An international multi-site study to evaluate the analytical and clinical performance of the quantitative high-throughput Alinity m CMV assay.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) has a high prevalence in the general population and lifelong latency once an individual is infected. Primary infection or reactivation of CMV in immunocompromised individuals can lead to serious illness, organ failure, and death. Precise and accurate quantification of CMV is a valuable tool to support clinical decision-making and prevent adverse outcomes in transplant recipients.

Corneal endothelial and ocular biometric parameters in children with history of retinopathy of prematurity and treated with laser or intravitreal injections.

Objective: To investigate corneal endothelial and ocular biometric parameters in children with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treated with intravitreal injection (IVI) of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or laser photocoagulation.

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Participants: Seventy-four children with a history of ROP who visited a tertiary hospital between 2016 and 2021; 13 children were treated with laser and 61 with IVI.

Distal Ileal Atresia in a Preterm Infant with Minor Omphalocele: A Case Report.

Introduction: Omphalocele is a congenital abdominal wall defect that is characterized by herniation of the abdominal viscera through the umbilical ring. Compared with gastroschisis, omphalocele is less frequently associated with ileal atresia. This report describes a preterm newborn with a minor omphalocele complicated by ileal atresia, a complication that may have been previously underestimated.

Asymmetric Fluorinated Cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b']Dithiophene-Based Hole-Transporting Materials for Perovskite Solar Cell.

A series of asymmetric hole-transporting materials (HTMs) based on cyclopenta[2,1-b;3,4-b']dithiophene cores tethered with p-methoxytriphenylamines donor units with or without incorporated fluorine atoms were rationally designed, synthesized, and employed in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). A comprehensive comparison is conducted encompassing the absorption spectra, electrochemical characteristics, thermal stability, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, hole mobility, and surface morphology, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements, water contact angle analyzes, and photovoltaic parameters of the PSCs. The fluorinated HTMs, P-oF and P-mF, demonstrated enhanced hole mobility and more efficient charge extraction at the perovskite/HTM interface compared to their non-fluorinated counterpart.

The clinical and molecular characteristics of invasive Streptococcus agalactiae diseases in nonpregnant adults in Taiwan.

Background: Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) is a growing threat to nonpregnant adults. We aimed to describe the clinical and molecular characteristics of invasive GBS infections in adults.

Methods: All adults with invasive GBS infections at a tertiary-level medical center in Taiwan between 2014 and 2020 were analyzed.

Deep learning models for early and accurate diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia in mechanically ventilated neonates.

Background: Early and accurate confirmation of critically ill neonates with a suspected diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) can optimize the therapeutic strategy and avoid unnecessary use of empirical antibiotics. We aimed to examine whether deep learning (DL) methods can assist the diagnosis of VAP of intubated neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Methods: A total of 670 neonates with mechanical ventilation were prospectively observed in a tertiary-level NICU in Taiwan between October 2017 and March 2022, during which image data were collected.

Recommendation for the use of respiratory syncytial virus vaccines.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common pathogen for young children hospitalized with bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Most infections occur below 1 year of age. RSV is also a significant viral pathogen for adults with respiratory tract infection.

Relations between Neurocognitive Function and Visual Acuity: A Cross-Sessional Study in a Cohort of Premature Children.

Background: Premature children with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) have been reported to an have increased risk of visual and neurocognitive impairments, yet little is known about whether vision could affect specific neurocognition. This study aimed to clarify the correlations between neurocognition and vision in premature children.

Materials And Methods: This is a nonrandomized, cross-sectional, observational study in a pediatric cohort with five groups: (1) full-term (n = 25), (2) prematurity without ROP (n = 154), (3) prematurity with ROP but without treatment (n = 39), (4) prematurity with ROP and with bevacizumab (IVB) treatment (n = 62), and (5) prematurity with ROP and with laser/laser + IVB treatment (n = 20).

Weight Status, Autonomic Function, and Systemic Inflammation in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) frequently experience chronic low-grade systemic inflammation, with the inflammasome playing a central role in OSA. This cross-sectional study evaluated the relationship between weight status, autonomic function, and systemic inflammation in a cohort of 55 children with OSA, predominantly boys (78%) with an average age of 7.4 ± 2.

Corneal Endothelial Morphology and Ocular Biometric Indexes in Premature Children With and Without Retinopathy of Prematurity.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) morphology and ocular biometrics in premature (PM) children with or without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Methods: Retrospective data on patient demographics, HCECs status, and ocular biometrics with at least 2 visits between 2016 and 2021 were reviewed. The main outcomes were endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation (CV), hexagonal cell ratio (HEX), central corneal thickness (CCT), axial length, anterior chamber depth, keratometry, corneal diameter, pupil diameter, and refraction status.

The Epidemiology, Management and Therapeutic Outcomes of Subdural Empyema in Neonates with Acute Bacterial Meningitis.

Subdural empyema is one of the more serious complications of bacterial meningitis and therapeutic challenges to clinicians. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome of subdural empyema in neonates with bacterial meningitis. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in two medical centers in Taiwan that enrolled all cases of neonates with subdural empyema after bacterial meningitis between 2003 and 2020.

Clinical Characteristics of Infants with Symptomatic Congenital and Postnatal Cytomegalovirus Infection-An 11-Year Multicenter Cohort Study in Taiwan.

(1) Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a prevalent viral disease among infants. The prevalence typically ranges from 0.2% to 2.

The Clinical and Genetic Characteristics of Meningitis in Neonates.

