ObjectiveTo address the challenges of unstructured classical Chinese expressions， nested entity relationships， and limited annotated data in famous traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） case records， this study proposes a joint relation extraction framework that integrates data augmentation and entity mapping， aiming to support the construction of TCM diagnostic knowledge graphs and clinical pattern mining. MethodsWe developed an annotation structure for entities and their relationships in TCM case texts and applied a data augmentation strategy by incorporating multiple ancient texts to expand the relation extraction dataset. A cascade binary tagging framework for relation triple extraction（CasRel） model for TCM semantics was designed， integrating a pre-trained bidirectional encoder representations from transformers（BERT） layer for classical TCM texts to enhance semantic representation， and using a head entity-relation-tail entity mapping mechanism to address entity nesting and relation overlapping issues. ResultsExperimental results showed that the CasRel model， combining data augmentation and entity mapping， outperformed the pipeline-based Bert-Radical-Lexicon（BRL）-bidirectional long short-term memory（BiLSTM）-Attention model. The overall precision， recall， and F₁-score across 12 relation types reached 65.73%， 64.03%， and 64.87%， which represent improvements of 14.26%， 7.98%， and 11.21% compared to the BRL-BiLSTM-Attention model， respectively. Notably， the F₁-score for tongue syndrome relations increased by 22.68%（69.32%）， and the prescription-syndrome relations performed the best with the F₁-score of 70.10%. ConclusionThe proposed framework significantly improves the semantic representation and complex dependencies in TCM texts， offering a reusable technical framework for structured mining of TCM case records. The constructed knowledge graph can support clinical syndrome differentiation， prescription optimization， and drug compatibility， providing a methodological reference for TCM artificial intelligence research.

AIM:To analyze the expression of se-creted phosphoprotein 1(SPP1)and programmed cell death-ligand 1(PD-L1)in SMARCA4-deficient non-small cell lung cancer,and to provide a scientif-ic basis for the study of the follow-up treatment of this rare pathological type of lung cancer.METH-ODS:The clinical and pathological characteristics of 12 patients with this disease were analyzed retro-spectively,and the patients were divided into two groups of adenocarcinomas and poorly differentiat-ed carcinomas according to their morphological characteristics,and the relationship between the expression of SPP1 and PD-L1 was analyzed in the two groups.RESULTS:SPP1 expression was detect-ed in all patients and Its expression level was signif-icantly higher in the poorly differentiated carcino-ma group compared with the adenocarcinoma group(P=0.015);PD-L1 expression was found in 6/7 patients(5 cases were not measured),compared with the adenocarcinoma group,PD-L1 was also highly expressed in the poorly differentiated carci-noma group(P=0.048)and the PD-L1 difference be-tween the two groups suggested that the results were similar to those of SPP1.CONCLUSION:SMARCA4-deficient non-small cell lung cancer has high positive expression of SPP1 and PD-L1.It was more pronounced in patients with poorly differenti-ated carcinoma.There may be a positive correla-tion between SPP1 and PD-L1 expression in SMAR-CA4-deficient non-small cell lung cancer and the mechanism of the correlation needs to be further verified in subsequent studies.

Objective:To study the relationship between urinary arsenic methylation metabolism patterns and skin keratinization and pigmentation abnormalities in population exposed to arsenic through drinking water.Methods:Using a cross-sectional study method, a survey on endemic arsenic poisoning was conducted among permanent residents of drinking water endemic arsenic poisoning areas in Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2004 (before water improvement). In 2017 (after water improvement), 71 arsenic exposed individuals were followed up as survey subjects. According to the "Diagnosis of Endemic Arsenism" (WS/T 211-2015), the clinical grading of skin injuries (skin keratinization, pigmentation abnormalities) in the survey subjects was evaluated. Urine samples were collected for detection of arsenic methylation metabolite levels by high-performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and calibrated with urinary creatinine. The changes and amplitudes of urinary arsenic methylation indicators before and after water improvement were calculated and analyzed according to the outcome of skin keratinization and pigmentation abnormalities which were divided into reduced, unchanged, and added groups.Results:(1) The changes in urinary total arsenic (TAs), inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethyl arsenic (MMA), and dimethyl arsenic (DMA) levels in different outcome groups of skin keratinization were compared, and the differences were statistically significant ( H = 9.08, 8.77, 9.28, 8.57, P < 0.05). The changes in urinary TAs, iAs, MMA, DMA levels, iAs percentage (iAs%), DMA percentage (DMA%), and primary methylation index (PMI) in different outcome groups of skin pigmentation abnormalities were compared, and the differences were statistically significant ( H = 8.04, 10.67, 8.29, 9.14, 6.30, 9.10, 7.20, P < 0.05). (2) The comparison of amplitudes in urinary TAs, iAs, MMA, and DMA levels in different outcome groups of skin keratinization showed statistically significant differences ( H = 6.92, 7.34, 6.66, 6.16, P < 0.05). The amplitudes in urinary iAs level, iAs%, DMA%, and PMI in different outcome groups of skin pigmentation abnormalities were compared, and the differences were statistically significant ( H = 7.94, 7.61, 9.95, 7.22, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The changes pattern of urinary TAs, iAs, MMA, DMA, iAs%, DMA%, and PMI in population exposed to arsenic through drinking water is related to the transformation of skin keratinization and pigmentation abnormalities.

