Fu Jen Catholic University

About: Fu Jen Catholic University is a education organization based out in Taipei, Taiwan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 6842 authors who have published 9512 publications receiving 171005 citations. The organization is also known as: FJU & Fu Jen.

The prevalence of restless legs syndrome in Taiwanese adults.

Abstract: Aim: Few studies have examined the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in Asian populations, with existing data suggesting substantially lower rates of RLS in Asian populations compared with Caucasians. However, varying definitions of RLS as well as problematic methodology make conclusions about RLS prevalence in Asian populations difficult to interpret. The current study therefore examines the prevalence of RLS in Taiwanese adults. Methods: Subjects were 4011 Taiwanese residents over the age of 15 years. Data was collected using a computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) system between 25 October 2006 and 6 November 2006. Results: The prevalence of RLS in Taiwanese adults was found to be 1.57%. In addition, individuals with RLS had a higher body mass index (BMI) and incidence of chronic conditions and comorbidities including insomnia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, arthritis, backache and mental illness. Women with RLS also had a higher incidence of post-menopausal syndrome. Conclusion: Findings from the current study suggest that the prevalence of RLS in Taiwan is 1.57% by telephone interview. Individuals with RLS had a higher incidence of chronic insomnia and many other chronic disorders. The association and long-term consequences of RLS with these chronic disorders warrants further longitudinal observation and study.

Acute ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction in Young Patients: 15 Years of Experience in a Single Center

Abstract: Background: There have been few studies done regarding young patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and coronary angiographic features in young patients with STEMI. Methods: We collected data on 8 49 consecutive patients with STEMI from 1992 to 2006. Baseline clinical characteristics, coronary anatomy, and outcome were compared in young (≤45 yrs) and older patients (>4 5 yrs). Results: Young patients presented 11 .6% of all patients with STEMI. These patients were predominantly male ( 92 . 9 % vs 8 0 . 3 %, P < 0.001), more likely to smoke ( 75 .8% vs 47 . 2 %, P < 0.001), obese ( 4 8. 2 % vs 27 . 9 %, P = 0.002), have higher triglyceride levels (176.9 ± 153 .8 mg/dL vs 140.7 ± 112.7 mg/dL, P = 0.005), and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (37.1 ± 7.9 mg/dL vs 42 .8 ± 14.3 mg/dL, P = 0.005) than older patients. Also, younger patients had a shorter hospital stay (7.1 ± 4 . 9 d vs 8. 5 ± 6. 7 d, P = 0 . 04 ), less in-hospital morbidity ( 29 . 3 % vs 39 . 7 %, P = 0.02), and mortality ( 3 . 0 % vs 12 . 3 %, P = 0 . 002 ). Killip class III or IV could predict in-hospital morbidity and mortality in young patients. Both groups had similar rates of repeated percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; 45 . 5 % vs 41 . 5 %, P = 0.23) and reinfarction (6. 1 % vs 3 . 2 %, P = 0.32). Mortality rate during follow-up was significantly lower in younger patients ( 3 . 0 % vs 19.6%, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Cigarette smoking, obesity, and dyslipidemia were the most important modifiable risk factors in young patients with STEMI. These patients had a better outcome than older patients without differences in repeated PCI and reinfarction between them. Only Killip class III or IV could predict in-hospital morbidity and mortality in young patients with STEMI.

