1.Engineered Bacteriophages for The Treatment of Multidrug-resistant Bacterial Infections
Yu-Ying CHEN ; Chun-Mei HUANG ; Jin-Zhi PAN ; De-Liang LIU ; Yang ZHOU ; Gui-Qin DAI ; Peng-Fei ZHAO ; Hong-Zhou LU ; Ming-Bin ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1581-1596
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections have emerged as a serious challenge of global public health crisis. The overuse and misuse of conventional antibiotics have dramatically accelerated the emergence, evolution and worldwide spread of drug-resistant bacterial strains, necessitating urgent exploration of novel antibacterial strategies. Bacteriophages serve as natural bacterial predators offering distinct advantages including high host specificity, autonomous self-replication capabilities and cost-effective large-scale production. However, wild-type phages present significant clinical limitations due to their narrow host ranges, susceptibility to rapid immune clearance and poor penetration of bacterial biofilms, which severely restrict their therapeutic applications. The convergence of synthetic biology, nanotechnology and advanced gene editing technologies has accelerated the development of engineered bacteriophage platforms, providing programmable, scalable and clinically translatable pathways to overcome these inherent biological constraints. Here, we systematically delineate four fundamental strategies for engineered bacteriophage development. Chemical modification utilizes reactive functional groups such as amino, carboxyl and thiol moieties on capsid proteins through esterification, amidation or click chemistry reactions to achieve precise drug conjugation and surface functionalization. In vivo editing encompasses ultraviolet or chemical mutagenesis for random mutation induction, homologous recombination for targeted genetic alterations, recombineering methodologies including electroporation-mediated bacteriophage recombination engineering, and CRISPR-Cas systems for precise genome editing to enable exact genetic reconstruction and host range reprogramming. In vitro synthesis leverages genome engineering platforms where intact phage genomes are transferred into yeast or host bacteria to facilitate highly efficient homologous recombination, enabling large DNA fragment assembly and cross-gene host range expansion without bacterial toxicity constraints. Directed evolution combines artificial selection through mutation library screening with rational design approaches involving chimeric receptor binding protein construction or site-specific mutagenesis, effectively balancing the discovery of unknown adaptive pathways with targeted host specificity modification. Moreover, we comprehensively discuss therapeutic applications across diverse clinical scenarios. Engineered bacteriophage effectively disrupt bacterial biofilms through sophisticated functionalized delivery platforms including nanozyme-conjugated phages, phage-liposome nanoconjugates and bio-responsive hydrogels, demonstrating significantly enhanced bactericidal efficiency compared to unmodified free phages. These bioengineered vectors attenuate bacterial virulence and resensitize pathogens to antibiotics by delivering CRISPR-Cas systems or base editors to disrupt critical virulence factors such as pili, capsule synthesis machineries and quorum sensing systems, or by inactivating antibiotic resistance determinants including beta-lactamase genes. As an intelligent nanomedicine delivery platform, engineered bacteriophage enable precise pathogen elimination an through photocatalytic reactive oxygen species generation, immunomodulatory interventions, or controlled release of antibacterial drugs. Furthermore, oral administration of engineered bacteriophage facilitates microbiota modulation, which selectively eliminate intestinal pathogens while preserve beneficial commensal microbiota, thereby restoring microbial community balance and preventing complications associated with dysbiosis. Finally, we critically analyze persistent challenges including host strain matching complexity, evolution of bacterial resistance mechanisms, pharmacokinetic optimization requirements, optimal administration route selection, large-scale production quality control standards and clinical dosing determination protocols. Through multidisciplinary integration of synthetic biology, infectious disease medicine and immunology, future translational medicine studies of bacteriophage should establish comprehensive technical platforms encompassing rapid phage screening, intelligent rational design, rigorous in vivo evaluation and standardized clinical validation processes, ultimately advancing engineered bacteriophage from laboratory innovations to clinically approved therapeutics for effectively combating MDR bacterial infections.
