Construction of in situ modulated controlled growth of MOF-on-mof impedimetric assembly for the practical minimal level assessment of anti-mullerian hormone.

Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) detection receives much attention since it is used as an ideal biomarker for quantitative assessment of ovarian reserve. The present study proposed a first report on the use of MOF-on-MOF as an electrochemical sensor for recognizing AMH in buffer and serum media. The MOF-on-MOF, MIL-88 B@UiO66NH was synthesized by the internal extended growth method (IEGM) involving MIL-88 B on UiO66NH by in situ method for the first time.

Resurgence of influenza and enterovirus infections in Taiwan post-COVID-19: A nationwide surveillance study.

Background: The global impact of COVID-19 has prompted profound shifts in public health policies. The epidemiology of respiratory infectious disease may change in the post-covid era. This study investigates the repercussions of these policies on respiratory infectious diseases, specifically the resurgence of severe influenza and enterovirus infections in the post-COVID-19 era.

The Pathogenic Role of Anti-Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Autoantibodies in the Nocardiosis with the Central Nervous System Involvement.

Purpose: Anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor autoantibodies (anti-GM-CSF Abs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of Cryptococcus gattii (C. gattii) infection and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). Their presence has also been noted in nocardiosis cases, particularly those with disseminated disease.

Integrating In Silico and In Vitro Approaches to Identify Natural Peptides with Selective Cytotoxicity against Cancer Cells.

Anticancer peptides (ACPs) are bioactive compounds known for their selective cytotoxicity against tumor cells via various mechanisms. Recent studies have demonstrated that in silico machine learning methods are effective in predicting peptides with anticancer activity. In this study, we collected and analyzed over a thousand experimentally verified ACPs, specifically targeting peptides derived from natural sources.

Preliminary Report of Nationwide COVID-19 Vaccine Compensation in Taiwan.

The potential adverse effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations raise public concerns. Data from Taiwan's Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) can provide valuable insights. This study analyzed the preliminary application data for COVID-19 vaccine compensation in Taiwan's VICP, focusing on applicants receiving vaccines between March 2021 and June 2022.

Cardiovascular outcomes associated with SGLT2 inhibitor therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cancer patients with diabetes are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases due to common risk factors and well-documented drug-associated cardiotoxicity. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have shown cardiovascular benefits in patients with diabetes, but their effects on cancer patients remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular outcomes associated with SGLT2 inhibitor therapy in patients with concomitant diabetes and cancer.

CROCuS, a Phase II Study Evaluating the Antiviral Activity, Clinical Outcomes, and Safety of Rilematovir in Children Aged ≥ 28 Days and ≤ 3 Years with Acute Respiratory Tract Infection Due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes significant morbidity and mortality in children aged ≤ 5 years and adults aged ≥ 60 years worldwide. Despite this, RSV-specific therapeutic options are limited. Rilematovir is an investigational, orally administered inhibitor of RSV fusion protein-mediated viral entry.

Neutralizing IFN-γ autoantibodies are rare and pathogenic in HLA-DRB1*15:02 or 16:02 individuals.

BACKGROUNDWeakly virulent environmental mycobacteria (EM) can cause severe disease in HLA-DRB1*15:02 or 16:02 adults harboring neutralizing anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies (nAIGAs). The overall prevalence of nAIGAs in the general population is unknown, as are the penetrance of nAIGAs in HLA-DRB1*15:02 or 16:02 individuals and the proportion of patients with unexplained, adult-onset EM infections carrying nAIGAs.METHODSThis study analyzed the detection and neutralization of anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies (auto-Abs) from 8,430 healthy individuals of the general population, 257 HLA-DRB1*15:02 or 16:02 carriers, 1,063 patients with autoimmune disease, and 497 patients with unexplained severe disease due to EM.

External biliary drainage before choledochal cyst treatment in a very low birth weight infant.

Choledochal cysts (CC) are congenital biliary tract dilatations. Infantile CC (IFCC) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants is rare. This is a case of a huge IFCC presented in VLBW preterm infant managed with external biliary drainage prior to definitive treatment.

Jaundice-predominant manifestation of Kawasaki disease in children.

Background: A jaundice-predominant presentation of Kawasaki disease (KD) is atypical.

Methods: A total of 12 children with KD with a predominant manifestation of jaundice at MacKay Children's Hospital were reviewed, along with 42 cases reported in the literature since 1990.

Results: The median age of the 12 patients was 1.

Unprecedented dengue outbreak in Taiwan following COVID-19.

Present study reports an unprecedented dengue outbreak in Taiwan post-COVID-19. Interrupted time series analysis reveals a significant surge after easing restrictions, emphasizing the roles of COVID-19 measures, especially travel restrictions, international transportation and climate change in the epidemic. Preventing and controlling dengue remain substantial challenges in the post-COVID-19 era.

Eight-year chronic wound caused by Tarlov's cyst: a case report.

Background: Tarlov's cyst is often underdiagnosed since it is difficult to identify without imaging assistance. Herein, we report the case of a young girl who presented with an 8-year history of chronic osteomyelitis of bilateral proximal phalanges and metatarsal bones caused by a Tarlov's cyst that did not contain a nerve root. The chronic wound in the forefoot is an unusual presentation and resulted from the Tarlov's cyst accompanied with tethered conus syndrome.

Quality improvement of pediatric colonoscopy by application of bundle and centralization: A single-center review.

Background: To assess the quality change of our single-center pediatric colonoscopy after applying bundle for bowel preparation and general anesthesia and centralize the procedure using terminal ileum (TI) intubation rate as the main indicator.

Methods: All elective colonoscopies performed for patients younger than 18 years old in MacKay Memorial Hospital from July 2015 through June 2020 (assigned to group 1, before bundle) and from August 2020 through July 2021 (assigned to group 2, after bundle) were retrospectively reviewed for demographic characteristics, indications, bowel preparation agent and cleansing level, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, maximum intestinal level reached, and cecal intubation and total procedure time. Statistical analysis was done using P value < 0.

The Effectiveness of Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccination: A Preliminary Report.

Vaccination has been a game-changer in the long battle against COVID-19. However, waning vaccine-induced immunity and the immune evasion of emerging variants create challenges. The rapid-fire development of bivalent vaccines (BVs), comprising ancestral strains and a new variant, was authorized to prevent COVID-19, but the effectiveness of the updated vaccines remains largely unclear.

To PCR or not? The impact of shifting policy from PCR to rapid antigen tests to diagnose COVID-19 during the omicron epidemic: a nationwide surveillance study.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had caused huge impacts worldwide. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the mainstay diagnostic modality. In most hospitals in Taiwan, samples for PCR are collected at emergency department (ER) or outdoor clinics to avoid virus spread inside hospitals.

Enhancing Cementitious Composites with Functionalized Graphene Oxide-Based Materials: Surface Chemistry and Mechanisms.

Graphene oxide-based materials (GOBMs) have been widely explored as nano-reinforcements in cementitious composites due to their unique properties. Oxygen-containing functional groups in GOBMs are crucial for enhancing the microstructure of cementitious composites. A better comprehension of their surface chemistry and mechanisms is required to advance the potential applications in cementitious composites of functionalized GOBMs.

Effects of bamlanivimab alone or in combination with etesevimab on subsequent hospitalization and mortality in outpatients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused an enormous loss of life worldwide. The spike protein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is the cause of its virulence. Bamlanivimab, a recombinant monoclonal antibody, has been used alone or in combination with etesevimab to provide passive immunity and improve clinical outcomes.