Impact of heart rate on eGFR decline in ischemic stroke patients.

Background: Resting heart rate is a potent predictor of various renal outcomes. However, the decline rate of renal function in ischemic stroke patients is not well defined. We tested the association of heart rate with estimated eGFR decline and the composite renal outcomes in patients with recent ischemic stroke.

Assessment of the impact of resting heart rate on the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events after ischemic stroke: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Although elevated heart rate is a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in healthy people, the association between resting heart rate and major cardiovascular risk in patients after acute ischemic stroke remains debated. This study evaluated the association between heart rate and major adverse cardiovascular events after ischemic stroke.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study analyzing data from the Chang Gung Research Database for 21,655 patients with recent ischemic stroke enrolled between January 1, 2010, and September 30, 2018.

Effects of internet-based digital health interventions on the physical activity and quality of life of colorectal cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The recent trend of Internet-based digital health interventions has driven researchers to implement them to promote physical activity (PA) and improve patients' health outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the effects of Internet-based digital health interventions on PA and quality of life (QoL) in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors.

Methods: We searched for relevant studies investigating the effects of internet-based digital health interventions published until Dec.

Association between initial in-hospital heart rate and glycemic control in patients with acute ischemic stroke and diabetes mellitus.

Background: A high resting heart rate (HR) has been associated with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus. This study explored the association between initial in-hospital HR and glycemic control in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and diabetes mellitus.

Methods: We analyzed data from 4,715 patients with AIS and type 2 diabetes mellitus enrolled in the Chang Gung Research Database between January 2010 and September 2018.

Development and Validation of a Novel Score for Predicting Long-Term Mortality after an Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Long-term mortality prediction can guide feasible discharge care plans and coordinate appropriate rehabilitation services. We aimed to develop and validate a prediction model to identify patients at risk of mortality after acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcome was cardiovascular death.

Initial In-Hospital Visit-to-Visit Heart Rate Variability Is Associated with Higher Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background: To evaluate the association between the visit-to-visit heart rate variability and the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: We analyzed the data of 8179 patients with AIS. Patients without AF on 12-lead electrocardiography underwent further 24 h Holter monitoring.

Association of Eating Behavior, Nutritional Risk, and Frailty with Sarcopenia in Taiwanese Rural Community-Dwelling Elders: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This cross-sectional study assessed the association of eating behavior, nutritional risk, and frailty with sarcopenia in 208 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65 years who were recruited from random rural community care centers in Chiayi County, Taiwan. The participants’ eating behavior was categorized into six categories. The gait speed (GS), grip strength, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) were assessed based on these three parameters, which revealed that 50.

Development and Validation of a Novel Score for Predicting Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Atrial fibrillation (AF)-whether paroxysmal or sustained-increases the risk of stroke. We developed and validated a risk score for identifying patients at risk of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (pAF) after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). A total of 6033 patients with AIS who received 24 h Holter monitoring were identified in the Chang Gung Research Database.

[Role Function and Policy Prospects of Long-Term Care Nurses in Taiwan: Evidence-Based Policy Recommendations of Professional Nursing Organizations].

Professional nursing organizations represent an important channel for the nursing profession to influence health policy, represent and protect the interests of nurses, and advocate for the further development of the profession. Facing the rapidly increasing aging population and emerging needs of long-term care in Taiwan, the Taiwan Nurses Association launched an integrated project to propose policy advice on the development of nursing in long-term care. In this paper, the relevant findings in the domestic and foreign literature are summarized to better define the role function and core competence of long-term care nurses.

A parsimonious and comprehensive screening tool for adult health behaviors.

Background: A practical screening tool for early detection of unhealthy behaviors among adults to provide tailored care can have an important role in public health nursing.

Purpose: To develop a screening tool with valid psychometric properties for adult health behaviors (AHBs).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2018 and September 2019 in central-southern Taiwan.

Association between Oral Frailty and Physical Frailty among Rural Middle-Old Community-Dwelling People with Cognitive Decline in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This cross-sectional study was conducted to clarify the association between oral frailty (OF) and physical frailty (PF). In total, 308 Taiwanese middle-old (75−84 years) community-dwelling people with cognitive decline were recruited from random rural community health care centers. Eight items were considered for the evaluation of their OF status.

Initial in-hospital heart rate is associated with long-term survival in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Aims: Increased heart rate has been associated with stroke risk and outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the long-term prognostic value of initial in-hospital heart rate in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: We analyzed data from 21,655 patients with AIS enrolled (January 2010-September 2018) in the Chang Gung Research Database.

Oral Health as a Predictor of Physical Frailty among Rural Community-Dwelling Elderly in an Agricultural County of Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

We conducted a cross-sectional study to clarify the relationship between oral health and physical frailty (PF). A sample of 903 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥ 65 years were enrolled from random communities in Chiayi County. The self-perceived oral health (SPOH) and oral health assessment tool (OHAT), which consists of eight items, was used for the evaluation of their oral health status.

Initial in-hospital heart rate is associated with three-month functional outcomes after acute ischemic stroke.

Background: Increased heart rate (HR) has been associated with stroke risk and outcomes.

Material And Methods: We analyzed 1,420 patients from a hospital-based stroke registry with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Mean initial in-hospital HR and the coefficient of variation of HR (HR-CV) were derived from the values recorded during the first 3 days of hospitalization.

Hemostatic Enhancement via Chitosan Is Independent of Classical Clotting Pathways-A Quantitative Study.

Hemostasis is a process causing bleeding to stop, and it is known from the literature that hemostasis can be enhanced using chitosan on wound gauzes. We proposed here a continuous flow-through device, with the test blood flowing through the gauze sample at a constant flow rate and the pressure drop across the gauze measured, for assessing the hemostatic performance of the gauze. Experiments were performed using the device with both whole blood and washed blood (with clotting factors and platelets removed from the whole blood), and their results agree with each other within 10% discrepancy, indicating quantitatively that hemostatic enhancement via chitosan is essentially independent of classical clotting pathways, which was demonstrated qualitatively through animal tests in the literature.

Determinants of Use of Long-term Continuous Electrocardiographic Monitoring for Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients without Atrial Fibrillation at Baseline.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac rhythm disorder associated with stroke. Increased risk of stroke is the same regardless of whether the AF is permanent or paroxysmal. However, detecting paroxysmal AF is challenging and resource intensive.

Risk stratification model for post-stroke pneumonia in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Background: Post-stroke pneumonia (PSP) has been implicated in the morbidity, mortality, and increased medical costs after acute ischemic stroke.

Aim: The aim of this study was to develop a prediction model for PSP in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: A retrospective, case-control, secondary analysis study was conducted using data for 10,034 patients with ischemic stroke who presented to the hospital within 24 hours of onset of stroke symptoms.

Prediction Model of Early Return to Hospital after Discharge Following Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Reducing hospital readmissions for stroke remains a significant challenge to improve outcomes and decrease healthcare costs.

Methods: We analyzed 10,034 adult patients with ischemic stroke, presented within 24 hours of onset from a hospital-based stroke registry. The risk factors for early return to hospital after discharge were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression and classification and regression tree (CART) analyses.

A common polymorphism decreases LRP1 mRNA stability and is associated with increased plasma factor VIII levels.

The low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) gene is associated with increased levels of plasma factor VIII (FVIII). We aimed to explore eight functional genetic LRP1 variants for their potential roles in regulating FVIII levels and acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This genetic association study enrolled 192 patients with AIS and 134 controls.

Recovering the mechanical properties of denatured intervertebral discs through Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy.

Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common causes of low back pain instigating huge socioeconomic costs and posing an immense burden on healthcare systems worldwide. New therapeutic approaches to damaged intervertebral discs are therefore of great interest. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) has been proposed for the repair and regeneration of degenerated discs, but there remains a knowledge gap regarding its effectiveness and influence on disc material properties.

Shortened Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time Is Associated With Acute Ischemic Stroke, Stroke Severity, and Neurological Worsening.

Background: The role played by hemostasis in the pathogenesis of ischemic strokes is still controversial. The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) measures the time necessary to generate fibrin from initiation of the intrinsic pathway. In the present study, we looked for a possible association of ischemic strokes with the shortened APTT.

Effect of Degeneration on Fluid-Solid Interaction within Intervertebral Disk Under Cyclic Loading - A Meta-Model Analysis of Finite Element Simulations.

The risk of low back pain resulted from cyclic loadings is greater than that resulted from prolonged static postures. Disk degeneration results in degradation of disk solid structures and decrease of water contents, which is caused by activation of matrix digestive enzymes. The mechanical responses resulted from internal solid-fluid interactions of degenerative disks to cyclic loadings are not well studied yet.

Factor VIII levels are associated with ischemic stroke, stroke subtypes and neurological worsening.

The role played by hemostasis in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke is still controversial. In the present study, we looked for a possible association of ischemic stroke with the high clotting activity of factor VIII (FVIII). The study population consisted of 116 patients with acute ischemic stroke who had been admitted between September 2013 and September 2014 to the Department of Neurology, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and 76 control subjects with no history of stroke.

Mutual effect of rs688 and rs5925 in regulating low-density lipoprotein receptor splicing.

Analysis of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene based on the rs688 and rs5925 genetic polymorphisms has provided evidence suggesting that haplotypes related to rs688 and rs5925 are associated with ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. Both rs688 and rs5925 have been empirically identified as exon-splicing enhancers in silico, and rs688 has been shown to be a functional polymorphism that modulates LDLR exon 12 splicing efficiency both in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether rs688 and rs5925 and their haplotypes may alter the splicing efficiency of exons 12 and 13 both in vivo and in vitro.