2.Resistance of Aedes albopictus to common insecticides in Zhejiang Province, 2024
Qin-mei LIU ; Jin-na WANG ; Tian-qi LI ; Ming-yu LUO ; Zhou GUAN ; Zhen-yu GONG ; Ji-min SUN
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):96-100
Objective In order to understand the current resistance status of Aedes albopictus(Ae. albopictus) adult population to commonly used insecticides and the resistance dynamics development in Zhejiang Province and provide a theoretical basis for the scientific and rational use of hygienic insecticides. Methods Resistance determination was carried out using the diagnostic dose method(GB/T 26347-2010)recommended by WHO in the adult mosquito contact cylinder method to monitor the resistance of Ae. albopictus field populations in 11 cities and districts in Zhejiang Province in 2024. Results The monitoring result showed that adult Ae. albopictus in 11 areas were resistant or suspected resistant populations to both cis-cypermethrin and permethrin; suspected and resistant populations to the organophosphate insecticide malathion were as high as 81.82%; while suspected resistance to the carbamate insecticide residual carbofuran accounted for 45.45%, and the rest of the monitoring sites were sensitive to it. Conclusions The result suggest that the generalized resistance of Ae. albopictus populations to pyrethroids and organophosphorus insecticides in the field in Zhejiang Province needs to be highly emphasized. In future mosquito vector and mosquito-borne disease control, insecticides should be selected based on the resistance monitoring information, while following scientific guidelines for insecticide use.
3.Early clinical outcomes of 3D-printed individualised customised prostheses in hip revision combined severe bone defect.
Hong-Ping WANG ; Ming-You WANG ; Xiao-Qin YANG ; Zhuo-Dong TANG ; Xun-Zhou SONG ; Yu-Ping LAN
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(2):163-169
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the early clinical outcomes of 3D printed individualised customised prostheses for in hip revision in patients with combined severe bone defects.
METHODS:
Twenty-two patients from January 2021 to May 2023 underwent hip revision using 3D printed personalised customised prostheses were retrospective analyzed, including 10 males and 12 females, age 28 to 78 with a mean of (58.9±12.8) years old. All of patients were combined with severe bone defects (Parprosky type Ⅲ). Among of them, 9 patients had periprosthetic infections and 13 patients had aseptic prosthesis loosening. All patients were treated with a 3D printed personalised prosthesis protocol, patients with the periprosthetic infection received a second stage revision after infection control. The operation time, preoperative waiting time, intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded, and the clinical efficacy were evaluated at the final follow-up using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, the Harris hip score.
RESULTS:
One patient was lost to follow-up and the remaining 21 patients were followed up for 10 to 15 with a mean of (12.91±1.44) months after surgery. All patients completed surgery as planned, with an operative time of 135 to 390 with a mean of (165.4±39.3) minutes and a preoperative waiting time of 7 to 16 with a mean of (10.5±3.3) days. Regarding patient complications:one patient had a severe intraoperative periprosthetic femoral fracture due to the combination of severe osteoporosis; one patient had an intraoperative greater trochanteric femur fracture. At the latest follow-up, all patients had good position of the custom-made prosthesis and no loosening of the prosthesis;all patients had good wound healing and no local redness or swelling. The total Harris score at the final follow-up (85.86±7.04) was significantly improved compared to the preoperative (44.86±2.36), P<0.001. The VAS at the last follow-up (2.19±0.87) was significantly improved compared with preoperative (7.41±0.96), P<0.001.
CONCLUSION
The clinical efficacy of 3D-printed personalised customised prosthesis in combined severe bone defect hip revision is satisfactory, but due to the increased preoperative waiting time of the patients and certain risks, certain indications should be mastered when applying in the clinic.
Humans
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Male
;
Female
;
Printing, Three-Dimensional
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
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Adult
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Retrospective Studies
;
Hip Prosthesis
;
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip
;
Reoperation
;
Prosthesis Design
;
Treatment Outcome
4.Association of angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor autoantibody and sperm motility in human semen.
Dao-Qin TU ; Yu-Huan YANG ; Gui-Fang YANG ; Yi-Nan ZHANG ; Yao CHEN ; Xue-Ming LI ; Yu-Hui SHI ; Xiao-Li YANG ; Feng WANG
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(5):387-394
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the relationship between angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor autoantibody (AT1-AA) and semen parameters. Methods: The semen samples of 820 male patients who were treated in the Reproductive Medicine Center of Taiyuan Central Hospital from August 2022 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The levels of AT1-AA and Ang Ⅱ of semen were detected by ELISA, and the function of AT1-AA was detected by cardiomyocyte beating assay in suckling rats. The patients were divided into low group, median group and high group according to the OD values of AT1-AA. The differences in general data and semen parameters between different groups were analyzed. And the correlation between AT1-AA level and semen parameters in semen of all study subjects was analyzed by the method of Spearman analysis. And the relationships between AT1-AA OD value, Ang Ⅱ level and semen parameters in the AT1-AA high value group were analyzed as well.
