System identification and parameter estimation in mathematical medicine： examples demonstrated for prostate cancer

We review our studies on how to identify the most appropriate models of diseases, and how to determine their parameters in a quantitative manner given a short time series of biomarkers, using intermittent androgen deprivation therapy of prostate cancer as an example. Recently, it has become possible to estimate the specific parameters of individual patients within a reasonable time by employing the information concerning other previous patients as a prior. We discuss the importance of using multiple mathematical methods simultaneously to achieve a solid diagnosis and prognosis in the future practice of personalized medicine.

A quantification model of Traditional Chinese Medicine syndromes in children with idiopathic precocious puberty and early puberty

OBJECTIVE:To establish a quantification model of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)syndromes by sampling patients undergoing idiopathic precocious puberty(IPP)and early puberty.METHODS:A questionnaire for classifying and quantifying TCM syndromes was designed and administered.All the results were analyzed;the relationship between 3 types of syndrome and 47symptoms were summated.Meanwhile,the frequency distribution of each symptom or sign was aggregated.Fuzzy mathematics was used to develop a quantification model ofTCM syndromes.RESULTS:We found that precocious puberty had 3types of syndrome,including hyperactivity of fire due to Yin deficiency(Syndrome I),depressed liver Qi transforming into fire(Syndrome II),and end retention of damp heat(Syndrome III).In the IPP group,Syndrome I was the most common principal syndrome(100%).Forty-six patients(43.81%)werediagnosed with Syndrome I accompanied by Syndrome II and 11(10.48%)were diagnosed with Syndrome I accompanied by Syndrome III.In the early puberty group,Syndrome I was also the main syndrome(98.39%).The degrees of most symptoms were mild to moderate.Reddened tongue was the most common tongue manifestation(62.86%prevalence)in the IPP group.The most common pulse manifestations were slippery pulse,thread pulse,and taut pulse.The Asymptotic Normalization Coefficient(ANC)method was used to quantify the TCM syndromes in 167 cases.Diagnostic accuracy rate reached 91%,comparable to expert diagnosis.CONCLUSION:We find that there are 3 types of syndrome in the IPP group and in the early puberty group.Syndrome I(hyperactivity of fire due to Yin deficiency)is the main syndrome in the two groups.ANC may be an appropriate for quantification model ofTCM syndromes.