Para table tennis improves psychological/mental and cardiovascular health in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Background: Although rehabilitation exercise is known to be beneficial for cardiovascular and mental health, it remains a daunting challenge for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) who rely on wheelchairs for mobility.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a 4-week para table tennis program in enhancing self-efficacy and health outcomes in adults with SCI.

Methods: A total of 39 SCI patients were included and divided into the experimental group (n = 18, a 4-week para table tennis training program) and the control group (n = 21).

Altered heart rate variability and pulse-wave velocity after spinal cord injury.

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) and pulse-wave velocity (PWV), indicators of cardiac function, are altered in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), suggesting that autonomic cardiac function and arterial stiffness may underlie the high risk of cardiovascular complications in these patients. No study has simultaneously investigated HRV and PWV in the same patients.

Aim: To evaluate cardiovascular complications in SCI patients by comparing HRV and PWV between patients with and without SCI.

Impacts of course type and student gender on distance learning performance: A case study in Taiwan.

The global outbreak of COVID-19 since January 2020 has forced the closure of schools and universities in over 180 countries to control the pandemic, affecting approximately 90% of students worldwide. Distance teaching has been adopted during school closures to suspend classes without suspending learning. Scholars have claimed that distance teaching is more effective than face-to-face teaching and can replace face-to-face courses.

Rebuilding Life: Investigating the Long-Term Homecare Needs of Clients With Spinal Cord Injuries.

Background: Clients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) must learn to manage their disabilities and may never be able to resume their previous lifestyle. Therefore, receiving relevant information and support from care practitioners and institutions is essential for clients with long-term SCI.

Purpose: This study investigated the long-term homecare needs of clients with SCIs.

Body Composition Outcomes of a Qigong Intervention Among Community-Dwelling Aging Adults.

Aging causes various changes in body composition, which are critical implications for health and physical functioning in aging adults. The aim of this study was to explore the body composition outcomes of a qigong intervention among community-dwelling aging adults. This was a quasi-experimental study in which 90 participants were recruited.

Risk of Allergic Rhinitis, Allergic Conjunctivitis, and Eczema in Children Born to Mothers with Gum Inflammation during Pregnancy.

Purpose: Despite links between maternal and child health status, evidence on the association between gum infection in pregnant mothers and childhood allergies is scarce. We aim to evaluate the risk of developing allergy in children born to periodontal mothers in a nationwide study.

Methods: We conducted a 9-year population-based, retrospective cohort study using Taiwan's National Health Insurance database.

Does Social Health Insurance Close the Gap: The Case of Socioeconomic Status and Preterm Low-Birth-Weight Survival.

Using a retrospective cohort study design, we report empirical evidence on the effect of parental socioeconomic status, primary care, and health care expenditure associated with preterm or low-birth-weight (PLBW) babies on their mortality (neonatal, postneonatal, and under-5 mortality) under a universal health care system. A total of 4668 singleton PLBW babies born in Taiwan between January 1 and December 31, 2001, are extracted from a population-based medical claims database for a follow-up of up to 5 years. Multivariate survival models suggest the positive effect of higher parental income is significant in neonatal period but diminishes in later stages.

Improving self-perception and self-efficacy in patients with spinal cord injury: the efficacy of DVD-based instructions.

Aims And Objectives: We assessed the effects of a spinal cord injury home rehabilitation DVD on patients with spinal cord injury.

Background: Multimedia have been used widely in health care in the digital age. The provision of rehabilitation instructions is a major responsibility of the rehabilitation staff.

Changes in the use of complementary and alternative medicine in Taiwan: a comparison study of 2007 and 2011.

Objective: In this study, we explored the differences in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) based on data from 2007 and 2011 national surveys in Taiwan.

Research Design: Two cross-sectional, community-based epidemiological surveys were conducted in Taiwan. Participants 18 years and older were interviewed regarding their CAM use in the previous 12 months.

Eight forms of moving meditation for preventing falls in community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults.

Background: In numerous countries worldwide, fall prevention among older adults is a major public health issue. For older adults, regular participation in moderate physical activity or exercise lowers the risks of falls. However, scant information is available regarding the prevention strategies that the most at-risk groups may undertake.

Estrogen receptor α (ESR1) over-expression mediated apoptosis in Hep3B cells by binding with SP1 proteins.

Previous studies have reported that estrogen receptors (ERs) are expressed in normal human liver, chronic hepatitis, and benign hepatic tumor tissues. However, decreased expression of ERs can be observed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the role of ERs in HCC is not fully understood. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism induced by the overexpression of ERα (ERα (ESR1)) in Hep3B cells.

[Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG): overview and nursing care].

The dramatic increase in the elderly population in Taiwan has made dysphagia an increasingly prevalent problem in long-term care. While tube feeding is mandatory for patients unable to take food orally, this approach increases recurrent aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition risks. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is currently the most effective and prevalent approach to enteral nutrition.

