Application of Deep Learning Techniques for Detection of Pneumothorax in Chest Radiographs.

With the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and even more so recently in the field of Machine Learning (ML), there has been rapid progress across the field. One of the prominent examples is image recognition in the medical category, such as X-ray imaging, Computed Tomography (CT), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). It has the potential to alleviate a doctor's heavy workload of sifting through large quantities of images.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in follicular fluid cooperatively promote the oncogenesis of high-grade serous carcinoma from fallopian tube epithelial cells: Dissection of the molecular effects.

Incessant ovulation is believed to be a potential cause of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Our previous investigations have shown that insulin-like growth factor (IGF2) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in the ovulatory follicular fluid (FF) contributed to the malignant transformation initiated by p53 mutations. Here we examined the individual and synergistic impacts of IGF2 and HGF on enhancing the malignant properties of high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), the most aggressive type of EOC, and its precursor lesion, serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC).

Effect of ovulation IGF and HGF signaling on the oncogenesis of murine epithelial ovarian cancer cell ID8.

The incidence and mortality of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) are increasing in Taiwan and worldwide. The prognosis of this disease has improved little in the last few decades due to insufficient knowledge of the etiology. Previous studies on the role of ovulation in the development of EOC have unveiled IGF2, HGF, and other carcinogens in ovulatory follicular fluid (FF) that exert transformation activities on the exposed fallopian tube fimbria epithelium.

Exploiting the Nanostructural Anisotropy of β-GaO to Demonstrate Giant Improvement in Titanium/Gold Ohmic Contacts.

Here we demonstrate a dramatic improvement in Ti/Au ohmic contact performance by utilizing the anisotropic nature of β-GaO. Under a similar doping concentration, Ti/Au metallization on (100) GaO shows a specific contact resistivity 5.11 × 10 Ω·cm, while that on (010) GaO is as high as 3.

Acute encephalitis after COVID-19 vaccination: A case report and literature review.

Vaccine-related immune responses are one of the causes of encephalitis. Vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) have been administered worldwide due to the ongoing global pandemic; cases of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination-related encephalitis were scarcely reported. An 82-year-old female was diagnosed with acute encephalitis following her first dose of vaccination with mRNA-1273 against SARS-CoV-2.

Disseminated and infection in a patient with AIDS: A case report and review of literature.

Disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial infections are frequently recognized in patients living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and complex (MAIC) is the most common species. is a rapidly growing mycobacterium that accounts for 1-2% of community-acquired and healthcare-associated infections. It mainly causes skin and soft tissue infection.

Ovulation sources coagulation protease cascade and hepatocyte growth factor to support physiological growth and malignant transformation.

The fallopian tube fimbrial epithelium, which is exposed to the follicular fluid (FF) contents of ovulation, is regarded as the main origin of ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma. Previously, we found that growth factors in FF, such as IGF2, are responsible for the malignant transformation of fallopian tube epithelium. However, ovulation is a monthly transient event, whereas carcinogenesis requires continuous, long-term exposure.

Acute Transverse Myelitis Following COVID-19 Vaccination.

An increasing number of people are undergoing vaccination for COVID-19 because of the ongoing pandemic. The newly developed, genetically engineered mRNA vaccines are critical for controlling the epidemic disease. However, major adverse effects, including neuroimmunological disorders, are being attributed to this vaccine.

Insuline-Like Growth Factor-2 (IGF2) and Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) Promote Lymphomagenesis in p53-null Mice in Tissue-specific and Estrogen-signaling Dependent Manners.

mice are prone to develop lymphomas at old ages. Factors promoting this tumorigenesis are unknown. Here, we showed human ovulatory follicular fluid (FF) largely promotes lymphomagenesis in mice at earlier ages.

Accelerated Aging Stability of β-GaO-Titanium/Gold Ohmic Interfaces.

Stable ohmic contacts are critical to enable efficient operation of high-voltage electronic devices using ultrawide bandgap semiconductors. Here we perform, for the first time, thermally accelerated aging of Ti/Au ohmic interfaces to (010) β-GaO. We find that a heavily doped semiconductor, doped n-type by Si-ion implantation, treated with reactive ion etch (RIE), results in a low specific contact resistance of ∼10 Ω cm that is stable upon accelerated thermal aging at 300 °C for 108 h.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization among HIV-infected patients in Taiwan: prevalence, molecular characteristics and associated factors with nasal carriage.

Background: To evaluate nasal carriage, antibiotic susceptibility and molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), as well as the risk factors of MRSA colonization, in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in northern Taiwan.