(Group B , GBS) is an important pathogen of bacterial meningitis in neonates. We aimed to investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of neonatal GBS meningitis. All neonates with GBS meningitis at a tertiary level medical center in Taiwan between 2003 and 2020 were analyzed.

The Clinical Characteristics, Microbiology and Risk Factors for Adverse Outcomes in Neonates with Gram-Negative Bacillary Meningitis.

: We aimed to describe the clinical features of Gram-negative bacillary (GNB) meningitis in neonates and investigate the risk factors associated with final adverse outcomes of neonatal GNB meningitis. : From 2003 to 2020, all neonates (aged ≤ 90 days old) with bacterial meningitis who were hospitalized in four tertiary-level neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of two medical centers in Taiwan were enrolled. Neonates with GNB meningitis were compared with those with Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus, GBS) meningitis.

Dietary profile of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea patients, effects of routine educational counseling, and predictors for outcomes.

Background: Dietary behavior is a main contributing yet modifiable factor to the body weight status of children and may be involved in the pathophysiology of childhood obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study aimed to investigate the dietary profile of pediatric OSA patients, effects of educational counseling after adenotonsillectomy, and predictor for disease resolution.

Methods: This observational study included 50 pediatric OSA patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy with routine educational counseling (Group 1), 50 pediatric OSA patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy without formal educational counseling (Group 2), and 303 healthy children without OSA (Control).

Invasive Bloodstream Infections in Children: The Antifungal Susceptibility, Clinical Characteristics and Impacts on Outcomes.

: is the most common non- candida species that causes invasive candidiasis, but little is known about its impacts on the outcomes of pediatric patients. We aimed to characterize the clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes of bloodstream infections (BSIs) in children. : All pediatric patients with BSIs between 2005 and 2020 from a medical center in Taiwan were enrolled and analyzed.

Adenotonsillectomy-related changes in systemic inflammation among children with obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: Adenotonsillar hypertrophy is the most common cause of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Although adenotonsillectomy considerably reduces OSA and systemic inflammation, whether and how systemic inflammation influences the effects of adenotonsillectomy on OSA has yet to be determined.

Methods: This study investigated the associations between changes in anatomical variables, % changes in subjective OSA-18 questionnaire scores, % changes in 11 polysomnographic parameters, and % changes in 27 systemic inflammatory biomarkers in 74 children with OSA.

Influences of Initial Empiric Antibiotics with Ampicillin plus Cefotaxime on the Outcomes of Neonates with Respiratory Failure: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis.

Empiric antibiotics are often prescribed in critically ill and preterm neonates at birth until sepsis can be ruled out. Although the current guideline suggests narrow-spectrum antibiotics, an upgrade in antibiotics is common in the neonatal intensive care unit. The impacts of initial broad-spectrum antibiotics on the outcomes of critically ill neonates with respiratory failure requiring mechanical intubation have not been well studied.

Correlation Analysis of Attention and Intelligence of Preterm Infants at Preschool Age: A Premature Cohort Study.

Objective: Developmental delay in neurocognitive function has been reported in premature children. This cohort study prospectively followed preterm infants following birth, and herein we present the four-year longitudinal follow-up data of cognitive development at preschool age and analyze correlated factors.

Methods: Term and preterm children received regular clinical evaluations and development assessments after birth, and at age 4 ± 1 years, they received the Wechsler-preschool and primary scale of intelligence, Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV), excluding those with full-scale intelligence quotient < 70.

Clonal Complex 12 Serotype Ib Streptococcus agalactiae Strain Causing Complicated Sepsis in Neonates: Clinical Features and Genetic Characteristics.

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus [GBS]) is well known to cause serious diseases in infants. A serotype Ib GBS strain has recently emerged and become prevalent in Southeast Asia. We aimed to investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of this strain.

Analysis of predictive parameters for extubation in very low birth weight preterm infants.

Background: Mechanical ventilation is the primary treatment for preterm infants with respiratory failure. Prolonged intubation may lead to complications; thus, early extubation is desirable. No standard criteria exist for determining the appropriateness of extubating very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants.

Pediatric Bloodstream Infections Complicated with Mixed and Subsequent Bacteremia: The Clinical Characteristics and Impacts on Outcomes.

Background: Pediatricians face a therapeutic challenge when patients with Candida bloodstream infections (BSIs) simultaneously have positive bacterial culture. We aim to characterize the clinical characteristics of pediatric Candida BSIs complicated with mixed bacteremia and subsequent bacterial infections, risk factors and impacts on outcomes. Methods: All episodes of pediatric Candida BSIs between 2005 and 2020 from a medical center in Taiwan were reviewed.

Platelet parameters and the association with morbidity and mortality in Preterm Infants.

Background: There is growing recognition of the role of platelets in inflammation and immune responses, and platelets have been associated with various cardiovascular diseases. It is also known that neonatal morbidities are related to overall platelet activity, and platelet parameters may have the potential to predict morbidities and mortality in preterm infants. This study aimed to assess the initial platelet parameters and the association with major morbidities and mortality in preterm neonates.

Quality of life changes and their predictors in young adult narcolepsy patients after treatment: A real-world cohort study.

Background: We conducted a five-year prospective follow-up study to track the real-world quality of life of patients with narcolepsy after medication and analyzed predictors.

Methods: The study ultimately included 157 participants who completed 5-year follow-up, 111 had type 1 narcolepsy (NT1) and 46 had type 2 narcolepsy (NT2). Polysomnography, multiple sleep latency test, actigraphy and HLA-typing were conducted.