1.Predicting intraoperative blood transfusion risk in hip fracture patients using explainable machine learning models
Fengting LU ; Xiaoming LI ; Dekui LI ; Xianyuan XIE ; Jiazhong WANG ; Qing YU ; Gan HUANG ; Jun SHEN
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(2):196-202
Objective: To investigate the factors influencing intraoperative blood transfusion in patients with hip fractures and to develop a machine learning (ML) model for predicting this risk. Methods: A total of 424 patients with hip fractures who underwent surgical treatment between November 2022 and March 2025 in our hospital were selected. Key feature variables of intraoperative blood transfusion risk were identified using the Boruta algorithm. Four different ML algorithms—support vector machine (SVM), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), mixed discriminant analysis (MDA), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost)—were used to develop predictive models for intraoperative blood transfusion risk. The predictive performance of the four ML models were evaluated using accuracy, precision, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, precision-recall curves (PRC), precision-recall gain curves (PRGC), and F1 scores. Shapley additive interpretation (SHAP) was used to interpret the final model. Results: Among the 424 patients, 77(18.2%) received intraoperative blood transfusion. The Boruta algorithm identified albumin (ALB), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), types of anesthesia, types of fracture, and hemoglobin (Hb) as key feature variables for predicting intraoperative blood transfusion risk. In model evaluation, the SVM model outperforms the other three models across multiple metrics, including the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), recall, recall gain, accuracy, precision, F1 score, and the area under the precision-recall curve (PRC-AUC). The SVM model, interpreted and visualized based on SHAP values, effectively predicted intraoperative blood transfusion risk in patients with hip fracture. A visual online application was developed based on the SVM model (https://pbo-nomogram.shinyapps.io/blood/). Conclusion: Preoperative low ALB and Hb levels, prolonged APTT, general anesthesia, and intertrochanteric fractures are risk factors for intraoperative blood transfusion in hip fracture patients. The risk prediction model for intraoperative blood transfusion constructed based on the SVM algorithm has optimal performance, which provides new ideas and methods for the clinical early identification of hip fracture patients with high transfusion risk and the implementation of targeted interventions.
2.Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Preventing and Treating Heart Failure Based on Macrophage Metabolism-Immune Regulatory Axis: A Review
Junlin ZHOU ; Xiaojiao ZHANG ; Jiahui CHEN ; Liyu LIN ; Shiyin ZHANG ; Yiyi CHEN ; Xiaoming DONG ; Wenjie LONG ; Huili LIAO ; Lu LU ; Zhongqi YANG ; Shihao NI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(23):269-282
Heart failure (HF) is the end-stage of various cardiovascular diseases, with high morbidity and mortality. The existing “new quadruple” standard treatment can hardly reverse the core pathological process of myocardial remodeling, and long-term medication may pose risks of drug resistance and adverse reactions. Therefore, new therapeutic targets and strategies are urgently needed. Metabolic reprogramming is the upstream core mechanism regulating phenotypic polarization and functional activation of macrophages, which drives the occurrence and development of HF through the core axis of metabolic reprogramming-immune imbalance-ventricular remodeling and has become a cutting-edge potential target for the prevention and treatment of HF. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history in the prevention and treatment of HF. A large number of studies in recent years have confirmed that different therapeutic methods of TCM can correct the polarization imbalance, restore the homeostasis of myocardial immune microenvironment, inhibit myocardial injury, and delay the pathological process of HF by targeting and regulating the metabolic reprogramming of glucose, lipids, mitochondria, and amino acids in macrophages. This paper systematically expounds the core pathological mechanism of metabolic reprogramming of macrophages in HF, sorts out the research progress of TCM in preventing and treating HF by intervening this target, analyzes the regulatory rules, summarizes the limitations of existing research, and puts forward future directions. This review aims to provide a systematic theoretical reference and new research ideas for TCM clinical diagnosis and treatment and new drug development of HF.
