1.Construction of An Automated Segmentation Visual Foundation Model for Pathological Images of Hemorrhoids and Its Application in Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Syndrome Analysis
Shijie ZHANG ; Ao ZHANG ; Kang WANG ; Bin KANG ; Xiaofan YU ; Xujing FENG ; Jinyu CAO ; Wenzhen HUANG ; Kang DING
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(7):764-769
This paper proposes a two-stage method integrating visual foundation models (VFM) and diffusion models. The segment anything model (SAM) as VFM is combined with the SegRefiner diffusion model to construct the SAM-SegRefiner framework for automated segmentation of edema, inflammation, and thrombus regions in histopathological images of hemorrhoidal tissue, providing a reproducible technical tool for the objective quantification of pathological morphology and its application in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome research. Trained and validated on multi-center retrospective data, the SAM-SegRefiner model achieved an average pixel accuracy of 95.32% and a mean intersection over union (mIoU) of 66.81% on an independent test set, significantly outperfor-ming comparative models such as U-Net, MixU-Net, and SAM-Med2D, and also demonstrating robust cross-center generalization capability. Furthermore, by correlating the quantitatively segmented results from the model with the patients' TCM syndrome types, the potential associations between pathomorphological features and TCM syndrome differentiation have been explored. The analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in the degree of inflammatory infiltration and thrombus formation among different syndrome types, suggesting a complex relationship between local pathological changes and systemic syndrome manifestations.
2.Risk of chronic kidney disease in the population aged 60 and above with hypertension and diabetes in Nanjing based on LASSO-logistic regression model
Yucheng HUANG ; Caihong HU ; Huiqing XU ; Ruikang CHEN ; Guofeng AO ; Zhiyong WANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(1):98-102
Objective To construct a prediction model for the population with hypertension and diabetes to assess the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and to provide a scientific basis for formulating targeted CKD prevention and control measures. Methods Based on physical examination data from community residents aged 60 years and above in Nanjing in 2022, 10 221 patients with hypertension and diabetes were selected as the study subjects. Variables associated with CKD prevalence were screened using univariate analysis, and further variable selection was performed using LASSO regression. Finally, a CKD risk prediction model was constructed based on logistic regression. The model's performance was evaluated using the ROC curve and calibration curve. Results The prevalence rate of CKD in the study population was 22.71%, with a mean age of 71.66 years. LASSO regression identified seven variables associated with CKD: age, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), hemoglobin, uric acid, triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR), and medical insurance type. The final logistic regression model incorporated six variables: age [OR=1.067 (95% CI: 1.058-1.076)], BUN [OR=1.377 (95% CI: 1.338-1.418)], hemoglobin [OR=0.992 (95% CI: 0.989-0.995)], uric acid [OR=1.004 (95% CI: 1.003-1.004)], TyG index [OR=1.445 (95% CI: 1.324-1.577)], and self-payment medical insurance [OR=1.732 (95% CI: 1.542-1.945)]. The model had an AUC of 0.759 (95% CI: 0.747-0.770) and a Brier score of 0.140 (95% CI: 0.136-0.145), indicating good predictive performance. The calibration curve showed good agreement between the predicted risk and the observed value. Conclusion The constructed LASSO-logistic regression risk prediction model in this study can effectively assess the risk of CKD in elderly individuals aged 60 years and above with hypertension and diabetes, providing a basis for early identification of high-risk individuals and the formulation of targeted CKD prevention and control measures.
3.Effects of visual impairment and its restoration on electroencephalogram during walking in aged females.
Mingxin AO ; Hongshi HUANG ; Xuemin LI ; Yingfang AO
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(6):738-744
BACKGROUND:
Visual input significantly influences cerebral activity related to locomotor navigation, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze the effects of chronic visual impairment and its rehabilitation on sensorimotor integration during level walking in patients with age-related cataract.
METHODS:
This prospective case series enrolled 14 female patients (68.4 ± 4.7 years) with age-related cataract, scheduled for consecutive cataract surgeries at the Department of Ophthalmology in Peking University Third Hospital from June 2019 to June 2020. Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals during level walking were recorded using a portable EEG system before and 4 weeks after visual restoration. Walking speed was assessed using the Footscan system. Spectral power of the theta and alpha bands was analyzed with repeated-measures analysis of variance, with Assignment (rest and walking), Phase (preoperative and postoperative), and Electrode sites (F3, Fz, F4, O1, and O2) as within-subject factors.
RESULTS:
Compared to the visual impairment state, theta band power significantly decreased after visual restoration (13.16 ± 1.58 μV 2vs. 23.65 ± 3.48 μV 2 , P = 0.018). Theta activity was notably reduced during walking (17.24 ± 2.43 μV 2vs. 37.86 ± 6.62 μV 2 , P = 0.017), while theta power at rest was not significantly different between the two phases (9.44 ± 1.24 μV 2vs. 9.08 ± 1.74 μV 2 , P = 0.864). Changes in walking speed were correlated with alterations in theta power at electrode sites of O1 ( r = -0.574, P = 0.032) and O2 ( r = -0.648, P = 0.012). Alpha band power remained stable during walking and was unaffected by visual status.
