Modulating peppermint oil flavor release properties of emulsion-filled protein gels: Impact of cross-linking method and matrix composition.

For some food applications, it is desirable to control the flavor release profiles of volatile flavor compounds. In this study, the effects of crosslinking method and protein composition on the flavor release properties of emulsion-filled protein hydrogels were explored, using peppermint essential oil as a model volatile compound. Emulsion-filled protein gels with different properties were prepared using different crosslinking methods and gelatin concentrations. Flavor release from the emulsion gels was then monitored using an electronic nose, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and sensory evaluation. Enzyme-crosslinked gels had greater hardness and storage modulus than heat-crosslinked ones. The hardness and storage modulus of the gels increased with increasing gelatin concentration. For similar gel compositions, flavor release and sensory perception were faster from the heat-crosslinked gels than the enzyme-crosslinked ones. For the same crosslinking method, flavor release and perception decreased with increasing gelatin concentration, which was attributed to retardation of flavor diffusion through the hydrogel matrix. Overall, this study shows that the release of hydrophobic aromatic substances can be modulated by controlling the composition and crosslinking of protein hydrogels, which may be useful for certain food applications.

MODMS: a multi-omics database for facilitating biological studies on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.).

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a globally important forage crop. It also serves as a vegetable and medicinal herb because of its excellent nutritional quality and significant economic value. Multi-omics data on alfalfa continue to accumulate owing to recent advances in high-throughput techniques, and integrating this information holds great potential for expediting genetic research and facilitating advances in alfalfa agronomic traits. Therefore, we developed a comprehensive database named MODMS (multi-omics database of M. sativa) that incorporates multiple reference genomes, annotations, comparative genomics, transcriptomes, high-quality genomic variants, proteomics, and metabolomics. This report describes our continuously evolving database, which provides researchers with several convenient tools and extensive omics data resources, facilitating the expansion of alfalfa research. Further details regarding the MODMS database are available at https://modms.lzu.edu.cn/.

Sandplay Therapy as a Complementary Treatment for Children with ADHD: A Scoping Review.

ADHD is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children's behavior, academic performance, and social interactions. This review aims to evaluate the existing evidence for Sandplay therapy, a nonverbal psychodynamic approach, as a complementary treatment for children with ADHD. Ten studies suggest Sandplay therapy improves ADHD symptoms, such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention, through symbolic expression, play, and mindfulness. Despite its promise, ethical and practical considerations, including therapist training and treatment cost, must be addressed. Further research is needed to determine long-term effectiveness and optimal patient population for this treatment, which may benefit children unresponsive to or experiencing side effects from traditional treatments.

Investigating material basis and molecular mechanism of Qing Cuo formula in the treatment of acne based on animal experiments, UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS and network pharmacology.

CONTEXT: Qing Cuo Formula (QCF) is a traditional Chinese medicine for treating acne, but its active compounds and molecular mechanisms are unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the material basis and molecular mechanism of QCF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo experiments were conducted on 60 male golden hamsters with damp-heat acne, with a blank group, a spironolactone group and 3 QCF administration groups (given high, medium and low doses) over a 30-day period. Serum androgen and inflammatory cytokine levels were tested by ELISA. In vitro, chemical compositions of QCF were investigated by UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS. Network pharmacology approaches were used to analyse the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and QCF active compounds-intersection targets-acne network. GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis was conducted subsequently. RESULTS: Low-dose QCF group (11.4 g/kg/day) showed significantly reduced levels of serum T (4.94 ± 0.36; 5.51 ± 0.36 ng/mL), DHT (6.67 ± 0.61; 8.09 ± 0.59 nmol/L), E2 (209.01 ± 20.92; 237.08 ± 13.94 pg/mL), IL-1α (36.84 ± 3.23; 44.07 ± 4.00 pg/mL) and FFA (128.32 ± 10.94; 148.00 ± 12.12 µmol/L) compared to the blank group (p < 0.05). In vitro experiments identified 75 compounds in QCF decoction, with 27 active compounds absorbed in serum. Network pharmacology identified 6 active components connecting 17 targets. GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis indicated that QCF's anti-acne targets mainly regulate extracellular matrix function, inflammatory processes, immune response and endocrine function. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of the molecular mechanism and material basis of QCF in treating androgen-related damp-heat acne, paving the way for further research on its potential in treating other conditions related to damp-heat constitution.

