Publications by authors named "WH Chung"

Objective: Domestication alters the phenotypes of wild animals to meet human demands and leaves characteristic patterns in their genomes. Various selection signature analysis methods have been developed to identify these characteristic patterns left in the genome. The Korean native duck (KND) is one of the domesticated species in Korea.

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Background: This trial assessed the feasibility of titrating evening dosing of anti-hypertensive medications based on nighttime home blood pressure measurement (HBPM) readings in primary care for hypertensive (HT) patients.

Methods: 78 patients with nocturnal HT and stage I daytime HT were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either nighttime HBPM measurements (intervention group) or daytime HBPM measurements (control group). Nighttime blood pressure (BP) was measured 3x per night for at least two nights over 1 week using an automatic and validated HBPM device.

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Objectives: Balloon eustachian tuboplasty (BET) is an emerging treatment for dilatory eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction. However, its efficacy in patients with both chronic suppurative otitis media (COM) and ET dysfunction remains unclear. The objective of the trial was to assess the efficacy and safety of BET versus medical management (MM) alone in adult patients with COM and chronic dilatory ET dysfunction, which was defined by a failed Valsalva maneuver.

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Background: The optimal imaging modality for selecting the device size in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing one-stop left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with concomitant pulmonary vein isolation (PVi) remains undefined. We compared preprocedural 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) with intra-procedural transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and left atrial appendage (LAA) angiography in guiding one-stage PVi and LAAO.

Methods: We measured the LAA ostium diameter using an interactive 3D CT system with a central line-based approach and compared these measurements with those from intra-procedural TEE and angiography, and the actual device size.

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Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) represent new anticancer agents and have been used worldwide. However, ICI can potentially induce life-threatening severe cutaneous adverse reaction (SCAR), such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN), hindering continuous ICI therapy. We examine 6 cohorts including 25 ICI-induced SJS/TEN patients and conduct single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis, which shows overexpression of macrophage-derived CXCL10 that recruits CXCR3 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in blister cells from ICI-SJS/TEN skin lesions.

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Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare human autoinflammatory disorder with life-threatening systemic effects. Keratinocyte-derived interleukin (IL)-36 signaling has been identified as a key mediator of immune response in the skin of affected individuals. Recognition of various mutations along the IL-36 axis and the downstream nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB) signaling have established GPP as genetically, immunologically, and histopathologically distinct and amenable to immunomodulation, which is epitomized by the recent success of IL-36 antagonism.

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Background: Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic fungal infection in immunocompromised patients. The major species include Cryptococcus grubii, Cryptococcus neoformans, and rarely, Cryptococcus gattii. Here we present a disseminated Cryptococcus gattii infection in a patient with elevated granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating-factor autoantibody which was successfully treated with antifungal therapy.

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Introduction: Both cellular and humoral responses are important for vaccine protection, but recommendations on immunosuppressants in dermatology are largely based on pre-pandemic experiences. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of immunosuppressants on humoral and cellular immunogenicity to COVID-19 vaccinations in pemphigus patients.

Methods: SARS-CoV-2-naïve pemphigus patients and age-, and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited from multiple tertiary medical centers during 2021-2023.

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Introduction: Currently, limited data are available on long-term use of dupilumab to treat atopic dermatitis (AD) in a multinational real-world setting. The aim of this analysis was to report the interim 1-year data for patients with AD enrolled in the GLOBOSTAD registry, including treatment patterns, dupilumab effectiveness and safety, and healthcare burden.

Methods: GLOBOSTAD is an ongoing, 5-year, multinational, prospective, observational study of adult/adolescent (aged ≥ 12 years at baseline) patients with AD who initiated dupilumab in real-world settings according to their local country-specific prescribing guidelines.

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Article Synopsis
  • Chronic urticaria (CU) in the Asia-Pacific region presents significant challenges for patients, highlighting the need for patient-centred care to involve them in health decisions.
  • A survey and discussions with 13 expert dermatologists and allergists identified barriers to implementing these approaches, including patient awareness, healthcare access delays, financial issues, and low adherence to treatment.
  • Experts recommended enhancing patient education, tailoring treatments to individual needs, promoting shared decision-making, and utilizing patient-reported outcome measures to improve CU management.
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Molluscan shellfish aquaculture contributes to 42.6% of global aquaculture production. With a continued increase in shellfish production, disposal of shell waste during processing is emerging as an environmental and financial concern.

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  • - Osimertinib is an effective lung cancer drug, but it can cause severe allergic reactions, especially in Asian patients, which can complicate treatment.
  • - A study of 17 patients showed that the genetic marker HLA-B*51:02 was found in a high percentage of those experiencing severe allergic reactions (SJS/TEN), indicating a strong genetic predisposition.
  • - The presence of HLA-B*51:02 also correlated with higher levels of a specific protein related to these reactions, suggesting that individuals with this genetic marker may be at risk for severe side effects when taking osimertinib.
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Background: As a drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is potentially fatal. Most patients with DRESS recover within a few weeks; however, some patients may suffer from a prolonged disease course and develop autoimmune sequelae.

