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Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of binaural beat music (BBM) on sleep quality, heart rate variability, and depression in older people with poor sleep quality in a long‐term care institution. Methods: A single‐blind randomized controlled trial design was employed, and 64 older participants with poor sleep quality were recruited from a long‐term care institution in Taiwan. Participants were randomized into the BBM group or control group and received 14 days of intervention. During the intervention period, participants in the experimental group listened to 20 min of Taiwanese Hokkien oldies embedded with BBM once in the morning and afternoon three times a week. Participants in the control group only listened to Taiwanese Hokkien oldies. Questionnaires and heart rate variability analysis were used to assess participants' sleep quality, heart rate variability, and depressive symptoms. Results: Significant improvements were observed in sleep quality, along with an increase in heart rate variability means of heart rate and normal sinus beats, and a decrease in low‐frequency normalized units and depression severity in the BBM group after the intervention. In the control group, effects on sleep quality were inconsistent, heart rate variability showed significant improvements in some autonomic nervous function regulation, and depression severity was significantly decreased. Furthermore, the BBM group showed a significant improvement in sleep quality and a significant reduction in sympathetic nervous activity compared with the control group. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that 14 days of BBM intervention, a non‐invasive intervention, could improve sleep quality and depression in older people with poor sleep quality in long‐term care institutions. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 297–304. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study examined variations in the degree of smartphone use behavior among male and female adolescents as well as the association between various degrees of smartphone use behavior and the vitality and mental health of each gender. Participants: A total of 218 adolescents were recruited from a junior college in September 2014. Methods: All the participants were asked to answer questionnaires on smartphone use. Results: The findings showed that adolescent females as compared with adolescent males exhibited significantly higher degrees of smartphone dependence and smartphone influence. Positive correlations were observed between the duration of smartphone use on weekends and the vitality/mental health of the male adolescents; negative correlations were found between smartphone dependence and the vitality/mental health of males. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that adolescent females are deeply affected by their smartphone use. Smartphone dependence may decrease the vitality and mental health of male adolescents.

Stylotermitidae appear peculiar among all termites, feeding in trunks of living trees in South Asia only. The difficulty to collect them limits the ability to study them, and they thus still belong to critically unknown groups in respect to their biology. We used a combination of microscopic observations, chemical analysis and behavioural tests, to determine the source and chemical nature of the trail-following pheromone of Stylotermes faveolus from India and S. halumicus from Taiwan. The sternal gland located at the 5th abdominal segment was the exclusive source of the trail-following pheromone in both S. faveolus and S. halumicus, and it is made up of class I, II and III secretory cells. Using gas chromatography coupled mass spectrometry, (3Z)-dodec-3-en-1-ol (DOE) was identified as the trail-following pheromone which elicits strong behavioural responses in workers at a threshold around 10− 4 ng/cm and 0.1 ng/gland. Our results confirm the switch from complex aldehyde trail-following pheromones occurring in the basal groups to simpler linear alcohols in the ancestor of Kalotermitidae and Neoisoptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While vocational training may offer financial and health benefits for patients with schizophrenia (PwS), further empirical research is required to investigate the effectiveness of this intervention for PwS, as well as the factors influencing their employability. This study aimed to (i) identify the factors affecting the employability of PwS who had participated in vocational training and (ii) examine the effectiveness of vocational training. This prospective cohort study was conducted in a community rehabilitation center attached to a psychiatric hospital in southern Taiwan that provides vocational training. The participants completed two questionnaires: (i) a pre-test that served as the study's baseline; (ii) a post-test during a follow-up 12 months later. The questionnaire was divided into three parts: (i) participants' basic information, (ii) the work performance scale, and (iii) the mental state measure. The participants included 35 males and 30 females, with the average age being 45.85 years. The significant factors affecting their employability were social support, work behavior, thinking disorder, and cognitive impairment. In other words, participants with better social support, work behavior, and fewer thought disorders and cognitive impairment were more employable. Their work attitude and ability were found to have significantly improved after having participated in vocational training for 12 months. In conclusion, when conducting vocational training in the future, it is necessary to pay attention to individual participants' social support and work behavior and reduce thinking disorders and cognitive impairments. This may help improve the employability of PwS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Meaningful activity participation has shown good predictability for healthy ageing in older adults, and their participation can be assessed using the Meaningful Activity Participation Assessment (MAPA). However, the MAPA has never been validated in any Taiwanese population. Moreover, different cultures may interpret meaningful activity participation differently. This study thus aimed to cross-culturally adapt the MAPA into a Taiwan version (i.e., the T-MAPA) and to investigate the psychometric properties of the T-MAPA in older adults in Taiwan. Methods: This study consisted of 3 phases. First, the original MAPA was cross-culturally adapted in 6 stages, including forward, synthesis of, and back translations, cognitive debriefing, expert review, and pilot testing on 18 older adults. Second, a Rasch–Andrich rating scale model was applied to evaluate the psychometric properties (including category function, unidimensionality, item functioning and targeting, and reliability) of the adapted version in a sample of 146 older adults. Lastly, the convergent validity and test–retest reliability were examined on 120 and 49 older adults, respectively. Results: After cross-cultural adaptation, the first version of the T-MAPA contained 29 items. Optimal category function was obtained by reducing the response categories of the frequency subscale to 4 and retaining a 5-point rating for the meaningfulness subscale. After the removal of 1 misfit item, a 28-item T-MAPA was generated. This version demonstrated unidimensionality, measurement invariance among different subgroups (regarding sex and education), acceptable item targeting (< 1 logit) and negligible floor and ceiling effects (1.37%; 0.68%), high reliability (person reliability coefficient = 0.86; small standard error < 0.5 with large test information > 4), confirmed convergent validity (absolute r =.49–0.54 with psychological well-being, depressive symptoms, and mental and physical health), and excellent test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.94). Conclusion: The cross-culturally adapted 28-item T-MAPA is suitable for application to the older population in Taiwan to measure meaningful activity participation. Future examinations of the T-MAPA in other populations with specific clinical features are warranted to extend its utility in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Elderly homecare service users may reduce their level of social participation and interpersonal interactions due to physiological loss, which may lead to loneliness and depression over the years. However, there is a lack of research on loneliness among older people who use homecare services. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing loneliness among older people using homecare services. Methods: This is a longitudinal study conducted in communities in Central Taiwan, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was first administered as a pre‐test to obtain baseline information about the participants, and the same questionnaire was administered as a post‐test after 6 months to follow‐up. The pre‐ and post‐test questionnaires included five sections, that is, participant demographics, Brief Symptom Rating Scale, Interpersonal Interaction Scale (IIS), Frenchay Activities Index, and UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA). Results: A total of 178 participants were recruited in this study. Results indicated that gender, whether participants eat alone or with others at dinner, social media use, perceived economic status, and IIS score were significantly correlated with the loneliness score on the UCLA. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the loneliness score among male participants in the low loneliness group from baseline to 6 months follow‐up. Conclusions: Gender, presence of others at dinner, social media use, perceived economic status, and interpersonal interaction skills are significant factors that influence loneliness among older people using homecare services. Men tend to experience higher levels of loneliness over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The early stage of the COVID‐19 pandemic was a critical time for increasing loneliness, especially for older people. However, there is insufficient existing research on associated interventions and their effectiveness. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an 8‐week online interactive course on the loneliness, depression, social support, and quality of life (QOL) of older adults in the community during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods: A single‐blind randomized controlled trial was conducted to collect data from a community in Taiwan. Eighty‐nine participants recruited from long‐term care institutions were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 44) and a control group (n = 45). Participants in the experimental group received an 8‐week (Monday to Friday) intensive online interactive course, whereas those in the control group watched 8 weeks (Monday to Friday) of unidirectional online video programs. Results: Significant differences were observed in the UCLA Loneliness Scale and in both the psychological health and social relationship domains of the WHO Quality of Life‐BREF Scale. In other words, compared with those in the control group, participants in the experimental group experienced more significant improvements in the state of their loneliness as well as QOL in the psychological health and social relationship domains (without the physical health/environment domains) after taking the online interactive course. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the 8‐week online interactive course could effectively improve the loneliness, the psychological health domain, and the social relationship domain of the QOL of the older adults of a particular community during the ongoing pandemic. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 91–97. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Quick Response Code (QR Code) aims to provide accurate and traceable information to consumers wanting to verify the quality of agri-food products. This study aimed to investigate the experiences and intentions of scanning QR Code in traditional markets and supermarkets. Furthermore, the types of egg information in the QR Code were explored to identify consumer interests when purchasing eggs. The empirical data were collected from 1112 valid responses throughout Taiwan from July to September, 2020. The Logit, Probit models, and the Bivariate Probit model were used to examine the data. Results showed that shoppers' propensity to scan QR Code revealed a significant difference between traditional markets and supermarkets, i.e., supermarket shoppers having higher a propensity to scan a QR Code. Of the 10 types of potential egg information in the QR Code, over half of respondents said that the production certificate label and inspection information were the top reasons that they would be interested in scanning a QR Code. This was particularly the case for homemakers aged between 51 and 60 years old and those who had scanned QR Code before and would like to pursue more egg information. Since the egg producers have resisted joining the traceability system, the implication of this study provides very practical strategies for government, policy makers, and producers in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlations that levels of addiction to smartphones, social media, and online games have with levels of real-life and online interpersonal interactions among adolescents. In this cross-sectional study of adolescents in a college in Taiwan, structured questionnaire surveys were used to collect information. The questionnaire included the following: demographic background, Real Interpersonal Interaction Scale (RIIS), Internet Interpersonal Interaction Scale (IIIS), Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS), Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), and Internet Gaming Disorder Scale—Short Form (IGDS9-SF). Multiple regression analyses were carried out to investigate the correlations between SABAS, BSMAS, IGDS9-SF, and RIIS/IIIS. We recruited 998 students (413 boys). The average age was 17.18 ± 1.46. The study results show that adolescents with higher levels of addiction to smartphones and social media may have greater interpersonal interaction with friends in real life, but adolescents with high levels of addiction to online games may have less interpersonal interactions with friends in real life. Adolescents with high levels of addiction to smartphones, social media, and online games may have greater interpersonal interactions with friends online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on ophthalmic outpatient numbers and ophthalmic diagnosis distribution in a community hospital (Taipei City Hospital Zhongxiao Branch) in Taiwan. The COVID-19 pandemic period in Taiwan was defined as May 1 to July 31, 2021. Demographic data, including age, gender, and top 10 diagnoses from ophthalmic outpatients during this period, were collected. A corresponding control group from the same time in 2020 was also collected. The distribution of different diagnoses was analyzed, and the data of 10 most prominent diagnoses with decreased percentage of case numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic period were obtained. The number of cases during the COVID-19 pandemic decreased by 46.9% compared to the control group. The top three most common diagnoses were dry eye syndrome, glaucoma, and macular diseases. The 10 most prominent diagnoses with decreased number of cases during the COVID-19 pandemic were cataract, refraction & accommodation, macular degeneration, conjunctivitis, retinal detachment, vitreous body disorders, ophthalmic complications of diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, dry eye, and retinal vein occlusion. Identifying and treating these patients as scheduled may yield the highest cost-benefit effect in preventing visual loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study considers the optimal consumption‐investment‐insurance problem incorporating housing decisions of a household when interest rates and labor income are stochastic. Under the complete market assumption, we derive the closed‐form solution of the optimal insurance demand, portfolio choice, and housing consumption. We calibrate the model using data from the financial market of Taiwan. We find that the insurer's pricing strategy has a significant impact on the household's consumption pattern. Specifically, additional loading in insurance premium allows the life‐cycle model to produce hump‐shaped consumptions of both perishable goods and housing. Loading also creates an unfair background risk to households. However, we only find a small portfolio risk reduction, because households optimally choose a large coverage to mitigate the mortality exposure. This suggests empirical background risk studies overestimate the risk reduction when insurance is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/purpose: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is widely used for prophylaxis and treatment of neutropenia in cancer patients and also for peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) mobilization. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible changes of platelet surface antigens after G-CSF injection in PBSC donors compared with healthy control.Methods: Between January 1st and December 31st, 2014, 48 healthy voluntary PBSC donors were eligible for this study. Donors received G-CSF (Filgrastim) subcutaneously for five days, and then their whole blood was collected for complete blood count. Analysis of platelet antigens was performed by flow cytometry. Sixteen healthy controls were also included for comparison.Results: Lower platelet counts were found in PBSC donors after G-CSF use and in comparison with health controls. The platelet size evaluated by forward scattering (FSC) showed smaller platelets in PBSC donors after G-CSF use compared with healthy controls (39.3 vs 46.7 mean fluorescence intensity, P = 0.015). CD31 were higher in PBSC donor (203.2 vs. 120.7, P < 0.001). Except CD31, other platelet surface antigens were not different between PBSC donors and healthy controls. After adjusting by FSC data, the mean antigen intensity/FSC of CD31, CD41a, CD42a, CD42b and CD61 showed 5.45 vs 2.78 (P < 0.001), 4.35 vs 3.47 (P = 0.007), 3.87 vs 3.17 (P = 0.015), 20.45 vs 16.94 (P = 0.045), and 5.98 vs 4.88 (P = 0.018) respectively.Conclusion: We noted higher density of platelet surface antigens, lower platelet count and smaller platelet size after G-CSF injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Depressive emotions can lead to subsequent unhealthy behaviors such as Internet addiction, especially in female adolescents; therefore, studies that examine the relationships among depression, health‑related behaviors, and Internet addiction in female adolescents are warranted. Purpose: To examine (1) the relationship between depression and health-related behaviors and (2) the relationship between depression and Internet addiction. Method: A cross-sectional study design was adopted using a structured questionnaire to measure depression, health-related behaviors, and Internet addiction in female adolescents. The data were collected from students of a junior college in southern Taiwan using convenience sampling to select the participants. The questionnaire was divided into four sections: demographics, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP), and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Results: The final sample comprised 503 female junior college students, with the participants mainly aged between 15 to 22 years (mean age = 17.30 years, SD = 1.34). Regarding the HPLP scores, the overall score, nutrition subscale score, and self-actualization subscale score were significantly and negatively associated with the CES-D depression score (p < 0.05–0.01). In other words, depression level was lower in students who exhibited more healthy behaviors, put more emphasis on dietary health, and had higher levels of self-admiration and confidence toward life. Regarding the IAT scores, the overall score and six domain scores were all positively associated (p < 0.01) to the CES-D depression score. In other words, the higher an individual’s Internet addiction score was, the higher her depression level was. Conclusions: The results confirmed the relationship between depression, health-related behaviors, and Internet addiction. The cultivation of health-related behaviors may help in lowering depressive symptoms. Teenagers with depression have higher risks of developing Internet addiction, and such addiction is likely to affect their daily functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The semiconductor plants on the top of high-tech industrial chain hire many packaging