Comparative efficacies of various corticosteroids for preventing postextubation stridor and reintubation: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Objectives: We assessed the efficacies of various corticosteroid treatments for preventing postexubation stridor and reintubation in mechanically ventilated adults with planned extubation.

Methods: We searched the Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane databases and ClinicalTrial.gov registration for articles published through September 29, 2022.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) shows minimal neurotropism in a double-humanized mouse model.

Although severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) initially infects the respiratory tract, it also directly or indirectly affects other organs, including the brain. However, little is known about the relative neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs), including Omicron (B.1.

SREBP2-dependent lipid gene transcription enhances the infection of human dendritic cells by Zika virus.

The emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) as a global health threat has highlighted the unmet need for ZIKV-specific vaccines and antiviral treatments. ZIKV infects dendritic cells (DC), which have pivotal functions in activating innate and adaptive antiviral responses; however, the mechanisms by which DC function is subverted to establish ZIKV infection are unclear. Here we develop a genomics profiling method that enables discrete analysis of ZIKV-infected versus neighboring, uninfected primary human DCs to increase the sensitivity and specificity with which ZIKV-modulated pathways can be identified.

A Zika virus mutation enhances transmission potential and confers escape from protective dengue virus immunity.

Zika virus (ZIKV) and dengue virus (DENV) are arthropod-borne pathogenic flaviviruses that co-circulate in many countries. To understand some of the pressures that influence ZIKV evolution, we mimic the natural transmission cycle by repeating serial passaging of ZIKV through cultured mosquito cells and either DENV-naive or DENV-immune mice. Compared with wild-type ZIKV, the strains passaged under both conditions exhibit increased pathogenesis in DENV-immune mice.

SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies with therapeutic potential: Broad neutralizing activity and No evidence of antibody-dependent enhancement.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are emerging as safe and effective therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2. However, variant strains of SARS-CoV-2 have evolved, with early studies showing that some mAbs may not sustain their efficacy in the face of escape mutants. Also, from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, concern has been raised about the potential for Fcγ receptor-mediated antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection.

Epidemiologic Study of Infection among Schoolchildren in the Republic of Marshall Islands.

The prevalence and risk factors of (pinworm) infection among primary schoolchildren (PSC) in the Marshall Islands remain unknown; thus, investigation on the status of pinworm infection rate is necessary to establish baseline data. After parents'/guardians' consent, a total of 346 children (179 boys and 167 girls) participated in this study. Individual's perianal area and thumbs were inspected by using the Scotch tape technique and cellophane tape method, respectively.

The RNA helicase Ddx52 functions as a growth switch in juvenile zebrafish.

Vertebrate animals usually display robust growth trajectories during juvenile stages, and reversible suspension of this growth momentum by a single genetic determinant has not been reported. Here, we report a single genetic factor that is essential for juvenile growth in zebrafish. Using a forward genetic screen, we recovered a temperature-sensitive allele, pan (after Peter Pan), that suspends whole-organism growth at juvenile stages.

Topical clotrimazole cream for the treatment of tinea cruris: A retrospective study.

This retrospective study assessed the efficacy and safety of 1% topical clotrimazole cream for the treatment of patients with tinea cruris (TC).We included 86 patients with confirmed TC for the presence of fungal hyphae. Of those, 43 patients received 1% topical clotrimazole cream for a total of 4 consecutive weeks, and were assigned to an experimental group.

Psychological effect of comprehensive nursing intervention in elderly patients with perforated peptic ulcer: A protocol of systematic review.

Background: This study aims to assess the psychological effect of comprehensive nursing intervention (CNI) in elderly patients with perforated peptic ulcer (PPU).

Methods: This protocol will search all potential studies from inception to the present in electronic database sources (Cochrane Library, PUBMED, EMBASE, PsycINFO, WANGFANG, CBM, and CNKI), and other sources (such as clinical trial registry, and conference proceedings). We will not apply limitations to language and publication status.

Lipid Microbubble-Conjugated Anti-CD3 and Anti-CD28 Antibodies (Microbubble-Based Human T Cell Activator) Offer Superior Long-Term Expansion of Human Naive T Cells In Vitro.

Stimulation of human primary T cells with immobilized anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 Abs in vitro provide a system to study T cell activation and proliferation and an avenue for expanding T cells for immunotherapy. Magnetic beads conjugated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 Abs (Dynabeads Human T-Activator [D-TCA]) have been a golden standard for stimulating human primary T cells in vitro. In this study, we report that an application using anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 Abs conjugated on lipid microbubbles (microbubble-based human T cell activator [MB-TCA]) to stimulate primary human naive T cells resulted in expansion superior to D-TCA.

Spiking Pandemic Potential: Structural and Immunological Aspects of SARS-CoV-2.

SARS-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious respiratory disease causing thousands of deaths and overwhelming public health systems. The international spread of SARS-CoV-2 is associated with the ease of global travel, and societal dynamics, immunologic naiveté of the host population, and muted innate immune responses. Based on these factors and the expanding geographic scale of the disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic-the first caused by a coronavirus.

Evaluating Effectiveness and Safety in Chronic Kidney Disease with Atrial Flutter Using an Anticoagulation Strategy.

Recent randomized trials of oral antithrombotic drugs with atrial flutter (AFL) excluded patients with renal impairment because of their increased risk of bleeding. To date, no relevant studies have assessed the effectiveness and safety of different antithrombotic drugs in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with AFL. This cohort study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of different antithrombotic drugs in CKD patients with AFL.

