As a major challenge in the global field of critical care medicine, sepsis is associated with high morbidity and mortality, driving intensive research into the development of precise risk prediction models. Among these, machine learning and deep learning-based predictive models have garnered particular attention. This article systematically reviews the evolution of sepsis risk prediction models and the challenges associated with their clinical translation, with a focus on their clinical applicability in common septic complications, including acute kidney injury, encephalopathy, and coagulation disorders. Current evidence indicates that machine learning models, by integrating multidimensional dynamic data from electronic health records, significantly enhance early warning capabilities and individualized predictive performance. However, major bottlenecks limiting clinical translation include insufficient data standardization, lack of model interpretability, and inadequate external validation. Future research should prioritize multicenter collaboration, time-series modeling strategies, and explainable artificial intelligence frameworks to optimize clinical translation pathways and facilitate the paradigm shift from traditional empirical approaches to data-driven precision strategies in sepsis risk stratification.

Objective To construct a prediction model for targeted biopsy(TB)of the prostate based on multiparameter magnetic resonance imaging(mp-MRI)and prostate-specific antigen density(PSAD)to predict the outcomes TB in patients with a score of 4-5 on the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System(PI-RADS).Methods Clinical data of 669 patients with PI-RADS 4-5 receiving transperineal TB in our hospital during Jan.2022 and Dec.2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The data were divided into the training set and validation set with a ratio of 2∶1.Independent predictors of TB results were identified with univariate and multivariate logistic regression to construct a formula for the prediction model.A prediction model was subsequently constructed and validated using the validation set to assess its efficacy and predictive performance with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC).The relative importance of each independent predictor in the formula was analyzed.Results Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that age,total number of lesions,histological location,PI-RADS score and PSAD were significantly associated with the TB outcomes(P＜0.05)and could be used as independent predictors,with PI-RADS score and PSAD making the highest contribution to outcome prediction,accounting for 27.59％and 37.58％,respectively.The training set had an AUC of 0.840(95％CI:0.800-0.881),which was more predictive than other single predictors,and the high-risk group based on the optimal threshold of 0.833 increased the positive biopsy rate from 79.3％to 94.4％.The validation set had an AUC of 0.865(95％CI:0.810-0.920),and the high-risk group based on the optimal threshold of 0.594 increased the positive biopsy rate from 80.0％to 96.2％.Conclusion The prediction model has good predictive ability for lesions with PI-RADS 4-5,which can significantly improve the positive detection rate and reduce a large number of unnecessary systematic puncture.

Objective To construct a prediction model for targeted biopsy(TB)of the prostate based on multiparameter magnetic resonance imaging(mp-MRI)and prostate-specific antigen density(PSAD)to predict the outcomes TB in patients with a score of 4-5 on the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System(PI-RADS).Methods Clinical data of 669 patients with PI-RADS 4-5 receiving transperineal TB in our hospital during Jan.2022 and Dec.2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The data were divided into the training set and validation set with a ratio of 2∶1.Independent predictors of TB results were identified with univariate and multivariate logistic regression to construct a formula for the prediction model.A prediction model was subsequently constructed and validated using the validation set to assess its efficacy and predictive performance with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC).The relative importance of each independent predictor in the formula was analyzed.Results Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that age,total number of lesions,histological location,PI-RADS score and PSAD were significantly associated with the TB outcomes(P＜0.05)and could be used as independent predictors,with PI-RADS score and PSAD making the highest contribution to outcome prediction,accounting for 27.59％and 37.58％,respectively.The training set had an AUC of 0.840(95％CI:0.800-0.881),which was more predictive than other single predictors,and the high-risk group based on the optimal threshold of 0.833 increased the positive biopsy rate from 79.3％to 94.4％.The validation set had an AUC of 0.865(95％CI:0.810-0.920),and the high-risk group based on the optimal threshold of 0.594 increased the positive biopsy rate from 80.0％to 96.2％.Conclusion The prediction model has good predictive ability for lesions with PI-RADS 4-5,which can significantly improve the positive detection rate and reduce a large number of unnecessary systematic puncture.

