Sparse-view synchrotron X-ray tomographic reconstruction with learning-based sinogram synthesis.

Synchrotron radiation can be used as a light source in X-ray microscopy to acquire a high-resolution image of a microscale object for tomography. However, numerous projections must be captured for a high-quality tomographic image to be reconstructed; thus, image acquisition is time consuming. Such dense imaging is not only expensive and time consuming but also results in the target receiving a large dose of radiation.

The live birth rate of vitrified oocyte accumulation for managing diminished ovarian reserve: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Vitrified M-II oocyte accumulation for later simultaneous insemination has been used for managing POR. Our study aimed to determine whether vitrified oocyte accumulation strategy improves live birth rate (LBR) for managing diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).

Methods: A retrospective study included 440 women with DOR fulfilling Poseidon classification groups 3 and 4, defined as the presence of serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) hormone level < 1.

Comparison of clinical outcomes between conventional in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection in poor responders with only single oocyte retrieved.

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes between conventional insemination (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in poor responders with only a single oocyte retrieved.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective case-control study. Couples who were treated with assisted reproductive technology (ART) with a single oocyte retrieved in Mackay Memorial Hospital from 1996 to 2016 were recruited.

Light-field microscopy with temporal focusing multiphoton illumination for scanless volumetric bioimaging.

A temporal focusing multiphoton illumination (TFMI) method is proposed for achieving selective volume illumination (SVI) (i.e., illuminating only the volume of interest) in light-field microscopy (LFM).

Metaphase II (MII) human oocytes with smooth endoplasmic reticulum clusters do not affect blastocyst euploid rate.

Objective: To investigate whether the rate of euploidy and pregnancy outcomes are affected by smooth endoplasmic reticulum clusters (SERc) and other metaphase II human oocyte dysmorphisms.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective analysis of the morphologies of metaphase II (MII) human oocytes, which had developed into 590 biopsied blastocysts derived from 109 patients that received preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) cycles between March 2013 and December 2017. The euploid rate of blastocysts that originated from morphologically abnormal or normal oocytes were analyzed.

The new X-ray/visible microscopy MAXWELL technique for fast three-dimensional nanoimaging with isotropic resolution.

Microscopy by Achromatic X-rays With Emission of Laminar Light (MAXWELL) is a new X-ray/visible technique with attractive characteristics including isotropic resolution in all directions, large-volume imaging and high throughput. An ultrathin, laminar X-ray beam produced by a Wolter type I mirror irradiates the sample stimulating the emission of visible light by scintillating nanoparticles, captured by an optical system. Three-dimensional (3D) images are obtained by scanning the specimen with respect to the laminar beam.

Effects of Tongue-Strengthening Exercise on Tongue Strength Reserve and Detraining Effects among Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Tongue strength reserve is the difference between the maximum isometric pressure (MIP) and swallowing pressure of the tongue. People with decreased tongue strength reserve may have a higher risk of presbyphagia or dysphagia. Thus, this study explored the effects of tongue strengthening exercise (TSE) on tongue strength reserve and detraining effects in healthy adults.

[Improve Physical Fitness and Reduce Nasogastric Tube Insertions: Working to Achieve a 'No Tube' Life].

It is common in clinical settings for patients to suffer from dysphagia-related malnutrition and coughing-related aspiration pneumonia because of reduced levels of food intake. Nasogastric tube feeding provides nutrition and water and prevents choking related to oral feeding. Although dysphagia is often treated using medical and surgical treatments, degenerative-disease-related dysphagia is currently widely treated using nutritional support and rehabilitation to enhance muscle strength and coordination and reduce the risk of nasogastric tube placement in the future.

[Regaining the Dignity of Eating].

Inserting a nasogastric tube is a common clinical management approach to treating patients with chewing and swallowing impairments and those with choking and aspiration issues. Although guidelines recommend that these tubes should not be indwelled for more than 4-6 weeks, they are in practice sometimes indwelled for periods exceeding 36 months (Wong et al., 2019).

Effects of a Multifaceted Intervention Program on the Eating Ability of Nursing Home Residents.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia is a common problem for nursing home residents that leads to aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition. Musculature surrounding head and neck and tongue strength are crucial for safe and efficient oropharyngeal swallowing. Oral hygiene facilitates the smooth swallowing.

High-resolution fast-tomography brain-imaging beamline at the Taiwan Photon Source.

The new Brain Imaging Beamline (BIB) of the Taiwan Photon Source (TPS) has been commissioned and opened to users. The BIB and in particular its endstation are designed to take advantage of bright unmonochromatized synchrotron X-rays and target fast 3D imaging, ∼1 ms exposure time plus very high ∼0.3 µm spatial resolution.

