Assessment of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.

The background of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is complex, and its influence on adverse pregnancy outcomes is inconsistently reported. We performed a multi-institutional, retrospective analysis using de-identified electronic health records from the TriNetX Research Network to compare various pregnancy outcomes in women with and those without H.

Shadow puppetry therapy enhances dementia-related cognitive function and interpersonal relationship.

Background: With the growing demand for dementia care, non-pharmacological interventions, such as creative arts therapies, have been proven effective in stabilizing cognitive function. Shadow Puppetry Therapy (SPT), which integrates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements, offers a promising care option for individuals with dementia.

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of SPT on cognitive function, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationships among older adults with mild dementia.

Epileptic Patients with More Clinic Visits Are More Likely to Be Diagnosed with Dementia-A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: This retrospective cohort study assessed dementia risk in epilepsy patients associated with the compliance to epileptic treatment visits.

Methods: We used Taiwanese insurance claims data to establish an epilepsy cohort ( = 39,216) diagnosed in 2000-2015 and a matched control cohort without epilepsy ( = 156,864), evaluating the incident dementia by the end of 2016.

Results: The dementia incidence was 2.

Long Dosing Intervals of Parenteral Antiosteoporosis Medications and the Decrease in Societal Fracture Risk: An 11-Year Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between different dosing intervals of antiosteoporosis medications (AOMs) and the subsequent fracture risk among patients with newly initiated AOM therapies.

Patients And Methods: In a nationwide population-based cohort study based on Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, osteoporosis patients with 50 years of age or older who newly initiated AOM from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2018 (n=336,229) were included. We categorized AOMs into short dosing intervals (oral AOMs) or long dosing intervals (parenteral AOMs).

Feasibility of Fish Oil Supplementation on Headache Symptoms and Blood Lipids in Migraine Patients.

Objectives: Migraine is a chronic, recurring, and disabling disease. Fish oil intervention was used to investigate its effects on headache symptoms and blood lipids of migraine patients.

Design: All subjects were collected at the Kuang Tian General Hospital from March 2020 to May 2021.

Predictive Value of Clinical and Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Parameters for Hemorrhagic Transformation and Long-Term Outcomes Following Endovascular Thrombectomy.

Objective: This study's objective was to explore whether certain parameters measurable by dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) performed 24 h after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) can predict subsequent hemorrhagic transformation.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) managed with EVT who had follow-up DECT within 24 h post-EVT between January 2019 and December 2023. Clinical and image parameters were recorded for predictive factor analysis.

Higher caloric intake through enteral nutrition is associated with lower hospital mortality rates in patients with candidemia and shock in Taiwan.

Background: Candidemia is associated with markedly high intensive care unit (ICU) mortality rates. Although the Impact of Early Enteral vs. Parenteral Nutrition on Mortality in Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation and Catecholamines (NUTRIREA-2) trial indicated that early enteral nutrition (EN) did not reduce 28-day mortality rates among critically ill patients with shock, the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) guidelines recommend avoiding EN in cases of uncontrolled shock.

Customized GPT model largely increases surgery decision accuracy for pharmaco-resistant epilepsy.

Background: To develop an enhanced epilepsy diagnosis system by integrating an expert-informed ontology with a custom generative pre-trained transformer (GPT), validated by inferring possible seizure lateralization and localization using retrospective textual data from the pre-surgical assessments of patients with pharmaco-resistant epilepsy (PRE).

Methods: We developed an AI system for epilepsy diagnosis using Protégé with OWL/SWRL, integrating a knowledge base with seizure semiology, seizure types EEG descriptors, expert insights, and literature to pinpoint seizure locations. A customized GPT model was then tailored for specific diagnostic needs.

Artificial intelligence algorithms enhance urine cytology reporting confidence in postoperative follow-up for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.

Purpose: In Taiwan, the incidence of urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UTUC) is high and intravesical recurrence is approximately 22%-47%. Thus, postoperative cystoscopy and urine cytology follow-up, which require experienced cytologists, are needed. The AIxURO system aligns with The Paris System (TPS) guidelines for reporting urinary cytology.

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Medicinal Fungus Cultivated on Hayata.

