When can multiple parasites with complex life cycles coexist under conflicts of host manipulation?

Parasites are diverse and play crucial roles in ecosystems, yet mechanisms underlying their diversity remain poorly understood. Many parasites have complex life cycles, manipulating their hosts to facilitate transition through inter-host trophic interactions. When multiple parasites share a common intermediate host but transition to different definitive hosts, they face two conflicts in host manipulation strategies.

NOTCH3 p.R544C variant in vascular Parkinsonism: Clinical and imaging correlates in a Taiwanese cohort.

Background: Vascular parkinsonism (VP) is a heterogeneous syndrome caused by cerebrovascular pathology. While generally distinguishable from Parkinson's disease (PD), overlap may occur in some cases. The genetic basis of VP remains unclear.

Improving the structure design of the passing/driving beam baffle of a headlamp.

In response to the increasing competition and rapid advancements in the automotive industry, manufacturers have designed more intricate structures to circumvent patent disputes. However, this approach has simultaneously resulted in extended development cycles, increased manufacturing costs, and prolonged production times. Consequently, reducing development cycles and cutting costs have become key objectives for leading automobile manufacturers.

Polarized Superradiance from CsPbBr Quantum Dot Superlattice with Controlled Interdot Electronic Coupling.

Cooperative emission of photons from an ensemble of quantum dots (QDs) as superradiance can arise from the electronically coupled QDs with a coherent emitting excited state. This contrasts with superfluorescence (Dicke superradiance), where the cooperative photon emission requires a buildup of coherence in an ensemble of incoherently excited QDs via their coupling to a common radiation mode. In perovskite QDs, superradiance has been rarely observed, unlike superfluorescence, due to the challenge in QD electronic coupling.

Multiple Myeloma Complicated With Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome After Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Subsequently Underwent Lung Transplantation Successfully: A Case Report.

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is an effective treatment for multiple myeloma; however, the development of chronic graft-versus-host disease remains a significant challenge. Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is one of the complications. Even with available medications for treatment, the prognosis of BOS remains poor.

Management of Class III Malocclusion with Microimplant-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE) and Mandible Backward Rotation (MBR): A Case Report.

Class III malocclusion prevalence varies significantly among racial groups, with the highest prevalence observed in southeast Asian populations at 15.80%. These malocclusions often involve maxillary retrognathism, mandibular prognathism, or both, accompanied by maxillary constriction and crossbites.

Effects of Pressure on Exciton Absorption and Emission in Strongly Quantum-Confined CsPbBr Quantum Dots and Nanoplatelets.

Soft lattices of metal halide perovskite (MHP) nanocrystals (NCs) are considered responsible for many of their optical properties associated with excitons, which are often distinct from other semiconductor NCs. Earlier studies of MHP NCs upon compression revealed how structural changes and the resulting changes in the optical properties such as the bandgap can be induced at relatively low pressures. However, the pressure response of the exciton transition itself in MHP NCs remains relatively poorly understood due to limitations inherent to studying weakly or nonconfined NCs in which exciton absorption peaks are not well-separated from the continuum interband transition.

Successful lung transplantation for artificial stone-associated accelerated silicosis: a case report.

This report focuses on the occupational health risks associated with the use of artificial stones containing high levels of crystalline silica in the production of kitchen countertops. It presents the case of a 43-yr-old man who developed severe silicosis due to his occupation involving cutting and polishing quartz stone raw materials. A retrospective analysis of the patient's medical records and occupational history was conducted.

Effects of hole transporting PEDOT:PSS on the photoemission of upconverted hot electron in Mn-doped CdS/ZnS quantum dots.

In this work, we investigated the effect of hole transporting poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) interfacing with Mn-doped CdS/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) deposited on an indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate on the photoemission of upconverted hot electrons under weak continuous wave photoexcitation in a vacuum. Among the various factors that can influence the photoemission of the upconverted hot electrons, we studied the role of PEDOT:PSS in facilitating the hole transfer from QDs and altering the energy of photoemitted hot electrons. Compared to hot electrons emitted from QDs deposited directly on the ITO substrate, the addition of the PEDOT:PSS layer between the QD and ITO layers increased the energy of the photoemitted hot electrons.

Development of Nonclassical Photoprecursors for Rh Nitrenes.

Characterization of reactive intermediates in C-H functionalization is challenging due to the fleeting lifetimes of these species. Synthetic photochemistry provides a strategy to generate post-turnover-limiting-step intermediates in catalysis under cryogenic conditions that enable characterization. We have a long-standing interest in the structure and reactivity of Rh nitrene intermediates, which are implicated as transient intermediates in Rh-catalyzed C-H amination.

Feasibility and Safety of Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy for Diagnosis of Acute Respiratory Failure with Mechanical Ventilation in Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure is common in intensive care units (ICUs). Lung biopsies may be required to make a definitive diagnosis in patients with unknown etiologies. The feasibility of transbronchial lung cryobiopsy is undetermined in patients with respiratory failure in the ICU.

Association of smoking status with non-small cell lung cancer patients harboring uncommon epidermal growth factor receptor mutation.

Introduction: Uncommon epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations include single and complex mutations. However, the association of the smoking status of patients with uncommon and complex mutations remains unclear.

Methods: This retrospective study evaluates the spectrum of uncommon mutations and investigates the influence of smoking status on the frequency of various uncommon mutations using a multi-institutional medical database.

The Clinical Experience of Mycobacterial Culture Yield of Pleural Tissue by Pleuroscopic Pleural Biopsy among Tuberculous Pleurisy Patients.

Tuberculous pleurisy is a common extrapulmonary TB that poses a health threat. However, diagnosis of TB pleurisy is challenging because of the low positivity rate of pleural effusion mycobacterial culture and difficulty in retrieval of optimal pleural tissue. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of mycobacterial culture from pleural tissue, obtained by forceps biopsy through medical pleuroscopy, in the diagnosis of TB pleurisy.

Soil Bacterial Community May Offer Solutions for Ginger Cultivation.

The Taitung region is one of Taiwan's main sites for ginger agriculture. Due to issues with disease and nutrients, farmers cannot use continuous cropping techniques on ginger, meaning that the ginger industry is constantly searching for new land. Continuous cropping increases the risk of infection by Pythium myriotylum and Ralstonia solanacearum, which cause soft rot disease and bacterial wilt, respectively.

Management of Class III Malocclusion and Maxillary Transverse Deficiency with Microimplant-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE): A Case Report.

Microimplant-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) has been demonstrated successfully in maxillary expansion in late adolescence and adulthood. The maxillary advancement accompanied by expansion is frequently anticipated, which is beneficial for the treatment of class III malocclusion. Airway volume increase can also be noted in some cases from the measurement of cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) after expansion.

Photoemission of the Upconverted Hot Electrons in Mn-Doped CsPbBr Nanocrystals.

Hot electrons play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency of photon-to-current conversion or photocatalytic reactions. In semiconductor nanocrystals, energetic hot electrons capable of photoemission can be generated via the upconversion process involving the dopant-originated intermediate state, currently known only in Mn-doped cadmium chalcogenide quantum dots. Here, we report that Mn-doped CsPbBr nanocrystals are an excellent platform for generating hot electrons via upconversion that can benefit from various desirable exciton properties and the structural diversity of metal halide perovskites (MHPs).

Increased Interleukin-17 and Glucocorticoid Receptor-β Expression in Interstitial Lung Diseases and Corticosteroid Insensitivity.

Background: Treatment responsiveness to corticosteroids is excellent for cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) and sarcoidosis, but suboptimal for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)/usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). We hypothesise that the differential expression of IL-17 contributes to variable corticosteroid sensitivity in different interstitial lung diseases.

Objective: To determine the associations among expression of IL-17, glucocorticoid receptor-β and responsiveness to corticosteroid treatment in interstitial lung diseases.

Biomechanical Comparison between Isobar and Dynamic-Transitional Optima (DTO) Hybrid Lumbar Fixators: A Lumbosacral Finite Element and Intersegmental Motion Analysis.

Biomechanical performance of longitudinal component in dynamic hybrid devices was evaluated to display the load-transfer effects of Dynesys cord spacer or Isobar damper-joint dynamic stabilizer on junctional problem based on various disc degenerations. The dynamic component was adapted at the mildly degenerative L3-L4 segment, and the static component was fixed at the moderately degenerative L4-L5 segment under a displacement-controlled mode for the finite element study. Furthermore, an intersegmental motion behavior was analyzed experimentally on the synthetic model under a load-controlled mode.

Relationship between Mechanical Ventilation and Histological Fibrosis in Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Undergoing Open Lung Biopsy.

Background: Mechanical ventilation brings the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury, which can lead to pulmonary fibrosis and prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who received open lung biopsy between March 2006 and December 2019.

Results: A total of 68 ARDS patients receiving open lung biopsy with diffuse alveolar damage (DAD; the hallmark pathology of ARDS) were analyzed and stratified into non-fibrosis ( = 56) and fibrosis groups ( = 12).

Unprecedented outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus in Taiwan associated with ON1 variant emergence between 2010 and 2020.

An outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been observed in Taiwan since August 2020. We reviewed a central laboratory-based surveillance network established over 20 years by Taiwan Centres for Disease Control for respiratory viral pathogens between 2010 and 2020.A retrospective study of children <5 years old hospitalized with RSV infection at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between 2018 and 2020 was conducted, and samples positive for RSV-A were sequenced.

Rapid and label-free detection of the troponin in human serum by a TiN-based extended-gate field-effect transistor biosensor.

In this article, the TiN sensitive film as a sensing membrane was deposited onto n-type Si substrate by a DC sputtering technique for extended-gate field-effect transistor (EGFET) pH sensors and detection of cardiac troponin-I (cTn-I) in the patient sera for the first time. The crystal structure, Raman spectrum, element profile, surface roughness, and surface morphology of the TiN sensitive film were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The sensing performance of the TiN sensitive film is correlated with its relative structural feature.

Detection of Pathogenic and Beneficial Microbes for Roselle Wilt Disease.

Wilt disease of roselle ( L.) is common in Taiwan; however, the causative agent remains unknown. The stems of wilted roselle are browned, slightly constricted, and covered by white aerial hyphae, suggesting that potential pathogens may originate from soil.

Improving diagnosing performance for malignant parotid gland tumors using machine learning with multifeatures based on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

In this study, the performance of machine learning in classifying parotid gland tumors based on diffusion-related features obtained from the parotid gland tumor, the peritumor parotid gland, and the contralateral parotid gland was evaluated. Seventy-eight patients participated in this study and underwent magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging. Three regions of interest, including the parotid gland tumor, the peritumor parotid gland, and the contralateral parotid gland, were manually contoured for 92 tumors, including 20 malignant tumors (MTs), 42 Warthin tumors (WTs), and 30 pleomorphic adenomas (PMAs).