The objectives of this communication were to fabricate pure samples of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and to determine their toxicity in tumor cell lines. MWCNTs were dispersed in a concentration of the surfactant T80 that was minimally toxic. Cell-type variation in toxicity to MWCNTs was observed but was not significantly different to unexposed controls. Additionally, we investigated t...

Mass culling is a strategy used inthe management of infectious disease outbreaks. The risk of disease spread due to animal transportation often precludes the use of slaughterhouses for this purpose, though they have been used on occasion. Consequently, culling takes place in the less-than-standardised environment on the farm. Regardless of where the cull occurs, the methods chosen to handle and...

We present a classification of the hyperbolic Kac–Moody (HKM) superalgebras. The HKM superalgebras of rank r ≥ 3 are finite in number (213) and limited in rank (6). The Dynkin–Kac diagrams and the corresponding simple root systems are determined. We also discuss a class of singular sub(super)algebras obtained by a folding procedure. MSC number: 17B65, 17B67 LAPTH-1068/04 DSF-TH-28/04 math-ph/04...

Background/introduction The biologic dose response curves of thermal dose and absorbed radiation dose have not been compared to each other even though they have both been extensively investigated separately and combined. Although heat and radiation produce cell kill by different biological mechanisms (Thermal dose denatures proteins and the radiation dose causes DNA damage) a comparison of dose...

If we were to contemplate killing mentally retarded infants to obtain transplantable organs, no one would characterize the controversy that would erupt as a debate “about organ transplantation.” The dispute would properly be characterized as a debate about the ethics of killing retarded children to harvest their vital organs. The issue could not be resolved by considering how many gravely ill n...

Background & Aims: Chronic pulmonary infection in patients with cystic fibrosis is predominantly due to infection by mucoid strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Mucoid P. aeruginosa is due to the production of exopolysaccharide called also alginate. Alginate in addition to interference with the clearance of lung has antiphagocytic property. Optimal killing activity of P. aeruginosa requires opson...

The spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi is the causative agent of Lyme disease, the most common tick-borne disease in the US and Europe. No potent human vaccine is currently available. The innate immune complement system is vital to host defense against pathogens, as complement activation on the surface of spirochetes results in bacterial killing. Complement system is inhibited by the complement re...