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.Health risk assessment of heavy metals and metalloids in atmospheric PM2.5 from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2023
Jiake ZHU ; Shengmei YANG ; Yuhan QIN ; Nana WEI ; Wenqian ZHANG ; Xinrui JIA ; Wenyu ZHANG ; Xuanhao BAI ; Minghui YIN ; Li ZHANG ; Huan LI ; Duoduo WU ; Xuanzhi YUE ; Yaochun FAN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(10):1201-1208
Background The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is a vast area with a wide array of ecological environments, resulting in considerable regional variations in air pollution characteristics. Current research is limited by a scarcity of systematic, region-wide studies and risk assessments. Objective To assess the health risks associated with inhalation exposure to nine heavy metal and metalloid elements in atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) for the population of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Methods From the 10th to the 16th of each month throughout 2023, atmospheric PM2.5 samples were collected at designated monitoring sites in 12 leagues (cities) across the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to analyze the characteristics and trends in concentration. The health risk assessment model developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency was employed to evaluate both the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with the heavy metal elements beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), hydrargyrum (Hg), plumbum (Pb), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni) and the metalloid elements stibium (Sb) and arsenic (As). Results In 2023, a total of
3.Rabies epidemic surveillance analysis,China,2024
Xiaonuo XU ; Na ZHANG ; Pengcheng YU ; Shuqing LIU ; Qian LIU ; Minghui ZHANG ; Xiaoyan TAO ; Wuyang ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2025;39(5):598-603
Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of rabies in China during 2024 to understand the patterns of disease transmission and provide a scientific basis for optimizing prevention strategies and advancing the rabies elimination process.Methods:Data on the national rabies epidemic in 2024 and case-specific information from national surveillance sites were collected from China's National Notifiable Disease Reporting System(NNDRS). Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the disease trends and epidemic characteristics.Results:In 2024,China reported 167 human rabies cases across 20 provincial-level administrative divisions(PLADs),resulting in 148 fatalities. This represents a 39.17% increase from 2023(120 cases)and the highest annual incidence recorded since 2019. The epidemic exhibited a distinct geographic clustering in central and southern China,with four provinces(Henan,Guangxi,Hunan,and Hubei)accounting for 62.87%(105/167)of nationally reported cases. October(20 cases)and November(20 cases)recorded the highest monthly incidence,while February had the lowest(2 cases). Farmers constituted the primary affected demographic(80.84%),with a marked male predominance(male-to-female ratio:2.15∶1)-higher than the 2023 ratio(1.86∶1). Cases spanned all age groups,predominantly affecting middle-aged and older adults. Analysis of 54 cases revealed dogs as the primary exposure source(93.88%),with domestic dogs constituting 75.00% of these.The laboratory diagnosis rate of rabies cases in 2024 was 43.71%(73/167).Conclusion:After 16 consecutive years of decline,China's rabies epidemic rebounded in 2024,primarily driven by deficiencies in domestic dog management and weaknesses in post-exposure prophylaxis. Key recommendations include enhancing canine vaccination coverage in high-risk areas,implementing targeted health education for farmers and middle-aged and older adults,improving standardized post-exposure treatment protocols,and optimizing integrated surveillance-alert-response systems,ultimately advancing the achievement of rabies elimination goals.
4.Twelve cases of occupational acute 2- (2-thiophenyl) scopolamine glycolate poisoning
Yugui HAO ; Minghui WANG ; Jilai QU ; Xuechuang ZHU ; Jian LIU ; Xinxiao WANG
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(6):453-455
2- (2-thiophenyl) scopolamine glycolate is produced through an ester exchange reaction between scopine and methyl 2, 2-dithienylglycolate, and is used to synthesize tiotropium bromide. In this paper, the treatment process of 12 patients with acute 2- (2-thiophenyl) scopolamine glycolate poisoning was reviewed and their clinical data were analyzed. After a large amount of 2- (2-thiophenyl) scopolamine glycolate was absorbed through the respiratory tract, the poisoning patients presented with central nervous system injury as the main clinical manifestations, accompanied by symptoms such as blurred vision and irritability. After fluid replacement, ovulation induction and symptomatic supportive treatment, all patients improved and were discharged. The patients were followed up. After 6 months, only 3 patients had residual headache and dizziness. It is indicated that early intervention for acute 2- (2-thiophenyl) scopolamine glycolate poisoning has a good prognosis. Meanwhile, occupational protection should be strengthened to prevent the occurrence of poisoning.
