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Background: Geriatric patients with COVID-19 have had poor clinical outcomes globally, especially during the first wave of the pandemic. In Taiwan, the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic occurred from May to July 2021. This retrospective study aimed to compare the characteristics and outcomes between geriatric and younger patients with COVID-19 infection. Methods: A total of 257 confirmed COVID-19 cases who were hospitalized from May to June 2021 were included. Their characteristics and outcomes, including in-hospital mortality, use of mechanical ventilation, and hospital stay, were collected for analysis. Results: There were 98 elderly patients (aged ≥ 65 years, median, 72.5 (interquartile range, 69.0-78.0) years) and 159 younger patients (aged < 65 years, median 55.0 (46.0-60.0) years). The elderly patients had a significantly higher Charlson comorbidity score (4.0 (3.0-5.0) vs. 1.0 (1.0-2.0), p < 0.001), and significantly higher D-dimer, procalcitonin, ferritin, and creatinine levels, but lower albumin level than the younger patients. The elderly group also had higher in-hospital mortality (7.1% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.05), were more likely to develop severe disease (83.7% vs. 67.9%, p < 0.01), and had a longer hospital stay (15.0 (11.0-23.0) vs. 12.0 (9.0-16.5) days, p < 0.001). Nevertheless, the elderly patients did not have a higher risk of using high-flow nasal cannulas (17.3% vs. 15.1%, p = 0.63) or mechanic ventilation (23.5% vs. 17.0%, p = 0.20). Conclusion: Elderly COVID-19 patients had significant higher risks of severe disease, mortality, and longer duration of hospitalization, possible due higher rates of comorbidities and pro-inflammatory status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer is one of the major fatal diseases in Taiwan, and the age of patients is decreasing yearly. As the early symptoms of malignant intestinal swelling are not obvious, most patients are not diagnosed with colorectal cancer until they are in a serious condition, and early diagnosis of colorectal cancer is a major challenge. In addition to genetic factors, colorectal cancer is caused by stress and poor dietary habits. To improve the effectiveness of treatment, we propose a model for multi-attribute decision-making based on medical data by combining the Delphi method, fuzzy logic theory, and the analytical hierarchy process. In the hierarchical structure, key risk factors and their values are proposed using fuzzy logic theory. The model suggests the importance of the medical team, medical equipment, post-operative care, and other factors for treating colorectal cancer effectively. Treatment and appropriate care must be integrated in the overall medical process to improve the effectiveness of colorectal cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between diabetes and future development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Research Design and Methods: Longitudinal, retrospective cohort study data for the period between 1997 and 2012 were obtained from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID) of Taiwan. The final available 71,904 patients with diabetes and 270,213 patients without diabetes ≥50 years of age were further matched by age, sex, and Charlson comorbidity index. In the end, 54,616 study subjects in each of the diabetes and nondiabetes groups were recruited. The stratified populations of patients with diabetes with diabetic retinopathy (DR) (n = 7,119) versus those with diabetes who do not have DR (n = 7,119) and populations of patients with proliferative DR (PDR) (n = 2,134) versus those with nonproliferative DR (NPDR) (n = 2,134) were also obtained. Competing risk regression models were used to assess the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 99% CI. The main outcome measures were the first-ever diagnosis of AMD during the observational period.Results: The incidences of nonexudative AMD (HR 1.23; P = 0.108) and exudative AMD (HR 1.37; P = 0.023) were not significantly associated with cohorts of persons with diabetes compared with cohorts without diabetes. The stratified analysis showed that nonexudative AMD (HR 3.89; P = 0.001) and exudative AMD (HR 3.42; P < 0.001) were significantly correlated to diabetes with DR cohorts, compared with diabetes without DR cohorts. The incidences of nonexudative AMD (HR 0.53; P = 0.277) and exudative AMD (HR 2.27; P = 0.058) were not significantly different between PDR cohorts compared with NPDR cohorts.Conclusions: This study provides large-scale, population-based evidence that diabetes with retinopathy is independently associated with an increased risk of subsequent AMD development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper exploits a Markov regime-switching model to study the business cycle of the hotel industry (BCHI) in Taiwan from January 1999 to September 2011. The aggregate hotel room sales earnings are used to examine the business cycle of the Taiwanese hotel industry. The Markov regime-switching model detects two distinct regimes of the BCHI: a high-growth regime (HGR) and a low-growth regime (LGR). The average growth rate of HGR (LGR) is 4 . 1 2% (0.35%). The corresponding standard deviation in the two regimes is 5.60% and 0.30%, implying that LGR is more stable than HGR. The probability of the hotel industry staying in LGR (HGR) is 9 7 % (66%) and the expected duration of HGR (LGR) is about 3 (39) months. Moreover, this study shows that the tourism market growth is significant in causing the hotel industry to stay in the HGR. The empirical findings provide useful information and policy implications for government tourism policymakers and tourist hotel managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within a decade, Ming Hwa Yuan (MHY) built its fame by setting up a new image of gezaixi, Taiwanese "song opera." MHY is acutely aware of the visual possibilities on stage, the utility of stage technology, and the company's promotions and marketing are a classic example for commercial theatres in Taiwan. In the first half of this paper, a brief history of gezaixi is the axis on which is sketched the transformation of MHY; in the second half, an outstanding MHY production, The Legend of the White Snake, provides an example for further analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Assessing the Construct Validity of the Chinese-Version Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief on Male and Female Undergraduate Students," by Wei-Fen Ma and colleagues is presented.