Wang YF, Chiu SN, Lin MT
… +7 more, Chen CA, Lu CW, Tseng WC, Chen YS, Huang SC, Wu MH, Wang JK
J Formos Med Assoc
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42225509
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BACKGROUND: Coarctation of the aorta (COA) is a congenital heart defect that is difficult to diagnose prenatally due to high false-positive and false-negative rates. Postnatal assessment is further complicated by a paten...BACKGROUND: Coarctation of the aorta (COA) is a congenital heart defect that is difficult to diagnose prenatally due to high false-positive and false-negative rates. Postnatal assessment is further complicated by a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), which can mask COA. This study evaluated outcomes and developed a predictive model based on early postnatal echocardiography. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed neonates with prenatal suspicion of COA admitted from 2019 to 2022, excluding complex heart defects. Echocardiography was performed within 24 h after birth. Intervention was defined as the need for surgery. Multivariate analysis was used to develop the Neonatal-COA Intervention Score (N-CIS), which was prospectively validated in a 2022-2024 cohort. RESULTS: Among 47 neonates, 25 (53%) required surgery for critical COA, while 19 (40.4%) had no COA at follow-up. The intervention group had lower distal transverse arch-to-descending aorta diameter ratio (T/D) (OR, 0.40) and isthmus-to-descending aorta diameter ratio (I/D) (OR, 0.31), as well as a higher frequency of a posterior shelf (OR, 31.5; all P < 0.01). The N-CIS achieved 92% sensitivity and 81.8% specificity at a cut-off of 1.5 (area under the curve, 0.905). In 42 validation cases, sensitivity and specificity were 94.4% and 100%, respectively; all with scores greater than or equal to 1.5 required surgery. CONCLUSION: The N-CIS demonstrated high accuracy in predicting critical COA, supporting early risk stratification and timely intervention.
Hwang DK, Hsu YR, Lin CJ
… +13 more, Yeh PT, Hwang YS, Chiang WY, Lee YC, Chan WC, Peng CH, Huang SY, Chen SC, Kuo SC, Tsai ML, Hsu SM, Lin CP, Sheu SJ
J Formos Med Assoc
· 2026 May · PMID 42218084
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PURPOSE: This study investigated the disease patterns of uveitis in Taiwan using a nationwide multicenter tertiary referral registry. METHODS: The Taiwan Ocular Inflammation Society (TOIS) initiated this multicenter obse...PURPOSE: This study investigated the disease patterns of uveitis in Taiwan using a nationwide multicenter tertiary referral registry. METHODS: The Taiwan Ocular Inflammation Society (TOIS) initiated this multicenter observational study across 15 tertiary referral centers, enrolling consecutive patients newly diagnosed with uveitis between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023. Demographic characteristics, anatomical classification, and etiologic diagnoses were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1654 patients were included, comprising 817 women (49.4%) and 837 men (50.6%), (mean age 49.5 ± 18.3 years; 72.1% adults aged 16-65 years, 4.2% pediatric, 23.7% older than 65 years). Unilateral involvement was observed in 73.8% of patients. Anterior uveitis (AU) was the most common anatomical subtype (64.3%), followed by panuveitis (22.4%), posterior uveitis (11.0%), and intermediate uveitis (2.3%). Noninfectious etiologies accounted for 43.6% of cases, infectious causes for 23.5%, and 32.9% remained undifferentiated. The most frequent noninfectious diagnoses were HLA-B27-associated uveitis (15.4%), glaucomatocyclitic crisis (5.0%), and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome (3.3%). Behçet-related uveitis was uncommon (1.2%). Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) accounted for only 8.6% of pediatric cases. Herpetic AU (7.7%) and cytomegalovirus AU (5.1%) were the leading infectious entities. Infectious uveitis was associated with older age, male predominance, and unilateral disease. CONCLUSIONS: AU and noninfectious etiologies of uveitis predominate in Taiwan. HLA-B27-associated uveitis and VKH syndrome are the major noninfectious entities. Behçet-related uveitis and JIA-associated uveitis are uncommon, reflecting patterns observed across Asian populations. Findings from this nationwide multicenter study provide important data for diagnostic strategies and health policy planning.
