sp. nov., a methanogen isolated from potential methane hydrate bearing area offshore southwestern Taiwan.

A novel mesophilic, hydrogenotrophic methanogen, strain CWC-01, was isolated from the sediment sample of the piston core collected at station 3 at Good Weather Ridge area offshore southwestern Taiwan from ORI-902A cruise in 2009. Cells of strain CWC-01 are rod-shaped, measuring 0.4-0.

gen. nov., sp. nov., the first oceanic methanogen, isolated from potential methane hydrate bearing area offshore southwestern Taiwan.

A novel mesophilic, hydrogenotrophic methanogen, strain CWC-04, was obtained from a sediment sample extracted from a gravity core retrieved at station 22 within the KP-9 area off the southwestern coast of Taiwan during the ORIII-1368 cruise in 2009. Cells of strain CWC-04 were rod-shaped, 1.4-2.

Prognostic factors and treatment responses among patients with gross residual disease in differentiated thyroid cancer.

Background: Various postoperative staging systems were developed to assess the outcome of differentiated thyroid cancer from initial risk after surgery to dynamic changing prognosis during follow-up. The objective of our retrospective cohort study was to identify risk factors contributing to macroscopic positive surgical margin (R2 resection) and parameters in discriminating the treatment responses and prognosis among R2 patients.

Methods: In total, 242 differentiated thyroid cancer patients with extrathyroidal extension who underwent a thyroidectomy at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between January 2013 and July 2018, were included.

Biomarkers of Autologous Whole Blood Injection Efficacy in Patients with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria with Autoreactivity: A Preliminary Study.

Introduction: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) with autoreactivity is often resistant to antihistamines. Autologous whole blood injection (AWBI) has shown potential efficacy in the treatment of this disease, but it is controversial. It is necessary to screen patients who are suitable for this therapy in advance.

2022 Taiwan clinical multicenter expert consensus and recommendations for thyroid radiofrequency ablation.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive management strategy that has been widely applied for benign and recurrent malignant thyroid lesions as an alternative to surgery in Taiwan. Members of academic societies for specialists in interventional radiology, endocrinology, and endocrine surgery collaborated to develop the first consensus regarding thyroid RFA in Taiwan. The modified Delphi method was used to reach a consensus.

Recombinant human thyrotropin versus thyroid hormone withdrawal preparation for radioiodine ablation in differentiated thyroid cancer: Experience in a South Taiwanese medical center.

This retrospective study was designed to compare the treatment response of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) prepared for radioiodine ablation (RIA) with thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) or recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) stimulation. Patients with DTC were followed-up retrospectively between 2013 and 2018 in Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan. We compared the excellent response ratios between THW (49.

Efficacy of radiofrequency ablation for metastatic papillary thyroid cancer with and without initial biochemical complete status.

Objective: The application of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for recurrent thyroid cancer has been demonstrated to effectively manage lesions at critical locations, such as abutting the trachea, with limited complications. Comprehensive investigation of both biochemical (B) and structural (S) change after RFA remains limited. We herein present the first single-center experience of RFA for the treatment of locoregional recurrent thyroid cancer in Taiwan.

Circulating Growth Differentiation Factor 15 Is Associated with Diabetic Neuropathy.

Background: Growth differentiation factor (GDF15) is a superfamily of transforming growth factor-beta which has been suggested to be correlated with various pathological conditions. The current study aimed to investigate the predicted role of circulating GDF15 in diabetic metabolism characteristics and diabetic neuropathy. Methods: 241 diabetic patients and 42 non-diabetic subjects were included to participate in the study.

The Importance of Nodule Size in the Management of Ruptured Thyroid Nodule After Radiofrequency Ablation: A Retrospective Study and Literature Review.

Background: Nodule rupture is a relatively uncommon yet severe complication of radiofrequency ablation (RFA). When nodule rupture occurs, determining suitable therapeutic management is a critical issue. A study herein aimed to identify the predictive factors affecting the management of post-RFA nodule rupture.

One year follow-up of US-Guided radiofrequency ablation for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: The first experience in Taiwan.

Background: The incidence of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) has increased rapidly in recent decades, with a favorable overall prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treating low-risk PTMC in Taiwan.

Methods: This prospective study included patients with PTMC who were ineligible or refused surgery and underwent US-guided RFA between October 2018 and June 2020.

PREVALENCE OF BLASTOCYSTIS SUBTYPES IN HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS IN NORTHEASTERN POLAND.

Blastocystis is a common enteric protist that is linked to intestinal and extra-intestinal diseases. At least 24 subtypes (STs) have been described, with the main colonization of ST1-ST4 in humans. In our attempt to determine the distribution of Blastocystis STs in Olsztyn and surroundings in northeastern Poland, 319 stool samples from volunteers were subjected to copro-ELISA and PCR testing.

Acute Urticaria in Inpatients Undergoing Non-emergent Coronary Angiography With Corticosteroid Prophylaxis: A Retrospective Study.

Acute urticaria (AU) is the most frequently reported immediate hypersensitivity reaction in skin by administration of iodinated contrast media (ICM). We aimed to establish the pattern and identify the risk factors of AU among inpatients undergoing non-emergent coronary angiography (CAG) with prophylactic corticosteroids in China. Medical records of 19,326 adult inpatients undergoing non-emergent CAG with prophylactic methylprednisolone in 2013-2019 were retrospectively investigated.

Efficacy and safety of single-session radiofrequency ablation for intrathoracic goiter: preliminary results and short-term evaluation.

Background: An intrathoracic goiter (ITG) is defined as a thyroid extension below the sternal notch. Compared to cervical goiters, surgery for ITG is more challenging, with a higher risk of an extracervical approach. Ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality.

Radiofrequency ablation for treatment of thyroid follicular neoplasm with low SUV in PET/CT study.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) on follicular neoplasm with low standard uptake value (SUV) in a Positron emission tomography (PET/CT) study.

Methods: From January 2018 to July 2019, 86 consecutive patients were diagnosed with follicular neoplasm. Of the patients, 28 with PET/CT scans were enrolled in this study.

Formalin-killed Propionibacterium acnes activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and modifies differentiation of SZ95 sebocytes in vitro.

Background: Acne vulgaris is a common pilosebaceous disease associated with Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). Resolution of comedones may occur in association with shrunken sebaceous glands (SGs) containing de-differentiated cells, however the role of P.

Sex hormones and acne: State of the art.

Acne is an androgen-dependent inflammatory disease of sebaceous follicles. Herein, we reviewed and discussed the underlying pathways of androgen biosynthesis and metabolism, non-genomic regulation of androgen receptor expression and function, posttranslational regulation of androgen excess in acne and acne-associated syndromes, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. We provide insights into the involvement of sex hormones, particularly androgens, in skin homeostasis and acne pathogenesis, including comedogenesis, lipogenesis, microbiota, and inflammation.

Contact sensitization to cosmetic series of allergens in female patients with rosacea: A prospective controlled study in China.

Background: Allergic contact dermatitis to cosmetics (ACDC) complicates the diagnosis and treatment of rosacea, and is increasingly observed in daily practice.

Aims: The present study aimed to identify the contact allergens responsible for ACDC in Chinese female rosacea patients with or without suspected ACDC (SACDC).

Methods: From a total of 1267 women with rosacea, 122 with SACDC, 145 without SACDC, and 100 age-matched healthy controls without rosacea or SACDC were examined on a voluntary basis.

Introduction of a novel quantitative scoring system for acanthosis nigricans and its validation in a pilot study.

Inconsistent data exist regarding the diagnostic value of acanthosis nigricans (AN) or skin tags as clinical markers for obesity or diabetes. In an outpatient department-based prospective study, we designed a scoring for AN severity (SCANS) to evaluate AN and skin tags, their correlation with obesity or diabetes. Quantification of AN in six anatomic sites, in consideration of the affected skin surface areas, texture changes, number of skin tags, leads to a total severity score between 0 and 46.

Deafness, onychodystrophy, osteodystrophy, mental retardation, and seizures (DOORS) syndrome: a new case report from Indonesia and review of the literature.

Background: DOORS syndrome (deafness, onychodystrophy, osteodystrophy, mental retardation and seizures; MIM 220500) is a rare multisystem genetic disorder, mainly characterized by sensorineural deafness, shortened terminal phalanges with small nails of hands and feet, intellectual deficit, and seizures. The disease is caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation in the TBC1 domain family member 24 (TBC1D24) gene (gene locus/MIM 613577) on chromosome 16p13.

Objectives: We report the first case of DOORS syndrome from Indonesia.

Antibiotic Resistance in Acne: Mechanisms, Complications and Management.

Antibiotic resistance in acne was first observed in the 1970s, and since the 1980s has become a major concern in dermatologic daily practice. The mechanisms for this type of resistance include biofilm formation that promotes virulence and the transmission of resistant bacterial strains. Genetic mutations with modification of ribosomal RNA, alteration in efflux pumps, and enzymatic inactivation are able to create resistance to tetracyclines and macrolides.

Analysis of overall survival in differentiated thyroid cancer patients with double primary malignancy.

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) survivors are at increased risk of developing double primary malignancy (DPM). The aim of this study was to investigate clinicopathological characteristics and survival in DTC patients diagnosed with DPM. A total of 975 patients with DTC diagnosed between 2013 and 2017, treated, and followed at a medical center in Taiwan were retrospectively reviewed.