[Exploration of the theory of Renying Cunkou pulse method recorded in the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon].

Renying Cunkou pulse method is one of the classical pulse methods of acupuncture-moxibustion in the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, which is also a classical clinical paradigm for diagnosing and treating meridian diseases in the ancient times. Based on comprehensive review of literature and clinical practice, this paper reveals that this method compares the size of the neck Renying pulse with hand Cunkou pulse to determine the change of yin-yang and excess-deficiency identifying the affected meridians. The jing-well, xing-spring, and shu-stream points of the surface and interior meridians of affected meridians are mainly selected to regulate deficiency and excess through reinforcing and reducing methods. The Renying Cunkou pulse method possesses a simple and practical medical theory, easy diagnostic procedure, and clear meridian selection for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment, warranting further exploration of its essence and diagnostic therapeutic principles.

Aspergillus niger Enhances Organic and Inorganic Phosphorus Release from Wheat Straw by Secretion of Degrading Enzymes and Oxalic Acid.

To explore the mechanisms of crop straw degradation and phosphorus (P) release by phosphate-solubilizing fungi (PSF), a typical PSF Aspergillus niger (A. niger, ANG) was investigated for the degradation of wheat straw (WST) in this work. The results revealed that A. niger significantly increased wheat straw degradation (30%) compared with no A. niger treatment (7.7%). Meanwhile, more than 92% of total P was released from WST by A. niger, much higher than from WST treatment (69.5%). Although the ratios of inorganic P release between WST and WST + ANG treatments were similar (17.6 vs 19.7%), a significant difference occurred between their release of organic P, i.e., WST (51.9%) vs WST + ANG (72.5%). The high enzyme activity of ß-1,4-glucanase and ß-glucosidase produced by A. niger contributed to the wheat straw degradation and organic P release compared with no A. niger treatment. Oxalic acid secreted by A. niger dominated the release of inorganic P from WST. Our findings suggested that A. niger is an efficient microbial agent for crop straw degradation and P release, which could be a candidate in the pathway of straw return.

Phosphorus biogeochemistry regulated by carbonates in soil.

Phosphates are the dominant phosphorus (P) source on Earth. The phosphates govern available P in soil, or even the complete ecosystem. The common deficiency of available P in carbonate-enriched soils suggests the tight correlation between P and C biogeochemistry, although the two elements have diverse abundance in soil. The influences of carbonates on P cycle were reviewed in this study, via both abiotic and biotic pathways. The abiotic processes at geochemical scale include element release, transport, sorption, desorption, weathering, precipitation, etc. The sorption of P on carbonate and buffering ability of carbonates were particularly addressed. Biotic factors are ascribed to various microorganisms in soil. As the most active P pool in soil, microorganisms prefer to consume abundant P, and then accumulate it in their biomass. Carbonates, however, are usually utilized by microorganisms after conversion to organic C. Meanwhile, extracellular precipitation of Ca-P phases significantly regulates the transportation of P in/out the cells. Moreover, they boost and complexify both carbonates and P turnover in soil via bioweathering and biomineralization, i.e., the intense interactions between biosphere and lithosphere. Based on this review, we proposed that carbonates may negatively affect P supply in soil system. This comprehensive review regarding the regulation by carbonates on P biogeochemistry would shed a light on predicting long-term P availability influenced by C biogeochemistry.

Evaluating the survival of Aspergillus niger in a highly polluted red soil with addition of Phosphogypsum and bioorganic fertilizer.