Exploring pharmaphylogeny from multiple perspectives: a case study on Lithospermeae.

Lithospermeae Dumort., a tribe under the subfamily Boraginoidae, is a perennial herb containing approximately 470 species under 26 genera, primarily distributed in temperate and tropical regions. To gain a deeper understanding of the medicinal plants of Lithospermeae and better protect and develop plant medicinal resources, the phytochemistry, pharmacology, and traditional use of Lithospermeae with medicinal value were analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out based on the internal transcribed spacer sequence. Through spatial analysis and the species distribution model, the spatial distribution pattern of Lithospermeae medicinal plants was analyzed. Meanwhile, the relevant targets and pathways involved in the pharmacological effects of commonly used medicinal plants were predicted using network pharmacology to further explore the genetic origin of Lithospermeae and enrich the pharmaphylogeny of medicinal plants. In this study, the chemical composition, traditional efficacy, and modern pharmacological activity of Lithospermeae were collected for the first time and analyzed in combination with the geographical distribution model, molecular phylogeny, and network pharmacology. Based on our findings, the pharmaphylogeny of Lithospermeae was preliminarily discussed, providing the scientific basis for basic research regarding Lithospermeae. Concurrently, this study explored the relationship between the development of the regional medicinal plant industry and the protection of biodiversity. Furthermore, our findings provide direction and theoretical guidance for the study of the phylogenetic relationships in medicinal plants and the development of Lithospermeae medicinal plant resources.

The advantage of a two-stage nitrification method for fertilizer recovery from human urine.

Recycling nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) from human urine can potentially offset more than 13% of global agricultural fertilizer demand. Biological nitrification is a promising method for converting volatile ammonia in high-strength human urine into stable ammonium nitrate (a typical fertilizer), but it is usually terminated in the intermediate production of nitrite due to the inhibition of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria by free nitrous acid (FNA). This study aimed to develop a stable nitrification process in a unique two-stage bioreactor by removing critical barriers associated with FNA inhibition. Experimental results show that half of the ammonium in high-strength urine was successfully converted into nitrate, forming valuable ammonium nitrate (with a nitrogen concentration greater than 1500 mg N/L). The ammonium nitrate solution could retain most phosphorus (75% ± 3%) and potassium (96% ± 1%) in human urine, resulting in nearly full nutrient recovery. Once concentrated, the liquid compound fertilizer of ammonium nitrate was generated. Based on an assessment of economic and environmental impacts at the urban scale, urine diversion for nutrient recovery using a technical combination of nitrification and reverse osmosis could reduce total energy input by 43%, greenhouse gas emission by 40%, and cost by 33% compared to conventional wastewater management. Further research is needed to optimize the two-stage nitrification method on a larger scale.

Artificial neural network model- and response surface methodology-based optimization of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma polysaccharide extraction, kinetic modelling and structural characterization.

Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (AMR) is the dried rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz, which is widely used in the development of health products. AMR contains a large number of polysaccharides, but at present there are fewer applications for these polysaccharides. In this study, the effects of different extraction methods on the Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma polysaccharide (AMRP) yield were investigated, and the conditions for ultrasound-assisted extraction were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) and three neural network models (BP neural network, GA-BP neural network and ACO-GA-BP neural network). The best conditions were a liquid-to-solid ratio of 17 mL/g, ultrasonic power of 400 W, extraction temperature of 72 °C, and extraction time of 40 min, which yielded 31.31% AMRP. The kinetic equation of AMRP was determined and compared with the results predicted by three neural network models. It was finally determined that the extraction conditions, kinetic processes and kinetic equation predicted by the GA-ACO-BP neural network were optimal. In addition, AMRP was characterized using SEM, FTIR, HPLC, UV, XRD, and NMR, and the structural study revealed that AMRP has a rough exterior and a porous interior; moreover, it contains high levels of glucose (5.07%), arabinose (0.80%), and galactose (0.74%). AMRP has three crystal structures, consisting of two ß-type monosaccharides and one α-type monosaccharide. Additionally, the effectiveness of AMRP as an antioxidant was demonstrated in an in vitro experiment.