RESULTS:
AT1-AA was present in semen with good function. There was no significant difference in the general data of patients in different AT1-AA levels (P>0.05). In the comparison of semen parameters among the groups with different levels of AT1-AA, there were differences in sperm concentration, PR concentration, NP%, and ALH among the three groups (P<0.05). And AT1-AA OD value was positively correlated with total sperm count, sperm concentration, PR concentration, and NP%, and negatively correlated with semen volume (P<0.05). In the AT1-AA high value group, the OD value of AT1-AA in semen was negatively correlated with inactive sperm, and positively correlated with total motility ([PR+NP]%), curve rate, mean path rate, and ALH. However, there was no correlation between the level of Ang Ⅱ in semen and semen parameters (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
The presence of AT1-AA in semen may be associated with the promotion of sperm motility.
Male
;
Humans
;
Autoantibodies
;
Sperm Motility
;
Semen
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1/immunology*
;
Animals
;
Rats
;
Angiotensin II
;
Adult
;
Sperm Count
;
Semen Analysis
;
Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2/immunology*
5.Tanreqing Injection Inhibits Activation of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Macrophages Infected with Influenza A Virus by Promoting Mitophagy.
Tian-Yi LIU ; Yu HAO ; Qin MAO ; Na ZHOU ; Meng-Hua LIU ; Jun WU ; Yi WANG ; Ming-Rui YANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(1):19-27
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the inhibitory effect of Tanreqing Injection (TRQ) on the activation of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in macrophages infected with influenza A virus and the underlying mechanism based on mitophagy pathway.
METHODS:
The inflammatory model of murine macrophage J774A.1 induced by influenza A virus [strain A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1), PR8] was constructed and treated by TRQ, while the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant Mito-TEMPO and autophagy specific inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) were used as controls to intensively study the anti-inflammatory mechanism of TRQ based on mitophagy-mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS)-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. The levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 II (LC3II) and P62 proteins were measured by Western blot. The release of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, the mtROS level was detected by flow cytometry, and the immunofluorescence and co-localization of LC3 and mitochondria were observed under confocal laser scanning microscopy.
RESULTS:
Similar to the effect of Mito-TEMPO and contrary to the results of 3-MA treatment, TRQ could significantly reduce the expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20, and autophagy adaptor P62, promote the expression of autophagy marker LC3II, enhance the mitochondrial fluorescence intensity, and inhibit the release of mtROS and IL-1β (all P<0.01). Moreover, LC3 was co-localized with mitochondria, confirming the type of mitophagy.
CONCLUSION
TRQ could reduce the level of mtROS by promoting mitophagy in macrophages infected with influenza A virus, thus inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and the release of IL-1β, and attenuating the inflammatory response.
Mitophagy/drug effects*
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NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism*
;
Animals
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Macrophages/virology*
;
Inflammasomes/drug effects*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Mice
;
Mitochondria/metabolism*
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Influenza A virus/physiology*
;
Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*
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Cell Line
;
Injections
6.Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Improving Quality of Life for Patients with Advanced Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Xin YU ; Si-Yao GONG ; Qin LUO ; Gui-Xing XU ; Hao TIAN ; Qian LI ; Ming CHEN ; Sha YANG ; Shu-Guang YU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(4):360-371
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effect of acupuncture on advanced cancer patients by meta-analysis.
METHODS:
Nine databases (the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and WanFang Data) were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture in advanced cancer patients published from inception to February 13, 2023 and updated to June 1, 2023. Primary outcomes were quality of life (QOL), while secondary outcomes were pain, fatigue, and adverse events (side effects). Data synthesis was performed using RevMan V.5.3 to calculate pooled effect sizes. RoB-2 was used for the risk of bias, and the quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool.
RESULTS:
Totally 17 RCTs involving 1,178 participants were included, 15 of which were pooled for meta-analysis. Most studies demonstrated some concern for the overall risk of bias. The pooled data indicated that acupuncture was associated with improved QOL [mean difference (MD)=6.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.09 to 8.26], pain (MD=-1.18, 95% CI -2.28 to -0.08), and adverse events (risk ratio=0.30, 95% CI: 0.26 to 0.57) compared with control groups. Fatigue outcome was not included. Heterogeneity was substantial, and GRADE evidence was very low for both QOL and pain.
