Triple Threat: HDV, HBV, HIV Coinfection.

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) only infects patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) due to its reliance on HBV surface proteins to form its envelope. With shared routes of transmission, HDV coinfection is estimated to occur in 15% of patients with HIV and HBV. However, HDV is often underdiagnosed and may be missed particularly in people living with HIV (PLWH) who are already on antiretroviral therapy with anti-HBV activity and coincidental HBV suppression.

Causes and outcomes of hepatic fibrosis in persons living with HIV.

Purpose Of Review: The epidemiology of liver disease in people living with HIV has evolved since the arrival of effective hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in HIV patients is highly prevalent while hepatitis D, hepatitis E, and occult hepatitis B remain underappreciated. We discuss mechanisms of fibrosis in HIV and review clinical outcomes of HIV-associated liver diseases.

National Trends of Organ Dysfunctions in Sepsis:An 11-Year Longitudinal Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Little is known about the trend of incidence and mortality of specific organ dysfunction among sepsis patients at the population level. This study aimed to examine the trend and mortality of organ dysfunction in patients with sepsis using a nationwide database in Taiwan.

Methods: We conducted a study using 2002-2012 data from the nationwide health insurance database of Taiwan.

Survival Impact and Clinical Predictors of Acute Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients With Bloodstream Infection.

Purpose: The impact of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) on outcomes of patients with bloodstream infection (BSI) has not been studied. We aim to evaluate the risk factors and survival impact of GIB on the outcome of BSI.

Materials And Methods: This study was conducted prospectively at National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2016.

Evaluation of Direct Surgical Remodeling of Frontal Bossing in Patients With Sagittal Synostosis.

Background: The need for surgical correction of frontal bossing in patients with sagittal synostosis is currently debated. The authors retrospectively analyzed frontal bossing in patients with isolated, nonsyndromic sagittal synostosis who underwent calvarial remodeling with and without frontal craniotomy and compared with control subjects.

Methods: The authors analyzed computed tomography (CT) scans of patients with sagittal synostosis <9 months of age (6.

Combining procalcitonin with the qSOFA and sepsis mortality prediction.

To investigate whether procalcitonin (PCT) can improve the performance of quick sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score in predicting sepsis mortality, we conducted a retrospective multicenter cohort study with independent validation in a prospectively collected cohort in 3 tertiary medical centers. Patients with presumed sepsis were included. Serum PCT levels were measured at admission.

Epidemiology of Emergency Department Sepsis: A National Cohort Study Between 2001 and 2012.

The aim of this study is to examine the incidence trend of sepsis over 11 years and compared mortality outcomes among Taiwanese patients with sepsis admitted from emergency department (ED) and non-ED routes. We used a nationwide health insurance database from Taiwan, which comprise of 23 million beneficiaries. Patients with sepsis were identified by ICD-9 CM codes for infection and organ dysfunction from 2001 to 2012.

Comparison of outcome and cost among open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgical treatments for rectal cancer: A propensity score matched analysis of nationwide inpatient sample data.

Background: Population-based studies evaluating outcomes of different approaches for rectal cancer are scarce.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database between 2008 and 2012. We compared the outcomes and costs among rectal cancer patients undergoing robotic, laparoscopic, or open surgeries using propensity scores for adjusted and matched analysis.

A Comparison of the Need for Speech Therapy After 2 Palatal Repair Techniques.

Background: Reconstruction of the levator musculature during cleft palate repair has been suggested to be important in long-term speech outcomes. In this study, we compare the need for postoperative speech therapy between 2 intravelar veloplasty techniques.

Methods: Chart review was performed for patients with nonsyndromic cleft palate who underwent either primary Kriens or overlapping intravelar veloplasty before 18 months of age.