workers to carry out miscellaneous packing tasks for various product orders from different companies and countries. Under tremendous workload the quality of life (QoL) of such packaging workers need to be concerned. The aim of this study was to explore factors influencing their QoL. This study recruited 247 packing workers (162 male and 85 female; mean age: 35.6 years old) in 2015 and 2016 from a semiconductor plant in Taiwan by convenience sampling. The questionnaire comprised four parts: demographics, the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), an occupational burnout inventory and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The four domains of the WHOQOL-BREF were defined as outcome variables. Predictive factors included gender (reference: male), age (reference: ≤ 35), BMI (reference: ≤ 25), educational level (reference: below university), marital/partner status (reference: married/cohabiting), years of work (reference: ≤ 5), work shift (reference: day shift), personal burnout, work-related burnout, over-commitment to work and the number of body parts with discomfort (0–9). The findings showed that physical QoL was negatively correlated with night -shift work, personal burnout, and number of body parts with discomfort. Psychological QoL was negatively correlated with night shift work and personal burnout. Environment QoL was negatively correlated with being male, night shift work and personal burnout. The results showed that the QoL among the packaging workers could be improved by reducing musculoskeletal discomfort, personal burnout and by improving work schedules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over 40% of Taiwanese College students experience sleep problems that not only impair their quality of life but also contribute to psychosomatic disorders. Of all the factors affecting the sleep quality, internet surfing is among one of the most prevalent. Female college students are more vulnerable to internet-associated sleep disorders than their male counterparts. Therefore, this study aims to investigate (1) the relationship between internet addiction and sleep quality, and (2) whether significant variations in sleep quality exist among students with different degrees of internet use. Methods: This structured questionnaire-based cross-sectional study enrolled students from a technical institute in southern Taiwan. The questionnaire collected information on the following three aspects: (1) demography, (2) sleep quality with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and (3) severity of internet addiction using a 20-item Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the correlation between PSQI and IAT scores among the participants. Logistic analysis was used to determine the significance of association between PSQI and IAT scores. Results: In total, 503 female students were recruited (mean age 17.05 ± 1.34). After controlling for age, body mass index, smoking and drinking habits, religion, and habitual use of smartphone before sleep, internet addiction was found to be significantly associated with subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep disturbance, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction. Worse quality of sleep as reflected by PSQI was noted in students with moderate and severe degrees of internet addiction compared to those with mild or no internet addiction. Logistic regression analysis of the association between scores on IAT and sleep quality, demonstrated significant correlations between quality of sleep and total IAT scores (odds ratio = 1.05:1.03 ∼ 1.06, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated significant negative association between the degree of internet addiction and sleep quality, providing reference for educational institutes to minimize adverse effects associated with internet use and improve students' sleep quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Smartphone usage has become commonplace and impact on sleep quality among adolescents. Adolescent girls have a greater tendency toward sleep quality problems. However, relationship of sleep quality, smartphone dependence, and health-related behaviors in female junior college students has not been studied. Objectives: This study had the two goals: to investigate the relationship between female college students' sleep quality, smartphone dependence, and health-related behaviors, and to identify predictors of sleep quality. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional research approach to gather 409 subjects at a junior college in southern Taiwan, and used a structured questionnaire to collect data. The questionnaire consisted of four parts: basic demographic data, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, assessment of smartphone dependence, and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP). Logistic regression analysis was employed to check for any association between sleep quality and smartphone dependence or HPLP. Results: Sleep quality was significantly associated with degree of smartphone dependence, total HPLP score, and scores on the four HPLP subscales of nutritional behavior, self-actualization, interpersonal support, and stress management behavior. The lower the subjects' degree of smartphone dependence was, the better their sleep quality was. Furthermore, the degree of smartphone dependence and total HPLP score were significant predictors of sleep quality. Conclusions: Smartphone dependence is associated with poor sleep quality among female college students. Improving health-related behaviors (nutritional behavior, self-actualization, interpersonal support, and stress management behavior) can also promote improvement in sleep quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In the evaluation of haemorrhage in trauma patients with pelvic fractures, contrast extravasation (CE) on computed tomography (CT) scan often implies active arterial bleeding. However, the absence of CE on CT scan does not always exclude the need for transcatheter arterial embolisation (TAE) to achieve haemostasis. In the current study, we evaluated the factors associated with the need for TAE in patients without CE on CT scan. These factors may be evaluated as adjuncts to CT scanning in the management of patients with pelvic fractures. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our trauma registry and medical records of patients with pelvic fractures. When CE was observed, indicating active haemorrhage, the patients underwent TAE to achieve haemostasis. In contrast, patients without CE were held for observation and treatment of their injuries, and if their condition deteriorated after a delayed interval, they were then also referred for TAE if no other focus of haemorrhage was found. Patients without CE on CT scan but with retroperitoneal haemorrhage requiring TAE were investigated. Their demographic characteristics, associated injuries, fracture patterns, and changes in systolic blood pressure were described and analysed. Results: In total, 201 patients with pelvic fracture underwent CT scan examination; 47 (23.4%) had CE by CT scan, whereas the other 154 (76.6%) did not. Of the 154 patients who did not show CE by CT scan, 124 (80.5%) patients never underwent TAE; however, 30 (19.5%) of these patients did eventually undergo TAE. In comparing the patients who underwent TAE to those who did not undergo TAE among patients without CE on CT scan, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) on arrival (median: 100.0 mmHg vs 136.0 mmHg, p<0.01) and the lowest SBP recorded in the ED (median: 68.0 mmHg vs 129.0 mmHg, p<0.01) were significantly lower in the patients who underwent TAE. The ROC curve analysis revealed that the most appropriate cutoff value of decrement of SBP (SBP on arrival minus the lowest SBP in the ED) was 30 mmHg (AUC=0.89). Conclusion: In the management of pelvic fracture patients, greater attention should be directed toward patients with relative hypotension. The higher likelihood of haemodynamic deterioration and the need for TAE for haemorrhage control should remain under consideration in such cases, despite the absence of CE by CT scan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Fresh egg is a very fundamental food ingredient to consumers' daily life, while consumers in Taiwan have faced barriers to effective decision-making for eggs they needed, including the increasing consumer concerns about food safety, traceability, and the increasing demand for animal welfare production. Consequently, Taiwanese supermarkets are eager to identify what types of fresh egg attributes would fit to their customers. Further, the effect of unrealistic options in the choice experiment design has a limited understanding. This study aims to investigate what factors affect customers' decision-making to purchase fresh eggs in Taiwan. The findings of this research suggest that the effect of unrealistic options in the choice experiment design may mislead the results. Thus, the confirmed results showed that Taiwanese consumers are willing to pay a premium for attributes for animal welfare, traceability, farm brand, and brown color egg. Especially, the attribute of animal welfare reveals a significant effect on consumers' decision-making. This provides an important hint to government policymakers and egg industry in Taiwan to better understand issues encompassing the diversity of attributes associated with fresh egg products offered in supermarkets. Eggs are the crucial component of daily meals for almost everyone in Taiwan, while the multi-attributes of fresh egg products generate the challenges of marketing and promotions in supermarkets. This study analyzes the market segmentation and consumer willingness-to-pay (WTP) for fresh egg attributes (i.e., color, traceability, animal welfare, brand, and price). In particular, the effect of the unrealistic choice set is considered in this study. The data collection was distributed near markets, schools, and train stations across Taiwan from July to September in 2020. A total of 1115 valid responses were collected, and the Latent Class Model was used. Results show that fresh egg products in supermarkets reveal a strong preference for animal welfare label with the highest WTP, which is about 64.2 NT$ (≈US$ 2.29). Furthermore, traceability label, farm brand, and brown-color egg still exhibit positive WTP of about 33.4 NT$ (≈US$ 