1.Explainable Machine Learning Model for Predicting Prognosis in Patients with Malignant Tumors Complicated by Acute Respiratory Failure: Based on the eICU Collaborative Research Database in the United States
Zihan NAN ; Linan HAN ; Suwei LI ; Ziyi ZHU ; Qinqin ZHU ; Yan DUAN ; Xiaoting WANG ; Lixia LIU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):98-108
To develop and validate a model for predicting intensive care unit (ICU) mortality risk in patients with malignant tumors complicated by acute respiratory failure (ARF) based on an explainable machine learning framework. Clinical data of patients with malignant tumors and ARF were extracted from the eICU Collaborative Research Database in the United States, including demographic characteristics, comorbidities, vital signs, laboratory test indicators, and major interventions within the first 24 hours after ICU admission.The study outcome was ICU death.Enrolled patients were randomly divided into a training set and a validation set at a ratio of 7:3.Predictor variables were selected using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression.Five machine learning algorithms-extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), support vector machine (SVM), Logistic regression, multilayer perceptron (MLP), and C5.0 Decision Tree-were employed to construct predictive models.Model performance was evaluated based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and other metrics.The optimal model was further interpreted using the Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) algorithm. A total of 3196 patients with malignant tumors complicated by ARF were included.The training set comprised 2, 261 patients and the validation set 935 patients; 683 patients died during ICU stay, while 2513 survived.LASSO regression ultimately selected 12 variables closely associated with patient ICU outcomes, including sepsis comorbidity, use of vasoactive drugs, and within the first 24 hours after ICU admission: minimum mean arterial pressure, maximum heart rate, maximum respiratory rate, minimum oxygen saturation, minimum serum bicarbonate, minimum blood urea nitrogen, maximum white blood cell count, maximum mean corpuscular volume, maximum serum potassium, and maximum blood glucose.After model evaluation, the XGBoost model demonstrated the best performance.The AUCs for predicting ICU mortality risk in the training and validation sets were 0.940 and 0.763, respectively; accuracy was 88.3% and 81.2%;sensitivity was 98.5% and 95.9%.Its predictive performance also remained optimal in sensitivity analyses.SHAP analysis indicated that the top five variables contributing to the model's predictions were minimum oxygen saturation, minimum serum bicarbonate, minimum mean arterial pressure, use of vasoactive drugs, and maximum white blood cell count. This study successfully developed a mortality risk prediction model for ICU patients with malignant tumors complicated by ARF based on a large-scale dataset and performed explainability analysis.The model aids clinicians in early identification of high-risk patients and implementing individualized interventions.
2.Retrospective analysis of leukopenia in apheresis platelet donors
Xiaomei JIE ; Jingyi CAI ; Ziyi HE ; Yatao FEI ; Yingmei LIANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(1):90-96
Objective: To analyze the causes and distribution characteristics of leukopenia in apheresis platelet donors, and to formulate effective pre-donation intervention measures. Methods: The data of apheresis platelet donors with leukopenia in Dongguan Central Blood Station during the entire year of 2021 were collected. Combined with the results of peripheral blood smear examination, the related factors that may cause leukopenia were analyzed. Results: There were 57 apheresis platelet donors with leukopenia in peripheral blood, with an incidence of 1.53% (57/3 726). The rate of leukopenia showed no significant difference between male and female apheresis platelet donors (χ
=0.627, P>0.05), and was not related to the frequency of platelet donation (χ
=1.48, P>0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences in the rate of leukopenia across seasons (χ
=10.13, P<0.05), highly significant differences among different age groups (χ
=22.98, P<0.001), and a significant association with the number of apheresis platelet donations (χ
=7.80, P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (36-55 years old), number of donations (≥26 times), and season (first and fourth quarters) were independent risk factors for leukopenia in apheresis platelet donors, while gender had no significant independent effect on leukopenia. Peripheral blood smear examination was performed on all apheresis platelet donors with leukopenia, and primary malignant hematological diseases infiltrated into peripheral blood were excluded. Among them, two cases of peripheral blood smear showed left shift of granulocyte nucleus with increased and thickened granules, whereas the other 55 cases only showed decreased peripheral blood nucleated cell counts without obvious morphological abnormalities. Conclusion: Leukopenia in apheresis platelet donors mainly occurred in young and middle-aged people and those with ≥26 donations, with high incidence in winter and spring, and more common in males. Blood routine examination combined with blood smear examination can facilitate the detection of conditions that are not suitable for blood donation, including hematological malignant diseases and infection-related leukopenia. Strengthening health consultation before blood donation is an important measure to identify blood donors with leukopenia.
