1.Comparison of small-sample multi-class machine learning models for plasma concentration prediction of valproic acid
Xi CHEN ; Shen’ao YUAN ; Hailing YUAN ; Jie ZHAO ; Peng CHEN ; Chunyan TIAN ; Yi SU ; Yunsong ZHANG ; Yu ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(11):1399-1404
OBJECTIVE To construct three-class (insufficient, normal, excessive) and two-class (insufficient, normal) models for predicting plasma concentration of valproic acid (VPA), and compare the performance of these two models, with the aim of providing a reference for formulating clinical medication strategies. METHODS The clinical data of 480 patients who received VPA treatment and underwent blood concentration test at the Xi’an International Medical Center Hospital were collected from November 2022 to September 2024 (a total of 695 sets of data). In this study, predictive models were constructed for target variables of three-class and two-class models. Feature ranking and selection were carried out using XGBoost scores. Twelve different machine learning algorithms were used for training and validation, and the performance of the models was evaluated using three indexes: accuracy, F1 score, and the area under the working characteristic curve of the subject (AUC). RESULTS XGBoost feature importance scores revealed that in the three-class model, the importance ranking of kidney disease and electrolyte disorders was higher. However, in the two-class model, the importance ranking of these features significantly decreased, suggesting a close association with the excessive blood concentration of VPA. In the three-class model, Random Forest method performed best, with F1 score of 0.704 0 and AUC of 0.519 3 on the test set; while in the two-class model, CatBoost method performed optimally, with F1 score of 0.785 7 and AUC of 0.819 5 on the test set. CONCLUSIONS The constructed three-class model has the ability to predict excessive VPA blood concentration, but its prediction and model generalization abilities are poor; the constructed two-class model can only perform classification prediction for insufficient and normal blood concentration cases, but its model performance is stronger.
2.Association of serum alanine aminotransferase level with left ventricular hypertrophy in adolescents
JIA Peng, ZHAO Min, SUN Jiahong, XI Bo
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(8):1180-1184
Objective:
To investigate the association of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in adolescents, and to provide scientific evidence for the early screening and intervention strategy of cardiac structure damage.
Methods:
Data were obtained from the third follow up survey (October 2023) of the "Huantai Childhood Cardiovascular Health Cohort Study", including 1 156 healthy adolescents aged 12-17 with complete information. The sample population was stratified into low ( Q 1 group), medium ( Q 2 group), and high ( Q 3 group) ALT levels based on tertiles within the same gender and age groups. Inter group comparisons were conducted using analysis of variance and trend test. A multivariate Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between ALT levels and LVH, and stratified analyses were performed by gender and age groups.
Results:
With the increase of ALT quantile level, the detection rate of LVH showed an increasing trend ( Q 1: 3.7%; Q 2: 10.6%; Q 3: 16.7%, Z= 5.89 , P <0.01). After adjusting for potential covariates, compared with the ALT group ( Q 1), the group ( Q 3) increased the risk of developing LVH in adolescents ( OR=2.09, 95%CI =1.21-4.12). Stratified analyses by age and sex showed a significant association only in boys and younger individuals aged 12 to 14 years [ OR (95% CI ) were 2.64(1.04-7.67) and 3.24( 1.35 -9.06), both P <0.05)].
Conclusion
Elevated serum ALT levels are associated with an increased risk of LVH in adolescents, and early detection and control of abnormal liver enzyme levels can help reduce early vascular structural damage and prevent adverse cardiovascular events.
3.Advances and prospects of the integration of multi-omics and artificial intelligence in traditional Chinese medicine research
Guicheng Liu ; Xi Long ; Qinghua PENG ; Sainan Tian ; Shujuan Hu
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(3):300-312
Objective:
To map the research hotspots, developmental trends, and existing challenges in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with multi-omics in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) through comprehensive bibliometric analysis.
Methods:
China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), Chaoxing Journal Database, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched to collect literature on the theme of AI in TCM multi-omics research from the inception of each database to December 31, 2024. Eligible records were required to simultaneously address AI, TCM, and multi-omics. Quantitative and visual analyses of publication growth, core authorship networks, institutional collaboration patterns, and keyword co-occurrence were performed using Microsoft Excel 2021, NoteExpress v4.0.0, and Cite Space 6.3.R1. AI application modes in TCM multi-omics research were also categorized and summarized.
