1.A machine learning-based depression recognition model integrating spirit-expression features from traditional Chinese medicine
Minghui YAO ; Rongrong ZHU ; Peng QIAN ; Huilin LIU ; Xirong SUN ; Limin GAO ; Fufeng LI
Digital Chinese Medicine 2026;9(1):68-79
Objective:
To develop a depression recognition model by integrating the spirit-expression diagnostic framework of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with machine learning algorithms. The proposed model seeks to establish a TCM-informed tool for early depression screening, thereby bridging traditional diagnostic principles with modern computational approaches.
Methods:
The study included patients with depression who visited the Shanghai Pudong New Area Mental Health Center from October 1, 2022 to October 1, 2023, as well as students and teachers from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine during the same period as the healthy control group. Videos of 3 – 10 s were captured using a Xiaomi Pad 5, and the TCM spirit and expressions were determined by TCM experts (at least 3 out of 5 experts agreed to determine the category of TCM spirit and expressions). Basic information, facial images, and interview information were collected through a portable TCM intelligent analysis and diagnosis device, and facial diagnosis features were extracted using the Open CV computer vision library technology. Statistical analysis methods such as parametric and non-parametric tests were used to analyze the baseline data, TCM spirit and expression features, and facial diagnosis feature parameters of the two groups, to compare the differences in TCM spirit and expression and facial features. Five machine learning algorithms, including extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), decision tree (DT), Bernoulli naive Bayes (BernoulliNB), support vector machine (SVM), and k-nearest neighbor (KNN) classification, were used to construct a depression recognition model based on the fusion of TCM spirit and expression features. The performance of the model was evaluated using metrics such as accuracy, precision, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). The model results were explained using the Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP).
Results:
A total of 93 depression patients and 87 healthy individuals were ultimately included in this study. There was no statistically significant difference in the baseline characteristics between the two groups (P > 0.05). The differences in the characteristics of the spirit and expressions in TCM and facial features between the two groups were shown as follows. (i) Quantispirit facial analysis revealed that depression patients exhibited significantly reduced facial spirit and luminance compared with healthy controls (P < 0.05), with characteristic features such as sad expressions, facial erythema, and changes in the lip color ranging from erythematous to cyanotic. (ii) Depressed patients exhibited significantly lower values in facial complexion L, lip L, and a values, and gloss index, but higher values in facial complexion a and b, lip b, low gloss index, and matte index (all P < 0.05). (iii) The results of multiple models show that the XGBoost-based depression recognition model, integrating the TCM “spirit-expression” diagnostic framework, achieved an accuracy of 98.61% and significantly outperformed four benchmark algorithms—DT, BernoulliNB, SVM, and KNN (P < 0.01). (iv) The SHAP visualization results show that in the recognition model constructed by the XGBoost algorithm, the complexion b value, categories of facial spirit, high gloss index, low gloss index, categories of facial expression and texture features have significant contribution to the model.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that integrating TCM spirit-expression diagnostic features with machine learning enables the construction of a high-precision depression detection model, offering a novel paradigm for objective depression diagnosis.
2.Preliminary exploration of the symptom fluctuation after acupuncture for idiopathic tinnitus.
Baiqing WANG ; Yuanbo FU ; Baijie LI ; Xueting ZHANG ; Yuhan ZENG ; Yutong NI ; Huilin LIU ; Peng CHEN ; Xiaobai XU ; Bingcong ZHAO
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(10):1477-1483
After being treated with acupuncture, some patients with idiopathic tinnitus may experience a short-term aggravation of tinnitus symptoms on the original basis. These symptoms can be gradually relieved and the overall condition fluctuates towards recovery. This phenomenon has brought some difficulties to patients and clinicians. Based on the academic view of TCM, "destroying pathogens and re-building balance", and in association with the existing understanding of acupuncture in modern medicine for tinnitus, this paper briefly discusses the mechanism and influencing factors of symptom fluctuation in patients with idiopathic tinnitus after acupuncture treatment in terms of both TCM and modern medicine, and proposes the future direction in the research of symptom fluctuation, so as to promote the recognition of clinicians and patients on symptom fluctuation and make rational use of its positive effects. Besides, it is hoped that more researchers will pay attention to symptom fluctuation and advance the exploration of it in academic field.
