Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant solid tumor of the digestive system with extremely poor treatment prognosis. Although its incidence rate is low， its mortality rate is extremely high. In recent years， the number of diagnosed cases worldwide has continued to rise， making pancreatic cancer the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Currently， clinical treatment primarily relies on operation and chemotherapy to suppress tumors. However， these approaches face challenges such as suboptimal efficacy， high postoperative recurrence rates， and severe adverse reactions. Therefore， identifying safe and effective treatment modalities remains a pressing challenge for the medical community. In recent years， research on traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） interventions for pancreatic cancer has increased significantly. Multiple studies have shown that single-herb TCM， TCM formulas， and their derived single compounds can regulate the levels of tumor cell signaling pathways through multiple action targets. They inhibit the development and progression of pancreatic cancer by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation， promoting cell apoptosis， inhibiting tumor angiogenesis， reducing cancer cell invasion and migration capabilities， regulating the cell cycle， and modulating the tumor microenvironment. Additionally， TCM has the advantages of significantly enhancing the anticancer efficacy of chemotherapy drugs and causing fewer adverse reactions. However， the specific action mechanisms by which TCM intervenes in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. Further extensive research is still needed to validate the role of regulating classical signaling pathways such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， Wnt/β-catenin， nuclear transcription factor-κB （NF-κB）， notch， and hedgehog in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Therefore， this paper reviewed Chinese and international studies on TCM intervention in pancreatic cancer through relevant signaling pathways in recent years， summarized the potential action mechanisms of TCM in the treatment of pancreatic cancer， and provided references for related research in the future.

OBJECTIVE To predict and validate the mechanisms of Chaiqi yigan granules （CQYG） improving hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. METHODS The signaling pathways of CQYG intervention in HCC were predicted using network pharmacology. A mice model of transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma was established by injecting H22 hepatoma cells into the axilla. Successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into model group （normal saline）， sorafenib group （positive control， 50 mg/kg）， and CQYG low-， medium- and high-dose groups （24.83， 49.66， 99.32 g/kg）， with 10 mice in each group. Mice in each group were administered the corresponding drug solution or normal saline intragastrically， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. After last administration， pathological morphological changes in the tumor tissues of mice were observed in each group. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of the nuclear proliferation antigen Ki-67 in tumor tissues of mice. Western blot assay was used to measure the expression of proteins related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） [N-cadherin， E-cadherin， Vimentin， matrix metalloproteinase 7 （MMP7）] and the mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） signaling pathway [p38 MAPK， phosphorylated p38 MAPK， c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK）， phosphorylated JNK， extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2）， phosphorylated ERK1/2] in tumor tissue of mice. RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis revealed that metabolic pathways， pathways in cancer， and the MAPK signaling pathway were key signaling pathways through which CQYG exert their anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects. In animal experiments， the tumor tissues of mice in the model group exhibited dense tumor cells and vigorous growth. Compared with model group， CQYG high-dose group showed a decreased density of tumor cells in the tumor tissues of mice. Moreover， the expression levels of Ki-67， N-cadherin， MMP7 and Vimentin proteins， along with the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and JNK proteins， were all significantly reduced （ P ＜0.05）. The expression level of E-cadherin protein was significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）， the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK protein was increased， the difference was not statistically significant （ P ＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS CQYG can inhibit EMT by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway， thereby suppressing tumor cell invasion and metastasis and ultimately exerting a therapeutic effect in improving HCC.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of Yigan huayu formula in alleviating liver fibrosis in mice. METHODS Mice were randomly divided into blank group （normal saline）， model group （normal saline）， Yigan huayu formula low- and high-dose groups （28.98， 57.96 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， with 8 mice in each group. Except for the blank group， the liver fibrosis model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 15%CCl 4 -olive oil solution. From the third week， the mice received the medicine/normal saline intragastrically， once a day， for 4 consecutive weeks. After the last medication， liver indexes were calculated， the activities of alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） in serum， as well as the hydroxyproline （HYP） content in liver tissue， were measured. Liver histopathology was evaluated. Differentially expressed proteins （DEPs） in liver tissue were analyzed based on proteomics， followed by bioinfo rmatics analysis. The expressions of core DEPs were validated using Western blot （WB） and immunohistochemistry （IHC） methods. RESULTS Compared with the blank group， the model group showed significantly elevated liver indexes， serum activities of ALT and AST， and hepatic HYP content （ P ＜0.05）， along with obvious pathological damage and collagen deposition. Compared with the model group， the above indexes of mice in the Yigan huayu formula high-dose group were decreased significantly （ P ＜0.05）， with marked improvement in liver pathological damage and collagen deposition. Proteomics identified 210 DEPs between the model group and Yigan huayu formula high-dose group. DEPs were significantly enriched in extracellular matrix （ECM）-receptor interaction and lipid metabolism pathways. WB and IHC confirmed that Yigan huayu formula could significantly inhibit the abnormally elevated expressions of collagen type Ⅳ alpha1 chain （COL4A1）， secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine （SPARC）， vitronectin （VTN） and laminin subunit alpha5 （LAMA5） in liver tissue of mice （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Yigan huayu formula may exert anti-hepatic fibrosis effects by inhibiting the expressions of proteins such as COL4A1， LAMA5， SPARC， and VTN， thereby blocking the ECM-receptor interaction signaling pathway， and subsequently suppressing excessive ECM deposition and basement membrane remodeling.