3.Intervention Strategies for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction Using Combined Classical Formulas Based on the Theory of "Disease of Both Blood and Water"
Yuzhi JIA ; Qingyong HE ; Jie WANG ; Xin ZHAO ; Ziyi WANG ; Dongmei LI ; Junqiao AN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):370-374
Based on the theory of "disease of both blood and water" in Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (《金匮要略》), and in combination with the dynamic syndrome evolution of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), this paper systematically clarifies the pathomechanism of HFpEF, characterized by yang deficiency as the root, blood stasis as the pivotal factor and water retention as the manifestation. Accordingly, the therapeutic principles have been proposed, which are warming yang and banking up original qi to consolidate the root, activating blood and unblocking collaterals to smooth the mechanism, and promoting urination and regulating pivot to remove the branch. On this basis, a compound formula structure of "one monarch, one minister and one assistant" is established, forming an integrated intervention strategy that synergistically combines the three methods of warming yang, activating blood, and promoting urination through combined classical formulas. Zhenwu Decoction (真武汤), which warms yang and dissolves rheum, is used to consolidate the root and directly target the source of yang deficiency, serving as the monarch; Guizhi Fuling Pills (桂枝茯苓丸), which activates blood, promotes urination and unblocks the pivot, assists in interrupting the binding of blood stasis and water retention, serving as the minister; Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction (葶苈大枣泻肺汤), which regulates qi, disperses retained fluids, and eliminates the manifestation, alleviates acute water-retention symptoms, serving as the assistant. This compound formula is warming without being drying, diuretic without being drastic, and dispels stasis without consuming blood, thereby achieving the therapeutic effects of warming yang, activating blood, and promoting urination.
4.Research Advances in Construction Methods and Novel Technologies for Animal Models of Pulmonary Hypertension
Ziyi CHEN ; Hongyan SUN ; Pinfang KANG ; Wenjuan WU
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(1):81-93
Pulmonary hypertension (PH), marked by sustained elevation of pulmonary artery pressure, imposes a heavy burden on the right ventricle and may culminate in right heart failure. Its pathogenesis is multifaceted, encompassing endothelial dysfunction, vascular smooth muscle proliferation, inflammation, thrombosis, and genetic factors. Animal models serve as core tools for exploring PH mechanisms and therapies, each with unique strengths and limitations. The single-dose monocrotaline (MCT) model is one of the most commonly used experimental animal models of PH and is widely applied in mechanistic studies, drug screening, and efficacy evaluation; it offers simplicity and cost-effectiveness, can induce PH within a short period, yet its pathophysiology differs to some extent from human idiopathic PH. In contrast, the Sugen5416 combined with chronic hypoxia model better mimics PH progression by placing animals under hypoxic conditions to induce pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling, but it requires a longer modelling time, and the degree of hypoxia has a substantial impact on experimental outcomes. Beyond these two commonly used modeling approaches, a variety of emerging techniques have been applied in PH research; gene-editing technologies enable precise investigation of specific gene functions in PH. Additionally, induced pluripotent stem cell-based 3D organoid technology allows for individualized modelling while preserving patients' genetic information for precise clinical translation. Each model or technology can simulate different aspects of the pathological processes of human PH, and their findings provide key insights into the nature of the disease and serve as an important platform for the development of novel therapeutic targets. This paper comprehensively describes various animal models and emerging technologies used in PH research, analyzing their characteristics, applications, and limitations, with the aim of providing experimental and technical support for the development of new therapeutic strategies and drugs.
