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Objective to explore the differences in the central response after acupuncture and moxibusbution at Zusānlĭ (足三里ST36) in treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD) based on the analysis of fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (fALFF) of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rfMRI). Methods a total of 60 patients with FD were randomized into an acupuncture group and a moxibustion group, 30 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to bilateral ST36. In the moxibustion group, moxibustion was exerted at bilateral ST36. The treatment was given once a day, 5 times a week, totally for 4 weeks in each group, including 20 treatments with acupuncture or moxibustion. Separately, before and at the end of treatment, rfMRI scanning was conducted in two groups. Using data processing assistant for resting-state fMRI (DPARSF) software and MATLAB data platform, rfMRI data were collected for preprocessing and fALFF analysis. Results compared with the data before treatment, after treated with acupuncture at ST36 in FD patients, fALFF value was reduced in the right superior frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, right cuneus, left precuneus, right middle occipital gyrus, left middle occipital gyrus, etc., and it was increased in the left parahippocampus, right parahippocampus, left cerebellum, etc (all P Conclusion the differences in central function responses are induced in treamtent with acupuncture and moxibustion, which is probably related to the resting-state default network associated with targeted regulation and ventral attention of brain areas in functional dyspepsia.

To observe the difference in clinical efficacy between acupuncture with point selection based on syndrome differentiation along the meridians and acupuncture at non-meridian and non-acupoint points for functional dyspepsia (FD). A total of 74 FD patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, with 37 cases in each group. Both groups received acupuncture treatment. Zusanli (ST 36) and Neiguan (PC 6) were selected in the observation group, with Taichong (LR 3) and Neiting (ST 44) added for excess syndrome, and Gongsun (SP 4) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) added for deficiency syndrome. Four non-meridian and non-acupoint points were selected in the control group. The treatments in both groups were performed once a day with a 2-day break after 5 consecutive treatments, which constituted one treatment course. A total of 4 courses were performed. The scores of Nepean dyspepsia index (NDI) and Leeds dyspepsia questionnaire (LDQ) were recorded before and after treatment, and during follow-up (8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks after recruitment) to assess the clinical efficacy. The NDI scores in the two groups after treatment and at each time point during follow-up were higher than those before treatment (all P

To observe the effect of moxibustion combined withA total of 240 close contacts of COVID-19 were randomized into an observation group (120 cases, 18 cases dropped off) and a control group (120 cases, 58 cases dropped off). Conventional observation was adopted in the control group. Moxibustion combined with Daiwenjiu plaster was given in the observation group, moxibustion was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Hegu (LI 4) and Shenque (CV 8), 10 min each acupoint, once a day;In the follow-up, SRQ-20 score was decreased compared before treatment (Moxibustion combined with

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of treating infantile diarrhea due to spleen deficiency with five-step pediatric tuina of Huxiang school. Methods: Using a randomized controlled trial design, sixty eligible kids with diarrhea due to spleen deficiency were randomized into an observation group and a control group, with 30 cases in each group. The observation group was intervened by the five-step pediatric tuina method of Huxiang school, and the control group received conventional tuina treatment. The intervention was conducted once a day, consecutive 5-day treatment as 1 course, at a 2-day interval between courses, successively for a total of 4 courses. Changes in the primary and secondary symptoms of diarrhea due to spleen deficiency were observed, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. Results: After treatment, the scores of primary and secondary symptoms and the general score of diarrhea due to spleen deficiency were improved; the improvements in fecal form and frequency, decreased appetite, bloating after meals and fatigue and sluggishness were more significant in the observation group than in the control group. Conclusion: The five-step pediatric tuina method of Huxiang school and conventional tuina both can improve the primary and secondary symptoms in infantile diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, while the former one can produce more significant efficacy.

