The participant’s task was to indicate which chimera looked happi

The participant’s task was to indicate which chimera looked happier. For the Gender test, we selected the neutral expressions of an additional six male and six female posers from the database. The procedure for constructing the chimeras was similar to the one described above, except that now the combined face halves were from two different posers: a male and female poser (see Fig. 1b). The resulting 48 images were presented in 24 trials, with the task of the participant being to indicate which of the two chimeras looked more feminine. Prospective participants

were first tested for handedness. Next, a questionnaire was administered and permission Selleck Daporinad was asked to contact the mother (or father or other caretaker, in case the mother was not available; this happened in none of the cases). If the participant agreed, the mother was contacted immediately and asked whether she would be willing to participate in the study and answer a number of questions about her child. It was explained what the purpose of the study was and that the results would be encoded anonymously. If consenting to participate (which all did), the mother was given a questionnaire and tested for handedness and depressive symptoms post-partum. Next, the participant was subjected to

the two face tests, first the Emotion and then the Gender chimeras test. The stimuli were presented on a computer screen by means of the software program Powerpoint (slide-show). The participant gave his/her choice (“top”, “bottom” or “don’t know”) on each trial selleck chemicals verbally. The answer was registered by the experimenter and later entered into a computer. Following the procedure of Levy et al. (1983), we calculated for each participant a face encoding asymmetry score by subtracting the number of trials on which the chimera had been chosen with the happy/female side to the left from the trials on which the chimera had been chosen with the happy/female

side to the right. The total was then divided by the number of trials on which the participant had reached a decision (i.e. without the trials on which the participant couldn’t make a choice; this happened in less than 1% of the trials in the Emotion test and 2% in the Gender test). Thus, a left-bias would be indicated by a negative asymmetry Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II score, a right bias by a positive asymmetry score. The results were then analysed statistically with SPSS. Analyses were carried out with independent t-tests, one-tailed, unless otherwise specified. As in prior studies, the participants in the present study – all right-handed – showed a left-bias (depicted by the negative means in Table 1) which was significantly different from zero, in both the Emotion and the Gender test and this was also true when both left-held and right-held participant groups were considered separately.

2) Signs of impaired arterial wall tone occurred as vascular bru

2). Signs of impaired arterial wall tone occurred as vascular bruits and heart tone registered not only in

dopplerograms of carotid arteries but also in intracranial arteries were found in 48 of cases. 16 patients had additional mid-diastolic wave as additional wall distention (not exceeded 0.02 ± 0.01 cm) accompanied by high systolic blood flow velocity with a prominent increase of systolic/diastolic velocities ratio. All these patients had significant brachial pressure fall during orthostatic test indicated the lack of autonomic nervous regulation (Fig. 3). The strong correlations exist between carotid arterial elastic properties and carotid Pembrolizumab clinical trial baroreceptors, cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity with an impact on arterial blood pressure and stroke volume. We can assume the interdependency between carotid distensibility and autonomic balance. Whereas some studies suggest that reduced elastic properties of carotid arteries cause the reduction of cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity resulted in changes of hemodynamic, the results of our previous and recent studies

show the dependence of carotid arterial distensibility on autonomic neural regulation of wall tone. The autonomic imbalance in young people was associated with the increase of arterial distensibility, expressed as increase of carotid arterial systolic/diastolic diameter change, sometimes additional arterial mid-diastolic wall motion, accompanied by abnormal distribution of flow http://www.selleckchem.com/B-Raf.html velocity

during cardiac cycle with the marked systolic flow acceleration and significant increase of systolic/diastolic ratio. This conclusion coincides with the findings of the decreased arterial stiffness in a young people under the acute sympathetic stimulation of artery. These results may be explained by an unloading of stiffer wall components during active arterial constriction under influence of autonomic stimulation [27]. The further comparable evaluation of patients with different impairment of nervous system could help to determine the role of nervous regulative function on Anacetrapib arterial wall dynamics. Taking into account many basic mechanisms and various factors influencing arterial wall dynamics it is difficult to measure the impact of each of them separately. Arterial wall stiffness or distensibility measurements reflect the dynamics of all structures of the arterial wall as well as dynamics of blood perfusion. Arterial mechanical properties can be calculated in different ways including parameters of various factors affecting wall motion. The development of the high resolution ultrasound tracking techniques makes it possible more accurate measurements of arterial elastic properties which is extremely important for early detection of vascular pathology. “
“Tobacco is one of the most important preventable causes of premature death worldwide.

