Nanohybrids of silver particles immobilized on silicate platelet for infected wound healing.

Silver nanoparticles supported on nanoscale silicate platelets (AgNP/NSP) possess interesting properties, including a large surface area and high biocide effectiveness. The nanohybrid of AgNP/NSP at a weight ratio 7/93 contains 5-nm Ag particles supported on the surface of platelets with dimensions of approximately 80×80×1 nm(3). The nanohybrid expresses a trend of lower cytotoxicity at the concentration of 8.

Chronic idiopathic urticaria in Taiwan: a clinical study of demographics, aggravating factors, laboratory findings, serum autoreactivity and treatment response.

Background/purpose: Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is not uncommon, yet there is little information about the clinical features of CIU patients in Taiwan. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical features of CIU in Taiwan.

Methods: Patients with CIU were collected consecutively from the Urticaria Special Clinic in a medical center in northern Taiwan from December 2005 to May 2006.