Ruimin CHEN ; Jingsi LUO ; Rongxiu ZHENG ; Chunxiu GONG ; Chunlin WANG ; Zhe SU ; Mireguli MAIMAITI ; Yan LIANG ; Hui YAO ; Haiyan WEI ; Hongwei DU ; Shaoke CHEN ; Yu YANG ; Feihong LUO ; Pin LI ; Min ZHU ; Wei WU ; Ke HUANG ; Guanping DONG ; Junfen FU
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(6):612-619
Objective:To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity among Chinese children aged 3-18 years from 11 provinces, antonomous regions, or municipalities.Methods:This national cross-sectional community health survey utilized a multistage stratified cluster-random sampling method to recruit 193 997 nationally representative participants from 11 provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities between January 2017 and December 2019. All participants underwent physical examinations, and their caregivers completed questionnaires assessing participants′ dietary, lifestyle, familial, and perinatal information. Multilevel multinomial logistic regression models were employed to identify the potential risk factors.Results:The cohort comprised 193 997 children (102 178 boys, 91 819 girls),aged (10±4) years. Overall prevalence rates were 30 574(15.8%)overweight children and 17 217(8.9%) obesity children. Boys exhibited higher overweight and obesity rates than girls (17.0% (17 368/102 178) vs. 14.4% (13 206/102 178), 11.3% (11 553/91 819) vs. 6.2% (5 664/91 819), χ2=249.12,1 578.69,both P<0.001). The detection rates of obesity in Tanner stage 2 and 3 were the highest in boys and girls, with 13.4%(2 231/16 665) and 8.6%(880/10 221) respectively. Risk factors for obesity included parental overweight (paternal OR=2.34 and maternal OR=2.29), annual household income of 100 000-200 000 yuan (compared with<100 000 yuan, OR=1.04), higher paternal education (compared with below high school,high school and a college education OR=1.09,1.14), birth weight >4.0 kg (≤5 and>5 years old OR=1.74, 1.44,respectively), and western food consumption≥1 time/month (compared with<1, 1-2, 3-4,>4 times/month OR=1.36, 1.30, 1.67(≤5 years), 1.19, 1.16, 1.15 (>5 years), respectively) (all P<0.05). Conversely, coarse grain intake≥1 times/week (compared with<1 times/week, every day, 3-4, 1-2 times/week OR=0.74, 0.80, 0.71 (≤5 years), 0.75, 0.87, 0.90(>5 years), respectively, all P<0.05) was associated with reduced obesity risk. Conclusions:Obesity epidemiology in children demonstrates significant heterogeneity across age, gender, geographic regions, and pubertal stages. It is necessary to establish a personalized prevention and control strategy.
8.Establishing reference interval for uric acid in normal weight children
Guohua LI ; Yuanyuan MENG ; Yangxi LI ; Ke HUANG ; Wei WU ; Guanping DONG ; Li ZHANG ; Xuelian ZHOU ; Xiaoqiang HAO ; Junfen FU
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(12):1349-1353
Objective:To investigate the reference intervals of serum uric acid levels in normal-weight children and analyze the factors influencing these levels.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, clinical data were collected from 7 910 normal-weight children, aged 1 month to 15 years, who underwent health check-ups at the Children′s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine between August 2013 and August 2023. Data included sex, age, pubertal signs, blood pressure, and serum uric acid levels. The participants were categorized into 4 age groups: 1-<12 months, 1-<6 years, 6-<11 years, and 11-<16 years, and were further analyzed by sex. The P5 and P95 percentiles of uric acid values were defined as the lower and upper limits of the reference interval, respectively. Correlation analysis and partial correlation analysis were used to assess the relationship between uric acid and other variables such as age, body mass index Z value, and Tanner stage. Multivariate linear regression was used to compare uric acid levels across gender and age groups, respectively. Results:Among the 7 910 children, the distribution across age groups was as follows: 562 (317 boys) in 1-<12 months, 4 120 (2 366 boys) in 1-<6 years, 2 357 (1 432 boys) in 6-<11 years, and 871 (536 boys) in 11-<16 years, the uric acid levels in boys were significantly higher than those in girls ( P<0.05). Uric acid levels exhibited a positive correlation with age ( r=0.47 , 0.20, both P<0.001), and a weak positive correlation with BMI Z-scores(both r=0.11, P<0.001). Among participants aged 6-<11 years and 11-<16 years, uric acid levels in boys were positively correlated with Tanner stage ( r=0.10, 0.27, both P<0.05), but no significant correlation was observed in girls (all P>0.05). The uric acid levels were significantly higher in boys than in girls in the 1-<12 months, 1-<6 years and 11-<16 years age groups (all P<0.05), but no significant gender difference was found in the 6-<11 years groups ( P>0.05). Uric acid levels exhibited statistically significant variations among age groups ( P<0.001). The reference intervals of uric acid values were as follows in 1-<12 months age group, 157-335 μmol/L for boys and 160-315 μmol/L for girls; in 1-<6 years age group, 180-359 μmol/L for boys and 180-355 μmol/L for girls; in 6-<11 years group, 190-375 μmol/L; in 11-<16 years age group, 237-480 μmol/L for boys and 218-410 μmol/L for girls. Conclusions:Reference intervals for uric acid varying significantly across different pediatric age groups. Sex, and pubertal development status are closely related to uric acid levels.
