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The combination of Sofosbuvir (SOF), velpatasvir (VEL), and voxilaprevir (VOX) is an effective, safe rescue therapy for patients with previous treatment failure. Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in diabetics with a history of hypoglycemia could improve insulin resistance due to HCV clearance. However, some studies have shown that SOF/VEL/VOX causes grade 3 hyperglycemia and other adverse events, which contradicts the findings of other DAA studies. To analyze the incidence of grade 3 hyperglycemia of SOF/VEL/VOX for chronic HCV infection. We searched electronic databases from the inception of each database until October 2021. A random-effects model was employed to pool data. The study was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines, and quality assessment was performed by using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The study protocol was registered on the INPLASY database (Registration No. 2021120109). Five RCTs were included in this review. Overall, 49 of 2315 patients had grade 3 hyperglycemia with a risk ratio of 0.015 (95% confidence interval, 0.010–0.020; p <.001), and the incidence risk ratio (IRR) for cirrhosis compared to without cirrhosis was 12.000 (95% confidence interval: 0.727–198.160), the HCV genotype 3–genotype 1 IRR was 4.13 (95% confidence interval: 1.52–11.22) in subgroup analysis. No significant differences were found within the other subgroups, in prior DAA treatment experience, and in treatment duration. Although the incidence of hyperglycemia was rare in diabetic patients with HCV, it is recommended that glucose levels be closely monitored during the first 3 months of therapy and that diabetes medication be modified if necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2009.03.002 Byline: Shu-Ling Chen (a), Hui-Chuan Lin (a), Sui-Whi Jane (b) Keywords: Elderly; Perceptions; Nursing home; Group music therapy; Focus groups Abstract: To explore the perceptions of group music therapy among elderly nursing home residents in Taiwan. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Nursing, Hung Kuang University, Taiwan (b) Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Institute of Technology, Taiwan

Based on vectorial Debye diffraction theory, the spatial correlation properties in the focal region of a Jo-correlated azimuthally polarized vortex beam through a high numerical aperture (NA) are analyzed. The expressions for a pair of points on the axis of symmetry and for a pair of points in the focal plane are derived. It is found that the longitudinal and transverse coherence lengths in the focal region change with the variation in the topological charge and coherence parameter of the vortex field, together with the NA values. In addition, the degree of coherence is shown to possess phase singularities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, UV/H2O2 treatment was used to evaluate its efficacy for control of natural organic matter (NOM) in different water sources in Taiwan and the results were compared with the conventional water treatment process. The NOM fractions analysis showed that compositions of NOM could be very different between the various water sources, and the raw water quality in Kin-Men (an off shore island of Taiwan) was characteristic when compared to other water sources. Raw water taken from Kin-Men generally had high dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and ~50% of the NOM in the raw water was hydrophilic. After UV/H2O2 treatment, a portion of the hydrophobic fractions of NOM in raw waters were transformed into hydrophilic ones. In conventional water treatment process, coagulation and slow filtration treatments have better efficiency to reduce the NOM in water especially for the hydrophobic portion. However, the pre-chlorination treatment for raw water increased the DOC concentration due to the lysis of algae cells. This study concluded that hydrophobic acids portion is the most sensitive portion of NOM to UV/H2O2 and conventional treatment processes. Trihalomethanes formation potential (THMFP) tests showed that hydrophobic acids portion is also the main contributor to THMs formation after chlorination process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: Our goal was to evaluate the predictors of coagulopathic hemorrhage after living-donor liver transplant., Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 161 patients who had undergone living-donor liver transplant from July 2005 to April 2014 at a single medical institution. Of these patients, 32 developed hemorrhage after transplant. Patients were separated into those with coagulopathy-related hemorrhage (n=15) or noncoagulopathy-related hemorrhage (n=17) based on the results of computed tomography images. Predictors of hemorrhage after living-donor liver transplant evaluated in this study included preoperative, perioperative, and posttransplant factors and hemodynamic status., Results: Patients who developed coagulopathy-related hemorrhage had significantly lower pretransplant platelet counts (P = .040), a longer cold-ischemia time (P = .045), more blood loss (P = .040), and earlier onset of hemorrhage (P = .048) than patients who had noncoagulopathy-related hemorrhage after transplant. Results of the generalized estimating equation analysis showed that heart rate and central venous pressure differed significantly between the 2 groups of patients. Heart rates increased significantly during hemorrhage (P < .010). Central venous pressure was higher in the coagulopathic group (P = .005) than in the noncoagulopathic group., Conclusions: Lower pretransplant platelet counts, longer cold ischemia time, more blood loss, earlier onset of hemorrhage, and higher central venous pressure level are indicators of coagulopathic hemorrhage after living-donor liver transplant.

Objectives: Intensive nutritional support can reduce the catabolic response, improve protein synthesis, and promote liver regeneration. This study examined whether postoperative peripheral parenteral nutrition may improve recovery and reduce the length of hospital stay in right lobe liver donors., Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, we enrolled liver donors with residual liver volume < 50%. Donors were classified into 2 groups: donors who received (n = 44) or did not receive (n = 40) postoperative peripheral parenteral nutrition. Liver function tests included alanine aminotransferase and total bilirubin levels, and postoperative complications included pleural effusion, atelectasis, and wound complications. Hospital length of stay was included as a potential risk factor for the evaluation of the effect of postoperative peripheral parenteral nutrition on recovery of right lobe liver donors., Results: Male sex (β, 22.04; 95% confidence interval: 6.22 - 37.86) was a significant predictor of changes in postoperative alanine aminotransferase level. Male sex (β, 0.045; 95% confidence interval: 0.16 - 37.86) and receipt of peripheral parenteral nutrition (β, -0.045; 95% confidence interval: -0.72 - 0.17) were significant predictors of changes in total bilirubin level. Postoperative atelectasis (P < .001), pleural effusion (P < .011), and total complications (P = .015) had significantly lower incidence in the peripheral parenteral nutrition than control group. Multivariate logistic regression showed that recipients of peripheral parenteral nutrition (odds ratio, 0.161; 95% confidence interval: 0.043 - 0.598) and age (odds ratio, 0.870; 95% confidence interval: 0.782 - 0.968) were significant preoperative risk factors for postoperative complications., Conclusions: Postoperative peripheral parenteral nutrition is associated with a lower incidence of pleural effusion and atelectasis, a more rapid recovery of hyperbilirubinemia, and shorter length of stay in right lobe liver donors.

The purpose of this study was to explore the elderly's experience and perceptions of group music therapy. The residents of a long term care institution received group music therapy for one year. Afterwards, three interviews were conducted in focus groups of between six and eight of the elderly. Their ages ranged from 64 to 90. Ninety-five percent of these elderly subjects participated in the therapy for over ten months. The tape-recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed using content analysis. Six themes emerged regarding the elderly subjects' experiences and perceptions of group music therapy, as follows: (1) becoming more willing to participate; (2) feeling pain relief and more controlled moods; (3) getting physically better; (4) being more motivated to live; (5) learning positive personal interaction and obedience to the rules of the group; and (6) learning skills to improve personal health. This information might be used as a helpful and valuable reference in nursing education and by administrative organizations involved in the planning of therapeutic programs for the elderly.