1.Facial color-preserving generative adversarial network-based privacy protection of facial diagnostic images in traditional Chinese medicine
Jilong SHEN ; Aihua GUAN ; Xinyu WANG ; Jiadong XIE ; Youwei DING ; Kongfa HU
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(4):455-466
Objective:
To develop a facial image generation method based on a facial color-preserving generative adversarial network (FCP-GAN) that effectively decouples identity features from diagnostic facial complexion characteristics in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) inspection, thereby addressing the critical challenge of privacy preservation in medical image analysis.
Methods:
A facial image dataset was constructed from participants at Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine between April 23 and June 10, 2023, using a TCM full-body inspection data acquisition equipment under controlled illumination. The proposed FCP-GAN model was designed to achieve the dual objectives of removing identity features and preserving colors through three key components: (i) a multi-space combination module that comprehensively extracts color attributes from red, green, blue (RGB), hue, saturation, value (HSV), and Lab spaces; (ii) a generator incorporating efficient channel attention (ECA) mechanism to enhance the representation of diagnostically critical color channels; and (iii) a dual-loss function that combines adversarial loss for de-identification with a dedicated color preservation loss. The model was trained and evaluated using a stratified 5-fold cross-validation strategy and evaluated against four baseline generative models: conditional GAN (CGAN), deep convolutional GAN (DCGAN), dual discriminator CGAN (DDCGAN), and medical GAN (MedGAN). Performance was assessed in terms of image quality [peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity (SSIM)], distribution similarity [Fréchet inception distance (FID)], privacy protection (face recognition accuracy), and diagnostic consistency [mean squared error (MSE) and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC)].
Results:
The final analysis included facial images from 216 participants. Compared with baseline models, FCP-GAN achieved superior performance, with PSNR = 31.02 dB and SSIM = 0.908, representing an improvement of 1.21 dB and 0.034 in SSIM over the strongest baseline (MedGAN). The FID value (23.45) was also the lowest among all models, indicating superior distributional similarity to real images. The multi-space feature fusion and the ECA mechanism contributed significantly to these performance gains, as evidenced by ablation studies. The stratified 5-fold cross-validation confirmed the model’s robustness, with results reported as mean ± standard deviation (SD) across all folds. The model effectively protected privacy by reducing face recognition accuracy from 95.2% (original images) to 60.1% (generated images). Critically, it maintained high diagnostic fidelity, as evidenced by a low MSE (< 0.051) and a high PCC (> 0.98) for key TCM facial features between original and generated images.
Conclusion
The FCP-GAN model provides an effective technical solution for ensuring privacy in TCM diagnostic imaging, successfully having removed identity features while preserving clinically vital facial color features. This study offers significant value for developing intelligent and secure TCM telemedicine systems.
2.Progress on ketogenic diet in children with autism spectrum disorder
Yu WANG ; Lianhu YU ; Ling LI ; Aihua CAO
International Journal of Pediatrics 2025;52(9):614-618
Autism spectrum disorder(ASD)is a neurodevelopmental disorder that originates in early childhood. The precise pathogenesis of ASD remains unclear,and current interventions show limited effectiveness in improving patient outcomes. Various treatment strategies are being explored.The ketogenic diet(KD),as a high-fat,low-carbohydrate,moderate-protein diet,gains attention as a potential therapeutic option for ASD. This article reviews the current application of the KD in the treatment of ASD,with a detailed exploration of its efficacy in alleviating ASD symptoms,clinical uncertainties,and potential mechanisms of action. These mechanisms include its effects on gut microbiota,neural excitation-inhibition balance,inflammation,oxidative stress,and so on. The review aims to provide reference for further scientific research and practical clinical applications.
