Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) represents a paradigmatic approach to personalized medicine, developed through the systematic accumulation and refinement of clinical empirical data over more than 2000 years, and now encompasses large-scale electronic medical records (EMR) and experimental molecular data. Artificial intelligence (AI) has demonstrated its utility in medicine through the development of various expert systems (e.g., MYCIN) since the 1970s. With the emergence of deep learning and large language models (LLMs), AI's potential in medicine shows considerable promise. Consequently, the integration of AI and TCM from both clinical and scientific perspectives presents a fundamental and promising research direction. This survey provides an insightful overview of TCM AI research, summarizing related research tasks from three perspectives: systems-level biological mechanism elucidation, real-world clinical evidence inference, and personalized clinical decision support. The review highlights representative AI methodologies alongside their applications in both TCM scientific inquiry and clinical practice. To critically assess the current state of the field, this work identifies major challenges and opportunities that constrain the development of robust research capabilities-particularly in the mechanistic understanding of TCM syndromes and herbal formulations, novel drug discovery, and the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered clinical care. The findings underscore that future advancements in AI-driven TCM research will rely on the development of high-quality, large-scale data repositories; the construction of comprehensive and domain-specific knowledge graphs (KGs); deeper insights into the biological mechanisms underpinning clinical efficacy; rigorous causal inference frameworks; and intelligent, personalized decision support systems.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Artificial Intelligence ; Humans ; Precision Medicine ; Decision Support Systems, Clinical

Mitochondrial dysfunction in chondrocytes is a key pathogenic factor in osteoarthritis (OA), but directly modulating mitochondria in vivo remains a significant challenge. This study is the first to verify a correlation between mitochondrial dysfunction and the downregulation of the FOXO3 gene in the cartilage of OA patients, highlighting the potential for regulating mitophagy via FOXO3 gene modulation to alleviate OA. Consequently, we developed a chondrocyte-targeting CRISPR/Cas9-based FOXO3 gene-editing tool (FoxO3) and integrated it within a nanoengineered 'truck' (NETT, FoxO3-NETT). This was further encapsulated in injectable hydrogel microspheres (FoxO3-NETT@SMs) to harness the antioxidant properties of sodium alginate and the enhanced lubrication of hybrid exosomes. Collectively, these FoxO3-NETT@SMs successfully activate mitophagy and rebalance mitochondrial function in OA chondrocytes through the Foxo3 gene-modulated PINK1/Parkin pathway. As a result, FoxO3-NETT@SMs stimulate chondrocytes proliferation, migration, and ECM production in vitro, and effectively alleviate OA progression in vivo, demonstrating significant potential for clinical applications.

Objective To compare the clinical effect of left atrial appendage(LAA)plus atrial septal defect(ASD)closure therapy and ASD closure therapy in treating ASD associated with atrial fibrillation(AF).Methods A total of 102 patients with ASD complicated by non-valvular AF,who were admitted to the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command of China from January 2016 to December 2023,were enrolled in this study.Of the 102 patients,simultaneous one-stop interventional transcatheter LAA plus ASD closure was performed in 52(LAA+ASD closure group)and ASD closure was performed in 50.(ASD closure group).The perioperative and postoperative 30 d,90 d,180 d clinical safety and efficacy were compared between the two groups.Telephone follow-up was conducted,the complications such as embolization and bleeding were recorded,and the medium-to-long-term follow-up results were compared between the two groups.Results The immediate surgical success rate in both groups was 100％.The immediate postoperative monitoring showed that the occlusion effect was satisfactory.In LAA plus ASD closure group,LACBES LAA occluder was used in 27 patients and LAmbre LAA occluder was adopted in 25.There were no statistically significant differences in the patients' baseline characteristics between the two groups(all P＞0.05).In the LAA+ASD closure group,3 patients developed cardiac tamponade,among them 2 patients were cured after pericardiocentesis drainage and one patient was referred to the surgery department to receive occluder removal and intracardiac repair.Medium-to-long-term follow-up was conducted in 101 patients with a median follow-up period of 37.6 months.The incidence of embolic events in the LAA+ASD closure group was lower than that in the ASD closure group(3.9％vs.18.0％,P=0.028).The incidence of bleeding events in the ASD closure group was higher than that in the LAA+ASD closure group(16.00％vs.1.96％,P=0.016).Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the risk of occurring embolic events and bleeding events in the LAA+ASD closure group was strikingly lower than that in the ASD closure group(HR=4.295 and 7.888 respectively,95％CI:1.317-14.010 and 2.135-29.140 respectively,P=0.040 9 and P=0.020 8 respectively).Conclusion Simultaneous interventional transcatheter LAA plus ASD closure can effectively prevent embolic events such as stroke,etc.in patients with ASD complicated by AF,and its bleeding risk is lower than simple ASD closure.

BACKGROUND:Current osteoarthritis modeling methods include anterior cruciate ligament transection(ACLT)and ACLT combined with medial meniscal anterior horn resection.ACLT requires excessive postoperative exercise,which is time and labor-intensive.Complete removal of anterior horn of the medial meniscus can cause collateral damage and increase variability in modeling outcomes,requiring higher surgical skills from the surgeon. OBJECTIVE:To modify and simplify the traditional method to create animal osteoarthritis model and compare osteoarthritis symptoms of different modeling methods under a low-load exercise environment. METHODS:Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned in four groups(n=12 per group):sham operation(complete exposure of the knee cavity of the left hind limb followed by suturing the joint cavity and skin),ACLT,ACLT+anterior horn resection(removal of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus)and ACLT+anterior horn tear(anterior horn tear of the medial meniscus).At 4 weeks after modeling,the rats were euthanized and their knee specimens were collected for gross observation,X-ray and CT scans,pathological observation,and PCR detection. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Gross observation:Mild meniscal wear was observed in the ACLT group.In the ACLT+anterior horn tear group,severe wear of the lateral condyle articular surface,mild wear of the medial condyle articular surface,severe meniscal wear,and full wear of the medial meniscus were observed.The ACLT+resection group showed severe wear of the lateral condyle articular surface,mild wear of the medial condyle articular surface,absence of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus,and meniscus wear area＞50%.Imaging examinations showed no significant difference among the four groups.However,the anterior tibial translocation sign was observed in the three operation groups and the anterior horn of the medial meniscus was missing in the ACLT+anterior horn resection group.Histopathological section observation:Hematoxylin-eosin,toluidine blue,and Sirius red staining showed smooth joint surfaces in the sham operation group and ACLT group;cartilage damage and matrix degradation were evident in the ACLT+anterior horn tear and ACLT+anterior horn transection groups,with less cartilage damage and matrix degradation in the ACLT+anterior horn tear group.PCR results showed higher mRNA expressions of interleukin 1β,interleukin 6,interleukin 8,tumor necrosis factor α,matrix metalloproteinase 1 and matrix metalloproteinase 3 and lower mRNA expressions of aggrecan in the ACLT+anterior horn tear group and ACLT+anterior horn resection group than in the sham operation group and ACLT group(P＜0.05).The mRNA expressions of interleukin 6,matrix metalloproteinase 1,and matrix metalloproteinase 3 were higher in the ACLT + anterior horn resection group than in the ACLT +anterior horn tear group(P＜0.05).To conclude,ACLT alone is less likely to induce osteoarthritis with obvious cartilage wear.ACLT combined with anterior horn resection or tear of the medial meniscus can induce obvious symptoms of osteoarthritis and achieve similar modeling effects.

Objective:To explore the effects of simulated microgravity on carotid oxidative stress and anti-oxidative stress in rats by using a rat tail-suspension model to simulate the hemodynamic changes caused by microgravity.Methods:Twelve healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were completely randomized into control group and simulated suspension group, with 6 rats in each group. The rats in control group were fed in standard laboratory environment and could move freely. The feeding environment of the simulated suspension group rats was the same as that of the control group, and the tail suspension was maintained for 4 weeks. The differentially expressed genes in carotid tissue were obtained by transcriptome sequencing, and analyzed by volcano plot, Venn diagram and heatmap. The differentially expressed genes were further analyzed by Gene Ontology and the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes. Dihydroethidium staining was used to detect the content of reactive oxygen species in rat carotid artery. Western blotting was used to detect the expression changes of pro-oxidative stress factor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 and anti-oxidative stress factors Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1, nuclear factor-E2 related factor 2, heme oxygenase-1, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate quinone oxidoreductase-1 in each group. The contents/activities of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione and oxidized glutathione in each group were detected using the thiobarbituric acid method, 4-[2-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)tetrazol-2-ium-5-yl]benzene-1,3-disulfonate sodium method and colorimetry.Results:Compared with the rats in control group, the wet weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of the wet weight of soleus muscle to body weight in simulated suspension group rats were decreased ( t=19.98, 17.34, both P<0.001), and the differences were significant. Eighty differentially expressed genes related to oxidative stress were screened by transcriptional sequencing (52 up-regulated and 28 down-regulated), which were closely related to vascular remodeling pathways, including cyclic guanosine monophosphate-protein kinase G signal pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase signal pathway, phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt signal pathway, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum and lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis-related signal pathways. These genes were mainly involved in response to antioxidant defense, chaperone-mediated autophagy, stress fiber, contractile actin filament bundle, actin