Purpose: Interviews play a crucial role in the medical school selection process, although little is known about interviewers’ non-verbal observable communications (NoVOC) during the interviews. This study investigates how interviewers perceive NoVOC exhibited by interviewees in two medical schools, one in Taiwan and the other in Australia. The study also explores potential cross-cultural differences in these perceptions. Methods: A 26-item questionnaire was developed using a Delphi-like method to identify NoVOC. Interviewers from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan (n=47 and N=78, respectively) rated these NoVOC between 2018 and 2021. Factor analyses identified and validated underlying factors. Measurement invariance across countries and genders was examined. Results: A total of 125 interviewers completed the questionnaire, including 78 from Taiwan and 47 from Australia. Using exploratory factor analysis, 14 items yielded reliable three factors “charming,” “disengaged,” and “anxious” (Cronbach’s α=0.853, 0.714, and 0.628, respectively). The measurement invariance analysis indicated that the factor models were invariant across genders but significantly different between the two countries. Further analysis revealed inconsistencies in interpreting the “anxious” factor between Taiwan and Australia. Conclusion The three distinct factors revealed in this study provide valuable insights into the NoVOC that interviewers perceive and evaluate during the interview process. The findings highlight the importance of considering non-verbal communication in selecting medical students and emphasize the need for training and awareness among interviewers. Understanding the impact of non-verbal behaviors can improve selection processes to mitigate bias and enhance the fairness and reliability of medical student selection.

Purpose: Interviews play a crucial role in the medical school selection process, although little is known about interviewers’ non-verbal observable communications (NoVOC) during the interviews. This study investigates how interviewers perceive NoVOC exhibited by interviewees in two medical schools, one in Taiwan and the other in Australia. The study also explores potential cross-cultural differences in these perceptions. Methods: A 26-item questionnaire was developed using a Delphi-like method to identify NoVOC. Interviewers from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan (n=47 and N=78, respectively) rated these NoVOC between 2018 and 2021. Factor analyses identified and validated underlying factors. Measurement invariance across countries and genders was examined. Results: A total of 125 interviewers completed the questionnaire, including 78 from Taiwan and 47 from Australia. Using exploratory factor analysis, 14 items yielded reliable three factors “charming,” “disengaged,” and “anxious” (Cronbach’s α=0.853, 0.714, and 0.628, respectively). The measurement invariance analysis indicated that the factor models were invariant across genders but significantly different between the two countries. Further analysis revealed inconsistencies in interpreting the “anxious” factor between Taiwan and Australia. Conclusion The three distinct factors revealed in this study provide valuable insights into the NoVOC that interviewers perceive and evaluate during the interview process. The findings highlight the importance of considering non-verbal communication in selecting medical students and emphasize the need for training and awareness among interviewers. Understanding the impact of non-verbal behaviors can improve selection processes to mitigate bias and enhance the fairness and reliability of medical student selection.

Purpose: Interviews play a crucial role in the medical school selection process, although little is known about interviewers’ non-verbal observable communications (NoVOC) during the interviews. This study investigates how interviewers perceive NoVOC exhibited by interviewees in two medical schools, one in Taiwan and the other in Australia. The study also explores potential cross-cultural differences in these perceptions. Methods: A 26-item questionnaire was developed using a Delphi-like method to identify NoVOC. Interviewers from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan (n=47 and N=78, respectively) rated these NoVOC between 2018 and 2021. Factor analyses identified and validated underlying factors. Measurement invariance across countries and genders was examined. Results: A total of 125 interviewers completed the questionnaire, including 78 from Taiwan and 47 from Australia. Using exploratory factor analysis, 14 items yielded reliable three factors “charming,” “disengaged,” and “anxious” (Cronbach’s α=0.853, 0.714, and 0.628, respectively). The measurement invariance analysis indicated that the factor models were invariant across genders but significantly different between the two countries. Further analysis revealed inconsistencies in interpreting the “anxious” factor between Taiwan and Australia. Conclusion The three distinct factors revealed in this study provide valuable insights into the NoVOC that interviewers perceive and evaluate during the interview process. The findings highlight the importance of considering non-verbal communication in selecting medical students and emphasize the need for training and awareness among interviewers. Understanding the impact of non-verbal behaviors can improve selection processes to mitigate bias and enhance the fairness and reliability of medical student selection.

