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Aims: Several studies suggested that depression might worsen the clinical outcome of diabetes mellitus; however, such association was confounded by duration of illness and baseline complications. This study aimed to assess whether depression increases the risk of diabetes complications and mortality among incident patients with diabetes. Methods: This was a population-based matched cohort study using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. A total of 38 537 incident patients with diabetes who had depressive disorders and 154 148 incident diabetes patients without depression who were matched by age, sex and cohort entry year were randomly selected. The study endpoint was the development of macrovascular and microvascular complications, all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality. Results: Among participants, the mean (±SD) age was 52.61 (±12.45) years, and 39.63% were male. The average duration of follow-up for mortality was 5.5 years, ranging from 0 to 14 years. The adjusted hazard ratios were 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32–1.37) for macrovascular complications and 1.08 (95% CI, 1.04–1.12) for all-cause mortality. However, there was no association of depression with microvascular complications, mortality due to cardiovascular diseases or mortality due to diabetes mellitus. The effect of depression on diabetes complications and mortality was more prominent among young adults than among middle-aged and older adults. Conclusions: Depression was associated with macrovascular complications and all-cause mortality in our patient cohort. However, the magnitude of association was less than that in previous studies. Further research should focus on the benefits and risks of treatment for depression on diabetes outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to evaluate the comparative risk of self-harm associated with the use of different antidepressants.MethodA cohort study was conducted using data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database from 2001 to 2012. A total of 751 606 new antidepressant users with depressive disorders were included. The study outcome was hospitalization due to self-harm (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes: E950–E958 and E980–E988). Cox proportional hazards models with stratification of the propensity score deciles were used to estimate the hazard ratios of self-harm hospitalization during the first year following the initiation of antidepressant treatment.ResultsThere were 1038 hospitalization episodes due to self-harm that occurred during the follow-up of 149 796 person-years, with an overall incidence rate of 6.9 [95% confidence interval (CI) 6.5–7.4] per 1000. Compared with fluoxetine, the risk of self-harm hospitalization was higher for maprotiline [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 3.00, 95% CI 1.40–6.45], milnacipran (aHR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.24–4.43) and mirtazapine (aHR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.06–1.86), lower for bupropion (aHR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.30–0.86), and similar level of risk was found for other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (citalopram, escitalopram, fluvoxamine, paroxetine and sertraline).ConclusionsThe risk of self-harm may vary across different antidepressant drugs. It would be of importance to conduct further research to investigate the influence of antidepressant use on self-harm behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the association of chronic rhinosinusitis with sudden sensorineural hearing loss using a population-based database. Methods: Sampled subject data were obtained from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000. A total of 3325 patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss were identified and 9975 controls were randomly selected. A conditional logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio for having been previously diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis, for cases and controls. Results and conclusion: The adjusted odds ratio of having prior chronic rhinosinusitis among cases compared to controls was 1.36 (95 per cent confidence interval = 1.16-1.60). The significant relationship between sudden sensorineural hearing loss and chronic rhinosinusitis was most pronounced among those patients aged 44 years or less (compared to controls) (odds ratio = 2.18; 95 per cent confidence interval = 1.63-2.92). However, the significant relationship between sudden sensorineural hearing loss and prior chronic rhinosinusitis was not sustained for patients older than 60 years compared to controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Although chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and psoriasis both share immunological disturbances as pathological factors, no prior study has investigated the risk for psoriasis among patients with CRSsNP. Objectives To investigate the subsequent risk for psoriasis following a diagnosis of CRSsNP by utilizing a cohort study design and a population-based dataset in Taiwan. Methods In total, 13 242 subjects with CRSsNP were included in the study cohort and 39 726 subjects were randomly extracted for the comparison cohort. We individually tracked each individual in this study ( n = 52 968) for a 5-year period following their index date to identify those subjects who received a subsequent diagnosis of psoriasis. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was conducted to calculate the 5-year risk of subsequent psoriasis following a diagnosis of CRS among the sampled subjects. Results The incidence rate of psoriasis during the 5-year follow-up period was 1·41 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1·14-1·71] per 1000 person-years and 0·69 (95% CI 0·59-0·81) per 1000 person-years for the study and comparison cohort, respectively. Stratified Cox proportional hazards regression revealed that the hazard ratio for psoriasis during the 5-year follow-up period for subjects with CRSsNP compared with the control group was 2·01 (95% CI 1·54-2·62) after adjusting for monthly income, geographical region, hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease and hyperlipidaemia, and censoring the cases who died during the 5-year follow-up period. Conclusion This study detected an increased risk for psoriasis among patients with CRSsNP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 54-month-old girl with acute gastroenteritis and a 31-month-old boy with acute gastroenteritis who were both hospitalized in Taiwan. It states that nucleotide sequencing and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction amplification were performed to characterize the two Taiwanese G3P[9] strains. The study discovered that the strains caused serious infection in the patients that led to their hospitalization.

