Distinct modes of transmission of tuberculosis in aboriginal and non-aboriginal populations in Taiwan.

Tuberculosis incidence among aborigines is significantly higher than for Han Chinese in Taiwan, but the extent to which Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strain characteristics contribute to this difference is not well understood. MTB isolates from aborigines and Han Chinese living in eastern and southern Taiwan, the major regions of aborigines, were analyzed by spoligotyping and 24-loci MIRU-VNTR. In eastern Taiwan, 60% of aboriginal patients were ≤20 years old, significantly younger than the non-aboriginal patients there; aborigines were more likely to have clustered MTB isolates than Han Chinese (odds ratio (OR) = 5.

Molecular epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in aboriginal peoples of Taiwan, 2006-2011.

Previous research revealed a 6-fold higher incidence of tuberculosis (TB) amongst aborigines compared to Han Chinese in Taiwan. To investigate the reasons for this disparity, we genotyped Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strains obtained from members of different aboriginal tribes in different geographical regions of Taiwan by using molecular methods. In total, 177 isolates of MTB collected from patients at four hospitals in Taiwan from January 2006 to December 2011 were analysed by spoligotyping, mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem-repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing.

Simultaneous determination of oxidative hair dye p-phenylenediamine and its metabolites in human and rabbit biological fluids.

A liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector method has been developed for the quantitative measurement for three diamine derivatives (p-phenylenediamine, N,N(')-p-phenylenebisacetamide, and 4-aminoacetanilide) in human urine and rabbit blood, urine, and feces. The detection cell consisted of a glassy carbon electrochemical signal obtained with a supporting electrolyte containing 20% methanol-5mM octylammonium orthophosphate (pH 6.30) as the mobile phase.

Determination of 5-methoxypsoralen in human serum.

A high performance liquid chromatography with fluorometric and ultraviolet detection described to quantify 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) percutaneous absorption in humans after the application of an essential oil, as well as 5-MOP in bergamot oil and cosmetics by fluorometric and voltammetric measurement, respectively. A muBondapack C(18) analytical column (particle size 5 microm, 3.9 x 300 mm) eluted with acetonitrile-tetrahydrofuran-water (70:15:15, v/v/v) containing 0.

Ion chromatography studies of quaternary ammonium halide solutions and the determination of pharmaceuticals.

The feasibility of using ion chromatography (IC) in solutions containing quaternary ammoniums is studied. The results establish the applicability of IC for the determination of halide ions in a pharmaceutical sample without interferences by various excipient ions. For IC measurements with suitable methodical parameters, linearity is maintained over the range of 20 to 200 mg/L and 10.

Determination of retinoids in human serum, tocopherol and retinyl acetate in pharmaceuticals by RP-LC with electrochemical detection.

A liquid chromatography with a electrochemical detector method has been developed of the quantitative measurement for the three retinoids in human serum (13-cis and all-trans retinoic acid and retinol), as well as tocopherol acetate, retinyl acetate and retinol in pharmaceuticals. The detection cell consisted of a glassy carbon electrode held at 1.0 V versus an Ag/AgCl reference electrode.