In-vivo functions and regulation of polyphosphate in the vascular system.

Purpose Of Review: Polyphosphate, an inorganic polymer consisting of linearly linked phosphate subunits, is ubiquitously found in living organisms. Functions and regulation of the polymer have been analyzed in plants, bacteria and yeast; however, the roles of polyphosphate in mammals are still emerging.

Recent Findings: In contrast to synthetic polyphosphate that has been extensively utilized in ex-vivo studies, natural polyphosphate is complexed with bivalent cations (mostly Ca 2+ ) and regardless of chain length, forms microparticles that are retained on the surface of procoagulant platelets, platelet-derived microparticles and cancer extracellular vesicles.

Galectin-3 and Its Genetic Variation rs4644 Modulate Enterovirus 71 Infection.

Galectin-3, a chimeric type β-galactoside-binding protein, is known to modulate viral infection; however, its role in enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection has not been investigated. We generated galectin-3 null rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells and evaluated whether EV71 infection would be affected. In galectin-3 null cells, the released and intracellular EV71 viral loads were suppressed after 24 h of infection, and cell death rates were significantly lower, while cell proliferation remained unaltered.

Predicting severe enterovirus 71 infection: Age, comorbidity, and parental behavior matter.

Objective: Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is one of the major pathogens that cause severe enteroviral infections. Our aim was to study the behavioral and household risk factors for its serious complications.

Methods: Between May 2011 and November 2012, we enrolled children who had symptoms of EV71 infection from six hospitals in Taiwan.

Atypical hand-foot-mouth disease in children: a hospital-based prospective cohort study.

Background: In 2010, we observed children with atypical presentations of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD), such as rashes on earlobes and faces, or bullae on trunks and bilateral limbs. Hyperpigmentation later developed as the bullous lesions crusted. Thus, we intended to study the etiology of the illness and the phylogeny of the pathogens.

Seroprevalence of enterovirus 71 and no evidence of crossprotection of enterovirus 71 antibody against the other enteroviruses in kindergarten children in Taipei city.

Background/purpose: Enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection may cause severe neurological and cardiopulmonary complications, especially in preschool children. This study is to investigate the seroprevalence and seroconversion of EV71, and the crossprotection of EV71 antibody against other enteroviruses among kindergarteners.

Methods: Overall 228 children in a public kindergarten were enrolled during two academic years, 2006 and 2007, in Taipei, Taiwan and we measured their EV71 neutralizing antibody.

Varicella breakthrough infection and vaccine effectiveness in Taiwan.

We performed this nationwide retrospective investigation among the recipients of varicella vaccine to evaluate the breakthrough varicella infection rate, factors associated with breakthrough infection and the vaccine effectiveness. The recipients of these vaccinations were identified through Taiwan's National Immunization Information System and data on breakthrough infections among these recipients were collected by using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Claims Database. From 2000 to 2007, 1,057,345 persons received varicella vaccinations in Taiwan.

Epidemiologic features of Kawasaki disease in Taiwan, 2003-2006.

Objective: Kawasaki disease is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children worldwide. This study characterizes the epidemiology of Kawasaki disease in Taiwan between 2003 and 2006.

Methods: Using Taiwan's 2003-2006 national health insurance claims, we investigated the epidemiologic features of Kawasaki disease (ICD-9-CM code 446.