Multicenter registry of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and Paired comparison with Kawasaki disease.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify clinical characteristics to differentiate multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and Kawasaki disease (KD) in Taiwan, an island with a delayed cluster of MIS-C and a high incidence of KD. Additionally, we studied risk factors for developing severe complications in patients with MIS-C.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, multicenter, cohort, and observational study that linked data on patients with MIS-C between May and December 2022 and patients with KD between 2019 and 2021 from 12 medical centers.

The presence of broadly neutralizing anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD antibodies elicited by primary series and booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Antibody-mediated immunity plays a key role in protection against SARS-CoV-2. We characterized B-cell-derived anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD antibody repertoires from vaccinated and infected individuals and elucidate the mechanism of action of broadly neutralizing antibodies and dissect antibodies at the epitope level. The breadth and clonality of anti-RBD B cell response varies among individuals.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of severe human parainfluenza virus infection in hospitalized children.

Background: Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) commonly cause childhood respiratory illness requiring hospitalization in Taiwan. This study aimed to investigate clinical severity and identify risk factors predisposing to severe disease in hospitalized children with HPIV infection.

Methods: We included hospitalized patients with lab-confirmed HPIV infection from 2007 to 2018 and collected their demographic and clinical characteristics.

Risk Factors for Severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Hospitalized Children.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants and young children. Starting in December 2010, RSV monoclonal antibody (RSV mAb) was endorsed by Taiwan National Health Insurance and given to children with prematurity and/or congenital heart diseases, which are considered high-risk factors for severe RSV diseases. Investigating other important contributing risk factors is warranted.

Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of Booster Dose with MVC-COV1901 or MVC-COV1901-Beta SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Adults: A Phase I, Prospective, Randomized, Open-Labeled Study.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines based on variant strains have been in use as booster doses to update immunity against circulating variants. Here we present the results of a phase one prospective, randomized, and open-labeled trial to study the safety and immunogenicity of a booster dose consisting of a subunit vaccine based on the stabilized prefusion SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, MVC-COV1901, or its Beta version, MVC-COV1901-Beta. Participants aged ≥18 and <55 years who received two or three prior doses of MVC-COV1901 vaccines were enrolled and were to receive a booster dose of either 15 mcg of MVC-COV1901, 15 mcg, or 25 mcg of MVC-COV1901-Beta in a 1:1:1 ratio.

Crystal-by-Crystal Assembly in Two Types of Periodically Banded Aggregates of Poly(p-Dioxanone).

The exterior and interior lamellar assemblies of poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO) crystallized at 76 °C yield the most regular ones to interpret the 3D assembly mechanisms and potential for structural coloration iridescence, which are investigated using atomic-force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PPDO displays two types of ring-banded spherulites within a range of Tc with dual-type birefringent spherulites (positive and negative-type) only within a narrow range of Tcs = 70−78 °C. At Tc > 80 °C, the inter-band spacing decreases from a maximum and the crystal assembly becomes irregularly corrupted and loses the capacity for light interference.

Structural basis for a conserved neutralization epitope on the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2.

Antibody-mediated immunity plays a crucial role in protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. We isolated a panel of neutralizing anti-receptor-binding domain (RBD) antibodies elicited upon natural infection and vaccination and showed that they recognize an immunogenic patch on the internal surface of the core RBD, which faces inwards and is hidden in the "down" state. These antibodies broadly neutralize wild type (Wuhan-Hu-1) SARS-CoV-2, Beta and Delta variants and some are effective against other sarbecoviruses.

Switching of Receptor Binding Poses between Closely Related Enteroviruses.

Echoviruses, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or drugs, are responsible for a range of human diseases, for example echovirus 11 (E11) is a major cause of serious neonatal morbidity and mortality. Decay-accelerating factor (DAF, also known as CD55) is an attachment receptor for E11. Here, we report the structure of the complex of E11 and the full-length ectodomain of DAF (short consensus repeats, SCRs, 1-4) at 3.

A randomized controlled trial of heterologous ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and recombinant subunit vaccine MVC-COV1901 against COVID-19.

Heterologous prime-boost COVID-19 vaccine strategy may facilitate mass COVID-19 immunization. We reported early immunogenicity and safety outcomes of heterologous immunization with a viral vector vaccine (ChAdOx1) and a spike-2P subunit vaccine (MVC-COV1901) in a participant-blinded, randomized, non-inferiority trial (NCT05054621). A total of 100 healthy adults aged 20-70 years having the first dose of ChAdOx1 were 1:1 randomly assigned to receive a booster dose either with ChAdOx1 (n = 50) or MVC-COV1901 (n = 50) at an interval of 4-6 or 8-10 weeks.

Overview of Neutralization Assays and International Standard for Detecting SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody.

