1.Prediction of Protein Thermodynamic Stability Based on Artificial Intelligence
Lin-Jie TAO ; Fan-Ding XU ; Yu GUO ; Jian-Gang LONG ; Zhuo-Yang LU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):1972-1985
In recent years, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of biology has witnessed remarkable advancements. Among these, the most notable achievements have emerged in the domain of protein structure prediction and design, with AlphaFold and related innovations earning the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. These breakthroughs have transformed our ability to understand protein folding and molecular interactions, marking a pivotal milestone in computational biology. Looking ahead, it is foreseeable that the accurate prediction of various physicochemical properties of proteins—beyond static structure—will become the next critical frontier in this rapidly evolving field. One of the most important protein properties is thermodynamic stability, which refers to a protein’s ability to maintain its native conformation under physiological or stress conditions. Accurate prediction of protein stability, especially upon single-point mutations, plays a vital role in numerous scientific and industrial domains. These include understanding the molecular basis of disease, rational drug design, development of therapeutic proteins, design of more robust industrial enzymes, and engineering of biosensors. Consequently, the ability to reliably forecast the stability changes caused by mutations has broad and transformative implications across biomedical and biotechnological applications. Historically, protein stability was assessed via experimental methods such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and circular dichroism (CD), which, while precise, are time-consuming and resource-intensive. This prompted the development of computational approaches, including empirical energy functions and physics-based simulations. However, these traditional models often fall short in capturing the complex, high-dimensional nature of protein conformational landscapes and mutational effects. Recent advances in machine learning (ML) have significantly improved predictive performance in this area. Early ML models used handcrafted features derived from sequence and structure, whereas modern deep learning models leverage massive datasets and learn representations directly from data. Deep neural networks (DNNs), graph neural networks (GNNs), and attention-based architectures such as transformers have shown particular promise. GNNs, in particular, excel at modeling spatial and topological relationships in molecular structures, making them well-suited for protein modeling tasks. Furthermore, attention mechanisms enable models to dynamically weigh the contribution of specific residues or regions, capturing long-range interactions and allosteric effects. Nevertheless, several key challenges remain. These include the imbalance and scarcity of high-quality experimental datasets, particularly for rare or functionally significant mutations, which can lead to biased or overfitted models. Additionally, the inherently dynamic nature of proteins—their conformational flexibility and context-dependent behavior—is difficult to encode in static structural representations. Current models often rely on a single structure or average conformation, which may overlook important aspects of stability modulation. Efforts are ongoing to incorporate multi-conformational ensembles, molecular dynamics simulations, and physics-informed learning frameworks into predictive models. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the evolution of protein thermodynamic stability prediction techniques, with emphasis on the recent progress enabled by machine learning. It highlights representative datasets, modeling strategies, evaluation benchmarks, and the integration of structural and biochemical features. The aim is to provide researchers with a structured and up-to-date reference, guiding the development of more robust, generalizable, and interpretable models for predicting protein stability changes upon mutation. As the field moves forward, the synergy between data-driven AI methods and domain-specific biological knowledge will be key to unlocking deeper understanding and broader applications of protein engineering.
