The development of intestinal-type gastric cancer follows a progression from non-atrophic gastritis — atrophic gastritis — intestinal metaplasia — epithelial dysplasia — gastric cancer，known as the " inflammation-cancer transformation. " Leveraging the advantages of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine，while collaborating to inhibit this transformation，remains a research focus and challenge. The incidence of gastric cancer in China has declined with the continuous elucidation of the mechanisms behind inflammation-cancer transformation，innovations in early screening and diagnosis techniques in Western medicine，the establishment of risk stratification and treatment systems，and effective interventions through traditional Chinese medicine. Leveraging the theoretical and practical advantages of the " preventing disease before it occurs" philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine，particularly the concept of " preventing transformation in existing diseases，" is essential. This approach emphasizes shifting the focus of prevention and treatment to earlier stages of disease progression. Developing more effective and reliable strategies and innovative drugs that block the dynamic progression of the " inflammation-cancer transformation" in gastric cancer remains a key goal. This article reviews the latest progress in both basic and clinical research in this field，the issues related to high-level clinical research in traditional Chinese medicine，the construction of integrated diagnosis and treatment pathways combining Chinese and Western medicine，the establishment of efficacy evaluation standards，and the elucidation of the integration mechanisms of the complex system of traditional Chinese medicine. It also explores research directions and solutions within the context of multidisciplinary collaboration to provide insights and references to block inflammation-cancer transformation and to construct a gastric cancer prevention and control system with Chinese characteristics，thereby further enhancing the level of gastric cancer prevention and control.

This article adopts Professor CHEN Chaozu′s " sanjiao composed by membrane-striae" theory as its foundation to explore the relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and functional/structural abnormalities of the membrane-striae. Sanjiao encompasses both the tangible membrane and the intangible striae. These striae permeate the entire body，and their pathological changes comprehensively reflect qi，body fluids，and fasciae. Based on the physiological function of the membrane-striae in regulating qi and fluids，the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by a disharmony of membrane-striae and an imbalance of the qi-fluid interactions. In the early stage，external pathogens，emotional factors，or dietary stimuli often cause membrane-striae constriction and disordered qi-fluid circulation. In the middle stage，stagnant fluids gradually transform into phlegm retention，leading to membrane-striae obstruction. In the late stage，deficiency of vital qi becomes predominant，manifesting as laxity of membrane-striae with impaired control or weakened conduction. The treatment of irritable bowel syndrome should adopt " unblocking" as the guiding principle. In the early stage，therapy should focus on eliminating pathogenic factors and soothing membrane-striae to promptly restore qi-fluid circulation，thereby attaining unblocking through spasm relief. In the middle stage，treatment should focus on resolving tangible obstructions in membrane-striae，achieving unblocking via dredging. In the late stage，the emphasis should shift to reinforcing healthy qi，particularly by strengthening spleen-kidney yang qi，and achieving unblocking through supplementation. Concurrently，throughout the entire treatment process，the regulation of mental state and easing of emotional tension should be integrated to alleviate patient′s anxiety，achieving the goal of holistic treatment of both body and mind.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic relapsing inflammatory bowel disease. Modern research indicates that immune dysregulation resulting from disruptions in circadian rhythm is closely associated with its pathogenesis. Both Western chronomedicine and traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）" treatment based on temporal factors" emphasize the temporal relationship between natural rhythms and human physiology and pathology. The " midnight-noon and ebb-flow " theory represents the concrete application and deepening of TCM " treatment based on temporal factors" within the realm of chronomedicine. This article correlates the onset time of ulcerative colitis with specific periods in the " midnight-noon and ebb-flow"theory：the Mao period（05：00-07：00），when the yangming large intestine meridian of hand is dominant； the Si period（09：00-11：00），when the taiyin spleen meridian of foot is dominant； and the You period（17：00-19：00），when the shaoyin kidney meridian of foot is dominant. According to this perspective，if the disease manifests during the Mao period，the pathogenesis is attributed to dampnessheat accumulation and disorder of qi and blood. Treatment should focus on clearing heat，resolving dampness，and harmonizing qi and blood，using modified formulas such as Shaoyao Decoction or Baitouweng Decoction. If it occurs during the Si period，the pathogenesis involves spleen deficiency with dampness obstruction and disharmony of qi and blood. Treatment should focus on strengthening the spleen，eliminating dampness，and restoring qi and blood，using modified formulas such as Huangya Decoction or Shenling Baizhu Powder. If it presents during the You period，the pathogenesis is characterized by fire failing to warm earth，and consumption resulting in qi and blood leakage. Treatment should focus on warming the kidney and spleen，and securing qi and blood，using modified formulas such as Sishen Pill or Tianhun Decoction. In addition to oral administration of Chinese herbal medicine，comprehensive therapies including acupuncture，herbal enemas，and acupoint application can provide novel insights for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Many ancient physicians emphasized the shared origins of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the Book of Changes, which are both deeply rooted in yin and yang transformations. While the Book of Changes explores alterations in yin and yang, TCM focuses on their manifestations in the human body. Based on these shared origins, this paper examines attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment in children through the perspectives of TCM, the Book of Changes, and the Kan-Li. This study integrates children′s unique physiological characteristics and emphasizes the pivotal role of the four zang viscera: the heart, kidney, spleen, and liver. In TCM, the kidney governs water metabolism and shares an intricate, interdependent relationship with the heart. Understanding the kidney′s functions and clinical implications necessitates accounting for its connection with the heart. Similarly, therapeutic interventions that nourish the kidney inherently involve heart regulation, reflecting the principle of the mutual rooting of water and fire through the interplay of Kan (water) and Li (fire). This fundamental view of TCM resonates with the natural laws of the universe and the interplay between Heaven and Earth. The heart occupies the upper position, whereas the kidney resides below. Kidney yin ascends to nourish the heart, whereas heart fire descends to warm the kidney, embodying a vital heart-kidney interaction essential for sustaining life. Based on the physiological characteristics of children, the heart qi tends to be hyperactive, kidney qi and spleen qi are frequently insufficient, and liver qi often displays hyperactivity. This study suggests that the pathogenesis of ADHD involves kidney essence insufficiency and spleen yang deficiency. Furthermore, the homogeny of the liver and kidney implies that kidney deficiency can result in upper hyperactivity of liver yang, leading to yin-yang disharmony. Treatment for ADHD in children should focus on invigorating the spleen and kidney, as well as tonifying and replenishing the liver and kidney, to reestablish Kan-Li equilibrium. This approach addresses the underlying pathophysiology, alleviates ADHD symptoms, and facilitates recovery. Ultimately, it promotes a return to the child′s innate state of balance and vitality.

