The development of health-related quality of life (HRQL) instrument in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is increasing rapidly in China, but few studies focus on their necessity. This study explores the necessity of the development of TCM instruments from both theoretical and practice perspectives, and aims to explain whether the adoption of the cross-medical style is valid. Through theoretical analysis, both TCM and Western medicine instruments show the same objectives, whereas TCM instruments are more suitable for the Chinese social behavior, customs and expectations. In practical analysis, 47 TCM instruments were identified, among which 17 had 18 corresponding Western medical instruments. In the domains layer, except for physiological, psychological and social factors, TCM instruments focus more on the harmony between body and spirit, humanity and nature or human and society and the constitution, etc. In the facts layer, TCM instruments focus on the emotions, initiative social intercourse, TCM symptoms, diet, sleep, taste, feces and urine, etc. In addition, significant differences existed in the methods of information selection. There is no need to modify cross-medical style research except when TCM characteristic terms exist, but attention must be paid to the influence of culture in different areas. Therefore, the TCM instruments can resolve the limitations of the application of Western medical instruments to the Chinese setting, while also having remarkable abilities of information coverage and detection. Both forms of instruments have the capacity and requirement to inter-communicate with each other in order to serve the whole Chinese cultural system. Generally speaking, there is no need to modify the instruments in cross-medical style research. But this point requires further demonstration in the rigorous designed clinical trials.

Objective To compare the morphology differences in small shadows of occupational pneumoconiosis (hereinafter referred to as "pneumoconiosis") between computed tomography (CT) and digital radiography (DR) imaging. Methods A total of 1 010 pneumoconiosis patients were selected as the research subjects using a judgment sampling method. Chest DR imaging and CT imaging were performed on patients, and the differences in small shadow morphology between the two images were compared. Results In both DR and CT images of patients, circular small shadows identified as p, q, and r shapes accounted for 76.2%, 11.5%, and 1.3%, respectively, while irregular small shadows were identified in 1.8% of cases. There was medium high consistency between DR and CT in detecting these four types of small shadow morphology (Kappa=0.72, P<0.01). The detection rate of irregular small shadows (including interlobular septal thickening, ground-glass opacity, and/or centrilobular emphysema) by CT images was 54.0% (545/1 010), with 88.6% (483/545) of these cases also showing small circular shadows. Irregular small shadows in CT images were mostly identified as p small circular shadows in DR images, accounting for 88.8% (484/545). The results of DR and CT images for p/p, p/q, q/p, q/q, q/r, r/q and r/r in small circular shadows showed medium high consistency (Kappa =0.52, P<0.01). Conclusion The results of CT and DR imaging for pneumoconiosis with small shadow were of medium high consistency, with CT demonstrating advantages in detecting irregular small shadow morphology of pneumoconiosis. CT images can be used to describe the shape of circular small shadow as DR images, and irregular small shadow can be described as interlobular septal thickening, ground-glass opacity, and/or centrilobular emphysema.

This paper summarizes Professor LIU Fengbin's clinical experience in treating autoimmune liver disease （AILD） using the method of nourishing yin and removing stasis based on stage differentiation. He believes that the pathogenesis of AILD generally involves both deficiency in essence and excess in manifestation， with essence deficiency often presenting as liver and kidney yin deficiency， which may progress to spleen deficiency and yang deficiency over time. The excess manifestation commonly includes qi stagnation， blood stasis， damp-heat， and phlegm toxicity. Clinically， he advocates for the treatment principle of nourishing yin and removing stasis. On the foundation of nourishing liver and kidney yin， different pathological factors causing stasis are eliminated according to their nature. Treatment is also tailored to different stages of AILD. In the early and asymptomatic stages， liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency are prominent， warranting a therapeutic approach of soothing the liver， regulating qi and strengthening the spleen. The modified Chaishao Qizhi Decoction （柴芍气滞汤） is used. During the symptomatic stage， pathogenic factors become more pronounced， often accompanied by a significant deficiency of vital qi， with damp-heat， water retention， and phlegm toxicity as key pathological features. The treatment should focus on strengthening the spleen and dispelling dampness， using modified Sijunzi Decoction （四君子汤） combined with Yinchen Wuling Powder （茵陈五苓散）. In the liver function decompensation stage， vital qi is severely deficient while pathogenic factors persist， with damp-heat， phlegm toxicity， and blood stasis obstructing the liver collaterals. Treatment should focus on nourishing blood， softening the liver， strengthening the spleen， and resolving stasis， using the modified Ruangan Yangxue Decoction （软肝养血汤）. Throughout the treatment process， emphasis is placed on tonifying the liver and kidneys while protecting yin fluids.