Anatomical variations in 3D imaging: A case report of a dorsal metacarpal artery anomaly.

This report presents a novel anatomical variant of the second dorsal metacarpal artery (SDMA). In this unique case, the SDMA abnormally penetrates the second dorsal interosseous muscle (SDIM), dividing into two major branches. A deep dorsal branch of the SDMA (dbSDMA) is located within the SDIM and extends to the distal end of the metacarpal.

Obstructive sleep apnea and genotype rs6843082 as a risk factor for cerebrovascular accident.

NO previous studies have examined the simultaneous effects of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, and the SNP rs68430822 on stroke. We aimed to explore whether these elements together, play a role as risk factors for stroke. Data was obtained from the Taiwan Biobank and the National Health Insurance database.

The Role of in Reducing Obesity and Inflammation: A Meta-Analysis.

Recent research has underscored the efficacy of in managing obesity among healthy adults. This meta-analysis reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from major databases up to May 2024, focusing on the effects of on body weight, body mass index (BMI), and metabolic parameters. This study has been registered in PROSPERO (number: CRD 42024531611).

Honey in Alleviating Severe Oral Mucositis Among Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy.

Background/aim: Aiming to resolve debates on honey's efficacy for radiotherapy-induced severe oral mucositis in head and neck cancer, we conducted a meta-analysis focused on randomized trials, primarily assessing severe mucositis incidence. Secondary outcomes included weight loss, pain management, and honey types.

Materials And Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, WOS, and the Cochrane Library up to December 2023.

Effects of length of residency on the development of physical and mental illnesses in immigrant women in Taiwan: a retrospective cohort study using nationwide data.

Objectives: The majority of female immigrants who are married in Taiwan often face a variety of stresses, which may lead to physical or mental illness. Yet few studies have validated the impact of length of residency on physical and mental health using large-scale data. This study combined five nationwide databases and explored the impact of length of residency in Taiwan on the physical and mental health of female marriage immigrants.

The Use of Premixed Drugs in Commodity Packets in the Population: Prevalence and Correlates Revealed by the 2018 National Survey of Substance Use in Taiwan.

Background: Administering premixed drugs in commodity packets was first reported in Asia in 2015, but there continues to be a dearth of related population-based data. This study aimed at examining (1) the prevalence of drug-packet use in the population and (2) the sociodemographic profiles, particularly gender distribution, of drug-packet users.

Methods: Data were derived from a survey of 18,626 Taiwanese civilians, aged 12-64 years, using stratified, multi-stage, random sampling in 2018.

The inhibitory role of microRNA-141-3p in human cutaneous melanoma growth and metastasis through the fibroblast growth factor 13-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase axis.

Human cutaneous melanoma (CM) is a highly invasive malignancy arising from melanocytes, and accompanied by ever-increasing incidence and mortality rates worldwide. Interestingly, microRNAs (miRNAs) possess the ability to regulate CM cell biological functions, resulting in the aggressive progression of CM. Nevertheless, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanism remains elusive.

Family, personal, parental correlates and behavior disturbances in school-aged boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a cross-sectional study.

Background: To evaluate the relationship among family, personal, parental correlates, and behavioral disturbances in boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methods: We performed a hospital-based cross-sectional study. School-aged boys who first visited the hospital between 2000 and 2011 with ADHD were identified.

The Interaction between Exercise and Marital Status on Depression: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Taiwan Biobank.

Few studies evaluating the relationship between depression and exercise consider peoples' socio-demographic characteristics. This cross-sectional study investigated the interaction between exercise and marital status and depression in Taiwanese adults. Data from the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) was recruited from the Taiwan Biobank.

Factors That Prevent Mosquito-Borne Diseases among Migrant Workers in Taiwan: Application of the Health Belief Model in a Church-Based Health Promotion Study.

Background: Southeast Asian countries have long been considered epidemic areas for mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs), and most imported cases of infectious diseases in Taiwan are from these areas. Taiwanese migrant workers are mainly of Southeast Asian nationality, and of these, 22% are Filipino. Migrant workers' knowledge of MBDs and self-protection behaviors are beneficial to disease prevention and treatment.

A Comparative Prevalence of Birth Defects between Newborns of Immigrant and Native-Born Mothers in Taiwan: Ten Years of Population-Based Data.

In recent years, newborns born to immigrant mothers have accounted for about 10% of the total births in Taiwan. However, little is known about whether there are differences between newborns of immigrant and native-born mothers regarding the prevalence and the possible causes of birth defects. By combining four nationwide databases and assessing all newborns between 2005 and 2014 in Taiwan as research subjects, this study determined the prevalence of birth defects stratified into nine categories (neuronal, facial, cleft, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urogenital, musculoskeletal and chromosomal abnormalities) in the newborns of immigrant mothers and native-born mothers.

Men's decrease and women's increase in harmful alcohol use from the 2014 to 2018 national surveys in Taiwan: A harbinger for an emerging national trend in East Asia?