CONCLUSIONS
Acupuncture could benefit patients with advanced cancer and is considered safe compared with usual care. However, the evidence regarding QOL and pain outcomes requires further validation. It is crucial to encourage the development of high-quality studies to strengthen this evidence. (Registry No. CRD42023423539).
Humans
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Acupuncture Therapy
;
Neoplasms/therapy*
;
Quality of Life
;
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
;
Treatment Outcome
7.Suppression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma through Apoptosis Induction by Total Alkaloids of Gelsemium elegans Benth.
Ming-Jing JIN ; Yan-Ping LI ; Huan-Si ZHOU ; Yu-Qian ZHAO ; Xiang-Pei ZHAO ; Mei YANG ; Mei-Jing QIN ; Chun-Hua LU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(9):792-801
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) activity of total alkaloids from Gelsemium elegans Benth. (TAG) in vivo and in vitro and to elucidate their potential mechanisms of action through transcriptomic analysis.
METHODS:
TAG extraction was conducted, and the primary components were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effects of TAG (100, 150, and 200 µg/mL) on various tumor cells, including SMMC-7721, HepG2, H22, CAL27, MCF7, HT29, and HCT116, were assessed. Effects of TAG on HCC proliferation and apoptosis were detected by colony formation assays and cell stainings. Caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax protein levels were detected by Western blotting. In vivo, a tumor xenograft model was developed using H22 cells. Totally 40 Kunming mice were randomly assigned to model, cyclophosphamide (20 mg/kg), TAG low-dose (TAG-L, 0.5 mg/kg), and TAG high-dose (TAG-H, 1 mg/kg) groups, with 10 mice in each group. Tumor volume, body weight, and tumor weight were recorded and compared during 14-day treatment. Immune organ index were calculated. Tissue changes were oberseved by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Additionally, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, as well as quatitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), were performed to detect mRNA and metabolite expressions.
RESULTS:
HPLC successfully identified the components of TAG extraction. Live cell imaging and analysis, along with cell viability assays, demonstrated that TAG inhibited the proliferation of SMMC-7721, HepG2, H22, CAL27, MCF7, HT29, and HCT116 cells. Colony formation assays, Hoechst 33258 staining, Rhodamine 123 staining, and Western blotting revealed that TAG not only inhibited HCC proliferation but also promoted apoptosis (P<0.05). In vivo experiments showed that TAG inhibited the growth of solid tumors in HCC in mice (P<0.05). Transcriptomic analysis and RT-qPCR indicated that the inhibition of HCC by TAG was associated with the regulation of the key gene CXCL13.
CONCLUSION
TAG inhibits HCC both in vivo and in vitro, with its inhibitory effect linked to the regulation of the key gene CXCL13.
Animals
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Liver Neoplasms/genetics*
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Alkaloids/therapeutic use*
;
Gelsemium/chemistry*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
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Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
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Mice
;
Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
8.Expert consensus on prognostic evaluation of cochlear implantation in hereditary hearing loss.
Xinyu SHI ; Xianbao CAO ; Renjie CHAI ; Suijun CHEN ; Juan FENG ; Ningyu FENG ; Xia GAO ; Lulu GUO ; Yuhe LIU ; Ling LU ; Lingyun MEI ; Xiaoyun QIAN ; Dongdong REN ; Haibo SHI ; Duoduo TAO ; Qin WANG ; Zhaoyan WANG ; Shuo WANG ; Wei WANG ; Ming XIA ; Hao XIONG ; Baicheng XU ; Kai XU ; Lei XU ; Hua YANG ; Jun YANG ; Pingli YANG ; Wei YUAN ; Dingjun ZHA ; Chunming ZHANG ; Hongzheng ZHANG ; Juan ZHANG ; Tianhong ZHANG ; Wenqi ZUO ; Wenyan LI ; Yongyi YUAN ; Jie ZHANG ; Yu ZHAO ; Fang ZHENG ; Yu SUN
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(9):798-808
Hearing loss is the most prevalent disabling disease. Cochlear implantation(CI) serves as the primary intervention for severe to profound hearing loss. This consensus systematically explores the value of genetic diagnosis in the pre-operative assessment and efficacy prognosis for CI. Drawing upon domestic and international research and clinical experience, it proposes an evidence-based medicine three-tiered prognostic classification system(Favorable, Marginal, Poor). The consensus focuses on common hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss(such as that caused by mutations in genes like GJB2, SLC26A4, OTOF, LOXHD1) and syndromic hereditary hearing loss(such as Jervell & Lange-Nielsen syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome), which are closely associated with congenital hearing loss, analyzing the impact of their pathological mechanisms on CI outcomes. The consensus provides recommendations based on multiple round of expert discussion and voting. It emphasizes that genetic diagnosis can optimize patient selection, predict prognosis, guide post-operative rehabilitation, offer stratified management strategies for patients with different genotypes, and advance the application of precision medicine in the field of CI.
