Genomic and phylogenetic analysis of avian polyomaviruses isolated from parrots in Taiwan.

Avian polyomavirus (APV) is a non-enveloped virus with a circular double-stranded DNA genome approximately 5000 bp in length. APV was first reported in fledgling budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) as the causative agent of budgerigar fledgling disease, resulting in high parrot mortality rates in the 1980s. This disease has been observed worldwide, and APV has a wide host range including budgerigars, cockatoos, lorikeets, lovebirds, and macaws.

Surgical outcomes of centripetal non-fovea-sparing internal limiting membrane peeling for myopic foveoschisis with and without foveal detachment: a follow-up of at least 3 years.

Background: We evaluated the surgical outcomes of vitrectomy with non-fovea-sparing internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for myopic foveoschisis with a follow-up of at least 3 years.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 32 consecutive eyes with high myopia with or without foveal detachment underwent vitrectomy and centripetal, non-fovea-sparing ILM peeling with gas tamponade for myopic foveoschisis. Outcome measures were visual acuity (VA) and optical coherence tomography findings.

[Determination of phthalates in water by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic drop followed by high performance liquid chromatography].

A rapid method for the determination of six phthalates (PAEs) in water samples was established by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) based on solidification of floating organic drop (SFO) coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The influences of the SFO-DLLME parameters on extraction efficiencies were studied. Dodecanol (extraction solvent, 20 μL) was added to the water samples (containing 20 g/L NaCl) at 60℃, and the solution was shaken for 1 min.

Development of an antigen-capture ELISA for beak and feather disease virus.

Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) is characterised by degenerative feather, feather dystrophy, and beak deformity. Sometimes acute forms can lead to fatal cases in nestlings. The worldwide distribution of this disease affects numerous species of parrots with an average prevalence of 40%, including in Taiwan.

SURGICAL OUTCOMES IN EYES WITH EXTREMELY HIGH MYOPIA FOR MACULAR HOLE WITHOUT RETINAL DETACHMENT.

Purpose: The authors evaluated surgical outcomes in eyes with extremely high myopia for macular hole (MH) without retinal detachment.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 14 eyes with axial lengths of ≥30.0 mm underwent vitrectomy and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling with or without inverted ILM flap insertion for MH without retinal detachment (October 2009-June 2016).