[The "regulating conception-governor vessel" acupuncture method for infertility of polycystic ovarian syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical efficacy differences between"regulating conception-governor vessel" acupuncture method and clomiphene for infertility of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: One hundred patients of PCOS were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, 50 cases in each one. The patients in the observation group were treated with"regulating Conception-Governor Vessel" acupuncture method at Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), Zhongji (CV 3), Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3) and Yaoshu (GV 2). The acupuncture treatment started at the end of menstruation, once every other day; after four treatments, the follicle was tested with B ultrasound; when follicle was longer than 18 mm or above, the acupuncture treatment was given once a day until follicle was discharged and acupuncture treatment finished. The patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of clomiphene from 5 days into menstruation, 50 mg per day for 5 consecutive days. Both groups were treated for three menstruation cycle. The menstrual cycles, endometrial thickness, endometrium types (A, B and C), cervical mucus scores, basal body temperature (BBT), cases of ovulation, cases of pregnancy were observed.The levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), prolactin (PRL), progesterone (P) and testosterone (T) in serum were detected before and after the treatment. RESULTS: After the treatment, the menstrual cycles were shortened (both P<0.05),the endometrial thickness and cervical mucus scores were increased in the two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01); the improvement of endometrial thickness and cervical mucus score in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (both P<0.01). The percentages of type-A endometrium in both groups were higher than those before the treatment (both P<0.05); the number of type-A endometrium in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The ovulation rate was 88.0% (44/50) in the observation group, which was superior to 70.0% (35/50) in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of LH were reduced in the two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), which was more significant in the observation group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The"regulating Conception-Governor Vessel" acupuncture method could improve menstrual cycles, increase endomet-rial thickness and promote the development of follicles in PCOS patient; in addition, it could decrease serum LH level, improve the ovarian functions and increase ovulation rate, which is superior to oral administration of clomiphene.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease and risk for bipolar disorder: a nationwide population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that chronic inflammation may play a vital role in the pathophysiology of both gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and bipolar disorder. Among patients with GERD, the risk of bipolar disorder has not been well characterized. OBJECTIVE: We explored the relationship between GERD and the subsequent development of bipolar disorder, and examined the risk factors for bipolar disorder in patients with GERD. METHODS: We identified patients who were diagnosed with GERD in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. A comparison cohort without GERD was matched according to age, sex, and comorbidities. The occurrence of bipolar disorder was evaluated in both cohorts based on diagnosis and the prescription of medications. RESULTS: The GERD cohort consisted of 21,674 patients, and the comparison cohort consisted of 21,674 matched control patients without GERD. The incidence of bipolar disorder (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 2.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.58-3.36, P<.001) was higher among GERD patients than among comparison cohort. Multivariate, matched regression models showed that the female sex (hazard ratio [HR] 1.78, 95% CI 1.76-2.74, P = .008), being younger than 60 years old (HR 2.35, 95% CI 1.33-4.16, P = .003), and alcohol use disorder (HR 4.89, 95% CI 3.06-7.84, P = .004) were independent risk factors for the development of bipolar disorder among GERD patients. CONCLUSIONS: GERD may increase the risk of developing bipolar disorder. Based on our data, we suggest that attention should be focused on female patients younger than 60 years, and patients with alcohol use disorder, following a GERD diagnosis.

Protein-losing enteropathy after the Fontan operation: clinical analysis of nine cases.

BACKGROUND: Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a serious complication of a Fontan operation and has a very high mortality rate. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, laboratory findings, therapeutic modalities and outcome of patients with PLE at our institution. METHODS: The diagnosis of PLE was based on clinical manifestations and laboratory studies. We reviewed medical records of patients who received a Fontan operation at our hospital form July 1985 to October 2005. RESULTS: A total 101 patients underwent various modifications of the Fontan procedure during this period. Nine of the 75 patients (12%) who survived 30 days after surgery developed PLE, including 4 boys and 5 girls. The median time interval between the Fontan operation and onset of PLE was 3.7 years (range 1.2 to 9.7 years). Laboratory examination showed low serum albumin levels and increased fecal alpha-1-antitrypsin excretion. Lymphangiectasia was found on intestinal biopsy. Six patients had cardiac catheterization after development of PLE which demonstrated an elevated mean right atrium pressure (22.5 +/- 6.4 mmHg, range 16 to 33 mmHg) and mean pulmonary artery pressure (22.3 +/- 6.4 mmHg, range 16 to 33 mmHg). Treatment included diet modification, albumin infusion, diuretics, inotropes, corticosteroids, heparin, and surgery. Four patients received medical treatment only. Two of these patients died due to sepsis and heart failure and 2 survived with partial relief of PLE. The remaining five received surgery for PLE after medical treatment failure. Three of them died after the operation and the two survivors were free of PLE, but one died of ventricular tachycardia 8 years later. The overall mortality rate was 67% (6/9). CONCLUSIONS: The current treatment for PLE is associated with a very high mortality rate. Further investigation is needed to determine the exact mechanism of the disease and to develop new therapeutic approaches.

Hemichorea as a presentation of acute rheumatic fever.

There has been a decline in the incidence of acute rheumatic fever in recent decades in developed countries and in Taiwan. Sydenham's chorea, a major manifestation of rheumatic fever, was the most common cause of chorea in children in the past. But the incidence of Sydenham's chorea has declined in recent years in concert with the decline in rheumatic fever. Sydenham's chorea is usually bilateral and female predominant. Hemichorea is rare. We report on a 10-year-old boy who presented with progressive right side involuntary movements, an apical systolic murmur, prolonged PR interval, and elevated antistreptolysin O titer, who was diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever.

Reexpansion pulmonary edema following patent ductus arteriosus ligation in a preterm infant.

Reexpansion pulmonary edema (RPE) is rare and usually follows rapid reexpansion of a collapsed lung. We report on a preterm infant who developed pulmonary edema within an hour of surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). There were no other cardiac anomalies, fluid overload or airway obstruction to explain the change in clinical status. With supportive treatment the patient's condition became stable and was extubated within 48 hours. Lung retraction for better field exposure is often needed when performing PDA ligation in preterm infants. Reinflation of a retracted lung is thought to be the cause of our patient's pulmonary edema. We conclude that RPE, although uncommon, may occur following surgical ductal ligation and that clinicians should be aware of such a possible complication.