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We demonstrate that, with appropriate staining, high-resolution X-ray microscopy can image complicated tissue structures-cerebellum and liver-and resolve large or small amounts of Au nanoparticles in these tissues. Specifically, images of tumor tissue reveal high concentrations of accumulated Au nanoparticles. PEG (poly(ethylene glycol)) coating is quite effective in enhancing this accumulation and significantly modifies the mechanism of uptake by reticuloendothelial system (RES) organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The appearance of assimilable organic carbon (AOC), microbial regrowth, disinfection by-products (DBPs), and pipe corrosion in drinking water distribution systems are among those major safe drinking water issues in many countries. The water distribution system of Cheng-Ching Lake Water Treatment Plant (CCLWTP) was selected in this study to evaluate the: (1) fate and transport of AOC, DBPs [e.g., trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs)], and other organic carbon indicators in the selected distribution system, (2) correlations between AOC (or DBPs) and major water quality parameters [e.g. dissolved oxygen (DO), free residual chlorine, and bacteria, and (3) causes and significance of corrosion problems of the water pipes in this system. In this study, seasonal water samples were collected from 13 representative locations in the distribution system for analyses of AOC, DBPs, and other water quality indicators. Results indicate that residual free chlorine concentrations in the distribution system met the drinking water standards (0.2 to 1 mg l−1) established by Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (TEPA). Results show that AOC measurements correlated positively with total organic carbon (TOC) and UV-254 (an organic indicator) values in this system. Moreover, AOC concentrations at some locations were higher than the 50 μg acetate-C l−1 standard established by Taiwan Water Company. This indicates that the microbial regrowth might be a potential water quality problem in this system. Higher DO measurements (>5.7 mg l−1) might cause the aerobic biodegradation of THMs and HAAs in the system, and thus, low THMs (<0.035 mg l−1) and HAAs (<0.019 mg l−1) concentrations were observed at all sampling locations. Results from the observed negative Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) values, higher Ryznar Stability Index (RSI) values, and high Fe3+concentrations at some pipe-end locations indicate that highly oxidative and corrosive conditions occurred. This reveals that pipe replacement should be considered at these locations. These findings would be helpful in managing the water distribution system for maintaining a safe drinking water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many factors may influence the epidemiologic trend of adult bacterial meningitis (ABM). The objective of this study was to analyze recent epidemiologic trends of ABM in order to provide a better therapeutic strategy. The clinical features, laboratory data, and therapeutic outcomes of 181 ABM cases collected in the last 6.5 years (July 1999–December 2005) were analyzed. The results were compared with those of our previous study (202 cases, January 1986–June 1999). The 181 cases consisted of 130 men (age range: 18–82 years) and 51 women (age range: 18–78 years). Monomicrobial infection and mixed infection were found in 165 cases and 16 cases, respectively. A preceding postneurosurgical state was noted in 56.9% (103/181) of cases. Despite a decrease in incidence, Klebsiella pneumoniae (25.5%, 42/165) was still the most common pathogen. A marked increase of Acinetobacter meningitis (11.5%, 19/165) was noted, which replaced Pseudomonas meningitis as the second most common Gram-negative pathogen in ABM. A marked increase in staphylococcal infection, accounting for 23% (38/165) of all cases, was also noted, of which 76% (29/38) were methicillin-resistant strains. The therapeutic result showed a mortality rate of 30.3% (55/181). Significant prognostic factors included septic shock and age at infection. This study revealed a change in the epidemiologic trend of ABM, with an increase in the number of patients with a postneurosurgical state and a rising incidence of Acinetobacter and staphylococcal infections. Clinicians should pay greater attention to these changes, which may affect their management of ABM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a pairing fluctuation theory which self-consistently incorporates finite momentum pair excitations in the context of BCS-Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) crossover, and we apply this theory to high T superconductors and ultracold Fermi gases. There are strong similarities between Fermi gases in the unitary regime and high T superconductors. Here, we address key issues of common interest, especially the pseudogap. In the Fermi gases, we summarize recent experiments including various phase diagrams (with and without population imbalance), as well as evidence for a pseudogap in thermodynamic and other experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To delineate the epidemiologic trend, clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcomes of bacterial meningitis in young adults in southern Taiwan. Patients and Methods: Over a period of 18 years, 329 cases of culture-proven adult bacterial meningitis were identified at our hospital. Among these 329 cases, 62 were identified as young adults (≥ 40 years) and their clinical features, laboratory data and therapeutic outcomes were reviewed. The prognostic factors between fatal and non-fatal groups were compared. Results: The 62 young adults were 48 men and 14 women, aged 17–40 years. Thirty of the 62 patients belonged to nosocomial infection, and the other 32 belonged to community-acquired infection. A total of 74% (46/62) of the patients had a postneurosurgical state as the underlying condition. Alcoholism (n = 8) was the most common underlying condition of the other 16 patients with spontaneous meningitis. Of these 62 patients, Klebsiella pneumoniae (12) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9) were the most common implicated gram-negative pathogens. During the late study period, there was an increase in coagulase-negative staphylococcus and Staphylococcus aureus infections. The therapeutic results of this group of patients are as follows: 13 patients died, 18 had full recovery and 31 had varying degrees of neurologic deficits. Impaired consciousness and thrombocytopenia were significant prognostic factors. Conclusion: A postneurosurgical state is an important preceding event for young adults to develop bacterial meningitis. Of