Embracing New Love: Why Customers Are Loyal to Plant Extract-Based Skin-Care Cosmetics.

Background: In recent years, increases in consumer awareness regarding health and the environment have enhanced their willingness to purchase plant extract-based skin-care products. Although the skin-care product industry has paid increasing attention to consumer behavior in recent years, few studies have investigated customer loyalty to this type of product; in-depth research is urgently required to fill this gap.

Aims: This study investigated Taiwanese skin-care products derived from plant extracts by identifying the relationships between consumer prior experience, involvement, perceived value, and loyalty.

10-Day versus 14-day bismuth quadruple therapy for first-line eradication of infection: a randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial.

Background: Bismuth quadruple therapy is currently consensus recommendation for first-line (. ) treatment; however, the optimal duration is unknown. We compared the efficacy of 10-day bismuth quadruple therapy with that of 14-day bismuth quadruple therapy for first-line eradication.

Arterial stiffness is associated with high-risk colorectal adenomas and serrated lesions: A cross-sectional study in a Taiwanese population.

Background: Little is currently known about the association between arterial stiffness and colorectal serrated lesions. This study was aimed toward an investigation of the association between arterial stiffness and colorectal precancerous lesions, including colorectal adenomas and serrated lesions.

Methods: 7262 eligible adult subjects who underwent health check-ups with colonoscopies and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were recruited.

Involvement Theory with Market Segmentation: Effect of False Functional Food Advertising on Purchase Intention.

In certain cases, people's health can be compromised or medical treatment delayed as a result of their misplaced belief in false advertisements and purchasing of functional foods. These advertisements can be divided into three distinct types of claims: nutrition, health, and reduction in disease risk. This study analysed how, after consumers realise advertising violations, their intention to purchase functional foods with different claims are affected by the degree of consumer involvement (product, advertising, and situational involvement) and region of residence.

Detecting the release of plastic particles in packaged drinking water under simulated light irradiation using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Plastic cups and bottles used for mineral water packaging may release plastic particles during continuous exposure to heat, light, or unfavorable chemical environments during transportation and storage. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) can be used to detect and analyze these plastic particles in a highly sensitive and quantitative manner. In this study, we used copper oxide/silver nanoparticles (CuO/Ag NPs) as the SERS substrate to monitor the release of plastic particles in packaged mineral water samples under irradiation as a function of exposure time.

Surface degradation effects of carbonated soft drink on a resin based dental compound.

Dental compounds and restorative materials undergo surface degradation and erosion from exposure to a variety of dietary substances. In this study we investigated changes in the surface properties of Rebaron, a hard denture reline material (HDRM), following timed immersion in carbonated soft drinks to determine its durability in a common acidic environment. Samples were prepared and immersed in a carbonated soft drink (or its components) for 6, 12, or 24 h.

Epidemiology, treatment patterns and healthcare utilizations in multiple sclerosis in Taiwan.

"Real-world" data on the nationwide epidemiology and treatment patterns of multiple sclerosis (MS) is very scarce in Asia. This study is aim to evaluate the 10-years trends in epidemiology and treatment patterns of MS with Taiwan's National Health Insurance Database (NHIRD). Patients aged 20 years or older and were newly diagnosed with MS between 2007 and 2016 were identified.

Differences in the association between glycemia and uric acid levels in diabetic and non-diabetic populations.

Aims: Our study aimed to investigate the influence of different glycemic statuses and their fasting plasma glucose/2-hour post-load glucose on uric acid level.

Methods: A total of 14,787 subjects were recruited after excluding subjects with medication for hyperuricemia or diabetes. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour post-load glucose (2hPG), and uric acid (UA) were measured.

Simple renal cysts are associated with increased arterial stiffness in a Taiwanese population.

Arterial stiffness has been found to be a predictive risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Simple renal cysts are associated with prehypertension, hypertension, diabetes, and increased serum creatinine, which are risk factors of cardiovascular events. The aim of this work was to clarify the association between simple renal cysts and arterial stiffness defined by the brachial and ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).

Restrictive Spirometry Pattern Is Associated With Increased Arterial Stiffness in Men and Women.

Background: There is growing evidence that pulmonary function impairment is related to cardiovascular events and death. Some studies have shown that the level of FVC is negatively related to arterial stiffness, but most studies were confined to men, and none of them examined the association of the presence of restrictive spirometry pattern with arterial stiffness. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association of restrictive spirometry pattern with arterial stiffness by sex.

Comparison of Diabetes Risk Following Smoking Cessation Treatment Using Varenicline Versus Bupropion Among Obese Smokers.

Background: Recent literature suggests an initial increased risk of diabetes following smoking cessation.

Objectives: To compare the risk of developing diabetes among obese smokers who tried to quit smoking using bupropion versus varenicline.

Methods: A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using the General Electric (GE) electronic medical record database (2006-2011).

Waterpipe smoking among students in one US university: predictors of an intention to quit.

Objective: To examine the intention to quit waterpipe smoking among college students.

Participants: A total of 276 University of Houston students identified through an online survey administered in February 2011. Participants indicated they had smoked a waterpipe in the month prior to the survey.

Cigarette smoking among Jordanian adults.

The objectives were to determine the rate of cigarette smoking and correlates of its use among a sample of Jordanian adults (N = 600). A survey-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenient sample. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of being a cigarette smoker.

GnRH-deficient phenotypes in humans and mice with heterozygous variants in KISS1/Kiss1.

Context: KISS1 is a candidate gene for GnRH deficiency.

Objective: Our objective was to identify deleterious mutations in KISS1.

Patients And Methods: DNA sequencing and assessment of the effects of rare sequence variants (RSV) were conducted in 1025 probands with GnRH-deficient conditions.