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The paper reviews systematically the main ancient medical books with the origin literature included on acupuncture prescription. It is found that the origin literature with acupuncture prescription in successive dynasties mainly focuses on Qin-Han and Jin-Yuan Dynasties. In Jin, Tang and Song Dynasties, as well as Ming and Qing Dynasties, the literature mainly records the experience of medical masters in the previous dynasties. By taking "headache" and "retention of urine" as examples, the origins on the literature of clinical acupuncture prescription are explored, the distribution rules and characteristics are summarized. Moreover, the evidences and evaluation method of quality grading were explored on the ancient books with the origin literature of acupuncture prescription involved.

To sort out and summarize the evaluationmethods on the efficacy by acupuncture and moxibustion in ancient literature. The evaluation methods by ancient medical experts could be divided into two categories: one is according to the change of patient's conditions before and after treatment, including the subjective symptoms, the information getting from the four examination methods in TCM; the other is according to the characteristics of different interventions. For example, evaluating acupuncture by the "arrival of qi " "getting qi "; evaluating pricking collaterals-bloodletting therapy by the colour of blood; evaluating moxibustion by the skin colour and the feeling on the suppurated sore. This paper analyzed and discussed the particularity of acupuncture and moxibustion and the historical and technical reasons embodied in these methods, and then further expounded the enlightenment significance of these methods for clinical evaluation research for the contemporary acupuncture and moxibustion.

The times background and the forming process of Chengjiang Acupuncture School which composed mainly of Mr. CHENG Dan-an and his followers are studied in this paper. It is concluded that the forming of Chengjiang Acupuncture School is based on the kindness of its founder and his followers to the poor and patients, as well as their devotion to acupuncture-moxibustion which are characterized by cheap, convenient and effective features. The development and growth of the school profited from new China's health policy which attached equal importance to both Chinese and western medicines. The school's formation and development process highlighte its features of firm convictions, courage when facing difficulties and keeping pace with the times.

In the treatment of various clinical conditions, acu-moxibustion implements are absolutely necessary. In the present paper, the authors make a systemic investigation on the developmental course of acu-moxibustion implements from (1) acupuncture needles, (2) moxibustion materials and tools, and (3) modern therapeutic apparatuses for acu-moxibustion. Regarding the acupuncture needle, the authors reviewed its histological evolution from the Bian-needle (stone needle), bone needle, metal needle, nine types of needles, etc., to the disposable sterile acupuncture needle. The authors also comprehensively recount the improvement of materials and auxiliary appliances for moxibustion in different periods, and the process of development and application traits of modern electroacupuncture and moxibustion instruments. In this way, this article outlines the whole development of acu-moxibustion implements from the antiquity to the present in China.

In the background of the spread of western medicine into the East in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Chinese doctors who had accepted western medicine referred to western medical knowledge and began to use the methods of anatomical observation and demonstrating to explain the objective structure of meridians and collaterals. They tried to adopt the artery and vessel explaining the shape of meridian and the blood circle and pulmonary respiration explaining the circulation of Ying-Wei. When the anatomy structures could not perfectly equal to meridians and collaterals, some doctors put forward the gasification feature of meridian to explain the reason. These results suggest that there are difference between meridians and collaterals and pure anatomy concepts, which serves as significant reference and edification for later generations.

On the basis of systematicly reviewing the developmental history of acupuncture and moxibustion and profoundly understanding its academic connotations, the authors of the present article make a summary and analysis on the key factors influencing the development of acupuncturology. These key factors are (1) the emergence of "microacupuncture needle regulating-Qi" and the establishement of their corresponding theory system, (2) a large number of practitioners who inherited the learnings of acupuncturology generations by generations, and abundant medical classical works which recorded the valuable academic thoughts and clinical experience of the predecesors, (3) the application of acupuncture charts and manikins, and (4) modernizing changes of acupuncture learnings after introduction of western medicine to China. Just under the influence of these key factors, the acupuncture medicine separates itself from the level of the simple experience medicine, and has formed a set of special theory system and developed into a mature subject.