2.Construction of predictive model for programmed death-1 inhibitor-related endocrine adverse events
Jiaying SHI ; Wei WEI ; Ting HAN ; Xiao ZHOU ; Meng ZHUO ; Xiaolin LIN ; Tao TAO ; Xiuying XIAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(4):551-560
Objective To identify the independent predictors of programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor-related endocrine adverse events and construct a clinically usable risk prediction model. Methods A total of 302 patients with solid tumors treated with PD-1 inhibitors were retrospectively enrolled. According to the presence or absence of endocrine immune-related adverse events (irAEs), the patients were divided into case group and control group. The clinical and laboratory indexes were compared between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression was used to confirm independent predictors of endocrine irAEs. The nomogram was constructed, while the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to test the prediction performance of the model. Results The overall incidence of endocrine irAEs was 21.9% (66/302), and the incidence of hypothyroidism was 19.5% (59/302). The age, PD-1 inhibitors, free thyroxine, thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroglobulin, amylase, lymphocyte subset CD3 expression were statistically different between the two groups (P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression showed that higher expression of lymphocyte subset CD3 was a protective factor to prevent endocrine irAEs occurrence (P=0.004), while age<60 years, higher TPOAb and use of pembrolizumab were independent risk factors of endocrine irAEs (P<0.05). The nomogram model thus constructed, and when the threshold probability of the model exceeded 0.1, its net benefit was higher. ROC curve showed that the AUC of the model to predict endocrine irAEs was 0.760. The prediction result of the model was highly consistent with the actual result. Conclusions The age, type of PD-1 inhibitor, baseline TPOAb level, and baseline CD3 expression can independently predict endocrine irAEs occurrence or not. The nomogram model based on this model has good predictive efficiency, which can provide reference for early identification of high-risk patients and immunotherapy management.
3.Text analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine scientific and technological innovation policy in China based on policy tools
Yue-Ming LI ; Li-Jun ZHUO ; Jing-Jia ZHU ; Hong-Bing TAO
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2024;17(1):36-42
Objective:To analyze the key points and shortcomings of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)science and technology innovation policy in China,and to provide reference for the subsequent policy optimization.Methods:Searching for TCM science and technology innovation policy texts released at the national level since 2007,and use the two-dimensional analysis framework for quantitative analysis.Results:Among 27 policies,In the X dimension,supply-based,environmental and demand-based policy tools respectively accounted for 48.98%,39.29%and 11.73%.In the Y dimension,the proportion of scientific and technological innovation and achievement transformation was the highest(29.03%);Promoting the development of integrated Chinese and Western medicine was the least used(1.08%).Conclusion:There is a structural imbalance in the application of policy tools,the distribution difference of policy objectives is significant,and the internal policy tools'usage is imbalanced regarding policy objectives.Suggestions:Optimize the internal structure of policy tools.Meanwhile,enhance the structure of policy objectives,and facilitate the dynamic integration and application of policy tools to achieve the policy objectives of scientific and technological innovation in TCM.
4.Penile protection with a self-developed flexible sleeve penile protection device after circumcision: a prospective randomized controlled trial
Pengfei TUO ; Kewei CHEN ; Xinchen LIU ; Guodong ZHU ; Huixing HE ; Tao CAI ; Yuxuan LI ; Xun ZHAO ; Liyuan GE ; Shudong ZHANG ; Lulin MA ; Wei GUO ; Zhuo LIU
Journal of Modern Urology 2024;29(4):363-367
【Objective】 To investigate the protective effects of aflexible sleeve penile protection device on reducing postoperative pain and wound edema in patients after circumcision. 【Methods】 A total of 54 patients who underwent circumcision at Yan’an Branch of Peking University Third Hospital during Feb.1 and May 31, 2023 were enrolled.The patients were randomly divided into the experimental group and control group, with 27 patients in either groups.Patients in the experimental group were treated with a flexible sleeve penis protection device after surgery, and patients in the control group were treated with traditional gauze bandage after surgery.Postoperative pain, wound edema and complications were compared between the two groups. 【Results】 In terms of pain, the visual analogue scale of the experimental group was significantly lower at 6 hours [(1.7±0.9) vs.(3.3±1.9), P<0.001] and 2 days [(2.0±1.3) vs.(3.3±1.3), P<0.001] after surgery than that of the control group, but there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups on the 4th and 7th postoperative days (P>0.05).In terms of edema, the edema score of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group on the 2nd postoperative day [(2.0±1.0) vs.(4.0±0.8), P<0.001] , the 4th postoperative day [(1.5±1.2) vs.(2.6±0.9), P<0.001] , and the 7th postoperative day [(0.9±1.3) vs.(2.3±1.5), P<0.001] .There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P>0.05). 【Conclusion】 The flexible sleeve penile protection device has significant effects of reducing early postoperative pain and reducing edema in patients undergoing circumcision.
