Intelligent prescription recommendation has become an important research direction in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), offering new opportunities to support clinical decision-making and promote the modernization of TCM practice. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), a variety of computational approaches have been proposed to learn prescription patterns from clinical data and generate personalized treatment recommendations. However, despite increasing research activity, systematic and comprehensive reviews of AI-driven methods for TCM prescription recommendation remain limited. In this study, we present a comprehensive review of computational approaches for herbal prescription recommendation (HPR) in TCM. Existing methods are systematically categorized into several major paradigms, including traditional machine learning methods, topic model methods, sequential generative methods, deep learning and graph-based methods, and large language model–based frameworks. In addition to summarizing methodological developments, we also review commonly used public datasets and evaluation metrics in this field. Furthermore, representative models with publicly available implementations are experimentally evaluated on multiple benchmark datasets to provide a comparative analysis of their performance on the HPR task. Finally, we discuss the key challenges that hinder the practical deployment of intelligent prescription recommendation systems, including data heterogeneity, limited interpretability, and insufficient integration of TCM domain knowledge. Future research directions are outlined to facilitate the development of more reliable, interpretable, and clinically applicable AI-assisted HPR systems for TCM.

Tumor-associated neutrophils(TAN)are key components of the tumor microenvironment(TME)that exert dual regulatory roles in tumor progression through highly heterogeneous functional phenotypes.This review systematically addresses the dynamic balance of TAN in pro-tumor and anti-tumor mechanisms:TAN can directly kill tumor cells or collaborate with immune cells to activate anti-tumor re-sponses;however,in contrast,they can accelerate tumor progression by promoting angiogenesis,remodeling the extracellular matrix,and mediating immune evasion.Studies have shown that the functional heterogeneity of TAN is precisely regulated by multiple signaling net-works within the TME,and that the plasticity transformation of different subsets directly influences tumor progression.In-depth analyses of TAN subset characteristics,transformation mechanisms,and their clinical relevance will provide a theoretical basis for the development of inhibitors targeting pro-tumor neutrophils as well as advance the establishment of precise patient selection strategies for TAN subtype-based immunotherapy.

Tumor-associated neutrophils(TAN)are key components of the tumor microenvironment(TME)that exert dual regulatory roles in tumor progression through highly heterogeneous functional phenotypes.This review systematically addresses the dynamic balance of TAN in pro-tumor and anti-tumor mechanisms:TAN can directly kill tumor cells or collaborate with immune cells to activate anti-tumor re-sponses;however,in contrast,they can accelerate tumor progression by promoting angiogenesis,remodeling the extracellular matrix,and mediating immune evasion.Studies have shown that the functional heterogeneity of TAN is precisely regulated by multiple signaling net-works within the TME,and that the plasticity transformation of different subsets directly influences tumor progression.In-depth analyses of TAN subset characteristics,transformation mechanisms,and their clinical relevance will provide a theoretical basis for the development of inhibitors targeting pro-tumor neutrophils as well as advance the establishment of precise patient selection strategies for TAN subtype-based immunotherapy.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the intervention effect and potential mechanism of breviscapine on hepatic fibrosis （HF） in rats based on the transforming growth factor-β（1 TGF-β1）/Smad2/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1（ERK1） and Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1（Keap1）/nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2（Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1（HO-1） pathways. METHODS Totally 60 rats were randomly divided into normal control group， model group， breviscapine low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （5.4， 10.8， 21.6 mg/kg）， and colchicine group （positive control， 0.45 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group， half male and half female. Except for the normal control group， HF model of the other groups was induced by carbon tetrachloride. Subsequently， each drug group was given corresponding medicine by gavage once a day for 28 days. The liver appearance of rats in each group was observed and their liver coefficients were calculated. The levels of alanineaminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST）in serum， those of ALT， AST， superoxide dismutase （SOD），malondialdehyde （MDA） and glutathione peroxidase （GSH- Px） in liver tissue were detected. The liver tissue inflammatory and fibrotic changes were observed. The protein and mRNA expressions of TGF-β1， Smad2， ERK1， Nrf2， Keap1 and HO-in liver tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with the normal control group， the model group showed large areas of white nodular lesions in the liver， obvious inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fiber deposition. The body weight， the levels of SOD and GSH-Px in liver tissue， the protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly lowered in the model group （P＜0.05）； the liver coefficient， the percentage of Masson staining positive area， ALT and AST levels of serum and liver tissue， MDA level of liver tissue， the protein and mRNA expressions of TGF-β1， Smad2， ERK1 and Keap1 were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the liver lesions of rats in each drug group were improved， and the above quantitative indexes were generally reversed （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Breviscapine has a good intervention effect on HF rats， which may be related to inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad2/ERK1 pathway for anti-fibrosis and regulating Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to inhibit oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of bipolar-plasmakinetic transurethral enucleation and resection of the prostate (B-TUERP) in day surgery. METHODS: From January 2021 to August 2022, 34 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) underwent B-TUERP in day surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. Patients completed the screening and anesthesia evaluation before admission and received the standard surgery which implements "anatomical enucleation of the prostate" and "absolute bleeding control" on the same day of admission, and by the same doctor. Bladder irrigation was stopped, catheter was removed and the discharge evaluation was performed on the first day after operation. The baseline data, perioperative conditions, time of recovery, treatment outcomes, hospitalization costs, and postoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: All operations were successfully conducted. The average age of the patients was (62.2±7.8) years, average prostate volume was (50.2±29.3) mL. The average operation time was (36.5±19.1) min, the average hemoglobin and blood sodium were decreased by (16.2±7.1) g/L and (2.2±2.0) mmol/L, respectively. The average postoperative length of hospital stay, and total length of hospital stay were (17.7±2.2) and (20.8±2.1) h, respectively, and the average hospitalization cost was (13 558±2320) CNY. All patients were discharged on the day after surgery except for one patient who was transferred to a general ward. Three patients received indwelling catheterization after catheter removal. The 3-month follow-up results showed a substantial improvement in the International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life score and maximum urinary flow rate (all P<0.01). Three patients experienced temporary urinary incontinence, 1 patient experienced urinary tract infection, 4 patients were diagnosed with urethral stricture and 2 patients experienced bladder neck contracture. No complications above Clavien grade Ⅱ occurred. CONCLUSIONS The preliminary results showed that B-TUERP ambulatory surgery is a safe, feasible, economical and effective treatment for appropriately selected patients with BPH.
Male ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Prostate/surgery* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia/surgery* ; Ambulatory Surgical Procedures ; Quality of Life ; Feasibility Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To investigate the characters and emergency treatment strategy of upper urinary tract stone obstruction complicated with urosepsis.Methods:Clinical data of 28 cases of urosepsis, caused by upper urinary tract stone obstruction and arranged for emergency admission in our hospital during January 2018 to December 2019, were retrospectively analyzed. There were 6 males and 22 females. The median age was 54(32-93)years old. All patients had fever with the temperature ranged from 38.5 to 41.0 ℃. The median course of disease was 3 (ranging 1-14) days. The systolic blood pressure ranged from 76 to 138 mmHg at admission. Hypotension group was defined as the systolic blood pressure<90 mmHg after admission. Normotensive group was defined as the systolic blood pressure≥90 mmHg. There were 12 cases in hypotension group, including 3 males and 9 females. The median age was 57 (ranging 32-93) years old. The stones located at left side in 7 cases and right side in 5 cases. The stones located at the upper ureter in 5 cases, middle ureter in 2 cases, lower ureter in 4 cases and renal calculi in one case. The median length of the stone was 10 (ranging 6-20) mm. Six cases suffered with diabetes mellitus. One case suffered with neuron system disease. 