The changes and the potential clinical applications of cytokines in Taiwan's major venomous snakebites patients.

Background: Taiwan habu (Protobothrops mucrosquamatus), green bamboo viper (Viridovipera stejnegeri), and Taiwan cobra (Naja atra) are the most venomous snakebites in Taiwan. Patients commonly present with limb swelling but misdiagnosis rates are high, and currently available diagnostic tools are limited. This study explores the immune responses in snakebite patients to aid in differential diagnosis.

Identifying necrotizing soft tissue infection using infectious fluid analysis and clinical parameters based on machine learning algorithms.

Background: Determining the presence of necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) poses a significant hurdle. As of late, there has been a notable increase in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning techniques in identifying diseases, a shift that can be attributed to their exceptional efficiency, unbiased nature, and high precision.

Methods: Information was gathered from a cohort of 13 patients suffering from NSTI, alongside 12 patients with cellulitis.

Exploring Experiences of Conflict within Medical Teams in an Emergency Department: A Focus Group Approach during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The factors related to conflicts in emergency departments (EDs) have been studied for decades. The post-pandemic digital era may transform the medical landscape in EDs, potentially changing the patterns of conflict between healthcare professionals. This study used focus group interviews to explore conflicts in EDs.

Impacts of interprofessional education on collaborative practice of healthcare professionals: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To investigate and statistically synthesise data on the effects of interprofessional education on healthcare professionals' collaborative practice among healthcare professionals.

Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources: Seven databases and the grey literature were searched to collect relevant studies from database inception to 15 May 2023.

Interdisciplinary simulation-based teaching and learning for healthcare professionals: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of interdisciplinary simulation-based teaching and learning on the interprofessional knowledge of healthcare professionals.

Background: Interdisciplinary simulation-based teaching and learning have been employed to prepare learners to collaborate in clinical settings. This strategy could help healthcare professionals to better understand each other, develop interdisciplinary shared values and promote mutual respect between professions, while reducing errors and adverse events in hospital.

Predictor of gram-negative bacteremia in cirrhotic patients with skin and soft-tissue infections.

Cirrhosis always goes with profound immunity compromise, and makes those patients easily be the target of skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs). Cirrhotic patients with SSTIs have a dramatically increased mortality. To recognize the risk factors of gram-negative infections are critical for improving survival rate.

Taiwan cobra envenoming: serum venom concentration before and after specific treatment and relationship with debridement of necrotic wound tissue.

Background: Bivalent freeze-dried neurotoxic (FN) antivenom has been the primary treatment since the 1980s for Taiwan cobra () envenomation in Taiwan. However, envenomation-related wound necrosis is a significant problem after cobra snakebites. In the present study, we analyzed the changes in serum venom concentration before and after antivenom administration to discover their clinical implications and the surgical treatment options for wound necrosis.

Correction: Prospective Validation of the Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) Score for Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Extremities.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Utility of the Lactate/Albumin Ratio as a Predictor for Mortality in Necrotizing Fasciitis Patients.

Background: The lactate/albumin (L/A) ratio has been proposed as a prognostic marker because the ratio is associated with multiple organ failure and mortality in critically ill patients. We aimed to investigate the clinical utility of the L/A ratio as a good prognostic indicator of mortality in a cohort of necrotizing fasciitis patients.

Method: This retrospective study was conducted in two tertiary hospitals in Taiwan between 2015 and 2020.

Effectiveness of a Nurse-Delivered Intervention on Illness Perceptions and Quality of Life in Patients With Injury.

Background: Research has shown that nursing interventions are able to affect short-term outcomes in patients with injury. However, evidence based on a comprehensive nurse-led intervention may be beneficial for trauma care.

Purpose: This study was designed to assess the effect of a nursing intervention on the illness perceptions and quality of life of patients with injury.

Do Emergency Nurses Spend Enough Time on Nursing Activities? The Relationship Between Actual and Expected Patient Care Nursing Time.

Background: The overcrowded environments of emergency departments (EDs) lead to increased clinical workloads for nurses and infl uences the quality of patient care. This study aimed to evaluate whether the quality of patient care meets the expectations of emergency nurses in Taiwan by measuring the amount of time nurses spend on patient care activities.

Methods: The direct observation study was conducted in one suburban academic hospital with approximately 80,000 annual ED visits.

Prospective Validation of the Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) Score for Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Extremities.

Objectives: The Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis score was developed as a clinical decision tool for distinguishing necrotizing fasciitis from other soft tissue infections. We prospectively evaluated the performance of the Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis score for the diagnosis of patients with necrotizing fasciitis in the extremities.

Methods: We conducted a prospective and observational cohort study of emergency department patients with necrotizing fasciitis or severe cellulitis in the extremities between April 2015 and December 2016.

Predictors for gram-negative monomicrobial necrotizing fasciitis in southern Taiwan.