To observe the effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on liver X receptor alpha (LXRα) in rabbits with atherosclerosis. Thirty-six male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and a simvastatin group according to the random number table method, with 9 rabbits in each group. Rabbits in the model group, the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the simvastatin group were modeled by high fat feeding method which took 12 weeks. After verification of the successful model, rabbits in the normal group were not treated, in the model group were bundled, in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group were treated with herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion, and those in the simvastatin group were treated with simvastatin, all for a total of 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the aorta and liver were observed for pathological changes; serum and liver were used to detect lipid levels; Western blot (WB) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to detect LXRα protein and mRNA expression levels, respectively. Compared with the normal group, the structure of aorta was disordered, the wall was rough and thick, the intima was unsmooth, and the vascular smooth muscle cells were arranged closely and disorderly in the model group, which was consistent with the characteristics of the rabbit model of aortic atherosclerosis. Compared with the model group, the aortic structure was clear, the degree of hepatocyte degeneration was reduced, the serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels were significantly decreased (all P

Objective To observe the influence of acupuncture stimulus and thermal stimulus on the expression of mast cells (MCs) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in local acupoint area of Guānyuan (关元 CV 4) and serum 5-HT in rats. Methods Thirty-nine male C57BL/6 rats were randomly divided into blank control group, acupuncture stimulus group and thermal stimulus group, with 13 rats in each group. The rats were stimulated by manual acupuncture at CV 4 for 5 min in acupuncture stimulus group, while those in thermal stimulus group were stimulated by adopting a thermal moxibustion apparatus on CV 4 for 30 min. The expression of MC and 5-HT in the skin in the acupoint area of CV 4 before and after acupuncture stimulus and thermal stimulus was observed and analyzed via adopting toluidine blue staining method and immunofluorescence histochemical method (5 rats were selected from each group), and the 5-HT content in serum before and after stimulus was determined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (8 rats were selected from each group). The influence of acupuncture stimulus and thermal stimulus on the contents of MC and 5-HT in the skin and serum 5-HT in rats was analyzed and compared. Results ① After acupuncture stimulus or thermal stimulus on CV 4 of C57BL/6 rats, the number of MC in the acupoint area significantly increased when compared with that in blank group (the acupuncture stimulus group 12.40 ± 2.07 vs. the blank group 3.00 ± 5.96; thermal stimulus group 26.20 ± 10.85 vs. the blank group 12.40 ± 2.07, both P Conclusion Both acupuncture stimulus and thermal stimulus can cause the aggregation and degranulation of MCs and high expression of 5-HT in the acupoint area. The effect of thermal stimulus was superior to that of acupuncture stimulus in degranulation.

The present situation of the clinical application of dog-days moxibustion (moxibustion applied in the three periods of the hot season) is summarized so as to provide the guide for the theoretic study and clinical application of dog-days moxibustion. The intervention time of dog-days moxibustion is on the 1st day of each of the three periods of the hot season. Simultaneously, the geographic factors are considered. The disorders of lung system are mostly dominant among the indications of dog-days moxibustion, complicated with spleen and stomach disorders as well as cold and deficiency syndromes/patterns. The acupoints are mainly selected from the front

On the base of the idea of traditional Chinese medicine as "disease prevention", the mode and the protocol of the moxibustion intervention for the group under quarantine after close contact with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were explored. The group under quarantine after close contact with COVID-19 was taken as the subjects. By the non-contact physician-patient communication network platform co-developed by China Association of Acupuncture-Moxibustion, Hunan Provincial Association of Acupuncture-Moxibustion, Data Center of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Yuge Medicine Company, an exploratory randomized controlled trial was designed. A total of 100 cases were included and randomized into a moxibustion group and a conventional intervention group, 50 cases in each one. In the moxibustion group, moxibustion intervention was used. In the conventional intervention group, the conventional observation was adopted without moxibusiton intervention applied. The outcomes included the symptoms changes, e.g. anxiety, emotional disturbance, fatigue, headache and diarrhea, as well as whether quarantine release and the case confirmed or not, etc. The results were evaluated before intervention, in 14 days of intervention and 2 weeks after intervention separately. In this research, on the base of internet plus technology and with the internet communication platform adopted, through mobile phone WeChat App, it was to implement the subject screen, the random allocation and the instruction of moxibustion intervention as well as the quality control of patient's diary and data collection. It is anticipated that the significance and the implementation mode of moxibustion intervention can be assessed preliminarily for the group under quarantine after close contact with COVID-19.

