Fidelity in acupuncture-moxibustion clinical research: application and reflection / 中国针灸

As an indicator that measures the degree of implementation of intervention measures during the implementation process, fidelity could be used for monitoring and quality evaluation of the completion degree of intervention measures, and plays an important role in improving the degree of intervention implementation and clarifying the factors that affect intervention implementation. This article aims to introduce the connotation and significance, measurement, control, and current application status of fidelity, as well as the current application status of fidelity in acupuncture-moxibustion clinical research and its inspiration for future research. Meanwhile, based on the existing evaluation tool development methods of fidelity and the characteristics of acupuncture-moxibustion clinical research, a preliminary fidelity evaluation framework is proposed. Introducing fidelity into acupuncture-moxibustion clinical research could improve the implementation quality and compliance of acupuncture-moxibustion in clinical research, increase the credibility and effectiveness of clinical research results, and promote the transformation of acupuncture-moxibustion experience into easily learnable and promotable treatment plans.

Evaluation of the report quality of Chinese and English randomized controlled trials of acupuncture based on CONSORT statement and STRICTA checklist / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the report quality of Chinese and English randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture based on the CONSORT statement and STRICTA checklist.@*METHODS@#The Chinese and English RCTs of acupuncture published from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019 were searched in 7 databases including PubMed. The report quality of the included RCTs was evaluated with the CONSORT 2010 statement and STRICTA checklist.@*RESULTS@#A total of 506 Chinese RCTs and 76 English RCTs were included. According to the CONSORT statement, in Chinese RCTs, the items with report rate less than 50% accounted for 78.38% of all items, and the report rate of 25 items, such as background and reason, study design, outcome index, and sample size, was less than 10%. In English RCTs, the items with report rate less than 50% accounted for 35.14% of all items, and 5 items had a report rate of less than 10%. The difference of the report rate of 15 items, such as background, reason and study design, was more than 50% between Chinese and English RCTs. The report rate of all items of STRICTA checklist was relatively high in both Chinese and English RCTs. In Chinese RCTs, the items with report rate less than 50% accounted for 29.41% of all items, which included acupuncture rationale and depth of insertion. In English RCTs, only two items had a report rate less than 50%, which were acupuncture rationale, setting and context of treatment. The report rate of five items, including needle retention time, frequency and duration of treatment sessions, details of other interventions administered to the acupuncture group, setting and context of treatment, and precise description of the control or comparator in Chinese RCTs, were higher than in English RCTs.@*CONCLUSION@#The report quality of Chinese acupuncture RCT needs to be improved urgently, and corresponding measures should be taken to further standardize the writing and reporting of acupuncture clinical research.

Discussion on "sugar needle - comfortable acupuncture and moxibustion" / 中国针灸

The cases of feeling comfort during acupuncture and moxibustion treatment in literature were summarized and its biological basis was explored. A simple classification of comfort was made, and the importance of obtaining comfort in acupuncture treatment was pointed out. Considering the pursuit of less pain and harmlessness in modern clinical treatment, sugar needle should be advocated and popularized in current clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion.

Acupuncture for prevention of moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture for prevention of moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis.@*METHODS@#A total of 105 patients with moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis were randomly divided into an observation group (53 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (52 cases, 4 cases dropped off). The patients in the observation group were treated with acupuncture at Yintang (GV 24+), Yingxiang (LI 20), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Fengchi (GB 20), Feishu (BL 13), etc. 4 weeks before the seizure period, once every other day, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The patients in the control group were not given any intervention before the seizure period. Emergency drugs can be given appropriately during the seizure period in both groups. After seizure period, the seizure rate was recorded in the two groups; before treatment and on week 1, 2, 4, 6 of seizure period after treatment, the rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) score and total nasal symptom score (TNSS) were observed in the two groups; the rescue medication score (RMS) was recorded on week 1-6 of seizure period in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The seizure rate of the observation group was 84.0% (42/50), which was lower than 100.0% (48/48) in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of RQLQ and TNSS at each time point of seizure period were decreased compared with before treatment in the observation group (P<0.01), which were lower than the control group (P<0.01). The RMS score at each time point of seizure period in the observation group was lower than the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture can reduce the incidence of moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis, relieve the symptoms, improve the quality of life and reduce the use of emergency drugs.