The "Multimedia System for Showing Achievements of Acu-moxibustion in Chinese Past Successive Dynasties" is a project of scientific research for the development of science and technology of Chinese medicine subsidized by Beijing Municipal government. It serves to directly and lively show great achievements and rich-colorful information (cultural relics, etc.) about acu-moxibustion in the development process in Chinese successive dynasties in the light of the order of historical development and through different styles such as characters, pictures, videos and flash, etc. This system is an academic gallery unifying common knowledge, skills or techniques, and actual clinic treatment scenery of acupuncture and moxibustion, possessing significant applicability and innovation. The present article puts emphasis on introducing its construction's aim and orientation, main contents, and traits in the systematic design.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Bufei Yishen Granule (补肺益肾颗粒, BFYSG) combined with Shufei Tie (舒肺贴) acupoint sticking therapy on quality of life of patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: A multi-center, double-blinded, double-dummy and randomized controlled method was adopted in this trial. A total of 244 patients were randomly assigned to a trial group and a control group according to the random number, each with 122 patients; treatment allocation occurred when the participants met the inclusion criteria and signed the informed consent form. In the trial group, patients were treated with BFYSG combined with 'Shufei Tie' acupoint sticking therapy and sustained-release theophylline dummy, and in the control group patients were treated with oral sustained-release theophylline and BFYSG dummy combined with 'Shufei Tie' acupoint sticking therapy dummy. The therapeutic course for two groups was 4 months and the follow-up was 6 months. The frequency and duration of acute exacerbation calculated by adding up each frequency and duration of acute exacerbation in treatment and follow-up time respectively, the quality of life measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF scale and adult COPD quality of life (COPD-QOL) scale were observed. Results: Among the 244 enrolled patients, 234 were screened for full analysis set (FAS); 221 were screened for per-protocol analysis set (PPS). After 4-month treatment and 6-month follow-up there were differences between the trial group and the control group in frequency of acute exacerbation (FAS: P=0.013; PPS: P=0.046); duration of acute exacerbation (FAS: P=0.005; PPS: P=0.006); scores of physiological, psychological and environment aspects of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (FAS: P=0.002, P=0.006, P=0.000; PPS: P=0.00, P=0.001, P=0.000); scores of daily living ability, social activity, depression symptoms aspects of the COPD-QOL questionnaire (FAS: P=0.000, P=0.000, P=0.006; PPS: P=0.002, P=0.001, P=0.001). Conclusion: BFYSG combined with acupoint sticking therapy could improve the quality of life of patients with stable COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Bu-Fei Yi-Shen granule combined with acupoint sticking therapy has been used in the patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as major traditional interventions for the treatment of the disease. Aim of the study: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, the Bu-Fei Yi-Shen granule combined with acupoint sticking therapy in patients with stable COPD. Methods: A 4-center, double-blinded, double-dummy and randomized controlled method was conducted. 244 patients who were divided into the trial group (n =122, treated with Bu-Fei Yi-Shen granule combined with Shu-Fei Tie acupoint sticking therapy and oral placebo sustained-release theophylline) and the control group (n =122, treated with oral sustained-release theophylline and placebo Bu-Fei Yi-Shen granule combined with placebo Shu-Fei Tie acupoint sticking therapy). The frequency and duration of acute exacerbation, lung function, clinical symptoms, six-minute walking distance, dyspnea grade and quality of life were observed during the 4-month treatment period, and for a further 6 months follow-up. Results: Two hundred and twenty one patients fully completed the study, intent-to-treat (ITT) population was 234 and per-protocol (PP) population was 221. After treatment for 4 months and follow-up for 6 months, there were differences between the experimental and control group in frequency of acute exacerbation (ITT: P =0.007, P =0.013; PP: P =0.045, P =0.046); duration of acute exacerbation (ITT: P =0.030, P =0.005; PP: P =0.048, P =0.006); scores of symptoms (ITT: P =0.000, P =0.000; PP: P =0.000, P =0.000); six-minute walking distance (ITT: P =0.002, P =0.001; PP: P =0.002, P =0.001); dyspnea grade (ITT: P =0.014, P =0.009; PP: P =0.018, P =0.012); physiological aspects (ITT: P =0.003, P =0.000; PP: P =0.001, P =0.000); psychological aspects (ITT: P =0.007, P =0.001; PP: P =0.001, P =0.000) and environment aspects (ITT: P =0.003, P =0.000; PP: P =0.001, P =0.000) of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. There were no differences between the experimental and control group in FVC, FEV1 and FEV1% and adverse events. Conclusions: Bu-Fei Yi-Shen granule combined with acupoint sticking therapy showed beneficial effects for patients with stable COPD in the measured parameters over the 4-month treatment period and 6 months follow-up, with no relevant between-group differences in adverse events. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]