The first case of Q fever in Taiwan was reported in 1993. The disease is considered to be emerging in Taiwan, but the route of transmission has remained unclear. The annual number of confirmed Q fever cases has been increasing up to more than 100 cases since 2005, comparing with less than 30 before 2003. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of Coxiella burnetii infection in veterinary-associated populations in southern Taiwan. A total of 228 serum samples of high risk individuals engaging in veterinary-related work or animal-farm work, were collected between March and June in 2007. The study individuals were interviewed by a structured questionnaire designed for Q fever investigation. Serum samples from different animal species were also obtained for Q fever analysis in the same study areas. Serological test was conducted by indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay (IFA). The result demonstrated the overall seroprevalence of Q fever was 26.3% in individuals engaging in veterinary and animal-related work in southern Taiwan. After multiple logistic regression analysis, goat exposure was significantly associated with seropositivity of Q fever in the study population in southern Taiwan (adjusted odds ratio: 2.62; 95% CI: 1.06-6.46). In addition, the highest seroprevalence (43.8%) of Q fever was identified in goats ( P < 0.05). Finally, this study documented that people with prior knowledge of Q fever were less likely to be seropositive for C. burnetii. It was concluded that goat exposure was the most important risk factor associated with C. burnetii infection and appropriate health education could be useful to prevent high risk individuals from the infection in southern Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

XRCC1 plays a central role in mammalian DNA repair processes. Two polymorphisms of XRCC1, rs1799782 (Arg>Trp at codon 194) and rs25487 (Arg>Gln at codon 399), are common in the Han Chinese population. Our objective was to analyze the relationship between these two functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the Taiwanese Han Chinese population. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) on 172 SLE patients and 160 normal controls. Our data indicate that the frequency of A/G at codon 399 differed between patients and controls (p=0.01; odds ratio: 1.80; 95% confidence interval: 1.17-2.75), but the allelic frequency analysis did not reveal significant differences. For the SNP at codon 194, there were no differences in either allelic or genotype frequencies between SLE patients and normal subjects. Clinical association studies of SLE symptoms revealed the involvement of the A/G polymorphism at codon 399 in SLE pathogenesis. Our results indicate that a functional SNP at codon 399 of XRCC1 is associated with the development of SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The interleukin 17A ( IL17A) gene, located on chromosome 6p and linked to asthma phenotype, is a highly potential candidate gene conferring asthma susceptibility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the genetic association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL17A and asthma in Taiwanese children. Methods: We selected and performed genotyping on nine SNPs that encompass the genomic region of IL17A in Taiwanese children with or without asthma. A total of 1939 subjects containing 1027 subjects in testing group and 931 subjects in validation group were recruited in this study. Results: After Bonferroni correction, SNP rs8193036 was found to have a weak association ( P = 0.0074 × 9 = 0.066) in genotype frequency test. This association was confirmed by validation group. Logistic regression adjusted allergy comorbidity and gender showed a slightly weaker association. Conclusions: The results indicated an independent role of IL17A promoter polymorphism rs8193036 in the association with pediatric asthma in Taiwanese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Vitiligo vulgaris is a depigmentary disorder resulting from the disappearance of functional melanocytes. Currently, the pathogenesis of this disorder remains obscure. Objectives Genetic analysis of patients with vitilgo may provide important clues for elucidating the complex pathomechanisms involved in the disease process. Because dysfunctional keratinocytes have recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of vitiligo vulgaris, we conducted a case–control association study to investigate this phenomenon. Patients and methods Fifty-one patients with vitiligo vulgaris and 118 healthy controls from Taiwan were recruited to investigate the association between relevant keratinocyte-related genes and the occurrence of vitiligo vulgaris. This