A cross-sectional study of perception toward university social responsibility and environmental sustainability practices in medical university students under promotion of sustainable thinking within the university.

This study aims to assess the associations among students' perceptions of climate change, university social responsibility (USR), and environmental sustainability practices at a medical university. It also aims to identify the factors associated with these elements. A cross-sectional self-report study was conducted with a total sample of 416 undergraduate students from a medical university in Taiwan during October 2019.

Clinical Features and Vaccination Effects among Children with Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 in Taiwan.

Background: Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) affects patients after recovering from acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study investigates the impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on PASC symptoms in children in Taiwan during the Omicron pandemic.

Methods: We enrolled children under 18 years with PASC symptoms persisting for more than 4 weeks.

Recommendations and guidance for herpes zoster vaccination for adults in Taiwan.

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a painful, vesicular, cutaneous eruption from reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV), which can lead to potentially debilitating complications. The lifetime risk of HZ is estimated to be 20%-30% in the general population, with an increased risk in the elderly and immunocompromised populations. The most effective strategy to prevent HZ and its complications is by vaccination.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) osteomyelitis among children: Experience in a single tertiary center in central Taiwan.

Background: The insidious nature of BCG-osteomyelitis makes it challenging for clinicians to detect it early on.

Methods: This 12-year retrospective analysis was conducted at a single tertiary hospital in central Taiwan. Electronic medical records of pediatric patients treated for BCG-osteomyelitis were reviewed.

Clinical and epidemiological features in hospitalized young children with acute gastroenteritis in Taiwan: A multicentered surveillance through 2014-2017.

Background/purpose: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) remains a significant health issue in children. The worldwide evolution of pediatric AGE pathogens had been recorded since the introduction of rotavirus vaccine. Ten years after the rotavirus vaccine was introduced to the private sectors in Taiwan, a nationwide study was conducted to elucidate the epidemiological changes among major AGE pathogens.

Clinical characteristics and prediction analysis of pediatric urinary tract infections caused by gram-positive bacteria.

Gram-positive (GP) pathogens are less accounted for in pediatric urinary tract infection (UTI), and their clinical impact is underrecognized. This study aimed to identify predictors of GP uropathogens in pediatric UTI. In this 14-year retrospective cohort of pediatric patients with UTI, we classified first-time UTIs cases into those caused by GP or Gram-negative (GN) bacteria.

Protein Biomarker Discovery for Methicillin-Sensitive, Heterogeneous Vancomycin-Intermediate and Vancomycin-Intermediate Strains Using Label-Free Data-Independent Acquisition Proteomics.

Rapid identification of methicillin-sensitive (MSSA), heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate (hVISA), and vancomycin-intermediate (VISA) is important for accurate treatment, timely intervention, and prevention of outbreaks. Here, 90 isolates were analyzed for protein biomarker discovery, including MSSA, vancomycin-susceptible (VSSA), hVISA, and VISA strains. Label-free data-independent acquisition proteomics was used to identify protein biomarkers that allow for discrimination among MSSA, hVISA, and VISA strains.

The potential role of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in reducing acute respiratory inflammation in community-acquired pneumococcal pneumonia.

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) reduces both invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and other pneumococcal infections worldwide. We investigated the impact of stepwise implementation of childhood PCV programs on the prevalence of pneumococcal pneumonia, severity of acute inflammation, and associations between breakthrough pneumonia and pneumococcal serotypes in Taiwan.

Methods: In total, 983 children diagnosed with community-acquired pneumococcal pneumonia were enrolled between January 2010 and December 2015.

Long-term effectiveness of pentavalent and monovalent rotavirus vaccines against hospitalization in Taiwan children.

Background: Two rotavirus vaccines (RV1 and RV5) are available on the private market in Taiwan, not included in national immunization program. Scanty reports evaluated the rotavirus vaccine effectiveness (VE) in Asian countries.

Methods: From February 2014-July 2017, we conducted a prospective case-control study in ten hospitals in Taiwan.

Characteristics and etiology of hospitalized pediatric community-acquired pneumonia in Taiwan.

Background/purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the pathogens and to estimate the incidence of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Taiwan.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted at eight medical centers from November 2010 to September 2013. Children aged 6 weeks to 18 years who met the radiologic criteria for pneumonia were enrolled.

Recommendations for the use of Japanese encephalitis vaccines.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne viral infection which is prevalent in Taiwan. The virus circulates in an enzootic cycle in pigs which serve as amplifying hosts. Outbreaks typically occur during summer.

Effects of influenza vaccine and sun exposure time against laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations among young children during the 2012-13 to 2015-16 influenza seasons.

Background: Influenza is a major cause of acute respiratory infection burden worldwide, leading to many hospitalizations. An annual influenza vaccine is believed to be the best way to prevent influenza-related illnesses. We focused on the efficacies of other possible preventive measures such as increasing sun exposure time and dietary supplements to prevent these illnesses.

Association between urine pH and common uropathogens in children with urinary tract infections.

Background/purpose: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common pediatric infections. Our objective in this study is to investigate the association between urine pH and uropathogens in pediatric patients.

Methods: The source population comprised 26 066 paired urinalysis (UA) and urine culture (UC) samples obtained from pediatric patients.

Effectiveness of Hypertonic Saline Nasal Irrigation for Alleviating Allergic Rhinitis in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

We aimed to explore the efficacy of hypertonic saline nasal irritation (HSNI) for improving nasal symptoms and quality of life, and for decreasing oral antihistamine consumption in children with allergic rhinitis (AR). We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EMBASE, Chinese Electronic Periodicals Service, and Cochrane Library of Controlled Trials databases for prospective randomized, controlled trials assessing HSNI effects in children with AR and published before December 2017. Two authors independently assessed each trial's quality and extracted data for a meta-analysis.

Identification of a proteomic biomarker associated with invasive ST1, serotype VI Group B Streptococcus by MALDI-TOF MS.

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is an important invasive pathogen in neonates, pregnant women and the elderly. Serotype VI GBS, which has been rarely reported globally, has emerged as a significant pathogen in Asia. However, traditional serologic latex agglutination (LA) methods may fail to type isolates that lack of or low expression of CPS.