Adding acupoint identification into the textbook Meridians and Acupoints: preliminary assumption / 中国针灸

To deepen the understanding of the acupoint indications, clarify the targeting of acupoints, and provide a basis for the composition of acupuncture prescriptions, it is suggested to add acupoint identification into the textbook Meridians and Acupoints, and a preliminary assumption that relevant acupoints can be identified by taking the indications, locations, and meridians as the key points is proposed. In this paper, acupoints for treating stomach disease, acupoints of eye region, and five-shu points of lung meridian are taken as examples, combined with ancient literature and modern scientific research achievements, the main indications of acupoint is identified, which is of great significance to the discipline's development, talent training, and achievement transformation.

Five novel and highly efficient endophytic fungi isolated from Huperzia serrata expressing huperzine A for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Huperzine A (Hup A) is an important drug for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mainly extracted from the Huperzia serrata (Thunb.) Trevis. (Lycopodiaceae) (HS). Nevertheless, the content of Hup A in HS is very low of 0.007% with growing circle of 8 to 10 years, and the chemical synthesis of Hup A still has some insurmountable limitations in the industrialized production. So, the available resources of Hup A for clinical treatment of AD are scarce. The purpose of this work was to construct a biosynthesis platform based on the endophytic fungi from HS. In this work, five endophytic fungi Mucor racemosus NSH-D, Mucor fragilis NSY-1, Fusarium verticillioides NSH-5, Fusarium oxysporum NSG-1, and Trichoderma harzianum NSW-V were firstly found and isolated from the Chinese folk medicine HS, which were identified according to their morphological characteristics and nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS sequences. The highest efficient fungus could effectively biosynthesize Hup A in a liquid culture of 319.8 ± 0.17 mg/L which were 112 times higher than that of other reported conventional endophytic fungi. Moreover, these fungi with higher hereditary stability could possess the initial expressing ability of Hup A after 40 generations, and the expressed Hup A from these biosynthesis systems has prior physicochemical properties, a better inhibition activity of acetylcholinesterase and a lower cytotoxicity compared with the listed active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) of Hup A. These results provide promising alternative resources for producing Hup A at an industrial scale by biosynthesis, and it may also shed light on millions of AD patients. KEY POINTS: • Five novel endophytic fungi with high stability could highly express prior Hup A Graphical abstract.

Effects of electroacupuncture of different frequencies on electromyography, NOS and ICC of colon in rats with slow transit constipation / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) of different frequencies on transmission function, electromyography, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) content and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) expression of colon in rat models with slow transit constipation (STC). Methods: Of the 50 healthy male Wistar rats, 10 were randomly selected as a normal group and fed with ordinary diet, and the remaining 40 rats were fed with the diet added with the compound diphenoxylate at a dose of 8 mg/(kg·bw) each day for continuous 120 d. The 40 successfully established STC rat models were randomly divided into a model group, a low-frequency EA group (2 Hz), a high-frequency EA group (100 Hz), and a variable-frequency EA group (2 Hz/100 Hz), with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the normal and the model groups were not given any treatment; the low-frequency EA and the high-frequency EA groups were given EA at Tianshu (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36) and Zhigou (TE 6) with continuous wave at the designated frequency, and the variable-frequency EA group received sparse-dense wave (2 Hz/100 Hz) EA at the same acupoints, once a day for a total of 15 d. After treatment, the colonic transmission function, electromyography, NOS content and ICC expression (calculated by the difference in the area of the C-kit positive cells) of the rats in each group were measured. Results: For the colonic transmission function, compared with the normal group, the first black stool excretion durations of rats in the other groups were significantly prolonged (all P<0.05); compared with the model group, the first black stool excretion durations of rats in the three EA groups were significantly shortened (all P<0.05), which was significantly shorter in the variable-frequency EA group than in the low-frequency EA and high-frequency EA groups (both P<0.05). For the colonic electromyography, compared with the normal group, the amplitude was significantly increased and the frequency was accelerated in rats of the other groups (all P<0.05); compared with the model group, the amplitude was significantly reduced and the frequency was slowed down in the three EA groups (both P<0.05); compared with the low-frequency EA and the high-frequency EA groups, the amplitude was reduced and the frequency was significantly reduced in rats of the variable-frequency EA group (both P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the colonic NOS contents were significantly increased in the other groups (all P<0.05); compared with the model group, the NOS contents were significantly reduced in the three EA groups (all P<0.05); compared with the low-frequency EA and the high-frequency EA groups, the content was significantly reduced in the variable-frequency EA group (all P<0.05). For the area of rat colonic C-kit-positive cells, compared with the normal group, the areas were significantly reduced in rats of other groups (all P<0.05); compared with the model group, the areas were increased significantly in the three EA groups (all P<0.05); compared with the low-frequency EA group, the area was increased significantly in the variable-frequency EA group (P<0.05). Conclusion: EA, especially EA at the 2 Hz/100 Hz variable-frequency, has a positive treatment effect on the STC model rats. It may improve rats' colonic function by regulating the electromyography, NOS content and ICC expression of colon.