Humans
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Cochlear Implantation
;
Prognosis
;
Hearing Loss/surgery*
;
Consensus
;
Connexin 26
;
Mutation
;
Sulfate Transporters
;
Connexins/genetics*
9.Influence of inflammatory cytokines related to different endotypes on the transcriptome of nasal epithelial cells
Jingjing GUO ; Zhou YU ; Yuanyuan QIN ; Zhiqiu ZHU ; Ming WANG
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2025;32(7):455-459
OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of inflammatory cytokines related to different endotypes of chronic rhinosinusitis on the transcriptome of nasal epithelial cells.METHODS Human primary nasal epithelial cells were cultured in vitro,and treated with type 1,type 2,and type 3 inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ(10 ng/ml),IL-4(50 ng/ml),and IL-17A(50 ng/ml),respectively.After 48 hours,cells were collected for RNA extraction and transcriptome analysis.Differentially expressed genes were identified,followed by functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis.Additionally,common regulated genes among different cytokines were analyzed.RESULTS Treatment of primary nasal epithelial cells with IFN-γ,IL-4,and IL-17A induced significant transcriptomic alterations,with 650,540,and 192 differentially expressed genes,respectively,compared to the control group.Functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis showed that IFN-γ was mainly associated with defense response to virus,antigen processing and presentation,leukocyte and lymphocyte mediated immunity,and NOD-like receptor signaling pathway;IL-4 was mainly related to the regulation of leukocyte chemotaxis,cell-cell adhesion,ECM-receptor interaction,and MAPK signaling pathway;IL-17A was involved in the regulation of neutrophil chemotaxis,response to molecule of bacterial origin,chemokine signaling pathway,and NF-κB signaling pathway.Genes commonly regulated by IFN-γ,IL-4,and IL-17A were identified,with DUOX2 being upregulated by all the three cytokines.CONCLUSION IFN-γ,IL-4,and IL-17A reshapes the transcriptomic profile of nasal epithelial cells,which mainly regulates signaling pathways related to defense response to virus,leukocyte chemotaxis,and response to bacteria,respectively.
10.Support vector machine model based on gray matter volume for identifying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and analysis of relevant brain regions
Shan WU ; Haining LI ; Qiuli ZHANG ; Qianqian DUAN ; Xinyi YU ; Xing QIN ; Fangfang HU ; Jiaoting JIN ; Jingxia DANG ; Ming ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(7):1051-1055
Objective To explore the value of support vector machine(SVM)model based on gray matter volume(GMV)for identifying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS),also to analyze the relevant brain regions.Methods MR 3D T1WI data of 60 ALS patients(ALS group)and 60 healthy volunteers(control group)were retrospectively analyzed.Taken GMV of each brain region obtained by voxel-based morphometry as the input features.F-score analysis was used to select feature with the highest classification accuracy to construct SVM model.Receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to evaluate the efficacy of SVM model for identifying ALS,and top 10%was used as the weight threshold to obtain gray matter brain regions contributed the most to this model.Results SVM model constructed based on the top 40%GMV features had the highest classification accuracy(82.50%),with sensitivity,specificity and area under the curve(AUG)of 85.05%,80.40%and 0.890,respectively.The left precentral gyrus,left anterior cingulate gyrus and paracingulate gyrus,right middle temporal gyrus,opercular part of left inferior frontal gyrus,right dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus,left temporal pole:middle temporal gyrus,right superior occipital gyrus,orbital part of right middle frontal gyrus,right calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex,right fusiform gyrus were the top 1-10 gray matter brain regions contributed to this model.Conclusion ALS had specific GMV change pattern.SVM model based on GMV could be used to effectively identify ALS,while the left precentral gyrus was the most contributive brain region to this model.


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