Development of a tool for monitoring the jaw-opening pace and preliminary comparison the pace between young and old ages.

Background: Studies have demonstrated that high-speed jaw-opening exercises are effective in improving swallowing function. However, there has been no objective tool available for monitoring jaw-opening pace. This study aimed to develop an objective tool for monitoring and validating jaw-opening pace and compare it between young and old ages from different age groups.

Multi-Sensor Respiratory-Swallow Telecare System for Safe Feeding in Different Trunk Inclinations: System Development and Clinical Application.

Proper positioning is especially important to ensure feeding and eating safely. With many nursing facilities restricting visitations and close contact during the coronavirus pandemic, there is an urgent need for remote respiratory-swallow monitoring. This study aimed to develop a semiautomatic feeding telecare system that provides instant feedback and warnings on-site and remotely.

Video-Based Behaviorally Coded Movement Assessment for Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities: Application in Leg Dribbling Performance.

Measuring motor performance in individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) is quite challenging. The objective of this study was to compare the motor performances of individuals with ID and those with typical development (TD) during soccer dribbling through video-based behavior-coded movement assessment along with a wearable sensor. A cross-sectional research design was adopted.

Sensors for Wheelchair Tennis: Measuring Trunk and Shoulder Biomechanics and Upper Extremity Vibration during Backhand Stroke.

This study was the first to compare the differences in trunk/shoulder kinematics and impact vibration of the upper extremity during backhand strokes in wheelchair tennis players and the able-bodied players relative to standing and sitting positions, adopting an electromagnetic system along with wearable tri-axial accelerometers upon target body segments. A total of 15 wheelchair tennis players and 15 able-bodied tennis players enrolled. Compared to players in standing positions, wheelchair players demonstrated significant larger forward trunk rotation in the pre-preparation, acceleration, and deceleration phase.

Noninvasive Measurement of Tongue Pressure and Its Correlation with Swallowing and Respiration.

Tongue pressure plays a critical role in the oral and pharyngeal stages of swallowing, contributing considerably to bolus formation and manipulation as well as to safe transporting of food from the mouth to the stomach. Smooth swallowing relies not only on effective coordination of respiration and pharynx motions but also on sufficient tongue pressure. Conventional methods of measuring tongue pressure involve attaching a pressure sheet to the hard palate to monitor the force exerted by the tongue tip against the hard palate.

Elbow, wrist kinematics and shock transmission of backhand stroke in wheelchair tennis players.

The aim was to compare the differences in kinematics of elbow and wrist and shock transmission of the upper extremity in wheelchair tennis players and able-bodied players (in standing and sitting position) during backhand strokes. Fifteen wheelchair tennis and 15 able-bodied tennis players enrolled. Electromagnetic system and trial-axial accelerometers were used to measure the difference in the kinematic parameters of the upper extremity and the impact vibration transferred across the wrist joint.

Interleukin-4 Promotes Myogenesis and Boosts Myocyte Insulin Efficacy.

Anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4) promotes glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity while reduces lipid deposits. However, the effects of IL-4 on energy metabolism in muscle, the largest insulin-targeting organ, remain obscure. The study aimed at addressing the roles of IL-4 in myocyte differentiation (myogenesis) and energy metabolism of muscle cells.

is a potential prognostic factor for tumor recurrence in non-small cell lung cancer.

Ras-related protein Rab-38 (RAB38) is a member of the Ras small G protein family that regulates intracellular vesicular trafficking. Although the expression of is reportedly deregulated in several types of cancer, its role in tumor biology remains to be elucidated. In the present study, the expression of was analyzed in tumor specimens from patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with tumor recurrence within 4 years (Group R), and those remaining disease-free following initial surgery (Group NR), by reverse transcription-semi-quantitative PCR and subsequent semi-quantification using ImageJ v4.

Using Wearable and Non-Invasive Sensors to Measure Swallowing Function: Detection, Verification, and Clinical Application.

Background: A widely used method for assessing swallowing dysfunction is the videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) examination. However, this method has a risk of radiation exposure. Therefore, using wearable, non-invasive and radiation-free sensors to assess swallowing function has become a research trend.

Successful prevention of follicular rupture at 45 h after hCG and GnRHa triggering by emergent administration of indomethacin: A case report.

Objective: To report the management and prevention of pre-operative ovulation before oocyte retrieval with emergent administration of indomethacin.

Case Report: During in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, the patient described here mistakenly administered 6500 IU of hCG and 0.2 mg of triptorelin (GnRHa) 9 h earlier than scheduled triggering.

Compulsory admission is associated with an increased risk of readmission in patients with schizophrenia: a 7-year, population-based, retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the risk of psychiatric readmission in patients with schizophrenia, compare it between patients prescribed compulsory admission and those consenting to voluntary admission, and determine risk factors for psychiatric readmission.

