The Forum in Commemoration of the 35~(th) Anniversary of Richard M. Nixon''''s Visit China which Promoted Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture) to Develop in the U.S.A. Was Solemnly Convened in Beijing

35 years ago, in order to break the U.S.-China stalemate in diplomacy. Chinese side had carried out a series of diplomatic activities which were represented by Ping-pong Diplomacy. To invite James·Reston, famous American columnist, was one of those activities. James·Reston was an American correspondent who has great interest in     

Treatment of leishmaniasis in the Oyapock basin (French Guiana): A K.A.P. survey and analysis of the evolution of phytotherapy knowledge amongst Wayãpi Indians

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a neglected disease with a high incidence in French Guiana, mainly in the middle and upper Oyapock basin, where Amerindian and some Brazilian people live. The main goals of this work were (i) to assess the knowledge about leishmaniasis in the different populations of the middle and upper Oyapock basin, (ii) to study the therapeutic strategies adopted by people affected by leishmaniasis and (iii) to document the use of phytotherapeutic remedies for leishmaniasis. Knowledge, attitudes and practices (K.A.P.) related to this disease and its treatments have been studied according to cultural group and geographical settlement. Within the Wayãpi group, the evolution of the knowledge of phytoremedies over the last 20 years has been characterised by literature-based comparisons.

Materials and methods

A total of 144 questionnaires were administered in all the villages of the upper Oyapock and Camopi basins. Correspondence analyses were used for multivariate analysis. Plant species were identified at the Cayenne Herbarium (CAY).

Results

The biomedical concept of leishmaniasis correlates well with the Teko and Wayãpi concepts of kalasapa and kalasapau. Although the vector of this disease was not correctly identified, the most commonly cited aetiology (74.5%) was vector-borne, and related epidemiological schemes correlate well with the one encountered in French Guiana.Theoretically and practically, health centres were the most commonly used resource for diagnostic in instances of leishmaniasis infection (65.9%), independently of the patient's cultural group, along with the use of pharmaceutical drugs (85.3%). Pharmaceuticals were commonly utilised despite the frequent (51.5%) use of phytotherapeutic remedies, alone or in combination with drugs. The most cited medicinal plant species for the treatment of leishmaniasis included Eleutherine bulbosa (Mill.) Urb. (Iridaceae, cited 14 times), Euterpe oleracea Mart. (Arecaceae, 9), Cecropia obtusa Trecul (Cecropiaceae, 8), Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae, 7), Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. (Bombacaceae, 6) and Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae, 6).Multiple correspondence analyses demonstrated that the species used in leishmaniasis remedies are more prone to vary by the user's place of residence than by their cultural origin, which indicates that exchange of knowledge about leishmaniasis remedies has occurred across different cultural groups.Literature-based comparisons between the remedies for leishmaniasis used by the Wayãpi during the 1980s showed a striking evolution, both in terms of diversity of species and number of plants used. The large number of species shared with other Guianese groups argues for intercultural exchange and may explain the majority (57.1%) of the newly used species highlighted in our study.

Conclusions

Leishmaniasis is a well-known disease in the studied area. Phytotherapeutic treatments are still in use, although they are not the main source of remedies, and should undergo pharmacological studies to evaluate their potential therapeutic value.     

Experience in Application of PBL Teaching Method in the Clinical Teaching of Acupuncture

PBL教学模式与传统的教学方法不同,它强调培养学生自主学习、解决问题的技能和分析、整合的思维能力.在应用PBL教学法过程中,教师的作用应着重体现在如何选择开展的时期、提供题材、激发兴趣、查阅信息及点评总结等方面,既"授人以鱼,又授人以渔".     

Application of Acupuncture in the Earthquake Relief

Tens of thousands of people lost their lives after the earthquake ravaged Wenchuan, Sichuan province on May 12, 2008, and hundreds of thousands of people were injured during the earthquake.     

Inhibitory Effects of Bio-Energy Therapies on Cancer Growth——An overview of recent laboratory studies in the U.S. And its implications in cancer treatment

Background： Bioenergy therapies （such as Qigong, Reiki, Yoga, Pranic healing, and Therapeutic touch） have reported benefits for cancer patients, but few randomized control trials were done to verify their efficacy. It is believed that laboratory study of inhibitory effects of bio-energy therapies on cancer growth may lead to an understanding of the true efficacy of bio-energy and create a foundation for future clinical trials. Methods： Typical in-vitro study involved randomly dividing lab-prepared cancer cells into different groups with one being treated by bio-energy therapy and one or more as control groups. Sometimes, controls were treated by a sham healer. Typical in vivo study involved injecting or implanting cancerous cells into mice, then randomly dividing them into various groups. The control could be either non-treatment or sham treatment; the outcomes include tumor size or survival time. Results： Most studies demonstrated some inhibitory effects of bioenergy therapies on the growth of cancer cells in comparison with control. The in vivo studies reported that the bio-energy treated group had significantly slower tumor growth or longer survival lives than those in the control. One study reported survival with a normal life cycle instead of dying in 3 weeks, and cancer-infected mice developed immune response to the same breast cancer. However, researchers are confronted with methodological challenges in choosing appropriate controls, minimizing contamination, and replicating study outcomes. Conclusion： Encouraging evidence suggests bioenergy may have inhibitory effects on cancer growth, or prolong the life of cancer-infected animals, although improvement is needed in research design and replication of the findings. Bioenergy for cancer treatment is an area that is often neglected by mainstream medicine and research, and it should be seriously examined and considered as an important supplement to conventional cancer treatment.     

Announcement of Compiling the Special Issue of Acupuncture in the Whole World-Global Events Record of Acu-Moxi

Commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Foundation of World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS)     

Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture in the Management of Cancer

Acupuncture,as a complementary therapy,has been used to manage the cancer associated symptoms ofcancer patients.Toidentifythe efficacy andsafety of acupunctureinthe management of cancer,this reviewcrit-ically analyses the relevant publicationsincluding both experi mental and clinical studies.The majority of studiessuggest that acupuncture effectivelyrelieves some cancer relatedsymptoms suchas cancer pain,andsome adverseeffects caused by the cancer conventional treatments such as nausea,vomitin…     

Study of the Specificity of Lumbosacral Points in Regulating Unstable Bladder

目的：通过临床随机对照研究，观察针刺肾俞、会阳、肾俞加会阳对不稳定膀胱（USB）主要症状的影响，探索针刺不同穴位治疗USB的穴位特异性。方法：将89例USB患者随机分为三组，即肾俞组、会阳组和肾俞加会阳组，以I—PSS积分为观察指标，分别在治疗3次、治疗6次后进行疗效评定和组间比较。结果：肾俞组、会阳组和肾俞加会阳组均能明显改善USB患者I—PSS总积分（P〈0．05），会阳组和肾俞加会阳组疗效优于肾俞组（P〈0．05）；肾俞组、会阳组和肾俞加会阳组的有效率分别为50．0％、82．8％和90．0％，但会阳组和肾俞加会阳组要明显高于肾俞组（P〈0．05）。结论：会阳穴、肾俞穴、肾俞加会阳穴均能调节USB患者排尿紊乱症状，改善生活质量。并且以肾俞加会阳穴治疗效应最显著。     

Antinociceptive activities of the methanol extract of the bulbs of Dioscorea bulbifera L. var sativa in mice is dependent of NO–cGMP–ATP-sensitive-K channel activation

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Dioscorea bulbifera var sativa is a medicinal plant commonly used in Cameroonian traditional medicine to treat pain and inflammation.

Aim

The present work evaluated the effects of the methanol extract of the bulbs of Dioscorea bulbifera in inflammatory and neuropathic models of pain and further investigated its possible mechanism of action.

Materials and methods

The effects of Dioscorea bulbifera administered orally at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg were tested in mechanical hypernociception induced by intraplantar (i.pl.) injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or prostaglandin-E₂ (PGE₂), as well as in partial ligation sciatic nerve (PLSN), nociception induced by capsaicin and thermal hyperalgesia induced by i.pl. injection of CFA. The therapeutic effects of Dioscorea bulbifera on PGE₂-induced hyperalgesia were evaluated in the absence and in the presence of l-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and glibenclamide, an inhibitor of ATP-sensitive potassium channels.

Results

The extract showed significant antinociceptive effects in persistent pain induced by CFA and on neuropathic pain induced by PLSN. The effects of Dioscorea bulbifera persisted for 5 days after two administrations in CFA-induced hypernociception. Dioscorea bulbifera significantly inhibited acute LPS-induced pain but failed to reduce thermal hypernociception and capsaicin-induced spontaneous nociception. The antinociceptive effects of this plant extract in PGE₂ model was antagonized by either l-NAME or glibenclamide.

Conclusion

Present demonstrate the antinociceptive activities of Dioscorea bulbifera both in inflammatory and neuropathic models of pain and these effects may result, at least partially, from its ability to activate the NO–cGMP–ATP-sensitive potassium channels pathway.     

A study of the motion pivot in the spine——The measurement of the angle between the vertebra body and the inferior articular facet and its application in the spinal manipulation

spinal motion pivot, spinal manipulation, the angle of facet joint, force direction, cylinder pivot motion theory The spinal joint consists of a disc and posterior facet joints. It is the biomechanical structure that enables the spine with six (6) freedoms of movements of flexion/extension, side bends and rotations. We identified that the same spinal joints initiate, eliminate and control spinal movement. These four joints are the atlanto-occipital and the atlanto-odontoid joints, C7/T 1, T12/L1 and L5/S1. The word“pivot”is commonly used to describe an important ruruing porint or matter in Chinese language.We define the above four joints as“pivots” in this article.The joints are briefed as“Occipital-vertebral pivot”(atlanto-occipital and atlanto-odontoid joint),“cervicalthoracic pivot” (C7/T1),“thoracic-lumbar pivot” (T12/L1)and“lumbar-sacrum pivot”(L5/S1). After measuring 20 human spinal columns (dry bones), observing the angle between the vertebral body and the inferior articular faeet,reviewing the spinal anatomy and biomechanics and analyzing the Chinese spinal manipulation techniques and theory, the following is our report:     

Effects of Acupuncture on the Constipation in Rats Model

目的观察针刺对便秘大鼠模型排便功能的影响.方法利用复方地芬诺酯复制便秘大鼠模型,观察针刺"合谷"、"后三里"对大鼠首次排便时间、12 h排便粒数和排便重量的影响.结果模型组大鼠首次排便时间延长、大便粒数和重量显著减少;针刺治疗后,便秘大鼠首次排便时间显著缩短,12 h大便重量和粒数明显增加.结论针刺能够显著改善便秘大鼠的排便功能.     

Effects of Banxiaxiexin Decoction on the SCF Gene Expression in the Stomach Wall of Rat Model of Electrogastric Dysrhythmias

Electrogastricdysrhythmiasiscommoninclinicandrelatedtogastrointestinaltractfunctionaldiseases .Itisoneoftheim portantreasonsingastrointestinaltractmotordisorders.RecentstudiesshowthattheinterstitialcellsofCajal (ICC)adjustthemotorofgastrointestinaltract.ThenumberandstructureofICCinpartofthegastrointestinaltracthavechangedinsomemotivitydiseasessuchascardioinchalasia ,diabeticgastroparesis,etc .TheICCsexpressc -kitgene .TheirdevelopmentandthephenotypelastingaredependonthesignalofKitandthepr…     

Polyprenols from Taxus chinensis var. mairei prevent the development of CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Arogyavardhini vati, an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation has been used for liver and skin disorders in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. However, toxicity due to the presence of heavy metals in this traditional medicine is a matter of concern.

Aim of the study

To evaluate the safety of Arogyavardhini vati on brain, liver and kidney in rats.

Materials and methods

Arogyavardhini vati at doses of 50, 250 and 500 mg/kg (1, 5 and 10 times of human equivalent dose respectively), mercury chloride (1 mg/kg) and normal saline were administered orally to male Wistar rats for 28 days. Behavioral parameters were assessed on day 1, 7th, 14th and 28th using Morris water maze, passive avoidance, elevated plus maze and rota rod. Biochemical parameters (acetyl-cholinesterase activity, malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione), histopathology and mercury level in brain, liver, kidney were assessed at the end of the experiment.

Results

There was no significant change in behavioral parameters, acetyl-cholinesterase activity, liver function (ALT, AST, ALP and bilirubin) and kidney (serum urea and creatinine) function tests at all doses of Arogyavardhini vati (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg) as compared to normal control. However, significant change was observed in mercury chloride treated group. Mercury chloride treated group as well as Arogyavardhini vati treated groups (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg) showed increased levels of mercury in brain, liver and kidney as compared to normal control. Histopathological results showed significant cytoarchitectural changes in brain, liver and kidney architecture in mercury chloride treated group. Whereas, normal cytoarchitecture was observed at all doses of Arogyavardhini vati.

