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The Rapid Burster is a unique neutron star low-mass X-ray binary system, showing both thermonuclear v-I and accretion-driven Type-II X-ray bursts. Recent studies have demonstrated how coordinated observations of X-ray and radio variability can constrain jet properties of accreting neutron stars – particularly when the X-ray variability is dominated by discrete changes. We present a simultaneous very large array, Swift , and INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory observing campaign of the Rapid Burster to investigate whether its jet responds to Type-II bursts. We observe the radio counterpart of the X-ray binary at its faintest-detected radio luminosity, while the X-ray observations reveal prolific, fast X-ray bursting. A time-resolved analysis reveals that the radio counterpart varies significantly between observing scans, displaying a fractional variability of |$38 \pm 5$|  per cent. The radio faintness of the system prevents the robust identification of a causal relation between individual Type-II bursts and the evolution of the radio jet. However, based on a comparison of its low-radio luminosity with archival Rapid Burster observations and other accreting neutron stars, and on a qualitative assessment of the X-ray and radio light curves, we explore the presence of a tentative connection between bursts and jet: i.e. the Type-II bursts may weaken or strengthen the jet. The former of those two scenarios would fit with magnetorotational jet models; we discuss three lines of future research to establish this potential relation between Type-II bursts and jets more confidently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SAX J1748.9-2021 is an accreting X-ray millisecond pulsar observed in outburst five times since its discovery in 1998. In early October 2017, the source started its sixth outburst, which lasted only ∼13 days, significantly shorter than the typical 30 days duration of the previous outbursts. It reached a 0.3–70 keV unabsorbed peak luminosity of ∼3 × 1036 erg s−1. This is the weakest outburst ever reported for this source to date. We analysed almost simultaneous XMM-Newton, NuSTAR, and INTEGRAL observations taken during the decaying phase of its 2017 outburst. We found that the spectral properties of SAX J1748.9-2021 are consistent with an absorbed Comptonization plus a blackbody component. The former, characterized by an electron temperature of ∼20 keV, a photon index of ∼1.6–1.7 keV, and seed photon temperature of 0.44 keV, can be associated to a hot corona or the accretion column, while the latter is more likely originating from the neutron star surface (kT bb ∼ 0.6 keV, R bb ∼ 2.5 km). These findings suggest that SAX J1748.9-2021 was observed in a hard spectral state, as it is typically the case for accreting millisecond pulsars in outburst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Multiwavelength monitoring of Be/X-ray binaries is crucial to understand the mechanisms producing their outbursts. H 1145- 619 is one of these systems, which has recently displayed X-ray activity. Aims. We investigate the correlation between the optical emission and X-ray activity to predict the occurrence of new X-ray outbursts from the inferred state of the circumstellar disc. Methods. We have performed a multiwavelength study of H 1145-619 from 1973 to 2017 and present here a global analysis of its variability over the last 40 yr. We used optical spectra from the SAAO, SMARTS, and SALT telescopes and optical photometry from the Optical Monitoring Camera (OMC) onboard INTEGRAL and from the All Sky Automated Survey (ASAS). We also used X-ray observations from INTEGRAL/JEM-X, and IBIS to generate the light curves and combined them with Swift/XRT to extract the X-ray spectra. In addition, we compiled archival observations and measurements from the literature to complement these data. Results. Comparing the evolution of the optical continuum emission with the Hα line variability, we identified three different patterns of optical variability: first, global increases and decreases of the optical brightness, observed from 1982 to 1994 and from 2009 to 2017, which can be explained by the dissipation and replenishment of the circumstellar disc; second, superorbital variations with a period of Psuperorb ≈ 590 days, observed in 2002–2009, which seems to be related to the circumstellar disc; and third, optical outbursts, observed in 1998–1999 and 2002–2005, which we interpret as mass ejections from the Be star. We discovered the presence of a retrograde one-armed density wave, which appeared in 2016 and is still present in the circumstellar disc. Conclusions. We carried out the most complete long-term optical study of the Be/X-ray binary H 1145-619 in correlation with its X-ray activity. For the first time, we found the presence of a retrograde density perturbation in the circumstellar disc of a Be/X-ray binary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The black hole (BH) binary V404 Cyg entered the outburst phase in 2015 June after 26 yr of X-ray quiescence, and with its behaviour broke the outburst evolution pattern typical of most BH binaries. We observed the entire outburst with the Swift satellite