1.19), 32.6 NT$ (≈US$ 1.16), and 32.5 NT$ (≈US$ 1.16) in supermarkets, respectively. However, including the unrealistic choice set can potentially alter the final outcomes, and it provides a good example for researchers who may have the same situation. This research helps to know more about the complexity of attributes for fresh egg products in supermarkets, so marketers would be able to adopt the effective marketing strategies for fresh egg products in supermarkets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cord blood banking has become more popular in recent years. Checking cord blood complete blood count (CBC) and white blood cell (WBC) differential counts (DCs) is essential before cryopreserving the cord blood units. Therefore, establishing the normal reference values of cord blood CBC and WBC DC is important in clinical practice and research. Objectives: To obtain a large-scale population-based normal CBC and WBC DC reference values of healthy neonates’ cord blood from a public cord blood bank and to investigate the influence of the gender and delivery route. Methods: From September 2001 to November 2006, the cord blood of healthy Taiwanese neonates with gestational age 36 weeks and more were collected by Tzu Chi Cord Blood Bank with written informed consents. All cord blood samples were analyzed by Sysmex XE2100 automated hematology analyzer (Sysmex Corporation, Kobe, Japan) to obtain the CBC. The WBC DC was calculated by manual method. We used Student’s t test and Mann-Whitney U test for investigating the influences of gender and delivery route on the CBC and WBC DC reference values. The results were presented by mean±standard deviation or 2.5–97.5th percentiles. Results: In the study period, totally 5602 cord blood samples were collected eligibly for analysis. The cord blood CBC and WBC DC normal reference values were calculated. The female neonates had significantly higher mean corpuscular volume, platelet count, and WBC count, but lower red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit, and mean corpuscular Hb concentration values (p <0.001). Newborns through vaginal delivery had significantly higher RBC count, Hb, hematocrit, platelet count, and WBC count (p <0.001). The percentages of some different types WBC were significantly influenced by gender and delivery routes. Male babies had higher lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil, basophil, and nucleated RBC ratios than the female neonates. Newborns through cesarean section had significantly lower neutrophil, monocyte, and nucleated RBC ratios, but higher lymphocyte and eosinophil ratios, than newborns through vaginal delivery. Conclusion: We successfully obtained the normal CBC and WBC DC reference values of the cord blood in Taiwan. Gender and delivery routes were important confounding factors that influenced the cord blood CBC and WBC DC values. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is now widely used for stem cell mobilization. We evaluated the role of post-G-CSF white blood cell (WBC) counts and donor factors in predicting adverse events and yields associated with mobilization. WBC counts were determined at baseline, after the third and the fifth dose of G-CSF in 476 healthy donors. Donors with WBC ≥ 50 × 10(3)/μL post the third dose of G-CSF experienced more fatigue, myalgia/arthralgia, and chills, but final post-G-CSF CD34(+) cell counts were similar. Although the final CD34(+) cell count was higher in donors with WBC ≥ 50 × 10(3)/μL post the fifth G-CSF, the incidence of side effects was similar. Females more frequently experienced headache, nausea/anorexia, vomiting, fever, and lower final CD34(+) cell count than did males. Donors with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 showed higher incidences of sweat and insomnia as well as higher final CD34(+) cell counts. Donor receiving G-CSF ≥ 10 μg/kg tended to experience bone pain, headache and chills more frequently. Multivariate analysis indicated that female gender is an independent factor predictive of the occurrence of most side effects, except for ECOG > 1 and chills. Higher BMI was also an independent predictor for fatigue, myalgia/arthralgia, and sweat. Higher G-CSF dose was associated with bone pain, while the WBC count post the third G-CSF was associated with fatigue only. In addition, one donor in the study period did not complete the mobilization due to suspected anaphylactoid reaction. Observation for 1 h after the first injection of G-CSF is required to prevent complications from unpredictable side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: Unrelated hematopoietic stem cell donors may donate twice. We studied donors’ preference for peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection or bone marrow (BM) harvest and compared the yields of and side effects associated with two BM harvests. Materials and Methods: The psychosocial and physical experience of 13 donors who underwent two different stem cell collection procedures and their preferences were collected via a self-reported questionnaire. Among four donors who underwent two BM harvests, we compared the yields of and the side effects associated with the first and second harvest via chart review and self-reported questionnaire, respectively. Results: The median recovery time associated with PBSC (1 day) was significantly shorter than that associated with BM harvest (7 days) (p <0.01). Although most of the donors who underwent both procedures felt that BM harvest was more physically demanding, caused more preprocedural anxiety, was more time consuming, and was more inconvenient than PBSC collection, 63.6% of them preferred BM donation. This preference for BM harvest over PBSC collection is different from previous studies. There was no significant difference in the yields of marrow nucleated cells (p =0.25) and no significant differences in the incidence of side effects and recovery time between the first and second BM donations. Conclusion: Further understanding of donors’ preferences and reducing side effects associated with stem cell harvesting procedures will help the registry improve its work. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To evaluate the bacterial diversity of Tatachia Forest soils, 16S rDNA clone libraries of the spruce, hemlock and grassland soils were constructed. Further, the influence of physicochemical and biological properties of soil on microbial ecology, pH, moisture content, microbial population and biomass were also analyzed. The soil pH increased with the increasing of soil depth; whereas the microbial population, biomass, moisture content, total organic carbon and total nitrogen were reverse. Microbial populations were the highest in the summer season which also correlated with the highest moisture content. The phylogenetic analyses revealed that the clones from nine 16S rDNA clone libraries represented Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadetes, Planctomycetes, Verrucomicrobia, candidate division TG1 and candidate division TM7. Members of Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria constituted 42.2, 35.1 and 7.8 % of the clone libraries, respectively; whereas the remaining bacterial divisions each comprised <3 %. The spruce site had the highest bacterial diversity among the tested sites, followed by the hemlock sites and the grassland sites with the least. The bacterial community is the more diverse in the organic layer than that in deeper horizons. Further, bacterial diversity through the gradient horizons was different, indicating that the bacterial diversity in the deeper horizons is not simply the diluted analogs of the surface soils and some microbes dominate only in the deeper horizons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To investigate the greenhouse gases emissions from paddy fields, methane and nitrous oxide emissions were estimated with the local measurement and the IPCC method during 1990–2006 in Taiwan. Annual methane emission ranged from 9001 to 14,980ton in the first crop season for 135,314–242,298ha of paddy fields, and it was between 16,412 and 35,208ton for 101,710–211,968ha in the second crop season with the local measurement for intermittent irrigation. The value ranged from 31,122 to 55,729ton of methane emission in the first crop season, and it was between 29,493 and 61,471ton in the second crop season with the IPCC guideline for continuous flooding. Annual nitrous oxide emission from paddy fields was between 371 and 728ton in the first crop season, and the value ranged from 163 to 365ton in the second crop season with the local measurement. Methane emission from paddy fields in Taiwan for intermittent irrigation was only 26.72–28.92%, 55.65–57.32% and 41.19–43.10% with the IPCC guidelines for continuous flooding and mean temperature of transplanting stage in the first crop, the second crop and total paddy fields, respectively. The values were 53.44–57.84%, 111.29–114.55% and 82.38–86.20% with the IPCC guidelines for single aeration and mean temperature of transplanting stage, respectively; and the values were 133.60–144.61%, 282.56–286.62% and 205.96–215.49% with the IPCC guidelines for multiple aeration and mean temperature of transplanting stage, respectively. Intermittent irrigation in paddy fields reduces methane emission significantly; appropriate application of nitrogen fertilizer and irrigation in paddy fields also decreases nitrous oxide emission. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The uses and gratifications theory suggests that various types of media can greatly affect people's lives. This is especially true among older adults who tend to use media for leisure. However, there is insufficient research regarding the relationship between media usage, depression, and quality of life among older adults. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the association between media usage (traditional and internet media), depression, and quality of life among older adults. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, this study recruited individuals aged 65 years and older in central Taiwan and collected data via a structured questionnaire. Contents of the questionnaire included demographic details, a media usage behavior questionnaire, the Brief Symptoms Rating Scale (BSRS-5), and the Quality of Life Scale developed by the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-BREF). Subsequently, multiple regression analyses were conducted to investigate the association between media usage, depression, and quality of life of older adults. Results: The average age of the 252 participants (107 males) was 70.0 ± 5.4 years. Regression analysis revealed a significant, negative relationship between the number of hours spent watching television and the degree of depression. Additionally, the number of hours spent watching television was significantly negatively related to the quality of life in terms of both the psychological health and social relationships categories. In contrast, the number of hours spent reading newspapers and magazines was significantly positively related to quality of life in the categories of psychological health, social relationships, and environment. Finally, the number of hours spent browsing internet media was significantly positively related to the quality of life in the psychological health category. Conclusion: Media usage may affect the degree of depression and quality of life of older adults depending on the type of media and amount of usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the microbial diversity of Fushan forest soils, the variation of soil properties, microbial populations, and soil DNA with soil depth in three sites of different altitude were analyzed. Microbial population, moisture content, total organic carbon (Corg), and total nitrogen (Ntot) decreased with increasing soil depth. The valley site had the lowest microbial populations among the three tested sites due to the low organic matter content. Bacterial population was the highest among the microbial populations. The ratios of cellulolytic microbes to the total bacteria in organic layers were high, implying their roles in the carbon cycle. The microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) and nitrogen (Nmic) contents ranged from 130.5 to 564.1 μg g−1 and from 16.7 to 95.4 μg g−1, respectively. The valley had the lowest Cmic and Nmic. The organic layer had the highest Cmic and Nmic and decreased with soil depth. Analysis using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons of 16S rDNA showed that the bacterial diversity of the three sites were very similar to each other in the major bands, and the variation was in the minor bands. However, the patterns in PCR-DGGE profile through gradient horizons were different, indicating the prevalence of specific microbes at different horizons. These results suggest that the microbial diversity in the deeper horizons is not simply the diluted analogs of the surface soils and that some microbes dominate only in the deeper horizons. Topography influenced the quantity and diversity of microbial populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate methane emission from wetlands in Taiwan, soil properties, environmental conditions and methane emission were determined at three wetlands in northern Taiwan from September 1995 to April 1999. Soil pH values ranged from 6.15 to 7.80. Total organic carbon and total nitrogen contents were high in Kuan-du wetland and Kang-nan lake area, where the soils were sandy loam. In Kang-nan wetland, total organic carbon and total nitrogen contents were low and the soil was clay loam. Soil redox potential of Kuan-du wetland and Kang-nan lake area was lower than that of Kang-nan wetland. Atmospheric methane concentration was 0.8–2.7, 0.7–1.6 and 0.8–1.7 ppm (mg kg−1) in Kang-du wetland, Kang-nan wetland and Kang-nan lake area, respectively. Average methane emission rate was 1.82, 0.14 and 0.23 mg m−2 h−1 and annual methane emission was about 1.59×10−1, 1.23×10−2 and 2.02×10−2 ton ha−1, respectively. Annual methane emission from 11,896 ha of nine wetlands is estimated around 340 ton in Taiwan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To investigate the greenhouse gases emissions from the feeding and waste management of livestock and poultry, methane and nitrous oxide emissions were estimated from the local measurement and IPCC guidelines during 1990–2000 in Taiwan. Hog is the major livestock and is followed by goat and cattle, while chicken is the major poultry and is followed by duck and geese. Methane emission from enteric fermentation of livestock was 30.9 Gg in 1990, increased to 39.3 Gg in 1996, and then decreased gradually to 34.9 Gg in 2000. Methane emission from the waste management was 48.5 Gg in 1990, reached the peak value of 60.7 Gg in 1996, and then declined to 43.3 Gg in 2000. In the case of poultry, annual methane emission from enteric fermentation and waste management was 30.6–44.1 ton, and 8.7–13.2 Gg, respectively. Nitrous oxide emission from waste management of livestock was 0.78 ton in 1990, increased to 0.86 ton in 1996, and then decreased to 0.65 ton in 2000. Nitrous oxide emission from waste management of poultry was higher than that of livestock with 1.11 ton in 1990, 1.68 ton in 1999, and 1.65 ton in 2000. There is an urgent need to reduce methane emission from enteric fermentation and recover methane from anaerobic waste treatment for energy in livestock and poultry feeding in Taiwan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To investigate the greenhouse gases emissions from paddy fields and uplands, methane and nitrous oxide emissions were estimated from local measurement and the IPCC guidelines during 1990–2000 in Taiwan. Annual methane emission from 182 807 to 242 298 ha of paddy field in the first crop season ranged from 8062 to 12 066 ton, and it was between 16 261 and 25 007 ton for 144 178–211 968 ha in the second crop season with local measurement. The value ranged from 12 132 to 17 465 ton, and from 16 046 to 24 762 ton of methane in the first and second crop season with the IPCC guidelines for multiple aeration treatments, respectively. Annual nitrous oxide emission was between 472 and 670 ton and between 236 and 359 ton in the first and second crop season, respectively. Methane and nitrous oxide emissions from uplands depend on crop, growth season, fertilizer application and environmental conditions. Annual methane emission from upland crops, vegetable, fruit, ornamental plants, forage crops and green manure crops was 138–252, 412–460, 97–100, 3–5, 4–5 and 3–51 ton, respectively. Annual nitrous oxide emission was 1080–1976, 1784–1994, 2540–2622, 31–54, 43–53 and 38–582 ton, respectively. Annual nitrous oxide emission ranged from 91 to 132 ton for 77 593–112 095 ton of nitrogen-fixing crops, from 991 to 1859 ton for 3 259 731–6 183 441 ton of non-nitrogen-fixing crops, and from 1.77 to 2.22 Gg for 921 169–1 172 594 ton of chemical fertilizer application. In addition, rice hull burning emitted 19.3–24.2 ton of methane and 17.2–21.5 ton of nitrous oxide, and corn stalk burning emitted 2.1–4.2 ton of methane and 1.9–3.8 ton of nitrous oxide. Methane emission from the agriculture sector was 26 421–37 914 ton, and nitrous oxide emission was 9810–11 649 ton during 1990–2000 in Taiwan. Intermittent irrigation in paddy fields reduces significantly methane emission; appropriate application of nitrogen fertilization and irrigation in uplands and paddy fields also decreases nitrous oxide emission. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Due to food scandals that shocked the retailer markets, traceability systems were advocated to regain consumers' confidence and trust. However, while traceability systems can be more easily explored in modern markets, almost no traceability system can be found in traditional markets in Taiwan, especially when buying meat products. This study explored the preference and the willingness-to-pay (WTP) for traceability information of pork products in traditional markets in Taiwan. The random utility theory (RUT) with the contingent valuation method (CVM) was adopted to examine the total of 1420 valid responses in Taiwan. Results show that 80% of traditional market consumers are willing to pay more for traceability information of pork products. Specifically, when consumers (1) know the market price of pork, (2) do not often buy food in the traditional market, (3) live in south or north regions of Taiwan, (4) have a flexible buying schedule, (5) are aware of food safety due to frequently accessing health-related content through media, or (6) think pork grading is very important, they would tend to choose meat products with traceability information. The implication of this study suggests that there is an urgent desire for food safety labeling and traceability information system in traditional markets in Taiwan. Especially, those who usually shop in the higher-price markets are willing to pay the most for this traceability information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study explored the effect of public health nurses' current community care nursing competency on the psychological and organizational empowerment of public health services in Taiwan. Design: A cross-sectional nationwide survey design was used. Methods: A self-developed structured questionnaire was administered to public health nurses. They were recruited using a purposive sampling technique, and they participated in community healthcare workshops. Results: The mean score of Community Care Nursing Competence (CCNC) was 3.92 ± 0.83. The mean score in Community Empowerment (CE) was 3.66 ± 0.90. The study revealed that age and communication competence were crucial factors in public health nurses working in the community. With age and through the accumulation of practical experience, public health nurses' communication competence may also improve, which can further enhance their psychological and organizational empowerment in the nursing workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we focus principally on Taiwan's traditional markets, as food safety issues in those markets have been increasing recently. Thus, this poses pressures and challenges in traditional markets in terms of attracting consumers. This research aims to investigate whether there is consumer demand for more quality improvement from butchers and additional product information in Taiwan's traditional markets by surveying consumers' willingness to pay (WTP). This study determines consumers' preferences for the important attributes and also investigates the different consumer segmentation in Taiwan's traditional markets by analyzing the types of Taiwanese consumers who care about food safety and additional product information, including Taiwan Fresh Pork (TFP), QR code (provides product source information), Cold storage, and price. In this study, both Mixed Logit Model and Conditional Logit Model are used to elicit consumers' WTP, and the Latent Class Model is used to understand the market segmentation in Taiwan's traditional markets. The results show that the majority of Taiwanese consumers in traditional markets show preferences and WTP for meat products if Cold storage and QR code are available in Taiwan's traditional markets. This work also provides appropriate strategies for improving the additional product information in Taiwan's traditional markets, which can influence present and potential customers purchasing decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Preferences within Japan, Taiwan, and Indonesia are compared. • Food values of imported fruits and vegetables are the focus. • Consumers of these countries treat the values with both similarities and differences. • Food safety certified and Freshness are the two most important food values. • Price is still viewed as the number one priority for certain consumer groups. International agricultural trade in fruits and vegetables has received much attention as an effective method to create a sustainable agriculture industry for a country. This study focuses on consumers' perceptions of food values toward imported fruits and vegetables in Japan, Taiwan, and Indonesia by using the Best-Worst Scaling method. Seven food values were examined in this study: labeling product origin, food safety certification, high quality appearance, domestic rarity, price, how the product was grown, and freshness. An online survey was conducted and 1,350 total valid respondents were collected (500 Japanese, 333 Taiwanese, and 517 Indonesian). The Latent Class Multinomial Logit model was used to analyze consumers for each country. Results revealed that food safety certification and freshness were found as the most important and second most important food values for the majority group of consumers in each of these three countries, respectively. However, the remainder of food values do not have the same importance for each country. The study should help governments and international marketers enhance their agricultural trade policies and marketing strategies for these targeted markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of nutritional labels provides information regarding the health and nutritional value of products and allows consumers to engage in healthier dietary habits. However, not all types of retail markets provide full nutrition information for meat products. Since there is no nutritional information for fresh meat products in traditional wet markets, this study aimed to investigate consumer purchasing intention and willingness to pay (WTP) for this nutritional information in Taiwanese traditional wet markets. A total of 1420 valid respondents were examined using the random utility theory to explain consumer purchasing intention and WTP for nutritional information. Results showed that most (over 60%) consumers in traditional wet markets have positive purchasing intent for meat products with the nutrition information provided. Furthermore, the nutrition information in traditional wet markets significantly boosts consumers' purchasing intention and WTP when consumers have a personal health awareness on meat, have proficient experience in buying meat, and continuously receive information from health-related media. Specifically, consumers' shopping background and their level of health consciousness would be the key factors that would alter their WTP, if provided nutritional claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst the global urgency to address climate change, Taiwan stands at the forefront of implementing sustainable solutions, notably introducing carbon footprint labels on food products. This initiative aims to usher consumers towards more environmentally-conscious purchasing decisions by providing insights into the ecological impact of their food choices. Our comprehensive research explores a variety of determinants that sway Taiwanese consumers in their buying behaviors, specifically focusing on the influence of these carbon footprint labels. Surprisingly, while one might anticipate media exposure to be a dominant force in shaping opinions, our findings suggest its role remains relatively limited in this context. Instead, personal experiences with climate events and robust influences from family and peers emerge as the primary drivers in purchasing decisions. These direct interpersonal interactions, both in terms of shared experiences and word-of-mouth recommendations, offer profound insights into shaping consumer behavior. As Taiwan ambitiously targets net-zero emissions by 2050, harnessing the power of these social dynamics becomes imperative. Through strategic interventions that amplify these social channels of influence, there's potential to bolster the public's inclination towards sustainable consumption, ensuring the success of initiatives like carbon footprint labeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the relationship between methane production in the sediments and pollution of the river and lake, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the water sample, organicmatter content and methane production of the sediment were measured.Experimental results indicated that BOD, COD and organic matter contents were low in Bei-tan Lake, the I-lan River and reservoirs; and methane production of these sediments ranged from 0.24 to 1.06 mg L- 1.However, BOD, COD and organic matter contents were high in the Hsin-dan River, Keelung River, drainage river of Taoyuan County, park pondand fishery pond. Methane production of these sediments was between 11.75 and 54.54 mg L-1. Sediments of drain river and fishery pond hadhigh methane production, at 25.41 to 54.54 mg methane L. Methane production of sediments had a good correlation with BOD, COD and organicmatter contents. Methane production was proportional to the increment in incubation temperature from 12 to 40 deg. C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Food waste is approximately one quarter of the total garbage in Taiwan. To investigate the feasibility of microbial conversion of food waste to multiple functional biofertilizer, food waste was mixed with bulking materials, inoculated with thermophilic and lipolytic microbes and incubated at 50°C in a mechanical composter. Microbial inoculation enhanced the degradation of food wastes, increased the total nitrogen and the germination rate of alfalfa seed, shortened the maturity period and improved the quality of biofertilizer. In food waste inoculated with thermophilic and lipolytic Brevibacillus borstelensis SH168 for 28 days, total nitrogen increased from 2.01% to 2.10%, ash increased from 24.94% to 29.21%, crude fat decreased from 4.88% to 1.34% and the C/N ratio decreased from 18.02 to 17.65. Each gram of final product had a higher population of thermophilic microbes than mesophilic microbes. Microbial conversion of food waste to biofertilizer is a feasible and potential technology in the future to maintain the natural resources and to reduce the impact on environmental quality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To investigate the methane and carbon dioxide emissions from landfill, samples were taken of material up to 5 years old from Shan-Chu-Ku landfill located in the northern part of Taiwan. Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide ranged from 310 to 530, 2.64 to 20.16 and 0.358 to 1.516 ppmv with the measurement of gas-type open-path Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy during February 1998 to March 2000, respectively. Average methane emission rate was 13.17, 65.27 and 0.99 mg m−2 h−1 measured by the gas chromatography chamber method in 1–2, 2–3 and 5 year-old landfill, respectively. Similarly, average carbon dioxide emission rate was 93.70, 314.60 and 48.46 mg m−2 h−1, respectively. About 2–3 year-old landfill had the highest methane and carbon dioxide emission rates among the tested areas, while 5 year-old landfill was the least. Methane emission rate at night in most tested locations was higher than that in the daytime. Total amount of methane and carbon dioxide emission from this landfill was around 171 and 828 ton in 1999, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Antrodia cinnamomea , an endemic fungus species of Taiwan, has long been used as a luxurious dietary supplement to enhance liver functions and as a remedy for various cancers. Antroquinonol (AQ), identified from the mycelium of A. cinnamomea , is currently in phase II clinical trials in the USA and Taiwan for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer. In the previous studies, we have demonstrated that AQ and 4-acetylantroquinonol B (4-AAQB) utilize orsellinic acid, via polyketide pathway, as the ring precursor, and their biosynthetic sequences are similar to those of coenzyme Q. In order to test 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA), synthesized via shikimate pathway, is the ring precursor of AQ analogs, the strategy of metabolic labeling with stable isotopes was applied in this study. Here we have confirmed that 4-HBA serves as the ring precursor for AQ but not a precursor of 4-AAQB. Experimental results indicated that A. cinnamomea preferentially utilizes endogenous 4-HBA via shikimate pathway for AQ biosynthesis. Exogenous tyrosine and phenylalanine can be utilized for AQ biosynthesis when shikimate pathway is blocked by glyphosate. The benzoquinone ring of 4-AAQB is synthesized only via polyketide pathway, but that of AQ is synthesized via both polyketide pathway and shikimate pathway. The precursor-products relationships diagram of AQ and 4-AAQB in A. cinnamomea are proposed based on the experimental findings. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA) is a precursor of antroquinonol in Antrodia cinnamomea. • Exogenous tyrosine and phenylalanine can be utilized for antroquinonol biosynthesis only when shikimate pathway is blocked. • Ring of antroquinonol is synthesized via both shikimate pathway and polyketide pathway. Ring of 4-acetylantroquinonol B is synthesized via polyketide pathway, which may be due to the structural-selectivity of aromatic farnesyltransferase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Objectives To retrospectively investigate the incidence of and factors associated with skin rashes and hepatotoxicity in HIV-infected patients who initiated combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) containing nevirapine plus two nucleos(t)ide reverse-transcriptase inhibitors. Methods The medical records of HIV-infected adult patients who started nevirapine-containing cART and continued follow-up for ≥4 weeks were reviewed at two hospitals in Taiwan between 2000 and 2012. Clinical data obtained at baseline and during follow-up were collected and analyzed. Results Of the 338 patients included in the analysis, 13.0% tested positive for hepatitis B virus surface antigen and 7.9% tested positive for anti-hepatitis C virus antibody. The incidence of rashes was 21.6% and of hepatotoxicity was 25.5%. On multiple logistic regression analysis, a two-fold or greater increase from the upper limit of normal levels of aminotransferases at baseline was associated with rashes (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.56–8.96); higher CD4 counts (aOR for per 50 cells/μl increase 1.51, 95% CI 1.12–2.03) and the concurrent use of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (aOR 14.01, 95% CI 1.98–98.95) were associated with hepatotoxicity. Conclusions Abnormal liver function at baseline was significantly associated with skin rashes, while a higher CD4 count and the concurrent use of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole were associated with hepatotoxicity after the initiation of nevirapine-containing cART in HIV-infected Taiwanese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The atmospheric concentrations and emission rates of CH4 and CO2 were studied at three sites of the Fu-Der-Kan closed landfill and after as the multi-use recreational park in northern Taiwan. Atmospheric CH4 and CO2 concentrations of closed landfill were 1.7–4.6 and 324–409ppm, respectively. CH4 and CO2 emission rates ranged from 8.8 to 163mgm−2 h−1 and from 495 to 1531mgm−2h−1, respectively. Diurnal variation was noted with higher values at night than those in daytime. After creation of the park, atmospheric CH4 and CO2 concentrations were 1.8–3.1 and 332–441ppm, respectively. CH4 and CO2 emission rates ranged from −1.1 to 2.3mgm−2 h−1 and from −135 to 301mgm−2 h−1, respectively. There were no notable diurnal variations in either atmospheric concentrations or emission rates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: The optimal vascular access for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains controversial. Increasing evidence supports intraosseous (IO) access due to faster medication administration and higher first-attempt success rates compared to intravenous (IV) access. However, the impact on patient outcomes has been inconclusive., Methods: This retrospective cohort study in Taoyuan City, Taiwan, from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2022, included patients aged ≥18 years with non-traumatic OHCA resuscitated by emergency medical technician paramedics (EMT-Ps) with either IVs or IOs for final vascular access. The exclusion criteria were cardiac arrest en route to the hospital and resuscitation during the coronavirus pandemic (from May 1, 2022, to October 31, 2022). The primary and secondary outcomes were sustained ROSC (≥2 h) and cerebral performance category (CPC) 1-2, respectively. Univariate logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the primary analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was employed, with variables selected based on a p-value of <0.05 in the univariate analysis. The survival benefits of different insertion sites and subgroups like general ambulance teams (with a composition that includes fewer EMT-Ps and limited experience in using IO access) were also analyzed., Results: A total of 2003 patients were enrolled; 1602 received IV access and 401 IO access. The median patient age was 70 years, and most were male (66.6%). Compared to patients receiving IV access, the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for primary and secondary outcomes in patients with IOs were 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-1.11; p = 0.20) and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.39-2.40; p = 0.93), respectively. Different insertion sites showed no outcome differences. In the subgroups of females and patients resuscitated by general ambulance teams, the aORs for sustained ROSC were 0.55 (95% CI, 0.33-0.92; p = 0.02) and 0.62 (95% CI, 0.41-0.94; p = 0.02), respectively., Conclusions: For patients with OHCA resuscitated by EMT-Ps, IO access was comparable to IV access regarding patient outcomes. However, in females and patients resuscitated by general ambulance teams, IV access might be favorable., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None declared., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation, using either bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC), is a well-established therapy for various hematologic and non-hematologic diseases. However, the long-term health outcomes after HSC donation remain a major concern for several potential donors. Thus, we aimed to conduct a matched cohort study of 5003 unrelated donors (1099 BM and 3904 PBSC) and randomly selected 50,030 matched controls based on age, sex, and resident area from the donor registry between 1998 and 2018. The medical insurance claims of all the participants were retrieved from the Taiwan National Health and Welfare Data Science Center after de-identification. Our findings revealed no differences in the incidence of cancer, death, and catastrophic diseases between HSC donors and matched healthy participants during long-term follow-up. Kaplan-Meier curves depicting the cumulative incidence of cancer and overall mortality throughout the follow-up period also demonstrated similar outcomes between donors and non-donors. In conclusion, our results indicate that HSC donation, whether through BM or PBSC, is safe and not associated with an increased risk of cancer, death, or catastrophic diseases. These findings provide valuable information for counseling potential HSC donors and for long-term management of HSC donor health., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Background: Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) is a common intestinal parasitic infection in children. A gradual decrease in the prevalence of pinworm infection has been noted in resource-rich settings, such as Taiwan. However, the influence of sociodemographic factors on the temporal trend in pinworm infection rates in children under the current pinworm infection prevention policy in Taiwan is not well characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the trend of pinworm infection prevalence and the associated factors among children in Hualien County, Taiwan., Methodology: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we included a total of 56,197 students (aged 6-10 years) in grades 1 and 4 in Hualien in 2009-2018. Children were screened for pinworm infection using adhesive cellophane perianal swabs in the routine student health examination. Logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the factors associated with pinworm infection. Associations between dependent and independent variables were measured by odds ratios. The Cochran-Armitage test was used to assess whether there were significant trends in different stratifications. Variables with P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant., Results: A total of 56,197 school-age children from grades 1 and 4 during 2009-2018 were included. Young age and male sex were risk factors for pinworm infection (P < 0.001). A negative correlation between body mass index and enterobiasis was observed, and decreased pinworm infection was noted during the study reference period. Children living in suburban and rural areas had higher odds of having a pinworm infection than those living in urban areas (P < 0.001). A significant decrease in the overall prevalence rate of pinworm infection was observed among children in 2009-2018 (P < 0.001). However, there was no obvious change in the pinworm infection rate in rural areas during this period (P = 0.953), and it was higher than that in urban and suburban areas., Conclusions: The overall prevalence of pinworm infection gradually decreased from 2009 to 2018 among school-age children in Hualien. However, there was no declining trend in pinworm infection in rural areas. Young age, male sex, and rural residence were significantly associated with pinworm infection. Pinworm infection remains a major public health concern among children in rural areas of Hualien., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Improvement in outcomes of children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is attributed to several refinements in clinical management. We evaluated treatment outcomes of Taiwanese pediatric AML patients in the past 20 years. Overall, 860 de novo AML patients aged 0-18 years and registered in the Childhood Cancer Foundation of R.O.C during January 1996-December 2019 were included. Survival analysis was performed to identify factors that improved treatment outcomes. Regardless of treatment modalities used, patients during 2008-2019 had better 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates than patients during 1996-2007. For patients received the TPOG-AML-97A treatment, only 5-year OS rates were significantly different between patients diagnosed before and after 2008. Patients with RUNX1-RUNX1T1 had similar relapse-free survival rates, but 5-year OS rates were better during 2008-2019. However, the survival of patients who received hematopoietic stem-cell transplantations (HSCT) did not differ significantly before and after 2008. For patients without relapse, the 5-year OS improved during 2008-2019. Non-relapse mortality decreased annually, and cumulative relapse rates were similar. In conclusion, 5-year EFS and OS rates improved during 2008-2019, though intensities of chemotherapy treatments were similar before and after 2008. Non-relapse mortality decreased gradually. Further treatment strategies including more intensive chemotherapy, novel agents' use, identification of high-risk patients using genotyping and minimal residual disease, early intervention of HSCT, and antibiotic prophylaxis can be considered for future clinical protocol designs in Taiwan.

