Associations Between Severe Influenza-Complicated Thromboembolism Events, Intensive Care Unit Stays and Mortality, and Associated Risk Factors: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Unlabelled: The association between influenza infection and thromboembolism (TE) events, including cardiovascular events, cerebrovascular events, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis, is supported by compelling evidence. However, there is a disparity in the risk factors that impact the outcomes of severe influenza-complicated TE in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of severe influenza-complicated TE in ICU patients and identify any associated risk factors.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis among patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia and influenza in ICUs: a retrospective cohort study.

Rationale: The prevalence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in intensive care units remain underestimated because of the lack of a disease-recognition scheme and the inadequacy of diagnostic tests.

Objectives: To identify the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes of severe CAP complicated with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including recruited 311 ICU-hospitalized patients with severe CAP without influenza or with influenza.

A highly sensitive and specific real-time quantitative PCR for BRAF V600E/K mutation screening.

Mutations that lead to constitutive activation of key regulators in cellular processes are one of the most important drivers behind vigorous growth of cancer cells, and are thus prime targets in cancer treatment. BRAF V600E mutation transduces strong growth and survival signals for cancer cells, and is widely present in various types of cancers including lung cancer. A combination of BRAF inhibitor (dabrafenib) and MEK inhibitor (trametinib) has recently been approved and significantly improved the survival of patients with advanced NSCLC harboring BRAF V600E/K mutation.

The Risk of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Respiratory Therapists in a Country with Intermediate Incidence.

Background: Respiratory therapists (RTs) are exposed to aerosols more frequently than other health care workers (HCWs) and might bear a higher risk for tuberculosis (TB) infection. The QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFTG) test was used to evaluate the risk for TB infection in Taiwan, a country with intermediate TB incidence.

Methods: A cross-sectional screening of HCWs, including RTs and other HCWs, with the QFTG test was conducted in Taiwan between October 2008 and December 2011.

The clinical outcomes of oldest old patients with tuberculosis treated by regimens containing rifampicin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide.

Objectives: To investigate the clinical characteristics, adverse drug reactions, and outcomes of the oldest old patients (aged ≥80 years) with tuberculosis (TB) treated with rifampicin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide (RIP)-containing regimens.

Design: A retrospective chart review study.

Setting: A 1,200-bed tertiary teaching hospital in southwest Taiwan.

Association between Atmospheric Fine Particulate Matter and Hospital Admissions for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Southwestern Taiwan: A Population-Based Study.

Objectives: This paper reports on the findings of a population-based study to evaluate the relationship between atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels and hospital admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in southwestern Taiwan over a three-year period, 2008-2010.

Methods: Data on hospital admissions for COPD and PM2.

Comparison of the efficacy of ciclesonide with that of budesonide in mild to moderate asthma patients after step-down therapy: a randomised parallel-group study.

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are widely used in asthma control. Ciclesonide (CIC) is an ICS with on-site lung activation for potent anti-inflammatory activity.

Aims: This study aimed to compare the clinical benefit of CIC with budesonide (BUD) in step-down therapy.