Asian birth cohort studies on allergic diseases: The A2BC network initiative.

The Asia Allergy Birth Cohort (A2BC) network consolidates data from multiple independently established birth cohorts across Asia to enhance research on host-environment interactions in allergic diseases. These cohorts, established at different times with various methodologies, are reliable data sources. Our aim is to introduce the content, variables, and outcomes of these cohorts while highlighting their differences, laying the groundwork for future collaborative research.

Regorafenib monotherapy as the later-line treatment for elderly patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a multicenter real-world study.

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the tumors with the highest morbidity and mortality rates in China and the world. Regorafenib is a targeted drug for standard third-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Regorafenib monotherapy has shown certain efficacy in the elderly population, but more robust evidence is needed.

Early postnatal and concurrent exposure to metals and neurobehavioral outcomes at 5 years: Associations with individual environmental exposures and mixtures.

Background: Little is known about the effect of postnatal exposure to heavy metals on children's behavior problems. This study aimed to investigate the association between metal exposure during different stages of postnatal life and neurobehavioral outcomes in preschool children.

Methods: Urinary concentrations of six metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, and vanadium) were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in 220 participants at two time points: before 1 year and at 5 years of age.

Vitamin D ameliorates particulate matter induced mitochondrial damages and calcium dyshomeostasis in BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cells.

Background: Mitochondria is prone to oxidative damage by endogenous and exogenous sources of free radicals, including particulate matter (PM). Given the role of mitochondria in inflammatory disorders, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, we hypothesized that supplementation of vitamin D may play a protective role in PM-induced mitochondrial oxidative damages of human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells.

Methods: BEAS-2B cells were pretreated with 1,25(OH)D, an active form of vitamin D, for 1 h prior to 24-hour exposure to PM (SRM-1648a).

Clinical features and lymphocyte immunophenotyping analysis in primary immunodeficiency patients with non-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders.

Lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) comprise a heterogeneous group and are originally classified into the "Disease of immune dysregulation" category. Of 96 Taiwanese patients during 2003-2022, 31 (median 66, range 0.03-675 months) developed LPD, mainly including palpable lymphadenopathy (in 10 patients), intestinal lymphadenopathy associated with refractory inflammatory bowel disease (IBD in 8) and hepatosplenomegaly (in 7) during long-term follow-up (median 144, range 3-252 months).

Research on a Method for Identification of Peanut Pests and Diseases Based on a Lightweight LSCDNet Model.

Timely and accurate identification of peanut pests and diseases, coupled with effective countermeasures, is pivotal for ensuring high-quality and efficient peanut production. Despite the prevalence of pests and diseases in peanut cultivation, challenges such as minute disease spots, the elusive nature of pests, and intricate environmental conditions often lead to diminished identification accuracy and efficiency. Moreover, continuous monitoring of peanut health in real-world agricultural settings demands solutions that are computationally efficient.

Prognostic Factors in Children with Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate prognostic factors and outcomes in a single-center PICU cohort that received continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and outcomes. Ninety-day mortality and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.

Physician adherence to anaphylaxis guidelines among different age groups in emergency departments: 20-Year observational study.

Background: Anaphylaxis is an acute and serious allergic reaction. Little is known about physician adherence to anaphylaxis guidelines among patients across different age groups.

Objective: To investigate real-world physician adherence to anaphylaxis guidelines among children, adults, and older adults in emergency departments.

The association between human milk fatty acid composition in mothers with an elevated body mass index and infant growth changes.

Background & Aims: Few studies have investigated alternations in human milk polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition in the context of maternal obesity and its effects on infant growth trajectories. This study explored whether maternal weight status and breastfeeding type influence human milk FA composition and infant anthropometry during the first six months of life.

Methods: Mother-infant dyads were enrolled from the Prediction of Allergies in Taiwanese Children birth cohort study.

Clinical manifestations and outcomes associated with PICU admission in children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in Taiwan: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare and serious systemic inflammatory disorder that occurs following a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. This study aims to investigate the clinical manifestations, risk factors associated with pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission, and outcome among children with MIS-C in Taiwan.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted among pediatric patients diagnosed with MIS-C between June 2022 and February 2023 at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.

Modulation of gut microbiota: a novel approach to enhancing the effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have greatly improved the prognosis of some cancer patients, the majority still fail to respond adequately, and the available biomarkers cannot reliably predict drug efficacy. The gut microbiota has received widespread attention among the various intrinsic and extrinsic factors contributing to drug resistance. As an essential regulator of physiological function, the impact of gut microbiota on host immunity and response to cancer therapy is increasingly recognized.

Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequencing microbiota among children with serological IgE-mediated food hypersensitivity.

Background: We hypothesized that specific food hypersensitivity (FH) in children is linked to specific gut microbiota. The aim of our study was to quantify and evaluate differences in gut microbial composition among children with different IgE-mediated FH.

