Oncofertility care: A qualitative study to understand personal perspectives and barriers in the multidisciplinary breast care team in Taiwan.

Background: Previous studies indicate significant gaps exist in current practices and perceptions of oncofertility care.

Objectives: We aim to understand the clinical experience regarding oncofertility care among health providers in a multidisciplinary breast care team.

Methods: A qualitative, descriptive study was conducted.

Periodontitis, Helicobacter pylori infection, and gastrointestinal tract cancer mortality.

Aim: Periodontitis has been proposed to lead to Helicobacter pylori infection, which could cause many gastrointestinal tract cancers. This study aimed to determine the association or otherwise between periodontitis and survival outcomes in individuals with respect to H. pylori infection.

The Effect of Different Cleaning Methods on Protein Deposition and Optical Characteristics of Orthokeratology Lenses.

Orthokeratology lenses are commonly used for myopia control, especially in children. Tear lipids and proteins are immediately adsorbed when the lens is put on the cornea, and protein deposition may cause discomfort or infection. Therefore, we established an in vitro protein deposition analysis by mimicking the current cleaning methods for orthokeratology lens wearers for both short-term and long-term period.

Integration of Virtual Reality into Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Improves Cognitive Function in Patients with Parkinson's Disease with Cognitive Impairment: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Background: Emerging evidence has indicated the positive effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Objective: Investigating whether combining virtual reality (VR) training with rTMS can further enhance cognitive improvement induced by rTMS treatment.

Methods: We randomly assigned 40 patients with PD and MCI into three groups, namely the rTMS-VR group (n = 13), rTMS group (n = 11), and sham rTMS group (n = 16).

Therapeutic effect of simultaneous intravitreal dexamethasone and aflibercept on diabetic macular edema.

Aims: To report the effect of simultaneous intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) and aflibercept for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME).

Methods: This retrospective analysis of an open-label, multicenter, consecutive case series included 102 eyes of 81 patients with DME. Patients were selected into two groups.

Inpatient Hospice Palliative Care Unit and Palliative Consultation Service Enhance Comprehensive Quality of Life Outcomes in Terminally Ill Cancer Patients: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.

This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of an inpatient hospice palliative care unit (PCU) and palliative consultation service (PCS) on comprehensive quality of life outcome (CoQoLo) among terminally ill cancer patients. This was a prospective longitudinal study. Terminally ill cancer patients who met the inclusion criteria and received PCU or PCS in a northern Taiwanese medical center were recruited.

Effect of Mobile Health Technology on Weight Control in Adolescents and Preteens: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Childhood obesity is a crucial public health concern. In recent years, numerous studies have employed mobile health technology applications for weight control in children but obtaining varying effects. We conducted a meta-analysis to discuss the effectiveness of mobile health technology in reducing the body mass index (BMI) of obese children.

Risk assessment of labial bone perforation in the anterior mandibular region: a virtual immediate implant placement study.

Background: This study investigated the prevalence of labial bone perforation (LBP) related to the associated anatomic factors in anterior mandibular region using a virtual immediate implant placement procedure.

Methods: Series qualified CBCT images of 149 participants (894 teeth) were selected to analyze the assigned anatomical parameters, including concavity depth, concavity angle, torque, and deep bone thickness. Four classes of crestal and radicular dentoalveolar bone phenotypes (CRDAPs) of mandibular anterior teeth were categorized according to the thickness of dentoalveolar bone at both crestal and radicular zones.

[An Experience Developing Nursing Excellence Using the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®].

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) manages Magnet Recognition Program® certification. Candidates for this certification are required to pass a review comprising six compulsory documents and 84 sets of written documents in five model components as well as an onsite appraisal. The Magnet Recognition Program® for medical institutes is currently regarded as the highest honor in the nursing field.

Association Between Statin Use and Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among Patients Receiving Corticosteroids.

Purpose: The role of statins as anti-inflammatory drugs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is controversial. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of statins used with or without corticosteroids in COPD patients.

Patients And Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study and used the two million outpatients and inpatients in Taiwan's Longitudinal Health Insurance Database covering 2000 to 2015.

Dual down-regulation of EGFR and ErbB2 by berberine contributes to suppression of migration and invasion of human ovarian cancer cells.

The overexpression of EGFR and/or ErbB2 occurs frequently in ovarian cancers and is associated with poor prognosis. The purpose of this study was to examine the anticancer effects and molecular mechanisms of berberine on human ovarian cancer cells with different levels of EGFR and/or ErbB2. We found that berberine reduced the motility and invasiveness of ovarian cancer cells.

Perspectives of the Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment Living Alone on Participating in a Dementia Prevention Program: A Q Methodology Study.

This study aimed to identify and describe the various patterns of perspectives among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) living alone on participating in a dementia prevention program. Q methodology was applied to investigate the perspectives of 30 community-dwelling elderly people with MCI living alone from March to August 2018. As Q methodology applies a forced distribution through the Q-sorting technique, it could capture participants' perspective patterns.

