A historical review:NSFC's achievements on her 20^(th) anniversary

Top-level forum on -"Scientific Frontier and China's Opportunities in the 21st Century" was held by NSFC in Beijing. Roughly 200 attendees, covering leaderships of scientific foundations from 7 different countries such as USA, Germany, Japan, and Russia etc., as well as

The History of Controlling and Treating Infectious Diseases in Ancient China

Infectious diseases are the common enemies of mankind.In the course of historical development,they persistently threaten human health and safety.Even today,despite the developments in medical science,we cannot escape the fear and suffering caused by infectious diseases.Whether in ancient or modern times,the source of infection,route of transmission,and a susceptible population are the three key conditions for the prevalence and spread of infectious diseases.All factors closely related to these three conditions can affect the prevalence of infectious diseases.China is one of the cradles of world civilization.The ancient people accumulated a great deal of experience and lessons in the long struggle against infectious diseases.In the face of the current threat posed by widespread infectious disease,it is imperative to review and summarize ancient Chinese ideas and health policies on epidemic prevention and control to inspire contemporary efforts in the prevention and control of infectious disease.The combination of prevention-oriented epidemic prevention ideology and traditional medicine provides valuable insights,especially for impoverished and medically underserved regions.

The riddles of number nine in Chinese medicine processing method

The“nine cycles of steaming and shining”,“nine making”,“nine turns”and“nine cycles of calcining and quenching”methods that are recorded and used since ancient times are merely one aspect of the unique processing methods of traditional Chinese medicine.Inducing the Chinese medicine processing method“nine cycles of steaming and shining”from historical review and summarizing the practical wisdom based on the canonical aspects of traditional Chinese medicine and the experiences of ancient Chinese medicine sages to promote the new development of traditional Chinese medicine.After the long-term and multiple“nine”processing,the materials of traditional Chinese medicine exhibit significant beneficial changes in terms of taste,efficacy,and chemical composition contents,thus emphasizing that Chinese medicine processing plays a significant role in their efficacy enhancement and toxicity reduction.Heshouwu(Polygoni Multiflori Radix),Dihuang(Rehmanniae Radix),Huangjing(Rhizoma Polygonati),Dahuang(Radix et Rhizoma Rhei),and Xixiancao(Herba Siegesbeckiae)are representatives of Chinese medicinal materials prepared using the“nine-system”processing method.This review discovers the aim and the molecular mechanism of“nine”processing of the abovementioned herbs from the viewpoints of modern pharmacochemistry and pharmacology to provide a theoretical support for the“nine”processing method of traditional Chinese medicine and to promote the international market of traditional Chinese medicine.

Between Tangibility and Intangibility——A Review on Conservation Planning and Its Implementation in the Historical City of NanJing

The conservation plan for the famous historical and cultural city of Nanjing was prepared since several yearsago.The plan,being an integral component to enrich comprehensive planning of the city,has been workingeffectively through the planning structure to direct the development of Nanjing.However,upon further analysis,au-thors of this article feel that this plan still has its own deficiences and drawbacks in exploring indepth the city’scultural origin,in selecting the essentials while discarding the dross and in blazing new trails based on the rich legacyof the past.These aspects need to be further investigated and to illustrate these points,two scenic belts are proposedto be included into the conservation plan.