Improving acupuncture research: progress, guidance, and future directions / 中国针灸

This paper makes an interpretation of the collection Acupuncture: how to improve the evidence base published by BMJ & BMJ Open. Studies show that the quality of randomized controlled trial (RCT) of acupuncture is low, and multivariable Meta-regression analysis fails to confirm most factors commonly believed to influence the effect of acupuncture. The methodological challenges in design and conduct of RCT in acupuncture were analyzed, and a consensus on how to design high-quality acupuncture RCT was developed. The number of acupuncture systematic reviews was huge but the evidence was underused in clinical practice and health policy, and a large number of western clinical practice guidelines recommended acupuncture therapy, but the usefulness of recommendations needed to be improved. In view of the problems in clinical research on acupuncture mentioned in this collection, combined with the analysis of the purpose of clinical research on acupuncture, perspectives, study types, as well as the relationship between evidence and clinical decision-making, a five-stage study paradigm of clinical research on acupuncture is proposed.

Application of limiting antigen avidity enzyme immunoassay for estimating HIV-1 incidence in men who have sex with men / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To estimate the incidence of HIV-1 infection in men who have sex with men (MSM) in key areas of China through HIV-1 limiting antigen avidity enzyme immunoassay (LAg-Avidity EIA), analyze the deviation from the actual results and identify influencing factors, and provided reference for improving the accuracy of estimation results. Methods: Based on the principle of the cohort randomized study design, 20 cities were selected in China based on population size and the number of HIV-positive MSM. The sample size was estimated to be 700 according to the HIV-1 infection rate in MSM. MSM mobile phone app. was used to establish a detection appointment and questionnaire system, and the baseline cross-sectional survey was conducted from April to November 2019. LAg-Avidity EIA was used to identify the recent infected samples. The incidence of HIV-1 infection was calculated and then adjusted based on the estimation formula designed by WHO. The influencing factors were identified by analyzing the sample collection and detection processes. Results: Among the 10 650 blood samples from the participants, 799 were HIV-positive in initial screening, in which 198 samples (24.78%) missed during confirmation test. Only 621 samples were received by the laboratory. After excluding misreported samples, 520 samples were qualified for testing. A total of 155 samples were eventually determined as recent infection through LAg-Avidity EIA; Based on the estimation formula , the incidence of HIV-1 infection in MSM in 20 cities was 4.06% (95%CI:3.27%-4.85%), it increased to 5.53% (95%CI: 4.45%-6.60%)after the adjusting for sample missing rate. When the sample missing rate and misreporting rate were both adjusted, the incidence of HIV-1 infection in the MSM increased to 5.66% (95%CI:4.67%-6.65%). The actual incidence of HIV-1 infection in MSM in the 20 cities might be between 4.06% and 5.66%. Conclusions: Sample missing and misreporting might cause the deviation of the estimation of HIV-1 infection incidence. It is important to ensure the sample source and the quality of sample collection and detection to reduce the deviation in the estimation of HIV-1 infection incidence.

Evidence-based guidelines for food allergy of children in China / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

The diagnosis of food allergy in children is one hotspot attracting people′s attention in recent years.The incidence of it shows an increasing trend which exposes problems in the understanding of children′s food allergy in China, especially in the misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.To further standardize the diagnosis and treatment of food allergy in children, based on the current domestic, foreign guidelines and relevant research evidence, the guideline recommends 16 clinical hot-button issues in the 4 aspects of diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention.Finally, a diagnosis flowchart has been formulated.The guideline aims to improve the standard diagnosis and treatment of food allergies in children in China.