Correlation of magnesium intake with metabolic parameters, depression and physical activity in elderly type 2 diabetes patients: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major global public health problem in the worldwide and is increasing in aging populations. Magnesium intake may be one of the most important factors for diabetes prevention and management. Low magnesium intake may exacerbate metabolic abnormalities. In this study, the relationships of magnesium intake with metabolic parameters, depression and physical activity in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes were investigated. This cross-sectional study involved 210 type 2 diabetes patients aged 65 years and above. Participants were interviewed to obtain information on lifestyle and 24-hour dietary recall. Assessment of depression was based on DSM-IV criteria. Clinical variables measured included anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and biochemical determinations of blood and urine samples. Linear regression was applied to determine the relationships of magnesium intake with nutritional variables and metabolic parameters. Among all patients, 88.6% had magnesium intake which was less than the dietary reference intake, and 37.1% had hypomagnesaemia. Metabolic syndromes and depression were associated with lower magnesium intake (p < 0.05). A positive relationship was found between magnesium intake and HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.005). Magnesium intake was inversely correlated with triglyceride, waist circumference, body fat percent and body mass index (p < 0.005). After controlling confounding factor, HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher with increasing quartile of magnesium intake (p for trend = 0005). Waist circumference, body fat percentage, and body mass index were significantly lower with increase quartile of magnesium intake (p for trend < 0.001). The odds of depression, central obesity, high body fat percentage, and high body mass index were significantly lower with increasing quartile of magnesium intake (p for trend < 0.05). In addition, magnesium intake was related to high physical activity level and demonstrated lower serum magnesium levels. Serum magnesium was not significantly associated with metabolic parameters. The majority of elderly type 2 diabetes who have low magnesium intake may compound this deficiency with metabolic abnormalities and depression. Future studies should determine the effects of increased magnesium intake or magnesium supplementation on metabolic control and depression in elderly people with type 2 diabetes.

Aflatoxin B1 exposure increases the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B virus carriers

Abstract: The relation between aflatoxin B1 (AFB1 ) and cirrhosis in chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains inconclusive This case-control study nested in a large community-based cohort aimed to assess the effect of AFB1 exposure on cirrhosis and HCC in chronic HBV carriers Serum AFB1 -albumin adduct levels at study entry were measured in 232 cirrhosis cases, 262 HCC cases and 577 controls Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated using logistic regression Among all chronic HBV carriers, the time intervals between study entry and diagnosis of HCC, cirrhosis, cirrhotic HCC, and non-cirrhotic HCC were all significantly (p < 00001) shorter in participants with high serum levels of AFB1 -albumin adducts than those with low/undetectable levels There were significant dose-response relations with serum AFB1 -albumin adduct level at study entry for cirrhosis (p-trend = 00001) and cirrhotic HCC (p-trend < 00001) newly diagnosed within 9 years after entry as well as non-cirrhotic HCC (p-trend = 0021) newly diagnosed within 4 years after entry The aORs (95% CIs) for high versus undetectable serum AFB1 -albumin adduct levels were 245 (151-398) for cirrhosis (p = 00003), 547 (220-1363) for cirrhotic HCC (p = 00003), and 539 (111-2618) for non-cirrhotic (p = 00368) HCC, respectively There remained a significant dose-response relation between serum AFB1 -albumin adduct level and HCC risk (p-trend = 00291) in cirrhosis patients, showing an aOR (95% CI) of 304 (111-830) for high versus undetectable serum levels (p = 00299) It is concluded that AFB1 exposure may increase the risk of cirrhosis and HCC in a dose-response manner among chronic HBV carriers

The Influence of Reading Motives on the Responses after Reading Blogs

Abstract: As the number of blogs increases dramatically, these online forums have become important media people use to share feelings and information. Previous research of blogs focuses on writers (i.e., bloggers), but the influence of blogs also requires investigations from readers' perspectives. This study therefore explores motives for reading blogs and discusses their effects on the responses after reading blogs. According to a factor analysis of 204 respondents in Taiwan, motives for reading blogs consist of affective exchange, information search, entertainment, and getting on the bandwagon. A regression analysis suggests the effects of these motives on three major responses—opinion acceptance, interaction intentions, and word-of-mouth (WOM) intentions—reflect the influence of blogs. Specifically, readers who focus on affective exchanges believe blog messages, interact with bloggers, and spread messages to others. Information search and entertainment motives positively affect opinion acceptance; blog ...