Concept Of Chinese Medicine Research Articles

Kidney tubular-cell secretion of osteoblast growth factor is increased by kaempferol: a scientific basis for "the kidney controlling the bone" theory of Chinese medicine.

To study, at the cytological level, the basic concept of Chinese medicine that "the Kidney (Shen) controls the bone". Kaempferol was isolated form Rhizoma Drynariae (Gu Sui Bu, GSB) and at several concentrations was incubated with opossum kidney (OK) cells, osteoblasts (MC3T3 E1) and human fibroblasts (HF) at cell concentrations of 2×10(4)/mL. Opossum kidney cell-conditioned culture media with kaempferol at 70 nmol/L (70kaeOKM) and without kaempferol (0OKM) were used to stimulate MC3T3 E1 and HF proliferation. The bone morphological protein receptors I and II (BMPR I and II) in OK cells were identified by immune-fluorescence staining and Western blot analysis. Kaempferol was found to increase OK cell growth (P<0.05), but alone did not promote MC3T3 E1 or HF cell proliferation. However, although OKM by itself increased MC3T3 E1 growth by 198% (P<0.01), the 70kaeOKM further increased the growth of these cells by an additional 127% (P<0.01). It indicates that the kidney cell generates a previously unknown osteoblast growth factor (OGF) and kaempferol increases kidney cell secretion of OGF. Neither of these media had any significant effect on HF growth. Kaempferol also was found to increase the level of the BMPR II in OK cells. This lends strong support to the original idea that the Kidney has a significant influence over bone-formation, as suggested by some long-standing Chinese medical beliefs, kaempferol may also serve to stimulate kidney repair and indirectly stimulate bone formation.

The diagnostic criteria of blood-stasis syndrome: Considerations for standardization of pattern identification

Pattern identification (PI), also called Bian Zheng ([symbols; see text]), syndrome differentiation, pattern diagnosis, or pattern classification, is the basic principle and the key concept of Chinese medicine (CM). The core of PI is CM syndrome, on which CM theory, therapeutic method, prescribing formula and the use of Chinese herbal medicine are basically based. PI, in fact, is another classification method anticipated to improve the clinical efficacy. How to make an exact PI seems to be very important for taking full advantage of PI in clinical practice. Therefore, the establishment of diagnostic criterion of pattern has been the prerequisite for the standardization of PI. In recent years, a lot of diagnostic criteria of different CM patterns have been formulated. Taking the diagnostic criteria for blood-stasis syndrome as a model, the methodologies and considerations in establishing a pattern diagnostic criterion were discussed in this paper, which might be of great reference value in future PI standardization research.

Cultivation strategy and path analysis on big brand Chinese medicine for small and medium-sized enterprises

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are important components in Chinese medicine industry. However, the lack of big brand is becoming an urgent problem which is critical to the survival of SMEs. This article discusses the concept and traits of Chinese medicine of big brand, from clinical, scientific and market value three aspects. Guided by market value, highlighting clinical value, aiming at the scientific value improvement of big brand cultivation, we put forward the key points in cultivation, aiming at obtaining branded Chinese medicine with widely recognized efficacy, good quality control system and mechanism well explained and meanwhile which can bring innovation improvement to theory of Chinese medicine. According to the characters of SMEs, we hold a view that to build multidisciplinary research union could be considered as basic path, and then, from top-level design, skill upgrading and application three stages to probe the implementation strategy.

Traditional Chinese medicine and new concepts of predictive, preventive and personalized medicine in diagnosis and treatment of suboptimal health

BackgroundThe premise of disease-related phenotypes is the definition of the counterpart normality in medical sciences. Contrary to clinical practices that can be carefully planned according to clinical needs, heterogeneity and uncontrollability is the essence of humans in carrying out health studies. Full characterization of consistent phenotypes that define the general population is the basis to individual difference normalization in personalized medicine. Self-claimed normal status may not represent health because asymptomatic subjects may carry chronic diseases at their early stage, such as cancer, diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. Currently, treatments for non-communicable chronic diseases (NCD) are implemented after disease onset, which is a very much delayed approach from the perspective of predictive, preventive and personalized medicine (PPPM). A NCD pandemic will develop and be accompanied by increased global economic burden for healthcare systems throughout both developed and developing countries. This paper examples the characterization of the suboptimal health status (SHS) which represents a new PPPM challenge in a population with ambiguous health complaints such as general weakness, unexplained medical syndrome (UMS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS) and chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS).MethodsWe applied clinical informatic approaches and developed a questionnaire—suboptimal health status questionnaire-25 (SHSQ-25) for measuring SHS. The validity and reliability of this approach were evaluated in a small pilot study and then in a cross-sectional study of 3,405 participants in China.ResultsWe found a correlation between SHS and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, plasma glucose, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol among men, and a correlation between SHS and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol among women.ConclusionsThe SHSQ-25 is a self-rated questionnaire of perceived health complaints, which can be used as a new instrument for PPPM. An ongoing longitudinal SHS cohort survey (China Sub-optimal Health Cohort Study, COACS) consisting of 50,000 participants will provide a powerful health trial to use SHSQ-25 for its application to PPPM through patient stratification and therapy monitoring using innovative technologies of predictive diagnostics and prognosis: an effort of paradigm shift from reactive to predictive medicine.