3.Neuroprotective role and mechanism of total glucosides of paeony on Parkinson syndrome rats
Xiaoling LU ; Qinguo SUN ; Zhihui HUANG ; Xiaoming DING
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(2):223-228
Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effect of TGP on PS rats and determine the impact on the Ste20-like proline/alanine-rich kinase/Na+-K+-Cl cotransport(SPAK/NKCC1)signaling pathway.Methods After PS model was successfully established in 60 male SD rats(7 weeks old),they were randomly divided into model group,low-and high-dose TGP groups,high-dose TGP+negative control group,and high-dose TGP+WNK3 overexpression group,with 12 rats in each group.Another 12 healthy rats served as the control group.After modeling,50 or 200 mg/kg TGP was given to the rats of corresponding groups intragastrically,the overexpression plasmids of WNK3 were given to the rats from the high-dose TGP+WNK3 overexpression group through tail vein injection,and same volume of normal saline was given to the control group.All of these agents were administrated once per day for 7 consecutive days.ELISA was applied to de-tect serum levels of IL-6,IL-1β,MDA and SOD.HE staining was applied to detect the pathological morphology of the substantia nigra region in brain tissue.TUNEL staining was used to observe neuronal apoptosis.Immunohistochemistry was conducted to measure the expression of α-synucle-in(α-syn),and Western blotting for the expression of Bax,Bcl-2 and SPAK/NKCC1 signaling pathway related proteins(WNK3,p-SPAK,SPAK,p-NKCC1 and NKCC1).Results Compared with the model group,the pathological damage of neurons in substantia nigra was reduced in low-and high dose TGP groups,reduced contents of IL-6,IL-1β and MDA,lower neuronal apoptotic rate,and declined expression of Bax,α-syn,WNK3,p-SPAK/SPAK,and p-NKCC1/NKCC1,but raised SOD content and Bcl-2 expression level(88.39±8.96 U/mg,119.57±12.01 U/mg vs 60.28±6.14 U/mg,P<0.05;0.57±0.06,0.82±0.09 vs 0.38±0.04,P<0.05).The intervention with WNK3 overexpression resulted in more severe pathological damage to neurons in the sub-stantia nigra,increased contents of IL-6,IL-1β and MDA,higher neuronal apoptotic rate,enhanced expression of Bax,α-syn,WNK3,p-SPAK/SPAK,and p-NKCC1/NKCC1,and reduced SOD con-tent and Bcl-2 expression level when compared with the high-dose TGP+negative control group(P<0.05).Conclusion TGP exerts neuroprotective effects on PS rats,and its mechanism is re-lated to the inhibition of the SPAK/NKCC1 signaling pathway.
4.Changes in carcinoembryonic antigen during the treatment of HER2 negative advanced gastric cancer patients with PD-1 inhibitor Sintilimab and its relationship with prognosis
Yongbo SONG ; Xiaoming DU ; Yanling ZHANG ; Lu ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(2):402-407
Objective:To explore the changes in carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)during the immune process of programmed death-1(PD-1)inhibitor Sintilimab in human epithelial growth factor receptor 2(HER2)negative advanced gastric cancer patients and its relationship with prognosis.Methods:HER2 negative late stage gastric cancer patients(88 cases)who were treated in North Anhui Coal Power Group General Hospital from May 2020 to April 2022 were selected as study subjects,all of whom received PD-1 inhibitor Sintilimab treatment;according to the prognosis,they were divided into death group(36 cases)and survival group(52 cases).Followed up was conducted every 6 months to collect tumor marker levels before and after treatment.Analyzed relationship between tumor markers(CEA,CA199,CA125)levels and clinical staging,lymph node metastasis and prognosis.Kaplan-Meier sur-vival curve was used to analyze survival time of patients with negative and positive tumor markers.Multivariate Cox regression model and stepwise regression analysis were used to identify risk factors affecting prognosis.Spearman was used for correlation analysis.Results:After two cycles of treatment,72 cases(81.82%)had disease control and 16 cases(18.18%)had progression.Compared with patients before treatment,positive rate of serum tumor markers in patients after treatment was significantly reduced(P<0.05).Positive rates of CEA and CA199 were significantly correlated with clinical staging(P<0.05).When predicting patient death,sensitivity of CEA level was the highest(48.57%),while CA125 had the highest specificity(95.62%)and the lowest sensitivity(25.71%).Kaplan-Meier sur-vival curve analysis showed that the survival time of patients with positive tumor markers were significantly shorter than that of negative patients(P<0.05).Clinical staging,serum CEA and CA199 levels were independent factors for predicting prognosis(P<0.05).Spear-man correlation analysis results showed that the multiple increases in CEA(r=-0.512,P=0.005)and CA199(r=-0.467,P=0.011)were negatively correlated with patient survival time.Conclusion:After treatment with PD-1 inhibitor Sintilimab,serum tumor markers levels in HER2 negative advanced gastric cancer patients have been significantly reduced on average.High serum levels of CEA,CA199 and CA125 can all predict poor prognosis,and clinical staging,serum CEA and CA199 levels are independent factors in pre-dicting prognosis.The higher the increase in CEA and CA199,the shorter the patient's survival time.
