Adolescent-Caregiver Agreement Regarding the School Bullying and Cyberbullying Involvement Experiences of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

School bullying and cyberbullying victimization and perpetration are prevalent in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (AASD). However, the levels of adolescent-caregiver agreement regarding the bullying involvement of AASD and the factors associated with these levels remain to be evaluated. In the present study, we evaluated the levels of adolescent-caregiver agreement on the school bullying and cyberbullying involvement experiences of AASD and the factors associated with the levels of agreement.

The Associations between Erythropoietic Response with Inflammation Markers and Perfluorinated Chemicals in Hemodialysis Patients.

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) are used to treat anemia in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We investigated the role of inflammation and accumulation of environmental toxins (perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), such as perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate) in the erythropoietic response of HD patients who receive a fixed monthly continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA) dosage. Forty-five patients underwent three successive phases of ESA treatment for two months each (phase one: 100 µg CERA once monthly; phase two: 50 µg CERA twice monthly; phase three: 100 µg CERA once monthly).

The Effects of Yoga Exercise on Blood Pressure and Hand Grip Strength in Chronic Stroke Patients: A Pilot Controlled Study.

Background: We investigated the beneficial effect of add-on yoga with rehabilitation on blood pressure (BP) and hand grip strength in patients with chronic stroke (more than 90 days).

Methods: The study included patients 30-80 years of age who could stand independently for 1 min. Patients with psychiatric diseases or undergoing other therapies (like acupuncture) were excluded.

Protective Effect of Escitalopram on Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Inducing Autophagy.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis. Although recent research has indicated that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including escitalopram, have anticancer effects, little is known about the effects of escitalopram on HCC.

Methods: Both in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to verify the potentials of escitalopram on HCC treatment.

Perfluorooctanesulfonate Can Cause Negative Bias in Creatinine Measurement in Hemodialysis Patients Using Polysulfone Dialysis Membranes.

Serum creatinine is an important clinical marker for renal clearance. However, two conventional methods (Jaffe and enzymatic) are prone to interferences with organic compounds as compared to the standard method (isotope dilution-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) and can cause a significant negative bias. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are two common perfluorochemicals (PFCs) that can easily be accumulated in humans.

Validation of the Chinese Version of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Background: The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) is an essential semi-structured diagnostic tool for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study aims to validate the Chinese version of the ADI-R in Taiwan.

Methods: The Chinese version of the ADI-R was translated and back-translated by professional translators and was approved by the original authors.

Lower Risk of Burn Injury in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Little research has examined burn injury in the pediatric population with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We used data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database to identify 15,844 participants aged <18 years with ASD and 130,860 participants without ASD. Our results revealed that the hazard ratios differed across three age ranges.

Methylphenidate and mortality in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: population-based cohort study.

Background: Little is known about methylphenidate (MPH) use and mortality outcomes.

Aims: To investigate the association between MPH use and mortality among children with an attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis.

Method: This population-based cohort study analysed data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Mortality Risk in Taiwan.

Importance: Few studies have investigated levels of mortality in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and findings have been inconsistent and lacking information on specific causes of deaths.

Objective: To investigate the association between ADHD and causes of death in Taiwan.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A nationwide population-based cohort study was conducted using a cross-national Taiwanese registry.

Antipsychotic use is inversely associated with gastric cancer risk: A nationwide population-based nested case-control study.

Objective: The association between antipsychotic use and gastric cancer risk remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between antipsychotic exposure and the incidence of gastric cancer.

Methods: Using a nested case-control design, a total of 34 470 gastric cancer patients and 163 430 nongastric cancer controls were identified from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2013.

Self-Reported and Parent-Reported School Bullying in Adolescents with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Roles of Autistic Social Impairment, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity and Oppositional Defiant Disorder Symptoms.

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of self-reported and parent-reported bullying victimization, perpetration, and victimization-perpetration and the associations of autistic social impairment and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms with bullying involvement in adolescents with high functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 219 adolescents with high functioning ASD participated in this study. The associations of sociodemographic characteristics, parent-reported autistic social impairment, and parent-reported ADHD and ODD symptoms with self-reported and parent-reported bullying victimization, perpetration, and victimization-perpetration were examined using logistic regression analysis.

