No abstract

Distinct symptom clusters were observed during the third cycle of chemotherapy. Systematic and ongoing evaluation of symptom cluster trajectories during cancer treatment is essential. Healthcare providers can use these findings to enhance communication with their breast cancer patients and to prioritize symptoms that require attention and intervention.

Obesity in adolescents is continuing to rise at an alarming rate and is becoming an important public health problem in Taiwan. Therefore, the aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the effectiveness of a Weight-loss E-learning Program (WEP) on obese Chinese adolescents and (2) to gauge this group's satisfaction with the WEP. The design was quasi-experimental, using purposive samples from two junior high schools in Taipei, Taiwan. Obese adolescents between 12 and 14 years of age with body mass indexes (BMI) over 25 kg/m2 were recruited. A 14-week WEP was developed to expedite weight loss for the selected adolescents. Data such as BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference, hip circumference, mid-arm circumference, triceps skinfold, blood pressure, and physical fitness were collected through standardized instruments and methods before and after the WEP. The satisfaction of the subjects and four psychosocial variables were evaluated and taken into account by authoritative scales and questionnaires. In total, 37 adolescents participated in this study. After the WEP, we found significant decreases in BMI (p < 0.05), waist circumference (p < 0.05), and triceps skinfold (p < 0.001) in the sample population. Improvements were found in three of four tests of physical fitness (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, and p < 0.01, respectively). All psychosocial variables showed significant favorable changes (p < 0.01 for self-esteem scores, p < 0.001 for the other three variables) and satisfaction levels for the WEP ranged from 56.6% to 83.8% in four different criteria. The WEP was effective in helping obese Chinese adolescents lose weight. However, there is still room for improvement.

Sociodemographic, geographic and meteorological data can be used to identify families in greater need of early guidance and to promote various prevention measures to avoid the occurrence of SIDS.

It is not uncommon for physicians to work through illness and to be reluctant to seek health care from their colleagues, which is detrimental for quality of care. This study sought to assess the risk of admission for coronary artery diseases (CADs) in diabetic physicians. A cohort of 995 diabetic physicians and 9950 age- and sex-matched controls with diabetes were identified in 2000 and were followed to the end of 2008. Over an 8-year period, 200 (20.1%) diabetic physicians and 2255 (22.7%) controls were admitted for CAD. After controlling for potential confounders, diabetic physicians experienced a reduced, but insignificantly, adjusted odds ratio (OR) of CAD admission (OR = 0.89; 95% confidence interval = 0.75-1.06). Diabetic physicians in Taiwan were not at a significantly reduced risk of CAD admission. Future studies are needed to further explore the barriers that impede diabetic physicians from appropriately managing their disease.