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.

Hepatitis B virus （HBV） exclusively infects liver parenchymal cells and forms covalently closed circular DNA （cccDNA） within their nuclei. HBV cccDNA serves as the essential template for viral gene transcription， the sole source of progeny virus production， and the key driver of viral antigen expression， and it is the molecular basis for the persistence of HBV infection. Therefore， elimination and/or functional silencing of cccDNA is the key to eradicate chronic HBV infection. This article discusses the critical scientific issues that need to be solved during elimination of the harm of HBV infection from the perspectives of the synthesis， transcription， and clearance of cccDNA， as well as the impact of nonparenchymal cells on cccDNA， in order to provide a reference for eradicating HBV infection in the future.

Tetrodotoxin（TTX）is a potent neurotoxin known for its specific sodium channel blocking effects, widely used in biomedical research. While TTX has been identified in various marine organisms, its true origin remains unclear, and the specific biosynthetic pathways are yet to be elucidated. The reported sources of TTX and the progress in research on TTX biosynthesis were summarized, with a focus on potential microbial sources of TTX, which could provide scientific reference for the production and biosynthesis studies of TTX.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Yiqi wenyang huwei decoction （YQWY） in improving airway inflammation and remodeling in rats with bronchial asthma （BA） based on the Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 （MyD88）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway. METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group， the model group， the dexamethasone group （positive control， 0.5 mg/kg）， and YQWY low-， medium- and high-dose groups （5， 10， 20 g/kg， calculated by the crude drug）， with 8 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， rats in all other groups were sensitized twice with ovalbumin combined with aerosol challenge to establish a BA model. From day 14 to day 34 of the experiment， the rats in each group were administered the corresponding drug solution or normal saline intragastrically， once a day， 1 hour before aerosol challenge. At 24 hours after the final aerosol challenge， asthma symptom scores were assessed， serum levels of immunoglobulin E （IgE） were measured， and the levels of inflammatory cytokines （interleukin-4， interleukin-5， interleukin-13 and tumor necrosis factor-α） and the numbers of inflammatory cells （white blood cell， eosinophil， neutrophil， lymphocyte， monocyte and basophil） in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were determined. Pathological changes in lung tissue were observed. The mRNA expressions of TLR4， MyD88 and NF-κB， as well as the protein expressions of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB p65 and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 in lung tissue， were detected. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the pathological changes， such as inflammatory cell infiltration， abnormal deposition of collagen fibers， and goblet cell hyperplasia in the lung tissue of rats in each drug group， were alleviated to varying degrees. The asthma symptom scores （except for the YQWY low-dose group）， the levels of IgE and inflammatory cytokines （except for interleukin-5 in the YQWY medium-dose group）， the number of inflammatory cells （except for monocyte and basophil in the YQWY low-dose group）， the mRNA expression of TLR4， MyD88 and NF-κB， as well as the protein expressions of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB p65 and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 （except for MyD88 and NF-κB p65 proteins in the YQWY low-dose group as detected by Western blo t） were all significantly reduced or down-regulated （ P ＜0.05 or P ＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS YQWY can alleviate asthma-like manifestations in BA rats and improve their airway inflammation and remodeling； these effects may be related to the formula’s inhibition of the abnormal activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Introduction: The 2021 IDF-DAR risk calculator had been previously evaluated in multiple studies and subsequently widely accepted and applied in clinical practice as a practical standardized tool for patient risk stratification. Recently updated, the 2026 IDF-DAR Risk calculator enables a more individualized, evidence-related evaluation of patientrelated and disease-related risk factors, incorporating modern diabetes technologies, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), automated insulin delivery (AID) systems, and advanced insulin formulations to enhance risk stratification. This tool allows medical professionals to tailor Ramadan practices based on overall factors toward promoting safe fasting. Methodology: This prospective multicentre observational study recruited adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes attending public hospitals nationwide. People with diabetes (PwD) intending to perform Ramadan fasting were invited to participate and assessed using the 2026 IDF-DAR Risk Calculator in the 6-week pre-Ramadan period between 30th January and 19th March 2026. Results: A total of 458 PwD were evaluated and stratified into low (15.7%), moderate (41%), and high risk (43.3%) categories. Most participants had Type 2 diabetes (83.6%), with 60.3% having a disease duration exceeding 10 years and 43% exhibiting poor glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c >9%). Insulin therapy was used by 76.4% of participants, including two individuals with Type 1 diabetes using AID systems. Most participants reported no recent hypoglycemia (76.4%), 81.0% performed glucose monitoring, and 3.3% used CGM. Severe comorbidities were uncommon, with 1.1% having unstable macrovascular disease and 4.4% advanced chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <30). Notably, 72.2% received structured Ramadan education. Conclusion Majority of PwD attending tertiary diabetes clinics were in the moderate- to high-risk category and intended to fast despite medical advice against fasting in some cases. Although most participants were on insulin therapy, hypoglycemia was low in the pre-Ramadan period. Integration of modern technologies, advanced insulin therapies, and structured education may support safer fasting practices.
Risk Assessment ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Hospitals ; Fasting