Objective: To explore the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in children with hepatolenticular degeneration (Wilson disease, WD) based on factor analysis and cluster analysis. Methods: From November 2018 to November 2023, general information (gender, age of admission, age of onset, course of disease, clinical staging, Western medicine clinical symptoms, and family history) and TCM four-examination informations (symptoms and signs) were retrospectively collected from 757 cases of children with WD at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, and factor analysis and cluster analysis were used to investigate TCM syndromes in children with WD. Results: A total of 757 children with WD were included, of which 483 were male and 274 were female; the median age at admission was 12.58 years, the median age at onset was 8.33 years, and the median course of disease was 24.37 months; clinical typing result indicated 506 cases of hepatic type, 133 cases of brain type, 99 cases of mixed-type, and 19 cases of other type; 36.46% of the children had no clinical symptoms (elevated aminotransferases or abnormalities in copper biochemistry); a total of 177 cases had a definite family history, and 10 cases had a suspected family history. Forty-three TCM four-examination information were obtained, with the top 10 in descending order being feeling listless and weak, brown urine, slow action, inappetence, dim complexion, slurred speech, angular salivation, body weight loss, hand and foot tremors, and abdominal fullness. In children with WD, the syndrome element of disease location was primarily characterized by the liver, involving the spleen and kidney, and the syndrome elements of disease nature were characterized by dampness, heat, and yin deficiency. Based on factor analysis and cluster analysis, five TCM syndromes were derived, which were, in order, syndrome of dampness-heat accumulation (265 cases, 35.01%), syndrome of yin deficiency of the liver and kidney (202 cases, 26.68%), syndrome of liver hyperactivity with spleen deficiency (185 cases, 24.44%), syndrome of qi and blood deficiency (79 cases, 10.44%), and syndrome of yang deficiency of the spleen and kidney (26 cases, 3.43%). Conclusion The TCM syndromes of children with WD were primarily syndromes of dampness-heat accumulation, yin deficiency of the liver and kidney, and liver hyperactivity with spleen deficiency. The liver was the main disease location, and the disease nature was characterized by deficiency in origin and excess in superficiality, excess and deficiency mixed. These findings suggest that treating children with WD should be based on the liver while also considering the spleen and kidney.

