Similar effects on epileptiform bursting were obtained with another COX-2 inhibitor, i.e., meloxicam. SRIF application counteracted the increase of both COX-2 expression and PGE(2) release which occurred in concomitance with epileptiform bursting. Interestingly, SRIF and NS-398 comparably reduced epileptiform bursting in a non-additive manner and PGE(2) abolished the inhibitory effect of SRIF on epileptiform bursting. These results demonstrate that: i) the COX-2/PGE(2) pathway facilitates epileptiform bursting; and ii) SRIF exerts an anti-epileptic role by coupling to the COX-2/PGE(2) pathway. In conclusion, we have identified a key set of signalling

events that selleck compound underlie anti-convulsant effects of SRIF in a mouse model of hippocampal

bursting, thus providing useful data not only to identify alternative intervention points for the modulation of SRIF function, but also to exploit new chemical space for drug-like molecules. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“A 78-year-old woman visited the division of cardiovascular disease in our hospital. She underwent a cardiac catheter examination, and a Swan-Ganz catheter was inserted. Several minutes later, she developed anaphylactic shock. She had no past history of latex allergy, but did have a banana allergy. Skin prick tests showed a positive reaction to an extract of latex gloves BI 2536 molecular weight and an extract of the balloon of a Swan-Ganz catheter. Anaphylactic

shock caused by the latex balloon MK-8931 of a Swan-Ganz catheter was diagnosed. It is necessary to pay attention to not only latex allergy but also fruit allergies with a cross-reactivity to latex.”
“The composites of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filled with expanded graphite (EG), poly(p-oxybenzoyl) (POB), and basalt fiber (BF) were prepared by heating compression and sintering molding. The tribological behavior of PTFE composites was investigated with a pin-on-disk tester under dry conditions and seawater lubrication. The worn surface of PTFE composites and the transfer film on the counterface were observed with a scanning electron microscope. The results indicated that the incorporation of EG and POB improved the hardness of PTFE composites, and addition of BF led to greater load-carrying capacity. Compared to pure PTFE, the coefficients of friction of PTFE composites slightly increased, but the wear rates were significantly reduced (the wear rate of composite with 3% EG being only 10.38% of pure PTFE). In addition, all the composites exhibited a lower coefficient of friction (decreases of about 0.03-0.07) but more serious wear under seawater lubrication than under dry sliding. The wear mechanism changed from serious abrasive wear of pure PTFE to slight adhesion wear of PTFE composites under both conditions.