Results:
A total of 1 106 articles were enrolled (932 Chinese and 174 English). Publication output has increased continuously since 2010 and accelerated after 2016. Region-specific collaboration clusters were identified, dominated by Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine. Keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed that current AI applications predominantly centered on metabolomics and algorithms such as cluster analysis and data mining. Research foci mainly ranked as follows: single herbs, herbal formulae, and disease-syndrome differentiation.
Conclusion
Machine learning methods are the predominant integrative modality of AI in the realm of TCM multi-omics research at present, utilized for processing omics data and uncovering latent patterns therein. The domain of TCM, in addition to investigating omics information procured through high-throughput technologies, also integrates data on traditional Chinese medicinal substances and clinical phenotypes, progressing towards joint analysis of multi-omics, high-dimensionality of data, and multi-modality of information. Deep learning approaches represent an emerging trend in the field.
4.Consensus statement on research and application of Chinese herbal medicine derived extracellular vesicles-like particles (2023 edition).
Qing ZHAO ; Tong WANG ; Hongbin WANG ; Peng CAO ; Chengyu JIANG ; Hongzhi QIAO ; Lihua PENG ; Xingdong LIN ; Yunyao JIANG ; Honglei JIN ; Huantian ZHANG ; Shengpeng WANG ; Yang WANG ; Ying WANG ; Xi CHEN ; Junbing FAN ; Bo LI ; Geng LI ; Bifeng LIU ; Zhiyang LI ; Suhua QI ; Mingzhen ZHANG ; Jianjian ZHENG ; Jiuyao ZHOU ; Lei ZHENG ; Kewei ZHAO
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2024;16(1):3-12
To promote the development of extracellular vesicles of herbal medicine especially the establishment of standardization, led by the National Expert Committee on Research and Application of Chinese Herbal Vesicles, research experts in the field of herbal medicine and extracellular vesicles were invited nationwide with the support of the Expert Committee on Research and Application of Chinese Herbal Vesicles, Professional Committee on Extracellular Vesicle Research and Application, Chinese Society of Research Hospitals and the Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Herbal Vesicles. Based on the collation of relevant literature, we have adopted the Delphi method, the consensus meeting method combined with the nominal group method to form a discussion draft of "Consensus statement on research and application of Chinese herbal medicine derived extracellular vesicles-like particles (2023)". The first draft was discussed in online and offline meetings on October 12, 14, November 2, 2022 and April and May 2023 on the current status of research, nomenclature, isolation methods, quality standards and research applications of extracellular vesicles of Chinese herbal medicines, and 13 consensus opinions were finally formed. At the Third Academic Conference on Research and Application of Chinese Herbal Vesicles, held on May 26, 2023, Kewei Zhao, convenor of the consensus, presented and read the consensus to the experts of the Expert Committee on Research and Application of Chinese Herbal Vesicles. The consensus highlights the characteristics and advantages of Chinese medicine, inherits the essence, and keeps the righteousness and innovation, aiming to provide a reference for colleagues engaged in research and application of Chinese herbal vesicles at home and abroad, decode the mystery behind Chinese herbal vesicles together, establish a safe, effective and controllable accurate Chinese herbal vesicle prevention and treatment system, and build a bridge for Chinese medicine to the world.
5.Effect and mechanism of Astragalus polysaccharide on peritoneal fibrosis and angiogenesis in peritoneal dialysis rats
Xue FENG ; Bin PENG ; Li FENG ; Shuangyi ZHU ; Xi HU ; Wei XIONG ; Zhi GAO
China Pharmacy 2024;35(6):712-717
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and mechanism of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on peritoneal fibrosis and angiogenesis in rats with peritoneal dialysis (PD). METHODS Rats were randomly divided into normal control group (Control group), model group (PD group), 70 mg/kg APS group (APS-L group), 140 mg/kg APS group (APS-H group), and 140 mg/kg APS+40 mg/kg hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) agonist DMOG group (APS-H+DMOG group), with 12 rats in each group. PD rat models were constructed in the last four groups of rats. Administration groups were given APS intragastrically and DMOG intraperitoneally. Control group and PD group were given constant volume of normal saline intragastrically, once a day, for 4 consecutive weeks. After the last medication, the peritoneal ultrafiltration (UF), mass transfer of glucose (MTG), the levels of serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were detected in rats; peritoneal histomorphology and peritoneal fibrosis (peritoneal thickness and proportion of collagen fiber deposition) were observed; the microvascular density and the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), laminin (LN), HIF-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins were detected in peritoneal tissue of rats. RESULTS Compared with Control group, the mesothelium of rats in the PD group was loosely arranged and shed, inflammatory cells infiltrated, the peritoneal thickness and proportion of collagen fiber deposition were increased significantly (P<0.05). The levels of MTG, Scr and BUN in serum, microvascular density and the expressions of α-SMA, LN, HIF-1α and VEGF proteins were significantly increased, while the level of UF was significantly decreased (P< 0.05); compared with PD group, the levels of above indexes were significantly reversed in APS-L and APS-H groups (P<0.05), and the improvement of APS-H group was better than APS-L group (P<0.05). Compared with APS-H group, the levels of above indexes in APS-H+DMOG group were all reversed (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS APS inhibits peritoneal fibrosis and angioge-nesis in PD rats by inhibiting HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway.
6.Thinking on ideological and political education in Medical Parasitology teaching
Xi ZHANG ; Shaorong LONG ; Ruodan LIU ; Peng JIANG ; Jing CUI ; Zhongquan WANG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2024;36(1):87-90
With the deepening reform of ideological and political education, Medical Parasitology teaching needs to update the teaching concept, change the teaching ideas, as well as keep trying to combine ideological and political education with the curriculum content closely. In addition to teaching students’ basic knowledge and practical skills, teachers are needed to cultivate their moral literacy and political awareness through course teaching, so as to provide the basis for students’ subsequent adaptations to social environments and jobs. Currently, the study of ideological and political education in Medical Parasitology teaching is still in the exploratory stage. Therefore, colleges and universities need to carry out effective construction of ideological and political education in Medical Parasitology teaching, in order to achieve good teaching outcomes and provide insights into ideological and political education in teaching.
7.Research progress on the role of cytochrome P450 in plant sesquiterpene biosynthesis
Shi-xi GAO ; Mei RONG ; Jun-xiang PENG ; Yan-hong XU ; Jian-he WEI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(2):313-321
Sesquiterpenes are natural terpenoids with 15 carbon atoms in the basic skeleton, which mainly exist in plant volatile oil and have important physiological and medicinal value. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) is a kind of monooxygenase encoded by supergene family, which is one of the largest gene families in plants. It is involved in the synthesis and metabolism of terpenoids, alkaloids and other secondary metabolites. In the process of terpene biosynthesis, CYP450 participates in the post-modification stage of terpenes by introducing functional groups such as hydroxyl, carboxyl and carbonyl, which plays an important role in enriching the diversity of terpenes. The CYP450 enzymes involved in sesquiterpene synthesis and their substrate catalytic specificity mechanisms have been partially investigated. In this paper, the biosynthetic pathway of plant sesquiterpenes, the structure and classification of CYP450 enzymes were briefly introduced, and the CYP450 enzymes involved in sesquiterpene biosynthesis were summarized, in order to provide a reference for intensive study of the role of CYP450 enzymes in the synthesis of sesquiterpenoids.