Unlike CdCl2 or CdS, Cd(CH3)2 is a volatile compound (bp 105 5 °C

Unlike CdCl2 or CdS, Cd(CH3)2 is a volatile compound (bp 105.5 °C), which readily reacts with water to yield cadmium hydroxide but does not oxidize spontaneously in air. In fact, there is a gradation in stability among the Group 12 methyl derivatives, with Cd(CH3)2 ranking in an intermediate position between dimethylmercury, quite stable and dimethylzinc, VX-809 purchase very reactive toward oxygen and water [122]. Indicative of its stability, Cd(CH3)2 toxicity could be assessed, including through animal inhalation

studies, and a maximum 8-h work-place exposure has been set at 1 μg/m3[123]. While CH3 is the most abundant alkyl radical generated in the high temperature zone, homologue radicals with higher carbon content are also present that could react in the same way. In fact many other radicals present

in smoke could be expected to react with Cd(0) but very little information is available on such reactions. Thus, the following discussion is focused on Cd(CH3)2, since its reactivity is well documented and it is epitomical when discussing the consequences of the transitory formation of a volatile and reactive cadmium derivative. It should however be understood that Cd(CH3)2 may not be the main cadmium volatile intermediate that is actually formed in smoke. Cd(CH3)2 could certainly move to the filter during a puff, and exit the cigarette with mainstream smoke. Because of its reactivity, Cd(CH3)2 will deposit onto the unburnt tobacco downstream with Tofacitinib ic50 a high efficiency; yet, elements captured on the unburnt tobacco of during a puff can be mobilized in subsequent puffs, so that this capture

is not incompatible with the observed cadmium transfer to mainstream smoke (only 5–10%). The consequence of this high capture is a yield per puff that increases with puff number, which has indeed been observed [78]. Moreover, in such a case it is expected that a higher smoke flow rate through the tobacco rod would decrease the retention of gas-phase cadmium since it is diffusion-controlled. This was also observed. Compared to the ISO yields, cadmium yield was found to be more increased under HCI than nicotine was, whereas lead yield remains to a constant ratio to nicotine (Table 6 and Table 8). Specifically, a high and flow rate-sensitive capture of cadmium by the tobacco filler was evidenced by studies where the deposited cadmium was separately assessed in the unburnt tobacco and in the filter plug after machine-smoking the cigarettes using both ISO conditions and undefined “heavy” puffing conditions [82]. The fact that elements captured on the unburnt tobacco during a puff can be mobilized by subsequent heating also increases the possibility of transfer to sidestream smoke. Hot gases can diffuse out of a smoldering cigarette as sidestream emission, the temperature of this gas stream is about 350 °C [116]. Cadmium can diffuse out as CdCl2, which would be gaseous.

Exceptions to this rule were three genes we isolated from common

Exceptions to this rule were three genes we isolated from common wheat cultivars Zhengfeng 5 (protein ID AFX69640) and Yumai 34 (protein IDs AFX69612 and AFX69609) that lacked α-helix H2, whereas the three above-mentioned distinctive α-gliadin genes formed one (protein ID ABQ96118) or even two (protein IDs ABQ96115 and ABQ96119) distinctly larger α-helices H1. In

addition, one extra α-helix HE2 (11.11%), HE3 (6.06%), HE4 (1.52%) or two additional α-helices HE1 and HE2 (1.52%) also probably occurred in some cases. With regard to the other main Osimertinib datasheet element of the secondary structure occurring in type II, in addition to the conserved β-strand (S), an additional β-strand (SE) was detected in four protein subunits (protein IDs AFX69607, AGO17690, AFX69601 and ABS72150). Obviously, most of the α-helices and β-strands are present in the two unique domains. It is noteworthy that both the three extra α-helices HE4 (protein IDs AFQ13468, AFX69638 and ABS72143) and the four additional β-strand SE were located around the position where an extra cysteine residue was present or had most