5.A multi-parameter morning check method for pencil-beam scanning proton therapy
Chao SHAN ; Zhipeng LIU ; Yangfan ZHANG ; Yanmei ZHANG ; Tao MA ; Hongyu ZHAO ; Tao SUN ; Xiaoming LU
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2025;34(7):692-696
Objective:To design a morning quality assurance method for pencil-beam scanning proton system to achieve integrated measurement of multiple parameters.Methods:A functionally partitioned morning check phantom was designed and manufactured, which was fixed to a specific position on the treatment bed with a 3D-printed clip, along with the two-dimensional matrix ionization chamber, for consistency checks of proton field and beam-related parameters. Additionally, a groove for an imaging phantom was reserved on one side of the clip for the functional check of the onboard imaging guidance system. The sensitivity and specificity of the aforementioned morning check method were tested, demonstrating its effectiveness. The morning check data from a rotating beam treatment room at the Hefei Ion Medical Center over a continuous period of 7 months (126 d) were analyzed. The output, field flatness, symmetry, field size and the duration of morning check were observed.Results:The results showed that the changes in the output, field flatness, and symmetry were all within 1%, the change in the field size was within 0.5 mm, and the range variations for both 155 MeV and 240 MeV energy levels were within 1 mm. The changes in the spot size for the four energy levels of 100 MeV, 130 MeV, 160 MeV, and 190 MeV were all within 2%, and the spot position deviations were within 1.5 mm. The entire morning check process could be completed within 20 min.Conclusions:The morning check method designed and manufactured in this study specifically for pencil-beam scanning proton therapy can efficiently and integrally measure various proton system parameters and can be used as an implementation method for clinical proton therapy morning check.
6.Association between inflammation-related dietary patterns and cognitive impairment in older adults aged 65 years and above in longevity areas of China: a reduced rank regression analysis
Yang LI ; Zihan LU ; Yangyang XIONG ; Wenjing CHEN ; Jun WANG ; Zenghang ZHANG ; Chen CHEN ; Wenhui SHI ; Xi MENG ; Zhenwei ZHANG ; Zinan XU ; Yuan XIA ; Yiqi LI ; Honglin LAI ; Yujie LI ; Cuipeng ZHANG ; Yuming ZHAO ; Yuebin LYU ; Xiaoming SHI
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(5):737-745
Objective:To analyze the association between inflammation-related dietary patterns and the risk for cognitive impairment in older adults aged ≥65 years in longevity areas in China by using reduced rank regression (RRR) analysis.Methods:This study used cross-sectional data from the 2021 Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study, including the information about study participants' demographic characteristics, lifestyles, daily life activities, and disease histories. Dietary intake was obtained by using a simplified food frequency questionnaire. Cognitive impairment was evaluated based on the Mini-Mental State Examination Scale combined with years of education. Fasting venous blood samples were collected to detect inflammatory markers, especially high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). RRR analysis was used to obtain inflammation-related dietary patterns using hs-CRP and PLR as response variables. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between dietary pattern score and the risk for cognitive impairment. Restricted cubic spline was used to explore the dose response relationship, and mediation analysis was used to quantify the mediating effects of hs-CRP and PLR.Results:Two dietary patterns were identified with RRR. The primary pattern was characterized by higher intakes of flour, red meat, and dairy products, and lower intake of fresh vegetables, explaining 6.84% of the variance in food intake and 0.50% of the variance in inflammatory markers. Compared with the T1 group, the T3 group had significantly higher risk for cognitive impairment ( OR=1.242, 95% CI: 1.034-1.491). Each one standard deviation increase in the dietary pattern score was associated with an 8.7% increase in the risk for cognitive impairment ( OR=1.087, 95% CI: 1.008-1.172), with a significant linear trend (overall-model P<0.001, non-linear P=0.295). Mediation analysis indicated that hs-CRP mediated 6.2% of the association between the dietary pattern and the risk for cognitive impairment. Conclusion:The inflammation- related dietary pattern characterized by higher consumption of flour, red meat, and dairy products and lower consumption of fresh vegetables is associated with an increased risk for cognitive impairment in older adults, and hs-CRP partially mediates this association.