Molecular targets of metformin against ovarian cancer based on network pharmacology.

The objective of this study was to analyze potential targets of metformin against ovarian cancer (OC) through network pharmacology. Pharmacodynamic targets of metformin were predicted using the Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for the molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (BATMAN), Drugbank, PharmMapper, SwissTargetPrediction, and TargetNet databases. R was utilized to analyze the gene expression of OC tissues, normal/adjacent noncancerous tissues, and screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) + Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) datasets. STRING 11.0 was utilized to explore the protein-protein interaction (PPI) of metformin target genes differentially expressed in OC. Cytoscape 3.8.0 was used to construct the network and screen the core targets. Additionally, gene ontology (GO) annotation and enrichment and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed for the common targets of metformin and OC through the DAVID 6.8 database. A total of 95 potential common targets of metformin and OC were identified from the intersection of 255 potential pharmacodynamic targets of metformin and 10,463 genes associated with OC. Furthermore, 10 core targets were screened from the PPI network [e.g., interleukin (IL) 1B, KCNC1, ESR1, HTR2C, MAOB, GRIN2A, F2, GRIA2, APOE, PTPRC]. In addition, it was shown in GO enrichment analysis that the common targets were mainly associated with biological processes (i.e., response to stimuli or chemical, cellular processes, and transmembrane transport), cellular components (i.e., plasma membrane, cell junction, and cell projection), and molecular functions (i.e., binding, channel activities, transmembrane transporter activity, and signaling receptor activities). Furthermore, it was indicated by KEGG pathway analysis that the common targets were enriched in metabolic pathways. The critical molecular targets and molecular pathways of metformin against OC were preliminarily determined by bioinformatics-based network pharmacology analysis, providing a basis, and reference for further experimental studies.

Targeted delivery of nutraceuticals derived from food for the treatment of obesity and its related complications.

Nutraceuticals which are abundant in foods have attracted much attention due to their bioactive activities of anti-obesity, anti-hyperlipidemia and anti-atherosclerosis. Unfortunately, the poor bioavailability severely undermines their envisioned benefits. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop suitable delivery systems to promote the benefits of their biological activity. Targeted drug delivery system (TDDS) is a novel drug delivery system that can selectively concentrate drugs on targets in the body, improve the bioavailability of agents and reduce side effects. This emerging drug delivery system provides a new strategy for the treatment of obesity with nutraceuticals and would be a promising alternative to be widely used in the food field. This review summarizes the recent studies on the application in the targeted delivery of nutraceuticals for treating obesity and its related complications, especially the available receptors and their corresponding ligands for TDDS and the evaluation methods of the targeting ability.

Cymbaria daurica L.: A Mongolian herbal medicine for treating eczema via natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cymbaria daurica L. (C. daurica) is a perennial herb known commonly as "Xinba" (Chinese) and "Kanba-Arong" (Mongolian). In Mongolia, it is used as a traditional medicine to treat eczema and other skin diseases due to its anti-swelling, anti-inflammatory, anti-hemorrhagic, and anti-itching properties. However, the potential mechanism of action for eczema treatment has not been reported. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effect of C. daurica on 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced eczema in rats and the associated action mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Qualitative analysis of C. daurica was performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Based on information obtained from compound identification and relevant literature, the possible targets of C. daurica against eczema were analyzed using network pharmacology and molecular docking methods. The DNCB-induced eczema rat models were treated with different dosages of C. daurica extract (10, 50, and 250 mg/mL per day), and the therapeutic effects subsequently evaluated based on the degree of skin inflammation, spleen index, and hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E staining). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and western blotting were used to analyze the relevant target effects. The C. daurica mechanism of action on eczema was verified by animal experiments. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was carried out to determine the content of active ingredients in C. daurica. In addition, the physicochemical properties of the extract were evaluated. RESULTS: Our analysis of the 173 targets included in the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network identified tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) as key targets involved in the treatment of eczema with C. daurica extract. Furthermore, the 173 targets were associated with the natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity pathway. Our results showed that C. daurica significantly reduced IL-2 and TNF-α serum levels in eczema rat models (P < 0.0001); thus, playing an important role in the anti-inflammatory response. Furthermore, according to the p-value, RT-qPCR and western blotting showed that the expression of Src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 (SHP-1), Vav guanine nucleotide exchange factor (Vav), and growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) changed in the skin of the eczema model rats after treatment with the C. daurica extract. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that C. daurica can inhibit SHP-1, Vav, and Grb2 expression; thereby, inhibiting the natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity pathway. These results provide insight into the mechanism of C. daurica in treating eczema.

