Does positive feedback or appraisal about medical providers increase patients' trust and lead to better treatment outcomes? A double-blind randomized control trial.

[Purpose] Trust among patients and clinical suppliers is the foundation for achieving appropriate treatment. This double-blind randomized control trial aimed to determine whether providing patients a pre-treatment physical therapists' introductions and positive appraisal can enhance the trust of patients in therapists. [Participants and Methods] This study included patients diagnosed with lumbar spine spondylosis or non-acute lower back muscle strain who were divided into intervention and control groups.

Curbing COVID-19 progression and mortality with traditional Chinese medicine among hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A propensity score-matched analysis.

Background: Viral- and host-targeted traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulae NRICM101 and NRICM102 were administered to hospitalized patients with COVID-19 during the mid-2021 outbreak in Taiwan. We report the outcomes by measuring the risks of intubation or admission to intensive care unit (ICU) for patients requiring no oxygen support, and death for those requiring oxygen therapy.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study retrieved data of 840 patients admitted to 9 hospitals between May 1 and July 26, 2021.

High Induction of IL-6 Secretion From hUCMSCs Optimize the Potential of hUCMSCs and TCZ as Therapy for COVID-19-Related ARDS.

Biological and cellular interleukin-6 (IL-6)-related therapies have been used to treat severe COVID-19 pneumonia with hyperinflammatory syndrome and acute respiratory failure, which prompted further exploration of the role of IL-6 in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUCMSC) therapy. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were responders cocultured with hUCMSCs or exogenous IL-6. A PBMC suppression assay was used to analyze the anti-inflammatory effects via MTT assay.

Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Place Attachment for Community-Dwelling Older Adults Scale.

This study developed the Place Attachment for Community-Dwelling Older Adults (PACOA) scale and evaluated its psychometric properties. The PACOA was developed through a qualitative study and expert panels. A pilot study confirmed the 19-item PACOA which included five factors (meaning of life, dependency, feeling "in place," continuity, and social inclusion) were extracted.

Therapeutic effects of a single injection of human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells on acute and chronic colitis in mice.

Multiple injections of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) have been used for treatment of chronic colitis in mice. We aimed to report the therapeutic effects of a single injection of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) on acute and chronic colitis. Male C57BL/6JNarl mice were divided into control, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and hUCMSCs treated groups, respectively.

Association of Promoter Polymorphisms With the Risk of Childhood Leukemia.

Background/aim: The association of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) genotypes with adult leukemia has been reported only once, but never for childhood leukemia. This study aimed to determine the role of MMP-2 promoter -1306 (rs243865) and -735 (rs2285053) genotypes in childhood leukemia risk.

Materials And Methods: This case-control study included 266 patients and 266 age- and gender-matched healthy controls.

The contribution of genotypes to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Purpose: A growing body of evidence shows an association between DNA repair protein genotypes and susceptibility to various cancers. However, few studies have assessed the contribution of the genotype of , a homologous repair gene, to the occurrence or prognosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In this study, we investigated the contribution of seven polymorphisms to childhood ALL.

Downregulations of AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway for -Mediated Suppression of Matrix Metalloproteinases-9 Expression in Mouse Tumor Models.

The roles of Matrix MetalloProteinases (MMPs), such as MMP-9, in tumor metastasis are well studied, and this in turns stimulates the development of MMP inhibitors as antitumor agents. Previously, accumulation was observed in the metastatic nodules of the lungs after systemic administration. significantly enhanced the survival of the pulmonary metastatic tumor-bearing mice.

Contribution of Matrix Metalloproteinase-7 Genotypes to the Risk of Non-solid Tumor, Childhood Leukemia.

Background/aim: The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important in inflammation and carcinogenesis, and the genotypic role of MMP7 has never been examined in leukemia to date. Therefore, in this study we aimed to evaluate the contribution of the genotypic variants in the promoter region of MMP7 (A-181G and C-153T) to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) risk in Taiwan.

Materials And Methods: In this case-control study, 266 patients with childhood ALL and 266 non-cancer controls were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology.

The Contribution of MMP-8 Promoter Genotypes to Childhood Leukemia.