A pneumonia infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019- nCoV) causes an acute respiratory infectious disease that the World Health Organization has announced 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by the WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on February 11, 2020. Fever, fatigue, and dry cough are the main manifestations of COVID-19. A few patients have congestion, runny nose, Pain and diarrhea. The presence of humanto- human infection of COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets and contact, and may also be transmitted through aerosols, and the population is generally susceptible [1].

The suspended magnetic moxibustion cupping therapy, as a specific moxibustion method which collects moxibustion, cupping, infrared and magnetic therapy into one, and integrates with the warming and heating effect of moxibustion, sucking effect of cups, and effect of infrared light energy and magnetic energy, is a particularly unique method for weight loss. This article introduces the basic situation and mechanism of suspended magnetic cupping therapy for weight loss. For pathogenesis of deficiency, phlegm, stagnation and cold in obesity, Shuang Long Xi Zhu (two dragons playing a ball) moxibustion, abdominal Jiu Gong (nine palaces) moxibustion, San Yang Kai Tai (auspicious beginning) moxibustion and Chang Long (long dragon) moxibustion were given respectively. This therapy has inspired the clinical idea of Chinese medicine for obesity.

Objective To explore the relationship between the receptor temperature and moxibustion distance of mild moxibustion, and provide evidence for clinical moxibustion distance. Methods Mild moxibustion was carried out for 15min by adopting moxibustion shelf, and the moxibustion ash was shook off automatically for once every 3 min. The distance between moxa stick and temperature sensor was set as 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm and 5 cm, respectively, by ruler. The temperature was recorded for once every 2 s with photothermal detection system for moxibustion combustion to form a temperature profile. The initial temperature, maximum temperature and average temperature were observed, and the experimental data were analyzed via SPSS18.0 statistical software. Results The initial receptor temperature was (25.33±0.29) °C when the moxibustion distance was 2 cm, (25.29±0.05) °C when the moxibustion distance was 3 cm, (25.43±0.17) °C when the moxibustion distance was 4cm, and (25.16±0.22) °C when the moxibustion distance was 5 cm, respectively. The maximum temperature was (74.96±1.20) °C when the moxibustion distance was 2 cm, (51.70±0.74) °C when the moxibustion distance was 3 cm, (49.33±0.40) °C when the moxibustion distance was 4 cm, and (42.50±0.26) °C when the moxibustion distance was 5 cm, respectively. The average temperature was (62.40±7.84) °C–(62.68±7.58) °C when the moxibustion distance was 2 cm, (44.77±3.31) °C–(45.11±3.21) °C when the moxibustion distance was 3 cm, (42.72±3.86) °C–(43.12±3.54) °C when the moxibustion distance was 4 cm, and (38.45±1.67) C–(38.50±1.63) °C when the moxibustion distance was 5 cm, respectively. The temperature curve showed that the fluctuation range was the maximum when the moxibustion distance was 2 cm, larger when the moxibustion distance was 3 cm, smaller when the moxibustion distance was 4 cm, and minimum when the moxibustion distance was 5 cm. There was no significant difference in the initial temperature of mild moxibustion at different distances, however, the maximum temperature, average temperature and the fluctuation range of temperature curve were closely related to the moxibustion distance. Conclusion The nearer the distance is, the higher the maximum temperature and average temperature as well as the larger the fluctuation range will be, and the farther the distance is, the lower the maximum temperature and average temperature as well as the smaller the fluctuation range will be. According to preliminary analysis, the temperature will be the most suitable when the moxibustion distance is 3 cm–4 cm.

