Time-resolved luminescence imaging of hydrogen peroxide using sensor membranes in a microwell format.

We demonstrate an optical imaging scheme for hydrogen peroxide in a microwell-based format using the europium(III) tetracycline complex as the fluorescent probe, which is incorporated into a polyacrylonitrile-co-polyacrylamide polymer matrix. The resulting sensor membranes are integrated into a 96-microwell plate. Hydrogen peroxide can be visualized by means of time-resolved luminescence lifetime imaging.

The protective role of NF-kappaB and AP-1 in arsenite-induced apoptosis in aortic endothelial cells.

Arsenite (NaAsO(2)) has been shown to produce vascular dysfunction in many studies. Arsenite-induced damage to vascular endothelial cells represents one of the possible mechanisms causing leakage of the vascular endothelial barrier. To explore arsenite-induced vascular endothelial damage, we used primary porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAECs) as an in vitro system to test the effects of arsenite on signal transduction pathways and apoptosis.

Determination of the activity of catalase using a europium(III)-tetracycline-derived fluorescent substrate.

A one-step method is described for the fluorometric determination of the activity of the enzyme catalase (EC 1.11.1.

Long-term effect of primary combined tissue transplantation on hand reconstruction.

Objective: To analyze the long-term effect of primary combined tissue transplantation on hand reconstruction.

Methods: The data of 8 kinds of combined tissue transplantations employed to reconstruct the severely injured hands of 26 patients over the past 2 to 11 years were studied retrospectively. Among them, combined tissue transplantation taking the anterior-lateral femoral flap as the main tissue unit was applied in 21 cases and taking the second toe as the main tissue unit was applied in 5 cases.

The perception of menopause among women in Taiwan.

Objectives: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has become a popular topic and the subject of many newspaper and magazine health articles in the last 5 years in Taiwan, so a great deal of knowledge about the menopause has been introduced to Taiwanese women. With this massive change, we wanted to know the current perception of the menopause among women in Taiwan and also evaluate the prevalence of various acute menopausal symptoms and women's attitudes toward receiving hormone replacement therapy.

Methods: We designed a cross-sectional study, using structured questionnaires, targeting women who attended the health information seminar on the menopause and HRT, held in an urban area in Taiwan.