Photoelastic Modulated Imaging Ellipsometry

Photoelastic modulator (PEM)-based ellipsometry employed either lock-in amplifiers or the Fourier analysis technique to obtain the ellipsometric parameters almost in real-time that makes the system with a feature of fast measurement speed, higher stability, and sensitivity at small retardations. Since the PEM modulation frequency is too high to compare it with the exposure time of the camera, photoelastic modulator–based approach is not applicable for a two-dimensional ellipsometric measurement. Here, we represent a novel technique that coordinates with the light pulses and PEM modulation that can freeze the time-varied signals. Thus, two-dimensional ellipsometric parameters can be obtained within few seconds. In addition to ellipsometric measurement, this approach also can be extended to other imaging polarimetry measurements, such as Stokes parameters and Mueller matrix. Moreover, since the chromatic dispersion of birefringence was also a significant issue in the polarization modulation systems, we proposed an equivalent phase retardation technique to deal with this issue. This technique was confirmed by a dual wavelength measurement result without changing the optical configuration of the system. The concept and the theory of this system were indicated in the preceding section, and the passage below described some calibration issues for the photoelastic modulator. Some measurement results were revealed in the final part of this chapter

Epidemiology of extended-spectrum β-lactamases in Enterobacterales in Taiwan for over two decades

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance among microorganisms is a serious public health concern, and extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales is one of the major concerns among antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Although the prevalence of ESBL in Enterobacterales has been increasing with time, the prevalence of ESBL could differ according to the species, hospital allocation, sources of infections, nosocomial or community acquisitions, and geographic regions. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive review of the epidemiology of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales in Taiwan. Overall, the rates of ESBL producers are higher in northern regions than in other parts of Taiwan. In addition, the genotypes of ESBL vary according to different Enterobacterales. SHV-type ESBLs (SHV-5 and SHV-12) were the major types of Enterobacter cloacae complex, but Serratia marcescens, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were more likely to possess CTX-M-type ESBLs (CTX-M-3 and CTX-M-14). Moreover, a clonal sequence type of O25b-ST131 has been emerging among urinary or bloodstream E. coli isolates in the community in Taiwan, and this clone was potentially associated with virulence, ESBL (CTX-M-15) production, ciprofloxacin resistance, and mortality. Finally, the evolution of the genetic traits of the ESBL-producing Enterobacterales isolates helps us confirm the interhospital and intrahospital clonal dissemination in several regions of Taiwan. In conclusion, continuous surveillance in the investigation of ESBL production among Enterobacterales is needed to establish its long-term epidemiology

Regulation of MMP-3 expression and secretion by the chemokine eotaxin-1 in human chondrocytes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by the degradation of articular cartilage, marked by the breakdown of matrix proteins. Studies demonstrated the involvement of chemokines in this process, and some may potentially serve as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets; however, the underlying signal transductions are not well understood.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We investigated the effects of the CC chemokine eotaxin-1 (CCL11) on the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression and secretion in the human chondrocyte cell line SW1353 and primary chondrocytes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Eotaxin-1 significantly induced MMP-3 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibitors of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 kinase were able to repress eotaxin-1-induced MMP-3 expression. On the contrary, Rp-adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate (Rp-cAMPs), a competitive cAMP antagonist for cAMP receptors, and H-89, a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, markedly enhanced eotaxin-1-induced MMP-3 expression. These results suggest that MMP-3 expression is specifically mediated by the G protein-coupled eotaxin-1 receptor activities. Interestingly, little amount of MMP-3 protein was detected in the cell lysates of eotaxin-1-treated SW1353 cells, and most of MMP-3 protein was in the culture media. Furthermore we found that the eotaxin-1-dependent MMP-3 protein secretion was regulated by phospholipase C (PLC)-protein kinase C (PKC) cascade and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways. These data indicate a specific regulation of MMP-3 secretion also by eotaxin-1 receptor activities.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Eotaxin-1 not only induces MMP-3 gene expression but also promotes MMP-3 protein secretion through G protein-coupled eotaxin-1 receptor activities. Chemokines, such as eotaxin-1, could be a potential candidate in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis.</p

A Smartphone APP for Health and Tourism Promotion

The main purpose of this study is to develop an APP by integrating GPS to provide the digitized information of local cultural spots to guide tourists for tourism promotion and the digitized information of mountaineering trails to monitor energy expenditure (EE) for health promotion. The provided cultural information is also adopted for educational purpose. Extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was used to evaluate the usefulness and behavior intention of the provided information and functions in the developed system. Most users agreed that the system is useful for health promotion, tourism promotion, and folk-culture education. They also showed strong intention and positive attitude toward continuous use of the APP

A case of acute appendicitis with Vibrio fluvialis peritonitis

AbstractHuman infections caused by Vibrio fluvialis are rarely reported. The most common clinical presentation of V. fluvialis infection is acute gastroenteritis with diarrhea. Reported extra-intestinal infections caused by V. fluvialis have included bacteremia, hemorrhagic cellulitis and cerebritis. Peritonitis is an uncommon clinical presentation of Vibrio infections, and most cases have occurred in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis or those with liver cirrhosis. Herein, we report the first case of acute appendicitis with V. fluvialis peritonitis