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Simple Summary: This research investigates how personal and health-related factors impact the quality of life of head and neck cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy and surgery. By studying 150 patients—60 with nasopharyngeal cancer and 90 with oral cavity cancer—researchers utilized a specific survey to assess the effects of various elements, including cancer type, age, gender, relationship status, education, and employment. Findings revealed that cancer type, treatment history, and employment status significantly influenced quality of life. Patients with nasopharyngeal cancer reported better social and functional outcomes than those with oral cavity cancer. Additionally, unemployment was correlated with lower quality of life, while having a partner and undergoing certain surgeries positively impacted outcomes. These insights can aid research efforts to better support cancer survivors and customize treatment approaches for improved well-being. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and sociodemographic and clinical variables in survivors of head and neck cancer (HNC) treated with radiotherapy, with or without surgery. Materials and Methods: HRQoL was measured using the functional assessment of cancer therapy—head and neck (FACT-H&N) in a cross-sectional survey involving 150 patients. Of these, 60 had nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), treated exclusively with radiotherapy, while 90 had oral cavity squamous cell cancer (OSCC), undergoing radical surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. Key variables included cancer type, age, gender, partnership status, education, and employment, with additional clinical variables assessed in patients with OSCC. Statistical analyses included multiple regression, ANOVA, and t-tests to explore relationships between variables and HRQoL. Results: Cancer type, surgical treatment, and employment status emerged as significant independent predictors of HRQoL in HNC patients. Patients with NPC reported better HRQoL on three FACT-H&N subscales—social/family well-being, functional well-being, and additional concerns—compared to patients with OSCC. Unemployed individuals exhibited lower HRQoL on four subscales. In patients with OSCC, partnership status and segmental mandibulectomy were found to predict HRQoL independently. Conclusions: This study concludes that cancer type, surgical intervention, and employment status notably influence HRQoL among HNC patients undergoing radiotherapy. In addition, partnership status is a key factor affecting HRQoL in patients with OSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multitude of previous studies has substantiated that endometriosis correlated highly with psychiatric health. This study aims to investigate the association between endometriosis and psychiatric health.Methods: Utilizing the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, 100,770 enrolled participants, including 20,154 patients with endometriosis and 80,616 in the control group (1:4), matched for age, and index date from Taiwan's Longitudinal Health Insurance Database between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2015. The Cox proportional regression model was used to compare the risk of mental disorders during the 16 years of follow-up after adjusting for confounding factors.Results: Of the study patients, 4083 (20.26%) developed mental disorders; 9225 of the 80,616 controls (11.44%) developed mental disorders. The Cox regression demonstrated that, after adjusting for age, monthly income, urbanization level, etc., people with endometriosis are more likely to suffer from mental disorders compared to those without endometriosis (hazard ratio [HR]=2.131; 95% confidence interval [CI]= 1.531– 2.788; p< 0.001). The result illustrated that women over 40 years old had a more significant risk.Conclusion: Compared to people without endometriosis, this study provides evidence that patients with endometriosis are at a 2.131-fold higher risk of developing mental disorders, especially in elder women. Regular psychiatric follow-up might be needed for those patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

aimed to examine the association between the clinical manifestations of hyperandrogenism and subsequent psychiatric disorders. Methods: Based on the National Health Insurance Research Database, 49,770 enrolled participants were matched for age and index date between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2015. Hirsutism, polycystic ovary syndrome, and acne are characterized by hyperandrogenism. After adjusting for confounding factors, we used Cox proportional analysis to compare the risk of psychiatric disorders during the 16 years of follow-up. Results: Of all the participants, 1319 (13.25%) had psychiatric disorders in the study group, whereas only 3900(9.80%) had psychiatric disorders in the control group. After adjusting for age, and monthly income, the Cox regression analysis showed that the study patients were more likely to develop psychiatric disorders (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.004, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.327– 2.724, P < 0.001). The results demonstrated that women aged 20– 29 years had a more significant risk. Conclusion: Women with clinical characteristics of hyperandrogenism have a higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders, especially those aged 20– 29 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sports injuries are common among baseball players and may result in abnormal movement patterns, increased risks of future injury, and unsatisfactory performance. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS™) has been developed to detect abnormal functional movement patterns and can be used for predicting risks of sports injury. However, whether FMS™ scores are associated with athletic performance remains unclear. The goal of this study was to determine the association between functional movements and athletic performance in elite baseball players. Core stability, muscular strength and flexibility of the lower extremities, and FMS™, as well as athletic performance in sprinting, agility, and balance tests were assessed in 52 male collegiate Division I baseball players placed into two groups based on FMS™ scores. The high-scoring group demonstrated better athletic performance than the low-scoring group, with a shorter duration of the agility test. No group differences were found in core stability, muscular strength, or muscle flexibility, except for rectus femoris flexibility. Thus, the FMS™ score is associated with sprinting and agility performance in elite baseball players. These findings indicate that the FMS™ may have a role in predicting athletic performance and thereby help determine the goals of training regimens or return-to-play strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outburst floods caused by breaches of landslide dams may cause serious damages and loss of lives in downstream areas; for this reason the study of the dynamic of the process is of particular interest for hazard and risk assessment. In this paper we report a field-scale landslide dam failure experiment conducted in Nantou County, in the central of Taiwan. The seismic signal generated during the dam failure was monitored using a broadband seismometer and the signal was used to study the dam failure process. We used the short-time Fourier transform (STFT) to obtain the time-frequency characteristics of the signal and analyzed the correlation between the power spectrum density (PSD) of the signal and the water level. The results indicate that the seismic signal generated during the process consisted of three components: a low-frequency band (0-1.5 Hz), an intermediate-frequency band (1.5-10 Hz) and a high-frequency band (10-45 Hz). We obtained the characteristics of each frequency band and the variations of the signal in various stages of the landslide dam failure process. We determined the cause for the signal changes in each frequency band and its relationship with the dam failure process. The PSD sediment flux estimation model was used to interpret the causes of variations in the signal energy before the dam failure and the clockwise hysteresis during the failure. Our results show that the seismic signal reflects the physical characteristics of the landslide dam failure process. The method and equipment used in this study may be used to monitor landslide dams and providing early warnings for dam failures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have explored the satisfaction and positive word-of-mouth (PWOM) relationship; however, empirical research has not reached consistent conclusions. This study examines the key moderating factors to explain the inconsistent relationship between satisfaction and PWOM in previous research. We employed data from bank customers (n = 240) in Taiwan to explore three moderating variables, namely product involvement, perceived risk, and tie strength, which determine whether satisfaction has an impact on PWOM intention or behaviour. The hierarchical regression method was used to examine the main and interaction effects of these moderating variables. The empirical results indicate that (1) product involvement and tie strength have positive influences on word-of-mouth intention and behaviour; (2) the interaction effect of product involvement and perceived risk has a positive influence on PWOM intention and behaviour. This study suggests that financial service institutions should identify target customer groups to allocate its resources effectively and simultaneously reduce expenditures on ineffective strategies, depending on the different moderators. Finally, implications and limitations for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the early adherence patterns for first generation antipsychotics and second-generation antipsychotics during the first month of treatment for patients newly diagnosed as having schizophrenia. Methods: With a random sample from the Taiwan national health insurance database, persons with a schizophrenia diagnosis (ICD-9-CM code 295.X) and a concurrent initial antipsychotic prescription from 1998 to 2006 were defined as being newly treated for schizophrenia. Adherence patterns within one month of diagnosis were categorized into four independent groups: refill, switch, admission, and discontinuation. Results: Treatment initiated with first generation or second-generation