Exploration of dominant diseases and clinical application characteristics of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy based on data mining technology / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the literature regarding wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy by data mining technology, and the dominant diseases of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy were summarized to provide reference for evaluation of specificity effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy.@*METHODS@#The journal articles regarding wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy from the CNKI, WANFANG, and VIP since January 1, 1975 to December 31, 2017, and the medical cases regarding wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy in - and were retrieved. Based on the disease types of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy in the journal articles and medical cases, the association rules method of data mining technology was applied to calculate frequent itemsets. The self-developed database platform for wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy was used to extract and summarize the information to explore the rules of clinical application.@*RESULTS@#The scope of disease involved a total of 7 disease entities in the literature regarding wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy. In the journal articles, there were 83 disease types and the most common surgical diseases were soft tissue injury and periarthritis of shoulder, the frequency were 34 and 24 times respectively. The total effective rates of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy were 92.74% in internal medicine, 91.39% in surgery, 91.51% in gynecology, 90.88% in dermatology, 96.20% in pediatric, 89.05% in ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology and 88.78% in psychiatry. In the medical cases of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy, there were 118 disease types and the most common diseases were pain and syndrome, herpes zoster was also a common disease. Psychiatric diseases used more wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy, and the common diseases were anxiety and mania.@*CONCLUSION@#Wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy is widely used in treatment of clinical diseases and has significant therapeutic effects. It is mostly used in the treatment of surgery, internal medicine (neurology particularly), dermatology (herpes zoster particularly). Besides, the wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy is also applicable in the treatment of diseases of ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology, gynecology, pediatric and psychiatry.

Therapeutic Role of Tangshenkang Granule () in Rat Model with Diabetic Nephropathy / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the renal protective effect of Tangshenkang Granule () in a rat model of diabetic nephropathy (DN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, DN, Tangshenkang and benazepril groups. DN model was established in the rats of DN, Tangshenkang and benazepril groups. Tangshenkang Granule solution and benazepril hydrochloride solution were intragastrically administered daily to the rats in the Tangshenkang and benazepril groups for 8 weeks, respectively. Urinary albumin and creatinine were detected. The albumin/creatinine (ACR) was calculated in addition to 24 h urinary protein (24-h UPr), serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and creatinine clearance rate (Ccr). Right kidneys were harvested for pathological observation using periodic acid-silver methenamine-Masson staining. The average glomerular diameter (DG), average glomerular (AG) and mesangial areas (AM) were measured. The thickness of glomerular basement membrane (TGBM) was detected using transmission electron microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with rats in the control group, rats in the DN group showed significantly decreased body weight, increased hypertrophy index, 24-h urinary volume, 24-h UPr, ACR, Scr, BUN, Ccr, blood lipids as well as renal pathological indices including DG, AG, AM, AM/AG and TGBM (P <0.05). Compared with the DN group, the weights of rats in the Tangshenkang and benazepril groups were significantly increased, and the renal hypertrophy indices were significantly decreased (P <0.05). The 24-h urinary volumes, ACR, 24-h UPr, Scr, BUN, Ccr, LDL, DG, AG, AM and TGBM were obviously decreased (P <0.05). Compared with the benazepril group, the Tangshenkang group showed significantly decreased levels of ACR, 24-h UPr, AG and AM (P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Tangshenkang Granule decreased the urinary protein, attenuated the high glomerular filtration rate and improved lipid metabolism in DN rats, and prevented further injury induced by diabetic nephropathy.</p>

