Determination of amino acids in Sargassum fusiforme by high performance capillary electrophoresis.

High performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) was developed for quantitative determination of 18 phenylthiohydantoin (PTH)-amino acids. The influence of electrolyte concentration, pH, organic modifier and applied voltage on HPCE performance was investigated. The HPCE separation of a PTH-amino acids mixture was much improved by adding organic modifier and Tris-boric acid buffer to the run buffer.

Identification of the structures of superlong oriented single-walled carbon nanotube arrays by electrodeposition of metal and Raman spectroscopy.

In this Communication, we have demonstrated a facile and effective approach to identify the structure of the superlong well-aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) by the combination of electrodeposition of metal (Ag) with Raman spectroscopy. The suitable density and the visibility of the Ag-deposited long oriented nanotubes make it possible to acquire Raman spectra from isolated individual nanotubes very easily. The results reveal that the well-oriented SWNT arrays on SiO2/Si wafer fabricated by EtOH chemical vapor deposition using Fe/Mo nanoparticles as catalyst exhibit a low percentage of metallic SWNTs (5%).

Effects of doping on an unusual smectic- C*alpha-smectic-C*FI2-smectic-C* phase sequence.

The compound 10OHF has a partially inverted phase sequence, unique among the series of nOHF homologous compounds and all other known liquid crystals, with the smectic-C*FI2 (SmC*FI2) phase occurring at higher temperature than the smectic-C* (SmC*) phase. We present ellipsometric data to identify the phase sequences of 9OHF, 10OHF, 11OHF, and 12OHF. Binary mixtures of 10OHF with C11, a compound with the typical phase sequence among the smectic phases, show that the unusual phase sequence of 10OHF stabilizes upon mixing and that SmC*FI2 predominates over SmC* throughout the entire mixing phase diagram.

Fasting serum free fatty acid composition, waist/hip ratio and insulin activity in essential hypertensive patients.

Abnormal fatty acid metabolism may play an important role in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension (EH). We compared fasting serum free fatty acid (FFA) composition between EH patients and nonhypertensive (NH) subjects, and examined the relationships between fasting serum FFA composition and waist/hip ratio, insulin activity, blood pressure, serum zinc, age, and sex in both groups. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 232 community-dwelling subjects aged between 35 and 60 years: 109 EH patients and 123 NH subjects.

[Clinical observation on acupuncture with pushing manipulation for treatment of finger flexion in the patient of poststroke].

Objective: To compare therapeutic effects of acupuncture with pushing manipulation and routine acupuncture on finger flexion in the patient of poststroke.

Methods: Eighty cases were randomly divided into a group of acupuncture with pushing manipulation and a routine acupuncture group. Hegu (LI 4), Houxi (SI 3), Waiguan (TE 5) were selected in the both groups.

[Randomized controlled observation on head point-through-point therapy for treatment of insomnia].

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of head point-through-point therapy on insomnia and to probe the mechanism.

Methods: Seventy-one cases of insomnia were randomly divided into a head penetration needling group (n=36) and a routine acupuncture group (n=35). In the head penetration needling group, Shenting (GV 24)-through-anterior Shencong (EX-HN 1), bilateral Toulinqi (GB 15)-through-bilateral Shencong (EX-HN 1), posterior Shencong-through-Qiangjian (GV 18) were selected; and in the routine acupuncture group, Baihui (CV 20), Yintang (EX-HN 3), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Neiguan (PC 6), etc.

[Randomized controlled study on reinforcing method of acupuncture for treatment of Bell's palsy at restoration stage].

Objective: To observe clinical therapeutic effect of reinforcing method of acupuncture on Bell's palsy at restoration stage.

Methods: One hundred and sixty cases were randomly divided into two groups: an observation group and a control group, 80 cases in each group. The observation group were treated by acupuncture with lifting-thrusting-twirling reinforcing method, and the control group by acupuncture without needling manipulation.

