ObjectiveThis paper aims to find the identified and validated clinical biomarker data building upon a clinical study of early-phase phase Ⅱ and investigate the correlation analysis of Huanglian Jiedu Wan on syndrome improvement and clinical biomarkers in the treatment of "excess heat-toxicity" based on a machine learning model. Additionally， the effective prediction of clinical biomarker values for the main symptoms of the "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome was assessed. MethodsA total of 229 patients meeting the inclusion criteria for "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome were randomly divided into the Huanglian Jiedu Wan group and the placebo group. Syndrome score transition matrices were constructed for the Huanglian Jiedu Wan group and the placebo group based on three main symptoms of "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome， such as oral ulcers， sore throat， and gum swelling and pain. Data from the patients with these three syndromes were also integrated for an overall analysis. The corresponding syndrome score transition matrices were further constructed to visualize symptom change trends of the patients in the two groups via heatmaps. Based on the identified and validated clinical biomarkers related to inflammation， oxidative stress， and energy metabolism in the early phase， Spearman correlation analysis was employed to analyze and evaluate the associations between clinical biomarkers and syndrome improvement. Key clinical biomarkers reflecting the effect of Huanglian Jiedu Wan were screened through the comparison of differences between groups. An extreme gradient boosting （XGBoost） algorithm was used to develop a prediction model for main symptom classification， with classification performance evaluated through 10-fold cross-validation. Feature importance analysis was applied to identify variables with the greatest contribution to the prediction result. ResultsThe syndrome transition matrix results indicated that the Huanglian Jiedu Wan group showed a superior effect to the placebo group in improving oral ulcers， sore throat， and overall symptoms， with significant effects observed especially in sore throat and overall symptom analyses （P<0.01）. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that several clinical biomarkers positively correlated with "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome and its main symptom improvement， were also called "heat-related biomarkers"， including succinic acid， α-ketoglutaric acid， glycine， lactic acid， adenosine monophosphate （AMP）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interferon-γ （IFN-γ）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-8 （IL-8）， interleukin-10 （IL-10）， and so on. Conversely， clinical biomarkers negatively correlated with symptom severity， were also called "heat-clearing related biomarkers" after administration of Huanglian Jiedu Wan， including malic acid， fumaric acid， cis-aconitic acid， adrenocorticotropic hormone （ACTH）， IL-1β， IL-4， IL-8， succinic acid， and citric acid. The XGBoost classification model using all 52 biomarkers as variables achieved an average test accuracy of 0.754 and an average F1 score of 0.777. Feature importance analysis identified the scores of glutamic acid in saliva and IL-6 were the highest in all the variables， with importance scores of 0.081 and 0.080， respectively. After screening out 14 key variables and optimizing the parameters， model performance improved to an average accuracy of 0.758 and an F1 score of 0.798. Feature importance analysis further determined that the glutamic acid in saliva and IL-6 showed obvious changes after screening the variables， confirming the good syndrome prediction ability of the model constructed by these key clinical biomarkers. ConclusionThis study systematically elucidates the correlation between syndrome improvement and clinical biomarkers of Huanglian Jiedu Wan in the treatment of "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome. An XGBoost classification model based on key clinical biomarkers is successfully established， achieving effective prediction of the symptoms related to the "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome such as oral ulcers and sore throat and providing a new insight for objective identification of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes.

