Exploration of the body from the perspective of acupuncturists: based on the classification of body terms in Huangdi Neijing. / 针灸师视野中的身体.

There is a rich record on body terms in Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic). The authors classify them into 4 dimensions, including "structure of human body", "constant concern of human body", "symptoms" of disease and "sites" of acupuncture, which corresponds to anatomy, physiology, pathology (including diagnosis) and treatment from the perspective of acupuncture. It is based on the knowledge described by these 4 categories of body terms, acupuncturists recognize the body in treatment. Through the correlation among these terms, the acupuncturists understand acupuncture as a therapeutic technique delivered to "the site of needling" under the guidance of ancient anatomy, physiology and pathology.

Standardization studies of acupuncture prescriptions: a new approach to translational medicine in acupuncture. / è¯•è®ºé’ˆç¸å¤„æ–¹çš„è§„èŒƒåŒ–ç ”ç©¶.

This paper explores the relationship between the standardization studies of acupuncture prescriptions and translational medicine, elucidating the translational medical concepts in the standardization of acupuncture prescriptions. It emphasizes that the standardization of acupuncture prescriptions is a pivotal link in the transformation of foundational acupuncture research. Considering the current clinical status of acupuncture prescriptions, the paper proposes the elements for standardizing prescriptions to promote the translation of foundational acupuncture research into clinical practice. These elements encompass prescription structure, precise acupoint number, orderly techniques of acupuncture, quantification of procedures, and clarity in efficacy. The goal is to provide a new perspective for the development of translational medicine in acupuncture.

[Cognitive differences between Taoism and medical science in the location of "Jiaji"].

The differences in the cognition on the location of "Jiaji" between Taoism and medical science are summarized through literature searching. In the medical field, "Jiaji" is generally described as "Jiaji Xue (point)", which is considered as EX-B 2, while, in Taoism, it is expressed as "Jiaji Guan (pass)", focusing on the crucial parts of the body. Medical scholars lay their attention to the distance of "Jiaji" lateral to the spine, in which "Jia" (place on both sides) is mostly considered. In comparison, the Taoists emphasize the central axis on the back of human body expressed as "Jiaji Gu (bone)" and "Jiaji Sanguan (three crucial parts)", in which, "Ji (spine)" is the key. Due to the therapeutic purposes of acupuncture, medical scholars focus on the communication of "Jiaji" with the body surface ultimately. Based on the inner perspective of Taoism, "Jiaji" is connoted to be the three-dimensional structural space located deeply inside of the body. The cognitive differences in the location of "Jiaji" between Taoism and medical science reflect the discrepancy in the cognitive dimensions and approaches to the human body between them, which provide the references for the textual research of "Jiaji" in traditional Chinese medicine.

[Distinguishment of XU Qiu-fu's thirteen ghost points].

In addition to the well-known thirteen ghost points in Qianjin Fang (Important Formulas worth a Thousand Gold Pieces), "XU Qiu-fu's thirteen ghost points" is recorded in other medical books. The contents of "XU Qiu-fu's thirteen ghost points" are not exactly same among these medical books, which mainly focus on the nomination and selection of the ghost points. Even though, there are many similarity when compared with the thirteen ghost points in Qianjin Fang in terms of acupoint selection, acupoint location and the sequence of needle insertion, as well as the therapeutic methods. The authors believe that "XU Qiu-fu's thirteen ghost points" is actually adapted based on the framework of the thirteen ghost points in Qianjin Fang.

Functionalized Prussian Blue Nanozyme as Dual-Responsive Drug Therapeutic Nanoplatform Against Maxillofacial Infection via Macrophage Polarization.

Purpose: Maxillofacial infection is a common disease in stomatology and is difficult to treat owing to its high potential to spread to vital anatomical structures. Excessive levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in infected tissues lead to cellular damage and impede tissue regeneration. However, uncontrollable strategies to remove ROS have limited therapeutic efficacy. Nanoparticle systems for scavenging ROS and remodeling the inflammatory microenvironment offer much promise in the treatment of maxillofacial inflammation. Methods: Here, a novel microenvironment-stimuli-responsive drug delivery nanoplatform (HMPB@Cur@PDA) based on a polydopamine (PDA)-functionalized hollow mesoporous Prussian blue (HMPB) nanozyme was developed for the delivery of curcumin (Cur) in the treatment of maxillofacial infection. Low pH and excess ROS in the inflammatory microenvironment cause degradation of the outer PDA layer of the nanocomplex, exposing the HMPB nanozyme and loaded Cur, which synergistically act as a ROS scavenger and anti-inflammatory agent, respectively, and induce macrophage polarization from the pro-inflammatory M1 to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. Results: Experiments in vitro provided strong evidence for the application of novel nanocomplexes in scavenging multiple ROS and inhibiting lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. In addition, in vivo results obtained using a mouse maxillofacial infection model demonstrated that HMPB@Cur@PDA had excellent biocompatibility, significantly attenuated the inflammatory response in periodontal tissue, and improved the repair of damaged tissue. Conclusion: Our results indicate that HMPB@Cur@PDA nanocomposites have great potential for ROS regulation as well as having anti-inflammatory effects, providing new insights for the development of dual-response maxillofacial infection treatments.

