Sequential or simultaneous-integrated boost in early-stage breast cancer patients: trade-offs between skin toxicity and risk of compromised coverage.

Purpose: To determine the dosimetric effects of set-up errors on boost coverage, and compares skin toxicity of sequential and simultaneous boost techniques for left-sided breast cancer.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 23 early-stage breast cancer cases. Single isocenter HFWBI-SIB(s-SIB), single isocenter HFWBI-SB(s-SB) and dual isocenter HFWBI-SB(d-SB) were planing.

Dosimetric evaluation of different planning strategies for hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation technique.

The dose hotspot areas in hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation (WBI) greatly increase the risk of acute skin toxicity because of the anatomical peculiarities of the breast. In this study, we presented several novel planning strategies that integrate multiple sub-planning target volumes (sub-PTVs), field secondary placement, and RapidPlan models for right-sided hypofractionated WBI.A total of 35 cases of WBI with a dose of 42.

[Arthroscopic treatment of tibial intercondylar ridge avulsion fracture with double-root line double tunnel fixation technique].

Objective: To discuss arthroscopic technique of double-root line double tunnel fixation for tibial intercondylar ridge avulsion fracture and its short-term followvup observational results.

Methods: From May 2012 to June 2017, 21 cases of tibial intercondylar ridge avulsion fractures were treated with arthroscope double line double tunnel. Among the patients, 16 males and 5 females were ranging in age from 17 to 45 years old, with an average of 29.

Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the Diabetes Coping Measure scale.

Purpose: To evaluate the psychometric properties of a Chinese version of the Diabetes Coping Measure scale (DCM-C).

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 205 people with type 2 diabetes from the endocrine outpatient departments of three hospitals in Taiwan. Confirmatory factor analysis, criterion validity, and internal consistency reliability were conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties of the DCM-C.

Factors that affect health outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Factors that individually influence blood sugar control, health-related quality of life, and diabetes self-care behaviors have been widely investigated; however, most previous diabetes studies have not tested an integrated association between a series of factors and multiple health outcomes.

Objectives: The purposes of this study are to identify risk factors and protective factors and to examine the impact of risk factors and protective factors on adaptive outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes.

Design: A descriptive correlational design was used to examine a theoretical model of risk factors, protective factors, and adaptive outcomes.

Validation of the Chinese version of the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID-C) scale.

Objective: To examine the psychometric properties of a Chinese version of the Problem Areas In Diabetes (PAID-C) scale.

Research Design And Methods: The reliability and validity of the PAID-C were evaluated in a convenience sample of 205 outpatients with type 2 diabetes. Confirmatory factor analysis, Bland-Altman analysis, and Spearman's correlations facilitated the psychometric evaluation.

Development of the simplified Tai Chi exercise program (STEP) for frail older adults.

Objective: To develop a simplified Tai Chi exercise program for frail older adults.

Design: For phase I, using a focus group, 40 frail Taiwanese older adults were interviewed to explore their viewpoints on Tai Chi and have been reported elsewhere. This paper emphasized on the phase II of the study in which the older adults' perspectives were validated by 10 experts using an evaluation survey.

Frail elders' views of Tai Chi.

The beneficial effects of Tai Chi on an elder's well-being have been well documented; however, not many frail elders practice it. The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore the perspectives frail elders have about Tai Chi, including its movements, practice frequency and duration, and practice preferences. Using focus groups, 40 frail elders who lived in long-term care facilities were interviewed.

[Using focus groups among the elderly].

Focus groups are important tools for assessing markets, making public policy and researching applied science. The use of focus groups can enable us to gather large volumes of data in short periods of time. The need for focus groups, because of the economical and efficient way in which they generate information, has grown recently in nursing.