Humans
;
Tinnitus/physiopathology*
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Male
;
Female
3.Pulsatilla saponin D inhibits invasion and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer cells through multiple targets and pathways.
Qiao CHU ; Xiaona WANG ; Jiaying XU ; Huilin PENG ; Yulin ZHAO ; Jing ZHANG ; Guoyu LU ; Kai WANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(1):150-161
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the mechanism by which Pulsatilla saponin D (PSD) inhibits invasion and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
METHODS:
The public databases were used to identify the potential targets of PSD and the invasion and metastasis targets of TNBC to obtain the intersection targets between PSD and TNBC. The "PSD-target-disease" interaction network was constructed and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was performed to obtain the core targets, which were analyzed for KEGG pathway and GO functional enrichment. Molecular docking study of the core targets and PSD was performed, and the therapeutic effect and mechanism of PSD were verified using Transwell assay and Western blotting in cultured TNBC cells.
RESULTS:
Network pharmacology analysis identified a total of 285 potential PSD targets and 26 drug-disease intersection core targets. GO analysis yielded 175 entries related to the binding of biomolecules (protein, DNA and RNA), enzyme activities, and regulation of gene transcription. KEGG analysis yielded 46 entries involving pathways in cancer, chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation, microRNAs in cancer, chemical carcinogenesis-reactive oxygen species, PD-L1 expression and PD-1 checkpoint pathway in cancer. Molecular docking showed high binding affinities of PSD to MTOR, HDAC2, ABL1, CDK1, TLR4, TERT, PIK3R1, NFE2L2 and PTPN1. In cultured TNBC cells, treatment with PSD significantly inhibited cell invasion and migration and lowered the expressions of MMP2, MMP9, N-cadherin and the core proteins p-mTOR, ABL1, TERT, PTPN1, HDAC2, PIK3R1, CDK1, TLR4 as well as NFE2L2 expressionin the cell nuclei.
CONCLUSIONS
The inhibitory effects of PSD on TNBC invasion and metastasis are mediated by multiple targets and pathways.
Humans
;
Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Saponins/pharmacology*
;
Pulsatilla/chemistry*
;
Female
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Neoplasm Invasiveness
;
Protein Interaction Maps
;
Neoplasm Metastasis
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Cell Movement/drug effects*
4.Clinical guideline for diagnosis and treatment of nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (version 2025)
Haipeng SI ; Le LI ; Junjie NIU ; Wencan ZHANG ; Fuxin WEI ; Jinqiu YUAN ; Qiang YANG ; Hongli WANG ; Guangchao WANG ; Shihong CHEN ; Yunzhen CHEN ; Xiaoguang CHENG ; Jianwen DONG ; Shiqing FENG ; Rui GU ; Yong HAI ; Tianyong HOU ; Bo HUANG ; Xiaobing JIANG ; Lei ZANG ; Chunhai LI ; Nianhu LI ; Hua LIN ; Hongjian LIU ; Peng LIU ; Xinyu LIU ; Sheng LU ; Shibao LU ; Chunshan LUO ; Lvy CHAOLIANG ; Lvy WEIJIA ; Xuexiao MA ; Wei MEI ; Chunyang MENG ; Cailiang SHEN ; Chunli SONG ; Ruoxian SONG ; Jiacan SU ; Honglin TENG ; Hui SHENG ; Beiyu WANG ; Bingwu WANG ; Liang WANG ; Xiangyang WANG ; Nan WU ; Guohua XU ; Yayi XIA ; Jin XU ; Youjia XU ; Jianzhong XU ; Cao YANG ; Maowei YANG ; Zibin YANG ; Xiaojian YE ; Hailong YU ; Xijie YU ; Hua YUE ; Zhili ZENG ; Xinli ZHAN ; Hui ZHANG ; Peixun ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Zhenlin ZHANG ; Jianguo ZHANG ; Tengyue ZHU ; Qiang LIU ; Huilin YANG
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(10):932-945
Nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), predominantly affecting the elderly, can lead to intractable pain, vertebral collapse, progressive kyphotic deformity, and neurological impairment, significantly compromising patients′ quality of life. There exists considerable debate on diagnosis and management of OVF, encompassing key issues such as clinical diagnosis and staging criteria for nonunion, surgical indications and procedure selection, and postoperative rehabilitation planning. Currently, there lacks standardized clinical guideline and expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of OVF nonunion in China. To address this gap, Minimally Invasive Surgery Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Osteoporosis Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee for Osteoporosis of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Branch of China Association for Geriatric Care jointly organized domestic experts in spinal surgery, endocrinology, and rehabilitation to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures ( version 2025), based on existing literature and clinical experience and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and practicality. The guideline provided 13 evidence-based recommendations encompassing diagnosis and treatment of OVF nonunion, aiming to standardize its clinical management.