3.Exploration on the mechanism of Shengxue Tongbian Granules in improving intestinal injury in septic rats based on bioinformatics and experimental validation
Xuan HE ; Aihua ZHENG ; Bing GUO ; Siqin TANG ; Min WANG ; Hongmei LIU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(10):1418-1424
Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism of TCM compound Shengxue Tongbian Granules in improving intestinal injury in septic rats through bioinformatics and experimental validation methods.Methods:The GSE131761 gene set was processed by bioinformatics to screen differential genes, then weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was applied to screen modular genes. The intersection of modular genes and differential genes was taken, and finally, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) technique was applied to further obtain the key targets of sepsis, which was validated by experiments. Totally 72 SD rats were divided into sham-operation group, model group, dexamethasone group (0.15 mg/kg), Shengxue Tongbian Granules low- (0.3 g/kg), medium- (0.6 g/kg), and high-dosage (1.2 g/kg) groups, with 12 rats in each group. Corresponding drug interventions were administered to each treatment group before and 12 hours after modeling. The sham-operation group and the model group were gavaged daily with equal amounts of saline. Samples were collected after 24 hours. HE staining was used to detect the pathological morphology of intestinal tissues in each group of rats; ELISA was used to detect the levels of TNF-α, diamine oxidase (DAO), IL-6, IL-10, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in rat serum. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expressions of MPO and neutrophil elastase (NE/LANE) in intestinal tissue, and Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of peptidyl arginine deaminase (PAD4) in intestinal tissue.Results:Seven final key genes related to sepsis were selected, namely ANXA3, CYP1B1, FCAR, LILRA5, PADI4, NOV, and S100A12. Experimental results showed that drug administration alleviated intestinal injury; compared with the model group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, MPO, and DAO decreased in the Shengxue Tongbian Granules high-dosage group ( P<0.05), the levels of ELANE and MPO were reduced in Shengxue Tongbian Granules low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups ( P<0.05), and PAD4 expression was reduced in the Shengxue Tongbian Granules high-dosage group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Shengxue Tongbian Granules can improve the intestinal injury of septic rats, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PAD4-mediated formation of NETs and the improvement of inflammatory response.
4.Effects of three sterilization methods on the magnetic flux of magnetic surgical devices and analysis of sterilization cost
Feng MA ; Aihua SHI ; Xiaoyan ZENG ; Fang BAI ; Ningxia JIA ; Hao XUE ; Fengling WANG ; Yan LI ; Xufeng ZHANG ; Yi LÜ ; Lingling SHI
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(4):669-673
Objective To analyze the effects of three sterilization methods,namely,pressure steam,low-temperature plasma and ethylene oxide,on the magnetic flux of magnetic surgical devices and their sterilization costs.Methods A total of 234 magnetic surgical devices of different specifications and models(magnetic rings)were randomly divided into Group A,Group B and Group C after the paired number was labelled,and each group consisted of 78 pieces(39 pairs).After packaging each pair of devices according to sterilization specifications,Group A was sterilized by pressure steam,Group B was sterilized by low-temperature plasma,and Group C was sterilized by ethylene oxide.We measured the magnetic flux of three sets of magnetic rings before and after sterilization,and comparatively analyzed the sterilization cost and sterilization time of the single package.Results There was no statistically significant difference in the impact of the three sterilization methods on the magnetic flux of the magnetic surgical devices(P>0.05),but there was a significant difference in the magnetic flux before and after sterilization for each sterilization method(P<0.001);the sterilization cost was(1.96±0.16)yuan for Group A,(23.17±0.32)yuan for Group B,and(8.16±0.18)yuan for Group C,showing statistically significant differences among the three groups(P<0.01).The sterilization time was(65.21±3.36)min for Group A,(45.46±1.39)min for Group B,and(1020.38±12.21)min for Group C,with statistically significant differences among the three groups(P<0.01).Conclusion None of the three sterilization methods affects the magnetic flux of the magnetic surgical devices.Pressure steam method shows the lowest cost of single package,low-temperature plasma method shows the highest cost of single package,while ethylene oxide method shows the highest sterilization time.Pressure steam should be the preferred sterilization method for magnetic surgical devices.
