Radiological Sublingual Space Invasion in Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Clinicopathological Associations and Impact on Survival.

Objectives: We investigate if sublingual space invasion (SLI) determined on magnetic resonance imaging confers differences in clinicopathological manifestations and treatment outcomes of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC).

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary Academic Medical Center.

Longitudinal outcomes of trismus release with free-flap reconstruction in primary and secondary oral submucous fibrosis-related trismus.

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis is a global health concern associated with betel quid use and results in trismus, which can be either primary or secondary in origin. Severe cases often require trismus release with free-flap reconstruction. This study examined longitudinal outcome trends following trismus release and compared the outcomes of patients with primary and secondary oral submucous fibrosis-related trismus.

Association of serum levels of inflammatory cytokines with retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants.

Introduction: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a retinal vascular developmental disease associated with risks factors such as supplementary oxygen use or low birth weight/early gestational age. Multiple studies have reported associations between ROP and systemic inflammation. In this study, we investigated serum cytokines associated with ROP development and severity and assessed their applicability as potential biomarkers of ROP.

Long-term effects of tear film component deposition on the surface and optical properties of two different orthokeratology lenses.

Purpose: To understand the effects of long-term deposition of tear film components on the surface and optical properties of orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses, two different lenses, Brighten 22 and Optimum Extra, were tested here.

Methods: Ortho-k lenses were immersed in artificial tears and cleaned with a commercial care solution repeatedly for up to 90 days. Both the daily and accumulated lysozyme deposition amounts using an Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay were then analyzed.

Mouth Puffing Phenomenon and Upper Airway Features May Be Used to Predict the Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate (1) the role of mouth puffing phenomenon and upper airway features in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and (2) whether mouth-taping during sleep alleviated the severity of OSA.

Participants And Methods: Seventy-one participants underwent a two-night home sleep test (the first day sleeping normally; the second day sleeping with their mouths being taped); their oximetry desaturation index (ODI) and mouth puffing signals (non-mouth puffing, complete mouth puffing, intermittent mouth puffing (IMP), and side mouth puffing) were detected by a validated fingertip pulse oximeter and a mouth puffing detector. The participants were grouped into the ODI-improved group and the ODI-not-improved group according to their sleeping test results.

The Effect of Polysaccharides on Preventing Proteins and Cholesterol from Being Adsorbed on the Surface of Orthokeratology Lenses.

The adsorption of tear film compositions such as proteins and lipids on the orthokeratology lenses often lead to infection or corneal damage. In order to investigate whether polysaccharides could prevent tear compositions from being adsorbed on the lens, alginic acid and lambda-carrageenan were added into artificial tear solution. By measuring daily adsorption of cholesterol, lysozyme, and albumin, our results showed that polysaccharides could weakly prevent cholesterol adsorption.

Mouth puffing phenomena of patients with obstructive sleep apnea when mouth-taped: device's efficacy confirmed with physical video observation.

Purpose: This study aimed to design a device to monitor mouth puffing phenomena of patients with obstructive sleep apnea when mouth-taped and to employ video recording and computing algorithms to double-check and verify the efficacy of the device.

Methods: A mouth puffing detector (MPD) was developed, and a video camera was set to record the patients' mouth puffing phenomena in order to make ensure the data obtained from the device was appropriate and valid. Ten patients were recruited and had polysomnography.

De Novo synthesis of platinum-nanoparticle-encapsulated UiO-66-NH for photocatalytic thin film fabrication with enhanced performance of phenol degradation.

The structural and chemical stability of UiO-66-NH and its simulated solar irradiation responsive characteristic make it a suitable metal-organic framework (MOF) candidate as photocatalytic material. Platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) are typically immobilized in MOF to enhance the photocatalytic efficiency. However, introducing high metal content in MOF with high dispersion is still challenging using conventional methods.

Determinants of nurses' willingness to receive vaccines: Application of the health belief model.

Aims And Objectives: To assess the willingness of nurses to receive vaccines as recommended by Taiwan's "Immunization Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel" (IRHCP), as well as the factors associated with their willingness.

Background: Immunisation for healthcare personnel (HCP) is a means of reducing pathogen transmission. Also, vaccinating HCP reduces personnel and labour costs during an epidemic.

Dog ownership, dog walking, and leisure-time walking among Taiwanese metropolitan and nonmetropolitan older adults.

Background: This study examined the prevalence of dog ownership and dog walking and its association with leisure-time walking among metropolitan and nonmetropolitan older adults.

Methods: A telephone-based cross-sectional survey targeting Taiwanese older adults was conducted in November 2016. Data related to dog ownership, time spent dog walking (categorized as non-dog owner, non-dog walkers, and dog walkers), and sociodemographic variables were obtained from 1074 older adults.

Cross-Sectional Associations of Environmental Perception with Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Screen Time among Older Adults.

This study investigated associations of perceived environmental factors with leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and screen time (ST) among older adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted by administering computer-assisted telephone interviews to 1028 older Taiwanese adults in November 2016. Data on personal factors, perceived environmental factors, LTPA, and ST were included.

Associations of Older Taiwanese Adults' Personal Attributes and Perceptions of the Neighborhood Environment Concerning Walking for Recreation and Transportation.

This study examines the cross-sectional associations between personal and perceived neighborhood environment attributes regarding walking for recreation and transportation among older Taiwanese adults. Data related to personal factors, perceived environmental factors, and time spent engaging in transportation-related and recreational walking were obtained from 1032 older adults aged 65 years and above. The data were analyzed by carrying out an adjusted binary logistic regression.

Ag@Au nanoprism-metal organic framework-based paper for extending the glucose sensing range in human serum and urine.

In this work, we present a Ag@Au nanoprism-metal-organic framework-paper based glucose sensor for rapid, sensitive, single-use and quantitative glucose determination in human serum. To achieve painless measurement of glucose with a non-invasive detection methodology, this biosensor was further tested in human urine. In this approach, a new hybrid-Ag@Au nanoprism loaded in close proximity to micrometer sized coordination polymers as phosphorescent luminophores significantly enhanced the emission intensity due to metal-enhanced phosphorescence and worked as reaction sites to support more dissolved oxygen.