Characterization of Cell Wall Compositions of Sodium Azide-Induced Brittle Mutant Lines in IR64 Variety and Its Potential Application.

The rice brittle culm is a cell wall composition changed mutant suitable for studying mechanical strength in rice. However, a thorough investigation of brittle culm has been limited due to the lack of diverse brittle mutants on similar genetic backgrounds in cell walls. In this study, we obtained 45 various brittle mutant lines (BMLs) from the IR64 mutant pool induced by sodium azide mutagenesis using the finger-bending method and texture profile analysis.

Kidney outcomes with SGLT2is for type 2 diabetes patients: does background treatment with metformin or RASis matter?

Introduction: There is a lack of real-world evidence regarding the impact of concomitant metformin and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASis) on sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i)-associated kidney outcomes. This study was aimed to investigate whether SGLT2i-associated kidney outcomes were modified by the concomitant use of metformin or RASis in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: SGLT2i users were identified from three electronic health record databases during May 2016 and December 2017 and categorized into those with and without concomitant use of metformin or RASis.

Longitudinal economic burden of incident complications among metabolic syndrome populations.

Background: This study quantifies the longitudinal economic burden for a wide spectrum of incident complications, metabolic syndrome (MS)-related risk factors, and comorbidities in patients with MS.

Methods: This retrospective study utilized linked data from the 2013 National Health Interview Survey and the 2012-2021 National Health Insurance Research Database to identify MS individuals and their characteristics. The incidence rate of each complication was calculated as the number of complication events in the study period divided by the total person-years during follow-up.

Clinical efficacy of ertapenem vs. other carbapenems for the treatment of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Both ertapenem and other carbapenems, including imipenem, meropenem, and doripenem, are recommended in the treatment of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales infection. However, whether ertapenem is as effective as other carbapenems for ESBL-producing Enterobacterales remains unclear. Therefore, this meta-analysis was conducted to compare the clinical efficacy of ertapenem versus other carbapenems in the treatment of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales infection.

Weight Gain Associated with COVID-19 Lockdown in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Lockdown is an effective nonpharmaceutical intervention to reduce coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission, but it restricts daily activity. We aimed to investigate the impact of lockdown on pediatric body weight and body mass index (BMI).

Methods: The systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement.

Distribution of β-lactamases and emergence of carbapenemases co-occurring Enterobacterales isolates with high-level antibiotic resistance identified from patients with intra-abdominal infection in the Asia-Pacific region, 2015-2018.

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to assess the geographic distribution and molecular characteristics of β-lactamases among Enterobacterales isolates causing intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) from 2015 to 2018 in the Asia-Pacific region.

Method: Isolates were investigated for extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC β-lactamases, and carbapenemases using multiplex PCR assays and full-gene DNA sequencing.

Result: A total of 832 Enterobacterales isolates from 8 different countries with β-lactamase genes were analysed.

Streptococcus gallolyticus - A potentially neglected pathogen causing neonatal sepsis not covered by routine group B streptococcus screening.

We report 4 cases of neonatal sepsis caused by Streptococcus gallolyticus. The clinical course was quite similar to early-and late-onset group B streptococcus disease. None of the mothers had group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization on prenatal screening nor received intrapartum antibiotics.

Severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections with prolonged fever in a child: Delayed treatment is as important as macrolide resistance.

We report a 7-year-old girl who got Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection with prolonged fever. Macrolide was used on day 14 of illness but fever persisted with progressive lung consolidation. Oral prednisolone was administered on day 33 then fever subsided with dramatically clinical improvement (decreased CRP and resolution of lung consolidation).

Health care utilization pattern prior to maltreatment among children under five years of age in Taiwan.

Background: Several studies have hypothesized that the pattern of health care utilization among maltreated children differ from others without the experience. However, the conclusions have not been consistent.

Objective: The study aims to examine whether the pattern of health care utilization among children 0-5 years old with maltreatment different from their counterparts without maltreatment in Taiwan.

Thiamine for preventing dementia development among patients with alcohol use disorder: A nationwide population-based cohort study.

Objective Of Study: Alcohol use disorder is one of the most important factors contributing to dementia. This study examined the protective effect of thiamine administration on the incidence of dementia among patients with alcohol use disorder in Taiwan by evaluating a nationwide database.

Methods: We retrieved data for this retrospective cohort study from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 1995-2000.

Energy replacement using glucose does not increase postprandial lipemia after moderate intensity exercise.

Background: Aerobic exercise can decrease postprandial triglyceride (TG) concentrations but the relationship between exercise-induced energy deficits and postprandial lipemia is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a single bout of aerobic exercise, with and without energy replacement, on postprandial lipemia and on peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) mRNA expression of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR).

Methods: Nine healthy male humans completed three two-day trials in a random order.

Associated factors with syphilis among human immunodeficiency virus-infected men who have sex with men in Taiwan in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy.

Background/purpose: Little is known about the factors associated with syphilis among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) with access to combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in Taiwan, where MSM has re-emerged as the leading risk group for HIV transmission.

Methods: From March to October 2011, MSM who regularly attended HIV clinics at a university hospital were invited to participate in the study. A structured questionnaire interview was conducted to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics, immunologic and virologic status, sexual partners and patterns of sexual behavior, and use of recreational drugs.

The bidirectional interactions between addiction, behaviour approach and behaviour inhibition systems among adolescents in a prospective study.

Internet addiction is a worldwide mental health problem among adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate the prediction of the Behaviour Inhibition System (BIS) and the Behaviour Approach System (BAS) on the occurrence of Internet addiction, and determine whether Internet addiction would make any difference on the development of BIS/BAS among adolescents. Adolescents in grade 7 were recruited to complete assessment for Internet addiction and BIS/BAS.

Social anxiety in online and real-life interaction and their associated factors.

Social anxiety was compared between online and real-life interaction in a sample of 2,348 college students. Severity of social anxiety in both real-life and online interaction was tested for associations with depression, Internet addiction, Internet activity type (gaming versus chatting), and scores on Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS)/Behavioral Activation System (BAS) scales. The results showed that social anxiety was lower when interacting online than when interacting offline.

Lactoferrin: an iron-binding antimicrobial protein against Escherichia coli infection.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) are the most common aerobic gram-negative bacilli in a normal intestinal tract. They cause most of the intra-abdominal infections, wound infections associated with abdominal surgery, and septicemia.

A novel method for evaluation of improved survival trend for common cancer: early detection or improvement of medical care.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: The improvement of survival with time for cancers has been observed worldwide. However, whether and to what extent such an improvement is attributed to early detection or the advance in medical technology is barely addressed.

Method: We developed a novel graphic method to calculate attributable proportions related to two factors.