5.Advances in research on mechanisms underlying damage of low-dose ionizing radiation to spermatogenesis and relevant protective measures
Shen ZHU ; Bo HU ; Minghui CUI ; Haobing YU ; Xiaoyu LIU ; Suiyi LIU ; Ying HE
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(8):818-826
Ionizing radiation occurs not only during nuclear and radiological terrorist attacks or nuclear accidents but also in medical applications and daily life. In recent years, the potential toxic effects of low-dose ionizing radiation on the male reproductive system have raised public health concerns. Most specifically, for the testis, a highly sensitive target organ to ionizing radiation, there is an urgent need to determine the mechanisms underlying the association between radiation-induced spermatogenic failure and male infertility. Focusing on the potential injurious effects of low-dose ionizing radiation on spermatogenesis, this review presents a summary and analysis of various underlying mechanisms including oxidative stress, apoptosis, and DNA damage repair and reviews recent domestic and international strategies for protecting against radiation-induced reproductive system damage in order to offer references for future research on the injurious effects of low-dose radiation on spermatogenesis and relevant protection.
6.Associations of age and nail-tract bone density with postoperative stability in proximal femoral nail anti-rotation-Ⅱ fixation for geriatric intertrochanteric fractures: a finite-element analysis
Yufeng GE ; Chen YI ; Dongchen YAO ; Yu LI ; Rui ZHANG ; Ling WANG ; Yong XUN ; Minghui YANG ; Shiwen ZHU ; Xinbao WU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(9):806-812
Objective:To investigate how age and nail-tract volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) are associated with postoperative mechanical performance of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA-Ⅱ) fixation for geriatric intertrochanteric fractures using a finite-element analysis.Methods:Fifteen elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture of the femur were selected for this study. They were 11 females and 4 males and divided into 5 groups based on their ages ( n=3): 55-year-old, 65-year-old, 75-year-old, 85-year-old, and 95-year-old groups. After three-dimensional models of the proximal femur were constructed using the preoperative CT data of their healthy contralateral hip, 31-A1.2 fractures of the AO/OTA type were created and PFNA-Ⅱ fixations simulated. Two loading schemes were created: graded quasi-static axial loads (700 N, 1,400 N, 2,100 N, and 2,800 N) were applied to compute equivalent plastic strain volumes in the femoral head region; displacement-controlled loading was applied to failure to derive load-displacement curves for stiffness and the maximum failure load. Nail-tract vBMD and regional hip vBMDs were measured by quantitative CT. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to investigate the associations of age and nail-tract vBMD with the aforementioned mechanical indicators. Results:Under the same load, compared with the 55-year-old, 65-year-old, and 75-year-old groups, the plastic strain unit volumes of the fracture models in the 85-year-old and 95-year-old groups increased significantly. Under a load of 700 N, no plastic strain was observed in the fracture models in the 55-year-old, 65-year-old, and 75-year-old groups, while an average plastic strain of approximately 50 mm 3 was observed in the fracture models in the 85-year-old group. Under a load of 2,800 N, the high strain areas in the fracture models in the 85-year-old and 95-year-old groups were mainly concentrated at the tip of the head nail and the junction between the head nail and the main nail. Load-displacement curves showed a marked reduction in the failure load in patients aged ≥85 years. Under loads of 1,400 N, 2,100 N, and 2,800 N, there was a strong association between the nail-tract vBMD and the volume of the plastic strain unit ( r=-0.82, -0.88, -0.89, respectively), which was stronger than those for total-hip vBMD. Conclusions:Finite-element analysis indicates that age and nail-tract vBMD are closely related to local plastic strain and overall stiffness of the proximal femur after PFNA-Ⅱ fixation for the geriatric intertrochanteric fractures. Patients aged ≥85 years old are more prone to plastic yielding, which compromises fixation stability.
