Association of Parental Overweight and Cardiometabolic Diseases and Pediatric Adiposity and Lifestyle Factors with Cardiovascular Risk Factor Clustering in Adolescents.

Cardiometabolic risk factors or their precursors are observed in childhood and may continue into adulthood. We investigated the effects of parental overweight and cardiometabolic diseases and pediatric lifestyle factors on the clustering of cardiovascular risk factors among adolescents, and examined the mediating and modifying effects of pediatric adiposity on these associations. Representative adolescents (n = 2727; age, 12-16 years) were randomly recruited through multistage stratified sampling from 36 schools in Southern Taiwan.

Symptom severity of patients with advanced cancer in palliative care unit: longitudinal assessments of symptoms improvement.

Background: This study assessed the symptom severity of patients with advanced cancer in a palliative care unit and explored the factors associated with symptom improvement.

Methods: This study was conducted in a palliative care unit in Taiwan between October 2004 and December 2009. Symptom intensity was measured by the "Symptom Reporting Form", and graded on a scale of 0 to 4 (0 = none, and 4 = extreme).

Impact of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors on the occurrence of acute coronary syndrome in patients with dementia.

The study aimed to investigate the association of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) use with the risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study of dementia patients during 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2008 using the National Health Insurance Database in Taiwan. New AChEI users during the study period were matched with AChEI nonusers in age-matched and gender-matched cohorts.

Clinical risk factors of prediabetes in Taiwanese women without substance uses (tobacco, alcohol, or areca nut).

Background/purpose: Individuals with prediabetes (100-125 mg/dL) and diabetes mellitus (DM) increase the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Since personal substance use such as cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and areca nut chewing may confound the true effect of clinical biochemistries on the risk of prediabetes, this study aims to examine the relationship between clinical biochemical parameters and the risk of prediabetes among Taiwanese without the habits of consuming tobacco, alcohol drinking, or areca nut.

Methods: Women aged between 40 years and 64 years who came to one community teaching hospital between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2008 for general health screening for the first time were studied.

Effects of marital status and shift work on family function among registered nurses.

This study aims to assess the interactive effect of marital status and shift work on family function. A population-based sample of 1,438 nurses between the ages of 20-45 yr was recruited from Taiwan during the period from July 2005 to April 2006 using a mailed questionnaire. The self-administered questionnaire contained information about demographic data, work status, shift work schedule, and the Family APGAR (Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve) Scale, to evaluate family function.

Liver function tests may be useful tools for advanced cancer patient care: a preliminary single-center result.

Accurate prognostication in advanced cancer may facilitate better palliative care. An objective marker may be more applicable and appropriate than a subjective evaluation by physicians. The aim of this study was to evaluate liver function tests as useful prognostic factors for survival in patients with advanced cancer.

Use of Fomepizole in Pediatric Methanol Exposure: The First Case Report in Taiwan and a Literature Review.

Methanol poisoning is rare in the pediatric population, but a delay in diagnosis and intervention may cause severe morbidity and mortality. The current therapy for methanol poisoning is ethanol or fomepizole, which acts as a competitive inhibitor of hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase to inhibit the production of toxic metabolites derived from the oxidation of methanol. However, clinical experience in pediatric methanol poisoning is limited, and the safety profiles of the antidotes have not been established in children, especially in Asian populations.

A comprehensive approach in hospice shared care in Taiwan: nonelderly patients have more physical, psychosocial and spiritual suffering.

While symptomatic differences exist between younger and older advanced cancer patients, few studies have examined the differences in their care with respect to age. Our goals were to examine the influences of age differences on physical, psychosocial and spiritual distress among advanced cancer patients. Advanced cancer patients who resided in Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital during 2007-2008 were recruited.

Botulism with Unusual Rapid Progression to Complete Paralysis in a Child.

Botulism is a severe neuroparalytic illness which is difficult to diagnose accurately, especially in children. We report a child with type A botulism intoxication, with very rapid progression to coma-like consciousness and respiratory failure. Careful physical examinations led to the suspicion of botulism, and electrophysiologic examinations, including electroencephalogram and repetitive nerve stimulation tests, further supported the diagnosis.

Occupational risks of esophageal cancer in Taiwanese men.

This study aims to explore whether certain occupations were associated with the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Taiwan. In a hospital-based case-control study, we collected 326 newly diagnosed ESCC patients and 386 age-matched controls (the ratio of case patients: controls = 1:1-2). All respondents completed a questionnaire, including 33 occupations in which environments potential exposure to cancer-related hazards are present.

Whole genome expression in peripheral-blood samples of workers professionally exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

This study aims to examine global gene expression profiles before and after the work-shift among coke-oven workers (COWs). COWs work six consecutive days and then take two days off. Two blood and urine samples in each worker were collected before starting to work after two days off and end-of-shift in the sixth day of work in 2009.

Urinary incontinence: an under-recognized risk factor for falls among elderly dementia patients.

Aims: Elderly people with dementia are at increased risk of falls and intervention trials to prevent falls have failed to demonstrate clinical effectiveness in this population. This study evaluates the role of urinary incontinence as a fall risk factor in older patients with dementia, with the aim of developing relevant intervention strategies.

