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

The incomplete degradation of tumour cells by macrophages (Mϕ) is a contributing factor to tumour progression and metastasis, and the degradation function of Mϕ is mediated through phagosomes and lysosomes. In our preliminary experiments, we found that overactivation of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) reduced the ability of Mϕ to degrade engulfed tumour cells. Above this, we screened out liquiritin from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, which can significantly inhibit NOX2 activity and inhibit tumours, to elucidate that suppressing NOX2 can enhance the ability of Mϕ to degrade tumour cells. We found that the tumour environment could activate the NOX2 activity in Mϕ phagosomes, causing Mϕ to produce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus prohibiting the formation of phagolysosomes before degradation. Conversely, inhibiting NOX2 in Mϕ by liquiritin can reduce ROS and promote phagosome-lysosome fusion, therefore improving the enzymatic degradation of tumour cells after phagocytosis, and subsequently promote T cell activity by presenting antigens. We further confirmed that liquiritin down-regulated the expression of the NOX2 specific membrane component protein gp91 phox, blocking its binding to the NOX2 cytoplasmic component proteins p67 phox and p47 phox, thereby inhibiting the activity of NOX2. This study elucidates the specific mechanism by which Mϕ cannot degrade tumour cells after phagocytosis, and indicates that liquiritin can promote the ability of Mϕ to degrade tumour cells by suppressing NOX2.

[Objective] To understand the characteristics of dietary diversity of urban families in Ningbo city and analyze the related factors of dietary diversity level. [Methods] The project was carried out based on the baseline survey project of the primary health comprehensive experimental area of the National Health Commission in 2021. Multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling was adopted and household face-to-face inquiry was conducted. The survey questionnaire was divided into four parts: basic information, dietary knowledge and attitudes, dietary consumption frequency, and 24-hour dietary intake. The generalized estimating equation was used to analyze the influencing factors of dietary diversity score. [Results] A total of 632 people were surveyed. Among the nine groups of food (except cooking oils), foods consumed weekly in frequency from high to low were cereals, vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, eggs, beans, and dairy. The overall dietary diversity score (DDS) was 5.78±1.693. Among the surveyed, 9% had insufficient DDS, 62.2% had moderate DDS, and 28.8% had adequate DDS. Age, dietary knowledge acquisition attitude behavior, and family role were significantly correlated with DDS. DDS was 0.70 higher in the group under 40 years old than in the group over 60 years old (P<0.05), and DDS in the group between 40 and 59 years old was 0.46 higher than that in the group over 60 years old (P<0.05). DDS in the occasionally or never actively collected group was 0.93 lower than that in the frequently actively collected group (P<0.001). Among the family role factors, DDS of ordinary family members was 0.32 higher than that of family opinion leader (P<0.05). [Conclusion] The dietary patterns in this region have the characteristics of plant-based and coastal characteristic dietary ones. The intake level of fruits and fish is relatively good, while the intake of legumes and dairy is relatively low, which needs attention.

Objective To analyze the situation and study trend of large-scale nurses'health cohort studies based on Web of Science,to help design clinical guidelines and scientific research for nursing staff in China.Methods Articles of large nurses'health cohort studies published from 1993 to 2023 were retrieved from Web of Science(WOS)Core Collection.Citespace and Bibilometrix were used to perform the bibliometric analysis.Results 2882 studies were included in this study.Total volume of papers was enlarging by year.Clustering results showed that the main keywords could be divided into 3 categories:risks of women's health,risks of cardiovascular disease and reproducibility.Results of keywords burst showed that lifestyle,cardiovascular disease,women reproductive health and mental health were the highlights of studies in recent 5 years.Conclusion Research on large-scale nurse health cohorts holds significant scientific significance.It is recommended to establish a nationwide large-scale nurse health cohort as soon as possible.In the study,appropriate exposure factors should be selected,with reproductive health,mental health,and psychiatric disorders being the primary outcome measures,and chronic physical illnesses being the secondary outcome measures.By systematically describing the factors influencing the physical and mental health of nurses in China,we can better safeguard their well-being and promote the development of the nursing discipline.

