Post-pandemic epidemiological trends of respiratory infectious diseases in Taiwan: A retrospective analysis.

Background: This study analyzed the epidemiological trends of three significant respiratory infectious diseases in Taiwan: invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), influenza with severe complications, and tuberculosis during post-COVID-19 pandemic period.

Methods: We utilized data from Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website and classified the COVID-19 prevention policies into three phases for the year 2021, 2022, and 2023. We then performed a statistical analysis of reported case numbers for the three respiratory diseases during the 3-year period using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by joinpoint regression model for the identification of seasonal distribution and variation.

Effectiveness Study of a Cultural Adaptation of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy-Based Application for Depressive Symptoms in College Students: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Studies on mental health applications among college students lack empirical evidence regarding mobile application usage's intensity, duration and frequency.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)-based mobile application in ameliorating depressive symptoms among college students.

Methods: A randomised controlled trial was conducted at three universities.

Therapeutic effects of Huangqi formula (Eefooton) in chronic kidney disease: clinical research and narrative literature review.

Objective: The study aimed to assess the clinical effects of employing the Huangqi formula (Eefooton; EFT) for chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment. A narrative literature review was undertaken to elucidate the specific ingredients of EFT and their potential impact on renal health.

Methods: A retrospective observational study investigated EFT treatment in outpatients with stable CKD (stages 3B to 5) from March 2019 to March 2021.

[The Effects of a Digital Multimedia Foot Ulcer Care Program on Health Beliefs and Self-Care Behaviors in People With Diabetic Foot Ulcer].

Background: Foot complications, common among diabetic patients, often lead to amputation and increased dependence on daily living assistance. Effective and sustained intervention programs are important challenges that nursing staff must address.

Purpose: This study was designed to explore the effectiveness of a digital multimedia foot ulcer care program on the foot health beliefs and self-care behaviors of diabetic patients.

Analysis of serotype distribution and characteristics of nonhemolytic and nonpigmented strains among group B Streptococcus isolates in a southern Taiwan local hospital.

Purpose: Group B streptococci (GBS) are Gram-positive bacteria that are a leading cause of neonatal infections. Most invasive isolates are β-hemolytic, and hemolytic activity is critical for GBS virulence. Although nonhemolytic GBS strains are occasionally isolated, they are often thought to be attenuated in virulence.

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2023 TSOC-TACVPR-TACPAH Consensus Statement of the Rehabilitation on Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension.

In the past, patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) were advised to avoid exercise due to concerns that it might strain cardiac function and exacerbate symptoms. However, recent evidence indicates that structured exercise programs can enhance outcomes and improve health-related quality of life for these patients. Consequently, exercise rehabilitation is now recommended in international guidelines as a key component of PH management.

Related Factors of Health-Related Quality of Life in Female Nurses with In-Service Training Program.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the related factors of the health-related quality of life among female nurses in in-service training programs.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, purpose and snowball sampling methods were employed. Three-hundres thirty eligible individuals enrolled to participate in this study at the four universities in Taiwan.

The Associations Between Depression, Regular Exercises, and Falls Among the CommunityDwelling Older People.

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between regular exercise, depression, and fall among the community older people to find out the predictors of fall. This study applied cross-sectional and correlational study design. The study recruited 285 community older people by using the questionnaires which included social-demographic data, regular exercise, depression, and whether fall history questionnaires were used in this study.

Exploring Black Soybean Extract Cream for Inflammatory Dermatitis-Toward Radiation Dermatitis Relief.

We aimed to evaluate the effect of black soybean extract cream (BSEC) on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced dermatitis in murine models mimicking inflammatory dermatitis observed in humans. In this DNCB-induced model, BALB/c mice were spread with 100 μL of 2% DNCB twice a week for two weeks to induce skin inflammation on the shaved back skin; then, a placebo or BSEC that consisted of the volatile fraction derived from the seeds of (L.) Merr.

Effects of urinary organophosphate flame retardants in susceptibility to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in school-age children.

Our previous studies have revealed a correlation between urinary phthalates (PAE) metabolites and parabens and PM exposure and susceptibility to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in school-age children. Our goal was to examine the relationships between urinary organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and their metabolites and the susceptibility to ADHD in the same cohort of children. We recruited 186 school children, including 132 with ADHD and 54 normal controls, living in southern Taiwan to investigate five OPFRs (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl phosphate (TDCPP), tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP), tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP), and triphenyl phosphate (TPHP)) and five OPFR metabolites (bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCPP), di-n-butyl phosphate (DNBP), bis(2-chloroethyl) hydrogen phosphate (BCEP), di-(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (DBEP), and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP)) in urine.

