3,891 research outputs found
Human immunodeficiency virus infection of the human thymus and disruption of the thymic microenvironment in the SCID-hu mouse.
Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) results in immunosuppression and depletion of circulating CD4+ T cells. Since the thymus is the primary organ in which T cells mature it is of interest to examine the effects of HIV infection in this tissue. HIV infection has been demonstrated in the thymuses of infected individuals and thymocytes have been previously demonstrated to be susceptible to HIV infection both in vivo, using the SCID-hu mouse, and in vitro. The present study sought to determine which subsets of thymocytes were infected in the SCID-hu mouse model and to evaluate HIV-related alterations in the thymic microenvironment. Using two different primary HIV isolates, infection was found in CD4+/CD8+ double positive thymocytes as well as in both the CD4+ and CD8+ single positive subsets of thymocytes. The kinetics of infection and resulting viral burden differed among the three thymocyte subsets and depended on which HIV isolate was used for infection. Thymic epithelial (TE) cells were also shown to endocytose virus and to often contain copious amounts of viral RNA in the cytoplasm by in situ hybridization, although productive infection of these cells could not be definitively shown. Furthermore, degenerating TE cells were observed even without detection of HIV in the degenerating cells. Two striking morphologic patterns of infection were seen, involving either predominantly thymocyte infection and depletion, or TE cell involvement with detectable cytoplasmic viral RNA and/or TE cell toxicity. Thus, a variety of cells in the human thymus is susceptible to HIV infection, and infection with HIV results in a marked disruption of the thymic microenvironment leading to depletion of thymocytes and degeneration of TE cells
Graduate Education in Agricultural Communication: The Need and Role
Is there a meed for graduate studies in agricultural communication
EROs found behind lensing clusters: II.Empirical properties, classification, and SED modelling based on multi-wavelength observations
We study the properties and nature of extremely red galaxies (ERO, R-K>5.6)
found behind two lensing clusters and compare them with other known galaxy
populations. New HST/ACS observations, Spitzer IRAC and MIPS, and Chandra/ACIS
observations of the two lensing clusters Abell 1835 and AC114 contemplate our
earlier optical and near-IR observations and have been used to study extremely
red objects (EROs) in these deep fields. We have found 6 and 9 EROs in Abell
1835 and AC114. Several (7) of these objects are undetected up to the I and/or
z band, and are hence ``optical'' drop-out sources. The photometric redshifts
of most of our sources (80%) are z~0.7-1.5. According to simple colour-colour
diagrams the majority of our objects would be classified as hosting old stellar
populations. However, there are clear signs of dusty starbursts for several
among them. These objects correspond to the most extreme ones in R-K colour. We
estimate a surface density of (0.97+-0.31) arcmin-2 for EROs with (R-K>5.6) at
K<20.5. Among our 15 EROs 6 (40 %) also classify as distant red galaxies
(DRGs). 11 of 13 EROs with available IRAC photometry also fulfil the selection
criteria for IRAC selected EROs (IEROs) of Yan et al. (2004). SED modelling
shows that ~ 36 % of the IEROs in our sample are luminous or ultra-luminous
infrared galaxies ((U)LIRG). Some very red DRGs are found to be very dusty
starbursts, even (U)LIRGs, as also supported by their mid-IR photometry. No
indication for AGNs is found, although faint activity cannot be excluded for
all objects. From mid-IR and X-ray data 5 objects are clearly classified as
starbursts. The derived properties are quite similar to those of DRGs and
IEROs, except for 5 extreme objects in terms of colours, for which a very high
extinction (Av>3) is found.Comment: 20 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in A&
ALMA detection of [CII] 158 micron emission from a strongly lensed z=2 star-forming galaxy
Our objectives are to determine the properties of the interstellar medium
(ISM) and of star-formation in typical star-forming galaxies at high redshift.
Following up on our previous multi-wavelength observations with HST, Spitzer,
Herschel, and the Plateau de Bure Interferometer (PdBI), we have studied a
strongly lensed z=2.013 galaxy, the arc behind the galaxy cluster MACS
J0451+0006, with ALMA to measure the [CII] 158 micron emission line, one of the
main coolants of the ISM. [CII] emission from the southern part of this galaxy
is detected at 10 . Taking into account strong gravitational lensing,
which provides a magnification of , the intrinsic lensing-corrected
[CII]158 micron luminosity is . The observed
ratio of [CII]-to-IR emission, , is found to be similar to that in nearby galaxies. The same also
holds for the observed ratio , which is
comparable to that of star-forming galaxies and active galaxy nuclei (AGN) at
low redshift. We utilize strong gravitational lensing to extend diagnostic
studies of the cold ISM to an order of magnitude lower luminosity () and SFR than previous work at high redshift.