filament bundle, growth factor activity, chaperone binding and cytokine activity. Compared with the control group, the levels of reactive oxygen species ( t=3.83, P=0.028) and malondialdehyde ( t=8.75, P<0.001) in the simulated suspension group were significantly increased. The protein expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 ( t=11.49 , P<0.001) was significantly increased, with statistical significance. The activities of antioxidant stress related factors superoxide dismutase ( t=6.44, P=0.001), catalase ( t=6.83, P=0.001), and the ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione ( t=3.46, P=0.003), and nuclear factor-E2 related factor 2 ( t=28.18, P<0.001), heme oxygenase-1 ( t=8.03, P<0.001), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate quinone oxidoreductase-1 ( t=9.71, P<0.001) were significantly decreased, the protein expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 ( t=5.06, P<0.001) was increased, and the differences were statistically significant. Conclusions:Simulated microgravity can enhance the level of carotid oxidative stress in rats, including promoting the expression of pro-oxidative stress-related factors and suppressing the activity of anti-oxidative stress pathways. Their combined action will lead to the oxidative stress injury of carotid arteries. This process may be one of the key mechanisms involved in the remodeling of arterial structure and function induced by simulated microgravity.

Objective::This study aims to investigate the impact of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) severity on the accuracy of echocardiographic estimation of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).Methods::Patients who were diagnosed with PAH and had a right heart catheterization (RHC) and echocardiography examination were selected retrospectively from May 2018 to December 2021. sPAP measured by RHC is used as the gold standard. A difference in sPAP of less than 10 mmHg between echocardiographic estimation by peak TR velocity and RHC measurement was defined as accurate, with a difference ≥10 mmHg considered inaccurate. The factors affecting the accuracy of echocardiographic sPAP estimation were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis.Results::A total of 138 patients aged (45.57 ± 15.97) years with PAH were enrolled. sPAP measured by echocardiography and RHC were (80.83 ± 23.46) and (81.62 ± 30.05) mmHg, respectively. The values of the 2 methods were highly correlated ( r = 0.809, P < 0.01) and Bland-Altman plots showed good consistency. The accuracy rate of sPAP estimation by echocardiography was 42.03% (58/138). In the 57.97% (80/138) of patients where echocardiography was inaccurate, sPAP was overestimated in 28.26% (39/138) and underestimated in 29.71% (41/138). Univariate analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the accurate and inaccurate groups in World Health Organization-Function Class, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, severity of TR, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), sPAP-RHC, mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance ( P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified the TR severity (odds ratio = 2.292, 95% confidence interval: 1.126–4.667, P = 0.022) and TAPSE (odds ratio = 0.733, 95% confidence interval: 0.621–0.865, P < 0.001) as independent predictors for the accuracy of echocardiographic sPAP estimation. Conclusion::Higher TR severity and lower TAPSE values reduce the accuracy of sPAP estimated by echocardiography. Therefore, TR severity and right heart function should be considered when echocardiography is used to estimate sPAP by the TR velocity.

Objective::This study aims to investigate the impact of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) severity on the accuracy of echocardiographic estimation of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).Methods::Patients who were diagnosed with PAH and had a right heart catheterization (RHC) and echocardiography examination were selected retrospectively from May 2018 to December 2021. sPAP measured by RHC is used as the gold standard. A difference in sPAP of less than 10 mmHg between echocardiographic estimation by peak TR velocity and RHC measurement was defined as accurate, with a difference ≥10 mmHg considered inaccurate. The factors affecting the accuracy of echocardiographic sPAP estimation were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis.Results::A total of 138 patients aged (45.57 ± 15.97) years with PAH were enrolled. sPAP measured by echocardiography and RHC were (80.83 ± 23.46) and (81.62 ± 30.05) mmHg, respectively. The values of the 2 methods were highly correlated ( r = 0.809, P < 0.01) and Bland-Altman plots showed good consistency. The accuracy rate of sPAP estimation by echocardiography was 42.03% (58/138). In the 57.97% (80/138) of patients where echocardiography was inaccurate, sPAP was overestimated in 28.26% (39/138) and underestimated in 29.71% (41/138). Univariate analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the accurate and inaccurate groups in World Health Organization-Function Class, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, severity of TR, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), sPAP-RHC, mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance ( P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified the TR severity (odds ratio = 2.292, 95% confidence interval: 1.126–4.667, P = 0.022) and TAPSE (odds ratio = 0.733, 95% confidence interval: 0.621–0.865, P < 0.001) as independent predictors for the accuracy of echocardiographic sPAP estimation. Conclusion::Higher TR severity and lower TAPSE values reduce the accuracy of sPAP estimated by echocardiography. Therefore, TR severity and right heart function should be considered when echocardiography is used to estimate sPAP by the TR velocity.

