Echocardiography interpretation training and internal medicine milestones: A pilot study.

Background/purpose: The competency-based Internal Medicine Milestones (IMM) assesses physician training outcomes through six key competencies. This pilot study introduced IMM concepts through an echocardiography report interpretation course for postgraduate students (PGYs) and residents (Rs). We aimed to help young physicians understand and track competency development as they receive cardiovascular training, with a view to expanding IMM usage for all junior physicians.

Incidence and outcome of hepatitis D virus infection in people with HIV in the era of tenofovir-containing antiretroviral therapy.

Background: Tenofovir-containing antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves survival in HBV-coinfected people with HIV (PWH). We investigated the incidence of HDV infection and its clinical impact in HBV-coinfected PWH in the era of tenofovir-containing ART.

Methods: Between 2011 and 2022, HBV-coinfected PWH were included and followed until December 2023.

Utility of F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in Evaluating Disseminated Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infection in Patients With Anti-interferon-γ Autoantibodies.

Background: Managing disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection in patients with neutralizing anti-interferon-γ autoantibodies (AIGAs) poses substantial challenges due to the lack of established treatment guidance and predictive tools for clinical outcomes. In this study, we investigated the utility of F-fluorodeoxyglucose (2-[F]FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in guiding treatment decisions, with a focus on its ability to predict rehospitalization outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a post hoc analysis of the first available 2-[F]FDG PET scans of patients with AIGAs and disseminated NTM infection from a prospective observational multicenter cohort.

Evaluating Risk Factors for Clinical Failure Among Tigecycline-Treated Patients.

Purpose: Clinical trials have documented that tigecycline has a higher mortality risk than other treatments; it continues to be widely used for various infections in real-world settings, where its associated risk factors for clinical failure are understudied.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective analysis included a prospective 2019-2021 cohort of tigecycline-treated patients, excluding those with multiple infection sites. We assessed the outcomes on day 28, with clinical failure defined by mortality, persistent initial infection symptoms, or the requirement for continued antimicrobial treatment.

Stress coping and resilience of frontline nurses under the emergency infectious disease pandemic: A latent class analysis.

Aim: This study aimed to classify coping strategies and resilience among nurses caring for COVID-19 patients using latent class analysis (LCA), and to compare variations across these subgroups.

Background: The pandemic of emerging infectious diseases is a traumatic stressor for frontline nurses, potentially leading to compassion fatigue. Effective coping strategies and resilience were essential for managing stress, but their nuanced classification and outcomes remain unclear.

Optimal methods of vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory infections: a systematic review, dose-response and pairwise meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Vitamin D supplementation may prevent acute respiratory infections (ARIs). This study aimed to identify the optimal methods of vitamin D supplementation.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and the ClinicalTrials.

COVID-19 vaccination: 2023 Taiwan Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (TAGG) consensus statements.

The COVID-19 pandemic remains challenging due to the rapid evolution of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. This article discusses recent findings on high-risk groups for COVID-19 mortality and morbidity, along with consensus statements from the 2023 Taiwan Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (TAGG) meeting. It examines evidence on viral mutation mechanisms, emerging variants, and their implications for vaccination strategies.

Implication of genotypes for prognosis of Candida glabrata bloodstream infections.

Background: Genotyping isolates of a specific pathogen may demonstrate unique patterns of antimicrobial resistance, virulence or outcomes. However, evidence for genotype-outcome association in Candida glabrata is scarce. We aimed to characterize the mycological and clinical relevance of genotypes on C.

A Phase 3, Randomized, Controlled Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b in Patients with Moderate COVID-19.

Introduction: Ropeginterferon alfa-2b is a novel mono-pegylated proline-interferon. This clinical study aimed to evaluate its antiviral efficacy of ropeginterferon alfa-2b against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: This is a multicenter, randomized, open-label study.

Complete response to front-line therapies is associated with long-term survival in HIV-related lymphomas in Taiwan.

Background: The prognosis for people living with HIV (PLWH) who develop lymphomas has been greatly improved by combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies. However, real-world clinical data on this patient group in Asia are limited.

Methods: Treatment outcomes were retrospectively examined for 104 PLWH with lymphomas between 2000 and 2019.

Evaluation of the synergistic effect of eravacycline and tigecycline against carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) poses a substantial healthcare challenge. This study assessed the in vitro efficacy of selected antibiotic combinations against CRKP infections.

Methods: Our research involved the evaluation of 40 clinical isolates of CRKP, with half expressing Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) and half producing Metallo-β-lactamase (MBL), two key enzymes contributing to carbapenem resistance.

Clinical manifestations and risk factors for COVID-19 and its severity in patients with hematological malignancies.

Background: Patients with hematological malignancies (HM) were at a high risk of developing severe disease from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to assess the clinical outcome of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients with HM.

Methods: Adult patients with HM who were hospitalized with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 between May, 2021 and November, 2022 were retrospectively identified.

The prevalence, clinical reasoning and impact of non-standard anti-tuberculosis regimens at the initial prescription.

Regarding clinically-concerning non-standard initial anti-tuberculous (TB) regimens, few studies have examined their prevalence, risk factors and impacts. We recruited patients with drug susceptible TB and non-standard initial anti-TB regimens (NSTB group) and matched them with patients with standard initial regimens (STB group) in a 1:1 ratio. The risk factors and outcomes were analyzed.