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of action of Wuzi Yanzong pill (WYP) in rats with oligoasthenozoospermia (OAZ) via metabolomics and to provide a possible basis for improving this WYP-based treatment. Methods: A rat model of OAZ was established by treating male Sprague–Dawley rats with glucosides from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F. Seventy-two rats were randomly divided into six groups: control, L-carnitine (positive control), model, and low-, medium-, and high-dose WYP groups. Rats in the experimental groups were treated with WYP for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, sperm cell quality (density, motility, and viability) was assessed using a semen analysis system, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was assessed using flow cytometry, and testicular injury was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining to validate the therapeutic effect of WYP in OAZ. Further, serum metabolomics-based analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify differential metabolic pathways and possible mechanisms of action of WYP in OAZ treatment. Results: A rat model of OAZ was considered successfully-established after comparing the quality of spermatozoa in the model group to that in the control group. WYP-M and WYP-H treatments significantly improved sperm cell density, motility, and viability compared with those in the model group (all P < .05). Compared with the model group, both WYP-M and WYP-H treatments increased MMP values (P = .006 and P = .021 respectively), while there was no significant difference in the L-carnitine group. L-carnitine and WYP administration reversed damage to the testes to varying degrees compared with that in the model group. Further, 44 differential metabolites and four metabolic pathways, especially autophagy pathway, related to OAZ were identified via metabolomics. Conclusions WYP improves sperm cell quality and MMP in OAZ primarily via autophagy regulation. These findings can be employed to improve the efficacy of WYP in humans.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy, which seriously endangers the health of mothers and infants. Its incidence is gradually increasing worldwide. Research has found that, in addition to insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, immune disorders play an important role in the pathogenesis of GDM. This study reviews the recent research on the involvement of common immune cells in the pathophysiological process of GDM to explore the functional changes of immune cells related to the occurrence and development of GDM and provides a reference for the prevention and treatment of GDM.

Objective:To explore the impact of whole blood organophosphate esters (OPEs) flame retardant exposure on thyroid function-related hormones in healthy older adults.Methods:In this panel study, five repeated population-based epidemiological surveys and biological sample collection were conducted from September 2018 to January 2019, with 76 healthy older adults aged 60-69 years in the Dianliu Community of Jinan, Shandong Province. Information on the sociodemographic characteristics, diet, and health status of the respondents was systematically gathered through questionnaires and physical examinations. Fasting venous blood was collected to determine the levels of OPEs, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T 3), and thyroxine (T 4). A linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze the impact of OPEs exposure on thyroid function-related hormones in healthy older adults. Results:Each of the 76 subjects participated in at least two follow-up visits, resulting in a total of 350 person visits. The age of the study participants was (65.07±2.76) years, with 38 participants of both sexes. A total of eight OPEs were included with a detection rate exceeding 50%, and the M ( Q 1, Q3) for ∑OPEs was 3.85 (2.33, 5.74) ng/ml, with alkyl-OPEs being the major type of OPEs with an M ( Q 1, Q3) of 1.27 (0.64, 2.50) ng/ml. The M ( Q 1, Q3) for TSH, T 3, and T 4 was 3.74 (2.55, 5.69) μIU/ml, 1.32 (1.10, 1.60) ng/ml, and 45.04 (36.96, 53.27) ng/ml, respectively. Linear mixed-effects model showed that TSH was significantly decreased by 9.93% (95% CI:-15.17%, -4.36%) and 11.14% (95% CI:-15.94%, -6.06%) in older adults for each quartile level increase in TnBP and TEHP exposures, respectively. Gender-stratified analysis indicated that TEHP exposure was negatively associated with TSH levels in male older adults, whereas a decrease in TSH levels among female older adults was associated with TnBP exposure. Conclusion:Exposure to whole blood OPEs is associated with decreased TSH levels among healthy older adults, with notable gender differences.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy, which seriously endangers the health of mothers and infants. Its incidence is gradually increasing worldwide. Research has found that, in addition to insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, immune disorders play an important role in the pathogenesis of GDM. This study reviews the recent research on the involvement of common immune cells in the pathophysiological process of GDM to explore the functional changes of immune cells related to the occurrence and development of GDM and provides a reference for the prevention and treatment of GDM.

