The Channel Branches & Network Vessels on the Tianhui Lacquered Meridian Figurine——Taking the Heart-Regulated Channel as an Example

Along with the surge of unearthed medical literature and cultural relics in recent years,a network of channels in the system of medical conduit vessels(meridians) during the early Western Han dynasty has become much clearer gradually.In it,the increasing number of channel branches,network vessels and needle insertion holes(acupoints) is an important feature of the development of channel medicine during the Western Han dynasty.This is not only a reflection of the expanding requirements of the theoretical system of the main trunk channels and other vessels,but also an inevitable result of the continuous enrichment and accumulation of clinical experience.This article integrates the information about channel branches,network vessels,inscriptions,dots and further relics on the Tianhui(天回) Lacquered Meridian Figurine to compare the unearthed literature of the channel genre with the transmitted classical literature about acupuncture.The “Heart-Regulated Channel” in Medical Manuscripts on Bamboo Slips from Tianhui(《天回医简》) serves as an example to explain the occurrence,development and changes of the channel branches and network vessels in the early system of medical channels.

Scientific exploration and hypotheses concerning the meridian system in traditional Chinese medicine

The meridian theory is an important component of traditional Chinese medicine,playing a crucial role in disease diagnosis,treatment,and health preservation.Serving as the media for the effects of acupuncture,moxibustion,herbal medicine,and acupressure massage,meridians exert undeniable impact on the human body.However,the essence of meridians remains a topic of debate.Recent research has primarily focused on their anatomical structures,leading to numerous hypotheses.Simultaneously,other researchers have approached this subject from an energetic perspective,discovering information interactions within the meridian system.These findings suggest that meridians possess both physical and information dimensions,indicating that a singular approach to their study is insufficient.To bridge this gap,a shift from purely structural research toward an exploration of the information aspects of meridians is necessary.By integrating this information approach with traditional meridian theory,it may be possible to develop a new,modernized meridian theory that is aligned with contemporary concepts,making it more accessible and applicable in clinical settings.

Metabolic characteristics of Qi-Yin deficiency and heat stagnation in liver meridian patterns of dry eye based on tear metabolomics

Objective To explore the metabolic differences between dry eye patients with Qi-Yin defi-ciency and heat stagnation in liver meridian patterns,and clarify their metabolic characteris-tics.Methods Patients with dry eye who were treated in the Ophthalmology Ward and Outpatient Department of the First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine from October 1,2020,to October 30,2021 were enrolled as the research participants in the study.They were assigned to two groups based on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome types:heat stagnation in liver meridian pattern group and Qi-Yin deficiency pattern group.Healthy vol-unteers who underwent health check-ups in the Health Management Department were in-cluded as healthy group following the random number table method.The tears of the pa-tients and the healthy volunteer participants were tested by high-performance liquid chro-matography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS).The differential metabolites were screened out by multivariate statistical analysis,and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment was performed on the differential metabolites.Finally,the association analysis of differential proteins and metabolites was conducted to verify and supplement the metabolites.Results A total of 32 dry eye patients were enrolled,including 16 cases with heat stagnation in liver meridian pattern and 16 cases with Qi-Yin deficiency pattern.Fourteen healthy volun-teers were included as healthy group.There were no significant differences in baseline char-acteristics among the three groups(P>0.05).A total of 412 biomarkers were determined in Qi-Yin deficiency pattern group,mainly including lipids,lipid-like molecules,organic acids and their derivatives,organic heterocyclic compounds,and nucleosides and their analogues.For heat stagnation in liver meridian pattern group,112 metabolites were determined,main-ly including organic acids and their derivatives,lipids,and lipid-like molecules.The KEGG enrichment results of pathways and the relative content analysis of differential markers de-monstrate that purine metabolism and caffeine metabolism pathways are common metabol-ic characteristics of all dry eyes.Among them,deoxyinosine monophosphate(dIMP)and 2-(formamido)-N1-(5-phospha-D-ribosyl)acetamidine can serve as their biomarkers.The main characteristics of Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome pattern were the significant enhancement of metabolic pathways such as lysine degradation,ovarian steroidogenesis,cholesterol metabolism,pyrimidine metabolism,and bile secretion(P<0.05).Dry eye associated with the heat stagnation in liver meridian pattern is mainly characterized by inhibition of the valine,leucine,and isoleucine biosynthesis pathways(P<0.05).Conclusion Metabolomics can be used as an effective basis for TCM syndrome classification.Different patterns of dry eye syndrome exhibit typical characteristics in the types and concen-trations of metabolites,which correspond to the syndrome classification in TCM.This study initially confirms the rationality of TCM syndrome classification and provides significant ref-erence for the mechanism of dry eye and drug development.

Progress of International Meridian Circle Program

In 2024,the Chinese Meridian Project(CMP)completed its construction,deploying 282 instruments across 31 stations.This achievement not only provides a robust foundation but also serves as a reference template for the International Meridian Circle Program(IMCP).The IMCP aims to integrate and establish a comprehensive network of ground-based monitoring stations designed to track the propagation of space weather events from the Sun to Earth.Additionally,it monitors various disturbances generated within the Earth system that impact geospace.Over the past two years,significant progress has been made on the IMCP.In particular,the second phase of construction for the China-Brazil Joint Laboratory for Space Weather has been completed,and the North Pole and Southeast Asia networks are under active construction.The 2024 IMCP joint observation campaign was successfully conducted.To facilitate these developments,the scientific program committee of IMCP was established,following the success of 2023 IMCP workshop and the space weather school,which was co-hosted with the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization(APSCO)and sponsored by Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS)and Scientific Committee on Solar-Terrestrial Physics(SCOSTEP).Preparations are now underway for the 2024 workshop in collaboration with the National Institute for Space Research(INPE)in Brazil.

Construction and Research Progress of the Chinese Meridian Project in 2022–2023

The Chinese Meridian Project(CMP)is a major national science and technology infrastructure constructed in two steps.The first phase of the CMP has been operating for more than a solar cycle.From 2022 to 2023,utilizing the monitoring data collected by the CMP,scientists made major breakthroughs in fields of ionosphere,middle and upper atmosphere,and coupling between layers.The construction of the second phase of the CMP is nearly finished,and the project is expected to operate as a whole in 2025 after national acceptance of the second phase.The whole project was built in an architecture of so-called“One Chain,Three Networks and Four Focuses”.It is promising to make a three-dimensional observation of the whole solar-terrestrial space.The science community is looking forward to the great contribution of the CMP to space weather and space physics research.

The Idea of Treating Numbness of Lower Limbs after Stroke with Zhuang Medical Meridian Therapy by Regulating Shaoyang Meridian Tendons

Based on the understanding of lower limb numbness after stroke in Zhuang medicine, this study makes diagnosis and treatment of lower limb numbness after stroke from the clinical differentiation and treatment ideas of "numbness due to Shaoyang (lesser Yang)" through Zhuang Medicine Meridian Tendon Therapy. The triple therapy of meridian tendon Tuina+acupuncture+cupping originally created by Zhuang medicine and head bloodletting by Zhuang medicine were used to improve the numbness symptoms of patients. This provides a new thinking mode for acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of lower limb numbness after stroke.

Based on the Advantages of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy, the Multiple Exploration of the Correlation between the Meridians and the Circulatory System of the Nervous System

The meridians,nervous system,and circulatory system are important components of tra‐ditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine.The meridians have a high degree of consistency with the distribution of the nervous and circulatory systems in modern medi‐cine,and are closely related in the process of disease treatment.Therefore,people often confuse the three.Based on the great advantages of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of nervous system and circulatory system diseases,the author has made diver‐sified exploration on its relevance in terms of origin,physiological anatomy,physiological function and clinical application.It is believed that meridians have their relative indepen‐dence,and the nervous and circulatory systems cannot completely replace meridians.However,meridians are closely related to the nervous and circulatory systems,and in clinical practice,meridians can be combined with the nervous and circulatory systems to guide the treatment of diseases.

壮医经筋针刺联合壮药解毒止痛液治疗痛风性关节炎湿毒蕴结证临床观察

目的探讨壮医经筋针刺联合壮药解毒止痛液治疗痛风性关节炎(GA)湿毒蕴结证的临床效果。方法选择60例患者按就诊顺序随机分组,治疗组使用壮医经筋针刺联合壮药解毒止痛液治疗,对照组则单独口服氯诺昔康分散片治疗,均以7 d为1个疗程,持续3个疗程。观察两组治疗前后的临床效果、视觉模拟量表(VAS)评分、中医证候积分以及超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)表达水平。结果治疗组总有效率为90.00%(27/30),优于对照组的80.00%(24/30)(P<0.05)。治疗后,两组患者的VAS评分、中医证候积分及hs-CRP、IL-6表达水平均下降,且治疗组均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论壮医经筋针刺联合壮药解毒止痛液治疗GA湿毒蕴结证有较好的临床效果,能够降低患者hs-CRP、IL-6表达水平。这可能是该疗法的作用机制之一。

Alpha稳态噪声下基于Meridian范数的全变分图像去噪算法

在实际应用中,噪声不可避免,因此,图像去噪一直是图像处理领域研究的重点,并且近年来受到越来越多的研究者的青睐。该文首先基于Meridian分布和全变分(Total Variational,TV)的统计特性,提出一种全变分模型来复原alpha稳态噪声环境下的含噪声图像。此外,为了保证模型解的唯一性,对提出的全变分模型添加了一个二次惩罚项,得到一个严格凸的全变分模型,然后,使用原始-对偶算法对提出的全变分模型进行求解,并证明了该算法的收敛性。最后,进行了仿真实验,并对实验结果进行了分析,实验结果验证了提出模型的可行性与有效性。

RELATIONSHIP OF ACUPOINTS AND MERIDIANS TO CONNEXIN 43

Objective To explore the relationship between connexin 43 and acupoints and meridians. Methods we detected one major skin gap junction connexin （connexin43, Cx43） in meridians and acupoints, and studied the expression of Cx43 in Zusanli （足三里 ST 36） acupoints compared with control non-acupoint regions in rats after acupuncture treatments. The expression of Cx43 was detected by using immunohisto- chemistry, immunoblotting, and RT-PCR for Cx43 protein and mRNA level. Results The results showed much more abundant Cx43 expression in some cells in the skin and subcutaneous tissue of rat at ST 36 acupoints and bladder and kidney meridians than that of in the controls. The mRNA and protein levels of Cx43 in acupoints were significantly higher than those of in the control points in non-acupuncture groups and even more so after acupuncture treatments. Conclusion Our research implied that connexins and gap junctions could have a close relationship to acupoints and meridians, and gap junctional intercellular communication might play an important role in the effect of acupuncture.

ACUPOINT-LIKE STRUCTURE AND MERIDIAN-LIKE DISTRIBUTION ON THE BODY SURFACE OF PLATYFISH

Objective To probe into whether an acupoint-like and meridian-like structure was existed in platyfish. Methods Adult platyfish was put in 30 μM 4-Di-2-ASP water solution for 3 h, then, in pipe water for 20min, afterward, the fish was anesthetized in 10% aether water solution, and the fluorescent labeling was observed under fluorescent microscope with B-3A combination filter. Results The labels observed under the microscope were in round bright dot, a majority of dots were distributed separately and a part of them was in cluster （2- 5 dots/cluster） on various parts of the body in regular arrangement. The labels on the head were circularly distributed around the eye and two arches were formed posterior to the eye and in the inferior 3/4 quadrant. These two arches joined one arch in the anterior superior 1/4 quadrant. On the fish trunk, it was observed that the labels were distributed from the back to the abdomen along the longitudinal axis of the trunk, forming 6 lines, located on No. 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 scale rows successively on the dorsal part of fish. Each line was composed of 7 to 22 label clusters and 1 -5 labels were counted in each cluster. The labels were arranged as 3-4 lines on the tail. Conclusion 1） Acupoint-like and meridian-like structure was existed in platyfish. 2）The skin sensory organs of animal were not distributed evenly all over the body. Instead, a number of sensory organs were put together in cluster and a number of them were in linear distribution regularly along the long axis of the trunk, which was similar to the distribution of traditional meridians and acupoints.

MERIDIAN图像分析系统的特点及在遥感图像产品制作中的应用

ＭＥＲＩＤＩＡＮＩＡＳ是加拿大ＭＤＡ公司开发的一套基子ＶＡＸ／ＶＭＳ环境下的图像分析系统。对该系统的硬件环境、一般特点、特殊的几个作业及系统在遥感图像产品制作中的应用作了介绍。

CGCS2000坐标转换中控制点外延和中央子午线的影响分析

城市快速发展加快了已有测绘基础设施的破坏,机构改革的推进对成果共享提出了更高要求。针对平面四参数转换过程中参数计算点控制外扩能力、不同等级控制点选取、未知坐标系成果坐标转换工作中央子午线的选取,对转换参数的影响等地理信息成果坐标转换工作中的特殊情况进行了详细分析,并利用江苏某区域实测成果进行对比实验。研究成果对非传统测绘、国土等行业地理信息成果及历史存量地理信息成果的坐标转换工作具有参考价值。

基于经筋理论探讨针刀恢刺法治疗紧张型头痛伴帽状腱膜挛缩的应用

紧张型头痛是临床最常见的慢性头痛之一,主要表现为双侧轻中度压迫样或紧箍样头痛,发病多与生活中应激事件相关,其病因病理与肌筋膜激痛点有着密切联系。但当前临床研究主要以其伴随的情绪障碍症状为主,较少涉及局部腱膜组织病理改变方向。在临床实践中,发现部分明显筋结点的患者亦伴发有帽状腱膜挛缩症状。在经筋学说中“结筋病灶点”理论指导下,松解百会次、目窗次、率谷次等穴位,并结合局部筋结治疗点治疗,达到了舒筋解结、祛邪通痹的良好疗效。现基于经筋理论探讨其理论机制,为紧张性头痛的治疗提供新思路。

长蛇灸改善阳虚体质人群的质量评分及适宜体表温度研究

目的观察长蛇灸对改善阳虚体质人群质量评分的效果,探索其干预阳虚体质的适宜体表温度。方法将90例阳虚体质患者随机分为督脉长蛇灸组、膀胱经长蛇灸组、红外线组进行治疗,观察治疗前后三组患者阳虚质量评分及临床疗效,长蛇灸组使用温度记录仪记录施灸时体表温度并分析其与疗效的相关性。结果治疗后,三组阳虚质量评分均较前降低,且督脉长蛇灸组最优(P<0.05)。督脉长蛇灸组总有效率为80.00%(24/30),高于膀胱经长蛇灸组的53.33%(16/30)、红外线组的30.00%(9/30)(P<0.05)。膀胱长蛇灸组经治疗总有效者的体表温度高于无效者(P<0.05)。督脉长蛇灸组患者体表感知的热痛温度、耐受温度明显高于膀胱经长蛇灸组(P<0.05)。结论长蛇灸可有效改善阳虚体质,以督脉长蛇灸效果最好;灸效与体表温度呈正相关,但不是温度越高疗效越好,而是在患者适宜温度与耐受温度间,有一个稍高于体温的最佳温度阈值。

虎符铜砭循经刮痧联合皮肤再生技术治疗WagnerⅠ~Ⅲ级糖尿病足临床观察

目的分析虎符铜砭循经刮痧联合皮肤再生技术治疗WagnerⅠ~Ⅲ级糖尿病足的临床效果。方法选取江苏省连云港市赣榆区中医院老年科2020年3月—2022年10月收治的80例WagnerⅠ~Ⅲ级糖尿病足患者,利用抛币法分为两组,各40例。对照组采取传统治疗,观察组采取虎符铜砭循经刮痧联合皮肤再生技术治疗。分别在治疗前、治疗1个月后利用临床症状体征分级标准评分表测定临床症状体征积分,统计创面愈合指标以及治疗总有效率并进行对比。结果观察组创面愈合指标、治疗1个月后的临床症状体征积分优于对照组(P<0.05),治疗总有效率为100.00%(40/40),高于对照组的92.50%(37/40)(P<0.05)。结论在WagnerⅠ~Ⅲ级糖尿病足患者临床治疗中,虎符铜砭循经刮痧联合皮肤再生技术效果确切,能促进创面愈合及改善临床症状体征,可作为预选治疗方案推广使用。

银质针联合循经走罐法在神经根型颈椎病患者中医护理中的应用

目的探讨银质针联合循经走罐法在神经根型颈椎病(CSR)患者中医护理中的应用效果。方法选取2022年3月至2024年2月三门峡武强中医院收治的108例CSR患者,采用随机数字表按1∶1∶1比例分为对照1组、对照2组、联合组,各36例。均实施常规基础护理,在此基础上对照1组给予银质针中医护理,对照2组给予循经走罐法中医护理,联合组给予银质针联合循经走罐法中医护理,护理观察4周。比较三组疼痛视觉模拟法(VAS)评分、颈椎活动度、病情变化程度[颈椎病临床评价量表(CASCS)、颈椎功能障碍指数(NDI)]、不良反应。结果干预2周、4周后,联合组VAS评分低于对照1组、对照2组(P<0.05);干预4周后,联合组颈椎前屈、后伸、左旋、右旋活动度高于对照1组、对照2组(P<0.05);干预4周后,联合组CASCS评分高于对照1组、对照2组,NDI评分低于对照1组、对照2组(P<0.05);联合组不良反应发生率13.89%与对照1组8.33%、对照2组11.11%比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论银质针联合循经走罐法干预能显著改善CSR患者的疼痛程度和颈椎活动度,促进病情恢复,安全性较高。

基于一源三歧理论早期干预产后腹直肌分离症临床观察

目的探讨基于一源三歧理论早期干预产后腹直肌分离症的临床疗效。方法选择50例于2021年1月—2021年12月入住大连市妇女儿童医疗中心(集团)产后康复中心且存在腹直肌分离症(检测大于2 cm)的产妇作为观察组,门诊收治的50例腹直肌分离症患者作为对照组。观察组从产后15 d开始,根据“一源三歧”理论,给予电针治疗;对照组从产后42 d开始,使用神经肌肉刺激治疗仪治疗。两组均持续2个疗程(10次)。采用腹部触诊法、腹围测量、视觉模拟量表(VAS)分别评估腹直肌分离距离、产妇腹围恢复情况、腰背疼痛程度,评估临床疗效并进行统计分析。结果两组治疗后腹直肌分离距离、腹围均有缩减,腰背疼痛情况均有改善,且观察组更显著(P<0.05)。观察组总有效率为90%(45/50),高于对照组的76%(38/50)(P<0.05)。结论基于一源三歧理论取穴的电针治疗对腹直肌分离症的早期介入,可加快产后腹围、腹直肌恢复,并可减轻伴随的不适症状,降低宫内残留的风险,在产后康复方面具有积极作用。

Formation mechanism of propagated sensation along the meridians,as verified by cortical somatosensory-evoked potential topographic maps

The peripheral driver stimulating theory states that as a driver passes along a certain meridian during acupuncture; the driver provokes nerve sense devices along the meridian, resulting in the nerve impulse entering the central nervous system. Accordingly, volunteers have reported propagated sensations along the meridians （PSM）. The present study was designed to utilize a cortical somatosensory-evoked potential （CSEP） topographic map for determining whether stimulation expansion occurs in somatosensory area I when sensation was provoked in individuals with obvious PSM. The sensation was blocked by mechanical compression, and the sensation was imitated in individuals without PSM. Results revealed a red, high-potential signal in the representative area of the lower limbs in individuals with obvious PSM symptoms when the Gall Bladder Meridian （GBM） sensation passed to the head and face. This representative area was near the middle line of the CSEP topographic map, and a red, high-potential signal, which jumps over the representative area of the upper limbs, also appeared in the representative face area, which was at the external region of the CSEP topographic map. However, in individuals exhibiting no PSM, only a red high-potential signal appeared in the representative lower limb area. When Hegu （LI 4） was stimulated in individuals without PSM, an obvious evoked response appeared only in the representative upper limb area. However, when Hegu was stimulated in individuals exhibiting PSM, the response area was larger in the representative upper limb area and extended to the representative face area. When Guangrning （GB 37） was stimulated in PSM individuals, the face representation response disappeared and was confined to a foot representation of the somatosensory area I when PSM was blocked by mechanical pressure. Results suggested that mechanical compression blocked PSM, and corresponding changes were exhibited in the CSEP topographic map. These results provide compelling evidence for the hypothesis that peripheral driver stimulation is the key element in producing PSM.

Effect of acupuncture at Foot-Yangming Meridian on gastric mucosal blood flow, gastric motiiity and brain-gut peptide

AIM： To observe the effect of acupuncture at Foot- Yangming Meridian on gastric mucosal blood flow （GMBF）, gastric motility and brain-gut peptide. METHODS： Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups： normal control group, model group （group with gastric mucosal damage, GMD）, Sibai group （with acupuncture at Sibai point ＋ GMD）, Tianshu group （with acupuncture at Tianshu point ＋ GMD）, Zusanli group （with acupuncture at Zusanli point ＋ GMD） and non-acupoint group （with acupuncture at non-acupoint ＋ GMD）. The GMD model group was induced by infusing pure alcohol into gastric cavity. H2 Gas Clearance Test （HGCT） was used to measure GMBF, the frequency and amplitude of gastric motility were measured by the method of aerocyst, the content of brain-gut peptide in sinus ventriculi and bulbus medullae were detected by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS： Inhibitory effect of the frequency and amplitude of gastric motility were shown in model group, and the rates of frequency and amplitude changes were remarkably different from the normal control group （-19.41 ± 17.21 vs-4.71 ± 10.32, P 〈 0.05; -51.61 ± 29.02 vs 1.81 ± 14.12, P 〈 0.01）. In comparison with control group, the GMBF was 0.52 ± 0.161 mL vs 1.03 ± 0.255 mL per 100g tissue/min, P 〈 0.01, the content of motilin in sinus ventriculi and bulbus medullae was 63.04 ± 7.77 pg/mL vs 72.91 ± 8.42 pg/mL, P 〈 0.05 and 50.96 ± 8.77 pg/mL vs 60.76 ± 8.05 pg/mL, P 〈 0.05, but the content of somatostatin in sinus ventriculi and bulbus medullae was 179.85 ± 43.13 ng/g vs 90.54 ± 40.42 ng/g, P 〈 0.01 and 532.86 ± 122.58 ng/g vs 370.91 ± 76.29 ng/g, P 〈 0.05,respectively. In comparison with model group, the amplitude of gastric motility was 1.52 ± 20.13, -6.52 ± 23.31, 6.92 ± 25.21 vs -51.61 ± 29.02, P 〈 0.01 and GMBF was 0.694 ± 0.160 mL vs 0.893 ± 0.210 mL, 1.038 ± 0.301 mL vs 0.52 ± 0.161 mL per 100g tissue/rain, P 〈 0.01, respectively in Tianshu, Sibai and Zusanli groups, the content of motilin in sinus ventriculi and bulbus medullae was 71.64 ± 9.35 pg/mL vs 63.04 ± 7.77 pg/mL, P 〈 0.05; 58.96 ± 6.69 pg/mL vs 50.96 ± 8.77 pg/mL, P 〈 0.05 in Zusanli group and 72.84 ± 8.62 pg/mL vs 63.04 ± 7.77 pg/mL, P 〈 0.05 in Sibai group, while the content of somatostatin in bulbus medullae in Tianshu, Sibai and Zusanli groups was 480.62 ± 151.69 ng/g, 388.53 ± 155.04 ng/g, 365.76 ± 143.93 ng/g vs 532.86 ± 122.58 ng/g, P 〈 0.05, respectively. CONCLUSION： Electro-acupuncture at acupoints of Foot-Yangming Meridian could enhance the gastric motility, improve GMBF, and regulate the content of motUin and somatostatin in sinus ventriculi and bulbus. The effects of acupuncture on GMBF and gastric motility may be related to the content of brain-gut peptide.