AIM:To assess the longitudinal changes in ocular biometric parameters after intravitreal ranibizumab(IVR)injection for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity(ROP)in premature infants during the first year of life.METHODS:A longitudinal observational and comparative study was conducted on premature infants diagnosed with type 1 ROP, with a one-year follow-up. In treatment group, patients were administered with ranibizumab injection. The control group was set up without any intervention. All the patients were examined by A-scan ultrasound biometry at 0(40 gestational wk), 3, 6, and 12 mo of corrected gestational age(GA). Anterior chamber depth(ACD), lens thickness(LT), vitreous chamber depth(VCD), and axial length(AL)were measured. Anterior segment(AST)was calculated by summing up the ACD and LT.RESULTS:A total of 60 premature infants(60 eyes)were enrolled in this study, with a mean postmenstrual age of 36.80±2.86 wk, including 30 cases(30 eyes)in the treatment group and 30 cases(30 eyes)in the control group. The mean birth weight was 1157.50±232.12 and 1327.00±432.92 g, and the mean GA was 28.46±1.70 and 30.25±2.12 wk in treatment and control groups, respectively. No significant differences were found in all parameters at baseline(P>0.05). However, after correcting GA by 3, 6, and 12 mo, ACD was significantly greater than that of the control group at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th mo. LT was significantly thinner in the treatment group at the 3rd and 6thmo, but no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups by the 12th mo. Throughout the follow-up period, AST, VCD, and AL were no significant differences in two groups(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Ranibizumab administered for the treatment of ROP only affected on ACD and LT. No significant effects are observed on AST, VCD, and AL during the first year of life.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.07.004.].

Postprandial drowsiness is a clinical condition characterized by pronounced drowsiness after meals， while The Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor （《黄帝内经》） associates this condition with wei qi （defensive qi）. By analyzing the original texts of The Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor and perspectives from many medical professionals， it is found that the transition between wakefulness and sleep depends on the mutual induction of yin and yang， and that the two pathways of wei qi circulation intersect at the spleen and stomach. Based on this， the core pathogenesis of postprandial drowsiness is proposed to be either upper jiao obstruction or spleen-stomach dysfunction， leading to the stagnation of wei qi internally， then the mutual induction of yin and yang causes inward invasion of wei qi in the body， resulting in drowsiness； at this stage， the stagnated and inward invasive wei qi converges at the spleen and stomach， then merges into the circulation of zang-fu organs， rerouting through the Foot Taiyang Meridian， forming a circulation pattern described as "circulating from yin to yang". Treatment should focus on the root and branch simultaneously， with the primary goal of regulating the circulation of wei qi； facilitating its transition from yin to yang to restore the sleep-wake cycle. By proposing the model of wei qi circulating from yin to yang， this study offers novel insights on the understanding of postprandial drowsiness.

Objective To explore the influence factors of timed up and go test(TUG)in patients with maintenance hemodialysis(MHD).Methods Cross-sectional investigation method was used to select patients who underwent regular hemodialysis in Beijing Luhe Hospital,Capital Medical University from June 1,2023 to January 31,2024,with complete data and cooperation.The patients were respectively treated with a simple mental state checklist and 5 times sit to stand test(STS-5)and TUG scale were used to assess cognitive function,lower limb muscle strength,balance and gait function.Grouping was carried out according to the results of TUG.If TUG 12s,it is judged as the TUG normal group;if TUG＞12s,it is judged as the TUG prolonged group.Multi-factor Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors in the TUG prolonged group,and the predictive value of influencing factors to TUG prolonged patients was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results A total of 146 patients with MHD were included in this study,including 86 patients in TUG prolonged group and 60 patients in TUG normal group.Gender,age,combined hypertension,combined diabetes,blood glucose,education level,Minimum Mental State Examination(MMSE)score,C-reactive protein were compared between groups.Serum albumin,serum creatinine,serum sodium,whole parathyroid hormone,low density lipoprotein-cholesterol,serum uric acid,STS-5 results,and single urea clearance index(Kt/V)had statistical differences(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression showed that old age,female,low MMSE score,low Kt/V,and STS-5 duration were independent risk factors for TUG prolonged(P＜0.05).ROC curve showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of age,gender,total MMSE score and STS-5 time in predicting TUG prolongation in MHD patients were 0.825,0.678,0.777 and 0.836,respectively(P＜0.01),which had high predictive value.The AUC of Kt/V in predicting TUG prolongation was 0.602(P=0.037),has a certain predictive value;AUC of TUG prolongation in MHD patients predicted by the above 5 indicators as a global model was 0.923(P＜0.01).Conclusions The age,gender,MMSE score,STS-5 prolongation and Kt/V level of MHD patients are independent risk factors for TUG prolongation,and may be biological indicators for predicting TUG prolongation.