Effects of electroacupuncture of different frequencies on SP and VIP expression levels in colon of rats with slow transit constipation / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) of different frequencies on the expression levels of substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the colon of rats with slow transit constipation (STC).Methods:One hundred healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,a low-frequency EA group,a high-frequency EA group and a variable-frequency EA group,with 20 rats in each group.The rats in the normal group were fed with normal diet.The rats in the other groups were fed with phenethylpiperidine in the diet at a dose of 8 mg/(kg·bw) per day,for 120 d,to establish the STC model.Rats in the normal group and the model group did not receive any treatment;rats in the low-frequency EA group were treated with 2 Hz continuous wave EA,rats in the high-frequency EA group were treated with 100 Hz continuous wave EA,and rats in the variable-frequency EA group were treated with 2 Hz/100 Hz sparse-dense EA.The current intensity of the EA was determined by the slight vibration of the rat limbs without painful screaming.The intervention was performed once a day,15 min/time for continuous 15 d.After treatment,the intestinal transit function and the expression levels of SP and VIP in the colon of the rats in each group were determined.Results:After treatment,the defecation duration of the first dark stool in the model group was significantly longer than that in the normal group (P＜0.05);the defecation durations of the first dark stool in the low-frequency EA group,high-frequency EA group and variable-frequency EA group were significantly shorter than the duration in the model group (all P＜0.05);compared with the low-frequency EA group,the first dark stool defecation duration of rats in the variable-frequency EA group was significantly shorter (P＜0.05);compared with the normal group,the SP and VIP expression levels in the colon of the model group were significantly decreased (both P＜0.01);the SP and VIP expression levels in the colon of the low-frequency EA group,the high-frequency EA group and the variable-frequency EA group were significantly higher than those in the model group (all P＜0.05);compared with the high-frequency EA group,the SP expression levels in the colon in the low-frequency EA group and the variable-frequency EA group were significantly increased (both P＜0.05);compared with the low-frequency EA group,the VIP expression levels in the colon in the high-frequency EA group and the variable-frequency EA group were significantly increased (both P＜0.05).Conclusion:EA improves the intestinal function of STC model rats by regulating the expression levels of SP and VIP in rat colon.The EA stimulation with 100 Hz continuous wave,2 Hz/100 Hz sparse-dense wave shows a better improvement in the colonic transit function in STC rats,followed by 2 Hz continuous wave.

Comparison of different moxibustion techniques in clinical treatment of diseases based on data mining / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the specific efficacy of different moxibustion techniques in treatment of common diseases and clinical indications, and compare the specificity in clinical indications and efficacy among different moxibustion techniques so as to guide clinical practice better.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The modern computerization and data mining technology were adopted to set up moxibustion literature database. The relevant literature of moxibustion techniques in recent 60 years were collected, screened, examined, extracted and analyzed statistically so as to explore the advantages of different moxibustion techniques in clinical treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Of 2,516 literature, moxa stick, moxe cone and moxa device were used in the highest frequency in internal medicine department, for 730 times, 278 times and 102 times respectively. The warm needling technique was used in the highest frequency, for 70 times in the surgical department. (2) In the dermatology department, the curative rate with moxa cone was the highest, 75%. In the ear-nose-throat department, the warm needing technique and moxa device achieved the highest curative rate, 49% for both of them. In the internal medicine department and surgical department, the curative rate of warm needling technique was 53% and 58% respectively. In the gynecology department, the curative rate of moxa device was the highest, 59%. In the pediatrics department, the curative rate of moxa cone was the highest, 80%. (3) The numbers of priority disorders, frequency ≥20 times: 24 kinds of disease for moxa stick, five kinds of disease for moxa cone, 2 kinds of disease for warm needling technqiue and one disorder for moxa device. Facial paralysis, diarrhea, lumbar and leg pain and elbow and knee swelling pain were of the highest priority, treated with these 4 moxibustion techniques, with a certain of literature research values. (4) The warm needling technique achieved the better efficacy on elbow and knee swelling pain, lumbar and leg pain and diarrhea compared with the other three techniques and the curative rate was higher. The moxa device tecnique achieved the higher curative rate for facial paralysis compared with the other three techniques.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Through the comparison of application frequency, curative rate, clinical application frequency in disorders and the efficacy of priority disorders in the treatment with different moxibustion techniques, it is found that moxa stick, moxa cone and moxa device are simple in manipulation, safe and effective. Hence, they can be extensively used in the treatment of common disorders in every department in clinic. The warm needling technique acts on the body by the co-work of needling and warming stimulation of mugwort. It achieves the particular effect on the disorders with complicated etiologies compared with the other three techniques. It can be chosen in priority for the disorders caused by blockage in meridian and collateral and stagnation of qi and blood.</p>