Effectiveness and evolution of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein titers after three doses of COVID-19 vaccination in people with HIV.

Background: Real-world vaccine effectiveness following the third dose of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 remains less investigated among people with HIV (PWH).

Methods: PWH receiving the third dose of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 (either 50- or 100-μg) were enrolled. Participants were followed for 180 days until the fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccination, SARS-CoV-2 infection, seroconversion of anti-nucleocapsid IgG, death, or loss to follow-up.

Effect of early dexamethasone on outcomes of COVID-19: A quasi-experimental study using propensity score matching.

Background: The RECOVERY trial demonstrated that the use of dexamethasone is associated with a 36% lower 28-day mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 on invasive mechanical ventilation. Nevertheless, the optimal timing to start dexamethasone remains uncertain.

Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study at National Taiwan University Hospital (Taipei, Taiwan) using propensity score matching to simulate a randomized controlled trial to receive or not to receive early dexamethasone (6 mg/day) during the first 7 days following the onset of symptoms.

CXCL9 as a Reliable Biomarker for Discriminating Anti-IFN-γ-Autoantibody-Associated Lymphadenopathy that Mimics Lymphoma.

The diagnosis of adult-onset immunodeficiency syndrome associated with neutralizing anti-interferon γ autoantibodies (AIGA) presents substantial challenges to clinicians and pathologists due to its nonspecific clinical presentation, absence of routine laboratory tests, and resemblance to certain lymphoma types, notably nodal T follicular helper cell lymphoma, angioimmunoblastic type (nTFHL-AI). Some patients undergo lymphadenectomy for histopathological examination to rule out lymphoma, even in the absence of a preceding clinical suspicion of AIGA. This study aimed to identify reliable methods to prevent misdiagnosis of AIGA in this scenario through a retrospective case-control analysis of clinical and pathological data, along with immune gene transcriptomes using the NanoString nCounter platform, to compare AIGA and nTFHL-AI.

Liver dysfunction and clinical outcomes of unvaccinated COVID-19 patients with and without chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Liver dysfunction is common during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), while its clinical impact and association with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remain uncertain. We aimed to investigate liver dysfunction in COVID-19 patients and its impacts on those with/without CHB.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of COVID-19 patients at National Taiwan University Hospital, stratified according to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) serostatus, with demographics, laboratory data, and hospitalization course reviewed, and clinical outcomes compared through multivariable analyses.

Immunogenicity and safety of heterologous booster with protein-based COVID-19 vaccine (NVX-CoV2373) in healthy adults: A comparative analysis with mRNA vaccines.

Background: Information on the protein-based severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine-NVX-CoV2373 (Novavax), as a heterologous booster remains limited. We investigated the immunogenicity and adverse events of NVX-CoV2373 as a second booster and compared them with those of mRNA vaccines in healthy adults.

Methods: Healthcare workers who had received an mRNA vaccine (mRNA-1273 or BNT-162b2) as the first booster (third dose) 12 weeks prior were recruited.

Impact of an integrated medication management model on the collaborative working relationship among healthcare professionals in a hospital: an explanatory mixed methods study.

An integrated medication management (IMM) model was implemented in a medical center ward to improve the delivery of clinical pharmaceutical services (CPSs). This model incorporated a ward-based clinical pharmacist who performed medication reconciliation and medication reviews. It was perceived to promote interprofessional collaboration between pharmacists and non-pharmacist healthcare professionals (NPHPs, including attending physicians, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses).

CT findings of 144 in-hospital patients with influenza pneumonia: A retrospective analysis.

Background/purpose: Patients with influenza infection during their period of admission may have worse computed tomography (CT) manifestation according to the clinical status. This study aimed to evaluate the CT findings of in-hospital patients due to clinically significant influenza pneumonia with correlation of clinical presentations.

Methods: In this retrospective, single center case series, 144 patients were included.

Higher Serologic Responses of Early Syphilis to Single-dose Benzathine Penicillin G Plus Doxycycline Versus Single-dose Benzathine Penicillin G Alone Among People With HIV.

Background: Single-dose benzathine penicillin G (BPG) is the preferred therapy for early syphilis, but poorer serologic responses have been observed among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH). No enhanced regimen has previously been shown to improve serologic outcomes of early syphilis.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study to compare the treatment responses to single-dose BPG combined with 7-day doxycycline versus BPG alone in PWH who presented with early syphilis.

Does Hospitalist Care Enhance Palliative Care and Reduce Aggressive Treatments for Terminally Ill Patients? A Propensity Score-Matched Study.

Background: Information on the use of palliative care and aggressive treatments for terminally ill patients who receive care from hospitalists is limited.

Methods: This three-year, retrospective, case-control study was conducted at an academic medical center in Taiwan. Among 7037 patients who died in the hospital, 41.

Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on antimicrobial resistance among major pathogens causing healthcare-associated infection.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused great impact on healthcare systems, including antibiotic usage and multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections at hospitals. We aim to investigate the trends of antimicrobial resistance among the major pathogens causing healthcare-associated infection (HAI) at intensive care units (ICU).

Material And Methods: The demographic characteristics of hospitalization, usage of antimicrobial agents, counted by half-an-year DID (defined daily dose per 1000 patient-days), and HAI density of five major MDR bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), of ICU patients at a medical center in Taiwan during January 2017 to December 2021 were collected and analyzed.