1.From pulse to pixel: artificial intelligence-enhanced pulse diagnosis for cardiovascular diseases
Digital Chinese Medicine 2026;9(2):161-172
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pulse diagnosis is a non-invasive approach used to infer cardiovascular status, but its interpretation is relatively subjective, limiting reproducibility and diagnostic precision. This review summarizes progress in digitized radial pulse assessment using modern sensors and artificial intelligence (AI), and evaluates reported applications in cardiovascular screening and decision support. We searched PubMed, IEEE Xplore, and Web of Science Core Collection from inception through November 30, 2025, for studies that acquired wrist/radial pulse signals with electronic devices and applied quantitative analysis or machine learning/deep learning to characterize pulse patterns or assess cardiovascular conditions. Across the literature, pressure-sensor arrays, wearable photoplethysmography (PPG) surrogates, and hybrid platforms enabled more standardized pulse acquisition, while AI models reported promising performance for tasks such as blood pressure estimation, hypertension screening, coronary artery disease identification, heart failure risk stratification, and arrhythmia detection. However, methodological heterogeneity, limited sample sizes, inconsistent labeling standards, and insufficient external validation remain key barriers to clinical translation. Overall, AI-enhanced digital pulse diagnosis may improve the objectivity of TCM pulse assessment and complement conventional cardiovascular diagnostics, provided that future studies adopt rigorous protocols, transparent reporting, and clinically meaningful prospective validation.
2.Deep learning algorithm for pathological grading of renal cell carcinoma based on multi-phase enhanced CT.
Haozhong CHEN ; Jun LIU ; Kai DENG ; Xilong MEI ; Dehong PENG ; Enhua XIAO
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(4):651-663
OBJECTIVES:
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a malignant renal tumor that poses a significant threat to patient health. Accurate preoperative pathological grading plays a crucial role in determining the appropriate treatment for this disease. Currently, deep learning technology has become an important method for pathological grading of RCC. However, existing methods primarily rely on single-phase computed tomography (CT) imaging for analysis and prediction, which has limitations such as missing small lesions, one-sided evaluation, and local focusing issues. Therefore, this study proposes a multi-modal deep learning algorithm that integrates multi-phase enhanced CT images with clinical variable data, aiming to provide a basis for predicting the pathological grading of RCC.
METHODS:
First, the algorithm took four-phase enhanced CT images from the plain scan, arterial phase, venous phase, and delayed phase, along with clinical variables, as inputs. Then, an embedding encoding module was used to extract heterogeneous information from the clinical variables, and a 3-dimensional (3D) ResNet50 model was employed to capture spatial information from the multi-phase enhanced CT image data. Finally, a Fusion module deeply integrated the feature information from clinical variables and each phase's CT image features, further utilizing a cross-self-attention mechanism to achieve multi-phase feature fusion. This approach comprehensively captures the deep semantic information from the patient data, fully leveraging the complementary advantages of multi-modal and multi-phase data. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, a total of 1 229 RCC patients were approved by ethics review were included to train the model.
RESULTS:
Experimental results demonstrated superior performance compared to traditional radiomics and state-of-the-art deep learning methods, achieving an accuracy of 83.87%, a recall rate of 95.04%, and an F1-score of 82.23%.
CONCLUSIONS
The proposed algorithm exhibits strong stability and sensitivity, significantly enhancing the predictive performance of RCC pathological grading. It offers a novel approach for accurate RCC diagnosis and personalized treatment planning.
Humans
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Carcinoma, Renal Cell/pathology*
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Deep Learning
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Kidney Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging*
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Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods*
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Algorithms
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Neoplasm Grading
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
3.Application prospects of organoid-on-chips technology in xenotransplantation
Xilong LIN ; Yu WANG ; Jiang PENG ; Hongjiang WEI ; Shengkun SUN
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(4):502-508
Xenotransplantation is an important approach to addressing the shortage of donor organs. However, it still faces numerous challenges, such as acute rejection and zoonotic diseases. Organoid-on-a-chip technology refers to a microcell culture device that simulates the physiological functions of human organs in vitro. In recent years, it has achieved a series of important results in the field of allotransplantation and has great application prospects in the field of xenotransplantation, bringing new opportunities for xenotransplantation research. Therefore, this article discusses the current research status and progress of organoid-on-a-chip technology, combined with the various problems faced by xenotransplantation, to explore the application of organoid-on-a-chip technology in solving the selection of immunosuppressive regimens, matching and viral reactivation in xenotransplantation. This aims to open up new avenues for solving the current problems in the field of xenotransplantation and promote its further development.
