1.Development and validation of PhenoRAG: A visualization tool for automated human phenotype ontology term annotation based on large language models and retrieval-augmented generation technology.
Wei ZHONG ; Yousheng YAN ; Kai YANG ; Yan LIU ; Xinyu FU ; Zhengyang YAO ; Chenghong YIN
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(1):36-43
OBJECTIVE:
To develop a user-friendly visualization application for the automatic annotation of Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) terms based on large language models and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) technology, and to validate its performance in an authoritative case dataset.
METHODS:
By integrating the domestic open-source large language model DeepSeek-V3 with RAG technology, an interactive web application was deployed on the Streamlit cloud platform. Using only the latest official HPO dataset as the data source, the lightweight sentence-embedding model BAAI/bge-small-en-v1.5 was employed to construct a FAISS vector index. During the online phase, a four-step closed-loop process is automatically completed: multilingual translation, phenotype phrase extraction, RAG candidate retrieval, term mapping, and official database validation. 121 English case reports publicly released by BMJ Case Reports and Oxford Medical Case Reports (with a gold-standard HPO set of 1 794 terms) were selected for application validation. Precision, recall, and F1 score were calculated and compared horizontally with traditional dictionary tools, standalone large language models, and the similar application "RAG-HPO". Finally, replace the model with the more advanced ChatGPT-5 and evaluate its performance on the newly extracted dataset.
RESULTS:
An HPO term automatic annotation visualization application named PhenoRAG, based on large language models and RAG technology, was successfully developed. Users can access it directly via a web link. Across the 112 cases, a total of 2 150 HPO terms were generated; 2,064 (96.0%) were fully validated by the official database, with a hallucination rate of 1.3% and an HPO ID-name mismatch rate of 2.7%. After deduplication, 1,906 terms remained for testing. The overall precision was 63.65%, recall was 67.34%, and F1 was 65.44%, significantly outperforming traditional annotation tools (F1: 0.45-0.49, P < 0.001). Although PhenoRAG's F1 was lower than that of RAG-HPO (F1 = 0.78, P < 0.001), which relies on a manually constructed synonym database of 54 000 entries plus the HPO dataset, it requires no additional dictionary maintenance and can be used without any background in computer programming. Moreover, after switching to the GPT-5 model, PhenoRAG exhibited no hallucination rate on the new dataset, and its F1 score significantly increased (P = 0.038).
CONCLUSION
Without constructing a synonym database, the PhenoRAG achieved high-accuracy automatic mapping from clinical text to standard HPO terms. It features a low usage threshold, free access, and a Chinese-language interface, and can directly serve rare disease diagnosis, genetic counseling, and research scenarios in China and worldwide, warranting further clinical promotion and multicenter validation.
Humans
;
Phenotype
;
Biological Ontologies
;
Language
;
Software
;
Large Language Models
2.Effects of Rhizosphere Organic Acids on Metabolism of Hairy Roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza
Xinyu FU ; Wenying HAN ; Jidong JU ; Bingqian ZHOU ; Guohong YANG ; Xiao WANG ; Lanping GUO ; Wei LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):166-174
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of rhizosphere organic acids secreted by the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza on continuous cropping obstacles. MethodsThe mixed solution of organic acids in the rhizosphere of S. miltiorrhiza in continuous cropping and rotation cropping was added to the hairy roots subcultured for 21 days, and samples were collected on days 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. The changes of biomass, effective components, primary metabolites, secondary metabolites, antioxidant enzymes, and hormones in hairy roots of S. miltiorrhiza were observed and determined. ResultsCompared with the rotation cropping group and the blank control group, the simulation of organic acid secretion from the roots of S. miltiorrhiza had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of hairy roots and decreased the content of effective components as well as total sugar and total protein in primary metabolites. Compared with the blank control group, the rotation cropping group and the continuous cropping group showed total sugar and total protein content decreases of 33.9% and 5.1%, respectively. On the other hand, the secretion of organic acids from S. miltiorrhiza roots significantly promoted the accumulation of total phenolic acids and total tanshinone, which showed increases of 14.6% and 1.6%, respectively, in continuous cropping group and rotation cropping group compared with the blank control group. ConclusionThe organic acid environment under continuous cropping significantly inhibited the growth of hairy roots and the accumulation of primary metabolites, while promoting the synthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites of S. miltiorrhiza.