Background/aim: Accumulated evidence has supported the notion that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) genotypes are associated with the susceptibility of many types of cancers. However, few reports have studied the contribution of MMP genotypes to either diagnostic or prognostic potential in non-solid tumors such as leukemia. In this study, we firstly investigated the contribution of a polymorphism in the promoter region of MMP-8 (-799C/T) and two non-synonymous polymorphisms (Val436Ala and Lys460Thr) to childhood leukemia.

Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Genotype Contributes to the Risk of Non-solid Tumor in Childhood Leukemia.

Aim: Up-regulation of metalloproteinase (MMPs) proteins have been shown in various types of solid cancers and the genotype of MMP1 has been associated with the risk of solid cancers. However, the contribution of MMP1 genotype to leukemia has never been investigated to our knowledge. Therefore, in this study we aimed to evaluate the contribution of the genotypic variants in the promoter region of MMP1 to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) risk in Taiwan.

Older Age, Low Socioeconomic Status, and Multiple Comorbidities Lower the Probability of Receiving Inpatient Rehabilitation Half a Year After Stroke.

Objective: To determine the predictors of receiving inpatient rehabilitation during 7 to 12 months after stroke.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: A nationally representative sample of 1 million National Health Insurance enrollees.

The Protective Role of Autophagy in Matrix Metalloproteinase-Mediated Cell Transmigration and Cell Death in High-Glucose-Treated Endothelial Cells.

Diabetes mellitus may cause vascular endothelial damage via endothelial matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). The role of endothelial autophagy in MMP-2-mediated cell injury in response to high-glucose (HG) stimulation was rarely described. In this study, we used HG-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to investigate the effect of autophagy on MMP-2-induced cell transmigration and apoptosis.

Emergency visits among end-of-life cancer patients in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based study.

Background: An increased number of emergency visits at the end of life may indicate poor-quality cancer care. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and utilization of emergency visits and to explore the reasons for emergency department (ED) visits among cancer patients at the end of life.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed by tracking one year of ambulatory medical service records before death.

Reduction of plantar pressures in leprosy patients by using custom made shoes and total contact insoles.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to observe whether our custom made shoes and total contact insoles can effectively increase the plantar contact areas and reduce peak pressures in patients with leprosy.

Design: In the rehabilitation laboratory of a tertiary medical center. Six male and two female leprosy patients were recruited in this study.

Factors influencing physical activity in institutionalized elderly patients with leprosy.

Purpose: The nursing literature has devoted little attention to the long-term influence of infectious diseases and the subsequent rehabilitation needs of the affected patients. This study was conducted to identify the factors associated with physical activity (PA) in older institutionalized adults with leprosy.

Method: A cross-sectional research design was used.

[Activity of daily living and life quality of patients with Hansen's disease in Taiwan].

Background: Hansen's Disease incidence in Taiwan has declined to the goal set by the World Health Organization. However, this population does not receive adequate attention due to the stigma attached to the disease.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the demographic characteristics, activities of daily living, and quality of life of patients with Hansen's Disease in Taiwan.

The effects of a 12-week walking program on community-dwelling older adults.

Walking is a popular and easily accessible form of physical activity. However, walking instruction for older adults is based on the evidence gathered from younger populations. This study evaluated walking conditions, strength, balance, and subjective health status after a 12-week walking-training program in community-dwelling adults > 65-years-old.

Health services utilization and cost utility analysis of a walking program for residential community elderly.

Promoting the health and improving the ability and confidence of the elderly to live independently can reduce health care expenditures and increase the health of society as a whole. However, the evidence to promote physical activity in order to promote health among the aged population is weak, especially in regards to the economic evaluation of a walking program. These researchers confirmed that the cost utility of a 12-week walking training program is acceptable.

Relationships between personal, depression and social network factors and sleep quality in community-dwelling older adults.

Improving sleep quality is key to increasing life quality for the elderly. Clarifying the nature of sleep conditions and the factors that influence such is necessary to enrich the base of knowledge available to the clinical nursing profession and encourage effective nursing interventions in older populations. Purposes of this study were to describe sleep quality and identify the personal, depression and social network determinants of sleep quality among older people living independently.

Knowledge about osteoporosis and its related factors among public health nurses in Taiwan.

Although osteoporosis prevention has been identified as a critical issue for women and the elderly population, some health professionals still misunderstand osteoporosis. Public health nurses (PHNs) are responsible for health promotion and disease prevention in community populations. The objective of this study was to investigate PHNs' knowledge of osteoporosis and its related factors.