Objective: To analyze the current burden of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children and adolescents in China and globally, and to predict the disease burden from 2024 to 2035, providing a scientific basis for formulating relevant public health policies and intervention measures. Methods: Based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database in 2023, the Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the changing trends of the disease burden of ASD among children and adolescents in China and globally from 1990 to 2023, and the average annual percent change (AAPC) was calculated. An autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model was constructed to predict the disease burden trends of ASD among children and adolescents in China and globally from 2024 to 2035. Results: The prevalence and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) rate of ASD among children and adolescents in China increased from 452.69/100 000 and 86.67/100 000 in 1990 to 762.84/100 000 and 148.52/ 100 000 in 2023(AAPC=1.60%, 1.65%, both P <0.01). The prevalence and DALYs rate of ASD among children and adolescents globally increased from 648.49/100 000 and 123.47/100 000 to 862.44/100 000 and 167.16/100 000(AAPC=0.87%, 0.93%, both P <0.01). In 2023, the highest ASD prevalence and DALY rates occurred in children under 5 years old, with China reporting 848.14/100 000 and 166.69/100 000, both below the global averages of 928.80/100 000 and 181.34/100 000. Projections indicated that by 2035, the ASD prevalence and DALY rates in China would rise to 906.83/100 000 and 168.71/100 000, still below the global averages of 938.04/100 000 and 184.49/100 000. Conclusion The disease burden of ASD among children and adolescents in China and globally has generally increased from 1990 to 2023, with a higher risk of disease at younger ages.

Objective: To develop a 24 hour physical activity index for school aged children, and to analyze the association of 24 hour physical activity index with screening myopia and obesity, so as to provide a more effective assessment tool for student health risk screening. Methods: From April to June 2024, a total of 451 students in Grades 3-4 from two monitored primary schools in Shanghai were selected using stratified cluster random sampling method. Data on eight core indicators, including daily moderate to vigorous physical activity time, total physical activity time, outdoor activity time, screen time, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, social jetlag and daytime sleepiness, were collected through questionnaires and accelerometer monitoring. Each indicator was standardized and synthesized into a 0-80 point school aged children s 24 hour physical activity index. Spearman correlation analysis and t-test were used to assess consistency between questionnaire and accelerometer derived indices. Multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the association of strength of the composite index with single behavior indicators in screening myopia and overweight/obesity. Results: The compliance rates were higher for moderate to vigorous physical activity time and screen time (50.8%, 98.7%), while the compliance rate for outdoor activity time was only 42.6%, and that for sufficient sleep duration was merely 10.2%. There was no significant difference between the total scores derived from the questionnaire and accelerometer methods (45.13±5.83, 45.05±6.87, t=0.29, P >0.05), but they showed a strong positive correlation ( r=0.58, P <0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression revealed that adjusting for individual behaviors such as grade, gender and both parents being myopic, among single behavior indicators of 24 hour physical activity index, only insufficient outdoor activity time was significantly associated with screening myopia among school aged children ( OR=1.50, 95%CI =1.01-2.21); the detection risk of screening myopia and obesity in the low index group were higher than those in the high index group ( OR=2.47, 95%CI =1.02-5.96; OR=16.63,95%CI = 5.99- 46.20) (all P <0.05). Conclusion The developed 24 hour physical activity index for school aged children demonstrates good measurement accuracy and shows stronger associations with screening myopia and obesity than single behavior indicator.