Digestive system tumors are the leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality globally， and their occurrence and development generally follow the key pathological process of inflammation-cancer transformation. Therefore， intervening in the precancerous lesion stage is an important strategy to block malignant transformation of the disease and reduce the incidence rate of tumors. Banxia Xiexin Tang-related prescriptions （including Banxia Xiexin Tang， Shengjiang Xiexin Tang， and Gancao Xiexin Tang） originated from the Shanghan Zabinglun They follow the principle of pungent dispersing and bitter descending， combination of cold and warm medicinals， and tonifying deficiency and purging excess， which aligns with the core pathogenesis of digestive system precancerous lesions characterized by cold-heat intermingling and disorder of ascending and descending. These prescriptions are widely used in the clinical treatment of various digestive system inflammatory disorders such as atrophic gastritis， ulcerative colitis， and reflux esophagitis. This review systematically summarizes the theoretical basis， clinical evidence， and therapeutic mechanisms of such prescriptions in preventing and treating the inflammation-cancer transformation process in the digestive system. Clinical studies have shown that whether used alone or in combination with modern therapies， Banxia Xiexin Tang can effectively alleviate symptoms， repair histopathological changes， and improve patients' quality of life. Basic research further reveals that their efficacy stems from multi-target systemic regulatory effects： ameliorating the chronic inflammatory microenvironment， antagonizing oxidative stress， reshaping the gut microbiota， restoring the immune balance， regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis， etc. On the basis of the convergence of traditional Chinese and Western medicine understanding of inflammation-cancer transformation， this article constructs a research framework centered on regulating the inflammatory microenvironment homeostasis to systematically elucidate the mechanism of treating different diseases with the same method （Banxia Xiexin Tang）. In view of the limitations of current research in terms of evidence level， disease-syndrome combination models， and overall mechanism analysis of compound prescriptions， this article proposes future research directions of integrating high-quality clinical research， systems biology， and cutting-edge technologies， providing a new theoretical basis and translational ideas for the precise prevention and control of digestive system tumors with traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective Pre-packaged space scallion pancakes are prone to quality deterioration during storage due to starch retrogradation and lipid oxidation,which affects their food safety and sensory characteristics.Therefore,investigating their quality changes during storage and predicting shelf life are of great significance for ensuring the quality of space food.Methods study conducted accelerated shelf-life tests at(37±1)℃ and(47±1)℃ under simulated spacecraft food storage conditions.Comprehensive analyses were performed,including physicochemical properties(acid value,peroxide value,carbonyl value),microbiological indicators(total bacterial count,coliforms),color parameters(L*,a*,b*,c*,h°),and texture characteristics(hardness,adhesiveness,etc.).XRD and FTIR were employed to verify starch retrogradation and lipid oxidation.Results Physicochemical properties:The acid value gradually decreased and stabilized with prolonged storage.The peroxide value increased rapidly at 37℃and 47℃,with samples stored at 47℃approaching the safety limit(0.25 g/100 g)within 40 days,while the carbonyl value exhibited a decreasing trend.Microbiological indicators:All samples met the requirements of GJB 4992A-2012.No microbial contamination was detected initially,with only minor bacterial growth observed in later stages,and no coliforms were detected throughout the storage period.Color changes:During storage at 20℃,the a*value increased by 91.67%,while b* and c* values showed significant increases.Meanwhile,L* and h° values decreased by 7.42%and 8.75%,respectively.Texture deterioration:Overall texture characteristics declined,and XRD and FTIR analyses confirmed aggravated starch retrogradation.Shelf-life prediction:Correlation analysis identified peroxide value as the key factor.The established prediction model had an error margin of less than 10%,with predicted shelf lives of 236,121,and 57 days at 20℃,37℃,and 47℃,respectively.Conclusion This study reveals the quality change patterns of space scallion pancakes during storage.The established shelf-life prediction model provides theoretical and methodological support for quality monitoring of pre-packaged space foods.

Objective To assess the efficacy of a novel inguinal tourniquet in healthy individuals and to investigate the relationship between localized inguinal compression and femoral artery blood flow occlusion.Methods A self-controlled study was conducted.From November 9 to November 30,2024,11 volunteers were recruited at the Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital.Three compression methods--finger pressure,a novel groin tourniquet,and a SAM junction tourniquet(SJT)—were applied bilaterally to the inguinal region until distal blood flow signals disappeared.Each compression method was tested in 22 trials with a 5-minute interval between operations.Differences in hemostatic efficacy between bilateral inguinal regions and across compression methods were compared.Subsequently,the novel tourniquet was incrementally pressurized in 120 mmHg multiples using an integrated pressure device to analyze trends in popliteal artery blood flow velocity.Observational indicators included the internal pressure of the tourniquet pressurization device,peak systolic velocity(PSV)of popliteal artery,inguinal surface pressure magnitude,inguinal surface pressure distribution,and pain scores(assessed using a single-dimensional numerical rating scale).Results No statistically significant difference was observed in the minimum pressure required to occlude femoral artery blood flow bilaterally(P>0.05).The success rates of femoral artery blood flow occlusion at the inguinal region were 100%for the novel inguinal tourniquet,SJT,and finger pressure.The novel inguinal tourniquet induced the highest pain scores,ranging from 5 to 8.A significant reduction in PSV of popliteal artery was noted when the intra-tourniquet pressure reached 360 mmHg and 480 mmHg(P<0.05),with a 95%hemostasis efficacy observed within the range of 360-600 mmHg.No significant association was observed between the recovery of popliteal artery blood flow after limb movement and inguinal pressure distribution(P>0.05).The PSV of popliteal artery exhibited the strongest negative correlation with the average pressure within the inguinal compression area(r=-0.79,P<0.001),with a linear regression fitting line of y=69.69-0.13x(P<0.001,R2=0.58).Conclusions The novel inguinal tourniquet effectively occludes femoral artery blood flow within a pressure range of 360-600 mmHg,accompanied by moderate-to-severe pain.Its hemostatic mechanism mainly relies on increasing the mean pressure within the inguinal compression area.