To explore the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and integrative TCM-Western medicine approaches in the treatment of diabetic microvascular complications （DMC）， refine key pathophysiological insights and treatment principles， and promote academic innovation and strategic research planning in the prevention and treatment of DMC. The 38th session of the Expert Salon on Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine， hosted by the China Association of Chinese Medicine， was held in Beijing， 2024. Experts in TCM， Western medicine， and interdisciplinary fields convened to conduct a systematic discussion on the pathogenesis， diagnostic and treatment challenges， and mechanism research related to DMC， ultimately forming a consensus on key directions. Four major research recommendations were proposed. The first is addressing clinical bottlenecks in the prevention and control of DMC by optimizing TCM-based evidence evaluation systems. The second is refining TCM core pathogenesis across DMC stages and establishing corresponding "disease-pattern-time" framework. The third is innovating mechanism research strategies to facilitate a shift from holistic regulation to targeted intervention in TCM. The fourth is advancing interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance the role of TCM in new drug development， research prioritization， and guideline formulation. TCM and integrative approaches offer distinct advantages in managing DMC. With a focus on the diseases responding specifically to TCM， strengthening evidence-based support and mechanism interpretation and promoting the integration of clinical care and research innovation will provide strong momentum for the modernization of TCM and the advancement of national health strategies.

Esophageal cancer （EC） is a highly prevalent malignant tumor in China. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway， as one of the key oncogenic pathways， can promote the cell cycle progression， proliferation， migration， and invasion， induce chemoresistance， and inhibit apoptosis and autophagy of EC cells. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， with the advantages of targeting multiple points with multiple components to delay cancer progression， can target the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway for EC treatment. This article preliminarily discusses the molecular mechanism and role of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in EC and elaborates on the specific targets and efficacy of TCM in treating EC through intervention in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the past five years. TCM materials and extracts inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in EC include Borneolum， spore powder of Ganoderma lucidum without spore coat， extract of Celastrus orbiculatus， root extract of Taraxacum， and Bruceae Fructus oil emulsion. TCM active ingredients exerting the effect include flavonoids， terpenoids， saponins， phenols， polysaccharides， alkaloids， and other compounds. TCM compound prescriptions with such effect include Qige San， Huqi San， Xuanfu Daizhetang， Tongyoutang and its decomposed prescriptions， Liujunzi Tang， and Xishenzhi Formula. In addition， TCM injections such as Compound Kushen Injection and Kang'ai injection also inhibit the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in EC. This paper summarizes the role of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in EC and the TCM interventions， aiming to provide reference for the research and clinical application of new drugs for EC.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of the Yishen paidu formula on renal fibrosis in rats with chronic renal failure （CRF） through the reactive oxygen species （ROS）/thioredoxin-interacting protein （TXNIP）/NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 （NLRP3） pathway. METHODS Rats were randomly divided into control group， model group， Yishen paidu formula low-dose （Yishen paidu formula-L） group， Yishen paidu formula high-dose （Yishen paidu formula- H） group， Yishen paidu formula-H+pcDNA-NC group， and Yishen paidu formula-H+ pcDNA-TXNIP group， with 10 rats in each group. Except for control group， all other rats were fed a diet containing 0.5% adenine to establish a CRF model； the rats were then administered corresponding drugs or normal saline intragastrically or via tail vein， once daily， for 8 consecutive weeks. After the last administration， the levels of serum creatinine （Scr）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， ROS， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin （IL）-6， and IL-1β were measured in each group. Pathological changes in renal tissue were observed， and the protein expression levels of Collagen Ⅲ， α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1）， TXNIP and NLRP3 in renal tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with model group， the renal histopathological damage and fibrosis of rats in Yishen paidu formula-L group and Yishen paidu formula-H group were significantly alleviated. The levels of Scr， BUN， ROS， MDA， TNF- α， IL-6 and IL-1β， and the protein expressions of Collagen Ⅲ， α-SMA， TGF-β1， TXNIP and NLRP3 were significantly decreased， while SOD levels were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. Moreover， the changes were more pronounced in the Yishen paidu formula-H group （P＜0.05）. Compared with Yishen paidu formula-H+pcDNA-NC group， above indexes of rats in Yishen paidu formula-H+pcDNA-TXNIP group were reversed significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Yishen paidu formula can inhibit renal fibrosis in CRF rats by suppressing the ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common head and neck malignancy. Approximately 50% to 60% of patients with OSCC are diagnosed at a locally advanced stage (clinical staging III-IVa). Even with comprehensive and sequential treatment primarily based on surgery, the 5-year overall survival rate remains below 50%, and patients often suffer from postoperative functional impairments such as difficulties with speaking and swallowing. Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitors are increasingly used in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC and have shown encouraging efficacy. However, clinical practice still faces key challenges, including the definition of indications, optimization of combination regimens, and standards for efficacy evaluation. Based on the latest research advances worldwide and the clinical experience of the expert group, this expert consensus systematically evaluates the application of PD-1 inhibitors in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC, covering combination strategies, treatment cycles and surgical timing, efficacy assessment, use of biomarkers, management of special populations and immune related adverse events, principles for immunotherapy rechallenge, and function preservation strategies. After multiple rounds of panel discussion and through anonymous voting using the Delphi method, the following consensus statements have been formulated: 1) Neoadjuvant therapy with PD-1 inhibitors can be used preoperatively in patients with locally advanced OSCC. The preferred regimen is a PD-1 inhibitor combined with platinum based chemotherapy, administered for 2-3 cycles. 2) During the efficacy evaluation of neoadjuvant therapy, radiographic assessment should follow the dual criteria of Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 and immune RECIST (iRECIST). After surgery, systematic pathological evaluation of both the primary lesion and regional lymph nodes is required. For combination chemotherapy regimens, PD-L1 expression and combined positive score need not be used as mandatory inclusion or exclusion criteria. 3) For special populations such as the elderly (≥ 70 years), individuals with stable HIV viral load, and carriers of chronic HBV/HCV, PD-1 inhibitors may be used cautiously under the guidance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), with close monitoring for adverse events. 4) For patients with a poor response to neoadjuvant therapy, continuation of the original treatment regimen is not recommended; the subsequent treatment plan should be adjusted promptly after MDT assessment. Organ transplant recipients and patients with active autoimmune diseases are not recommended to receive neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor therapy due to the high risk of immune related activation. Rechallenge is generally not advised for patients who have experienced high risk immune related adverse events such as immune mediated myocarditis, neurotoxicity, or pneumonitis. 5) For patients with a good pathological response, individualized de escalation surgery and function preservation strategies can be explored. This consensus aims to promote the standardized, safe, and precise application of neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor strategies in the management of locally advanced OSCC patients.