[Paradigm transformation from structural meridians to functional meridians：a hypothesis of "the brain controls the meridians"].

The "meridian" is the core concept of acupuncture medicine. It can be said that almost all the theories and clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion in traditional Chinese medicine are based on this concept. However, up to now, scientists have failed in finding the "meridian" described in Chinese classic textbooks and fall into the dilemma of the meridian essence research. In fact, the meridian is independent of currently known anatomical tissues. Nevertheless, researches obtained highly valuable outcomes of life science through long-term studies, especially the cerebral science endowed the meridian theory with new connotations. The modern meridian theory is composed of new knowledge and traditional meridian knowledge. In the present paper, we put forward a new hypothesis that "the brain controls the meridians", and a new academic paradigm, that is, the meridians research should turn from looking for the structure of meridian to exploring the functions of meridian, which can be realized with the help of brain function.

[Exploring theory of contemporary acupuncture manipulation and its application characteristics: in the perspective of acupuncture technique in Acupuncture and Moxibustion].

Through reviewing acupuncture technique in various editions of the state-compiled teaching material of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, the hierarchical structure, definitions, and variations of acupuncture manipulation were collected, the theory of contemporary acupuncture manipulation as well as its application characteristics were explored. In the perspective of the hierarchical structure, acupuncture technique with filiform needle is predominated. It is implied in the description of the definition of acupuncture technique that the devices of acupuncture have been developed from single form to multivariant one and the stimulation regions have no longer limited to acupoints. The types of acupuncture manipulations have been enriched gradually during the development of teaching materials. But a part of acupuncture manipulation have been deleted from the knowledge hierarchy of acupuncture technique in textbooks. Acupuncture and Moxibustion is comprehensive and normative, which is important in the inheritance and application of the theory of acupuncture and moxibustion. However, it has to some extent restricted the diversified development of knowledge on acupuncture manipulation.

[Beginning of foreign exchange of acupuncture-moxibustion in New China: the whole story of the experts from the former Soviet Union studying acupuncture-moxibustion in China in 1956].

Through checking the archives from China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), the event that the experts from the former Soviet Union visiting China and learning acupuncture-moxibustion in 1956 was sorted out. In 1956, under the framework of Sino-Sovien Agreement on Scientific and Technology Cooperation, 3 medical experts assigned by the former Soviet Union came to China for the investigation and study of acupuncture-moxibustion. Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, CACMS was in charge of this activity at that time. The Institute had developed a detailed plan, in which, the teaching schedule was designed on the base of New Acupuncture and Moxibustion written by ZHU Lian and ZHU Lian herself gave the lecture. After 3-month study, the experts had mastered the basic theory and clinical techniques of acupuncture-moxibustion and had launched the relevant clinical and scientific work of acupuncture-moxibustion successfully after returning to their country. This event opens up the foreign exchange of acupuncture-moxibustion in New China and provides the foundation for international training and higher education of acupuncture-moxibustion thereafter.

[Constitution and flow of knowledge in acupuncture-moxibustion discipline from three debatable questions].

The paper studied the constitution and flow of knowledge in acupuncture-moxibustion discipline based on three questions. (1) Can a doctor of acupuncture-moxibustion be incapable of patient treatment? (2) Can acupuncture-moxibustion practice without the theoretical foundation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) be recognized as an authentic acupuncture? (3) Are scholars who had not learned acupuncture-moxibustion incompetent in making any acupuncture-related remarks? The knowledge of acupuncture-moxibustion discipline can be divided into two parts, its core and periphery. The core is the theory and practice of acupuncture and moxibustion, witch constitutes the academic knowledge system of acupuncture and moxibustion, while the periphery absorbs interdisciplinary intellectual sources, and they commonly constitute the knowledge system of acupuncture-moxibustion discipline and the knowledge flows through time, space, and the crowd regardless of its core or periphery.

[Formation, evolution and differentiation of acupunctology discipline in view of interdiscipline].