We aimed to review the existing literature on the different types of neutralization assays and international standards for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We comprehensively summarized the serological assays for detecting neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and demonstrated the importance of an international standard for calibrating the measurement of neutralizing antibodies. Following the coronavirus disease outbreak in December 2019, there was an urgent demand to detect neutralizing antibodies in patients or vaccinated people to monitor disease outcomes and determine vaccine efficacy.

Anti-Spike Antibody Response to Natural Infection with SARS-CoV-2 and Its Activity against Emerging Variants.

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has substantially affected human health globally. Spike-specific antibody response plays a major role in protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, we examined serological anti-spike antibody and memory B cell responses in adults with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Antibiotic choice for the management of preterm premature rupture of membranes in Taiwanese women.

Background: Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is one of the most common causes of preterm birth. Antibiotic treatment is recommended to prolong the pregnancy course and reduce fetal morbidity in women with PPROM. However, the guidelines for antibiotic selection are based on studies done years ago, mostly in Western countries, which may not reflect the geographic, temporal, and ethnic variation in microbial colonization and infection in other parts of the world.

Unique Periodic Rings Composed of Fractal-Growth Dendritic Branching in Poly(p-dioxanone).

Amorphous poly(p-vinyl phenol) (PVPh) was added into semicrystalline poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO) to induce a uniquely novel dendritic/ringed morphology. Polarized-light optical, atomic-force and scanning electron microscopy (POM, AFM, and SEM) techniques were used to observe the crystal arrangement of a uniquely peculiar cactus-like dendritic PPDO spherulite, with periodic ring bands not continuingly circular such as those conventional types reported in the literature, but discrete and detached to self-assemble on each of the branches of the lobs. Correlations and responsible mechanisms for the formation of this peculiar banded-dendritic structure were analyzed.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-B.1.1.529 leads to widespread escape from neutralizing antibody responses.

On 24 November 2021, the sequence of a new SARS-CoV-2 viral isolate Omicron-B.1.1.

Omicron-B.1.1.529 leads to widespread escape from neutralizing antibody responses.

On the 24 November 2021 the sequence of a new SARS CoV-2 viral isolate spreading rapidly in Southern Africa was announced, containing far more mutations in Spike (S) than previously reported variants. Neutralization titres of Omicron by sera from vaccinees and convalescent subjects infected with early pandemic as well as Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta are substantially reduced or fail to neutralize. Titres against Omicron are boosted by third vaccine doses and are high in cases both vaccinated and infected by Delta.

Correction: Breadth and function of antibody response to acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.

The Prenatal Diagnosis and Clinical Outcomes of Fetuses With 15q11.2 Copy Number Variants: A Case Series of 36 Patients.

Prenatal genetic counseling of fetuses diagnosed with 15q11.2 copy number variants (CNVs) involving the BP1-BP2 region is difficult due to limited information and controversial opinion on prognosis. In total, we collected the data of 36 pregnant women who underwent prenatal microarray analysis from 2010 to 2017 and were assessed at National Taiwan University Hospital.

A longitudinal survey of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage in nursing homes and the long-term care facility in Taiwan.

Background: We conducted a longitudinal survey for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage in nursing homes and long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in northern Taiwan.

Methods: From July 2016 to February 2017, healthcare workers and residents in four institutions were enrolled. One swab sample from nares and another swab sample from umbilicus were obtained from each participant for detection of MRSA at enrolment and then follow-up samples were collected every two months for additional three times if feasible.

Structural basis for neutralization of enterovirus.

Outbreaks of enteroviral infections are associated with morbidity and mortality in susceptible individuals worldwide. There are still no antiviral drugs or vaccines against most circulating enteroviruses. Antibody-mediated immunity is crucial for preventing and limiting enteroviral infections.

Defining variant-resistant epitopes targeted by SARS-CoV-2 antibodies: A global consortium study.

Antibody-based therapeutics and vaccines are essential to combat COVID-19 morbidity and mortality after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Multiple mutations in SARS-CoV-2 that could impair antibody defenses propagated in human-to-human transmission and spillover or spillback events between humans and animals. To develop prevention and therapeutic strategies, we formed an international consortium to map the epitope landscape on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, defining and structurally illustrating seven receptor binding domain (RBD)–directed antibody communities with distinct footprints and competition profiles.

The circadian clock component BMAL1 regulates SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication in lung epithelial cells.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) coronavirus, is a global health issue with unprecedented challenges for public health. SARS-CoV-2 primarily infects cells of the respiratory tract via spike glycoprotein binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2). Circadian rhythms coordinate an organism's response to its environment and can regulate host susceptibility to virus infection.

A potent antibody-secreting B cell response to Mycoplasma pneumoniae in children with pneumonia.

Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a major pathogen for community-acquired pneumonia and frequently causes outbreaks in children. M. pneumoniae-specific antibody response is detected upon acute infection and the serology is widely used in the clinical setting.