Clinical applications of immunoglobulin G against different individual species for the diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis among at-risk populations.

-specific IgG is often used as a diagnostic test for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), but few studies have evaluated the performance and serology of IgGs from species other than . In this study, we evaluated the serology and performance of different species-specific IgG antibodies in patients with CPA and at-risk populations and whether different species-specific IgGs could be of clinical utility and aid in the diagnosis of CPA caused by all . A total of 187 participants were included between 2020 and 2022 (12 with CPA, 75 with old tuberculosis [TB], 45 with active TB and 55 with bronchiectasis).

Seroprevalence and prognostic value of Aspergillus-specific IgG among non-neutropenic invasive pulmonary aspergillosis patients: a prospective multicenter study.

Background: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of Aspergillus-specific IgG (Asp-IgG) for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in non-neutropenic non-hematologic patients.

Methods: Between November 2019 and February 2022, we recruited 40 non-neutropenic, non-hematologic IPA patients from Taiwan and measured serum Asp-IgG levels using Phadia, Thermofisher. A positive Asp-IgG test was defined as a level > 40 mgA/L.

The impact of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease in critically ill patients: Significance for survival and ventilator use.

Background: This study investigates the impact of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTM-LD) on mortality and mechanical ventilation use in critically ill patients.

Methods: We enrolled patients with NTM-LD or tuberculosis (TB) in intensive care units (ICU) and analysed their association with 30-day mortality and with mechanical ventilator-free survival (VFS) at 30 days after ICU admission.

Results: A total of 5996 ICU-admitted patients were included, of which 541 (9.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors and the risk of mycobacterial pulmonary infections in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for mycobacterial pulmonary infections (MPI), including tuberculosis (TB) and nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTM-LD). Dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor (DPP4i), a common DM medication, has an immune-modulation effect that raises concerns about developing MPI. However, there is scarce research on the topic.

Deep learning with test-time augmentation for radial endobronchial ultrasound image differentiation: a multicentre verification study.

Purpose: Despite the importance of radial endobronchial ultrasound (rEBUS) in transbronchial biopsy, researchers have yet to apply artificial intelligence to the analysis of rEBUS images.

Materials And Methods: This study developed a convolutional neural network (CNN) to differentiate between malignant and benign tumours in rEBUS images. This study retrospectively collected rEBUS images from medical centres in Taiwan, including 769 from National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu Hospital for model training (615 images) and internal validation (154 images) as well as 300 from National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH-TPE) and 92 images were obtained from National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Biomedical Park Hospital (NTUH-BIO) for external validation.

Briavioids E-G, Newly Isolated Briarane-Diterpenoids from a Cultured Octocoral .

The chemical screening of a cultured soft coral, , led to the isolation of eight natural, briarane-related diterpenoids, including three unreported metabolites, briavioids E-G (-), and five known briaranes, briacavatolides B () and C (), briaexcavatin L (), briaexcavatolide U () and briarenol K (). The structures of briaranes - were established using spectroscopic methods. The absolute configuration of briavioid A (), obtained in a previous study, was reported for the first time in this study by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis using a copper radiation source.

Exploring Volatile Organic Compounds in Breath for High-Accuracy Prediction of Lung Cancer.

(1) Background: Lung cancer is silent in its early stages and fatal in its advanced stages. The current examinations for lung cancer are usually based on imaging. Conventional chest X-rays lack accuracy, and chest computed tomography (CT) is associated with radiation exposure and cost, limiting screening effectiveness.

Predictors of radiographic progression for NTM-pulmonary disease diagnosed by bronchoscopy.

Objectives: A single isolate of nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) from bronchoscopic samples satisfies the microbiological criterion for diagnosing NTM-pulmonary disease (PD). Studies investigating patients with NTM-PD and multiple culture-negative sputum samples but culture-positive bronchoscopic samples are lacking. We investigated the clinical characteristics, outcome, and predictors of radiographic progression in this special population.

Surgical resection is sufficient for incidentally discovered solitary pulmonary nodule caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria in asymptomatic patients.

