Risk factors for falls in older adults with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study.

The study was to estimate the prevalence of falls with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and investigate the associated risk factors. The study design employed was cross-sectional. The participants for this study were recruited from a community-based diabetes specialist clinic.

Risk of Herpes Simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) among patients with insomnia: A retrospective cohort study.

The aim of this study was to explore the risk of Simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in patients with insomnia. This study applied a population-based retrospective cohort design. A total of 50,210 patients aged ≥ 20 years who had received a diagnosis of insomnia between 2000 and 2015.

Large-scale single-virus genomics uncovers hidden diversity of river water viruses and diversified gene profiles.

Environmental viruses (primarily bacteriophages) are widely recognized as playing an important role in ecosystem homeostasis through the infection of host cells. However, the majority of environmental viruses are still unknown as their mosaic structure and frequent mutations in their sequences hinder genome construction in current metagenomics. To enable the large-scale acquisition of environmental viral genomes, we developed a new single-viral genome sequencing platform with microfluidic-generated gel beads.

Associated factors of low muscle mass in community-dwelling patients with type 2 diabetes.

This study aims to analyze the prevalence of low muscle mass (LMM) and its associated factors among community-dwelling patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). A retrospective design was employed to analyze the body composition of 2404 adults with T2D aged 18 years and older. LMM was defined as a skeletal muscle index < 7.

The synergistic effect of insomnia and depression on risk of herpes zoster.

Sleep problems was associated with increased risk for herpes zoster (HZ). This study examined subjects with insomnia or a combination of insomnia and depression and their risk of HZ. This retrospective cohort study included a total of 47,256 participants, with a control comprising 31,504 age- and sex-matched patients.

Mediating Effect of White Blood Cells and Tobacco Exposure on Cervical Neoplasm Risk Among Taiwanese Women.

Both the high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection and tobacco exposure are significantly associated with cervical neoplasm risk. Immune cells play important roles in carcinogenesis. However, it is still unclear whether immune cells have a mediating effect on the HR-HPV infection and tobacco exposure with cervical neoplasm development.

The experiences of public health nurses during the COVID-19 in Taiwan: A qualitative study.

Aim: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a substantial effect on frontline health care workers and caused public health nurses (PHNs) to come under various forms of pressure. PHNs face high-risk challenges in their work environment, and their professional commitment and adaptability are key concerns. The aim of this qualitative study was to describe the experiences of PHNs during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Prothymosin α accelerates dengue virus-induced thrombocytopenia.

Thrombocytopenia is the hallmark finding in dengue virus (DENV) infection. Prothymosin α (ProT) has both intracellular and extracellular functions involved in cell cycle progression, cell differentiation, gene regulation, oxidative stress response, and immunomodulation. In this study, we found that ProT levels were elevated in dengue patient sera as well as DENV-infected megakaryoblasts and their culture supernatants.

Intranasal corticosteroids reduced acute rhinosinusitis in children with allergic rhinitis: A nested case-control study.

Background: Children with allergic rhinitis (AR) have substantially more acute rhinosinusitis than children without AR. We evaluated whether intranasal corticosteroids (INCS), second-generation antihistamines (SGH), and/or intranasal antihistamines (INH) for AR affect acute rhinosinusitis in children with AR aged 2-18 years.

Methods: By using the National Health Research Institutes Database 2005 of Taiwan, a cohort of patients with AR aged 2-18 years treated with AR medications between 2002 and 2018 was made, within which a nested case-control study was performed.

Associations between domestic violence and poor pregnancy outcomes in taiwanese women: a nested case-control study.

Background And Aims: Domestic violence (DV) are one of the important risk factors for women's health outcomes. The aim of this study was explored the risk of DV association with the poor pregnancy outcomes (PPOs), including premature delivery, abortion, and stillbirth.

Methods: A nested case-control study was applied.

Challenges faced by community connectors: lessons learned from a Taiwan public health initiative.

Background: Effective solutions that meet the diverse community health needs of older adult populations are of critical importance. To address these needs, a nationwide community connector team-tasked with providing referral support to older adult populations and completing an asset mapping resource inventory initiative centered around the needs of older adult populations-was developed in Taiwan. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore community connectors' experiences and challenges.

Experiences of Middle-Aged and Older Taiwanese Adults With Chronic Insomnia: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.

The purpose of the current study was to describe the experiences of middle-aged and older adults with chronic insomnia. A descriptive qualitative study design was used, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 participants from two primary clinic health centers in northern Taiwan. Mean age of participants was 64.

Estimating the incidence rate ratio of common cold among patients with non-apnea sleep disorders: a retrospective cohort study.