study genotyped 11 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in five genes including stem cell factor ( SCF, also known as KITLG), basic fibroblast growth factor ( bFGF, also known as NuDT6), endothelin-1 ( EDN1), hepatocyte growth factor ( HGF) and stem cell growth factor ( SCGF, also known as CLEC11A). Results Our results revealed that the A allele for SNP rs11104947 in the SCF gene and the T allele for SNP rs13866 in the SCGF gene were, respectively, associated with a 1·95- and a 2·14-fold risk of developing vitiligo vulgaris. A higher risk was also detected among subjects who carried the SCF rs995029/rs11104947 C/A haplotype (odds ratio = 2·45). Furthermore, the at-risk alleles for SCF rs11104947 (A allele) and for SCGF SNP rs13866 (T allele) were found to display a 7·92-fold increased gene–gene combined risk. No significant relationship between polymorphic frequency for genes bFGF, EDN1 as well as HGF and occurrence of vitiligo vulgaris was observed. Conclusions These novel genetic findings provide new insights in relation to the mechanisms that might be involved in the development of vitiligo vulgaris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Janus kinase-2 (JAK-2) V617F mutation has been recently reported in patients with myeloproliferative disorders (MPD), which is believed to underlie growth factor hypersensitivity displayed by haematopoietic progenitors in these disorders. However, its frequency has been rarely determined in Taiwanese patients. Methods: The frequency of JAK2-V617F mutation in patients with polycythaemia vera, essential thrombocythaemia and idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) was determined in the DNA from the peripheral blood leucocytes of 108 patients by genomic polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme-based assay. Results: The JAK2-V617F mutation could be detected in 28 of 33 polycythaemia vera patients (85%), 29 of 49 essential thrombocythaemia patients (59%) and 2 of 6 IMF patients (33%), but was not detected in 11 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome or another 10 with other haematological diseases. The presence of the JAK2 mutation was associated with specific MPD disease subtypes ( P = 0.007), longer disease duration ( P = 0.005), splenomegaly ( P = 0.019), a higher white blood cell count ( P = 0.002) and a higher haemoglobin level ( P = 0.036). However, the overall risk of thrombosis or bleeding was not affected by the presence of the JAK2 mutation (32 vs 17%; P = 0.22). Conclusion: The JAK2-V617F mutation can be frequently detected in the Taiwanese patients with MPD disorders and therefore should be incorporated into the initial evaluation of patients suspected of MPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Clinical studies have suggested that venlafaxine induces a higher remission rate than paroxetine. However, very few studies have evaluated relapse episodes over treatment periods longer than a few weeks, and the cut-off score of 7 on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) often used to define remission is too high. This score is associated with the high rates of social function impairment. We report on a single centre, open-label, prospective 24-week study to investigate the comparative efficacy of acute treatments with venlafaxine and paroxetine, using different definitions of response and remission rates. Methods: Outpatients satisfying DSM-IV criteria for major depression with a baseline HRSD17 score of at least 16 were eligible. Following baseline evaluations, the patients were assigned to receive venlafaxine 75–225 mg/day with the mean dosage 141·35 ± 26·98 (SD) mg/day ( n = 78), or paroxetine 20 mg/day ( n = 92) for 24 weeks. Efficacy was assessed using the mean change in HRSD17 score from baseline, the response rate and the remission rates based on different criteria for remission (HRSD17 score ≤ 7 or 5). Results: One hundred and seventy patients were evaluated for efficacy; 78 treated with venlafaxine and 92 with paroxetine. Over the treatment period, venlafaxine was comparable with paroxetine on most outcome measures, whereas paroxetine produced significantly higher remission rates at weeks 4, 8, 16, 20 and 24 weeks when the lower cutoff of 5 was used. Conclusions: Venlafaxine treatment was similar to paroxetine according to the typical efficacy measures for treating outpatients with major depression. However, based on the stricter remission criterion, paroxetine might be superior to venlafaxine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of the international franchise system on a global scale provides impetus for academic interests investigating such an issue. Nevertheless, there is a lack of research