likely occurred (protein ID AFX69601) resulting from S → C PI3K inhibitor substitution. With respect to the secondary structures of the 22 deduced α-gliadins isolated from the common wheat cultivar Zhengmai 004 in this study, considerable variation was detected. Among them, 9 deduced α-gliadins (Z4A-1, Z4A-2, Z4A-5, Z4A-9, Z4A-12, Z4A-15, Z4A-18, Z4A-21 and Z4A-22) contained only 5–7 α-helices and belonged to type I, whereas the remaining 13 deduced α-gliadins formed a β-strand (S) in the C-terminal unique domain in addition to 5–6 α-helices and belonged to type II. Five type I genes had an extra α-helix HE2 (Z4A-2, Z4A-9 and Z4A-12), HE3 (Z4A-22) or even two α-helices HE1 and HE2 (Z4A-18), and 5 type II genes possessing an extra HE1 (Z4A-8), HE2 (Z4A-17) or HE3 (Z4A-6, Z4A-11 and Z4A-14)

were also identified. Interestingly, of the 10 type II genes with an additional α-helix HE3 formed by two to six glutamine residues in the glutamine repeats II, it was observed that Z4A-14 and other 3 protein subunits (Protein Bumetanide IDs AFX69619, ABQ52119 and ABQ52126) derived from common wheat were more similar to that of ACX71610, in which the extra α-helix HE3 consisted of five or six glutamine residues. Considering that marked positive effects on the gluten elasticity by protein subunit ACX71610 had been verified by functional analysis in vitro, it is suggested that the putative protein of Z4A-14 may also be strongly associated with the high gluten quality of bread wheat cultivar Zhengmai 004. Like other wheat prolamins, α-gliadins are encoded by multigenic families, the copy numbers of which have been estimated to vary from 25 [27] to 150 [28] in different wheat cultivars.

After surgery in patients of the second group PS had a tendency t

After surgery in patients of the second group PS had a tendency to insignificant decrease of PS (right – 0.9 ± 0.2, left – 0.9 ± 0.1 rad). Fig. 1 illustrates the results of examination of the female patient with INPH. She suffered of headache, but without dizziness and nausea. Evans’s index was 0.26, the level of mental abilities according to FAB score was high – 15 points. Baseline CSF pressure in lumbar cistern was normal (12 mmHg), Rout corresponded to the upper level of the normal

range (15 mmHg/ml/min). BFV in both MCA were also within the normal range, but PI was high and indicated the presence of ICH. At the same time PS and ARI corresponded to normal values and testified an absence GSI-IX clinical trial of CA disturbance despite enlarged ventricles according to the brain scan imaging. Taking into account minimal clinical symptoms and positive results of CSF monitoring it has been decided to refuse from surgery and to conduct dynamic observation. Further improvement was noted and the patient was discharged from

the hospital on 10th day. Fig. 2 illustrates the results of examination of the male patient with ABT-263 price communicating hydrocephalus and clinical signs of ICH. He suffered of headache, gait disturbance, incontinence. Evans’s index was 0.28, the level of mental disorders according to FAB score – 9 points. Baseline CSF pressure in lumbar cistern was 18 mmHg, Rout 17 mmHg/ml/min. BFV in both MCA were within the normal range, but PI was low and indicated an absence of ICH. However, significant decrease of ARI and PS testified marked CA disturbance. The patient underwent ventriculo-peritoneal shunting which led to a significant regression of neurological symptoms. Evans’s index was decreased to 0.12, and the level of mental abilities according to FAB score increased up to 15 points. Fig. 3 illustrates the results of examination of the

same male patient with communicating over hydrocephalus and clinical signs of ICH on the 10th day after operation. After shunting we observed significant increase of both PS and ARI which testified improvement of CA. There has been a further decline in the PI, but without marked changes of BFV. The patient was discharged in fair condition on 12th day after operation. The problem of surgical treatment of patients with hydrocephalus has not been completely solved yet. Considering the high rate of ineffective surgical interventions in hydrocephalus, reliable diagnostic and prognostic indication criteria for surgical operations are required [10]. Monitoring of CSF dynamics, including IT, together with methods of neuroimaging and evaluation of neurological and psychological status, is still necessary and included in recommendations for management of patients with hydrocephalus. However, the use of ICP monitoring and IT is limited in clinical practice.