CD4 T Cells Cross-Reactive with Dengue and Zika Viruses Protect against Zika Virus Infection.

The underlying mechanisms by which prior immunity to dengue virus (DENV) affords cross-protection against the related flavivirus Zika virus (ZIKV) are poorly understood. Here, we examine the ability of DENV/ZIKV-cross-reactive CD4 T cells to protect against versus exacerbate ZIKV infection by using a histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB10101 transgenic, interferon α/β receptor-deficient mouse model that supports robust DENV and ZIKV replication. By mapping the HLA-DRB10101-restricted T cell response, we identify DENV/ZIKV-cross-reactive CD4 T cell epitopes that stimulate interferon gamma (IFNγ) and/or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production.

Genetic Reprogramming of Positional Memory in a Regenerating Appendage.

Certain vertebrates such as salamanders and zebrafish are able to regenerate complex tissues (e.g., limbs and fins) with remarkable fidelity.

Enterobius vermicularis infection: prevalence and risk factors among preschool children in kindergarten in the capital area, Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Background: Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) is one of the most common human parasitic helminths, and children are the most susceptible group. Some behavioral and environmental factors may facilitate pinworm infection. In the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), the status of pinworm infections among children remains unknown.

[Self-Awareness of Disease Stigma: Reflections of Healthcare Professionals].

People who suffer from disease frequently experience disease-related stigmas. Stigma presents in daily life during normal human interactions. The stereotypes promoted by the media often impact public opinion significantly.

Amino Acid Residues 68-71 Contribute to Influenza A Virus PB1-F2 Protein Stability and Functions.

Influenza A virus PB1-F2, encoding a multi-functional protein, is regarded as a virulent gene. Variation in expression pattern and protein stability among PB1-F2 proteins derived from different strains may explain why PB1-F2 functions in a strain- and cell type-specific manner. Because the protein stability of PB1-F2 affects its biological functions, we looked for sequences important for this property.

Elucidating challenges that electronic cigarettes pose to tobacco control in Asia: a population-based national survey in Taiwan.

Objectives: This study investigated the prevalence and correlates of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) use in Taiwan.

Design And Setting: We studied a nationally representative random sample in the 2015 Taiwan Adult Smoking Behavior Survey.

Participants: This study included 26 021 participants aged 15 years or older (51% women, 79% non-smokers, 16% aged 15-24 years), after excluding 31 persons (0.

Children's exposure to secondhand smoke at home before and after smoke-free legislation in Taiwan.

Introduction: In January 2009, Taiwan broadened smoke-free legislation, requiring mass transportation systems, indoor public areas and indoor workplaces with 3 or more people, to become smoke-free. We investigated the secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure at home for children aged 3-11 years in Taiwan before and after the implantation of the legislation.

Methods: We studied 7911 children from the 2005, 2009 and 2013 National Health Interview Surveys (cross-sectional, nationally representative household surveys).

ABCB1 variants confer susceptibility to primary open-angle glaucoma and predict individual differences to latanoprost treatment.

Objective: We investigated whether ABCB1 variants confer susceptibility to primary open-angle glaucoma and predict individual differences to latanoprost treatment.

Methods: Between May 2013 and May 2015, 129 POAG patients enrolled in the Department of Ophthalmology, the Second People's Hospital of Yunnan Province were identified as the case group and 121 healthy individuals were included as the control group. Direct DNA sequencing was used to detect four ABCB1 gene polymorphisms, namely, -129T>C (rs3213619), 1236C>T (rs1128503), 2677G>T/A (rs2032582) and 3435C>T (rs1045642).

Hollow V₂O₅ Nanoassemblies for High-Performance Room-Temperature Hydrogen Sensors.

Nanostructured oxides with characteristic morphologies are essential building blocks for high-performance gas-sensing devices. We describe the high-yield fabrication of a series of functionalized V2O5 nanoassemblies through a facile polyol approach with specific varieties of polyvinylpyrrolidone. The synthesized V2O5 nanoassemblies consisting of tiny one-dimensional nanoblocks with the absence of any extrinsic catalysts exhibit distinct hemispherical or spherical hollow morphologies and operate as room-temperature hydrogen sensors with remarkable sensitivities and responses.

Polymorphisms in the feline TNFA and CD209 genes are associated with the outcome of feline coronavirus infection.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), caused by feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection, is a highly lethal disease without effective therapy and prevention. With an immune-mediated disease entity, host genetic variant was suggested to influence the occurrence of FIP. This study aimed at evaluating cytokine-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), i.

An eight-year epidemiologic study based on baculovirus-expressed type-specific spike proteins for the differentiation of type I and II feline coronavirus infections.

Background: Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal disease caused by feline coronavirus (FCoV). FCoVs are divided into two serotypes with markedly different infection rates among cat populations around the world. A baculovirus-expressed type-specific domain of the spike proteins of FCoV was used to survey the infection of the two viruses over the past eight years in Taiwan.

[Construction and identification of pcDNA3-HBsAg-p30-ROP2 expression vector].

Objective: To construct a multi-gene recombinant pcDNA3-HBsAg-p30-ROP2 expression vector and identify it preliminarily.

Methods: According to recombinant pcDNA3-p30-ROP2 restriction sites, HBV HBsAg gene sequences of primers were designed and synthesized to amplify target fragment, and then cloned into pcDNA3-HbsAg-p30-ROP2 expression vector. After sequencing, it was identified finally by restriction enzyme digestion and other molecular biology techniques.