Diseases treated by moxibustion and fire needling in clinical practice based on data mining: a comparison study / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the specificity of diseases treated by moxibustion and fire needling in clinical practice, so as to provide references for clinical treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With data mining of modern computer technique, journal and literature databases regarding moxibustion and fire needling were established, respectively. Literature regarding moxibustion and fire needling for the past 60 years has been collected, screened, included, reviewed and abstracted. The utility rate of moxibustion and fire needling in each department was calculated, frequency of diseases in clinical practice was summarized, and diseases which had differences in clinical practice in each department were screened; also the advantages of disease categories and clinical practice between two kinds of therapies in each department were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The utility rate of moxibustion was highest in department of internal medicine and surgery, which were 43.6% and 28.1%, respectively; the utility rate of fire needling was highest in surgery and dermatological department, which were 53.7% and 23.8%, respectively. (2) According to the comparison and analysis on diseases treated by two therapies in clinic, among 26 kinds of gynecology diseases that were treated by moxibustion, 20 kinds were not involved with fire needling; among 22 kinds of pediatrics diseases that were treated by moxibustion, 20 kinds were not involved with fire needling. It was certain that the difference of the two therapies in clinical application was more significant in gynecology and pediatrics than that in the rest four departments. (3) Among the diseases which had differences in clinical practice in each department, the ones involved with moxibustion alone were insomnia, distention and fullness, consumptive fatigue in the department of internal medicine, blood-vessel Bi, stiff neck and hernia in surgery department, urticarial, skin Bi and skin cancer in dermatological department, malposition, infertility and amenorrhea in gynecology department, diarrhea, indigestion and stomachache in pediatrics department, blepharoptosis, blurred vision and dryness syndrome in ENT department; the ones involved with fire needling alone were numbness, coldness syndrome and acute renal colic in the department of internal medicine, lipoma, soft tissue injury and papilloma in surgery department, bromhidrosis, freckle and erysipelas in dermatological department, uterine fibroid in gynecology department, umbilical polyp in pediatrics department, auricle pseudocyst, starred nebula and phlegmatic mass in ENT department.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Moxibustion is frequently applied in department of internal medicine and surgery, while fire needling is frequently used in surgery and dermatological department; the application of moxibustion is broader than that of fire needling in gynecology and pediatrics department. Among the diseases which have differences in clinical practice in each department, moxibustion is commonly seen for clinical symptoms featured with deficiency syndrome, while fire needling is commonly applied for the diseases that have obvious local symptoms.</p>

Research of bleeding volume and method in blood-letting acupuncture therapy based on data mining / 中国针灸

Through computer-based technology and data mining method, with treatment in cases of bloodletting acupuncture therapy in collected literature as sample data, the association rule in data mining was applied. According to self-built database platform, the data was input, arranged and summarized, and eventually required data was acquired to perform the data mining of bleeding volume and method in blood-letting acupuncture therapy, which summarized its application rules and clinical values to provide better guide for clinical practice. There were 9 kinds of blood-letting tools in the literature, in which the frequency of three-edge needle was the highest, accounting for 84.4% (1239/1468). The bleeding volume was classified into six levels, in which less volume (less than 0.1 mL) had the highest frequency (401 times). According to the results of the data mining, blood-letting acupuncture therapy was widely applied in clinical practice of acupuncture, in which use of three-edge needle and less volume (less than 0.1 mL) of blood were the most common, however, there was no central tendency in general.