Advanced nitrogen and phosphorus removal by the symbiosis of PAOs, DPAOs and DGAOs in a pilot-scale A2O/A+MBR process with a low C/N ratio of influent.

Cooperating in harmony to avoid competition with dominant functional microbial symbiosis is an efficient way in advanced nitrogen and phosphorus removal in wastewater treatment processes. In this study, a niche-based coordinating strategy was implemented to cooperate in harmony with phosphorus-accumulating organisms (PAOs), denitrifying phosphorus-accumulating organisms (DPAOs) and denitrifying glycogen-accumulating organisms (DGAOs) to advance nitrogen and phosphorus removal based on an anaerobic-anoxic-oxic-anoxic-membrane bioreactor (A2O/A+MBR) under low C/N in municipal wastewater influent. The niche-based strategy was conducted based on the ORP change during the process as an indicator combined with the adjustment of recirculation and anoxic zone shifting. The results indicated that the strategy of the post-anoxic unit could enable significant enhancement of biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal (BNPR) by 9.9% and 16.3%, respectively, with low effluent concentrations of 7.0 ± 2.2 mg N/L and 0.36±0.32 mg P/L. The satisfactory performance was dominated along with the shift in the microbial community: the relative abundance of Tetrasphaera (PAO genus) increased from 0.14±0.08% to 0.32±0.12%, while the relative abundance of Decchloromonas (DGAO genus) and Candidatus Competibacter (DGAO genus) also increased. The advanced combination of anaerobic phosphorus release, anoxic denitrification, denitrifying phosphorus removal and endogenous denitrification was qualified by the modeling simulation of the biochemical kinetics mechanism of activated sludge in the A2O+MBR and A2O/A+MBR processes, which means that cooperation in the harmony of PAOs, DPAOs and DGAOs could be efficiently realized by a promising control strategy to enhance BNPR in an A2O+MBR with a post-anoxic unit. This study provides an efficient and simple novel control strategy to overcome the limitation of traditional nitrogen and phosphorus removal under an insufficient carbon source.

Bellidifolin from Gentianella acuta (Michx.) Hulten protects H9c2 cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced injury via the PI3K-Akt signal pathway.

Cardiovascular disease is the most common disease in the world and the first among the causes of human death. Its morbidity and mortality increase annually, but no effective treatment is available. Therefore, new drugs should be developed to treat cardiovascular disease. Gentianella acuta (Michx.) Hulten (G. acuta) is an important Mongolian medicine in China and elicits protective effects on cardiovascular health. In this study, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) combined with network pharmacology was used to screen the main active ingredients and confirm that bellidifolin was one of the main components for the treatment of ischemic heart disease. Then, rat myocardial (H9c2) cells injury model induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in vitro was established to verify the effect of bellidifolin on oxidative stress stimulation, including determination of antioxidant enzyme activity and apoptosis. Transcriptome sequencing, qRT-PCR, and western blot were performed to further verify the antioxidant stress mechanism of bellidifolin. Results showed that bellidifolin pretreatment decreased the rate of apoptosis and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Conversely, it increased the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that bellidifolin caused a protective effect on cardiomyocyte injury. Bellidifolin minimized the H2O2-induced cell injury by activating the PI3K-Akt signal pathway and downregulating glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) and p-Akt1/Akt1. Therefore, this work revealed that G. acuta has a good development prospect as an edible medicinal plant in cardiovascular disease. Its bellidifolin component is a potential therapeutic agent for cardiovascular disease induced by oxidative stress damage.

Novel preventive effect of isorhamnetin on electrical and structural remodeling in atrial fibrillation.

