1.Ethical review of intelligent elderly care model: risk patterns, generative factors, and regulatory pathways
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(1):105-112
Driven by the internal pressure of the traditional elderly care model and the external impetus of the new technological revolution, the intelligent elderly care model is emerging. However, the rapid technological development has also triggered a series of ethical controversies. Existing ethical rules struggle to interpret, adapt to, or regulate the risks of ethical norms being out of control, alienated ethical behaviors, and unclear ethical responsibility that have emerged in the intelligent elderly care model. Specifically, these risks manifest in three aspects, including infringement of the rights and interests of the elderly, imbalance in social fairness and justice, and difficulties in defining responsibility. The analysis revealed that the generative factors of ethical risks include both internal system factors and external environmental factors. To prevent and control the ethical risks of the intelligent elderly care model, efforts should focus on three levels. At the technical level, it was necessary to promote the development of responsible intelligent elderly care technologies. In terms of regulatory level, it was essential to innovate the rules and methods of responsibility allocation. Regarding cognitive level, it was vital to strengthen users’ awareness and response capacity to ethical risks. These approaches will continuously promote the upward and virtuous development of technology and foster harmonious coexistence between humans and machines.
2.Construction and clinical application exploration of an artificial intelligence-based high-quality lung cancer surgery dataset
Xuhua HUANG ; Yunfeng NIE ; Liang SHEN ; Pengxu KONG ; Xin TAN ; Zihao LI ; Wang LV ; Min ZHOU ; Xudong LV ; Jian HU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(05):717-727
Objective To construct a lung cancer surgery-oriented disease-specific database covering the entire perioperative care pathway, thereby improving the quality and usability of key surgical data elements. Methods Real-world clinical data were extracted from a single-center thoracic surgery department. A standardized data model was established based on the open electronic health record (openEHR) standard. Large language model (LLM), optical character recognition (OCR), and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven techniques were employed to extract, structure, and perform quality control on unstructured clinical narratives, imaging reports, and radiological data, with a focus on capturing surgically relevant perioperative indicator. Results A multimodal database comprising 19 917 patients was established, including 7 930 males and 11 987 females, with ages ranging from 15 to 97 (61.7±9.7) years. The database includes 582 structured data variables, textual report data corresponding to 69 clinical indicators, 13 000 pulmonary function test PDF reports, and chest CT imaging data from 16 884 patients. This database comprehensively covers major information relevant to surgical diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, significantly improving the completeness and granularity of surgical detail data. Large language models (LLMs) and optical character recognition (OCR) technologies enhanced the efficiency of converting unstructured data into structured formats, while a multi-level manual verification process ensured data accuracy and traceability. The database supports real-world research including comparisons of surgical procedures, prediction of postoperative complications, prognosis assessment, and multimodal data association analyses.
3.Neuroelectromagnetic Activities Across Temporal Scales
Zhuo-Qun SHEN ; Xiao-Fei XU ; Yan-Qing WANG ; Jing-Xin LI ; Lan TIAN ; Wei GUO ; Jing-Jing XU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1541-1560
Although global brain science research has progressed rapidly in recent decades, several fundamental questions in neuroscience remain unresolved. In particular, the physical mechanism underlying neural signal transmission remains controversial, and the carriers responsible for neural information storage and retrieval have not yet been fully clarified. These unresolved issues motivate us to re-examine the processes of neural information generation, transmission, integration, storage, and retrieval from multiple perspectives. A key observation is that neural electromagnetic activities are closely associated with time. Their duration, temporal structure, and dynamic evolution play crucial roles in neural information processing. In this work, we analyze neural electromagnetic activities from the perspective of temporal scales (referred to here as the “time course”). By reviewing and integrating findings from previous studies, we examine the characteristic time requirements and dynamic features of neural processes occurring at different stages of information processing. These stages include neural signal generation, signal transmission along axons, synaptic integration, synaptic plasticity, and memory formation and retrieval. Based on this temporal analysis, we outline a framework describing neural electromagnetic activities across a wide range of time scales, spanning from microseconds to minutes, hours, or even longer periods associated with long-term memory, which suggests that neural information processing involves multiple physical processes operating at different time levels. Rapid electromagnetic events may occur on microsecond scales, whereas electrophysiological phenomena such as action potentials typically last on the order of milliseconds. Longer time scales are associated with synaptic plasticity and memory-related processes. From this perspective, we propose that the physical carrier of neural information may be transient electromagnetic pulses with durations on the microsecond scale. In this framework, action potentials can be interpreted as the macroscopic electrophysiological manifestation of underlying electromagnetic processes triggered by ionic currents across neuronal membranes. Rather than being the fundamental neural signal itself, the action potential may represent a measurable membrane-level response associated with the successful activation of these electromagnetic events. Moreover, we discuss a possible mechanism for long-term memory storage. Considering the apparent temporal contradiction between the millisecond-scale excitation of neurons and the long-term persistence of memories, we believe that long-term memory information may be stored within neural network topologies formed by electrical synapse coupling. Such structures, referred to as electrically coupled memory networks (ECMNs), may enable neurons within the same network to respond rapidly and synchronously to stimuli, thereby facilitating efficient memory retrieval. Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of considering the temporal organization of neural electromagnetic activities when interpreting neural signaling mechanisms. It may provide new insights into the physical nature of neural information carriers and the mechanisms of memory storage and retrieval. Furthermore, highlighting the potential role of electromagnetic interactions in neural activity may contribute to the development of new theoretical frameworks and experimental approaches in neuroscience. Such perspectives may also offer valuable references for future research on neural coding, brain function mechanisms, and neuromodulation technologies.
