Objective: To observe the effects of moxibustion at Huantiao (GB30) acupoint on nerve repair, regeneration, and function in rats with sciatic nerve injury (SNI), and explore the possible mechanism of SNI improvement via moxibustion. Methods: A total of 70 specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to control group (n = 10) and model group (n = 60). Following replication of SNI to model group rats, 60 SNI model rats were randomly allocated to SNI groups of 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d and moxibustion groups of 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d with 10 rats in each group. Moxibustion groups were given moxibustion at the Huantiao (GB30) acupoint on the affected side with a 5 cm distance from the skin under isoflurane respiratory anesthesia and treated once a day for 20 min for 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d, respectively. Control and SNI groups were anesthetized with isoflurane daily for 20 min. Open field tests and thermal pain threshold tests were conducted, and the general condition of rats was observed in each group pre-modeling and on treatment day 1, 3, and 7. At the end of the treatment, immunofluorescence was used to detect the axonal growth rate, axonal growth density, and Schwann cells (SCs) proliferation in the middle 1-mm cross-section of the crush injury segment in rats. The gastrocnemius muscles on both sides of the rats were taken and weighed to calculate the wet weight ratio of the gastrocnemius muscles on both sides to observe the muscle atrophy of the rats, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathomorphological changes of the gastrocnemius muscles on the affected side. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), interferon (IFN), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), interleukin (IL)-4, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in the sciatic nerve tissue of the rats. Results: After modeling, rats in both moxibustion and SNI groups showed typical signs of pain behaviors (bending and curling of the hind soles of the affected side, licking claws, and lameness) and decreased activity compared with control group. The main benefits of moxibustion were evident from day 3: compared with SNI group, rats in moxibustion group had marked relief of pain behavior, increased activity levels and movement, and a lower response to thermal pain. At the same time, moxibustion significantly promoted the repair of SNI, as evidenced by the significantly better axonal growth rate, growth density, and SCs proliferation density in the crush injury segment compared with SNI group (P < 0.01). Moxibustion also regulated the local microenvironment of the injury, up-regulated the pro-nerve repair factors NGF, IL-4, and TGF-β (P < 0.05), and down-regulated the pro-inflammatory factors IFN-γ (P < 0.01) and MIF (P < 0.05). By day 7, the histomorphology of the gastrocnemius muscle in moxibustion group was improved, as indicated by enlarged muscle fibers, elevated regular myocyte morphology and wet weight ratio of the affected and unaffected sides (P < 0.05), as well as a sustained high expression levels of NGF, IL-4, and TGF-β (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, and P < 0.01, respectively), and a maintenance of low level of IFN-γ (P < 0.01). Concurrently, the MIF level was not significantly different from SNI group (P > 0.05). Conclusion Moxibustion at the Huantiao (GB30) acupoint effectively improves motor function and promotes recovery of sensory function and nerve regeneration in SNI rats, which may be related to the regulation of local inflammatory response, the promotion of nerve growth factor expression, the improvement of regenerative microenvironment, and the acceleration of SCs proliferation and axonal growth rate in damaged nerves.

Objective:To observe the effect of large pushing Tianheshui manipulation intervention on the body temperature of young rabbits with endotoxin-induced fever and discuss its antipyretic mechanism.Methods:Thirty-two young rabbits meeting the standards were selected from 40 ordinary young male New Zealand rabbits after being adapted for 7 d,and randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,a large pushing Tianheshui group,and an ibuprofen group according to the random number table method,with 8 rabbits in each group.Rabbits in the model group,the large pushing Tianheshui group,and the ibuprofen group were subjected to preparing the endotoxin-induced fever model by intravenous lipopolysaccharide from the marginal ear vein.Rabbits in the large pushing Tianheshui group received Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)manipulation intervention 1.5 h and 2.5 h after modeling,respectively.Rabbits in the ibuprofen group were intragastrically given ibuprofen suspension 1.5 h after modeling.The dynamic changes in body temperature were observed for the young rabbits after fever modeling.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the content changes in positive mediators of hypothalamic body temperature,including prostaglandin(PG)E2 and cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP),as well as negative mediators of hypothalamic body temperature,including arginine vasopressin(AVP)and α-melanocyte stimulating hormone(α-MSH).Results:The body temperature of the young rabbits in the model group was significantly higher than that in the normal group at 0.5-4.0 h,5.0 h,and 5.5 h after modeling(P＜0.01),showing two obvious fever peaks in the model group at 1.5 h and 3.0 h after modeling,respectively,with the highest peak at 1.5 h.Compared with the model group,body temperatures of the large pushing Tianheshui group and the ibuprofen group decreased significantly after 0.5 h of intervention(P＜0.05).Compared with the normal group,the contents of PGE2 and cAMP were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the contents of AVP and α-MSH were significantly decreased(P＜0.01)in the hypothalamus of the model group.Compared with the model group,the contents of PGE2 and cAMP were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the levels of AVP and α-MSH were significantly increased(P＜0.01)in the hypothalamus in the large pushing Tianheshui group and the ibuprofen group.There were no significant differences in the PGE2,cAMP,AVP,and α-MSH contents in the hypothalamus between the ibuprofen group and the large pushing Tianheshui group(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Large pushing Tianheshui manipulation has a significant antipyretic effect on endotoxin-induced fever in young rabbits.The mechanism may be related to inhibiting the positive regulators(PGE2 and cAMP)and promoting the negative regulators(AVP and α-MSH)of hypothalamic control of body temperature.

In order to improve the teaching quality of -, the author valued the students' ability as guidance and purpose, analyzed the characteristics of the curriculum design and the selection of teaching materials, and proposed 3 teaching modules consisted of theory, practical training and application of acupuncture- moxibustion. Hereafter, it was constantly summarized and improved to realize the goal of curriculum knowledge, ability and quality. The reform method of the curriculum design, teaching content and method of - in traditional Chinese medicine was preliminarily explored.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Curriculum ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Moxibustion

Objectvie: To observe the law of heat transfer in Zusanli during the process of moxibustion. Methods: Thetemperature change of Zusanli was detected by self-made high-precision temperature sensor while moxibustion on lowerextremities acupoints on six meridians of foot in healthy volunteers for fifteen minutes, the temperature change curve andtemperature change rate curve were drawn with Origin software. Results: Temperature change curve of Zusanli was thebiggest when moxibustion on acupoints in stomach meridian of foot yangming, especially for Shangjuxu acupoint.Whenthe acupoints near the level of Zusanli are moxibusted, the temperature change curve of Zusanli changes obviously.Temperature change rate curves of Zusanli were basically in coincidence when moxibustion on lower extremities acupoints on six meridians of foot, and it had a downward trend. Conclusion: Heat transfer between meridians andacupoints have propagated sensation along channel, regional characteristics, consistency of transmission rate, in theprosess of moxibustion.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect difference between acupuncture and moxibustion for functional dyspepsia (FD).

METHODSSixty patients with FD were randomized into an acupuncture group (29 cases with 1 rejecting) and a moxibustion group (27 cases with 3 dropping). The corresponding manipulations for 4 courses were applied at Zhongwan (CV 12) and Zusanli (ST 36) in the two groups, continuous 5 times as 1 course with 2 days between two courses, once a day and total 20 times. Leed's dyspepsia questionnaire (LDQ) and Nepean dyspepsia index (NDI) were tested before and after treatment, and safety was evaluated.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the total LDQ scores decreased in the two groups (both<0.01), with statistical different value between the two groups (<0.05). Upper abdominal pain, early satiety, epigastric burning in the acupuncture group were improved more obviously compared with those in the moxibustion group (all<0.01). The NDI scores in the two groups increased after treatment (both<0.01), without statistical different value before and after treatment (>0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture and moxibustion are effective for FD and acupuncture shows superiority.

Based on the understanding of TCM and western medicine on diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), the relationship between DPN pathogenesis and blood stasis of TCM is discussed from the perspective of modern medicine. It is indicated blood stasis is the key pathogenesis to DPN, and a two-step acupuncture treatment of DPN from the theory of blood stasis is proposed. The first step is to analyze the pathogenesis of blood stasis, which could block the progress of the disease and diminish the symptoms. The second step is to apply acupuncture for pathological result of blood stasis by following the principle of, as a result, the purpose of treating both symptoms and root cause is achieved.

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of wheat grain-sized cone moxibustion combined with fire needle therapy in the treatment of dorsal wrist ganglion (DWG). Methods:A total of 63 patients with DWG were randomized into a treatment group (n=32) and a control group (n=31). Cases in the control group were treated with fire needle therapy. Based on the therapy given to the control group, cases in the treatment group were additionally given wheat grain-sized cone moxibustion therapy. Then the therapeutic efficacies and recurrence rate were evaluated. Results:After treatment, the overall effective rate was 93.8% in the treatment group, versus 77.4% in the control group, and the between-group comparison showed a statistical significance (P<0.05); 6 months after the treatment, the recurrence rate in the treatment group was obviously lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion:The long-term and short-term effects of wheat grain-sized cone moxibustion combined with fire needle therapy in the treatment of DWG are better than those of fire needle therapy alone, and therefore, worth popularizing.

Objective: To explore the correlation between moxibustion sensation and distance of moxa stick and provide reference for clinical practice. Methods: A total of 16 healthy volunteers aged 18-35 years old in college were recruited and given mild moxibustion at Shousanli (LI 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Shenshu (BL 23) and Tianshu (ST 25) with moxa stick, and the occurrence and frequency of moxibustion sensation were recorded at distances of 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm and 2 cm. Mild moxibustion scale was used to count the score. Results: Warm was the main moxibustion sensation, burning pain and soreness decreased with the rise of distance; for the same acupoint, score of mild moxibustion scale increased with the decrease of distance; score ranged between 5.5 and 6.5 at distance 3 cm, which was the most comfortable distance for volunteers. Conclusion: The distance of 3 cm is the most comfortable distance in mild moxibustion.

Objective: To compare and analyze functional brain response characteristics by applying acupuncture or moxibustion to Zusanli (ST 36) in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) and investigate the differences of central action mechanism resulting from acupuncture or moxibustion. Methods: A total of eligible 24 FD cases were divided into two blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) sequences for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan. The amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) analyses were conducted on the data of location phase, structure phase, resting state before acupuncture/moxibustion, working state during acupuncture/moxibustion and resting state after acupuncture/moxibustion using Data Processing Assistant for Resting-State fMRI (DPARSF) software. Results: Acupuncture and moxibustion produced significant differences in functional brain response. The working state during acupuncture/moxibustion mainly decreased ALFF values in the right supramarginal gyrus, right superior parietal lobule, right frontal gyrus, upper right occipital lobe, right precuneus and right cingulate gyrus. At the same time, it increased ALFF values in the left cerebellum, right caudate nucleus, right cerebellum and left inferior gyrus. The differences during the resting state after acupuncture/moxibustion were significantly smaller than the working state in intensity and size. It mainly resulted in decrease in ALFF values in the right postcentral gyrus and right supramarginal gyrus and increase in ALFF values in the left precuneus, orbital part of inferior frontal gyrus and right cerebellar peduncles. Conclusion: Needling and moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) can produce significant differences in immediate functional brain response.

Objective: To explore the beneficial regulatory effect of mild moxibustion from different distances at Zusanli (ST 36) of healthy population on the functions of temperature-related brain regions. Methods: In 20 recruited healthy subjects, the change of the temperature-related brain regions induced by mild moxibustion from different distances at Zusanli (ST 36) was observed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Results: In comparison of the values in amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) during and before moxibustion, it has been found that in moxibustion of 2 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the left anterior cingulated cortex and lateral surrounding cerebral regions, and fALFF value decreased in the cerebral regions of the peripheral cortex of the calcarine fissure; in moxibustion of 3 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the right and medial side and paracingulated gyrus, and fALFF value decreased in the cerebral zone of the left middle temporal gyrus; in moxibustion of 4 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the right and medial and paracingulated gyrus; and in moxibustion of 5 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the left hippocampus. In comparison of the value of regional homogeneity (ReHo), it has been found that in moxibustion of 2 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the cerebral zone of the posterior lobe of the right cerebellum, and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right occipital lobe; in moxibustion of 3 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the brain regions of the left cerebellar posterior lobe and left frontal lobe, and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right inferior temporal gyrus; in moxibustion of 4 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the brain regions of the right superior frontal gyrus and ReHo value decreased in the brain regions of the right parietal lobe and angular gyrus; in moxibustion of 5 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the cerebral zone of the right frontal lobe and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right brainstem. Conclusion: In moxibustion of 3 cm distance, the changes in the brain regions basically conform to the transmission route of body trunk temperature.