and performed time-resolved spectroscopy of its most active phase, obtaining over a thousand spectra with exposures from tens to hundreds of seconds. All the spectra can be fitted with an absorbed power-law model, which most of the time required the presence of a partial covering. A blueshifted iron-Kα line appears in 10 per cent of the spectra together with the signature of high column densities, and about 20 per cent of the spectra seem to show signatures of reflection. None of the spectra showed the unambiguous presence of soft disc-blackbody emission, while the observed bolometric flux exceeded the Eddington value in 3 per cent of the spectra. Our results can be explained assuming that the inner part of the accretion flow is inflated into a slim disc that both hides the innermost (and brightest) regions of the flow, and produces a cold, clumpy, high-density outflow that introduces the high absorption and fast spectral variability observed. We argue that the BH in V404 Cyg might have been accreting erratically or even continuously at Eddington/super-Eddington rates – thus sustaining a surrounding slim disc – while being partly or completely obscured by the inflated disc and its outflow. Hence, the largest flares produced by the source might not be accretion-driven events, but instead the effects of the unveiling of the extremely bright source hidden within the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the upper layer of an accreting neutron star experiences a thermonuclear runaway of helium and hydrogen, it exhibits an X-ray burst of a few keV with a cool-down phase of typically 1 min. When there is a surplus of hydrogen, hydrogen fusion is expected to simmer during that same minute due to the rp process, which consists of rapid proton captures and slow β-decays of proton-rich isotopes. We have analyzed the high-quality light curves of 1254 X-ray bursts, obtained with the Proportional Counter Array on the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer between 1996 and 2012, to systematically study the cooling and rp process. This is a follow-up of a study on a selection of 37 bursts from systems that lack hydrogen and show only cooling during the bursts. We find that the bolometric light curves are well described by the combination of a power law and a one-sided Gaussian. The power-law decay index is between 1.3 and 2.1 and similar to that for the 37-bursts sample. There are individual bursters with a narrower range. The Gaussian is detected in half of all bursts, with a typical standard deviation of 50 s and a fluence ranging up to 60% of the total fluence. The Gaussian appears consistent with being due to the rp process. The Gaussian fluence fraction suggests that the layer where the rp process is active is underabundant in H by a factor of at least five with respect to cosmic abundances. Ninety-four percent of all bursts from ultracompact X-ray binaries lack the Gaussian component, and the remaining 6% are marginal detections. This is consistent with a hydrogen deficiency in these binaries. We find no clear correlation between the power law and Gaussian light-curve components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cooling of type-I X-ray bursts can be used to probe the nuclear burning conditions in neutron star envelopes. The flux decay of the bursts has been traditionally modelled with an exponential, even if theoretical considerations predict power-law-like decays. We have analysed a total of 540 type-I X-ray bursts from five low-mass X-ray binaries observed with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer. We grouped the bursts according to the source spectral state during which they were observed (hard or soft), flagging those bursts that showed signs of photospheric radius expansion (PRE). The decay phase of all the bursts were then fitted with a dynamic power-law index method. This method provides a new way of probing the chemical composition of the accreted material. Our results show that in the hydrogen-rich sources the power-law decay index is variable during the burst tails and that simple cooling models qualitatively describe the cooling of presumably helium-rich sources 4U 1728–34 and 3A 1820–303. The cooling in the hydrogen-rich sources 4U 1608–52, 4U 1636–536, and GS 1826–24, instead, is clearly different and depends on the spectral states and whether PRE occurred or not. Especially the hard state bursts behave differently than the models predict, exhibiting a peculiar rise in the cooling index at low burst fluxes, which suggests that the cooling in the tail is much faster than expected. Our results indicate that the drivers of the bursting behaviour are not only the accretion rate and chemical composition of the accreted material, but also the cooling that is somehow linked to the spectral states. The latter suggests that the properties of the burning layers deep in the neutron star envelope might be impacted differently depending on the spectral state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typical black hole binaries in outburst show spectral states and transitions, characterized by a clear connection between the inflow on to the black hole and outflows from its vicinity. The transient stellar mass black hole