Using a Decision Tree Algorithm Predictive Model for Sperm Count Assessment and Risk Factors in Health Screening Population.

Purpose: Approximately 20% of couples face infertility challenges and struggle to conceive naturally. Despite advances in artificial reproduction, its success hinges on sperm quality. Our previous study used five machine learning (ML) algorithms, random forest, stochastic gradient boosting, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, ridge regression, and extreme gradient boosting, to model health data from 1375 Taiwanese males and identified ten risk factors affecting sperm count.

Fetal-neonatal and maternal pregnancy outcomes in women with rheumatoid arthritis: a population-based cohort study.

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may adversely influence pregnancy and lead to adverse birth outcomes. This study estimated the risk of adverse fetal-neonatal and maternal pregnancy outcomes in women with RA.

Design: This was a retrospective cohort study.

Ultrahigh-Density 256-Channel Neural Sensing Microsystem Using TSV-Embedded Neural Probes.

Highly integrated neural sensing microsystems are crucial to capture accurate signals for brain function investigations. In this paper, a 256-channel neural sensing microsystem with a sensing area of 5 × 5 mm is presented based on 2.5-D through-silicon-via (TSV) integration.

A rare presentation of systemic emphysematous infections secondary to Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia in a diabetic patient.

Background: Diabetic patients are at an increased risk of developing Klebsiella pneumoniae pyogenic liver abscess (KLA) and its extrahepatic complications. This is the first case report depicting the concurrence of pyogenic liver abscess, emphysematous pyelonephritis, and necrotizing fasciitis in 1 patient.

Case Report: A 29-year-old male with a history of poorly controlled diabetes presented to the emergency department with lower back pain and right lower leg pain for 1 week.

Risk of myocardial infarction among patients with gout: a nationwide population-based study.

Objective: To investigate the association between gout and myocardial infarction (MI) in a representative cohort in Taiwan.

Methods: Data were collected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance database. Adults >20 years of age without history of MI were included.

Risk of end-stage renal disease associated with gout: a nationwide population study.

Introduction: We explored the risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among gout patients in a representative cohort in Taiwan.

Methods: The primary database used was the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Subjects older than 20 years without ESRD, coronary heart disease, or stroke were included in the study.

Rheumatoid arthritis prevalence, incidence, and mortality rates: a nationwide population study in Taiwan.

There are few nationwide population studies on the epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we present the epidemiologic features and mortality rates of RA in Taiwan. The catastrophic illness registry of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database and the National Death Registry of Taiwan were used to estimate the incidence and prevalence of RA and its associated mortality rates.

Survival analysis of patients with dermatomyositis and polymyositis: analysis of 192 Chinese cases.

To estimate the mortality rate and identify factors predicting survival in patients with polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM). The medical records of 192 PM/DM patients who were treated at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from 1999 through 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The Taiwan National Death Registry (1999-2008) was used to obtain their survival status.

Intensity modulated radiotherapy for elderly bladder cancer patients.

Background: To review our experience and evaluate treatment planning using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and helical tomotherapy (HT) for the treatment of elderly patients with bladder cancer.

Methods: From November 2006 through November 2009, we enrolled 19 elderly patients with histologically confirmed bladder cancer, 9 in the IMRT and 10 in the HT group. The patients received 64.

Elevated risk of mortality among gout patients: a comparison with the national population in Taiwan.

Objectives: Accumulating evidence suggests that gout is associated with increased overall and cardiovascular mortality. Using data from a large consecutive cohort of gout sufferers who were followed for 8 years, we investigated mortality among gout sufferers and compared the results with data from the general population of Taiwan.

Methods: The study comprised 6631 people who had gout diagnosis at outpatient department of the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in 2000.

The efficacy of additive tolterodine extended release for 1-year in older men with storage symptoms and clinical benign proastatic hyperplasia.

Aim: To determine the efficacy of toterodine extended release (ER) treatment for 1 year in older men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and storage symptoms treated with alpha-blockers and/or 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5ARI).

Methods: Men aged over 70 years with BPH/bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and clinical storage symptoms were randomly treated with or without tolterodine ER in combination with alpha-blockers and/or 5ARI for 12 months. Among them, 50 patients (group 1) received additive tolterodine extended release (ER) 4 mg q.

Infections in polymyositis and dermatomyositis: analysis of 192 cases.

Objectives: To estimate the incidence, characteristics and predictors of infections in patients with PM and DM.

Methods: The medical records of 192 PM/DM patients followed up in a tertiary teaching medical centre from 1999 to 2008 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Seventy-six episodes of major infection, defined as infections requiring>1 week of treatment with anti-microbial agents, occurred in 53 (27.

Pyelo-hepatic fistula.

A 43-year-old woman with hypertension presented to the emergency department with oliguria, fever, and abdominal pain. Physical examination and laboratory evaluation revealed sepsis and acute renal failure. Blood culture yielded Proteus mirabilis.

A retrospective study comparing tension-free vaginal tape and transobturator suburethral tape for surgical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence --- a preliminary report.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and complications of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) versus tension-free transobturator vaginal tape (TVT-O) from inside to outside for the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women.

Methods: Retrospectively, 35 patients with SUI were recruited into this study; 18 patients were assigned to the TVT procedure and 17 patients to the TVT-O operation. Preoperative evaluation included subjective symptoms according to the SEAPI incontinence score (IC score), objective assessment by urodynamic study (including cystometry, electromyography, urethral pressure profile, uroflow), and bead chain voiding cystourethrogram.

Treatment of emphysematous pyelonephritis with broad-spectrum antibacterials and percutaneous renal drainage: an analysis of 10 patients.

Background: This retrospective study was designed to determine the efficacy of broad-spectrum antibacterials combined with percutaneous renal drainage in the treatment of emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN).

Methods: From July 1992 to September 2002, 10 patients (nine females and one male) with EPN were managed at our institution. All patients had diabetes and presented with fever and chills, flank pain or tenderness, vomiting, and altered consciousness.

Bilateral traumatic dislocation of testes.

Dislocation of the testis is a rare trauma. Its diagnosis depends on the awareness of the physician of its possible occurrence. It is usually a late finding during treatment of a motorcyclist brought to the emergency room because of multiple trauma injury and is sometimes demonstrated in the computerized tomographic (CT) scanning of the pelvis.