Objective:To observe any effects of contralateral repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the swallowing motor cortex on the swallowing and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) of stroke survivors with dysphagia.Methods:A total of 83 stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomly divided into an ipsilesional stimulation group ( n=22), a contralesional stimulation group ( n=21), a bilateral stimulation group ( n=20), and a control group ( n=20). In addition to their conventional dysphagia training, those in the three stimulation groups received 3Hz rTMS while the control group was given fake stimulation. The treatment was administered daily for 20 minutes, 6 days a week, for 5 consecutive weeks. Before and after the treatment, swallowing function was assessed videofluoroscopically and using the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS). The oral and pharyngeal stages of swallowing were evaluated using the videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS). Brain stem conduction was assessed using BAEPs. Results:After treatment the average DOSS scores of all 4 groups were significantly better than before the treatment. The average DOSS scores of the contralesional and bilateral sti-mulation groups were then significantly better than those of the other two groups. The sub-item and total VDS scores of all 4 groups had decreased significantly, but the average score of the bilateral stimulation group was significantly lower than the control group′s average. Ipsilesional stimulation significantly improved the VDS sub-item scores for the triggering of pharyngeal swallowing, laryngeal elevation, and pharyngeal transit time compared with the control group. In the contralesional stimulation group the average total score and the VDS sub-item scores for apraxia, premature bolus loss, oral transit times, the triggering of pharyngeal swallowing, vallecular residue, laryngeal elevation, coating on the pharyngeal wall, and pharyngeal transit time were significantly lower than those of the control group, on average. After the treatment the latencies of BAEP waves I, III and V and the I-III, III-V and I-V interpeak intervals had decreased significantly in all four groups, but the average latencies and intervals of the bilateral and contralesional groups were significantly shorter than those of the control group. The latencies and intervals of the bilateral stimulation group were then significantly shorter than those in the ipsilesional stimulation group on average. The average latency of wave V in the bilateral stimulation group (6.53±0.73ms) was significantly shorter than that in the contralesional stimulation group after the treatment.Conclusion:Bilateral rTMS over the swallowing motor cortex combined with conventional dysphagia training can significantly improve the swallowing of dysphagic stroke survivors.

Objective:To observe any effect of repeated unilateral high frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the swallowing function and functional magnetic resonance images of dysphagic stroke survivors.Methods:Twenty stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomly divided into a treatment group ( n=10) and a control group ( n=10). Both groups received traditional swallowing rehabilitation training, while the treatment group was additionally provided with high frequency rTMS over the cortical area of the suprahyoid muscle group of the healthy contralateral cerebral hemisphere. The stimulation frequency was 5Hz and the stimulation intensity was 80% of the resting movement threshold. During the 20-minute treatment, there was a 20-second interval between each 2-second dose of stimulation. Before and after the treatment, both groups were evaluated using the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10), a swallowing functional communication measurement (FCM) and the modified Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MMASA). In addition, functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to observe any changes in the relevant brain regions. Results:After the treatment the average EAT-10, FCM and MMASA scores of both groups were significantly better than those before the treatment, with the treatment group′s averages significantly superior to those of the control group. After the treatment, the activation range of the parietal lobe, the superior parietal lobule, the BA7 region and the BA40 area in the treatment group was significantly larger than before the treatment and larger than the control group′s ranges.Conclusions:Repeated high-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation of the cortical area of the suprahyoid muscles in the contralateral cerebral hemisphere can improve dysphagia and promote the activation of brain areas related to swallowing after a stroke.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of community acquired pyogenic liver abscess (CA-PLA) as a reference for its early identification, early diagnosis and rational antibacterial treatment.Methods:A single center retrospective study was carried out in patients with CA-PLA hospitalized in First Hospital of China Medical University from January 2011 to December 2017.The symptoms, signs and treatment results were concluded. The underlying diseases and onset symptoms of the cases were grouped by year, and the change trend of the disease characteristics was analyzed. The etiology results were grouped according to whether the patients had underlying diseases of biliary tract, and the etiology characteristics were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed by using chi-square test.Results:A total of 1 063 CA-PLA cases were included in this study. The analysis on underlying diseases grouped by year showed that the number of patients admitted to the hospital increased annually, and the percentage of patients with underlying hepatobiliary diseases decreased from 17.3% (19/110) in 2011 to 7.3% (14/191) in 2017, the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=13.648, P=0.034), while that of patients with diabetes mellitus kept high at 31.6% to 46.5% in the past seven years without increasing trend. There were 274 patients (25.8%) with extrahepatic manifestations. Totally 445 cases were microbiologically diagnosed, among which single Klebsiella pneumoniae infection was found in 371 cases (83.4%). Klebsiella pneumoniae was the leading pathogen in patients without underlying hepatobiliary diseases (91.6%, 362/395), in contrast to 18.0%(9/50) in patients with underlying hepatobiliary diseases. The other pathogens were Escherichia Coli (32.0%, 16/50) and mixed infection (18.0%, 9/50). The susceptibility rate to second generation and above cephalosporins of clinically defined hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae was ≥97.5%, and that to carbapenems was 100.0%. Most patients had good prognosis, and 1 049 cases were cure or improvement discharged, six cases left hospital voluntarily, and eight cases died. Conclusions:Most of the CA-PLA patients have no underlying hepatobiliary diseases, and more than half of patients have no history of diabetes mellitus. Most of the pathogens are Klebsiella pneumoniae, which are relatively sensitive to antimicrobial agents.