Sinusitis is a prevalent nasal disease in children, characterized by chronic and difficult-to-treat symptoms. Its onset is related to nasal stagnation, gallbladder and lung dysfunctions. This article explores the root cause based on Huangdi Neijing by considering the physiological and pathological characteristics of children. The core pathogenesis of pediatric sinusitis is the transmission of heat from the gallbladder and lung to the brain and nose, disrupting normal nasal function. Wind and heat pathogens often persist, accumulate, and transform into turbid qi, which are common triggers of the disease. Evil qi retention and yin depletion are internal factors that cause the prolonged and unhealed condition of the disease. This article emphasizes individualized treatment approaches based on disease duration and the severity of pathogenic factors. If external pathogens remain uncleared, treatment should focus on dispelling wind, clearing heat, dispersing with pungent medicinals, and dredging nasal orifices. If internal fire is exuberant, clearing lung qi, inhibiting hyperactive liver yang, and clearing exuberant fire should be used to relieve stagnation. In chronic cases with residual pathogens and liver-kidney yin deficiency, nourishing yin, clearing fire, and moistening the nasal orifices are essential. When exuberant heat has subsided, but the symptom of a persistent runny nose continues, leading to the loss of healthy qi and damage to the lung and spleen, treatments that tonify the spleen, benefit the lung, and reinforce healthy qi should be adopted to relieve stagnation. These treatments aim to restore the balance of the body′s vital qi by addressing both the lingering symptoms and the underlying weakness of the lung and spleen. The diagnosis and treatment of pediatric sinusitis based on the theory of "the transmission of heat from gallbladder and lung" can help reduce the recurrence of sinusitis and alleviate symptoms, with the aim of broadening the approach of traditional Chinese medicine in treating this condition.

The Huangdi Neijing proposes the " using bitter herbs to nourish or purge" theory to guide clinical prescription and formulation of herbal remedies based on the physiological characteristics and functions of the five zang viscera, along with the properties and flavors of medicinal herbs. This study explored diabetic kidney disease pathogenesis and treatment based on the " using bitter herbs to nourish or purge" theory. Kidney dryness is a key pathological factor in diabetic kidney disease, and the disharmony of kidney dryness is an essential aspect of its pathogenesis. Strengthening is the primary therapeutic principle, and kidney dryness is a persistent factor throughout the occurrence and progression of diabetic kidney disease. In the early stage, the pathogenesis involves heat-consuming qi and injuring yin, leading to kidney dryness. In the middle stage, the pathogenesis manifests as qi deficiency and blood stasis in the collaterals, resulting in turbidity owing to kidney dryness. In the late stage, the pathogenesis involves yin and yang deficiency, with kidney dryness and disharmony. This study proposes the staging-based treatment based on the " need for firmness" characteristic of the kidney. The aim is to provide new insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine by rationally using pungent, bitter, and salty medicinal herbs to nourish and moisturize the kidney. This approach seeks to promote precise syndrome differentiation and personalized treatment for different stages of diabetic kidney disease, thereby enhancing clinical efficacy.

The dysfunction of qi, blood, and fluid underlies the pathology of diabetes mellitus. The symptoms, signs, and physical and chemical indexes of diabetes mellitus patients reflect the duration, degree, primary and secondary pathological state of the abnormal metabolism of qi, blood, and fluid. It is necessary to construct a three-dimensional syndrome differentiation system of diabetes mellitus based on spatial and temporal dimensions. According to the four stages of depression, heat, deficiency, and damage, the location of the disease can be locked into qi, ying, and blood levels. The process reflects the pathological trend of the abnormal metabolism of qi, blood, and fluid: qi depression (prodromal stage: asymptomatic metabolic disorder/early stage of qi level) → qi heat (initial stage: index stage/late stage of qi level) → deficiency of both qi and yin (middle stage: symptom stage of three more and one less/stage of ying level) → damage of zang-fu viscera and meridians (late stage: complication stage/stage of blood level). According to the time process, the treatment principles are proposed as follows: during the early stage of qi level, treatment should focus on strengthening the spleen to regulate qi flow, to prevent the accumulation of glucose; during the late stage of qi level, treatment should focus on clearing heat and resolving turbidity, to remove the stagnated heat caused by glucose; during the stage of ying level, treatment should focus on benefiting qi and nourishing yin, to improve the symptoms about deficiency of both qi and yin; during the stage of blood level, treatment should focus on promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, to remove the complication. According to the etiology and pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus, the sequential treatment strategy is thus proposed, which is strengthening the spleen to regulate qi flow, clearing heat and resolving turbidity, benefiting qi and nourishing yin, and promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. The compound prescriptions such as Houpo Sanwu Decoction, Baihu Jia Renshen Decoction, Danggui Liuhuang Decoction, and Taohong Siwu Decoction are used with modification in the stage-based treatment.