7.Development of a clinical prediction model for cervical instability in young and middle-aged adults based on machine learning
Jing LI ; Guangqi LU ; Minghui ZHUANG ; Ying CUI ; Zhangjingze YU ; Xinyue SUN ; Mingming MA ; Liguo ZHU ; Jie YU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(33):7203-7210
BACKGROUND:Cervical instability is a common orthopedic disease in young and middle-aged people,and is the early manifestation of cervical spondylosis,which has a great impact on the quality of life of patients.Therefore,early diagnosis of cervical instability to implement early intervention has positive clinical and social significance.OBJECTIVE:The clinical prediction model of cervical instability in young and middle-aged people was constructed based on machine learning to realize early screening of cervical instability in young and middle-aged people before X-ray examination.METHODS:From September 2022 to October 2023,155 young and middle-aged adults with cervical instability and 88 with non-cervical instability recruited through recruitment advertisements and spinal department outpatient of Wangjing Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences were selected as research subjects.The research subjects'general information,living and working habits,discomfort symptoms,visual analog scale score,Neck Disability Index,and 36-ltem Short Form Health Survey were collected on site based on questionnaires.The above information was used as predictive factors.After screening,six machine learning algorithms of Support Vector Machine,LightGBM,RandomForest,Logistic,AdaBoost,and XGBClassifier were used to train the model by ten-fold cross-validation method,and the clinical prediction model of cervical instability was constructed.Area under the curve was used as the main evaluation index.Univariate analysis was performed on the predictors,and SHAP method was used to rank the importance of the predictors.Correlation heat maps were used to show the degree of linear correlation between the predictors and the cervical instability.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Among the six machine learning models,RandomForest model was chosen as the final prediction model,including nine predictors,such as age,body mass index,neck circumference/neck length,visual analog scale score,Neck Disability Index,bodily pain,general health,vitality,and mental health,area under the curve=0.725 4,and the calibration degree was good.It could be used as a reference tool for early screening of cervical instability in young and middle-aged people.(2)There were significant differences in age,visual analog scale score,Neck Disability Index,bodily pain,general health,and vitality between the two groups(P<0.05).(3)The order of importance of predictors was age,Neck Disability Index,visual analog scale score,general health,body mass index,vitality,bodily pain,neck circumference/neck length,mental health,among which age,visual analog scale score,Neck Disability Index were positively correlated with cervical instability,while general health,body mass index,vitality,bodily pain,neck circumference/neck length,and mental health were negatively correlated with cervical instability.
8.Study on the mechanism by which melatonin enhances doxorubicin-mediated apoptosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Shuang WANG ; Jie CUI ; Minghui WEI ; Weiyu ZHU
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2025;32(8):518-524
OBJECTIVE Melatonin(MEL),a natural hormone with broad-spectrum anticancer effects,has been shown to potentiate the therapeutic outcomes of conventional chemotherapy.This study aims to investigate the combined effects of Doxorubicin(DOX)and MEL on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC)cell lines.METHODS The effects of MEL and DOX on cell proliferation in HNSCC cell lines TU686 and CAL-27 were assessed using the MTT assay.The effects of MEL and DOX on reactive oxygen species(ROS)expression levels in HNSCC cell lines were detected using DCFH-DA fluorescent probe.The effects of MEL and DOX on 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine(8-oxodG)levels in HNSCC cell lines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The effects of MEL and DOX on γ-H2AX protein levels in HNSCC cell lines were analyzed via Western blot.The effects of MEL and DOX on antioxidant enzymes levels in HNSCC cell lines were evaluated based on spectrophotometry.The effects of MEL and DOX on cell apoptosis in HNSCC cell lines were detected using an ELISA cell death detection kit.RESULTS The MTT assay revealed that MEL significantly enhanced the cytotoxic effects of DOX in HNSCC cell lines(tTU686=13.51,tCAL-27=17.580,all P<0.05).The combination of MEL and DOX markedly increased intracellular ROS levels(FTU686=89.984,FCAL-27=102.853,all P<0.05),while the expression of antioxidant enzymes was significantly reduced(TU686:the F values of CAT,GPx,GR,GST and SOD are 176.035,34.662,20.260,120.105 and 184.254,all P<0.05;CAL-27:the F values are 96.801,177.398,97.849,102.750 and 186.608 respectively,all P<0.05).Furthermore,this combination treatment significantly elevated the expression levels of 8-oxodG(FTU686=200.078,FCAL-27=663.982,all P<0.05)and γ-H2AX(FTU686=192.500,FCAL-27=285.700,all P<0.01)in HNSCC cell lines.Additionally,compared to single-agent treatment,MEL significantly enhanced DOX-induced apoptosis in HNSCC cell lines(FTU686=2718.253,FCAL-27=5185.334,all P<0.01).CONCLUSION The combination of MEL and DOX can enhance cytotoxic effects on HNSCC cell lines,increase intracellular ROS levels,induce DNA oxidative damage,and impair cellular antioxidant defense capacity,thereby effectively promoting HNSCC cell apoptosis.This combination may represent a novel therapeutic approach to improve clinical outcomes in HNSCC.
