Optical and magnetic properties of SiO2:C nanopowders obtained by chemical and thermal modification of fumed silica were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman, continuous wave (CW) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), echo-detected EPR and pulsed electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy. Two overlapping signals of Lorentzian lineshape were detected in CW EPR ...

Stereotaxic delivery of corticosterone onto the amygdala produces colorectal hypersensitivity through activation of lumbosacral spinal neurons. Since corticosterone activates both the mineralocorticoid (MR) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors, the aim of this study was to determine the importance of MRs in the regulation of colorectal hypersensitivity through the use of aldosterone that preferent...

The initiation of chloroplast development in the light is dependent on nuclear encoded components. The nuclear genes encoding key components in the photosynthetic machinery are regulated by signals originating in the plastids. These plastid signals play an essential role in the regulation of photosynthesis associated nuclear genes (PhANGs) when proplastids develop into chloroplasts. One of the ...

The number of patients with CRD in China is estimated to be approximately 119.5 million. A cross sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of Chinese adults demonstrated that the prevalence of CRD varied widely among geographic regions, with an overall prevalence of 10.8%2. The prevalence in China is slightly higher compared to developed nations such as the United States (9.4% for ...

Clear hand laterality patterns in humans are widely accepted. However, humans only elicit a significant hand laterality pattern when performing complementary role differentiation (CRD) tasks. Meanwhile, hand laterality in chimpanzees is weaker and controversial. Here we have reevaluated our results on hand laterality in chimpanzees housed in naturalistic environments at Fundació Mona (Spain) an...

Since food challenge is time consuming and not always without a risk for the patient, surrogate parameters have been introduced. Among the best studied are case history, size of Skin Prick Test and the level of specific IgE towards a food allergen. In the later case, decision points (ie. the level of specific IgE above which there would be a 95 % probability of the patient being challenge posit...

Dectin-2, a C-type lectin on macrophages and other cells of the innate immune system, functions in response to pathogens, particularly fungi. The carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD) in dectin-2 is linked to a transmembrane sequence that interacts with the common Fc receptor γ subunit to initiate immune signaling. The molecular mechanism by which dectin-2 selectively binds to pathogens has bee...

Complete debridement and thorough disinfection of infected root canals are considered mandatory for the success of root canal treatment. However, canal preparation and irrigation are not always effective in eliminating total microflora from the root canal system. Traditionally, calcium hydroxide has proven to be an excellent intracanal medicament for infected root canals. However, it is known t...

BACKGROUND Hypotensive anaesthesia does not impair renal function after surgery in normal patients but there are no reports of hypotensive anaesthesia in patients with chronic renal dysfunction (CRD). METHODS From a database of 1893 consecutive patients undergoing total hip replacement (THR) under hypotensive epidural anaesthesia (HEA) from 1999 to 2004, 54 patients were identified with CRD (...

H(2)S functions as a neuromodulator and exerts anti-inflammatory activities. Recent data indicate that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is linked to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we have investigated the role of a novel H(2)S-releasing derivative of mesalamine (5-amino-2-hydroxybenzoic acid 4-(5-thioxo-5H-[1,2]dithiol-3yl)-phenyl ester, ATB-429) in modulating nocicept...