Early adolescents usually have worse self-control and poor time management abilities. They are a higher-risk group for Internet addiction than older adolescents or adults. This study aims to explore the prevalence of Internet addiction and associated factors in early adolescents. Participants included 451 fifth and sixth-grade students in Central Taiwan. This study adopted a cross-sectional design and a structured questionnaire that consisted of demographics, Young's Internet Addiction Test, the Centre for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The participants were 50.8% male, and the mean age was 11.35, with a range of 10.33-12.92 years. A total of 33.7% of all participants were prone to Internet addiction. The results showed that participants who were male and had high money allowance, poor family atmosphere, parents who did not limit Internet usage time, high depression, low self-efficacy and low self-esteem were more prone to Internet addiction. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that being male, having parents who did not limit Internet usage time and higher degrees of depression were the associated factors of Internet addiction in early adolescents. The phenomenon of Internet addiction among early adolescents seems to be increasing. Improving family functionality and individual mental health may be effective ways to reduce Internet addiction.

Background: Studies on the solitude capacity of university students have been extremely limited and failed to clearly illustrate the correlation of solitude capacity with internal psychological variables and the favorability of interpersonal relationships. The aim of this study was to explore the correlation of college students' solitude capacity with scores for self-esteem, self-efficacy, and interpersonal relationships. Method: A cross-sectional study was adopted for this study. Data were collected from a university in southern Taiwan using a structured questionnaire, the content of which included demographic data and scores from the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), the Interpersonal Relationship Scale (IRS), and the Solitude Capacity Scale (SCS). Results: The final sample comprised 562 participants (mean age = 17.51 ± 1.27 years). Adjustment of the demographic variables yielded a significantly positive correlation in the total RSE and SCS ( p < 0.01) scores and that in the total GSE and SCS ( p < 0.01) scores. Moreover, the relationship with family (IRS subscale) and total SCS score ( p < 0.05) exhibited a significant positive correlation. Conclusion: The findings of this study reveal that solitude capacity is significantly correlated with self-esteem, self-efficacy, and the favorability of family relationships.

Background : Teenagers described as enjoying their own company have been claimed to have a weird personality and experience loneliness and negative emotions and have often been labeled with negative attributes. However, previous studies have provided a limited understanding of teenagers' capacity for solitude. Objectives : The purpose of this study was to explore the correlations between teenagers' capacity for solitude and both personality traits and physical and mental health. Methods : This study employed a cross-sectional research design and collected data from a junior college located in Taiwan using a structured questionnaire, which consisted of demographic questions, a solitude capacity scale, a personality trait scale, and a physical and mental health scale. Results : A total of 562 participants were recruited (age = 17.56 ± 1.58 years). The total score of the solitude capacity scale was significantly correlated with four elements of the personality traits subscale: neuroticism, extraversion, openness, and conscientiousness. The solitude capacity subscale (i.e., the solitude-coping subscale) showed significant correlations with two of the physical and mental health elements, i.e., anxiety and insomnia and severe depression. Conclusions : The results verified the correlations between capacity for solitude and personality traits and did not show a positive association with negative personality traits (i.e., neuroticism). Moreover, the solitude coping capacity correlated positively with anxiety levels and negatively with depression.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an emerging cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV-positive patients receiving successful combination antiretroviral therapy, but their CVD risk has been rarely investigated in Asia-Pacific region. We aimed to assess the CVD risk of HIV-positive Taiwanese outpatients., Methods: We did cross-sectional questionnaire interviews to collect information of HIV-positive Taiwanese patients aged 40-79 at the HIV clinics of a medical center from 1 March to 31 August, 2017. The Framingham Risk Score (FRS), Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) risk score and Data-Collection on Adverse effects of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) risk score were used to estimate their CVD risk., Results: Of the screened 1251 patients, 1006 (80.4%) with complete data to assess their CVD risk were included for analyses. The prevalence of patients aged 40-75 and with a high CVD risk was 30.6% by FRS, 3.7% by D:A:D (R) risk score, and 22.2% by ASCVD risk score. In multiple logistic regression, older age, current smoking, higher systolic blood pressure, and higher triglyceride and fasting glucose levels were independently associated with the ASCVD risk score ≥7.5%. If current smokers aged 55-59 had stopped smoking, the proportions of them with a 10-year CVD risk of ≥10% by FRS and ≥7.5% by ASCVD risk score would have decreased by 35.3% and 20.0%, respectively., Conclusions: Higher CVD risk estimates among HIV-positive Taiwanese aged 40-75 were associated with an older age, current smoking, higher systolic blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperglycemia. Smoking cessation could potentially lead to significant decreases of CVD risk., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Serological responses to revaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) are unclear in HIV-positive adults who had undergone neonatal HBV vaccination and whose antibodies against HBV had waned in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART)., Methods: Between 2000 and 2017, 666 HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) who were born after 1986, when nationwide neonatal HBV vaccination programme was implemented in Taiwan, were included for analyses. A serological response was defined when a hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) titre ≥10 mIU/mL was measured 4-24 weeks after the third dose of HBV vaccination., Results: During the study period, 295 (48.7%) HIV-positive MSM (mean age, 23.2 years) who had lost HBV seroprotection were eligible for revaccination; 171 (58.0%) received at least 1 dose (20-μg) of HBV vaccine and 116 (39.3%) completed the 3-dose schedule. The serological response rate to 3 doses of HBV revaccination was 74.0% and the rate of high-titre response (anti-HBs titre ≥100 mIU/mL) was 46.0%. The CD4 count before the first dose (per 50-cell/μL increment, adjusted odds ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.29) was positively associated with the serological response. The incident rate of HBV infection was 9.2 per 1000 person-years of follow-up among the patients who were non-responders after revaccination., Conclusions: Despite HBV vaccination in the neonatal period, the serological response rate to HBV revaccination in HIV-positive MSM was modest and could wane rapidly. Regular testing of anti-HBs should be integrated into the HIV care despite cART containing HBV-active agents., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background/purpose: Microbial biomass plays an important role in nutrient transformation and conservation of forest and grassland ecosystems. The objective of this study was to determine the microbial biomass among three vegetation types in subalpine mountain forest soils of Taiwan., Methods: Tatachia is a typical high-altitude subalpine temperate forest ecosystem in Taiwan with an elevation of 1800-3952 m and consists of three vegetation types: spruce, hemlock, and grassland. Three plots were selected in each vegetation type. Soil samples were collected from the organic layer, topsoil, and subsoil. Microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) was determined by the chloroform fumigation-extraction method, and microbial biomass nitrogen (Nmic) was determined from the total nitrogen (Ntot) released during fumigation-extraction. Bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, cellulolytic microbes, phosphate-solubilizing microbes, and nitrogen-fixing microbes were also counted., Results: The Cmic and Nmic were highest in the surface soil and declined with the soil depth. These were also highest in spruce soils, followed by in hemlock soils, and were lowest in grassland soils. Cmic and Nmic had the highest values in the spring season and the lowest values in the winter season. Cmic and Nmic had significantly positive correlations with total organic carbon (Corg) and Ntot. Contributions of Cmic and Nmic, respectively, to Corg and Ntot indicated that the microbial biomass was immobilized more in spruce and hemlock soils than in grassland soils. Microbial populations of the tested vegetation types decreased with increasing soil depth., Conclusion: Cmic and Nmic were high in the organic layer and decreased with the depth of layers. These values were higher for spruce and hemlock soils than for grassland soils. Positive correlations were observed between Cmic and Nmic and between Corg and Ntot., (Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.)