While larger samples are needed, our results provide evidence that the cold ISM
of typical high redshift galaxies has physical characteristics similar to
normal star forming galaxies in the local Universe.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy &
Astrophysics, Letter
Screen time and physical activity during adolescence: longitudinal effects on obesity in young adulthood
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The joint impact of sedentary behavior and physical activity on obesity has not been assessed in a large cohort followed from adolescence to adulthood.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Nationally representative longitudinal data from Waves II (1995; mean age: 15.9) and III (2001; mean age: 21.4) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n = 9,155) were collected. Sex-stratified multivariate logistic regression analysis assessed the odds of obesity associated with Wave II MVPA and screen time, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and change in MVPA and screen time from Wave II to III. Obesity was defined using body mass index (BMI, kg/m<sup>2</sup>) International Obesity Task Force cut-points at Wave II and adult cut-points at Wave III (BMI â„ 30).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In males, adjusted odds of prevalent obesity was strongly predicted by MVPA bouts [OR (95% CI): OR<sub>6 vs. 1 MVPA bouts </sub>= 0.50 (0.40, 0.62); OR<sub>4 vs. 40 hrs screen time </sub>= 0.83 (0.69, 1.00)]. In females, greater MVPA bouts and lower screen time correlated with lower prevalent obesity [OR (95% CI): OR<sub>6 vs. 1 MVPA bouts </sub>= 0.67 (0.49, 0.91); OR<sub>4 vs. 40 hrs screen time </sub>= 0.67 (0.53, 0.85)]. Longitudinally, adolescent screen time hours had a stronger influence on incident obesity in females [OR (95% CI): OR<sub>4 vs. 40 hrs </sub>= 0.58 (0.43, 0.80)] than males [OR (95% CI): OR<sub>4 vs. 40 hrs </sub>= 0.78 (0.61, 0.99)]. Longitudinal activity patterns were not predictive of incident obesity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Reducing screen time during adolescence and into adulthood may be a promising strategy for reducing obesity incidence, especially in females.</p
Race, obesity, and birth outcomes: Unraveling a complex association to improve maternalâchild health
The obesity epidemic and racial disparities in birth outcomes are among the most pressing and persistent population health challenges in the United States. A study by Lemon et al. in this issue of Obesity considers the convergence of these two issues: how racial disparities in maternal obesity contribute to persistent racial disparities in stillbirth and infant death
Screen time and physical activity during adolescence: longitudinal effects on obesity in young adulthood
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The joint impact of sedentary behavior and physical activity on obesity has not been assessed in a large cohort followed from adolescence to adulthood.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Nationally representative longitudinal data from Waves II (1995; mean age: 15.9) and III (2001; mean age: 21.4) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n = 9,155) were collected. Sex-stratified multivariate logistic regression analysis assessed the odds of obesity associated with Wave II MVPA and screen time, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and change in MVPA and screen time from Wave II to III. Obesity was defined using body mass index (BMI, kg/m<sup>2</sup>) International Obesity Task Force cut-points at Wave II and adult cut-points at Wave III (BMI â„ 30).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In males, adjusted odds of prevalent obesity was strongly predicted by MVPA bouts [OR (95% CI): OR<sub>6 vs. 1 MVPA bouts </sub>= 0.50 (0.40, 0.62); OR<sub>4 vs. 40 hrs screen time </sub>= 0.83 (0.69, 1.00)]. In females, greater MVPA bouts and lower screen time correlated with lower prevalent obesity [OR (95% CI): OR<sub>6 vs. 1 MVPA bouts </sub>= 0.67 (0.49, 0.91); OR<sub>4 vs. 40 hrs screen time </sub>= 0.67 (0.53, 0.85)]. Longitudinally, adolescent screen time hours had a stronger influence on incident obesity in females [OR (95% CI): OR<sub>4 vs. 40 hrs </sub>= 0.58 (0.43, 0.80)] than males [OR (95% CI): OR<sub>4 vs. 40 hrs </sub>= 0.78 (0.61, 0.99)]. Longitudinal activity patterns were not predictive of incident obesity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Reducing screen time during adolescence and into adulthood may be a promising strategy for reducing obesity incidence, especially in females.</p
ALMA reveals the feeding of the Seyfert 1 nucleus in NGC 1566
We report ALMA observations of CO(3-2) emission in the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC
1566, at a spatial resolution of 25 pc. Our aim is to investigate the
morphology and dynamics of the gas inside the central kpc, and to probe nuclear
fueling and feedback phenomena. NGC 1566 has a nuclear bar of 1.7 kpc radius
and a conspicuous grand design spiral starting from this radius. The ALMA field
of view, of diameter 0.9 kpc, lies well inside the nuclear bar and reveals a
molecular trailing spiral structure from 50 to 300~pc in size, which is
contributing to fuel the nucleus, according to its negative gravity torques.
The spiral starts with a large pitch angle from the center and then winds up
in a pseudo-ring at the inner Lindblad resonance (ILR) of the nuclear bar.
This is the first time that a trailing spiral structure is clearly seen
driving the gas inwards inside the ILR ring of the nuclear bar. This phenomenon
shows that the massive central black hole has a significant dynamical influence
on the gas, triggering its fueling.
The gaseous spiral is well correlated with the dusty spiral seen through
extinction in HST images, and also with a spiral feature emitting 0.87mm
continuum. This continuum emission must come essentially from cold dust heated
by the interstellar radiation field. The HCN(4-3) and HCO+(4-3) lines were
simultaneously mapped and detected in the nuclear spiral. The HCO+(4-3) line is
3 times stronger than the HCN(4-3), as expected when star formation excitation
dominates over active galactic nucleus (AGN) heating. The CO(3-2)/HCO+(4-3)
integrated intensity ratio is \sim 100.
The molecular gas is in remarkably regular rotation, with only slight
non-circular motions at the periphery of the nuclear spiral arms. These
perturbations are quite small, and no outflow nor AGN feedback is detected.Comment: 11 pages, 16 figures, accepted in Astronomy and Astrophysic
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