Luodong Township

Researchers are studying children, adolescents, and adults aged 6 to 65 years old who have moderate to severe allergic or non-allergic rhinitis to understand how different treatments affect the dark circles under the eyes known as shiners. These shiners are caused by fluid buildup due to nasal congestion common in rhinitis. The study aims to determine if treatments can reduce shiners and which treatment is most effective. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. One group receives oral antihistamine Levocetirizine alone. The second group receives a combination of intranasal corticosteroids Mometasone Furoate with oral Levocetirizine. The third group receives the same combination plus a one-week course of intranasal decongestant Oxymetazoline. Digital images and questionnaires about quality of life related to rhinitis are collected before and after treatment at 1, 2, and 4 weeks. Throughout the study, researchers take standardized photos of the shiners and analyze their darkness and area using digital tools. Participants complete quality of life questionnaires appropriate for their age group. Data on patient history and medications are also collected. The main outcomes measured are changes in the darkness and size of the shiners at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after treatment. The study monitors how these changes relate to the effectiveness of the treatments for rhinitis.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of a medicine called BI 690517 combined with empagliflozin in adults with chronic kidney disease CKD who are at risk of their kidney condition getting worse. The study includes people with or without type 2 diabetes and those who may already be taking medicines like angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors ACEi, angiotensin receptor blockers ARB, or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors SGLT2i. The goal is to understand if adding BI 690517 can help delay worsening kidney function, hospitalizations due to heart failure, or cardiovascular death. After a run-in period where all participants take empagliflozin and other standard medications, participants are randomly assigned to receive either BI 690517 tablets or placebo tablets once daily alongside empagliflozin. The run-in period confirms that participants are stabilized on empagliflozin before randomization. The treatment phase continues for about three to four years until enough kidney or heart-related events have occurred to compare outcomes between the two groups. During the study, participants visit the study site about five times in the first six months and then every six months thereafter. At these visits, health is regularly checked through blood and urine tests, blood pressure and weight measurements, kidney function monitoring, and collection of any side effect information. The main outcome measured is the time until the first occurrence of kidney disease progression, hospitalization for heart failure, or cardiovascular death.

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia BPSD, including agitation, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and apathy, commonly occur in people with dementia and increase the burden on family caregivers. Many caregivers struggle with managing these symptoms due to limited knowledge and confidence. This research aims to evaluate a 6-week web-based program designed to improve caregivers confidence in managing BPSD among community-dwelling people with dementia in Taiwan. Participants will be placed in one of two groups an intervention group receiving a 6-week web-based psychoeducation and BPSD symptom-monitoring program alongside usual care, or a control group receiving usual care alone. The program includes six online educational modules covering dementia and BPSD understanding, symptom recognition, communication, daily care, caregiver self-care, and community resources. It also features a symptom diary based on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire, weekly reminders, and online support when needed. During the study, caregivers will complete assessments before starting the program and after six weeks to measure caregiver self-efficacy, BPSD severity, and caregiver burden. The intervention group will have an additional follow-up at week 10 to assess lasting effects. Researchers will monitor these outcomes to understand how the program helps caregivers manage BPSD and reduce their burden over approximately six weeks.