High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters is a potential tool used to remove fine particles and improve indoor air quality. This study aims to analyze the real-world efficacy of portable HEPA air cleaners in a household environment. Laser light dispersion PM_2.5 sensors are used to continuously monitor the indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 level before and after HEPA air cleaner filtration. Overall, HEPA air cleaners significantly reduce the indoor PM_2.5 level (33.5 ± 10.3 vs. 17.2 ± 10.7 µg/m³, mean difference (MD) = −16.3 µg/m³, p < 0.001) and indoor/outdoor PM_2.5% (76.3 ± 16.8 vs. 38.6 ± 19.8%, MD = −37.7%, p < 0.001). The efficacy to reduce PM_2.5 is strongest in three machines with medium-flow setting group (indoor PM_2.5 MD: −26.5 µg/m³, indoor/outdoor PM_2.5 percentage MD: −56.4%). Multiple linear regression demonstrates that outdoor PM_2.5, machine number, airflow speed, and window ventilation are significant factors associated with indoor PM_2.5 concentrations (R = 0.879) and percentage of the indoor/outdoor PM_2.5 ratio (R = 0.808). HEPA air cleaners can effectively improve indoor PM_2.5 air pollution. Adequate air cleaner machine numbers, appropriate airflow, and window ventilation limitations are important to achieve the best efficacy of the HEPA air cleaner.

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies in developed countries. The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Taiwan is rising. We aimed to determine the five-yr survival rate of patients diagnosed with CRC and determine factors affecting survival. Methods: All patients were identified from the Taiwan Cancer Data Base of the Medical Center Hospital in North Taiwan from 2007 to 2013. Data were collected using medical records and the cancer database. In all, 869 patients with CRC were included. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves, and differences between the curves were analyzed using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze survival by each variable. Results: The five-yr survival rate and the mean survival time after cancer diagnosis were 68.7% and 71.27 +/- 1.27 months. Perineural nerve invasion, distant metastasis, age, pathological differentiation grade, obstruction and regional lymph node metastasis were found to be independent predictors of the survival and prognosis of patients with CRC. Conclusion: Perineural nerve invasion was an important factor related to the survival of CRC patients. Thus, the earlier detection of CRC might help improve survival.

Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) is rapidly increasing in developed countries. In Taiwan, the incidence rate of CRC has increased during the past decade, but the 5-year survival has remained at approximately 63%. In this study, we sought to determine the five-year survival rate of patients...

Motor recovery following a stroke is related to the initial stroke severity and corticospinal tract integrity. One of the outcomes representing corticospinal tract integrity is the motor evoked potential (MEP). This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of MEP for motor recovery in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Patients with hemiparesis secondary to initial acute ischemic stroke were enrolled. MEPs of the upper limb were assessed as preserved (MEP+) or absent (MEP-) response ≤10 days post-stroke. Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) was performed at baseline and post-stroke at 30 and 90 days. A modified Rankin scale (mRS) was conducted at 90 days post-stroke. Patients were divided into two groups according to the highest FMA score of MEP- patients. Generalized estimating equations and logistic regression were used for our study analysis. Sixty-one participants were included in this study. The highest FMA score of MEP- patients ≤10 days after stroke was 38. Among patients with an initial FMA score ≤38, FMA scores at 30 and 90 days post-stroke were significantly higher in MEP + patients than in MEP- patients. Proportional recovery at 30 and 90 days post-stroke was significantly higher in MEP + patients than in MEP- patients. MEP + patients had a higher percentage of good functional outcomes than MEP- patients, without statistical difference. Among patients with initial FMA score >38, FMA scores were 60.4 ± 4.8 and 63.9 ± 2.9 and proportional recovery was 65.2 ± 27.0% and 83.7 ± 24.6% at 30 and 90 days post-stroke, respectively. Among patients with moderate-to-severe ischemic stroke, MEP + patients had better motor recoveries (approximately 70%) than MEP- patients at 90 days post-stroke. MEP + patients had better functional outcomes than MEP- patients.

Introduction: Diabetes is a highly prevalent metabolic disease worldwide. In Taiwan, healthcare services emphasize self-management strategies and interventions focusing on self-care. However, there is a lack of literature on diabetes distress (DD). Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between demographic characteristics, diabetes knowledge, and diabetes self-care behaviors with diabetes distress among Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and identify predictive factors. Methods: This study employs a cross-sectional survey, targeting T2DM patients from the internal medicine outpatient clinic of a regional hospital in eastern Taiwan. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling from April 11, 2023, to May 16, 2023. The study examines the correlation between diabetes knowledge, diabetes self-care behaviors, and diabetes distress, as well as other influencing factors. The data analysis methods include (1) differences in diabetes knowledge, diabetes self-care behaviors, and diabetes distress scores, analyzed using t-tests or ANOVA, (2) Scheffe’s tests for significant differences identified by ANOVA to locate group differences in means, and (3) multiple regression analysis to identify key predictive factors of diabetes distress. Results: The findings reveal that both diabetes knowledge (β=− 0.046, p=0.029) and diabetes self-care behaviors (β=− 0.186, p=0.006) significantly predict diabetes distress. Additionally, gender (β=0.251, p=0.004), family history of diabetes (β=0.213, p=0.017), and diabetes complications (β=0.228, p=0.018) are significant predictors of diabetes distress. The overall F-test reached significance (F=7.61, p< 0.001), and the explanatory power of the regression model (R²=0.17) is statistically significant, indicating that diabetes knowledge, diabetes self-care behaviors, gender, family history of diabetes, and diabetes complications are important predictors of diabetes distress in T2DM patients. These findings can provide valuable insights for clinicians in identifying risk factors for diabetes distress and understanding the factors that influence diabetes distress in T2DM patients. Conclusion: It is crucial to integrate the assessment and management of diabetes distress into routine diabetes care and even implement distress screening during the health promotion stage. Strengthening the ability of healthcare professionals to identify diabetes distress through early detection of risk factors and providing individualized interventions and care plans tailored to T2DM patients is of great importance.