To explore the beneficial regulatory effect of mild moxibustion from different distances at Zusanli (ST 36) of healthy population on the functions of temperature-related brain regions. In 20 recruited healthy subjects, the change of the temperature-related brain regions induced by mild moxibustion from different distances at Zusanli (ST 36) was observed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In comparison of the values in amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) during and before moxibustion, it has been found that in moxibustion of 2 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the left anterior cingulated cortex and lateral surrounding cerebral regions, and fALFF value decreased in the cerebral regions of the peripheral cortex of the calcarine fissure; in moxibustion of 3 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the right and medial side and paracingulated gyrus, and fALFF value decreased in the cerebral zone of the left middle temporal gyrus; in moxibustion of 4 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the right and medial and paracingulated gyrus; and in moxibustion of 5 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the left hippocampus. In comparison of the value of regional homogeneity (ReHo), it has been found that in moxibustion of 2 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the cerebral zone of the posterior lobe of the right cerebellum, and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right occipital lobe; in moxibustion of 3 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the brain regions of the left cerebellar posterior lobe and left frontal lobe, and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right inferior temporal gyrus; in moxibustion of 4 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the brain regions of the right superior frontal gyrus and ReHo value decreased in the brain regions of the right parietal lobe and angular gyrus; in moxibustion of 5 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the cerebral zone of the right frontal lobe and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right brainstem. In moxibustion of 3 cm distance, the changes in the brain regions basically conform to the transmission route of body trunk temperature.

To explore the correlation between moxibustion sensation and distance of moxa stick and provide reference for clinical practice. A total of 16 healthy volunteers aged 18-35 years old in college were recruited and given mild moxibustion at Shousanli (LI 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Shenshu (BL 23) and Tianshu (ST 25) with moxa stick, and the occurrence and frequency of moxibustion sensation were recorded at distances of 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm and 2 cm. Mild moxibustion scale was used to count the score. Warm was the main moxibustion sensation, burning pain and soreness decreased with the rise of distance; for the same acupoint, score of mild moxibustion scale increased with the decrease of distance; score ranged between 5.5 and 6.5 at distance 3 cm, which was the most comfortable distance for volunteers. The distance of 3 cm is the most comfortable distance in mild moxibustion

To compare and analyze functional brain response characteristics by applying acupuncture or moxibustion to Zusanli (ST 36) in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) and investigate the differences of central action mechanism resulting from acupuncture or moxibustion. A total of eligible 24 FD cases were divided into two blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) sequences for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan. The amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) analyses were conducted on the data of location phase, structure phase, resting state before acupuncture/moxibustion, working state during acupuncture/moxibustion and resting state after acupuncture/moxibustion using Data Processing Assistant for Resting-State fMRI (DPARSF) software. Acupuncture and moxibustion produced significant differences in functional brain response. The working state during acupuncture/moxibustion mainly decreased ALFF values in the right supramarginal gyrus, right superior parietal lobule, right frontal gyrus, upper right occipital lobe, right precuneus and right cingulate gyrus. At the same time, it increased ALFF values in the left cerebellum, right caudate nucleus, right cerebellum and left inferior gyrus. The differences during the resting state after acupuncture/moxibustion were significantly smaller than the working state in intensity and size. It mainly resulted in decrease in ALFF values in the right postcentral gyrus and right supramarginal gyrus and increase in ALFF values in the left precuneus, orbital part of inferior frontal gyrus and right cerebellar peduncles. Needling and moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) can produce significant differences in immediate functional brain response.

The contents about the central action mechanisms of needling Zusanli (ST 36) were sorted by summarizing the relevant literatures published in the past 10 years, and it was found that: by comparing acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36), other acupoints or sham points, most studies showed that Zusanli (ST 36) had relatively specific characteristics in the brain function response; studies on the central action mechanisms of Zusanli (ST 36) were mainly focused on sequelae of cerebral apoplexy, pain, gastrointestinal diseases, weight loss and drug addiction withdrawal and so on; acupuncture manipulations, stimulation methods, individual differences, stimulation quantity, and stimulation duration, etc. could also induce different brain function responses; acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) had an after-working effect, also called long-term effect, but with poor repeatability. So, it was suggested that the future studies should focus on the factors that affect the clinical efficacies and experimental results, including the compatibility effects of the acupoints, reproducibility of research results, sample size, acupuncture methods, long-term effects and disease entities.