Exploration on the application characteristics of bloodletting therapy for the diseases relevant with soft tissue infection by data mining technology / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Using the data mining technology to analyze the application law of bloodletting therapy for the diseases relevant with soft tissue infection and explore the effect specificity of bloodletting therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The variety of diseases treated with bloodletting therapy was taken as the sample data by collecting the reports from the periodical literatures. The network database of bloodletting literature was set up. The association rule of data mining technology was adopted to extract the information on the diseases relevant with soft tissue infection in the periodical literatures. The frequency item of the superiority disease category was calculated. And the deep mining was done in terms of the needle device, point selection and the bleeding amount separately. The application law of bloodletting therapy was summarized in the treatment of the diseases relevant with soft tissue infection.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fourteen kinds of relevant diseases of soft tissue infection treated with bloodletting therapy were included in the contemporary periodical literatures, of which, the reported case number and the reporting frequency were the highest for hordeolum and breast abscess. The three-edged needle was used the most frequently in the manipulation. The acupoints selected were the local Ashi points, combined with the symptomatic acupoints. The bleeding amount was not normalized by the ideas of different physicians.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The bloodletting therapy achieves the better curative effect on some diseases relevant with soft tissue infection and this therapy deserves to be further promoted in clinical practice.</p>

Effects of Yiqi Huayu prescription on knee cartilage degeneration in HIF-1alpha gene knockout mice / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the role of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1alpha) on knee cartilage degeneration,and to explore the effects and mechanisms of Chinese herbal compound Yiqi Huayu prescription on HIF-1alpha gene knockout mice on knee cartilage degeneration.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The 4-month and 6-month HIF-1alpha gene knock out mice were obtained by interbreeding, and divided into HIF-1alpha +/+ 4-month mice group,HIF-1alpha -/- 4-month mice group,HIF-1alpha +/+ 6-month mice group and HIF-1alpha -/- 6-month mice group, 3 mice in each group. And then the 2-month-old HIF-1alpha gene knock out mice were randomly divided into Yiqi Huayu prescription group and physiological saline group. There were 6 mice in each group. After 2 months' drug administration, the knee joint of mice was collected, and the Mankin score were evaluated; Safranine-fast green staining, HE Staining, and immunohistochemistry analysis for VEGF, Col X, Col II, MMP-13 and Sox-9 were performed erespectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Compared to the results in the HIF-1alpha+/+ mice groups, the HIF-1alpha-/- mice developed aging related cartilage loss and bony tissue appearance, cartilage defects increased,and cells reduced. In HIF-1alpha-/-4-month mice and 6-month mice group, the expresion of Col II and Sox9 decreased, and the expression of Col X, MMP-13 and VEGF increased. (2) Compared to the physiological saline group, the ossification and defect of knee joint cartilage reduced of mice in the Yiqi Huayu prescription group, the cartilage cell distribution was more uniform, and the total number of cells increased. The expression of type II collagen and Sox9 protein increased, expression of Col X, MMP-13 and VEGF protein decreased of mice in the Yiqi Huayu prescription group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The knee cartilage degenerates in the HIF-1alpha cKO mice, and the degeneration increased with age adding. The Yiqi Huayu prescription can delay the degeneration of knee cartilage of HIF-1alpha cKO mice.</p>

Acupoint catgut-embedding therapy: superiorities and principles of application / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the superiorities of acupoint catgut-embedding therapy, discuss its law of clinical application and provide scientific decision-making for clinical treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Literatures on acupoint catgut-embedding therapy in the recent 40 years were selected, input, examined and verified, picked up and analyzed by establishing database with the modern computer technology.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) One thousand and seventy-five literatures were input. It shows that the acupoint catgut-embedding therapy has an extensive application in all departments, especially in the internal department, accounting for 48.54% (50/103) of the total disease category. It has the most extensive application on treatment of epigastric pain, with the frequency of 102 times, and obesity of 74 times. The next is surgery, accounting for 14.56% (15/103). The major application is on low back pain and leg pain with the frequency of 79 times. Psoriasis, with the frequency of 30 times, holds the major application in dermatological department. And blepharoplasty, with the frequency of 30 times, gains the most application in department of ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology. (2) In the included literatures, selection of adjacent acupoints and distal acupoints are held as the major method of acupoint selection. The adjusted lumbar puncture needle is taken as the major tool for the acupoint catgut-embedding therapy. And catguts of different sizes are adopted for the operation. (3) Analysis of the therapeutic effect shows that acupoint catgut-embedding therapy has obvious effect in all departments, especially in surgery and dermatology, with the total effective rate over 90%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Epigastric pain, obesity, epilepsy, asthma, abdominal pain, facial paralysis and constipation of the internal medicine, low back pain and leg pain of the surgical department, psoriasis of the dermatological department and blepharoplasty of the department of ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology are considered as the dominant diseases for acupoint catgut-embedding therapy.</p>