3.Role of TIM3 Pathway in Immune Pathogenesis and Targeted Therapy of Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Xinyu GUO ; Shunjie YU ; Jinglian TAO ; Yingshuai WANG ; Xiaotong REN ; Zhaoyun LIU ; Rong FU ; Zonghong SHAO ; Lijuan LI
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(9):731-735
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a myeloid tumor derived from the malignant clones of hematopoietic stem cells, has an annually increasing incidence. The contemporary research direction has shifted to analyzing the synergistic effect of immune surveillance collapse and abnormal bone marrow microenvironment in the pathological process of MDS. Against this backdrop, the immune checkpoint molecule TIM3 has emerged as a key target because of its persistently high expression on the surface of important immune cells such as T and NK cells. The abnormal activation of the TIM3 pathway is the mechanism by which solid tumors and hematological malignancies achieve immune escape and is a key hub in the formation of immune exhaustion phenotypes. This work integrates the original discoveries of our team with the latest international progress, systematically demonstrating the bidirectional regulatory network of TIM3 between the malignant clone proliferation of MDS and the immunosuppressive microenvironment. Integrating the evidence from emerging clinical trials allows us to consider the clinical significance of TIM3-targeted blocking for MDS, providing a transformative path to overcome the resistance of traditional treatments and marking a new chapter in the active immune reconstitution of MDS treatment.
4.Analysis on Formation Mechanism of Self-precipitation in Process of Compound Decoction of Famous Classical Formula Sinitang
Meihui LI ; Xi FENG ; Xinyu LUO ; Juehan ZHOU ; Yunya HUANG ; Shuhan LI ; Yanfen CHENG ; Shu FU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):145-152
ObjectiveTo explore the main mechanism of self-precipitation formed during the decoction of Sinitang(SNT), and to provide a research basis for exploring the differences in the toxic and effective components of this compound. MethodsThe average precipitation yields of SNT, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(GRR)-Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata(ALRP) decoction(GF), ALRP-Zingiberis Rhizoma(ZR) decoction(FJ), GRR-ZR decoction(GJD), ALRP decoction(FZ), ZR decoction(GJ) and GRR decoction(GC) were determined. The four main self-precipitation samples of SNT, GF, FZ and GC were physically characterized by particle size, scanning electron microscopy(SEM), pH, total dissolved solids(TDS), conductivity, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR) analysis. The chemical compositions of SNT decoction and its different phases was identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS) for SNT, SNT self-precipitation and SNT supernatant, and the contents of its main toxic and effective components were determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). ResultsPrecipitation yield results of the 7 samples of SNT decoction and single decoction showed that SNT had the highest self-precipitation yield. The formation of SNT self-precipitation was mainly related to the reaction between ALRP and GRR components to form complexes, and FT-IR showed that GRR had the greatest influence on the formation of self-precipitation. A total of 110 components were identified in the SNT decoction, including 100 components in the SNT self-precipitation and 106 components in the SNT supernatant. And quantitative results of the main toxic and effective components revealed that the reaction between ALRP and GRR components formed complexes, resulting in the following content hierarchy for free components:SNT decoctionsupernatantself-precipitation, these components included free liquiritin, benzoylmesaconine, benzoylaconitine, benzoylhypacoitine, liquiritigenin, aconitine, hypoaconitine, isoliquiritigenin and ammonium glycyrrhizinate. ConclusionSNT exhibits spontaneous precipitation during compound decoction, with GRR exerting the greatest influence on its formation. This suggests GRR plays a significant role in the detoxification of SNT. The differences in the self-precipitated toxic-effective components of SNT compound decoction primarily manifest as changes in component content, reflecting the characteristics of SNT "deposition in vitro and sustained release in vivo" and the importance of "administered at draught" in the clinical application of SNT.
5.Resistance to antibody-drug conjugates: A review.
