Publications by authors named "Ho Chang Kuo"
The use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) as an oxygen therapy post-extubation has demonstrated varying success rates across different surgical populations. This study aimed to identify the predictive factors influencing HFNC weaning outcomes in patients with postoperative extubation hypoxemia. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients in a surgical intensive care unit, categorized into three major postoperative groups: cardiothoracic surgery, upper abdominal surgery, and other surgeries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The relationship between Kawasaki disease (KD) and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) remains unclear. This study aims to explore the association between them.
Method: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed and Embase databases from inception to May 1, 2024 (INPLASY202450017).
Background: Argonautes (AGOs) are a type of protein that degrade specific messenger RNAs, consequently reducing the expression of a specific gene. These proteins consist of small, single-stranded RNA or DNA and may provide a route for detecting and silencing complementary mobile genetic elements. In this research, we investigated which AGO(s) were involved in Kawasaki disease (KD).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Vaccination is one of the best ways to control the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. In Taiwan, healthcare workers were prioritized for vaccination, but the effectiveness of these vaccines for them remains unclear. Thus, it's essential to examine their neutralizing antibodies after prime-boost vaccinations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNovel multiple Z-score models for detection of coronary artery dilation: application in Kawasaki disease.
Pediatr Rheumatol Online J
December 2024
Background: This study aims to develop Z-Score models to normalize measurements of three coronary arteries and enhance the diagnosis of Kawasaki disease (KD) in children from newborns to 10 years old. Developing a reliable Z-Score model is challenging, as some existing models fail the normality test. Overcoming these challenges is crucial for improving KD diagnosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a pediatric vasculitis that has a predilection for coronary artery involvement. Activated macrophages play an important role in the destruction of the coronary arteries in KD. Although intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is standard therapy, corticosteroids are sometimes given to patients at a higher risk of IVIG non-responsiveness.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPromising biomarkers of Kawasaki disease: markers that aid in diagnosis.
Expert Rev Mol Diagn
November 2024
Article Synopsis
- Traditional clinical criteria for diagnosing Kawasaki disease (KD) can be ambiguous and may resemble other common childhood illnesses, highlighting the need for reliable biomarkers.
- A review of various studies emphasizes both widely used biomarkers like NT-ProBNP and ferritin, as well as promising new candidates identified through modern techniques like transcriptomics and proteomics.
- Expert opinion suggests that while advancements in identifying KD biomarkers are encouraging, further validation, larger studies, and standardization of cutoff values are necessary for these markers to become practical in clinical settings.
We conducted a 12-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial to investigate the potential impact of () supplementation on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children with ADHD who were already receiving a stable dose of methylphenidate (MPH) treatment were enrolled and were randomly assigned to two groups: one receiving add-on (daily bacterial count of 5 × 10 CFUs) ( = 51) and the other receiving a placebo ( = 51). All participants underwent assessments using Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and Conners' Continuous Auditory Test of Attention (CATA).
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- - Kawasaki disease (KD) mainly affects young children and is marked by acute vasculitis, with increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) linked to its progression, especially in coronary arteries.
- - In this study, researchers used mice with LCWE-induced vasculitis to assess the effects of hydrogen gas inhalation, finding significant improvements in left coronary artery sizes and inflammation levels.
- - This research is notable as it's the first to show that inhaling hydrogen gas can effectively treat coronary artery dilation related to Kawasaki disease in a mouse model.
Background: Though Aspirin and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) remain the standard treatments for Kawasaki Disease (KD) to minimize coronary artery damage, the duration and dosage of aspirin are inconsistent across hospitals. However, the lack of multi-center randomized trials prevents definitive answers to the impact of high-dose aspirin.
Methods: This clinical trial was structured as a prospective, evaluator-blinded, multi-center randomized controlled trial with two parallel arms, aiming to assess the effectiveness of IVIG as a standalone primary therapy of KD in comparison to the combination of IVIG with high-dose aspirin therapy.
Background: The associations of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with Kawasaki disease (KD) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) remain unclear. Few large-scale studies have estimated the cumulative incidence of MIS-C and KD after COVID-19 in children.
Methods: Data were obtained from TriNetX.
Article Synopsis
- A study analyzed RNA from children with ADHD to discover differences in gene expression using microarray assays and qRT-PCR, identifying seven key genes that could help predict ADHD.
- The findings showed that these genes could significantly differentiate ADHD patients from healthy controls, with a prediction model achieving a high accuracy rate (AUROC = 0.98).
- Additionally, diffusion tensor imaging revealed changes in brain white matter structure in ADHD patients, suggesting a link between specific genes and brain microstructure associated with the disorder.
Article Synopsis
- - Recent studies indicate that hydrogen gas has beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects, leading this research to investigate its use as a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.
- - Over a 30-day period, COPD patients received standard treatments plus hydrogen inhalation three times a day, showing significant improvements in COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scores in several patients, but not in lung function or other health measures.
- - The study found no major side effects from hydrogen therapy, suggesting it can help improve symptoms of COPD and may positively influence platelet counts.
Unlabelled: Kawasaki disease (KD) occurs in young children, has an unknown etiology, and can cause such life-threatening complications as coronary artery aneurysm. A mouse model using cell wall extract (LCWE) with intraperitoneal injection was established for KD years ago. Histological examination of coronary artery lesions indicated features similar to those of vascular lesions of patients with KD.
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- * These miRNAs play a role in co-regulating TGF-β signaling, which is implicated in the development of KD.
- * The identified miRNA pattern could serve as a useful tool for objectively assessing the risk of developing KD.
Ischemic stroke is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. However, only intravenous thrombolysis using mechanical thrombectomy or tissue plasminogen activator is considered an effective and approved treatment. Molecular hydrogen is an emerging therapeutic agent and has recently become a research focus.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFKawasaki disease (KD) is a form of systemic vasculitis characterized by inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body, and its exact cause remains unknown [...
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- The study investigated the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on cardiac health in children with a history of Kawasaki disease (KD), analyzing echocardiographic and laboratory data.
- Researchers found that COVID-19 was associated with a slight increase in right coronary artery (RCA) scores but did not result in significant dilation classified as aneurysms.
- The study also identified that children who received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines experienced less severe changes in RCA scores compared to those who were unvaccinated.
Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute inflammatory disorder that primarily affects children and can lead to coronary artery lesions (CAL) if not diagnosed and treated promptly. The original clinical criteria for diagnosing KD were reported by Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki in 1967 and have been used for decades.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrevious studies have suggested that vitamin D has a protective effect on allergic diseases, while an individual's sex may have a moderating effect on the relationship between vitamin D and allergic-related immunity. This study aimed to determine the role of vitamin D in children with coexisting allergic diseases in the context of sex differences and to explore the behavioral profiles of these patients. We recruited a total of 103 children with atopic diseases and divided them into four groups: males with one allergic disease (MA1, = 20), males with two or more allergic diseases (MA2, = 26), females with one allergic disease (FA1, = 30), and females with two or more allergic diseases (FA2, = 27).
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- A study looked at how quitting smoking and getting an influenza vaccine can help people with COPD, a serious lung disease.
- Four groups of patients were studied: some didn't quit smoking or get vaccinated, others did one or the other, and some did both.
- Those who quit smoking and got vaccinated had way fewer emergency visits, hospital stays, and issues with breathing compared to those who didn't do either.
Article Synopsis
- Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis mainly affecting children under 5, with potential links to genetic factors and infections.
- A study examined the immune responses of 90 KD patients compared to 69 non-KD controls after COVID-19 infection and varying doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine.
- Results showed KD patients had lower binding antibodies but higher neutralizing antibodies to certain SARS-CoV-2 variants after receiving one vaccine dose, indicating they may develop a similar immune response to non-KD individuals.
Article Synopsis
- Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in young adults under 40 may be linked to previously undiagnosed Kawasaki disease (KD) from childhood, with studies indicating a potential prevalence of 7.4% in patients with coronary aneurysms.
- A multicenter study in Taiwan reviewed records from 323 young adults who underwent coronary angiography, revealing that most patients with aneurysms were male and had higher LDL cholesterol levels.
- The findings suggest that higher incidence rates of KD in certain populations could correlate with increased cases of ACS in young adults, emphasizing the need for further research into the long-term cardiovascular effects of KD.
: Patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) are at a significantly increased risk of allergic diseases. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is an immunoglobulin that mediates allergic sensitization to various allergens and is related to various allergic diseases. However, few studies have analyzed specific IgE on allergy biomarkers after KD is diagnosed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe state of play in tools for predicting immunoglobulin resistance in Kawasaki disease.
Expert Rev Clin Immunol
November 2023
Introduction: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance is an independent risk factor for the development of coronary artery lesions (CAL) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD). Accurate identification of IVIG-resistant patients is one of the biggest clinical challenges in the treatment of KD.
Areas Covered: In this review article, we will go over current IVIG resistance scoring systems and other biological markers of IVIG resistance, with a particular focus on advances in machine-based learning techniques and high-throughput omics data.