Maternal Self-Efficacy as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Postpartum Depression and Maternal Role Competence: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Introduction: This study aimed to (1) examine the relationships among postpartum depression, maternal self-efficacy, and maternal role competence, and to (2) test whether maternal self-efficacy mediates the relationship between postpartum depression and maternal role competence.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, we conveniently sampled 343 postpartum mothers from 3 primary health care facilities in Eswatini. Data were collected using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Maternal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, and Perceived Competence Scale.

Artesunate Exhibits Synergy With Cisplatin and Cytotoxicity for Upper Tract and Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma Cells.

Background/aim: Urothelial carcinoma (UC) may arise from the urothelium of the upper tract and the bladder. Cisplatin-based therapy remains the gold standard for UC treatment. The poor 5-year survival rate of UC patients creates an urgent need to develop new drugs for advanced UC therapy.

Prophylactic Antibiotics for Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction: A Comparison between Three Different Duration Approaches.

Unlabelled: There is no consensus on the duration of prophylactic antibiotic use for autologous breast reconstruction after mastectomy. We attempted to standardize the use of prophylactic antibiotics after mastectomy using a deep inferior epigastric perforator flap for the breast reconstruction procedure.

Methods: This retrospective case series included 108 patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with a deep inferior epigastric perforator flap at the Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital between 2012 and 2019.

Sodium-Glucose Transport Protein 2 Inhibitor Use for Type 2 Diabetes and the Incidence of Acute Kidney Injury in Taiwan.

Importance: The association between sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) use and the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) remains controversial. The benefits of SGLT2i use in patients to reduce AKI requiring dialysis (AKI-D) and concomitant diseases with AKI as well as improve AKI prognosis have not yet been established.

Objective: To investigate the association between SGLT2i use and AKI incidence in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Incidence, prescription patterns and risk factors of antipsychotic initiation in elderly stroke survivors.

Objectives: Epidemiological data regarding antipsychotic initiation in elderly patients with stroke are limited. We aimed to investigate the incidence, prescription patterns and determinants of antipsychotic initiation in elderly patients with stroke.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to identify patients aged above 65 years who had been admitted for stroke from the National Health Insurance Database (NHID).

Classification of Skin Cancer Using Novel Hyperspectral Imaging Engineering via YOLOv5.

Many studies have recently used several deep learning methods for detecting skin cancer. However, hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a noninvasive optics system that can obtain wavelength information on the location of skin cancer lesions and requires further investigation. Hyperspectral technology can capture hundreds of narrow bands of the electromagnetic spectrum both within and outside the visible wavelength range as well as bands that enhance the distinction of image features.

Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection previously treated with NS5A direct-acting antivirals: a real-world multicenter cohort in Taiwan.

Background: Real-world data are scarce about the effectiveness and safety of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX) for retreating East Asian patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who previously received NS5A direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). We conducted a multicenter study to assess the performance of SOF/VEL/VOX in patients who were not responsive to prior NS5A inhibitors in Taiwan.

Methods: Between September 2021 and May 2022, 107 patients who failed NS5A inhibitor-containing DAAs with SOF/VEL/VOX salvage therapy for 12 weeks were included at 16 academic centers.

Oncologic impact of delay between diagnosis and radical nephroureterectomy.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the oncological outcome of delayed surgical wait time from the diagnosis of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) to radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).

Methods: In this multicenter retrospective study, medical records were collected between 1988 and 2021 from 18 participating Taiwanese hospitals under the Taiwan UTUC Collaboration Group. Patients were dichotomized into the early (≤90 days) and late (>90 days) surgical wait-time groups.

Immunotoxicity and Anti-Inflammatory Characterizations of Prenylated Flavonoids-The Lipophilic 7--Terpenylated Wogonin.

Wogonin, one of the exceptional bioactive flavonoids found abundant in the roots of Huang-Qin ( Georgi), is a popular health-preserving Chinese medicine. The therapeutic applications can be expanded by improving its bioavailability. The 7--terpenylated wogonin consisting one to three prenyl units are chemically synthesized for increasing lipophilic nature for efficient uptake, and also an attempt in mimicry of naturally scarce terpenylated flavonoids found in limited plant families and bee propolis.

Characterization in Potent Modulation on Voltage-Gated Na Current Exerted by Deltamethrin, a Pyrethroid Insecticide.

Deltamethrin (DLT) is a type-II pyrethroid ester insecticide used in agricultural and domestic applications as well as in public health. However, transmembrane ionic channels perturbed by this compound remain largely unclear, although the agent is thought to alter the gating characteristics of voltage-gated Na (Na) channel current. In this study, we reappraised whether and how it and other related compounds can make any further modifications on voltage-gated Na current () in pituitary tumor (GH) cells.

A Phase 3 clinical trial validating the potency and safety of an innovative, extra-long-acting interferon in chronic hepatitis C.

Background And Aim: Ropeginterferon alfa-2b is a novel mono-pegylated, extra-long-acting interferon. It is administered infrequently and showed good tolerability and clinical activity for the chronic hepatitis B or C treatment in our previous Phase 2 clinical trials. This study aims to validate the potency and safety of this novel agent in a Phase 3 chronic viral hepatitis setting.

