[Associations Among Changes in Meridian Energy, Quality of Life During Surgery, and Prognoses in Newly Diagnosed Lung Cancer Patients: A Longitudinal Study].

Background: Approximately 30% of patients experience postoperative complications after surgery for early-stage lung cancer. However, the relationships among meridian energy during lung cancer surgery, changes in quality of life, and prognosis have not been investigated.

Purpose: This study was designed to explore the associations among meridian energy, changes in quality of life, and prognosis in patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer undergoing surgery.

Inflammatory and Nutritional Biomarkers in Patients With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between pretreatment inflammatory and nutritional biomarkers in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy (nCRT).

Sample & Setting: 213 patients with newly diagnosed stage II-III ESCC who received nCRT at an academic hospital in Taiwan.

Methods & Variables: Electronic health record data were used.

The Experiences of Nursing Managers in Implementing Palliative Care in Long-Term Care Facilities.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of nursing managers in implementing palliative care in long-term care facilities and to provide recommendations for managers who plan to introduce palliative care into their facilities.

Methods: This study used semi-structured interviews and grounded theory methodology, with purposive sampling. A total of 11 long-term care facilities in eastern Taiwan that had implemented palliative care were selected, and 11 facility nursing managers participated in in-depth, face-to-face interviews.

Investigating sarcopenia, physical activity, and inflammation biomarkers in newly diagnosed oral cancer patients during curative treatment: A prospective longitudinal study.

Objective: This prospective longitudinal study aimed to investigate changes in sarcopenia, physical activity, and inflammation biomarkers in patients with oral cavity cancer during curative treatment and explore their association with treatment outcomes.

Methods: Patients newly diagnosed with oral cavity cancer who underwent primary surgery with (chemo)radiation therapy were included. Along with physical activity and inflammatory markers, sarcopenia was assessed using a 5-time chair stand test, hand grip strength, and skeletal muscle index (SMI).

Predictors of success in the registered nurse licensure exam for nursing graduates whose education was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on health-care education. However, the relationship between changes in nursing internships in Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic and outcome in the national registered nurse (RN) licensure exam for new nursing graduates is underexplored. The study was to explore the predictors of first-attempt success in the RN licensure exam in 2022.

Comprehensive Assessment of the Clinical Risk Factors of Postoperative Adverse Events and Survival in Patients With Non-small-cell Lung Cancer.

Background/aim: Postoperative adverse events are associated with poor clinical outcomes and survival in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with curative operation. However, comprehensive evaluation of the clinical characteristics associated with postoperative adverse events and survival outcomes is lacking.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective study that evaluated patients with NSCLC who underwent curative surgery between 2008 and 2019 was conducted in a medical center.

Prognostic Values of Inflammatory Indexes and Clinical Factors in Patients with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations in Lung Adenocarcinoma and Treated with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors.

This study aimed to access the predictive value of inflammatory indices and clinical factors in toxicity and survival in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated lung adenocarcinoma receiving first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-treatment. A total of 259 patients with stage IIIB−IV lung adenocarcinoma and actionable EGFR mutation who received first-line TKI treatment between 2008 and 2020 were retrospectively enrolled and analyzed. The prognostic factors of TKI-related toxicity, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were identified by using logistic regression analysis and Cox proportional hazards models.

Movement-based mind-body interventions for cardiac rehabilitation: An updated systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

This study aimed to assess evidence for the effect of movement-based mind-body interventions (MMBIs) for cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Six databases were searched from January 1995 to September 2020. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluated the effect of MMBIs on heart disease (HD) patients' physical and psychological outcomes.

Perioperative exercise intervention in patients with lung cancer: A systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: During perioperative, lung cancer (LC) patients are often left to experience debilitating disease-related symptoms, impaired physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and social difficulties, despite the progress achieved in terms of treatment efficacy. Nonpharmacological intervention, such as exercise, has been identified as an effective strategy in LC patients before and after lung resection. Therefore, we aimed to assess evidence of the effect of perioperative exercise among patients with LC.

The effectiveness of far-infrared irradiation on foot skin surface temperature and heart rate variability in healthy adults over 50 years of age: A randomized study.

Background: Far-infrared irradiation (FIR) is used in the medical field to improve wound healing, hemodialysis with peripheral artery occlusive disease, and osteoarthritis but seldom used in ameliorating poor lower extremity circulation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of FIR on changes in foot skin surface temperature (FSST) and autonomic nerve system (ANS) activity to evaluate its effectiveness in improving lower limb circulation.

Methods: A randomized controlled study was conducted.

The Experience to Implement Palliative Care in Long-term Care Facilities: A Grounded Theory Study of Caregivers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of caregivers in long-term care facilities as they implement palliative care. Although palliative care has been available in Taiwan for more than 30 years, it is often provided in hospitals, few models in the long-term care facilities.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews using grounded theory methodology and purposive sampling.

Association Between Sarcopenia and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Esophageal Cancer Under Neoadjuvant Therapy.

Background/aim: This study aimed to evaluate the association of sarcopenia and Clinical Outcomes with esophageal cancer under neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Patients And Methods: A retrospective study assessing patients with esophageal cancer who underwent CRT between 2001 and 2014 was conducted in the medical center. Hospital patients' records on sarcopenia and treatment outcomes were statistically analyzed.

Anxiety severity does not influence treatment outcomes in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.

Aims: Patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) typically experience anxiety mood status, which is closely connected with physical and psychological status and treatment outcome. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of anxiety severity on therapeutic results in IC/BPS patients.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled IC/BPS patients who had previously undergone any kind of treatment for their disease.

Enteral Access Potentially Endangers Esophageal Carcinoma Patients Under Multi-modality Therapy: A Population-based Study.

Background/aim: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcome of esophageal cancer (EC) patients with enteral access (EA) undergoing multimodality therapy.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data between 1997 and 2012 in Taiwan using the National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients with newly-diagnosed EC undergoing multimodality therapy were identified and classified as either EA group or no-EA group.

Efficacy of Enteral Access in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Under Neoadjuvant Therapy.

Background: Enteral feeding tubes used to manage the nutritional status of esophageal cancer were evaluated regarding their effectiveness in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective study evaluating patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma undergoing neoadjuvant therapy between 2001 and 2014 was conducted at a medical center. Hospital patients' records for enteral access (EA) insertion and treatment outcomes were statistically analyzed.

The Effectiveness of Cupping Therapy on Relieving Chronic Neck and Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cupping therapy (CT) in changes on skin surface temperature (SST) for relieving chronic neck and shoulder pain (NSP) among community residents. A single-blind experimental design constituted of sixty subjects with self-perceived NSP. The subjects were randomly allocated to two groups.

[Physiological Relevance and Nursing Care Applications of Moxibustion as Applied to the Sanyinjiao Acupoint on Females].

Moxibustion is a thermal therapy procedure that applies burning material to the surface of specific acupoints, which warms the meridians and dispels cold. This procedure is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine care and treatment. It is also an important complementary and replacement therapy in many countries.

Changes in skin surface temperature at an acupuncture point with moxibustion.

Objective: This study evaluates the thermographic changes associated with moxa burner moxibustion at the SP6 acupuncture point to establish an appropriate, safe distance of efficacy for moxibustion.

Methods: Baseline temperature changes using a moxa burner were obtained for a paper substrate at various distances and times, and the tested with volunteers in a pilot study. A single-group trial was then conducted with 36 healthy women to monitor temperature changes on the body surface at the acupuncture point (SP6).

Effects of freshwater clam extract supplementation on time to exhaustion, muscle damage, pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines, and liver injury in rats after exhaustive exercise.

The potent anti-inflammatory activities and tissue-protective effects of freshwater clams (Corbicula fluminea) have been well reported. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of freshwater clam extract (FCE) supplementation on time to exhaustion, muscle damage, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and liver injury in rats after exhaustive exercise. Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups: sedentary control (SC); SC group with FCE supplementation (SC+FCE); exhaustive exercise (E); and E group with FCE supplementation (E+FCE).

Hypothermia caused by slow and limited-volume fluid resuscitation decreases organ damage by hemorrhagic shock.

Background: Hypothermia frequently occurs during fluid resuscitation of trauma victims, especially in patients with a major blood loss. Recent studies have suggested that mild hypothermia may ameliorate hemorrhagic shock (HS) induced splanchnic damage.

Objective: The aim of the present study is to compare the status of body temperature and splanchnic injury under different resuscitation speeds for HS in conscious rats.

Effects of music on immunity and physiological responses in healthcare workers: a randomized controlled trial.

Research-based evidence supports the effectiveness of soothing music in improving stress-related psycho-physiological indices in a clinical setting. However, there is currently insufficient scientific knowledge of the effects of music on immune markers of stress in humans. Therefore, the aims of the study were to compare the effects of music and quiet rest on the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), heart rate and mean arterial pressure among healthcare workers.

[Relationships among clinical symptoms, bladder condition, and subjective perceptions in patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome].

Background: Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a silent challenge for patients. Various symptoms related to IC are causes of physical disability and mental distress.

Purpose: This study investigated the relationships between clinical symptoms, bladder condition and patient perceptions.

Rosiglitazone protects against severe hemorrhagic shock-induced organ damage in rats.

Background: Hemorrhagic shock (HS) followed by resuscitation can induce the production of several inflammatory mediators and lead to multiple organ dysfunction. The molecular mechanism of biologic responses to rosiglitazone has an anti-inflammatory effect. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of rosiglitazone on physiopathology and inflammatory mediators after HS in rats.

Freshwater clam extract decreased hemorrhagic shock-induced liver injury by attenuating TNF-α production.

Freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea), a popular edible shellfish in Asia, is said to have beneficial effects on liver function. However, scientific evidence for such benefit is limited. In this study, the authors aimed to assess the treatment effects of freshwater clam extract (FCE) administration after hemorrhagic shock (HS) in rats.

Psychophysiological responses to sedative music in patients awaiting cardiac catheterization examination: a randomized controlled trial.

Background And Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases are the number 1 cause of death globally. Cardiac catheterization is a key step in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases. Decreasing the stress of cardiac catheterization is a key factor in improving patients' well-being.