[The Effects of the Question Prompt List on Usefulness, Satisfaction and Anxiety in Patients With Terminal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis].

BACKGROUND: Difficulties and anxiety caused by poor communication between patients with terminal cancer and their caregivers and medical teams are common in clinical practice. This may lead to uncertainty and fear of treatment, affecting the progress of treatment and achievement of hospice-care goals. The results of prior research indicate that using a question prompt list to promote shared decision-making can improve communication between medical care providers and patients. PURPOSE: This study was developed to explore the effectiveness of using question prompt lists in communications with terminal cancer patients and their families in clinical settings in Taiwan. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature using a meta-analysis research design was conducted in this study. Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2 was used to assess literature quality. The selected keywords were used to search six databases, including the English-language PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, EBSCOhost, and MEDLINE databases and the Chinese-language Airiti Library database. RevMen 5.4 software (the latest version released by the Nordic Cochrane Center in September 2020) was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Applying the question prompt list was found to significantly increase the number of questions asked (MD = 2.45, p = .01) and the usefulness (SMD = 0.25, p = .02). However, no significant changes in consultation time (MD = 4.49, p = .11), satisfaction (MD = 0.08, p = .91), or anxiety (SMD = 0.06, p = .62) were found. CONCLUSIONS / IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The results support that simplifying and focusing the topics of each chapter and theme of the question prompt list based on time of use may allow the list to be used effectively in combination with family meetings in clinical practice and to be focused based on patient, caregiver, and family needs to facilitate more-productive discussions. This will allow meetings to better facilitate therapeutic relationships and patient and caregiver participation in treatment plans. An external communication coach may be added in the future to help patients and caregivers clarify needs and concerns and improve the effectiveness of consultations. As questioning skills are important to empowering patients, a question prompt list for patients with terminal cancer should be developed. The results of this study may be used to guide the practice of healthcare providers and referenced in caregiver in-service education.

Expectations of an Online-Self-Management Program for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

This qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore expectations of patients and healthcare experts for an online self-management program for rheumatoid arthritis. Participants were recruited from rheumatology clinics, medical centers, and universities in Taiwan. Individual face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients (n = 16) and healthcare experts (n = 7). Content analysis of the interview data resulted in five subthemes for expectations of an online self-management program: information about how the disease trajectory would impact future health status, availability of opportunities for self-monitoring, opportunities to interact with fellow patients and healthcare providers, simplicity and ease-of-use of the program, and methods to facilitate patient-motivation. These subthemes formulated two overarching themes: content and format. An online self-management program for patients with rheumatoid arthritis should provide evidence-based information about disease variables and behaviors aligned with the specific needs of the individual and adopt strategies that encourage and increase motivation and confidence.

Effects of Mobile Application Program (App)-Assisted Health Education on Preventive Behaviors and Cancer Literacy among Women with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed (1) to study the effects of health education on preventive behaviors and cancer literacy among women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN); (2) to compare the effects of mobile application program (App)-assisted health education with traditional book-form health education. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 132 women ages 20 to 69 years women. METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study enrolled 132 CIN women who were evaluated three times. Propensity score matching was used by controlling subjects' age strata, body mass index, education level, occupation, and type of surgery. RESULTS: The influences of various educational tools were investigated. Four domains were assessed, including health behavior, attitude towards behavior change, self-efficacy of behavior, and cervical cancer (CCa) literacy. Significant improvements in behavior change and CCa literacy due to a health education program were observed (p ≤ 0.002). The App combined with a traditional booklet had the highest score for behavior change and was significantly greater than the booklet-only learning (p = 0.002). The App-assisted form, either App alone or combined with booklet, had a significantly better impact on health promotion when compared to the booklet alone (p = 0.045 and 0.005, respectively). App-only learning had the highest score of CCa literacy (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Health education interventions can have positive effects in terms of change of behavior and CCa literacy. App-assisted learning could be used as a supportive technology, and App learning alone or combined with a traditional booklet may be an innovative model of clinical health promotion for women with CIN.

Prescription Patterns of Wu Lin San Concentrated Extract Product for Cystitis in Taiwan: A Population-Based Study.