antipsychotics resulted in similar rates of refill (57% versus 59%). However, patients who started with first-generation antipsychotics were significantly less likely to switch (9% versus 14%) but more likely to discontinue (34% versus 26%) medication than those whose treatment was initiated with second-generation antipsychotics. Conclusions: The data substantiated previous observations of the magnitude of adherence problems in Asian populations and highlight the importance of developing new strategies for intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This investigates the concentrations of Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu, and Pb ambient air in total suspended particulates (TSPs) and dry deposition. The ratios of the calculated to measured dry deposition fluxes of ambient-air Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu and Pb at five characteristic sampling sites from 2009 to 2010 were determined using two dry deposition models. Experimental results demonstrate that the mean concentrations of metallic elements in TSPs and dry deposition were highest at the Quan-xing (industrial) sampling site, which is surrounded by various industrial factories and is in a severely polluted area. The mean seasonal concentrations of metallic elements in TSPs were highest in the winter and fall at all five sites. The analytical concentrations of metallic elements in fall and winter at these five sites were elevated in low winds. The Baklanov model yielded more accurate predictions concerning the dry deposition of metallic elements in ambient air when the sizes of the deposited particles were <5.6μm, and the Noll and Fang model yielded better predictions when the sizes of the particles were >5.6μm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This investigation monitors the concentrations of ambient air arsenic species (As, As(III) and As(V)) in total suspended particulates (TSPs) and dry deposits. Calculated/measured dry deposition flux ratios of ambient air arsenic species at five characteristic sampling sites in the years 2009–2010 are determined using two dry deposition models. An analysis reveals that the average concentrations of arsenic species in TSPs and dry deposits were highest at the Quan-xing sampling site, located in a severely polluted area where numerous industrial factories are located. The average seasonal concentrations of arsenic species in TSPs were highest in winter and fall in all instances. Analytical results reveal that low-wind conditions increased the concentrations of arsenic species in fall and winter at the five study sampling sites. Finally, Noll and Fang''s model yielded the best predictions of the dry-deposited ambient air arsenic species (As, As(III), and As(V)) dry deposition for when the particles were larger than 5.6μm, while Baklanov and Sorensen''s model yielded the most accurate results when the particles were smaller than 5.6μm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The main purpose for this study is to observe the seasonal and monthly variations for arsenic (As) in total suspended particulates (TSP) concentration and dry deposition at five characteristic sampling sites during the years 2009 and 2010 in central Taiwan. The results show that the highest and lowest monthly average As concentrations in TSP occurred in January and May at Bei-shi (suburban/coastal) and Quan-xing (industrial) sampling sites. In addition, the results show that the highest and lowest monthly average As dry deposition occurred in October and May at Chang-hua (downtown) and Gao-mei (wetland) sampling sites. This study reflected that the mean highest As concentrations in TSP and mean highest As dry deposition occurred at Quan-xing (industrial). However, the mean lowest As concentrations in TSP and mean lowest As dry deposition also occurred at Gao-mei (wetland). Regarding seasonal variation, the results show that the As average seasonal concentration order in TSP was winter > spring > fall > summer, respectively, at Chang-hua (downtown) and He-mei (residential) sampling sites. Finally, the order of As average seasonal dry deposition was fall > winter > spring > summer, respectively, at Chang-hua (downtown), He-mei (residential), and Gao-mei (wetland) sampling sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this study is to observe the seasonal variations of particulate bound mercury Hg(p) concentration and amount of Hg(p) (ng/g) in total suspended particulates (TSP) and dry deposition at two (industrial and wetland) characteristic sampling sites in Taiwan, during the years 2009-2010. Concentrations of Hg(p) from each sample (quartz filter, overhead projection film) were analyzed by a direct Hg(p) analyzer DMA-80. Approximately 30 mg of the filter sample was loaded directly into the DMA-80 and analyzed. The results indicated that the mean highest Hg(p) in TSP (expressed in ng/m3) and dry deposition (expressed in ng/m2/min) both occurred at the industrial site (Quan-xing) while the corresponding mean lowest Hg(p) concentrations occurred at the wetland site (Gao-mei). Also, the mean highest amount of Hg(p) (expressed in ng/g) in TSP and dry deposition occurred at the industrial site (Quan-xing), while the mean lowest amount of Hg(p) occurred at