Edema index established by a segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis provides prognostic value in acute heart failure.

Objectives: A segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (SMBIA) is a noninvasive and reproducible modality for estimating the fluid state. The aim of this study was to test whether the SMBIA-derived edema index provides prognostic value in patients hospitalized due to acute heart failure (AHF).

Methods: To estimate the 6-month prognostic value of the predischarge edema index in patients hospitalized due to AHF, 112 patients were consecutively enrolled.

Three-dimensional anatomical accuracy of cranial models created by rapid prototyping techniques validated using a neuronavigation station.

In neurosurgery and ear, nose and throat surgery the application of computerised navigation systems for guiding operations has been expanding rapidly. However, suitable models to train surgeons in using navigation systems are not yet available. We have developed a technique using an industrial, rapid prototyping process from which accurate spatial models of the cranium, its contents and pathology can be reproduced for teaching.

All-optical controlling of the focal intensity of a liquid crystal polymer microlens array.

The current work demonstrates a liquid crystalline polymer microlens array (LCP MLA) with an all-optically tunable and multistable focal intensity through photochemical phase transition. The operational mechanism of the optical tuning is associated with the photoisomerization effect. The proposed LCP MLA device has a focusing unit based on a birefringence LCP and a tuning unit with a light responsive material to control the polarization state of the incident probe beam.

Dynamic pain after laser-assisted-Uvulo-palatoplasty (LAUP) can instantaneously be mitigated by topical regimens.

Background And Objectives: Kenalog application onto surgical wounds has been used to control dynamic pain following Laser-Assisted-Uvulo-Palatoplasty (LAUP) with good results in our department. When the effect was sub-optimal, insufficient ointment over the superior-lateral corner of wounds were always noted. Fulfilling the coating led to optimal results, and preliminary trials showed a good outcome of dynamic pain control as well by treating the corners only.

A reliable transmission protocol for ZigBee-based wireless patient monitoring.

Patient monitoring systems are gaining their importance as the fast-growing global elderly population increases demands for caretaking. These systems use wireless technologies to transmit vital signs for medical evaluation. In a multihop ZigBee network, the existing systems usually use broadcast or multicast schemes to increase the reliability of signals transmission; however, both the schemes lead to significantly higher network traffic and end-to-end transmission delay.

Clinical correlation of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in a Chinese taxi drivers population in Taiwan: Experience at a teaching hospital.

Background: To explore any gender-related differences in the prevalence of conditions-associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among Taiwanese taxi drivers in Taipei, Taiwan.

Methods: We studied 1635 healthy taxi drivers (1541 males and 94 females) who volunteered for physical check-ups in 2006. Blood samples and ultrasound fatty liver sonography results were collected.

Impact of subjective sleep quality on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Glycaemic control is fundamental to the management of and risk reduction in microvascular complications of diabetes.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of sleep quality with glycaemic control and its impact on type 2 diabetic patients in an Asian population.

Methods: A total of 46 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled.

Investigating regional mobility in the southern hinterland of the Wari Empire: biogeochemistry at the site of Beringa, Peru.

Empires have transformed political, social, and environmental landscapes in the past and present. Although much research on archaeological empires focuses on large-scale imperial processes, we use biogeochemistry and bioarchaeology to investigate how imperialism may have reshaped regional political organization and regional migration patterns in the Wari Empire of the Andean Middle Horizon (ca. AD 600-1000).

Differentiation profile of peripheral blood-derived vascular progenitor cell predicts intimal hyperplasia after coronary stenting.

In-stent restenosis is largely due to intimal hyperplasia (IH). The number of vascular progenitor cells (VPCs) mobilized at the acute phase after stenting is associated with IH. This study sought to determine whether the differentiation profile of VPC predicts the development of IH.

Falls efficacy among stroke survivors living in the community.

Purpose:  The study focused on the falls efficacy of stroke survivors in the community and its association with the related factors.

Method:  The study was conducted through a cross-sectional design in the community setting. One hundred seven stroke survivors were recruited.

Age-period-cohort analysis of mortality from epilepsy in Taiwan, 1971-2005.

Background: Age-period-cohort (APC) analysis could provide useful insight into the interpretation of time trends for disease rates. This study aimed to determine whether the patterns of age, period and cohort effects on epilepsy mortality in Taiwan were similar to those in the US and in England and Wales.