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to find the identified and validated clinical biomarker data building upon a clinical study of early-phase phase Ⅱ and investigate the correlation analysis of Huanglian Jiedu Wan on syndrome improvement and clinical biomarkers in the treatment of "excess heat-toxicity" based on a machine learning model. Additionally， the effective prediction of clinical biomarker values for the main symptoms of the "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome was assessed. MethodsA total of 229 patients meeting the inclusion criteria for "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome were randomly divided into the Huanglian Jiedu Wan group and the placebo group. Syndrome score transition matrices were constructed for the Huanglian Jiedu Wan group and the placebo group based on three main symptoms of "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome， such as oral ulcers， sore throat， and gum swelling and pain. Data from the patients with these three syndromes were also integrated for an overall analysis. The corresponding syndrome score transition matrices were further constructed to visualize symptom change trends of the patients in the two groups via heatmaps. Based on the identified and validated clinical biomarkers related to inflammation， oxidative stress， and energy metabolism in the early phase， Spearman correlation analysis was employed to analyze and evaluate the associations between clinical biomarkers and syndrome improvement. Key clinical biomarkers reflecting the effect of Huanglian Jiedu Wan were screened through the comparison of differences between groups. An extreme gradient boosting （XGBoost） algorithm was used to develop a prediction model for main symptom classification， with classification performance evaluated through 10-fold cross-validation. Feature importance analysis was applied to identify variables with the greatest contribution to the prediction result. ResultsThe syndrome transition matrix results indicated that the Huanglian Jiedu Wan group showed a superior effect to the placebo group in improving oral ulcers， sore throat， and overall symptoms， with significant effects observed especially in sore throat and overall symptom analyses （P<0.01）. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that several clinical biomarkers positively correlated with "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome and its main symptom improvement， were also called "heat-related biomarkers"， including succinic acid， α-ketoglutaric acid， glycine， lactic acid， adenosine monophosphate （AMP）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interferon-γ （IFN-γ）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-8 （IL-8）， interleukin-10 （IL-10）， and so on. Conversely， clinical biomarkers negatively correlated with symptom severity， were also called "heat-clearing related biomarkers" after administration of Huanglian Jiedu Wan， including malic acid， fumaric acid， cis-aconitic acid， adrenocorticotropic hormone （ACTH）， IL-1β， IL-4， IL-8， succinic acid， and citric acid. The XGBoost classification model using all 52 biomarkers as variables achieved an average test accuracy of 0.754 and an average F1 score of 0.777. Feature importance analysis identified the scores of glutamic acid in saliva and IL-6 were the highest in all the variables， with importance scores of 0.081 and 0.080， respectively. After screening out 14 key variables and optimizing the parameters， model performance improved to an average accuracy of 0.758 and an F1 score of 0.798. Feature importance analysis further determined that the glutamic acid in saliva and IL-6 showed obvious changes after screening the variables， confirming the good syndrome prediction ability of the model constructed by these key clinical biomarkers. ConclusionThis study systematically elucidates the correlation between syndrome improvement and clinical biomarkers of Huanglian Jiedu Wan in the treatment of "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome. An XGBoost classification model based on key clinical biomarkers is successfully established， achieving effective prediction of the symptoms related to the "excess heat-toxicity" syndrome such as oral ulcers and sore throat and providing a new insight for objective identification of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes.

BackgroundPain is one of the most common physical symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder （MDD）. The high comorbidity rate of MDD and pain aggravates patients' physical and psychological distress， undermines their treatment adherence， and contributes to poor clinical outcomes， posing a critical challenge for the clinical management of MDD. Anxiety symptoms are strongly associated with the pain severity in patients with MDD， yet the underlying mechanisms of the association remain poorly elucidated. Accumulating evidence have indicated that depressive symptoms and pain vigilance and awareness are involved in the modulation of pain perception. Nevertheless， few studies have incorporated these variables into an integrated analytical framework to clarify their parallel mediating effects on the relationship between anxiety symptoms and pain severity. ObjectiveTo explore the mediating pathways linking anxiety symptoms to pain severity via depressive symptoms and pain vigilance and awareness in patients with MDD， so as to provide insights