5.Construction and evaluation of a nomogram prognostic model for patients of prostate cancer with high tumor load bone metastases
Xin HUANG ; Yakun HOU ; Ning TAO ; Tao ZHUO ; Aihaiti RENAGULI ; Kaige ZHANG ; Miao YAO ; Hengqing AN
Journal of Modern Urology 2024;29(3):205-211
【Objective】 To identify the risk factors of patients of bone metastatic prostate cancer with high tumor load progressed to castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), establish a nomogram prediction model and evaluate its consistency and accuracy. 【Methods】 A total of 164 patients diagnosed by puncture and imaging during 2012 and 2022 were included.The general characteristics were analyzed with IBM SPSS software; the variables were screened with Cox regression; the multivariate risk factors with P<0.05 were included in the nomogram prediction model.The consistency and prediction accuracy of the model were evaluated with C-index, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration chart. 【Results】 In univariate analysis, initial prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD), Gleason score, T stage, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were correlated with CRPC (P<0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that initial PSA, Gleason score, T stage, ALP and LDH were independent risk factors of CRPC (P<0.05).Based on the above five risk factors, a nomogram prediction model was constructed.The C-index was 0.801, the area under ROC curve (AUC) of 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 0.701 (0.608-0.794), and the AUC of 2-year PFS was 0.857 (0.767-0.947).The calibration chart showed that the prediction probability of the model was in good agreement with the actual probability. 【Conclusion】 Initial PSA, Gleason score, T stage, ALP and LDH are independent risk factors of CRPC.The predictive model may be an effective tool for the initial diagnosis of high tumor load bone metastatic prostate cancer, but more data are needed for internal and external validation.
6.Study on the design of X-ray Flash-RT equipment with high power petal accelerator
Shuqing LIAO ; Xiaozhong HE ; Liu YANG ; Ruo TANG ; Tao WEI ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Jinshui SHI ; Jianjun DENG
China Medical Equipment 2024;21(1):21-23,28
Objective:To study and design one kind of flash radiotherapy(Flash-RT)equipment with ultra-high dose rate,which can be used in the mechanism research of Flash-RT with ultra-high dose rate.Methods:Based on the technique roadmap of high-power petal accelerator,the Flash-RT equipment can realize the requirement of Flash-RT for ultra-high dose rate and multiple irradiation angles.The corresponding design and research work were carried out on the basis of the overall design of the equipment,the main components and characteristics,the dynamics design of beam,the construction of movable and preliminary experimental platform,etc.Result:The dose rate of the designed equipment can reach to 100 Gy/s at a distance of 0.8 meters from the target point,which is easy to realize the radiotherapy method with multi angles.Conclusion:The designed X-ray equipment based on the technique roadmap of high-power petal accelerator can realize the research for the mechanism of medical Flash-RT equipment with ultra-high dose rate.
7.Research advance of clinical application of X-ray Flash-RT equipment
Ruo TANG ; Xiaozhong HE ; Pengfei ZHU ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Ziping HUANG ; Shuqing LIAO ; Tao WEI ; Liu YANG ; Jinshui SHI
China Medical Equipment 2024;21(1):24-28
The protection effect of flash-radiotherapy(Flash-RT)with super-high dose on normal tissue has obtained wide attention in therapeutic radiology since it was found in 2014 year.The increasing research demand of Flash-RT with super-high dose-rate proposed new challenge for the existing radiotherapy equipment.Based on the demands of FLASH-RT research and clinical application,this review analyzed the proposed new requirement of Flash-RT for equipment,and introduce current scientific facilities with the experimental ability of X-ray FLASH-RT,as well as the situation of the specialized FLASH-RT equipment which were developing.The research of Flash-RT mechanism need the existing equipment with high-energy X-ray source develop toward high power,while the clinical application of Flash-RT demand these transient high-power devices should possess a series of radiotherapy techniques such as multi angle irradiation,conformal radiotherapy and others.Currently,China's X-ray FLASH-RT research is at the forefront of the world,which is expected to achieve the first breakthrough of high-end medical equipment in the X-ray Flash RT field.
