1.Facial and tongue features in traditional Chinese medicine for coronary artery stenosis warning and their association chain with cardiac biomarkers
Yu Wang ; Pengcheng Ding ; Zhentao Li ; Jiyu Zhang ; Liping Tu ; Jijie Xu ; Jiatuo Xu
Digital Chinese Medicine 2026;9(2):184-196
Objective:
To explore whether digital facial and tongue diagnostic technologies can support the assessment of coronary heart disease (CHD) patients for coronary artery stenosis severity, and examine potential associations between digital tongue diagnosis features and myocardial biomarkers.
Methods:
The TFDA-1 face and tongue diagnosis instrument and the TDAS analysis system were used to perform intelligent visual examination and analysis of the facial and tongue in CHD patients who attended the Department of Cardiology at Shanghai Baoshan Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine between October 2, 2023 and July 31, 2024. Variables were screened using principal component analysis (PCA) and multicollinearity analysis to construct four machine learning models, including random forest, LightGBM, decision tree, and naive Bayes, for the early prediction of coronary artery stenosis severity. Model performance metrics, including sensitivity, specificity, precision, F1 score, accuracy, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), were evaluated. Visual analyses were performed using the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) interpreter and decision curve analysis. For patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a conceptual model linking cardiac biomarkers and tongue diagnosis was constructed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), and its validity was assessed.
Results:
A total of 459 CHD patients were enrolled and assigned to a PCI group and a non-PCI group (which comprised two subgroups: mild stenosis or less group, moderate stenosis or greater group). For sublingual vein (SV) features, the PCI group had lower SV-a and SV-b than the other groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). For tongue surface features, the PCI group had significantly higher tongue body (TB)-L, TB-a, and TB-b (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.001, respectively), as well as higher tongue coating (TC)-a and TC-b (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). Age, SV-a, SV-b, creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), CK, TC-a, lip-L, and lip-b were incorporated in the machine learning models. The random forest model performed best, with an AUC of 0.924, an F1 score of 0.839, precision of 0.807, accuracy of 0.864, sensitivity of 0.873, and specificity of 0.839. Decision curve analysis indicated that both LightGBM and random forest had clinical utility. PLS-SEM confirmed the pathway relationships: myocardial biomarkers → TB and myocardial biomarkers → TC (coefficient = – 0.238, t = 2.239, P = 0.025, and coefficient = – 0.270, t = 2.522, P = 0.012, respectively).
Conclusion
This study developed a noninvasive early warning model for coronary artery stenosis in patients with CHD. It applied PLS-SEM to investigate the association between post-PCI cardiac biomarkers and tongue diagnosis, and validated the proposed association chain. These findings suggest that intelligent traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) visual diagnosis integrated with modern digital technology may support CHD risk assessment and comprehensive health management.
2.Exploring Therapeutic Effect of Yuejuwan on Depressed Mice Based on Lipidomics
Zhentao ZHANG ; Dan SU ; Huizhen LI ; Yonggui SONG ; Huanhua XU ; Meixizi LAI ; Zhifu AI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):85-94
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Yuejuwan on lipid metabolism in serum, prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of depressed mice based on lipidomics, and to explore the potential pathways for improving lipid metabolism to prevent depression. MethodsSeven-week-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, Yuejuwan group(3.6 g·kg-1) and fluoxetine group(10 mg·kg-1), and chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) was used to establish the depression model. After 3 weeks of modeling, each administration group was gavaged with the corresponding drug solution according to the dose, and mice in the blank and model groups were given an equal volume of deionised water by gavage, one time/d for 2 weeks. After administration, the antidepressant effect of Yuejuwan was evaluated by neurobehavioral indices such as sucrose preference test, open field test, tail suspension test and forced swimming test. An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure contents of total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) in mouse serum. Lipidomic analysis of mouse serum, prefrontal cortex and hippocampus was performed based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap-electrostatic field orbitrap mass spectrometry(UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS), and