Weng HY, Lee DD, Lin YF
… +7 more, Lee SH, Chang YT, Chen CC, Chu YC, Kirby R, Lin MW, Tsai SF
J Formos Med Assoc
· 2026 May · PMID 42215407
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BACKGROUND: Primary Cutaneous Amyloidosis (PCA) is a skin-limited disorder more common in Southeast Asian. Previous studies have identified mutations located in a fibronectin type III-like repeat domain of OSMR gene, inc...BACKGROUND: Primary Cutaneous Amyloidosis (PCA) is a skin-limited disorder more common in Southeast Asian. Previous studies have identified mutations located in a fibronectin type III-like repeat domain of OSMR gene, including p.G513D (c.1538G > A). METHODS: To investigate the genetic background of PCA, we recruited a consecutive series of 91 unrelated PCA patients, and subjected to whole-exome sequencing (WES) for genomic analysis. We also analyzed population genomic data from Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Brazil, and the USA to evaluate the distribution of OSMR variants across different countries and ethnicities. A genetic screening program was conducted on 37,770 individuals at a hospital using the Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative array (TPMI). RESULTS: The OSMR variant, c.1538G > A p.G513D, was identified in 24.18% (22/91) of patients with PCA, compared to only 2.61% (39/1,495) in the control group from Taiwan Biobank (OR = 11.90; 95% CI: 6.69-21.17; p < 0.0001). Its proportion was higher among East Asians, particularly in Taiwanese, Vietnamese, and Chinese Singaporeans, and nearly absent in European or Japanese populations. A hospital-based genetic screening revealed that 2.5% (944/37,770) of individuals carried the OSMR p.G513D variant. Notably, 57.14% (4/7) of homozygous individuals were diagnosed with PCA, compared to 1.39% (13/937) of heterozygous individuals (OR = 94.77; 95% CI: 19.24-466.70; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: These findings establish OSMR p.G513D as a population-specific risk allele for PCA and highlight the need for ancestry-aware genetic screening in Southeast Asians.
J Formos Med Assoc
· 2026 May · PMID 42215405
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OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore changes in social participation and mental health among older adults during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan, focusing on the relationship between social engagement and ov...OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore changes in social participation and mental health among older adults during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan, focusing on the relationship between social engagement and overall well-being. METHODS: A two-wave study design was utilized, collecting data during both the pandemic (September 2021-June 2022) and post-pandemic period (September 2023-June 2024). Statistical analyses included paired t-tests and generalized estimating equations. The study was conducted in Yunlin County, Taiwan. The sample consisted of 345 community-dwelling adults aged 55 years and older residing in rural areas. Social participation was assessed using a 12-item measure. Additional assessments included scales for psychological symptoms, happiness, and quality of life. RESULTS: Older adults exhibited higher levels of social participation and better mental health and quality of life post-pandemic compared to the pandemic period. Significant growth was observed in activities such as voluntary work, cultural participation, and social clubs. Social participation levels were positively associated with psychological well-being and all domains of quality of life after controlling for demographic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of social engagement were significantly associated with better mental health and quality of life scores. This study suggests that social participation is a relevant correlate of mental health and quality of life among older adults.