4.Effect of early warning mechanisms based on nosocomial infection surveillance system on precise prevention and control of spread of multidrug-resistant organisms in neurosurgery department of a hospital
Xiaoyue SHEN ; Xin SU ; Rongjun SHI ; Lu CHEN ; Ziyao QUAN ; Xiufang YANG ; Hongmei FANG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(9):1406-1411
OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of early warning mechanisms based on nosocomial infection surveil-lance system on precise prevention and control of spread of multidrug-resistant organisms(MDROs)infections in intensive care unit of neurosurgery department.METHODS The dynamic monitoring was performed in the ICU of neurosurgery department of a three-A general hospital by using real-time surveillance system of nosocomial infec-tion from Jan.2023 to Dec.2023.The warning information was sent to the doctor' station immediately once the MDROs infections were detected,the detection of drug-resistant bacteria was carried out for the relevant personnel and their surroundings,and the precise prevention and control measures were implemented.The impact on the iso-lation rate of MDROs,isolation rate of MDROs from the relevant personnel and surroundings,incidence of noso-comial MDROs infections and incidence of surgical site infection was observed after the measures were taken.RESULTS The carrying rate of MDROs was decreased from 21.80%to 5.74%among the relevant personnel after the precise prevention and control measures were taken(P<0.05),which was improved remarkably among the doctors(decreasing from 21.43%to 6.07%),nurses(decreasing from 23.68%to 3.98%),nursing workers(decreasing from 25.15%to 8.65%),and cleaning staff(decreasing from 25.49%to 5.05%)(P<0.001).The isolation rate of MDROs was decreased from 20.77%to 7.12%among the surroundings(P<0.05),which was decreased most remarkably among head cushions(decreasing from 32.28%to 12.13%),bed rails(decreasing from 16.70%to 3.27%),ventilator panels(decreasing from 23.00%to 6.95%)and bedside floors(decreasing from 31.99%to 9.96%)(P<0.001).The incidence of nosocomial MDROs infections declined from 3.84%to 1.71%(P<0.05),with incidence of incision infections decreasing from 4.00%to 1.45%(P<0.05),the inci-dence of intracranial infections decreasing from 2.38%to 0.56%(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The detection of drug-resistant bacteria is carried out immediately and precisely for the patients with MDROs infection,relevant personnel and their surroundings by using the real-time surveillance system of nosocomial infection,which achieve remarkable effect on prevention of transmission of MDROs and reduction of incidence of hospital-associated infec-tions and surgical site infections.