Background: Gender differences in alcohol use have narrowed in Western societies, but that in Asia has been less investigated. By comparing the 2014 and 2018 waves of the national survey in Taiwan, we aimed to examine the gender differences in population trends in past-month alcohol use, binge drinking, and harmful alcohol use.

Methods: The national survey enrolled 17,837 participants in 2014 and 18,626 participants in 2018.

Association between hypertension and coffee drinking based on CYP1A2 rs762551 single nucleotide polymorphism in Taiwanese.

Background: Hypertension increases the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is related to caffeine metabolism and the risk of CVD among coffee drinkers. CYP1A2 rs762551 influenced the risk of stroke among hypertensive patients.

Relationships of excessive internet use with depression, anxiety, and sleep quality among high school students in northern Vietnam.

Purpose: To examine the associations of excessive internet use with depression, anxiety, and sleep quality among high school students in northern Vietnam, a country experiencing rapid economic growth.

Design And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a high school in northern Vietnam from July to September 2019. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were respectively assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and the Vietnamese Anxiety Scale.

Is Brisk Walking an Effective Physical Activity for promoting Taiwanese Adolescents' Mental Health?

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine if brisk walking is an effective physical activity for promoting adolescents' mental health.

Design And Methods: This quasi-experimental study employs a one-group repeated-measure design. Sixty-four volunteer students in 10th to 12th grade were recruited from a high school in central Taiwan, and they participated in a brisk-walking program for 12 weeks.

A pathway to negative acculturation: marital maladjustment mediates the relationship between the length of residency and depressive symptoms in immigrant women in Taiwan.

Background: Immigrant women in Taiwan experience a variety of acculturative and marital problems that result in a mental-health problems. We examined the mediational effect of marital adjustment on the relationship between acculturation and depressive symptoms in immigrant women in Taiwan.

Methods: All participants (N = 127) were interviewed to collect data regarding their basic sociodemographics, depressive symptoms, acculturation (using language proficiency and years in Taiwan as indicators), and marital adjustment.

Protective equipment and health education program could benefit students from dust pollution.

In recent years, children living in the downstream of the Choshui River in Taiwan have been exposed to violent dust episodes. For the sake of the health of these children, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of protective equipment (sand-proof plastic cover and air purifier) installed outside/inside the classrooms on students' pulmonary function and evaluate the health education program for preventing the adverse consequences of exposure to river-dust episodes. Public elementary school students in Yunlin County, which was severely affected by river-dust, were selected as the participants.

Factors associated with hepatitis A virus infection among HIV-positive patients before and after implementation of a hepatitis A virus vaccination program at a medical centre in central Taiwan.

Unlabelled: Background Taiwan government has promoted the administration of a hepatitis A vaccine at public expense for high-risk groups as a preventive measure after the outbreak of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections in 2015. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of such vaccination policy in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Methods: From January 2016 to July 2017, we enrolled 658 HIV-positive male participants.

Enhanced directly-observed treatment short-course for tuberculosis control program in mountain areas of Taiwan.

Introduction: Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) is one of the most cost-effective approaches for TB treatment. However, TB incidence rates remain high in the mountain areas of Taiwan. A lay health advisor (LHA) strategy is integrated into DOTS as an Enhanced-DOTS (E-DOTS) to provide trustworthy, culturally-specific services in mountain areas that consider the characteristics of local ethnic groups.

Hepatitis B virus seroprevalence among HIV-infected patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy three decades after universal neonatal hepatitis B immunization program in Taiwan.

Background/purpose: This multicenter study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) among patients receiving HIV care in Taiwan.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of HIV-infected adult patients who initiated cART at 11 designated hospitals in Taiwan between 2012 and 2016. The clinical information collected included serological profiles on HBV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and syphilis, plasma HIV RNA load, nadir CD4 cell count, and antiretrovirals with activity against both HBV and HIV (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate [TDF], lamivudine [LAM], and emtricitabine [FTC]).

Effectiveness of a brief information, motivation and behavioral skills program on stage transitions and lapse for individuals who use ketamine.

Objective: Chronic ketamine use is a significant public health and social problem in East and South East Asia and may lead to impairments in health and cognitive functioning. The study evaluated effects of an information, motivation and behavior skills (IMB) program on changes in motivational stage and ketamine use.

Methods: Ketamine using individuals residing in the City of Taipei were recruited (N = 395): 279 selected an IMB program consisting of a 1-day workshop of six 50-minute interactive sessions provided in small groups.

Including selective metabolic components in current diagnostic criteria does not improve discriminative validity for metabolic syndrome: a risk score approach.

Objective: To examine whether including additional metabolic components to the current five-marker system can improve the discriminative validity for diagnosing metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods: This longitudinal cohort study included data from subjects that had completed at least three health examinations during a 5-year period. The study outcome was the onset of MetS.