Incidentally discovered solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN) caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is uncommon, and its optimal treatment strategy remains uncertain. This cohort study determined the clinical characteristics and outcome of asymptomatic patients with NTM-SPN after surgical resection. Resected SPNs with culture-positive for NTM in six hospitals in Taiwan during January, 2010 to January, 2017 were identified.

Use of Antiplatelet Agents and Survival of Tuberculosis Patients: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

While evidence is accumulating that platelets contribute to tissue destruction in tuberculosis (TB) disease, it is still not known whether antiplatelet agents are beneficial to TB patients. We performed this retrospective cohort study and identified incident TB cases in the Taiwan National Tuberculosis Registry from 2008 to 2014. These cases were further classified into antiplatelet users and non-users according to the use of antiplatelet agents prior to the TB diagnosis, and the cohorts were matched using propensity scores (PSs).

Outcome of patients with and poor prognostic factors for Mycobacterium kansasii-pulmonary disease.

Background: Aggressive therapy for Mycobacterium kansasii-pulmonary disease (MK-PD) is recommended because of the virulence of MK. However, some clinicians may be concerned regarding the lengthy course and numerous adverse effects. This study evaluated the natural course of MK-PD and investigated its prognostic factors.

Predictors of developing Mycobacterium kansasii pulmonary disease within 1 year among patients with single isolation in multiple sputum samples: A retrospective, longitudinal, multicentre study.

The clinical significance of a single Mycobacterium kansasii (MK) isolation in multiple sputum samples remains unknown. We conducted this study to evaluate the outcome and predictors of developing MK-pulmonary disease (PD) within 1 year among these patients. Patients with a single MK isolation from ≥3 sputum samples collected within 3 months and ≥2 follow-up sputum samples and chest radiography in the subsequent 9 months between 2008 and 2016 were included.

The Relationship Between Modified Mallampati Score, Müller's Maneuver and Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy Regarding Retrolingual Obstruction.

Objectives: This study explored the correlation between clinical explorations, including modified Mallampati score and Müller's maneuver, with drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) findings regarding retrolingual obstruction.

Methods: One hundred forty-two obstructive sleep apnea patients were enrolled in this prospective study. All of the patients received clinical explorations including modified Mallampati scoring and Müller's maneuver in the clinic.

Evaluation of the automated Becton Dickinson MAX real-time PCR platform for detection of Pneumocystis jirovecii.

Aim: We evaluated the performance of the automated quantitative BD MAX (Becton Dickinson) real-time PCR platform for detecting Pneumocystis jirovecii.

Materials & Methods: A total of 34 retrospective and 137 prospective samples were included.

Results: Retrospectively, all (100%) positive samples were correctly detected by this platform compared with a nested PCR.

In vitro evaluation of aerosol delivery by different nebulization modes in pediatric and adult mechanical ventilators.

Background: Aerosol delivery through mechanical ventilation is influenced by the type of aerosol generator, pattern of nebulization, and a patient's breathing pattern. This study compares the efficiency of pneumatic nebulization modes provided by a ventilator with adult and pediatric in vitro lung models.

Methods: Three pneumatic nebulization modes (inspiratory intermittent [IIM], continuous [CM], and expiratory intermittent [EIM]) provided by the Galileo Gold ventilator delivered medical aerosol to collection filters distal to an endotracheal tube with adult and pediatric test lungs.

Genome-wide patterns of genetic variation in two domestic chickens.

Domestic chickens are excellent models for investigating the genetic basis of phenotypic diversity, as numerous phenotypic changes in physiology, morphology, and behavior in chickens have been artificially selected. Genomic study is required to study genome-wide patterns of DNA variation for dissecting the genetic basis of phenotypic traits. We sequenced the genomes of the Silkie and the Taiwanese native chicken L2 at ∼23- and 25-fold average coverage depth, respectively, using Illumina sequencing.

Preparation of Superconducting Na(x)(H2O)yCoO2 using NaMnO4 as the deintercalation and oxidation agent.

We have used aqueous NaMnO4 solution as the deintercalation and oxidation agent to treat gamma-Na0.7CoO2 powders and to successfully obtain superconducting sodium cobalt oxyhydrates, Nax(H2O)yCoO2, with onset Tc approximately 4.6 K without using highly toxic Br2/CH3CN solution.