Methods: Children (n = 81) aged 18 to 36 months were enrolled, fecal samples of 57 children with FH and 24 healthy children were evaluated using next-generation sequencing.

Longitudinal analysis of the impact of smoking exposure on atopic indices and allergies in early childhood.

Background: Exposure to smoking is recognized as a health hazard; however, a longitudinal analysis of the impact of smoking exposure in families on the allergic reactions related to childhood atopic diseases has not been well addressed.

Methods: Children who completed a three-year follow-up period from the birth cohort were included in this study. The history of smoking exposure was recorded, and the urine cotinine levels were measured at 1 and 6 months, and 1, 2, and 3 years of age.

Prevalence, associated factors, and impact of adolescent asthma in Taiwan: Global Asthma Network phase I survey.

Background: The prevalence of asthma in Taiwan was increasing in the past 30 years, causing a great impact on adolescent health. This study aimed to investigate the current prevalence, impact, and associated factors of asthma in Taiwanese adolescents.

Material And Methods: Parents or guardians provided passive consent at home prior to the survey.

Clinical Features and Genetic Analysis of Taiwanese Primary Immunodeficiency Patients with Prolonged Diarrhea and Monogenetic Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Purpose: Diarrhea lasting longer than 14 days which fails to respond to conventional management is defined as severe and protracted diarrhea and might overlap with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: The prevalence, associated pathogens, and prognosis of severe and protracted diarrhea without IBD (SD) and with monogenetic IBD (mono-IBD) in primary immunodeficiency patients (PID) were investigated in Taiwan.

Results: A total of 301 patients were enrolled between 2003 and 2022, with predominantly pediatric-onset PID.

Rising prevalence of food allergies in Taiwan: An epidemiological study.

Background: Food allergies are becoming more prevalent globally. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of food allergies in Taiwan.

Methods: In 2017, a food allergy questionnaire was administered to 6-7-year-old children, 13-14-year-old adolescents, and their parents in Taipei.

Metabolomics Analysis Reveals Molecular Signatures of Metabolic Complexity in Children with Hypercholesterolemia.

Despite the importance of hypercholesterolemia in children, it is overlooked, and there are currently few metabolomics-based approaches available to understand its molecular mechanisms. Children from a birth cohort had their cholesterol levels measured with the aim of identifying the metabolites for the molecular biological pathways of childhood hypercholesterolemia. One hundred and twenty-five children were enrolled and stratified into three groups according to cholesterol levels (acceptable, <170 mg/dL, = 42; borderline, 170-200 mg/dL, = 52; and high, >200 mg/dL, = 31).

Introduction of Egg White and Yolk to Infant Diets and Early Childhood Atopic Dermatitis.

This study investigated whether the introduction of allergenic foods in infancy is associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) in early childhood. Information regarding parental allergic histories, the introduction of six possible allergenic foods (fruits, egg white, egg yolk, fish, shellfish, and peanuts), and physician-diagnosed AD was obtained using age-specific questionnaires (0-2 years). Immunoglobulin E, specific to 20 food allergens, was also quantified at 12 months of age.

Relationship between valvular structure and biochemical indices of non-valvular atrial fibrillation and senile degenerative valvular heart disease.

Background: Valvular heart disease (VHD) is a common clinical condition in geriatric-related cardiovascular diseases that is connected to heart dysfunction. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent arrhythmia. Considering these two common clinical conditions, so far no sufficient data on the relationship between degenerative VHD and non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Lymphocyte disturbance and functional assessment of the [Asp521Asn] ZAP70 mutation.

Activated zeta-chain-associated protein kinase 70 (ZAP70) phosphorylates the TCRαβ:CD3:zeta complex to diversify and amplify TCR signaling. Patients with ZAP70 mutations can present with phenotypes of immune dysregulation as well as infection. We identified the first Taiwanese boy with the [Asp521Asn] ZAP70 mutation who presented with recurrent pneumonia, inflammatory bowel disease-like diarrhea, transient hematuria and autoimmune hepatitis.

Distinct Lymphocyte Immunophenotyping and Quantitative Anti-Interferon Gamma Autoantibodies in Taiwanese HIV-Negative Patients with Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Infections.

Purpose: The presence of anti-interferon-γ autoantibodies (AutoAbs-IFN-γ) is not rare in patients suffering from persistent non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections that are characteristic of adult-onset immunodeficiency syndrome. The immune disturbances in this distinct disorder remain to be elucidated.

Methods: Patients with NTM infections but without effective response over 3 months' treatment were referred to our institute to quantify their level of AutoAbs-IFN-γ after excluding defective IL12/23-IFN-γ circuit and reactive oxygen species production.

Contribution of genetic variants associated with primary immunodeficiencies to childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematous.

Background: A dysregulated immune response is a hallmark of autoimmune disorders. Evidence suggests that systemic autoimmune diseases and primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs) may be similar diseases with different clinical phenotypes.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the burden of PID-associated genetic variants in patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE).