The sudden outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV, later named SARS-CoV-2) in Wuhan, China, which rapidly grew into a global pandemic, marked the third introduction of a virulent coronavirus into the human society, affecting not only the healthcare system, but also the global economy. Although our understanding of coronaviruses has undergone a huge leap after two precedents, the effective approaches to treatment and epidemiological control are still lacking. In this article, we present a succinct overview of the epidemiology, clinical features, and molecular characteristics of SARS-CoV-2. We summarize the current epidemiological and clinical data from the initial Wuhan studies, and emphasize several features of SARS-CoV-2, which differentiate it from SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), such as high variability of disease presentation. We systematize the current clinical trials that have been rapidly initiated after the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. Whereas the trials on SARS-CoV-2 genome-based specific vaccines and therapeutic antibodies are currently being tested, this solution is more long-term, as they require thorough testing of their safety. On the other hand, the repurposing of the existing therapeutic agents previously designed for other virus infections and pathologies happens to be the only practical approach as a rapid response measure to the emergent pandemic, as most of these agents have already been tested for their safety. These agents can be divided into two broad categories, those that can directly target the virus replication cycle, and those based on immunotherapy approaches either aimed to boost innate antiviral immune responses or alleviate damage induced by dysregulated inflammatory responses. The initial clinical studies revealed the promising therapeutic potential of several of such drugs, including favipiravir, a broad-spectrum antiviral drug that interferes with the viral replication, and hydroxychloroquine, the repurposed antimalarial drug that interferes with the virus endosomal entry pathway. We speculate that the current pandemic emergency will be a trigger for more systematic drug repurposing design approaches based on big data analysis.

BackgroundCapsular serotypes K1 and K2 of Klebsiella pneumoniae are thought to the major virulence determinants responsible for liver abscess. The intestine is one of the major reservoirs of K. pneumoniae, and epidemiological studies have suggested that the majority of K. pneumoniae infections are preceded by colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. The possibility of fecal-oral transmission in liver abscess has been raised on the basis of molecular typing of isolates. Data on the serotype distribution of K. pneumoniae in stool samples from healthy individuals has not been previously reported. This study investigated the seroepidemiology of K. pneumoniae isolates from the intestinal tract of healthy Chinese in Asian countries. Stool specimens from healthy adult Chinese residents of Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam were collected from August 2004 to August 2010 for analysis.ResultsSerotypes K1/K2 accounted for 9.8% of all K. pneumoniae isolates from stools in all countries. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of K1/K2 isolates among the countries excluding Thailand and Vietnam. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was nearly the same in K. pneumoniae isolates. The result of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed no major clonal cluster of serotype K1 isolates.ConclusionsThe result showed that Chinese ethnicity itself might be a major factor predisposing to intestinal colonization by serotype K1/K2 K. pneumoniae isolates. The prevalent serotype K1/K2 isolates may partially correspond to the prevalence of K. pneumoniae liver abscess in Asian countries.

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In this 8-year study, the susceptibility of S. marcescens to ceftazidime and imipenem remained consistently high in Taiwan. S. marcescens isolates demonstrated relatively higher resistance to ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, and therefore continued surveillance of antimicrobial resistance, especially for fluoroquinolone, is warranted.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an emerging multidrug-resistant opportunistic pathogen, increasing the difficulty of treatment of this infection. Iron is a critical element for bacterial viability.

Sintered silver joint is a porous silver that bonds a semiconductor die to the substrate as part of the packaging process. Sintered Ag is one of the few possible bonding methods to fulfill the operating conditions of wide band-gap (WBG) power device technologies. We review the current technology development of sintered Ag as a bonding material from the perspective of patents filed by various stakeholders since late 1980s. This review addresses the formulation of sintered pastes (i.e., nano-Ag, hybrid Ag, and micron Ag fillers), innovations in the process and equipment to form this Ag joint. This review will provide the insights and confidence to engineers, scientists from universities and industry as well as investors who are developing and commercializing the sintered Ag as a bonding material for microelectronic packaging.

There are three methods for evaluation of dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint using computed tomography: the radioulnar line method, the epicenter method, and the congruity method. However, some patients who are clinically symptom-free have abnormal findings from computed tomography of the distal radioulnar joint according to the aforementioned criteria. In addition, these methods are qualitative, not quantitative definitions. Forty patients were included in this study. Computed tomography scans of the wrists were done. The variation of displacement of the distal radioulnar joint was measured. By the epicenter method, the 95% confidence interval (mean +/- 1.96 standard error) was from 0.0026 to 0.1114 in supination and from -0.1171 to 0.0446 in pronation. By the radioulnar line method, the 95% confidence interval was from 0.0026 to 0.0479 in supination and from -0.0065 to 0.0745 in pronation. By the modified radioulnar line method, the 95% confidence interval was from 0.1778 to 0.2752 in supination and from 0.0990 to 0.2310 in pronation. There was a wide range of the displacement of the distal radioulnar joint in patients with clinically normal wrists. The results can be regarded as reference points for normal variation of the distal radioulnar joint. This can help to differentiate the causes of internal derangement of the wrist.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common pathogen of nosocomial pneumonia worldwide and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Asia. Previous studies have shown that K. pneumoniae bacteremic CAP is associated with high mortality. We aimed to revisit K. pneumoniae bacteremic pneumonia in the current era and determine the risk factors associated with 28-day mortality. Between January 2014 and August 2020, adult patients with K. pneumoniae bacteremic pneumonia in a medical center in Taiwan were identified. Clinical and microbiological characteristics were compared between CAP and nosocomial pneumonia. Risk factors for 28-day mortality were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Among 150 patients with K. pneumoniae bacteremic pneumonia, 52 had CAP and 98 had nosocomial pneumonia. The 28-day mortality was 52% for all patients, 36.5% for CAP, and 60.2% for nosocomial pneumonia. Hypervirulent K. pneumoniae was more prevalent in CAP (61.5%) than in nosocomial pneumonia (16.3%). Carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae was more prevalent in nosocomial pneumonia (58.2%) than in CAP (5.8%). Nosocomial pneumonia, a higher Severe Organ Failure Assessment score, and not receiving appropriate definitive therapy were independent risk factors for 28-day mortality. In conclusion, revisiting K. pneumoniae bacteremic pneumonia in the current era showed a high mortality rate. Host factors, disease severity, and timely effective therapy affect the treatment outcomes of these patients.