Purpose: Interviews play a crucial role in the medical school selection process, although little is known about interviewers’ non-verbal observable communications (NoVOC) during the interviews. This study investigates how interviewers perceive NoVOC exhibited by interviewees in two medical schools, one in Taiwan and the other in Australia. The study also explores potential cross-cultural differences in these perceptions. Methods: A 26-item questionnaire was developed using a Delphi-like method to identify NoVOC. Interviewers from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan (n=47 and N=78, respectively) rated these NoVOC between 2018 and 2021. Factor analyses identified and validated underlying factors. Measurement invariance across countries and genders was examined. Results: A total of 125 interviewers completed the questionnaire, including 78 from Taiwan and 47 from Australia. Using exploratory factor analysis, 14 items yielded reliable three factors “charming,” “disengaged,” and “anxious” (Cronbach’s α=0.853, 0.714, and 0.628, respectively). The measurement invariance analysis indicated that the factor models were invariant across genders but significantly different between the two countries. Further analysis revealed inconsistencies in interpreting the “anxious” factor between Taiwan and Australia. Conclusion The three distinct factors revealed in this study provide valuable insights into the NoVOC that interviewers perceive and evaluate during the interview process. The findings highlight the importance of considering non-verbal communication in selecting medical students and emphasize the need for training and awareness among interviewers. Understanding the impact of non-verbal behaviors can improve selection processes to mitigate bias and enhance the fairness and reliability of medical student selection.

Objectives: . A novel J-shaped anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap reconstruction technique was developed to simultaneously restore swallowing and speech functions in patients following total laryngopharyngectomy. This study aimed to assess the outcomes and surgical complications in patients who underwent J-flap reconstruction over time. Methods: . Patients who underwent J-shaped ALT flap phonatory tube reconstruction were enrolled. Surgical morbidities and outcomes were evaluated every 3 months post-surgery for a period of 12 months or until death. Results: . Of the 36 patients, 13 underwent circumferential pharyngeal wall resection (circumferential defect [CD] group), and 23 underwent partial resection (partial defect [PD] group). After 12 months, 97% of the patients were able to resume oral intake without the need for a nasogastric tube, and 50% achieved fluent speech using the reconstructed phonatory tube. The CD group experienced a higher rate of delayed healing than the PD group (30.8% vs. 0%, p=0.012). Additionally, the PD group showed significantly higher percentages of individuals consuming solid food at both the 3- and 12-month intervals than the CD group (81.0% vs. 23.1% and 78.9% vs. 40%, respectively). Conclusions . This study investigated the progression of speech and swallowing functions over time after reconstruction of the voice tube with a J-flap. Using a J-shaped ALT flap phonatory tube effectively restored both speech and swallowing functions, providing long-term benefits, regardless of whether the defect was circumferential or partial.

Objectives: . A novel J-shaped anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap reconstruction technique was developed to simultaneously restore swallowing and speech functions in patients following total laryngopharyngectomy. This study aimed to assess the outcomes and surgical complications in patients who underwent J-flap reconstruction over time. Methods: . Patients who underwent J-shaped ALT flap phonatory tube reconstruction were enrolled. Surgical morbidities and outcomes were evaluated every 3 months post-surgery for a period of 12 months or until death. Results: . Of the 36 patients, 13 underwent circumferential pharyngeal wall resection (circumferential defect [CD] group), and 23 underwent partial resection (partial defect [PD] group). After 12 months, 97% of the patients were able to resume oral intake without the need for a nasogastric tube, and 50% achieved fluent speech using the reconstructed phonatory tube. The CD group experienced a higher rate of delayed healing than the PD group (30.8% vs. 0%, p=0.012). Additionally, the PD group showed significantly higher percentages of individuals consuming solid food at both the 3- and 12-month intervals than the CD group (81.0% vs. 23.1% and 78.9% vs. 40%, respectively). Conclusions . This study investigated the progression of speech and swallowing functions over time after reconstruction of the voice tube with a J-flap. Using a J-shaped ALT flap phonatory tube effectively restored both speech and swallowing functions, providing long-term benefits, regardless of whether the defect was circumferential or partial.

Objectives: . A novel J-shaped anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap reconstruction technique was developed to simultaneously restore swallowing and speech functions in patients following total laryngopharyngectomy. This study aimed to assess the outcomes and surgical complications in patients who underwent J-flap reconstruction over time. Methods: . Patients who underwent J-shaped ALT flap phonatory tube reconstruction were enrolled. Surgical morbidities and outcomes were evaluated every 3 months post-surgery for a period of 12 months or until death. Results: . Of the 36 patients, 13 underwent circumferential pharyngeal wall resection (circumferential defect [CD] group), and 23 underwent partial resection (partial defect [PD] group). After 12 months, 97% of the patients were able to resume oral intake without the need for a nasogastric tube, and 50% achieved fluent speech using the reconstructed phonatory tube. The CD group experienced a higher rate of delayed healing than the PD group (30.8% vs. 0%, p=0.012). Additionally, the PD group showed significantly higher percentages of individuals consuming solid food at both the 3- and 12-month intervals than the CD group (81.0% vs. 23.1% and 78.9% vs. 40%, respectively). Conclusions . This study investigated the progression of speech and swallowing functions over time after reconstruction of the voice tube with a J-flap. Using a J-shaped ALT flap phonatory tube effectively restored both speech and swallowing functions, providing long-term benefits, regardless of whether the defect was circumferential or partial.