8.Relationship between initial serum testosterone levels and prognostic indicators in patients with metastatic prostate cancer
Tao ZHUO ; Hudie YANG ; Hengqing AN ; Ning TAO ; Yujie WANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2024;29(6):514-520
Objective To investigate the relationship between initial serum testosterone level and aggressive characteristics,progression and prognosis of metastatic prostate cancer(mPCa).Methods The clinical data of 302 mPCa patients diagnosed with biopsy and auxiliary examinations at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University during Aug.2010 and Aug.2022 were retrospectively analyzed,including 148 cases in the serum testosterone low level group(≤12 nmol/L)and 154 in the normal level group(>12 nmol/L).The independent risk factors associated with aggressive features were analyzed with multifactorial logistic regression,survival was determined with Kaplan-Meier method,the independent risk factors affecting progression and prognosis were identified with multifactorial Cox regression modeling,and the value of initial serum testosterone level in predicting the progression and survival was assessed with receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The low level group had a higher proportion of Gleason score ≥8,T stage>3,initial prostate-specific antigen(PSA)>200 ng/mL,high tumor load,visceral metastasis,PSA≥ 0.2 ng/mL after 6 months of treatment,and higher body mass index(BMI),but the PSA decline rate after 6 months of treatment was lower than that in the normal level group(P<0.05).Multifactorial logistic regression showed that initial serum testosterone level>12 nmol/L was a protective factor for high tumor load(OR=0.137,95%CI:0.070-0.265,P<0.001),Gleason score ≥8(OR=0.371,95%CI:0.184-0.750,P=0.006)and visceral metastasis(OR=0.337,95%CI:0.175-0.652,P=0.001).The median progression-free survival was shorter in the low level group than in the normal level group(15 months vs.20 months,P<0.001),and the median overall survival time was also shorter(45 months vs.86 months,P<0.001).Multifactorial Cox regression analysis showed that Gleason score ≥8,high tumor load,PSA value at 6 months of treatment,and PSA decline rate were independent influencing factors for progression to castration resistant prostate cancer(CRPC)(P<0.05).The risk of death in patients with high tumor load was 2.510 times higher than that of patients with low tumor load(95%CI:1.555-4.051,P<0.001).ROC curves showed that initial serum testosterone level could predict the risk of progression to CRPC(AUC:0.645)and survival(AUC:0.595).Conclusion Low level initial serum testosterone is associated with an aggressive profile and poor prognosis of mPCa,and can predict the risk of progression and survival status of mPCa patients.
9.Executive function and clinical characteristics in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and emotional dysregulation
Yanping YANG ; Sixun LI ; Meiwen WANG ; Zhuo WANG ; Pei LIU ; Tingting LUO ; Yujie TAO ; Yi HUANG
Sichuan Mental Health 2024;37(4):307-311
Background Comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)and emotional dysregulation may represent a distinct subtype of ADHD,which is characterized by an increased risk of anxiety or depressive disorder and a poor clinical prognosis,so research is urgently required to explore its unique executive functioning profile and clinical characteristics.However,there is limited research comparing the clinical symptoms and executive function in children with ADHD in terms of the presence or absence of emotional dysregulation.Objective To explore the executive function and clinical characteristics of ADHD children with emotional dysregulation.Methods From June 2020 to December 2023,118 children aged 7 to 12 with ADHD attending the Mental Health Center of West China Hospital,Sichuan University and fulfilling the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,fifth edition(DSM-5)diagnostic criteria were enrolled.Children were classified into emotional dysregulation group(n=68)and non-emotional dysregulation group(n=50)based on the standard T-scores of Achenbach's Child Behavior Checklist(CBCL)-anxious/depressed,aggressive behavior and attention problems subscales.All children were then subjected to complete the Chinese version of Swanson Nolan and Pelham,Version IV Scale-parent form(SNAP-IV),Chinese Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children(C-WISC),Weiss Functional Impairment Scale-Parent form(WFIRS-P)and 4 tests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery(CANTAB):①Stockings of Cambridge(SOC)testing spatial planning.