3 cases have history of recent extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL). There were 16 cases in normotensive group, including 3 males and 13 females with the median age of 53 (ranging 33-76) years old. The stones located at left side in 5 cases, right side in 9 cases and bilateral in 2 cases. The stones located at the upper ureter in 10 cases, middle ureter in 4 cases, lower ureter in 2 cases. The length of the stone was 10 (ranging 8-14) mm. There were 3 cases with neurological diseases and 3 cases with recent ESWL history. There was significant difference between hypotension group and normotensive group in ration of diabetes mellitus ( P=0.024). Blood routine examination, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin(PCT), blood and urine bacterial culture were performed in both groups. The patients were treated with empiric antibiotics after the evaluation based on the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA). Patients with hypotension were given blood volume expansion, and vasoactive drugs were added when the blood pressure was still low. After the blood pressure was stable, the collection system decompression was performed. The difference of infection indicators and therapeutic methods between the two groups was compared. Results:There was no significant difference in median WBC [16.34 (2.55-41.65) × 10 9/L vs. 13.97(6.23-26.65) × 10 9/L, P=0.577], median CRP [143.0(74.2-200.0) ng/ml vs.110.0 (22.7-200.0) ng/ml, P=0.771] between hypotension group and normotensive group. The difference of PCT [95.5 (26.5-200.0) ng / ml vs. 57.6 (1.0-200.0) ng / ml, P=0.040] and PLT [65.5(14.0-170.0)×10 9/L vs. 73.0(17.0-412.0)×10 9/L, P=0.030] between hypotension group and normotensive group was statistically significant. The median SOFA scores of hypotension group and normotensive group were significantly different [8.5(3.0-13.0) vs. 5.0(2.0-8.0), P=0.001]. Ureteral stent placement was performed in 23 cases, and nephrostomy was performed in 5 cases. There was no significant difference in surgical drainage between the two groups ( P=0.887). Eight patients in hypotension group were admitted to ICU. There was no significant difference in the duration of antibiotic use between hypotension group and normotensive group [8 (3-12) d vs. 5 (3-7) d, P=0.453]. Sepsis was cured in both groups after decompression, fluid resuscitation and antibiotic treatment. Conclusions:In severe cases of upper urinary tract stone obstruction complicated with urogenic sepsis, septic shock may occur. The condition is urgent, severe and dangerous. Patients with hypotension had higher PCT and SOFA scores, and lower PLT. It is very important to carry out the collection system decompression drainage in time, liquid resuscitation, early effective antibiotic use.

Objective: To assess the superiority of ⁹⁹Tc^m-3SPboroxime (⁹⁹Tc^m-3SP for short) as a fast-myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) tracer in normal and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) mini-swine. Methods: ⁹⁹Tc^m-3SP and ⁹⁹Tc^m-Teboroxime (⁹⁹Tc^m-TEBO for short) were prepared. Approximately 370 MBq ⁹⁹Tc^m-3SP or ⁹⁹Tc^m-TEBO was injected intravenously in 2 healthy mini-swine separately. Dynamic planar images were acquired immediately after injection and continued for 20 min using a standard SPECT camera. The radioactivity uptakes in the heart, liver, and lungs were measured, and heart/liver and heart/lung ratios over time were calculated. Dynamic SPECT studies were performed in 4 normal swine and 1 AMI-swine using cadmium zinc telluride-SPECT (CZT-SPECT). List mode acquisitions were immediately started and continued for 15 min after intravenous injection of approximately 370 MBq ⁹⁹Tc^m-TEBO and ⁹⁹Tc^m-3SP. The injection of two radiotracers in the same swine was completed within 2 d. The radioactivity uptakes in heart and liver were measured, and heart/liver ratio was calculated. Image quality was also evaluated. Paired t test was used to analyze the data. Results: The radiochemical purity of ⁹⁹Tc^m-TEBO or ⁹⁹Tc^m-3SP were both above 95%. The initial heart uptake of ⁹⁹Tc^m-3SP was very close to that of ⁹⁹Tc^m-TEBO (planar image, 2 min postinjection: 309.32×10³ vs 314.13×10³ counts/MBq; SPECT image, 2 min postinjection (corrected): 7.96±0.87 vs 8.24±1.53, t=0.277, P>0.05), but the myocardial retention time was much longer than that of ⁹⁹Tc^m-TEBO (planar image, 20 min postinjection: 218.67×10³ vs 143.19×10³ counts/MBq; SPECT image, 15 min postinjection (corrected): 6.76±0.45 vs 5.06±0.33, t=-12.412, P=0.001). The uptake of liver and heart/liver ratio between ⁹⁹Tc^m-TEBO and ⁹⁹Tc^m-3SP were similar (t values: -1.332-1.101, all P>0.05 within 15 min). SPECT MPI images demonstrated uniform tracer distribution with clearly visualizable myocardial boundary in normal myocardium and intense perfusion defect in infarct myocardium. High quality SPECT images could be obtained in any of the 5 min imaging windows over the first 15 min after injection of ⁹⁹Tc^m-3SP in normal swine and AMI-swine. Conclusion ⁹⁹Tc^m-3SP is a promising ⁹⁹Tc^m-labeled radiotracer for fast-MPI considering its high heart uptake, long myocardial retention time (20 min postinjection) and superior SPECT image quality.

