Stomach Meridian Of Foot-Yangming Research Articles

Analysis on acupoint selection rules in the treatment of metabolism-associated fatty liver disease based on data mining.

To explore the rules of acupoint selection in the treatment of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) with acupuncture and moxibustion by using data mining technology. The clinical research literature on acupuncture treatment of MAFLD was collected from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, VIP Database and China Biology Medicine from their inception to November 20, 2022. According to our inclusion and exclusion criteria, the literature was independently screened and re-screened by two research members, and the screened results were checked, followed by establishing an acupoint prescription database using Excel 2019. Descriptive statistics of acupoints applied frequency, involved meridians, locations and specific acupoints were perpormed. Then, SPSS Modeler18.0 software was used to conduct analysis about association rules, and the SPSS Statistics 26.0 software was used to perform cluster analysis on high-frequency acupoints, exploring the characteristics and rules of acupoint selection and combination in the treatment of MAFLD. Totally, 178 papers were collected, containing 130 acupoints, with a total application frequency of 1 305. The top five acupoints are Zusanli (ST36), Fenglong (ST40), Ganshu (BL18), Taichong (LR3) and Sanyinjiao (SP6). The commonly involved meridians are the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming, Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang, and Spleen Meridian of Foot Taiyin. The employed acupoints are mostly located in the lower limbs and abdomen, and the five Shu acupoints and crossing acupoints are in the majority. The association rule analysis of high frequency acupoints indicated that of the 16 qualified acupoint groups, the top 5 with close correlation degrees are ST36 and ST40, ST36 and LR3, ST36 and SP6, ST40 and LR3 and ST36, ST36 and SP6 and ST40. Further, 3 effective clusters were obtained by cluster analysis. Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of MAFLD follows the therapeutic principles of soothing the liver, invigorating the spleen, tonifying the kidney, and resolving phlegm and removing dampness. The core acupoint group is ST36, ST40 and LR3, and the combination of acupoints is based on syndrome differentiation. These results may provide a useful reference for clinical practice.

Regularities of acupoint compatibility and application characteristics of methods of needling and moxibustion in the treatment of ankle sprain based on complex network analysis

To analyze the compatibility regularities of acupoints and the application characteristics of needling-moxibustionmethods in the treatment of ankle sprain by using complex network technology, so as to provide the basis and treatment ideas. The clinical research articles on acupuncture treatment of ankle joint sprain published from November 2011 to November 2021 were retrieved from databases of CNKI, Wanfang Data knowledge service platform, VIP information Chinese journal service platform and PubMed by using key words of "acupuncture""moxibustion" "acupuncture and moxibustion" "ankle injury" "ankle sprain" "injured ankle" and "syndesmotic injuries". After screening these articles according to our inclusion and exclusion criteria, a database of acupuncture treatment of ankle sprain was established. Then, analysis on the occurrence frequency of acupoints and their related meridians, and methods of needling manipulation, and the association rule analysis (quantitative analysis) about the closeness between acupoints, and the degree of support and confidence coefficient were conducted for acquiring the acupoint combinations with higher correlation in the compatibility using Apriori algorithm after modeling (with IBM SPSS Modeler18.0 software). Gephi 0.9.2 software was used to make complex network analysis, for which "k-core hierarchical analysis" and "community analysis" were used as the methods to analyze the network structure of acupoints, and the confidence value was used as the index to measure the importance of acupoints. A total of 201 articles meeting the criteria were collected, including 196 articles in Chinese and 5 in English. A total of 236 acupuncture prescriptions were extracted, involving 61 acupoints, with a total frequency of occurrence being 846. The top 10 acupoints were Ashi point, Kunlun (BL60), Jiexi (ST41), Qiuxu (GB40), Shenmai (BL62), Yanglingquan (GB34), Taixi (KI3), Zhaohai (KI6), Xuanzhong (GB39) and Shangqiu (SP5), with the occurrence frequency being 109, 79, 70, 68, 63, 59, 53, 52, 37 and 34, respectively. The results of descriptive analysis showed that the top 5 meridians were Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-shaoyang, Bladder Meridian of Foot-taiyang, Kidney Meridian of Foot-shaoyin, Stomach Meridian of Foot-yangming and Spleen Meridian of Foot-taiyin, with the frequency being 181, 153, 116, 105 and 53, respectively. Complex network analysis displayed that after "k-core hierarchical analysis" and "Community division", two communities were reserved, mainly involving 15 core acupoints such as Ahshi point, GB40, ST14, BL62, GB34, KI6, BL60, KI3, GB39, Zusanli (ST36), SP5; Taichong (LR3), Zulinqi (GB41), Sanyinjiao (SP6) and Rangu (KI2). The results of association rule analysis showed that the most relevant acupoint combination is "BL60-ST41" (support degree 34.83％), followed by "BL60-KI3" (support degree 26.37%), reflecting the principle of selection of local acupoint for ankle sprain. The therapeutic methods are filiform needle acupuncture, and the reducing technique and uniform reinforcing and reducing manipulation are the most commonly used approaches, but the reinforcing method is rarely used. In the treatment of ankle sprain, local acupoints and Ashi points are mainly used, in combination with reducing or uniform reinforcing and reducing manipulations, as well as the method of needling and moxibustion, which provides a good reference for clinical practice.

Efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for simple obesity in adults: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy compared to non-acupuncture therapy in the treatment of simple obesity in adult. Randomized clinical trials concerning acupuncture and moxibustion therapy as a treatment of simple adult obesity were searched in the following Chinese and English databases: Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, WanFang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Medline and Cochrane Library. Two researchers independently screened suitable literature according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and evaluated the quality of included studies using the Jadad score scale. After that, data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.1 software, Stata 17.0 software and SPSS 25.0 software. A total of 14 studies involving 1116 adults with simple obesity were included in the meta-analysis. Results revealed that BMI, body weight, waist circumference, total effective rate, triglyceride in the acupuncture group were superior to those in the non-acupuncture group, while there was no statistical difference in improving low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein and total cholesterol. As to the selection of acupoints, the acupoints of the stomach meridian of Foot Yangming have the highest frequency of use, with a frequency of 30 times, accounting for 35%. The acupoints can be divided into three clusters: the first category: RN9-SP9-SP6-RN4; the second category: ST40-RN6-SP15-ST36; the third category: ST25-RN12. Acupuncture and moxibustion is effective in treating adult simple obesity; however, due to the low score of the included studies, we still expect the results of higher-quality literature to provide a higher-level evidence-based basis for clinical decision-making. Furthermore, for the treatment of adult simple obesity, acupoints analysis revealed that Tianshu (ST25), Zhongwan (RN12), Zusanli (ST36), Fenglong (ST40) and Qihai (RN6) can form the basis for the treatment of simple obesity in adult.

Analysis on clinical application characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of Meniere's disease based on topology model by complex network

To analyze the application characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion in clinical treatment of Meniere's disease by using complex network technology, so as to provide evidence for selecting acupoints, needling and moxibustion methods and treatment ideas. Articles both in English and Chinese published from the inception of databases of CNKI, Wanfang VIP, Chinese biomedical literature database (SinoMed), PubMed, Embase, EBSCO (Academic Search Pre-mier), Web of Science and Ovid to April of 2021 were retrieved by using key words "acupuncture" or "moxibustion" or "acupuncture and moxibustion" and "Meniere disease" or "Meniere's syndrome" or "Ménières vertigo" or "otogenic vertigo" or "auditory vertigo", followed by screening the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and establishing a database of clinical li-terature about acupuncture treatment of Meniere's Disease with software Epidata 3.1. Then, the descriptive analysis was conducted first, followed by association rule analysis using SPSS Modeler 18.0, and complex network analysis using Gephi 0.9.2 software. A total of 232 articles were included, containing 152 acupoints [97 body acupoints as Baihui (GV20), Fengchi (GB20), Neiguan (PC6), etc., 28 otopoints as Ershenmen (MA-TF1), Shen (MA-SC), etc., 20 scalp points as Yunting Area, 7 extra-points as Sishencong (EX-HN1), Taiyang (EX-HN5), etc.] which were used to be a total frequency of 1 569. Descriptive analysis showed that the main meridians were the Governor Vessel, Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming, Trienergizer Meridian of Hand Shaoyang, and Gallbladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang. Acupuncture was the most commonly used therapy for Meniere's disease. The association analysis showed that the most relevant combination of acupoints was GV20 and GB20, GV20 and PC6, reflecting the principles of local acupoint selection and combination of local and distant acupoints. Finally, "K-core Analytic Hierarchy Process" and "Community Analysis" revealed that 3 core acupoint groups were most frequently used in clinical treatment of Meniere's disease, including 1) auricular acupoints, as MA-TF1, MA-SC, Neier(MA-L), Zhen(MA-AT) and Pizhixia(MA-AT1), 2) acupoints of the 14 meridians and extra-points, as Tinggong(SI19), Yifeng(TE17), GB20, 3) acupoints of the Shaoyang meri-dians of hand and foot, as Shuaigu (GB8), Tinghui (GB2), Zhongzhu (TE3), Ermen (TE21), etc. The principle of acupoint selection is mainly based on the combination of acupoints along the meridians and local areas, while paying attention to the coordination among the auricular points, scalp acupoints and extra-points, which may provide a reference for the clinical treatment and scientific research on acupuncture treatment of Meniere's disease.