Objective:To study the relationship between the levels of multiple elements in urine and the risk of arsenic poisoning in populations exposed to drinking water arsenic in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (Inner Mongolia).Methods:From April 2023 to January 2024, a case-control study method was used to select 128 individuals with a residence time of ≥10 years in drinking water arsenic exposed areas in Inner Mongolia as study subjects. Eighty-one individuals diagnosed with arsenic poisoning were selected as the case group, and 47 healthy individuals were selected as the control group for urine sample collection and questionnaire survey. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was employed to determine the levels of 10 elements (chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, molybdenum, cadmium and lead) in urine. The levels of each element in urine were divided into four groups ( Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups) based on quartiles. The associations between the levels of various elements in urine and the risk of arsenic poisoning were studied using binary logistic regression model and restricted cubic spline (RCS). Results:The age of the control group and the case group [ M ( Q1, Q3)] were 61 (53, 69) and 61 (56, 67) years old, respectively. There were 19 and 43 males, and 28 and 38 females, respectively. There was no statistically significant differences in age and and gender composition between the two groups ( Z = - 0.39, P = 0.700; χ 2 = 1.91, P = 0.167). The levels of urinary copper and cadmium of the case group were higher than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z = - 2.66, - 2.16, P < 0.05). The results of univariate logistic regression analysis showed that urinary copper was an influencing factor for arsenic poisoning ( P = 0.017). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjusting for covariates, urinary copper and arsenic were independent influencing factors of arsenic poisoning ( P < 0.05). Taking Q1 group as a reference, urinary copper in Q3 group [ OR (95% CI) = 8.23 (1.81, 37.39), P = 0.006] increased the risk of arsenic poisoning, while urinary arsenic in Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups [ OR (95% CI) = 0.24 (0.06, 0.92), 0.12 (0.03, 0.53), 0.15 (0.04, 0.63), P < 0.05] decreased the risk of arsenic poisoning. After adjusting for covariates, RCS did not show a dose-response relationship between urinary copper, urinary arsenic, and arsenic poisoning ( P > 0.05). Conclusion:Urinary arsenic and copper are associated with the risk of arsenic poisoning in the drinking water arsenic exposed areas of Inner Mongolia, copper exposure may contribute significantly to arsenic poisoning.

Background and Aims:In recent years,with the continuous progress of systemic therapy,hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy(HAIC)combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors and anti-angiogenic agents has demonstrated significant efficacy in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).However,direct comparisons between different immunotherapeutic targets,such as PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors,in terms of clinical benefit and safety remain limited.This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of HAIC plus bevacizumab and sintilimab(HAIC-BP1)versus HAIC plus bevacizumab and atezolizumab(HAIC-BPL)in advanced HCC.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 88 patients with advanced HCC who received first-line HAIC-BP1or HAIC-BPL at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 2020 and December 2022.Progression-free survival(PFS),overall survival(OS),objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),and adverse events(AEs)were compared between the two groups.Cox regression analysis was performed to identify prognostic factors affecting PFS.Results:A total of 47 patients were included in the HAIC-BP1 group and 41 patients in the HAIC-BPL group,with no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups(all P>0.05).The ORR(59.6%vs.65.9%)and DCR(72.3%vs.80.5%)did not significantly differ between the HAIC-BP1 group and the HAIC-BPL group(both P>0.05).After a median follow-up of 16.3 months,there were no significant differences in median OS(21.3 months vs.22.4 months)or median PFS(6.7 months vs.6.2 months)between the HAIC-BP1 group and the HAIC-BPL group(both P>0.05).The incidence of AEs was similar,and no treatment-related deaths occurred.Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified tumor diameter>10 cm as an independent adverse prognostic factor for PFS(HR=0.48,95%CI=0.27-0.83,P=0.009).Conclusion:Both HAIC-BP1 and HAIC-BPL demonstrated comparable efficacy and favorable safety profiles as first-line treatment options for advanced HCC.Tumor diameter>10 cm was an independent unfavorable prognostic factor for PFS,underscoring the importance of patient stratification in clinical decision-making.