CONCLUSIONS
Chronic visual impairment from age-related cataract triggers enhanced cerebral activation of sensorimotor integration to compensate for visual decline during locomotion. This cerebral over-activation is effectively alleviated by visual restoration.
Humans
;
Female
;
Walking/physiology*
;
Aged
;
Electroencephalography/methods*
;
Prospective Studies
;
Middle Aged
;
Cataract/physiopathology*
;
Vision Disorders/physiopathology*
4.Plasma miRNA testing in the differential diagnosis of very early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter real-world study
Jie HU ; Ying XU ; Ao HUANG ; Lei YU ; Zheng WANG ; Xiaoying WANG ; Xinrong YANG ; Zhenbin DING ; Qinghai YE ; Yinghong SHI ; Shuangjian QIU ; Huichuan SUN ; Qiang GAO ; Jia FAN ; Jian ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(3):350-354
Objective To explore the application of plasma 7 microRNA (miR7) testing in the differential diagnosis of very early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods This study is a multicenter real-world study. Patients with single hepatic lesion (maximum diameter≤2 cm) who underwent plasma miR7 testing at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Anhui Provincial Hospital, and Peking University People’s Hospital between January 2019 and December 2024 were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were divided into very early-stage HCC group and non-HCC group, and the clinical pathological characteristics of the two groups were compared. The value of plasma miR7 levels, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) in the differential diagnosis of very early-stage HCC was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC). In patients with both negative AFP and DCP (AFP<20 ng/mL, DCP<40 mAU/mL), the diagnostic value of plasma miR7 for very early-stage HCC was analyzed. Results A total of 64 528 patients from 4 hospitals underwent miR7 testing, and 1 682 were finally included, of which 1 073 were diagnosed with very early-stage HCC and 609 were diagnosed with non-HCC. The positive rate of miR7 in HCC patients was significantly higher than that in non-HCC patients (67.9% vs 24.3%, P<0.001). ROC curves showed that the AUCs for miR7, AFP, and DCP in distinguishing HCC patients from the non-HCC individuals were 0.718, 0.682, and 0.642, respectively. The sensitivities were 67.85%, 43.71%, and 44.45%, and the specificities were 75.70%, 92.78%, and 83.91%, respectively. The pairwise comparison of AUCs showed that the diagnostic efficacy of plasma miR7 detection was significantly better than that of AFP or DCP (P<0.05). Although its specificity was slightly lower than AFP and DCP, the sensitivity was significantly higher. Among patients negative for both AFP and DCP, miR7 maintained an AUC of 0.728 for diagnosing very early-stage HCC, with 67.82% sensitivity and 77.73% specificity. Conclusions Plasma miR7 testing is a potential molecular marker with high sensitivity and specificity for the differential diagnosis of small hepatic nodules. In patients with very early-stage HCC lacking effective molecular markers (negative for both AFP and DCP), miR7 can serve as a novel and effective molecular marker to assist diagnosis.
5.Research progress on the mechanism of action of rosmarinic acid in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases
Ke CAI ; Sheng-ru HUANG ; Fang-fang GAO ; Xiu-juan PENG ; Sheng GUO ; Feng LIU ; Jin-ao DUAN ; Shu-lan SU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):12-21
With the rapid development of social economy and the continuous improvement of human living standard, the incidence, fatality and recurrence rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are increasing year by year, which seriously affects people's life and health. Conventional therapeutic drugs have limited improvement on the disability rate, so the search for new therapeutic drugs and action targets has become one of the hotspots of current research. In recent years, the therapeutic role of the natural compound rosmarinic acid (RA) in CVD has attracted much attention, which is capable of preventing CVD by modulating multiple signalling pathways and exerting physiological activities such as antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet aggregation, as well as anti-coagulation and endothelial function protection. In this paper, the role of RA in the prevention of CVD is systematically sorted out, and its mechanism of action is summarised and analysed, with a view to providing a scientific basis and important support for the in-depth exploration of the prevention value of RA in CVD and its further development as a prevention drug.