Objective: To assess the impact of viable myocardium in left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) and ventricular arrhythmia on prognosis of LVA patients.
Methods: A total of one hundred and sixty LVA patients who received99Tcm-MIBI SPECT and18F-FDG PET were enrolled, including 139 male and 21 female with the mean age of (58 ± 10) years.There were 42 (26.3%) patients combining ventricular arrhythmia. LVEDV, LVESV and LVEF were detected. Semi-quantitative analysis of myocardium perfusion imaging was conducted, viable myocardium in aneurysm was deifned as the perfusion-metabolism mismatch score (MMS) ≥ 2.0. According to myocardium viability, the patients were divided into 2 groups: No viability group,n=97 and With viability group,n=63;based on ventricular arrhythmia, the patients were divided into another 4 groups: Group①, viability-, ventricular arrhythmia-, n=68, Group②, viability-, ventricular arrhythmias+,n=29, Group③, viability+, ventricular arrhythmias-,n=50 and Group④, viability+,ventricular arrhythmias+,n=13. The average follow-up time was (50 ± 7) months, the end point was cardiac death. The survival curve was obtained by Kaplan-Meier method and survival rates were compared by Log-rank analysis.
Results: The mean LVEF in 160 patients was (34 ± 11) %, cardiac death occurred in 19 (11.9%) patients. Long-term survival rates in Groups①,② and③ were 94.1%, 89.7% and 86.0%, respectively,P>0.05; while in Group④, the survival rate was 61.5%, which was lower than the other 3 groups,P=0.004. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that female (HR=5.101, 95% CI 1.853-14.044, P=0.002), GPET-ESV (HR=1.009, 95% CI 1.002-1.015,P=0.013), interaction between MMS and ventricular arrhythmia (HR=1.368, 95%CI 1.113-1.681,P=0.003) were independent risk factors for cardiac death;while surgical treatment (HR=0.199, 95% CI 0.054-0.742,P=0.016) could decrease the risk of cardiac death.
Conclusion: Patients with viable aneurysm and ventricular arrhythmia had poor long-term prognosis; while early and active treatment is needed for them (surgery with anti-arrhythmic therapy).

Objective To evaluate the effect of prosthetic rehabilitation and analyze the exercise training program with myoelectric signal for upper limb stumps.Methods Twenty canes with 22 upper limb stumps were treated with exercise for strength training,muscle contraction and control training and the complication of stump were managed.The myoelectrlc signal of upper limb stumps were detected and the stumps were trained with electronic biofeedback software system,including basic signal of biofeedback training and visual biofeedback training.Then the myoelectric prostheses were assembled.Results After prosthetic rehabilitation and myoelectfic signal training,there Wan no significant atrophy of muscle of stumps,muscle strength and range of motion of these twenty limb stumps increased.The amputees could control muscle contraction and grasp,pinch,wrist rotation,elbow extension or flexion consciously.Twenty myoelectrie prostheses were assembled.Conclusion The prosthetic rehabilitation and myoelectric signal training of limb stump is important for assembling myoelectric prosthesis.