Objective:To explore the impact of whole blood organophosphate esters (OPEs) flame retardant exposure on thyroid function-related hormones in healthy older adults.Methods:In this panel study, five repeated population-based epidemiological surveys and biological sample collection were conducted from September 2018 to January 2019, with 76 healthy older adults aged 60-69 years in the Dianliu Community of Jinan, Shandong Province. Information on the sociodemographic characteristics, diet, and health status of the respondents was systematically gathered through questionnaires and physical examinations. Fasting venous blood was collected to determine the levels of OPEs, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T 3), and thyroxine (T 4). A linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze the impact of OPEs exposure on thyroid function-related hormones in healthy older adults. Results:Each of the 76 subjects participated in at least two follow-up visits, resulting in a total of 350 person visits. The age of the study participants was (65.07±2.76) years, with 38 participants of both sexes. A total of eight OPEs were included with a detection rate exceeding 50%, and the M ( Q 1, Q3) for ∑OPEs was 3.85 (2.33, 5.74) ng/ml, with alkyl-OPEs being the major type of OPEs with an M ( Q 1, Q3) of 1.27 (0.64, 2.50) ng/ml. The M ( Q 1, Q3) for TSH, T 3, and T 4 was 3.74 (2.55, 5.69) μIU/ml, 1.32 (1.10, 1.60) ng/ml, and 45.04 (36.96, 53.27) ng/ml, respectively. Linear mixed-effects model showed that TSH was significantly decreased by 9.93% (95% CI:-15.17%, -4.36%) and 11.14% (95% CI:-15.94%, -6.06%) in older adults for each quartile level increase in TnBP and TEHP exposures, respectively. Gender-stratified analysis indicated that TEHP exposure was negatively associated with TSH levels in male older adults, whereas a decrease in TSH levels among female older adults was associated with TnBP exposure. Conclusion:Exposure to whole blood OPEs is associated with decreased TSH levels among healthy older adults, with notable gender differences.

Objective:To investigate the molecular etiology of Perrault syndrome by analyzing the clinical phenotype and pathogenic gene variants of 2 male patients with bilateral severe sensorineural deafness.Methods:Two male patients with Perrault syndrome characterized by severe sensonrineual deafness adimitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between February 2021 and March 2022 were selected, and the clinical phenotype and pathogenic gene variants of them and their family members were summarized. The whole exome sequencing technology was used to screen the pathogenic variants of the probands, and the candidate variants were determined by combining with clinical phenotype. The probands and their family members were verified by the Sanger sequencing method.Results:The whole exome sequencing results showed that the proband of family 1 had a compound heterozygous variants of the LARS2 (NM_015340.4) gene c.1565C>A (p.Thr522Asn) and c.1079T>C (p.Ile360Thr). The reported pathogenic variant c.1565C>A came from the mother, and the novel variant c.1079T>C came from the father. The second proband harbored compound heterozygous variants of HARS2 gene (NM_012208.4) c.1273C>T (p.Arg425Trp) and c.1403G>C (p.Gly468Ala), with the former from the proband′s mother, the latter from the father. The c.1273C>T was novel and c.1403G>C was the reported pathogenic variant. All above variants were respectively classified as pathogenic, uncertain significance, uncertain significance and likely pathogenic based on the ACMG guidelines. Conclusion:This study expands the mutational spectrum of LARS2 and HARS2 genes, which highlights that genetic testing plays an important role in the early diagnosis of syndromic deafness.

To present the clinical characteristics and the misdiagnosis rate of acute coronary syndrome manifested primarily as throat discomfort, we conducted a multicentric and retrospective study in the cardiology and otorhinolaryngology departments. Records of patients with primary complaint of throat discomfort, absence of chest pain at onset, and an ultimate diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome, as well as patients with pharyngitis (as controls) were collected from May 2015 to April 2016. The patients' main manifestations were compared. Logistic regression results showed that chest tightness, dyspnea, perspiring, and exertional throat symptoms were significantly associated with acute coronary syndrome, with odds ratios of 8.3 (95% CI 2.2-31.5), 10.9 (95% CI 1.8-66.9), 25.4 (95% CI 3.6-179.9), and 81.2 (95% CI 13.0-506.7). A total of 25 (56.82%) out of 44 acute coronary syndrome patients, who were first admitted to the otorhinolaryngology department, were misdiagnosed, with a 12% (3/25) mortality rate. Throat discomfort can be the principal manifestation of acute coronary syndrome. Such patients exhibit high misdiagnosis and mortality rates. Exertional throat symptoms, chest tightness, perspiring, and dyspnea were important indicators of acute coronary syndrome in patients whose main complaint was throat discomfort. The awareness of this condition will result in prompt diagnosis and reduce morbidity and mortality.
Acute Coronary Syndrome/etiology* ; Dyspnea/etiology* ; Humans ; Pharyngitis/diagnosis* ; Pharynx ; Retrospective Studies