Sulfated beta-glucan derived from oat bran with potent anti-HIV activity.

China is a major producer of oats; the annual harvested area of 350,000 ha yields approximately 465,000 tons, giving an average yield of 1.33 tons/ha. The bran is not used for animal feed as it is of poor digestibility and low nutritive content and is considered a waste byproduct.

[Clinical observation on abdominal electroacupuncture for treatment of poststroke constipation].

Objective: To compare therapeutic effects of abdominal electroacupuncture (EA) and western medicine on poststroke constipation.

Methods: Eighty cases were randomly divided into an EA group and a medication group, 40 cases in each group. The EA group were treated with EA at Daheng (SP 15), Fujie (SP 14), Tianshu (ST 25), Shuidao (ST 28), etc.

Unique pitch evolution in the smectic-C+alpha phase.

Employing resonant x-ray diffraction, we observed unique pitch evolutions in the smectic-C*(alpha) phase in mixtures of two antiferroelectric liquid crystals. Our results show that the pitch in this phase continuously evolves across 4 layers, contradicting a theoretical model that predicts that the smectic-C*(FI2) phase intervenes in the smectic-C*(alpha) phase. The phase sequences we found can be explained by another model that includes one type of long-range interaction among smectic layers.

[Clinical observation on head point-through-point electroacupuncture for treatment of poststroke depression].

Objective: To observe clinical therapeutic effect of head point-through-point electroacupuncture (EA) on poststroke depression (PSD) and to study the mechanism.

Methods: One hundred and eight cases of PSD were randomly divided into a point-through-point EA group (n = 38), a non point-through-point group (n = 36) and a western medicine group (n = 34). After treatment of 28 days, their therapeutic effects, scores of HAMD depression scale and SDS self-rating scale, and plasma 5-HT contents were compared before and after treatment among the 3 groups.

[Effect of two kinds of chewing gums on dental plaque pH].

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the change of plaque pH after chewing 2 kinds of gums.

Methods: The investigation consisted of 8 healthy subjects (aged 23-27 years, 4 males and 4 females) who refrained from toothbrushing for 24 hours before the test. The pH of dental plaque was measured using a Beetrode pH microelectrode before and after sucrose challenge with a 10% sucrose solutions at 5, 10, 15, 20 minutes as the baseline data.

A field evaluation method for assessing whole body biomechanical joint stress in manual lifting tasks.

Work-related musculoskeletal injuries are often associated with overexertion of the body at work. The manual materials handling activity of lifting is a major source of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Biomechanical evaluation offers useful information about the physical stress imposed on the worker's body joints; however, biomechanical analysis is usually tedious and complex.

Mutational spectrum of the lacI gene in Escherichia coli K12 induced by low-energy ion beam.

The mutational spectrum of the genomic lacI gene induced by low-energy nitrogen ion irradiation in wild type Escherichia coli strain W3110 were compared with the spontaneous and the vacuum controls. The mutant frequency of irradiated group was dose-dependent and reached 26.3 x 10(-6) at dose of 31.

[Clinical observation on point-through-point therapy of scalp electroacupuncture for treatment of facial spasm].

Objective: To search for the best method of increasing clinical therapeutic effect of facial spasm.

Methods: One hundred and twenty cases of facial spasm were selected and divided randomly into a scalp point-through-point electroacupuncture group (EA treatment group), an electroacupuncture control group (EA control group) and a carbamazepine control group, 40 cases in each group. Baihui (GV 20)-through-Qubin (GB 7), Shenting (GV 24)-through-Hanyan (GB 4), Touwei (ST 8)-through-Xuanli (GB 6), Benshen (GB 13)-through-Shuaigu (GB 8) were selected in the EA treatment group, and Baihui (GV 20), Yangbai (GB 14), Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Yifeng (TE 17), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected in the EA control group, and the EA treatment was given once each day, for 30 days.

Thermodynamic analysis of decomposition of thiourea and thiourea oxides.