the expression of mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR), ribosomal protein S6 kinase(S6K), phosphorylation(p)-mTOR, p-S6K in gastric tissues of mice was detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the blank group, mice in the model group exhibited significantly reduced sucrose preference rate and center movement time in the open field test(P<0.01), the immobility times in the tail suspension test and forced swimming test were significantly increased(P<0.01), and serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, AST and ALT were significantly elevated(P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Yuejuwan group showed a significant increase in the sucrose preference rate and center movement time in the open field test(P<0.01), the immobility times in the tail suspension test and forced swimming test were significantly reduced(P<0.01), and the serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, AST and ALT were significantly decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01). Lipidomic analysis revealed that Yuejuwan had a significant effect on lipid metabolism in serum, prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of depressed mice, and The differential lipid metabolites were mainly enriched in the metabolic pathways of glycerophospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid signaling, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein biosynthesis, among which the glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway was the most significant. Western blot results showed that compared with the blank group, the relative expression levels of p-mTOR/mTOR and p-S6K/S6K in the gastric tissues of mice in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, the relative expression levels of p-mTOR/mTOR and p-S6K/S6K in the gastric tissues of mice in the Yuejuwan group were significantly decreased(P<0.01). ConclusionThe intervention of Yuejuwan on lipid metabolism is one of the potential pathways for its antidepressant effect, which may be related to the regulation of mTOR/S6K signaling pathway upstream of lipid metabolism in the gastric tissues.
3.Protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases.
Jiannan WANG ; Lijun DAI ; Zhentao ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(21):2753-2768
Neurodegenerative diseases constitute a group of chronic disorders characterized by the progressive loss of neurons. Major neurodegenerative conditions include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Pathologically, these diseases are marked by the accumulation of aggregates formed by pathological proteins such as amyloid-β, tau, α-synuclein, and TAR DNA-binding protein 43. These proteins assemble into amyloid fibrils that undergo prion-like propagation and dissemination, ultimately inducing neurodegeneration. Understanding the biology of these protein aggregates is fundamental to elucidating the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying the aggregation and transmission of pathological proteins, the processes through which these protein aggregates trigger neurodegeneration, and the interactions between different pathological proteins. We also provide an overview of the current diagnostic approaches and therapeutic strategies targeting pathological protein aggregates.
Humans
;
Neurodegenerative Diseases/metabolism*
;
alpha-Synuclein/metabolism*
;
Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism*
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tau Proteins/metabolism*
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Protein Aggregation, Pathological/metabolism*
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DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism*
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Animals
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Protein Aggregates/physiology*
4.Effective measurement radius of underwater γ spectrometer
Kai ZHANG ; Yifang YANG ; Haijun WANG ; Zhentao WANG ; Zhiyu TANG
Journal of Navy Medicine 2025;46(7):751-755
Objective To study the shielding effect of water body on γ spectrometer during underwater measurements.Methods A mathematical model of water immersion was constructed for the 3-inch(ф76.2 mm×76.2 mm)lanthanum bromide detector.The totipotent peak count rate of 10 typical γ characteristic energies under different radius water sphere conditions was calculated by MCNP software,and the relationship was established.Results The effective radii of γ photons of different energies based on the 3-inch lanthanum bromide detector was obtained.The relation of energy and effective radius was established,and the effective radius of Tl-208@2614keV was 102.99 cm.Conclusion The quantitative relationship between photons of different energies of a typical 3-inch lanthanum bromide detector and effective radius had been established theoretically,which provides a theoretical basis for measuring and analyzing radioactive water body by γ spectrometer.
5.Effective measurement radius of underwater γ spectrometer
Kai ZHANG ; Yifang YANG ; Haijun WANG ; Zhentao WANG ; Zhiyu TANG
Journal of Navy Medicine 2025;46(7):751-755
Objective To study the shielding effect of water body on γ spectrometer during underwater measurements.Methods A mathematical model of water immersion was constructed for the 3-inch(ф76.2 mm×76.2 mm)lanthanum bromide detector.The totipotent peak count rate of 10 typical γ characteristic energies under different radius water sphere conditions was calculated by MCNP software,and the relationship was established.Results The effective radii of γ photons of different energies based on the 3-inch lanthanum bromide detector was obtained.The relation of energy and effective radius was established,and the effective radius of Tl-208@2614keV was 102.99 cm.Conclusion The quantitative relationship between photons of different energies of a typical 3-inch lanthanum bromide detector and effective radius had been established theoretically,which provides a theoretical basis for measuring and analyzing radioactive water body by γ spectrometer.
6.Exploration of radiation dose and diagnostic reference level for adult CT scans in Beijing
Zongrui ZHANG ; Tianliang KANG ; Zhentao LI ; Yongxian ZHANG ; Dandan LIU ; Xiaoxia QU ; Yantao NIU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(3):229-236
Objective:To investigate the status and diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) of adult CT radiation dose based on survey result from some hospitals in Beijing.Methods:From September to December 2023, the survey results for 50 hospitals were collected in Beijing, including 47 tertiary hospitals and 3 second grade general hospitals. The CT data sets in total of 20 items including head (sequential scanning), head (spiral scanning), head perfusion, sinus, neck, chest, chest (low dose scanning), abdomen, pelvis, abdomen-pelvis, chest-abdomen-pelvis, lumbar spine, CT urography, coronary CTA (retrospective), coronary CTA (prospective), head CTA, neck CTA, aorta CTA, leg CTA and knee were collected on clinical commonly used CT scanners with annual qualified state inspection. For each item, radiation dose data was collected continuously and randomly for up to 50 cases for every CT scanner. Using the volume CT dose index (CTDI vol) and dose length product (DLP) as dose parameters, the median value of each item in each hospital was obtained. The median CTDI vol and DLP values of all hospitals were arranged, and the local DRL of each item was set as the 75th percentile of the median values. The obtained DRLs were compared with the DRLs issued by domestic and international radiological protection organizations. Results:A total of 26 031 dose values of adult patients were collected and 25 996 dose values were left while 35 invalid values removed.For different CT users, CTDl vol, DLP and scanning phases were different for the same item. The five items with the highest CTDI were head perfusion, head sequential scanning, head spiral scanning, coronary CTA (retrospective mode), and sinus. The five items with the highest DLP were CTU, head perfusion, leg CTA, chest-abdomen-pelvis and aortic CTA. The CTDI vol of CTU was only 16.9 mGy (75th percentile), while the DLP was as high as 2 394.9 mGy·cm (75th percentile). The survey showed that the DRLs of most items in Beijing was lower than the national DRLs of domestic and foreign standards, and the DRLs of a small number of items were slightly higher. Conclusion:The current CT dose level in Beijing is not consistent with national DRLs released at home and abroad, so it is necessary to establish local DRLs according to the clinical status in Beijing.
7.Statistics and application changes of resources for radiodiagnosis in 38 medical institutions in Beijing, China
Zhentao LI ; Yantao NIU ; Zongrui ZHANG ; Tao LIU ; Gaoquan LYU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(6):566-572
Objective:To investigate devices for radiodiagnosis used in medical institutions in Beijing, China, as well as radiation workers and the devices′ application frequencies, in order to provide data support for determining radiation protection measures and allocating resources for clinical radiodiagnosis.Methods:In October 2023, questionnaires were distributed to the members of the Radiation Technology Branch of the Beijing Medical Association who work in medical institutions at different levels across varying districts of Beijing. The collected data included information about devices for radiodiagnosis and radiation workers, as well as the application frequencies of various medical X-ray imaging devices during 2018-2022, in 38 medical institutions of Level 3 Grade A, Level 3, and Level 2 in 14 municipal districts of Beijing. Then, the collected data were organized using the Microsoft Power BI software to form report models, followed by the statistical analysis of data on the devices, radiation workers, and application frequencies were using the RStudio software.Results:The 38 medical institutions in Beijing possess 591 devices for radiodiagnosis and 2 018 staff in the departments of radiology, including 1 037 radiologic technologists and 738 physicians, with 1.77 technologists and 1.26 physicians arranged for a single device on average. From 2018 to 2022, among all examinations of radiodiagnosis, computed tomography (CT) scans showed the highest frequencies, with total and average annual growth rates of 138.06% and 108.40%, respectively. Specifically, chest CT scans exhibited total and average annual growth rates of 225.20% and 122.50%, respectively. X-ray imaging ranked second in application frequency, with total average annual growth rates of 70.20% and 91.53%, respectively. Notably, chest X-ray imaging showed total and average annual growth rates of 63.89% and 89.41%, respectively.Conclusions:From 2018 to 2022, X-ray imaging examinations displayed significantly fluctuating frequencies with an overall decline trend in the 38 medical institutions. In contrast, the CT scans showed increased frequencies, with chest CT scans displaying an increased frequency and proportion. This necessitates ensuring the justification of CT scans.
8.Efficacy and safety of a domestic hair follicle extraction system in extracting hair follicles from patients with androgenetic alopecia: a multicenter, prospective, randomized, self-controlled clinical trial
Kai YANG ; Jinran LIN ; Fei ZHU ; Suyun FENG ; Zheng LI ; Yue ZHANG ; Ruiming HU ; Hanxiao CHENG ; Zhentao ZHOU ; Yatong WU ; Dingquan YANG ; Jufang ZHANG ; Wenyu WU
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(7):603-607
Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of a domestic hair follicle extraction system versus traditional follicular unit excision (FUE) in extracting hair follicles for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) .Methods:A multicenter, randomized, self-controlled clinical trial was conducted on AGA patients aged 18 - 59 years who were recruited from the Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, the Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, and the China-Japan Friendship Hospital between June 2023 and September 2024. Each patient's scalp was randomly divided into two sides (experimental side vs. control side) using an envelope method. The experimental side underwent robotic hair transplantation with a domestic hair follicle extraction system, and the control side underwent traditional FUE. Hair follicles were extracted from the safe donor area in the occipital region, and implanted into the ipsilateral hair loss area. The primary outcome was the hair transection rate which was calculated immediately after follicular extraction. The secondary outcomes included the hair follicle unit loss rate and the change in hair density at the recipient site on postoperative day 14. Safety was evaluated by assessing the incidence of folliculitis at the donor site on postoperative day 14 and the overall incidence of adverse events. Surgical outcomes were evaluated at 9 months after surgery. Comparisons of evaluation indicators among groups were performed by using a paired t test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results:A total of 55 patients with AGA (51 males and 4 females, aged 32.71 ± 5.75 years) completed the hair follicle transplantation and postoperative follow-up. The hair transection rate ( M[ Q1, Q3]) was 6.65% (4.56%, 10.16%) in the experimental group and 5.28% (3.04%, 8.89%) in the control group (difference = 1.24%, 95% CI: -0.24%, 2.65%) . The hair follicle unit loss rate was 2.00% (1.00%, 3.50%) in the experimental group and 0.50% (0, 2.00%) in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups ( P = 0.008) . On postoperative day 14, there was no significant difference in the hair density between the experimental group and control group (72.20 ± 25.95 per cm 2vs. 76.49 ± 30.84 per cm 2, P = 0.173) . At 9-month follow-up, both groups showed improvement in the investigator's overall score in the recipient areas. Seven adverse events occurred in 7 subjects (12.72%) in each group, and all were mild folliculitis. Conclusion:The domestic hair follicle extraction system demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety to the traditional FUE in hair transplantation.
