Mechanisms and fitness of ceftazidime/avibactam-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical strains in Taiwan.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) infection is a global public health issue, and ceftazidime/avibactam is recommended by international guidelines as the preferred treatment for KPC- and OXA-48-producing CRKP. Since its introduction in Taiwan in 2019, ceftazidime/avibactam-resistant strains have emerged. Our aim is to investigate the mechanisms of ceftazidime/avibactam resistance in CRKP in Taiwan and study their associated fitness costs.

Clinical outcomes and safety of remdesivir in hospitalized individuals with COVID-19, with or without severe renal impairment.

Background: The use of remdesivir in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and severe renal impairment has been approved; however, limited clinical data exist. Accordingly, we aimed to compare outcomes and adverse events associated with remdesivir in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, with and without severe renal impairment.

Methods: Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 undergoing a 5-day remdesivir course at Taipei Veterans General Hospital from April 1 to July 31, 2022, were enrolled.

Obeticholic acid treatment ameliorates the cardiac dysfunction in NASH mice.

Background: Suppression of cardiac iinflammasome, which can be inhibited by Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist, can ameliorate cardiac inflammation and fibrosis. Increased cardiac inflammasome decrease the abundance of regulatory T (Treg) cells and exacerbate cardiac dysfunction. Interaction between cardiomyocytes and Treg cells is involved in the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related cardiac dysfunction.

Successful erlotinib rechallenge in an EGFR-mutant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patient with afatinib-induced drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms: A case report.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the standard treatment for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, TKIs can cause some severe adverse events, which are more prevalent within first-generation EGFR-TKI use than with second-generation inhibitors. Herein, we report a case of a patient with advanced-stage EGFR-mutant NSCLC who developed drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) after receiving treatment with afatinib.

Pioglitazone Ameliorates Acute Endotoxemia-Induced Acute on Chronic Renal Dysfunction in Cirrhotic Ascitic Rats.

Endotoxemia-activated tumor necrosis factor (TNFα)/nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) signals result in acute on chronic inflammation-driven renal dysfunction in advanced cirrhosis. Systemic activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) with pioglitazone can suppress inflammation-related splanchnic and pulmonary dysfunction in cirrhosis. This study explored the mechanism and effects of pioglitazone treatment on the abovementioned renal dysfunction in cirrhotic rats.

The gestational effect of antenatal corticosteroids on respiratory distress syndrome in very low birth weight infants: A population-based study.

Background/purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of antenatal corticosteroids for preventing very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) from surfactant use at different gestational ages (GA).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the VLBW preterm infants registered in the Premature Baby Foundation of Taiwan from 1997 through 2014. Infants at 20-37 weeks' gestation were included, and infants with lethal congenital anomaly, chromosomal anomaly, and congenital infection were excluded.

Acupuncture at distant myofascial trigger spots enhances endogenous opioids in rabbits: a possible mechanism for managing myofascial pain.

Background And Aim: Acupuncture applied at myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) of distant anatomical regions, to reduce pain in a patient's area of primary complaint, is one strategy that is available to manage myofascial pain. However, the endogenous opioid-mediated analgesic mechanism of distant acupuncture associated with pain control is still unclear. This aims of this study were to evaluate the changes in enkephalin and β-endorphin in serum, spinal cord, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and muscle induced by acupuncture at distant myofascial trigger spots (MTrSs, similar to human MTrPs) in rabbits, to explore its underlying remote analgesic mechanism.

Remote dose-dependent effects of dry needling at distant myofascial trigger spots of rabbit skeletal muscles on reduction of substance P levels of proximal muscle and spinal cords.

Background: Dry needling at distant myofascial trigger points is an effective pain management in patients with myofascial pain. However, the biochemical effects of remote dry needling are not well understood. This study evaluates the remote effects of dry needling with different dosages on the expressions of substance P (SP) in the proximal muscle, spinal dorsal horns of rabbits.