9.Effects of ultraviolet B radiation on impairment of human corneal epithelial cells and rabbit cornea
Minghui CUI ; Haobing YU ; Shen ZHU ; Xinyuan WANG ; Yangkai WANG ; Xiaoyu LIU ; Bo HU
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(12):19-25
Objective To compare the changes in biological indicators of human corneal epithe-lial(HCET)cells and rabbit corneas after exposure to different doses of ultraviolet B(UVB)radia-tion,so as to evaluate the impact of UVB radiation on corneal injury effects.Methods In cell exper-iment,HCET cells were divided into groups with radiation doses of 0,6,12,18,and 24 mJ/cm2.The effect of UVB radiation on HCET cell viability was detected using the CCK-8 assay,and the level of intracellular DNA damage was assessed by immunofluorescence.In the animal experiment,15 healthy New Zealand white rabbits(30 eyes)were randomly divided into groups with radiation doses of 0,1.35,2.16,4.32,and 6.48 J/cm2.The UVB exposure time for the radiation groups was 30 minutes per day for 3 consecutive days.Corneal injury was evaluated using methods such as slit-lamp microscopy,sodium fluorescein staining,central corneal thickness measurement,optical coherence tomography(OCT)imaging,and hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Results Compared with the control group,cell viability in the radiation groups gradually decreased,and the level of DNA damage gradually increased with increasing radiation dose.As the radiation dose increased in the radiation groups,the degree of corneal opacity in rabbits gradually worsened,the central corneal area gradu-ally thickened,and OCT revealed high-intensity scattered light signals with the formation of shadow areas.Results from HE staining,immunohistochemistry,Western blot(WB),and sodium fluores-cein staining showed that the 1.35 J/cm2 group caused mild corneal injury,with damage reaching the corneal epithelial layer.In the 2.16 J/cm2 group,the corneal injury presented as dense punctate distribution,with damage extending from the epithelial layer to the superficial stroma.The number of ephrin type-A receptor 2(EphA2)protein-stained cells was relatively small,and the staining was light,showing a weak positive result.In the 4.32 J/cm2 and 6.48 J/cm2 groups,the corneal injury was irreversible,with damage gradually progressing from the corneal epithelial layer and superficial stroma to the endothelial layer.The number of EphA2 protein-stained cells was relatively large,and the staining was dark,showing a strong positive result.Conclusion This study comprehensively e-valuates the dose-dependent injury effects of UVB on HCET cells and New Zealand white rabbit cor-neas through cell and animal experiments.It elucidates that UVB radiation could induce corneal cell DNA damage,promote inflammatory responses,and trigger apoptosis by upregulating γ-phosphoryla-ted histone H2AX(γH2AX)and EphA2.The self-repair ability and process of corneal injury are preliminarily explored,providing a basis for further research on mechanisms of corneal injury caused by ultraviolet radiation and the development of protective drugs.
10.Changes and Trends in the microbiological-related standards in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition
Yiling FAN ; Ran ZHU ; Yan YANG ; Bo JIANG ; Minghui SONG ; Jing WANG ; Qiongqiong LI ; Gaomin LI ; Shujuan WANG ; Hong SHAO ; Shihong MA ; Xiaoyun CAO ; Changqin HU ; Shuangcheng MA ; Meicheng YANG ; Jun ZHANG
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(1):93-98
Objective:To systematically analyze the revisions content and technological development trends of microbiological standards in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(ChP)2025 Edition,and explore its novel requirements in risk-based pharmaceutical product lifecycle management.Methods:A comprehensive review was conducted on 26 microbiological-related standards to summarize the revision directions and scientific implications from perspectives including the revision overview,international harmonization of microbiological standards,risk-based quality man-agement system,and novel tools and methods with Chinese characteristics.Results:The ChP 2025 edition demon-strates three prominent features in microbiological-related standards:enhanced international harmonization,intro-duced emerging molecular biological technologies,and established a risk-based microbiological quality control sys-tem.Conclusion:The new edition of the Pharmacopoeia has systematically constructed a microbiological standard system,which significantly improves the scientificity,standardization and applicability of the standards,providing a crucial support for advancing the microbiological quality control in pharmaceutical industries of China.

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