Isorhamnetin, a natural flavonoid, has strong antioxidant and antifibrotic effects, and a regulatory effect against Ca2+-handling. Atrial remodeling due to fibrosis and abnormal intracellular Ca2+ activities contributes to initiation and persistence of atrial fibrillation (AF). The present study investigated the effect of isorhamnetin on angiotensin II (AngII)-induced AF in mice. Wild-type male mice (C57BL/6J, 8 weeks old) were assigned to three groups: (1) control group, (2) AngII-treated group, and (3) AngII- and isorhamnetin-treated group. AngII (1000 ng/kg/min) and isorhamnetin (5 mg/kg) were administered continuously via an implantable osmotic pump for two weeks and intraperitoneally one week before initiating AngII administration, respectively. AF induction and electrophysiological studies, Ca2+ imaging with isolated atrial myocytes and HL-1 cells, and action potential duration (APD) measurements using atrial tissue and HL-1 cells were performed. AF-related molecule expression was assessed and histopathological examination was performed. Isorhamnetin decreased AF inducibility compared with the AngII group and restored AngII-induced atrial effective refractory period prolongation. Isorhamnetin eliminated abnormal diastolic intracellular Ca2+ activities induced by AngII. Isorhamnetin also abrogated AngII-induced APD prolongation and abnormal Ca2+ loading in HL-1 cells. Furthermore, isorhamnetin strongly attenuated AngII-induced left atrial enlargement and atrial fibrosis. AngII-induced elevated expression of AF-associated molecules, such as ox-CaMKII, p-RyR2, p-JNK, p-ERK, and TRPC3/6, was improved by isorhamnetin treatment. The findings of the present study suggest that isorhamnetin prevents AngII-induced AF vulnerability and arrhythmogenic atrial remodeling, highlighting its therapeutic potential as an anti-arrhythmogenic pharmaceutical or dietary supplement.

Angiogenesis and immune checkpoint dual blockade: Opportunities and challenges for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy.

The disease burden related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing. Most HCC patients are diagnosed at the advanced stage and multikinase inhibitors have been the only treatment choice for them. Recently, the approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has provided a new therapeutic strategy for HCC. It is noteworthy that the positive outcomes of the phase III clinical trial IMBrave150 [atezolizumab (anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 antibody) combined with bevacizumab (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody)], showed that overall survival and progression-free survival were significantly better with sorafenib. This combination therapy has become the new standard therapy for advanced HCC and has also attracted more attention in the treatment of HCC with anti-angiogenesis-immune combination therapy. Currently, the synergistic antitumor efficacy of this combination has been shown in many preclinical and clinical studies. In this review, we discuss the mechanism and clinical application of anti-angiogenics and immunotherapy in HCC, outline the relevant mechanism and rationality of the combined application of anti-angiogenics and ICIs, and point out the existing challenges of the combination therapy.

Acclimation of sugar beet in morphological, physiological and BvAMT1.2 expression under low and high nitrogen supply.

Understanding the response and tolerance mechanisms of nitrogen (N) stress is essential for the taproot plant of sugar beet. Hence, in this study, low (0.5 and 3 mmol/L; N0.5 and N3), moderate (5 mmol/L; N5; control) and high (10 and 12 mmol/L; N10 and N12) N were imposed to sugar beet to comparatively investigate the growth and physiological changes, and expression pattern of the gene involving ammonia transporting at different seedling stages. The results showed that, different from N5 which could induce maximum biomass of beet seedlings, low N was more likely to inhibit the growth of beet seedlings than high N treatments. Morphological differences and adverse factors increased significantly with extension of stress time, but sugar beet seedlings displayed a variety of physical responses to different N concentrations to adapt to N abnormal. At 14 d, the chlorophyll content, leaf and root surface area, total dry weight and nitrogen content of seedlings treated with N0.5 decreased 15.83%, 53.65%, 73.94%, 78.08% and 24.88% respectively, compared with N12; however, the root shoot ratio increased significantly as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), glutamine synthetase (GS) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline content, especially in root. The expression of BvAMT1.2 was also regulated in an N concentration-dependent manner, and was mainly involved in the tolerance of beet leaves to N stress, which significantly positively correlated to GS activity on the basis of its high affinity to N. It can be deduced that the stored nutrients under low N could only maintain relatively stable root growth, and faced difficulty in being transported to the shoots. Sugar beet was relatively resilient to N0.5 stress according to the mean affiliation function analysis. These results provide a theoretical basis for the extensive cultivation of sugar beet in N-stressed soil.

