Stability of blood biochemistry levels in animal model research: effects of storage condition and time.

The purpose of this study was to compare whole blood and plasma in terms of the subsequent accuracy of blood lactate, glucose, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) measurement. Blood samples were drawn from 8 male Wistar-Kyoto rats. The rats were homologous, weighed 300- 380 g, were housed in the same environment, and were provided with food and water under the same conditions.

A tailored web-based intervention to promote women's perceptions of and intentions for mammography.

Background: The Internet is rapidly becoming an accepted standard for disseminating and obtaining health information. However, health information presented on the Web frequently is neither tailored to patients' characteristics nor theoretically driven. This study used Prochaska's transtheoretical model to guide the design and evaluation of a tailored Web-based mammography educational program.

[Concept analysis of health literacy].

Health literacy has risen to become one of the dominant issues in Taiwan's healthcare system today. Level of health literacy impacts upon public health outcomes. Nevertheless, healthcare professionals in Taiwan remain largely unfamiliar with the concept and importance of health literacy.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of a multimedia learning education program for stoma patients.

Study Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare the costs and effectiveness of enterostomal education using a multimedia learning education program (MLEP) and a conventional education service program (CESP).

Background: Multimedia health education programs not only provide patients with useful information in the absence of health professionals, but can also augment information provided in traditional clinical practice. However, the literature on the cost-effectiveness of different approaches to stoma education is limited.

Nursing home care for older people in Taiwan: a process of forced choice.

Aim: To generate a substantive theory for understanding the phenomenon of nursing home care for older people in Taiwan.

Background: Taiwanese culture shows great respect for older people and older people are traditionally cared for at home by their families. However, the older population in Taiwan is rapidly increasing and this demographic shift, together with various socio-economic changes, has resulted in nursing homes becoming a new and significant care option.

Induced proteome of Trichoderma harzianum by Botrytis cinerea.

As a notable biocontrol agent, Trichoderma harzianum can antagonize a diverse array of phytopathogenic fungi, including Botrytis cinerea, Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum. Elucidating the biocontrol mechanism of T. harzianum in response to the pathogens enables it to be exploited in the control of plant diseases.

Study of menstrual attitudes and distress among postmenarcheal female students in Hualien County.

The purposes of this study were to assess menstrual attitudes and menstrual distress and investigate factors associated with menstrual distress among postmenarcheal female elementary students. A total of 129 female students from 12 elementary schools in Taiwan's Hualien County participated in this study. A stratified cluster random sampling method was adopted.

The effectiveness of silver-releasing dressings in the management of non-healing chronic wounds: a meta-analysis.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of silver-releasing dressings in the management of non-healing chronic wounds.

Background: Non-healing chronic wounds often have a negative physical impact on patients and place a financial burden on healthcare systems. Silver dressings are wound products designed to control infection and provide a wound environment conducive to healing.

Menstrual and menarche experience among pubescent female students in Taiwan: implications for health education and promotion practice.

Aims And Objectives: This study aimed to explore the menarche and menstruation experiences of young females aged 10-12 years in elementary education in Taiwan.

Background: Menarche is a significant milestone in a woman's life and for female adolescents it is a sharply defined biological event that can be a traumatic and uncomfortable time. If used, school nurses can make a significant contribution in educating young people and help to ameliorate these problems.

Effects of inspiratory strength training on the detection of inspiratory loads.

Pressure-threshold loads (DeltaPT) are inspiratory force-related loads, which contrast with resistive loads (DeltaR), are airflow-dependent loads. If detection of respiratory loads is a function of the background load, then pressure-threshold type inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) would affect the detection of DeltaPT but have less effect on detection of DeltaR. DeltaR and DeltaPT detection and ventilatory responses were measured in healthy volunteers.

Freshwater clam extract ameliorates acute liver injury induced by hemorrhage in rats.

The freshwater clam is a widely-consumed shellfish and is used as a remedy for chronic hepatitis in Asia. However, its contribution to acute liver injury (ALI) remains unclear. The aim of this study is to assess the protective effects of freshwater clam extract (CE) in ALI induced by hemorrhage in rats.

[Chemical toxicants and preconception health: the role of nurses].

The influence of chemical toxicants on human reproduction is often overlooked. However, couples previously exposed to toxicants face a higher risk of birth defects in their children. Through preconception care, nurses can provide prevention education to men and women of childbearing age and play a positive role in reducing rates of infertility and fetal harm due to chemical toxicity.

Increase of adipogenesis by ginsenoside (Rh2) in 3T3-L1 cell via an activation of glucocorticoid receptor.

Adipocyte plays an important role in lipid regulation in mammals. Understanding of adipocyte differentiation becomes a key issue for the development of anti-obesity agent. Glucocorticoids (GCs) regulate lipid metabolism through promoting lipogenesis in adipose tissue.

A preliminary reliability and validity study of the Chinese version of the self-efficacy for exercise scale for older adults.

Background: Population ageing affects most undeveloped, developing and developed countries. Less than a quarter of older people undertake a level of physical activity worldwide that is sufficient to lead to health benefits. Understanding older people's confidence regarding engaging in exercise helps to structure physical activity interventions that motivate them to initiate and adhere to regular exercise.

[A concept analysis of self-management of asthma in children].

Asthma is a chronic disease commonly seen in children. It is absolutely essential for a child who suffers from the disease, and his/her family members, to learn how to perform self-management to minimize the rate of asthmatic deterioration, attack episodes, and the risk of mortality. Literature review indicates that there is no consistency of definition and terminology as far as the concept of "self-management" is concerned.

Experiences of living with a malignant fungating wound: a qualitative study.

Aims And Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of cancer patients living with a malignant fungating wounds.

Background: Malignant fungating wounds are caused by cancerous cells invading skin tissue. These wounds can then bleed, become malodorous and painful causing physical and psychological distress.

A systematic review of silver-releasing dressings in the management of infected chronic wounds.

Aim: This paper is a systematic review with the objective of determining the effectiveness of silver-releasing dressing in the management of infected chronic wounds.

Background: Chronic wounds exhibit increased bacterial burdens which not only result in a negative physical impact on patients, impairing their quality of life, but also increase treatment costs. Silver dressings are wound products designed to control and inhibit infection and provide a wound environment conducive to healing.

[Factors related to falls among the community-dwelling elderly].

The purpose of this study was to investigate falls among community elderly and the factors related thereto. The cross-sectional method was utilized in this study. A sample of 118 subjects aged 65 and over completed structured questionnaires and balance tests.

Expression of androgen, estrogen and progesterone receptors in mucinous carcinoma of the breast.

Hormone receptors play important roles in breast cancer. We investigated the expression of hormone receptors in breast cancer to evaluate the importance of hormone receptors in the clinicopathology of breast cancer. Androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression characteristics were evaluated using immunohistochemistry stain, comparing patient age, tumor size and axillary lymph node status for 23 pure mucinous and 105 non-mucinous infiltrating ductal carcinomas in the human female breast.

Using self-efficacy theory to develop interventions that help older people overcome psychological barriers to physical activity: a discussion paper.

Background: Only a fifth of older people undertake a level of physical activity sufficient to lead to health benefit. Misconceptions about the ageing process and beliefs about the costs and benefits of exercise in late life may result in unnecessary self-imposed activity restriction. Thus, adhering to a physical activity can be difficult particularly when the benefits of exercise are often not immediate.

Menstrual health care behavior and associated factors among female elementary students in the Hualien region.

The purposes of this study were to measure menstrual knowledge, assess menstrual health care behavior and investigate the factors associated with menstrual health care behavior among fifth and sixth grade female students. The subjects were 417 female students from 12 elementary schools in the Hualien region of Taiwan. The stratified cluster random sampling method was adopted.

Related factors in using a free breastfeeding hotline service in Taiwan.

Aims: This study aimed to examine the use of a free hotline service for breastfeeding mothers in Taiwan. Specific attention was given to the accumulated consultation time and to investigate the trends and reasons that prompted people to contact the service.

Background: Breastfeeding can be a difficult time for mothers, especially during the first two weeks after birth.

Is nursing profession my first choice? A follow up survey in pre-registeration student nurses.

The purpose of this study was to explore how nursing students' value factors, motivational factors, institutional factors and competence factors contributed to career intent. All fifth-year nursing students (n=231) in a college in eastern Taiwan completed a survey which followed-up a study done 1 year previously in the same population were followed for 1 year. A validated and reliable self-administered questionnaire developed by the investigators in 2004 and modified in 2005 was used in the study.