Objective:To explore the effects of simulated microgravity on carotid oxidative stress and anti-oxidative stress in rats by using a rat tail-suspension model to simulate the hemodynamic changes caused by microgravity.Methods:Twelve healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were completely randomized into control group and simulated suspension group, with 6 rats in each group. The rats in control group were fed in standard laboratory environment and could move freely. The feeding environment of the simulated suspension group rats was the same as that of the control group, and the tail suspension was maintained for 4 weeks. The differentially expressed genes in carotid tissue were obtained by transcriptome sequencing, and analyzed by volcano plot, Venn diagram and heatmap. The differentially expressed genes were further analyzed by Gene Ontology and the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes. Dihydroethidium staining was used to detect the content of reactive oxygen species in rat carotid artery. Western blotting was used to detect the expression changes of pro-oxidative stress factor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 and anti-oxidative stress factors Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1, nuclear factor-E2 related factor 2, heme oxygenase-1, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate quinone oxidoreductase-1 in each group. The contents/activities of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione and oxidized glutathione in each group were detected using the thiobarbituric acid method, 4-[2-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)tetrazol-2-ium-5-yl]benzene-1,3-disulfonate sodium method and colorimetry.Results:Compared with the rats in control group, the wet weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of the wet weight of soleus muscle to body weight in simulated suspension group rats were decreased ( t=19.98, 17.34, both P<0.001), and the differences were significant. Eighty differentially expressed genes related to oxidative stress were screened by transcriptional sequencing (52 up-regulated and 28 down-regulated), which were closely related to vascular remodeling pathways, including cyclic guanosine monophosphate-protein kinase G signal pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase signal pathway, phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt signal pathway, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum and lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis-related signal pathways. These genes were mainly involved in response to antioxidant defense, chaperone-mediated autophagy, stress fiber, contractile actin filament bundle, actin filament bundle, growth factor activity, chaperone binding and cytokine activity. Compared with the control group, the levels of reactive oxygen species ( t=3.83, P=0.028) and malondialdehyde ( t=8.75, P<0.001) in the simulated suspension group were significantly increased. The protein expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 ( t=11.49 , P<0.001) was significantly increased, with statistical significance. The activities of antioxidant stress related factors superoxide dismutase ( t=6.44, P=0.001), catalase ( t=6.83, P=0.001), and the ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione ( t=3.46, P=0.003), and nuclear factor-E2 related factor 2 ( t=28.18, P<0.001), heme oxygenase-1 ( t=8.03, P<0.001), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate quinone oxidoreductase-1 ( t=9.71, P<0.001) were significantly decreased, the protein expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 ( t=5.06, P<0.001) was increased, and the differences were statistically significant. Conclusions:Simulated microgravity can enhance the level of carotid oxidative stress in rats, including promoting the expression of pro-oxidative stress-related factors and suppressing the activity of anti-oxidative stress pathways. Their combined action will lead to the oxidative stress injury of carotid arteries. This process may be one of the key mechanisms involved in the remodeling of arterial structure and function induced by simulated microgravity.

