Lower attenuation and higher kurtosis of coronary artery calcification associated with vulnerable plaque - an agatston score propensity-matched CT radiomics study.

Background: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) burden assessed by Agatston score (AS) is currently recommended to stratify patients at risk for future acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Besides the CAC burden, the biostructure of CAC may also play a vital role in the vulnerability of CAC, which CT radiomics could reveal. Propensity-score matching of the traditional risk factors and CAC burden between the ACS and asymptomatic groups could radically remove biases and allow the exploration of characteristic features of CAC in ACS.

Comparing efficacy of a single intraarticular injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with different hyaluronans for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized-controlled clinical trial.

Background: Intraarticular plasma-rich platelet (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) have each been shown to be effective for treating knee osteoarthritis (OA). Evidence supporting the combination therapy is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a single intraarticular PRP injection combined with different HAs in patients with knee OA.

Demoralization level fluctuated at various time frame of radiotherapy for patients with different cancers: a longitudinal observational study.

Background: Demoralization is a psychological response that is frequently observed in patients with cancer or advanced diseases. It is affected by national characteristics, culture, disease characteristics and general conditions of the patient such as individual cultural features, nature of stress, personal expression preferences and social behavior. Compared with the results of previous studies on demoralization syndrome, patients with cancer in Taiwan exhibit a higher prevalence of demoralization.

Relationship between Walking Activity and Sleep Quality among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Purpose: To explore the relationship between walking activity and sleep quality among elderly.

Design: A cross-sectional, correlation study with purposive sampling was conducted on participants with a walking habit but not regular moderate-intensity exercise.

Methods: Data were collected by structured questionnaires, including the Walking Activity Questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.

Association between Chronic Disease Self-Management, Health Status, and Quality of Life in Older Taiwanese Adults with Chronic Illnesses.

Unlabelled: Aging is accompanied by many chronic comorbidities and disabilities, and entails medical expenses, which affects the quality of life among older adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the health status of older adults with chronic diseases mediates chronic disease self-management to predict quality of life.

Methods: This research adopted a cross-sectional correlation study design.

Effects of helping relationships on health-promoting lifestyles among patients with chronic kidney disease: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Healthy behaviors can slow the progression of chronic kidney disease. Professional healthcare providers deliver education, physical exercise programs, motivation consultations, and stage-tailored strategies for improving health behaviors, but their effectiveness reported mixed. The helping relationships of significant others based on the transtheoretical model have been shown to be beneficial in facilitating and practicing health-promoting behaviors.

Randomized Controlled Study of Tenofovir versus Lamivudine Followed by Tenofovir in Severe Exacerbation of Hepatitis B.

Spontaneous severe acute exacerbation (SAE) is not uncommon in the natural history of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Lamivudine (LAM) has the advantages of low price, quick onset, good efficacy, and no drug resistance within 24 weeks. This study aimed to compare the short-term efficacy of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and LAM for 24 weeks followed by TDF in the treatment of CHB with severe acute exacerbation.

Delayed Breast Cancer Detection in an Asian Country (Taiwan) with Low COVID-19 Incidence.

Purpose: To assess whether the COVID-19 pandemic delayed breast cancer diagnosis in Taiwan, an Asian country with a low COVID-19 incidence.

Methods: The monthly volume of breast biopsies and breast cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic (during January 21 and July 31, 2020) was compared to the same period in 2019 (pre-COVID-19).

Results: Taiwan recorded a lower COVID-19 incidence rate (20.

A single intraarticular platelet-rich plasma improves pain and function for patients with early knee osteoarthritis: Analyses by radiographic severity and age.

Background: Most studies use platelet-rich plasma (PRP) requiring multiple intraarticular injections for knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of a single intraarticular PRP injection for patients with early knee OA and consider subgroup analyses of radiographic severity and age, respectively.

Methods: Forty-one patients with knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1-2) received a single PRP injection into the target knee and were assessed at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months postinjection.

Efficacy and Safety of a Single Intra-articular Injection of Platelet-rich Plasma on Pain and Physical Function in Patients With Ankle Osteoarthritis-A Prospective Study.

Ankle osteoarthritis (OA) can cause disabling symptoms, and some patients prefer to be treated with minimally invasive procedures. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single intraarticular injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for patients with ankle OA. In a prospective study done in a university-affiliated tertiary care medical center, 44 patients with symptomatic ankle OA for at least 6 months were recruited.

Factors impacting gas fill after microincision vitrectomy surgery combined with fluid-gas exchange.

Purpose: The objective of the study was to investigate possible factors influencing gas fill after microincision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS) combined with fluid-gas exchange.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent MIVS combined with fluid-gas exchange (20% CF) from February 2017 to December 2017.

Results: Sixty-one eyes of 58 patients were identified.

Comparing efficacy of intraarticular single crosslinked Hyaluronan (HYAJOINT Plus) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) versus PRP alone for treating knee osteoarthritis.

Intraarticular hyaluronan or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is widely used in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA). The efficacy of combined hyaluronan with PRP remained inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of combined a single crosslinked hyaluronan (HYAJOINT Plus) and a single PRP versus a single PRP in patients with knee OA.

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy vs transcatheter arterial embolization for patients with huge unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

For the treatment of huge unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) or transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) generally had poor effects and high complication rates. Our previous study found that Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) is a safe procedure and provides better survival than symptomatic treatment for the patients with huge unresectable HCC. The aim of the study is to compare the effect of HAIC vs TAE in patients with huge unresectable HCC.

Intraocular pressure might play a role in the surgical management of patients with epiretinal membrane.

Purpose: To investigate the prognostic factors and visual outcomes for patients with epiretinal membrane after pars plana vitrectomy and possible interactions between multiple factors.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of adult patients with epiretinal membrane treated with pars plana vitrectomy performed by a single surgeon between February 1, 2015, and January 31, 2017 was conducted. The surgical procedures included standard 25-gauge vitrectomy with peeling of the epiretinal membrane and internal limiting membrane (ILM).

Predicting in-hospital mortality for dementia patients after hip fracture surgery - A comparison between the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index.

Background: Considerable in-hospital mortality was reported in geriatric patients with dementia sustaining femoral neck or inter-trochanteric fracture. We intended to establish a predictive model of in-hospital mortality for dementia patients after hip fracture surgery.

Methods: We collected 8080 registrants ≧ 65 years old from the subset (LHID2000) of the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) that met the following inclusion criteria:1.

[The Effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention in Reducing Relocation Anxiety and Promoting Adaptation in Older People With Diabetes].

Background: Relocating from home to a long-term facility is frequently a stressful event for older persons with diabetes. Therefore, it is important that nurses have available an intervention program that effectively reduces relocation anxiety and promotes adaptation in this population.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention in reducing relocation anxiety and promoting adaptation in older persons with diabetes.

Tumor origin and symptom distress of radiotherapy affected fluctuation of purpose in life for cancer patients.

This study was to explore the change in purpose in life (PIL) and symptom distress among cancer patients with radiotherapy and associated risk factors. This was a longitudinal study.160 patients were recruited from a medical center in Southern Taiwan.

Effect of a mindfulness programme for long-term care residents with type 2 diabetes: A cluster randomised controlled trial measuring outcomes of glycaemic control, relocation stress and depression.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine physical, behavioural and psychosocial effects of a newly developed mindfulness programme for older adults with type 2 diabetes relocating to long-term care facility.

Background: Taiwan is viewed as an "aged society" with significant proportion of the population living in a long-term care facility. Approximately one third of residents living in long-term care facilities have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and disruption to management of their glycaemic levels is at risk for up to one year after relocating to a long-term care facility.

Effectiveness of a simplified reablement program to minimize functional decline in hospitalized older patients.

Aim: To examine the effects of a simplified reablement program on physical function and quality of life in hospitalized older patients.

Methods: The randomized controlled trial enrolled 114 older patients aged ≥65 years who, 2 weeks before admission, had been able to walk independently. Patients randomized to the reablement group received supervision and assistance to carry out the simplified reablement program 30 min daily during their hospital stay.

Effects of walking on sundown syndrome in community-dwelling people with Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Sundown syndrome is an important care issue for people with dementia (PwD) and for family caregivers. Walking is a safe and simple physical activity for most PwD, yet no research has explored the effects of different long-term walking periods on sundown syndrome.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effects of walking on sundown syndrome, and to identify whether different walking time periods would show different effects on sundown syndrome in community-dwelling people with Alzheimer's disease.

Factors associated with retinal screening among patients with diabetes in Taiwan.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the factors associated with having a diabetic retinopathy exam (DRE) during the past 2 years among patients with diabetes.

Methods: Patients visiting the eye clinic at Shin-Kong Memorial Hospital in Taipei were enrolled in this study from January to June 2009. A total of 313 patients participated in this study.

Prevalence and risk factors for Barrett's esophagus in Taiwan.

Background: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a pre-malignant condition associated with the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. The prevalence of BE in the general populations of Asian countries ranges from 0.06% to 1%.

Susceptibility-weighted imaging provides complementary value to diffusion-weighted imaging in the differentiation between pyogenic brain abscesses, necrotic glioblastomas, and necrotic metastatic brain tumors.

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the differentiation of abscess and necrotic tumors, using susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) either separated or combined.

Methods: Imaging was performed on 26 patients with pyogenic brain abscesses, 31 patients with rim-enhancing glioblastomas, and 21 patients with rim-enhancing metastases. The degree of intralesional susceptibility signal (ILSS) was independently assessed by three observers.