The Worsening of Positional Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea over Time Is Associated with an Increase in Body Weight: Impact on Blood Pressure and Autonomic Nervous System.

Background: Most patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are positional dependent. Although mild OSA worsens over time, no study has assessed the natural course of positional mild OSA.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the natural course of positional mild OSA, its most valuable progression predictor, and its impact on blood pressure (BP) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

Exploring the Factors Affecting Bitter Melon Peptide Intake Behavior: A Health Belief Model Perspective.

Purpose: Diabetes mellitus (DM) patients need to control their blood sugar level in order to achieve a good quality of life. This study was conducted using the health belief model (HBM), to explore the factors behind the bitter melon peptide (BMP) intake behavior and the role of self-efficacy in the model.

Materials And Methods: The subjects were type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Taiwan.

Hand strength and dexterity in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome: a pilot intervention study.

Objective: The study aim was to examine the hand function (hand strength and dexterity) and intervention effects of training in adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS).

Methods: Six adults with PWS (two females; mean age 26.14 years) underwent hand muscle strength and dexterity training for 3 months (2 hours per week).

Epidemiology and trend of pediatric adenoidectomy: a population-based study in Taiwan from 1997 to 2012.

Objectives: To assess population-level data for pediatric adenoidectomy.

Methods: Using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database for the 1997-2012 period, all inpatients <18 years who received adenoidectomies were identified by codes from the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision.

Results: A total of 20,599 children underwent adenoidectomy (mean age, 7.

Revision adenoidectomy in children: a population-based cohort study in Taiwan.

There is a lack of population-level analysis of revision adenoidectomy in children. This study reveals the revision rates and factors associated with paediatric revision adenoidectomy in Taiwan. From the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified all in-hospital children (age <18 years) who underwent adenoidectomy between 2000 and 2007.

Altered expression of carbonic anhydrase-related protein XI in neuronal cells expressing mutant ataxin-3.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease (SCA3/MJD) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine tract within the gene product, ataxin-3. Microarray analysis revealed a dramatic differential expression of carbonic anhydrase-related protein XI (CA-RPXI/CA11) in the presence or absence of mutant ataxin-3. Therefore, we examined the expression and distribution of all three CA-RPs (CA8, 10, and 11) in human neuronal cells that stably express mutant ataxin-3.

Static balance function in children with cochlear implants.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the static balance function in deaf adolescents with cochlear implants.

Methods: We included 24 adolescents who had received unilateral cochlear implantation for at least 5 years. Each subject underwent stabilometry testing under 4 different conditions: (A) firm surface with eyes open; (B) firm surface with eyes closed; (C) foam pad with eyes open; and (D) foam pad with eyes closed.

Decreased protein synthesis of Hsp27 associated with cellular toxicity in a cell model of Machado-Joseph disease.

Machado-Joseph disease is an autosomal dominant spinocerebellar degeneration caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine tract within the gene product, ataxin-3. We have previously shown that increased oxidative stress and decreased expression of Hsp27 may be contributory factors to the disease progression. In this study, we utilized neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells stably transfected with full-length expanded ataxin-3 to further investigate the mechanism(s) resulting in the decreased expression of Hsp27.

Measurement of hearing aid outcome in the elderly: comparison between young and old elderly.

Objective: To evaluate speech performance and subjective outcomes for older individuals who have hearing impairment and use digital hearing aids. The outcomes between young and old elderly users were compared.

Study Design: Prospective.

Dynamic expression of Hsp27 in the presence of mutant ataxin-3.

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD)/spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is an autosomal dominant spinocerebellar degeneration characterized by a wide range of clinical manifestations. The molecular mechanisms underlying the selective neuronal death typical of MJD/SCA3 are unknown. In this study, human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells stably transfected with full-length MJD with 78 CAG repeats were assayed for the dynamic expression of Hsp27, known as a suppressor of poly-Q mediated cell death, in the presence of mutant ataxin-3 in different passages of cultured cells.

HSP27 and cell death in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is an autosomal dominant spinocerebellar degeneration characterized by a wide range of clinical manifestations. In this review, we discuss the role(s) that heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) may play in the cell death process of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3.