Utilizing Nearest-Neighbor Clustering for Addressing Imbalanced Datasets in Bioengineering.

Imbalance classification is common in scenarios like fault diagnosis, intrusion detection, and medical diagnosis, where obtaining abnormal data is difficult. This article addresses a one-class problem, implementing and refining the One-Class Nearest-Neighbor (OCNN) algorithm. The original inter-quartile range mechanism is replaced with the K-means with outlier removal (KMOR) algorithm for efficient outlier identification in the target class.

Association between Air Pollution and Short-Term Outcome of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in a Tropical City, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), one of the primary factors leading to global mortality, has been shown through epidemiological studies to have a relationship with short-term exposure to air pollutants; however, the association between air pollutants and the outcome of STEMI has not been well studied. The aim of this study was to estimate the impact of air pollutants on the outcomes of STEMI. Data on particulate matter <2.

Salivary Biomarkers to Differentiate between and Influenza A Virus-Related Pneumonia in Children.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is common among children and can be fatal in certain conditions. In children, CAP can be caused by viral or bacterial infections. Identification of pathogens can help select appropriate therapeutic strategies.

Use of Machine Learning to Differentiate Children With Kawasaki Disease From Other Febrile Children in a Pediatric Emergency Department.

Importance: Early awareness of Kawasaki disease (KD) helps physicians administer appropriate therapy to prevent acquired heart disease in children. However, diagnosing KD is challenging and relies largely on subjective diagnosis criteria.

Objective: To develop a prediction model using machine learning with objective parameters to differentiate children with KD from other febrile children.

Effects of Fine Particulate Matter and Its Components on Emergency Room Visits for Pediatric Pneumonia: A Time-Stratified Case-Crossover Study.

Pneumonia, one of the important causes of death in children, may be induced or aggravated by particulate matter (PM). Limited research has examined the association between PM and its constituents and pediatric pneumonia-related emergency department (ED) visits. Measurements of PM, PM, and four PM constituents, including elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), nitrate, and sulfate, were extracted from 2007 to 2010 from one core station and two satellite stations in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.

Deep Learning Assisted Detection of Abdominal Free Fluid in Morison's Pouch During Focused Assessment With Sonography in Trauma.

The use of focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) enables clinicians to rapidly screen for injury at the bedsides of patients. Pre-hospital FAST improves diagnostic accuracy and streamlines patient care, leading to dispositions to appropriate treatment centers. In this study, we determine the accuracy of artificial intelligence model-assisted free-fluid detection in FAST examinations, and subsequently establish an automated feedback system, which can help inexperienced sonographers improve their interpretation ability and image acquisition skills.

Machine Learning Models for Survival and Neurological Outcome Prediction of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients.

Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major health problem worldwide, and neurologic injury remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among survivors of OHCA. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a machine learning algorithm could detect complex dependencies between clinical variables in emergency departments in OHCA survivors and perform reliable predictions of favorable neurologic outcomes.

Methods: This study included adults (≥18 years of age) with a sustained return of spontaneous circulation after successful resuscitation from OHCA between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2014.

Fine particulate matter constituents associated with emergency room visits for pediatric asthma: a time-stratified case-crossover study in an urban area.

Background: Global asthma-related mortality tallies at around 2.5 million annually. Although asthma may be triggered or exacerbated by particulate matter (PM) exposure, studies investigating the relationship of PM and its components with emergency department (ED) visits for pediatric asthma are limited.

Epidemiology and clinical manifestations of children with macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in Southern Taiwan.

Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pneumonia-causing pathogen commonly found in pediatric patients in Taiwan. Recently, macrolide-resistant (MR) strains have been emerging globally. The prevalence of pneumonia due to MR-M.

Short-Term Effects of Particulate Matter and Its Constituents on Emergency Room Visits for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Time-Stratified Case-Crossover Study in an Urban Area.

Background: PM exposure is associated with pulmonary and airway inflammation, and the health impact might vary by PM constitutes. This study evaluated the effects of increased short-term exposure to PM constituents on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related emergency department (ED) visits and determined the susceptible groups.

Methods: This retrospective observational study performed in a medical center from 2007 to 2010, and enrolled non-trauma patients aged >20 years who visited the emergency department (ED) and were diagnosed as COPD.

A novel score system of blood tests for differentiating Kawasaki disease from febrile children.

Background: Kawasaki disease is the most common cause of acquired heart disease among febrile children under the age of 5 years old. It is also a clinically diagnosed disease. In this study, we developed and assessed a novel score system using objective parameters to differentiate Kawasaki disease from febrile children.

Higher Hospitalization Rate for Lower Airway Infection in Transfusion-Naïve Thalassemia Children.

Few studies have addressed the risk of infection in transfusion-naïve thalassemia patients. We aimed to investigate whether transfusion-naïve thalassemia population has higher hospitalization rates for lower airway infection-related diseases than non-thalassemia population in children. A nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using detailed medical records of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio for Predicting Coronary Artery Lesions and Intravenous Immunoglobulin Resistance in Kawasaki Disease.

C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CRP/Alb) has emerged as a novel marker of inflammation, but few studies have evaluated the role of CRP/Alb ratio in Kawasaki disease (KD). Coronary artery lesions (CAL) in children with KD is a major acquired heart disease. We aimed to assess the association between CRP/Alb ratio and CAL formation in children with KD.

Diagnosis of common pulmonary diseases in children by X-ray images and deep learning.

Acute lower respiratory infection is the leading cause of child death in developing countries. Current strategies to reduce this problem include early detection and appropriate treatment. Better diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are still needed in poor countries.

Use of saliva sample to detect C-reactive protein in children with pneumonia.

Background: Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is a sensitive biomarker for inflammation and is broadly used to clinically diagnose infectious diseases, including pneumonia. However, blood sampling is fraught with technical difficulties in children. The salivary analysis may be a potential diagnostic tool, as it is noninvasive, patient-friendly, and easy to perform in children.

A Multifactorial Evaluation of the Effects of Air Pollution and Meteorological Factors on Asthma Exacerbation.

In the real world, dynamic changes in air pollutants and meteorological factors coexist simultaneously. Studies identifying the effects of individual pollutants on acute exacerbation (AE) of asthma may overlook the health effects of the overall combination. A comprehensive study examining the influence of air pollution and meteorological factors is required.

Using Machine Learning to Predict Bacteremia in Febrile Children Presented to the Emergency Department.

Blood culture is frequently used to detect bacteremia in febrile children. However, a high rate of negative or false-positive blood culture results is common at the pediatric emergency department (PED). The aim of this study was to use machine learning to build a model that could predict bacteremia in febrile children.

Altered chemokine profile in Refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia infected children.

Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is one of the major pathogens causing community-acquired pneumonia in children. Although usually self-limited, Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) may lead to complicated morbidity that can even be life-threatening. Upon MPP infection, alveolar macrophage becomes attracted and activated and will induce subsequent cytokine and chemokine reaction.

L-Arginine and L-Citrulline Supplementation Have Different Programming Effect on Regulatory T-Cells Function of Infantile Rats.

Arginine is a semiessential amino acid in healthy adult human, but is essential for preterm, newborn or critically ill patients. Arginine can be supplied from our diet or synthesis from citrulline. In conditions of sepsis or endotoxemia, arginine may be deficient and be accompanied with altered immune response.

Serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes 4 plus 5 is a better biomarker than total lactate dehydrogenase for refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children.

Although usually self-limiting, Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) may lead to clinical or radiological deterioration despite macrolide antibiotic therapy, resulting in the development of refractory MPP (RMPP). Corticosteroids have been used to treat RMPP with beneficial effects. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a suggested biomarker for the use of steroid therapy.

Diagnostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage in children with nonresponding community-acquired pneumonia.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized children. In CAP, causative agents are seldom identified using noninvasive diagnostic procedures. For those children not responding to empiric antibiotic therapy, it is vital to identify the causative pathogens for further management.

Role of Serum Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgA, IgM, and IgG in the Diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae-Related Pneumonia in School-Age Children and Adolescents.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is an important causative pathogen of community-acquired pneumonia in children. Rapid and reliable laboratory diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infection is important so that appropriate antibiotic treatment can be initiated to reduce the misuse of drugs and resistance rates.

Application of desaturation index in post-surgery follow-up in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Adenotonsillectomy is recommended for children who need surgery for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Overnight, polysomnography (PSG) is suggested for post-surgery follow-up, but this diagnostic technique is time consuming and inconvenient. Desaturation index (DI) has been reported as a good tool for predicting both the presence and severity of OSAS in children.

Metformin reduces asymmetric dimethylarginine and prevents hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Elevated asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels and nitric oxide (NO) deficiency are associated with the development of hypertension. Metformin, an antidiabetic agent, is a structural analog of ADMA. We examined whether metformin can prevent the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) by restoration of ADMA-NO balance.