The Core Drugs Analysis based on Social Network Analysis about Traditional Chinese Medicine Records Semantic Relation

Due to complex and abstract of the relationship for traditional Chinese medicine, conventional analytical methods are difficult to draw potential rules, and social network analysis is the method to solve the problem with complex relationship and structure, which provides an opportunity to use social network analysis approach to analyze medical record prescriptions. In this paper, various traditional Chinese medicine concepts, which include disease, disorder, parties, drugs, therapies, syndromes of the prescriptions, are extracted from the medicine records and turned into the relation graph by using the knowledge of graph theory. At the same time three centrality analysis algorithms including degree centrality, betweenness centrality and closeness centrality are implemented and improved based on the characteristics of traditional Chinese medical records. The core prescription is extracted based on the analysis of the word level and semantic level (drugs Tropism of taste) by using the algorithms above.

Changing the paradigm—Teaching Western Style Acupuncture in Portugal

In the past, the teaching of acupuncture to medical doctors in Portugal was mostly linked to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concepts. The presentation of the complex TCM diagnostic methods and treatment strategies to medical doctors touches the frontier of “suspension of disbelieve” in order to be able to understand and, in particular, apply those concepts to the treatment. Most of the TCM concepts are almost impossible to translate to western medical terms, making the communication among health professionals difficult, thus preventing acupuncture from integrating into current health care.

Relationship between endogenous hydrogen sulfide and blood stasis syndrome based on the Qi-blood theory of chinese medicine

"Qi" and "blood" are two essential concepts in Chinese medicine (CM). As qi is intangible, the concept of qi is still controversial between CM and Western medicine. However, the endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and other gaseous signaling molecules provides a new approach for understanding the essence of qi in CM. Blood stasis syndrome is a common syndrome in CM. According to the CM theory, the incidence of blood stasis syndrome is closely correlated to the reckless movement of qi, as qi and blood are inseparable in regulating physiological functions. In recent years, more and more evidences suggest a close correlation between blood stasis syndrome and microcirculation dysfunction. In this paper, we discuss the relationship between endogenous H2S and blood stasis syndrome based on qi-blood theory of CM. We found that endogenous H2S maybe a material basis in concept of qi in CM, while dysfunctional microcirculation is the pathological basis of the blood stasis syndrome. As qi is closely associated with incidence and progression of blood stasis syndrome, endogenous H2S may play an important role in preventing and treating the blood stasis syndrome by improving the function of microcirculation.

Response to Letter to the Editor by Dr. Yiu Ming Wong: Pain Induced by Rheumatoid Arthritis and Acupoint Skin Resistance

We greatly appreciate the interest Dr. Yiu Ming Wong has taken in our work. Her thoughtful response points out the direction that the next set of related studies should take, and her comments can readily serve as a research agenda for such further investigations. We fully agree with her observations about unresolved issues and alternative explanations. We like to stress that we see our study as merely a first, tentative but promising, bridge between Chinese medicine concepts and Western ways to conduct validation research about them. Ideally, we like to see this mapping approach applied to all prevalent types of disease and distressing conditions and believe that a much stronger bridge can ultimately be built.

Validation of the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire: Does the Traditional Chinese Medicine Concept of Body Constitution Exist?

