Association of muscle health impairment and atherosclerosis with major osteoporotic fracture risk in Taiwanese Vegetarians.

Objectives: Despite the beneficial effects of "vegetarian style" diet on atherosclerosis, it is also proven potentially detrimental to bone health. The influence of muscle health or atherosclerosis on major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) risk in vegetarians has rarely been explored. This prospective study aimed to investigate an association of MOF risk with muscle health and atherosclerosis in vegetarians.

Quantitative Measurement of Breast Tumors Using Intravoxel Incoherent Motion (IVIM) MR Images.

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently a widely used clinical examination tool. Recently, MR diffusion-related technologies, such as intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI), have been extensively studied by breast cancer researchers and gradually adopted in clinical practice. In this study, we explored automatic tumor detection by IVIM-DWI.

Development of U-Net Breast Density Segmentation Method for Fat-Sat MR Images Using Transfer Learning Based on Non-Fat-Sat Model.

To develop a U-net deep learning method for breast tissue segmentation on fat-sat T1-weighted (T1W) MRI using transfer learning (TL) from a model developed for non-fat-sat images. The training dataset (N = 126) was imaged on a 1.5 T MR scanner, and the independent testing dataset (N = 40) was imaged on a 3 T scanner, both using fat-sat T1W pulse sequence.

Automatic Detection and Segmentation of Breast Cancer on MRI Using Mask R-CNN Trained on Non-Fat-Sat Images and Tested on Fat-Sat Images.

Rationale And Objectives: Computer-aided methods have been widely applied to diagnose lesions on breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The first step was to identify abnormal areas. A deep learning Mask Regional Convolutional Neural Network (R-CNN) was implemented to search the entire set of images and detect suspicious lesions.

A functional recovery profile for patients with stroke following post-acute rehabilitation care in Taiwan.

Background: Functional impairment is frequently seen in patients with stroke. Although the progression of functional recovery after stroke has been proposed, the recovery profile after acute stroke is not well described. The objective of this study is to investigate functional recovery in stroke patients entering post-acute rehabilitation care.

Reconstruction of Diabetic Foot Defects With the Proximal Lateral Leg Perforator Flap.

Background: In patients with diabetic foot ulcers requiring flap reconstruction, the choice of local flaps is limited by the lack of adequate tissue available. Free flaps are often bulky, presenting footwear difficulty due to poor contouring. Here, we present our experience of using the proximal lateral leg perforator flap in the reconstruction of thin diabetic foot ulcers.

A comparison study between endoscope-assisted and the standard approach in the harvesting of the free rectus femoris muscle flap.

Background: Endoscopic harvesting of muscle flaps is well described for gracilis, latissimus dorsi, gastrocnemius, and pectoralis major amongst others. So far there has been no description of endoscopic harvesting of the rectus femoris muscle as a free flap. The purpose of this study was to compare the perioperative outcomes of harvesting the free rectus femoris muscle flap endoscopically as compared to the standard approach.

Appendectomy correlates with increased risk of pyogenic liver abscess: A population-based cohort study in Taiwan.

Little is known on the association between appendectomy and pyogenic liver abscess. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between appendectomy and the risk of pyogenic liver abscess in Taiwan.This population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using the hospitalization dataset of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program.

A comparison between combined open bypass revascularization and free tissue transfer versus endovascular revascularization and free tissue transfer for lower limb preservation.

Background: Extensive defects of the lower limb as a result of diabetes and peripheral vascular disease require multidisciplinary treatment. Numerous studies with regards combining vascular bypass surgery and free tissue reconstruction of the lower limb had been published. However the trend has evolved toward a combination of endovascular revascularization and free flap reconstruction.

Risk of Ear-Associated Diseases After Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fracture.

Purpose: Investigate the risk of ear-associated diseases after zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fracture in a population-based retrospective cohort study.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database of reimbursement claims. A total of 1,330 ZMC fracture patients and 5,320 non-ZMC fracture participants were included and newly developed ear-associated disease data were collected.

Application of proximal lateral leg perforator flaps for head and neck reconstructions.

Objective: Analyze the reliability, complications, and donor site morbidity of the proximal lateral leg flap when applied to head and neck reconstruction.

Study Design: Case series and chart review.

Setting: Tertiary care teaching hospital.

Endovascular revascularization and free tissue transfer for lower limb salvage.

Combined bypass surgery with free flap reconstruction is an established method for lower limb salvage. But the success of the combination of endovascular revascularization together with free tissue transfer has so far not been well established. A retrospective review of all patients who had undergone endovascular revascularization and reconstructed with free tissue transfer for lower limb salvage at Tzu Chi Dalin General Hospital between 2008 and 2012 was performed.

The proximal lateral lower leg perforator flap revisited: anatomical study and clinical applications.

Background: The proximal lateral lower leg flap is a flap suited for the reconstruction of small and thin defects. The purpose of this study was to map the position and consistency of the perforator vessels and to review its reliability and technical considerations clinically.

Methods: The location, number, and size of perforator vessels in the proximal third of the lateral lower leg were investigated in 20 fresh frozen cadaveric lower limbs.

Strengthening health promotion in hospitals with capacity building: a Taiwanese case study.

Organizational capacity building for health promotion (HP) is beneficial to the effective implementation of HP in organizational settings. The World Health Organization (WHO) Health Promoting Hospitals' (HPHs) initiative encourages hospitals to promote the health of their stakeholders by developing organizational capacity. This study analyzes an application case of one hospital of the HPH initiative in Taiwan, characterizes actions aiming at building organizational support to strengthen health gains and identifies facilitators of and barriers to the implementation of the HP in this hospital.

A comparison between proximal lateral leg flap and radial forearm flap for intraoral reconstruction.

Free flaps have become a popular option for the reconstruction of intraoral defects. The radial forearm flap used to be the workhorse flap for small and thin defects, but was associated with numerous donor-site morbidities. The proximal lateral leg flap can provide a thin and pliable tissue similar to the radial forearm flap but without the related donor-site morbidities.

Expanding the applications of the pedicled anterolateral thigh and vastus lateralis myocutaneous flaps.

We describe our experience in expanding the use of pedicled anterolateral thigh and vastus lateralis myocutaneous flaps. A total of 33 patients underwent 34 flaps between March 2003 and January 2012. The defects included 18 ischial, 3 trochanteric, 5 lower abdomen, 2 perineogenital, 1 groin, and 5 knee defects.

Reconstruction of advance head and neck cancer patients after tumor ablation with simultaneous multiple free flaps: indications and prognosis.

Simultaneous multiple free flaps have become a useful option in head and neck reconstructions. We performed a 10-year retrospective study between 2001 and 2010. There were 58 men and 1 woman.

Association of acute phase protein-haptoglobin, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in buccal cancer: a preliminary report.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of inflammation on acute phase protein and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in buccal cancer.

Methods: Western blotting was carried out to investigate the expression of haptoglobin and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in oral cancer cell lines with or without IL-6 stimulation. We studied patients with buccal cancer patients without distant metastasis at diagnosis.

The combined effect of individual and neighborhood socioeconomic status on cancer survival rates.

Background: This population-based study investigated the relationship between individual and neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) and mortality rates for major cancers in Taiwan.

Methods: A population-based follow-up study was conducted with 20,488 cancer patients diagnosed in 2002. Each patient was traced to death or for 5 years.

Increased risk of vascular events in emergency room patients discharged home with diagnosis of dizziness or vertigo: a 3-year follow-up study.

Background: Dizziness and vertigo symptoms are commonly seen in emergency room (ER). However, these patients are often discharged without a definite diagnosis. Conflicting data regarding the vascular event risk among the dizziness or vertigo patients have been reported.

Effect of individual and neighborhood socioeconomic status on oral cancer survival.

This population-based study investigated the relationship between individual and neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) and oral cancer mortality. A population-based follow-up study was conducted of 3607 oral cancer patients (predominantly male) who were diagnosed between 2004 and 2005. Each patient was traced to death or for 2 years.

Survival rate in nasopharyngeal carcinoma improved by high caseload volume: a nationwide population-based study in Taiwan.

Background: Positive correlation between caseload and outcome has previously been validated for several procedures and cancer treatments. However, there is no information linking caseload and outcome of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treatment. We used nationwide population-based data to examine the association between physician case volume and survival rates of patients with NPC.

Free tissue transfers for limb salvage in patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis.

Background: Microvascular surgery plays a major role in the reconstructive process of limb salvage. However, microsurgery in the patient with renal disease is still considered a high-risk procedure. Some authors have even recommended immediate amputation because of poor long-term survival in patients with renal failure and lower limb ischemia.