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Following the core food (CF) models of the USA and France reported in the 2000s, this study presents the first oriental CF model, for total diet studies in Taiwan. First, we combined the four latest national dietary recall surveys from 2005 to 2012, data sets from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) covering all ages (1 to 65+ years old). In total, 3,098 NAHSIT food codes from 349,497 records of responses from 7,580 individuals were aggregated within a three-tiered scheme into 237 CFs in 54 subcategories and 16 categories. As with Western foods, Taiwanese foods were mainly aggregated by food type and major ingredient, processing method, cooking method or serving habit. In addition, we propose several categories typical to Taiwanese foods: (1) processed foods (e.g. rice paste, rice noodle, bean curd); (2) mixed foods (e.g. tomato fried with egg, Guangdong porridge) and stuffed staple foods (e.g. rice cake, zongzi); (3) Chinese Dim Sum (e.g. dumpling, salted bun); and (4) animal offal (e.g. pig liver, chicken kidney) and by-products (e.g. chicken head, pig foot). Systematic nomenclature and coding methods are also proposed. A computerised web model was developed using a graphical user interface (GUI) for automatic CF aggregation and inquiry of various consumption estimates according to the residing area, age group, and gender of consumers. Point estimates of weighted means were calculated for consumption rates (CR) based on the whole group (WG) or consumers only (CO). The CR and body weight (BW) of each individual were matched to calculate mean intake per unit body weight (g/kg bw/day). A general sample design procedure with the CF model is suggested for a total diet study (TDS) on target hazards. Strategies are also discussed for improving the quality of food matching in sample designs.

The peptides (PGH) in the

One of the new approaches to the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) consists of orally administered dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors. These synthetic drug inhibitors are reported to have some side effects and that subsequently limits their applications. There is a growing interest to develop natural DPP-IV inhibitors that will be potent without undesirable side effects. Many in vitro and some in vivo studies have highlighted the potential of food-derived peptides functioning as effective DPPIV inhibitors. Bioactive peptides within original food-derived proteins are inactive but can be activated by being released during food processing (by enzymatic hydrolysis or fermentation) or during gastrointestinal digestion. Hence, the utilization of computer-aided techniques as screening tools may be helpful in predicting the potential of food proteins as precursors of DPP-IV inhibitory peptides. This paper reviews the current literature on DPP-IV inhibitory peptides, focusing on their in vitro activity and in vivo antidiabetic effects. In addition, the feasibility of various in silico approaches is also summarized in this review.

A 67-year-old woman presented with a protruding mass in the umbilical region. The patient had a history of hepatitis virus C related liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) post resection. In addition, one episode of HCC rupture occurred 1 year ago. Physical examination was unremarkable except a palpable mass without tenderness over the umbilicus. Bedside abdominal ultrasonography showed a liver-like …

In our previous study, Atlantic salmon skin gelatin hydrolysed with flavourzyme possessed 42.5% dipeptidyl-peptidase (DPP)-IV inhibitory activity at a concentration of 5 mg mL(-1). The oral administration of the hydrolysate (FSGH) at a single dose of 300 mg per day in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats for 5 weeks was evaluated for its antidiabetic effect. During the 5-week experiment, body weight increased, and the food and water intake was reduced by FSGH in diabetic rats. The daily administration of FSGH for 5 weeks was effective for lowering the blood glucose levels of diabetic rats during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). After the 5-week treatment, plasma DPP-IV activity was inhibited; the plasma activity of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), insulin, and the insulin-to-glucagon ratio were increased by FSGH in diabetic rats. The results indicate that FSGH has the function of inhibiting GLP-1 degradation by DPP-IV, resulting in the enhancement of insulin secretion and improvement of glycemic control in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Aims and objectives. To expand the theoretical understanding of fatigue, this study used in-depth interview to explore the fatigue experience from haemodialysis patients’ perspectives. Background. Fatigue is a common symptom experienced by the people with chronic diseases including those with renal failure requiring haemodialysis. Methods. Data were collected in a haemodialysis unit of a hospital in South Taiwan. Purposive samples of 14 participants were interviewed in-depth. Colaizzi's methods were used to analyse transcripts of the interviews. Results. Ten themes were delineated and classified into three domains. The first domain ‘physical fatigue’ consists of four themes: (1) habitual fatigue, (2) experiencing the uraemic symptoms (3) suffering from sleeping disturbance, (4) insufficient physical energy. The second domain ‘affective fatigue’ contains three themes: (5) detesting long-term treatment, (6) perceiving depression (7) and feeling exhausted. The third domain ‘cognitive fatigue’ includes three themes: (8) regretting lost cognition, (9) intentional isolation and (10) coping with fatigue. Conclusions. The findings identify that fatigue is a multi-dimensional concept. By understanding the various aspects of fatigue, nurses may be better able to plan and provide fatigue-relieving strategies for haemodialysis patients. Relevance to clinical practice. The results can provide a direction for interventional studies designed to reduce the patients’ fatigue.

Mycobacterium scrofulaceum is one of the slowly growing scotochromogenic non-tuberculous mycobacterium. In adult, the clinical manifestations of M. scrofulaceum infections include pulmonary disease, hepatitis, osteomyelitis, and cutaneous infection. Herein, we report a rare case of disseminated M. scrofulaceum infection in a patient with lymphoma. The patient had the M. scrofulaceum infections that involved lung and joint, and the clinical condition responded to antimycobacterial agent and surgical debridement well.

Purpose: This study is conducted to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with bacteremia caused by non-typhoid Salmonella (NTS). Methods: Patients with bacteremia caused by NTS during the period 2010 to 2014 were identified from a computerized database of a regional hospital in southern Taiwan. The medical records of these patients were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of the 85 patients with NTS bacteremia were identified and 66% of them were classified as elderly patient with age ≥ 65 years. In addition to 30 (35.3%) cases of primary bacteremia, the most common source of secondary infection is acute gastroenteritis (n = 29, 34.1%). Group B was the most common NTS serogroup, followed by group D and C. More than 75% of the cases of NTS bacteremia developed in patients with immunocompromised conditions, which was defined as the patient had any one of the following conditions – cancer, liver cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, end-stage renal disease, connective tissue diseases, HIV infections, and receiving immunosuppressant or steroid. Clinical outcomes, including rate of ICU admission, acute respiratory failure, and mortality were 21.2%, 14.1%, and 11.8%, respectively. In-hospital mortality was significantly associated with shock as the initial presentation (odds ratio, 5.25, 95% confidence interval: 1.31-20.97). 94-98% of clinical isolates were susceptible to third-generation cephalosporin, but ciprofloxacin resistant rate was 17.6%. Conclusions: NTS bacteremia is not uncommon, especially in immunocompromised and elderly patients, and shock as the initial presentation is significant risk factors for mortality of patients with NTS bacteremia. Third-generation cephalosporin remains good in vitro activity against NTS.