We have recently shown that stimulation, through a multi-electrode array, of thin nerve fibres close to the dermo-epidermal junction in the skin, produces powerful inhibition of itch and, to a lesser degree, cutaneous pain in humans. Here, we have studied the induction time and frequency dependency (range 1–10 Hz) of the inhibitory effects of such stimulation on itch, mechanical, and thermal pain,

Eosinophils participate in the inflammatory response seen in allergy and parasitic infestation, but a role in host defense against bacterial infection is not settled. The bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) has been demonstrated in neutrophils and it exerts bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects against a wide variety of Gram-negative bacterial species. Using the Western blot techn

OBJECTIVES: Atrial fibrillation (AF) in man has previously been shown to include a wide variety of atrial activity. Assessment of the characteristics of this arrhythmia with a commonly applicable tool may therefore be important in the choice and evaluation of different therapeutic strategies. As the AF cycle length has been shown to correlate locally with atrial refractoriness and globally with th

Aims/hypothesisThe aim of our study was to test the hypothesis that HLA genotypes conferring risk of diabetes, cord blood autoantibodies, or both are associated with increased birthweight. Methods: HLA genotypes were determined in dried blood spots of cord blood from a total of 16,709 children born to healthy mothers in the Diabetes Prediction in Skane (DiPiS) study, a population-based observation

Female pheasants may base their choice of mates on the expression of male ornaments such as the red chin wattle and the length of the spurs. Both these ornaments are predicted to be sensitive to access to carotenoids (and vitamins). Moreover, because carotenoids also enhance immune function, it has been suggested that there is a trade-off in the use of carotenoids for ornament expression and immun

A novel method of indirect deposition by means of a focused ion beam (FIB) is utilized to develop metal/insulator/semiconductor nanowire core-shell structures. This method is based upon depositing an annular pattern centered on a nanowire, with secondary deposition then coating the wire. Typical cross-sectional deposition area increments as a function of ion doses are 1.3 x 10(-2) mu m(2) nC(-1) f

One of the main disturbances on Imboassica Lagoon is the occasional artificial opening of its sand bar. Following two such events, two environmental gradients were observed. One was directly related to entry of marine water ( salinity gradient); and the other to a decrease in dilution of the nutrient load, because of water level reduction ( trophic status gradient). Two stations were sampled. At S

There is considerable interest in understanding how cis-regulatory modifications drive morphological changes across species. Because developmental regulatory genes, including Hox genes, are remarkably conserved, their noncoding regulatory regions are likely sources for variations. Modifications of Hox cis-regulatory elements have potential to alter Hox gene expression and, hence, axial morphologie

Current research on slips and falls has mainly focused on floors and/or contaminated floors. Although icy and snowy surfaces near melting temperature are more slippery, more important still, slip and falls on icy and snowy surfaces involve not only outdoor workers, but also pedestrians and the general public; and occur in cold regions and in the winter season in many parts of the world. However, i

Beam profile measurements of laser-wakefield accelerated electron bunches reveal that in the monoenergetic regime the electrons are injected and accelerated at the back of the first period of the plasma wave. With pulse durations c tau >=lambda(p), we observe an elliptical beam profile with the axis of the ellipse parallel to the axis of the laser polarization. This increase in divergence in the l

An experimental study on the internal stress state perpendicular to grain in glued laminated timber induced by moisture variations along the grain is presented. The stress is evaluated by using measured modulus of elasticity and strain. Different types of tests are performed, in which specimens are exposed to artificial climate change when the specimens are in either a wetting or a drying state, a

The purpose of this article is to survey current knowledge concerning the consequences of a ligament injury on neuromuscular function and its relevance to rehabilitation, in relation to clinical practice. Although it deals with the ACL-injured knee, these views may also apply to other joints. The effects of a ligament injury on neuromuscular function are first considered - i.e., proprioception, po

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that have the capacity to differentiate into various different cell lineages and can generate bone, cartilage and adipose tissue. MSCs are presently characterized using a broad range of different cell-surface markers that are not exclusive to MSCs and not sensitive to culture conditions or differentiation capacity. We show that the integrin subun

This paper presents a wavelet based event detector for cardiac pacemakers implemented in 0.35μm CMOS technology. The architecture is optimized by wordlength and strength reduction resulting in a total chip area of 2.2mm 2. Detector performance is studied by means of databases containing electrograms as well as different types of noise and interferences, which are added to the signals. The results

The allozyme haplotype was determined for 157 ramets of the unisexual, perennial, clonal moss Hylocomium splendens within five 10×10 cm plots, which had been the subject of demographic studies over a 5-yr period. In addition, 25 shoots were analyzed from outside the plots and from four neighbouring patches. Only four haplotypes were encountered within the plots; one female type occurred in all plo

The chromosome number of the polyploid species Glechoma hederacea was found to be 2n = 36 in a sample of 93 ramets derived from 27 sites in N and C Europe. Variation in 10 enzymes was surveyed in material from S Sweden and S Czech Republic. The genetic control of variation was investigated using segregating progeny from crosses and self-fertilized heterozygous plants. The generic analysis comprise

Objectives This study tested a feasible method for screening for cardiovascular risk at the worksite and investigated the effects of a long-term comprehensive program of life style intervention to prevent cardiovascular disease. Methods Employees in the public sector filled out a self-administered questionnaire with questions on social, medical, and work-related factors. The respondents numbered 4

Aerosol particle number size distributions and hygroscopic properties were measured at a pasture site in the southwestern Amazon region (Rondonia). The measurements were performed 11 September-14 November 2002 as part of LBA-SMOCC (Large scale Biosphere atmosphere experiment in Amazonia - SMOke aerosols, Clouds, rainfall and Climate), and cover the later part of the dry season (with heavy biomass