Purpose To quantitatively compare the diffusion parameters of mono-and biexponential diffusion-weighted imaging models,and to obtain optimal sets of b-values in diffusion-weighted MRI for obtaining monoexponential apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)close to perfusion-insensitive intravoxel incoherent motion(IVIM)model ADC(ADCIVIM)in identifying of pulmonary solid benign and malignant lesions.Materials and Methods IVIM was performed in 40 patients with solid nodule and masse in Xi'an Gaoxin Hospital from July 2021 to August 2022 using a 3.0T MR imager.Two experienced diagnostic radiologists subjectively evaluated the IVIM images.A single index model was used to calculate ADC values(ADC0-1 000,ADC20-1 000,ADC50-1 000,ADC80-1 000,ADC150-1 000,ADC300-1 000,ADC500-1 000,ADC300,500,1 000,ADC300,800,1 000,ADC300,500,ADC300,800 and ADC300,1 000).The reference standard ADCIVIM value were calculated using a double-exponential model.The physician's measurements between two physicians were measured.The malignant and benign groups were compared and receiver operator characteristic curve for all parameters were analyzed.Results The measurement consistency of ADC values under b value sets and ADCIVIM was very good,and the intraclass correlation coefficient was more significant than 0.75.The differences between ADCIVIM and ADC values in each b group were statistically significant(t=-6.016--2.500,all P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of ADCIVIM was the largest(0.906),with an optimal threshold of 1.271×10-3 mm2/s,a sensitivity of 80.0%and a specificity of 93.0%.The diagnostic efficacy close to ADCIVIM were ADC300,800(AUC=0.891),ADC50-1 000(AUC=0.827)and ADC300,800,1 000(AUC=0.795),respectively.The optimal threshold of ADC300,800 was 1.140×10-3 mm2/s,the sensitivity and specificity were 80.0%and 93.7%,respectively.Conclusion Combining b-values 300 s/mm2 and 800 s/mm2 is recommended as routine scanning parameters for identifying the insensitive monoexponential ADC between benign and malignant solid pulmonary lesions.

Calorie restriction has garnered significant attention in the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases. During calorie restriction, various appetite-regulating hormones undergo changes, including a decrease in leptin, insulin, and amylin, along with an increase in peptide YY, glucagon-like peptide 1, and pancreatic polypeptide. These hormonal changes play a crucial role in regulating the body's feeding processes, improving glucose and lipid metabolism, and maintaining energy balance. In this paper, we discuss the effects of dietary restriction therapy on appetite-regulating hormones and the mechanisms by which this therapy aids in the treatment of metabolic diseases. Our goal is to provide insights for the prevention and long-term management of metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

In order to delve into the molecular mechanism underlying the increased pathogenicity of the recombinant Muscovy duck parvovirus(rMDPV)towards Muscovy ducklings,two sub-genom-ic fragments of the rMDPV strain ZW were cloned into the plasmid pBluescript Ⅱ(SK)to gener-ate the recombinant plasmid pZW.A single nucleotide mutation was engineered in the VP3 gene of pZW to discriminate from the parental strain ZW.pZW plasmid-lipid complex was transfected into the chorioallantoic membrane of 11-day-old embryonated Muscovy duck embryos,resulting in res-cue of infectious virus,rZW,carrying the genetic marker.The rescued virus was passaged in 12-day-old embryonated Muscovy duck embryos and exhibited the similar medium embryo lethal dose(ELD50)value and growth curve compared to the parental strain ZW.Both rZW and strain ZW led to 100％mortality in the infection tests performed with 3-day-old Muscovy duckling.Postmortem necropsy revealed a characteristic intestine embolism formed in the rZW-infected ducklings.Taken together,the generation of the infectious clone pZW lays a solid foundation for deciphering the pathogenesis of rMDPV.