Effect of Acupuncture on Outcomes of in vitro Fertilisation: A Scoping Review / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To identify, examine and summarize the available evidence on the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) outcomes.@*METHODS@#Eight electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Review, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Database and VIP Database, were searched, supplemented by manual searches. Two researchers independently conducted the literature screening, data extraction, and methodological quality assessments. A narrative description was provided to show the general information and specific characteristics of the included studies. A bubble plot was used to visually display the overall effects of acupuncture on IVF outcomes.@*RESULTS@#Eighty-two studies were identified, including 64 primary studies and 18 systematic reviews. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation, electric acupuncture and manual acupuncture were applied in most studies and compared with no acupuncture, sham acupuncture and placebo acupuncture control groups. Sixty-three (98.4%) primary studies reported clinical pregnancy rate, and positive effects of acupuncture were found in 34 studies (54.0%). Live birth rate was reported in only 18 (28.1%) primary studies, of which 10 (55.6%) showed positive results. In addition, only 8 and 2 systematic reviews showed that acupuncture could increase clinical pregnancy events and live birth events, respectively. However, none of these reviews was of high methodological quality.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Available evidence suggests that acupuncture therapy could improve clinical pregnancy rates. However, whether acupuncture could increase live birth events was difficult to determine based on the few studies that have reported this outcome indicator. Furthermore, the methodological quality of most systematic reviews was assessed as critically low or low. Studies with a rigorous design and standardized implementation should be performed to refine the available evidence.

Sensory and sympathetic nerves are involved in the changes of skin temperature, blood infusion and inflammatory cytokines of cutaneous tissue in the sensitized area of colitis rats / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the changes of skin temperature, blood infusion and inflammatory cytokines of cutaneous tissue in the sensitized area of colitis model rats, as well as the relationship between sensory and sympathetic nerves and the formation of sensitized area, and to initially reveal the partial physical-chemical characteristics of the sensitized area in the colitis model rats.@*METHODS@#Thirty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group (n=10), a model group (n=18) and a guanethidine group (n=7). 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was adopted for 6-day free drinking to establish colitis model in the model group and the guanethidine group. On day 6 and 7, in the guanethidine group, guanethidine solution (30 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally for sympathetic block. On day 7, after injection of evans blue (EB) solution, the EB extravasation areas on the body surface were observed to investigate the distribution and physical-chemical characteristics of the sensitized area. The control area was set up, 0.5 cm away from the sensitized area, and with the same nerve segment innervation. Disease activity index (DAI) score of rats was compared between the normal group and the model group, and the morphological changes in the colon tissue were investigated with HE method. Using infrared thermal imaging technology and laser speckle flow imaging technology, skin temperature and blood infusion were determined in the sensitized area and the control area of the rats in the model group. Immunofluorescence technique was adopted to observe the expression levels of the positive nerve fibers of substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and the correlation with blood vessels; as well as the expression levels of SP positive nerve fibers/tryptase+ mast cells, and tryptase+ mast cells/5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in skin tissue in the sensitized area and the control area of the rats in the model group. MSD multi-level factorial method and ELISA were applied to determine the contents of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4 and IL-10) and anti-inflammatory substance corticosterone (CORT).@*RESULTS@#Sensitization occurred at the T12-S1 segments of the colitis model rats, especially at L2-L5 segments. Compared with the normal group, DAI score was increased in the rats of the model group (P<0.05), and the colonic mucosal damage was obvious, with the epithelial cells disordered, even disappeared, crypt destructed, submucosal edema and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated. In comparison with the control area, the skin temperature and blood infusion were increased in the sensitized area of the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01); as well as the expression levels of the positive nerve fibers of SP, CGRP and TH of skin tissue (P<0.05), which was specially distributed in peripheral vessels, the expression levels of SP positive nerve fibers/tryptase+ mast cells, and tryptase+ mast cells/5-HT of the skin tissue were all expanded (P<0.05) in the sensitized area of the model group. Compared with the model group, the number of sensitized areas was reduced in the guanethidine group (P<0.05). In comparison with the control area of the model group, in the sensitized area, the contents of pro-inflammatory cytokines, e.g. TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, and the anti-inflammatory substance CORT of skin tissue were all increased (P<0.05); and the contents of IL-6 and TNF-α were negatively correlated with CORT (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The sensitized areas on the body surface of colitis rats are mainly distributed in the L2-L5 segments. Sensory and sympathetic nerves are involved in the acupoint sensitization, and the sensitized areas may have the dynamic changes in pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory substances.