The study aims to adapt and validate the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ) in Hong Kong Chinese people. 10 patients and 10 Chinese medicine practitioners (CMP) confirmed the content validity (CVI: 50%–100%) of CCMQ. 1084 HK subjects completed a cross-sectional study with 98.6% who could be classified into one or more BC types. Scaling success rates were 85.7%–100% for the 9 BC scales. Construct validity was supported by moderate correlations between CCMQ and SF-12v2 scores. The confirmatory factor analysis showed a reproducible structure as hypothesized. People with gentleness BC type had better health-related quality of life, HRQOL, than those with other (imbalanced) BC types. Internal consistency (reliability) (Cronbach's alpha > 0.6) and test-retest reliability were also satisfactory (ICC > 0.6) for all scales. However, the sensitivity and specificity in predicting the BC types diagnosed by CMP were only fair, ranging from 42.7% to 82.7%. 27.6% of subjects had a change from the imbalanced BC types to gentleness BC type after 6 months. The CCMQ was adapted for HK Chinese people and proved to be valid, reliable, and responsive. People classified to have imbalanced BC types had significantly lower HRQOL than gentleness BC type, which supported the validity and importance of the TCM concept of the physiological BC type.

Syndrome pattern and its application in parallel randomized controlled trials

Syndrome pattern (SP) is a core concept of Chinese medicine (CM) and is used to diagnose and treat patients based on an overall analysis of symptoms and signs. This study aimed to systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using the SP concept and to demonstrate how the SP concept could be applied to the study design of parallel RCTs, considering a gold standard of clinical research. After conducting a brief systematic review by way of a PubMed search, we analyzed how the SP concept was applied to the design of RCT in a CM herbal medicine trial. We then formulated possible research questions, applied the SP concept to answer the research questions, and suggested possible RCT designs to be used for conducting future trials. Fourteen RCTs were included in our systematic review, and three key points of the SP concept were formulated for the design of parallel RCTs: the time point of SP diagnosis between before and after randomization; the relationship between the international classification of diseases (ICD) and SP for the inclusion of target population; and the proper diagnostic method of SP. In this study, we formulated three possible research questions and then suggested perspectives for five possible RCT models arrived at using SP concepts. Future trials applying SP concept to RCTs should overcome the shortcomings of past SP trials, moving CM forward from experience-based to evidence-based medicine.

Construction of evaluation systems for traditional Chinese medicine multiple drug delivery system on basis of component level

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a multi-component complex system and its research must consider its components characteristics of multi-component, multi-target and multi-effect. According to the whole concept of Chinese medicine, also combining with the status quo of Chinese drugs pharmaceutics and setting the material basis component as the premise, this study will develope TCM multiple drug delivery evaluation system, respectively from three aspects, namely in vitro release, in vivo bioavailability and PK-PD. At the same time, we will try to offer the new thoughts of the programly release, so as to provide new strategies and methods for the development of modern Chinese drug delivery systems.

Confucius Computer: bridging intergenerational communication through illogical and cultural computing

Confucius Computer is a new form of illogical cultural computing based on the Eastern paradigms of balance and harmony. The system uses new media to revive and model ancient Eastern and Confucius philosophies and teachings, presenting them in new contexts, such as online social chat, music and food. Based on the model of Eastern mind and teaching, the system enables users to have meaningful social network communication with a virtual Confucius. The Confucius Computer system offers a new artistic playground for interactive music-painting creation based on our Confucius music filters and the ancient model of Cycles of Balance. Confucius Computer also allows users to explore the traditional Chinese medicine concept of Yin-Yang through interactive recipe creation. Detailed descriptions of the systems are presented in this paper. Our user studies showed that users gave positive feedbacks to their experience of interacting with Confucius Computer. They believed that this media could improve intergenerational interaction and promote a sense of calmness.

Metabonomic phenotype and identification of “heart blood stasis obstruction pattern” and “qi and yin deficiency pattern” of myocardial ischemia rat models

The traditional Chinese medicine concepts of "Xinxueyuzuzheng (heart blood stasis obstruction pattern)" and "Qiyinliangxuzheng (qi and yin deficiency pattern)" for myocardial ischemia rat models were constructed in the present study. Endogenous metabolites in rat plasma were analyzed using the GC/TOF-MS-based metabonomic method. Significant metabolic differences were observed between the control and two model groups, and the three groups were distinguished clearly by pattern recognition. Compared with those of the control, the levels of hydroxyproline, threonic acid, glutamine and citric acid were strikingly up- or down-regulated in model rats. The metabolites contributing most to the classification between the two "pattern" rats were identified, such as valine, serine, threonine, ornithine, hydroxyproline, lysine, 2-hydroxybutanoic acid, 3-hydroxybutanoic acid, galactofuranose and inositol. These compounds were indicated as the potential biomarkers. The results suggested that the two "patterns" are involved in dysfunction in oxidative stress, energy metabolism and amino acid metabolism. These findings also provided the substantial foundation for exploring the scientific connotation of these two "Zhengxing (pattern types)" of myocardial ischemia, and "Bianzheng (pattern identification)".