5.Epidemiological characteristics of common viral respiratory infections before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Huzhou,Zhejiang Province
Min-yi YANG ; Yan LIU ; Su-yi ZHANG ; Qiang WANG ; Guang-tao LIU ; Bo ZHENG ; Xin-yu WANG ; Dan-ni ZHAO ; Jian-yong SHEN ; Wei-bing WANG
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(6):819-828
Objective To investigate and compare the epidemiological characteristics of common respiratory viruses among influenza-like illness(ILI)and severe acute respiratory infection(SARI)cases in Huzhou,Zhejiang Province before and after the COVID-19 pandemic,so as to provide a basis for formulating and adjusting the prevention and control strategies for viral respiratory infectious diseases.Methods ILI and SARI cases at two influenza surveillance sentinel hospitals in Huzhou and had throat swab samples collected during Nov 2017 to Feb 2020(pre-COVID-19 pandemic period)and Dec 2022 to Apr 2024(post-COVID-19 mitigation phase)were selected as the participants.Seven common viral respiratory pathogens were tested,including influenza A virus(H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes),influenza B virus(Victoria lineage,FluB),respiratory syncytial virus(RSV),rhinovirus(HRV),adenovirus(ADV),and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2).The positive rates of respiratory pathogens before and after the COVID-19 pandemic were compared across different age groups and different time.Results A total of 7 948 ILI samples and 2 294 SARI samples were included.The overall positive rate of ILI samples increased from 33.6%to 47.1%,primarily due to the increase in influenza and COVID-19 infections;the overall positive rate of SARI samples decreased from 31.4%to 24.8%,mainly due to the reduction in HRV and ADV infections.During the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,SARS-CoV-2(22.1%),H3N2(12.7%),and FluB(6.0%)were the primary pathogens in ILI samples,while RSV(7.1%),H3N2(5.3%),and HRV(4.5%)dominated in SARI samples.During the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,the influenza virus circulation period was shortened.Before the COVID-19 pandemic,RSV was mainly detected in autumn and winter,while during the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,out-of-season RSV epidemics were observed in spring and summer.Co-infection rate in ILI cases increased significantly in the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,predominantly consisting of co-infections of COVID-19 and influenza A virus,while co-infection rate in SARI cases showed a decline.Conclusion We found important epidemiological changes in respiratory viruses in Huzhou during the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase compared to pre-COVID-19 period,including increased positive rates of influenza and COVID-19,and disruptions to the seasonal patterns of influenza and RSV.The prevention and control strategies should be adjusted in a timely manner based on the monitoring data.
6.Detiction and drug resistance to commonly used antibiotics of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in chronic cervicitis patients
Ren YE ; Bin ZHANG ; Longhui SHEN ; Lian WU ; Xin LIU
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(14):2140-2144
OBJECTIVE To explore the prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis among the patients with chronic cervicitis(CC)and observe their drug resistance to commonly used antibiotics.METHODS A total of 91 patients with CC who were treated in gynecology department of Women and Children's Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University from Jan.2022 to Jun.2024 were assigned as the CC group,meanwhile,91 healthy women who received physical examination were chosen as the control group.The genital tract secretions were collected from all of the research subjects for the culture of U.urealyticum and M.hominis and drug suscep-tibility testing.The isolation rates of U.urealyticum,M.hominis and U.urealyticum plus M.hominis were com-pared between the two groups.The isolation rates of U.urealyticum and M.hominis were compared among the different age groups of CC patients.The drug susceptibility testing of U.urealyticu m and M.hominis for doxycyc-line(DOX),josamycin(JOS),ofloxacin(OFL),clarithromycin(CLA),erythromycin(ERY),tetracycline(TET),azithromycin(AZI)and pristinamycin(PTN)were observed.RESULTS Totally 75(82.41%)genital tract secretion samples tested positive for Mycoplasma among the 91 samples,37 detected with U.urealyticum,25 were M.hominis,and 13 were U.urealyticum plus M.hominis.The isolation rates of U.urealyticum,M.hominis and U.urealyticum plus M.hominis of the CC group were 40.66%,24.47%and 14.29%,respective-ly,higher than 8.79%,4.40%and 5.49%of the control group(P<0.05).The total detection rate of U.urealyti-cum,M.hominis and U.urealyticum plus M.hominis was higher among the CC patients aged between 20 and 40 years old than among the CC patients aged more than 40 years old(P<0.05).The U.urealyticum strains from the positive specimens of the CC patients were highly sensitive to CL A and DOS but were resistant to OFL,CIP and PTN;the M.honinis and U.urealyticum plus M.hominis strains were sensitive to JOS and DOX but were resistant to OFL and CIP.CONCLUSIONS The detection rates of U.urealyticum plus M.hominis are higher a-mong the CC patients than among the normal population.The isolated U.urealyticum and M.hominis strains are highly resistant to quinolones and aminoglycosides.It is necessary for the hospital to empirically choose sensitive antibiotics based on the result of drug susceptibility testing.
