Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
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Congenital TORCH (toxoplasmosis, other viruses [varicella-zoster virus, VZV, etc.], rubella, cytomegalovirus [CMV], Herpes simplex virus [HSV]) infections are major causes of prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal morbidity and mortality. Although treatment or prevention strategies are available for these pathogens, all drugs may not be safe during the pregnancy. The aim of this study is to measure the antibodies (Abs) concentration in the intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) preparation to evaluate the therapeutic potential for TORCH infection. ⋯ There was high activity against T. gondii, VZV, EBV, measles, mumps, rubella, CMV, HSV-1, and HSV-2 in all IVIG batches. Further investigation is warranted to confirm the efficacy of IVIG from Taiwanese for congenital TORCH infections.
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The objective of this study is to evaluate the hormone profile of young men with the chief complaint of erectile dysfunction (ED) and determine the comorbidities in this population. ⋯ The majority of men under the age of 40 with ED exhibit a normal hormonal milieu. Young ED men with BMI > 28.2 kg/m, age >34 years, cancer diagnosis, or depression are at risk for hypogonadism.
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The use of liquid biopsy to detect epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a promising method to screen patients eligible for third-generation EGFR inhibitors. Proficiency testing (PT) programs involving liquid biopsy are currently lacking. In this study, we conducted a PT program to assess the quality assurance of liquid biopsy tests for detecting EGFR T790M mutation in molecular pathology laboratories in Taiwan. ⋯ In this first PT program using liquid biopsy in Taiwan, local clinical laboratories were suitably equipped and proficient in the use of cfDNA to test for the EGFR T790M mutation. Establishing a routine PT system to ensure the reliability and accuracy of liquid biopsy in clinical practice in Taiwan would be helpful.
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Severe meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) may cause intractable respiratory failure in neonates. Targeting the renin-angiotensin system may be an effective way to treat such pulmonary dysfunction. Captopril has the potential to mitigate the severity of lung injury by inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme. ⋯ Intratracheal captopril did not present significant beneficial effects on severe meconium-injured lungs within 5 hours after injury. Further studies with different disease severities and dosing strategies are required.
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Adnexal torsion constitutes 2.7% of all gynecological emergencies. Because normal follicular growth has been demonstrated after examination of surgical specimens retrieved from oophorectomies, organ-sparing strategy has gained more popularity irrespective of the appearance of the ovary. However, the functionality of the remaining follicles has not been known. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of ischemia-reperfusion on fecundability in a rat model with adnexal torsion. ⋯ Although there was a statistical difference between experimental and control groups, statistical significance was not reached among 8-hour and 24-hour torsion subgroups. In this context, patients with torsion but treated with detorsion should be further investigated for their fecundability potency and be informed accordingly.