Thiourea has exhibited extremely rich dynamical behavior when being oxidized either through a chemical approach or via an electrochemical method. In this study, thermodynamic properties of thiourea and its oxides are investigated by measuring their thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermogravimetry (DTG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) simultaneously. Online FT-IR measurements show that products of the thermal decomposition vary significantly with the reaction temperature.

[Effects of head point-through-point electroacupuncture on SOD and LPO in the patient of Parkinson's disease].

Objective: To observe clinical therapeutic effect of head point-through-point electroacupuncture on Parkinson's disease and the mechanism.

Methods: Seventy-six cases of Parkinson's disease were randomly divided into a treatment group (n=37) treated with head point-through-point electroacupuncture and oral administration of madopa, and a control group (n=39) with only oral administration of madopa. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipids peroxides (LPO) were determined before and after treatment.

[Therapeutic effect of point-through-point acupuncture on migraine and its effects on brain blood flow velocity].

Objective: To study the clinical therapeutic effect of point-through-point acupuncture on migraine and its mechanisms.

Methods: Ninety cases of migraine were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 45 cases in each group. The treatment group were treated with point-through-point acupuncture and the control group with normal needling method.

[Clinical observation on point-through-point acupuncture for treatment of cerebellar ataxia after apoplexy].

Objective: To observe therapeutic effect of point-through-point acupuncture on cerebellar ataxia after apoplexy and evaluate the safety.

Methods: Random, parallel control, single blind and multicentral study method was used and 224 cases from 4 hospitals were divided equally into a treatment group and a control group, 112 cases in each group. The treatment group were treated with point-through-point acupuncture and the control group with general needling method.

[Effects of TIMP-2 gene transfer on atherosclerotic plaque in rabbits].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of TIMP-2 local gene transfer on atherosclerotic plaque.

Methods: Atherosclerosis models were induced by denuding femoral artery endothelium plus high lipid diet in rabbits. TIMP-2 gene was transferred locally by balloons eluted with pcDNA3-TIMP-2.

Environmental and occupational health response to SARS, Taiwan, 2003.

Industrial hygiene specialists from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) visited hospitals and medical centers throughout Taiwan. They assisted with designing and evaluating ventilation modifications for infection control, developed guidelines for converting hospital rooms into SARS patient isolation rooms, prepared designs for the rapid conversion of a vacated military facility into a SARS screening and observation facility, assessed environmental aspects of dedicated SARS hospitals, and worked in concert with the Taiwanese to develop hospital ventilation guidelines. We describe the environmental findings and observations from this response, including the rapid reconfiguration of medical facilities during a national health emergency, and discuss environmental challenges should SARS or a SARS-like virus emerge again.

Catena-poly[[(1,10-phenanthroline-kappa(2)N,N')copper(II)]-micro-(dihydrogen benzene-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylato)-kappa(2)O(1):O(4)].

In the title compound, [Cu(C(10)H(4)O(8))(C(12)H(8)N(2))](n), the Cu(II) cation has a four-coordination environment completed by two N atoms from one 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligand and two O atoms belonging to two dihydrogen benzene-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylate anions (H(2)TCB(2-)). There is a twofold axis passing through the Cu(II) cation and the centre of the phen ligand. The [Cu(phen)](2+) moieties are bridged by H(2)TCB(2-) anions to form an infinite one-dimensional coordination polymer with a zigzag chain structure along the c axis.

Mu1,3-azido-diazidotetrakis(1,10-phenanthroline)dicopper(II) azide tetrahydrate.

In the title compound, [Cu2(mu-(1,3)-N3)(N3)2(phen)4](N3)*4H2O (phen is 1,10-phenanthroline, C12H8N2), each of the two Cu atoms is surrounded by two N atoms of two azide anions and by four N atoms of two 1,10-phenanthroline ligands [Cu-N distances are 1.964 (3), 2.009 (3), 2.