To observe the clinical effect of wheat grain-sized cone moxibustion combined with fire needle therapy in the treatment of dorsal wrist ganglion (DWG). A total of 63 patients with DWG were randomized into a treatment group (n=32) and a control group (n=31). Cases in the control group were treated with fire needle therapy. Based on the therapy given to the control group, cases in the treatment group were additionally given wheat grain-sized cone moxibustion therapy. Then the therapeutic efficacies and recurrence rate were evaluated. After treatment, the overall effective rate was 93.8% in the treatment group, versus 77.4% in the control group, and the between-group comparison showed a statistical significance (P

To observe the effects of herbal-cake-separated moxibustion on the repair of damaged vascular endothelium structure and the content of stromal cells derived factor 1 (SDF-1) in rabbits with atherosclerosis.A total of 75 rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a direct moxibustion group, an atorvastatin calcium group and a herbal-cake-separated moxibustion group, 15 rabbits in each one. The rabbits in the normal group were fed with normal diet, and the remaining rabbits were fed with high-cholesterol diet for 12 weeks to prepare atherosclerotic model. Two groups of acupoints, one was "Juque" (CV 14), "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Fenglong" (ST 40), the other one was "Xinshu" (BL 15), "Ganshu" (BL 18) and "Pishu" (BL 20), were applied in the direct moxibustion group and herbal-cake-separated moxibustion group; the two groups of acupoints were selected alternatively every other day. The moxibustion was given for 30 min per treatment, once a day for 4 weeks. The rabbits in the atorvastatin calcium group were treated with atorvastatin calcium tablets (1.96 mg•kgAfter treatment, compared with the normal group, the levels of TC, TG and LDL-C were significantly increased in the model group (allThe herbal- cake-separated moxibustion can promote the expression of SDF-1 in serum and repair the damaged aortic endothelial structure.

Objective To observe the influence of Nie-pinching the spine manipulation on the excretory rate of urine D-xylose in the infants with diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, and to assess the clinical effects.

To investigate the effects of moxibustion on the serum metabolism in healthy human body based on the 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) metabolomics technology, and to find the differences in metabolites, as well as to elucidate the effects of moxibustion on healthy human body from the viewpoint of global metabolism. Sixty subjects of healthy young men from the enrolled students were randomly divided into a moxibustion group and a control group using random number table, with 30 cases in each group. Subjects in the moxibustion group accepted mild moxibustion on the right Zusanli (ST 36), once a day, 15 min for each time, and continuous treatment for 10 d; those in the control group did not receive any intervention. There were 28 cases in the moxibustion group and 23 cases in the control group after interventions. On the 1st day, 5th day and 10th day of the intervention, serum samples were collected from subjects of the two groups, and metabolic spectra were obtained by the 1H NMR technology. Before and after the intervention, serum 1H NMR of the moxibustion group was significantly different, while the difference was insignificant in the control group. Metabolite changes in the moxibustion group were mainly in low density lipoprotein (LDL)/very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), valine, isoleucine, leucine, lactic acid, glutamine, citric acid, polyunsaturated fatty acids, creatine, glycine, glycerol, glucose, tyrosine, histidine, formic acid, alanine, lysine, acetic acid, and glutamic acid. Moxibustion can cause changes of serum metabolic patterns in healthy human by influencing the concentrations of branched-chain amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and other metabolites to strengthen body's metabolisms of amino acids and fatty acid.

To observe the effect of herbal cake-separated moxibustion on blood lipid-apoprotein levels and the expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR 2), TLR 4 and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) mRNAs in atherosclerotic (AS) vulnerable plaques of hyperglycemia rabbits, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of atherosclerosis.Sixty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups: control, model, direct moxibustion, herbal-cake-separated moxibustion and medication groups(After modeling, the levels of plasma TC, TG, LDL and Apo-B in the model group were remarkably increased (Herbal-cake-separated moxibustion has a positive role in stabilizing AS vulnerable plaque in hyperglycemia rabbits, which may be associated with its effects in regulating blood lipid-apolipoprotein levels and inhibiting the expression of TLR 2, TLR 4 and NF-κB mRNAs in vulnerable plaques.

