Benefit analysis of the auto-verification system of intelligent inspection for microorganisms.

In recent years, the automatic machine for microbial identification and antibiotic susceptibility tests has been introduced into the microbiology laboratory of our hospital, but there are still many steps that need manual operation. The purpose of this study was to establish an auto-verification system for bacterial naming to improve the turnaround time (TAT) and reduce the burden on clinical laboratory technologists. After the basic interpretation of the gram staining results of microorganisms, the appearance of strain growth, etc.

Heteroepitaxial Growth of Vertically-Aligned GaN Single-Crystalline Microrod Arrays on Silicon Substrates.

The heteroepitaxial growth of vertically aligned gallium nitride (GaN) single-crystalline microrod arrays on silicon substrates was achieved with high reproducibility by using the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method in the furnace. By reducing the plasma power from 70 to 15 W, the crystal morphology of GaN varied from thin films to microrod arrays with the decreased V/III gas ratio. The growth of GaN crystals occurred in the vertical direction of the substrate and in the lateral direction of the growth axis via the self-catalytic vapor-liquid-solid mechanism (VLS mechanism) and the vapor-solid mechanism (VS mechanism), respectively, contributing to the formation of inverted hexagonal GaN cone microrods.

Trend in blood lead levels in Taiwanese adults 2005-2017.

This study examined the trend of blood lead levels (BLLs) in Taiwanese adults and analyzed the variations in the BLL between Linkou (northern) and Kaohsiung (southern) hospital branches. Between 2005 and 2017, 3,804 adult participants received blood lead tests at the Linkou (n = 2,674) and Kaohsiung (n = 1,130) branches of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. The geometric mean of BLL was 2.

Sesquiterpene Synthases of : Sources of Unique Aromas of a Folklore Plant in Taiwan.

is a traditional spice crop in Taiwan with unique smells and tastes that differ between prickly (young) and nonprickly (mature) leaves. Different volatile terpenes between prickly young and nonprickly mature leaves were identified and considered to be one of the sources of their aromas. A transcriptome database was established to explore the biosynthesis of these compounds, and candidate terpene synthase genes were identified.

Different Associations between Tonsil Microbiome, Chronic Tonsillitis, and Intermittent Hypoxemia among Obstructive Sleep Apnea Children of Different Weight Status: A Pilot Case-Control Study.

The tonsil microbiome is associated with chronic tonsillitis and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children, and the gut microbiome is associated with host weight status. In this study, we hypothesized that weight status may be associated with clinical profiles and the tonsil microbiome in children with OSA. We prospectively enrolled 33 non-healthy-weight (cases) and 33 healthy-weight (controls) pediatric OSA patients matched by the proportion of chronic tonsillitis.

Cyclooxygenase-2 up-regulates CCR7 expression via AKT-mediated phosphorylation and activation of Sp1 in breast cancer cells.

Up-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is frequently found in human cancers and is significantly associated with tumor metastasis. Our previous results demonstrate that COX-2 and its metabolite prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulate the expression of CCR7 chemokine receptor via EP2/EP4 receptors to promote lymphatic invasion in breast cancer cells. In this study, we address the underlying mechanism of COX-2/PGE2-induced CCR7 expression.