Dialysis Membranes Influence Perfluorochemical Concentrations and Liver Function in Patients on Hemodialysis.

: Perfluoro-octanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluoro-octanoic acid (PFOA) are two toxic perfluorochemicals (PFCs) commonly used as surfactants. PFCs are difficult to be eliminated from the body. We investigated the influence of different dialysis membranes on the concentrations of PFCs in patients under hemodialysis.

New use for old drugs: The protective effect of atypical antipsychotics on hepatocellular carcinoma.

It has been encouraged to use large existing data like insurance claims data to investigate the new indications of old drugs. New strategies of research are warranted to identify feasible drugs. We conducted a dual research model with a population-based case-control study using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database and an in vitro study to investigate the association between atypical antipsychotic and Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk.

Associations between perfluorinated chemicals and serum biochemical markers and performance status in uremic patients under hemodialysis.

Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are commonly used perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs). PFCs are mainly excreted by urine. Uremic patients tend to accumulate toxins in their body and have poor functional status.

Antidepressant medication use and nasopharyngeal cancer risk: a nationwide population-based study.

Background: The association between antidepressant exposure and nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) has not been previously explored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between antidepressant prescription, including novel antidepressants, and the risk of NPC in a population-based study.

Materials And Methods: Data for the analysis were derived from National Health Insurance Research Database.

Far-infrared ray patches relieve pain and improve skin sensitivity in myofascial pain syndrome: A double-blind randomized controlled study.

Objective: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common disorder characterized by muscle pain if myofascial trigger points (MTrP) are stimulated. This study evaluated the effectiveness of far-infrared ray (FIR) patches in reducing the severity of pain in patients with MPS.

Methods: A double-blind, randomized controlled study involving 125 patients with MPS and 201 MTrPs located in the trapezius muscle.

SSRIs associated with decreased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: A population-based case-control study.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cancer-related cause of mortality worldwide. Antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are commonly used worldwide. Available evidence investigating the association between SSRIs use and HCC risk is limited.

Screening for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and developmental delay in Taiwanese aboriginal preschool children.

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the percentages of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Taiwanese aboriginal preschool children. Child development level was compared between the two groups.

Methods: Teachers completed screening questionnaires for ADHD, ASD, and development level for 36- to 72-month-old children in kindergartens in Taiwan.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and antidepressants: a nationwide population-based study.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is highly prevalent in Asia. Antidepressants have been associated with increase in hepatocellular carcinoma. This is the first Asian population-based study to evaluate the association between antidepressant use and risk of HCC.

Endometrial cancer and antidepressants: A nationwide population-based study.

To our knowledge, the association between antidepressant exposure and endometrial cancer has not been previously explored. Herein, we aim to investigate the association between antidepressant prescription, including novel antidepressants, and the risk for endometrial cancer in a population-based study.Data for the analysis were derived from National Health Insurance Research Database.

Fixed dose of long-acting erythropoietic stimulating agents at higher frequency improves appetite, reduces inflammation and corrects anaemia in patients on haemodialysis.

Anaemia is an important issue in patients undergoing haemodialysis. We aimed to identify a better dosing schedule of a fixed monthly dose of continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on haemodialysis. The CERA dosing schedule included 100 μg once monthly for 2 months, 50 μg twice monthly for 2 months and then 100 μg once monthly for two months.

Shift from darbepoetin-α to continuous erythropoietin receptor activator decreases serum aluminium concentration in patients on hemodialysis.

Objective: The response of erythropoietic stimulating agents (ESA) in uremic patients may be associated with the changes of biochemical parameters, metal elements and inflammation status during the shift from one ESA to another.

Method: We compared changes in above mentioned factors after switching from darbepoetin-α (DPO) 20μg weekly for 10 weeks to continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA) 100μg monthly for 10 weeks in uremic patients on hemodialysis. The haematocrit (Hct), metal elements and inflammation status are the primary outcome.

Antidepressants and Gastric Cancer: A Nationwide Population-Based Nested Case-Control Study.

Background: To our knowledge, no epidemiological study has reported on whether an association between antidepressant exposure and gastric cancer exists. Herein, we aim to investigate the possible association between antidepressant exposure and gastric cancer incidence.

Methods: Using a nested case-control design, we identified 26289 cases with gastric cancer and 127984 controls from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).