Imaging with Coherent X-rays: From the Early Synchrotron Tests to SYNAPSE.

The high longitudinal and lateral coherence of synchrotron X-rays sources radically transformed radiography. Before them, the image contrast was almost only based on absorption. Coherent synchrotron sources transformed radiography into a multi-faceted tool that can extract information also from "phase" effects.

[Creating Nursing Workplaces That Appropriately Manage Legal Risk].

Nursing professionals constitute the largest occupational group in all healthcare system departments, and are the healthcare professionals who work most closely and frequently with patients. The complexity and variability of the human body make nursing a high-risk occupation. The practice behaviors of nursing professionals must be safe, competent, and ethical, and must comply with relevant laws and regulations.

Sub-3 Å Cryo-EM Structures of Necrosis Virus Particles via the Use of Multipurpose TEM with Electron Counting Camera.

During this global pandemic, cryo-EM has made a great impact on the structure determination of COVID-19 proteins. However, nearly all high-resolution results are based on data acquired on state-of-the-art microscopes where their availability is restricted to a number of centers across the globe with the studies on infectious viruses being further regulated or forbidden. One potential remedy is to employ multipurpose microscopes.

Age and Sex-Related Differences in the Tongue Pressure Generated during Maximum Isometric and Swallowing Tasks by Healthy Chinese Adults.

The aims of this prospective observational study were to investigate age, sex, and factors related to the tongue pressure generated. A correlational research design was used. A total of 150 Chinese people who had a normal swallowing condition were enrolled by convenience sampling.

Synchrotron radiation and X-ray free-electron lasers (X-FELs) explained to all users, active and potential.

Synchrotron radiation evolved over one-half century into a gigantic worldwide enterprise involving tens of thousands of researchers. Initially, almost all users were physicists. But now they belong to a variety of disciplines: chemistry, materials science, the life sciences, medical research, ecology, cultural heritage and others.

Analysis of Labial and Lingual Strength among Healthy Chinese Adults in Taiwan.

This study collected 11 parameters regarding the labial and lingual strength for maximum isometric and swallowing tasks among 150 healthy Chinese adults in Taiwan. Measurements were performed using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). All of the labial and lingual strength parameters were measured three times.

[Innovative Development of Texture-Softened Foods for Older Adults Living in Residential Care].

Oropharyngeal dysphagia, a swallowing disorder, is a common problem faced by older adults living in residential care. A direct management strategy for this disorder is to modify the texture of foods prior to serving using techniques such as chopping, mashing, liquid thickening, and reshaping. However, the process of texture modification causes foods to lose a significant amount of their nutritional value and reduces the motivation and fun of eating for diners.

[Confronting Presbyphagia and Oropharyngeal Dysphagia].

The ability to swallow efficiently and safely is essential to maintaining nutrition, hydration, health status, and quality of life. The process of swallowing requires coordination among a complex series of psychological, sensory, and motor behaviors that are both voluntary and involuntary (Balou, Herzberg, Kamelhar, & Molfenter, 2019). Presbyphagia refers to the changes associated with natural, healthy aging in the head and neck anatomy and in the physiologic and neural mechanisms that underpin the function of swallowing (Cichero, 2018).

Effect of tongue-to-palate resistance training on tongue strength in healthy adults.

Objective: Tongue strength is crucial for safe and efficient oropharyngeal swallowing. This study examined the effect of tongue-to-palate resistance training (TPRT) on anterior and posterior tongue strength by conducting a prospective, randomized, parallel allocation trial.

Methods: Ninety-one healthy adults were recruited in this study and were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 44) or a control group (n = 47).

The Impact of Chronic Illness on Patients.

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of chronic illness on patients in relation to its physical, psychological, and social effects, and its effects on activities of daily living. A structured questionnaire was used to interview I77 patients. Chronic illness had the greatest effect on psychological functioning, followed by physical and social functioning.

Evaluation of an Oral Hygiene Education Program for Staff Providing Long-Term Care Services: A Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Oral hygiene is often neglected in clients receiving long-term care, suggesting that long-term care workers require formal oral hygiene education. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of oral hygiene education on long-term care workers.

Methods: This study utilized a mixed methods design.

Effects of an Eating Ability Promotion Program for Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Objective: Taiwan is projected to become a super-aged society in 2026. Taiwan's government introduced an innovative preventive care policy to improve aging-related conditions in 2017. In this study, we examine the effectiveness of an eating ability promotion program (EAPP) on the physical and mental performance of community-dwelling older adults.