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The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, originated in China in late 2019, probably in the city of Wuhan (1,2). The outbreak of this unusual respiratory disease led to a wide [...]

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is prevalent among children and is associated with elevated blood pressure (BP), posing a risk for future hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. While the roles of gut microbiota and systemic inflammation in OSAS pathogenesis are recognized in adults and animal models, their impact on pediatric BP remains less understood. This cross-sectional study explored the relationships between polysomnographic parameters, gut microbiota, systemic inflammation, and BP in 60 children with OSAS. Significant associations between specific microbial profiles—including beta diversity and 31 marker microbes—and BP variations were observed. These microbial profiles correlated with significant alterations in systemic inflammation markers like interleukin-17 and tumor necrosis factor-α. Notably, the relative abundance of Acinetobacter was related to fluctuations in these inflammatory markers and BP levels. The research further highlighted the unique microbial and cytokine profiles exhibited by children with different BP levels, indicating a substantial role of gut microbiota and systemic inflammation in influencing pediatric cardiovascular health. The findings suggest integrating gut microbiota management into comprehensive cardiovascular risk strategies for children with OSAS. This initiative underscores the need for further investigations to decode the mechanisms behind these associations, which could lead to innovative treatments for pediatric OSAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an era of rapid digital development, e-learning has become a significant trend in the educational field. Medical technology students need to acquire extensive theoretical knowledge and practical skills. E-learning can enhance learning experiences, improving students' understanding and application abilities. This study examined the impact of learning motivation, learning approaches, and learning burnout on the academic performance of medical technology students in an e-learning environment. This study conducted a quantitative survey on 37 medical technology students. The questionnaires included learning motivations, learning methods, and burnout, and responses provided on a 5-point Likert scale. First, the 37 students were categorized into three groups based on their academic performance. Then, differences between these groups were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, and correlations between academic performance and questionnaire variables were calculated using Spearman correlation analysis. It revealed that motivation varies among different academic performance levels. Furthermore, in the high-grade group, self-efficacy (r = -0.502, p = 0.047), monitoring studying (r = 0.494, p = 0.032), and emotional exhaustion (r = 0.514, p = 0.024) were correlated to academic performance. In the middle-grade group, self-efficacy for learning and performance was correlated to academic performance (r = 0.858, p = 0.001). In the low-grade group, academic performance was correlated to depth approach (r = 0.826, p = 0.022) and organized studying (r = 0.833, p = 0.020). This study, through a quantitative survey, found significant differences in learning motivation, learning methods, and learning burnout among medical technology students with different academic performance levels. High-grade students demonstrated higher levels of emotional exhaustion, which may reflect feelings of overextension and academic burnout in e-learning environments; the academic performance of the middle-grade group was related to intrinsic motivation; and low-grade students showed a stronger correlation between their learning methods in e-learning and their academic performance. These insights underscore the necessity for personalized learning strategies to enhance educational outcomes effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging evidence underscores the pivotal role of the gut microbiota in regulating emotional and behavioral responses via the microbiota–gut–brain axis. This study explores associations between pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), emotional distress (ED), and gut microbiome alterations before and after OSA treatment. Sixty-six children diagnosed with OSA via polysomnography participated, undergoing adenotonsillectomy alongside routine educational sessions. ED was assessed using the OSA-18 questionnaire, categorizing participants into high ED (scores ≥ 11, 52%) and low ED (scores < 11, 48%) groups. Gut microbiome analysis revealed significant diversity differences, with high ED linked to a reduced Shannon index (p = 0.03) and increased beta diversity (p = 0.01). Three months post-treatment, significant improvements were observed in OSA symptoms, ED scores, and gut microbiome alpha diversity metrics among 55 participants (all p < 0.04). Moreover, changes in the relative abundances of Veillonella, Bifidobacterium, Flavonifractor, and Agathobacter, as well as ultra-low frequency power and low frequency power of sleep heart rate variability, were independently associated with ED score alterations. These findings underscore the gut microbiome's critical role in the emotional and behavioral symptoms associated with pediatric OSA, suggesting that microbiome-targeted interventions could complement traditional treatments for ED reduction and emphasizing the need for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza A virus (IAV) is known for causing seasonal epidemics ranging from flu to more severe outcomes like pneumonia, cytokine storms, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The innate immune response and inflammasome activation play pivotal roles in sensing, preventing, and clearing the infection, as well as in the potential exacerbation of disease progression. This study examines the complex relationships between donor-specific characteristics and cytokine responses during H3N2 IAV infection using an ex vivo model. At 24 h post infection in 31 human lung explant tissue samples, key cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) were upregulated. Interestingly, a history of lung cancer did not impact the acute immune response. However, cigarette smoking and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on macrophages significantly increased IL-2 levels. Conversely, age inversely affected IL-4 levels, and diabetes mellitus negatively influenced IL-6 levels. Additionally, both diabetes mellitus and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) expression on CD3+/CD4+ T cells negatively impacted TNF-α levels, while body mass index was inversely associated with IFN-γ production. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression emerged as crucial in mediating acute innate and adaptive immune responses. These findings highlight the intricate interplay between individual physiological traits and immune responses during influenza infection, underscoring the importance of tailored and personalized approaches in IAV treatment and prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to assess the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of various SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and compare their protective effects against COVID-19 among healthcare workers (HCWs) during the Omicron outbreak in Taiwan. Methods: Conducted from March 2021 to July 2023, this prospective observational study included healthy HCWs without prior COVID-19 immunization. Participants chose between adenovirus-vectored (AstraZeneca), mRNA (Moderna, BioNTech-Pfizer), and protein-based (Medigen, Novavax) vaccines. Blood samples were taken at multiple points to measure neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers, and adverse events (AEs) were recorded via questionnaires. Results: Of 710 HCWs, 668 (94.1%) completed three doses, and 290 (40.8%) received a fourth dose during the Omicron outbreak. AEs were more common with AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines, while Medigen caused fewer AEs. Initial nAb titers were highest with Moderna but waned over time regardless of the vaccine. Booster doses significantly increased nAb titers, with the highest levels observed in Moderna BA1 recipients. The fourth dose significantly reduced COVID-19 incidence, with Moderna BA1 being the most effective. Conclusions: Regular booster doses, especially with mRNA and adjuvant-protein vaccines, effectively enhance nAb levels and reduce infection rates, providing critical protection for frontline HCWs during variant outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 ± 2.2 years and an apnea-hypopnea index of 14.12 ± 17.05 events/hour. Measurements were taken of body mass index (BMI), sleep heart-rate variability, morning circulatory levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, and interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, anthropometry, and polysomnography. Multiple linear regression modeling showed that an apnea-hypopnea index was significantly associated with BMI, the standard deviation of successive differences between normal-to-normal intervals during N3 sleep, and the proportion of normal-to-normal interval pairs differing by more than 50 ms during rapid-eye-movement sleep. A moderated mediation model revealed that interleukin-1 receptor antagonist levels mediated the association between BMI and interleukin-6 levels, with sympathovagal balance during N3 sleep and minimum blood oxygen saturation further moderating these relationships. This study highlights the complex relationships between BMI, polysomnographic parameters, sleep heart-rate-variability metrics, and inflammatory markers in children with OSA, underlining the importance of weight management in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a prevalent viral disease among infants. The prevalence typically ranges from 0.2% to 2.4% among all newborns. There are limited data regarding the demographic characteristics of infants with symptomatic CMV infections. (2) Methods: In this retrospective cohort study using the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital multicenter database, infants with CMV infection determined by a positive urine culture, positive blood polymerase chain reaction assay or positive immunoglobulin M result for CMV from 2011 through 2021 were included. Clinical characteristics at initial diagnosis, management and outcomes were investigated. Congenital CMV (cCMV) infection is diagnosed within three weeks after birth; postnatal CMV (pCMV) is diagnosed when CMV is detected after the first 3 weeks of life. (3) Results: Among the 505 CMV-infected infants identified, 272 were included in the analysis. According to the age at initial presentation, 21 infants had cCMV infection and 251 had pCMV infection. Higher incidences of prematurity and being small for gestational age and a lower Z score for weight at diagnosis were observed in the cCMV group. While thrombocytopenia (61.9%) was the leading presentation in the cCMV group, hepatitis (59.8%) and prolonged jaundice (21.9%) were more common in the pCMV group. (4) Conclusions: Utilizing an 11-year multicenter database, we demonstrated the characteristics of infants with CMV infection in Taiwan and highlighted the demographic disparities and differing symptoms between the cCMV and pCMV groups. These findings emphasize the necessity for future research to refine screening policies, explore treatment options, and establish follow-up protocols for affected infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Before caring for patients, video instruction is commonly used for undergraduate medical students, and 360° virtual reality (VR) videos have gained increasing interest in clinical medical education. Therefore, the effect of immersive 360° VR video learning compared with two-dimensional (2D) VR video learning in clinical skills acquisition should be evaluated. This randomized, intervention-controlled clinical trial was aimed to assess whether immersive 360° VR video improves undergraduate medical students' learning effectiveness and reduces the cognitive load in history taking and physical examination (H&P) training. From May 1 2018 to October 30 2018, 64 senior undergraduate medical students in a tertiary academic hospital were randomized to receive a 10-min immersive 360° (360° VR video group; n = 32) or 2D VR instructional video (2D VR video group; n = 32), including essential knowledge and competency of H&P. The demographic characteristics of the two groups were comparable for age, sex, and cognitive style. The total procedure skill score, physical examination score, learner's satisfaction score, and total cognitive load in the 360° VR video group were significantly higher than those in the 2D VR video group (effect sizes [95% confidence interval]: 0.72 [0.21–1.22], 0.63 [0.12–1.13], 0.56 [0.06–1.06], and 0.53 [0.03–1.03], respectively). This study suggested that a10-minute 360° VR video instruction helped undergraduate medical students perform fundamental H&P skills as effectively as 2D VR video. Furthermore, the 360° VR video might result in significantly better procedural metrics of physical examinations with higher learner satisfaction despite the higher cognitive load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]