After DNase treatment with Ambion Turbo DNA-free kit (Applied Bio

After DNase treatment with Ambion Turbo DNA-free kit (Applied Biosystems, CA, USA), cDNA was synthesised using SuperScript II reverse transcriptase with hexamer random primers (both Invitrogen, CA, USA). Quantification of mRNA transcripts of IL17A, IFNG, IL8 and the reference gene GAPDH was performed using DyNAmo SYBR Green PCR master mix (Finnzymes, Thermo Fisher Scientific, MA, USA) on a Corbett Rotor Gene 3000

system (QIAGEN). Amplification was carried out in triplicate over 40 to 45 cycles of 15 s at 95 °C, 30 s at 61 °C (IFNG, GAPDH) or 62 °C (IL17A, IL8, GAPDH) and 30 s at 72 °C. Included in each assay were commercial human cDNA (Clontech, BD Biosciences, CA, USA) positive controls, no template controls and first-stage RT minus controls. Specificity

Ruxolitinib cell line analysis was performed with high resolution melt curves. Results were analysed by Pfaffl’s relative quantification method ( Pfaffl, 2001), normalising against GAPDH and comparing against a pooled Selleck GSKJ4 negative comparator prepared from a further 14 uninfected donors. Commercial primers were used for IL17A and IFNG (SABiosciences, QIAGEN). IL8 primers were F: 5′-CTCTTGGCAGCCTTCCTGA and R: 5′-AGTTCTTTAGCACTCCTTGGCA. GAPDH primers were as previously described ( Robinson et al., 2008). Data were analysed with Rotor-Gene software (version 6.1, Corbett Research, UK). Statistical analysis was performed using Prism 6.00 (GraphPad, Software CA, USA). Continuous variables were compared using non-parametric Mann–Whitney U-tests. Two-tailed p < 0.05 was considered significant. One of our Benzatropine objectives

was to assess cytokines present at low concentrations and therefore the performance of the three Luminex kits in terms of their sensitivity and assay range. Standard curves provided by each manufacturer were run as recommended but extended to < 1.0 pg/mL to further assess kit sensitivity. As expected all kits performed well within the standard curve ranges recommended by each manufacturer (Table 1), although the Bio-Plex kit was less sensitive for IFNγ in our hands with a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 8.1 pg/mL (vs 1.9 pg/mL lowest recommended standard). The VersaMAP kit had the lowest LLOQ for IFNγ (0.3 pg/mL) although the lowest recommended standard for this kit was 27.2 pg/mL. For IL-17, the Bio-Plex kit was most sensitive with a LLOQ of 1.3 pg/mL. Overall the MILLIPLEX kit performed closest to the specified product characteristics for both analytes. In addition though the upper limits of quantification (ULOQ) were highest with the Bio-Plex kit, the MILLIPLEX kit provided the broadest linear dynamic ranges. Low bead counts for a particular well can reduce confidence in the reported median fluorescence intensity and hence the analyte concentration value interpolated from a standard curve. Manufacturers generally validate their assays with soluble materials such as sera, plasma and cell culture supernatants.

Field experiments

Field experiments MEK inhibitor were conducted over two consecutive seasons at the Breeza Research Station (New South Wales Department of Primary Industries) located on the Liverpool Plains of northern New South Wales (NSW), Australia (150°25′31″ E and 31°10′54″ S). Plots were sown with varieties Baxter, Ellison and Hybrid Mercury (HM) in 2006. In 2007, varieties Ellison and H45 were grown.

Among these varieties, HM and H45 were considered highly susceptible, Baxter moderately resistant and Ellison resistant to pathotype (134 E16 A +), which was the dominant pathotype in eastern Australia during the years in which the experiments were conducted. In both years wheat was grown in experimental plots of 10 m length and 1.8 m width. Spacing between rows was 40 cm and sowing rate was adjusted based on grain weight and germination of the various wheat varieties so as to attain a target plant population of 100 plants m− 2. In both years, N rates of 0, 50, 100, 200 or 300 kg ha− 1 were established by application of granular urea prior to sowing. The trial areas in Ruxolitinib clinical trial both years deliberately followed a long fallow from a previous sorghum crop to ensure low starting soil