Usability of Wearable Devices With a Novel Cardiac Force Index for Estimating the Dynamic Cardiac Function: Observational Study.

Background: Long-distance running can be a form of stress to the heart. Technological improvements combined with the public's gradual turn toward mobile health (mHealth), self-health, and exercise effectiveness have resulted in the widespread use of wearable exercise products. The monitoring of dynamic cardiac function changes during running and running performance should be further studied.

Fibroblast-enhanced cyclophilin A releasing from U937 cell upregulates MMP-2 in gingival fibroblast.

Objective: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the expression of cyclophilin A (CyPA) in U937 monocytic cells after coculturing with the human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and the effect of CyPA on the augmentation of MMP-2 expression in the coculture environment.

Background: Leukocyte infiltration in gingival connective tissue is one of the major findings in the lesions of inflammatory periodontal diseases. A crosstalk between the resident gingival fibroblasts and the recruited inflammatory cells that promote the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) was proposed based on recent findings, whereas the cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147)-CyPA pathway was suggested to be involved with the crosstalk.

Psychological Capital and University Students' Entrepreneurial Intention in China: Mediation Effect of Entrepreneurial Capitals.

The aim of this study was to identify the influences of psychological capital (PC) on students' entrepreneurial intention (EI) in China's universities. The mediating effects of Entrepreneurial Capitals were also examined. Based on the analysis of the traditional capital and PC, the paper proposes that traditional capital is the direct factor to drive the behavior of entrepreneurship, while psychological factors do not directly affect EI, but improve EI by influencing traditional capital.

Environmental factors affecting self-management of chronic hepatitis B from the patients' perspective.

Aims And Objectives: To explore factors affecting self-management experiences of patients with chronic hepatitis B within their social and cultural environments.

Background: Many cases of hepatitis B are not detected until they are in end-stage liver disease. Despite an increasing trend of indicating a lack of health awareness as the reason, studies have rarely referred to the personal, social and cultural environmental constraints from patients' perspectives.

Psychological Distress in Bullied Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adolescents.

Bullying victimization at school is an important concern in terms of mental health, in particular, for deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) adolescents who may be more vulnerable than hearing peers. This study determined the prevalence of bullying victimization among DHH adolescents in Taiwan and ascertained the relation of bullying victimization experiences and family and school variables with their psychological well-being. Data were collected from the 2011 Special Needs Education Longitudinal Study database.

Functional analyses and effect of DNA methylation on the EGR1 gene in patients with schizophrenia.

EGR1, involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory, is considered a candidate gene for schizophrenia. We resequenced the exonic regions of EGR1 in 516 patients with schizophrenia and conducted a reporter gene assay. We found two mutations including a rare mutation (c.

New partnerships among single older adults: a Q methodology study.

Background: The social structure is changing with an increase in the ratio of the older population, resulting in a growing number of older people being faced with singlehood. This study identified and described single older adults' differing perspectives on new relationships.

Method: We used a Q methodology approach for data collection and analysis, following in-depth interviews with 10 participants.

Legibility Assessment of Visual Word Form Symbols for Visual Tests.

For a reliable visual test, it is important to evaluate the legibility of the symbols, which depends on several factors. Previous studies have compared the legibility of Latin optotypes. This study developed a visual function test based on identification visual capacity for a Chinese reading population.

Likelihood of a fecal occult blood test uptake among older adults: comparisons between health professionals and healthcare volunteers based on the health belief model.

Background: Health professionals and healthcare volunteers play a critical role in promoting uptake of the fecal occult blood test (FOBT), which is an effective screening method for colorectal cancer. However, previous studies paid less attention to investigating both groups regarding their intention to undergo the test. This study used the Health Belief Model (HBM) to explore the likelihood of an FOBT uptake among health professionals and healthcare volunteers aged 50 years or older.

Influences of facial disfigurement and social support for psychosocial adjustment among patients with oral cancer in Taiwan: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To explore the influences of facial disfigurement and social support for psychosocial adjustment in patients with oral cancer.

Design: A cross-sectional design was used for the study.

Participants And Setting: A convenience sample of 77 patients with oral cancer was recruited from the otolaryngology and oral and maxillofacial surgery outpatient clinics of three general hospitals in Taiwan.

Repeated Plastic Stentings of Common Hepatic Duct for Portal Vein Aneurysm Compression in a Patient Unsuitable for Surgery.

Portal vein aneurysms are rare vascular malformations with unclear etiologies and optimal treatment guidelines. Although Doppler ultrasonography is the most commonly used diagnostic tool, there is no gold standard imaging modality. Despite recommendations of surgical treatment for symptomatic aneurysms, there are limited options in the management of portal vein aneurysm-related complications in patients unfit for surgical intervention.

Improved survival of hospitalized patients with cardiac arrest due to coronary heart disease after implementation of post-cardiac arrest care: A population-based study.

Post-cardiac arrest care was implemented in 2010 and has been shown to improve the survival of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the findings varied for different survival conditions.We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study of records from 2007 to 2013 in the National Health Insurance Research Database.