Chinese children’s explanations for illness

The study explored how Chinese children spontaneously explained the causes of illness. Two groups of 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children from different socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds were recruited, with 30 children in each age group. A group of 30 college students were also recruited and their responses compared to those produced by the children. Participants’ responses were coded as belonging to one of five mutually exclusive categories: psychogenic, biological, behavioral, symptomatic, or other. Results indicated that children’s causal explanations were mostly behavioral and symptomatic, with more biological explanations for older children than for younger. In contrast, adults’ explanations were mostly biological and psychogenic. Although adults were influenced by concepts in Chinese traditional medicine that tie negative emotions to illness, Chinese children did not mention emotional causes for illness. Nonetheless, Chinese children also offered some explanations based on concepts of “wind” and “cold,” which may be a result of cultural experience with some aspects of traditional Chinese medicine.

Shanghuo Syndrome in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Abstract “Shanghuo”, a traditional concept in Chinese medicine, has no specific physiological indicators and varies from person to person. It is a physiological process of uncoordinated responses to stresses and a disorder of homeostasis with physical and mental fatigue syndromes. “Shanghuo”, caused by inner factors, is not a disease. However, if “Shanghuo” is not treated on time, it will cause physiological dysfunctions, such as decreased immunity which may eventually lead to diseases. “Shanghuo” is also a psychological reaction. In addition to its impacts on the central neurotransmitter, it also induces energy metabolism disorders which can lead to fatigue. In Chinese medicine, “Shanghuo” is reversed by “xiehuo”. Although the purpose of “xiehuo” can be attained by reducing the workload, adjusting living habits and mental states and improving the living environment, these psychological adjustments alone may be far from enough. Therefore, it is necessary to administrate drug and food supplements to adjust the body according to different conditions of different people. Nowadays, physical stress is not the main factor of fatigue anymore with the modifications of modern working and living conditions. People are more susceptible to physical and mental fatigue, as well as “Shanghuo” caused by various kinds of stress sources, such as environmental changes, life style changes and physiochemical changes. In order to explain “Shanghuo”, this article reviews the study of stresses, describes the relationship between “Shanghuo” and stress, and provides references to the common phenomenon of “Shanghuo” in modern society.

Acupuncture Powered by Energy Techniques–22nd International Symposium on Acupuncture &amp; Electro‐Therapeutics

The 22nd International Symposium on Acupuncture and Electro-Therapeutics is the annual meeting and the main scientific event of research and teaching activity of the International College of Acupuncture & ElectroTherapeutics Research. The meeting is organized by Professor Yoshiaki Omura, Founder and Director of the College, Director of Medical Research in the Heart Disease Research Foundation. The Symposium is supported by the International College of Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research, by its official journal published by Cognizant Communication Corporation and by the Heart Disease Research Foundation. The International College of Acupuncture & ElectroTherapeutics Research is a non-profit international medical society dedicated to scientific investigation and to education of physicians and other health care professionals on the latest research findings and practical methods in acupuncture and related techniques. Scientific presentations at 22nd International Symposium on Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics addressed a multitude of topics relevant to physicians and scientists interested in acupuncture and related techniques. Presentations on advances in acupuncture research using the methods of basic science included the classical pharmacological experimental approach, structural and ultra-structural histological methods followed by clinical reports on the evaluation and treatment of a wide variety of diseases using acupuncture. The Symposium was focused primarily on body acupuncture according to the traditional Chinese meridian system, ear acupuncture and diagnostic techniques combining Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concepts with the modern scientific approach. The program consisted of various types of presentations: lectures, workshops, liveand videopresentations of patients, and live demonstrations of diagnostic and treatment techniques. The 4-day Symposium attracted researchers from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Korea, Russia, Serbia, Tibet, Turkey and USA. The intensive program was scheduled from 09:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. every day.

