Relationship between emergency care utilization, ambient temperature, and the pollution standard index in Taiwan.

This study applied a vector error correction model to investigate the effects of ambient temperature (AT) and air quality index values on emergency care utilization (ECU). The Pollution Standards Index (PSI) and total suspended particulates (TSP) were used for analysis. Data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and Ministry Environmental of Protection Administration of Taiwan.

Effects on tyrosinase activity by the extracts of Ganoderma lucidum and related mushrooms.

The inhibitory effects on tyrosinase activity by extracts of several mushrooms belonging to Basidiomycetes were evaluated. Among the tested mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum, Antrodia camphorata, Agaricus brasiliensis, and Cordyceps militaris), G. lucidum exhibited significant inhibition of tyrosinase activity (IC(50) value 0.