Jun Zhang’s research while affiliated with Lanzhou University Second Hospital and other places

The $\lambda$-exponential family generalizes the standard exponential family via a generalized convex duality motivated by optimal transport. It is the constant-curvature analogue of the exponential family from the information-geometric point of view, but the development of computational methodologies is still in an early stage. In this paper, we propose a fixed point iteration for maximum likelihood estimation under i.i.d.~sampling, and prove using the duality that the likelihood is monotone along the iterations. We illustrate the algorithm with the q-Gaussian distribution and the Dirichlet perturbation.

Preterm birth is a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. The disruption of vaginal microbiota in pregnant women is the most significant risk factor for preterm delivery. In this study, 65 pregnant women were enrolled, of which 29 were women with term births and 36 were women with preterm births, and were then categorized based on gestational age at delivery. The results showed that the α-diversity (ACE, Chao1, Simpson, and Shannon indices) of the vaginal microbiota in the term birth group (TG) was significantly higher than that in the preterm birth group (PG). The relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus) was significantly reduced in the PG compared to the TG, while the relative abundance of harmful bacteria (e.g., Gardnerella, Atopobium, Ralstonia, and Sneathia) was significantly increased. A prediction model for gestational age at delivery was established based on key microbial phylotypes, and this model was further verified using clinical samples. Statistical analysis revealed that the prediction model utilizing Methyloversatilis, Atopobium, Ralstonia, Sneathia, Brevundimonas, Gardnerella, Acinetobacter, and Peptostreptococcus had higher accuracy. These results suggest that certain bacteria could serve as prospective predictors for preterm birth and provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of preterm birth.

The sports bra plays an important role in providing adequate support and minimizing breast movement to prevent exercise-induced discomfort, pain, and potential damage. However, there has been limited investigation into the evaluation of sports bras specifically designed for senior females. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify key multi-criteria for evaluating the design attributes of sports bras for senior women. Another aim was to systematically and numerically assess sports bra performance based on human perceptions. To achieve these objectives, the Delphi study was employed to identify key criteria, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process was utilized to rank the importance of both design attributes and sports bra styles. Unlike traditional evaluation methods, this study stands out by first identifying the multi-dimensional criteria for sports bras and then assessing intangible perceptions based on both subjective and objective feedback. The results indicate that the top three important criteria for subjective self-evaluation were overall support, shaping effect, and tactile sensation. Meanwhile, the top criteria for objective third-party evaluation were appearance, underband stability, and fit. Furthermore, the findings suggest that the long-shirt encapsulation-style sports bra, featuring a high neckline and a double back layer, was more suitable for senior women than the other three styles tested. This design provides ample support, an excellent shaping effect, sufficient back support for maintaining good posture, and freedom of movement during physical activities. These findings can inspire designers and manufacturers to develop sports bras tailored specifically for senior women by combining optimal attributes and design features.

Preterm birth (PTB) is a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vaginal microbiota and metabolites on the outcome of pregnant women. In this study, a total of 127 pregnant women provided written informed consent prior to enrollment in accordance with the approved institutional guidelines, but only 45 pregnancies met the experimental requirements, and then blood and cervical vaginal fluid (CVF) samples were collected before delivery (at the second week after cervical cerclage). Pregnant women with PTB exhibited high white blood cell and neutrophil contents, high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and high systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) in the blood. Vaginal microbiome revealed that the proportion of beneficial bacteria (including Lactobacillus, [Ruminococcus] gnavus group, and Megamonas) significantly decreased in the PTB group, and the proportion of harmful bacteria (including Desulfovibrionaceae, Helicobacter, and Gardnerella) significantly increased, which is strongly related to the biochemical parameters of blood (white blood cells, neutrophils, NLR, and SIRI). In addition, vaginal metabolomics-based liquid chromatography–Orbitrap–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-Orbitrap-MS/MS) found that the alteration in vaginal metabolites in pregnant women with PTB is involved in starch and sucrose metabolism; arginine and praline metabolism; galactose metabolism; purine metabolism; arginine metabolism; tryptophan metabolism and N-glycan biosynthesis; cysteine and methionine metabolism; taurine and hypotaurine metabolism; amino acid metabolism; propanoate metabolism; valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis; glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism; and steroid hormone biosynthesis. These results elaborated that distinct vaginal microbiome and metabolome profiles in women with preterm delivery following cervical cerclage provide valuable information for establishing the prediction models for PTB.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often share multiple similar symptoms and are highly comorbid; however, the common and distinct brain neuroanatomy of these two diseases are unclear. The current study attempted to identify the overlapping and different gray matter volume (GMV) between AN and OCD. We conducted a voxel-wise meta-analysis of GMV using the latest Seed-based d Mapping with Permutation of Subject Images Toolbox (SDM-PSI) software. Compared to healthy controls, patients with AN showed reduced GMV in supplementary motor areas, median cingulate cortices, the left cerebellum, right Rolandic operculum (RO), right insula, right superior temporal gyrus (STG), and right precuneus, while OCD patients were characterized by low GMV in the right insula, STG, RO, and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). The conjunctional analysis indicated that these two disorders have overlapping structural abnormalities in the right insula, STG, RO and IFG. No distinct GMV alteration was found. These common structural brain abnormalities may underlie the neuropathology of the similar neuropsychological features and highly comorbid manifestations of AN and OCD.

This study aimed to analyze the causative factors of histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) in parturients with intrapartum fever, assess the implications for maternal and neonatal outcomes, and develop a predictive model to enhance clinical decision-making. A retrospective analysis was performed on 408 parturients with intrapartum fever at Fujian Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2022 to June 2023. Based on post-delivery placental pathology, the data were categorized into HCA (249 cases) and non-HCA groups (159 cases). Variables were first screened using univariate analysis, followed by multivariate logistic regression to identify high-risk factors and develop a predictive model. The model's accuracy was validated using Bootstrap resampling and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Significant differences were found between the HCA and non-HCA groups in terms of duration of premature rupture of membranes (≥24 hours), peak body temperature during labor (≥38°C), and levels of white blood cell count and C-reactive protein (CRP) at the onset of fever (p < 0.05). The predictive model showed strong accuracy, with an ROC area under the curve of 0.715. Intrapartum fever linked with HCA markedly exacerbates maternal and neonatal outcomes. Key risk factors for HCA include a peak labor temperature ≥38°C, CRP levels at fever onset, and grade III contamination of amniotic fluid. The developed model accurately predicts the HCA risk, enabling enhanced clinical interventions.