5.Discovery journey and future prospects of Foxp3? regulatory T cells:an interpretation of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Cheng PENG ; Dan LI ; Huilin CAO ; Bin LI
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2025;45(11):897-905
The immune system maintains a delicate balance between effectively defending against infections and avoiding attacks on self-tissues,a dynamic equilibrium that has long puzzled immunologists. The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Mary E. Brunkow,Fred Ramsdell,and Shimon Sakaguchi for their identification of regulatory T cells(Treg)and Foxp3,systematic discovery of the critical role of CD4 +CD25 +Foxp3 + Treg cells in suppressing autoimmune responses,thereby establishing the field of Treg cell-mediated peripheral immune tolerance. This groundbreaking work not only reshapes the understanding of immune regulation,but also but also expands the clinical applications of Treg cells into multiple fields,including autoimmune diseases(e.g.,typeⅠ diabetes,multiple sclerosis),cancer immunotherapy(e.g.,targeting tumor-infiltrating Tregs),and transplant tolerance induction. Advances in gene editing and artificial intelligence are further driving personalized precision medicine. Treg cell therapies hold promise for revolutionizing the treatment of immune-related diseases.
6.Pulsatilla saponin D inhibits invasion and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer cells through multiple targets and pathways
Qiao CHU ; Xiaona WANG ; Jiaying XU ; Huilin PENG ; Yulin ZHAO ; Jing ZHANG ; Guoyu LU ; Kai WANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(1):150-161
Objective To explore the mechanism by which Pulsatilla saponin D(PSD)inhibits invasion and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC).Methods The public databases were used to identify the potential targets of PSD and the invasion and metastasis targets of TNBC to obtain the intersection targets between PSD and TNBC.The"PSD-target-disease"interaction network was constructed and protein-protein interaction(PPI)analysis was performed to obtain the core targets,which were analyzed for KEGG pathway and GO functional enrichment.Molecular docking study of the core targets and PSD was performed,and the therapeutic effect and mechanism of PSD were verified using Transwell assay and Western blotting in cultured TNBC cells.Results Network pharmacology analysis identified a total of 285 potential PSD targets and 26 drug-disease intersection core targets.GO analysis yielded 175 entries related to the binding of biomolecules(protein,DNA and RNA),enzyme activities,and regulation of gene transcription.KEGG analysis yielded 46 entries involving pathways in cancer,chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation,microRNAs in cancer,chemical carcinogenesis-reactive oxygen species,PD-L1 expression and PD-1 checkpoint pathway in cancer.Molecular docking showed high binding affinities of PSD to MTOR,HDAC2,ABL1,CDK1,TLR4,TERT,PIK3R1,NFE2L2 and PTPN1.In cultured TNBC cells,treatment with PSD significantly inhibited cell invasion and migration and lowered the expressions of MMP2,MMP9,N-cadherin and the core proteins p-mTOR,ABL1,TERT,PTPN1,HDAC2,PIK3R1,CDK1,TLR4 as well as NFE2L2 expressionin the cell nuclei.Conclusion The inhibitory effects of PSD on TNBC invasion and metastasis are mediated by multiple targets and pathways.