for precise intervention for MDD accompanied by pain symptoms. MethodsA total of 249 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for MDD specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders， fifth edition （DSM-5） were recruited from Beijing Huilongguan Hospital from May to September 2025. Hamilton Depression Scale-17 item （HAMD-17）， Hamilton Anxiety Scale （HAMA）， Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire （PVAQ） and Numerical Rating Scale （NRS） were used for assessment. Partial correlation analyses were performed to examine correlations among these variables. Parallel mediating effects were tested using model 4 of the Process macro for SPSS， with depressive symptoms and pain vigilance and awareness as parallel mediators linking anxiety symptoms to pain severity. ResultsA total of 135 patients （54.22%） reported pain， comprising 59 （43.70%） with mild pain， 43 （31.85%） with moderate pain， and 33 （24.45%） with severe pain. Partial correlation analyses revealed significant positive correlations among HAMD-17， HAMA， PVAQ， and NRS scores in patients with MDD （r=0.198–0.424， P<0.05 or 0.01）. Anxiety symptoms positively predicted pain severity， with a direct effect of 0.128 （95% CI： 0.065–0.190）. Both depressive symptoms and pain vigilance and awareness acted as partial mediators linking anxiety symptoms to pain severity. The indirect effects were 0.057 （95% CI： 0.029–0.089） and 0.042 （95% CI： 0.016–0.079）， accounting for 25.22% and 18.58% of the total effect， respectively. ConclusionIn patients with MDD， anxiety symptoms exert a positive predictive effect on pain severity， which is partially mediated through the parallel roles of depressive symptoms and pain vigilance and awareness.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical significance of a hemizygous c.1042-10G>C variant of the SLC9A7 gene NM_001257291.2) previously identified in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, and to provide an evidence-based guidance for prenatal genetic counseling. METHODS: Four families presented at the Medical Genetics Center of Henan Provincial People's Hospital between December 2022 and July 2024 were included in this study. Phenotypic information and biological samples were collected from family members. Genomic DNA was extracted and subjected to whole-exome sequencing and copy number variation analysis to identify candidate pathogenic variants. Sanger sequencing was performed for familial co-segregation analysis. Reverse-transcription PCR was used to assess the RNA splicing pattern of the variant in peripheral blood samples. Quantitative PCR was employed to analyze the expression profiles of various SLC9A7 transcripts in fetal brain tissue and peripheral blood samples. Pathogenicity of the variant was classified based on guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Henan Provincial People's Hospital (Ethics No.: 2021-171). RESULTS: Six hemizygous males carrying the SLC9A7 c.1042-10G>C variant were identified among the four families, which included three adult males and two male infants with normal phenotypes. Only one affected male from family 3 exhibited global developmental delay, short neck, webbed neck, ocular dysplasia, and congenital corneal leukoma. He also had a history of perinatal asphyxia and carried an additional hemizygous variant HUWE1 c.12283C>G. Reverse-transcription PCR showed no aberrant splicing in heterozygous or hemizygous carriers compared to healthy controls, suggesting that the variant does not affect RNA splicing. Quantitative PCR revealed that NM_001257291.2 is the predominant transcript expressed in fetal brain tissue and peripheral blood. CONCLUSION The SLC9A7 c.1042-10G>C variant does not alter RNA splicing and is present in multiple phenotypically normal males, which supported its classification as a benign variant.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Genetic Counseling ; Pedigree ; Adult ; DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics* ; Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing

Objective:To investigate the effect of CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) measurement sites on the values and the diagnostic performance, and to determine the optimal measurement site for CT-FFR using invasive FFR as the reference standard.Methods:This study was part of the CT-FFR CHINA clinical trial. Patients with suspected coronary artery disease who were scheduled for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) were prospectively recruited from five clinical centers across the country from November 2018 to March 2020. Each enrolled patient underwent coronary CT angiography (CCTA), CT-FFR, ICA, and invasive pressure wire-based FFR assessments sequentially within one week. Four groups of CT-FFR values were obtained on each enrolled target vessels according to different CT-FFR measurement