The Nearby Optical Galaxy Sample: The Local Galaxy Luminosity Function

In this paper we derive the galaxy luminosity function from the Nearby Optical Galaxy (NOG) sample, which is a nearly complete, magnitude-limited (B<14 mag), all-sky sample of nearby optical galaxies (~6400 galaxies with cz<5500 km/s). For this local sample, we use galaxy distance estimates based on different peculiar velocity models. Therefore, the derivation of the luminosity function is carried out using the locations of field and grouped galaxies in real distance space. The local field galaxy luminosity function in the B system is well described by a Schechter function. The exact values of the Schechter parameters slightly depend on the adopted peculiar velocity field models. The shape of the luminosity function of spiral galaxies does not differ significantly from that of E-S0 galaxies. On the other hand, the late-type spirals and irregulars have a very steeply rising luminosity function towards the faint end, whereas the ellipticals appreciably decrease in number towards low luminosities. The presence of galaxy systems in the NOG sample does not affect significantly the field galaxy luminosity function, since environmental effects on the total luminosity function appear to be marginal.Comment: 35 pages including 7 figures and 4 tables. Accepted for publication in Ap

Nitric oxide in preeclampsia: lack of evidence for decreased production

The purpose of our study was to determine the involvement of the L-arginine-NO system in preeclampsia. We studied 26 patients with preeclampsia and 27 normotensive pregnancies. Maternal and cord plasma, urine and amniotic fluid were assayed for nitric oxide metabolites (nitrite and nitrate) using the Griess reaction. Sections of placenta and fetal membranes were immunostained with polyclonal anti-endothelial and anti-neuronal nitric oxide synthase antibodies. The concentration of nitrate in the amniotic fluid of preeclamptic patients (median 10.3 mumol/mg creatinine) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than in the normotensive group (5.6 mumol/mg creatinine). Nitrate concentrations in maternal and cord plasma and in urine were similar in the two groups. Endothelial cells of the villi of preeclamptic placentas showed a higher positivity in endothelial nitric oxide synthase immunostaining with respect to normotensive controls. Our results indicate that feto-placental NO production is not reduced in preeclampsia. In contrast, the increased concentrations of NO metabolites in amniotic fluid and the positive immunostaining of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the placental villi suggest that the placental L-arginine-NO system is up-regulated in preeclampsia

Comprehensive income, An Historical Perspective. The Development of Proprietorship and Entity Theories, An International Approach

IASB considers that the concept of Comprehensive Income (C.I.) successfully answers financial statements users\u2019 needs. Recently, IASB and FASB separately issued convergent amendments on the presentation of O.C.I. This paper argues that the opportunity should now be taken to carry out further research in order to validate this new approach as being in accordance with existing accounting princi-ples. The IASB and the FASB working jointly on comprehensive income has rekindled the heated twentieth century debate over proprietary versus entity theory. We examine that historic debate for the purpose of better understanding the current issues related to income determination. We argue that proprietary theory with its focus on measuring stockholder remains dominant. We then examine why we do not think that C.I. will not be adequate to meet users\u2019 needs in a global economy. We discuss the advantage that entity theory affords in a global economy. We then examine the contemporary literature about \u201cdisclosure\u201d (Beretta and Bozzolan, 2004; Hutton, 2004; Beattie and McInnes, 2006) and \u201cvalue relevance\u201d (Biddle and Choi, 2006; Ernstberger, 2008; Barton et al., 2010). Our objective is to offer an alternative measure of C.I. based on economic income that will provide all users better information for decision making

Amniotic fluid nitric oxide metabolite levels and nitric oxide synthase localization in feto-placental tissues are modified in association with human labor

Nitric oxide (NO) has a relaxant effect on uterine smooth muscle and may be implicated in maintaining uterine quiescence during pregnancy. In order to investigate the role of nitric oxide in human parturition, we have measured NO metabolite levels in maternal and fetal compartments in association with labor, both at term and preterm. We have also examined the localization and distribution of NO synthase (NOS) isoforms in placentas and fetal membranes after term and preterm delivery by means of immunohistochemistry. Although no differences were present in maternal and fetal blood and in maternal urine among groups, we found that NO metabolite concentrations were higher in amniotic fluid collected from women in labor than in non-laboring patients, both at term (15.4+/-1.6 vs. 6.8+/-0.6 microM/mg creatinine) and preterm (16.7+/-2.0 vs. 7.0+/-0.8 microM/mg creatinine). Ir-bNOS staining appeared to be decreased in fetal membranes collected after spontaneous labor at term and preterm. In contrast, a stronger staining for iNOS was detected in trophoblast cells of fetal membranes from women in labor than in those from non-laboring women. We suggest that NOS isoenzymes in fetal placental tissues are differently regulated and might play different roles during pregnancy

Immunoreactive adrenomedullin in human fetoplacental tissues

OBJECTIVE: Adrenomedullin is increased in maternal plasma in pregnancy and has been found in very high concentrations in amniotic fluid and umbilical plasma. To identify adrenomedullin-producing tissue in pregnancy we measured adrenomedullin concentration and distribution in fetoplacental tissues. STUDY DESIGN: By use of a specific radioimmunoassay we determined the concentrations of adrenomedullin and, by immunohistochemical studies, its localization and distribution in fetal membranes and placentas collected at elective cesarean section from 11 healthy pregnant women at term. RESULTS: The content of adrenomedullin in placentas (117.7 ± 7.8 pg/mg wet tissue) and fetal membranes (168.7 ± 2.3 pg/mg wet tissue) was similar to the adrenomedullin concentration in adrenal medulla (157.3 ± 4.4 pg/mg wet tissue). Adrenomedullin staining appears to be greater in fetal membranes than in placentas and was localized in amnion and trophoblast cells. In term placentas positive staining was detected predominantly in extravillous trophoblast cells, although a few syncytiotrophoblast cells and endothelial cells of primary villi stained for adrenomedullin. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that is consistent with fetoplacental tissues as a site of synthesis or action of adrenomedullin during pregnancy

Metastatic pancreatic cancer in late pregnancy: A case report and review of the literature

The occurrence of pancreatic carcinoma in a young patient is rare and even more so in pregnancy. In this case report, we discuss the presentation and management of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, with lung and liver metastases, diagnosed in a woman in her third trimester of pregnancy ( 28 weeks). Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging scans were carried out and pancreatic mass biopsy during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed. Severe preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction occurred. A female infant was delivered by cesarean section at 30 weeks of gestation for worsening of maternal clinical conditions and hepatic and pancreatic tests. The patient died 50 days after delivery. Although pancreatic cancer is a very rare event in pregnancy, it should be suspected when epigastric abdominal pain and laboratory parameters suggestive of biliary tract obstruction occur in pregnancy to ensure, at the least, a better pregnancy outcome