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.

By examining the records related to the Fengfu （GV 16） acupoint in BIAN Que Heart Book （《扁鹊心书》） compiled by the Song Dynasty physician DOU Cai， this study analyzed various aspects， including the differentiation of conditions treated with Fengfu （GV 16） acupoint， the theoretical foundation for selection of Fengfu （GV 16） acupoint， the application of needling manipulation， and the sensation of obtaining qi during acupuncture. The findings suggest that DOU Cai's approach to utilizing Fengfu （GV 16） acupoint differs from traditional methods， particularly emphasizing the effectiveness of achieving a sensation of heat and numbness. His unique techniques include transverse insertion at Fengfu （GV 16） acupoint and penetrated insertion to Fengchi （GB 20） and Yifeng （TE 17） acupoints. The records of Fengfu （GV 16） acupoint in BIAN Que Heart Book provide a valuable reference for its modern clinical application and further development.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the use of drugs and the development of pharmaceutical care in the tight medical alliance （shorted for “medical alliance”） of Wanzhou District of Chongqing， and provide reference for the further construction of the medical alliance. METHODS A survey form was designed and distributed to 21 constituent units （5 leading units and 16 member units） of 5 medical alliances in Wanzhou District of Chongqing. The statistical analysis was conducted in aspects of basic drug allocation and use， pharmaceutical personnel team construction， the development of pharmaceutical care， and rational use of antibiotics. RESULTS Among the 21 constituent units， 4 leading units and 14 member units achieved the target for the proportion of essential drug procurement varieties， with a total compliance rate of 85.71%； 4 leading units and 13 member units achieved the target for the proportion of national essential drug allocation and usage amount， with a total compliance rate of 80.95%. The proportions of personnel with doctoral degrees in the 5 leading units and 16 member units were 1.71% and 0 respectively， and the proportions of personnel with senior professional titles were 8.56% and 1.63%， respectively. A total of 5 pharmacy or pharmaceutical combined outpatient clinics were set up in the 21 medical alliance units， and 5 clinical pharmacy information service platforms were established； all 5 leading units were able to regularly carry out clinical pharmacy projects， while only 4 out of 16 member units had conducted medical order review and evaluation. The proportions of irrational use of antibiotics in outpatient prescriptions and inpatient medical records of the 16 member units （4.81%， 5.21%） were significantly higher than those of the 5 leading units （2.80%， 4.00%）. CONCLUSIONS The allocation and usage of national essential drugs in 21 constituent units from Wanzhou District of Chongqing are both in good standing. However， the data on the allocation of pharmaceutical professionals and the number， qualifications， and job titles of clinical pharmacists in member units are generally low. Moreover， the pharmaceutical service projects and service quality in member units need to be further improved.

