The association of peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis on mitral and aortic valve calcification associated mortality: a meta-analysis.

Cardiac valve calcification (CVC), characterized by the accumulation of calcium in the heart valves, is highly prevalent among patients undergoing dialysis. This meta-analysis aimed to provide an updated summary of recent studies on the prognostic value of CVC in patients undergoing dialysis. We conducted a search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science to identify observational studies investigating cardiovascular or all-cause mortality associated with CVC in dialysis patients until March 2023.

A P-type pentatricopeptide repeat protein ZmRF5 promotes 5' region partial cleavages of atp6c transcripts to restore the fertility of CMS-C maize by recruiting a splicing factor.

A fast evolution within mitochondria genome(s) often generates discords between nuclear and mitochondria, which is manifested as cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and fertility restoration (Rf) system. The maize CMS-C trait is regulated by the chimeric mitochondrial gene, atp6c, and can be recovered by the restorer gene ZmRf5. Through positional cloning in this study, we identified the nuclear restorer gene, ZmRf5, which encodes a P-type pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) family protein.

Mapping the gene of a maize leaf senescence mutant and understanding the senescence pathways by expression analysis.

Narrowing down to a single putative target gene behind a leaf senescence mutant and constructing the regulation network by proteomic method. Leaf senescence mutant is an important resource for exploring molecular mechanism of aging. To dig for potential modulation networks during maize leaf aging process, we delimited the gene responsible for a premature leaf senescence mutant els5 to a 1.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of Chinese herbal medicine as adjuvant treatment in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Introduction: Whether combining Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) and chemotherapy to treat patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has clinical benefits has yet to be confirmed. A meta-analysis was performed to address the efficacy of CHM in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Methods: Seven databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL Plus with Full Text (EBSCO), WANFANG DATA and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), were systematically searched for available literature through March10, 2020.

Betel quid chewing and cessation in the sociocultural context of Paiwan people from Taiwan: a qualitative study.

Although recent medical studies have found a significant correlation between betel quid chewing and oral cancer, some Taiwanese aboriginal people continue the traditional betel quid culture. Using the transtheoretical model framework, we conducted a qualitative study to examine the stages of behavioral change in betel quid chewing in the Paiwan sociocultural context. We conducted in-depth interviews with 20 aboriginal chewers of betel quid.

Mediating effects of fatigue on the relationships among sociodemographic characteristics, depression, and quality of life in patients receiving hemodialysis.

The aim of this study was to explore how hemodialysis patients' quality of life is related to sociodemographic data and depression as predicting variables, and how it is affected by fatigue as a mediating variable. Participants were 405 patients who has been receiving hemodialysis treatment regularly. SPSS Amos path analysis was used to explore the causal relationship and the mediating effect of fatigue among the variables of sociodemographic characteristics, depression, and quality of life.

Qualitative study for betel quid cessation among oral cancer patients.

The psychoactive effects of using areca nut and its potential for dependence have been observed. However, the factors that create barriers to or promote chewing cessation are not well understood. This study aims to explore the behavioral changes of betel quid chewers who have been diagnosed with oral cancer within a transtheoretical model framework.

Mediators of the Effects of Gender on Uric Acid Nephrolithiasis: A Novel Application of Structural Equation Modeling.

Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that male patients with uric acid nephrolithiasis outnumber female patients. To our knowledge, no research exists evaluating the reasons gender affects the development of uric acid nephrolithiasis. We hereby used a novel application of structural equation modeling to analyze the mediators of the effects of gender on uric acid nephrolithiasis.

Impact of pay-for-performance on mortality in diabetes patients in Taiwan: A population-based study.

Background: The impact of pay-for-performance (P4P) programs on long-term mortality for chronic illnesses, especially diabetes mellitus, has been rarely reported. Several studies described the favorable impact of P4P for diabetes mellitus on medical utilizations or intermediate outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of a P4P program on mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Patterns of Betel Quid, Cigarette, and Alcohol Use, and Their Correlates With Betel Quid Cessation in a Male Inmate Population.

Background: There are few published studies addressing multiple substance uses and their effects on subsequent cessation of betel quid (BQ) chewing in the Asia Pacific region.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the usage patterns of BQ chewing, cigarette smoking, and alcohol drinking, and their correlates with subsequent BQ cessation among a male inmate population.

Methods: Data from 473 male inmates with a history of BQ use who were incarcerated in Taiwan Kaohsiung Prison was used for this analysis.

The impact of depression on fatigue in patients with haemodialysis: a correlational study.

Aims And Objectives: To investigate the fatigue levels and important fatigue predictors for patients undergoing haemodialysis.

Background: Fatigue is a common symptom for haemodialysis patients. With its debilitating and distressing effects, it impacts patients in terms of their quality of life while also increasing their mortality rate.

The relationships among work stress, resourcefulness, and depression level in psychiatric nurses.

