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.Heterotopic ossification: Current developments and emerging potential therapies.
Mingjian BEI ; Qiyong CAO ; Chunpeng ZHAO ; Yaping XIAO ; Yimin CHEN ; Honghu XIAO ; Xu SUN ; Faming TIAN ; Minghui YANG ; Xinbao WU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):389-404
This review aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the etiology, epidemiology, pathology, and conventional treatment of heterotopic ossification (HO), especially emerging potential therapies. HO is the process of ectopic bone formation at non-skeletal sites. HO can be subdivided into two major forms, acquired and hereditary, with acquired HO predominating. Hereditary HO is a rare and life-threatening genetic disorder, but both acquired and hereditary form can cause severe complications, such as peripheral nerve entrapment, pressure ulcers, and disability if joint ankylosis develops, which heavily contributes to a reduced quality of life. Modalities have been proposed to treat HO, but none have emerged as the gold standard. Surgical excision remains the only effective modality; however, the optimal timing is controversial and may cause HO recurrence. Recently, potential therapeutic strategies have emerged that focus on the signaling pathways involved in HO, and small molecule inhibitors have been shown to be promising. Moreover, additional specific targets, such as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and non-coding RNAs, could be used to effectively block HO or develop combinatorial therapies for HO.
Humans
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Ossification, Heterotopic/genetics*
3.Effect of Bushen Huoxue Granule (补肾活血颗粒) on Dopamine Homeostasis and ERK/CREB/VMAT2 Signaling Pathways in the Striatum in Parkinson's Disease Model Mice
Hehao SUN ; Yingfan CHEN ; Peng WANG ; Xiaohan GENG ; Yuzhi ZHANG ; Qian ZHANG ; Min LI ; Shaodan LI ; Minghui YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(23):2484-2493
ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Bushen Huoxue Granule (补肾活血颗粒, BHG) in treating Parkinson's disease (PD) from the perspecitve of dopamine (DA) homeostasis. MethodsSeventy-two mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, madopar group and BHG low-, medium- and high-dose groups, with 12 mice in each group. Except for the blank group, all mice were administered intraperitoneal injections of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) for 7 consecutive days to induce a PD model. On the day following the injection, BHG low-, medium- and high-dose groups were administered BHG at doses of 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/(g·d) by oral gavage, respectively, while the madopar group received madopar tablets at dose of 0.093 8 mg/(g·d) by oral gavage. The blank group and the model group were given 0.2 ml/10 g of distilled water by gavage. All treatments were given once daily for 14 days. Open field test, pole climbing test and grip test were used to evaluate the behavior of mice in each group. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in striatum. Nissl staining was used to detect the activity of striatal neurons. The contents of DA and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in striatum were detected by ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The number and volume of synaptic vesicles were observed by transmission electron microscope. The expression of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) in striatum was detected by immunofluorescence. Western Blot was used to detect the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB) and VMAT2 in striatum. ResultsCompared to the blank group, mice in the model group showed a significant decline in total distance and average speed in the open field test, along with an increase in total resting time; in the pole test, both the time required for the mice to turn completely downward (T-turn) and the total time taken to reach the bottom of the pole (T-total) were prolonged; forelimb grip strength was reduced; in the striatum, the mean optical density of TH, the average fluorescence intensity of VMAT2 protein, and DA content all decreased, while the number of striatal neurons was reduced, and the DOPAC/DA ratio was elevated; the levels of p-ERK/ERK, p-CREB/CREB, and VMAT2 in the striatum significantly decreased (P<0.01); transmission electron microscopy revealed that both the number and volume of synaptic vesicles in striatal neurons were markedly reduced. Compared to the model group, mice in the madopar group and BHG low-, medium- and high-dose groups showed significant improvements in all the above indicators (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to madopar group, the BHG high-dose group exhibited increased DA content and elevated p-CREB/CREB ratio in the striatum (P<0.05). Compared to the BHG low-dose group, the BHG high-dose group showed increased total distance and mean velocity, decreased total resting time, T-turn, and T-total, as well as enhanced forelimb grip strength; moreover, the average fluorescence intensity of VMAT2 protein, DA content, p-ERK/ERK, p-CREB/CREB, and VMAT2 levels in the striatum were all significantly elevated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionBHG may restore DA homeostasis and alleviate the damage of dopaminergic neurons by regulating ERK/CREB/VMAT2 signaling pathway.