The Expert Consensus on Clinical Application of Qinbaohong Zhike Oral Liquid in Treatment of Acute Bronchitis and Acute Attack of Chronic Bronchitis （GS/CACM 337-2023） was released by the China Association of Chinese Medicine on December 13^th， 2023. This expert consensus was developed by experts in methodology， pharmacy， and Chinese medicine in strict accordance with the development requirements of the China Association of Chinese Medicine （CACM） and based on the latest medical evidence and the clinical medication experience of well-known experts in the fields of respiratory medicine （pulmonary diseases） and pediatrics. This expert consensus defines the application of Qinbaohong Zhike oral liquid in the treatment of cough and excessive sputum caused by phlegm-heat obstructing lung， acute bronchitis， and acute attack of chronic bronchitis from the aspects of applicable populations， efficacy evaluation， usage， dosage， drug combination， and safety. It is expected to guide the rational drug use in medical and health institutions， give full play to the unique value of Qinbaohong Zhike oral liquid， and vigorously promote the inheritance and innovation of Chinese patent medicines.

Malignant tumors are one of the major diseases that endanger human life and health. Chinese medicine has unique advantages in clinical anti-tumor treatment. However， how to translate the anti-tumor effects of Chinese medicine into clinical practice is the core issue that must be addressed in the process of treating malignant tumors with traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. Unlike modern chemical drugs， the compatibility application of Chinese medicine is the key factor that determines whether Chinese medicine can achieve optimal anti-tumor efficacy and realize the goal of "enhancing efficacy and reducing toxicity". The formulation structure based on this compatibility is the basic form for the safe， efficient， and rational clinical use of anti-tumor Chinese medicine， and it mainly includes three categories： herb pairs， tri-herbal combinations， and compound compatibility. Although herb pairs have the characteristics of a simple structure and strong targeting （enhancing efficacy and reducing toxicity）， they often have a single effect and cannot fully address the complex pathogenesis of tumors. As a result， herb pairs are rarely used alone in practice. Compared to herb pairs， tri-herbal combinations broaden the application scope of herbs in clinical treatment， but their therapeutic range remains limited. The traditional "sovereign， minister， assistant， and guide" compound prescription， which includes herb pairs and tri-herbal combinations， improves the efficacy of herbs in treating serious diseases， hypochondriasis， chronic diseases， and miscellaneous disorders. However， due to the limitations of its historical background， it has not been integrated with modern clinical practice and modern pharmacological research， which restricts the development of compound compatibility theory. With the emergence of modern medical technology， it has been combined with traditional compatibility theory of Chinese medicine to create an innovative modern compatibility theory. This includes the "aid medicine" theory derived from modern Chinese medicine pharmacology， which compensates for the inability of the "sovereign， minister， assistant， and guide" theory to accurately apply medicine. Additionally， the "state-targeted treatment based on syndrome differentiation" theory， developed from pharmacology and modern medicine， addresses the deficiency in disease cognition in the "sovereign， minister， assistant， and guide" theory. Under the guidance of these compatibility forms and theories， clinical anti-tumor Chinese medicine can exert its maximum anti-tumor efficacy， which is of great significance for the application of Chinese medicine in clinical tumor treatment.

Objective To investigate the awareness of radon exposure hazards among non-uranium miners in Chongqing, China. Methods A survey was conducted among 177 male miners from eight non-uranium metal mines in Chongqing to collect data on basic information, personal habits, and the rate of radon awareness. Factors affecting radon awareness were analyzed using chi-square test and logistic regression model. Results The awareness rate of radon among miners was 23.73%. The chi-square test indicated significant difference in the radon awareness rate among miners with different levels of education (χ² = 10.28, P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference across different ages, years of work, labor relations, job categories, and types of miners (P > 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that a college (junior college) or higher level of education, a high school level of education, and working in mines were factors affecting the radon awareness among miners (χ² = 4.030, 9.150, 11.776, P < 0.05). Conclusion Miners lack awareness of radon, and there is an urgent need to strengthen education and propaganda regarding the hazards of radon.