Objectives: To investigate the immune mechanism and therapeutic targets of patients with recalcitrant DRESS with a prolonged disease course.

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  • The study focused on congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tracts (CAKUT) and urinary tract infections (UTI) in babies with a single umbilical artery (SUA), analyzing data from 2006 to 2020.
  • A total of 291 babies were examined, revealing a CAKUT prevalence of 7%, with hydronephrosis being the most common anomaly, and many significant conditions identified before birth.
  • The researchers found that congenital heart defects, limb abnormalities, and sacral issues were linked to CAKUT, and 2.1% of the babies developed UTIs, particularly those with CAKUT.
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Microbial contamination during seafood processing can often lead to a reduction in shelf life and the possibility of food-borne illnesses. Sanitisation with chlorine-based products during seafood processing is therefore sometimes undertaken. This study compared the effects of two sanitisers, chlorine dioxide (ClO) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) at their suggested concentration (5 ppm and 10 ppm; 50 ppm and 100 ppm respectively), on physical, chemical, and microbial qualities of Atlantic salmon () fillets throughout 7 days of simulated retail display refrigeration.

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Intracellular trafficking, an extremely complex network, dynamically orchestrates nearly all cellular activities. A versatile method that enables the manipulation of target transport pathways with high spatiotemporal accuracy in vitro and in vivo is required to study how this network coordinates its functions. Here, a new method called RIVET (Rapid Immobilization of target Vesicles on Engaged Tracks) is presented.

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species complex (FSSC) is a causal agent of collar rot and fruit rot in passion fruit worldwide. This study investigated the diversity and characteristics of FSSC isolates causing collar rot and fruit rot in Taiwanese passion fruit. Thirty-five FSSC isolates were harvested from collar rot and fruit rot samples of passion fruit from various cultivars and different geographical locations in Taiwan.

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  • - Iron is essential for the growth and metabolism of prokaryotic cells, with the ferric uptake regulator (Fur) protein playing a key role in managing iron levels and metabolic activities in bacteria.
  • - Fur proteins consist of a DNA-binding domain and a dimerization domain, typically functioning as dimers and having specific metal-binding sites that affect their activity.
  • - The review highlights the structural characteristics of Fur proteins in different binding states and discusses strategies for drug development aimed at targeting these proteins, offering important insights for future drug discovery.
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  • Heterozygous STAT1 Gain-of-Function mutations are linked to chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) and can lead to various immune disorders like autoimmune diseases and malignancies, with JAK inhibitors showing promise in treatment.
  • In a study of five Taiwanese patients, two new STAT1 GOF mutations were discovered, revealing clinical symptoms like CMC and autoimmunity, along with notable changes in immune cell types.
  • This research provides key insights into the immune dysregulation seen in STAT1 GOF patients and suggests that baricitinib is safe and effective for treatment, although further studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms driving these immune changes.
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  • The Taiwanese Dermatological Association and Taiwan Lung Cancer Society made new guidelines for doctors to help patients with skin problems caused by cancer medicine.
  • These guidelines explain the reasons why some cancer treatments can cause skin issues and share advice from skin specialists in Taiwan.
  • Most doctors agreed on these recommendations, which will help them treat patients with skin problems resulting from lung cancer treatments more effectively.
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  • * A systematic review analyzed 47 studies with 90 patients experiencing EM and 16 with SJS/TEN, finding that EM was mainly linked to mRNA vaccines and often occurred after the first or second doses, while SJS/TEN appeared after both doses as well.
  • * Most patients recovered after treatment, though some showed recurrence with reexposure to the same vaccine; no deaths were reported, indicating a need for more research to better understand the connection between these skin conditions
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  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are severe, rare skin reactions primarily triggered by drugs, leading to significant health risks and complications.
  • The review suggests new diagnostic criteria to better identify these conditions and highlights recent research on how specific immune responses and genetic factors contribute to their development.
  • It also discusses current and emerging treatment options, including debates on immunosuppressive therapies and new drug developments targeting specific mechanisms involved in SJS/TEN, advocating for a more collaborative approach in medical research to improve patient care.
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  • * A retrospective analysis included 34 adult patients with 81 moderate-to-severe GPP flares between 2008 and 2021, revealing a high prevalence of IL36RN mutations (71.4%) in those tested and various systemic treatments being employed.
  • * Complications like arthritis and skin infections were common post-flare, but no fatalities occurred; factors like prior smoking and existing hepatic disease were linked to increased GPP flare rates according to multivariate analysis.
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The fecal microbiota of two healthy adults was cultivated in a medium containing commercial fructooligosaccharides [FOS; 1-kestose (GF), nystose (GF), and 1-fructofuranosylnystose (GF)]. Initially, the proportions of lactobacilli in the two feces samples were only 0.42% and 0.

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