Search results for "asma"

Observation of topological gravity-capillary waves in a water wave crystal

2019

The discovery of topological phases of matter, initially driven by theoretical advances in quantum condensed matter physics, has been recently extended to classical wave systems, reaching out to a wealth of novel potential applications in signal manipulation and energy concentration. Despite the fact that many realistic wave media (metals at optical frequencies, polymers at ultrasonic frequencies) are inherently dispersive, topological wave transport in photonic and phononic crystals has so far been limited to ideal situations and proof-of-concept experiments involving dispersionless media. Here, we report the first experimental demonstration of topological edge states in a classical water …

Degenerative and regenerative processes involved in midgut pseudotumor formation in the stick insect (Carausius morosus)

2009

Spontaneous and experimentally induced pseudotumor formation in Carausius morosus impairs the midgut tissue homeostasis. Spontaneous pseudotumor formation begins by the break down of a single or a small group of columnar cells (CCs) and is followed by the degeneration of neighboring CCs. There are not only marked similarities but also decisive differences between normal dying CCs in healthy specimens and the degeneration of CCs leading to pseudotumors: in both cases, the apical cell parts with the nucleus are extruded into the midgut lumen, but only during of pseudotumor formation an "amorphous substance" originates from the basal parts of the CCs. Hemocytes are attracted to this substance …

Cholinesterase Activity and Hematological Parameters as Biomarkers of Sublethal Molinate Exposure in Anguilla anguilla

2000

Cholinesterase (ChE) activity was measured in plasma, whole blood [using 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) and 2-PDS as chromophores], brain, and whole eyes of Anguilla anguilla exposed to a sublethal concentration of 11.15 mg/L (one-third of the 96-h LC(50)) of the carbamate herbicide molinate. ChE activity was evaluated after 6, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of pesticide exposure. Results indicated that ChE activity in eel tissues decreased as time of exposure increased, especially in eel blood. Eels exposed to molinate were transferred to a pesticide-free water for a recovery period of 4 days and ChE activity was also evaluated. Results indicated that ChE activity for those animals with preexpo…

Plasma Modification of CNTs and Their Use in the Preparation of PA6/CNT Nanocomposites

2011

Carbon nanotubes modification by plasma treatment

2011

Reconstitution of bacteriorhodopsin and ATP synthase from Micrococcus luteus into liposomes of the purified main tetraether lipid from Thermoplasma a…

1995

The archaebacterium Thermoplasma acidophilum is cultivated at 59 degrees C in a medium containing sulfuric acid of pH 2. The purified bipolar membrane spanning main phospholipid (MPL) of this organism can be used to produce stable liposomes of 100-500 nm in diameter either using a French pressure cell detergent dialysis or sonication. Despite a potassium diffusion potential of 186 mV very low ionic permeability of sonicated MPL liposomes was measured using the potassium binding fluorescent indicator benzofuran isophthalate PBF1, which measures net K+ uptake. The latter also remained very low, in the presence of the K(+) ionophore valinomycin and palmitic acid. Addition of valinomycin and th…

Plasma Hyperosmolality Prolongs QTc Interval and Increases Risk for Atrial Fibrillation in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

2020

Introduction: Hyperosmotic therapy with mannitol is frequently used for treatment cerebral edema, and 320 mOsm/kg H2O has been recommended as a high limit for therapeutic plasma osmolality. However, plasma hyperosmolality may impair cardiac function, increasing the risk of cardiac events. The aim of this study was to analyze the relation between changes in plasma osmolality and electrocardiographic variables and cardiac arrhythmia in patients treated for isolated traumatic brain injury (iTBI). Methods: Adult iTBI patients requiring mannitol infusion following cerebral edema, and with a Glasgow Coma Score below 8, were included. Plasma osmolality was measured with Osmometr 800 CLG. Spatial Q…

High plasma levels of endothelin-1 enhance the predictive value of preclinical atherosclerosis for future cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events: …

2014

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that endothelin-1 (Et-1) plays a role in cardiac and vascular disease. In the present study, we investigated the prognostic significance of Et-1 for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular outcome, in a 20-year follow-up. METHODS: We studied 82 originally healthy individuals, referred to our Unit of Cardiovascular Prevention, to evaluate the presence of asymptomatic carotid lesions. We subdivided these individuals into two groups, according to the plasma values of Et-1 (respectively ≤ or >2.7 pg/ml). Traditional cardiovascular risk factors were investigated, and by carotid ultrasound examination, we distinguished between normal …

Impact of infectious burden on progression of carotid atherosclerosis.

2002

Background and Purpose— Recent findings suggest a causative role of infections in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The extent of atherosclerosis and the prognosis of patients with atherosclerosis seem to be increased by the number of infections to which an individual has been exposed. In a prospective study, we evaluated the effect of 8 pathogens and the aggregate pathogen burden on the progression of carotid atherosclerosis. Methods— In 504 patients (74.9% men; age, 62.9±10 years), we measured intima-media thickness and prevalence of carotid artery stenosis. Follow-up measurements after a mean of 2.5 years were available in 427 patients (85%). Blood samples were taken, and IgG or IgA …

Fetuin-A and Cystatin C Are Endogenous Inhibitors of Human Meprin Metalloproteases

2010

Meprin α and β, zinc metalloproteinases, play significant roles in inflammation, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), possibly by activating cytokines, like interleukin 1β, interleukin 18, or tumor growth factor α. Although a number of potential activators for meprins are known, no endogenous inhibitors have been identified. In this work, we analyzed the inhibitory potential of human plasma and identified bovine fetuin-A as an endogenous meprin inhibitor with a K(i) (inhibition constant) of 4.2 × 10(-5) M for meprin α and a K(i) of 1.1 × 10(-6) M meprin β. This correlated with data obtained for a fetuin-A homologue from carp (nephrosin inhibitor) that revealed a potent meprin α and β…