6.Research progress on dry eye-related factors and treatment after phacoemulsification
Ao ZHANG ; Shiyi LI ; Ju HUANG ; Kang WANG ; Lin WANG ; Yingbin XIE
International Eye Science 2025;25(5):770-774
Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation(Phaco+lOL)has become the main treatment for cataracts due to small incision and fast recovery. Phacoemulsification can damage the conjunctiva, cornea and other ocular surface tissues, causing local inflammation, which in turn leads to eye dryness and discomfort after surgery. According to studies, patients who suffer from phacoemulsification most experience dry eye syndrome within 24 h, which gradually worsens and reaches its peak in the following 1 wk, seriously affecting their quality of life. The review aims to comprehensively investigate the effects of preoperative patient physical conditions and local ocular status, intraoperative maneuvers and postoperative treatments on postoperative dry eye, with the expectation of formulating scientific and effective preventive measures for potential dry eye patients after phacoemulsification, and providing a theoretical basis for postoperative dry eye treatment.
7.Research Progress of Dual-Specificity Phosphatase in Diabetic Nephropathy
Xiaonian WANG ; Qi AO ; Hai HUANG ; Caihua LIE
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(3):730-738
Diabetic nephropathy(DN), a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes, has emerged as a leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. Recent studies on the dual-specific phosphatase (DUSP) family have revealed a significant reduction in DUSP expression levels in renal disease, suggesting that enhancing its expression may mitigate or alleviate the symptoms associated with renal disease. The primary function of DUSP is to mediate the dephosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which effectively inhibits the activation of the MAPK pathway, thus playing a crucial regulatory role in the onset and progression of DN. This article aims to investigate the correlation between DN and DUSP and to summarize the current research advancements concerning DUSP in the context of DN, providing new insights and essential theoretical foundations for its diagnosis and treatment.
8.Integration and innovation of wet granulation and continuous manufacturing technology: a review of on-line detection, modeling, and process scale-up.
Guang-di YANG ; Ge AO ; Yang CHEN ; Yu-Fang HUANG ; Shu CHEN ; Dong-Xun LI ; Wen-Liu ZHANG ; Tian-Tian WANG ; Guo-Song ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1484-1495
Continuous manufacturing, as an innovative pharmaceutical production model, offers advantages such as high production efficiency and ease of control compared to traditional batch production, aligning with the future trend of drug production moving toward greater efficiency and intelligence. However, the development of continuous manufacturing technology in wet granulation has been slow. On one hand, this is closely related to its high technical complexity, substantial equipment investment costs, and stringent process control requirements. On the other hand, the long-term use of the traditional batch production model has created strong path dependence, and the lack of mature standardized processes further increases the difficulty of technological transformation. To promote the deep integration of wet granulation technology with continuous manufacturing, this review systematically outlines the current application of wet granulation in continuous manufacturing. It focuses on the development of key technologies such as online detection, process modeling, and process scale-up, with the aim of providing a reference for process innovation and application in wet granulation.
Drug Compounding/instrumentation*
;
Technology, Pharmaceutical/methods*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Models, Theoretical
9.Effects and mechanisms of Yuxuebi Tablets combined with ibuprofen in treating chronic musculoskeletal pain through "integrated regulation of inflammation and pain-related oxylipins".
Ao-Qing HUANG ; Wen-Li WANG ; Guo-Xin ZHANG ; Ying LIU ; Na LIN ; Chun-Yan ZHU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(13):3763-3777
This study adopted a three-dimensional "effect-dose-mechanism" evaluation system to screen the optimal regimen of Yuxuebi Tablets(YXB) combined with ibuprofen(IBU) for chronic musculoskeletal pain(CMP) intervention and elucidate its pharmacological mechanism, so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical application of the regimen. The experiments were conducted using 8-week-old ICR mice, which were randomly divided into sham operation(sham) group, model(CFA) group, IBU group, YXB group, stasis paralysis tablets combined with ibuprofen low-dose group(IBU-L-YXB), stasis paralysis combined with ibuprofen high-dose group(IBU-H-YXB), stasis paralysis tablets combined with ibuprofen high-dose with ibuprofen discontinuation on the 10th day of administration(IBU-10-YXB), and stasis paralysis tablets combined with ibuprofen high-dose with ibuprofen halving on the 10th day of administration(IBU-1/2-YXB) group. An animal model was established using the CFA plantar injection method. On D0(the second day post-modeling), the success of model establishment was assessed, followed by continuous drug administration for 18 consecutive days from D1 to D18. During this period, mechanical pain threshold was measured by the Von Frey test; thermal hyperalgesia was detected by the hot plate test, and depression-like behavior was observed by the tail