To observe the effect of herbal-cake-separated moxibustion on blood lipid levels and expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorForty male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into normal control, model, moxibustion and Simvastatin groups (After modeling, plasma TC, TG and LDL-C levels in the model group were significantly increased (Herbal-cake-separated moxibustion can regulate blood lipid levels and suppress hyperlipidemia-induced decrease of expression of hepatic PPARγ and SR-B 1 proteins and genes in hyperlipidemia atherosclerosis rabbits, which maybe contribute to its action in anti-atherosclerosis through promoting reversal of cholesterol.

Objective: To systematically review the effectiveness of Balance Acupuncture for the Pain in Neck, Shoulder, Low-back and Legs (PNSLL). Methods: Web-based search on databases such as PubMed（2008.1.～2014.11）、Web of Science（2008.1.～ 2014.11）、Wan Fang Data（2008.1.～2014.11）、CNKI（2008.1.～2014.11）to collect literature of randomized controlled trials (RCT) on Balance Acupuncture for PNSLL. Literature selection, data extraction and methodological quality assessment of the included studies were conducted by two reviewers independently. The meta-analysis was performed by using Rev Man 5.2 software. Results: A total of 6 studies involving 816 participants were included. Meta-analysis showed that Balance Acupuncture treatment of the PNSLL is superior to traditional Acupuncture, with significant differences (OR=0.12, 95%CI=[0.08,0.15], Z=5.83, P Conclusion: Balance Acupuncture is an effective and safe way for treating PNSLL, though it may need further demonstration by more large-scale and well-designed RCT due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies.

Background: Acupuncture and moxibustion has been widely applied to hyperlipidemia treatment in clinical practice in China, serving as an alternative treatment to statins. Warm-needling acupuncture and medicinal cake-separated moxibustion have been separately reported with potential therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia treatment in several studies but with limitations in study methodology. Combining these two modalities may provide a more advantageous strategy in treating hyperlipidemia. Therefore, a strict evaluation through well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCT) is necessary to determine their efficacy and safety on hyperlipidemia. Methods The study a multicenter, open-label, randomized, stratified, active-controlled, noninferiority trial with two parallel groups. Subjects with hyperlipidemia will be stratified into different groups by risk levels of heart diseases. They then will be instructed to the Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC) diet. Those who have not reached the target lipid level will be randomly assigned to the treatments of either acupuncture and moxibustion or simvastatin with a 1:1 allocation. One hundred and thirty subjects are aimed to be recruited. The duration of intervention for this study will be 12 weeks, followed by another 4 weeks for post-treatment assessment. The primary outcome is percentage change from baseline to the end of the study in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Other indicators in lipid change, safety and adherence will also be assessed secondarily. The repeated measures, linear mixed-effects model will be applied to the analysis. Discussion Acupuncture and moxibustion could be a potentially effective treatment alternative for hyperlipidemia. A study with careful design is developed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined acupuncture and moxibustion, by integrating the traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) regimens with the standardized Western medicine appraisal approach. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02269046 . Registered on 26 September 2014.

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal motility disorder is the main clinical manifestation in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients. Electroacupuncture is effective in improving gastrointestinal motility disorder in FD; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. It has been demonstrated that interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are pacemaker cells in the gastrointestinal tract, and the pacemaker potential is transmitted to nearby cells through gap junctions between ICC or ICC and the smooth muscle. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of electroacupuncture on ICC ultrastructure and expression of the gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43) in FD rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS The animals were randomized into 3 groups: control, model, and electroacupuncture. Electroacupuncture was applied at Zusanli (ST36) in the electroacupuncture group daily for 10 days, while no electroacupuncture was applied to model group animals. RESULTS Ultrastructure of ICC recovered normally in gastric antrum and small intestine specimens was improved, with Cx43 expression levels in these tissues significantly increased in the electroacupuncture group compared with the model group. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicated that electroacupuncture is effective in alleviating ICC damage and reduces Cx43 levels in FD rats, and suggest that ICC and Cx43 are involved in electroacupuncture treatment in rats with FD to improve gastrointestinal motility disorders.

