[Statistics and analysis on acupuncture and moxibustion projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China of traditional Chinese medicine universities and colleges in recent 10 years: taking the General Program and National Science Fund for Young Scholars as examples].

To analyze statistically the situation of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) from 2007 to 2016 in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion for supporting the national Universities colleges of traditional Chinese medicine on the General Program (GP) and the National Science Fund for Young Scholars (NSFYS). In view of five aspects, named fund, supporting units, key words, method, disorder and signal path, the differences were compared between GP and NSFYS, the following characteristics were summarized. ① The fund aid was increased from 2007 through 2013 and down-regulated from 2013 through 2016. In recent ten years, the funding condition was fluctuated, but increasing in tendency generally. ② The relevant projects of the same research direction had been approved continuously for over 3 years in a part of TCM universities, in which, the research continuity was the hot topic. ③ Regarding the therapeutic methods, acupuncture was the chief therapy; electroacupuncture, moxibustion and acupoints were involved as well. ④ The disorders involved in the research were cerebral ischemia, myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury. It is suggested that the ischemic disorder is predominated in the research. ⑤ The signal path occupied the main research index system, including cell proliferation, metabolism, immune, apoptosis and autophagy. The researches on the other aspects were less.

[Research progress of acupuncture and moxibustion for endometrial receptivity in recent 10 years].

The research of acupuncture and moxibustion for endometrial receptivity in recent 10 years was reviewed. CNKI and PubMed databases were retrieved with "acupuncture" "moxibustion" and "endometrial receptivity" as key words. The retrieving time was from January of 2007 through December of 2016. As a result, 63 relevant papers were collected and 28 papers regarding clinical and experimental researches of acupuncture for endometrial receptivity were included into analysis. It was found that acupuncture and moxibustion could improve endometrial morphology (including the expression of pinopodes, endometrial thickness and the rate of endometrial type A), reduce the endometrial microcirculation (including endometrial pulsatility index, resistance index and hemodynamic index), increase the levels of estrogen and progesterone and the expressions of their receptors, and regulate the expression of molecular biological regulator (such as integrin, leukemia inhibitory factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and HOXA10). As a result, the endometrial receptivity was improved to provide good environment for embryo implantation and improve the pregnancy rate, which had significant advantage in the field of assisted reproductive technology. However, detections of pinopodes and integrin were invasive. Its application for clinical use had limitations. In addition, the evidence of acupuncture improving endometrial receptivity was still insufficient. By reviewing related research result, this paper further summarized and analyzed the action mechanism of acupuncture for endometrial receptivity to provide references for the clinical treatment.

[Current development of acupuncture-moxibustion in India:a case study of West Bengal].

Acupuncture-moxibustion was introduced to India in mid-20th century and has been legislated in two provinces in India where the registration of acupuncture practitioners is implemented at present. In India, the central government recognizes that acupuncture-moxibustion is an approach of treatment and is permitted by the licensed doctor. Because of the weakness of the basic development of acupuncture-moxibustion in India, the go-vernment put great effort to support and protect their national traditional medicine. Acupuncture-moxibustion development is mainly in the folk and in the progression for the provincial and governmental legislation. In the paper, by taking West Bengal as example, the legislation, clinical application, education and scientific research of acupuncture-moxibustion are analyzed so that an approach is explored for the further development of acupuncture-moxibustion in India.

[The present situation and development of acupuncture and moxibustion in Taiwan].

The development history, present situation, educational institution and association of acupuncture and moxibustion in Taiwan are reviewed. Acupuncture and moxibustion is considered as an invasive treatment in Taiwan, which has been introduced to Taiwan since the late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty, with a history of less than 400 years. At present, there are two acupuncture-related academic institutions and two educational institutions, which are all private. The acupuncture and moxibustion is applied for various diseases, and the cost is based on whether clinics and treatments are covered by medical insurance, so the differences are significant.

[Current situation and problems in school study of acupuncture and moxibustion].

By taking the evaluations made by scholars such as Wang Yongyan, et al. on status of TCM academic research as the introduction, various influencing factors in acupuncture school development are separately discussed, and the overall trend and existential state are described in modern acupuncture academic area. By displaying the opinions of acupuncture schools in recent years, the relationship among specific therapy, school and schools is analyzed to explain the similarities and differences of school and schools as well as their respective characteristics. It is proposed that the obstacles that lay before acupuncture school researchers are not the rights and wrongs of school and schools, but the evaluation criterion and development patterns that is appropriate for acupuncture research and development.

Standardisation of moxibustion: challenges and future development.