Phosphate-solubilizing fungi (PSF) can enhance P release from phosphate minerals to immobilize heavy metals. However, this promotion substantially depends on their survival in highly polluted soils. The aim of this study was to investigate the survival of PSF after addition of phosphogypsum (PG) and bioorganic fertilizer (BF) in the soil with coexistence of multiple heavy metals, e.g., Pb, As, Cd, Sb, etc. Addition of typical PSF (Aspergillus niger) did not promote the formation of pyromorphite (the most stable form of Pb), possibly due to the buffering effect of the soil (the secreted oxalic acid was neutralized) and limited P supply. Meanwhile, despite that A. niger has high tolerance to heavy metal stress, its survival was significantly declined due to the deficiency of available P. It was also shown that PG, as the major by-product in phoschemical industry, still has relatively high available P compared with common natural soils. PG addition dramatically increased available P (up to 93.87 mg/kg) and the subsequent fungal growth. However, sole PG did not promote the formation of pyromorphite, probably as the abundant Fe2+ and Mn2+ prevented the contact between PO43- and Pb2+ in the soil system. The enhanced soil respiration after addition of BF and PG confirmed the promoted microbial activity (elevated to 3465.58 µg C kg h-1). This study showed PG's potential as P source for both microbial growth and heavy metal remediation in soil system. A combination of PG, A. niger, and BF can hence achieve long-term bioremediation of heavy metals.

[Exploration on lateral needling technique].

Regarding the existing questions of the understanding and application of lateral needling technique in the Chapter 7 of Lingshu (Miraculous Pivot), after analyzing the original meaning of the lateral needling technique and its indication for "tendon bi syndrome" in literature, it is believed that lateral needling technique is the classic manipulation for tendon bi syndrome, mainly for tendon spasticity caused by obstruction of qi activity or retarded qi activity. The filiform needle is used in the operation. The puncture hand and the pressing hand should be cooperated during the manipulation, in which, after detecting the location of tendon disorder by the pressing hand, the needle is inserted from the lateral side of the affected site and is manipulated with the reinforcing technique achieved by lifting and thrusting needle. Afterwards, the needle is withdrawn. The lateral needling technique of acupuncture is one of the mass-loosening techniques in Neijing (Inner Classic). It is a reliable technique of acupuncture in clinical treatment of acute and chronic diseases, such as cervical spondylosis and tendon injury of lumber region and has a stable therapeutic effect.

[Exploration on even reinforcing-reducing technique of acupuncture].

The even reinforcing-reducing technique of acupuncture is one of the common needling methods in clinical practice at present, but there are various understandings on it among scholars. In the paper, the origin of the even reinforcing-reducing technique of acupuncture was explored on the base of literature collection and clinical practice. The comments were put forward in association with the initial understanding of reinforcing and reducing techniques of acupunctures and actual clinical applications. In ancient time, the even reinforcing-reducing method includes two meanings. The first one refers to the compound reinforcing-reducing needling technique for mixture of cold and heat or of deficiency and excess, in which, the reinforcing and reducing techniques are used alternatively at same acupoint. The second one implies the imbalance of yin and yang with human body or meridian involved. For example, in the syndromes as excess in the upper part of body and deficiency in the lower part, heat on the left and cold on the right, the treatment for reinforcing the lower and reducing the upper, or reinforcing the right and reducing the left is adopted to rebalance yin and yang. Hence, it is regarded as a treating principle or a needling method. No matter at the same acupoint or at different acupoints, the final target of treatment is to harmonize yin and yang. The acupuncture scholars in modern times seldom describe even reinforcing-reducing technique. Since the foundation of People's Republic of China, the relevant technique is again called even reinforcing-reducing manipulation, characterized as evenly lifting, thrusting and rotating of needle and has been developed gradually as the common needling technique in present clinical practice, which is widely divergent from the traditional understanding. The reinforcing-reducing techniques of acupuncture are different in understanding between the ancient time and the present. It is necessary to identify the origin for the better contributions to clinical application.

Remediation of lead-contaminated water by geological fluorapatite and fungus Penicillium oxalicum.