9.A case report of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma
Pengwen LI ; Guowei DONG ; Antao CHANG ; Jizong JIANG ; Changxing KE
Chinese Journal of Urology 2025;46(6):467-469
A case of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma was reported. After admission,laparoscopic radical right nephrectomy was performed without postoperative radiotherapy,chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Five months after operation,the tumor recurred,with lung metastasis and tumor thrombus formation in inferior vena cava. Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma is extremely rare clinically,with high malignancy,poor prognosis,atypical symptoms,and no specificity in auxiliary examination. CT is the first choice of examination. At present,the diagnosis is mainly by pathological examination and immunohistochemical staining. The treatment of this disease depends mainly on early surgical resection,and it is not sensitive to radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
10.The cumulative effects of lifestyle on different patterns of multimorbidity among children and adolescents aged 9-18 in Tianjin City
Zhonghui LIU ; Xianwei ZHANG ; Saisai ZHAO ; Ke XU ; Zhiying SUN ; Xinli SONG ; Yanhui DONG ; Yi SONG ; Yushan CUI
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(2):174-180
Objective:To understand the occurrence of different patterns of multimorbidity among children and adolescents aged 9-18 in Tianjin City and analyze the cumulative effects of lifestyle on these patterns of multimorbidity.Methods:From September to November 2022, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select students from primary schools, junior high schools, general high schools, and vocational schools in 16 districts of Tianjin to screen for height, weight, blood pressure, distant vision, and diopter. One year later, a follow-up measurement and questionnaire survey were conducted. The log-binomial model was used to analyze the strength of the association between lifestyle factors and different patterns of multimorbidity.Results:The age of 9 488 students was (12.37±2.49) years old, including 4 999 boys and 4 489 girls. The detection rates of three patterns of multimorbidity of overweight obesity and high blood pressure, overweight obesity and myopia, and overweight obesity with high blood pressure and myopia were 6.63%, 9.32%, and 4.21%, respectively. The detection rates of the three types of multimorbidity in boys were higher than those in girls (all P<0.001). The detection rate of overweight obesity and high blood pressure in suburban areas was higher than that in urban areas ( P=0.002). The detection rate of overweight obesity and myopia in suburban areas was lower than that in urban areas ( P=0.034). The detection rate of overweight obesity and myopia among those aged 9-12 years old was higher than other age groups (all P<0.001). The ARR (95% CI) for the association between favorable physical activity and the occurrence of overweight obesity and high blood pressure was 0.79 (0.68-0.92). The ARR (95% CI) for the association between favorable physical activity and the occurrence of overweight obesity with high blood pressure and myopia was 0.82 (0.67-0.99). Compared with children and adolescents with 0-2 favorable lifestyle factors, those with 4-5 favorable lifestyle factors had a lower risk of overweight obesity and high blood pressure ( ARR=0.84, 95% CI: 0.59-0.92). Conclusion:Boys aged 9-18 in Tianjin City are more prone to multimorbidity of overweight obesity and high blood pressure, overweight obesity and myopia, and overweight obesity with high blood pressure and myopia. Children and adolescents with 4-5 favorable lifestyle factors have a reduced risk of occurrence of overweight obesity and high blood pressure. Lifestyle has cumulative effects on multimorbidity of overweight obesity and high blood pressure.


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