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Background: Postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) is referred to as meal-related functional dyspepsia (FD) and causes a reduced quality of life (QoL) for patients. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have suggested that acupuncture is an effective treatment for FD, but few studies were particularly for PDS. This pilot study was designed to determine the feasibility and efficacy of acupuncture in patients with PDS characterized by postprandial fullness and early satiation according to the Rome III criteria.Methods: This is a multi-center, two-arm, blinded (participants), pilot RCT. Forty-two participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to the verum acupuncture group or minimal acupuncture group in a 1:1 ratio. Both treatments consist of 12 sessions of 20 min duration over four weeks (three sessions per week). The primary outcome measurement is the proportion of persons who improve as assessed using the global outcome by the overall treatment effect (OTE) at end-of-treatment (EOT) (four weeks after randomization). Global assessment at weeks 8 and 16 after randomization is one of the secondary outcomes. The other secondary outcomes including symptoms, disease-specific QoL, and depression and anxiety will be assessed at weeks 4, 8, and 16 after randomization.Discussion: This pilot study will help determine the feasibility and efficacy of acupuncture in patients with PDS.Trial Registration: ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN18135146 . Registered on 7 July 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most infants infected with Toxoplasma gondii are completely asymptomatic at birth, yet they may develop ocular and neurological sequelae in the first few months of life. Cases of congenital toxoplasmosis with severe jaundice early after birth combined with pancytopenia and splenomegaly are extremely rare. Here, we report on a rare case of congenital toxoplasmosis presenting with severe jaundice and hemolysis early after birth combined with pancytopenia and splenomegaly.Case Presentation: A male preterm infant with severe jaundice and splenomegaly was admitted to our department. Laboratory examinations revealed severe hyperbilirubinemia, increased reticulocytes, and pancytopenia. After comprehensive analysis and examination, the final diagnosis was congenital toxoplasmosis, and the infant was treated with azithromycin and subsequently trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Regular follow-up revealed congenital toxoplasmosis in both eyes, which was surgically treated, while neurofunctional assessment results were unremarkable. In this case of congenital toxoplasmosis combined with severe jaundice, we treated the infant with two courses of azithromycin, followed by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole after the jaundice resolved. Clinical follow-up indicated that this treatment was effective with few side effects; thus, this report may serve as a valuable clinical reference.Conclusions: Timely diagnosis and adequate treatment are closely associated with congenital toxoplasmosis-related prognosis. Infants with congenital toxoplasmosis require long-term follow-up, focusing on nervous system development and ophthalmology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]