7.Spatially fractionated proton therapy (SFPT) for bulky tumors: A preliminary clinical exploration
Lei LIU ; Tao MA ; Xiaoming LU ; Hongyan ZHANG ; Tao ZHOU ; Shuanghu YUAN
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(9):863-869
Objective:To report the preliminary clinical exploration result of spatially fractionated radiation therapy (SFPT) using the pencil-beam-scanning (PBS) technique at a single center for the treatment of patients with bulky tumors.Methods:Data on the clinical characteristics, tumor characteristics, and dosimetric parameters were retrospectively collected from patients with bulky tumors at the Radiation Oncology Department, Ion Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (i.e., the Hefei Ion Medical Center) from April 2024 to December 2024. Three-dimensional lattice radiotherapy (LRT) was primarily utilized in the SFRT, with multi-field robust optimization performed using pencil beam scanning. SFRT target volumes (STVs) were defined as 1.0 cm-diameter spheres. Primary observation indicators included the remission rate of tumor-associated symptoms, followed by the local tumor control rate.Results:A total of 12 patients were enrolled in this study, with a median age of 61 years (28-85 years). The primary tumors included hepatocellular carcinoma (six patients), sarcomas (three patients), and lung cancer (two patients). Eight patients received concurrent systemic therapy. The SFRT plans showed a median gross tumor volume (GTV) of 429.63 cm 3 (120.60-2 053.30 cm 3), a median STV number of 8 (3-20), a single-fraction dose to STVs of 10 GyE, a median irradiation quantity of 6 (3-8), a median STV of 8 cm 3 (3-20 cm 3), a median STV proportion of 2.09% (0.62%-3.30%), a median GTV corresponding to a single STV of 52.91 cm 3 (30.25-159.82 cm 3), and a median peak-to-valley dose ratio of 3.37 (2.29-7.60). All patients received conventionally fractionated proton therapy (CFPT), with a median prescription dose of 50 GyE (40-60 GyE). Furthermore, these patients showed a median follow-up time of 174 d (133-235 d), a remission rate of tumor-associated symptoms of 75%, and a local control rate of 100%. Four patients experienced grade 1-2 treatment-related adverse events, suggesting high overall tolerability of the patients. Conclusions:SFRT represents a promising technique with high control rates and tolerability for bulky tumors, providing the possibility for quick symptom relief and the control of tumor progression.
8.Association of blood selenium exposure with sex hormones among men aged 18-79 years in China
Zheng LI ; Yingli QU ; Yawei LI ; Saisai JI ; Haocan SONG ; Qi SUN ; Miao ZHANG ; Wenli ZHANG ; Jiayi CAI ; Liang DING ; Ying ZHU ; Feng ZHAO ; Zhaojin CAO ; Yuebin LYU ; Lu WANG ; Xiaoming SHI
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(10):1632-1639
Objective:To investigate the association between blood selenium levels and sex hormones in Chinese men aged 18-79 years.Methods:Data were derived from the China National Human Biomonitoring survey conducted in 2017-2018, with a final sample size of 5 414 men. General demographic characteristics, behavioral habits, and dietary frequency were collected through questionnaires and physical examinations. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure blood lead, serum testosterone, and estradiol levels. Complex sampling linear regression models were used to analyze the associations between blood selenium levels and testosterone, estradiol, and the testosterone/estradiol ratio, adjusting for confounding factors including age, education level, marital status, smoking status, alcohol consumption, seafood intake, soy product intake, protein supplement intake, BMI, and diabetes status.Results:The mean age of the 5 414 participants was (46.85±27.91) years; 4 774 (91.65%) were of Han ethnicity and 4 505 (86.68%) were married. The median ( Q1, Q3) blood selenium concentration in men was 97.80 (80.64, 116.99) μg/L. After adjusting for confounding factors, the complex sampling linear regression model revealed negative associations between blood selenium levels and both testosterone levels and the testosterone/estradiol ratio, with a significant linear trend ( Ptrend<0.05). Compared with the Q1 group, the β (95% CI) values for testosterone in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were -0.02 (-0.06 to 0.02), -0.03 (-0.08 to 0.01), and -0.06 (-0.09 to -0.02), respectively. Similarly, the β (95% CI) values for the testosterone/estradiol ratio in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were -0.01 (-0.03 to 0.02), -0.01 (-0.04 to 0.04), and -0.03 (-0.06 to -0.01), respectively. Subgroup analysis indicated stronger associations between blood selenium levels and testosterone/estradiol levels in non-smoking and obese men (BMI≥28 kg/m2). Conclusion:Blood selenium levels are negatively associated with testosterone levels and the testosterone/estradiol ratio in Chinese adult males.
