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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. Methods and Findings: CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CBM, CNKI, VIP, China Important Conference Papers Database, China Dissertation Database, and online clinical trial registry websites were searched for published and unpublished randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Chinese herbs for H1N1 influenza till 31 August, 2011. A total of 26 RCTs were identified and reviewed. Most of the RCTs were of high risk of bias with flawed study design and poor methodological quality. The combination of several Chinese herbal medicines with or without oseltamivir demonstrated positive effect on fever resolution, relief of symptoms, and global effectiveness rate compared to oseltamivir alone. However, only one herbal medicine showed positive effect on viral shedding. Most of the trials did not report adverse events, and the safety of herbal medicines is still uncertain. Conclusions: Some Chinese herbal medicines demonstrated potential positive effect for 2009 type A H1N1 influenza; however, due to the lack of placebo controlled trial and lack of repeated test of the intervention, we could not draw confirmative conclusions on the beneficial effect of Chinese herbs for H1N1 influenza. More rigorous trials are warranted to support their clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. 7 RCTs were recruited for evaluation in this review. Data from these studies were pooled and meta-analysis was performed in three comparison groups: 1) Progestogen versus GnRHa; 2) Implanon versus Progestogen (injection); 3) Combined oral contraceptive pills versus placebo and progestogen. Response to treatment was measured as a reduction in pain score. Pain improvement was defined as improvement ⩾1 at the end of treatment. Results: There was no significant difference between treatment groups of progestogen and GnRHa (RR: 0.036; CI:-0.030-0.102) for relieving endometriosis associated pelvic pain. Long acting progestogen (Implanon) and Mirena are not inferior to GnRHa and depot medroxy progesterone acetate (DMPA) (RR: 0.006; CI:-0.142-0.162). Combined oral contraceptive pills demonstrated effective treatment of relieving endometriosis associated pelvic pain when compared with placebo groups (RR:0.321CI-0.066-0.707). Progestogen was more effective than combined oral contraceptive pills in controlling dysmenorrhea (RR:-0.160; CI:-0.386-0.066), however, progestogen is associated with more side effects like spotting and bloating than the combined contraceptive pills. Conclusion: Combined oral contraceptive pills (COCP), GnRHa and progestogens are equally effective in relieving endometriosis associated pelvic pain. COCP and progestogens are relatively cheap and more suitable for long-term use as compared to GnRHa. Long-term RCT of medicated contraceptive devices like Mirena and Implanon are required to evaluate their long-term effects on relieving the endometriosis associated pelvic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. The literature is reviewed and the diagnosis as well as management are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with metabolic syndrome (MetS) are at high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and other complications such as stroke, peripheral vascular disease and type II diabetes mellitus. MetS is also known as insulin resistance syndrome due to the fact that insulin action is reduced. The major risk factors for this syndrome are thought to be abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. Other factors which are associated with MetS are physical inactivity, ageing, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and genetic predisposition. Family physicians have an important role in managing the chronic disease of MetS. The objective of this paper is to provide a narrative review of the current evidence on using complementary and alternative medicine to treat MetS. The recommendations and findings are also reviewed. Reference Lim CED, Cheng NCL, Chow YKM, Wong WSF, O'Sullivan AJ. Current evidence of complementary and alternative medicine treatment for metabolic syndrome. Journal of the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society 2010;16(4):209-214. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with metabolic syndrome (MetS) are at high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and other complications such as stroke, peripheral vascular disease and type II diabetes mellitus. MetS is also known as insulin resistance syndrome due to the fact that insulin action is reduced. The major risk factors for this syndrome are thought to be abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. Other factors which are associated with MetS are physical inactivity, ageing, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and genetic predisposition. Family physicians have an important role in managing the chronic disease of MetS. The objective of this paper is to provide a narrative review of the current evidence on using complementary and alternative medicine to treat MetS. The recommendations and findings are also reviewed. Reference Lim CED, Cheng NCL, Chow YKM, Wong WSF, O'Sullivan AJ. Current evidence of complementary and alternative medicine treatment for metabolic syndrome. Journal of the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society 2010;16(4):209-214. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many women with reproductive disorders seek professional help from complementary & alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners. Various contributions to the literature have suggested that obesity has a negative impact on reproductive function. It is vital for clinicians to understand the link between obesity and reproduction in order to provide the best possible care to patients. This article aims to discuss the role of obesity in reproduction. Beyond defining obesity, the article focuses on various adverse health outcomes, particularly in women of reproductive age, and medical interventions for obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research and TCM as a treatment for gynaecological diseases. TCM philosophy focuses on the mind and body as part of a larger ecological system that includes socio-emotional and environmental factors. Herbal medicine as a treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and premenstrual syndrome is mentioned. Acupuncture is mentioned.

Introduction There is mounting evidence indicating an association between vitamin D and Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM). Large epidemiological studies have found that low levels of vitamin D were associated with poor glycaemic control in DM patients, however, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) showed inconsistent results. This review aimed to assess the evidence of the association between vitamin D and glycaemic control in T2DM patients, specifically in RCTs. Methodology A search was performed in PUBMED in September 2017 to identify eligible studies. It was focused on RCTs relating to vitamin D interventions on glycaemic control in patients with T2DM. Study characteristics and general conclusions were extracted. The Jadad scale and van Tulder scale were used to assess the quality of the eligible studies. Results Sixteen RCTs were identified based on the selection criteria. All RCTs had a small sample size (8-45 each group), with subjects aged between 48.5 (±8) to 66.9 (±3.1) years. Vitamin D3 was used as an oral vitamin D supplement in most of the studies (12/16); two used vitamin D3 via injection; two used vitamin D fortified yoghurt. Four studies concluded that vitamin D had improved insulin sensitivity and glycaemia status among T2DM patients while eleven studies had reported no improvements. One study suggested a T2DM benefit using joint calcium and vitamin D supplementation. Conclusion The current review assessed the association between vitamin D and glycaemia control among T2DM patients from eligible RCTs. We concluded that the reviewed RCTs did not support that vitamin D was beneficial in glycaemic control among T2DM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. TEV-1 cells were incubated with different doses of peptidoglycan. The expression of TLR2 mRNA and protein was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry SP staining. Results. TLR2 was expressed in TEV-1 cells and localized to both the cytoplasm and plasma membrane. Compared with the untreated control, TEV-1 cells incubated with 30 μg/ml peptidoglycan significantly upregulated the expression of TLR2 mRNA and protein after 12 hours of treatment (P < .01). However, the expression of TLR2 mRNA and protein was decreased but had no significant difference compared with the control (P > .05) after 24 hours of treatment. On the other hand, 10 μg/ml peptidoglycan did not seem to have regulatory effect on mRNA and protein expression of TLR2 (P > .05). Conclusion. Peptidoglycan has a role in regulating the expression of TLR2 mRNA and protein in TEV-1 cells. It suggests that the trophoblast cells may play important role in the immune response at the fetal-maternal interface and affect the result of pregnancy by expressing TLR2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 PM2.5 exposure and preterm birth and to further explore the sources of heterogeneity in findings on this association.Methods: We searched for all studies published before December 2014 on the association between PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy and preterm birth in the MEDLINE, PUBMED and Embase databases as well as the China Biological Medicine and Wanfang databases. A pooled OR for preterm birth in association with each 10 μg/m(3) increase in PM2.5 exposure was calculated by a random-effects model (for studies with significant heterogeneity) or a fixed-effects model (for studies without significant heterogeneity).Results: A total of 18 studies were included in this analysis. The pooled OR for PM2.5 exposure (per 10 μg/m(3) increment) during the entire pregnancy on preterm birth was 1.13 (95% CI = 1.03-1.24) in 13 studies with a significant heterogeneity (Q = 80.51, p < 0.001). The pooled ORs of PM2.5 exposure in the first, second and third trimester were 1.08 (95% CI = 0.92-1.26), 1.09 (95% CI = 0.82-1.44) and 1.08 (95% CI = 0.99-1.17), respectively. The corresponding meta-estimates of PM2.5 effects in studies assessing PM2.5 exposure at individual, semi-individual and regional level were 1.11 (95% CI = 0.89-1.37), 1.14 (95% CI = 0.97-1.35) and 1.07 (95% CI = 0.94-1.23). In addition, significant meta-estimates of PM2.5 exposures were found in retrospective studies (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.01-1.21), prospective studies (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.08-1.85), and studies conducted in the USA (OR = 1.16, 95 % CI = 1.05-1.29).Conclusions: Maternal PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm birth,but significant heterogeneity was found between studies. Exposure assessment methods, study designs and study settings might be important sources of heterogeneity, and should be taken into account in future meta-analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of preventive treatment for diseases in the Chinese context originated in an ancient Chinese medical text called The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon or The Inner Canon of Huangdi. This concept is that of taking treatment measures in order to prevent recurrence of diseases and conse-quent deterioration in health and well-being. There are three aspects of preventive treatment: 1) preventive measures before the onset of the illness; 2) measures taken against deteriora-tion during the illness; and 3) measures taken against relapse after recovery The authors introduced a Tradtional Chinese Medicine (TCM) model of preventive treatment for diseases into the clinical health care practice at Guangdong Women's and Children's Hospital (GDWCH). TCM principles and meth-odologies were applied along with modern medical practices of diagnosis and treatment. The study found that the new model of integrative medicine applied at GDWCH presented a wide range of possibilities for both social benefits and good medical prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]