locations: 1, 2, 3 cm distal to the target lesion, and terminal vessel groups. Spearman and Bland-Altman analyses were used to explore the correlation and consistency of CT-FFR values and FFR values at different measurement sites. The measurement deviation of CT-FFR was also compared. Diagnostic accuracy and performance of CT-FFR, including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), in discriminating myocardial ischemia were analyzed across all measurement site groups on a per-vessel level, using FFR as the reference standard.Results:A total of 289 patients with 345 target lesion vessels were included. According to CCTA, there were 51 target vessels (14.8%) with<50% stenosis, 106 vessels (30.7%) with 50%-69% stenosis, and 188 vessels (54.5%) with stenosis≥70%. At per-vessel level, CT-FFR and FFR values at each measurement position group were highly positively correlated: 1 cm distal to target lesion group, r=0.734 ( P<0.001); 2 cm distal to target lesion group, r=0.732 ( P<0.001); 3 cm distal to target lesion group, r=0.737 ( P<0.001); terminal vessel group was 0.719 ( P<0.001). At per-vessel level, CT-FFR and FFR values of all measurement sites were in good agreement (Bland-Altman analysis results): 1 cm distal to target lesion group, 0.014 (95% LoA 0.002-0.026); 2 cm distal to target lesion group, 0.026 (95% LoA 0.015-0.038); 3 cm distal to target lesion group, 0.040 (95% LoA 0.039-0.051); terminal vessel group, 0.075 (95% LoA 0.064-0.087). And at per-vessel level, the accuracy of diagnosing myocardial ischemia with CT-FFR at 1 cm was highest [84.6% (95% CI 80.4%-88.3%)], and the lowest accuracy in the terminal vessel group [67.0% (95% CI 61.7%-72.0%)]. However, there was no significant difference in the diagnostic accuracy of CT-FFR at 1 cm, 2 cm [80.6% (95% CI 76.1%-84.6%)] and 3 cm [77.5% (95% CI 72.6%-81.7%)]. AUC of CT-FFR at 1 cm distal to the lesion were both highest for global level and moderately stenosis (50%-69%) lesions [0.85 (95% CI 0.81-0.89), 0.84 (95% CI 0.77-0.90)]. And the differences were statistically significant among the four measurement location groups (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The deviation of CT-FFR increases with measurement site distance distal to target lesions. One centimeter distal to the target lesion is the optimal measurement site, and the CT-FFR value here shows the highest diagnostic performance for myocardial ischemic lesions, especially for moderate stenosis.

Objective: To establish a prediction model for high-risk cardiovascular disease (CVD) among residents aged 35 to 75 years, so as to provide the basis for improving CVD prevention and control measures. Methods: Permanent residents aged 35 to 75 years were selected from Dongcheng District, Beijing Municipality using the stratified random sampling method from 2018 to 2023. Demographic information, lifestyle, waist circumference and blood biochemical indicators were collected through questionnaire surveys, physical examinations and laboratory tests. Influencing factors for high-risk CVD among residents aged 35 to 75 years were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model, and a prediction model for high-risk CVD was established. The predictive effect was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: A total of 6 968 individuals were surveyed, including 2 821 males (40.49%) and 4 147 females (59.51%), and had a mean age of (59.92±9.33) years. There were 1 155 high-risk CVD population, with a detection rate of 16.58%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that gender, age, smoking, central obesity, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were influencing factors for high-risk CVD among residents aged 35 to 75 years (all P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve of the established prediction model was 0.849 (95%CI: 0.834-0.863), with a sensitivity of 0.693 and a specificity of 0.863, indicating good discrimination. Conclusion The model constructed by eight factors including demographic characteristics, lifestyle and blood biochemical indicators has good predictive value for high-risk CVD among residents aged 35 to 75 years.