Methods: We employed a three-phase APC analysis method developed by Keyes and Li,(7) which conceptualizes the cohort effect as a partial interaction between age and period.

Costimulation blockade inhibits the indirect pathway of allorecognition in nerve allograft rejection.

Nerve allografts provide a temporary scaffold for host nerve regeneration. The need for systemic immunosuppression limits clinical application. Characterization of the immunological mechanisms that induce immune hyporesponsiveness may provide a basis for optimizing immunomodulating regimens.

Factors associated with purity, biological function, and activation potential of endothelial colony-forming cells.

Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) are undergoing extensive investigations to tackle certain deliberating cardiovascular diseases. However, the success of this approach depends on a thorough understanding of ECFC biology. This study sought to determine the factors associated with the purity, biological function, and activation potential of ex vivo expanded ECFCs.

Remotely nano-rupturable yolk/shell capsules for magnetically-triggered drug release.

Yolk/shell capsules containing a volume/hydrophobicity transformable core and an ultra-thin silica shell have been prepared. When an external magnetic field induced the temperature, the cores exhibit a significant triggering size shrinkage and the diameter decreases more than 10 times, causing solid shells destruction and physical collapse, leading to drug burst release.

PSExplorer: whole parameter space exploration for molecular signaling pathway dynamics.

Motivation: Mathematical models of biological systems often have a large number of parameters whose combinational variations can yield distinct qualitative behaviors. Since it is intractable to examine all possible combinations of parameters for non-trivial biological pathways, it is required to have a systematic strategy to explore the parameter space in a computational way so that dynamic behaviors of a given pathway are estimated.

Results: We present PSExplorer, a computational tool for exploring qualitative behaviors and key parameters of molecular signaling pathways.

Normative curves of fetal nasal bone length for the ethnic Chinese population.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the association between fetal nasal bone length (NBL) and gestational age (GA), biparietal diameter (BPD) and head circumference (HC) in women undergoing prenatal assessments and Down syndrome screening.

Methods: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 3,003 women with singleton pregnancies who underwent a prenatal ultrasound examination at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cheng Hsin General Hospital between August 2006 and July 2009.

Results: Statistical analyses involved linear regression.

Effect of cold nerve allograft preservation on antigen presentation and rejection.

Object: Nerve allotransplantation provides a temporary scaffold for host nerve regeneration and allows for the reconstruction of significant segmental nerve injuries. The need for systemic immunosuppression, however, limits the current clinical utilization of nerve allografts, although this need is reduced by the practice of cold nerve allograft preservation. Activation of T cells in response to alloantigen presentation occurs in the context of donor antigen presenting cells (direct pathway) or host antigen-presenting cells (indirect pathway).

Music training improves pitch perception in prelingually deafened children with cochlear implants.

Objective: The comparatively poor music appreciation in patients with cochlear implants might be ascribed to an inadequate exposure to music; however, the effect of training on music perception in prelingually deafened children with cochlear implants remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether previous musical education improves pitch perception ability in these children.

Methods: Twenty-seven children with congenital/prelingual deafness of profound degree were studied.

Nerve transfers: indications, techniques, and outcomes.

This article provides an update of the current strategies of motor and sensory nerve transfers for peripheral nerve lesions of the upper extremity. Indications, techniques, and outcomes are summarized for both well-established transfers used in the management of proximal and brachial plexus injuries as well as those more recently developed for more distal and isolated nerve injuries in the forearm and hand.

Median to radial nerve transfer to restore wrist and finger extension: technical nuances.

Background: Traditional methods for restoring finger and wrist extension following radial nerve palsy include interposition nerve grafting or tendon transfers. We have described the utilization of distal nerve transfers for the restoration of radial nerve function in the forearm.

Objective: We review the neuroanatomy of the forearm and outline the steps required for the implementation of this transfer.

Matching of motor-sensory modality in the rodent femoral nerve model shows no enhanced effect on peripheral nerve regeneration.

The treatment of peripheral nerve injuries with nerve gaps largely consists of autologous nerve grafting utilizing sensory nerve donors. Underlying this clinical practice is the assumption that sensory autografts provide a suitable substrate for motoneuron regeneration, thereby facilitating motor endplate reinnervation and functional recovery. This study examined the role of nerve graft modality on axonal regeneration, comparing motor nerve regeneration through motor, sensory, and mixed nerve isografts in the Lewis rat.