Objective To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status(RBANS)in patients with maintenance hemodialysis(MHD).Methods The general information and medical history of 84 MHD patients were collected,and the Mini-Mental State Exam(MMSE),Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale(MoCA),and RBANS were conducted.The reliability of the scale was assessed by Cronbach α and split-half reliability.The structure and convergent validity of the scale were assessed by confirmatory factor analysis,and the RBANS scores'correlation to MoCA and MMSE scores was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis.The predictive value of the RBANS total score on cognitive impairment(CI)was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the RBANS total scale was 0.896,split-half reliability was 0.911,and reliability for the five dimensions of the RBANS ranged from 0.618 to 0.791.Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the overall fit of the five-dimensional model of the RBANS scale was acceptable(χ2/df=1.587,root mean square error of approximation=0.084,comparative fit index=0.967,incremental fit index=0.968,Tucker-Lewis index=0.947,goodness of fit index=0.891).The average variance extracted(AVE)for the five dimensions of the RBANS ranged from 0.525 to 0.863,while the composite reliability(CR)ranged from 0.733 to 0.926,indicating good convergent validity of the scale.Furthermore,Spearman correlation analysis revealed that the total RBANS score was negatively correlated to the age of MHD patients and positively correlated to years of education,as well as the total scores of MMSE and MoCA(all P<0.01).The ROC curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve(AUC)for the total RBANS score in predicting CI was 0.891(P<0.01),suggesting a high predictive value.Conclusion The Chinese version of RBANS has good reliability and validity in MHD patients,and can be used as a measure of cognitive function in MHD patients.

Objective:To describe the hotspots and application trends of artificial intelligence (AI) in epidemiology in the past decade and analyze its advantages and challenges.Methods:The literatures with AI and epidemiology related keywords were systematically retrieved from Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from 2014 to 2024. CiteSpace was used for bibliometric analysis of publication volume, keyword co-occurrence, clustering, emergence and cited literature co-occurrence analysis.Results:A total of 5 389 English papers and 1 659 Chinese papers were included, showing an increasing publication trend. High-frequency Chinese keywords included prediction, influencing factor, and machine learning, while English keywords frequently used were machine learning, prediction, and artificial intelligence. The Chinese keywords formed 14 clusters such as epidemiological characteristic, dietary pattern, and elderly individual, and the English keywords formed 21 clusters including prediction model, risk factor, and adult. In international studies, health policy, COVID-19, and digital health were the emerging frontier keywords. Eleven core papers were selected, covering key areas like traffic accident risk assessment, public health big data application, and deep learning in medical diagnosis.Conclusions:This study systematically summarized the research hotspots and development trends of AI applications in epidemiology over the past decade by using bibliometric methods, which indicated that current AI-based epidemiological studies are still in the exploratory phase, with the coexisting of both advantages and challenges. Continued attention should be paid to the future development of this field.

The emergence of artificial intelligence(AI)has had a significant impact on medical research and practice,both in terms of the number of studies and research paradigms,and has become an important tool for the development of pharmacoepidemiology.However,traditional AI has faced many challenges,while facilitating pharmacoepidemiology research,such as complex data processing,difficulty in identifying drug exposures and potential outcomes,and time-consuming and laborious study design and implementation.The rapid development of generative AI,represented by large language models(LLMs),has demonstrated a unique potential to enhance research efficiency,shift research paradigms,and facilitate knowledge discovery.LLMs are equipped with natural language understanding and generation capabilities.Through deep mining of multi-dimensional data resources,LLMs can quickly and accurately extract,analyze,summarize,and present the required information,which can not only help drug discovery,drug repurposing,pharmacovigilance and other pharmacoepidemiological tasks,but also provide powerful support for the whole process of research protocol design,data analysis,result interpretation and paper publication.Driven by LLMs,pharmacoepidemiology research is gradually moving into a new stage based on big data and automated analysis.Of course,LLMs also have problems of data bias,"illusion"of results,and ethical and legal regulation.By strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation,establishing a standardized evaluation system,improving ethical and regulatory guidance,enhancing data quality,strengthening practitioner training and capacity building,and promoting human-machine collaborative research modes,it is expected that the potential of LLMs in pharmacoepidemiology will be fully released,and it will provide a more scientific,rapid,and efficient technological support for drug regulation and public health decision-making.