The indications for the concentrated extract product (CEP) of Wu Lin San (WLS) are urethritis, cystitis, and gonorrhea. In clinical settings, WLS is combined with other CEPs used. However, there are no prescribed guidelines of CEPs in Taiwan. In this study, we would establish the CEP-prescribed applications of WLS for cystitis according to the clinical prescription patterns and ancient traditional medicine books. The prescription patterns of WLS were analyzed from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan for the period from 2000 to 2015. The results show that WLS was most frequently prescribed for cystitis (17.12% of a total prescriptions), and its prescribed dosage was 3∼5 g per day. Among them, 62.53% were for patients >40 years, and 72.45% were for women. Moreover, prescription patterns of WLS for cystitis were divided into 4 types: Type 1, WLS combined with Pa Cheng San (PCS) and Ti Tang Tang (29.75%); Type 2, WLS combined with PCS and dandelion (13.89%); Type 3, WLS combined with PCS and Tao Ho Cheng Chi Tang (6.63%); and Type 4, WLS combined with PCS (2.75%). According to lectures, review revealed the following principles of WLS application. WLS only should be adopted for simple heat strangury, while Type 4 should be applied for excess heat and dampness strangury. For patients with heat strangury coupled with an early-stage blood amassment pattern in lower jiao (abdomen), Type 3 could be administered. Type 2 should be used for heat strangury accompanied by dampness toxicity with infection. By contrast, Type 1 should be applied to patients with severe blood stasis. The application principles of WLS with other CEPs could serve as a reference for cystitis treatment in clinical settings.

Role of FOXC1 in regulating APSCs self-renewal via STI-1/PrPC signaling.

Forkhead box protein C1 (FOXC1) is known to regulate developmental processes in the skull and brain. Methods: The unique multipotent arachnoid-pia stem cells (APSCs) isolated from human and mouse arachnoid-pia membranes of meninges were grown as 3D spheres and displayed a capacity for self-renewal. Additionally, APSCs also expressed the surface antigens as mesenchymal stem cells. By applying the FOXC1 knockout mice and mouse brain explants, signaling cascade of FOXC1-STI-1-PrPC was investigated to demonstrate the molecular regulatory pathway for APSCs self-renewal. Moreover, APSCs implantation in stroke model was also verified whether neurogenic property of APSCs could repair the ischemic insult of the stroke brain. Results: Activated FOXC1 regulated the proliferation of APSCs in a cell cycle-dependent manner, whereas FOXC1-mediated APSCs self-renewal was abolished in FOXC1 knockout mice (FOXC1-/- mice). Moreover, upregulation of STI-1 regulated by FOXC1 enhanced cell survival and self-renewal of APSCs through autocrine signaling of cellular prion protein (PrPC). Mouse brain explants STI-1 rescues the cortical phenotype in vitro and induces neurogenesis in the FOXC1-/- mouse brain. Furthermore, administration of APSCs in ischemic brain restored the neuroglial microenvironment and improved neurological dysfunction. Conclusion: We identified a novel role for FOXC1 in the direct regulation of the STI-1-PrPC signaling pathway to promote cell proliferation and self-renewal of APSCs.

Spiritual practices and effects of spiritual well-being and depression on elders' self-perceived health.

As the population is quickly ageing, strategies for helping elders to maintain and promote good health and well-being are urgently needed. Self-perceived health is a powerful predictor of mortality, physical morbidity, and disability among elderly people. Delivering culturally competent care is necessary for taking care of elders. Self-perceived health is a powerful predictor of mortality, physical morbidity, and disability among elderly people. Spiritual well-being has been found particularly important for older adults' overall health. This descriptive, correlational and predictive study used data that was collected from a convenience sample (N = 150) to examine the effects of spiritual well-being on the relationship between depression and self-perceived health, and to describe spiritual practices commonly used by Taiwanese elders. Findings from this study revealed that spiritual well-being was positively correlated with self-perceived health, negatively associated with depression, and significantly mediated the relationship between depression and self-perceived health. Relaxation and exercise were the most commonly used spiritual practices by Taiwanese elders. Findings from this study support the important role of spiritual well-being in elders' health and add to the body of knowledge about the spiritual practices used by Taiwanese elders. Nurses and health care providers should deliver culturally appropriate spiritual care to enhance spiritual well-being for elders to maintain good health for diverse elder population.

