The spread of influenza and highly pathogenic avian (H5N1) presents a significant threat to human health. Avian outbreaks in downwind areas Asian dust storms (ADS) suggest that viruses might be transported by storms.We developed technique measure ambient viruses. We then used this concentrations these on ADS days background days, assess the relationships between viruses, air pollutants.A high-volume sampler was parallel with filter cassette evaluate spiked samples unspiked samples. Then,...

This study was undertaken to determine whether there an association between fine particles (PM2.5) levels and hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Hospital CVD (including ischemic heart disease [IHD], stroke, congestive failure [CHF], arrhythmias) ambient air pollution data Kaohsiung were obtained the period from 2006–2010. The relative risk of estimated using a case-crossover approach, controlling weather variables, day week, seasonality, long-term...

Many learners of English as a foreign language often feel that learning spoken is frustrating and quite difficult, especially when they have to talk English-speaking foreigners. In general, because are unfamiliar with the mode worried about making grammatical errors, very scared speak English. Furthermore, reading differ in many ways. For instance, seeing text containing new words, can stop look up words dictionary. Additionally, passage be read multiple times by understand it. Conversely,...

Abstract The consumption of alcohol, tobacco and betel quid has been found to be an important contributor esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Taiwan. genotoxic effect the ADH1B ALDH2 genes modulating individual's alcohol‐metabolizing capacity on ESCC may linked drinking behavior, intake pattern other exogenous factors. To investigate interplay these genetic environmental factors determining risk ESCC, a multicenter case‐control study was conducted. Here, 406 patients with...

Melioidosis results from an infection with the soil-borne pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei, and cases of melioidosis usually cluster after rains or a typhoon. In endemic area Taiwan, B. pseudomallei is primarily geographically distributed in cropped fields northwest this area, whereas are densely populated district southeast. We hypothesized that contaminated generated aerosols which were carried by northwesterly wind to southeastern district. collected soil aerosol samples 72 km2 land,...

Contaminants of emerging concern such as organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are associated with atmospheric fine particles (PM2.5), which pose the greatest health risk in world. However, few surveys have explored interaction between PM2.5 and OPFRs residential paired indoor/outdoor environments. 11 priority were investigated across 178 indoor outdoor air samples taken from 89 children's households southern Taiwan, cold warm seasons. This involved exploring their associations building...

In spring, windblown dust storms originating in the deserts of Mongolia and China travel to Taipei city. These occurrences are known as Asian storm (ADS) events. The objective this study was assess possible associations constituents ADS with hospital pneumonia admissions residents Taipei, Taiwan, during period 1996–2001. Fifty-four episodes were identified classified index days. Daily on days compared comparison Two for each day, 7 d before after days, selected. results indicated a...

The relationship between breast cancer mortality and air pollution was examined using an ecological design. study areas consisted of 61 municipalities in Taiwan. Air quality data for recorded concentrations fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from 2006–2009 were obtained as a marker traffic emissions used proxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure. Age-standardized rates calculated the years 1999–2008. A weighted multiple regression model to calculate adjusted risk ratio relation...

Among the air pollutants, particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 um (PM2.5) is of particular interest to environmental medicine as epidemiologic studies consistently reported that long-term exposure PM2.5 associated increased risk premature death in adults. Life expectancy a well-documented and important measure overall public health policy. However, few investigators examined relationship between levels adult life expectancy. In this Taiwan-wide study, county-level...

Associations exist between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and impaired kidney function. However, the specific mechanisms components causing renal damage remain unclear. PM2.5 was collected from an industrial a rural area. Mice were categorized according to exposure, biochemical, western blotting, histological, immunohistochemical analyses performed evaluate impact of constituents on their kidneys. To assess different inflammatory responses, study conducted by exposing murine...

A series of HIV protease inhibitors containing a novel C2 symmetrical "aminodiol" core structure were prepared from amino acid starting materials. The ability the aminodiols to inhibit replication in cell culture is comparable their isolated enzyme, result compatible with good membrane penetration by this class compounds. Optimization structure-activity led aminodiol 9a (Ki = 100 nM; ED50 (HIV-1) 80 nM) P1/P1 benzyl and P2/P2 Boc substituents. Compound selective inhibitor versus other...