To evaluate the effect of a single 10-minute session of Chinese head massage on the activity of the cardiac autonomic nervous system via measurement of heart rate variability (HRV).In this pilot randomized crossover trial, each participant received both head massage and the control intervention in a randomized fashion.The study was conducted at Children'sWomen's Health Centre of British Columbia between June and November 2014.Ten otherwise healthy adults (6 men and 4 women) were enrolled in this study.The intervention comprised 10 minutes of head massage therapy (HMT) in a seated position compared with a control intervention of sitting quietly on the same chair with eyes closed for an equal amount of time (no HMT).The primary outcome measures were the main parameters of HRV, including total power (TP), high frequency (HF), HF as a normalized unit, pre-ejection period, and heart rate (HR).A single short session (10 minutes) of head massage demonstrated an increase in TP continuing up to 20 minutes after massage and reaching statistical significance at 10 minutes after massage (relative change from baseline, 66% for HMT versus -6.6% for no HMT; p = 0.017). The effect on HF also peaked up to 10 minutes after massage (59.4% for HMT versus 4% for no HMT; p = 0.139). Receiving head massage also decreased HR by more than three-fold compared to the control intervention.This study shows the potential benefits of head massage by modulating the cardiac autonomic nervous system through an increase in the total variability and a shift toward higher parasympathetic nervous system activity. Randomized controlled trials with larger sample size and multiple sessions of massage are needed to substantiate these findings.

Using keywords of "acupuncture, fMRI and resting state", authors of the present paper retrieved papers in both Chinese and English from CNKI and PubMed databases without time limitation. A total of 13 articles (11 for acupuncture and 2 for moxibustion) met the standards were subjected to analysis. Of the 13 papers, 6 involve acupuncture analgesia, 2 moxibustion analgesia, 3 mild cognitive impairment, one involves stroke, and the rest one is for depression. Research results of acupuncture analgesia revealed that the analgesic effect is closely related to its regulation on "pain matrix" brain regions and pain-related default mode network. In the studies, a single acupoint is often used, without acupoints-combined recipes. Therefore, it is highly recommended that researchers pay more attention to (OD studies on the underlying mechanism of moxibustion, and (improvement of design protocols targeting requirements of acupuncture clinical practice.

Under the condition of knowledge economy, the acu-moxibustion standardization definitely involves intellectual property rights. Then, what is the relationship between the standardization and the intellectual property rights of acu-moxibustion? The authors of the present paper hold that it is not only exclusive, but also syncretic. If their relationship cannot be handled properly, their own respective development will be affected adversely. Therefore, a proper handling of the relationship between the two is of great practical significance. The present paper makes a comprehensive analysis about their interaction (mutual promotion and mutual inhibition), similarities (systemic composition, dynamic implementation course, standardization-rated order and ultimate targets) and differences (in properties, working components, secret requirement, effectiveness-time limitation, usage cost, etc).

Following retrieving articles about foreign large sample clinical trials of acupuncture (more than 500 cases) from MEDLINE and EMBASE databases (1996-2012) by using keywords of "acupuncture" and "clinical trial", a quality analysis was carried out independently by two researchers. A total of 1373 papers were collected and 37 were considered to meet our preformulated standards in accordance with the principles and methods of evidence-based medicine. Majority of these 37 articles were from some advanced countries including Germany, USA, Japan, Demark, Australia, et al. Their paper quality and research quality are varied including the methodology, standards for diagnosis, inclusive and exclusive criteria, follow-up survey, economic effectiveness, adverse effects, acupoint application and syndrome differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine. Of the 37 papers, 17 are multiple center clinical trials, 18 are one center clinical trials, and 2 are not clear. Our Chinese researchers should pay more attention to foreign well-designed, large example, randomized controlled clinical trials and draw their matured experience and strong points to compensate our weak points and to improve our levels in clinical study on acupuncture treatment of clinical disorders.