The Mediating Effect of Spiritual Well-being on Depressive Symptoms and Health-related Quality of Life Among Elders.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating effect of spiritual well-being (SWB) on depressive symptoms (DS) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among Taiwanese elders. A convenience sample of 150 Taiwanese elders completed self-administrated questionnaires participated in this cross-sectional study. This study revealed that SWB was positively related to HRQOL but negatively correlated with DS. Results of hieratical regression analyses suggested that SWB significantly mediated the relationship between DS and mental components of HRQOL. Findings from this study suggest that nurses and health care providers should develop strategies to enhance spiritual well-being when caring for elders to maintain good health and promote quality of life.

In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Osteoarthritis Effects of 2,3,5,4'-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-ß-d-Glucoside from Polygonum Multiflorum.

Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. is a traditional herbal medicine that is rich in polyphenols. The major compound, 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-ß-d-glucoside (THSG) has many pharmacological activities, such as antioxidative and free radical-scavenging properties, and the abilities to reduce hyperlipidemia, prevent lipid peroxidation, and protect the cardiovascular system. In this study, the anti-osteoarthritis (OA) effects of THSG were explored using in vitro and in vivo models. THSG inhibited nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 expressions by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. On the other hand, THSG inhibited PGE2 production and iNOS and matrix metalloproteinase-13 expressions by interleukin-1ß-stimulated primary rat chondrocytes. Through a mono-iodoacetate-induced rat OA model assay, THSG reduced paw edema and improved the weight-bearing distribution. Therefore, THSG has anti-inflammatory activity and could be applied as a lead compound for the development as an OA drug.

The incidence and factors of hip fractures and subsequent morbidity in Taiwan: An 11-year population-based cohort study.

Hip fractures are a major problem to elder population, but subsequent morbidity is unclear about environmental factors and socioeconomic conditions. The study aims to investigate the incidence of hip fractures treated by the surgery; to compare the sequelae and temporal trends of hip fractures; to evaluate the seasonal effects in the subsequent short-term and long-term morbidities after hip fractures. A cohort study design is conducted using national health research datasets between 2000 and 2010. The ICD-9-CM diagnostic codes were utilized to investigate the incidence of hip fractures and the corresponding treatments. Hierarchical modeling was used to analyze the factors associated with various types of hip fractures. The results indicated that females had a lower incidence in the 30-44 age group, but a significantly higher incidence than males among those aged 60 years or older (adjusted rates 232.1 vs. 100.3 per 100,000 persons, p<0.001). The incidence of hip fractures in the low-income group showed no significant difference compared to that in the general population. There was a temporal trend of a 8.6% increase in the incidence of all types of hip fractures over the period of 2000-2010. A summer-winter variation is observed among the elderly. Hip fractures and subsequent morbidity are increasing in Taiwan's aging society. Older age, female gender, and time periods were independent risk factors for subsequent morbidities after surgical treatment. The result of this study is useful to the healthcare policy makers and to raise the public awareness of hip fractures.

Tumor-associated NADH oxidase (tNOX)-NAD+-sirtuin 1 axis contributes to oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.

Oxaliplatin belongs to the platinum-based drug family and has shown promise in cancer treatment. The major mechanism of action of platinum compounds is to form platinum-DNA adducts, leading to DNA damage and apoptosis. Accumulating evidence suggests that they might also target non-DNA molecules for their apoptotic activity. We explored the effects of oxaliplatin on a tumor-associated NADH oxidase (tNOX) in gastric cancer lines. In AGS cells, we found that the oxaliplatin-inhibited tNOX effectively attenuated the NAD+/NADH ratio and reduced the deacetylase activity of an NAD+-dependent sirtuin 1, thereby enhancing p53 acetylation and apoptosis. Similar results were also observed in tNOX-knockdown AGS cells. In the more aggressive MKN45 and TMK-1 lines, oxaliplatin did not inhibit tNOX, and induced only minimal apoptosis and cytotoxicity. However, the downregulation of either sirtuin 1 or tNOX sensitized TMK-1 cells to oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis. Moreover, tNOX-depletion in these resistant cells enhanced spontaneous apoptosis, reduced cyclin D expression and prolonged the cell cycle, resulting in diminished cancer cell growth. Together, our results demonstrate that oxaliplatin targets tNOX and SIRT1, and that the tNOX-NAD+-sirtuin 1 axis is essential for oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis.