8.Structural Characteristics and Antioxidant Activity Analysis of Polysaccharides from Pinelliae Rhizoma and Its Processed Products Before and After Hydrolysis (Enzymolysis) by Sugar Spectrum
Meibian HU ; Kuixu GAO ; Yao WANG ; Xi PENG ; Jingya WANG ; Xianglong MENG ; Shuosheng ZHANG ; Jianghua LI ; Yujie LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(11):192-201
ObjectiveThe glycosidic linkage structural characteristics of polysaccharides from Pinelliae Rhizoma(PR) and its processed products were analyzed by sugar spectrum, high performance thin layer chromatography(HPTLC), fluorescence-assisted carbohydrate gel electrophoresis(PACE) based on partial acid hydrolysis and specific glycosidase hydrolysis, and the antioxidant activities of polysaccharides before and after hydrolysis(enzymolysis
9.Clinical Study on LUO's Nephropathy Recipe Ⅲ Combined with Conventional Western Medicine in Treating Stage 3-5 Non-dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease of Spleen-Kidney Deficiency with Turbidity-Toxin-Stasis Obstruction Type
Xuan ZHU ; Xi-Xia CHEN ; Ru-Ping WANG ; Yong-Qian HE ; Chun-Peng WANG ; Ren LUO
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(4):815-821
Objective To investigate the clinical effect of LUO's Nephropathy Recipe Ⅲ(composed of Sargassum,Astragali Radix,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata,calcined Ostreae Concha,Houttuyniae Herba,Schizonepetae Spica,etc.)combined with conventional western medicine in treating stage 3-5 non-dialysis chronic kidney disease(CKD)of spleen-kidney deficiency with turbidity-toxin-stasis obstruction type.Methods A total of 180 patients with stage 3-5 non-dialysis CKD of spleen-kidney deficiency with turbidity-toxin-stasis obstruction type were randomly divided into observation group and control group,with 90 cases in each group.The control group was given conventional western medicine for symptomatic treatment,and the observation group was treated with LUO's Nephropathy RecipeⅢon the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment for the two groups covered one month.Before and after treatment,the levels of serum inflammatory factors,renal function indicators and urine protein parameters in the two groups were observed.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)After one month of treatment,the total effective rate in the observation group was 95.56%(86/90)and that in the control group was 81.11%(73/90).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P<0.01).(2)After treatment,the serum levels of inflammatory factors of transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1),monocyte chemotactic protein 1(MCP-1),and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(3)After treatment,the levels of renal function indicators of blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(Scr),blood uric acid(UA),and cystatin C(Cys-C)in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(4)After treatment,the levels of 24-hour urine protein quantification and urine microalbumin in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(5)The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 4.44%(4/90),which was significantly lower than that of 15.56%(14/90)in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion LUO's Nephropathy Recipe Ⅲ combined with conventional western medicine exerts satisfactory efficacy in treating stage 3-5 non-dialysis CKD patients with spleen-kidney deficiency with turbidity-toxin-stasis obstruction syndrome type,and the therapy can significantly alleviate the inflammatory response,improve the renal function,decrease the urinary protein excretion of the patients,with high safety profile.
10.Triple negative breast cancer:a study based on histological and immunohistochemical classification
Jing LIAN ; Li HUANG ; Peng BU ; Hong SU ; Yanfeng XI
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2024;40(3):268-273
Purpose To evaluate the classification criteria of triple negative breast cancer(TNBC)based on histomorphol-ogy and immunohistochemistry(IHC),and to provide theoreti-cal basis for the classification and treatment of TNBCs.Methods TNBC subtyping was performed according to the histomorphologi-cal characteristics and the expression of immune markers AR,CD8 and FOXC1,and the clinicopathological features and prog-nostic differences were compared.Results Among 93 cases of TNBC,there were 23 cases(24.7%)of luminal androgen re-ceptor subtypes,24 cases(25.8%)of immunomodulatory type,39 cases(42.0%)of basal immunosuppressive type,and 7 ca-ses(7.5%)of mesenchymal type.There were significant differ-ences in the clinicopathological features of subtypes,including pT stage(P=0.030),histological grade(P<0.001),intersti-tial lymphocyte infiltration pattern(P<0.001),expression of PD-L1(P<0.001),and HER2-low(P=0.024).There was no significant difference in disease-free survival among the sub-types(P>0.05).Univariate survival analysis showed there was significant difference in disease-free survival among the subtypes at pT1 stage(P=0.011),and other clinicopathological features were not independent prognostic factors.Conclusion The clini-copathological characteristics of TNBC subtypes are different,which are expected to be an alternative choice for complex gene expression profile analysis and to provide theoretical basis for subtypic therapy and targeted therapy.


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