Influenza viruses cause pandemics in humans. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate filter/real-time qPCR quickly and accurately determine quantify the airborne influenza avian virus. In study, sampling stress filtration virus storage effects for both extracted RNA were evaluated laboratory. Then, collection efficiencies open-face closed-face filter cassettes compared a wet poultry market. From July 8 August 19, 2006, total 36 air samples quantified by qPCR. recovery rate on stored...

Purpose. Aromatherapy massage is an alternative treatment in reducing the pain of cancer patients. This study was to investigate whether aromatherapy could improve Methods. We searched PubMed and Cochrane Library for relevant randomized controlled trials without language limitations between 1 January 1990 31 July 2015 with a priori defined inclusion exclusion criteria. The search terms included aromatherapy, essential oil, pain, ache, cancer, tumor, carcinoma. There were 7 studies which met...

Traditional culture and microscopy methods for evaluation of bioaerosols are slow, tedious, rather imprecise. In this study, the application flow cytometry that was combined with a fluorescent technique (FCM/FL) evaluated as to quickly accurately determine quantify total concentration viability bioaerosols. The optimal conditions five dyes [acridine orange (AO), SYTO-13, propidium iodide (PI), YOPRO-1, 5-cyano-2,3-ditolytetrazolium chloride (CTC)] used in FCM/FL were determined laboratory...

Background Melioidosis is a severe bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei with high case-fatality rate. Epidemiological and animal studies show the possibility of inhalation transmission. However, no B. concentrations in ambient air have been researched. Here, we developed method to quantify then measured during typhoon season non-typhoon determine factors influencing levels. Methods We quantified using filter/real-time qPCR Zoynan Region Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan....

Although culture-based analysis remains the primary method for environmental bioaerosol analysis, better understanding and quantifying of bioaerosols both culture- nonculture-based methods should be used compared. Here, flow cytometry with fluorochrome (FCM/FL) was applied to evaluate sampling performance impingement (AGI-30 all-glass impinger) filtration (track-etched polycarbonate filter) different types fluorescent dye staining (cell membrane integrity metabolism) then compared a...

To investigate the relationship between air pollution and risk of death attributed to gastric cancer, a matched cancer case-control study was conducted using deaths that occurred in Taiwan from 2004 through 2008. Data for all eligible were obtained compared control group consisting individuals who died causes other than neoplasms diseases associated with gastrointestinal (GIT) disorders. The controls pair-matched cases by gender, year birth, death. Each randomly selected set possible each...

Abstract Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection remains one of the major public health issues worldwide. Current qualitative assays (only positive or negative results) do not provide comprehensive information regarding risk M. tuberculosis. This study attempted to develop a quantitative assay measure air concentration in care setting. A total 22 samples were taken from pressure isolation rooms patients. The was filtered through Nuclepore filter with sampling time 8 h. DNA tuberculosisin these...

This study was undertaken to evaluate whether endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) with a microdebrider had an impact on complication rates, and facilitate the determination of factors associated complications in patients who underwent ESS at tertiary referral center Taiwan.This investigation retrospective literature review. We analyzed 997 consecutive Mackay Memorial Hospital Taipei, Taiwan from January 2006 through February 2010. All data including those patient medical information, peri-...

Jumping on the bed is a favorite behavior of children; however, no study has investigated increased air pollutants resulting from jumping bed. Therefore, we aimed to investigate elevated concentrations particulate matter (PM) and bioaerosols making Simulation was performed at sixty schoolchildren's houses in Taiwan. PM10, PM2.5, PM1 (PM with aerodynamic diameter less than 10, 2.5, 1 μm, respectively) airborne bacteria, fungi endotoxin were simultaneously measured over simulation background...

Outbreaks of avian influenza virus (AIV) have raised public concerns recently. Airborne AIV has been evaluated in live poultry markets and case farms; however, no study discussed airborne ambient air the winter habitats migratory birds. Therefore, this aimed to evaluate AIV, specifically H5, H7, H9, a critical habitat birds assess factors influencing transmission provide novel insights into epidemiology influenza. A total 357 samples were collected Aogu Wetland, Taiwan, Republic China,...