Network pharmacology has gained widespread application in drug discovery, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research, which is characterized by its "multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway" nature. Through the integration of network biology, TCM network pharmacology enables systematic evaluation of therapeutic efficacy and detailed elucidation of action mechanisms, establishing a novel research paradigm for TCM modernization. The rapid advancement of machine learning, particularly revolutionary deep learning methods, has substantially enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology, offering significant potential to advance TCM network pharmacology research. This paper describes the methodology of TCM network pharmacology, encompassing ingredient identification, network construction, network analysis, and experimental validation. Furthermore, it summarizes key strategies for constructing various networks and analyzing constructed networks using AI methods. Finally, it addresses challenges and future directions regarding cell-cell communication (CCC)-based network construction, analysis, and validation, providing valuable insights for TCM network pharmacology.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Artificial Intelligence ; Network Pharmacology/methods* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Drug Discovery

Objective:To explore the effect of fibroblast growth factor 2(FGF2)on ferroptosis of renal fibrotic cells and its po-tential molecular mechanisms.Methods:Rat NRK-52E cells were randomly divided into control group,renal fibrosis model group,FGF2 cytokine stimulation group,knockdown empty plasmid group,si-FGF2 group,overexpression empty plasmid group,overexpres-sion FGF2 group,Fer-1 treatment group.The model group was treated with TGF-β1 to obtain a renal fibrosis cell model.Cellular im-munofluorescence method was used to measure the level of cell fibrosis.Western blot was used to detect ferroptosis-related proteins(Nrf2,GPX4 and SLC7A11)and pathway proteins(STAT3,p-STAT3)expression level in the cells.Results:Knockdown of FGF2 could alleviate the increase in α-SMA and Collagen Ⅲ proteins caused by TGF-β1 stimulation of renal tubular cells(P<0.05).FGF2 could promote the activation of STAT3 protein into p-STAT3.The expression level of SLC7A11 protein was significantly increased after FGF2 cytokine stimulation(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the expressions of Nrf2 and GPX4 in renal fibrotic cells in the si-FGF2 group and Fer-1 treated group were significantly reduced(P<0.05).In addition,knockdown of FGF2 significantly reduced in-terstitial fibrosis of renal tubular epithelial cells(P<0.05).Conclusion:FGF2 may mediate TGF-β1-induced renal ferroptosis through the STAT3/SLC7A11 signaling pathway,and knock down of FGF2 can improve fibrosis of renal tubular epithelial cells.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of O-arm navigation-assisted percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) versus C-arm-guided PVP in the treatment of postoperative recurrent vertebral fractures following Kümmell′s disease.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 48 patients with postoperative recurrent vertebral fractures following Kümmell′s disease who were admitted to Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital from January 2021 to September 2024, including 16 males and 32 females, aged 51-85 years [(69.8±6.6)years]. Among them, 21 patients had stage I Kümmell′s disease and 27 stage II. Fractured vertebrae involved T 8-T 10 in 4 patients, T 11-L 2 in 29, and L 3-L 5 in 15. Twenty-five patients underwent O-arm navigation-assisted PVP (O-arm-assisted group) and 23 underwent C-arm-guided PVP (C-arm-guided group). The two groups were compared in terms of the operative time, intraoperative blood loss, bone cement volume, and bone cement filling saturation rate in the injured vertebral body. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Oswestry disability index (ODI) values were also compared before operation, at 1 day, 1 month, 6 months after operation, and at the last follow-up. The excellent-good rate based on the MacNab criteria at the last follow-up and incidence of postoperative complications were detected. Results:All the patients were followed up for 6-24 months [(13.3±3.5)months]. There were no significant differences in the operative time, operative blood loss or bone cement volume between the two groups ( P>0.05). The O-arm-assisted group demonstrated a bone cement filling saturation rate of 96% (24/25) in the fractured vertebrae, significantly higher than 65% (15/23) in the C-arm-guided group ( P<0.05). The VAS scores before operation, at 1 day, and 1 month after operation were (8.4±1.0)points, (1.9±0.7)points, and (1.8±0.6)points, respectively in the O-arm-assisted group, while they were (8.3±0.8)points, (2.0±0.6)points, and (1.9±0.5)points, respectively in the C-arm-guided group ( P>0.05). The ODI values before operation, at 1 day, and 1 month after operation were 76.6±8.2, 20.4±4.5, and 19.8±4.1, respectively in the O-arm-assisted group, and 74.9±9.1, 21.3±3.6, and 20.9±3.2, respectively in the O-arm-assisted group ( P>0.05). At 6 months after operation and at the last follow-up, the VAS scores were (1.4±0.5)points and (1.5±0.5)points in the O-arm-assisted group, with significant improvement compared to (1.8±0.4)points and (1.9±0.3)points in the C-arm-guided group ( P<0.01); the ODI values were 17.8±3.2 and 18.2±3.5 in the O-arm-assisted group, with significant improvement compared to 19.9±3.1 and 21.3±4.0 in the C-arm-guided group ( P<0.05). Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in VAS scores and ODI values at 1 day, 1 month, 6 months after operation, and at the last follow-up, compared to those preoperatively ( P<0.05), while no statistically significant differences were found in VAS scores or ODI values at any postoperative timepoints ( P>0.05). According to the MacNab criteria, the O-arm-assisted group had a 100% (25/25) excellent-good rate, compared to 74% (17/23) in the C-arm-guided group ( P<0.05). The complication rate was 4% (1/25) in the O-arm-assisted group, significantly lower than 35% (8/23) in the C-arm-guided group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:O-arm navigation-assisted PVP for postoperative recurrent vertebral fractures following Kümmell′s disease offers advantages in precise cement delivery with sufficient dispersion, enhanced pain relief, functional recovery, improved quality of life, and reduced complication rates when compared to C-arm navigation-assisted PVP.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of O-arm navigation-assisted percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) versus C-arm-guided PVP in the treatment of postoperative recurrent vertebral fractures following Kümmell′s disease.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 48 patients with postoperative recurrent vertebral fractures following Kümmell′s disease who were admitted to Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital from January 2021 to September 2024, including 16 males and 32 females, aged 51-85 years [(69.8±6.6)years]. Among them, 21 patients had stage I Kümmell′s disease and 27 stage II. Fractured vertebrae involved T 8-T 10 in 4 patients, T 11-L 2 in 29, and L 3-L 5 in 15. Twenty-five patients underwent O-arm navigation-assisted PVP (O-arm-assisted group) and 23 underwent C-arm-guided PVP (C-arm-guided group). The two groups were compared in terms of the operative time, intraoperative blood loss, bone cement volume, and bone cement filling saturation rate in the injured vertebral body. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Oswestry disability index (ODI) values were also compared before operation, at 1 day, 1 month, 6 months after operation, and at the last follow-up. The excellent-good rate based on the MacNab criteria at the last follow-up and incidence of postoperative complications were detected. Results:All the patients were followed up for 6-24 months [(13.3±3.5)months]. There were no significant differences in the operative time, operative blood loss or bone cement volume between the two groups ( P>0.05). The O-arm-assisted group demonstrated a bone cement filling saturation rate of 96% (24/25) in the fractured vertebrae, significantly higher than 65% (15/23) in the C-arm-guided group ( P<0.05). The VAS scores before operation, at 1 day, and 1 month after operation were (8.4±1.0)points, (1.9±0.7)points, and (1.8±0.6)points, respectively in the O-arm-assisted group, while they were (8.3±0.8)points, (2.0±0.6)points, and (1.9±0.5)points, respectively in the C-arm-guided group ( P>0.05). The ODI values before operation, at 1 day, and 1 month after operation were 76.6±8.2, 20.4±4.5, and 19.8±4.1, respectively in the O-arm-assisted group, and 74.9±9.1, 21.3±3.6, and 20.9±3.2, respectively in the O-arm-assisted group ( P>0.05). At 6 months after operation and at the last follow-up, the VAS scores were (1.4±0.5)points and (1.5±0.5)points in the O-arm-assisted group, with significant improvement compared to (1.8±0.4)points and (1.9±0.3)points in the C-arm-guided group ( P<0.01); the ODI values were 17.8±3.2 and 18.2±3.5 in the O-arm-assisted group, with significant improvement compared to 19.9±3.1 and 21.3±4.0 in the C-arm-guided group ( P<0.05). Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in VAS scores and ODI values at 1 day, 1 month, 6 months after operation, and at the last follow-up, compared to those preoperatively ( P<0.05), while no statistically significant differences were found in VAS scores or ODI values at any postoperative timepoints ( P>0.05). According to the MacNab criteria, the O-arm-assisted group had a 100% (25/25) excellent-good rate, compared to 74% (17/23) in the C-arm-guided group ( P<0.05). The complication rate was 4% (1/25) in the O-arm-assisted group, significantly lower than 35% (8/23) in the C-arm-guided group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:O-arm navigation-assisted PVP for postoperative recurrent vertebral fractures following Kümmell′s disease offers advantages in precise cement delivery with sufficient dispersion, enhanced pain relief, functional recovery, improved quality of life, and reduced complication rates when compared to C-arm navigation-assisted PVP.