Differentiated cells can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by overexpressing defined transcription factors. The process of reprogramming requires the interaction of various transcription factors to regulate the transformation of cell fate. Hoxd12 (Homeobox D12) is one of the transcription factors regulating the embryonic development of vertebrates, and it plays an outstanding role in the development of the limb, body axis formation, and cell signal transduction. However, any roles of Hoxd12 may play in the somatic cell reprogramming and the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have not been reported. In this study, we firstly used 7 factors (Sall4-Esrrb-Jdp2-Glis1-Mkk6-Nanog-Kdm2b) and Yamanaka factors (Oct4-Klf4-Sox2) as the research model, combined with RNA interference (shRNA) and gene overexpression, to explore the mechanism of Hoxd12 in somatic cell reprogramming. Moreover, we used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to construct Hoxd12 knockout embryonic stem cell lines, and combined embryoid body formation (EB) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to explore the function of Hoxd12 in the pluripotency of ESCs. The conclusions are as follows: (1) Knocking down of Hoxd12 inhibits 7 factor-induced reprogramming (

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the relationship between cerebral blood flow velocity and peripheral blood pressure during hypotension period, aiming to predict the brain hypotension before symptomatic occurrence. METHODS: Twenty vasovagal syncope (VVS) patients who had a previous clinical history were selected in groups and 20 pair-matched control subjects underwent 70° tilt-up test. The subjects remained supine for 30 minutes before recordings when Doppler probes, electrodes and Finapres device were prepared. After continuous baseline recordings for 10 min, the subjects underwent head up tilt (HUT) test (70°), and were standing upright for 30 minutes or until syncope was imminent. For ethical reasons, the subjects were turned back to supine position immediately after SBP dropped to ≥20 mmHg, when their consciousness persisted. The point of syncope was synchronized for all the subjects by the point SBP reached the minima. Their beat-to-beat blood pressures (BP) were recorded continuously and bilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow velocities were obtained with two 2 MHz Doppler probes from a transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) system. A nonlinear dynamic method--multimodal pressure flow (MMPF) analysis was introduced to access cerebral autoregulation during different time intervals. We introduced a new indicator--syncope index (SI), which was extracted from blood flow velocity (BFV) signal to evaluate the variation of cerebral vascular tension, and could reflect the deepness of dicrotic notch in BFV signal. RESULTS: Compared with the syncope index of the baseline value at the beginning of the tilt test, SI in VVS group showed significantly lower when the VVS occurred (0.16±0.10 vs.0.27±0.10,P<0.01),while there was no significant difference in syncope index between the control group at the end of the tilt test and the baseline value at the beginning of the tilt test. For those VVS patients, pulse index and resistance index had no significant change. Syncope index decreased significantly 3 minutes before the point of syncope (0.23±0.07 vs.0.29±0.07,P<0.01). CONCLUSION Dynamic regulation is exhausted when vasovagal syncope occurred. Tension decrease of small vessels could have some relationship with loss of the cerebral autoregulation capability. The proposed syncope index could be a useful parameter in predicting syncope of VVS patients since it decreased significantly up to 3 minutes earlier from the point of syncope.
Blood Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Nonlinear Dynamics ; Syncope ; Syncope, Vasovagal ; Tilt-Table Test

Five triterpene saponins were isolated from the aqueous extract of the leaves of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H.Chen via various chromatographic approaches, including HPD-100 macroporous resin, silica gel, reverse phase C₁₈ and so on. Spectroscopic and chemical methods were used to elucidated their structures, which were determined to be 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-12β,23(R)-epoxydammara-24-ene-3β,6α,20(S)-triol 20-O-α-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-12β,23(R)-epoxydammara-24-ene-3β,6α,20(S)-triol 20-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), notoginsenoside FP2 (3), gypenoside Ⅸ (4), ginsenoside Rg1 (5). Compounds 1 and 2 are new compounds and named as notoginsenoside Fh8 and notoginsenoside Fh9.