Haptic processing consists of the integration of data from multiple sources to form a single percept. Previous research provides strong support for a hierarchical and functional distribution within haptic processing. We investigated hemispheric asymmetry in haptic discrimination of objects with differing textures and centres of mass. By analogy with vision it was hypothesised that participants would demonstrate

a left-hand advantage for centre of mass discrimination (a ‘global’, presumed right hemisphere, judgement) and a right-hand advantage for surface texture judgements (a ‘local’, presumed left hemisphere discrimination). We found that left-handed participants showed these effects to a lesser degree than did the right-handers, consistent with the C646 datasheet notion that left-handed people generally selleckchem show weaker asymmetries in bimanual tasks. In a second experiment the effect

of conflicting information on haptic percept formation was investigated. Following from the previous hypotheses it was predicted that participants would be more accurate with their right hands at judging conflicting surfaces. Contrary to predictions an advantage was demonstrated for the left hand for texture discrimination and for the right hand for centre of mass judgement. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Background: The endothelial cell (EC) protein C receptor (EPCR) negatively regulates coagulation and inflammation. Factors and mechanisms regulating the expression of cell-bound EPCR and the release of soluble (s) EPCR are still unclear. Methods: We investigated the reciprocal regulation of membrane-bound and sEPCR upon inflammation using primary cultures of vascular EC. The impact of 2 parameters, gender and EPCR gene A3 haplotype, on sEPCR plasma basal level and endothelial click here expression was examined by Elisa and flow cytometry. Results: Exposure of EC to tumor necrosis factor alpha causes a rapid downregulation of membrane-associated EPCR expression without affecting markedly the spontaneous release of sEPCR

by EC. In a cohort of 100 healthy donors, we show that males express significantly higher basal sEPCR in plasma than females (194 +/- 12 vs. 145 +/- 9 ng/ml, respectively, p < 0.01). Both gender and EPCR A3 haplotype affect sEPCR plasma levels but have no apparent effect on EPCR expression by EC. No quantitative correlation between cellular expression and circulating blood sEPCR was observed, suggesting that endothelial expression may not reflect the plasma level. Conclusion: Male gender is another parameter with A3 haplotype associated with elevated sEPCR levels in blood, and both parameters may contribute to selective regulatory mechanisms of EPCR release upon inflammation. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“It is well known that viewing graspable tools (but not other objects) activates motor-related brain regions, but the time course of affordance processing has remained relatively unexplored.