Research on Using K-Means Clustering to Explore High-Risk Products with Ethylene Oxide Residues and Their Manufacturers in Taiwan.

Considering the frequency of ethylene oxide (EtO) residues found in food, the health effects of EtO have become a concern. Between 2022 and 2023, 489 products were inspected using the purposive sampling method in Taiwan, and nine unqualified products were found to have been imported; subsequently, border control measures were enhanced. To ensure the safety of all imported foods, the current study used the K-means clustering method for identifying EtO residues in food.

EL V.2 Model for Predicting Food Safety Risks at Taiwan Border Using the Voting-Based Ensemble Method.

Border management serves as a crucial control checkpoint for governments to regulate the quality and safety of imported food. In 2020, the first-generation ensemble learning prediction model (EL V.1) was introduced to Taiwan's border food management.

Safety and Efficacy of Intravesical Epinephrine Instillation in Patients with Intractable Lower Urinary Tract Hematuria - A Novel Approach.

Objective: To treat intractable hematuria with intravesical instillation of epinephrine.

Methods: Sixty patients were treated with intravesical instillation of epinephrine at Mackay Memorial Hospital. The control group was composed of 60 patients who were treated with standard-of-care cystoscopic electrocautery fulguration.

Anterior fibromuscular stroma-preserved endoscopic enucleation of the prostate: a precision anatomical approach.

Background: Benign prostate obstruction (BOO) is becoming increasingly important in this aging society. Some urge/stress urinary incontinence (UUI/SUI) still occurs after endoscopic enucleation of the prostate (EEP). It remains unclear how post-EEP incontinence can be avoided.

Concomitant transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy and transurethral resection of prostate in patients with urinary retention and elevated serum prostate-specific antigen levels.

Background: There was no consensus about the management of patients with urinary retention and elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. This study aimed to determine whether concomitant transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy and transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) is practical in patients with urinary retention and elevated serum PSA levels.

Methods: From March 2007 to May 2015, a total of 34 patients with urinary retention and elevated PSA (≥ 4 ng/mL) underwent concomitant TRUS-guided biopsy and TURP.

Computer-aided system of evaluation for population-based all-in-one service screening (CASE-PASS): from study design to outcome analysis with bias adjustment.

Purpose: Population-based routine service screening has gained popularity following an era of randomized controlled trials. The evaluation of these service screening programs is subject to study design, data availability, and the precise data analysis for adjusting bias. We developed a computer-aided system that allows the evaluation of population-based service screening to unify these aspects and facilitate and guide the program assessor to efficiently perform an evaluation.

Computer-aided system for health economic evaluation.

Background: Health policy makers are usually stranded by the complicated infrastructure and intensive computation related to economic evaluation.

Objectives: It is therefore valuable to develop a computer-aided tool to help health personnel to perform economic evaluation with ease.

Method: The infrastructure for economic evaluation was first designed.

Catheter-assisted transurethral resection of the prostate: a novel approach.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to compare the safety and efficacy of catheter-assisted transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with traditional TURP in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Materials And Methods: A total of 61 men were randomized to either catheter-assisted TURP (30 patients) or traditional TURP (31), both performed with a monopolar device. Measurements included the duration of Foley catheterization, length of hospital stay, symptom score and urinary flow rate.

Estimation and prediction system for multi-state disease process: application to analysis of organized screening regime.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: The disease progression of cancer and non-malignant chronic disease often involve a multi-state transition. However, estimation of parameters and prediction regarding the multi-state disease process are complex. This study aimed to develop an estimation and prediction system with a computer-assisted software using SAS/SCL as a platform to predict the risk of any outcome arising from the underlying multi-state process with or without the incorporation of individual characteristics.

Catecholamines' enhancement of inducible nitric oxide synthase-induced nitric oxide biosynthesis involves CAT-1 and CAT-2A.

Catecholamines enhance inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression that results in nitric oxide (NO) overproduction in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. L-arginine transport mediated by cationic amino acid transporters (including CAT-1, CAT-2, CAT-2A, and CAT-2B) is crucial in regulating iNOS activity. We sought to assess the effects of catecholamines on L-arginine transport and CAT isozyme expression in stimulated macrophages.

Ureteroscopic management of sepsis associated with ureteral stone impaction: is it still contraindicated?

Introduction: Retrograde decompression is generally not advocated for patients with sepsis owing to ureteral obstruction by stone impaction, and the initial treatment of choice is percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN). We report our experience with the treatment of urosepsis with retrograde ureteroscopy (URS) instead of PCN drainage.

Patients And Methods: Fifty-six consecutive patients diagnosed with ureteral stone-related sepsis received URS as primary treatment at our institution.

Gyrus plasmasect: is it better than monopolar transurethral resection of prostate?

Introduction: This randomized prospective study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of the Gyrus Plasmasect loop bipolar transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) and conventional monopolar TURP in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Materials And Methods: A total of 117 men were enrolled in this study. Fifty-eight patients underwent Gyrus Plasmasect TURP and 59 patients underwent monopolar TURP.