the wetland site (Gao-mei). Metal products manufacturing and heavily loaded traffic during weekdays were possible sources responsible for the high concentrations of Hg(p) observed at Quan-xing (industrial) sampling site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the ambient air particle-bound As(p) and Hg(p) levels and compositions in dry deposition and total suspended particulates (TSP) at five sampling sites in Central Taiwan (suburban/coastal, downtown, residential, industrial and wetland) during the years of 2009 and 2010. The main industrial sources of studied metals in various investigated sites include: steel, electronic, plastic, and chemical industries, the Taichung thermal power plant (TTPP), fossil fuel combustion, a science park, transportation, and waste incineration. The samples were digested with hydrochloric acid (HCl) and nitric acid (HNO3), then they were analyzed for metals by ICP-MS. The mean As(p) levels in dry deposition were the highest at Quan-xing site (industrial) and the lowest at Chang-hua site (downtown). Moreover, the mean Hg(p) levels in dry deposition were the highest at Gao-mei site (wetland) and the lowest at He-mei site (residential). In addition, the mean As(p) levels in TSP were the highest at He-mei site (residential) and the lowest at Gao-mei site (wetland). The mean Hg(p) levels in TSP were the highest at Quan-xing site (industrial) and the lowest at Gao-mei site (wetland). Regarding seasonal variation, the lowest levels in dry deposition for both particles As(p) and Hg(p) occurred in spring and summer. Finally, the lowest levels of As(p) and Hg(p) in TSP were observed in fall and winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this investigation was to monitor ambient air particles and metallic elements (Cr, Cu and Pb) in total suspended particulates (TSP) concentration, dry deposition. Furthermore, the calculated/measured dry deposition flux ratios of ambient air particles and metallic elements (Cr, Cu and Pb) were evaluated using three dry deposition models at five characteristic sampling sites for the 2009-2010. The results show that the average concentrations of metallic elements Cr, Cu and Pb in TSP were highest at Bei-shi (suburban/coastal) and the lowest at Gao-mei (wetland) among the five characteristic sampling sites during the years 2009-2010. This study also shows that the mean rates of dry deposition of metallic elements Cr and Cu were highest at Quan-xing (industrial) and lowest at Bei-shi (suburban/coastal) and Chang-hua (downtown). Finally, the Noll and Fang model was found to yield better predictions of the dry deposition of ambient air particles and metallic elements Cr and Cu than any of the other deposition models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study is to observe the seasonal variations of total suspended particulates (TSP) concentration, dry deposition (and the metallic elements that attach to them) at five characteristic sampling sites in Taiwan during the years of 2009 and 2010. The highest average concentration in TSP for metallic elements Mn and Fe occurred in Quan-xing (industrial area), while the highest average concentration in TSP for metallic elements Cr, Cu, and Pb was observed in Bei-shi (suburban/coastal area). The lowest average concentrations for metallic elements in TSP occurred in Gao-mei (wetland area). In addition, the highest average dry deposition for metallic elements Mn, Fe, and Zn was observed in He-mei (residential area). Also, the highest average dry deposition for metallic elements Cr, Cu, and Pb occurred in Quan-xing (industrial area). The lowest average dry deposition for metallic elements Mn, Fe, and Cr occurred in Bei-shi (suburban/coastal), while the lowest average dry deposition for metallic elements Zn, Cu, and Pb was observed in Chang-hua (downtown). Regarding seasonal variation, the results show that the average seasonal dry deposition order for metallic elements Zn, Cr, and Pb was fall > spring > winter at Bei-shi (suburban/coastal), Chang-hua (downtown), He-mei (residential), and Gao-mei (wetland). Finally, the average seasonal concentration order for Cu in TSP was fall > winter > spring, at Bei-shi (suburban/coastal), He-mei (residential), Quan-xing (industrial), and Gao-mei (wetland) sampling sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study is to observe the concentration variation for atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Asian countries during the years of 2001 to 2009. The results show that the order of the average PAH concentration for Flu, Ant, FL, and Chr in total suspended particles (TSP) was Hong Kong > China > Taiwan > Korea. The order of the average PAH concentration for Pyr, BaA, BbFL, and BaP in TSP was China > Hong Kong > Taiwan > Korea. In addition, the order of the average PAH concentration for AcPY (Acenaphylene) and AcP (Aceapthene) in TSP was Hong Kong > Taiwan > China for Asian countries during the same time period. Moreover, the order of the average PAH species concentration of Ant (Anthracene) in particulate matter <10μ(PM10) was Hong Kong > China > Malaysia. However, the order of the average PAH concentration for BaA (Benzo[a]anthracene) and BaP (Benzo[a]pyrene) in PM10 was India > Hong Kong > China > Malaysia. In addition, the order of the average PAH species concentration of BbFL in PM10 was India > Hong Kong > China > Malaysia for Asian countries during the years of 2003 to 2009. Finally, the order of the average PAH concentration for BaA in PM2.5 was Taiwan > Hong Kong > Vietnam > Japan. However, the order of the average PAH concentration for BbFL (Benzo[b]fluoranthene) in fine particle particulate matter (PM2.5) was Hong Kong > Vietnam > Japan > Taiwan. In addition, the order of the average PAH species concentration of BaP in PM2.5, was Hong Kong > Taiwan > Vietnam > Japan for Asian countries during years of 2003 to 2007. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study focuses on specific energy consumption (SEC) of all major energy consuming segments of the Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) module supply chain, including 12” Si-wafer (ingot), wafer fabrication, integrated circuit (IC) assembly, IC testing, module assembly, and printed circuit board (PCB). Results show that energy consumption of a single unit of the end product from the DRAM supply chain is 4.67 kWh/PIC (PIC = a piece of DRAM module). For its annual shipments of 85,136,366 PIC/yr, the whole DRAM supply chain consumes a total of 397,331,726 kWh of energy, emitting 252,703 tons of CO2. The outcomes of this study provide baseline SEC of the DRAM supply chain that can be used while designing fabrication plants (hereafter referred to as “fabs”) in the future. We estimate that if all fabs in Taiwan achieve the same level of SEC as the best performer (i.e. lowest SEC level), annual energy savings and emissions reduction in Taiwan could be expected to reach 228,561,645 kWh of electricity and 149,426 tons of CO2 emissions, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Cervical cancer, linked to human papillomavirus (HPV), ranks fourth among women's cancers globally. Several studies have found an association between viral infections or cancer and dementia, which is a major public health concern. This study aimed to provide real-world data on the association between cervical cancer and the risk of dementia., Methods: This population-based cohort study, utilizing Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, included 53 905 patients, with 10 781 having cervical cancer, matching with 43 124 controls in a 1:4 ratio based on age and indexed date. Incidence density rates were used to calculate the incidence rate of dementia. Adjusting for comorbidities, a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Additionally, the risk of dementia was further verified using the cumulative incidence analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method., Results: This study indicated a significantly higher dementia risk in the cervical cancer cohort compared with the non-cervical cancer cohort (adjusted HR (aHR)=1.64, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.26; p<0.001), suggesting a 1.64-fold increased risk. Notably, cervical cancer posed a greater risk of dementia (aHR=1.69, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.29; p<0.001) compared with carcinoma in situ of the cervix (p=0.18) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (p=0.23). The cumulative incidence of dementia in the cervical cancer group was significantly higher (log-rank test, p<0.001) than the control group., Conclusions: Cervical cancer (invasive disease) was associated with a significant risk of dementia, unlike carcinoma in situ of the cervix and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (pre-invasive diseases), suggesting HPV infections may play a role in dementia, particularly oncogenic types. This highlights the importance of further investigation into the underlying mechanisms of the association between cervical cancer and dementia., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© IGCS and ESGO 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Many studies have investigated treatment-related sequelae in Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) in high-prevalence areas, but very few have been conducted in low-prevalence areas, including Taiwan and Japan., Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 101 HL patients who had received mediastinal radiotherapy between January 1997 and April 2013., Results: Nine patients had cardiac events and nine patients developed second malignancies. Univariate analysis showed that bulkiness of disease was significantly associated with higher incidence of cardiac events (HR 7.70, 95% CI 1.60-38.00, p = 0.012). Disease stage and cumulative dose of radiotherapy were significantly correlated with incidence of radiation pneumonitis (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.00-2.10, p = 0.043 and HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.00-1.20, p = 0.009, respectively). All cases of grade III-IV radiation pneumonitis happened in patients receiving a radiation dose higher than 35 Gy and developed within 4 months after radiotherapy., Conclusions: Despite the similar incidence rates of treatment-related sequelae among HL survivors between areas with high and low prevalence of HL, cardiac events and second malignancies cannot be overlooked in HL survivors in low-prevalence areas., (© 2021. Japanese Society of Hematology.)