N reserves. Soil N levels were measured to 1.2 m prior to sowing in each year with a total of 64 kg ha− 1 nitrate N available in 2006 and 42 kg ha− 1 nitrate N in 2007. All plots were inoculated with Pst spores prior to

a rain event during tillering in each season to supplement natural inoculation with wind-blown spores from neighbouring fields. Low-disease plots were then established in each trial by treatment of seed with fluquinconazole (Jockey-Bayer Crop Science at 450 mL 100 kg− 1 seed) prior to sowing and foliar applications of tebuconazole (Folicur-Bayer Crop Science at 290 mL ha− 1) at the start of booting (GS32) and full flag leaf emergence (GS39). In 2006 the fungicide treatment was applied to N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate transferase all varieties, but in 2007 it was applied only to the susceptible variety H45 because Ellison was highly resistant to the dominant pathotype at the time of the trial. The experimental design in 2006 was a split-plot design with fungicide treatment as the main plot factor, and variety and nitrogen as the subplot factors. In 2007 a randomised complete block design was used. There were four replicates in both years. Disease severity (percentage of leaf area covered in pustules) was visually estimated using a standard scale from the Australian Cereal Rust Laboratory, University of Sydney [7]. This scale measures the severity of stripe rust using scores ranging from one (no symptoms) to nine (abundant sporulation across the whole leaf area with no evidence of individual stripes).

40 We did not assess the presence of malarial retinopathy, which<

40 We did not assess the presence of malarial retinopathy, which

increases the specificity of the diagnosis of CM, 21 however CM subjects were a relatively small subgroup and amongst those with highest sequestered biomass estimates. Finally, the mortality rate in our study was only 3.9% in SM cases, which might indicate that the children were ‘less’ seriously ill than our SM definitions suggest, but is also consistent with the lower risk of mortality in children, 27 the proportions of Anticancer Compound Library manufacturer different SM syndromes in our study, 2 exclusion of children suspected to have non-malarial illness, 28 and with our subjects living relatively close to the health-care facilities. 28 and 49 After considering methodological issues and these sources of bias we believe our findings are robust. How should our results be interpreted? Although the number of children with SA was small, the association with high PfHRP2 concentration is consistent with other studies,30 and 40 and extensive sequestration could be a causative factor in SA. This would not necessarily require

sequestration in the microvasculature, since retention of parasites in the slow open circulation of the spleen would also remove pRBCs from Carfilzomib purchase Grape seed extract the systemic circulation,50 and could explain this observation. Furthermore, we speculate that the role of microvascular obstruction by sequestered pRBCs in SM pathophysiology may differ between

the SM syndromes of LA, CM, and SA, and possibly between children and adults. Differences in the pathophysiology of LA and CM are consistent with distinct patterns of risk relative to exposure and age,51 additive effects on the risk of mortality,16 and differences in the associated pRBC adhesion phenotypes.52 LA in malaria is thought to be due to microcirculatory impairment and consequent tissue hypoxia.6 and 11 A recent study demonstrated impairment of the ability of the microvasculature to increase tissue oxygen delivery to match demand in severe malaria, and the severity of this impairment correlated strongly with blood lactate.53 Different host and parasite factors may pre-dispose to sequestration-independent microcirculatory dysfunction in LA (perhaps mediated by inflammatory cytokines, hypoargininemia and nitric oxide depletion),11 and 26 whereas pRBC sequestration may be more important in CM. Both mechanisms may have synergistic effects when LA and CM co-exist.

Il observe que le pouvoir agglutinant et hémolysant du sérum de c

Il observe que le pouvoir agglutinant et hémolysant du sérum de ces

lapins est nettement plus fort que celui d’animaux témoins, et surtout que cette augmentation see more est spécifique d’espèce (ainsi, l’augmentation du pouvoir agglutinant du sérum de lapins recevant du sang de chien est spécifiquement nette avec les hématies de chien). Ce glissement méthodologique, des bactéries aux hématies, anodin en apparence, est un pas essentiel vers la découverte des groupes sanguins. Peu après, un nouveau glissement théorique et méthodologique conduit Landsteiner à s’intéresser aux phénomènes d’agglutination d’hématies humaines par des sérums humains. Le fait était connu et commenté depuis quelques années, généralement attribué à divers états pathologiques [3]. Le trait de génie de Landsteiner