Objective:To investigate the application of three-dimensional (3D) image fusion technique of pelvic enhanced CT and magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) on the patients of pelvic fractures with lumbosacral plexus injury.Methods:From January 2019 to December 2020, 15 patients (11 males, 4 females, mean age 26.67±11.34 of pelvic fracture (AO classification C1.3 of 11 cases, C2 of 2 cases, C3 of 2 cases) with lumbosacral plexus injury underwent 3D image fusion of pelvic enhanced CT and MRN. All patients exhibited lower limb nerve dysfunction after injury. The preoperative muscle strength were evaluated by British Medical Research Council (BMRC) criteria: grade 0 in 2 cases, grade 1 in 5, grade 2 in 7 and grade 3 in 1. Physical examination and enhanced CT combined with MRN 3D image fusion technology were used to accurately determine the injury site of lumbosacral plexus nerve, fracture displacement, and the direction of blood vessels and ureters, and develop corresponding surgical plans. The neurological functions were measured in post-operation follow-up.Results:All 15 operations were successfully completed and the site of lumbosacral plexus injury during operation was consistent with preoperative fusion image, and inconsistency of injury characteristic in 4 patients (4/15, 27%). Among the 6 cases of laparoscopic surgery, 2 cases were changed to open surgery because of the difficulty of nerve decompression. The average time of 4 cases of laparoscopic surgery was 116.27±26.46 min and intraoperative blood loss was 102.50±79.32 ml. The average time of 11 cases of open operation was 123.64±38.28 min, and intraoperative blood loss was 713.64±393.12 ml. For the opening operations, 9 cases were successfully decompressed, and nerve disruption was observed in 2 patients. All 15 patients were followed up. The average follow-up time was 9.33±2.19 months. The radial bony healing was observed in each case at the end of follow-up, mean healing time was 5.03±1.04 months (range, 3-6 months). In addition, patients' muscle strength recovered, 8 cases of grade 5, 3 cases of grade 4, 1 case of grade 3, 1 case of grade 2, and 2 cases of grade 0 after surgery. The difference was statistically significant ( Z=3.27, P<0.001). On the other hand, in sensory function assessment, there were 8 cases of grade S5, 1 case of grade S4, 3 cases of grade S3, 1 case of grade S2 and 2 cases of grade S0 after surgery. Conclusion:3D image fusion of enhanced CT and MRN can accurately locate and characterize pelvic fractures combined with lumbosacral plexus injury before surgery, accurately guide the formulation of surgical plan, and reduce surgical trauma and related complications.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect assistant with pelvic unlocking reduction frame for the treatment of old Denis I or II sacral fractures combined with sacral plexus nerve injury.Methods:From January 2013 to October 2020, 37 patients diagnosed with old sacral fractures with sacral plexus nerve injury which Gibbons classification was grade III were divided into the use group and the non-use group according to whether assisted with pelvic unlocking reduction frame. Eighteen patients (11 males, 7 females, mean age 38±6.4, range from 13-56) were selected into the use group and nineteen patients (14 males, 5 females, mean age 42±10.7, range 19-59) were selected into the non-use group. The three-dimensional (3D) pelvic model (1∶1) was printed before operation. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, Matta score, visual analogue scale (VAS), Majeed score and gibbons sacral nerve injury grade of the two groups were compared. The healing time and complications of each group was recorded.Results:The average operation time of the use group and the non-use group was 121.0±16.2 min and 182.6±16.2 min, respectively, with significant difference ( t=11.54, P<0.001). The mean operative bleeding was 686±382 ml of the use group and 963±348 ml of the non-use group ( t=2.38, P=0.003). The quality of fracture reduction was evaluated according to Matta scoring standard: the excellent and good rate of the use group was 94% (17/18), and that of the non-use group was 68% (13/19) ( P=0.039). The curative effect was evaluated according to the Majeed score: the use group was 88.72±7.03 points, and that of the non-use group was 72.00±9.75 points ( t=5.96, P<0.001) at 1 year post-operative. One year after operation, the VAS scale of the use group was 0.83±0.71 points, and that of the non-use group was 1.00±0.82 points ( t=0.66, P=0.512). According to Gibbons classification, 15 patients were grade I, 1 patient was grade II and 2 patients were grade III in the use group and 11 patients were grade I, 3 patients were grade II and 5 patients were grade III in the non-use group one year after operation ( Z=-1.04, P=0.401). One patient in the use group presented rupture of plate without symptoms. In the non-use group, 1 case with internal iliac vein rupture which treated with gelatin sponge and no obvious bleeding after operation. 4 cases with unequal length of lower limbs, walking claudication. The complication rate of the use group was 6% (1/18), and that of the non-use group was 26% (5/19) ( P=0.042) . Conclusion:The lateral rectus abdominis approach combined with pelvic unlocking reduction frame can reduce the operation time and bleeding, improve the fracture reduction in the treatment of old Denis type I and II sacral fractures with sacral plexus injury.