Sijia LI ; Xinyu ZHAO ; Kai FU ; Shuangli ZHU ; Can PAN ; Chuan YANG ; Fang WANG ; Kenneth K W TO ; Liwu FU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):737-756
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are antitumor drugs composed of monoclonal antibodies and cytotoxic payload covalently coupled by a linker. Currently, 15 ADCs have been clinically approved worldwide. More than 100 clinical trials at different phases are underway to investigate the newly developed ADCs. ADCs represent one of the fastest growing classes of targeted antitumor drugs in oncology drug development. It takes advantage of the specific targeting of tumor-specific antigen by antibodies to deliver cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs precisely to tumor cells, thereby producing promising antitumor efficacy and favorable adverse effect profiles. However, emergence of drug resistance has severely hindered the clinical efficacy of ADCs. In this review, we introduce the structure and mechanism of ADCs, describe the development of ADCs, summarized the latest research about the mechanisms of ADC resistance, discussed the strategies to overcome ADCs resistance, and predicted biomarkers for treatment response to ADC, aiming to contribute to the development of ADCs in the future.
6.Bacteroi des fragilis-derived succinic acid promotes the degradation of uric acid by inhibiting hepatic AMPD2: Insight into how plant-based berberine ameliorates hyperuricemia.
Libin PAN ; Ru FENG ; Jiachun HU ; Hang YU ; Qian TONG ; Xinyu YANG ; Jianye SONG ; Hui XU ; Mengliang YE ; Zhengwei ZHANG ; Jie FU ; Haojian ZHANG ; Jinyue LU ; Zhao ZHAI ; Jingyue WANG ; Yi ZHAO ; Hengtong ZUO ; Xiang HUI ; Jiandong JIANG ; Yan WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5244-5260
In recent decades, the prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout has increased dramatically due to lifestyle changes. The drugs currently recommended for hyperuricemia are associated with adverse reactions that limit their clinical use. In this study, we report that berberine (BBR) is an effective drug candidate for the treatment of hyperuricemia, with its mechanism potentially involving the modulation of gut microbiota and its metabolite, succinic acid. BBR has demonstrated good therapeutic effects in both acute and chronic animal models of hyperuricemia. In a clinical trial, oral administration of BBR for 6 months reduced blood uric acid levels in 22 participants by modulating the gut microbiota, which led to an increase in the abundance of Bacteroides and a decrease in Clostridium sensu stricto_1. Furthermore, Bacteroides fragilis was transplanted into ICR mice, and the results showed that Bacteroides fragilis exerted a therapeutic effect on uric acid similar to that of BBR. Notably, succinic acid, a metabolite of Bacteroides, significantly reduced uric acid levels. Subsequent cell and animal experiments revealed that the intestinal metabolite, succinic acid, regulated the upstream uric acid synthesis pathway in the liver by inhibiting adenosine monophosphate deaminase 2 (AMPD2), an enzyme responsible for converting adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to inosine monophosphate (IMP). This inhibition resulted in a decrease in IMP levels and an increase in phosphate levels. The reduction in IMP led to a decreased downstream production of hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid. BBR also demonstrated excellent renoprotective effects, improving nephropathy associated with hyperuricemia. In summary, BBR has the potential to be an effective treatment for hyperuricemia through the gut-liver axis.
7.Large-Scale Sleep Survey and the Impact of Step-Based Exercise.
Xinyu FU ; Wanxin ZHANG ; Xuemei GAO ; Zhi-Li HUANG
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(5):906-910
8.Research progress on kinesiophobia in school-aged children with asthma and nursing enlightenment
Zhixiang SUN ; Jing FU ; Pingpin WEN ; Xiaoli ZHANG ; Xinyu YANG ; Chunyan LIU ; Yu XIAO
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(19):2419-2425
Kinesiophobia is prevalent among school-aged children with asthma,and severe kinesiophobia can hinder their participation in physical activities and disease control,adversely affecting their physical and mental health.This paper reviews the concept,development,assessment tools,influencing factors,and intervention strategies of kinesiophobia in school-aged children with asthma,analyzes existing challenges,and proposes directions for future research.It aims to provide insights for developing scientific and personalized intervention plans to enhance children's exercise levels and improve their quality of life.