suspension test. After treatment, peripheral blood was collected from all groups for complete blood biochemical analysis, and the injected feet of the sham, CFA, IBU, YXB, IBU-YXB, and IBU-10-YXB groups were subjected to oxylipin metabolomics analysis. Immunofluorescence double staining was further performed to detect the co-expression of key oxylipin metabolic enzymes(COX2, LTA4H, and 5/12/15-LOX) and macrophage marker CD68 in the sham, CFA, IBU, and YXB-L/M/H groups. Subsequently, confirmatory analysis of positive indicators was conducted in the sham, CFA, IBU, YXB, IBU-YXB, and IBU-10-YXB groups. On D6(acute phase), mechanical pain sensitivity data showed that compared with the CFA group, only the three combination groups(IBU-YXB, IBU-10-YXB, and IBU-1/2-YXB) exhibited significantly increased paw withdrawal thresholds. On D17(chronic phase), only the IBU-10-YXB group showed a mechanical pain threshold significantly higher than all other monotherapy and combination groups. On D17, thermal pain data showed that compared with the CFA group, all groups except IBU-1/2-YXB had significantly prolonged paw withdrawal latency. On D18, tail suspension data showed that compared with the CFA group, the YXB, IBU-YXB, and IBU-10-YXB groups had significantly reduced immobility time. In summary, IBU-10-YXB stably improved the core symptoms of acute and chronic inflammatory pain. Complete blood count data showed that compared with the sham group, the CFA group had significantly increased mean platelet volume(MPV), while compared with the CFA group, the IBU-YXB and IBU-10-YXB groups had significantly reduced MPV. Moreover, the platelet distribution width(PDW) of the IBU-10-YXB group was further reduced compared with the CFA group. These data suggest that the IBU-10-YXB combination regimen has superior effects on inflammation and blood circulation improvement compared with other treatment groups. At the mechanistic level, each treatment group differentially regulated pro-inflammatory and pro-resolving oxylipin(SPM). Specifically, compared with the CFA group, the IBU and IBU-YXB groups significantly inhibited the synthesis of the prostaglandin family downstream of COX2, reducing pro-inflammatory oxylipins PGD2 and 6-keto-PGF1α but inhibiting PGE1 and PGE2, which played positive roles in peripheral circulation, vasodilation, and inflammation resolution. Compared with the CFA group, the YXB group tended to inhibit the pro-inflammatory oxylipin LTB4 downstream of LTA4H and increase SPMs such as LXA4. The IBU-10-YXB group bidirectionally regulated pro-inflammatory oxylipins and SPMs. Compared with IBU, IBU-10-YXB significantly inhibited the pro-inflammatory mediator 5-HETE. Meanwhile, IBU-10-YXB broadly upregulated SPMs, as evidenced by significant upregulation of LXA4 compared with the CFA group, significant upregulation of LXA5 compared with the IBU and IBU-YXB groups, significant upregulation of RvD1 compared with the CFA group and all other treatment groups, and significant upregulation of RvD5 compared with the sham group. Immunofluorescence double staining results were as follows: compared with the CFA group, the IBU group specifically inhibited the oxylipin metabolic enzyme COX2. In the YXB group, COX2, LTA4H, and 5/12-LOX were significantly inhibited. Within the optimal analgesic dose range, YXB's inhibitory effects on COX2 and LTA4H were dose-dependent, while its inhibitory effects on 5/12-LOX were inversely dose-dependent. The two combination groups(IBU-YXB and IBU-10-YXB) inhibited COX2 and LTA4H without significantly affecting 5-LOX, while IBU-10-YXB further significantly inhibited 12-LOX. These results suggest that the IBU-10-YXB combination regimen effectively maintains stable inhibition of COX2, LTA4H, and 12-LOX while enhancing 5-LOX expression. This combinatorial strategy effectively suppresses pro-inflammatory oxylipins and promotes SPM biosynthesis, overcoming IBU's analgesic ceiling effect and its blockade of pain resolution pathways while compensating for YXB's inability to effectively intervene in acute pain and inflammation. Therefore, it achieves more stable anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antidepressant effects.
Animals
;
Ibuprofen/administration & dosage*
;
Mice
;
Mice, Inbred ICR
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Male
;
Musculoskeletal Pain/immunology*
;
Tablets
;
Humans
;
Chronic Pain/metabolism*
;
Drug Therapy, Combination
;
Disease Models, Animal
10.Construction of an intein-mediated Split-Cre system.
Yifei AO ; Qi ZHANG ; Yuxi CHEN ; Junjiu HUANG ; Jinkun WEN
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(4):1490-1499
The Split-Cre system consists of two inactive polypeptides: NCre and CCre, which can be recombined into an active full-length Cre under certain conditions. This system is typically used with LoxP. To develop an efficient Split-Cre system, this study used Rma intein from Rhodothermus marinus to split Cre and screened out the split site S102 which could efficiently mediate the recombination of Cre in the "Traffic Light" reporter cell line. Moreover, the S102 Split-Cre system was delivered to mice by dual-adeno-associated virus (AAV), and it was demonstrated that the efficiency of the Rma intein-mediated S102 Split-Cre system was comparable to the full-length Cre in mice. This system lays a foundation for both basic and applied research on Split-Cre.
Inteins/genetics*
;
Animals
;
Integrases/biosynthesis*
;
Mice
;
Dependovirus/metabolism*
;
Bacterial Proteins/genetics*
;
Recombination, Genetic
;
Humans


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