Lai CT, Lee WH, Chang YY
… +5 more, Chiu HM, Wu CY, Chou HC, Chen MJ, Ei-Omar EM
J Formos Med Assoc
· 2026 May · PMID 42215404
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BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Infant oral microbiome theoretically could serve as the seeding microorganisms in its own gut microbial construction from anatomical perspective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relat...BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Infant oral microbiome theoretically could serve as the seeding microorganisms in its own gut microbial construction from anatomical perspective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between oral and gut microbiota in early infantile life. METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study included 15 healthy babies delivered in a single medical center during 2019∼2023. Stool samples were collected daily in the first 5 days after birth, while salivary and buccal mucosal samples were obtained once. All three samples continued acquisition at the end of 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th month of age. The entire samples were 16S-rRNA sequenced. Investigation of the shared bacteria between oral and gut ecosystems was carried out. RESULTS: Niche differentiation started very early in the infants' gut ecosystem since the 2nd day of life. Bifidobacterium appeared scarcely in the first 5 days after birth but gradually rose in abundance since the 1st month. The compositions of the infant salivary and buccal mucosal microbiome were similar. Most of the infant gut and oral microbiota evolved independently, whereas the oral Rothia, Prevotella and Veillonella correlated with the development of their gut counterparts. Coprococcus, Prevotella, Ruminococcaceae, Faecalibacterium and Megasphaera also showed associations between saliva and gut. CONCLUSION: The optimal timing for examining and treating infant gut dysbiosis could be very early after birth. Together with the results from previous research, Ruminococcus and Veillonella deserve more investigation in the future to confirm their oral-to-gut transmission and potential effect in treating early-life intestinal dysbiosis.
Wang Z, Ba C, Zhu H
… +3 more, Chen Z, Chen C, Qian S
J Formos Med Assoc
· 2026 May · PMID 42209371
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B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) involves biologically and clinically heterogeneous lymphoid malignancies that arise from B cells in the lymphatic system. Understanding cell heterogeneity in B-NHL is of paramount im...B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) involves biologically and clinically heterogeneous lymphoid malignancies that arise from B cells in the lymphatic system. Understanding cell heterogeneity in B-NHL is of paramount importance for clinical diagnosis and treatment. In recent years, the rapid development of single-cell technologies has significantly improved B-NHL research in dissecting cell heterogeneity signatures at an unprecedented level. In this review, we aimed to characterize previously unrecognized cell subtypes, genetic and molecular diversity, and the dynamic interplay within the tumor microenvironment(TME) based on recent landmark single-cell studies in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL), the two most common and representative subtypes of B-NHL. In the meanwhile, we discuss the significant impact of these newly defined heterogeneity signatures on clinical practice, potentially informing better diagnostic tools and targeted treatments. Finally, we discuss how the continued advancement of single-cell technologies may further enhance our understanding of B-NHL pathogenesis.
Shih-Chieh Chueh J, Cha TL, Hsueh FJ
… +12 more, Chen SC, Lin KJ, You BW, Zhao XJ, Yang JF, Li WI, Tsai CW, Hsu CY, Chang CH, Chen F, Said P, McMahon A
J Formos Med Assoc
· 2026 May · PMID 42203621
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Prostate cancer (PC) poses a significant public health concern in Taiwan, marked by rising incidence and mortality rates. To address this burden, the Empowering Patients, Innovating Care (EPIC) Prostate Cancer Network co...Prostate cancer (PC) poses a significant public health concern in Taiwan, marked by rising incidence and mortality rates. To address this burden, the Empowering Patients, Innovating Care (EPIC) Prostate Cancer Network convened a multidisciplinary panel comprising healthcare professionals (HCPs), patients, caregivers, and industry representatives. Using a modified Nominal Group Technique (NGT), the panel identified critical unmet needs across the patient journey and formulated a consensus aimed at optimizing patient-centered care. Major challenges include low public awareness, absence of national screening programs, delayed diagnosis, limited access to innovative treatment options, restricted shared decision-making (SDM) processes, insufficient education for patients and caregivers regarding disease progression and side effects, and inadequate holistic long-term management. The panel recommended launching public awareness initiatives and establishing national prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening policies to reduce mortality. To ensure timely and accurate diagnoses, clearer diagnostic pathways incorporating advanced diagnostic tools such as prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) are essential. Enhancing SDM practices can empower patients, leading to improved satisfaction and outcomes. Additionally, providing robust educational resources for both patients and caregivers and adopting a multidisciplinary, holistic approach are crucial to effectively addressing the diverse long-term needs of PC patients.