Timosaponin BⅡ reduces colonic inflammation and alleviates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis by inhibiting NLRP3.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The Timosaponin BⅡ (TBⅡ) is one of the main active components of the traditional Chinese medicine Anemarrhena asphodeloides, and it is a steroidal saponin with various pharmacological activities such as anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis. However, its role in acute ulcerative colitis remains unexplored thus far.

Aim Of The Study: This study aims to investigate the protective effect of TBⅡ against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in mice and elucidate its underlying mechanisms.

Movement pattern and upper extremity muscle activation during fast and slow continuous steering movement.

Continuous steering movement (CSM) is an essential component of the upper extremity (UE) task during vehicle driving, and could be a suitable candidate for multi-joint rehabilitation programs for patients with UE disabilities. This study aims to evaluate the UE muscle activation during CSM and how the rotating speed and direction affect CSM's kinematic and kinetic performance. Surface electromyography (EMG), hand contact information, and steering torque were measured under fast (180°/s) and slow (60°/s) constant-velocity CSM to reveal the activation of shoulder and elbow muscles, temporal characteristics, and force exertion during the stance and swing phases of a CSM cycle.

Association between Fear of Falling and Seven Performance-Based Physical Function Measures in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Fear of falling (FOF), a common phenomenon among older adults, may result in adverse health consequences. The strength of the association between FOF and physical function among older adults has not been well compared in previous studies. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was performed on 105 older adults to determine and compare the strength of the association between FOF and seven common physical function measures.

An observational treatment-based gait pattern classification method for targeting interventions for older adult males with mobility problems: Validity based on movement control and biomechanical factors.

Background: A reliable and valid observational gait assessment intended to guide clinical intervention for gait deficits in older adults has not been proposed. A quick gait classification method which tailors clinical management for different patterns of gait dysfunction may be useful for clinicians with limited access to apply computer-assisted gait analyses.

Research Question: This work aims to establish reliability and validity of the Treatment-Based Gait Pattern Classification (TBGPC) that can be used to quickly identify and classify mobility problems of older males, and possibly target interventions for specific gait deficits in clinical settings.

Diagnostic accuracy of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living for dementia in community-dwelling older adults.

Background: many people living with dementia remain underdiagnosed and unrecognised. Screening strategies are important for early detection.

Objective: to examine whether the Lawton's Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale, compared with other cognitive screening tools-the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Ascertain Dementia 8-item Informant Questionnaire (AD8)-can identify older (≥ 65 years) adults with dementia.

Developing a Referral Protocol for Community-Based Occupational Therapy Services in Taiwan: A Logistic Regression Analysis.

Because resources for long-term care services are limited, timely and appropriate referral for rehabilitation services is critical for optimizing clients' functions and successfully integrating them into the community. We investigated which client characteristics are most relevant in predicting Taiwan's community-based occupational therapy (OT) service referral based on experts' beliefs. Data were collected in face-to-face interviews using the Multidimensional Assessment Instrument (MDAI).

Values of the Minimal Clinically Important Difference for the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire in Individuals with Dementia.

Objectives: To estimate the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q), a widely used measure of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSDs) and associated caregiver stress.

Design: Ten registered nurses rated the severity of BPSDs and caregiver distress using the NPI-Q during six monthly assessments and an external reference, a 7-point Likert-type global rating of BPSDs change during five monthly assessments from the second to the sixth month. An anchor-based (global ratings of change) approach and a distribution-based (standard error of measurement) approach were used to determine the MCID for the NPI-Q severity and distress subscales.

Indicators of perceived useful dementia care assistive technology: Caregivers' perspectives.

Aim: The study aims to investigate the caregivers' context-specific perceived usefulness of available assistive technology (AT) devices and the professionals' perspectives on the usefulness indicators of AT devices for home-dwelling individuals with mild-to-moderate dementia.

Methods: A total of 72 caregivers completed a questionnaire rating 82 AT devices with a high-perceived usefulness (HPU) or low-perceived usefulness (LPU). A total of 21 experts rated 10 usefulness indicators of these devices.

Wheelchair-related accidents: relationship with wheelchair-using behavior in active community wheelchair users.

Objective: To report the prevalence, mechanisms, self-perceived causes, consequences, and wheelchair-using behaviors associated with wheelchair-related accidents.

Design: A case-control study.

Setting: Community.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0): the development of the Taiwanese version.

Objective: To develop and validate a cross-cultural version of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0) for users of assistive technology devices in Taiwan.

Design: A cross-sectional survey.

Gait variability in older adults: observational rating validated by comparison with a computerized walkway gold standard.

Background And Purpose: Gait variability has been measured with computerized technology-intensive techniques, which are not practical in clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to validate an observational rating of gait variability for routine clinical practice.

Subjects: Community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older (n=46; mean age=81.