This study examined the effect of islet macrophages on β-cell function changes during type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) progression based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory that " moderate fire generating qi, hyperactive fire consuming qi" . T2DM is closely associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, with islet macrophages playing a central role in this process. Under physiological conditions, islet macrophages secrete anti-inflammatory and growth factors to regulate the immune response, promote cell proliferation, and support islet β-cell survival and function, reflecting the concept of " moderate fire generating qi" . However, during the pathological process of T2DM, islet macrophages become over-activated and dysfunctional, secreting large amounts of pro-inflammatory factors that trigger severe inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. This process damages islet β-cells, disrupts the islet microenvironment and blood supply, exacerbates local inflammation and structural damage, and worsens the survival environment of β-cells. Ultimately, this leads to fewer β-cells and function loss, aligning with the " hyperactive fire consuming qi" theory, where excessive fire depletes qi and blood. This study enhances the understanding and application of traditional Chinese medicine theories in modern medicine, offering a new perspective on T2DM prevention and treatment. Regulating islet macrophage function and reducing their pro-inflammatory responses may become key strategies for preserving β-cell function and slowing T2DM progression.

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of Yishen Tongluo Formula in ameliorating renal pyroptosis in diabetic nephropathy mice by regulating the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Methods: Sixty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into control (10 mice) and intervention groups (50 mice) using random number table method. The diabetes nephropathy model was established by intraperitoneally injecting streptozotocin(50 mg/kg). After modeling, the intervention group was further divided into model, semaglutide (40 μg/kg), and high-, medium-, and low-dose Yishen Tongluo Formula groups (15.6, 7.8, and 3.9 g/kg, respectively) using random number table method. The high-, medium-, and low-dose Yishen Tongluo Formula groups were administered corresponding doses of medication by gavage, the semaglutide group received a subcutaneous injection of semaglutide injection, and the control group and model groups were administered distilled water by gavage for 12 consecutive weeks. Random blood glucose levels of mice in each group were monitored, and the 24-h urinary protein content was measured using biochemical method every 4 weeks; after treatment, the serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels were measured using biochemical method. The weight of the kidneys was measured, and the renal index was calculated. Hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, periodic Schiff-methenamine, and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes in renal tissue. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect urinary β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) levels. Western blotting and real-time fluorescence PCR were used to detect the relative protein and mRNA expression levels of nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1, gasdermin D (GSDMD), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in renal tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the proportion of protein staining area of the TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB in renal tissue. Results: Compared with the control group, the random blood glucose, 24-h urinary protein, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and renal index of the model group increased, and the urine β2-MG, NGAL, and KIM-1 levels increased. The relative protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, and IL-18 in renal tissue increased, and the proportion of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB protein positive staining areas increased (P<0.05). Pathological changes such as glomerular hypertrophy were observed in the renal tissue of the model group. Compared with the model group, the Yishen Tongluo Formula high-dose group showed a decrease in random blood glucose after 12 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). The Yishen Tongluo Formula high- and medium-dose groups showed a decrease in 24-h urinary protein, creatinine, urea nitrogen, and renal index, as well as decreased β2-MG, NGAL, and KIM-1 levels. NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1 β, and IL-18 relative protein and mRNA expression levels were also reduced, and the proportion of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB protein positive staining areas was reduced (P<0.05). Pathological damage to renal tissue was ameliorated. Conclusion Yishen Tongluo Formula may exert protective renal effects by inhibiting renal pyroptosis and alleviating tubular interstitial injury in diabetic nephropathy mice by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.