Silicon-Cantilever-Enhanced Single-Fiber Photoacoustic Acetylene Gas Sensor.

A single-fiber photoacoustic (PA) sensor with a silicon cantilever beam for trace acetylene (CH) gas analysis was proposed. The miniature gas sensor mainly consisted of a microcantilever and a non-resonant PA cell for the real-time detection of acetylene gas. The gas diffused into the photoacoustic cell through the silicon cantilever beam gap.

Diagnostic accuracy of intracellular mycobacterium tuberculosis detection for tuberculous meningitis.

Rationale: Early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculous meningitis saves lives, but current laboratory diagnostic tests lack sensitivity.

Objectives: We investigated whether the detection of intracellular bacteria by a modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain and early secretory antigen target (ESAT)-6 in cerebrospinal fluid leukocytes improves tuberculous meningitis diagnosis.

Methods: Cerebrospinal fluid specimens from patients with suspected tuberculous meningitis were stained by conventional Ziehl-Neelsen stain, a modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain involving cytospin slides with Triton processing, and an ESAT-6 immunocytochemical stain.