Objective To investigate the association between serum magnesium levels,serum phosphorus concentrations,vascular calcification,and cardiovascular disease mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients.Methods This study enrolled 200 hemodialysis patients admitted to Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from May 2020 to May 2022 as subjects,with an additional 200 healthy individuals from the same period selected as a control group.The biochemical indicators between the two groups were compared;their correlations were analyzed.Binary logistic regression was used to investigate the independent factors of serum magnesium and phosphorus levels in relation to vascular calcification and cardiovascular events in maintenance hemodialysis patients.ROC curve analysis was employed to assess the predictive value of serum magnesium and phosphorus for vascular calcification and cardiovascular events.Results The research group's patients exhibited significantly elevated levels of blood phosphorus,calcium-phosphorus product,iPTH,AACS,and 25-(OH)-VitD compared to the control group.In contrast,their blood magnesium and BMP-7 levels were notably lower than those of the control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Pearson correlation showed positive correlations between serum magnesium and serum calcium,phosphorus,calcium-phosphorus product,25-(OH)-VitD3,and BMP-7(r=0.385,0.183,0.141,0.131,0.458,P<0.05);between serum calcium and serum phosphorus,calcium-phosphorus product,iPTH,AACS,25-(OH)-VitD3,and BMP-7(r=0.318),correlation(r=0.318,0.311,0.098,0.170,0.277,0.485,P<0.05);between serum phosphorus and calcium-phosphorus product,iPTH,AACS,25-(OH)-VitD3(r=0.362,0.506,0.367,0.461,P<0.05);between calcium-phosphorus product and iPTH,AACS,25-(OH)-VitD3(r=0.542,0.373,0.434,P<0.05);between iPTH and AACS,25-(OH)-VitD3 showing positive correlations(r=0.553,0.616,P<0.05)and a negative correlation with BMP-7(r=-0.373,P<0.05);between AACS and 25-(OH)-VitD3 showing a positive correlation(r=0.402,P<0.05),and a negative correlation with BMP-7(r=-0.155,P<0.05),with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Statistically significant differences were noted between the two groups in age,diabetes,serum magnesium,serum calcium,serum phosphorus,calcium-phosphorus product,25-(OH)-VitD3,and hs-CRP(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that age,serum magnesium,serum calcium,serum phosphorus,calcium phosphate product,25-(OH)-vitamin I were all risk factors for cardiovascular disease(CVD)mortality in maintenance hemodialysis(MHD)patients(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that serum magnesium,serum calcium,and serum phosphorus had predictive areas under the curve(AUC)of 0.895,0.802,and 0.851 for CVD mortality in MHD patients,with sensitivities and specificities of 87.5%/98.7%,66.7%/90.8%,and 72.9%/100%,respectively.The combined prediction for CVD mortality in MHD patients showed an AUC of 0.921,with a sensitivity of 81.3%and specificity of 93.4%.Conclusion MHD patients exhibit low blood magnesium levels,elevated serum phosphorus concentrations,and increased calcium-phosphorus product,with complex correlations among these biomarkers.Age,magnesium,calcium,and phosphorus levels were all associated with CVD mortality.ROC curve analysis demonstrates that magnesium,calcium,and phosphorus,both individually and in combination,have high predictive value for CVD mortality risk.

Protein lysine β-hydroxybutyrylation (Kbhb) is a newly discovered post-translational modification associated with a wide range of biological processes. Identifying Kbhb sites is critical for a better understanding of its mechanism of action. However, biochemical experimental methods for probing Kbhb sites are costly and have a long cycle. Therefore, a feature embedding learning method based on the Transformer encoder was proposed to predict Kbhb sites. In this method, amino acid residues were mapped into numerical vectors according to their amino acid class and position in a learnable feature embedding method. Then the Transformer encoder was used to extract discriminating features, and the bidirectional long short-term memory network (BiLSTM) was used to capture the correlation between different features. In this paper, a benchmark dataset was constructed, and a Kbhb site predictor, AutoTF-Kbhb, was implemented based on the proposed method. Experimental results showed that the proposed feature embedding learning method could extract effective features. AutoTF-Kbhb achieved an area under curve (AUC) of 0.87 and a Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) of 0.37 on the independent test set, significantly outperforming other methods in comparison. Therefore, AutoTF-Kbhb can be used as an auxiliary means to identify Kbhb sites.
Protein Processing, Post-Translational ; Lysine/chemistry* ; Proteins/chemistry* ; Machine Learning ; Algorithms