regarding its stage development. In this research, a stage model, termed the "stage model of the international franchise system development" is proposed, to provide insight into the process of implementing the international franchise system successfully. The development of the proposed model refers to related literature and is based on case studies from five international franchisors in Taiwan. Firms' objectives, key organizational issues and characterization at each stage were documented during the research. doi:10.1300/J049v14n04_04 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A two-dimensional (2D) finite-difference shallow water model based on a second-order hybrid type of total variation diminishing (TVD) approximate solver with a MUSCL limiter function was developed to model flooding and inundation problems where the evolution of the drying and wetting interface is numerically challenging. Both a minimum positive depth (MPD) scheme and a non-MPD scheme were employed to handle the advancement of drying and wetting fronts. We used several model problems to verify the model, including a dam break in a slope channel, a dam break flooding over a triangular obstacle, an idealized circular dam-break, and a tide flow over a mound. Computed results agreed well with the experiment data and other numerical results available. The model was then applied to simulate the dam breaking and flooding of Hsindien Creek, Taiwan, with the detailed river basin topography. Computed flooding scenarios show reasonable flow characteristics. Though the average speed of flooding is 6-7 m s-1, which corresponds to the subcritical flow condition (Fr < 1), the local maximum speed of flooding is 14·12 m s-1, which corresponds to the supercritical flow condition {Fr ≈ 1·31). It is necessary to conduct some kind of comparison of the numerical results with measurements/experiments in further studies. Nevertheless, the model exhibits its capability to capture the essential features of dam-break flows with drying and wetting fronts. It also exhibits the potential to provide the basis for computationally efficient flood routing and warning information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the reuse potential of the effluents discharged from several unified wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) of industrial parks in Taiwan, with designed capacity exceeding 10,000 CMD. Parameters were selected based on the relevant reuse purposes. The "potential recycling percentage", R of the WWTP effluent was defined as the maximal percentage of pure water extractable by the "ideal reverse osmosis module" while the RO retentate still met local effluent standards and required no treatment. The analytical results demonstrated that the WWTP effluents had potential for recycling. A pilot plant was installed in one of the WWTPs. The treatment process included a sand filter, an ultrafiltration unit (UF) and a reverse osmosis module (RO). Results of this study demonstrated that the production quantity and quality are stable and appropriate for various purposes, including both industrial and domestic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noroviruses are a major health burden and are responsible for the majority of outbreaks of gastroenteritis in the world. Human noroviruses can be genetically divided into two main genogroups (GI and GII) and subdivided into many genotypes. In this study, stool specimens collected from 12 outbreaks of gastroenteritis in Taiwan were screened for viral agents between the 23rd of November 2004 and 9th of March 2005. Noroviruses were detected in all outbreaks. We detected six different norovirus genotypes: GI/11, GI/14, GII/3, GII/4, GII/6, and GII/18. Noroviruses belonging to GII/4 were dominant, 50 of 60 (83%) sequences, and were detected in 10 of 12 outbreaks. Furthermore, the norovirus GII/4 strains were detected throughout Taiwan, demonstrating their widespread distribution. We also found that three outbreaks had noroviruses from multiple genotypes. Our results have shown for the first time that noroviruses are an important cause of gastroenteritis in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the remediation of a petrochemicals-contaminated site within a petroleum refinery in southern Taiwan. Petroleum hydrocarbons were detected in the groundwater samples collected around the underground storage tanks. To effectively remove the free product on the groundwater and remediate the contaminated groundwater while the refinery was still in operation, a site-specific treatment train was system was developed for the site. The effectiveness of the each treatment process was dependent on site characteristics, contaminant species and operation.