7.Correlation of metabolic comorbidities and insulin resistance with CKD in an elderly population taking physical exam
Guang YANG ; Bokai CHENG ; Xin SHEN ; Yang LIU ; Ying DING ; Qingli CHENG ; Yansong ZHENG ; Jiahui ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(3):260-264
Objective To explore the relationship of metabolic comorbidities and insulin resistance(IR)with chronic kidney disease(CKD)among elderly individuals undergoing health exam.Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 8358 older adults who took health exam in Chinese PLA General Hospital between December 2009 and May 2021.According to the guidelines for CKD diagnostic criteria,they were divided into CKD group(983 cases)and non-CKD(7375 cases).Clinical data was collected,and the eGDR was calculated.Quasi-Bayesian method was used for causal mediation analysis.Results The prevalence of metabolic comorbidi-ties including hypertension,CHD,DM,hyperlipidemia,and hyperuricemia was significantly higher in the CKD group than the non-CKD group(P<0.01).The eGDR was obviously lower in the CKD group than the non-CKD group[6.88±2.09 mg/(kg·min)vs 8.41±2.12 mg/(kg·min),P<0.01].Logistic regression analysis revealed that,without adjusting covariates,each 1-unit increase in eGDR was associated with a 29%reduction in the risk of developing CKD(OR=0.714,95%CI:0.691-0.738,P<0.01),and after adjusting covariates,eGDR remained signifi-cantly negatively association with the risk of CKD(P<0.01).Mediation analysis indicated that DM and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity accounted for the highest proportions of the mediating effect in the relationship between eGDR and CKD(14.2%and 12.5%,respectively).Conclusion In the elderly population undergoing health exam,reduced insulin sensitivity is significantly asso-ciated with the development of CKD.Diabetes and arteriosclerosis exert mediating effect in this association.
8.The experience of exercise adherence in breast cancer patients with endocrine-therapy based on the theory of stage change:a qualitative study
Zhongning ZHANG ; Aomei SHEN ; Weifang QI ; Xin LI ; Ruishuang ZHENG ; Wanmin QIANG ; Jing WANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(6):696-702
Objective To explore the thoughts and experiences of exercise adherence in breast cancer patients undergoing endocrine therapy,aims to provide reference for targeted intervention.Methods Employing purposive sampling,a descriptive qualitative study was conducted from Octomber 2023 to November 2024,and 24 breast cancer patients receiving endocrine therapy who visited a tertiary-level hospital in Tianjin,China,were selected for semi-structured in-depth interviews.The data was analyzed through traditional content analysis to extract themes.Results 3 primary themes and 6 sub-themes were identified,including sense of benefits from exercise(including physical benefits and psychological well-being),factors influencing exercise adherence(barriers and facilitators),and supportive needs for exercise adherence(including professional support and guidance,as well as emotional support and companionship).Conclusion Healthcare providers should consider the influencing factors,supportive needs of behavior change,and exercise experiences of breast cancer patients receiving endocrine therapy.Developing targeted exercise rehabilitation programs to address these needs could enhance exercise adherence.