International organisations such as WHO and the International Organization for Standardization are increasingly committed to the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Moxibustion is an integral modality of acupuncture that has been in use for thousands of years. It stands out as a health choice due to its potential effects in disease prevention, health promotion and maintenance, as well as affordability and accessibility. As the use of moxibustion increases, concerns are being raised regarding its safety and quality. The need to establish standards to protect patient safety is paramount in all medical fields. As a form of medical practice, it is essential to develop moxibustion standards in the areas of terminology, moxibustion products, treatment rooms and practice to ensure its harmonisation and safe usage. The evidence base guiding policy and decision making has to be based on evidence from basic and clinical research. Promoting strategic basic and clinical research on the safety and effectiveness of moxibustion will answer some of the fundamental questions surrounding moxibustion, create a climate of awareness and acceptance and, in turn, drive its standardisation.

[Research progress on the effects of acupuncture-moxibustion serum].

The acupuncture-moxibustion serum has received wide attention as a new idea and method. Its application on researches in vivo and the treatment of disease not only has an important theory value, but also provides new ideas for overcoming the limitations of researches in vivo and some disease's treatment. Literature regarding the basic research of acupuncture-moxibustion serum for last more than 10 years is reviewed, and the effects of acupuncture-moxibustion serum on respiratory system, digestive system, cardiovascular system, nervous system, immune system, anti-aging, bone metabolism and anti-cancer are summarized, hoping to provide references for clinical treatment and evidence-based medicine.

[Present situation and development of acupuncture and moxibustion in Turkey].

The development and status of acupuncture-moxibustion in Turkey in the fields of education, legal establishment, treatment, etc. are introduced. There are four distinguished features of acupuncture-moxibustion development in Turkey: (1) The geographical position of the country as the link of Europe and Asia, has resulted in the special feature of acupuncture-moxibustion transmission and development. It combines both the traditional theories from the East and the modified and modern techniques from the West. (2) The combination of theories and clinical practice started when acupuncture-moxibustion was first introduced. (3) The application of acupuncture-moxibustion has gone through a process from spontaneous transmission among the people to legalization by the government, from disorderly to orderly, and from market behavior to government-lead regulation, which has powerfully promoted healthy development of the medicine. (4) Acupuncture-moxibustion education provided by registered universities has guaranteed the quality of the education itself and the competency of the professionals. It has raised the scientific and normative character of application and increased the credibility of the people, and also has ensured the sustainability of acupuncture-moxibustion development by providing qualified professionals.

[Application and development of translational medicine in modern acupuncture and moxibustion].

In recent years, translational medicine, which is characterized by advanced concepts and methods, developes rapidly and playes a strategic role in the development of TCM acupuncture and moxibustion. Therefore, it is worth studying by acupuncturists. Through the background, development, features and research model of translational medicine, the present situation and problems of TCM acupuncture research are analyzed. Several cases of translational Chinese medicine and acupuncture are listed with the consideration of the concept of translational medicine. Studies and thoughts on translational acupuncture are expounded as well. Thus, it is suggested that combined with characteristics of acupuncture, the concept of translational medicine should be utilized to instruct the clinical treatment and research of acupuncture, foster researchers of translational medicine as well as establish the related research teams.

[The transition of acupuncture and moxibustion in Japan in modern times after western medicine spreading to the East].

The research methods, such as philology of medicine history and comparison between tradition and modern and so on were adopted in this article to study the acupuncture-moxibustion development after western medicine spreading to the East in Japan and its main transition under the impact of western medicine. The results showed that from Meiji to Showa period, under the influence of western medicine, the transition of Japanese acupuncture-moxibustion mainly embodied in following three aspects, incuinng acupuncture works absorbing western medicine knowledge, applying experiment measures to explore acupuncture principle and launching acupuncture teaching in accordance with Europe and America academy educational pattern. The changes on acupuncture works, teaching materials and methods of researching and teaching have triggered the transition and transformation of Japanese acupuncture-moxibustion from tradition to modern.

[The present situation and development of acupuncture and moxibustion in Portugal].

The development courses of acupuncture and moxibustion as well as the present situation, education and legislation in Portugal were reviewed in this article. Acupuncture and Moxibustion has been developed in Portugal since 1980's. The first acupuncture school appeared in the year of 1992. Until now, courses on Chinese medicine and acupuncture has already been set up in about six universities. Acupuncture legislation started in the year 2003. At present, professional levels of acupuncture practitioners vary a lot. There are over 50 indications currently. And acupuncture treatment is basically at one's own expense.

[Acupuncture and moxibustion in Tunisia].

The development status of acupuncture and moxibustion in Tunisia is introduced in this article. Although acupuncture and moxibustion only has a history of more than 30 years in Tunisia, it is very popular among the local people. Until now, there is one acupuncture and moxibustion center aided and built with the help of the Chinese government. Acupuncture and moxibustion clinical department has been set in some of the hospitals, and acupuncture and moxibustion clinical practice is also carried out in some private clinics. Cost of acupuncture and moxibustion in public hospitals has already been covered by medical insurance. As for education of acupuncture and moxibustion, training courses were set up in medical colleges of Tunisia by Tunisian government which is lectured by Chinese acupuncture experts. Acupuncture and moxibustion has been used to treat many diseases in Tunisia and is warmly welcomed by Tunisian.

