Evaluation of right myocardial performance index of in vitro fertilization fetuses and spontaneous pregnancy fetuses: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Whether the in vitro fertilization (IVF) has an effect on the cardiac function of the fetus is very important to evaluate the safety of the technique. The aim of this paper is to establish normal reference range for the fetal right myocardial performance index (RMPI), and compare the reference range between IVF fetuses and spontaneous pregnancy (SP) fetuses by automatic measurement of the RMPI. METHODS: Three hundred seventy-one spontaneous singleton pregnancies (the control group) and 39 singleton pregnancies conceived by IVF (the experimental group) were enrolled into the current study. An automatic measurement system was used to acquire the RMPI. The cardiac function of the two groups was compared by t-test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in normal reference range of RMPI between IVF fetuses and SP fetuses (RMPI 0.42 ± 0.05 vs 0.43 ± 0.05). No strong correlation was also noted between RMPI with gestational age and heart rate. CONCLUSIONS: Normal reference ranges of RMPI of IVF fetuses and SP fetuses were established, and no significant difference between IVF fetuses and SP fetuses in RMPI was found. Thus, these findings may suggest that IVF has little impact on cardiac function of the fetus.

[Clinical effect of abdominal acupuncture for diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy differences between abdominal acupuncture and western medication for diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). METHODS: Sixty-one patients with IBS-D were randomly assigned into an acupuncture group (30 cases after 1 dropping) and a western medication group (28 cases after 2 dropping). Acupuncture was used at Yinqiguiyuan points [Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4)], Fusiguan points [bilateral Huaroumen (ST 24), Wailing (ST 26)], Tiaopiqi point [bilateral Daheng (SP 15)], once every other day, 3 times a week. Pinaverium bromide tablet was used orally in the western medication group, 50 mg a time, 3 times a day. All the treatment was given for 4 weeks in the two groups. IBS symptom severity score (IBS-SSS) and clinical symptom scores for abdominal pain and distension, diarrhea, poor stool output, defecation urgency and stool abnormality were observed before and after the treatment as well as 3 months after treatment. Adverse reactions were recorded and the effects were evaluated. RESULTS: ①After treatment and at follow-up, the IBS-SSS scores of the two groups were lower than those before treatment (all P<0.01). Compared with the western medication group, the scores and the improvements between the two time points and before treatment were better in the acupuncture group (P<0.05, P<0.01). ②The symptom scores in the two groups after treatment were lower than those before treatment including abdominal pain, abdominal distension, diarrhea, poor stool output, defecation urgency and stool abnormality (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the scores of abdominal pain, abdominal distension, diarrhea, poor stool output and stool abnormality in the acupuncture group were lower than those in the western medication group (P<0.05, P<0.01). ③The total effective rate and the cured and remarkable effective rate of the acupuncture group were higher than those of the western medication group [(86.7% (26/30) vs 64.3% (18/28), P<0.05; 70.0% (21/30) vs 35.7% (10/28), P<0.01)], and the therapeutic efficacy of the acupuncture group was better than that of the western medication group (P<0.05). There was no adverse reaction. CONCLUSION: Abdominal acupuncture is more effective for IBS-D than western medication and can relieve abdominal pain, abdominal distension, diarrhea, poor stool output, stool abnormality, with long-term effect.

Comparative study on treating complete dislocation of acromioclavicular joint with three different methods.

OBJECTIVE: To comparatively study complete dislocation of acromioclavicular joint treated with three different methods. METHODS: A total of 96 patients (81 males and 15 females, aged 16-59 years, mean=45 years) with complete dislocation of acromioclavicular joint were treated with Dewar's operation (Group A, n=32), internal fixation with Kirschner tension band wires (Group B, n=44), or internal fixation with Wolter plates (Group C, n=20), respectively, in this study. Eighty-five patients suffered from acute dislocations and eleven from chronic dislocations. RESULTS: The patients were followed up for 50 months on an average. According to Karlsson's standard, in Group A, 26 patients were assessed as good, 5 as fair and 1 as poor. In Group B, 20 patients were assessed as good, 13 as fair and 11 as poor. In Group C, 15 patients were assessed as good, 4 as fair and 1 as poor. The good and fair rates were significantly different between Group A and Group B, and between Group C and Group B, but no statistical difference was found between Group A and Group C. The operating time was (52.36+/-7.24) minutes, (67.43+/-8.11) minutes and (69.73+/-8.04) minutes in Groups A, B and C, respectively. And the hospitalizing fees were (2400+/-270) yuan, (2100+/-190) yuan and (8450+/-360) yuan in Groups A, B and C, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Dewar's operation is a good and safe method with shorter operating time and lower hospitalizing fee for treating complete dislocation of acromioclavicular joint. The method is simple without the need of a second operation to remove the implants and with few complications.