the implicated gram-negative pathogens, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa are common; however, there has been an increase in staphylococcal infection in recent years. Therapeutic results of this specific group of patients showed that 20% (13/62) of the patients died, and 50% (31/61) of the patients in this study had neurologic deficits. However, the small case number and possible bias of case selection has limited the analytical conclusions of this study. Further large-scale studies are needed to delineate the clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcomes of bacterial meningitis in this specific group of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We wanted to analyze the clinical, characteristics and therapeutic outcomes of adult meningitis caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). Patients and Methods: Over a period of 5 years (January 1999 to December 2003), 127 cases were identified as having adult culture-proven bacterial, meningitis caused by a single pathogen. Of them, 14 cases with CoNS meningitis were enrolled, and their clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcomes were analyzed. Results: The 14 cases (median age 37.5; range 24-77 years old) included nine men and five women. With polynerase chain reaction sequencing of bacterial. 16S r-RNA, 10 of the 14 CoNS strains were identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis infection, and the other four belonged to Staphylococcus haemolyticus. All 14 cases were in a postneurosurgical state with insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, external ventricular device or intrathecal port A as their underlying conditions, and 12 of the 14 patients contracted the infection nosocomially. Fever (86%), leukocytosis (79%), hydrocephalus (50%), consciousness disturbance (36%), and seizure (7%) were the major clinical, manifestations. All the involved CoNS strains showed resistance to oxacillin but retained their susceptibility to vancomycin and linezolid. All 14 CoNS strains had positive mecA gene detection. With the removal of neurosurgical devices and intravenous vancomycin therapy, 86% (12/14) of the patients survived. Conclusion: CoNS meningitis accounted for 11% (14/127) of our adult bacterial meningitis. All adult CoNS meningitis patients had a disrupted barrier of the central nervous system as the underlying condition. S. epidermidis was the most common CoNS subtype involved. All involved CoNS strains were oxacillin resistant The therapeutic result showed that adult CoNS meningitis had a mortality rate of 14% (2/14). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to determine the species responsible for viridans-group streptococcal meningitis in adults in Taiwan, seven cases of culture-proven meningitis due to these organisms were studied. The cases were all identified at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung over a period of 3 years, and they accounted for 9% (7/78) of all cases of culture-proven bacterial meningitis occurring in adults during this period. Of the seven viridans streptococci isolates recovered, Streptococcus constellatus accounted for four, Streptococcus anginosus for two, and Streptococcus oralis for one. Thus, it appears that streptococci of the milleri group are the most common species causing bacterial meningitis in adults in Taiwan. The tendency for these organisms to cause invasive central nervous system infections in adults should not be overlooked when these species are recovered from cerebrospinal fluid specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study was undertaken to compare the clinical characteristics of adult methicilIin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) meningitis and adult methicilIin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) meningitis. Patients and Methods: The clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcomes of 19 adult patients with S. aureus meningitis, including eight with MSSA infections and 11 with MRSA infections, were analyzed. A comparison was made between the clinical data of the patients with MSSA infections and those with MRSA infections. Results: Before the end of 1995, MSSA infection was involved in all the adult patients with S. aureus meningitis but thereafter, MRSA infection was involved in 79% of the cases. The clinical characteristics found in patients with MSSA infection included underlying medical disorders (75%), community-acquired infection (75%) and mortality rate (13%). The clinical characteristics found in patients with MRSA infection included post-neurosurgical states (91%), nosocomial infections (100%), men outnumbering women (8 : 3), hydrocephalus (36%) and mortality rate (56%). Comparative study between the patient groups (hematogenous and post-neurosurgical) showed that only the mode of acquisition of infection had statistical significance. Conclusions: This study showed an increase in MRSA infections in adult S. aureus meningitis in recent years. The clinical, characteristics of patients with MSSA and MRSA meningitis were different. Community-acquired infection was common in hematogenous S. aureus meningitis, while nosocomial infection was common in post-neurosurgical S. aureus meningitis. Vancomycin should be considered as one of the drugs of choice for initial therapy of adult bacterial meningitis, especially in post-neurosurgical patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents an improved predictor/multi-corrector algorithm for linear structural dynamics problems, based on the time-discontinuous Galerkin finite element method. The improved algorithm employs the Gauss–Seidel method to calculate iteratively the solutions that exist in the phase of the predictor/multi-corrector of the numerical implementation. Stability analyses of iterative algorithms reveal that such an improved scheme retains the unconditionally stable behavior with greater efficiency than another iterative algorithm. Also, numerical examples are presented, demonstrating that the proposed method is more stable and accurate than several commonly used algorithms in structural dynamic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents information about Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). NPC is a relatively rare neoplasm in most parts of the world. In two large-series studies of adult bacterial meningitis in Western populations, NPC was not mentioned as an underlying condition. Although the incidence of NPC is relatively high in Taiwan, there is limited data on the incidence of NPC in patients with bacterial meningitis in this country. Moreover, the clinical characteristics of bacterial meningitis in adult NPC patients have rarely been reported in the literature.