5.Analysis of the monitoring results of nail snails in the Tongjiang River channel of Zhenjiang section on the south bank of Yangtze River from 2019 to 2023
WANG Zhiqin ; CHEN Xingchen ; SHEN Xuehui ; DAI Jianrong ; LI Aihua ; WANG Lin ; LI Yefang ; LI Zhiwei
China Tropical Medicine 2024;24(1):53-
Objective To timely understand the current status and distribution of nail snails (Oncomelania hupensis) in Tongjiang River channels in Zhenjiang City, providing a scientific basis for achieving the goal of eliminating schistosomiasis. Methods From 2019 to 2023, nine Tongjiang River channels on the south bank of the Yangtze River under the jurisdiction of Zhenjiang City were selected as the monitoring area. Snail monitoring was carried out onshore and beach nail snails floats in the Tongjiang River channels, nail snails on attachments in hardened areas, snails induced by straw curtains, and snails carried by boats and domestic animals. Results The monitoring results of shoreline snail from 2019 to 2023 showed that the snail situation in the Tongjiang River channel and its outer river bank remained relatively stable from 2019 to 2020; however, in 2021, under the influence of the Yangtze River flooding disaster in 2020, the area of snails increased significantly. In 2021, the area with snails in the Tongjiang River channel and the outer river bank increased by 45.70% (11.95/26.15) and 100.00% (20.00/20.00) compared to 2020; the average density of nails snails in the Tongjiang River channel and the outer river bank and the emergence rate of snail frames both showed a significant increase, rising by 94.73% (0.18/0.19) and 68.08% (8.68/12.75) compared to 2020, and by 122.73% (0.81/0.66) and 102.78% (43.26/42.09), respectively. The differences in the increase in the occurrence rate of spiked frames in the Tongjiang River channel Chili River and Renmin River were not statistically significant (χ2=0.329, P>0.05; χ2=0.646, P>0.05). From 2022 to 2023, the density of nail snails and the occurrence rate of framed snails in the Tongjiang River channel showed a decreasing trend (F=4.72, P=0.04 and χ2=372.58, P<0.01). The area of nail snails, density of live snails, and occurrence rate of framed snails in the outer river bank showed a decreasing trend (F=13.96, P=0.02; F=23.43, P<0.01; χ2=1 029.69, P<0.01). During the five years, no nail snails were detected in the ancient canal and 11 tributaries. From 2019 to 2023, 180 times of 3 003 kg of floating objects were salvaged, with a total of 148 live snails detected. A total of 17 live snails were captured on attachments in the hardened berm area; a total of 11 live snails were captured by straw curtain snail baiting;112 boats were inspected, and no snails were found; there were 112 boats surveyed, and no snails were found; 97 cattle were observed, and 2 cattle were found to carry 1 live snail on their hooves; 321 sheep were observed, and no snails were found on their hooves; and no infectious snails were found in the monitoring area in 5 years. Conclusions Nail snails continue to exist in the Tongjiang River channel, and the risk factors for schistosomiasis transmission have not been completely eliminated. It is still necessary to carry out accurate monitoring of the snail situation in the Tongjiang River and the river bank, so as to grasp the risk of transmission in time and take emergency measures.
6.Surgical treatment and prognosis analysis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma
Xiangcheng LI ; Changxian LI ; Hui ZHANG ; Feng CHENG ; Feng ZHANG ; Liyong PU ; Chuanyong ZHANG ; Ke WANG ; Lianbao KONG ; Xiaofeng QIAN ; Donghua LI ; Wenxiong LU ; Ping WANG ; Aihua YAO ; Jianfeng BAI ; Xiaofeng WU ; Ruixiang CHEN ; Xuehao WANG
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2024;62(4):290-301
Objective:To investigate the surgical treatment effect and prognostic factors of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.Methods:This is an ambispective cohort study. From August 2005 to December 2022,data of 510 patients who diagnosed with hilar cholangiocarcinoma and underwent surgical resection at the Hepatobiliary Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively collected. In the cohort,there were 324 males and 186 females,with an age of ( M (IQR)) 63(13)years (range:25 to 85 years). The liver function at admission was Child-Pugh A (343 cases,67.3%) and Child-Pugh B (167 cases,32.7%). Three hundred and seventy-two(72.9%) patients had jaundice symptoms and the median total bilirubin was 126.3(197.6) μmol/L(range: 5.4 to 722.8 μmol/L) at admission. Two hundred and fourty-seven cases (48.4%) were treated with percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage or endoscopic nasobiliary drainage before operation. The median bilirubin level in the drainage group decreased from 186.4 μmol/L to 85.5 μmol/L before operation. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to identify the influencing factors for R0 resection,and Cox regression was used to construct multivariate prediction models for overall survival(OS) and disease-free survival(DFS). Results:Among 510 patients who underwent surgical resection,Bismuth-Corlett type Ⅲ-Ⅳ patients accounted for 71.8%,among which 86.1% (315/366) underwent hemi-hepatectomy,while 81.9% (118/144) underwent extrahepatic biliary duct resection alone in Bismuch-Corlett type Ⅰ-Ⅱ patients. The median OS time was 22.8 months, and the OS rates at 1-,3-,5-and 10-year were 72.2%,35.6%,24.8% and 11.0%,respectively. The median DFS time was 15.2 months,and the DFS rates was 66.0%,32.4%,20.9% and 11.0%,respectively. The R0 resection rate was 64.5% (329/510), and the OS rates of patients with R0 resection at 1-,3-,5-and 10-year were 82.5%, 48.6%, 34.4%, 15.2%,respectively. The morbidity of Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ-Ⅴ complications was 26.1%(133/510) and the 30-day mortality was 4.3% (22/510). Multivariate Logistic regression indicated that Bismuth-Corlett type Ⅰ-Ⅲ ( P=0.009), hemi-hepatectomy and extended resection ( P=0.001),T1 and T2 patients without vascular invasion (T2 vs. T1: OR=1.43 (0.61-3.35), P=0.413;T3 vs. T1: OR=2.57 (1.03-6.41), P=0.010;T4 vs. T1, OR=3.77 (1.37-10.38), P<0.01) were more likely to obtain R0 resection. Preoperative bilirubin,Child-Pugh grade,tumor size,surgical margin,T stage,N stage,nerve infiltration and Edmondson grade were independent prognostic factors for OS and DFS of hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients without distant metastasis. Conclusions:Radical surgical resection is necessary to prolong the long-term survival of hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients. Hemi-hepatectomy and extended resection,regional lymph node dissection and combined vascular resection if necessary,can improve R0 resection rate.
