The neutrophil serine proteases cathepsin G (CG) and neutrophil elastase (NE) are involved in immune-regulatory processes and exert antibacterial activity against various pathogens. To date, their role and their therapeutic potential in pulmonary host defense against mycobacterial infections are poorly defined. In this work, we studied the roles of CG and NE in the pulmonary resistance against ...

The in uence of gas atmospheres (at 1 torr) of different natures, both reactive (O2) and inert (Ar), on the spatial evolution of the electron temperature (Te) and electron density (Ne) of the plasma generated by laser ablation of a LiNbO3 target is evaluated by optical emission spectroscopy techniques. It is found that the behavior of Ne in the plasma produced in vacuum, argon, and oxygen atmo...

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Oral mucositis is a common debilitating complication of radiotherapy occurring in about 60 per cent of cancer patients. Considerable buccal toxicity of radiotherapy or chemotherapy in cancer patients to become discouraged and can affect their quality of life. In addition, such toxicity can alter the treatment plan. At present, there is no clinically appropriate prophylax...