Biocompatibility assessment of nanomaterials for environmental safety screening.

In view of the extensive use of nanoparticles in countless applications, a fast and effective method for assessing their potential adverse effects on the environment and human health is extremely important. At present, in vitro cell-based assays are the standard approach for screening chemicals for cytotoxicity because of their relative simplicity, sensitivity, and cost-effectiveness compared with animal studies. Regrettably, such cell-based viability assays encounter limitations when applied to determining the biological toxicity of nanomaterials, which often interact with assay components and produce unreliable outcomes. We have established a cell-impedance-based, label-free, real-time cell-monitoring platform suitable for use in a variety of mammalian cell lines that displays results as cell index values. In addition to this real-time screening platform, other traditional cytotoxicity assays were employed to validate cytotoxicity assessments. We suggest that the cell impedance measurement approach is effective and better suited to determining the cytotoxicity of nanomaterials for environmental safety screening. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1170-1182, 2017.

Evaluation of using the Chinese version of the Spirituality Index of Well-Being (SIWB) scale in Taiwanese elders.

PURPOSE: Spirituality and spiritual well-being have emerged as important indicators for one's quality of life and health outcomes. Nursing as a profession is concerned with a holistic approach to improve health and overall well-being. To evaluate the outcomes of holistic nursing interventions, using valid and reliable instruments to assess spiritual well-being becomes necessary. There is a lack of instruments for measuring spiritual well-being in Chinese populations. Little has been known about the feasibility of using the Spirituality Index of Well-Being (SIWB) in Taiwanese elders. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the uses of the translated Chinese version of the Spirituality Index of Well-Being (SIWB-C) with Taiwanese elders. METHODS: A total of 150 individual who were 65 years old or older and living in southern Taiwan were recruited from a public community center. A four-step procedure was used to translate the English version of the SIWB to the traditional Chinese language. Internal consistency, factor analysis, and correlation coefficient were conducted to evaluate the reliability and validity of the SIWB-C. RESULTS: The SIWB-C demonstrated a high internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha .95. The construct validity of SIWB-C was supported by factor analysis and by significant correlations with its subscales and the CES-D scale. CONCLUSION: The psychometric analysis indicates that the SIWB-C is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring spiritual well-being. This instrument provides a feasible and valid approach for assessing Taiwanese elders' spiritual well-being in the future.

Retrospective one-million-subject fixed-cohort survey of utilization of emergency departments due to traumatic causes in Taiwan, 2001-2010.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological study was needed to evaluate trends in emergency department (ED) utilization that could be taken into account when making policy decisions regarding the delivery and distribution of medical resources. METHODS: A retrospective fixed-cohort study of emergency medical utilization from 2001 to 2010 was performed based on one-million people sampled in 2010 in Taiwan. Focusing on traumatic cases, the annual incidences in various groups split according to sex and age were calculated, and further information regarding location of trauma and type of trauma was obtained. RESULTS: In 2010, significantly greater proportions of male and younger subjects were visitors to EDs with a traumatic injury. During 2001-2010, the number of both traumatic cases and non-traumatic cases presenting at EDs significantly increased (average annual percentage change, AAPC 4.7 and 3.6, respectively) and a significantly greater direct medical cost associated with traumatic cases than non-traumatic cases was noted. Focusing on traumatic cases, most of these cases were directed to highest-level hospitals, accounting for 73.5-78.8 % of all traumatic cases, with a significant AAPC of 5.6. The traumatic ED visit annual incidence in males was 58.63 in 2001, which significantly increased to 69.35 per 1000 persons in 2010 (AAPC 1.5); and in females was 38.96 in 2001, which significantly increased to 50.73 per 1000 persons in 2010 (AAPC 2.5). Most of the traumatic cases treated in EDs were minor injuries, such as contusion with the skin intact, open wound of the upper limbs, open wound of the head, neck, or trunk, and other superficial injury (accounting for about 60 % of all cases). The traumatic categories of sprains/strains of joints and adjacent muscles, fractures of upper limbs, fractures of lower limbs, and fractures of the spine/trunk required greater medical resources and significantly positive AAPC values (4.3, 4.0, 4.5 and 6.8, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Increased ED utilization due to traumatic causes, as assessed by the annual number of cases and incidence, average direct medical cost and highest-level hospital utilization, was observed from 2001 to 2010. Orthopedic-related injuries, including soft tissue trauma of extremities and various fractures, were the categories with the greatest increase in incidence.