Specificity of acupuncture-moxibustion effect and its research value / 中国针灸

Acupuncture-moxibustion is the major method and process in acupuncture treatment. And obvious therapeutic effect can be found toward different phases of syndromes or various diseases. The concept of specificity of acupuncture-moxibustion effect is firstly put forward by this article, which refers to the corresponding relationship between different acupuncture and moxibustion techniques and the best indications or phases of syndromes. Meanwhile, through analysis of literatures concerning comparison on effects of different acupuncture-moxibustion techniques, different manipulations of the same acupuncture technique and different parameters of the same technique, the subjective existence of the specificity of acupuncture-moxibustion effect is approved. The recognition on specificity of acupuncture-moxibustion effect by domestic experts is also expounded. It is demonstrated that the study of specificity of acupuncture-moxibustion effect can be advanced through revealing of the law and features of its specificity, which is considered to be significant for clinical decision, educational implement and scientific research designation of acupuncture and moxibustion.

Advances of studies on acupuncture and moxibustion for exercise-induced fatigue / 中国针灸

This paper introduces recent advances in research and clinical trials on treating exercise-induced fatigue with acupuncture, focusing on the areas of oxygen free radical scavenging and anti-lipid peroxidation activity, the regulation of immune function, prevention of dysfunction exercise induced hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, improvement of energy metabolism, the ability to maintain internal environment, the ability to alleviate delayed-on set muscle soreness (DOMS), and anti-central nervous system fatigue. This paper is intended to explain that because of its safety, effectiveness, less adverse reactions, and not involving stimulants, acupuncture has great potential to protect against exercise-induced fatigue. However, there are problems of acupoints selection, manipulation and indicators. Therefore, it needs further investigations to explore the advantages of acupuncture treatment for the exercise-induced fatigue.

Study on the effects of the auricular acupuncture with different manipulations for rapid analgesia on the patients with lumbar disc hernia / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effects of the point-to-point needling and perpendicular needling of auricular acupuncture for rapid analgesia on the patients with lumbar disc hernia, and find which method is better for this disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety two patients were paired according to the three factors as sex, age and degree of pain, and then randomly divided into the point-to-point needling group and perpendicular needling group. The methods of point-to-point needling through the skin and perpendicular needling towardS the skin were respectively applied at bilateral lumbar areas as auricular acupuncture, and added acupoints following the change of symptom. All patients accorded with the demands of McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ), before treatment, 5 and 30 min after treatment, the accumulated score of pain was recorded respectively for observing the difference of the effects in both groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 5 min treatment, the effect of analgesia on the male patients in the point-to-point needling group was better than that of in the perpendicular needling group (P<0.05), but there was no difference on the female patients in both groups (P>0.05). After 30 min treatment, the effect of analgesia in the point-to-point needling group was better than that of the perpendicular needling group (P<0.05). Besides the patients with light degree pain, there was no significant difference between the two groups after 5 min treatment as score of pain (P>0.05), paired t-test showed that the effects of analgesia on the patients with lumbar disc hernia in the point-to-point needling group was better than that of perpendicular needling group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The point-to-point needling method can rapidly relieve patients' lumbar disc hernia of pain, which is better than the perpendicular needling method.</p>

Survey and prospects of mini-acupuncture system therapy for cervical spondylosis / 中国针灸

The article introduces resent 10 years' application survey of ear acupuncture, abdominal acupuncture, scalp acupuncture, hand acupuncture and other mini-acupuncture system therapies in clinical treatment of cervical spondylopathy, finding out that unique advantages and problems of this therapy in treatment of cervical spondylopathy, and it prospects for clinical application of mini-acupuncture system.