In Vitro and In Vivo Assessments of Anti-Hyperglycemic Properties of Soybean Residue Fermented with and .

Soy isoflavones possess antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and phytoestrogenic properties. Soybean residue contains a fair amount of nutrients such as glycosylated isoflavones, minerals and dietary fibers, and is a substantial waste product produced from soymilk and tofu manufacturing. A solid-state fermentation of soybean residue by or co-inoculated with improves the availability of isoflavones and GABA content which is attributed to ameliorated hyperglycemic symptoms in STZ-induced hyperglycemic mice.

The impact of the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic on childhood myopia control practice patterns among ophthalmologists-an international pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus council global perspective.

Background: The prevalence of myopia keeps increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to map the worldwide treatment preferences of ophthalmologists managing myopia control during the first wave of the pandemic.

Methods: An online questionnaire inquiring about pharmacological and optical treatment patterns during the first half of 2020 was sent to pediatric ophthalmology as well as general ophthalmology memberships worldwide.

A phase 2, open-label, randomized, multiple-dose study evaluating Inarigivir in treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background/aims: Novel agents acting against hepatitis B virus (HBV) are needed to improve HBsAg seroclearance or termed as 'functional cure'. Inarigivir (retinoic acid-inducible gene I agonist) has immunomodulatory and direct antiviral actions against HBV. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of Inarigivir for the treatment of HBV infection.

Lateral Approach for Scaphoid Excision and Capitolunate Arthrodesis in the Treatment of Scapholunate Advanced Collapse and Scaphoid Nonunion Advanced Collapse Wrists: A Case Series.

Objective: The dorsal approach is commonly used in open wrist arthrodesis. However, the extensor compartments and the dorsal wrist capsule need to be opened. We propose and evaluate a lateral approach using a small incision over the scaphoid anatomical snuffbox, which could be more straightforward for performing scaphoid excision and capitolunate arthrodesis in the treatment of scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC).

Risk factors for stroke recurrence in patients with hemorrhagic stroke.

The risk factors for recurrence of hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke in patients with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) are inconclusive. This study was designed to investigate the risk factors for stroke recurrence and the impact of antiplatelet on stroke recurrence in patients with ICH. This population-based case-cohort study analyzed the data obtained from a randomized sample of 2 million subjects in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

Metformin reduces hepatocellular carcinoma incidence after successful antiviral therapy in patients with diabetes and chronic hepatitis C in Taiwan.

Background & Aims: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to increase the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among individuals with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). We aimed to evaluate whether metformin reduces HCC risk among individuals with DM and CHC after successful antiviral therapy.

Methods: Individuals with CHC who achieved a sustained virological response (SVR) after interferon-based therapy were enrolled in a large-scale, multicenter cohort in Taiwan (T-COACH).

Composition and Bioactivity of a Modified Huang-Lian-Jie-Du Decoction.

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are key drugs in targeted cancer therapy. However, they may cause skin toxicity. We previously prepared a modified Huang-Lian-Jie-Du (mHLJD) decoction cream using 10 herbs, which effectively alleviated EGFRI/TKI-induced skin toxicity.

The effect of a multidimensional teaching strategy on the self-efficacy and critical thinking dispositions of nursing students: A quasi-experimental study.

Background: Internships in pediatric nursing often reveal that nursing students lack critical thinking dispositions and self-confidence, which are important and necessary for nursing practice. Therefore, preparing nursing students to engage in critical thinking is an important goal for educators.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore whether a teaching model combining the 5E learning model and self-efficacy would be effective in enhancing participants' self-efficacy and critical thinking dispositions in a course on child-friendly care.

Ivermectin induces cell cycle arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis in human urothelial carcinoma cells.

Bladder carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, and >90% of all bladder cancers are classified as urothelial carcinomas (UC). Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are evidence-based treatments that are administered depending on the clinical stage of UC. All these treatments exhibited limited effects in cases of metastatic UC, and UC with specific location, invasiveness, and recurrence.

Long-term exposure to air pollutants and increased risk of chronic kidney disease in a community-based population using a fuzzy logic inference model.

Background: Fuzzy inference systems (FISs) based on fuzzy theory in mathematics were previously applied to infer supplementary points for the limited number of monitoring sites and improve the uncertainty of spatial data. Therefore we adopted the FIS method to simulate spatiotemporal levels of air pollutants [particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO) and (NO)] and investigated the association of levels of air pollutants with the community-based prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Rapid Administration of Antibiotics for Reducing Fever Days in Patients Receiving Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Background and Objectives: Neutropenic fever (NF) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). To date, no study has discussed the relationship of fever days in HSCT with the time between recording the fever and administering antibiotics. This study aimed to examine the association between fever days in HSCT and the time interval between recording the fever and intravenous (IV) antibiotics to the febrile neutropenia patient.

Parathyroidectomy Improves the Consumption of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents in Hemodialysis Patients.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is common in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, and it can suppress erythropoiesis. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the consumption of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and parathyroidectomy (PTX) in ESRD patients with SHPT and to determine the predictors for anemia improvement. The current standard of chronic kidney disease anemia therapy relies on the prescription of iron supplementation, and ESA.