Associations between DEET, Organophosphorus Insecticides, and Handgrip Strength in Diabetes: An NHANES Analysis.

Introduction: Sarcopenia and diabetes mellitus (DM) have been shown to be related. It has been demonstrated that pesticides/insecticides are linked to various health issues, including DM. This study investigated the relationships between exposure to pesticides/insecticides and muscle strength among community-dwelling DM patients in a national sample of the United States (US).

Clinical factors associated with subsequent surgical intervention in women undergoing early medical termination of viable or non-viable pregnancies.

Introduction: Mifepristone-misoprostol treatment for medical abortion and miscarriage are safe and effective. This study aimed to assess clinical factors associated with subsequent surgical intervention after medical termination of early viable or non-viable pregnancy.

Methods: This retrospective, single-center study included women who underwent medical abortion at Taipei Medical University between January 2010 and December 2019.

Far-infrared stimulation of Neiguan acupoints improves heart rate variability and ameliorate fatigue in hemodialysis patients: A randomized trial.

Background: In 2018, 84 615 patients in Taiwan received hemodialysis, of which about 62% to 97% suffered from fatigue. Fatigue caused by hemodialysis may be mental or physical. However, the detailed mechanism remains unclear.

Moxibustion for Managing Postoperative Urinary Retention After Hemorrhoidectomy and Anorectal Surgeries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Purpose: Common surgical procedures for conditions affecting the anus and rectum such as hemorrhoidectomy are associated with high risks of postoperative urinary retention (POUR). Little is known about the efficacy of moxibustion in managing POUR after such surgical procedures. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to review the related literature and synthesize data on the effectiveness of moxibustion in managing POUR after common anorectal surgeries.

Predictive Role of Neutrophil-Percentage-to-Albumin Ratio (NPAR) in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Advanced Liver Fibrosis in Nondiabetic US Adults: Evidence from NHANES 2017-2018.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent globally and includes chronic liver diseases ranging from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The neutrophil-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) is a cost-effective, readily available biomarker of inflammation used to assess cancer and cardiovascular disease prognosis, and it may be of predictive value in NAFLD. This study was to evaluate the associations between the NPAR, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and the presence of NAFLD or advanced liver fibrosis, and to assess the predictive value of the NPAR in NAFLD in a nationally representative database.

Triglyceride glucose index and poor sleep patterns in non-diabetic adults: Evidence from NHANES 2005-2016.

Introduction: Sleep disorders are commonly encountered in modern populations. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the associations between triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and poor sleep patterns in non-diabetic adults.

Methods: Data of non-diabetic adults aged 20-70 years were extracted from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database 2005-2016.

Efficacy of acupuncture in children with asthma: a systematic review.

Background: We performed a systematic review of the efficacy of various types of acupuncture in the treatment of asthma in children.

Methods: We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to October 20, 2014. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of children and adolescents (<18 years of age) with asthma were included.

Correlation of electrical conductance in meridian and autonomic nervous activity after auricular acupressure in middle-aged women.

Background: This study aimed to examine the correlation of heart rate variability (HRV) and meridian electrical conductance among middle-aged women during an 8-week period of auricular acupressure (AA) treatment for weight reduction.

Methods: Sixty (60) subjects were randomized either to a control group (n=30) or to a treatment group with AA (n=30). Anthropometric parameters, HRV indices, and meridian levels were measured before treatment, at the 5th week, and 1 week after the 8-week treatment period.

Acupuncture or Acupressure at the Sanyinjiao (SP6) Acupoint for the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Meta-Analysis.

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture or acupressure at the Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoint in relieving pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea. We searched the scientific literature databases to identify randomized controlled trials. The primary outcome was visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score.

Sonographic patterns of the endometrium in assessment of medical abortion outcomes.

Background: We aimed to define endometrial pattern and endometrial thickness in predicting the outcome of early medical abortion.

Study Design: While blinded to outcomes of abortion, we retrospectively reviewed the ultrasound scan performed 14-21 days after medical abortion. We assessed the endometrial pattern and endometrial thickness.

Effect of yoga on serum homocysteine and nitric oxide levels in adolescent women with and without dysmenorrhea.

Background: The purpose of the present study is to explore the effect of yoga on the serum levels of homocysteine and nitric oxide (NO) in a cohort of women with primary dysmenorrhea and normal healthy controls.

Methods: A prospective controlled trial was conducted in 35 women with primary dysmenorrhea and 35 healthy controls in a community-based study. Short-form Menstrual Distress Questionnaires (MDQs) were administered to assess the menstrual symptoms.

Local thermal therapy effects on menopausal symptoms and bone mineral density.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of local thermal therapy with far-infrared rays (FIR) on menopausal symptoms and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women.

Subjects And Methods: A prospective randomized, controlled trial was conducted in female volunteers from communities in Northern Taiwan. The intervention group (n=22) received local thermal therapy with the help of FIR from an FIR emitter, for approximately 20 minutes per day, twice a week, for 20 sessions.

The effect of lavender aromatherapy on autonomic nervous system in midlife women with insomnia.

The objective of this study is to determine the effects of 12 weeks of lavender aromatherapy on self-reported sleep and heart rate variability (HRV) in the midlife women with insomnia. Sixty-seven women aged 45-55 years, with a CPSQI (Chinese version of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) greater than 5, were recruited from communities in Taiwan. The experimental group (n = 34) received lavender inhalation, 20 min each time, twice per week, for 12 weeks, with a total of 24 times.

Transcutaneous electrical stimulation of acupoints changes body composition and heart rate variability in postmenopausal women with obesity.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulations (TEAS) on body composition and heart rate variability (HRV) in postmenopausal women with obesity. In this prospective study, 49 postmenopausal women were recruited in Taiwan. Body composition was used as a screening test for obesity (percentage body fat > 30%, waist circumference > 80 cm).

Effect of previous live birth and prior route of delivery on the outcome of early medical abortion.

Objective: To determine the association between type of previous delivery (vaginal compared with cesarean) on the success of medical abortion with mifepristone-misoprostol in early pregnancy.

Methods: The records of 879 women with intrauterine pregnancies at or before 56 days of gestation who underwent medical abortions were reviewed. Medical treatment consisted of 600 mg mifepristone orally followed 48 hours later with oral misoprostol.

Effects of auricular acupressure on menstrual symptoms and nitric oxide for women with primary dysmenorrhea.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of auricular acupressure on relieving menstrual symptoms and decreasing nitric oxide (NO) for women with primary dysmenorrhea.

Design: This was a randomized clinical trial comparing the effects of auricular acupressure by seed-pressure method and placebo adhesive patch.

Setting: Settings included colleges in northern and central Taiwan.

Twin pregnancy outcome among cases of spontaneous conception, intrauterine insemination, and in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

In a retrospective university hospital-based study of spontaneously conceived (SC), intrauterine insemination (IUI), and in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) groups, this study finds maternal complications or the neonatal outcomes of twins to be similar between the groups.

Transcriptome analysis in blastocyst hatching by cDNA microarray.

Background: Hatching is an important process for early embryo development, differentiation and implantation. However, little is known about its regulatory mechanisms. By integrating the technologies of RNA amplification and cDNA microarrays, it has become possible to study the gene expression profile at this critical stage.

Assessment of uterine receptivity by the endometrial-subendometrial blood flow distribution pattern in women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.

Objective: To investigate the correlation of blood flow detected by color Doppler sonography in the endometrial-subendometrial unit with pregnancy outcome of IVF-ET treatments.

Design: Prospective clinical study.

Setting: University setting.

Fluid accumulation within the uterine cavity reduces pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF.

Background: The occurrence of fluid accumulation within the uterine cavity was examined in women undergoing IVF to investigate its correlation with tubal disease and impact on the pregnancy outcome.

Methods: A registry of ultrasound procedures spanning 5 years was retrospectively studied.

Results: Thirty five out of 746 (4.