Methods: This 7-year (2007-2013), population-based, cohort study retrospectively compared data of 2038 schizophrenic inpatients who initially underwent compulsory admission (the CA group) and of 8152 matched controls with schizophrenia who initially underwent voluntary admission (the VA group).

Results: During the study period, there were 1204 and 3806 readmissions in the CA and VA groups, respectively.

Clinical application of Lin's biopsy grasper for intrauterine targeted biopsy and polypectomy during office hysteroscopy.

Objective: Hysteroscopy has widely been used for diagnosis of the uterine cavity; however, target biopsy has often been difficult in part to the inherent limitations of ancillary instruments. Lin's biopsy grasper was specifically designed to work in conjunction with a flexible hysteroscope to obtain intrauterine biopsy under transabdominal sonography. Herein, we share our clinical experience in the management of endometrial abnormalities with the use of Lin's biopsy grasper during office-based hysteroscopy.

Effects of combat training on visuomotor performance in children aged 9 to 12 years - an eye-tracking study.

Background: Data on visuomotor performance in combat training and the effects of combat training on visuomotor performance are limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a specially designed combat sports (CS) training program on the visuomotor performance levels of children.

Methods: A pre-post comparative design was implemented.

The Design and Validation of a Child Developmental e-Screening System.

An effective screening test could significantly impact identification of developmental delays at an early age. However, many studies have shown that delay screenings still use text-based screening survey questionnaires. Unfortunately, the traditional text-based screening method tends to be fairly passive.

A Multimedia Child Developmental Screening Checklist: Design and Validation.

Background: Identifying disability early in life confers long-term benefits for children. The Taipei City Child Development Screening tool, second version (Taipei II) provides checklists for 13 child age groups from 4 months to 6 years. However, the usability of a text-based screening tool largely depends on the literacy level and logical reasoning ability of the caregivers, as well as language barriers caused by increasing numbers of immigrants.

A Sensitive Peptide Nucleic Acid Probe Assay for Detection of BRAF V600 Mutations in Melanoma.

Mutated v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) is an important biomarker for the prediction of therapeutic efficacy of several anticancer drugs. The detection of BRAF mutation faces two challenges: Firstly, there are multiple types of mutations, and secondly, tumor samples usually contain various amounts of wild-type, normal tissues. Here, we describe a newly established method for sensitive detection of multiple types of BRAF V600 mutations in excess wild-type background.

Design, development, and clinical validation of therapeutic toys for autistic children.

[Purpose] One of the characteristics of autistic children is social interaction difficulties. Although therapeutic toys can promote social interaction, however its related research remains insufficient. The aim of the present study was to build a set of cooperative play toys that are suitable for autistic children.

A comparison of immunohistochemical and molecular methods used for analyzing the BRAF V600E gene mutation in malignant melanoma in Taiwan.

Aims: The BRAF V600 mutation has been shown to be clinically meaningful in terms of both the prognosis and sensitivity of BRAF inhibitors in patients with metastatic melanoma. Recently, a BRAF V600E mutation-specific antibody, VE1, was generated for the detection of tumors bearing BRAF V600E mutations. To determine the clinical value of immunohistochemical testing, we compared the prevalence of mutant BRAF detected by VE1 with direct sequencing results.

Stair-Walking Performance in Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities.

Most individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) demonstrate problems in learning and movement coordination. Consequently, they usually have difficulties in activities such as standing, walking, and stair climbing. To monitor the physical impairments of these children, regular gross motor evaluation is crucial.

Investigation of the Differential Contributions of Superficial and Deep Muscles on Cervical Spinal Loads with Changing Head Postures.

Cervical spinal loads are predominately influenced by activities of cervical muscles. However, the coordination between deep and superficial muscles and their influence on the spinal loads is not well understood. This study aims to document the changes of cervical spinal loads and the differential contributions of superficial and deep muscles with varying head postures.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomic risk factors in special education teachers and teacher's aides.

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have become increasingly common among health-related professionals. Special education personnel who serve students with disabilities often experience physical strains; however, WMSDs have been overlooked in this population. The objectives of this study were to investigate the work-related ergonomics-associated factors in this population and to evaluate their correlation with the WMSDs prevalence.

Long-term effects of therapeutic exercise on nonspecific chronic neck pain: a literature review.

[Purpose] Nonspecific neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disease. Therapeutic exercise has been shown to improve pain and disability in short-term and midterm follow-ups. This study performed a literature review of the long-term effects of therapeutic exercise on subjects with nonspecific chronic neck pain.

Changes of postural control and muscle activation pattern in response to external perturbations after neck flexor fatigue in young subjects with and without chronic neck pain.

Purpose: Previous studies have identified sensorimotor disturbances and greater fatigability of neck muscles in patients with neck pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of neck pain and neck flexor fatigue on standing balance following postural perturbations.

Methods: Twenty patients with chronic neck pain (CNP) (24.