Phosphate-solubilizing fungi (PSF) can secrete large amounts of organic acids. In this study, the application of the fungus Penicillium oxalicum and geological fluorapatite (FAp) to lead immobilization was investigated. The formation and morphology of the lead-related minerals were analyzed by ATR-IR, XRD, Raman, and SEM. The quantity of organic acids secreted by P. oxalicum reached the maximum on the fourth day, which elevated soluble P concentrations from 0.4 to 108 mg/L in water. The secreted oxalic acid dominates the acidity in solution. P. oxalicum can survive in the solution with Pb concentration of ~ 1700 mg/L. In addition, it was shown that ~ 98% lead cations were removed while the fungus was cultured with Pb (~ 1700 mg/L) and FAp. The mechanism is that the released P from FAp (enhanced by organic acids) can react with Pb2+ to form the stable pyromorphite mineral [Pb5(PO4)3F]. The precipitation of lead oxalate also contributes to Pb immobilization. However, lead oxalate is more soluble due to its relatively high solubility. P. oxalicum has a higher rate of organic acid secretion compared with other typical PSF, e.g., Aspergillus niger. This study sheds light on bright future of applying P. oxalicum in Pb remediation.

[Research and practice about risk control of shenfu injection].

Shenfu injection is developed by improving dosage form of ancient prescription "Shenfu Tang" and is mainly derived from extracts of both traditional Chinese medicine red ginseng and prepared lateral root of monkshood with polysorbate 80 as auxiliary material. Shenfu injection may be administered through intramuscular injection, intravenous drip or intravenous injection. It produces good effects in restoring Yang and rescuing patients from collapse, tonifying Qi and preventing exhaustion. It is mainly used to treat not only syncope and prostration resulting from sudden Yang collapse (infectious, hemorrhagic and water depletion shock etc), but also pavor, palpitation, dyspnea with cough, stomachache, diarrhea and arthralgia etc caused by deficiency of Yang (deficiency of vital energy). Research group has audited the monitored hospitals and has carried out postmarketing study of Shenfu solution from many aspects including literature review, spontaneous reporting system (SRS) and hospital information system (HIS) data analysis etc. A summary is shown below.

[Risk control system construction of Shenfu injection].

OBJECTIVE: To ensure the stable quality of Shenfu injection, control potential risk and reduce risk damage. METHOD: To screen and evaluate the risk in the production, GAP, research and development, circulation, clinical application, intellectual property, emergency treatment,control and prevente the potential risks. RESULT: The risk-control system of Shenfu injection has been constructed initially. CONCLUSION: It has a great significance for the establishment of traditional Chinese medicive injections' risk-control system. The keys of the risk-control in future are to make strategy, perfect the organization structure and collaborating among various departments.

[Zheng Yu-lin, a founder of the acupuncture and moxibustion cause of new China].

Mr. ZHENG Yu-lin is one of the most outstanding acupuncture scientists in the modern times in our country. He inherits the learning handed down in a family and is bold in making innovations, successfully combines the exercises to benefit the internal organs with Chinese traditional acupuncture needling methods, forming a set of unique Zheng's needling methods, which is used for treatment of severe ophthalmopathy with excellent therapeutic effects, and is famed the world over. Main achievements: took on scientific researches of acupuncture and moxibustion, teaching and clinical works in the first stage of establishment of China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicinel trains a large number of famous specificities of acupuncture and moxibustion for new China; advocates study on channel essence; cures stubborn diseases for leaders of friend countries undertaking the great trust of the central leaders for many times, becoming an important ties of Chinese political foreign affairs.

[Professor Zheng Kui-Shan the father of modern study of Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion and needling methods].

Professor ZHENG Kui-shan is a famous specialist of acupuncture and moxibustion sciences, and he has obtained a lot of achievements in about 70 years' clinical treatment, scientific studies and teaching. He has advocated and devoted himself to the studies of traditional needling methods of acupuncture and moxibustion, with outstanding contributions to the development of Chinese and world's acupuncture and moxibustion. He participated in the scientific studies, clinical treatment and teaching of acupuncture and moxibustion at the early stage of founding of the China Academy of TCM. He first advocated and led "the study on channel essence", established Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Gansu College of TCM and Gansu Society of Zheng's Needling Methods. Professor Zheng's opinions and practice which emphasize on the studies of Chinese traditional acupuncture, moxibustion and needling methods indicate the direct of acupuncture and moxibustion studies in both China and world.