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Abstract Objective This study aims to report and analyse an outbreak of Omphalotus japonicus poisoning following mushroom ingestion in Taiwan, and to employ PCR methods for accurate identification of the toxic mushrooms involved. Methods A descriptive observational study was conducted involving a family of four who ingested the mushrooms in the mountainous rural area of Yilan County, Taiwan. Data were collected through interviews with the affected individuals and a review of their medical records. Due to the destruction of the mushroom samples, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) methods were utilized for identification. Genomic DNA was extracted from the raw fruiting bodies, and specific primers targeting the internal transcribed spacer region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA were designed for PCR detection. Results Three family members (mother, daughter, and son) experienced gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea, approximately 30 min after consuming the mushrooms. Upon admission to the emergency room, they were hydrated and monitored, with laboratory results showing slightly elevated alanine transaminase levels. The affected individuals recovered within 12 h and were discharged in good condition on day 2. PCR analysis of the mushroom sample confirmed the identification of Omphalotus japonicus, known to produce Illudin S and Illudin M, which cause acute gastrointestinal symptoms. This case represents the first documentation of using PCR‐based sequencing to diagnose Omphalotus japonicus poisoning in the English literature.

Free flap reconstruction has been the mainstay among reconstruction surgeries for head and neck cancer. Intraoperative and postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) levels were both possible risk factors of flap failure and had been discussed widely. However, few investigations of preoperative Hb were seen in the previous study with its effect to flap condition remain uncertain and no conclusions in the literature. Patients who underwent free flap reconstruction after head and neck surgery in our institution between May 2014 and May 2019 were enrolled. The postoperative flap condition was observed carefully, and re-exploration was performed if necessary. We then retrospectively collected patient data with several intraoperative and postoperative indices. A total of 598 patients were enrolled in our study. The total major flap complication rate was 10.6%, with an overall success rate of 89.4%. They were predominantly male (95%), and most of them underwent free flap reconstruction for the first time (91%). A total of 81 (13%) patients received radiotherapy before reconstruction. Among all factors, the preoperative Hb level and free flap type showed significance in univariate and multivariate analyses. A previous history of radiotherapy, body mass index, nutrition status, or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus showed no significant results in either univariate or multivariate analysis. Our study showed that a lower preoperative Hb level affects free flap survival. Meanwhile, preoperative radiotherapy history has no significant influence in either univariate or multivariate analysis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an age-related interstitial lung disease with a high incidence in the elderly. Although many reports have shown that senescence can initiate pulmonary fibrosis, the relationship between aging and pulmonary fibrosis has not been explained systematically. In our study, young and old rats were intratracheally instilled with bleomycin (1 mg/kg), and the basic pathological indexes were determined using a commercial kit, hematoxylin, and eosin (H&E) and Masson’s Trichrome staining, immunohistochemistry, immunohistofluorescence, and q-PCR. Then, the lung tissues of rats were sequenced by next-generation sequencing for transcriptome analysis. Bioinformatics was performed to analyze the possible differences in the mechanism of pulmonary fibrosis between aged and young rats. Finally, the related cytokines were determined by q-PCR and ELISA. The results indicate that pulmonary fibrosis in old rats is more serious than that in young rats under the same conditions. Additionally, transcriptomic and bioinformatics analysis with experimental validation indicate that the differences in pulmonary fibrosis between old and young rats are mainly related to the differential expression of cytokines, extracellular matrix (ECM), and other important signaling pathways. In conclusion, aging mainly affects pulmonary fibrosis through the ECM–receptor interaction, immune response, and chemokines.

The main objectives of this study was to investigate the potential of lateritic soils deposit South Sulawesi, Indonesia as a precursor for Na-poly(ferro-sialate) geopolymers. The samples of laterite soils were taken from three different regions, namely Sidrap, Bone, and Gowa regency. The soil was clean, grounded, sieves 200 mesh, and dehydroxylated at 750oC for 2 hours. The x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to examine the chemical compositions of the soils. The geopolymers was synthesized through alkali activation method by adjusting the molar oxide ratios of SiO2/(Al2O3+Fe2O3), Na2O/SiO2 and H2O/Na2O in accordance with the chemical compositions of the soils. The functional groups of the resulting geopolymers were examined by using Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR). The structure and phase of the resulting material were studied by using x-ray diffraction (XRD). The surface morphology of geopolymers was studied by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical strength of the materials was examined through compressive strength measurement. The results of this study showed that high strength Na-poly (ferro-sialate) geopolymers were successfully produced and characterized.