Your Body, My Business: Risk Governance in A Psychiatric Nursing Home.

Introduction: A crucial long-term care resource for individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) in Taiwan is provided by psychiatric nursing homes. Given the higher incidence of physical illnesses and accidents among individuals with SMI, ensuring patient safety is an important aspect of quality care. However, there is limited literature exploring how the staff provides safe care for individuals with SMI.

Tepotinib in Cholangiocarcinoma with MET Amplification: A Case Report.

Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignant tumor that affects the bile ducts and is usually aggressive with poor prognosis. The treatment of cholangiocarcinoma depends on the stage and location of the tumor as well as the patient's overall health status. Systemic therapy, such as chemotherapy using gemcitabine and cisplatin, is the first choice for patients with cholangiocarcinoma who were inoperable.

2,5-Dihydroxyacetophenone attenuates RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis by affecting the NFATc1 signaling pathway in vitro.

Excessive bone resorption activity of osteoclasts is a common characteristic of osteolytic conditions such as osteoporosis and inflammatory bone diseases. Natural compounds with antiosteoclastogenic function seem to be beneficial for the treatment of osteolytic diseases. In this study, we evaluated the effects of 2,5-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP), a phenolic compound in Ganoderma bambusicola, on osteoclastogenesis induced in vitro by the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL).

The Utility of Contrast-Enhanced Mammography in the Evaluation of Bloody Nipple Discharge-A Multicenter Study in the Asian Population.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions in Asian patients with bloody nipple discharge (BND).

Methods: This retrospective study included 58 women with BND (mean age: 51.7 years) who underwent standardized CEM at institutions in Taiwan and Singapore.

Health beliefs model to explore older adults' dementia prevention and health promotion from 2021 to 2022 in Taiwan: A cross-sectional survey study.

One person suffers from dementia every 3 seconds globally. Thirteen older adults aged 65 and older will have dementia, and 1 in 5 older adults over the age of 80 years will have dementia in Taiwan. Older adults should be equipped with demonstrated health beliefs regarding dementia prevention and health promotion about Ascertain Dementia 8-item Questionnaire (AD8), cues to action, health beliefs, self-efficacy, and behavioral intention in daily life.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Lactate Levels as a Prognostic Indicator in Patients With Cryptococcal Meningitis Who Are HIV Negative: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is a severe central nervous system infection. In patients with HIV infections and coexisting CM, elevated baseline cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate levels can predict increased mortality. However, the CSF lactate level's significance in patients with CM who are HIV negative remains unclear, necessitating further investigation to elucidate the potential distinctions and enhance patient management.

Disambiguating Clinical Abbreviations by One-to-All Classification: Algorithm Development and Validation Study.

Background: Electronic medical records store extensive patient data and serve as a comprehensive repository, including textual medical records like surgical and imaging reports. Their utility in clinical decision support systems is substantial, but the widespread use of ambiguous and unstandardized abbreviations in clinical documents poses challenges for natural language processing in clinical decision support systems. Efficient abbreviation disambiguation methods are needed for effective information extraction.

Scale of self-perceived listening, empathy, and presence (LEP) abilities in associate degree nursing students for aging care.

This cross-sectional study involved 341 fifth-year associate degree nursing students who completed an online questionnaire survey from May 1 to July 31, 2020. Out of these, 196 effective responses were received, with participants' ages ranging from 19 to 29 years. Most were female, the eldest in their families, and had experience living with grandparents.

Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Screening Improves Early Breast Cancer Detection and Survival in Taiwan.

Objective: Our objective was to compare the efficacy of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and digital mammography (DM) in breast cancer screening and their impact on long-term overall survival (OS).

Methods: The study involved 48 549 consecutive mammography examinations between 2011 and 2015 at a medical center in Taiwan, identifying 545 women who were screened and diagnosed with breast cancer. Digital mammography and DBT examinations were alternated on different days.

Chinese herbal medicine may reduce major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with dialysis hypotension: A taiwan nationwide cohort study.

Background: The association between Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) and the risk of developing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with dialysis hypotension is unclear and has not yet been investigated. This study aimed to determine whether CMH intervention could reduce the risk of MACEs in patients with dialysis hypotension.

Methods: The study data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were analyzed to clarify this association.