Complex network analysis on regularities of acupoint combinations and application characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis

To analyze the regularities of combination of acupoints in the existing clinical trial literature by using complex network technique, so as to provide reliable evidence for selecting appropriate acupoint recipes in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with acupuncture and moxibustion therapies. Clinical papers about acupuncture treatment of KOA published from January of 2000 to April of 2020 were searched from Chinese and English databases including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, Pubmed and ScienceDirect by using keywords of "acupuncture", "moxibustion" and "knee osteoarthritis". According to the inclusive and exclusive criteria, the collected papers were screened out to set up a database. SPSS Modeler18.0 software was used to analyze the association rules of acupoints (including the core acupoint nodes and compatibility relationship), and Gephi0.9.2 software was employed to conduct a complex network analysis about the compatibility rules of acupoints and their application characteristics of moxibustion and needling methods in the treatment of KOA (shown by a complex network schematic diagram). A total of 444 acupuncture prescriptions were extracted, including 6 single-acupoint prescriptions (1.35%) and 438 multiple-acupoint prescriptions (98.65%). A total of 112 acupoints were involved, with the application frequency of 3 389. Among them, the application frequency of the Neixiyan (EX-LE4)is the highest (354 times, 10.45%), followed by Dubi (ST35), Xuehai(SP10), Yanglingquan(GB34), Liangqiu(ST34), Zusanli(ST36), etc. The mainly involved meridians are the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming and the Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin. The involved specific acupoints are the Five-shu (stream) acupoints, being the most commonly used, followed by the crossing points, and lower confluent (sea) acupoints. In the treatment of KOA with acupuncture and moxibustion, the regularities and characteristics of acupoint combinations (acupoint prescriptions) are: 1) often selecting local acupoints at the lower limbs, 2) frequently applying the Five-shu acupoints (specific acupoints), and 3) matching the acupoints of the outside meridians and inside meridians, especially those of the Spleen Meridian and Stomach Meridian.

A Data Mining-Based Analysis of Core Herbs on Different Patterns (Zheng) of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Objective To explore the role of Chinese prescriptions in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and provide references for the application of herbs and prescriptions. Methods Randomized and quasirandomized controlled clinical trials on Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of NSCLC were collected from seven databases to establish a database of prescriptions on NSCLC. Data-mining analyses were performed by RStudio (v4.0.3) software. Results A total of 970 prescriptions were obtained from 945 included studies, involving 7 syndromes and 428 herbs. The main patterns of NSCLC included qi deficiency pattern, yin deficiency pattern, blood deficiency pattern, kidney deficiency pattern, heat toxin pattern, phlegm-dampness pattern, and blood stasis pattern. High-frequency herbs on NSCLC were Astragali Radix (Huangqi), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizome (Baizhu), Glycyrrhizae Radix Rhizome (Gancao), Poria (Fuling), Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong), Hedyotidis Diffusae Herba (Baihuasheshecao), Codonopsis Radix (Dangshen), and Glehniae Radix (Beishashen). The properties of the herbs were mainly cold, warm, and mild. The flavors of the herbs were mainly sweet, bitter, and pungent. The main meridian tropisms were Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin, Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin, and Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming. Conclusion Applying clearing and tonifying method by targeting the lung and spleen was the most frequently used therapy in the treatment of NSCLC. This study offered a glimpse of unique views of traditional Chinese medicine on NSCLC and may benefit the treatment of NSCLC.

