Surgical decompression for malignant cerebral oedema after ischaemic stroke.

Background: Large territory middle cerebral artery (MCA) ischaemic strokes account for around 10% of all ischaemic strokes and have a particularly devastating prognosis when associated with malignant oedema. Progressive cerebral oedema starts developing in the first 24 to 48 hours of stroke ictus with an associated rise in intracranial pressure. The rise in intracranial pressure may eventually overwhelm compensatory mechanisms leading to a cascading secondary damage to surrounding unaffected parenchyma.

Chinese herbal medicine for subfertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is characterised by both metabolic and reproductive disorders, and affects 5% to 15% of women of reproductive age. Different western medicines have been proposed for PCOS-related subfertility, such as oral contraceptives, insulin sensitisers and laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD). Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) have also been used for subfertility caused by PCOS for decades, and are expected to become an alternative treatment for subfertile women with PCOS.

The efficacy of using acupuncture in managing polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Purpose Of Review: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive disorder, which significantly impairs the fertility of 3-10% of women at reproductive age. It is getting very popular for women with PCOS to seek alternative therapies to treat PCOS, for example, acupuncture. This review examines the currently available evidence from the randomized controlled trial to guide future recommendation on using acupuncture to assist the treatment of PCOS.

Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is characterised by the clinical signs of oligo-amenorrhoea, infertility and hirsutism. Conventional treatment of PCOS includes a range of oral pharmacological agents, lifestyle changes and surgical modalities. Beta-endorphin is present in the follicular fluid of both normal and polycystic ovaries.

Chinese herbal medicine for subfertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common reproductive endocrinology abnormalities, and affects 5% to 10% of women of reproductive age. Western medicines, such as oral contraceptives, insulin sensitizers and laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD), have been used to treat PCOS. Recently, many studies have been published that consider Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) as an alternative treatment for women with PCOS.

Advance care planning for haemodialysis patients.

Background: End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is a chronic, debilitative and progressive illness that may need interventions such as dialysis, transplantation, dietary and fluid restrictions. Most patients with ESKD will require renal replacement therapy, such as kidney transplantation or maintenance dialysis. Advance care planning traditionally encompass instructions via living wills, and concern patient preferences about interventions such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation and feeding tubes, or circumstances around assigning surrogate decision makers.

Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is characterised by the clinical signs of oligo-amenorrhoea, infertility and hirsutism. Conventional treatment of PCOS includes a range of oral pharmacological agents, lifestyle changes and surgical modalities. Beta-endorphin presents in the follicular fluid of both normal and polycystic ovaries.

The association between fine particulate matter exposure during pregnancy and preterm birth: a meta-analysis.

Background: Although several previous studies have assessed the association of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure during pregnancy with preterm birth, the results have been inconsistent and remain controversial. This meta-analysis aims to quantitatively summarize the association between maternal PM2.

Non-hormonal methods for induction of labour.

Purpose Of Review: The percentage of induced live birth has more than doubled from the 1990s to 2008. Induction of labour can either be based on medical indications, or performed as an elective procedure. A large range of pharmacological and non-pharmacological modalities are available for the induction of labour and the optimal method for labour induction is unknown.

Combined oestrogen and progesterone for preventing miscarriage.

Background: Historically, oestrogen and progesterone were each commonly used to save threatened pregnancies. In the 1940s it was postulated that their combined use would be synergistic and thereby led to the rationale of combined therapy for women who risked miscarriage.

Objectives: To determine the efficacy and safety of combined oestrogen and progesterone therapy to prevent miscarriage.

Chinese herbal medicines for the treatment of type A H1N1 influenza: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Chinese herbs are thought to be effective for type A H1N1 influenza. Series of Chinese herbs have been authorized recommended by the Chinese government, and until now a number of clinical trials of Chinese herbs for H1N1 influenza have been conducted. However, there is no critically appraised evidence such as systematic reviews or meta-analyses on potential benefits and harms of medicinal herbs for H1N1 influenza to justify their clinical use and their recommendation.

A single nucleotide polymorphism in EXO1 gene is associated with cervical cancer susceptibility in Chinese patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of Exonuclease1 (EXO1) genetic polymorphism and the development of cervical carcinoma.

Methods: This study was conducted with 126 patients diagnosed with cervical cancer and 278 people with no cancer history. The polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to evaluate the K589E and C908G gene polymorphisms.

Hormonal treatment for endometriosis associated pelvic pain.

Background: Endometriosis is a common gynecological problem associated with chronic pelvic pain.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of current hormonal treatments of endometriosis associated pain.

Materials And Methods: Randomized Controlled studies identified from databases of Medline and Cochrane Systemic Review groups were pooled.

Regulatory Effect of Peptidoglycan on the Expression of Toll-Like Receptor 2 mRNA and Proteins in Trophoblast Cell Line TEV-1 Cells.

Objective. To investigate the regulatory effect of peptidoglycan on the expression of human Toll-like receptors 2 (TLR2) mRNA and proteins in the human extravillous trophoblast cell line (TEV-1). Methods.

Inguinal endometriosis: an uncommon differential diagnosis as an inguinal tumour.

Inguinal endometriosis can present as a rare tumor when it occurs outside the abdomen and pelvis. We present a patient with a painful tumor in the right inguinal region, where its diagnosis was made before the operation. This enabled a conservative excisional surgery to be performed.

A retrospective study of laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) in virgins and nulliparae.

Objective: To study the feasibility and result of LAVH performed in virgins and nulliparae.

Study Design: Retrospective review of 297 consecutive cases of LAVH using the Biswas Uterine Vaginal Elevator (BUVE) in a private hospital in Hong Kong for benign gynaecological conditions between July 2006 and February 2009. Variables analysed included patient demographics, operative times, uterine weight, hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss, and operative complications.

Chinese Acupuncture Expert System (CAES)-a useful tool to practice and learn medical acupuncture.

This paper describes the development of a Chinese Acupuncture Expert System (CAES) that will assist the learning and practice of medical acupuncture. This was the development of a Chinese Acupuncture Expert System which incorporated eight functional modules. These modules were 1) Add Patient Record subsystem; 2) Diagnosis subsystem ; 3) Acupuncture Prescription subsystem ; 4) Needle Insertion Position Animation subsystem ; 5) Acupuncture Points Usage Statistic subsystem ; 6) History Query subsystem; 7) Acupuncture Points Query subsystem and 8) Diagnosis Remarks and Diagnosis Record Save subsystem.

Cervical endometriosis: case series and review of literature.

Cervical endometriosis is uncommon and usually an incidental or retrospective finding on histopathology reports. It can be asymptomatic or present with a diverse range of persistent symptoms and even life-threatening hemorrhage. The condition can be managed expectantly in asymptomatic patients, however persistent symptoms may warrant surgery.

Novel Vaginal "paper roll" uterine morcellation technique for removal of large (>500 g) uterus.

At laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy with a novel "paper roll" vaginal morcellation technique, large uteri (> or = 500 g) can be removed via the vagina with safety, speed, and ease. The technique provides protection for the bladder and rectum, and large uteri can be removed in 1 piece, allowing the pathologist to reconstruct the entire uterus.

The role of micronutrients in pregnancy.

Background: The antenatal shared care model has become increasingly popular among Australian women as the preferred mode of pregnancy care. General practitioners are often asked by their pregnant women patients about the nutrients needed during pregnancy.

Objective: This article discusses the role of various micronutrients and trace elements needed in pregnancy, and provides daily intake recommendations of these nutrients as a reference point.

A new bioimpedance research device (BIRD) for measuring the electrical impedance of acupuncture meridians.

Objectives: The aim of this article is to introduce an electrical bioimpedance device that uses an old and little-known impedance measuring technique to study the impedance of the meridian and nonmeridian tissue segments.

Design: Three (3) pilot experimental studies involving both a tissue phantom (a cucumber) and 3 human subjects were performed using this BIRD-I (Bioimpedance Research Device) device. This device consists of a Fluke RCL meter, a multiplexer box, a laptop computer, and a medical-grade isolation transformer.

Hysteroscopic appearance of endometrial cavity after microwave endometrial ablation.

Study Objective: To assess the appearance of the endometrial cavity after microwave endometrial ablation.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: GuangDong Women's and Children's Hospital, GuangDong, China.

Effect of acupuncture on induction of labor.

Objective: The objective of this study is to review the existing scientific evidence on the potential role of acupuncture on induction of labor during pregnancy.

Design: The Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, AMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine), and NCCAM (The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) databases were searched to identify relevant monographs from 1970 to 2008.

Inclusion Criteria: These criteria included all available human acupuncture studies on pregnant women carrying a viable fetus due for third trimester induction of labor.