Corticosteroid insensitivity in asthma associated with obstructive sleep apnoea: Role of oxidative stress and histone acetylation.

Background And Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) worsens asthma control. Oxygen desaturation increases oxidative stress, contributing to corticosteroid insensitivity, a hallmark of severe asthma. This study investigated the impact of hypoxaemia and reactive oxygen species on corticosteroid responsiveness in asthma with OSA.

COVID-19 Vaccination Induces Cross-Reactive Dengue Antibodies with Altered Isotype Profiles and In Vitro ADE.

Dengue virus is a mosquito transmitted flavivirus that cause inapparent or mild disease but can also cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. Cross-reactive IgG antibodies can cause under specific conditions antibody dependent enhancement (ADE) of the infection via Fc-receptor interaction. Antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 (anti-S) causing COVID-19 disease can also cross-react against the dengue envelope (anti-E).

Heterogeneity among complex species isolated from pulmonary infection in Taiwan.

complex (MAC) is an emerging pathogen causing nontuberculous pulmonary infections globally. However, clinical treatment guidelines regard MAC as a single entity, recommending a universal anti-mycobacterial combination therapy. Our study aimed to distinguish species among MAC and investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility for the selection of optimal antimicrobial agents in Taiwan.

Deep learning enables fast and accurate quantification of MRI-guided near-infrared spectral tomography for breast cancer diagnosis.

The utilization of magnetic resonance (MR) im-aging to guide near-infrared spectral tomography (NIRST) shows significant potential for improving the specificity and sensitivity of breast cancer diagnosis. However, the ef-ficiency and accuracy of NIRST image reconstruction have been limited by the complexities of light propagation mod-eling and MRI image segmentation. To address these chal-lenges, we developed and evaluated a deep learning-based approach for MR-guided 3D NIRST image reconstruction (DL-MRg-NIRST).

Effect of chronic kidney disease on survival in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory disease associated with several comorbidities. Although chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been recognized as one such comorbidity, the effect of CKD on survival in patients with COPD remains uncertain. This study investigated the clinical impact of CKD in patients with COPD, accounting for clinically characteristics and 6-min walking test (6MWT) results.

A retrospective cohort study of H-type hypertension and its influence on the prognostic effect in patients with non-dialysis CKD.

Background: The study aimed to investigate the impact of coexistence of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and hypertension (HTN), referred to as H-type hypertension on kidney outcomes and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) in patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 2,558 non-dialysis CKD patients admitted to two medical centers in China between 2010 and 2022. The participants were divided into four groups according to baseline blood pressure and homocysteine levels: (1) normotension with normohomocysteinemia; (2) normotension with HHcy; (3) hypertension with normohomocysteinemia; and (4) H-type hypertension.

Faecal microbiota transplantation to decolonize vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus: A pilot study to evaluate safety and clinical outcome.

Objectives: Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has shown promise as a treatment for recurrent or refractory Clostridioides difficile infections. This study aimed to evaluate the decolonization effects of FMT on vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE).

Methods: This feasibility trial prospectively recruited patients with more than three recurrent VRE infections.

identification through bronchoscope in intensive care unit - a retrospective, databased cohort study.

Introduction: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) increases the risk of mortality of critically ill patients. Diagnostic criteria specifically targeting patients in intensive care units(ICUs) have been developed to improve diagnostic sensitivity. This study investigated health outcomes among patients in ICUs with Aspergillus isolates identified using bronchoscopy.

Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions May Attenuate Acute Exacerbations of Asthma: Experience During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Taiwan.

Background: Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) were widely used during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, however their impact on acute asthma exacerbations (AEs) is not well studied.

Methods: We had retrospectively collected patients with asthma AEs between 2019 and 2020 and retrieved data from the Chang Gung Research Database, including clinical manifestations, medications, pulmonary function, clinic and emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

Results: A total of 39,108 adult patients with asthma were enrolled, of whom 1502 were eligible for analysis.

A real-world study to evaluate effectiveness of mepolizumab in treating severe asthma in Taiwan (REMIT).

Background: REMIT is the first real-world study of mepolizumab effectiveness in patients with severe asthma (SA) in Taiwan.

Objectives: The primary objective evaluated changes in clinically significant exacerbations (CSEs; defined as use of oral corticosteroids (OCS) or emergency department (ED) visits and/or hospitalizations) in the 12 months pre- and post-mepolizumab treatment. Secondary objectives assessed changes in the number of CSEs requiring ED visits/hospitalizations and daily maintenance OCS (mOCS) dosage 12 months pre- and post-mepolizumab treatment.

Comparison of Clinical Characteristics and Mortality Outcome in Critical COVID-19 Patients Infected with Alpha and Omicron Variants.

Objective: Early reports have indicated that the Omicron variant of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be associated with low mortality. However, the mortality rate of critical patients in Taiwan with COVID-19 caused by different variants has not been well described.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Linkou Branch of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, from April 2020 to September 2022.

Correlation Between mRNA Expression of Activated Eosinophils and Air Pollutant Exposure in Patients With Asthma.

Background: Eosinophil activation is associated with asthma. Whether air pollution affects the activation of blood eosinophils in patients with asthma remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the correlation between transcriptional activity in eosinophils and air pollutant exposure in patients receiving different levels of Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) treatment.

Higher protein intake may benefit in patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Background: Patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) is usually associated with muscle wasting and diaphragm weakness, resulting in high medical costs and mortality. Adequate energy and protein intake were beneficial in sarcopenia patients. We aimed to investigate the impact of protein intake in weaning parameters in patients with PMV.

Clinical presentations, systemic inflammation response and ANDC scores in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

The association of anosmia/ageusia with a positive severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) test is well-established, suggesting these symptoms are reliable indicators of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. This study investigates the clinical characteristics and systemic inflammatory markers in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Taiwan, focusing on those with anosmia/ageusia. We conducted a retrospective observational study on 231 hospitalized COVID-19 patients (alpha variant) from April to July 2021.

IL-6 and TIMP-1 Correlated to Airway Pathogen Colonization and Predict Disease Severity in Patients with Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis.

Background: Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis is associated with airway pathogen colonization. We planned to investigate the inflammatory markers in patients with different airway pathogens and their correlation with disease severity.

Methods: We enrolled patients aged between 20 and 75 from October 2021 to August 2022.

Development of Magnetic Porous Polymer Composite for Magnetic Solid Phase Extraction of Three Fluoroquinolones in Milk.

In this study, a magnetic porous polymer composite with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups was synthesized for magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) of milk substrates. Optimization was conducted on various parameters, including adsorption dose, solution pH, adsorption time, and some elution conditions. Coupled with a high-performance liquid chromatography fluorescence detector, a novel MSPE method for determination of norfloxacin (NFX), ciprofloxacin (CIP), and enrofloxacin (ENR) in milk was developed based on magnetic metal organic framework polystyrene polymer (FeO@MOF@PLS) as adsorbent.

Pyramidal and parvalbumin neurons modulate the process of electroacupuncture stimulation for stroke rehabilitation.

Electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation has been shown to be beneficial in stroke rehabilitation; however, little is known about the neurological mechanism by which this peripheral stimulation approach treats for stroke. This study showed that both pyramidal and parvalbumin (PV) neuronal activity increased in the contralesional primary motor cortex forelimb motor area (M1FL) after ischemic stroke induced by focal unilateral occlusion in the M1FL. EA stimulation reduced pyramidal neuronal activity and increased PV neuronal activity.

Different Impacts of Traffic-Related Air Pollution on Early-Onset and Late-Onset Asthma.

Background: Early-onset asthma (EOA) and late-onset asthma (LOA) are two distinct phenotypes. Air pollution has been associated with an increase in poorer asthma outcomes. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) on asthma outcomes in EOA and LOA patients.

Urinary cadmium concentration is associated with the severity and clinical outcomes of COVID-19: a bicenter observational cohort study.

Background: Cadmium and nickel exposure can cause oxidative stress, induce inflammation, inhibit immune function, and therefore has significant impacts on the pathogenesis and severity of many diseases. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can also provoke oxidative stress and the dysregulation of inflammatory and immune responses. This study aimed to assess the potential associations of cadmium and nickel exposure with the severity and clinical outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Effects of electroacupuncture preconditioning on microglial cells and serum inflammatory factors in the early stage of ischemic stroke.

Objectives: To investigate the effects on the motor function, cortex blood flow perfusion, microglial cells, and the contents of serum inflammatory factors, i.e. interleukin-1β (IL-1β), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) after electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning at "Baihui" (GV20) and "Dazhui" (GV14) in the mice with ischemic stroke, so as to explore the mechanism of EA preconditioning for improving motor function after ischemic stroke.

Thrombin worsens extravascular lung water and outcomes of septic patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: A case control study.

Endothelial cell (EC) activation may increase systemic vascular permeability, causing extravascular lung water (EVLW) in sepsis with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, the correlation between thrombin and EVLW in sepsis and ARDS has not yet been addressed. Patients with sepsis and ARDS were prospectively enrolled between 2014 and 2016, and EVLW and serum thrombin levels on days 1 and 3 were measured and compared between surviving and non-surviving patients.

The Role of Perineuronal Nets in the Contralateral Hemisphere in the Electroacupuncture-Mediated Rehabilitation of Poststroke Dysphagia Mice.

Acupuncture at Lianquan (CV23) acupoint has been shown to improve swallowing function in poststroke dysphagia (PSD). This improvement is supposed to be associated with the regulation of neuronal activity in the contralateral primary motor cortex (M1), while the underlying mechanism still needs to be elucidated. Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are well-known to be involved in the regulation of neuronal activity.

Fabrication of a magnetic metal-organic framework/covalent organic framework composite for simultaneous magnetic solid-phase extraction of seventeen trace quinolones residues in meats.

Effective capture of quinolones (QNs) in animal-derived food is a vital procedure for food safety monitoring. However, the lack of adsorption specificity and difficult to recycle in complex substrate conditions have been major problems for most of the adsorbents. In this work, a magnetic FeO/MOF/COF composite (named FeO@NH-MIL-125@TpPa-SOH) was successfully synthesized with good magnetic responsiveness and conspicuous affinity towards QNs.