Objective: To investigate the current situation of emotional and behavioral problems and analyze the influencing factors of middle school students. Methods: The general information questionnaire, the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (student version), and the illinois bullying scale were used to evaluate 680 students in two middle schools in Hunan province.Statistical analysis was performed using t test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: (1) The detection rate of total difficulty (12.09±5.67), conduct problem (2.42±1.66), hyperactivity/attention defect (3.65±2.08), emotional (2.82±2.32), peer relationship problem (3.21±1.79) and pre-socialization behavior (7.02±2.39) were 11.2%, 11.2%, 7.7%, 6.9%, 11.0% and 14.5%.(2)The scores of total difficulties, conduct problem, hyperactivity/attention deficit and peer relationship problems of boys were higher than that of girls(t=2.79, 4.03, 2.44, 3.40, all P<0.05), while the score of pre-socialization behavior of boys was lower than that of girls (t=-5.29, P<0.05). (3) The scores of total difficulties, conduct and peer relations, pre-socialization of rural students were significantly different with those of urban students(t=-3.93, -2.55, -7.00, 5.26, all P<0.05). (4) The score of total difficulties, conduct problem, hyperactivity/attention deficit and emotional symptoms of left-behind students were higher than that of un-left-behind students (t=-3.18, -2.50, -2.67, -2.40, 2.19, all P<0.05). (5) Middle school students with different fathers' education levels showed different scores of total difficulties, peer relationship problem and pre-socialized behavior(F=3.84, 7.10, 6.20, all P<0.05), while middle school students with different mothers' education levels showed different scores of total difficulties and peer relationship problem(F=3.97, 7.38, both P<0.05). (6) The scores of total difficulties, emotional symptoms, conduct problems, and hyperactivity/attention deficit of the middle school students were significantly positively correlated with the total score of the bullying total scale, the bullish subscale, the bullying subscale, and the fighting subscale(r=0.165-0.430, P<0.05). (7) Gender, urban and rural areas, left-behind or not, maternal education level, bullying, being bullied, fighting were the influencing factors of middle school students' emotion and behavior problems(β=0.010-0.533, P<0.05). Conclusion Some middle school students in Hunan province have emotional and behavioral problems and more attention should bo paid to mental health education.

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment of pseudohypoparathyroidism(PHP) in children and to increase clinicians′understanding of this disorder. Methods: From January 2008 to November 2018, a total of 14 PHP patients at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed, as regarding the clinical manifestation, laboratory examination and imaging data.The patients were further divided into two groups according to onset age: group A(under 1 year) and group B(over or equal to 1 year). The laboratory findings were compared between the two groups. Results: Of the 14 patients(10 boys and 4 girls), the median age of onset was 12 years(range: 1 day to 16 years). Epilepsy is one of the most common manifestations of PHP.Laboratory findings include hypocalcemia(1.06-2.18mmol/L), hyperphosphatemia(2.1-3.5 mmol/L), and elevated concentrations of PTH(105.6-733.0 pg/ml). PTH levels were significantly lower in the group A than in group B(Z=2.07, P=0.042). Five patients were found to have calcifications in bilateral basal ganglia and cerebral parenchyma by head CT.All the patients were improved after treatment, which included calcium gluconate injection to control tetany, calcium supplement combined with vitamin D and/or calcitriol orally. Conclusion For children who presented frequent hypocalcemia tetany and calcifications in head CT, serum calcium, phosphorus, PTH levels should be further investigated to make a correct diagnosis.Calcium supplement combined with vitamin D or its metabolites is an effective therapy for PHP children.

Objective To study the difference between piperacillin-tazobactam and other anti-infective agents in the treatment of blood stream infection caused by extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL )-producing Enterobacteriaceae by systematic review and meta-analysis . Methods PubMed , Cochrane library ,Web of Science , CNKI , Weipu DATA , and CPVIP were systematically searched . Literatures were reviewed and data regarding mortality of mono -drug treatment with different antibiotics were collected . All data were pooled using the technique of meta-analysis by Revman 5 .3 , and heterogeneity tests were performed .Results Eleven articles containing 1620 patients were included . Escherichia coli and K lebsiella pneumonia were the main pathogens ,and there were 31 cases caused by Enterobacter cloacae .There was no statistically significant difference in mortality between carbapenems and piperacillin-tazobactam mono-therapy for the empirical treatment (RR = 0 .86 ;95％ CI :0 .62 - 1 .20 , P> 0 .05) or for definitive treatment (RR = 0 .63 ;95％ CI :0 .20 - 1 .97 ,P > 0 .05) .Carbapenems were used as the main antibiotics for definitive treatment as well as empirical treatment . Conclusion Piperacillin-tazobactam treatment is not associated with increased mortality of the patients with ESBL -positive enterobacteria bloodstream infection ,which can be used as an alternative antibiotics .