7.Clinical guideline for diagnosis and treatment of nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (version 2025)
Haipeng SI ; Le LI ; Junjie NIU ; Wencan ZHANG ; Fuxin WEI ; Jinqiu YUAN ; Qiang YANG ; Hongli WANG ; Guangchao WANG ; Shihong CHEN ; Yunzhen CHEN ; Xiaoguang CHENG ; Jianwen DONG ; Shiqing FENG ; Rui GU ; Yong HAI ; Tianyong HOU ; Bo HUANG ; Xiaobing JIANG ; Lei ZANG ; Chunhai LI ; Nianhu LI ; Hua LIN ; Hongjian LIU ; Peng LIU ; Xinyu LIU ; Sheng LU ; Shibao LU ; Chunshan LUO ; Lvy CHAOLIANG ; Lvy WEIJIA ; Xuexiao MA ; Wei MEI ; Chunyang MENG ; Cailiang SHEN ; Chunli SONG ; Ruoxian SONG ; Jiacan SU ; Honglin TENG ; Hui SHENG ; Beiyu WANG ; Bingwu WANG ; Liang WANG ; Xiangyang WANG ; Nan WU ; Guohua XU ; Yayi XIA ; Jin XU ; Youjia XU ; Jianzhong XU ; Cao YANG ; Maowei YANG ; Zibin YANG ; Xiaojian YE ; Hailong YU ; Xijie YU ; Hua YUE ; Zhili ZENG ; Xinli ZHAN ; Hui ZHANG ; Peixun ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Zhenlin ZHANG ; Jianguo ZHANG ; Tengyue ZHU ; Qiang LIU ; Huilin YANG
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(10):932-945
Nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), predominantly affecting the elderly, can lead to intractable pain, vertebral collapse, progressive kyphotic deformity, and neurological impairment, significantly compromising patients′ quality of life. There exists considerable debate on diagnosis and management of OVF, encompassing key issues such as clinical diagnosis and staging criteria for nonunion, surgical indications and procedure selection, and postoperative rehabilitation planning. Currently, there lacks standardized clinical guideline and expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of OVF nonunion in China. To address this gap, Minimally Invasive Surgery Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Osteoporosis Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee for Osteoporosis of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Branch of China Association for Geriatric Care jointly organized domestic experts in spinal surgery, endocrinology, and rehabilitation to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures ( version 2025), based on existing literature and clinical experience and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and practicality. The guideline provided 13 evidence-based recommendations encompassing diagnosis and treatment of OVF nonunion, aiming to standardize its clinical management.
8.Discovery journey and future prospects of Foxp3? regulatory T cells:an interpretation of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Cheng PENG ; Dan LI ; Huilin CAO ; Bin LI
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2025;45(11):897-905
The immune system maintains a delicate balance between effectively defending against infections and avoiding attacks on self-tissues,a dynamic equilibrium that has long puzzled immunologists. The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Mary E. Brunkow,Fred Ramsdell,and Shimon Sakaguchi for their identification of regulatory T cells(Treg)and Foxp3,systematic discovery of the critical role of CD4 +CD25 +Foxp3 + Treg cells in suppressing autoimmune responses,thereby establishing the field of Treg cell-mediated peripheral immune tolerance. This groundbreaking work not only reshapes the understanding of immune regulation,but also but also expands the clinical applications of Treg cells into multiple fields,including autoimmune diseases(e.g.,typeⅠ diabetes,multiple sclerosis),cancer immunotherapy(e.g.,targeting tumor-infiltrating Tregs),and transplant tolerance induction. Advances in gene editing and artificial intelligence are further driving personalized precision medicine. Treg cell therapies hold promise for revolutionizing the treatment of immune-related diseases.
