Optimization of the CDC Protocol of Molecular Diagnosis of COVID-19 for Timely Diagnosis.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the current uncontrolled outbreak of infectious disease, has caused significant challenges throughout the world. A reliable rapid diagnostic test for COVID-19 is demanded worldwide. The real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain was one of the most quickly established methods in the novel viral pandemic and was considered as the gold standard for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

The epidemiologic transition of thalassemia and associated hemoglobinopathies in southern Taiwan.

Since 1993, following the National Thalassemia Major Prevention Program and an increase in immigration and interracial marriages, especially in southern Taiwan, the distribution of hemoglobinopathies may have changed. This study investigates the epidemiologic transition of hemoglobinopathies. We analyzed 1870 specimens collected between 2003 and 2012 in southern Taiwan, used gap-polymerase chain reaction and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism-based methods, and confirmed genotypes of hemoglobinopathies by DNA sequencing.

Rapid Screening for Deleted Form of β-thalassemia by Real-Time Quantitative PCR.

Background: Thalassemia is the most common single gene disease in human beings. The prevalence rate of β-thalassemia in Taiwan is approximately 1-3%. Previously methods to reveal and diagnose severe deleted form of α- or β-thalassemia were insufficient and inappropriate for prenatal diagnosis.

Increase EGFR Mutations Detection Rate in Lung Adenocarcinoma by Real-Time PCR Screening Followed by Direct Sequencing.

Background: Recently, a number of small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been developed to target the ATP-binding cleft of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The presence of EGFR mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) correlates with the responsiveness to TKIs. Therefore, the identification of EGFR mutations before the administration of TKIs of NSCLC has become important.

Characteristics and prevalence of KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA mutations in colorectal cancer by high-resolution melting analysis in Taiwanese population.

Background: The identification of KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA mutations before the administration of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy of colorectal cancer has become important. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA mutations in the Taiwanese population with colorectal cancer. This study was undertaken to identify BRAF and PIK3CA mutations in patients with colorectal cancer by high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis.

Detection of the JAK2 V617F missense mutation by high resolution melting analysis and its validation.

Background: Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) is a tyrosine kinase involved in the cytokine signaling of several growth factors such as erythropoietin and thrombopoietin in normal and neoplastic cells. The G to T exchange at nucleotide 1849 in exon 14 of the JAK2 gene leads to a substitution of valine with phenylalanine at the amino acid position 617 (V617F) of the JAK2 protein. Currently, the occurrence of the JAK2 V617F mutation is well recognized in chronic myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs).

Molecular basis of the A2B in Taiwan.

Molecular genotyping of the ABO alleles has been widely used in ABO subgroups analysis and has been able to solve the rare ABO blood grouping discrepancies. The genotypes of sixty-one A2B phenotype donors recruited from the middle and south of Taiwan were analyzed by means of molecular methods. The A2B phenotype was initially identified by serological test.