Overview of systematic reviews of acupuncture clinical research published in international journals / 中国针灸

The systematic reviews (SRs) of acupuncture published before December 31 of 2020 in PubMed, Cochrane and EMbase databases were searched, and the publication overview of international acupuncture SRs were analyzed. As a result, a total of 717 SRs were included, and the overall number of published SRs showed a fluctuating upward trend. A total of 15 categories of diseases were involved, of which 113 SRs suggested that acupuncture was effective, and 12 SRs did not support acupuncture, and the remaining SRs showed uncertain conclusions. It is suggested that the standard of evidence-based medicine should be adopted to standardize the design of acupuncture trial and improve the level of clinical research; SRs should include high-quality literature that met the standards according to the principles and methods of PRISMA, so as to provide reliable clinical evidence for acupuncture.

Acupuncture as adjuvant therapy for 32 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on the conventional treatment.@*METHODS@#A total of 35 patients with COVID-19 of mild or ordinary type were involved (3 cases dropped off). Acupuncture was applied on the basis of western medicine and Chinese materia medica treatment. Dazhui (GV 14), Fengchi (GB 20), Kongzui (LU 6), Hegu (LI 4), etc. were selected as the main acupoints, the supplementary acupoints and the reinforcing and reducing manipulations were selected according to syndrome differentiation. Acupuncture treatment was given once a day, 5 times a week. On day 3 and day 7 of acupuncture, relief condition of the main symptoms was observed. Before acupuncture and on day 3 and day 7 of acupuncture, efficacy evaluation scale of TCM on COVID-19 (efficacy evaluation scale) score was recorded. The effects of different intervention time of acupuncture on patients' hospitalization time were compared, the understanding of acupuncture treatment of patients discharged from hospital was recorded, the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment were evaluated.@*RESULTS@#On day 3 and day 7 of acupuncture, the symptoms of lung system and non lung system were both relieved; the scores of efficacy evaluation scale were both decreased compared before acupuncture (P<0.05), and the efficacy evaluation scale score of day 7 of acupuncture were lower than day 3 of acupuncture (P<0.05). The average hospitalization time of patients received early acupuncture was shorter than late acupuncture (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 84.4% (27/32) on day 7 of acupuncture, which was higher than 34.4% (11/32) on day 3 of acupuncture (P<0.05). During the acupuncture treatment, there were neither adverse reactions in patients nor occupational exposures in doctors. The patients generally believed that acupuncture could promote the recovery of COVID-19 and recommended acupuncture treatment.@*CONCLUSION@#On the basis of the conventional treatment, acupuncture can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms in patients with COVID-19, early intervention of acupuncture can accelerate the recovery process. Acupuncture has good safety, clinical compliance and recognition of patients.

Clinical value of routine contrast esophagram in the diagnosis of anastomotic leakage for three-incision esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis / 中华外科杂志

Objective: To examine the clinical value of routine contrast esophagram (RCE) for the diagnosis of anastomotic leakage (AL) after three-incision esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis. Methods: Clinical data of 1 022 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent McKeown three-incision esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis from January 2015 to December 2019 at Department of Minimally Invasive Esophageal Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital and Institute were analyzed retrospectively. There were 876 males and 146 females, aging(M(IQR)) 48(16) years (range: 36 to 84 years). There were 253 patients (24.8%) with neoadjuvant therapy, and 817 patients (79.9%) with minimally invasive esophagectomy. According to the diagnosis and treatment habits of the attending surgeons, 333 patients were included in the RCE group, and RCE was performed on the 7th day postoperative, while 689 patients were included in the non-RCE group, and RCE was performed when the patients had suspicious symptoms. Taking clinical symptoms, RCE, CT, endoscopy and other methods as reference to the diagnosis of AL, the sensitivity and specificity were used to analyze and evaluate the efficacy of RCE for the diagnosis of AL. The data were compared by U test or χ² test between groups. Results: The incidence rate of AL after three-incision esophagectomy was 7.34% (75/1 022), including 30 cases in the RCE group and 45 cases in the non-RCE group (9.0%(30/333) vs. 6.5%(45/689), χ²=2.027, P=0.155). The diagnostic time of AL was 9(5) days postoperative (range: 4 to 30 days). Among them, 23 cases showed cervical leakages, 50 cases showed intro-thoracic leakages, and 2 cases both cervical and intro-thoracic leakages. The diagnostic time of patients with intro-thoracic leakages was longer than that of cervical leakages (10(4) days vs. 6(3) days, Z=-2.517, P=0.012). Among the 333 patients in the RCE group, 16 cases of RCE indicated leakages including 11 cases of true positive and 5 cases determined to be false positive, while 317 cases indicated no abnormalities including 19 cases developed leakages. The sensitivity and specificity of RCE to detect AL were 36.7%(11/30) and 98.3%(298/333), respectively. The Youden-index was 0.35, and the diagnostic accuracy was 92.8%(309/333). The positive and negative predictive value were 11/16 and 94.0%(298/317), respectively. Conclusions: Routine contrast esophagram after three-incision esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis has low sensitivity and high specificity in the diagnosis of AL. The diagnostic time of AL is the 9th day after surgery. It is necessary to prolong the observation time clinically, and combine RCE with CT, endoscopy and other inspection methods for diagnosis.

Analysis on influencing factors of acupuncture curative effect based on experts' experience / 中国针灸

To explore the influencing factors of acupuncture curative effect in literature of experts' experience. The journal literature of experts' experience was retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and PubMed, starting from inception to September 4, 2020, and the influencing factors of acupuncture curative effect were extracted and analyzed. A total of 499 articles were included, involving 495 articles in Chinese and 4 articles in English. The influencing factors of acupuncture curative effect mainly include five aspects: diagnostic method, acupoint selection of acupuncture, acupuncture manipulation, regulating mind of acupuncture and acupuncture time, and provide reference for acupuncture protocol design in clinical trials.

Clinical study on acupuncture and moxibustion for frozen shoulder: an evidence map / 中国针灸

The clinical evidences on acupuncture and moxibustion for the treatment of frozen shoulder were sorted and summarized systematically. The relevant articles of frozen shoulder treated with acupuncture and moxibustion were searched from PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane database of systematic review (CDSR), Cochrane database of controlled trials register (CENTRAL), China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, VIP, and Chinese biomedical literature databases (SinoMed), from database inception to May 31, 2021. Using AMSTAR-2, the methodological quality of the included systematic reviews was evaluated. With evidence map, the current status of clinical evidence was summarized on acupuncture and moxibustion in treatment of frozen shoulder. A total of 266 original studies and 6 systematic reviews were included finally. At present, many randomized controlled trials are designed with small sample size and the simple acupuncture and moxibustion therapy is dominant as the intervention, e.g. warm acupuncture, acupuncture with filiform needle, acupotomy and electroacupuncture. The outcomes considered in the current trials focus on clinical effective rate, the score of shoulder pain, the score of shoulder function and the score of quality of life. Most of the studies have shown that acupuncture and moxibustion is advantageous as an adjunctive therapy for frozen shoulder, but its clinical evidence is few in terms of the recurrence rate and safety. Moreover, it needs to improve the evidence quality of the relevant studies on acupuncture and moxibustion for frozen shoulder.

Dilemma and breakthrough of acupuncture-moxibustion department under the situation of rapid expansion of hospital / 中国针灸

Under the situation of the rapid expansion of hospital, the dilemma of acupuncture-moxibustion department, as well as the relevant solutions are explored. The main reasons for the shrinking situation of the service in acupuncture-moxibustion department include: the disease-based department division trends to divert many diseases suitably treated in acupuncture-moxibustion department; the environment pursuing economic benefits restricts the development of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy characterized by "simple and low-cost operation". There are three important approaches for breaking through the dilemma of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy. First, modifying the traditional service mode as waiting for patients in acupuncture-moxibustion department and promoting acupuncture and moxibustion technology to be adopted in other departments rather than limited only in acupuncture-moxibustion department. Second, increasing the charges of acupuncture and moxibustion technology rationally. Third, positioning accurately the role of acupuncture and moxibustion technology in health services based on its own characteristics and advantages and promoting it in community medical institutions. All of these solutions require the guidance of supporting policies.

Acupuncture randomized controlled trials: comparing China-based vs. Western-based studies / 中国针灸

With the worldwide spread of acupuncture as a therapeutic modality and the rapid development of acupuncture clinical research, the number of acupuncture randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies is steadily increasing in China and around the world. However, the results of these studies seem to come from two different worlds indeed. Chinese RCT studies overwhelmingly demonstrate positive outcomes from acupuncture, whereas Western-based studies generally conclude that there is no discernible difference between acupuncture and a placebo. Why should there be such different outcomes when the same scientific method is being used? This paper analyzes factors that may be contributing to the different outcomes between China-based and Western-based RCT studies by considering and comparing starting points, purpose, study design, investigators, acupuncture treatment regimen, methodological quality, results, conclusions, and deficiencies in acupuncture RCT. Based on these comparisons, this paper examines the value of acupuncture RCT in general, and the methodological confusion which seems to have propagated from study to study. We propose the following suggestions to remediate the acupuncture clinical research paradigm: First, acupuncture clinical researches should be carried out step-by-step according to universal, agreed-upon research protocols. Second, norms for reporting outcome metrics need to be standardized for each stage of a study.

The Prognosis and Predictive Value of Complement C3 in Patients with Multiple Myeloma / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of complement C3 on the prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma (MM), and to establish a predictive model to evaluate the overall survival.@*METHODS@#Eighty newly diagnosed MM patients were enrolled, and clinical characteristics, such as sex, age, platelet count, white blood cell count, ISS stage, FISH, levels of kappa and lammda chain, complement C3 and C4 were retrospectively analyzed. Cox regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analysis about risk factors that affecting the prognosis of the MM patients. A nomogram based on C3 level was established for predicting the prognosis of MM patients.@*RESULTS@#The average age of the MM patients was 63.15±10.41, including 36 males and 44 females. The median overall survival (OS) was 36.3 months, and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 35.2 months, the 3-year OS rate and PFS rate of the MM patients were 67.5% and 52.5%, respectively. The variants selected by univariate analysis were put into multivariate regression model, the result showed that C3 level ≥0.7 U/L and PLT count <100×10@*CONCLUSION@#Patients with C3 level≥0.7 U/L or PLT count <100×10

Internationalized background of developing modern acupuncture and moxibustion-on the reform of teaching material of / 中国针灸

This paper analyzes the severe challenges posed by the localization process in the internationalization of Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion to Chinese traditional acupuncture and moxibustion, and the ways to deal with the challenges. It is believed that the lack of deep understanding of the challenges in the process of internationalization of acupuncture and moxibustion is mainly due to the lack of knowledge structure of acupuncture and moxibustion, and the innovation of acupuncture and moxibustion teaching materials is the basis of effectively adjusting the knowledge structure. The direction of the reform of acupuncture and moxibustion teaching materials should separate the modern version of acupuncture and moxibustion that conforms to the nature of science and teach it in parallel with the traditional version of acupuncture and moxibustion. The development of modern acupuncture and moxibustion in line with the nature of science is not only an urgent need to meet the challenges of western acupuncture and moxibustion, but also an internal requirement for the development of acupuncture and moxibustion itself.

Improvement in colonic inflammatory injury in rats via activating dorsal cholinergic neurons of vagus with electroacupuncture at sensitized acupoints / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at sensitized acupoints on choline acetyltransferase positive (ChAT@*METHODS@#A total of 79 male SD rats were randomized into five groups, i.e. a normal group (20 rats), a normal plus sensitized acupoint group (5 rats), a model group (34 rats), an EA@*RESULTS@#The EB extravasating areas were distributed in the segments from T@*CONCLUSION@#The segmental dominance (acupoints) from T

Thinking on development of acupuncture-moxibustion theory based on theoretical horizon / 中国针灸

At present, the science of acupuncture and moxibustion of traditional Chinese medicine faces to the "difficult circumstances at home and abroad", which needs to be deeply reflected in view of theoretic study. By analyzing the reasons of the difficulties in acupuncture-moxibustion theory and collecting the problems arising from the recognition, understanding and application of acupuncture-moxibustion, the four aspects of the countermeasures are proposed, i.e. strengthening the self-construction of acupuncture-moxibustion theory, intensifying the education and inheritance of acupuncture-moxibustion theory, enhancing the guarantee of the relevant policy mechanism and intensifying the thinking of acupuncture-moxibustion theory. It is believed that the most important, the most basic and the most urgent task is to give intensive consideration to the construction of acupuncture-moxibustion theory in the overall situation of the cause development of acupuncture-moxibusiton at present. Only by constantly consolidating theoretical support and insisting on inheritance and innovation, can the sustainable development of acupuncture-moxibustion medicine and health be promoted.