9.Analysis of the trend and spatial aggregation of cervical cancer mortality in Shandong Province, 1970-2021
Zhentao FU ; Fan JIANG ; Zilong LU ; Jie CHU ; Xiaohui XU ; Bingyin ZHANG ; Aiqiang XU ; Fuzhong XUE ; Xiaolei GUO ; Jixiang MA
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2025;47(6):485-490
Objective:To explore the spatial clustering of the mortality rate of cervical cancer in different counties (cities, districts) in Shandong Province from 1970 to 2021 and its 50-year changing trend, so as to provide basis for the implementation and evaluation of prevention and control strategies and programs such as cervical cancer screening, early diagnosis and treatment, human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination, etc.Methods:The mortality data of cervical cancer were obtained from the death registration system of Shandong Province and the data of three retrospective surveys of death causes. The mortality rate and age-standardized mortality rate (using the population composition of China in 1964) are used to describe the changing trend of cervical cancer in different years. The contribution values of population factors and non-population factors in cervical cancer mortality change are calculated by mortality differential decomposition method. ArcGIS 10.8 software is used for spatial distribution and spatial autocorrelation analysis.Results:From 1970 to 2021, the crude mortality rate and age standardized mortality rate of cervical cancer in Shandong Province showed a trend of first rapid decline and then slow increase. The crude mortality rate and standardized mortality rate of female cervical cancer in Shandong Province in 1970-1974 were the highest, reaching 17.22/10 5 and 13.17/10 5, respectively. In 2004-2005, it dropped to the lowest levels of 1.50/10 5 and 0.83/10 5. Subsequently, it slowly rose to 4.12/10 5 and 1.56/10 5 in 2020-2021. The differential analysis of cervical cancer mortality in different years found that the change of cervical cancer mortality was caused by the combined action of population factors and non-population factors. Among them, demographic factors (aging population) led to the increase of cervical cancer mortality, but non-demographic factors (early diagnosis and treatment, HPV infection level, medical technology level, etc) lead to the decrease of cervical cancer mortality. Compared with 1970-1974, with the passage of time, the absolute values of the contribution values of population factors and non-population factors showed an increasing trend, while the contribution of non-population factors was greater than that of population factors, which led to the decline of cervical cancer mortality. From the perspective of spatial distribution, there were great regional differences in the mortality rate of cervical cancer in different counties of Shandong Province. In 2020-2021, the mortality rate of cervical cancer in all counties decreased to a great extent compared with that in 1970-1974, and the high-high and low-low concentration areas of cervical cancer mortality in different years changed obviously. The high-aggregation areas of the cervical cancer mortality rate in Shandong Province from 2020 to 2021 were mainly distributed in some counties and districts of Linyi City, Zaozhuang City, and Heze City in the southwest. Conclusions:There are significant temporal and spatial changes in the mortality rate of cervical cancer in Shandong Province from 1970 to 2021. According to these trends and their geographical and spatial clustering, prevention and control strategies of cervical cancer in different regions should be further formulated and evaluated.
10.Isthmin-1 drives pancreatic cancer invasion and metastasis through epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Xinyu ZHANG ; Zhichao XU ; Zhentao WANG ; Qing CHEN ; Dupeng QIN ; Dongming SU
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(6):747-757
To investigate the effect of isthmin-1 (ISM1) on the invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer and its underlying mechanism, this study analyzed the expression of ISM1 in pancreatic cancer patients and normal pancreatic tissues using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Western blot was employed to detect differences in ISM1 protein expression between pancreatic cancer cell lines (Aspc1, Bxpc3, PANC1, SW1990) and the pancreatic epithelial cell line (hPNE). Cell models with stable ISM1 overexpression and knockdown were constructed, and changes in cell migration and invasion capabilities were assessed via Transwell invasion assays and wound healing assays. Meanwhile, Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of key markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Furthermore, TCGA and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were utilized to analyze pathways regulated downstream of ISM1 and the mechanisms promoting pancreatic cancer invasion and metastasis. Immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry (IP-MS) was used to screen for vimentin as an ISM1-binding protein, and the interaction between ISM1 and vimentin was verified by immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Bxpc3 cells overexpressing ISM1 were treated with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) to detect vimentin protein stability. The results indicate that ISM1 promotes the EMT process by inhibiting vimentin degradation, thereby enhancing the invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. This study provides new experimental evidence for elucidating the mechanism of pancreatic cancer metastasis.

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