4.Efficacy of pelvic floor optimization training of Yun-type aided with myoelectric biofeedback in the treatment of mild to moderate female stress urinary incontinence
Xiaoxiang WAN ; Wei JIAO ; Chaoliang SHI ; Jiawei WANG ; Jialing YAO ; Yangyun WANG ; Xilong WANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(5):390-394
Objective: To explore the efficacy of pelvic floor optimization training of Yun-type with the aid of myoelectric biofeedback in the treatment of mild to moderate female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods: Female SUI patients treated in our hospital during Jan.and Oct.2024 were included as the research subjects.They were randomly divided into the control group (n=47) and observation group (n=48) by random number method.The control group received conventional Yun-type pelvic floor optimization training,while the observation group received Yun-type pelvic floor optimization training assisted with myoelectric biofeedback.The total treatment course lasted for 12 weeks.The clinical efficacy,as well as the changes in international consultation on incontinence questionnaire for symptoms and impact (ICI-Q-SF),incontinence quality of life (I-QoL),female sexual function index (FSFI),and pelvic floor electromyographic values before and after treatment were compared. Results: The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.6%,which was significantly higher than that of the control group (79.2%,P<0.05).After 12 weeks of treatment,the ICI-Q-SF [(6.12±1.11) vs. (6.97±1.24)],I-QoL [(85.05±4.51) vs. (82.14±4.60)],and FSFI [(30.01±4.10) vs. (26.32±3.32)] scores of the observation group were significantly better than those of the control group (P<0.05).After 12 weeks of treatment,the myoelectric values of the pelvic floor muscles of the observation group at the pre-rest stage,fast muscle (type Ⅱ muscle) stage,slow muscle (type Ⅰ muscle) stage,endurance test stage,and post-rest stage were significantly improved compared with those before treatment and were greatly enhanced compared with those of the control group (P<0.05).No serious adverse reactions occurred in either groups during treatment and follow-up. Conclusion: The Yun-type pelvic floor optimization training assisted with myoelectric biofeedback can precisely enhance the therapeutic effects of the conventional Yun-type pelvic floor optimization training,and significantly improve the female sexual function index.It is worthy of clinical promotion and application.
5.Comparison of biological characteristics of adipose-derived stem cells in young and old mice
Meiyu LIN ; Xiang YAO ; Jing GAO ; Xilong ZHAO ; Xinghua PAN ; Guangping RUAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4063-4068
BACKGROUND:Adipose-derived stem cells have anti-aging effects,but whether adipose-derived stem cells from donors of different ages are different needs further study. OBJECTIVE:To compare the biological properties of adipose-derived stem cells in old and young mice. METHODS:Adipose-derived stem cells were extracted from adipose tissue of C57BL mice aged 8 and 14 weeks,respectively.The differences of cell cycle,apoptosis,and proliferation of adipose-derived stem cells in old and young mice were compared.The expression levels of aging-related P21 and P27 genes and proteins of adipose-derived stem cells in old and young mice were detected by quantitative PCR and western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with old mouse adipose-derived stem cells,young mouse adipose-derived stem cells were more active,more regular in morphology,less apoptosis,faster proliferation,and lower in expression of age-related P21 and P27 genes and proteins.It has been proven that adipose-derived stem cells from young mice have better anti-aging effects.