4.Research progress in application of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in treatment of female reproductive system diseases
Mingming JIN ; Ran SUN ; Minghui FAN ; Lu GAO ; Minjia SHENG
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2025;51(3):839-847
Female reproductive system diseases,such as premature ovarian insufficiency(POI),premature ovarian failure(POF),polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS),intrauterine adhesions(IUA),ulterus scar diverticulum,salpingitis,and tubal obstruction,may induce infertility,severely impacting patients'physical and mental health and quality of life.Currently,the umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(UCMSCs)have emerged as a research focus in gynecological and obstetric fields,demonstrating significant therapeutic potential for female reproductive system disorders.UCMSCs secrete various cytokines,activate relevant signaling pathways and key molecules,reduce inflammation mediators and oxidative stress,and prevent excessive cellular damage and apoptosis,thereby achieving therapeutic effects.In recent years,extensive studies have explored the therapeutic effects of UCMSCs on female reproductive system diseases.This article review the current in vitro and in vivo research progress in UCMSCs for treating female reproductive system diseases,aiming to provide the novel strategies and directions for future research and clinical applications.
5.Effect of the impaction of posterior wall on the prognosis following open reduction and internal fixation for fractures of acetabular posterior wall
Yufeng GE ; Feng GAO ; Chao TU ; Gang LIU ; Minghui YANG ; Xu SUN ; Zhelun TAN ; Yimin CHEN ; Weidong PENG ; Xinbao WU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2024;26(3):188-193
Objective:To evaluate the effect of the impaction of posterior wall on the prognosis following open reduction and internal fixation for fractures of acetabular posterior wall.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data from the 83 patients with fracture of acetabular posterior wall who had been consecutively treated by open reduction and internal fixation at Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from January 2017 to December 2020. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on involvement of posterior wall impaction. In the impaction group of 33 cases, there were 26 males and 7 females with an age of (47.4±11.6) years; in the non-impaction group of 50 cases, there were 43 males and 7 females with an age of (41.3±12.0) years. The quality of postoperative fracture reduction, the function of the affected hip at the last follow-up, and the complication rate during follow-up were compared between the 2 groups. Multifactorial binary logistic regression and age subgroups were used to analyze the effects of posterior wall impaction on functional outcomes.Results:The age, rate of associated injuries in other body parts, and rate of posterior wall comminution in the impaction group were significantly higher than those in the non-impaction group ( P<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in other general data of patients between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for (44.5±13.3) months after surgery. The rate of anatomical reduction in the non-impaction group (96.0%, 48/50) was significantly higher than that in the impaction group (57.6%, 19/33) ( P<0.05), and the good and excellent rate by the modified Merle d'Aubigné & Postel scale at the last follow-up in the non-impaction group (84.0%, 42/50) was significantly higher than that in the impaction group (51.5%, 17/33) ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). After adjusting for age and gender, the difference in hip function was still significantly different between the 2 groups ( OR=0.23, 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.79, P=0.020). The effect of posterior wall impaction on functional outcomes was statistically significant in patients aged ≥50 years ( P=0.008), whereas the difference was not statistically significant in patients aged <50 years ( P=0.194). Conclusions:Compared with non-impaction ones, acetabular fractures of posterior wall impaction tend to lead to poorer quality of reduction, which in turn affects the postoperative recovery of hip joint function. The impact of impaction fractures on functional recovery is more significant in patients aged 50 years and above.
6.Expression and prognostic significance of nuclear matrix protein 4 in hepatocellular carcinoma
Jinhai LI ; Huawei ZHAI ; Guangzheng SUN ; Haifeng ZHANG ; Minghui ZHU ; Yu CAI ; Shenghua PAN ; Shuqun LI
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2024;30(2):87-92
Objective:To investigate the expression of nuclear matrix protein 4 (NMP4) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and its relationship with clinicopathological features and survival prognosis of patients.Methods:The clinical data of 100 HCC patients who were treated with radical resection of liver cancer in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from July 1, 2014 to July 1, 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 63 males and 37 females, aged (58.5±10.4) years old. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of NMP4 protein in HCC cancer tissue and the corresponding adjacent normal tissue. According to the expression of NMP4 in HCC tissues, 100 patients were divided into two groups: the NMP4-positive expression group ( n=62) and the NMP4-negative expression group ( n=32). Univariate analysis was performed on the relationship between NMP4 expression and clinical pathological features as well as overall survival of HCC patients. Cox multivariate analysis was performed on the factors influencing postoperative prognosis of HCC patients. Results:Immunohistochemistry results showed that NMP4 was primarily expressed in the nucleus, the positive expression rate of NMP4 in HCC tissues was higher than that in adjacent non-cancerous tissues [62.0% (62/100) vs. 8.0%(8/100)], and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=2.12, P=0.003). Univariate analysis revealed that the overall survival of HCC patients was correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation, tumor length, BCLC stage, number of tumor foci, vascular tumor thrombus and expression of NMP4 (all P<0.05). Cox multivariate analysis revealed that low differentiation, high BCLC stage (stage C), number of tumor foci (≥3), and positive expression of NMP4 were independent risk factors affecting postoperative survival and recurrence-free survival of HCC patients. The median overall survival and median recurrence-free survival of HCC patients in the NMP4-positive expression group were 22.3 months and 11.5 months, respectively. In contrast, that in the NMP4-negative expression group were 40.6 months and 19.4 months, respectively. The cumulative survival rate and recurrence-free survival rate of HCC patients in the NMP4-positive expression group were lower than those in the NMP4-negative expression group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). Conclusion:Positive NMP4 expression was closely correlated with malignant biological progression and poor prognosis of HCC patients.
7.Clinical and CT findings of 25 patients with bronchiolar adenoma
Minghui ZHANG ; Minghua SUI ; Tiantian QIU ; Xue SUN ; Xiao TAN ; Dailun HOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2024;31(08):1127-1132
Objective To study the clinical and CT findings of bronchiolar adenoma. Methods Patients diagnosed with bronchiolar adenoma confirmed by surgical pathology at Linyi People's Hospital and Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital from 2016 to 2021 were collected. Their clinical and CT imaging features were retrospectively analyzed. Results Finally, 25 patients were collected, including 6 males and 19 females, aged 32-73 (58.6±10.1) years. The immunohistochemical Ki-67 (MIB1) of all lesions was <5%. The lesions were located in the upper and middle lobe of both lungs in 9 patients, lower lobes in 16 patients, extrapulmonary zone in 22 patients, intrapulmonary middle zone in 3 patients, round in 11 patients, irregular in 14 patients, well-defined in 22 patients, pure ground-glass/mixed ground-glass nodules in 6 patients, solid nodules in 19 patients. There were 11 patients with central small cavity, 18 patients with single bronchioles sign, 19 patients without adhesion with adjacent pleura, and 24 patients without mediastinal lymph node enlargement. Conclusion Bronchiolar adenomas usually occur in the middle-aged and elderly, mostly in the lower lobe of both lungs and the distribution of the peripheral lung field, most of the patients do not have any clinical symptoms, and the postoperative prognosis is good. CT may show large nodules or masses, pure ground-glass/mixed ground-glass nodules, irregular solid nodules and central small cavities. Irregular stellate nodules, central small cavity shadow, and single bronchiolar vascular bundle connected with the lesions are relatively specific imaging findings of bronchiolar adenoma.
8.Clinical Study on the Treatment of Advanced Liver Cancer of Qi Deficiency and Toxic Stasis Type by Jiawei Yupingfeng San
Zongao WANG ; Minghui ZHANG ; Hua SUN ; Yiran OUYANG ; Lanmei ZHAO ; Ting ZHANG ; Fei YAO ; Qin YUAN ; Guorong JIANG ; Lurong ZHANG ; Min LIU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(4):413-418
OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical efficacy and effect on serum thymic stromal lymphopoietin(TSLP)levels of pa-tients with advanced liver cancer of qi deficiency and toxic stasis type by Jiawei Yupingfeng San.METHODS Using random double blind method,120 patients with advanced liver cancer of qi deficiency and toxic stasis type were randomly divided into 3 groups:Jiawei Yupingfeng San group,Yupingfeng San group,and placebo group,each consisting of 40 cases.All patients in the 3 groups were given conventional treatment such as radiotherapy,chemotherapy,interventional or targeted therapy;Jiawei Yupingfeng San group was given Jiawei Yupingfeng San granules,Yupingfeng San group was given Yupingfeng San granules,and placebo group was given placebo.The course of treatment was 2 months.The changes of Karnofsky functional status score(KPS score),TCM syndrome score,tumor size and serum TSLP level in the 3 groups were observed before and after treatment,and the correlation between the changes of tumor size and TSLP was analyzed.RESULTS After treatment,the KPS scores of Yupingfeng San group and Jiawei Yupingfeng San group were sig-nificantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),TCM syndrome score were decreased(P<0.01),tumor growth(P<0.05,P<0.01)was de-layed,and serum TSLP levels(P<0.05,P<0.01)were decreased.Furthermore,there was a slight positive correlation between chan-ges in tumor size and changes in TSLP(P<0.05).In terms of improving tumor size,the curative effect of Jiawei Yupingfeng San group was better than that of Yupingfeng San group(P<0.05).During the treatment period,no obvious adverse reactions were observed in the 3 groups of patients.CONCLUSION Combined with conventional treatment,Jiawei Yupingfeng San can significantly delay tumor growth in patients with advanced liver cancer of qi deficiency and toxic stasis type and improve patients'TCM syndromes and their qual-ity of survival.The therapeutic mechanism is related to reducing the expression of serum TSLP and improving the immune status of pa-tients,thereby delaying the growth of tumors.
9.Correlation between zinc finger protein A20 and basic fibroblast growth factor and liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Song ZHANG ; Xiaoyu HUANG ; Minghui MENG ; Qian HU ; Zilong ZHAO ; Jian LI ; Haiyan KANG ; Dianxing SUN ; Zhengrong GUO
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2024;47(12):1061-1064
Objective:To study the correlation between zinc finger protein A20 (A20) and basic fibroblast growth factor (BFGF) and liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to select 120 patients with chronic hepatitis B diagnosed and treated in the Fifth Hospital of Shijiazhuang City from January 2019 to December 2020, all of whom underwent liver tissue biopsy, and 25 cases of liver pathological specimens who underwent liver hemangioma resection were selected. The correlation between the expression of A20 and BFGF in liver tissue and the stage of hepatic fibrosis and inflammation were analyzed.Results:The expression of A20 in the S1 - S4 phase was higher than that in the S0 phase: (6.12 ± 1.22)%, (10.18 ± 2.43)%, (16.94 ± 5.06)%, (25.99 ± 7.57)% vs. (0.81 ± 0.29)%; the expression of BFGF in the S1 - S4 phase was higher than that in the S0 phase: (6.12 ± 1.22)%, (10.18 ± 2.43)%, (16.94 ± 5.06)%, (25.99 ± 7.57)% vs. (0.81 ± 0.29)%, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The expression of A20 in the G1 - G4 phase was higher than that in the G0 phase: (6.56 ± 1.87)%, (10.01 ± 3.29)%, (15.54 ± 5.01)%, (25.86 ± 8.02)% vs. (0.85 ± 0.71)%; the expression of BFGF in the G1 - G4 phase was higher than that in the G0 phase: (5.91 ± 1.52)%, (9.65 ± 2.48)%, (15.03 ± 4.86)%, (24.62 ± 7.22)% vs. (0.79 ± 0.41)%, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The results of Pearson test showed that there was a positive correlation between liver A20 and BFGF ( r = 0.824, P<0.05). Conclusions:The expressions of A20 and BFGF in liver tissue increase with the aggravation of liver pathological fibrosis and inflammation, which can be used as important indicators to evaluate the severity of liver fibrosis.
10.A digital classification system of pelvic fractures based on close reduction techniques
Xu SUN ; Yuneng LI ; Qiyong CAO ; Chunpeng ZHAO ; Yimin CHEN ; Minghui YANG ; Shiwen ZHU ; Honghua WU ; Xinbao WU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2024;26(5):428-434
Objective:To explore the feasibility and consistency of a new digital classification system of pelvic fractures named as JST classification based on close reduction techniques.Methods:A retrospective collection was conducted of the data from the 63 patients with pelvic fracture who had undergone surgical treatment after JST classification at Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from March 2021 to March 2023. Digital classification of the pelvic fractures was performed based on their locations and displacements. The classification first divides the pelvis into 4 parts: left half pelvis and right half pelvis; sacral Denis Ⅲ area and pubic symphysis. The symmetrical left and right sacral Denis Ⅰ and Denis Ⅱ areas are also included in the left/right half pelvis. Subsequently, the left half pelvis and right half pelvis are divided into 4 regions and marked by capitalized English letters: Sacrum Area (including Denis Ⅰ and Denis Ⅱ, denoted as S), Sacroiliac Joint Area (denoted as J), Iliac Area (denoted as I), and Pubic Area (denoted as P); to distinguish right/left, R and L are used as prefixes. The 2 asymmetric parts are also marked with English letters: Denis Ⅲ area of the sacrum (denoted as Sac), and pubic symphysis (denoted as C). Afterwards, the fracture line morphology and displacement in each region are marked digitally to form a complete JST classification system. The inter- and intra-observer reliabilities (Fleiss' and Cohen's Kappa) of the JST classification system were tested by 3 observers with more than 10 years of experience in pelvic fracture treatment.Results:Consistency analysis of the JST classification results showed that the mean κ value of the intra-observer reliability was 0.818 (from 0.658 to 0.946, P<0.001) and the inter-observer reliability 0.873 (from 0.674 to 1.000, P<0.001), both indicating excellent agreement. Of the 63 patients, 59 obtained successful closed reduction with the assistance of the Rossum Robot R-Universal intelligent orthopedic surgical robot system after fracture classification by the JST system, yielding a success rate of 93.7% (59/63). Conclusions:The new JST classification system for pelvic fractures demonstrates strong intra and inter-observer reliabilities compared with traditional classification systems. As JST classification system labels each fracture site and key bones, it is of great significance for the deep learning and intraoperative operations of intelligent fracture robots.

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