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility and safety of a fascial space priority approach to total pelvic exenteration (TPE) in patients with pelvic malignancy.Methods:This was a descriptive case series. Relevant clinical data of patients who had undergone TPE via a fascial space priority approach at Tianjin Union Medical Center from September 2017 to March 2025 were retrospectively collected. All operations had been performed via a fascial space priority approach, the guiding principle of which is separating the avascular pelvic spaces first and then transecting the vessels and nerves of the pelvic organs. That is, the avascular planes around all the pelvic organs are dissected first, after which the relevant vessels and nerves are fully dissected and transected, followed by en bloc resection of pelvic organs distally or via perineal approach. The variables studied included relevant surgical parameters, postoperative pathological findings, complications (classified according to the Clavien-Dindo criteria); recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival, and tumor-specific survival. Results:The study cohort comprised 41 patients, including 30 (73.2%) with primary tumors and 11 (26.8%) with recurrent tumors. Open TPE was performed on five patients (12.2%) and laparoscopic TPE on the remaining 36 (87.8%). All procedures were successfully completed with a fascial space priority approach and there were no intraoperative deaths. R0 resection was achieved in 34 patients (82.9%) and R1 resection in seven (17.1%). The operation time was 500 (265-740) min, and the amount of bleeding 200 (10-3,500) mL. Twelve patients (29.3%) developed postoperative complications, two of which were Clavien-Dindo Grade III complications. One of these patients required re-operation to manage a pelvic hematoma 29 days after the primary TPE. No active bleeding was observed during the re-operation. Another patient underwent interventional angiography for an episode of postoperative bleeding; this showed a pseudoaneurysm of the internal iliac artery that was successfully treated by interventional embolization via the internal iliac artery. Five days after undergoing a primary TPE with bladder preservation, a third patient was found to have a urinary fistula and underwent laparoscopic bladder resection with percutaneous ureterostomy. The median duration of follow-up was 18 (1-90) months. The 5-year RFS and overall survival were 46.7% and 52.2%, respectively, whereas the 5-year tumor-specific survival was 67.8%. Univariate Cox regression analysis identified a positive surgical margin ( P < 0.001), lateral pelvic sidewall invasion ( P=0.014), and vascular invasion ( P=0.004) as significantly associated with RFS, whereas multivariate analysis identified only a positive surgical margin (HR: 21.93, 95% CI: 3.78-127.42, P<0.001) as an independent predictor of RFS. Conclusions:It is safe and feasible to perform TPE with a fascial space priority approach on patients with pelvic malignancy. Positive surgical margins are significantly associated with RFS.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of selective expansive open-door laminoplasty(SEOLP)with preservation of C7 spinous process in the treatment of multisegmental cervical spondylotic myelopathy and its impact on changes in sagittal parameters of cervical spine.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and radiological information of 73 patients who underwent expansive open-door laminoplasty(EOLP)for cervical spondylotic myelopathy in our department between March 2018 and June 2022.Patients were divided into the SEOLP group(n=35)and the EOLP group(n=38)based on the surgical method.Follow-up was conducted for one year.The operation time,blood loss,axial symptom scores,JOA scores,VAS scores and neck disability index(NDI)were recorded in two groups of patients.Radiological data were also recorded for both groups during the perioperative period,and the C2-7 Cobb angle,C2-7 SVA and T1 slope were measured.The cervical curvature index(CCI)and cervical range of motion(ROM)were calculated.The perioperative clinical outcomes and changes in cervical sagittal parameters were observed,and their correlations were analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in blood loss,operation time,JOA scores at various follow-up time points between the two groups(P＞0.05).During postoperative follow-up,axial symptoms were observed in 5 patients in SEOLP group and 14 patients in EOLP group.There were statistically significant differences in axial symptom scores,incidence and severity of axial symptoms between the two groups(P＜0.05).The NDI indices at one year after operation were 21.1±2.3 for SEOLP group and 24.8±3.5 for EOLP group respectively(P＜0.01).There were no statistically significant differences in T1 slope and C2-7 Cobb angle at various follow-up time points after surgery between the two groups(P＞0.05).One year after operation,CCI indices for two groups were(13.4±2.7)and(12.1±2.4),respectively,with a statistically significant difference(t=2.178,P＜0.05).The C2-C7 SVA values for two groups at one year after operation were(22.4+3.8)mm and(26.7±5.9)mm,respectively(t=3.667,P＜0.01).The results of the correlation analysis showed that there was a significant negative correlation between clinical functional improvement(NDI)and changes of the radiological parameter C2-C7 SVA in both groups of patients.Conclusion After SEOLP,the recovery of C2-C7 SVA is faster and has less impact on cervical spine function,and the occurrence degree and incidence of axial symptoms are lower.