fut de voir dans ces réactions des phénomènes normaux. L’annonce parut en deux temps, avec une brève mention en 1900, suivie de l’article fondateur en 1901 : • février 1900 : Landsteiner publie dans une revue de bactériologie un article sur les « Effets antifermentatifs, lytiques et agglutinants du sérum sanguin et de la lymphe » [4]. Dans une note de bas de page, on lit le commentaire suivant : « Le sérum d’individus humains sains provoque l’agglutination non seulement des hématies animales mais aussi, souvent, des hématies d’autres individus. Il reste à déterminer si ce phénomène résulte de différences individuelles primitives ou de dommages, éventuellement d’origine bactérienne. » ; Dans la discussion, Landsteiner signale FG-4592 clinical trial Baf-A1 qu’une agglutination a pu être obtenue avec un sérum desséché et redissous, ainsi qu’avec du sang desséché ; il insiste donc sur l’intérêt potentiel de ces

recherches en médecine légale. Mais ce n’est qu’aux dernières lignes de son article, et de manière rapide, presque furtive, qu’il évoque le problème transfusionnel : « …ces observations permettent d’expliquer les résultats variables des transfusions sanguines thérapeutiques chez l’homme. ». Landsteiner naît le 14 juin 1868 à Baden, charmante station thermale et touristique au sud de Vienne, dans le vignoble, en lisière orientale de la forêt viennoise. Mayerling n’est pas loin, où en 1889 l’archiduc Rodolphe, fils unique de l’empereur François-Joseph, mettra fin à ses jours après avoir tué sa jeune maîtresse Marie Vetsera. Karl est le premier et unique enfant de Leopold Landsteiner (1817–1875), journaliste, rédacteur en chef du quotidien libéral Die Presse puis fondateur du quotidien Morgenpost, et de son épouse née Franziska « Fanni » Hess (1837–1908). Les époux Landsteiner appartiennent à la bourgeoisie juive aisée de Vienne et habitent alors le quartier de Leopoldstadt, à l’emplacement actuel du 27, Untere Donaustrasse.

The present finding shows for the first time that there is enhanc

The present finding shows for the first time that there is enhanced

protein expression of the Cu/Zn- and Mn-SOD isoforms as the same time that there is enhanced production of the superoxide anion in the pulmonary artery of rats exposed in vivo to PM2.5. It was previously demonstrated that PM2.5 exposure causes oxidative stress in aortic tissue and in macrophages ( Wan et al., 2010). In addition, in macrophages cell, in vitro PM GSK-3 inhibitor exposure enhances gene expression of Cu/Zn-SOD ( Wan et al., 2010) and the protein expression of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and heme oxygenase-1 ( Xiao et al., 2003). Therefore, enhanced expression of SOD isoforms could be a secondary mechanism activated in response to enhanced superoxide anion production induced by PM2.5 as a protective pathway. The proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α have emerged as biomarkers and mediators of oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in several cardiovascular diseases (Ungvari et al., 2003 and Wan et al., 2010). In the present study, we observed that pulmonary arteries from urban PM2.5-exposed animals showed enhanced TNF-α protein expression despite there being no changes in IL1-β and IL-6. Thus, inhaled PM2.5 could directly induce endothelial dysfunction

by stimulating TNF-α protein synthesis. This hypothesis is in agreement with a prior study demonstrating that acute in vitro exposure to fine manufactured PM increases the release of TNF-α in isolated rat pulmonary this website G protein-coupled receptor kinase arteries and dexamethasone (an anti-inflammatory drug) prevented the reduction of acetylcholine-induced

relaxation in these vessels ( Courtois et al., 2008). It is known that the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α can impair eNOS gene and protein expression, thus reducing NO synthesis ( Anderson et al., 2004). In the present study we found a significant negative correlation between TNF-α protein expression and maximal relaxation to acetylcholine in pulmonary arteries from in vivo PM2.5-exposed rats, suggesting that the higher TNF-α protein expression induced by air pollution is strongly related with the endothelial dysfunction of pulmonary circulation. Deposition of PM on alveolar epithelium induces infiltration of inflammatory cells, thus increasing the release of local proinflammatory factors that can reach pulmonary and systemic circulation and trigger secondary inflammation (Seaton et al., 1995). Moreover, elemental components of PM per se or after macrophage phagocytosis can pass through the alveolar-capillary membrane and induce peripheral effects ( Lehnert, 1992). Our findings for peripheral blood provide no evidence for extrapulmonary activity of inhaled particles within the time of exposure and at the concentration evaluated in the present study. PM2.