binary V404 Cyg apparently does not fit in this picture. Its outbursts are characterized by intense flares and intermittent plateau and low-luminosity states, with a dynamical intensity range of several orders ofmagnitude on time-scales of hours. During the 2015 June-July X-ray outburst a joint Swift and INTEGRAL observing campaign captured V404 Cyg in one of these plateau states. The simultaneous Swift/XRT + INTRGRAL/JEM-X + INTEGRAL/IBIS-ISGRI spectrum is reminiscent of that of obscured/absorbed active galactic nuclei (AGN). It can be modelled as a Comptonization spectrum, heavily absorbed by a partial covering, high column density material (NH ≈ 1-3 × 1024 cm-2), and a dominant reprocessed component, including a narrow iron Kα line. Such spectral distribution can be produced by a geometrically thick accretion flow able to launch a clumpy outflow, likely responsible for both the high intrinsic absorption and the intense reprocessed emission observed. Similarly to what happens in certain obscured AGN, the low-flux states might not be (solely) related to a decrease in the intrinsic luminosity, but could instead be caused by an almost complete obscuration of the inner accretion flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typical black hole binaries in outburst show spectral states and transitions, characterized by a clear connection between the inflow on to the black hole and outflows from its vicinity. The transient stellar mass black hole binary V404 Cyg apparently does not fit in this picture. Its outbursts are characterized by intense flares and intermittent plateau and low-luminosity states, with a dynamical intensity range of several orders ofmagnitude on time-scales of hours. During the 2015 June-July X-ray outburst a joint Swift and INTEGRAL observing campaign captured V404 Cyg in one of these plateau states. The simultaneous Swift/XRT + INTRGRAL/JEM-X + INTEGRAL/IBIS-ISGRI spectrum is reminiscent of that of obscured/absorbed active galactic nuclei (AGN). It can be modelled as a Comptonization spectrum, heavily absorbed by a partial covering, high column density material (NH ≈ 1-3 × 1024 cm-2), and a dominant reprocessed component, including a narrow iron Kα line. Such spectral distribution can be produced by a geometrically thick accretion flow able to launch a clumpy outflow, likely responsible for both the high intrinsic absorption and the intense reprocessed emission observed. Similarly to what happens in certain obscured AGN, the low-flux states might not be (solely) related to a decrease in the intrinsic luminosity, but could instead be caused by an almost complete obscuration of the inner accretion flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. Hard X-ray spectra of black hole binaries (BHB) are produced by Comptonization of soft seed photons by hot electrons near the black hole. The slope of the resulting energy spectra is governed by two main parameters: the electron temperature (Te) and optical depth (τ) of the emitting plasma. Given the extreme brightness of V404 Cyg during the 2015 outburst, we aim to constrain the source spectral properties using an unprecedented time resolution in hard X-rays, and to monitor the evolution of Te and τ over the outburst. Methods. We have extracted and analysed 602 X-ray spectra of V404 Cyg obtained by the IBIS/ISGRI instrument on-board INTEGRAL during the 2015 June outburst, using effective integration times ranging between 8 and 176 000 s. We fitted the resulting spectra in the 20-200 keV energy range. Results. We find that while the light curve and soft X-ray spectra of V404 Cyg are remarkably different from those of other BHBs, the spectral evolution of V404 Cyg in hard X-rays and the relations between the spectral parameters are consistent with those observed in other BHBs. We identify a hard branch in which the Te is anti-correlated with the hard X-ray flux, and a soft flaring branch in which the relation reverses. In addition, we find that during long X-ray plateaus detected at intermediate fluxes, the thermal Comptonization models fail to describe the spectra. However, the statistics improve if we allow NH to vary freely in the fits to these spectra. Conclusions. We conclude that the hard branch in V404 Cyg is analogous to the canonical hard state of BHBs. V404 Cyg never seems to enter the canonical soft state, although the soft flaring branch bears resemblance to the BHB intermediate state and ultraluminous state. The X-ray plateaus are likely the result of absorption by a Compton-thick outflow (NH ≥ 1024 cm-22) which reduces the observed flux by a factor of about 10. Variable covering of the central source by this Compton-thick material may be the reason for the complicated light curve variability, rather than intrinsic source variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Sigma-1 (σ) receptor inhibition ameliorates neuropathic pain by inhibiting central sensitization. However, it is unknown whether σ receptor inhibition also decreases inflammatory hyperalgesia, or whether peripheral σ receptors are involved in this process. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the role of σ receptors in carrageenan-induced inflammatory hyperalgesia, particularly at the inflammation site. Results: The subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of the selective σ antagonists BD-1063 and S1RA to wild-type mice dose-dependently and fully reversed inflammatory mechanical (paw pressure) and thermal (radiant heat) hyperalgesia. These antihyperalgesic effects were abolished by the s.c. administration of the σ agonist PRE-084 and also by the intraplantar (i.pl.) administration of this compound in the inflamed paw, suggesting that blockade of peripheral σ receptors in the inflamed site is involved in the antihyperalgesic effects induced by σ antagonists. In fact, the i.pl. administration of σ antagonists in the inflamed paw (but not in the contralateral paw) was sufficient to completely reverse inflammatory hyperalgesia. σ knockout (σ-KO) mice did not develop mechanical hyperalgesia but developed thermal hypersensitivity; however, the s.c. administration of BD-1063 or S1RA had no effect on thermal hyperalgesia in σ-KO mice, supporting on-target mechanisms for the effects of both drugs. The antiedematous effects of σ inhibition do not account for the decreased hyperalgesia, since carrageenan-induced edema was unaffected by σ knockout or systemic σ pharmacological antagonism. Conclusions: σ receptors play a major role in inflammatory hyperalgesia. Targeting σ receptors in the inflamed tissue may be useful for the treatment of inflammatory pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Pyranoanthocyanins are a type of derivative formed by the cycloaddition reaction of different compounds with anthocyanins during wine maturation and ageing, and show a characteristic pyranic ring. This ring provides a high stability to the pigment, and the ring does not fragment in mass spectrometric experiments. Thus, aglycone ions of these derivatives in tandem mass spectrometry show the same fragmentation pattern as that of the corresponding precursor anthocyanin. The aim of this work was the identification of pyranoanthocyanins present in Rioja aged wines using mass spectrometric features to differentiate among isomeric compounds. Methods and Results The application to three Rioja aged red wines of a methodology that combines column chromatography, solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-electrospray ionisation collision-induced dissociation-tandem mass spectrometry has allowed the identification of 72 pyranoanthocyanin derivatives. Conclusions This paper provides an overview of pyranoanthocyanin derivatives present in aged red wines with the identification of 72 compounds, some of them derivatives that appear in low concentration, and it assesses the importance of mass spectrometric analysis in the differentiation among isomeric derivatives. Significance of the Study The methodology described allows the identification of derivatives at low concentration and the establishment of characteristic fingerprints of native anthocyanins, which provide an effective tool for pyranoanthocyanin identification, allowing the differentiation among isomeric derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: During wine ageing, a great variety of reactions take place, resulting in an immense variety of products whose structure sometimes remains unknown. The aim of this work is the study of different fragmentation patterns of flavanol-anthocyanin derivatives formed along the wine ageing; these patterns are useful for elucidating the different structures of these compounds and other new related ones. Methods and Results: Several wines from the Protected Denomination of Origin Rioja have been studied by an analytical method that combines column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array and mass and tandem mass spectrometric detections. Thirty-five coloured flavanol-anthocyanin compounds formed by direct reaction or by acetaldehyde-mediated condensation have been identified. For direct reaction derivatives, two different fragmentation patterns (one of them not previously reported) have been observed depending on the position of flavanol in the coloured derivative. Several compounds have been identified in aged wines for the first time to the authors' knowledge, like (+)-gallocatechin-cyanidin-3-glucoside and (+)-catechin-cyanidin-3-glucoside Conclusions: The developed analytical procedure has allowed the identification of some compounds for the first time, and two different fragmentation patterns have been observed depending on the position of flavanol in the pigment. Significance of the Study: The establishment of different fragmentation patterns allows the structural elucidation of unknown compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along this document, an innovative dual band microstrip patch antenna is proposed for implantable medical devices. Particularly, the covered bands are MICS (402–405 MHz) and ISM (2.4–2.48 GHz). The antenna has a multilayer configuration where the feeding line and the radiating elements are located at different levels. The radiating elements of the antenna are a split ring resonator (SRR) coupled to a Spiral. Both elements are short-circuited to the ground plane to achieve size reduction. In addition, the effects of human body geometry and dielectric properties on the characteristics of the proposed design are studied. Three models of the human body are investigated: one-layer, three-layer and a realistic human body based on the Voxel Man dataset. Finally, simulated results have been validated by measuring return losses of the antenna embedded in mimicking gels, radiation patterns (in anechoic chamber) and radiation efficiency (in reverberation chamber). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gravitationally lensing clusters A370, A2218, A1689 and Cl0024+1654 were observed with the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) using ISOCAM at 6.7 $\mu$m and 14.3 $\mu$m (hereafter 7 $\mu$m and 15 $\mu$m respectively).A total of 178 sources were detected in the whole set, 70 of them being cluster objects. The spectral energy distribution of a subset of sources was calculated using GRASIL. The results for the total infrared luminosity and the estimation of the star formation rate are presented for the non stellar objects for which the SED has been determined. The majority of the cluster galaxies in A2218 are best fit by models of quiescent ellipticals. In Cl0024+1654, most of the galaxies lying on the Butcher-Oemler region of the colour-magnitude diagram are best fit by disk galaxies, while those on the main sequence area have in general SEDs corresponding to post-starburst galaxies.The population of each cluster is compared with the field population, as well as with the population of other clusters. A significant number of Luminous IR Galaxies (LIRGs) is detected in Cl0024+1654, while only one LIRG has been observed in total in A370, A1689, and A2218. This result supports the link between LIRGs in clusters and recent or ongoing cluster merger activity as well as the need for extending the observations to the outer parts of clusters.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We present optical photometry and spectroscopy of the X-ray transient XTE J1859+226, obtained during outburst and its subsequent decay to quiescence. Both the X-ray and optical properties are very similar to those of well-studied black hole soft X-ray transients. We have detected three mini-outbursts, when XTE J1859+226 was approaching quiescence, as has been previously detected in the soft X-ray transients GRO J0422+32 and GRS 1009–45. By 2000 August 24 the system had reached quiescence with R= 22.48 ± 0.07. The estimated distance to the source is ∼11 kpc. Photometry taken during quiescence shows a sinusoidal modulation with a peak to peak amplitude of about 0.4 mag. A period analysis suggests that periods from 0.28 to 0.47 d are equally possible at the 68 per cent confidence level. The amplitude of the quiescent light curve and the relatively low ratio of X-ray to optical flux indicate that the binary inclination should be high. The measured colours during the outburst allow us to obtain the basic properties of the disc, which agrees well with irradiated disc model predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present here the optical light curves of the Soft X-ray TransientsXTE J1550-564 and XTEJ1859+226 from outburst to quiescence [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report results from multiwavelength observations of the microquasarGRS 1915+105 performed during the 2000 April campaign. This is one ofthe biggest campaigns ever made for this source covering the broadband from radio to γ-rays. Multiwavelength light curves compiledfrom all the data reduced up to date and broad band spectra obtainedwith ASCA and RXTE are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An association between allergy to fruits and latex, and between pollen and plant‐derived food has been described. The cross‐reactive structures responsible for these associations have not yet been completely elucidated. Methods: IgE reactivity to the recombinant allergens Bet v 1 and Bet v 2, different pollens, natural latex, papain, and bromelain was Investigated In 29 patients with allergy to fruits or vegetables who lived in an area without birch trees. Results: Exactly 79.3% of patients were allergic to grass pollen, and two of them had clinical allergy to latex. Serum IgE reactivity (CAP) to birch pollen was found in 65% of patients, to Bet v 2 in 51.7%, to Bet v 1 in 3.4%, to latex in 58.6%, to bromelain in 51.7%, and to papain in 17.2% of patients. All subjects with positive IgE to Bet v 2 had also reactivity to latex, grass, olive tree, birch, and mugwort pollens. The six patients not allergic to pollen did not show IgE reactivity to latex. Bet v 1, or Bet v 2. A significant correlation was found between CAP to latex with Bet v 2 (r=0.86, P<0.001), with birch (r=0.86, P<0.001), and with ryegrass (r=0.81, P<0.001). Immunoblotting using nine sera with positive CAP to birch pollen showed IgE‐binding to a 15‐kDa band that was recognized by antiprofilin monoclonal antibody. Bet v 2 CAP could be inhibited up to 52% by ryegrass and up to 23% by mugwort. CAP to latex was almost completely inhibited by ryegrass pollen with sera from five subjects without symptoms due to latex, whereas no inhibition was observed with serum from one patient with allergy to latex. Conclusions: Patients with allergy to plant‐derived food and associated pollinosis showed a high frequency of IgE reactivity to Bet v 2, which may