Objective:To explore the effect of fibroblast growth factor 2(FGF2)on ferroptosis of renal fibrotic cells and its po-tential molecular mechanisms.Methods:Rat NRK-52E cells were randomly divided into control group,renal fibrosis model group,FGF2 cytokine stimulation group,knockdown empty plasmid group,si-FGF2 group,overexpression empty plasmid group,overexpres-sion FGF2 group,Fer-1 treatment group.The model group was treated with TGF-β1 to obtain a renal fibrosis cell model.Cellular im-munofluorescence method was used to measure the level of cell fibrosis.Western blot was used to detect ferroptosis-related proteins(Nrf2,GPX4 and SLC7A11)and pathway proteins(STAT3,p-STAT3)expression level in the cells.Results:Knockdown of FGF2 could alleviate the increase in α-SMA and Collagen Ⅲ proteins caused by TGF-β1 stimulation of renal tubular cells(P<0.05).FGF2 could promote the activation of STAT3 protein into p-STAT3.The expression level of SLC7A11 protein was significantly increased after FGF2 cytokine stimulation(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the expressions of Nrf2 and GPX4 in renal fibrotic cells in the si-FGF2 group and Fer-1 treated group were significantly reduced(P<0.05).In addition,knockdown of FGF2 significantly reduced in-terstitial fibrosis of renal tubular epithelial cells(P<0.05).Conclusion:FGF2 may mediate TGF-β1-induced renal ferroptosis through the STAT3/SLC7A11 signaling pathway,and knock down of FGF2 can improve fibrosis of renal tubular epithelial cells.

Objective To analyze the correlation between the drug resistance rate of common pathogens in blood culture of inpatients from the First Hospital Affiliated to Hebei North University from 2019 to 2021 and the frequency of antimicrobial drug use (DDDs). Methods Strains isolated from positive blood cultures of inpatients from 2019 to 2021 were collected, and data on antimicrobial drug use in patients with positive blood cultures during the same period were also collected. WHONET 5.6 software and Pearson correlation analysis were used to explore the correlation between pathogenic bacterial resistance rate and antimicrobial DDDs. Results A total of 916 samples tested positive in blood cultures from 2019 to 2021. Among the top antimicrobial drugs in DDDs, the DDDs of cefazolin, cefuroxime, and ceftazidime all showed an upward trend year by year (the increase from 2019 to 2021 was 38.8%, 228.3%, and 87.1%, respectively). A total of 739 pathogenic bacteria strains were isolated from positive blood culture samples from 2019 to 2021, and the top five pathogenic bacteria were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, accounting for 37.2%, 16.1%, 8.1%, 7.4%, and 6.5%, respectively. The drug resistance rates of Escherichia coli to cefazolin, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, and polymyxin B were positively correlated with their DDDs (r=0.961, 0.907, 0.988, 0.997, P < 0.05). The drug resistance rates of Klebsiella pneumoniae to piperacillin, cefazolin, cefotaxime, cefepime, aztreonam, imipenem, meropenem, levofloxacin, and polymyxin B were positively correlated with their DDDs (r=0.766, 0.772, 0.838, 0.667, 0.734, 0.821, 0.904, 0.980, 0.997, P < 0.05). The drug resistance rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to gentamicin was positively correlated with their DDDs (r=0.878, P < 0.05). The drug resistance rate of Acinetobacter baumannii to moxifloxacin was positively correlated with its DDDs (r=0.856, P < 0.05). However, there was no correlation between the drug resistance rates of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis to most commonly used antimicrobial drugs and antimicrobial DDDs (P>0.05). Conclusion The pathogenic bacteria causing bloodstream infections in inpatients at the First Hospital Affiliated to Hebei North University from 2019 to 2021 are complex and diverse (mainly Gram-negative bacteria). The overall drug resistance rate of pathogenic bacteria shows an upward trend, and there is a correlation between the drug resistance rates of most pathogenic bacteria and antimicrobial DDDs.

