High-flow nasal cannula improves respiratory impedance evaluated by impulse oscillometry in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: a randomised controlled trial.

Non-pharmacological treatment with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) may play a vital role in treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To evaluate the efficacy of HFNC, impulse oscillation system (IOS) is a new noninvasive technique in measuring the impedance of different portions of lungs. It shows higher sensitivity in contrast to conventional pulmonary function tests (PFT).

Bioabsorbable fish scale for the internal fixation of fracture: a preliminary study.

Fish scales, which consist of type I collagen and hydroxyapatite (HA), were used to fabricate a bioabsorbable bone pin in this study. Fresh fish scales were decellularized and characterized to provide higher biocompatibility. The mechanical properties of fish scales were tested, and the microstructure of an acellular fish scale was examined.

A cornea substitute derived from fish scale: 6-month followup on rabbit model.

A fish scale-derived cornea substitute (Biocornea) is proposed as an alternative for human donor corneal tissue. We adopt a regenerative medicine approach to design a primary alternative to the use of fish scale for restoring sight by corneal replacement. Biocornea with corneal multilayer arrangement collagen was implanted to rabbits by pocket implantation.

Gender differences in myocardial perfusion defect in asymptomatic postmenopausal women and men with and without diabetes mellitus.

Background: To compare the results of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) of asymptomatic postmenopausal women and age-matched men and to investigate the effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on gender differences and the risk estimation of coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods: Sixty-seven postmenopausal women and 27 men low in Framingham Global Risk Score (FGRS) were recruited from year 2008 to 2009 in northern Taiwan. Each subject underwent blood tests, a cardiopulmonary exercise test, an electrocardiograph (ECG), and MPI.

Myocardial perfusion image in asymptomatic postmenopausal women with physical inactivity and overweight.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether physical inactivity and overweight deteriorate myocardial perfusion and cardiac function in asymptomatic postmenopausal women.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study design was used. Postmenopausal women recruited in this study were categorized into groups based on activity level and BMI: physically active, normal-weight group (PANw, n = 15, 60.

Home-based exercise improves the quality of life and physical function but not the psychological status of people with chronic heart failure: a randomised trial.

Questions: Are anxiety and depression correlated with physical function, disability, and quality of life in people with chronic heart failure? Does 8 weeks of home-based exercise improve anxiety, depression, physical function, disability, and quality of life in these patients? Do the changes in these outcomes correlate?

Design: Randomised trial.

Participants: 51 people with clinically stable chronic heart failure were randomised into an experimental group (n=24) or a control group (n=27).

Intervention: The experimental group undertook an individualised home-based exercise program, 30 minutes per session, 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks, with regular telephone follow-up and consultations.

A cell sorter with modified bamboo charcoal for the efficient selection of specific antibody-producing hybridomas.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been proven useful in research and clinical applications. However, the generation of mAbs by conventional hybridoma technology is time-, cost- and labor-consuming. Here we developed a simplified procedure for efficient generation and selection of antibody-producing hybridomas within 1 h, using a particular cell sorter design, a cytoflow reactor-based cell sorter (CBCS) which consists mainly of the "cytoflow reactor" that comprises two components, a reaction chamber and a glass tubing for air and medium exchange by gravity, and the "sorting material", human EGFR-conjugated bamboo charcoal, for specific B-cell enrichment.

A new fish scale-derived scaffold for corneal regeneration.

The purpose of this study is to develop a novel scaffold, derived from fish scales, as an alternative functional material with sufficient mechanical strength for corneal regenerative applications. Fish scales, which are usually considered as marine wastes, were acellularized, decalcified and fabricated into collagen scaffolds. The microstructure of the acellularized scaffold was imaged by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Home-based exercise increases exercise capacity but not quality of life in people with chronic heart failure: a systematic review.

Questions: Does home-based exercise improve exercise capacity and quality of life in people with chronic heart failure? Is it safe?

Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis.

Participants: Adults with heart failure > 3 months duration.

Intervention: Home-based aerobic exercise with or without resistance exercise.

Efficacy of a home-based exercise program for orthotopic heart transplant recipients.

Background: A hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation program can significantly improve the cardiopulmonary endurance and quality of life (QOL) in patients after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). Home-based programs for these patients have advantages of low cost and high accessibility, but little is known about their efficacy. This prospective study was designed to evaluate the effect of an 8-week home-based exercise program on muscular strength and endurance of lower limbs, aerobic capacity and QOL in OHT recipients.