Evaluation of super-link system theory for spinal cord injury patients using participatory action research in a rehabilitation hospital.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to integrate and evaluate the spinal cord injury rehabilitation nursing theory named Super-Link System Theory using participatory action research.

Method: Data were collected from October 2007 to September 2008 in a rehabilitation hospital by means of interviews, participant observations, documentary resources, case conferences and reports, and participants' self-reflective inquiries. The Super-Link System Theory was introduced to 31 rehabilitation nurses.

A study of factors affecting moving-forward behavior among people with spinal cord injury.

Enhancing self-efficacy, self-perception, and social support can be an effective way for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) to move forward. The purpose of this study was to explore relationships between "moving-forward behavior" and demographic and disease characteristics, self-efficacy, self-perception, and social support among people with SCI. The study was designed as a descriptive-correlation, cross-sectional study.

[Cultivating nursing core competencies in college students].

Departments of nursing in Taiwan junior colleges teach a comprehensive range of core competency skills; provide the healthcare system with entry level nursing professionals able to deliver complete care services; and help students prepare for and earn their nursing licenses. Framed by current junior college nursing department curricula and considerations of professional core competency, this paper examines the role of core nursing competencies in college education goals as they influence college curriculum design and clinical practicum programs. The achieved result should be a professional curriculum that incorporates general education, basic medical, and professional nursing elements that is capable of nurturing professional nursing school graduates able to execute their professional duties and earn the respect of patients, their families and society.

[A nurse's experience using the super-link system theory to help a T6 spinal cord injury patient return to school].

The subject of this article is a 20 year-old female with thoracic spinal cord injury with paraplegia suffered during a car accident. The article reports on the nursing experience in helping the patient manage her autonomic dysreflexia (AD), training the patient in self-catheterization, and using relevant social resources in order to achieve a successful return to her studies at school. The authors collected data using interviews, observations, and physical assessments between November 20 and December 30, 2008.

Chronic exposure of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-47) alters locomotion behavior in juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio).

In the present study, we used zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model to address possible effects of chronic exposure of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants on locomotion behavior, body size, and gonad development in fish. Zebrafish were fed food dosed with PBDE-47 (control, solvent control, low, medium, and high dose groups) from 21 days post hatch (dph) to 90 dph. Fish locomotion parameters, including maximum swimming speed, total distance moved, and percent time active, were assessed using a video-based animal movement analysis system.

The lived experience of moving forward for clients with spinal cord injury: a Parse research method study.

Background: Most people with spinal cord injuries take a long time to recover and return to their previous life activities. Moving forward is connected with the choices people make about what is important, what to do, and how to live life in ways they value. Parse's Theory of Humanbecoming is a human science theory, and its overall aims are to improve the quality of life for clients and their families.

Growth and transcriptional effect of dietary 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-47) exposure in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio).

In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were fed food dosed with pure PBDE-47 (2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether) congener or a blank from 20 to 60 day post-hatch (dph). At 38 dph, half of the fish were sampled for body size measurements and gene expression analyzes (CYP1A1, VTG, TTR, D1, and TSH-beta). At 60 dph, body size was measured again for all fish remaining.

Translation and back-translation in qualitative nursing research: methodological review.

Aims: To examine the effects of the procedure of translation and the techniques used on the collection and interpretation of original language qualitative data for English presentation.

Background: Nursing and health research increasingly use qualitative research for a broadened perspective on practice and research. In numerous qualitative nursing research papers, data are collected in the original language (example Chinese) and the findings are presented in English.

Using a synthesised technique for grounded theory in nursing research.

Aims: To introduce a synthesised technique for using grounded theory in nursing research.

Background: Nursing increasingly uses grounded theory for a broadened perspective on nursing practice and research. Nurse researchers have choices in how to choose and use grounded theory as a research method.

Living with a relative who has a spinal cord injury: a grounded theory approach.

Aims: This paper reports a study which explored family carers' experiences of taking care of a relative who has a spinal cord injury.

Background: Spinal cord injury is one of the most disastrous injuries a person may experience. Although one family member experiences the injury, the entire family is affected.

Lower mortality in male physicians of Chinese medicine than male population in Taiwan.

Studies on the physicians' health have paid less attention on the Chinese medicine than on the western medicine professionals. Like western medicine professionals, Chinese medicine physicians' health condition is critical to the quality of care and patients' safety. They also cared a large number of patients in many Asia societies.

MUC1 expression is increased during human placental development and suppresses trophoblast-like cell invasion in vitro.

Mucin (MUC)1 is a multifunctional mucin expressed by a variety of reproductive tract epithelia. Trophoblast invasion is essential for normal placental development. However, MUC1 expression in the human placenta throughout pregnancy and the role of MUC1 in trophoblast-like cell invasion are still unclear.

[Clinical application of super-link system theory in spinal cord injury patients during rehabilitation stage].

The purpose of this paper is to introduce Super-Link System Theory, which is a theory of spinal cord injury rehabilitation. This theory has been developed using the grounded theory research method. By explaining the procedure for establishing a super-link system the paper explains the complex structure of this theory.