The pharmacophylogenetic relationships of two edible medicinal plants in the genus Artemisia.

Artemisia argyi and Artemisia indica are edible medicinal plants belonging to the genus Artemisia in the Asteraceae. There are many similarities in their morphology, traditional curative effect, and modern pharmacological treatment. In this study, we built distribution maps of A. argyi and A. indica in China and a phylogenetic tree of common medicinal plants in Asteraceae. Then, we verified the chemical composition changes of A. argyi and A. indica via their metabolome. Traditional efficacy and modern pharmacological action were verified by network pharmacology and in vitro using RAW264.7 cells. The results showed that A. argyi and A. indica are widely distributed in China, and they shared pharmaphylogeny, which provides theoretical support for the mixed use of A. argyi and A. indica in most regions of China. Furthermore, there were both similarities and differences in volatile oil and flavonoid composition between A. argyi and A. indica. The network pharmacology results showed that A. argyi and A. indica had 23 common active compounds and that both had pharmacological effects on chronic gastritis (CG). Molecular docking analyses showed that quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol have strong binding affinities with the target proteins JUN, TP53, AKT1, MAPK3, TNF, MAPK, and IL6. The cell experiment results further demonstrated that A. argyi and A. indica treat CG via the NOD-like receptor pathway. Based on the theory of pharmaphylogeny, this study explored the pharmaphylogeny between A. argyi and A. indica from various perspectives to provide a basis for the substitution of A. argyi and A. indica.

[WU Lian-zhong's experience in treating spasmodic torticollis by Kaiqiao Shunjin method].

Professor WU Lian-zhong's experience in treating spasmodic torticollis by Kaiqiao Shunjin method (resuscitation and regulating muscle) is summarized in this paper. The pathogenesis of spasmodic torticollis is the occluded brain orifices and delirium, qi disorder of meridian tendons, specifically divided into five categories: damp-heat, liver-yang hyperactivity, liver-kidney yin deficiency, deficiency of the governor vessel, excess of the governor vessel. The treatment should be based on the symptoms and the root causes, the symptoms should be the main treatment, and the root cause should be treated based on syndrome differentiation. The main treatment is Kaiqiao Shunjin method (resuscitation and regulating muscle), and to take the chief (five heart acupoints-Shuigou [GV 26], Laogong [PC 8], Yongquan [KI 1]), deputy (Yintang [GV 24+], Shangxing [GV 23] through Baihui [GV 20], Ximen [PC 4]), assistant (Fenglong [ST 40], Lianquan [CV 23], combined with tongue needle prick), envoy (Hanyan [GB 4]) as the basic main acupoints, at the same time cooperate with local acupoints to remove knots and accumulation. Finally, syndrome differentiation is adopted to dredge meridians and disperse knots, regulate the governor vessel, and nourish yin and dispel wind.

[Preliminary study on the existing problems in health economic evaluation study of acupuncture in China].

The literature of health economic evaluation study in the field of acupuncture in China was systematically summarized and analyzed, and the existing problems in the current research were discussed from the aspects of research perspective, cost calculation scope, data analysis method selection. Moreover, the key points of the health economic evaluation research were summarized, and the research objectives, the relationship between the expected research results and data analysis methods and the process of thinking were sorted out, and several suggestions for research report writing were proposed, aiming to provide a reference for the quality improvement of the acupuncture health economic evaluation research in China.

[Quality control in the implementation of multi-center acupuncture clinical trial].

The paper introduced the experiences of quality management in the implementation of multi-center acupuncture clinical trials and the keys in training acupuncture operators. The process management was explained in view of the division of labor for researchers, protocol learning and the communication among sub-centers. Besides, specificity links of acupuncture research were summarized, i.e. meaning implementation brief of acupuncture operation training, control for quantity of stimulus in acupuncture and doctor-patient communication. It is anticipated to provide a valuable reference for the quality control and improvement of multi-center acupuncture clinical trial in future.