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5.
Reprod Toxicol ; 19(1): 131-4, 2004 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15336721

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women commonly consume ginseng. However, there is little data concerning the effects of ginseng on early pregnancy. METHODS: Rat embryos were exposed in vitro to different concentrations of Rc and Re from day 9.5 to day 11.5 after conception. Embryos were scored for growth and differentiation at the end of the culture period. RESULTS: Embryos exposed to 50.0 microg/ml Re had significantly lower median morphological score (29.0 versus 48.0), fewer number of somites (15.0 versus 21.0), and smaller yolk sac diameter (3.5 versus 4.1 mm) and crown-rump length (CRL) (2.9 versus 3.4 mm) compare to control embryos. There was no significant difference between embryos exposed to 5.0 microg/ml Re and control embryos. There was also no difference in the biometric and morphologic parameters among control and embryos exposed to 5.0 and 50.0 microg/ml Rc. CONCLUSION: There is a significant variability in embryotoxic effects of different ginsenosides. Further studies to evaluate the synergistic embryotoxic effects of ginsenosides are warranted.


Subject(s)
Abnormalities, Drug-Induced , Embryo, Mammalian/drug effects , Embryonic Development/drug effects , Ginsenosides/toxicity , Panax , Teratogens/toxicity , Abnormalities, Drug-Induced/etiology , Abnormalities, Drug-Induced/pathology , Animals , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Embryo, Mammalian/embryology , Ginsenosides/classification , Rats , Teratogens/classification , Toxicity Tests
8.
Fertil Steril ; 81(6): 1699-700, 2004 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15193501

ABSTRACT

Physicians have become more conservative regarding prophylactic oophorectomy after publication of the Women's Health Initiative trial. They are less likely to prescribe estrogen therapy for women who have a high risk of coronary heart disease and more likely to use nonoral routes for estrogen therapy.


Subject(s)
Estrogen Replacement Therapy , Gynecology , Ovarian Diseases/prevention & control , Ovariectomy , Professional Practice , Women's Health , Adult , Female , Humans , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
11.
Emerg Infect Dis ; 10(2): 280-6, 2004 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15030698

ABSTRACT

Despite infection control measures, breakthrough transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) occurred for many hospital workers in Hong Kong. We conducted a case-control study of 72 hospital workers with SARS and 144 matched controls. Inconsistent use of goggles, gowns, gloves, and caps was associated with a higher risk for SARS infection (unadjusted odds ratio 2.42 to 20.54, p < 0.05). The likelihood of SARS infection was strongly associated with the amount of personal protection equipment perceived to be inadequate, having <2 hours of infection control training, and not understanding infection control procedures. No significant differences existed between the case and control groups in the proportion of workers who performed high-risk procedures, reported minor protection equipment problems, or had social contact with SARS-infected persons. Perceived inadequacy of personal protection equipment supply, infection control training <2 hours, and inconsistent use of personal protection equipment when in contact with SARS patients were significant independent risk factors for SARS infection.


Subject(s)
Personnel, Hospital , Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome/transmission , Case-Control Studies , Contact Tracing , Hong Kong/epidemiology , Humans , Infection Control/methods , Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional , Multivariate Analysis , Protective Clothing , Risk Factors , Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome/epidemiology , Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome/prevention & control , Surveys and Questionnaires
12.
Diabetes Care ; 26(11): 3011-6, 2003 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14578232

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the high prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriage in our population can explain the previous observation of an association between increased maternal serum ferritin concentration and gestational diabetes in Hong Kong Chinese women. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 767 nonanemic women with singleton pregnancy who had iron status assessed at 28-30 weeks. The result of the routine antenatal HBsAg screening was retrieved from patient records. The HBsAg-positive and -negative groups were compared for maternal characteristics, prevalence of gestational diabetes in the third trimester, prevalence of high serum ferritin and iron concentrations, and transferrin saturation, which is defined as a value in the highest quartile established by the measurements obtained from the HBsAg-negative group. RESULTS: The incidences of oral glucose tolerance test and gestational diabetes were significantly increased in the HBsAg-positive group. The HBsAg-positive women with gestational diabetes had significantly increased prevalence of high serum ferritin compared with the HBsAg-negative women, irrespective of the latter's gestational diabetes status. Multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed the independent association between HBsAg carrier status with gestational diabetes (relative risk 3.51, 95% CI 1.83-6.73) but excluded high ferritin as an independent factor. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that maternal HBsAg carriage could explain in part the association between increased serum ferritin concentration with gestational diabetes in Hong Kong Chinese women, and that HBsAg carrier status is an independent risk factor for gestational diabetes.


Subject(s)
Asian People/statistics & numerical data , Diabetes, Gestational/ethnology , Ferritins/blood , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood , Hepatitis B, Chronic/ethnology , Adult , Carrier State , Diabetes, Gestational/blood , Female , Hepatitis B, Chronic/blood , Hong Kong/epidemiology , Humans , Pregnancy , Prevalence , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors
14.
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol ; 109(2): 196-8, 2003 Aug 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12860341

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Ultrasound-guided aspiration is a less invasive management option for recurrent endometrioma. We postulated that the endometriotic tissue in the epithelial lining of endometrioma had undergone pressure atrophy after a period of observation, and resolution of the endometrioma can be achieved by aspiration of its content. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study was carried out in which patients with recurrent endometrioma that remain stationary in size for a period of at least 6 months were included. Ultrasound-guided aspiration of endometrioma was performed transvaginally under conscious sedation. Ultrasound scan examination was performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after aspiration to detect recurrence. RESULTS: Eight endometriomas were aspirated in six patients. The mean diameter and volume of endometrioma at aspiration were 31.0 mm (range, 18.0-46.3 mm) and 21.9 ml (range, 3.16-52.0 ml), respectively. There were no major complications. Cytological examination revealed hemosiderin-laden macrophages; neither malignant cells nor endometrial cells were detected in all cases. Six ovarian cysts recurred in five women (83.3%), all recurrence were detected within 3 months after aspiration. CONCLUSION: We concluded that although transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration is a safe procedure, but the recurrence rate after aspiration is unacceptably high, and hence cannot be recommended as a treatment option for recurrent endometrioma.


Subject(s)
Endometriosis/surgery , Ovarian Cysts/surgery , Suction/methods , Endometriosis/diagnostic imaging , Endometriosis/pathology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods , Ovarian Cysts/diagnostic imaging , Ovarian Cysts/pathology , Prospective Studies , Recurrence , Treatment Outcome , Ultrasonography
15.
J Reprod Med ; 48(4): 293-5, 2003 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12746996

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Severe and persistent hyperemesis gravidarum is a disabling condition. Women may request termination of pregnancy because of the intolerable symptoms and stress. CASE: A woman requested termination of pregnancy because of severe hyperemesis gravidarum. Her first three pregnancies were also complicated by severe and persistent vomiting. The vomiting was successfully treated with a short course of methylprednisolone. CONCLUSION: Methylprednisolone is an effective treatment for severe hyperemesis gravidarum and should be considered for women whose vomiting is persistent and refractory to conventional therapy.


Subject(s)
Hyperemesis Gravidarum/diagnosis , Hyperemesis Gravidarum/drug therapy , Methylprednisolone/administration & dosage , Pregnancy Complications/drug therapy , Pregnancy Outcome , Adult , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Administration Schedule , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications/diagnosis , Pregnancy Trimester, First , Severity of Illness Index
16.
Obstet Gynecol ; 99(5 Pt 1): 807-12, 2002 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11978291

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between high maternal hemoglobin concentration at the initial antenatal visit and occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the third trimester in nonanemic women. METHODS: In a prospective observational study, 762 nondiabetic Chinese women with singleton pregnancies, whose initial visit hemoglobin concentration and mean cell volume were 10 g/dL or more and 80 fL or more, respectively, recruited at 28-30 weeks, had blood drawn for repeat measurement of hemoglobin concentration and iron parameters. These women were categorized by their initial visit hemoglobin concentration into quartiles, and the incidence of GDM was analyzed together with the maternal characteristics and iron status. RESULTS: The final study sample comprised 730 women. Compared with the rest, the group in the highest hemoglobin quartile (more than 13 g/dL) had a significantly higher incidence of GDM (18.7% versus 10.9%, P =.007), as well as greater age, weight, and serum ferritin and iron concentrations. Logistic regression was used to examine the effects of high body mass index (more than 25 kg/m(2)), advanced age (older than 34 years), parity of 1 or more, and hemoglobin in the highest quartile, on the incidence of GDM. Only advanced age (odds ratio 3.79, 95% confidence interval 2.33, 6.17) and hemoglobin in the highest quartile (odds ratio 1.73, 95% confidence interval 1.08, 2.78) emerged to be significant factors. CONCLUSION: A high maternal hemoglobin (more than 13 g/dL) at the initial prenatal visit in Chinese women is an independent risk factor for GDM. This may reflect a better nutritional status in these women, as suggested by the increased iron status.


Subject(s)
Diabetes, Gestational/blood , Diabetes, Gestational/ethnology , Hemoglobins/analysis , Body Weight , Erythrocyte Indices , Female , Ferritins/blood , Hong Kong/epidemiology , Humans , Iron/blood , Maternal Age , Parity , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Trimester, Third , Prospective Studies , Regression Analysis , Risk Factors
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