For the purpose of exploring the teaching reform model and method, also promoting the quality of talents in acupuncture and tuina field, the research-based teaching model is applied into the course of Theory of Meridians and Acupoints. This method includes two parts of teaching and learning. For teachers, they bring modern research focus and trend into teaching through questionnaire survey among students, aiming to integrate the education inside and outside class. For students, they are guided to resolve the opening, enlightening and scalable issues through consulting abundant resources of literature and database to achieve autonomous participation in the course of learning. By this teaching method, it is expected to train the student's ability of expanding their thinking, as well as discovering, analyzing and solving the problem.

Acupuncture clinical trial registration can help improving the quality, internationalization and influence of acupuncture clinical trials. Results retrieved from the related databases show that the number of acupuncture clinical trials registration is increasing year by year, especially that from mainland China. The registered clinical trials mainly involve researches on pain management, functional disorders of an organ or system, etc. But most of the acupuncture clinical trials conducted in mainland China have not been registered and the trials quality needs being improved. The registration method is introduced in this paper.

To identify acupuncture resources in six databases of Cochrane Library (CL) with computer retrieve. Seventy-two literatures were identified in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR). Among them, 12 Cochrane systematic review (CSR) verified the effectiveness of acupuncture, 29 concerning the indeterminacy of the efficacy of acupuncture with 1 didn't support acupuncture for epilepsy and 31 remained as protocols; 121 literatures were found in Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) with more types of diseases or symptoms and rich modality comparing to CSR; 4218 randomized controlled trials and clinical controlled trials were identified in Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CCRCT); 43 literatures in Cochrane Methodology Register Database (CMRD) which focused on blindness study, quality assessment of methodology of research and publication bias and so on; 25 literatures in Health Technology Assessment Database (HTAD) and 18 in NHS Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED) which were centered on acupuncture analgesia. Consequently, acupuncture literatures in 6 databases of CL do provide good resources for acupuncture researchers due to its abundant content, concrete classification and high quality evidence.

Combining the functional metabolic imaging and anatomical imaging, PET-CT stands for the highest level of current nuclear medical imaging techniques, and has been applying increasingly in acupuncture studies. However, owning to complexity of the brain function and sensitivity of brain metabolism, the lower reproducibility of cerebral function imaging even may reverse many results. This has been provoked more and more attention by researchers. Its main cause is intimately related to poor experimental methodology. For this reason, the present paper raises the quality control of the research on mechanisms of acupuncture in the process of application of PET-CT techniques from (1) the included standards of participants, (2) the preparation of participants during the scanning process of PET-CT, (3) the setting of the scanning parameters, (4) the used machine and the imaging reagent, (5) the analysis of dada, (6) the standardization of acupuncture manipulation, and (7) the designs of the acupuncture operation, needling opportunity and scanning opportunity, hoping to offer some beneficial information for the coming researches.

Systems biology, a major science characterized by holistic view, will give a far-reaching impact on our understanding about the essence of biosystem. In the present study, the authors analyze the methodological characters of the systems biology, its relation to and its possible impact on acu-moxibustion medicine. Up to now, modern studies have revealed only partial content of traditional Chinese medicine including acu-moxibustion medicine. With the help of methods, techniques and research thoughts of systems biology, the mechanism of basic theory and clinical efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion will be understood thoroughly and more rapidly.

The development of needle tools in ancient China underwent a process of from stone through bamboo, bone, ceramic to metal materials, from rough to delicate manufacture, from multiple uses of a single one to diversified structure and shapes with different functions. Making research on the developing history of needle tools from Stone Age to the Ming and Qing dynasties in its materials, craftsmanship and applications can reveal the inventive values.

Dr. Kai-yun Liu devoted himself to the traditional Chinese medicine massage. He established the “Five-meridian massage”, and good at using “Ten methods of Liu’s massage” in treatment of pediatric diseases. And he also developed skills of infantile massage. However, the regionalism restricted the spread of Liu’s infantile massage, though the effectiveness and reputation of Liu’s infantile massage. This article is based on the clinical and academic experience of Dr.Kai-yun Liu. By combining the theory of evidence-based, data mining and “man-machine integration” together, we put forward the research inheritance of clinical experience and academic thoughts of Dr. Kai-yun Liu.