Capsaicin Inhibits Multiple Bladder Cancer Cell Phenotypes by Inhibiting Tumor-Associated NADH Oxidase (tNOX) and Sirtuin1 (SIRT1).

Bladder cancer is one of the most frequent cancers among males, and its poor survival rate reflects problems with aggressiveness and chemo-resistance. Recent interest has focused on the use of chemopreventatives (nontoxic natural agents that may suppress cancer progression) to induce targeted apoptosis for cancer therapy. Capsaicin, which has anti-cancer properties, is one such agent. It is known to preferentially inhibit a tumor-associated NADH oxidase (tNOX) that is preferentially expressed in cancer/transformed cells. Here, we set out to elucidate the correlation between tNOX expression and the inhibitory effects of capsaicin in human bladder cancer cells. We showed that capsaicin downregulates tNOX expression and decreases bladder cancer cell growth by enhancing apoptosis. Moreover, capsaicin was found to reduce the expression levels of several proteins involved in cell cycle progression, in association with increases in the cell doubling time and enhanced cell cycle arrest. Capsaicin was also shown to inhibit the activation of ERK, thereby reducing the phosphorylation of paxillin and FAK, which leads to decreased cell migration. Finally, our results indicate that RNA interference-mediated tNOX depletion enhances spontaneous apoptosis, prolongs cell cycle progression, and reduces cell migration and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. We also observed a downregulation of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) in these tNOX-knockdown cells, a deacetylase that is important in multiple cellular functions. Taken together, our results indicate that capsaicin inhibits the growth of bladder cancer cells by inhibiting tNOX and SIRT1 and thereby reducing proliferation, attenuating migration, and prolonging cell cycle progression.

Capsaicin Inhibited Aggressive Phenotypes through Downregulation of Tumor-Associated NADH Oxidase (tNOX) by POU Domain Transcription Factor POU3F2.

Capsaicin has been reported to preferentially inhibit the activity of tumor-associated NADH oxidase (tNOX), which belongs to a family of growth-related plasma membrane hydroquinone oxidases in cancer/transformed cells. The inhibitory effect of capsaicin on tNOX is associated with cell growth attenuation and apoptosis. However, no previous study has examined the transcriptional regulation of tNOX protein expression. Bioinformatic analysis has indicated that the tNOX promoter sequence harbors a binding motif for POU3F2, which is thought to play important roles in neuronal differentiation, melanocytes growth/differentiation and tumorigenesis. In this study, we found that capsaicin-mediated tNOX downregulation and cell migration inhibition were through POU3F2. The protein expression levels of POU3F2 and tNOX are positively correlated, and that overexpression of POU3F2 (and the corresponding upregulation of tNOX) enhanced the proliferation, migration and invasion in AGS (human gastric carcinoma) cells. In contrast, knockdown of POU3F2 downregulates tNOX, and the cancer phenotypes are affected. These findings not only shed light on the molecular mechanism of the anticancer properties of capsaicin, but also the transcription regulation of tNOX expression that may potentially explain how POU3F2 is associated with tumorigenesis.

Ursolic Acid Triggers Apoptosis in Human Osteosarcoma Cells via Caspase Activation and the ERK1/2 MAPK Pathway.

Ursolic acid (UA), a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpene acid found in many medicinal herbs and edible plants, has been shown to trigger apoptosis in several lines of tumor cells in vitro. We found that treatment with UA suppressed the viability of human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells and induced cell cycle arrest at sub-G1 and G2/M phases. Furthermore, exposure to UA induced intracellular oxidative stress and collapse of mitochondrial membrane permeability, resulting in the subsequent activation of apoptotic caspases 8, 9, and 3 as well as PARP cleavage, and ultimately apoptosis in MG-63 cells. Moreover, protein analysis of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-related protein expression showed an increase in activated ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK in UA-treated MG-63 cells. In addition, UA-induced apoptosis was significantly abolished in MG-63 cells that had been pretreated with inhibitors of caspase 3, 8, and 9 and ERK1/2. Furthermore, UA-treated MG-63 cells also exhibited an enhancement in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, whereas anti-apoptotic XIAP and survivin were down-regulated. Taken together, we provide evidence demonstrating that UA mediates caspase-dependent and ERK1/2 MAPK-associated apoptosis in osteosarcoma MG-63 cells.

Update on a tumor-associated NADH oxidase in gastric cancer cell growth.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common human malignancies, and its prevalence has been shown to be well-correlated with cancer-related deaths worldwide. Regrettably, the poor prognosis of this disease is mainly due to its late diagnosis at advanced stages after the cancer has already metastasized. Recent research has emphasized the identification of cancer biomarkers in the hope of diagnosing cancer early and designing targeted therapies to reverse cancer progression. One member of a family of growth-related nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH or hydroquinone) oxidases is tumor-associated NADH oxidase (tNOX; ENOX2). Unlike its counterpart CNOX (ENOX1), identified in normal rat liver plasma membranes and shown to be stimulated by growth factors and hormones, tNOX activity purified from rat hepatoma cells is constitutively active. Its activity is detectable in the sera of cancer patients but not in those of healthy volunteers, suggesting its clinical relevance. Interestingly, tNOX expression was shown to be present in an array of cancer cell lines. More importantly, inhibition of tNOX was well correlated with reduced cancer cell growth and induction of apoptosis. RNA interference targeting tNOX expression in cancer cells effectively restored non-cancerous phenotypes, further supporting the vital role of tNOX in cancer cells. Here, we review the regulatory role of tNOX in gastric cancer cell growth.

Gender Differences in HIV/AIDS Preventive Self-Efficacy Among Taiwanese Adolescents.

The aim of the cross-sectional study was to understand gender differences in HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy among Taiwanese adolescents. Self-administered questionnaires were used to measure HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy and covariates (age, substance use, and sexual experiences). Data were collected from 734 Taiwanese high school adolescents aged 16 to 18 years. Descriptive statistic analyses, t-test, and ANCOVA were utilized to analyze data. The results indicate significant differences exist between genders in HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy among Taiwanese adolescents. Compared to the males, female adolescents were found having significantly higher HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy related to refusing sexual intercourse, condom use, and questioning potential sexual partners than those who are males. While controlling age, sexual experience, and substance use, female Taiwanese adolescents also had higher HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy than those who are males. The findings suggest the importance of addressing gender differences in HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy when developing HIV reduction programs for Taiwanese adolescents.

Depression and AIDS Preventive Self-efficacy Among Taiwanese Adolescents.

Effectively reducing adolescents' risky sexual behaviors has been an urgent need since the HIV/AIDS infections among young people has been acknowledged as a priority. Self-efficacy has been considered playing an essential role in behavioral changes, and depressed individuals may demonstrate lower self-efficacy. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to gain insights into self-reported depression among 16-18 years-old Taiwanese adolescents as well as to explore psychosocial predictors of AIDS preventive self-efficacy. A convenience sample of 734 adolescents from southern Taiwan was recruited, and several reliable and valid questionnaires were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, odds ratio, independent t-test, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were utilized to analyze data. Results showed that the differences in self-reported depression and in the AIDS preventive self-efficacy varied by gender, substance use, and having sexual experience. Furthermore, depression was a significant predictor of AIDS preventive self-efficacy while controlling the covariates. This study suggests that gender and mental health status such as depression may play significant roles in AIDS preventive self-efficacy. Nurses and health care providers should take the influence of mental health into consideration when designing AIDS preventive interventions for male and female Taiwanese adolescents. The provided information may also enhance psychiatric nurses' capability to provide care and to enhance the prevention of HIV infection for adolescents.