cause positive serum IgE determinations to latex and birch pollen due to the presence of cross‐reactive epitopes. IgE reactivity to Bet v 2 may serve as an indicator of broad sensitization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An association between allergy to fruits and latex, and between pollen and plant‐derived food has been described. The cross‐reactive structures responsible for these associations have not yet been completely elucidated. Methods: IgE reactivity to the recombinant allergens Bet v 1 and Bet v 2, different pollens, natural latex, papain, and bromelain was investigated in 29 patients with allergy to fruits or vegetables who lived in an area without birch trees. Results: Exactly 79.3% of patients were allergic to grass pollen, and two of them had clinical allergy to latex. Serum IgE reactivity (CAP) to birch pollen was found in 65% of patients, to Bet v 2 in 51.7%, to Bet v 1 in 3.4%, to latex in 58.6%, to bromelain in 51.7%, and to papain in 17.2% of patients. All subjects with positive IgE to Bet v 2 had also reactivity to latex, grass, olive tree, birch, and mugwort pollens. The six patients not allergic to pollen did not show IgE reactivity to latex, Bet v 1, or Bet v 2. A significant correlation was found between CAP to latex with Bet v 2 (r=0.86, P<0.001), with birch (r=0.86, P<0.001), and with ryegrass (r=0.81, P<0.001). Immunoblotting using nine sera with positive CAP to birch pollen showed IgE‐binding to a 15‐kDa band that was recognized by antiprofilin monoclonal antibody. Bet v 2 CAP could be inhibited up to 52% by ryegrass and up to 23% by mugwort. CAP to latex was almost completely inhibited by ryegrass pollen with sera from five subjects without symptoms due to latex, whereas no inhibition was observed with serum from one patient with allergy to latex. Conclusions: Patients with allergy to plant‐derived food and associated pollinosis showed a high frequency of IgE reactivity to Bet v 2, which may cause positive serum IgE determinations to latex and birch pollen due to the presence of cross‐reactive epitopes. IgE reactivity to Bet v 2 may serve as an indicator of broad sensitization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sigma-1 receptor antagonists promote antinociception in several models of pain, but the effects of sigma-1 agonists on nociception (particularly when the nociceptive system is primed) are not so well characterized; therefore we evaluated the effects of sigma-1 agonists on pain under different experimental conditions. The systemic administration of the selective sigma-1 agonists (+)-pentazocine and PRE-084, as well as the nonselective sigma-1 agonist carbetapentane (used clinically as an antitussive drug), did not alter sensitivity to mechanical stimulation under baseline conditions. However, they greatly promoted secondary mechanical allodynia after priming the nociceptive system with capsaicin. These effects of sigma-1 agonists were consistent in terms potency with the affinities of these drugs for sigma-1 receptors, were reversed by sigma-1 antagonists, and were not observed in sigma-1 knockout mice, indicating that they are sigma-1-mediated. Repeated systemic treatment with PRE-084 induced proallodynic effects even 24 h after treatment completion, but only after the nociceptive system was primed. However, neither the presence of this drug in the organism nor changes in sigma-1 receptor expression in areas involved in pain processing explains its long-term effects, suggesting that sustained sigma-1 agonism induces plastic changes in the nociceptive system that promote nociception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a case of a 29-year-old woman with immunoglobulin E-mediated asthma caused by carnation with positive specific bronchial provocation test. Case history; Metacholine challenge test; Respiratory allergy to carnation.

Photometry of the X-ray transient XTE J1859+226, obtained during outburst,showed at least 3 minioutbursts. During the second one, the source exhibiteda 0.3 mag modulation with QPO flaring activity during the minimum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes a case of occupational rhinitis and asthma in an anis liqueur factory worker who handled several different plants. Plants used in manufacturing anissete; Lack of respiratory symptoms in the patient during the pollination season; Development of Immunoglobulin E-mediated sensitization in the patient; Role of licorice as the main source of the respiratory symptoms of the patient.

Focuses on a study that investigated preoperative screening with general anesthetic drugs involving patients with a history of drug allergy or atopy. Probability of the incidence of anaphylaxis due to intravenous agents used during general anesthesia; Results of skin tests conducted on the patients; Implications of the results.

Presents cases of three children suffering from cutaneous symptoms related to food. Girl's history of facial flushing extending from the left corner of the mouth to the left temporal area upon ingestion of apple, orange and candies; Facial erythema of a boy in the right cheek following ingestion of olives; Facial erythema of an 18-month-old boy that began five months of age following ingestion of solid foods.