OBJECTIVES:: To compare the different correlations of body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (BF%) with other ethnic groups and to evaluate the appropriateness of Asia-Pacific redefining obesity criteria in the Taiwanese population. The corresponding BF% to BMI cutoffs of overweight and obesity will also be studied. DESIGN:: A cross-sectional epidemiological survey. SUBJECTS:: A total of 509 male and 570 female Taiwanese subjects aged ≥20 y sampled by the systematic stratified clustering sampling method were analyzed. MEASUREMENTS:: BMI was obtained by body weight (kg) divided by squared body height (m2). The estimated BMI (BMIe) was deduced from the Caucasian-based four-compartment equation (4C). BF% measured by the methods of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) or Caucasian-based 4C were used and abbreviated as DXA-BF and 4C-BF, respectively. RESULTS:: The curvilinear relationship between age and BMI or DXA-BF was established. When compared by age-stratified groups, Taiwanese subjects had a higher BF% (4C-BF) in any given BMI than Caucasians. That is, the level of 4C-BF for BMI≥25 kg/m2 in Taiwanese subjects was similar to BMI≥30 kg/m2 in Caucasians. The BMIe values of 25 and 30 kg/m2 were nearly equal to the BMIs of 23.6 and 25.3 kg/m2 in males, and 22.7 and 24.8 kg/m2 in females, respectively. The 4C-BF of 25% was nearly equal to a BMI of 26.2 kg/m2 in males, and 35% was equal to a BMI of 24.4 kg/m2 in females. Consequently, the DXA-BF cutoffs for BMIs of 23 and 25 kg/m2 were compatible to 23 and 25% in males, and 35 and 38% in females, respectively. CONCLUSION:: It was demonstrated that Taiwanese subjects had a relatively lower BMI but a higher BF% than Caucasians. In general, the newly proposed Asia-Pacific BMI cutoffs for overweight (≥23 kg/m2) and obesity (≥25 kg/m2) may be acceptable to both... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taiwan swine on-farm test integrates the performance data to conduct the genetic evaluation of growth and carcass traits which provide breeders as the basis for selection, so as to enhance the efficiency and improve the genetic performance of nucleus herd. The tested purebred Landrace from 2014 to 2021 reached 5,777 heads. With their ancestors in pedigree, the data was analyzed to estimate heritability and genetic correlation. There are five traits evaluated in this estimation: D110kg, ADG, BF, LMA and Lean%. If the estimates of genetic parameter (heritability, genetic correlation) and their standard errors are within reasonable range, which will increases accuracy in estimating breeding value (BV). The results showed that the estimated heritability were range from 0.226 to 0.403. The heritability of BF and Lean% were stable, while the D110kg, ADG and LMA are still not reach the reasonable range, but with slightly enhanced. This presents that the genetic parameters would become more rational when the increase in the number tested and stability of testing operation of participating farms. In addition, further regression analysis show when the BV of BF is changed by 1.0 mm, the average BF can be improved by 0.030 mm; however, if the phenotypic value of BF is variated by 1.0 mm, it can only be improved genetically by 0.004 mm. In summary, selection by BV of BF traits will have better improvement in genetic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taiwan swine on-farm test integrates the performance data of participating purebred farms to conduct genetic evaluation. The evaluation provides breeders the basis for selection program, so as to enhance the efficiency of purebred selection in Taiwan. The tested purebred Duroc from 2014 to 2021 reached 11,837 heads. The results of this analysis indicated that the estimation of genetic parameters (heritability, genetic correlation) and standard error for D110kg, ADG and BF become more accurate, while LMA and Lean% are still not reach the reasonable range, but slightly improved. This shows that the increase in the number tested would help the rationality of genetic parameters. In addition, further regression analysis of breeding value and phenotypic value shows that the average breeding value (BV) of D110kg is increased by 1.0 day, and the phenotypic value of DllOkg would be improved by 1.79 days; however, if the phenotypic value of D110Okg is enhanced by 1.0 day that the average BV could only be improved by 0.11 days. In summary, the breeding values of D110kg, ADG and BF traits might be recommended for practical use in on-site purebred stocks selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears are commonly due to motor vehicle accidents or sports-related trauma but can differ geographically. We report the various causes, types, and associated injuries of PCL tears in Taiwan. Methods One hundred forty patients with arthroscopically treated PCL tears were reviewed. Results Scooter-related trauma was the most common cause of PCL tear in our series and is typically an isolated ligamentous injury. High-velocity motor vehicle accidents accounted for a small percentage of PCL tears. Conclusion Scooter-related PCL tears are common in Taiwanese patients and are often isolated ligamentous injuries similar to low-velocity sports-related PCL injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Posttransplant new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) is an important complication among patients receiving immunosuppressants. It has a considerable impact on chronic allograft dysfunction. Calcineurin inhibitors have been implicated in the development of posttransplant NODM. Since high-risk candidates also undergo transplantation, prevention and control of posttransplant NODM is important. A 3-year postmarketing surveillance study is currently underway in Taiwan to evaluate the incidence and risk factors leading to development of NODM among de novo and maintenance solid-organ transplant patients receiving cyclosporine (CsA)-based immunosuppressive therapy. Concomitant therapy consisted of basiliximab, mycophenolate mofetil or enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium, and corticosteroids. Diabetes was diagnosed according to the American Diabetes Association criteria. This 6-month protocol-defined interim analysis included 101 patients (84 de novo, 17 maintenance) who received renal (n = 77), liver (n = 13), or heart (n = 11) transplantation. At the end of 6 months, 8/101 (7.92%) patients experienced NODM. The mean time to NODM was 3.05 months. No significant difference was observed between NODM and non-NODM patients for risk factors: age, body mass index, blood pressure, gender, high-density lipoproteins/triglycerides hdl/tg, and anti-hepatitis C virus. The composite endpoint of biopsy-proven acute rejection, graft loss, or death was reached in four patients, with a mean time to event of 3.81 months. Infections were noted in 34 subjects but, no malignancies. Among 389 adverse events reported in 91 patients (90.1%), the majority were of mild to moderate severity. Two deaths were reported: heart transplant recipients with acute rejection and cytomegalovirus meningitis with respiratory failure. Long-term enrollment with follow-up evaluation of these NODM patients up to 3 years will help evaluate the NODM incidence rates and exact graft survival and overall survival rates of CsA-treated transplant patients in Taiwan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study was aimed at identifying the locations of the submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) on the shelf of Southwestern Taiwan by means of oceanographic measurements, quantifying its influence on the hydrographic conditions in the area, and estimating the volume rates of the discharge. Two high resolution hydrographic surveys of the region, including water and bottom sediment sampling campaigns, were completed in February and October of 2009. Water samples were also collected from the neighboring on-land groundwater wells. At some locations in the study regions, the vertical profiles exhibited a slight but detectable (0.009 to 0.105psu) decrease of salinity manifested in the near-bottom portion of the water column. Although convectively unstable, this feature appeared robust and persisted for the eight months between the surveys. The salinity anomalies in the near-bottom layer were often accompanied by the maxima of fluorescence, chlorophyll, silica, nitrate, and iron concentrations, as well as the minima of turbidity. In February, 2009, the n-alkane composition of organic matter in the water collected from an on-land groundwater well exhibited high content of C24 alkane. A similar anomalously high concentration of C24 alkane was encountered in the bottom sediment samples from the suspected SGD sites. In October, 2009, the dominant marker of SGD signature was the C16 alkane. Based on these data, we specified the likely locations of the SGD sources in the study area, all of which were restricted to the inner shelf at the depths less than 8m. We argue that the influence of the SGD on oceanographic regime in the region is small but observable. Its signature is confined to the lowermost 0.1–2.1m layer of the water column. The groundwater seepage rates roughly estimated under the assumption of the advection–diffusion balance based on the eddy diffusivity values typical for the bottom layer, are of the order of 0.1 to 1gm−2 s−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Clin Microbiol Infect 2011; 17: 1570-1573 Abstract Genotype P[25] rotaviruses are rare and to date have been reported to occur only in a few countries of mainland Asia. Here we report the molecular characterization of a novel human rotavirus genotype combination, G3P[25], detected in a 17-month-old child hospitalized due to severe gastroenteritis during 2009 in central Taiwan. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the VP4 gene demonstrated a distinct origin from other strains bearing the P[25] VP4 gene, whereas the VP7, VP6 and NSP4 gene phylogenies identified common origins with cognate genes of other, presumed human-porcine reassortment Taiwanese strains. These results suggest that interactions between human and animal strains appear to contribute to the generation of genetic and antigenic diversity of rotavirus strains, with potential public health importance in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A matched case-control study was used to determine pathogens and risk factors associated with gastroenteritis in a Taipei Emergency Department. Viruses (40.0%) were the leading cause of gastroenteritis, with noroviruses the most prevalent (33.2%). Bacteria were found in 26.0% of all cases, mostly suspected diarrheagenic E. coli (22.2%), followed by Salmonella spp. (5.4%) and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (4.2%). Giardia lamblia was identified in 16.4% of all cases. Statistical significance was noted for seven risk factors: taking antacids before gastroenteritis (OR = 3.91; 95% CI, 2.13, 7.15), other household members with gastroenteritis (OR = 5.18; 95% CI, 2.09, 12.85), attending a banquet (OR = 1.93; 95% CI, 1.25, 2.98), eating out (OR = 2.35; 95% CI, 1.30, 4.23), drinking bottled water (OR = 1.72; 95% CI, 1.07, 2.75), eating honey peaches (OR = 3.26; 95% CI, 1.24, 8.58), and eating raw oysters (OR = 3.24; 95% CI, 1.02, 10.28). Eating out was identified as the highest risk behavior, as measured by population attributable risk fraction (PAR) (50.9%). Respective PAR values for drinking bottled water, attending a banquet and taking antacids before illness were 19.7%, 19.6% and 17.6%. Of these, additional research on bottled water appears to be the highest priority, because this is the first time it has been identified as a risk factor for gastroenteritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The severity of an influenza epidemic season may be influenced not only by variability in the surface glycoproteins, but also by differences in the internal proteins of circulating influenza viruses. To better understand viral antigenic evolution, all eight gene segments from 44 human H3N2 epidemic strains isolated during 2004-2008 in Taiwan were analyzed to provide a profile of protein variability. Comparison of the evolutionary profiles of the HA, NA and PB2 genes of influenza A (H3N2) viruses indicated that they were derived from a group of H3N2 isolates first seen in 2004. However, the PA, M and PB1 genes were derived from a different group of H3N2 isolates from 2004. Tree topology revealed the NP and NS genes could each be segregated into two groups similar to those for the polymerase genes. In addition, new genetic variants occurred during the non-epidemic period and become the dominant strain after one or two seasons. Comparison of evolutionary patterns in consecutive years is necessary to correlate viral genetic changes with antigenic changes as multiple lineages co-circulate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]