Conclusion

The finding of the present study suggests that Arogyavardhini vati in the doses equivalent up to 10 times of the human dose administered to rats for 28 days does not have appreciable toxicological effects on brain, liver and kidney.     

Skin Slice as a Model for the Investigation of the Role of Mast Cells in Acupuncture Effects

Objective： To establish a new and better model to investigate the properties of mast cells that could be involved in acupuncture process mechanisms. Methods： Connective tissue under the corium at the area of acupuncture point Zusanli （ST 36） from rat was acutely bluntly separated with forceps and scissors, and incubated in bath solution up to several hours. Mast cells in slices of that tissue were irradiated with laser light of 650 nm, and changes in the appearance were observed under microscope. In addition, patch-clamp technique in whole-cell configuration was employed to induce mechanosensitive currents by pressure applied through the patch pipette. Results： 1） A high density of mast cells embedded in the extracellular matrix was detected in the tissue slices using toluidine blue staining. The mast cells survived for up to several hours;     

Ethnopharmacology of liakra: traditional weedy vegetables of the Arbëreshë of the Vulture area in southern Italy

An ethnobiological field study on food plants and medicinal foods traditionally consumed in three Arb?resh (ethnic Albanian) communities in northern Lucania (southern Italy) document approximately 120 botanical taxa used for these purposes. Non-domesticated food vegetables (liakra), mostly gathered during the spring season, play a central role as traditional functional food. Quantitative ethnobotanical, ethnotaxonomical, ethnoecological, ethnogastronomical, and ethnopharmacological aspects related to gathering, processing, cooking and consumption of liakra are discussed. Unusual food species, such as Lycium europeaum, Centaurea calcitrapa, and a few spontaneous weedy Asteraceae and Brassicaceae species are locally used in the kitchen. Most of these are very poorly known phytochemically and phytopharmacologically. Moreover, an analysis of taste perception of the most commonly used botanical foods was conducted in the village of Ginestra. Arb?resh taste classification and indigenous criteria related to the perception of bitter taste in considering non-cultivated plants as food or medicine are discussed as well.     

Comparison of the Cost-utility Analysis of Electroacupuncture and Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs in the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain

Introduction and objective

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is among the most common and important reasons for visiting a spine surgeon by patients; it is the second cause of visiting a doctor. Low back pain can cause considerable suffering and is a major financial burden in the society. There are many different methods available for the treatment of CLBP. This study aimed to compare the cost-utility of electroacupuncture (EA) and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as two common treatment methods for patients with CLBP.

“The 15^th Anniversary of the Foundation of the World Federation of Acumoxi Societies”Was Held in Beijing

Ｆｒｏｍ 2 2ｔｏ 2 3ｏｆＮｏｖｅｍｂｅｒｏｆ2 0 0 2 ,ｔｈｅ 1 5ｔｈａｎｎｉｖｅｒｓａｒｙｏｆｔｈｅｆｏｕｎｄａｔｉｏｎｏｆＷｏｒｌｄＦｅｄｅｒａｔｉｏｎｏｆＡｃｕｍｏｘｉＳｏｃｉｅｔｉｅｓ (ＷＦＡＳ)ｗａｓｈｅｌｄｓｏｌｅｍｎｌｙｉｎＢｅｉｊｉｎｇ.Ｍｏｒｅｔｈａｎ 2 0 0 ｐａｒｔｉｃｉｐａｎｔｓｆｒｏｍＣｈｉｎａ ,Ｄｅｎｍａｒｋ ,Ｂｒｉｔｉｓｈ ,Ａｕｓｔｒａｌｉａ ,Ｉｔａｌｙ,Ｅｇｙｐｔ,Ｒｕｓｓｉａ ,ＳｏｕｔｈＫｏｒｅａ ,Ｉｎｄｏｎｅｓｉａ ,Ｐｈｉｌｉｐｐｉｎｅ ,ｅｔｃ .ａｔ ｔｅｎｄｅｄｔｈｉ…     

Progress in the study of Yang-deficiency constitution in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine: a narrative review

The Yang-deficiency constitution has been a hot topic of interest in recent years. Important research progress has been made in quantitative diagnostic criteria and auxiliary identification technologies, modern biological interpretations of the constitution characteristics, the association between the Yang-deficiency constitution and diseases, as well as the mechanisms of regulating the constitution. Yet, there are still some deficiencies and limitations. Herein, we systematically reviewed the r...