7.Midterm and long-term angiographic outcomes and efficacy analysis of the Pipeline Embolization Device in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms
Xiaopeng XUE ; Xin TONG ; Mingjiang SUN ; Pengcheng WANG ; Aihua LIU
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2024;62(12):1113-1119
Objective:To investigate the midterm and long-term efficacy of flow-diverter device in treating intracranial aneurysms (IAs) and analyze its clinical outcomes in anterior circulation aneurysms and posterior circulation aneurysms.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The data of 566 intracranial aneurysm patients (681 aneurysms) treated with the flow-diverter device at Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2018 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 205 males and 361 females, with an age ( M(IQR)) of 55 (14) years (range:18 to 77 years). Twelve patients (12 aneurysms) had ruptured aneurysms before surgery, and 75 patients (172 aneurysms) had multiple aneurysms. Preoperative modified Rankin scale (mRS) >2 points in 16 patients.There were 444 patients (552 aneurysms) in the anterior circulation group and 122 patients (129 aneurysms) in the posterior circulation group. Postoperative follow-up was conducted via outpatient visits or telephone calls at 3 to 12 months after the procedure. Baseline aneurysm parameters, surgical information, and imaging and clinical outcomes were collected. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent factors associated with long-term incomplete aneurysm occlusion. Results:Intraoperative use of flow diverter-assisted coil embolization was performed in 221 patients (226 aneurysms), and balloon assistance was used in 20 patients (22 aneurysms).The intraoperative rupture rate was 0.5% (3/566), and the intraoperative thrombosis rate was 0.7% (4/566). The in-hospital mortality rate was 1.2% (7/566). Postoperative complications included subarachnoid hemorrhage in 5 patients (0.9%), intracerebral hemorrhage in 2 patients (0.4%), ischemic stroke in 19 patients (3.6%), and transient ischemic attack in 16 patients (3.0%). Imaging follow-up was available for 447 patients (548 aneurysms) with a follow-up duration of (16.7±6.7) months (range:3 to 45 months). Incomplete aneurysm occlusion occurred in 79 patients (95 aneurysms), accounting for 17.3% (95/548). Parent artery stenosis was observed in 63 patients (72 aneurysms), accounting for 13.1% (72/548). Clinical follow-up was available for 530 patients (644 aneurysms) with a follow-up duration of (29.4±11.3) months (range:3 to 54 months). One case of mRS score >2 points was observed in 18 patients, accounting for 3.4% (18/530). Among them, the rate of incomplete occlusion in the anterior and posterior circulation group was 16.9% (76/450) and 19.4% (19/98), respectively, and the rate of parent artery stenosis was 10.9% (49/450) and 23.5% (23/98), respectively; the rate of mRS score>2 points was 2.4% (10/415) and 7.0% (8/115), respectively. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that aneurysm neck size ( β=0.075, OR=1.08, P=0.028) and coil use ( β=-1.070, OR=0.034, P=0.001) were independent factors influencing long-term aneurysm occlusion. Conclusions:The flow-diverter device demonstrates good safety and efficacy in the midterm and long-term treatment of overall IAs. However, further research is needed to focus on the midterm and long-term treatment outcomes of aneurysms with relatively wide neck and posterior circulation aneurysms.
