The varicella-zoster virus ORF16 protein promotes both the nuclear transport and the protein abundance of the viral DNA polymerase subunit ORF28.

Although all herpesviruses utilize a highly conserved replication machinery to amplify their viral genomes, different members may have unique strategies to modulate the assembly of their replication components. Herein, we characterize the subcellular localization of seven essential replication proteins of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and show that several viral replication enzymes such as the DNA polymerase subunit ORF28, when expressed alone, are localized in the cytoplasm. The nuclear import of ORF28 can be mediated by the viral DNA polymerase processivity factor ORF16.

Alanine aminotransferase to aspartate aminotransferase ratio and hepatitis B virus on metabolic syndrome: a community-based study.

Background: The serum aminotransferase elevation in metabolic syndrome (MetS) reflected hepatosteatosis, but there is a conflict with the coexistence of viral hepatitis, especially for the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between the alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ratio, MetS, and HBV infection in a rural Taiwanese population.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis in southern Taiwan between March and December 2019.

Changes in interferon-γ release assay readout after COVID-19 vaccination: A prospective cohort study.

Objectives: Interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) are widely used in public health practice to diagnose latent tuberculosis. During the COVID-19 pandemic and rollout of COVID-19 vaccination, it has remained unclear whether COVID-19 vaccines interfere with IGRA readouts.

Methods: We prospectively recruited healthcare workers during their annual occupational health examinations in 2021.

Bacteremia detection from complete blood count and differential leukocyte count with machine learning: complementary and competitive with C-reactive protein and procalcitonin tests.

Background: Biomarkers, such as leukocyte count, C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT), have been commonly used to predict the occurrence of life-threatening bacteremia and provide prognostic information, given the need for prompt intervention. However, such diagnosis methods require much time and money. Therefore, we propose a method with a high prediction capability using machine learning (ML) models based on complete blood count (CBC) and differential leukocyte count (DC) and compare its performance with traditional CRP or PCT biomarker methods and those of models incorporating CRP or PCT biomarkers.

Nutrition Assessment and Adverse Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients with Tuberculosis.

Background: Malnutrition in patients with tuberculosis (TB) is associated with poor outcomes. This study assessed the validity of the patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) in adult TB patients and examined the association of the PG-SGA score with adverse outcomes.

Methods: This is a retrospective chart review study compared with the well-nourished and malnourished TB patients.

Interventions for bacterial folliculitis and boils (furuncles and carbuncles).

Background: Bacterial folliculitis and boils are globally prevalent bacterial infections involving inflammation of the hair follicle and the perifollicular tissue. Some folliculitis may resolve spontaneously, but others may progress to boils without treatment. Boils, also known as furuncles, involve adjacent tissue and may progress to cellulitis or lymphadenitis.

Gulllain-Barre Syndrome After Trivalent Influenza Vaccination in Adults.

Lines of evidence suggest trivalent influenza vaccination may be associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), an immune-mediated acute inflammatory neuropathy. On the other hand, this vaccination protects against influenza infection, which has been demonstrated as a trigger of GBS. To clarify the net effect of trivalent influenza vaccines on GBS, we conducted a retrospective nationwide nested case-control study using the database of the Taiwan National Health Insurance program.

Association between hepatitis C virus infection and osteoporotic fracture risk among postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional investigation in Taiwan.

Purpose: Early low bone mass is a risk factor for osteoporotic fractures associated with multiple factors, including menopause and chronic liver diseases. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) also plays a major role in chronic liver disease and has many extrahepatic consequences, such as decreased bone mineral density (BMD). This study aimed to examine the hypothesis that HCV seropositivity is independently associated with menopausal BMD loss.

Tigecycline-based versus sulbactam-based treatment for pneumonia involving multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex.

Background: The treatment options for pneumonia involving multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR Acb) complex are limited, and the optimal treatment has not been established.

Methods: To compare the efficacy of tigecycline-based with sulbactam (or ampicillin/sulbactam)-based therapy for pneumonia involving MDR Acb complex, we conducted a retrospective study comparing 84 tigecycline-treated adult patients during the period August 2007 to March 2010 with 84 sulbactam or ampicillin/sulbactam-treated adult patients during the period September 2004 to July 2007. Both groups had the matched Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score and received treatment for at least 7 days.

Clinical manifestations, course, and outcome of patients with neutralizing anti-interferon-γ autoantibodies and disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial infections.

Neutralizing anti-interferon-γ autoantibody (nAIGA)-associated immunodeficiency is an emerging medical issue worldwide. In the present study, we describe and discuss the clinical features and outcomes of patients with nAIGAs and disseminated infections by nontuberculous mycobacteria (dNTM).We thoroughly reviewed the medical records of all patients.

Sexual Dimorphic Metabolic Alterations in Hepatitis C Virus-infected Patients: A Community-Based Study in a Hepatitis B/Hepatitis C Virus Hyperendemic Area.