Psychiatric nurses are exposed to highly stressful work environments that can lead to depression over time. This study aimed to explore the relationships among work stress, resourcefulness, and depression levels of psychiatric nurses. A cross-sectional design with randomized sampling was used; 154 psychiatric nurses were recruited from six medical centers in Taiwan.

Factors affecting perceptions of family function in caregivers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders.

Background: Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral disorder of childhood. ADHD has been shown to persist into adulthood in 30%-70% of cases. The long-term and escalating nature of ADHD creates an increasing burden on families because of the influence of hyperactivity and impulsivity on academic achievement and social interaction.

Reasons for permanent tooth extractions in Taiwan.

There has been no study in Taiwan on reasons for extraction of permanent teeth. This study aimed to determine the reasons for permanent teeth extraction in Taiwan. This study performed a secondary data analysis based on the National Health Insurance Research Database.

Development and validation of a self-rating scale for betel quid chewers based on a male-prisoner population in Taiwan: the Betel Quid Dependence Scale.

Background: Betel quid is a substance that commonly used among male labor in Taiwan, and the dependence potential has been reported in some studies, but no instrument has been developed specifically to assess areca/betel quid dependence.

Objective: To develop a reliable and valid research instrument/screening tool for the measurement of betel quid dependence.

Methods: There were 223 male prisoners with a history of betel quid chewing behavior before they were incarcerated in Kaohsiung Prison enrolled in this study.

Characteristics of undiagnosed liver abscesses on initial presentation at an emergency department.

Liver abscesses often present with nonspecific symptoms and laboratory examination abnormalities, resulting in missed diagnoses at emergency departments (ED). The purpose of this study was to determine if there are differences in presentation and prognosis between patients in whom liver abscess is diagnosed at an ED or once the patient has been transferred to a ward. Patients with a liver abscess who were discharged from our hospital between 2005 and 2007 were retrospectively reviewed.

Chronic kidney disease care program improves quality of pre-end-stage renal disease care and reduces medical costs.

Aim: Multidisciplinary care of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) provides better care outcomes. This study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a CKD care program on pre-end-stage renal disease (ESRD) care.

Methods: One hundred and forty incident haemodialysis patients were classified into the CKD Care Group (n = 71) and the Nephrologist Care Group (n = 69) according to participation in the CKD care program before dialysis initiation.

Association of VNTR polymorphisms in the MAOA promoter and DRD4 exon 3 with heroin dependence in male Chinese addicts.

Objective: To explore the involvement of variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphisms in the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) promoter and exon 3 of the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) gene in heroin addiction modulate the vulnerability of individuals to heroin addiction.

Methods: Eight hundred and ninety-four male heroin addicts without other psychiatric disorders, were recruited as subjects. Another community 180 males were selected randomly as controls.

Self-care behaviour and related factors in older people with Type 2 diabetes.

Aim: The present study examined the factors related to self-care behaviour in type 2 diabetic patients aged > or =65 years. In addition, this study tested the effect of the important explanatory factors on self-care behaviour.

Background: Along with the development of an ageing society, diabetes occurs frequently among older people.

Expression of BUBR1 in human oral potentially malignant disorders and squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: BUBR1 is one of the key components of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) machinery and is activated in response to kinetochore tension. Defects in the SAC contribute to an increased rate of aneuploidization during tumorigenesis. The aim of the present study was to examine the immunohistochemical expression of BUBR1 protein for human oral squamous cell carcinogenesis.

Higher-order exploratory factor analysis of the Dental Subscale of Children's Fear Survey Schedule in a Taiwanese population.

Objectives: The Dental Subscale of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS-DS) is extensively used to assess the level of child dental anxiety. The present study aimed to explore the higher-order factor structure of the parental Chinese version of the CFSS-DS with a large sample of young children in Taiwan.

Design: The parental CFSS-DS was used as a screening tool to survey the dental anxiety levels of 5 to 8- year-old children at kindergartens and elementary schools in Kaohsiung city, Taiwan.

Importance of serum albumin level in the preoperative tests conducted in elderly patients with hip fracture.

Background: Preoperative testing is commonly performed in patients undergoing surgery for hip fractures. The purpose of this study was to determine the appropriate preoperative tests after implementation of the case-payment reimbursement system and clinical pathway.

Methods: We analysed 242 patients admitted to a regional hospital for hip fracture.

Mental Symptoms in Different Health Professionals During the SARS Attack: A Follow-up Study.

Aim: The aims of the study were to assess the psychological impact of SARS bio-disaster on healthcare workers.

Methods: The participants were 127 healthcare workers who had taken care of suspected SARS patients. All participants completed the Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and Parental Bonding Instrument at the first stage and the CHQ again a year later.

The clinically related predictors of dental fear in Taiwanese children.

Background: Dental fear has been singled out as one of the most troublesome problems facing paediatric dentistry today. Children with dental fear may avoid visiting dentists; therefore, their oral health protection is often compromised. However, the aetiology of dental fear is still not entirely understood.