9.Involvement of sympathetic nerve in the regulation of disuse atrophy of skeletal muscles: a preliminary study
Dongliang CHENG ; Mingming ZHANG ; Jiang LIU ; Junmin SHEN ; Zhongqi WANG ; Xinyu SUN ; Duanyang WANG ; Feifan CHANG ; Haobo ZHANG ; Pincong FU ; Ming CHEN ; Yi LI ; Pengbin YIN ; Licheng ZHANG ; Peifu TANG
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(3):242-249
Objective:To investigate the changes in sympathetic nerve activity after lower limb immobilization and the role of sympathetic nerve in regulating disuse atrophy of skeletal muscles.Methods:The experiment was divided into the following 3 parts: ① Twelve 8-week-old male C57 mice were randomly divided into a blank control group and a hind limb fixation group ( n=6). The blank control group received no intervention while the hind limb fixation group received splint fixation of the hind limbs for 2 weeks before the musculoskeletal multi-dimensional characterization was completed at the behavioral, pathological and molecular levels. ② Thirty-six 8-week-old male C57 mice were selected and randomly divided into a control group and 5 hind limb fixation groups (for 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days) ( n=6). The control group was fed normally until 14 days without any intervention while the 5 hind limb fixation groups were sampled after fixation for 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days, respectively. The level of norepinephrine in the serum and the expression level of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a marker of sympathetic nerve activity in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN), were detected to observe the plasticity of sympathetic nerve activity. ③ Eighteen 8-week-old male C57 mice were selected and randomly divided into a blank control group, a hind limb fixation group and a hind limb fixation plus medication group ( n=6). The blank control group received no intervention while the 2 fixation groups were injected with phosphate buffer (PBS) and propranolol hydrochloride solution for 2 consecutive weeks, respectively. The parameters related to the skeletal muscles were compared between the 3 groups. Results:① Compared with the control group, the mass and function of skeletal muscles in the hind limb fixation group were statistically significantly decreased ( P<0.05). ② The levels of serum norepinephrine [(3.27±1.03) ng/mL, (9.21±1.05) ng/mL, (6.36±0.88) ng/mL, (3.84±1.00) ng/mL, and (3.91±0.75) ng/mL] and the PVN TH levels (42.00%±5.38%, 61.67%±5.57%, 55.82%±3.11%, 50.90%±2.53%, and 39.17%±9.07%) in the 5 hind limb fixation groups (for 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days) were significantly higher than those in the control group [(1.81±0.72)] ng/mL and 23.33%±5.50%] ( P<0.05). ③ The wet weight of the gastrocnemius muscle [(93.50±4.32) mg] and the cross-section area of the tibial anterior muscle [(1,180.00±95.09) μm 2] in the hind limb fixation plus medication group were increased significantly compared with those in the hind limb fixation group [(80.83±9.99) mg and (907.80±121.00) μm 2] ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system occurs in the mice model of skeletal muscle disuse atrophy after hind limb fixation. Inhibition of sympathetic nerve activity may reduce the severity of skeletal muscle atrophy at the lower limbs.
10.Effects of initial periodontal therapy on the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps in gingival crevicular fluid in patients with severe periodontitis.
Lanqing FU ; Xinyu HAO ; Wenbo QIAN ; Ying SUN
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(1):46-52
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to observe the effects of initial periodontal therapy on the level of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients with severe periodontitis and to analyze the factors related to the formation of NETs.
METHODS:
Thirty-one patients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ periodontitis were recruited. Clinical periodontal parameters, including plaque index (PLI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and clinical atta-chment loss (CAL), were recorded before and 6-8 weeks after initial periodontal therapy. Levels of NETs in GCF were detected by immunofluorescence staining. Quantities of total bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actionomycetemcomitans) and Prevotella intermedia (P. intermedia)in unattached subgingival plaque were determined by real-time quantitative PCR, and levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in GCF were explored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, the correlations between the level of NETs and the above indicators were analyzed.
RESULTS:
After initial periodontal therapy, the level of NETs in GCF, PLI, GI, PD, and CAL; quantities of total bacteria, P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and P. itermedia; and levels of IL-8 and TNF-α significantly decreased (P<0.05). We observed strong positive correlations between the level of NETs and PLI, GI, PD, CAL, the amount of total bacteria, P. gingivalis, TNF-α, and IL-8 (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Initial periodontal therapy might decrease the level of NETs in GCF from patients with severe periodontitis, which might be positively correlated with the quantities of P. gingivalis andthe levels of TNF-α and IL-8 in GCF.
Humans
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Gingival Crevicular Fluid
;
Extracellular Traps/metabolism*
;
Porphyromonas gingivalis/isolation & purification*
;
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans/isolation & purification*
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Periodontitis/metabolism*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/analysis*
;
Prevotella intermedia/isolation & purification*
;
Interleukin-8/analysis*
;
Male
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Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Periodontal Index
;
Adult

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