Cough and dyspnea during bronchoconstriction: comparison of different stimuli

Abstract Background Bronchial challenge tests are used to evaluate bronchial responsiveness in diagnosis and follow-up of asthmatic patients. Challenge induced cough has increasingly been recognized as a valuable diagnostic tool. Various stimuli and protocols have been employed. The aim of this study was to compare cough and dyspnea intensity induced by different stimuli. Methods Twenty asthmatic patients underwent challenge tests with methacholine, bradykinin and exercise. Cough was counted during challenge tests. Dyspnea was assessed by modified Borg scale and visual analogue scale. Statistical comparisons were performed by linear mixed-effects model. Results For cough evaluation, bradykinin was the most potent trigger (p < 0.01). In terms of dyspnea measured by Borg scale, there were no differences among stimuli (p > 0.05). By visual analogue scale, bradykinin induced more dyspnea than other stimuli (p ≤ 0.04). Conclusion Bradykinin seems to be the most suitable stimulus for bronchial challenge tests intended for measuring cough in association with bronchoconstriction

Single Hole Green's Functions in Insulating Copper Oxides at Nonzero Temperature

We consider the single hole dynamics in a modified $t-J$ model at finite temperature. The modified model includes a next nearest ($t'$) and next-next nearest ($t''$) hopping. The model has been considered before in the zero temperature limit to explain angle resolved photo-emission measurements. We extend this consideration to the case of finite temperature where long-range anti-ferromagnetic order is destroyed, using the self-consistent Born approximation. The Dyson equation which relates the single hole Green's functions for a fixed pseudo-spin and for fixed spin is derived. The Green's function with fixed pseudo-spin is infrared stable but the Green's function with fixed spin is close to an infrared divergency. We demonstrate how to renormalize this Green's function in order to assure numerical convergence. At non-zero temperature the quasi-particle peaks are found to shift down in energy and to be broadened.Comment: 7 pages, RevTex, 5 Postscript figure

Spectral Function in Mott Insulating Surfaces

We show theoretically the fingerprints of short-range spiral magnetic correlations in the photoemission spectra of the Mott insulating ground states realized in the triangular silicon surfaces K/Si(111)-B and SiC(0001). The calculated spectra present low energy features of magnetic origin with a reduced dispersion ~10-40 meV compared with the center-of-mass spectra bandwidth ~0.2-0:3 eV. Remarkably, we find that the quasiparticle signal survives only around the magnetic Goldstone modes. Our findings would position these silicon surfaces as new candidates to investigate non-conventional quasiparticle excitations.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures. To be published in Journal of Physics: Condensed Matte

Hole photoproduction in insulating copper oxide

Basing on t-J model we calculate the k-dependence of a single hole photoproduction probability for CuO2 plane at zero doping. We also discuss the radiation of spin-waves which can substantially deform the shape of photoemission spectra.Comment: latex 8 pages, 3 figure

Laboratory animals and respiratory allergies: The prevalence of allergies among laboratory animal workers and the need for prophylaxis

OBJECTIVE: Subjects exposed to laboratory animals are at a heightened risk of developing respiratory and allergic diseases. These diseases can be prevented by simple measures such as the use of personal protective equipment. We report here the primary findings of the Laboratory Animals and Respiratory Allergies Study regarding the prevalence of allergic diseases among laboratory animal workers, the routine use of preventive measures in laboratories and animal facilities, and the need for prevention programs. METHODS: Animal handlers and non-animal handlers from 2 Brazilian universities (University of São Paulo and State University of Campinas) answered specific questionnaires to assess work conditions and symptoms. These subjects also underwent spirometry, a bronchial challenge test with mannitol, and skin prick tests for 11 common allergens and 5 occupational allergens (rat, mouse, guinea pig, hamster, and rabbit). RESULTS: Four hundred fifty-five animal handlers (32±10 years old [mean±SD], 209 men) and 387 non-animal handlers (33±11 years old, 121 men) were evaluated. Sensitization to occupational allergens was higher among animal handlers (16%) than non-animal handlers (3%,

Hole-hole superconducting pairing in the t-J model induced by spin-wave exchange

We study numerically the hole pairing induced by spin-wave exchange. The contact hole-hole interaction is taken into account as well. It is assumed that antiferromagnetic order is preserved at all scales relevant to pairing. The strongest pairing is obtained for the d-wave symmetry of the gap. Dependence of the value of the gap on hole concentration and temperature is presented. For the critical temperature we obtain Tc about 100 K at the hole concentration delta = 0.2-0.3.Comment: replaced with a revised version to appear in PRB, 6 pages, REVTeX 3.0, figures not change

Identificação de germoplasma e desenvolvimento de cultivares de arroz com elevados teores de ferro e zinco.

Objetivando disseminar o uso de cultivares de arroz de terras altas mais ricas em ferro e zinco foram avaliadas 194 das mais de 3.600 variedades locais coletadas no Brasil nos últimos 30 anos pela Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa). Zebu Ligeiro e Chatão Branco, mais ricas em zinco e ferro, respectivamente, estão em processo de disseminação e avaliação, de forma participativa, junto a agricultores familiares do Maranhão, nos municípios de Miranda do Norte, Vargem Grande, Chapadinha e Brejo, em estreita colaboração com a Agência de Extensão Rural e Pesquisa do Estado do Maranhão (AGERP).Resumo também em inglês