Analysis of clinical application patterns in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of Alzheimer disease

To summarize the clinical application patterns in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of AD by reviewing the clinical literatures on acupuncture-moxibustion for Alzheimer disease (AD) published between January 2009 and December 2019. China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang), Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP), Chinese Medicine Acupuncture-moxibustion Information Database, PubMed Medical Data Retrieval Service System, Springer Database and Ovid Technologies (OVID) were retrieved to screen clinical studies of acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of AD according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria to conduct quantitative, clustering and association analyses. In acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of AD, the frequently used points were Baihui (GV 20), Zusanli (ST 36), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Taixi (KI 3), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), and Neiguan (PC 6) in the descending order. Regarding meridians, the most frequently used one was the Governor Vessel, followed by the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming and Gallbladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang. From the perspective of body regions, the points in the head-face region and the lower-limb region had the highest frequencies, followed by the upper-limb, back and chest-abdomen regions. The point group, Baihui (GV 20) and Sishencong (EX-HN 1)-Neiguan (PC 6)-Sanyinjiao (SP 6), showed the most significant association, and the group winning the second place was Baihui (GV 20) and Sishencong (EX-HN 1)-Neiguan (PC 6)-Zusanli (ST 36). The clustering analysis showed that the commonly used point pairs included Zusanli (ST 36)-Sishencong (EX-HN 1) and Taixi (KI 3)-Sanyinjiao (SP 6), which were closely associated with Baihui (GV 20). By analyzing the three commonly used acupuncture-moxibustion methods, acupuncture plus medication was found achieving the best result in the total effective rate and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score, followed by monotherapy of electroacupuncture therapy, and these two methods were superior to acupuncture alone (P<0.05); the scores of MMSE, Alzheimer disease assessment scale-cognitive section (ADAS-cog) and activity of daily living scale (ADL) showed significant improvements after treatment (all P<0.01). In the acupuncture-moxibustion prescriptions for AD, the main points are Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taixi (KI 3). Monotherapy of acupuncture has the highest frequency amongst the treatment methods, but its effective rate is lower than that of acupuncture plus medication and monotherapy of electroacupuncture.

Data Mining-Based Analysis of Chinese Medicinal Herb Formulae in Chronic Kidney Disease Treatment

Background Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has long been used to treat chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Asia. Its effectiveness and safety for CKD treatment have been confirmed in documented studies. However, the prescription rule of formulae for Chinese medicinal herbs is complicated and remains uncharacterized. Thus, we used data mining technology to evaluate the treatment principle and coprescription pattern of these formulae in CKD TCM treatment. Methods Data on patients with CKD were obtained from the outpatient system of a TCM hospital. We established a Chinese herb knowledge base based on the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the Chinese Materia Medica. Then, following extraction of prescription information, we deweighted and standardized each prescribed herb according to the knowledge base to establish a database of CKD treatment formulae. We analyzed the frequency with which individual herbs were prescribed, as well as their properties, tastes, meridian tropisms, and categories. Then, we evaluated coprescription patterns and assessed medication rules by performing association rule learning, cluster analysis, and complex network analysis. Results We retrospectively analyzed 299 prescriptions of 166 patients with CKD receiving TCM treatment. The most frequently prescribed core herbs for CKD treatment were Rhizoma Dioscoreae (Shanyao), Spreading Hedyotis Herb (Baihuasheshecao), Root of Snow of June (Baimagu), Radix Astragali (Huangqi), Poria (Fulin), Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Baizhu), Radix Pseudostellariae (Taizishen), and Fructus Corni (Shanzhuyu). The TCM properties of the herbs were mainly being warm, mild, and cold. The tastes of the herbs were mainly sweet, followed by bitter. The main meridian tropisms were Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin, Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyi, Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin, Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming, and Kidney Meridian of Foot-Shaoyin. The top three categories were deficiency-tonifying, heat-clearing, and dampness-draining diuretic. Conclusion Using an integrated analysis method, we confirmed that the primary TCM pathogeneses of kidney disease were deficiency and dampness-heat. The primary treatment principles were tonifying deficiency and eliminating dampness-heat.

Analysis on the distribution of pressure- and heat-sensitive acupoints in patients with allergic rhinitis

To explore the distribution of pressure- and heat-sensitive acupoints of the Large Intestine of Hand-Yangming, Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming and the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin below the elbow and knee joints in patients with allergic rhinitis, so as to explore the positive reaction points at the body surface of allergic rhinitis. Thirty variant rhinitis volunteer subjects and 30 healthy subjects were recruited in the present study. The subcutaneous induration, reaction points of emptiness-like feeling or pressing pain below the elbow- and knee-joints along the Large Intestine Meridian, Stomach Meridian and the Lung Meridian were inspected first, then re-examined by using heat-sensitized moxibustion method and a hand-held pain threshold tester (mechanical pressure), respectively. The frequency and coincidence rate of pressing-pain sensitive and heat-sensitive points were analyzed. In the 30 patients with allergic rhinitis, 10 positive reaction points as Kongzui (LU6), Chize (LU5), Hegu (LI4), Quchi (LI11), Shousanli(LI10), Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), Fenglong (ST40), Xiajuxu (ST39), and non-acupoint of the Lung Meridian were found. Among them, the duration of heat-sensitive reaction in the LU6, LI10, ST37, ST40, and ST39 regions was obviously shorter in patients than in healthy subjects (P<0.01,P<0.005). The heat-sensitive forms of the positive reaction points were mainly heat transmission, heat-penetration and local reaction. The mechanical pain thresholds of the positive reaction points (LI4, LU6, LI10, LI11 and non-acupoint of the Lung Meridian) at the upper limbs and those (ST36, ST37 and ST40) at the lower limbs were evidently lower in patients than in healthy volunteer subjects (P<0.05). The pressure- and heat-sensitive acupoints were basically coincide in the patients, but being higher in patients than in healthy subjects in the frequency of occurrence. The mechanical pain threshold of the pressure-sensitive acupoints in patients was remarkably lower on the left side than on the right side of the upper limb, and obviously higher on the left side than on the right side of the lower limb (P<0.05). No significant differences were found between the right and left sides in the pain threshold in healthy subjects (P>0.05). There is a high overlap in the distribution of pressure- and heat-sensitive acupoints of the Lung, Large Intestine and Stomach meridians below the elbow and knee joints in patients with allergic rhinitis, and there is an imbalance between the left and right limbs in the mechanical pain threshold of the pressure- and heat-sensitive acupoints, but needing being further confirmed.

Exploration on acupoint-selection patterns based on data mining for the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis

Objective: To analyze the features and patterns of acupoint selection in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) by data mining technique. Methods: Relevant clinical studies published before 25 June, 2017 were searched in databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang). Results: A total of 122 papers were included, involving 69 points. It was found that the top three points on the frequency list were Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Weishu (BL 21). The points selected were distributed in 11 meridians, in which the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming, Conception Vessel, and Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang ranked the top and accounted for 74.0% of the total frequency. Of the involved specific points, Five Shu-Transmitting points, crossing points and Back-Shu points ranked the top, accounting for 47.1%. The analysis of association pattern has shown that Zusanli (ST 36) and Zhongwan (CV 12) won the highest support rate in the paired groups; Zusanli (ST 36), Weishu (BL 21) and Zhongwan (CV 12) had the highest support rate among the point groups. The Five Shu-Transmitting points and the Lower He-Sea points had the highest support rate among the specific point groups. Conclusion: The data mining results of the studies on acupuncture-moxibustion for CAG are substantially in line with the acupuncture-moxibustion treatment theories in traditional Chinese medicine. The results can reflect the acupoint selection patterns in treatment of CAG and provide reference for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of CAG in clinic.

Distributive regularity of pressing sensitive acupoints in chronic non-atrophic gastritis patients

To compare the distribution regularity of the pressure-sensitive acupoints in patients with chronic non-atrophic gastritis (CNAG) and healthy subjects, so as to provide suitable acupoint combinations for clinical treatment. A total of 120 volunteer subjects including 60 CNAG patients (29 men and 31 women, (40.7±10.3) years at the average age) and 60 healthy subjects (28 men and 32 women, and (40.8±10.2) years at the average age) were enrolled in the present study. The pressure-sensitive acupoints were checked by a fixed operator using his finger pulp along the body trunk and the four limbs and marked on a prepared human dermatome graph. The number of pressing sensitive acupoints were counted, and the relationship between the distribution of the detected sensitive acupoints and the position of meridians and nerve segments was analyzed. The incidence of pressure-sensitive acupoint in CNAG patients and healthy subjects were 86.7% and 15.0%, respectively. In 60 CNAG patients, the most frequently met sensitive acupoints were Xuehai (SP10), Zhongwan (CV13), and Zhongting (CV17) in sequence, mainly covering the Conception Vessel, Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin (SP), and the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming (ST). The sensitive acupoints presented a nerve-segmental distribution within T7-T10 and L3-L5. The pressure-sensitive acupoints present a nerve-segmental distribution and have a higher corresponding rate with some meridians related to the stomach, especially under diseased conditions.

Distribution of Moxibustion-induced Thermosensitive Acupoints of Yangming Meridians in Patients with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

To examine the distribution of heat-sensitive acupoints below the elbow and knee joints of the Yangming Meridians in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR)．. A total of 27 PAR volunteers 16－55 years in age were recruited in the present study. In a quiet room, the patient was ordered to take a recumbent or sitting position, and the operator held an ignited moxa-stick to make a circling (about 2 min), sparrow-pecking (2 min) and forwards-backwards moving (1 min) moxibustion perpendicularly over the skin (about 3 cm away) along the running course of the Large Intestine Meridian of Hand Yangming below the elbow joints and the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming below the knee joints on both sides. The procedures were repeated again and again until the moxibustion sensation disappeared. The patient was asked to carefully perceive the heat diffusion, diathermic, extending, athermal (cool and itching) feelings, at the heated loci. If one or more of the feelings appeared, it was considered as the thermosensitive phenomenon and that spot was marked as the "thermosensitive spot" or "thermosensitive acupoint"．. In those 27 PAR patients, the thermosensitive response was found at Quchi (LI 11), Shousanli (LI 10), Hegu (LI 4), Sanjian (LI 3), and Zusanli (ST 36), constituting 59.25% (16/27), 85.18% (23/27), 44.44% (12/27), 55.55% (15/27), and 11.11% (3/27), respectively, being 92.59% in total. Of the 27 patients, 2, 2, 9, 8, 5 and 1 cases had 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 thermosenitive acupoints appeared, accounting for 7.41%, 7.41%, 33.33%, 29.63%, 18.52% and 3.70%, respectively. There is a certain occurrence rate of the thermosensitive acupoints below the elbow and knee joints of the Yangming Meridians in PAR patients, which may provide a target-point for treating PAR.

The theoretical basis, experimental verification and significance of revealing meridians

In this paper, scientific theory was used to prove that the meridian was the resonant channel of information energy of life, and experiment and demonstration was performed to reveal meridians to explore the significance of revealing meridian. Based on the theory of physics, biochemistry, molecular biology and information theory, the essence of meridian was demonstrated in theory. According to TCM meridian theory, acupuncture was applied at selected acupoints; the infrared thermograms of stomach meridian of foot yangming, large intestine meridian of hand yangming, small intestine meridian of hand taiyang, pericardium meridian of hand jueyin, heart meridian of hand shaoyin, triple energizer meridian of hand shaoyang, liver meridian of foot jueyin, bladder meridian of foot taiyang were recorded before and after acupuncture. As a result, thermogram recorded and showed the visual image of the meridian. It is indicated that an energy transmission network which cannot be dissected existing in the body, which was believed to be meridian. It was the resonant channel of information energy of life, and could be shown by thermogram. These experiments and theory have significance in science.

Analysis of the Characteristics of Acupoint Selection in the Treatment of Gout by Acupuncture

To summarize and analyze the compatibility laws and the characteristics of acupoint selection in the treatment of gout by acupuncture over the past 16 years. "Gout" and "acupuncture" or "electroacupuncture" were used as search terms in the CNKI, VIP, Wanfang and PubMed databases to retrieve relevant literature. The frequency of the main acupoints and auxiliary acupoints were summarized, respectively. Association rule and hierarchical clustering analysis were used to analyze the possible rules for selecting the main acupoints. One hundred and eighteen studies met the inclusiven criteria, and involved 67 main acupoints with a frequency of all points of 630. The most commonly used acupoints were Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Ashi point, Zusanli (ST 36), Yinlingquan (SP 9), and Taichong (LR 3). The main acupoints mainly belonged to the Spleen Meridian of Foot-taiyin, Stomach Meridian of Foot-yangming and Liver Meridian of Foot-jueyin. Association rule analysis showed that Ashi point, Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) had the highest correlation of all the selected acupoints. The cluster analysis showed five core clustering groups. Acupuncture treatment of gout focuses on acupoints along meridians and the acupoints around the affected joint. The main principles in the treatment of gout are invigorating Spleen, tonifying Kidney, dissipating dampness, resolving blood stasis, clearing away heat, removing toxic substances, soothing Liver, regulating qi, dredging collaterals and relieving pain.

Data mining for points-selection rules in acupuncture treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia

To explore and analyze the points-selection rules in acupuncture treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH) by data mining and statistical method. Clinical literatures about the treatment of MGH with acupuncture published in the recent 16 years were retrieved from Chinese Journal Full-text Database (CJFD) and established into a database by Excel. The SPSS 20 version software and Clementine 12.0 version software were adopted to analyze the frequency and association rules of points-selection in the treatment of MGH with acupuncture. The top 3 points used most frequently in acupuncture treatment of MGH were Danzhong (CV 17), Taichong (LR 3) and Zusanli (ST 36); points from the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming and Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin were most commonly used; the commonly selected points were predominantly distributed in thoracic and abdominal regions and lower limbs; emphasis on the combination use of local and distal points; of the specific points, the five Shu-Transmitting points were mostly used; association analysis showed that the associations among Taichong (LR 3), Danzhong (CV 17) and Zusanli (ST 36) were the most significant. The data mining results substantially accord with the general rules of acupuncture-moxibustion theories in traditional Chinese medicine, able to reflect the points-selection principles and features in acupuncture treatment of MGH and provide evidence for the points selection in the treatment of MGH in acupuncture clinic.

1H NMR-based Investigation of Metabolic Response to Electro-Acupuncture Stimulation

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy that has been found useful for treating various diseases. The treatments involve the insertion of fine needles at acupoints along specific meridians (meridian specificity). This study aims to investigate the metabolic basis of meridian specificity using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR)-based metabolomics. Electro-acupuncture (EA) stimulations were performed at acupoints of either Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming (SMFY) or Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang (GMFS) in healthy male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. 1H-NMR spectra datasets of serum, urine, cortex, and stomach tissue extracts from the rats were analysed by multivariate statistical analysis to investigate metabolic perturbations due to EA treatments at different meridians. EA treatment on either the SMFY or GMFS acupoints induced significant variations in 31 metabolites, e.g., amino acids, organic acids, choline esters and glucose. Moreover, a few meridian-specific metabolic changes were found for EA stimulations on the SMFY or GMFS acupoints. Our study demonstrated significant metabolic differences in response to EA stimulations on acupoints of SMFY and GMFS meridians. These results validate the hypothesis that meridian specificity in acupuncture is detectable in the metabolome and demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of a metabolomics approach in understanding the mechanism of acupuncture.

Professor WANG Yin's academic thoughts and clinical application of acupuncture for spleen-sto-mach care

Professor WANG Yin's academic thoughts and clinical application for difficult and miscellaneous di-seases, especially acupuncture for spleen-stomach care, are introduced. Based on TCM basic theory and "ten needles for elderly" by WANG Yueting, Professor WANG Yin proposes the acupuncture for spleen-stomach care. In this method, three-element acupoint selection is applied; the conception vessel, spleen meridian of foot taiyin and stomach meridian of foot yangming were selected. The deep and penetration acupuncture with 0.4 mm×100 mm elongated needles is used at Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6) and Zigong (EX-CA 1), and the mild reinforcing-reducing method is used at remaining acupoints. According to the severity of diseases, fire acupuncture combined with blood-letting cupping is applied at Tianshu (ST 25), Xuehai (SP 10) and Yinlingquan (SP 9); gene-rally, two acupoints are selected and 1 to 3 mL blood-letting is appropriate. The modification based on this me-thod can be applied for various difficult and miscellaneous diseases, leading to superior efficacy.

Using datamining approaches to selectacupoints in acupuncture and Moxibustion for knee osteoarthritis

Background: Acupuncture and moxibustion are traditional Chinese medicine therapies commonly used to treat knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Although acupoint selection affects the effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion, the basic rules of acupoint selection are little understood and there is a lack of guidelines regarding prescription. In this study, we used data mining approaches to investigate the principles of acupoint selection and provide a framework for formulation prescription in acupuncture and moxibustion for clinical treatment of KOA.Materials and Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Citation Index, Wanfang database, VIP database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched for randomized controlled clinical trials published in English or Chinese from January 1, 2009 to October 1, 2015 evaluating the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on KOA. Databases were established. Frequency statistics and association rule were used to extract and analyze the data.Results: A total of 876 acupuncture prescriptions and 122 acupoints were included in the analysis. Acupoints were concentrated in acupoints of fourteen meridians. The most frequently used acupoints were Dubi (ST35), Neixiyan (EX-LE4), Yanglingquan (GB34), Xuehai (SP10), Liangqiu (ST34), Zusanli (ST36), Yinlingquan (SP9), and Ashi point. The most frequently used meridian was Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming. Acupoints were concentrated mainly in the lower limbs. 42 acupoint pairs occurred frequently, and the top acupoint pairing was Dubi (ST35) and Neixiyan (EX-LE4).Conclusion: Acupoint selection and formulation prescription should focus on locally affected areas, and follow the theory of meridians, which helps establish guidelines for acupuncture and moxibustion in KOA patients.Key words: acupuncture and moxibustion, knee osteoarthritis, acupoint, data mining technology

USING DATA MINING APPROACHES TO SELECT ACUPOINTS IN ACUPUNCTURE AND MOXIBUSTION FOR KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Background: Acupuncture and moxibustion are traditional Chinese medicine therapies commonly used to treat knee osteoarthritis&#x0D; (KOA). Although acupoint selection affects the effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion, the basic rules of acupoint selection&#x0D; are little understood and there is a lack of guidelines regarding prescription. In this study, we used data mining approaches to&#x0D; investigate the principles of acupoint selection and provide a framework for formulation prescription in acupuncture and&#x0D; moxibustion for clinical treatment of KOA.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Citation Index, Wanfang database, VIP database, and China National&#x0D; Knowledge Infrastructure were searched for randomized controlled clinical trials published in English or Chinese from January 1,&#x0D; 2009 to October 1, 2015 evaluating the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on KOA. Databases were established.&#x0D; Frequency statistics and association rule were used to extract and analyze the data.&#x0D; Results: A total of 876 acupuncture prescriptions and 122 acupoints were included in the analysis. Acupoints were concentrated in&#x0D; acupoints of fourteen meridians. The most frequently used acupoints were Dubi (ST35), Neixiyan (EX-LE4), Yanglingquan (GB34),&#x0D; Xuehai (SP10), Liangqiu (ST34), Zusanli (ST36), Yinlingquan (SP9), and Ashi point. The most frequently used meridian was&#x0D; Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming. Acupoints were concentrated mainly in the lower limbs. 42 acupoint pairs occurred frequently,&#x0D; and the top acupoint pairing was Dubi (ST35) and Neixiyan (EX-LE4).&#x0D; Conclusion: Acupoint selection and formulation prescription should focus on locally affected areas, and follow the theory of&#x0D; meridians, which helps establish guidelines for acupuncture and moxibustion in KOA patients.

Survey on acupuncture treatment of neurogenic dysphagia and analysis of regularity of acupoint selection

To understand the general situation of clinical study on acupuncture for neurogenic dysphagia and the regularity of acupoint selection by literature analysis. By searching the relevant Chinese and English literature on acupuncture treatment of neurogenic dysphagia from 1999 to 2014 in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database and Ovid Gateway, the data of the recruited literature, including average age of the patients, acupoint selection, course, therapeutic effects and follow-up information, were input into the data table of Microsoft Excel 2010. Totally, 51 articles were input, involving 4 606 patients. The average course of acupuncture treatment for neurogenic dysphagia was 24.8 d. The average retaining time of the needles was 26.2 min. The average total effective rate was 91.2%. Lianquan (CV 23), Fengchi (GB 20), Fengfu (GV 16) and Yifeng (TE 17) were the most commonly used acupoints from the regular meridians, accounting for 63.4% of the totally-used acupoints. Jinjin (EX-HN 12) and Yuye (EX-HN 13) were the most commonly used acupoints from the extraordinary meridians, accounting for 45.9% of the totally-used extraordinary acupoints. The frequently-used meridians in turns were the Conception Vessel, Gallbladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang and Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming, accounting for 63.3% of the involved meridians. The therapeutic effect of acupuncture treatment for neurogenic dysphagia was satisfactory. The acupoints were Lianquan (CV 23), Fengchi (GB 20) and Fengfu (GV 16) in predominance, and they were mostly selected from the Conception Vessel, Gallbladder Meridian and Stomach Meridian those are in close relationship with the throat and neck. Keywords: Acupuncture Therapy; Dysphagia; Literature; Point Selection