Delonix regia Leaf Extract (DRLE): A Potential Therapeutic Agent for Cardioprotection.

Delonix regia (Boj. Ex. Hook) is a flowering plant in the pea family found in tropical areas and its leaves are used informally to treat diseases in folk medicine.

Development and validation of a new performance-based measurement of instrumental activities of daily living in Taiwan.

Background: The performance-based instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) measurement is thought to improve the validity and reliability of conventional tools that rely on proxy reports. The aims of this study were to develop and validate a performance-based measurement of IADL for use in elderly patients with cognitive impairment in Taiwan and other Chinese-speaking communities.

Methods: Referring to current versions of performance-based IADL, we developed the new Taiwan Performance-Based IADL (TPIADL) measurement to minimize literacy dependency and render it compatible with local culture.

Cognitive profile difference between Allen Cognitive Levels 4 and 5 in schizophrenia.

Objective: We compared the pattern of cognitive deficits exhibited by people with schizophrenia at Allen Cognitive Level (ACL) 4 with that of people at Level 5.

Method: Participants were classified into two groups on the basis of their ACL Screen scores: ACL 4 (n = 35) and ACL 5 (n = 41). We assessed cognitive functions and psychotic symptoms in all participants.

Psychometric properties of the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment-Second Edition in Taiwanese persons with schizophrenia.

Objective: This study sought to determine the psychometric properties for the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment-Second Edition (LOTCA-II) in a population of persons with schizophrenia.

Method: Sixty-four participants with schizophrenia were administered the LOTCA-II at baseline, and 43 of these were randomly selected to undertake four more standardized measures of cognitive and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) functions to test convergent validity. One week later, 48 randomly selected participants from the total sample were readministered the LOTCA-II to determine test-retest reliability.

Development and validation of a muscular dystrophy-specific functional rating scale.

Objective: To develop a reliable and valid new rating scale for measuring the functional impact of muscular dystrophy.

Design: Prospective and longitudinal investigation.

Setting: Three academic medical centres in Taiwan and the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Taiwan.