[Present situation and development of acupuncture and moxibustion in Singapore].

The development history, education, legislation, charge and institutes of acupuncture and moxibustion in Singapore are introduced in this article. Acupuncture and moxibustion has been developed in Singapore since 1840. Nowadays there are three universities that set up standard Chinese medicine courses and two acupuncture-moxibustion associations. Legislation of acupuncture and moxibustion is published in 2000. The acupuncture and moxibustion is applied for approximately 50 kinds of diseases. The acupuncture and moxibustion is at one's own expense in public or private institutions, but cheap or completely free in charity.

[Development of standard on acupuncture and moxibustion in Japan: current status and thinking].

The current development situation of acupuncture and moxibustion standard in Japan is introduced from three aspects including State Standard, Industry Standard and Enterprise Standard. Now there are one State Standard (Standard of Acupuncture Needle for Single Use), nine Industry Standards and several Enterprise Standards in Japan. Yet there are some problems in the current standardization research, such as inadequate numbers, no related standards in some important fields, moreover, because Japanese government does not give enough attention, supports from the state is also less. In a word, the standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion in Japan has just started, and it needs further development.

[Discussion of 2011 Tokyo Declaration on Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion].

The contents of 2011 Tokyo Declaration on Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Declaration for short) and its effect on development situation, current status, features, opportunities and challenges of Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion are introduced, some proposals brought up in the Declaration are analyzed as well. The Declaration summarizes six characteristics of Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion, including paying great attention to palpation techniques such as pulse and abdominal diagnosis, always selecting response point in the meridian during acupuncture treatment, etc. Also six proposals have been brought up to promote the development of Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion, such as being devoted to spread the latest knowledge of acupuncture and moxibustion to medical professionals and the public in order to get correct understanding and proper evaluation, etc. What's more, the Declaration makes a prospection of improving international academic exchange and promoting the globalization of acupuncture and moxibustion and so on. The Declaration is served as a link between past and future in the history and developing process of Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion, which has a great meaning to the development of Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion. We should have a clear understanding of weakness and strength in the development of acupuncture and moxibustion, seize the opportunity and develop science of acupuncture and moxibustion with our own characteristics, which makes more contribution to development of international acupuncture and moxibustion.

[Current situations and thinking of acupuncture and moxibustion in Jordan].

The brief history of acupuncture, its current situation, locations for acupuncture practitioners, the manipulation and indications of acupuncture in Jordan are introduced in this paper. The acupuncture treatment in Jordan started in the early 1990s. Now there are more than 20 private acupuncture clinics in different size, most in the capital city of Amman. Acupuncture practitioners are western doctors who studied acupuncture techniques in China. The indications of acupuncture in Jordan are pain and nervous system diseases. Acupuncture therapy can be applied single or combined with physical therapy.

[Present situation and prospects of acupuncture and moxibustion in United Kingdom].

The present paper reviews the development courses of acupuncture and moxibustion and gives an introduction to the present situation, education and legislation of acupuncture and moxibustion in United Kingdom. Acupuncture and moxibustion have been developed in United Kingdom since 1960s, the London College of TCM was established by Beijing University of Chinese Medicine join forced with Acu-medic Foundation in 1993, and so far, acupuncture has been taught as an undergraduate program in four United Kingdom universities. Since 2002, the British government and Ministry of Health have begun on the legislation of Chinese Medicine and acupuncture and moxibustion, the lawmaking group of Ministry of Health in British submitted a bill about the legislation of acupuncture and herbal medicine as well as Chinese Medicine to the British government in 2008. Clinical levels of acupuncture workers are quite different and the therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion for nearly 20 diseases displays certain effect. The government or one's own can pay the expenses for acupuncture and moxibustion treatment.

[Systems biology and modernization of acu-moxibustion medicine].

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.

[Preliminary study on training of resident physicians and special physicians of acupuncture-moxibustion].

By using principles and methods of evidence-based medicine in a broad sense to systematically look up clinical acupuncture and moxibustion literatures issued in Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Journal of Clinical Acupuncture and Moxibustion, and Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion from January, 2003 to June 2005, and relative official internet station of the departments responsible for health, to stipulate common criteria and select literatures. Preliminarily selected clinical acupuncture and moxibustion study literatures of 1 637 papers, and comprehensive synthesizing the message from the official internet station of The Ministry of Health and The State Administration of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy etc., indicates that although acupuncture and moxibustion have been widely applied in clinical treatment of 327 diseases, at present there is no systematic training system for resident physicians and special physicians of acupuncture and moxibustion, which is unfavourable for development of sciences and internationalization. On the basis of comprehensively considering the tendency of medical development at home and abroad and characteristics of training of talented persons and subject development of acupuncture and moxibustion, the training system of resident physicians and special physicians of acupuncture and moxibustion should be founded as soon as possible.