Integrating Tuina Acupressure and Traditional Chinese Medicine Concepts Into a Holistic Nursing Practice

The authors present the case of a ten-year-old Chinese boy who was taken to a hospital due to the presence of suspicious bruises on his body. The child was examined in the National Institute of Legal Medicine by forensic doctors and a forensic psychologist. Clinical characteristics of the case are summarized stressing that a better understanding of some kinds of integrative medicine (IM) may help to differentiate injuries resulting from those practices. This is the only and unique case diagnosed by the medico-legal services in Portugal.In fact a great range of IM practice has the potential to create confusion in the diagnosis of physical child abuse. This study focuses on the differential diagnosis of one specific kind of frequent skin injury usually seen in situations of both child abuse and IM (in this case TuiNa) - bruises.As the number of people who practice Traditional Chinese Medicine and other forms of IM increases in the Western world, the child protection community would benefit from familiarizing itselves with these practices to prevent social and/or legal conflicts that may arise from mistaken diagnoses of abuse.The objective of this case report is to emphasize the relevance of comprehensive and interdisciplinary evaluation of child abuse cases taking into account the specifics of each case, to achieve a proper diagnosis.

The Testing of Classical Pulse Concepts in Chinese Medicine: Left- and Right-Hand Pulse Strength Discrepancy Between Males and Females and Its Clinical Implications

The use of the radial pulse as a diagnostic tool is an important part of the Chinese medicine (CM) clinical evaluation. This study reports the findings of an investigation into inter-arm pulse strength differences in subjects and the relationship to traditional pulse claims relating to gender. Using a standardized pulse taking procedure and concrete operational definitions, two pulse assessors with a demonstrated high level of inter-rater agreement each assessed the overall left and right pulse strength and rated their findings on a standardized pulse form. The overall percentage of inter-rater agreement for manual assessment of dominant hand was 86% (based on a cohort of 65 subjects). In relation to the three possible choices regarding dominant side (right, neither, left) the right-hand side was most commonly selected as relatively strongest of the two regardless of gender (60% of males and 71% of females). Analysis of the data using Chi-square (II) found the observed frequencies for an assessor's rating of dominant hand in males were significantly different to those expected according to CM theory. The CM assumption of gender-related pulse-strength differences in left and right hand pulses was not supported within this study.

A Short Review of Acupuncture and Bronchial Asthma — Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine Concepts

Bronchial asthma, a chronic inflammatory airway disorder characterized by reversible airway obstruction, is traditionally managed by pharmacological intervention. Despite asthma receiving extensive global attention, the mortality rate remains at unacceptable levels. Over reliance on medication and associated adverse drug effects have led to exploration of alternative management modalities. The effects of acupuncture and moxibustion, a branch of traditional Chinese medicine, in the management of asthma have been extensively reported over the last few decades. This review provides a general overview of the Western and Chinese concepts of management of asthmatic symptoms and, in particular, the use of acupuncture in the management of asthma.

PII: S0022-3999(05)00165-0

This consensus statement is organized into six parts: 1) Definitions: cancer-related depressed mood state is defined as a group of depressive symptoms, rather than major depressive disorder. Thus, “cancer-related depression” or “depressed mood state” is introduced as standard terminology and associated with the Chinese medicine concept of “yu zheng” (depression syndrome). 2) Pathogenesis: factors including psychological stress, cancer pain, cancer fatigue, sleep disorders, surgery trauma, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are strongly associated with cancer-related depressed mood state. Crucial elements of pathogenesis are cancer caused by depression, depression caused by cancer, and the concurrence of phlegm, dampness, and stasis from constrained liver-qi and spleen deficiency. 3) Symptoms: these include core symptoms, psychological symptoms, and somatic symptoms. Depressed mood and loss of interest are the main criteria for diagnosis. 4) Clinical evaluation: based on the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview and a numeric rating scale, and taking mood changes during cancer diagnosis and treatment into consideration, a questionnaire can be drafted to distinguish between major depressive disorder and cancer-related depression. The aim is to assist oncology clinicians to identify, treat, and refer patients with cancer-related depression. 5) Diagnosis: diagnosis should be based on the Chinese Classification for Mental Disorders (CCMD-3), taking patients' mood changes during diagnosis and treatment into consideration. 6) Treatment: treatments for cancer-related depression must be performed concurrently with cancer treatment. For mild depression, non-pharmacologic comprehensive therapies, including psychological intervention, music therapy, patient education, physical activity, and acupuncture, are recommended; for moderate depression, classical Chinese herbal formulas based on syndrome pattern differentiation combined with antidepressants are suggested; for severe depressive symptoms that have progressed to major depressive disorder, patients should be referred to a psychiatric clinician for specialized care.