Objective:To analyze the value of dual energy CT parameters combined with serum procollagen Ⅰ N-terminal propeptide (PⅠNP) and beta C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen (β-CTX) in differential diagnosis of spinal bone metastasis from lung cancer and myeloma.Methods:The clinical data of 54 patients with spinal bone metastasis from lung cancer and 50 patients with myeloma in Jincheng People′s Hospital from October 2019 to March 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were examined by dual energy CT on the day of admission, and the CT values at the energy levels of 40 to 80 keV (energy interval of 10 keV) were recorded. The serum PⅠNP and β-CTX levels were detected by chemiluminescent assay before treatment. The pathological examination results were taken as gold standard, and the CT values at the energy levels of 40 to 80 keV by dual energy CT and serum PⅠNP and β-CTX levels were compared between 2 groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the differential diagnosis value of the CT values at the energy levels of 40 to 80 keV, serum PⅠNP and β-CTX levels alone and combination.Results:The CT values at the energy levels of 40 to 80 keV by dual energy CT and serum PⅠNP and β-CTX levels in patients with spinal bone metastasis from lung cancer were significantly higher than those in patients with myeloma: 79.86 (61.20, 116.32) HU vs. 58.29 (46.92, 64.03) HU, 64.48 (50.27, 90.08) HU vs. 45.78 (38.59, 56.75) HU, 57.35 (43.31, 78.04) HU vs. 43.62 (36.91, 54.06) HU, 52.05 (42.98, 75.79) HU vs. 41.26 (32.84, 51.76) HU, 45.52 (38.55, 63.59) HU vs. 36.68 (28.72, 49.83) HU, 66.35 (31.15, 81.97) μg/L vs. 31.38 (27.76, 34.50) μg/L and 0.61 (0.48, 0.67) μg/L vs. 0.49 (0.47, 0.52) μg/L, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05 or <0.01). ROC curve analysis result showed that the sensitivity of the combination of the CT values at the energy levels of 40 to 80 keV by dual energy CT was higher than those alone (83.33% vs. 59.26%, 61.11%, 62.96%, 64.81% and 66.67), the area under the curve (AUC) was also higher than those alone (0.882 vs. 0.798, 0.811, 0.817, 0.801 and 0.773), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 or <0.05); the sensitivity of the combination of serum PⅠNP and β-CTX levels was higher than those alone (81.48% vs. 57.41% and 62.96%), the AUC was higher than those alone (0.829 vs. 0.753 and 0.729), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 or <0.05); the sensitivity of all indexes combined in the differential diagnosis of spinal bone metastasis from lung cancer and myeloma was higher than those of the combination of the CT values at the energy levels of 40 to 80 keV by dual energy CT, the combination of serum PⅠNP and β-CTX levels (98.15% vs. 83.33% and 81.48%), the same as AUC (0.976 vs. 0.882 and 0.829), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01); there were no significant differences in the specificity of each index alone and combination ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with myeloma, the CT values at the energy levels of 40 to 80 keV by dual energy CT, serum PⅠNP and β-CTX levels in patients with spinal bone metastasis from lung cancer are increased, and the combination of the above indexes has ideal value in differential diagnosis of the two diseases.

Alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7 nAChRs) are expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and are thought to play a role in a wide variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Activation of α7 nAChR leads to an anti-inflammatory effect, which may show beneficial effects in those central nervous system disorders. In the present article, we summarize information on receptor distribution and expression, and review the effects of α7 nAChR on the CN disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke), which may provide a new idea for the development of the treatment of CNS diseases.

Objective To analyze the distribution characteristics and risk factors of extended stay over 30 days at tertiary comprehensive hospitals, and explore methods of shortening average length of stay(LOS).Methods Homepage of all inpatients discharged from October 2014 to October 2015 of 31 tertiary comprehensive hospitals in Shanxi province were collected.39 234 cases of these inpatients stayed over 30 days and their case information was complete.A generalized linear model was used for risk factors analysis.Results With the extension of LOS, most of the inpatients with extended stay were found during their 30th-40th days, accounting for 50.21% of all and constituting the highest daily costs as well.The ratio of inpatients decreases with their LOS, and its distribution presents a positive skew in entirety.Distribution of inpatients over 30 days identified urban employees under medical insurance accounting for the highest ratio among all payment categories,and those from the department of orthopedics for the highest ratio among all departments, while those of diseases from injury and poisoning accounting for the highest ratio among all disease categories.The findings indicated ten important factors for extended stay, namely gender, medical payment category, ICD, inter-department transfer, nosocomial infection, and clinical pathway.Conclusions To strengthen management of specific departments and inpatients, focus on key process of medical quality, and accelerate medical insurance payment reform can effectively control extended stay.

Objective To study formation of ammonion-magnesium phosphate crystals in urine with bacteria growing and provide guidance for cilinical prevention of urinary calculi.Methods Bacterial culturefluid of Escherichia coli,Proteus mirabilis,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Klevsiella pneumoniae,Enterococcus in urine was examined directly under the ultrahigh sensitive microscpcope system for ammonion-magnesium phosphate crystasl.The number of ammonion-magnesium phosphate crystasl was measured when the 24th and the 48th hour.Results Ammonion-magnesium phosphate crystasl were observed from the culture fluid without ammonion magnesium phosphate crystasl.The rate of male formation was higher than that of female.Ammonion-magnesium phosphate crystals in culture fluid of Proteus mirabilis was the highest,Pseudomonasaeruginosa was the second,the third was Klebsiella pneumoniae,and there was formed 1 case in 2 ml culturefluid of enterococcus,and 2 cases of formation in 5 ml culturefluid of Escherichia coli.The crystals formed were the most unformed feather crystals,followed by cubic and square cylinders,an d the envelope like crystals were the least.Conclusion Bacteria with urease play a significant role in ammonion-magnesium phosphate crystasl formed,Proteus mirabilis is the main pathlogen.