The impact of sex on metabolic alterations in individuals with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains elusive.A community-based study was performed to assess sex, age, body mass index, the lipid profile, blood pressure, glucose, alanine aminotransferase, HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), and HCV antibody levels, smoking and alcohol drinking habits, and cardiometabolic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular events, and renal diseases. The HCV-RNA level and genotype were further assessed in HCV antibody-positive subjects, and the hepatitis B e antigen and HBV-DNA levels were further examined in HBsAg-positive subjects.

Impact of Apolipoprotein B on Hepatosteatosis in a Population Infected with Hepatitis C Virus: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Objective: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an established risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, antiviral treatment resistance, and progression of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to fibrosis. Apolipoprotein-B 100 (ApoB-100) is a dyslipidemia marker and steatosis predictor. We assess the correlation between ApoB-100 and hepatosteatosis.

The clinical outcomes of oldest old patients with tuberculosis treated by regimens containing rifampicin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide.

Objectives: To investigate the clinical characteristics, adverse drug reactions, and outcomes of the oldest old patients (aged ≥80 years) with tuberculosis (TB) treated with rifampicin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide (RIP)-containing regimens.

Design: A retrospective chart review study.

Setting: A 1,200-bed tertiary teaching hospital in southwest Taiwan.

Serum aminotransferase ratio is independently correlated with hepatosteatosis in patients with HCV: a cross-sectional observational study.

Objectives: The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is significant in hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers due to multiple mechanisms, and this worsens the progression of chronic liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and death. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST) ratio correlates with the status of hepatosteatosis.

Design: A cross-sectional observational study.

Peritonitis as presentation of aorto-caval fistula with Salmonella choleraesuis-associated abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Background: The majority of aorto-caval fistulae occur spontaneously, either as a result of rupture of an existing atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm into the vena cava or secondary to iatrogenic injuries during peripheral angiography or surgery. Aorto-caval fistula from an infected aortic aneurysm is a rare scenario, but potentially lethal.

Methods: Case report and review of the literature.

Sulbactam treatment for pneumonia involving multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex.

Background: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii (Acb) complex has become an important cause of nosocomial pneumonia. Sulbactam is a β-lactamase inhibitor with antimicrobial activity against MDR Acb complex.

Methods: To investigate outcomes of pneumonia involving MDR Acb complex treated with sulbactam or ampicillin/sulbactam for at least 7 days, we conducted a retrospective study of 173 adult patients over a 34 month period.

The clinical implication and prognostic predictors of tigecycline treatment for pneumonia involving multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Objectives: To investigate the clinical implication and prognostic predictors of tigecycline treatment for pneumonia involving multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB).

Methods: A retrospective observational study over a 32-month period for adult patients receiving tigecycline treatment at least 7 days for pneumonia involving MDRAB.

Results: We reviewed 112 patients with 116 episodes of tigecycline-treated pneumonia involving MDRAB.

[Gfi-1 expression in leukemia patients and inhibitory effects of lentiviral vector mediated silence of Gfi-1 gene on proliferation in K562 cells].

This study was aimed to quantitatively detect the expression levels of gfi-1 gene in leukemia patients, and to investigate the effect of gfi-1 gene silenced by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) on proliferation of leukemia cell line K562. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of GFI-1 in newly diagnosed patients with leukemia. One pair of oligonucleotide sequences targeted at human gfi-1 mRNA were designed and synthesized.

Clinical significance of and outcomes for Bacteroides fragilis bacteremia.

Background And Purpose: Bacteroides fragilis is a virulent anaerobic pathogen, resulting in considerable mortality. This study was conducted to investigate the clinical characteristics, significance of polymicrobial bacteremia, and treatment outcomes of B. fragilis bacteremia.

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in advanced chronic kidney disease: a single hospital's experience in Taiwan.

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) or nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD) clinically resembles scleromyxedema which develops in the setting of advanced chronic kidney diseases. Limited data exist about its epidemiology in Asian countries. A total of 153 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations, including 81 contrast-enhancement, were identified in 127 patients with advanced chronic kidney disease at stage five undergoing MRI or angiography examination between January 2005 and July 2007, in our hospital.

Characteristics and factors influencing treatment outcome of renal and perinephric abscess--a 5-year experience at a tertiary teaching hospital in Taiwan.

Background And Purpose: Diagnosis of renal or perinephric abscess is still a challenge for physicians. This study investigated the effect of location and size of abscess and the time of diagnosis on treatment outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective analysis enrolled 159 adult patients with renal, perinephric or mixed-type (renal plus perinephric) abscess hospitalized between June 2001 and June 2006.

Synthesis of arbutin by two-step reaction from glucose.

Arbutin was synthesized from glucose by two-step reaction below: (a) 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucosyl chloride or bromide was prepared by glucose and acetyl halide (chloride or bromide). (b) 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucosyl halide (Cl, Br) reacted with hydroquinone, methanol as solvent at pH=9.5-10.