6.Study on CT classification and evaluation methods for the degree of thoracoabdominal folded deformi-ty in ankylosing spondylitis
Wen YIN ; Xilong CUI ; Wei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Spine and Spinal Cord 2025;35(1):12-20
Objectives:To explore the CT classification and evaluation methods of thoracoabdominal folded deformity in ankylosing spondylitis(AS).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 31 patients with AS thoracolumbar kyphosis who underwent thoracolumbar CT examinations between July 2017 and January 2024.There were 28 males and 3 females,with an average age of 45.0±8.9 years.The thoracoabdominal folded angle(TAFA)and the distances between xiphoid process and the superior edge of the pubic symphysis(XP)were measured on the mid-sagittal plane of thoracolumbar CT.The global kyphosis(GK),thoracic kypho-sis(TK),and lumbar lordosis(LL)Cobb angle and sagittal vertical axis(SVA)were measured on the full-length lateral radiograph of the spine.According to the effect of sagittal lumbar physiological curvature on the change of abdominal volume,a CT classification of AS thoracoabdominal folded deformity was innovatively classified into three types,type Ⅰ when there was physiological lordosis in the lumbar spine,type Ⅱ when the physiological curvature of the lumbar spine became straight,and type Ⅲ when there was lumbar kyphosis deformity.According to TAFA,type Ⅲ patients were divided into two subtypes:TAFA>90° was subtype A,and TAFA ≤90° was subtype B.Five trained spinal surgeons independently evaluated and classified the clini-cal data of patients(with a 10d interval),and used Kendall's W-test to analyze the consistency of multiple observation results.Using one-way analysis of variance to compare the differences in the above measurement parameters between different types.Results:Among the 31 patients,there were 5 cases of thoracoabdominal folded deformity type Ⅰ,8 cases of type Ⅱ,12 cases of type Ⅲ A,and 6 cases of type ⅢB.The Kendall's W consistency coefficient for inter-observer classification was 0.954(P<0.001).The average GK,TK,LL,SV A,TAFA,and XP of patients were 83.7°±29.9°,48.7°±21.3°,-13.9°±25.3°,22.8±14.9cm,128.1°±50.5°,and 16.8±8.9cm,respectively;The Kendall's W consistency coefficients between the different groups'measurement values of TAFA and XP were 0.946(P<0.001)and 0.979(P<0.001),respectively;There were significant differ-ences in TAFA and XP pairwise comparisons between different subtypes(P<0.001).Conclusions:CT imaging classification can objectively evaluate the thoracoabdominal folded deformity in AS,and the distance between the xiphoid process and pubic symphysis and the TAFA are important indicators for evaluating the thoracoab-dominal folded deformity in AS.
7.Analysis of initial verification of occupational disease diagnosis in Guangzhou City, 2015-2024
Xilong YANG ; Meiqian CHEN ; Yingsi DU ; Linghong WU
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(6):648-652
Objective To analyze the case distribution, trends and dispute causes in initial verification of occupational disease diagnosis (VODD) in Guangzhou City from 2015 to 2024. Methods A total of 1 006 cases applying for initial VODD in Guangzhou City from 2015 to 2024 were selected as the study subjects using the convenience sampling method. Data on their basic information, disease category distribution, acceptance status, and dispute-related characteristics were collected and analyzed. Results Among the 1 006 VODD application cases, 884 completed the verification process, accounting for 87.9%. Cases withdrawn by applicants, suspended appraisals, and non-accepted applications accounted for 8.7%, 2.3%, and 1.1%, respectively. Among the 884 cases that completed verification, the most prevalent occupational diseases were occupational noise-induced hearing loss, occupational tumors (benzene-induced leukemia), occupational pneumoconiosis, and occupational chronic benzene poisoning, accounting for 77.0%. Cases appraised as occupational diseases accounted for 41.5%, and the proportion showed a decreasing trend over the years (P<0.01). The inconsistency rate between VODD conclusions and occupational disease diagnostic conclusions was 4.4%, mainly attributable to insufficient cooperation during clinical examinations and incomplete submission of required materials. Conclusion The initial VODD in Guangzhou City from 2015 to 2024 demonstrated relatively concentrated disease categories and controllable dispute levels. Clinical examination compliance and standardization of material submission were key factors affecting consistency of appraisal conclusions. It is proposed that effective measures be adopted to rectify existing deficiencies, with the aim of further enhancing the standardization and refinement of VODD practice.
8.To construct a CT structural report of laryngeal cancer based on the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer TN staging system and evaluate its value
Zhongren TANG ; Pengtao LIU ; Xilong YANG ; Qing LI ; Shuang XIA
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(4):569-573
Objective To evaluate the clinical value of structured report(SR)for CT scans in laryngeal cancer.Methods Accord-ing to the American Joint Committee on Cancer(AJCC)8th edition TN staging,the SR template of CT suitable for initial diagnosis and staging of laryngeal cancer was constructed.It included 5 tumor-related points,4 lymph node-related points,and T and N staging.The differences in the occurrence rate of 11 key points and the accuracy of T and N staging between SR and narrative report(NR)were evaluated and compared.The readability,completeness and overall impression of SR were investigated among radiologists and otolaryngologists with different seniority.Results Finally,208 SR samples and 246 NR samples were included.Except for N0 stage,there were no statistical differences in age,sex ratio,laryngeal cancer classification,or T stage between SR and NR(P>0.05).The occurrence rate of tumor size,extranodal extension(ENE),and T and N staging in early laryngeal cancer(T1-T2 stage)SR was higher than that in NR(P<0.05).The occurrence rate of invasion of intra-and extra-pharyngeal vital structures,tumor size,enhancement degree,ENE,invasion of extranodal soft tissue,and T and N staging was higher in SR than that in NR in advanced laryngeal cancer(T3-T4 stage)(P<0.05).There was no statistical difference in the accuracy of T and N staging between SR and NR(P>0.05).Otolaryngologists rated the difficulty,completeness,and overall impression of SR higher than NR(P<0.05).Radiologists rated the convenience,difficulty,and teaching value of SR higher than NR(P<0.05).Conclusion Building a CT SR based on AJCC 8th edition TN staging suitable for initial diagnosis and staging of laryngeal cancer can improve the clarity and completeness of imaging reports,making it clinically feasible.