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare and life-threatening necrotizing skin and soft-tissue infection. Infectious pathogens of NF must be detected early and treated rapidly to prevent loss of limb or a fatal outcome. This study aimed to detect more reliable predictors between gram-negative and gram-positive monomicrobial NF of limbs.

Clinical predictors and impact of bacteremia in cirrhotic patients with acute skin and skin structure infection.

Objective: Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection (ABSSSI) is a common cause of acute admissions in patients with cirrhosis worldwide, but the disease is not well-understood epidemiologically with respect to factors that determine positive blood cultures or patient mortality. The aim of this study was to understand the utility of blood cultures and the association between bacteremia and mortality in cirrhotic patients with ABSSSI. We conducted a retrospective study to investigate factors associated with positive blood cultures and mortality in cirrhotic patients with ABSSSI.

The Relationship Between Fluid Accumulation in Ultrasonography and the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Patients with Necrotizing Fasciitis.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe soft-tissue infection with a high mortality rate. There is little literature on the relationship between the ultrasonographic finding of fluid accumulation along the deep fascia and the diagnosis and prognosis of necrotizing fasciitis. This retrospective study showed that when fluid accumulation was present along the deep fascia, patients with clinically suspected necrotizing fasciitis had a higher probability of having necrotizing fasciitis.

Lactate on emergency department arrival as a predictor of in-hospital mortality in necrotizing fasciitis: a retrospective study.

Background: Hyperlactatemia is known to be associated with adverse outcome in critical illness. In this study, we attempted to identify if hyperlactatemia on emergency department (ED) arrival is a reliable predictor for in-hospital mortality in necrotizing fasciitis (NF) patients.

Method: A prospective cohort study of hospitalized patients with NF was conducted in two tertiary teaching hospitals in Taiwan between March 2010 and March 2018.

Development of sandwich ELISA and lateral flow strip assays for diagnosing clinically significant snakebite in Taiwan.

Taiwan is an island located in the south Pacific, a subtropical region that is home to 61 species of snakes. Of these snakes, four species-Trimeresurus stejnegeri, Protobothrops mucrosquamatus, Bungarus multicinctus and Naja atra-account for more than 90% of clinical envenomation cases. Currently, there are two types of bivalent antivenom: hemorrhagic antivenom against the venom of T.

Diagnostic Performance of Initial Serum Albumin Level for Predicting In-Hospital Mortality among Necrotizing Fasciitis Patients.

Background: Hypoalbuminemia is known to be associated with adverse outcomes in critical illness. In this study, we attempted to identify whether hypoalbuminemia on emergency department (ED) arrival is a reliable predictor for in-hospital mortality in necrotizing fasciitis (NF).

Method: A retrospective cohort study of hospitalized adult patients with NF was conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital in Taiwan between March 2010 and March 2018.

Risk factors associated with bacteremia correlated with mortality in patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection.

Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) is a common cause of acute admissions worldwide, but the disease is not well understood epidemiologically with respect to factors that determine positive blood cultures or patient mortality. To understand the utility of blood cultures and the association between bacteremia and mortality in patients with ABSSSI, we conducted a retrospective study to investigate factors associated with positive blood cultures and mortality in patients with ABSSSI. A retrospective cohort study of hospitalized adult patients with ABSSSI was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Taiwan between March 2015 and December 2016.

Risk factors for mortality in the late amputation of necrotizing fasciitis: a retrospective study.

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly progressive infectious disease that primarily involves the fascia and subcutaneous tissue. If not promptly treated, it can lead to morbidity as well as mortality. It can affect any part of the body, most commonly the extremities.

The association of leptin and C-reactive protein with the cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome score in Taiwanese adults.

Background: Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and leptin levels have been independently associated with the cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of the present study was to determine if their serum levels were associated with cardiovascular risk factors or metabolic syndrome as well as their correlation in the Taiwanese population.

Methods: This retrospective study included 999 subjects (> 18 y), who underwent a physical examination in Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital-Linkou and Chiayi in Taiwan.

The microbiological profile and presence of bloodstream infection influence mortality rates in necrotizing fasciitis.

Introduction: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a life threatening infectious disease with a high mortality rate. We carried out a microbiological characterization of the causative pathogens. We investigated the correlation of mortality in NF with bloodstream infection and with the presence of co-morbidities.

The growth of Tibetan monks in south India--compared to the boys in Taiwan 10 years ago.

Background: Studies comparing the growth of children between Tibetan and Han ethnic groups have not been reported.

Objective: To increase the understanding regarding the growth status of children and the growth difference between the Tibetan and Han ethnic groups.

Methods: Body weight, body height, and BMI of 894 Tibetan monks aged from 8-17 years old, residing in South India were collected, while growth information for boys in Taiwan was obtained from the Taiwan growth chart developed in 1997.