Methods: Elderly patients with dementia visiting our center were recruited.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in relation to immunological alteration.

Objectives: We evaluated the association between exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and immunological measurements using blood samples from coke oven workers exposed to high and low PAH levels.

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 2008-2009 with coke oven workers and steel-rolling workers as the exposed and control groups, respectively. Questionnaires on basic demographic information were administered.

A Taiwanese boy with congenital generalized lipodystrophy caused by homozygous Ile262fs mutation in the BSCL2 gene.

Congenital generalized lipodystrophy (CGL) is a rare autosomal recessive disease that is characterized by a near-complete absence of adipose tissue from birth or early infancy. Mutations in the BSCL2 gene are known to result in CGL2, a more severe phenotype than CGL1, with earlier onset, more extensive fat loss and biochemical changes, more severe intellectual impairment, and more severe cardiomyopathy. We report a 3-month-old Taiwanese boy with initial presentation of a lack of subcutaneous fat, prominent musculature, generalized eruptive xanthomas, and extreme hypertriglyceridemia.

Bereaved females are more likely to suffer from mood problems even if they do not meet the criteria for prolonged grief.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to describe the gender difference of grief experience and mood distress among caregivers who cared for terminal cancer patients residing in a hospice ward.

Methods: This study recruited 432 caregivers who cared for terminal cancer patients in the hospice ward. Caregivers received telephone interviews 6 months after the patients had died.

Molecular characterization of invasive subpopulations from an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line.

Background: Once diagnosed, esophageal cancer has a very low overall 5-year survival rate. This study investigates the mechanisms behind the invasiveness and severity of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Materials And Methods: Transwell invasion chamber was used to subdivide one Taiwanese ESCC cell line, CE81T/VGH, into sublines (CE81T-0, CE81T-1, CE81T-2, CE81T-3, and CE81T-4) in four rounds of assays; the most invasive were identified, and various factors related to their invasiveness measured.

Second-hand smoke and chronic bronchitis in Taiwanese women: a health-care based study.

Background: Cigarette smoking cannot fully explain the epidemiologic characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in women, particularly for those who rarely smoke, but COPD risk is not less than men. The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure and chronic bronchitis in Taiwanese women.

Methods: We used Taiwan's National Health Insurance Bureau claims data in 1999, and cross-checked using criteria set by the American Thoracic Society; there were 33 women with chronic bronchitis, 182 with probable chronic bronchitis, and 205 with no chronic bronchitis during our interview time between 2000 and 2005.

Sex differences in metabolic morbidities: influenced by diet or exercise habits?

We implemented a nationwide population-based study in Taiwan to compare the physical and biochemical parameters, diet and exercise lifestyles, and prevalences of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension between males and females, and to clarify the determinants of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension in Taiwan. In this cross-sectional study, 7,578 subjects were selected from the general population by stratified random sampling for the Surveillance of Taiwanese Civil Health in 2002. Blood samples were taken and information on body composition, demographics, exercise and dietary habits, and medical and drug histories were obtained from structured interviews administered by well-trained interviewers.

Determinants of complicated grief in caregivers who cared for terminal cancer patients.

Purpose: There is little research on determinants and the grief that caregivers experience after their relatives die of cancer. This study evaluated factors which influence complicated grief among caregivers who cared for patients who died of cancer in Taiwan.

Methods: This prospective study recruited 668 caregivers who cared for terminally ill cancer patients in the hospice ward or who received shared-care consultation.

Comparison of plasma antioxidant levels and related metabolic parameters between smokers and non-smokers.

The relationship between cigarette smoking and cell damage is complicated, particularly considering the role of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to identify the relationships among plasma nicotine metabolites, lipophilic antioxidants, and metabolic parameters in smokers and nonsmokers. This cross-sectional study recruited 100 subjects who visited the Department of Family Medicine at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital.

Association between serum leptin and adiponectin levels with risk of insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance in non-diabetic women.

Obesity is a well known risk factor for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Recently discovered adipocyte-derived proteins (leptin and adiponectin) might contribute to the pathologic mechanism linking obesity and insulin resistance. A total of 190 non-diabetic women were recruited from the Obesity Clinic of Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Taiwan, between February 2003 and February 2004.

Food intake and the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma in different sections of the esophagus in Taiwanese men.

Objective: The main objective of this study was to further elucidate the effect of consuming various foods on the development of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in three different sections of the esophagus.

Methods: A total of 343 patients with SCC of the esophagus and 755 cancer-free control subjects were recruited for this study from 1996 to 2005.

Results: We found that intake of vegetables, raw onions/garlic, and fruits are significantly protective against esophageal SSC risk, whereas intake of hot foods can significantly increase its risk.

Lack of associations between several polymorphisms in cytokine genes and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in Taiwan.

Cytokine-induced inflammation is the predominant underlying mechanism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Genetic factors may play a pivotal role in the development of this disease. This study looked at the relationship between COPD and genetic polymorphisms in the genes encoding some of these cytokines in a Taiwanese population.