Simple transpedicular vertebral biopsy for diagnosis of malignancy in vertebral compression fracture.

Background: The transpedicular route in percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is a well-established approach for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). However, the value of simple transpedicular biopsy in VCFs is less addressed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the value of transpedicular biopsy during PVP for uncovering the malignancy in VCFs in a 10-year retrospective study.

Oligohydramnios increases the risk of respiratory hospitalization in childhood: a population-based study.

Background: Pulmonary hypoplasia is associated with reduced lung function in infancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that children exposed to oligohydramnios display an increased risk of hospitalization for respiratory illness by using a population-based matched-cohort design.

Methods: We used three nationwide population-based data sets to identify 5,228 women who gave birth during 2004 to 2007 and were diagnosed with oligohydramnios during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Suppression of urinary bladder urothelial carcinoma cell by the ethanol extract of pomegranate fruit through cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

Background: Pomegranate possesses many medicinal properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammation and antitumor. It has been extensively used as a folk medicine by many cultures. Pomegranate fruit has been shown to have the inhibitory efficacy against prostate cancer and lung cancer in vitro and in vivo.

A structural model of the influence of immigrant mothers' depressive symptoms and home environment on their children's early developmental outcomes in Taiwan.

In this cross-sectional study of 61 immigrant mothers and their 6- to 24-month-old children in Taiwan, we examined the structure of relationships among maternal depressive symptoms, quality of the child-rearing home environment, and child development using a partial least squares approach. Maternal depressive symptoms as measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale had a direct and negative effect on the quality of the home environment as measured by the IT-HOME, which in turn had a direct and positive effect on child development as measured by the Comprehensive Developmental Inventory for Infants and Toddlers. Maternal depressive symptoms did not directly affect child development, suggesting that the quality of the home environment mediated the relationship between maternal depressive symptoms and child development.

Antibacterial effects on dry-fast and traditional water-based surgical scrubbing methods: a two-time points experimental study.

This study determined the in-use effects of dry-fast and traditional hand-washing surgical scrubs among operating room staff members. This is a static group comparison study with purposive sampling. A total of 156 staff members were recruited in an operating room in a medical center located in southern Taiwan.

Relationship between media viewing and obesity in school-aged children in Taipei, Taiwan.

Background: Increased media viewing such as watching television and videos and playing on/using computers has been associated with childhood obesity. Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend limiting children's total media time to no more than 2 hours per day. Information about media usage and school-aged obesity in Taiwan is lacking.

Excess mortality and long-term disability from healthcare-associated staphylococcus aureus infections: a population-based matched cohort study.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), but the impact of S. aureus HAIs on the long-term survival and functional status of hospitalized patients remain unknown. This study aimed to examine whether S.

Incidence of liver trauma and relative risk factors for mortality: a population-based study.

Background: Liver trauma is the main cause of death arising from blunt abdominal injury. Nonoperative management (NOM) has been advocated to be a safe option for stable patients who have suffered liver trauma. This study used a population-based dataset to illustrate the incidence of liver trauma, its various causes and treatment, and outcomes.

Sonographic detection of pseudoaneurysm in vascular injury in emergency department.

A 31-year-old man suffered from a stab wound to the lower extremity. The patient had a hard sign of a vascular injury (a diminished distal pulse) and therefore probably should have undergone operative repair, but refused. One week later, he returned to our emergency department with a painful right thigh swelling.

Self-reported internalizing and externalizing behaviours among junior high school students at 2 and 4 years after the 921 earthquake in Taiwan.

We examined the impact of the 921 Taiwan Earthquake on internalizing and externalizing behaviours among junior high school students 2 and 4 years after the earthquake. This study was a secondary analysis using data extracted from the Taiwan Education Panel Survey and included 12111 students. The impact of the earthquake was assessed by the length of time to restore the home environment and whether a family member died or was severely injured in the earthquake.

First Report of Cowpea mild mottle virus in Cowpea and French Bean in Taiwan.

In 2009, more than 50% of vine type French beans were found bearing severe viral symptoms in a vegetable garden in Nantou County, Taiwan. Infected plants were stunted and exhibited pronounced mottling symptoms on their leaves. The symptomatic plants were mechanically inoculated on Chenopodium quinoa and local lesions developed 7 to 10 days after inoculation.

Knockdown of PsbO leads to induction of HydA and production of photobiological H2 in the green alga Chlorella sp. DT.

Green algae are able to convert solar energy to H2 via the photosynthetic electron transport pathway under certain conditions. Algal hydrogenase (HydA, encoded by HYDA) is in charge of catalyzing the reaction: 2H(+)+2e(-)↔H2 but usually inhibited by O2, a byproduct of photosynthesis. The aim of this study was to knockdown PsbO (encoded by psbO), a subunit concerned with O2 evolution, so that it would lead to HydA induction.