②Intradimensional-extradimensional Set Shifting(IED)testing cognitive/attentional flexibility,adjusting the total errors across the task.③Spatial Working Memory(SWM)testing spatial working memory.④Rapid Visual Information Processing(RVP)testing sustained attention.Results The SNAP-IV Inattention,Hyperactivity/Impulsivity and Oppositional Defiant Disorder domain scores and total score were all higher in emotional dysregulation group compared with non-emotional dysregulation group(t=3.206,5.088,6.316,6.553,P<0.01).The WFIRS-P family,school learning,life skills,self-concept,social activities and risky activities domain scores and total score were all higher in emotional dysregulation group compared with non-emotional dysregulation group(t=6.074,4.406,4.143,3.984,6.575,6.662,8.254,P<0.01).In CANTAB,emotional dysregulation group made more total adjusted errors across the IED task compared with non-emotional dysregulation group(t=2.168,P<0.05).Conclusion Children with ADHD who exhibit emotional dysregulation have been observed to experience more severe core symptoms,impaired social functioning and poorer performance on tests assessing executive function,particularly in the area of cognitive flexibility.
10.Propensity score matching analysis of the short-term efficacy of Kamikawa versus double- tract reconstruction in laparoscopic proximal gastric cancer surgery
Haicheng YANG ; Jiaxing HE ; Ying YANG ; Zhuo HAN ; Bo ZHANG ; Shuai ZHOU ; Tao WU ; Qing QIAO ; Xianli HE ; Nan WANG
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(3):261-267
Objective:To compare the short-term efficacy of Kamikawa anastomosis and double-tract reconstruction (DTR) after proximal gastrectomy.Methods:This was a propensity score matched, retrospective, cohort study. Inclusion criteria comprised age 20–70 years, diagnosis of gastric cancer by pathological examination of preoperative endoscopic biopsies, tumor diameter ≤4 cm, and location in the upper 1/3 of the stomach (including the gastroesophageal junction), and TNM stage IA, IB, or IIA. The study cohort comprised 73 patients who had undergone laparoscopic proximal gastric cancer radical surgery in the Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University between June 2020 and February 2023, 19 of whom were in the Kamikawa group and 54 in the DTR group. After using R language to match the baseline characteristics of patients in a ratio of 1:2, there were 17 patients in the Kamikawa group and 34 in the DTR group. Surgery-related conditions, postoperative quality of life, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results:After propensity score matching, there were no statistically significant differences in baseline data between the two groups ( P>0.05). Compared with the DTR group, the Kamikawa group had longer operative times (321.5±15.7 minutes vs. 296.8±26.1 minutes, t=32.056, P<0.001), longer anastomosis times (93.0±6.8 minutes vs. 45.3±7.7 minutes, t=56.303, P<0.001), and less bleeding (76 [54~103] mL vs.112 [82~148) mL, Z=71.536, P<0.001); these differences are statistically significant. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in tumor size, time to first postoperative passage of gas, postoperative hospital stay, number of lymph nodes removed, duration of lymph node dissection, or total hospitalization cost (all P>0.05). The median follow-up time was 6.1 ± 1.8 months. As to postoperative quality of life, the Kamikawa group had a lower rate of upper gastrointestinal contrast reflux than did the DTR group (0 vs. 29.4% [10/34], χ 2=6.220, P=0.013); this difference is statistically significant. However, differences between the two groups in quality of life score on follow-up of 3 months and 6 months on the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) scale were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications was 2/17 in the Kamikawa group, which is significantly lower than the 41.2% (14/34) in the DTR group (χ 2=4.554, P=0.033). Conclusion:Kamikawa anastomosis and DTR are equally safe and effective procedures for reconstructing the digestive tract after proximal gastric surgery. Although Kamikawa anastomosis takes slightly longer and places higher demands on the surgical team, it is more effective at preventing postoperative reflux.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail