280 Editorial electroacupuncture (EA) are mediated by opioid peptides in the periaqueductal gray, and that nitric oxide plays an important role in mediating the cardiovascular responses to EA stimuation through the gracile nucleus-thalamic pathway. In addition, we know that other substances, including serotonin, catecholamines, inorganic chemicals and amino acids such as glutamate and a-aminobutyric acid (GABA), mediate certain cardiovascular and analge- sic effects, without a clear understanding of their role. As a result, there is now increased interest in acupuncture health care, spawning further investigations in this field. Areas include processes of the sense of needling touch, transduction of needling stimulation signals, stimulation parameters and placebos. Toward higher centers, both, evidence and understanding of neurobiological processes of acupuncture research focus on recent developments of nitric oxide mediating acupuncture signals through the dorsal medulla-thalamic pathways. Acupuncture has been analyzed from a different angle by Lim’s group in a publication by Dong Lee et al. (4), where both basic and clinical approaches have been examined. Bee venom acupuncture (BVA) is often referred to as a kind of ‘herbal’ acupuncture. After administration, it exerts pharmacological actions from the bioactive compounds isolated from the bee venom. Moreover, there is the added benefit of a mechanical function derived from acupuncture stimulation. Dong Lee et al. declare that BVA is growing in popularity, especially in Korea, as it is used primarily for relief of pain in many diseases. To underscore its importance, this group summarized and evaluated evidence of BVA in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. They used various computerized literature searches (e.g. PUBMED, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library), focusing on basic science and clinical trials of BVA for arthritis. Moreover, the team examined two leading Korean journals (The Journal of Korean Society for Acupuncture and Moxibustion and The Journal of Korean Oriental Medicine). They found 67 studies, 15 of which met their criteria, two of which in turn investigate the anti-inflammation and analgesic actions of BVA. Both actions were confirmed with several animal arthritic models. For clinical analyses, two randomized controlled trials and three uncontrolled clinical trials showed that BVA was effective in treating arthritis. Although the use of BVA in treating arthritis is a promising area also for future research, there is already unchallenged but limited evidence demonstrating efficacy of BVA in arthritis. Rigorous trials that include (i) large sample sizes, (ii) adequate design, (iii) optimal dosage and (iv) concentration of BVA must be employed in order to define its role, exemplifying the benefit of rigorous basic science approaches to clinical problems. Lewith and his group (5) analyzed acupuncture in a manner that resembles that of Ma (3). Lewith et al. systematically researched the literature, examining the effect of acupuncture on brain activation as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography. Results revealed that specific, and largely predictable, areas of brain activation and deacti- vation occurred when considering the traditional Chinese functions attributable to certain specific acupuncture points. As an example, points associated with hearing and vision stimulated the visual and auditory cerebral areas. Pain, however, is a complex matrix that is inti- mately intertwined with expectation. Thus, the authors found that acupuncture clearly affects this matrix in both specific and non-specific ways that were consistent with specific clinical effects of pain. Moreover, they observed an effect of the expectation of the relief of pain. Using properly supported CAM to treat pain in pedi- atric populations has increased considerably in recent years, according to Tsao and Zeltzer (6). Usage is espe- cially pertinent for chronic conditions such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and cystic fibrosis, where pain pres- ents a significant problem. Tsao and Zeltzer assert that despite the growing popularity of CAM to treat pediatric pain, concerns about the efficacy of these interventions remain. What then are the efficacy of CAM interventions for pain symptoms in children? CAM modalities have been analyzed, as revealed in recent publications includ- ing controlled trials and/or multiple baseline studies that focused on either chronic or acute, procedural pain. Efficacy of CAM interventions was evaluated according to the framework developed by the American Psycholo- gical Association (APA) Division 12 Task Force on Promotion and Dissemination of Psychological Proce- dures. Results revealed that, according to these criteria, only one CAM approach (self-hypnosis/guided imagery/ relaxation for recurrent pediatric headache) qualified as an empirically supported therapy (EST). However, this did not rule out the fact that many may be considered possibly efficacious or promising treatments for pediatric pain. Once certain methodological limitations are resolved, there seems to be promising improvement for future avenues of research. In conclusion, I would like to stress the need for more CAM approaches to clinical problems, of course recog- nizing the pitfalls and the rewards if sufficient support is offered. This includes adequate support and proper examination of all parameters that surround the future efficacy of a particular trial. One possible approach to study design is to consider the extensive instructions provided by OUP for designing and ultimately publishing the outcomes of successful clinical trials. For that pur- pose, provided herein is an excerpt from the extensively