9.Comparison of postoperative recovery quality and analgesic effect between intercostal nerve block under thoracoscopy and incision infiltration block for patients undergoing partial pulmonary resection
Journal of Clinical Surgery 2025;33(6):607-610
Objective To evaluate the effects of thoracoscopic intercostal nerve block and incision infiltration block on postoperative recovery quality and analgesia in patients with partial pulmonary resection.Methods From July 2023 to December 2023,60 patients scheduled for elective thoracoscopic partial lung resection were divided into two groups by random number table method,with 30 cases in each group.The observation group underwent thoracoscopic vision intercostal nerve block,and the control group underwent incision local infiltration block.Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia was adopted in all cases after the operation.The 15-item Recovery Quality Scale(QOR-15)score was recorded 1 day before surgery,24 hours and 48 hours after surgery.The visual analogue pain scores(VAS)at rest and cough at 2,4,8,24,and 48 hours after surgery,consumption of sufentanil within 24 hours and 48 hours after surgery,remedial analgesia and related adverse reactions were recorded.Results The QOR-15 scores of the observation group at 24 hours and 48 hours after operation were(103.4±14.2)and(111.2±6.9),which were higher than those of the control group(91.3±21.4)and(101.8±14.8),and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).At rest,the VAS scores of the observation group at 2,4,8 and 24 hours after surgery were(2.0±0.9),(2.1±0.9),(2.5±1.2)and(2.4±1.2).Compared with the control group(3.1±1.2),(3.4±1.7),(3.5±1.7)and(3.2±1.3),the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).When coughing,the VAS scores of the observation group at 2,4 and 8 hours after operation were(2.4±0.6),(2.5±0.6)and(3.0±1.2),which were lower than(3.2±1.2),(3.7±1.7)and(4.0±2.1)of the control group.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The consumption of sufentanil within 24 hours and 48 hours after surgery in the observation group was(58.1±7.5)μg and(116.5±14.9)μg,respectively,which were lower than those in the control group(63.2±8.5)μg and(125.0±16.7)μg,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Compared with incision infiltration block,thoracoscopic intercostal nerve block has better postoperative analgesic effect and higher postoperative recovery quality.
10.Advances in intermittent theta-burst stimulation for adolescent depression
Jingjing WEI ; Yuqiong HE ; Ou JIANJUN ; Xilong CUI ; Yanmei SHEN ; Xueping GAO
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry 2025;58(7):556-562
Major depressive disorder in adolescents is a serious psychiatric condition characterized by profound impairment in psychosocial functioning. Its primary symptoms include low mood, irritability, and anhedonia. Although pharmacological treatments and psychotherapy are currently recommended as first-line treatments, their effectiveness is limited, and pharmacological treatments may carry the risk of increased suicidal ideation. Therefore, exploring new, effective, and safe treatment options is an urgent priority. In recent years, intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a novel form of transcranial magnetic stimulation, has shown promising results in treating treatment-resistant depression in adults, drawing growing interest in its potential use in adolescents. iTBS modulates neural activity through magnetic stimulation of the cerebral cortex and has been shown to alleviate depressive symptoms, particularly when targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Given the high neuroplasticity of the adolescent brain during this critical developmental stage, adolescents may exhibit heightened sensitivity to iTBS, resulting in more enduring neuroregulatory effects. Research highlights the importance of precise targeting and individualized adjustment of stimulation intensity for optimal therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, accelerated iTBS (aiTBS) protocols have demonstrated faster clinical effects in treating acute or severe depression in adolescents, improving treatment adherence and partially mitigating suicidal tendencies. This review summarizes recent progress in the application of iTBS in adolescent depression, with a focus on its mechanisms, treatment parameters, and related research. The goal is to provide theoretical support and practical guidance for the clinical application of iTBS in adolescent depression care.

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