Methods: From September 2014 to November 2015, HIV-infected patients seeking outpatient care at four hospitals were eligible for this study. A nasal specimen was obtained from each subject for the detection of S.

The clinical impact of patients with bloodstream infection with different groups of Viridans group streptococci by using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).

The accuracy of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for identifying viridans group streptococcus (VGS) was improving. However, the clinical impact of identifying VGS had not been well recognized. Our study had comprehensively studied the clinical manifestations and outcome of VGS blood stream infection by using MALDI-TOF MS for identification.

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium at a university hospital in Taiwan, 2002-2015: Fluctuation of genetic populations and emergence of a new structure type of the Tn1546-like element.

Background/purposes: Vancomycin resistance increased significantly to 31.3% among Enterococcus faecium in 2006 and remained high thereafter at a university hospital in Taiwan. A longitudinal study was retrospectively conducted to characterize these vancomycin-resistant E.

C-reactive protein levels can predict positive F-FDG PET/CT findings that lead to management changes in patients with bacteremia.

Background/purpose: Bacteremia portends high rates of morbidity and mortality. Although F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography (F-FDG PET/CT) imaging has clinical value in assessing fever of unknown origin, its usefulness in bacteremia has not been entirely elucidated. We therefore designed the current single-center retrospective study to investigate 1) the clinical value of F-FDG PET/CT imaging in assessing bacteremia and 2) the association between laboratory data and imaging findings.

Use of prokinetic agents or antibiotics is associated with the occurrence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients.

Background: Prokinetics have been shown to improve intestinal bacterial overgrowth and dysmotility in cirrhotic patients. Antibiotics are suggested for high risk patients for prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). However, limited studies have investigated the association of SBP and these medications.

Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium bacteremia.

Background: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE-fm) bacteremia causes significant mortality in hospitalized patients. We sought to investigate clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, and microbiological eradication associated with VRE-fm bacteremia.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted and included 210 adult patients admitted between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015.

Characterization of two novel variants of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec elements in oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus lugdunensis.

Objectives: Staphylococcus lugdunensis, a species of CoNS, has become an important hospital pathogen because of increasing resistance to β-lactam antibiotics such as methicillin and oxacillin. Methicillin resistance is mainly due to the acquisition of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) mec (SCCmec). Little is known about the structure of SCCmec in methicillin- or oxacillin-resistant CoNS.

Clinical utility of FDG PET/CT in acute complicated pyelonephritis-results from an observational study.

Background: Acute complicated pyelonephritis (ACP) is an upper urinary tract infection associated with coexisting urinary tract abnormalities or medical conditions that could predispose to serious outcomes or treatment failures. Although CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are frequently used in patients with ACP, the clinical value of F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) has not been systematically investigated. This single-center retrospective study was designed to evaluate the potential usefulness of FDG PET/CT in patients with ACP.

Development of carbapenem resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with OprD polymorphisms, particularly the amino acid substitution at codon 170.

Objectives: Pan-susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PSPA) clinical isolates carrying an OprD with loop 7 shortening (the group-1A allele) were found to rapidly develop carbapenem resistance under continuous selection pressure. We further studied whether OprD polymorphisms are associated with the potential to develop carbapenem resistance.

Methods: OprD amino acid sequences of 126 PSPA clinical isolates were analysed to determine their STs using P.

Early surgery with antibiotics treatment had better clinical outcomes than antibiotics treatment alone in patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Pyogenic spondylodiscitis is a form of spinal infection that can result in severe back pain and even death. However, information is lacking on the relative effectiveness of various therapies. A retrospective chart review was conducted to investigate whether early surgical treatment of pyogenic spondylodiscitis coupled with intravenous antibiotics results in better patient prognoses than intravenous antibiotics therapy alone.

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.

Routine identification of microorganisms by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry: Success rate, economic analysis, and clinical outcome.

Background: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been widely used in microbial identification. This study evaluated the performance of MALDI-TOF MS and investigated the economic and medical impact of MALDI-TOF MS implementation.

Methods: A total of 12,202 clinical isolates collected from April to September 2013 were identified using MALDI-TOF MS, and the success rates in identifying isolates were analyzed.

Molecular Characteristics of Disease-Causing and Commensal Staphylococcus lugdunensis Isolates from 2003 to 2013 at a Tertiary Hospital in Taiwan.

Objectives: Staphylococcus lugdunensis can cause community- and healthcare-associated infections. This study investigated the molecular characteristics of S. lugdunensis isolates collected at our hospital and compared the characteristics of the infectious and commensal isolates.