Objectives: The feasibility of vaginoscopic hysteroscopy combined with office endometrial biopsy after ultrasonography for management of post-menopausal vaginal bleeding (PMB)., Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study of with PMB whom attending the Outpatient Clinic of Kang Ning Hospital during a four months period (1st Feb to 31st May 2018) was included. Vaginoscopic hysteroscopy was performed with endometrial biopsy after the initial clinical pelvic examination and transvaginal ultrasound examination., Results: A total of 45 consecutive women with PMB was included. The hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy were successful in 44 out of 45 (98%), a complete view in 82%, adequate tissue was in 91%, only one case was failed both procedures due to pain. The correlation between hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy by was 100%. The mean operation time was 229 ± 68 s. The most common histological findings was atrophic endometrium 18 (42%). Five endometrial polyps and 2 submucosal leiomyomas were found. One rare case of endometrial carcinosarcoma (2%) was detected. Patients reported less pain for hysteroscopy than endometrial biopsy with rated VAS pain score was 3.5 ± 2.2, with 5 more score in 18%, and for endometrial biopsy 4.2 ± 2 and 33% respectively (p < 0.001). Six cases (13%) experienced vasovagal attacks immediately after the procedure. There is no other complication., Conclusion: The Vaginoscopic hysteroscopy combined endometrial biopsy is safe and feasible for assessment of endometrial pathology with postmenopausal bleeding., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to examine the role of caspase-8 rs3834129 polymorphism on colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in Taiwanese CRC patients and healthy controls., Materials and Methods: The caspase-8 rs3834129 (-652 6N insertion/deletion) polymorphic genotypes were analyzed in 362 patients with CRC and the same number of age- and gender-matched healthy subjects. The interaction of caspase-8 rs3834129 genotypes with personal behaviors and clinicopathological features were also examined., Results: The percentage of variants ID and DD for caspase-8 rs3834129 genotype were 37.6 and 5.8% in CRC group and 39.0 and 6.6% in the control group, respectively (p for trend=0.7987). The allelic frequency distribution analysis showed that caspase-8 rs3834129 D allele conferred a non-significant lower susceptibility for CRC compared with I allele (OR=0.92, 95%CI=0.74-1.20, p=0.5063). There was no obvious link between caspase-8 rs3834129 genotype and CRC risk among ever-smokers, non-smokers, non-alcohol drinkers or alcohol drinkers. No statistically significant correlation was observed between caspase-8 rs3834129 genotypic distribution and age, gender, tumor size, location or metastasis status., Conclusion: Overall, caspase-8 rs3834129 genotypes may not serve as predictors for CRC risk or prognosis., (Copyright© 2019, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Background/aim: Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteases which have been shown to be overexpressed in various types of cancers. However, the contribution of MMP1 genotype to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been well studied. This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of MMP1 promoter 1607 genotype to the risk of HCC in Taiwan, where HCC incidence is relatively high in the world., Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, MMP1 genotype and its interaction with consumption of cigarettes and alcohol in determining HCC risk was investigated among 298 HCC patients and 889 age- and gender-matched healthy controls., Results: The percentages of ever smokers and ever alcohol drinkers were much higher in the case group than in the control group. The percentages of 2G/2G, 1G/2G and 1G/1G for MMP1 promoter 1607 genotype were 37.2%, 38.3% and 24.5% in the HCC group and 34.8%, 44.0% and 21.2% in the control group, respectively (p for trend=0.2048). The allelic frequency distribution analysis showed the variant 1G allele of MMP1 promoter 1607 conferred similar HCC susceptibility as the wild-type 2G allele (odds ratio (OR)=1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.84-1.22, p=0.8735). As for the gene-lifestyle interaction, there was an obvious protective effect of MMP1 promoter 1607 1G allele on the risk of HCC among non-smokers, but not non-smokers, even alcohol drinkers or non-drinkers., Conclusion: The 1G allele of MMP1 promoter 1607 may have a protective effect on HCC risk for non-smokers in Taiwan and further validations are needed in other population groups., (Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Background/aim: It has been previously proposed that genetic variations on DNA repair genes confer susceptibility to cancer and the DNA repair gene Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group D (XPD) is thought to play the role of a helicase during excision repair and transcription. We investigated three genotypes of XPD, at promoter -114 (rs3810366), Asp312Asn (rs1799793) and Lys751Gln (rs13181), regarding their association with colorectal cancer susceptibility in a Taiwanese population., Materials and Methods: In total, 362 patients with colorectal cancer and 362 gender- and age-matched healthy controls were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and their XPD genotypes' association with colorectal cancer risk was investigated., Results: The genotypes of XPD Asp312Asn (p=0.2493), Lys751Gln (p=0.7547) and promoter -114 (p=0.8702), were not associated with susceptibility for colorectal cancer. The Chi-square test revealed that the variant alleles of XPD Asp312Asn, Lys751Gln and promoter -114 was not associated with susceptibility for colorectal cancer either [p=0.1330, 0.3888 and 0.8740; odds ratio (OR)=1.20, 0.83 and 0.98; 95% confidence interval (95%CI)=0.95-1.52, 0.54-1.27 and 0.80-1.21, respectively]. The risk of A/G and A/A genotypes have no association with cancer risk among non-alcohol drinkers (OR=1.24, 95%, CI=0.90-1.72, p=0.2103) or alcohol drinkers (OR=1.51, 95% CI=0.64-3.55, p=0.4648). There exists no obvious contribution of XPD genotypes to tumor size (p=0.3531), location (p=0.3006) and lymph node metastasis (p=0.1061)., Conclusion: Asp312Asn, Lys751Gln and promoter -114 of the XPD gene were not found to be adequate predictive markers for colorectal cancer risk in Taiwan., (Copyright© 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.)

Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the fifth most common cancer worldwide, has high prevalence and mortality rates in Taiwan. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), an important proinflammatory cytokine, is involved in multiple physiological and pathogenic phenomena that lead to the destruction and dysregulation of tissues. The present study aimed to evaluate the contribution of TNFA genotype, together with cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking lifestyle to the risk of HCC., Materials and Methods: In this hospital-based case-control study, association of TNFA single-nucleotide polymorphisms -1031T/C, -863C/A, -857T/C, -308G/A and +489A/G, with HCC risk were examined in 298 patients with HCC and 889 age- and gender-matched healthy controls., Results: The percentages of AA, AG and GG TNFA -308G/A were 6.4%, 18.1% and 75.5% in the HCC patient group and 2.0%, 16.0% and 82.0% in the non-cancer control group, respectively. The AA and AG genotypes were associated with 3.42- and 1.23-fold higher odds of HCC than the GG genotype (95% confidence interval=1.76-6.63 and 0.87-1.74, respectively). No such significant difference was found for other polymorphic sites. We further stratified the populations by gender, cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking status to investigate their combined contributions with TNFA -308G/A genotype to HCC risk. The results showed that the AA and AG genotypes of TNFA -308G/A increased HCC susceptibility which was obvious among males, smokers, and alcohol drinkers, but not females, non-smokers, or non-drinkers (p=0.0003, 0.0003, 0.0014, 0.6127, 0.7442 and 0.3010, respectively)., Conclusion: Our results suggest that the AA and AG polymorphism of TNFA -308G/A genotypes associated with HCC risk in Taiwan, particularly among males, smokers and alcohol drinkers., (Copyright© 2015 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.)