9.Protective effects and mechanisms of 3-N-butylphthalide in Parkinson's disease cell models
Xin ZHANG ; Baojuan GUO ; Huixin XU ; Yuzhen SHEN ; Xiaofan YANG ; Xufang YANG ; Pei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(30):6466-6473
BACKGROUND:D1-3-n-butylphthalide has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and has been explored to have protective role in Parkinson's disease,but the underlying mechanisms are unknown.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the protective effect of D1-3-n-butylphthalide by the approach of network pharmacology,molecular docking,and cellular experimental validation.METHODS:(1)Network pharmacology and molecular docking:The database was used to screen the targets of D1-3-n-butylphthalide and Parkinson's disease.The intersection was taken from the construction of the target protein interaction network,and then screen the core targets.The GO and KEGG pathway enrichment was used to further analyze the core targets.The interaction between the target proteins and D1-3-n-butylphthalide was verified by molecular docking.(2)Cell validation:The passage 6 PC12 cells were divided into six groups for culture.The control group was cultured with conventional culture medium.The model group was cultured with N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium iodide to induce Parkinson's disease model.The ML385 inhibitor group was added with nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 inhibitor ML385 on the basis of inducing Parkinson's disease model.The D1-3-n-butylphthalide treatment group was added with butylphthalide on the basis of inducing Parkinson's disease model.The D1-3-n-butylphthalide combined with ML385 treatment group was added with D1-3-n-butylphthalide and ML385 on the basis of inducing Parkinson's disease model.The D1-3-n-butylphthalide group was cultured with conventional culture medium containing butylphthalide alone.Cell proliferation,intracellular reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde levels,and protein expression of protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase 3β/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(AKT/GSK-3β/Nrf2)signaling pathway were detected.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)A total of 52 targets were screened for the intersection of drugs and disease targets,and the core targets including the matrix metalloproteinase 9 and GSK-3β were involved the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/AKT and oxidative stress-related signaling pathways.The molecular docking binding energy of D1-3-n-butylphthalide and GSK-3β was-18.27 kJ/mol,which indicated that D1-3-n-butylphthalide had a good binding ability with GSK-3β.(2)Compared with the model group,the PC12 cell activity and reduced glutathione level in the D1-3-n-butylphthalide treatment group were increased(P<0.05),the malondialdehyde level was decreased(P<0.05),and the expression of p-AKT,p-GSK-3β,Nu-Nrf2,and T-Nrf2 proteins was increased(P<0.05).Compared with the D1-3-n-butylphthalide group,the PC12 cell activity and reduced glutathione level in the D1-3-n-butylphthalide combined with ML385 treatment group were decreased(P<0.05),the malondialdehyde level was increased(P<0.05),and the expression of Nu-Nrf2 and T-Nrf2 proteins was decreased(P<0.05).(3)These results demonstrate that D1-3-n-butylphthalide can inhibit oxidative stress and improve cell activity through the AKT/GSK-3β/Nrf2 signaling pathway,and has a protective effect on the Parkinson's cell model induced by N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium iodide.
10.Effect of early warning mechanisms based on nosocomial infection surveillance system on precise prevention and control of spread of multidrug-resistant organisms in neurosurgery department of a hospital
Xiaoyue SHEN ; Xin SU ; Rongjun SHI ; Lu CHEN ; Ziyao QUAN ; Xiufang YANG ; Hongmei FANG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(9):1406-1411
OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of early warning mechanisms based on nosocomial infection surveil-lance system on precise prevention and control of spread of multidrug-resistant organisms(MDROs)infections in intensive care unit of neurosurgery department.METHODS The dynamic monitoring was performed in the ICU of neurosurgery department of a three-A general hospital by using real-time surveillance system of nosocomial infec-tion from Jan.2023 to Dec.2023.The warning information was sent to the doctor' station immediately once the MDROs infections were detected,the detection of drug-resistant bacteria was carried out for the relevant personnel and their surroundings,and the precise prevention and control measures were implemented.The impact on the iso-lation rate of MDROs,isolation rate of MDROs from the relevant personnel and surroundings,incidence of noso-comial MDROs infections and incidence of surgical site infection was observed after the measures were taken.RESULTS The carrying rate of MDROs was decreased from 21.80%to 5.74%among the relevant personnel after the precise prevention and control measures were taken(P<0.05),which was improved remarkably among the doctors(decreasing from 21.43%to 6.07%),nurses(decreasing from 23.68%to 3.98%),nursing workers(decreasing from 25.15%to 8.65%),and cleaning staff(decreasing from 25.49%to 5.05%)(P<0.001).The isolation rate of MDROs was decreased from 20.77%to 7.12%among the surroundings(P<0.05),which was decreased most remarkably among head cushions(decreasing from 32.28%to 12.13%),bed rails(decreasing from 16.70%to 3.27%),ventilator panels(decreasing from 23.00%to 6.95%)and bedside floors(decreasing from 31.99%to 9.96%)(P<0.001).The incidence of nosocomial MDROs infections declined from 3.84%to 1.71%(P<0.05),with incidence of incision infections decreasing from 4.00%to 1.45%(P<0.05),the inci-dence of intracranial infections decreasing from 2.38%to 0.56%(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The detection of drug-resistant bacteria is carried out immediately and precisely for the patients with MDROs infection,relevant personnel and their surroundings by using the real-time surveillance system of nosocomial infection,which achieve remarkable effect on prevention of transmission of MDROs and reduction of incidence of hospital-associated infec-tions and surgical site infections.

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