It attempts to determine the theoretical connotation and clinical application of the twelve-meridian based syndrome/pattern differentiation of TCM through the systematic analysis and elaboration, so as to promote the completion of meridian differentiation system. The exploration is conducted on the main body of traditional meridian-syndrome differentiation, meaning the meridian differentiation in terms of location of illness and that in terms of symptoms. The existing problems and causes are analyzed, and the specific methods of meridian differentiation put forward in line with the characteristics of meridian distribution and symptoms. In reference with Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperors' Canon of Medicine) and other ancient literature, the theoretical evidences of meridian differentiation are deeply analyzed in view of physiological/pathological characteristics that has been neglected in the past, such as qi and blood of meridians, opening, closing and pivoting, and time. Additionally, the category issues related to twelve-meridian differentiation and their relationship with six-meridian differentiation are expounded. The summary on the multiple connotations of twelve-meridian differentiation is of great significance on re-understanding meridians, perfecting meridian-collateral differentiation system and improving the accuracy on meridian-based treatment. Besides, the reconstruction of meridian differentiation and its framework is considered profoundly.
Meridians ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; History, Ancient ; Acupuncture Points ; Medicine in Literature

In 2012, a total of eight medical books were compiled from Tianhui medical bamboo slips unearthed in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, which for the first time, recorded bafa (ba technique) and acupuncture technique. Bafa is only found in Tianhui medical bamboo slips. Based on the records in medical bamboo slips, it is believed that the essential theory of bafa refers to an outlook of life for the harmony between form and spirit, meaning "the heart mind is the monarch of form". It is the initial view of physique centered on five-zang organs. In clinical application, bafa is used for prevention of diseases in four seasons, specially for wubi (five-bi disorders) and wufeng (five-wind disorders), covering a extensive parts of the body. Compared with the stone technique, "bafa must work on meridian points, while stone on meridians". Bafa is often used for deficiency syndrome, while stone technique is for excess syndrome. Hence, these two types of technique should be applied cautiously. It is speculated that bafa is an external therapeutic method based on the theory of meridian medicine in the Han Dynasty.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; China ; History, Ancient ; Meridians ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history* ; Books/history* ; Acupuncture Points ; Medicine in Literature

practice guideline ; literature ; diagnosis ; endometriosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Stigma remains a profound barrier to public health, particularly in managing diseases such as Hepatitis B, which is highly prevalent in hyperendemic regions like the Philippines. The social stigma associated with such health conditions can severely limit access to care and hinder adherence to treatment, exacerbating the overall disease burden. Despite the critical impact of stigma on health outcomes, there is a notable gap in the systematic evaluation of the tools used to measure stigma related to health conditions like Hepatitis B. This study aims to fill this gap by reviewing existing instruments for their methodologies, reliability, and validity to inform the development of a refined tool tailored to the Philippine context.

A systematic search was conducted across six databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Open Grey, DissOnline, Philippine Health Research Registry (PHRR), and Health Research and Development Information Network (HERDIN), following PRISMA guidelines. The search strategy focused on identifying quantitative and mixed-methods studies using questionnaires to measure HBV-related stigma and discrimination. Studies published between January 1, 1992, and December 31, 2023, were considered. The selection process involved screening for duplicates, reviewing titles and abstracts, and performing a full-text review based on predetermined eligibility criteria.

The initial search yielded 1,198 articles, with 24 duplicates removed. After title and abstract screening, 28 articles were considered for full-text review, resulting in 17 relevant articles in the final analysis with 15 unique instrumentations. The majority of studies employed cross-sectional designs (n=8), with a significant concentration in Asian countries (n=11), indicating a regional focus in HBV stigma research. The review identified a range of questionnaire methodologies, but most studies lacked specificity regarding the type of stigma measured. The Likert Scale was the most commonly used measurement tool, yet few studies provided cut-off values for stigma levels. Validity and reliability testing was reported in 12 articles, including pilot studies, Cronbach’s alpha, and factor analysis.

The lack of a universal methodology and specificity in existing instruments underscores the importance of developing a refined tool that can accurately capture the nuances of stigma and discrimination associated with HBV. The urgent need for standardized, reliable, and culturally sensitive questionnaires is evident, underscoring their importance in developing effective public health strategies and improving treatment outcomes for individuals living with HBV, especially in the Philippines.

BACKGROUND

The relationship between pandemics and climate change has emerged as a critical area of study, particularly underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed vulnerabilities in global health systems and environmental governance. Although direct evidence linking climate change to the spread of COVID-19 remains limited, rising global temperatures and ecosystem disruptions have intensified human–wildlife interactions, increasing the risk of zoonotic disease emergence.

This study aims to synthesize existing research on the interconnections between climate change and emerging infectious diseases, identify key knowledge gaps, and provide insights to guide integrated health and environmental policy development.

A systematic literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed articles published within the past two decades. Relevant studies were identified through scientific databases, focusing on evidence linking climate variability, ecosystem shifts, and zoonotic transmission dynamics.

Findings indicate that climate-induced changes—such as rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and habitat disruption—affect vector ecology and wildlife migration, facilitating conditions for pathogen spillover. However, existing research remains fragmented, with limited longitudinal analyses and region-specific data to quantify these associations.

The interconnectedness of human health, environmental health, and biodiversity underscores the need for a holistic One Health approach. Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and integrating climate resilience into public health strategies are vital to addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change and emerging pandemics.

The points of Chongmai (thoroughfare vessel) recorded in Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor 's Inner Classic) were shared with those of foot-shaoyin meridian in Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion). Since the Song Dynasty, all of these points were gradually reassigned to the foot-shaoyin meridian, in the way of "the points of foot-shaoyin meridian, and the confluence points of Chongmai ". The paper presents the evolution of the meridian tropism of these points and analyzes the underlying causative factors. It is proposed that Chongmai was developed in the later time, based on the abdominal pulsating blood vessels and mixed with the theories of other meridians that had been earlier formed. It is pointed that the functions of these points on the abdomen are extensive, without the clear meridian specificity. It is rational why the association of these points with meridian is ambiguous. Besides, the relevant theory and practice of this specificity also affect the evolution of the attribution of Chongmai points. Based on the above analysis, the paper presents the exploration on the theories and the problems of theoretic construction such as the relationship between meridians and acupoints, between the regular meridians and the extraordinary meridians, and the ways of the related expressions and descriptions.
Humans ; Meridians ; Acupuncture Points ; History, Ancient ; Medicine in Literature/history* ; China

Through analyzing the every textual research literature on the origin of the location method of ashi points, it is pointed out that the location method of ashi points has been generalized. It is known through systematic research and theoretical identification that this method refers to the simple way to locate the points, originated from the folk, and it is widely used to find the sites for pain relief when compared to the official education of meridians and acupoints, as well as treatment. At the time with the shortage of medical services and supplies, the poor people had no alternative, which results in a certain limitation. Modern acupuncture practitioners must associate ashi points with the acupoints of fourteen meridians and the extraordinary points in clinical practice, and deepen the exploration with modern medical knowledge and technology adopted.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Meridians ; History, Ancient ; Medicine in Literature ; China

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the disease patterns and acupoint selection characteristics of acupuncture for epilepsy in ancient acupuncture texts, providing references and ideas for clinical acupuncture treatment of epilepsy. METHODS: Texts from the Chinese Medical Classics (5th edition) regarding acupuncture for epilepsy are reviewed. The frequency of acupoints, meridian association, distribution, specific points, corresponding epilepsy subtypes, and needling techniques are statistically analyzed. The Apriori algorithm is used for association rule analysis, and a complex network analysis is conducted for high-frequency acupoints and their corresponding subtypes and treatments. RESULTS: A total of 205 acupuncture prescriptions are identified. Ancient texts favored differentiation-based treatments for epilepsy, primarily classified into epilepsy, wind epilepsy, and five epilepsy. Commonly used acupoints include Baihui (GV20), Jiuwei (CV15), Shenmen (HT7), Shenting (GV24), and Xinshu (BL15), with a focus on the acupoints of the governor vessel, the bladder meridian, and the conception vessel. The acupoints on the head, face are combined with the acupoints on the limbs, with skillful use of the five-shu points and intersection acupoints. The most frequent combinations are Shenmen (HT7)-Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV24)-Baihui (GV20), and Xinshu (BL15)-Shenmen (HT7). Visual network analysis revealed that Baihui (GV20)-Shenting (GV24), Baihui (GV20)-Shenmen (HT7), and Baihui (GV20)-Zhaohai (KI6) are core acupoint combinations. Treatment mainly involved moxibustion or combined acupuncture and moxibustion. CONCLUSION The acupoint selection for epilepsy treatment in ancient texts is precise, frequently using Baihui (GV20), Jiuwei (CV15), Shenmen (HT7), Shenting (GV24), and Xinshu (BL15), etc., with emphasis on calming epilepsy, awakening the spirit, relaxing tendons, and nourishing the heart.
Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Epilepsy/history* ; History, Ancient ; Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; Medicine in Literature/history* ; Meridians ; China

Professor LI Zhidao puts forward the application of "group acupoints" in his clinical practice by imitating the mutual reinforcement and mutual assistance of Chinese herbal medicine. It is based on the theory as "where is the acupoint located, what are the indications of this acupoint"; and consists with the specific actions of ancient needling techniques at acupoints. The distribution of "group acupoints" is in line with the "located by the region division of the head and trunk, and by the meridians on the four extremities", which is recorded in Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (the Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion). It shows "the importance of the relationship between acupoints and zangfu", and "the emphasis on the distribution of nerves and muscles" respectively. In clinical practice, controlling needling sensation is the essence of this technique at "group acupoints", the integration of acupoints and needling technique is the basic requirement, and the step-by-step needling manipulation is critical for obtaining the therapeutic effect. "Group acupoints" combined with specific needling technique advance the application efficiency and the effect of acupoints.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Humans ; China ; History, 20th Century ; Meridians ; Medicine in Literature ; Acupuncture/history*

The paper introduces Professor ZHUANG Lixing's academic thought on Daoqi Tongjing (directing qi to preserve essence) needling technique and the clinical experience. Based on Huangdi Neijing (the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic), Dongyuan needling technique and Professor JIN Rui 's Daoqi Tongjing needling method, and by inheriting the valuable experience from the ancient masters and associating with his own clinical practices, Professor ZHUANG Lixing fully displayes the characteristics of principles, methods, formulas, acupoints and techniques of acupuncture in diagnosis and treatment of diseases. He integrates the thought of regulating the mind with Daoqi Tongjing needling. This needling method focuses on directing qi through mind regulation and needle manipulation, in which, the operation steps are refined. Besides, this needling method involves both the reinforcing and reducing techniques. The satisfactory effect of this needling has been obtained in clinical treatment for many disorders such as qi reversion and disharmony of yin and yang.
Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; China ; Qi ; History, Ancient ; Medicine in Literature