9.Treatment of cement dislodgement after vertebral augmentation
Linlin ZHANG ; Minfeng GAN ; Jinhui SHI ; Peng YANG ; Shaofeng YANG ; Mo ZHU ; Yunxia TAO ; Huilin YANG
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2023;25(1):19-24
Objective:To analyze the clinical efficacy of treatment of cement dislodgement after vertebral augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral fractures.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 13 patients who had been treated at Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University for cement dislodgement after vertebral augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral fractures from July 2013 to July 2022. There were 4 males and 9 females, with an average age of (76.5±8.6) years and a T value of bone mineral density of -3.3±0.6. By the CT and MRI features of cement dislodgement, their conditions fell in 4 types: cement loosening in situ (4 cases), anterior cement moving (6 cases), anterior cement moving with posterior bone mass moving (2 cases), and posterior cement moving (1 case). They were treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty (3 cases), pedicle screw fixation combined with bone graft fusion and decompression (7 cases), and conservative therapy (3 cases). The curative effects for surgical patients were evaluated by comparing their visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) and cobb angle of kyphosis at preoperation, 1 week and 1 month postoperation, and the last follow-up, and Frankel grading for nerve injury as well. The curative effects for patients undergoing conservative treatment were evaluated by observing their symptoms.Results:This cohort was followed up for 7 (5, 12) months after treatment. The VAS scores [5.0 (4.0, 5.0) points, 3.0 (2.0, 3.0) points, and 3.0 (2.0, 3.0) points] in the 10 surgical patients at 1 week and 1 month postoperation and the last follow-up were significantly improved compared with the preoperative value [8.5 (8.0, 9.0) points] ( P<0.05); the VAS scores at 1 month postoperation and the last follow-up were also significantly improved compared with that at 1 week postoperation ( P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between the last follow-up and 1 month postoperation ( P > 0.05). The ODIs (50.6%±4.2%, 37.8%±4.5%, and 29.3%±5.6%) in the 10 surgical patients at 1 week and 1 month postoperation and the last follow-up were significantly improved compared with the preoperative value (93.2%±3.6%), showing significant differences in pairwise comparisons ( P<0.05). The cobb angles [10.0 (9.0, 11.0)°, 9.0 (9.0, 11.0)°, and 10.0 (9.0, 12.0)°] in the 10 surgical patients at 1 week and 1 month postoperation and the last follow-up were significantly improved compared with the preoperative value [12.5 (11.0, 14.0)°] ( P<0.05) , but there was no statistically significant difference between the time points after operation ( P>0.05). The Frankel grading was significantly improved in the 6 patients with nerve injury after operation. Of the 3 patients undergoing conservative treatment, the symptoms were cured in one, showed no change during follow-up in one, and aggravated in one. Conclusion:Surgical treatment can significantly relieve pain, improve spinal dysfunction and repair nerve injury in patients with bone cement dislodgement after vertebral augmentation.
10.Kaposiform lymphangiomatosis in a newborn
Chao HUANG ; Yanfen PENG ; Junjian LYU ; Huilin NIU ; Qiuming HE ; Wei ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2023;26(10):865-868
This article reported a case of kaposiform lymphangiomatosis (KLA) identified in the fetal stage and diagnosed at the neonatal stage. A routine ultrasound examination at 19 weeks of gestation showed multiple masses in the whole body of the fetus (involving neck, chest wall and armpit) complicated by pleural and peritoneal effusion. Shunting was performed to drain pleural effusion from the right chest in another hospital at 26 +5 weeks of gestation. The patient was born at 34 +3 weeks of gestation by cesarean section due to "intrauterine distress" and required invasive ventilator assisted ventilation support after birth because of respiratory distress. A large amount of hemorrhagic effusion was drained out during the shunting. Coagulation dysfunction and thrombocytopenia occurred on the 3rd day after birth and KLA was suspected. Empirical treatment with sirolimus turned out to be ineffective. Biopsy was taken on postnatal day 7. However, the patient died on the 12th day after birth due to respiratory and circulatory failure. Pathological findings obtained the day after death were consistent with the features of KLA. The diagnosis of KLA was confirmed based on the clinical manifestations and pathological results.

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