9.Association of cadmium internal exposure levels with blood lipid in adults aged 18 to 79 years in China
Haocan SONG ; Saisai JI ; Zheng LI ; Yawei LI ; Feng ZHAO ; Yingli QU ; Yifu LU ; Yingying HAN ; Junxin LIU ; Jiayi CAI ; Tian QIU ; Wenli ZHANG ; Xiao LIN ; Junfang CAI ; Yuebin LYU ; Xiaoming SHI
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(8):1254-1263
Objective:To explore the association of blood and urinary cadmium levels with lipid profile levels and dyslipidemia in Chinese adults aged 18 to 79 years.Methods:Based on the China National Human Biomonitoring (CNHBM) program, a cross-sectional survey was conducted from 2017 to 2018 using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method, including a total of 10 713 adults aged 18 to 79 years. Data was obtained through questionnaires, physical examinations, biological sample collection, and laboratory testing. Multiple linear mixed effect model (MLMM) and generalized linear mixed effect model (GLMM) were used to analyze the association of blood and creatinine-corrected urinary cadmium levels with lipid profile levels as well as dyslipidemia among adults.Results:The age of 10 713 participants was (47.23±0.24) years, with 5 372 males accounting for 61.3% of the national population. The weighted mean±standard error (SE) of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was (5.21±0.03), (1.86±0.03), (2.96±0.03), and (1.43±0.01) mmol/L, respectively. The prevalence rate of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, mixed hyperlipidemia, low HDL-C, and high LDL-C was 16.0%, 21.6%, 6.6%, 13.5%, and 10.0%, respectively. MLMM showed that, after adjusting for relevant confounders, log-transformed blood cadmium levels were positively associated with increased levels of TC, TG and LDL-C ( P<0.05). When blood cadmium levels were categorized into quartiles, compared to the lowest exposure group ( Q1), participants in the highest blood cadmium exposure group ( Q4) had increases of 0.19 (95% CI: 0.06, 0.32) mmol/L in TC and 0.25 (95% CI: 0.08, 0.43) mmol/L in TG. GLMM indicated that, after adjusting for confounders, higher blood cadmium exposure levels were associated with increased risks of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, mixed hyperlipidemia, and high LDL-C ( P<0.05). Further analysis by quartiles showed that, compared to the blood cadmium Q1 exposure group, the OR value (95% CI) for the Q4 group was 1.53 (1.12, 2.08) for hypercholesterolemia, 1.54 (1.09, 2.17) for hypertriglyceridemia, 2.24 (1.47, 3.40) for mixed hyperlipidemia, and 1.49 (1.07, 2.09) for high LDL-C. Conclusion:The cadmium internal exposure levels are associated with blood lipid profile levels as well as the incidence of dyslipidemia in Chinese adults aged 18 to 79.
10.Computational pathology-based tumor microenvironment score for predicting EGFR-TKIs efficacy in patients with EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer
Ding ZHUMIN ; Wang HANYANG ; Xia CONG ; Wang JUNMEI ; Lu LILI ; Zhou JIE ; Wang XIAOMING
Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology 2025;52(16):826-833
Objective:To investigate the utility of a computational pathology-based tumor microenvironment(TME)score derived from whole slide images(WSIs)in predicting the efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors(EGFR-TKIs)in patients with EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods:This retrospective study collected 240 EGFR-mutant NSCLC pa-tients treated with EGFR-TKIs at The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College and analyzed hematoxylin-eosin(H&E)-stained WSIs of biopsy specimens,along with clinical and imaging data.The patients were randomly assigned into a training cohort(n=160)and an inde-pendent validation cohort(n=80)in a 2:1 ratio.Treatment response was assessed based on CT findings at 3 months after EGFR-TKIs initi-ation.Computational pathology was employed to automatically quantify the proportions of four TME components(tumor epithelium,stroma,lymphocytes,and vasculature)within the tumor regions of WSIs.Multivariate Logistic regression in the training cohort identified TME components independently predictive of treatment response(P<0.05),which were then integrated into a TME-score.The predictive performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis and area under the curve(AUC).The TME-score model was compared with a clinical-feature-based model and a combined model(TME-score+clinical features).Finally,the models were val-idated in the independent cohort.Results:In the training cohort,the TME-score,incorporating epithelial and stromal proportions,achieved an AUC of 0.827(95%CI:0.749-0.892)for predicting treatment response,while the validation cohort yielded an AUC of 0.845(95%CI:0.735-0.937).Both outperformed the clinical model(AUCs=0.730[95%CI:0.645-0.804]and 0.712[95%CI:0.586-0.824],respectively).The combined model(TME-score+clinical features,including cytokeratin 19 fragment and non-contrast CT values)further improved predictive performance(AUCs=0.884[95%CI:0.827-0.932]and 0.882[95%CI:0.798-0.950],respectively).Delong's test for pairwise model comparis-ons showed significant differences(all P<0.05)except TME-score and the combined model in the validation cohort(P=0.289).Conclusions:TME-score outperformed clinical models in predicting EGFR-TKIs efficacy in EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC patients and may serve as a novel tool for identifying patients likely to benefit from targeted therapy.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail