Association of Decreased Bone Density and Hyperlipidemia in a Taiwanese Older Adult Population.

Objective: This study aimed to determine if a combination of 2 abnormal lipid profiles revealed a stronger association with low bone mass than a single blood lipid abnormality alone.

Methods: This study enrolled 1373 participants who had received a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan from January 2016 to December 2016 in a medical center in southern Taiwan. Logistic regression was used to examine association between lipid profiles and osteopenia or osteoporosis after adjusting for covariates.

Liver-specific metastases as an independent prognostic factor in cancer patients receiving hospice care in hospital.

Background: Survival prediction is important in cancer patients receiving hospice care. Palliative prognostic index (PPI) and palliative prognostic (PaP) scores have been used to predict survival in cancer patients. However, cancer primary site with metastatic status, enteral feeding tubes, Foley catheter, tracheostomy, and treatment interventions are not considered in aforementioned tools.

Effectiveness and response differences of a multidisciplinary workplace health promotion program for healthcare workers.

Background: Workplace health promotion (WHP) in the healthcare industry is an important yet challenging issue to address, given the high workload, heterogeneity of work activities, and long work hours of healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and response differences of a multidisciplinary WHP program conducted in HCWs.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included HCWs participating in a multidisciplinary WHP program in five healthcare facilities.

A Pilot Study of the Effects on an Inpatient Geriatric Consultation Team on Geriatric Syndrome Patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of comprehensive geriatric assessment performed by an inpatient aging consultation team on older patients with geriatric syndromes.

Methods: Fifty-nine patients with ≧65 years, Barthel Index score ≦60, at least one geriatric syndrome, and admitted to non-geriatric wards were enrolled. By their preference, 16 were in the intervention group with comprehensive geriatric assessment and instructions from the consultation team.

Association between Shock Index and Emergency Department Cardiac Arrest.

Background: In the emergency department (ED), early identification of patients at risk of cardiac arrest is paramount, especially in the context of overcrowding. The shock index (SI) is defined as the ratio of heart rate to systolic blood pressure. It is a tool used for predicting the prognosis of critically ill and injured patients.

The Role of Monocyte Percentage in Osteoporosis in Male Rheumatic Diseases.

Osteoporosis is easily overlooked in male patients, especially in the field of rheumatic diseases mostly prevalent with female patients, and its link to pathogenesis is still lacking. Attenuated monocyte apoptosis from a transcriptome-wide expression study illustrates the role of monocytes in osteoporosis. This study tested the hypothesis that the monocyte percentage among leukocytes could be a biomarker of osteoporosis in rheumatic diseases.

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells may predict outcomes in adult patients with severe sepsis in the emergency department.

Background: Dysfunctional and decreased numbers of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) may play an essential role in the initiation of organ dysfunction caused by severe sepsis. We evaluated the role of serial circulating EPCs in outcomes of patients with severe sepsis.

Methods: In total, 101 adult patients with severe sepsis and septic shock were evaluated.

Increased circulating endothelial progenitor cells and anti-oxidant capacity in obstructive sleep apnea after surgical treatment.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Profiles of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) reflect the degree of endothelial impairment. This study tested the hypothesis that surgical treatment not only improves clinical outcomes but also increases the number of circulating EPCs and antioxidant capacity.

Betel-quid and alcohol use were associated with lipid accumulation product among male factory workers in Taiwan.

Background: In this study, cardiometabolic risk associated with betel-quid, alcohol and cigarette use, based on a simple index-lipid accumulation product (LAP), was investigated in Taiwanese male factory workers.

Methods: Male factory workers were recruited during their annual routine health examination at a hospital in south Taiwan. The risk of cardiometabolic disorders was estimated by the use of LAP, calculated as (waist circumference [cm]-65)×(triglyceride concentration [mmol/l]).

Diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and obesity are not significant risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma in an HBV- and HCV-endemic area of Southern Taiwan.

A prominent factor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Diabetes mellitus (DM), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and obesity have also been implicated in HCC development, but these associations are not observed in all HBV- and HCV-endemic areas. We attempted to clarify the role of these factors in HCC development in an HBV- and HCV-endemic area in southern Taiwan.

Community-based cross-sectional study: the association of lipids with hepatitis C seropositivity and diabetes mellitus.

Background And Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is reported to be associated with or to cause type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study aimed to elucidate the role of triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (CHOL) levels in the association between anti-HCV seropositivity and T2DM in an HCV-endemic area.

Methods: We analyzed a computerized dataset of 56 338 residents from a community-based comprehensive screening program in Tainan County in southern Taiwan.

Prediction of the binding mode between GSK3β and a peptide derived from GSKIP using molecular dynamics simulation.

GSK3β plays an important role in many physiological functions; dysregulated GSK3β is involved in human diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. This study uses MD simulations to determine the interaction between GSK3β and a peptide derived from GSKIP, a novel GSK3β interacting protein. Results show that GSKIPtide is inlaid in a binding pocket consisting of an α-helix and an extended loop near the carboxy-terminal end.

Risk factors for seizures after first-time ischemic stroke by magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: Seizures are important neurological complications of ischemic stroke. There is a need to further clarify the risk factors of seizures following ischemic stroke and predict those who will require treatment.

Methods: One hundred and forty-three (143) first-time ischemic stroke patients were enrolled in this one-year (2002) retrospective study.