8.Study on mechanism and Huanglong Mixture in the treatment of children with cough variant asthma and experimental verification based on network pharmacologic analysis
Xixi JI ; Aihua WANG ; Hongyan LONG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(2):196-202
Objective:To study the the mechanism of action of Huanglong Mixture in the treatment of cough variant asthma (CVA) in children based on the IL-4/signal transduction and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) signaling pathway using network pharmacology methods, molecular docking techniques, and in vitro cell experiments.Methods:The components and targets of various TCM components in Huanglong Mixture were searched in TCMSP database, HERB database and literature, and the disease targets of CVA were found in Gene Cards database, OMIM database, DrugBank database and PharmGkb database. The STRING database was used to construct the protein-protein interaction network, and Cytoscape 3.9.1 was used for topology analysis to screen out the core targets. The disease-drug-component-target network was constructed to screen out the core components. The KEGG enrichment analysis and GO enrichment analysis of the intersection targets were performed using Metascape software. PDB protein database, PubChem, Autodock and R language were used for molecular docking verification of core targets and core drug components. Finally, rat primary airway smooth muscle cells were cultured, modeled with interleukin-4 (IL-4), and p-STAT6 expression in the cytoplasm and nucleus was detected by Western blot.Results:A total of 122 effective components were obtained, including quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin and so on. The core targets included JUN, ESR1, TP53, MYC, HIF1, etc. GO enrichment analysis involved biological processes such as response to external stimuli, response to oxygen levels, positive regulation of protein phosphorylation, and regulation of cellular stress response. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the main pathways of Huanglong Mixture in treating CVA included advanced glycation end product-glycation end product receptor (AGE-RAGE) signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt) signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway, Janus kinase/signal transduction activation factor (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway. Molecular docking found that the core targets and core drug components had good combination. Cell experiments also confirmed that Huanglong Mixture could inhibit p-STAT6 entering the nucleus.Conclusions:The effective components and targets of Huanglong Mixture in the treatment of CVA are successfully predicted. The mechanism of Huanglong Mixture in the treatment of children with CVA may be related to the inhibition of IL-4/STAT6 signaling pathway.
9.Visualization Analysis on Research Literature of TCM Regulation of miRNA
Weiqing LI ; Haidong WANG ; Haolin LI ; Xuemei TIAN ; Aihua WANG ; Xiaojun SU ; Ping CHEN ; Xiangjun LI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(1):44-50
Objective To analyze the current status and trends of TCM regulation of microRNA(miRNA)using visualization methods.Methods The literature related to the TCM regulation of miRNA was retrieved from CNKI,VIP and Wanfang Data from the establishment of the databases to May 31,2022.Excel 2019,VOSviewer 1.6.18,and CiteSpace 5.8.R3 software were applied to visualize and analyze the year of publication,journal source,author and keywords of the included literature.Results A total of 787 articles were included,and the number of publications continued to rise.Source journals with more publications includes Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulas,China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy,Chinese Archives of Traditional Chinese Medicine,etc.Research teams were formed with Wang Jie,Liu Xide,Diao Limei,etc.as the representatives,and the cooperation among the teams was not very close.Analysis on the keywords in the literature showed that the studies mainly focused on apoptosis,miRNA-21,electroacupuncture,atherosclerosis,proliferation and other related fields;TCM intervention that accounted for the most research were extracts of Chinese materia medica,with 42%of the studies;there were 24 miRNAs studied≥3 times,and the most studied miRNA was miRNA-21.Conclusion The research hotspots of TCM regulation of miRNA are mainly the molecular mechanism of various TCM therapeutic tools to improve cell autophagy,apoptosis,inflammatory response and other pathways through regulation of miRNAs.The trend of research is to study the mechanism of empirical prescriptions of famous TCM practitioners based on precise therapeutic strategies.
10.Opportunities and challenges in the collaborative development of laboratory medicine and lifeomics
Xiaobo YU ; Aihua SUN ; Yan WANG ; Fuchu HE
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;47(1):7-13
With the maturation of proteomics technologies in recent years, proteomics has made significant achievements in early detection of major diseases, disease classification, drug target discovery, and other fields. To explore the important role of proteomics, especially proteomics-based cutting-edge lifeomics technologies, in promoting the development of precision laboratory medicine and to discuss the opportunities and challenges faced during the clinical translation of innovative outcomes, the National Center for Protein Sciences-Beijing invited renowned experts and scholars in laboratory medicine, lifeomics, and precision medicine. The discussions revolved around the collaborative development of laboratory medicine and lifeomics, the future trends of new technologies in clinical laboratory testing, the innovation and development of lifeomics in laboratory medicine, the translational application of proteomics technologies in laboratory medicine, and the opportunities and challenges in the industrialization of proteomics achievements. All participants agreed that proteomics provides new directions and opportunities for precision diagnosis and treatment of diseases. However, close collaboration between academia, hospitals and industry is required. Additionally, challenges such as clinical applicability of equipment, standardization of detection methods and data, cost and quality control, talent cultivation, and the industrialization pathway need to be addressed.

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