Research Background: The fungus , which grows on tree, has many medicinal uses. However, its cultivation using the traditional method of growing on the tree is costly and time-consuming. A possible alternative method of cultivating is to use Hayata tree, as it contains α-terpineol, which stimulates the synthesis of triterpenoids.

Characteristics of Successful Leadership: Perspectives From Asian Nursing Leaders.

Background: The development of nursing leaders is an important topic in changing healthcare environments. Successful nursing leadership is critical to the reconstruction, implementation, and evaluation of healthcare systems worldwide. However, the characteristics of successful nursing leadership remain unclear, especially in a global context.

Correlations between the long noncoding RNA MEG3 and clinical characteristics for diabetic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background And Aims: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that leads to systemic inflammation. Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is a tumor suppressor that is involved in inflammation regulation. The current study investigated the association between DKD and the prevalence of the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MEG3.

Predictive factors for shunt dependency in patients with spontaneous intraventricular hemorrhage.

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) occurs in approximately 30-50% patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), with a high 30-day mortality rate. Excess accumulation of parenchymal or ventricular blood associated with the development of acute hydrocephalus leads to poor outcomes. The prediction of shunt dependency is important to identify patients susceptible to requiring permanent shunt placement and benefit from the diversion.

Colon Cancer With Bladder Invasion: A Single Center Experience.

Background/aim: The aim of our study was to investigate the outcome of colon cancer with bladder invasion after surgical intervention.

Patients And Methods: Between 2011 and 2022, a total of 41 patients diagnosed with colon cancer and bladder invasion underwent surgical procedures at Taichung Veterans General Hospital. The impact of various risk factors on overall survival (OS) was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox proportional hazards models.

Predictors of Failed Outcomes in Ureteral Reconstruction: A Real-World Retrospective Study.

Ureteral reconstruction is aimed at maintaining ureteral patency without the need for long-term catheters like ureteral stents or percutaneous nephrostomies. Different surgical strategies are adopted based on the etiology, the location of the injury, and the severity of the injury. We aimed to analyze the parameters that can predict which patients might not be free from further catheterization after reconstruction.

Association between Scabies Treatment and Parkinson's Disease: A Nationwide, Population-Based Study.

Background: Scabies is typically treated with scabicides like lindane, which poses a risk for acute neural toxicity. Lindane's prolonged use, particularly in agriculture, is linked to neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. This study aimed to evaluate whether scabies patients, particularly those treated with topical lindane, are at increased risk of developing PD.

The relationship between cardiovagal baroreflex and cerebral autoregulation in postural orthostatic tachycardia disorder using advanced cross-correlation function.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) presents excessive orthostatic tachycardia and orthostatic intolerance. POTS is a common and therapeutically challenging condition affecting numerous people worldwide. As many disease entities can be confused with POTS, it becomes critical to identify this syndrome.

Mobile Health-Based Health Literacy Weight Management Intervention Using Smart Devices for Adolescents: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Pilot Study.

This study aimed to develop and evaluate the feasibility of a mobile health-based health literacy weight management intervention program for adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, a convergent mixed-method design was used. The "GO! GO! Smart Healthy" intervention development engaged multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, utilizing mobile health applications and smartwatches.

Effects of Sitting Baduanjin Exercises on Cognitive Function, Attention, and Muscle Strength among Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Purpose: Sitting Baduanjin exercises can be effective in treating mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, evidence on effectiveness of sitting Baduanjin exercises is lacking. This study investigated the effects of sitting Baduanjin exercises on cognitive function, attention, and muscle strength in patients with MCI.

Molecular mechanism of ectopic lipid accumulation induced by methylglyoxal via activation of the NRF2/PI3K/AKT pathway implicates renal lipotoxicity caused by diabetes mellitus.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a high incidence of dyslipidemia comprising high triglyceride (TG) and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels. An abnormal increase of TGs within cells can lead to intracellular lipid accumulation. In addition to dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia in diabetes may elicit ectopic lipid deposition in non-adipose tissues.

A Study of Knowledge and Recognition on Postoperative Delirium Among Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Nurses.

Purpose: Postoperative delirium (POD) is a syndrome that often occurs after surgery. Nursing staff are the first-line personnel who have the most time and close contact with postoperative patients. If delirium is not recognized immediately, it will affect the patient's prognosis and increase clinical care requirements and health care costs.