Acupuncture-moxibustion, acupunctology and acupunctology discipline are three closely related concepts, with the first one being covered by the later one. In the present paper, we analyzed the formation, evolution and differentiation of acupunctology discipline and its significance. The knowledge system and academic institutions of acupuncture-moxibustion combine together to construct the acupunctology discipline. The introduction of interdisciplinary methods and academic perspectives is the core motivation of the formation, development and evolution of the acupunctology discipline, which not only enriches its problema-tic domains, but also interacts with the academically organizing force. The participation of interdiscipline promotes the broader and deeper development of the knowledge of acupunctology, and the knowledge expansion is also the inevitable result of infiltration of cross-disciplines. Hence, the maturity of the acupuntology discipline unavoidably leads to differentiation of the subject. At present, the acupunctology discipline can be divided into four main branches: clinical acupuncture-moxibustion, techniques, mechanisms and humanities of acupuncture and moxibustion. Currently, the acupunctology subject has formed a direction of expansion in multiple dimensions of the knowledge system due to continuous collision, nourishment and infiltration from many other related disciplines. However, because it is from the classical learning, its knowledge system inevitably has the characteristics of inertial stability, insufficient motivation and vitality in breaking the traditional framework. These issues now need being faced up to and being solved at the moment.

[Periodization of the history of acupuncture-moxibustion discipline and its research methods and challenges].

As a discipline, the independent knowledge system of acupuncture-moxibustion has been established in Wei-Jin Dynasties, while the education and management institutes have tended to be formalized since Northern and Southern Dynasties and continue to late imperial period. In the period of the Republic of China, acupuncture-moxibustion discipline began to be constructed intentionally, and the knowledge system, education institutes and institution have changed significantly with the characteristics of modern science. Now acupuncture has fully met the conditions of modern subjects. The study of the history of acupuncture-moxibustion discipline needs the perspective of internal and external history integration, focusing on the differences from academic history and educational history. In addition, four important topics in the current research of the history of acupuncture-moxibustion discipline are suggested: the relationship between acupuncture- moxibustion discipline and related disciplines, scientific value and technology philosophy, international recognition and branch disciplines.

[Brief analysis on The Latest Practicing Western Acupuncture].

The Latest Practicing Western Acupuncture, a book of acupuncture translated from Japanese version, The Practicing Acupuncture Collections, is considered as the earliest acupuncture book that introduced anatomy into acupoints in modern times of China. What the book said are very abundant, which mainly about the history of acupuncture, anatomy of the acupoints, acupuncture treatment, and case report. The Latest Practicing Western Acupuncture was compiled and published by the scientific acupuncture tide that time; western knowledge are very rich in content, introducing anatomy into acupoints depiction, which is one of distinctive characteristics. Western medical names of disease are also employed by this book, that inspired so much for traditional acupuncture innovation of China. This article outlines the book's profile, compiler's information, the main contents of each chapter, and takes a brief discussion on the book's content characteristics and the influence on acupuncture of China later.

[Exploration on Zhongguo Zhenjiuxue (Chinese Acupuncture-Moxibustion Science) in the Republic of China].

Zhongguo Zhenjiuxue (Chinese Acupuncture-Moxibustion Science) is a professional periodical of acupuncture-moxibustion, created by YANG Yi-ya in Peking, the Republic of China and issued nationally. In this paper, the editorial board, distribution, main category and content were collected and analyzed systematically. It is shown that acupuncture-moxibustion scholars in the Republic of China had made the active exploration for promoting the exchange and progress of acupuncture and moxibusiton. This periodical displays the clinical experiences and academic thoughts of acupuncture-moxibustion masters in that era and their responsibility to the spreading of medical information. Moreover, this periodical is one of the platforms for the integration of acupuncture-moxibustion with western medicine in the Republic of China, as well as for the exchange of the updated knowledge. This periodical is the important literature on acupuncture and moxibustion in the era of the Republic of China and is valuable for the literature and historical researches.

[Discussion on theoretical history of Jingluo: a review of Thousands of Years Innovations of Jingluo: Theoretical and Clinical Thinkings Through the Ages by ZHANG Jian-bin].

The author reviewed the book of Thousands of Years Innovations of Jingluo: Theoretical and Clinical Thinkings Through the Ages by ZHANG Jian-bin, and put forth some evaluations, believing that the book has 4 extraordinary perspectives, clear definition for Jingluo theory, clinical thinking angle, zangfu-jingluo integrating narrative, and discipline structure maintaining. In addition, the values, trends andmethods of Jingluo theory research were also proposed in this book review.

[From literature to academic history:the position and pathway of acupuncture theory research].

There are two clues in academic inheritance of acupuncture, including theoretical inheritance and empirical inheritance. Up to now, the mainstream of acupuncture theory has not been in conformity with empirical clinic, and could not explain new clinical techniques. The existing acupuncture theories are in need of strict re-examination, and new academic achievements shall be carefully absorbed. The literature review, concepts research and academic history study are considered as key pathways of acupuncture theory research.

[Acupuncture schools in the Republic of China].

The materials of 48 acupuncture schools in the Republic of China were collected. Their features were analyzed in terms of school running, students enrolling, curriculum setting and course contents, etc. The acupuncture schools at that time were established by private organizations, and opened up correspondence education. These schools mainly relied on advertisements to enroll students, and partially got government supports. The students were on different levels. They emphasized systematic acupuncture curriculum and clinical practice. Most schools absorbed western contents into courses, while few schools taught traditional acupuncture theories. The education model of acupuncture school during the Republic of China was continued after the foundation of the nation, especially laying the foundation for the establishment of department of acupuncture.

[Briefs of Japanese acupuncture-moxibustion works of Chinese translation version in modern times].

The authors collected 25 Japanese acupuncture-moxibustion works of Chinese translation version in modern times (1912-1960) and investigated them from 3 aspects, named the study on the mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion, the explanation of basic theory and clinical treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion. Generally speaking, Japanese acupuncture-moxibustion works of Chinese translation version explained the mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion in terms of the theory of western medicine rather than traditional one. It proposed the study on the phenomenon of meridian and collateral, which absorbed the anatomic knowledge of western medicine in the discussion on meridians, collaterals and acupoints; introduced diagnostic methods and techniques of acupuncture and moxibustion and adopted the classification of western medicine system and the diseases in western medicine to discuss the treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion. All of these reflect the academic characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion in Japan at those times and the position of Chinese scholars, by which the Japanese medical works were introduced for the academic innovation.

[Characteristics of acupuncture textbooks on editing mode and content in the Republic of China].

Sixty-seven textbooks in the Republic of China have been collected and divided into three stages according to their editing modes, named the early stage (1912-1927), the middle stage (1928-1939) and the late stage (1940-1949). The traditional teaching material of acupuncture was predominated at the early stage in the textbook compilation; meanwhile the editing mode was simple, and the content of it focuses on meridians, collaterals and acupoints and the modern scientific theories have been preliminarily introduced. The textbooks at the middle stage were edited as two modes, "western medicine+acupuncture" and "general introduction→meridian points→manipulation (techniques of acupuncture and moxibustion)→treatment". The knowledge in anatomy, physiology and pathology of western medicine has been involved in content, giving the great consideration to the clinical practicability. However, a part of textbooks still followed the traditional theory of acupuncture at the middle stage. At the late stage, the textbooks were edited align with "acupuncture science, moxibustion science, meridian point science and treatment science"; or in supplementation of the "diagnosis" on the base of "general introduction→ meridian points→techniques of acupuncture→treatment", or edited as "general introduction→points→treatment". The compilation of the textbooks at this stage not only followed but also improved the integration of western and Chinese medicine as that at the middle stage, which turned to be more scientific. Additionally, in the teaching content, the acupoint was much more considerable as compared with pulse and the section of diagnosis has been involved. As a result, a framework of acupuncture discipline has been established preliminarily by taking acupuncture technique, moxibustion technique, acupoints and treatment as the core. The development of the editing mode and content of textbooks played a great impact on the unified compilation of the acupuncture textbooks after the foundation of China.

[Exploration and construction of the full-text database of acupuncture literature in the Republic of China].

The ALIPORC full-text database is targeted at a specific full-text database of acupuncture literature in the Republic of China. Starting in 2015, till now, the database has been getting completed, focusing on books relevant with acupuncture, articles and advertising documents, accomplished or published in the Republic of China. The construction of this database aims to achieve the source sharing of acupuncture medical literature in the Republic of China through the retrieval approaches to diversity and accurate content presentation, contributes to the exchange of scholars, reduces the paper damage caused by paging and simplify the retrieval of the rare literature. The writers have made the explanation of the database in light of sources, characteristics and current situation of construction; and have discussed on improving the efficiency and integrity of the database and deepening the development of acupuncture literature in the Republic of China.

[Impact of Japanese Medical Acupuncture Literature Introduced Before 1949 on Development of Chinese Acupuncture-moxibustion].

The literature of Japanese medical acupuncture introduced before 1949 has a definite impact on Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion in the period of Republic of China and the early period of the establishment of the People's Republic of China. In the present paper, the authors introduce its impact from: 1) Chinese medical works on acupuncture and moxibustion absorbed a lot of western medicine knowledge, and interpreted some underlying mechanisms chiefly according to the theory of nerve, blood and endocrine, including the meridian-collateral theory based on the structures of blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, etc.; 2) In some Chinese clinical books, some Japanese new techniques as "tube-needling" (sparrow-pecking needling, etc.) were introduced, the acupuncture treatment of disorders was discussed from the nomenclature of western medicine and some operative standards (dissection of acupuncture needles, etc.) in clinical practice were accepted; 3) Some western medicine courses, and subject settings were introduced in Chinese acupuncture education. In general, Japanese acupuncture literature introduced before 1949 promotes integration of traditional acupuncture theory and western medicine in the early period of new China, enriches practical techniques in clinical practice and accelerates the development of acupuncture education in some way.