Based on the HEC-RAS and River 2D modes, and taking 5% change rate of weighted usable area (WUA) as the threshold to define the spur dike- affected area of target fish species Acrossocheilus paradoxus in Fazi River in Taiwan, this paper studied the affected area of the fish habitat by spur dike, and, in combining with the references about the installations of spur dikes in Taiwan in recent 10 years, analyzed the relative importance of related affecting factors such as dike height, dike length (water block rate), average slope gradient of river way, single or double spur dike, and flow discharge. In spite of the length of the dike, the affected area in downstream was farther, and was about 2-6 times as large as that in upstream. The ratio of the affected area in downstream / upstream decreased with increasing slope gradient, but increased with increasing dike length and flow discharge. When the discharge was approximate to 10 years return periods, the ratio of the affected area would be close to a constant of 2. Building double spur dike would produce a better WUA than building single spur dike.

Purpose: To understand the prevalence and distribution of astigmatism in schoolchildren in Taiwan, we analyzed and compared the nationwide survey data in 1995 and 2000., Methods: A total of 11,175 students were enrolled in 1995, and 10,878 students were enrolled in 2000. The refractive status of each student was measured with an autorefractor during cycloplegia and rechecked with retinoscopy., Results: About half of schoolchildren (57.5% in 1995 and 49.0% in 2000) had no astigmatism (<0.5 D). About one third of schoolchildren's astigmatism was <1 D (27.9% vs. 32.6%). Eleven percent of schoolchildren in 1995 and 13% in 2000 had astigmatism between 1.0 and 2.0 D. Less than 2% of students had astigmatism >3.0 D (1.3% in 1995 and 1.8% in 2000). Most astigmatism was with-the-rule: 83.3% in 1995 and 89.9% in 2000. Only 16.6% of children in 1995 and 9.7% in 2000 had against-the-rule astigmatism. Very little astigmatism was oblique (0.1% in 1995 and 0.4% in 2000). The rate of myopic astigmatism increased with age. In contrast, the rate of hyperopic and mixed astigmatism decreased with age. In addition, the rate of with-the-rule astigmatism increased and the rate of against-the-rule decreased with respect to age, but oblique astigmatism was rather stable with age., Conclusions: Most schoolchildren had little or no astigmatism. In Taiwan, most astigmatism is <1 D and is myopic with-the-rule astigmatism. There was more myopic astigmatism and with-the-rule astigmatism in 2000 than in 1995.

The occurrence of stressful life events in patients might be used as a cue for the diagnosis of psychosocial illness at a consultation where a physical symptom has been presented. In this study 555 patients attending a rural family practice clinic were interviewed about their stressful life events using a questionnaire. Stressful life events had occurred in 44.7% of patients and the total number of events recorded was 624. More life events were found in patients who were female, older and of lower social class. Three types of clinical diagnoses were recognized: simple physical diseases (55.1%) and psychosocial illness with and without physical diseases (36.8% and 8.1% respectively). Patients who were female, older and of lower socioeconomic status and who had experienced more life events had more psychosocial problems than the rest of the group (P less than 0.001). The diagnosis of psychosocial illness could be predicted by the variables of stressful life event and age up to 66%.