5.Study on the measurable and traceable standards of quality markers for Compound xiebai capsules
Yueheng LIU ; Guoliang DAI ; Xuewen SHAO ; Ziyi YANG ; Wenzheng JU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(4):444-449
OBJECTIVE To explore and predict the quality markers (Q-markers) of Compound xiebai capsules for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by constituents analysis combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking studies, and to establish the quality standard of Compound xiebai capsules. METHODS UHPLC-TOF-MS was used for qualitative analysis of Compound xiebai capsules, and the candidate Q-markers of Compound xiebai capsules were screened by combining network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Further, HPLC was applied to establish the fingerprints of 15 batches of Compound xiebai capsules and to conduct quantitative analysis of the main components. RESULTS A total of 51 components were identified from Compound xiebai capsules. Among them, 15 components, namely oxyberberine, methylworenine, coptisine, tetrahydroberberine, epiberberine, berberine, magnoflorine, gandensin, cucurbitacin D, hydroxygenkwan, jatrorrhizine, columbamine, quercetin, cucurbitacin R, and palmatine, were determined as the candidate Q-markers for Compound xiebai capsules in the treatment of COPD. A total of 13 common peaks were calibrated in the fingerprints of 15 batches of Compound xiebai capsules for COPD treatment, with similarity values ranging from 0.976 to 0.999 compared to the reference fingerprint. Seven components were identified among these peaks, namely peak 5 (magnoflorine), peak 8 (jatrorrhizine), peak 9 (epiberberine), peak 10 (columbamine), peak 11 (coptisine), peak 12 (palmatine), and peak 13 (berberine). Their respective contents were (0.267±0.048), (0.453±0.084), (0.572±0.160), (0.392±0.074), (1.076±0.273), (1.477±0.271), and (6.664±1.249) mg/g ( n =3). CONCLUSIONS This study predicted 15 candidate Q-markers of Compound xiebai capsules in the treatment of COPD and established the fingerprint along with a quantitative determination method for seven major components.
6.Association between urinary levels of six per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances in early pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus
Ziyi LIU ; Luming YAN ; Tingting JIANG ; Yaling LI ; Chao ZHANG ; Jiahu HAO
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(2):174-181
Background Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can influence gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); however, current studies on their association are limited and have yielded inconsistent findings. Objective To investigate the association between maternal exposure to PFAS, as measured by urinary concentrations in early pregnancy, and the risk of developing GDM. Methods Based on the Wuhu Birth Cohort in Anhui Province conducted between 2020 and 2023, this study included
7.Diagnostic and Treatment Approach to Coronary Microvascular Disease from the Perspective of "Disharmony of Blood Collaterals and Dysfunction of Qi Transformation"
Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Jianguo LIN ; Xiaoning SUN ; Ziyi SUN ; Tong TONG ; Wenqian ZUO ; Zeqi WANG ; Kuiwu YAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):755-759
The study explores the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostic and treatment approach to coronary microvascular disease (CMVD) from the perspective of "disharmony of blood collaterals and dysfunction of qi transformation". It is proposed that the core pathogenesis of CMVD lies in these two mechanisms. From an integrative medicine perspective, different CMVD types are analyzed based on their specific pathogenesis. Through clinical practice, four targeted treatment methods, i.e. warming, unblocking, tonifying, and activating, are formulated. CMVD caused by atherosclerosis is primarily associated with myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, and coronary revascularization, with corresponding pathological mechanisms of latent pathogenic obstruction, toxic accumulation in the collaterals, and deficiency with collateral stasis. The disease progression exhibits characteristics of correlation, staging, and transformation. Accordingly, treatment principles include warming to assist qi transformation, unblocking obstruction and dispelling turbidity, activating to disperse toxic stasis and invigorate collaterals, and tonifying to eliminate stasis and nourish collaterals. For CMVD unrelated to atherosclerosis, attention should be paid to the underlying disease, analyzing the main syndromes of blood and collateral disharmony. An approach combining disease-syndrome differentiation with blood and collateral regulation is emphasized for precise treatment.
8.Association of latent profiles of mobile phone dependence and self control with physical exercise among junior high school students
YAN Chuqi, ZHANG Tiancheng, ZHANG Fulan, WANG Aolun, PENG Jinyin, CHEN Ziyi, LUO Xiangyu
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(3):391-395
Objective:
To explore the association of latent profiles of mobile phone dependence and self control with physical exercise among junior high school students, so as to provide references for the prevention of mobile phone dependence and the improvement of self control among junior high school students.
Methods:
From April to May 2024, a stratified random cluster sampling method was used to select a total of 2 311 students from grade 7 to grade 9 in three public junior high schools in Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province. Latent profile analysis was conducted to identify the latent profiles of mobile phone dependence and self control among junior high school students. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between mobile phone dependence and self control, and Chi square test was used to analyze the distribution differences of latent profiles of adolescents across different demographic characteristics. Multiple Logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the association between mobile phone dependence, self control, and physical exercise.
