Association of Increased Risk of Injury in Adults With Hearing Loss: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

This nationwide retrospective cohort study examines the association between adults with hearing loss (HL) and subsequent injury risk. Utilizing data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (2000-2017), the study included 19,480 patients with HL and 77,920 matched controls. Over an average follow-up of 9.

Efficacy and Safety of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Radiation-Induced Hemorrhagic Cystitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Radiation-induced hemorrhagic cystitis (RHC) is a chronic inflammatory disease in patients undergoing radiation therapy that causes a cluster of symptoms which may have a latent period of months to years. The current non-invasive treatments include drug treatment and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which has been widely applied for RHC so far but with limited evidence. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the effects and safety of HBOT for RHC.

Prostate Artery Embolization via Distal Transradial Artery Access in a 100-Year-Old Patient.

Benign prostatic obstruction (BPH) is a common disease in males and surgical treatment is the gold standard for this symptomatic disease. Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is one of the emerging therapies which aims to minimize the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) of BPH and the volume of enlarged prostates. We reported here a case of 100-year-old man with 90 cm prostate and severe symptoms secondary to BPH, who underwent a successful PAE through distal transradial access without any complications.

Depressive symptoms and daily living dependence in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: the mediating role of positive and negative perceived stress.

Background: Higher stress is associated with higher levels of depression and instrumental-activities-of-daily-living (IADL) dependence, and depression is strongly associated with specific IADL disabilities. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the mediating effect of perceived stress on the association between depression and IADL dependence among older adults with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods: We examined baseline data collected from a longitudinal study that recruited 110 patients with DM aged ≥ 65 years from the endocrinology outpatient clinic of a district hospital.

Nature of the work correlated to overweight and obesity for nurses: A 10-year hospital-based cohort study.

Background: Nurses are a high-risk group for overweight and obesity due to high stress, low-labor medical work, irregular diet, and lack of exercise. There is scarce information on relationship between job characteristics and overweight and obesity among nurses. This study aimed to answer the question.

Relation of environmental factors with activity limitations and participation restrictions in older adults with diabetes mellitus over time: an international classification of functioning framework perspective.

Background: Activity limitations and participation restrictions were observed in patients with diabetes, which may impact their quality of life. Environmental factors such as seasonal effects, resources and perceived stress may play important role in activity limitations and participation restrictions. In this study, a variant of International Classification of Functioning (ICF) model was used to clarify the associations of function/structure factors, personal factors and environmental factors with activity limitations and participation restrictions.

Acute Mountain Sickness and the Risk of Subsequent Psychiatric Disorders-A Nationwide Cohort Study in Taiwan.

We aim to explore if there is a relationship between acute mountain sickness (AMS) and the risk of psychiatric disorders in Taiwan by using the National Health Insurance Research Database for to the rare studies on this topic. We enrolled 127 patients with AMS, and 1270 controls matched for sex, age, monthly insured premiums, comorbidities, seasons for medical help, residences, urbanization level, levels of care, and index dates were chosen from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2015. There were 49 patients with AMS and 140 controls developed psychiatric disorders within the 16-year follow-up.

Fat mass as an important predictor of persistent hypertension in patients with primary aldosteronism after adrenalectomy.

Aldosterone excess is present in obesity and is associated with involvement in the pathogenesis of obesity. We evaluate the impact of body obesity as measured by body composition monitor (BCM) on clinical outcomes in patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism (uPA) after adrenalectomy. The BCM device was used to assess body composition before and after adrenalectomy.

Efficacy and safety of combined targeted therapy and immunotherapy versus targeted monotherapy in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cancer therapy has evolved from non-specific cytotoxic agents to a selective, mechanism-based approach that includes targeted agents and immunotherapy. Although the response to targeted therapies for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is acceptable with the improved survival, the high tumor recurrence rate and drug-related side effects continue to be problematic. Given that immune checkpoint inhibitor alone are not robust enough to improve survival in unresectable HCC, growing evidence supports the combination of targeted therapy and immunotherapy with synergistic effect.

Prevalence, clinical presentation, and associated atopic diseases of pediatric fruit and vegetable allergy: A population-based study.

Background: In children, fruit and vegetable allergies are often overlooked compared with well-known allergies such as those to eggs, milk, and shellfish. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze fruit and vegetable allergies in children, including prevalence, types of food allergens, clinical presentation, management, and associated comorbid atopic diseases.

Methods: In 2012, a nationwide, cross-sectional, random sampling questionnaire-based survey for common fruit and vegetable allergies was conducted in Taiwan.

Healthy Eating Enhances Intrinsic Capacity, Thus Promoting Functional Ability of Retirement Home Residents in Northern Taiwan.

Healthy aging is defined as the process of developing and maintaining functional ability in older age with intrinsic capacity, the composite of all the physical and mental capacities of an individual, being the core. This study was conducted to explore the intervention effects of improved dietary quality on intrinsic capacity. A prospective single-group interventional quasi-experimental study with 59 functional independent older adults from retirement homes were recruited.

Effects of Different Voice Rest on Vocal Function After Microlaryngeal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: To compare the results of a voice handicap index (VHI) scale and acoustic parameters in patients who underwent microlaryngeal surgery followed by either short-duration (voice rest for <7 days) or long-duration (≥7 days) voice rest.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for articles published before March 1, 2021.

Novel Healthy Eating Index to Examine Daily Food Guides Adherence and Frailty in Older Taiwanese.

This study was conducted to investigate the adherence of Daily Food Guides (DFGs) among older Taiwanese, and the relationship of dietary quality and frailty. 154 functional independent older adults who were retirement home residents or community dwellers involved in congregate meal services were recruited. DFGs adherence was measured using a novel Taiwanese Healthy Index (T-HEI).

The Diagnostic Value of Pulsar Perimetry, Optical Coherence Tomography, and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Pre-Perimetric and Perimetric Glaucoma.

The purpose of this article is to investigate the diagnostic value of Pulsar perimetry (PP), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in pre-perimetric glaucoma (PPG) and perimetric glaucoma (PG). This retrospective cross-sectional study included 202 eyes (145 eyes in the control group, 40 eyes in the PPG group, and 17 eyes in the PG group) from 105 subjects. The results were analyzed by paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Plant-Based, Antioxidant-Rich Snacks Elevate Plasma Antioxidant Ability and Alter Gut Bacterial Composition in Older Adults.

Plant-rich diets alleviate oxidative stress and gut dysbiosis and are negatively linked to age-associated chronic disorders. This study examined the effects of consuming plant-based, antioxidant-rich smoothies and sesame seed snacks (PBASS) on antioxidant ability and gut microbial composition in older adults. Healthy and sub-healthy older adults ( = 42, 79.

A High-Sodium Diet Modulates the Immune Response of Food Allergy in a Murine Model.

Mounting evidence demonstrates that a high-salt diet (HSD) not only affects hemodynamic changes but also disrupts immune homeostasis. The T helper 17 (Th17) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) are susceptible to hypersalinity. However, research on the influence of sodium on Th2-mediated food allergies remains scarce.

Exploration of the experiences of working stressors and coping strategies associated with menstrual symptoms among nurses with shifting schedules: a Q methodology investigation.

Background: The essence and workload of nursing can easily lead to burdens associated with female nurses' menstrual symptoms, and consequently, result in decreased working performance. Without effective support this can lead to resignation due to maladaptation. This study adopted Q methodology to explore the experience of working stressors and coping strategies associated with menstrual symptoms among nurses with shifting schedules.