The purpose was to explore the potential effects of nonapnea sleep disorders (NSDs) and hypnotic use on the incidence of common cold. This study adapted population-based retrospective cohort study designed. We used the data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between 1998 and 2011.

Novel lissencephaly-associated DCX variants in the C-terminal DCX domain affect microtubule binding and dynamics.

Objective: Pathogenic variants in DCX on the X chromosome lead to lissencephaly and subcortical band heterotopia (SBH), brain malformations caused by neuronal migration defects. Its product doublecortin (DCX) binds to microtubules to modulate microtubule polymerization. How pathogenic DCX variants affect these activities remains not fully investigated.

The association between obstructive sleep apnea and the risk of poor delivery events in women: A population-based nested case-control study.

Purpose: To investigate the risk of poor delivery events (PDEs; premature delivery, abortion, and stillbirth) in female subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: The study identified 8346 female subjects with PDEs as cases between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2015 from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005 in Taiwan. A total of 33,384 controls were also identified based on frequency matching for age and year of index date.

Effectiveness of a Problem-Solving Program in Improving Problem-Solving Ability and Glycemic Control for Diabetics with Hypoglycemia.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a hypoglycemia problem-solving program (HPSP) on problem-solving ability and glycemic control in diabetics with hypoglycemia. This was a prospective, quasi-experimental study with two groups, using a pre- and post-repeated measures design. A total of 71 diabetic patients with hypoglycemia were purposively assigned to an experimental group ( = 34) and a control group ( = 37).

Obstructive sleep apnea and injury events in Taiwanese adults: A retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosis and diverse types of injuries.

Design: This population-based retrospective cohort study compared records from 2000 to 2013 in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

Methods: 3025 patients identified with OSA were compared against the control cohort consisting of 12,100 age- and sex-matched patients.

Risk factors associated with frailty in older adults with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study.

Aims And Objectives: The aims of the study were to (i) estimate the prevalence of frailty among older adults with type 2 diabetes, and (ii) investigate risk factors associated with frailty in the study group.

Background: The high prevalence of frailty among older adults and its adverse health impacts including higher risks for physical disabilities and a higher mortality rate is quickly evolving to become an important public health issue.

Design: A cross-sectional design.

Association of Body Composition with Type 2 Diabetes: A Retrospective Chart Review Study.

This study analyzed the body composition of individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). In this retrospective chart review study, body composition was measured through multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 770). Body composition assessments were conducted in individuals with T2DM, who were aged ≥18 years.

Risk of alcohol use disorders in patients with insomnia: A population-based retrospective cohort study.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the risk of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in patients with insomnia.

Methods: This was a population-based retrospective cohort study based on data from 2000 to 2013. Data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were employed for this study.

Machine Learning in Prediction of Second Primary Cancer and Recurrence in Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Recurrence of CRC (Re) and onset of a second primary malignancy (SPM) are important indicators in treating CRC, but it is often difficult to predict the onset of a SPM. Therefore, we used mechanical learning to identify risk factors that affect Re and SPM.

The Association Between Sleep Disorders and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Patients: A Population-based Nested Case-Control Study.

Aim: To investigate the risk of colorectal cancer in patients with sleep disorders.

Materials And Methods: We identified 7,355 participants with colorectal cancer between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2013, from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005 of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database; 29,420 controls were also identified from the same database based on frequency matching on age, sex, and index date of the cases. Diagnoses of sleep disorders by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) in the cases and controls prior to the index date were assessed.

α-Phellandrene enhances the immune response and resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus in white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).

Innate immunity and resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus in white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, that received α-phellandrene were examined. The results indicated that the percent survival of shrimp receiving 4, 8, and 12 μg g α-phellandrene was significantly higher than that of control shrimp after 72 h (p < 0.05).

Serotype distribution and clinical correlation of Streptococcus agalactiae causing invasive disease in infants and children in Taiwan.

Background: Streptococcus agalactiae, or group B Streptococcus (GBS), remains to be one of the leading pathogens causing invasive infections in infants.

Methods: The clinical GBS isolates from sterile sites of patients younger than 18 years old were collected from October 1998 to December 2014 in two hospitals in Taiwan. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed.

Risk of pneumonia in patients with insomnia: A nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study.

Evidence is lacking regarding whether insomnia increases the risk of infectious disease. Accordingly, the present study examined the risk of pneumonia in patients with insomnia. This study was a population-based retrospective cohort study on a cohort of 8061 patients with insomnia and a control cohort of 16,112 patients (matched by age, sex, and year of diagnosis) from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database for the 2000-2010 period.