Candida albicans versus non-albicans bloodstream infections: the comparison of risk factors and outcome.

Background: Candidemia caused by non-albicans Candida spp. is of special concern because of its high drug resistance and increase in prevalence. In clinical practice, early identification of non-albicans candidemia is crucial.

Aluminum gallium nitride (GaN)/GaN high electron mobility transistor-based sensors for glucose detection in exhaled breath condensate.

Background: Immobilized aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN)/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) have shown great potential in the areas of pH, chloride ion, and glucose detection in exhaled breath condensate (EBC). HEMT sensors can be integrated into a wireless data transmission system that allows for remote monitoring. This technology offers the possibility of using AlGaN/GaN HEMTs for extended investigations of airway pathology of detecting glucose in EBC without the need for clinical visits.

Randomly oriented, upright SiO2 coated nanorods for reduced adhesion of mammalian cells.

Cell interactions with nanostructures are of broad interest because of applications in controlling tissue response to biomedical implants. Here we show that dense and upright SiO2 coated nanorods nearly eliminate cell adhesion in fibroblasts and endothelial cells. The lack of adhesion is not due to a decrease in matrix protein adsorption on the nanostructures, but rather an inability of cells to assemble focal adhesions.