Results:
Four latent profiles of mobile phone dependence and self control were identified: low dependence-moderate self control group ( n =885, 38.3%), moderate dependence-low self control group ( n =910, 39.4%), high dependence-no self control group ( n =232, 10.0%), and no dependence-high self control group ( n =284, 12.3%). Significant differences were observed in the distribution of latent profiles across gender, grade and only child status ( χ 2=10.85, 35.72, 13.85, P <0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that, after controlling for demographic variables, compared with the low dependence-moderate self control group, physical exercise was negatively associated with the moderate dependence-low self control group ( OR =0.79) and the high dependence-no self control group ( OR =0.81), while positively associated with the no dependence-high self control group ( OR =1.58) ( P <0.01).
Conclusions
The influence of physical exercise on junior high school students different potential profile types of mobile phone dependence and self control is different. Schools and families should adopt targeted physical exercise interventions based on the characteristics of different profiles to promote the physical and mental health of junior high school students.
9.Research Strategies for the Traditional Chinese Medicine Pathomechanism Syndrome Differentiation System from the Perspective of Systems Thinking
Ziyi ZHOU ; Zhe FENG ; Xueping ZHOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(8):765-768
Given the limitations of traditional scientific research methods in revealing the complex and dynamic evolution of disease pathomechanisms, this paper analyzes the current state and challenges of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pathomechanism syndrome differentiation system within the framework of systems thinking. The challenges include insufficient experimental models, low data standardization, complex nonlinear characteristics, and difficulties in integrating expert experience. By leveraging qualitative-quantitative comprehensive integration methods, this paper proposes specific research strategies, including constructing qualitative models of pathomechanism evolution, employing mathematical models for validation and quantitative analysis to reveal pathomechanism patterns, and incorporating a "human-centered" approach to achieve human-machine collaboration. These strategies aim to provide insights for the modernization and development of a new TCM pathomechanism syndrome differentiation system.
10.Improvement of myocardial injury by traditional Chinese medicine:mitochondrial calcium homeostasis mediates macrophage autophagy and pyroptosis pathway
Lingyun LIU ; Guixin HE ; Weibin QIN ; Hui SONG ; Liwen ZHANG ; Weizhi TANG ; Feifei YANG ; Ziyi ZHU ; Yangbin OU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1276-1284
BACKGROUND:The repair process of myocardial injury involves complex cellular and molecular mechanisms,especially mitochondrial calcium homeostasis,macrophage autophagy and pyroptosis pathways.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has shown significant clinical efficacy in improving myocardial injury,but its mechanism of action needs to be thoroughly investigated. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis-mediated macrophage autophagy and pyroptosis pathways in myocardial injury,and to summarize the progress of TCM in this field. METHODS:A computerized search was performed for relevant literature from the database inception to March 2024 in the Web of Science,PubMed and CNKI.The search terms were"mitochondrial calcium homeostasis,macrophage autophagy,macrophage pyroptosis,traditional Chinese medicine,myocardial injury,myocardial injury reperfusion"in Chinese and English.Through literature review,we analyzed the relationship between mitochondrial calcium homeostasis and macrophage autophagy and pyroptosis,explored the mechanism of their roles in myocardial injury,and summarized the pathways of multi-targeted,multi-pathway effects of TCM. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The maintenance of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis has been found to be closely related to the normal function of cardiomyocytes.Macrophages can participate in the repair process of myocardial injury through autophagy and pyroptosis pathways.Autophagy contributes to cell clearance and regulation of inflammatory response,while pyroptosis affects myocardial repair by releasing inflammatory factors.TCM regulates mitochondrial calcium homeostasis and macrophage function through multiple mechanisms.For example,astragalosid regulates calcium homeostasis by lowering mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibiting cytochrome C,and epimedium glycoside plays a role in reducing β-amyloid deposition.In addition,herbal compounds and single drugs promote myocardial repair by activating or inhibiting specific signaling pathways,such as PI3K/AKT and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways.Future studies should focus on the interactions between mitochondrial calcium homeostasis,autophagy and pyroptosis pathways,as well as how TCM can exert therapeutic effects through these pathways to provide new strategies and drugs for the treatment of myocardial injury.


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