Comparison of survival among neoadjuvant chemoradiation responders, non-responders and patients receiving primary resection for locally advanced oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma: does neoadjuvant chemoradiation benefit all?

Objectives: While neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgery has been shown to improve the survival of patients with locally advanced oesophageal cancer, it is not known whether neoadjuvant chemoradiation has a beneficial or harmful effect on the non-responders. We aimed to compare the outcomes among neoadjuvant chemoradiation responders, non-responders and patients receiving primary oesophagectomies for resectable locally advanced oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: Eighty-four non-T1-2N0 oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients were included.

Efficient mapping and geographic disparities in breast cancer mortality at the county-level by race and age in the U.S.

This study identified geographic disparities in breast cancer mortality across the U.S. using kriging to overcome unavailability of data because of confidentiality and reliability concerns.

Increases in Xu Zheng and Yu Zheng among Patients with Breast Cancer Receiving Different Anticancer Drug Therapies.

Aim. The objectives of this study were to compare yang-xu, yin-xu, and yu among patients with breast cancer right before, one month after, and three months after receiving target, chemo, or combined therapy. Method.

Drosophila bestrophin-1 currents are regulated by phosphorylation via a CaMKII dependent mechanism.

Cell swelling induced by hypo-osmotic stress results in activation of volume-regulated anion channels (VRAC) that drive a compensatory regulatory volume decrease. We have previously shown that the Best1 gene in Drosophila encodes a VRAC that is also activated by increases in intracellular Ca(2+). The role of Best1 as a VRAC has recently been independently confirmed by the Clapham lab in an unbiased RNAi screen.

A randomized clinical trial of auricular point acupressure for chronic low back pain: a feasibility study.

Objectives. This prospective, randomized clinical trial (RCT) was designed to investigate the feasibility and effects of a 4-week auricular point acupressure (APA) for chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods.

Central nervous system infections and stroke -- a population-based analysis.

Background: Chronic central nervous system (CNS) infections have been found to associate with cerebrovascular complications. Acute CNS infections are more common than chronic CNS infections, but whether they could increase the risk of vascular diseases has not been studied.

Methods: The study cohort comprised all adult patients with diagnoses of CNS infections from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database during 2000-2009 (n = 533).

Acupuncture or Acupressure at the Sanyinjiao (SP6) Acupoint for the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Meta-Analysis.

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture or acupressure at the Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoint in relieving pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea. We searched the scientific literature databases to identify randomized controlled trials. The primary outcome was visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score.

Parathyroid hormone ablation alters erythrocyte parameters that are rescued by calcium-sensing receptor gene deletion.

The mechanisms by which parathyroid hormone (PTH) produces anemia are unclear. Parathyroid hormone secretion is regulated by the extracellular Ca2+ -sensing receptor. We investigated the effects of ablating PTH on hematological indices and erythrocytes volume regulation in wild-type, PTH-null, and Ca2+ -sensing receptor-null/PTH-null mice.

Sonographic patterns of the endometrium in assessment of medical abortion outcomes.

Background: We aimed to define endometrial pattern and endometrial thickness in predicting the outcome of early medical abortion.

Study Design: While blinded to outcomes of abortion, we retrospectively reviewed the ultrasound scan performed 14-21 days after medical abortion. We assessed the endometrial pattern and endometrial thickness.

Health issues among nurses in Taiwanese hospitals: National survey.

Background: Few, if any, studies have compared the health issues of nurses working in different hospital settings. The objective of this study was to compare the health status and work-related health hazards among nurses working in different hospital units in Taiwan.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey.

Characterization of microparticle separation utilizing electrokinesis within an electrodeless dielectrophoresis chip.

This study demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing electrokinesis in an electrodeless dielectrophoresis chip to separate and concentrate microparticles such as biosamples. Numerical simulations and experimental observations were facilitated to investigate the phenomena of electrokinetics, i.e.

Spatial vulnerability under extreme events: a case of Asian dust storm's effects on children's respiratory health.

Asian dust storm (ADS) events have raised concerns regarding their adverse impact on human health. Whether ADS events can result in the heterogeneity of health impacts on children across space and time has not been studied. The goal of this study is to examine the spatial vulnerability impact of ADS events on children's respiratory health geographically and to analyze any patterns related to ADS episodes.

Transtheoretical model-based passive smoking prevention programme among pregnant women and mothers of young children.

Background: We evaluated the effectiveness of a transtheoretical model (TTM)-based passive smoking prevention programme developed to enhance passive smoking avoidance among pregnant women and women with young children in Taiwan.

Methods: Subjects were pregnant women recruited from the obstetrics/gynaecology department and women with children younger than age 3 recruited from the paediatrics department of four hospitals in Taiwan. Participants were randomly assigned to a group receiving a TTM-based intervention programme or a comparison group receiving routine care.