An Elliptical Galaxy Luminosity Function and Velocity Dispersion Sample of Relevance for Gravitational Lensing Statistics

We have selected 42 elliptical galaxies from the literature and estimated their velocity dispersions at the effective radius (\sigma_{\re}) and at 0.54 effective radii (\vff). We find by a dynamical analysis that the normalized velocity dispersion of the dark halo of an elliptical galaxy \vdm is roughly \sigma_{\re} multiplied by a constant, which is almost independent of the core radius or the anisotropy parameter of each galaxy. Our sample analysis suggests that \vdm^{*} lies in the range 178-198 km s$^{-1}$. The power law relation we find between the luminosity and the dark matter velocity dispersion measured in this way is (L/L^{*}) = (\vdm/\vdm^{*})^\gamma, where $\gamma$ is between 2-3. These results are of interest for strong gravitational lensing statistics studies. In order to determine the value of \vdm^{*}, we calculate \mstar in the same \bt band in which \vdm^{*} has been estimated. We select 131 elliptical galaxies as a complete sample set with apparent magnitudes \bt between 9.26 and 12.19. We find that the luminosity function is well fitted to the Schechter form, with parameters \mstar = -19.66 + 5$\cdot\log_{10}h \pm 0.30$, $\alpha = 0.15 \pm 0.55$, and the normalization constant $\phi^{*} = (1.34 \pm 0.30) \times 10^{-3} h^{3}$ Mpc$^{-3}$, with the Hubble constant \hnot = 100 $h$ km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$. This normalization implies that morphology type E galaxies make up (10.8 $\pm$ 1.2) per cent of all galaxies.Comment: 18 pages latex, with ps figs included. accepted by New Astronomy (revised to incorporate referees comments

Gravitational Lensing and Dark Structures

We examine whether a cosmologically significant distribution of dark galaxy group or cluster-sized objects can have an optical depth for multiple imaging of distant background sources which is comparable to that from known galaxies while at the same time producing angular splittings of the same order of magnitude. Our purpose is to explore whether such objects could realistically account for some of the observed lenses. Modeling such systems as isothermal spheres with core radii, and assuming a Schechter-type distribution function, we find that independent of the cosmology (open, flat matter dominated, or flat cosmological constant dominated) an allowed parameter range exists which is comparable in velocity dispersion to that for known compact groups of galaxies, although the preferred core radii are somewhat smaller than that normally assumed for compact groups. Dark cluster-sized objects, on the other hand, cannot reproduce the observed lensing characteristics. If the one known Dark cluster were a good representative of such a distribution, most such objects would not produce multiple images. We also present a result for the angular splitting due to an isothermal sphere lens with non-zero core radius, extending earlier work of Hinshaw and Krauss (1987). Our results are expressed as contour plots for fixed lensing probabilities, and angular splittings.Comment: 20 pages (including 6 figures), AASTe

IRS2 mutations linked to invasion in pleomorphic invasive lobular carcinoma

Pleomorphic invasive lobular carcinoma (PILC) is an aggressive variant of invasive lobular breast cancer that is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Limited molecular data are available to explain the mechanistic basis for PILC behavior. To address this issue, targeted sequencing was performed to identify molecular alterations that define PILC. This sequencing analysis identified genes that distinguish PILC from classic ILC and invasive ductal carcinoma by the incidence of their genomic changes. In particular, insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) is recurrently mutated in PILC, and pathway analysis reveals a role for the insulin receptor (IR)/insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R)/IRS2 signaling pathway in PILC. IRS2 mutations identified in PILC enhance invasion, revealing a role for this signaling adaptor in the aggressive nature of PILC

Thick calcification from a GIST of the stomach penetrating into pericolic soft tissue - report of a case

Thick calcification is a rare presentation of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Penetration into gastric mucosa and pericolic soft tissue has never been reported. We report a case of gastric GIST with cystic degeneration and thick calcification in an 81-year old female, who presented with hematemesis and severe abdominal pain. Thick calcification of this tumor penetrating into pericolic soft tissue was noted and successfully treated by distal gastrectomy and partial colectomy. For gastrointestinal tumors with thick calcification, even with benign behavior, surgical intervention should be considered for both oncological considerations and prevention of catastrophes like perforation or penetration into surrounding soft tissue

Association of Common SIX6 Polymorphisms With Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness: The Singapore Chinese Eye Study

PURPOSE. Recently the common SIX6 missense variant rs33912345 was found to be highly associated with glaucoma. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between this SIX6 variant and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in a population setting. METHODS. Study subjects were enrolled from the Singapore Chinese Eye Study (SCES), a population-based survey of Singaporean Chinese aged 40 years or older. Subjects underwent a comprehensive ocular examination. Spectral-domain OCT was used to measure RNFL thicknesses. Genotyping of SIX6 rs33912345 (Asn141His) was performed using HumanExome BeadChip. RESULTS. A total of 2129 eyes from 1243 SCES subjects (mean age: 55.0 6 7.4 years) with rs33912345 genotype data and SD-OCT images were included for the analysis. Of these, 26 eyes of 21 subjects had glaucoma. The frequency of rs33912345 risk variant C (His141) was 80% in the study subjects. Each rs33912345 C allele was associated with a decrease of 1.44 lm in RNFL thickness after adjusting for age, sex, genetic principal components, and axial length (P ¼ 0.001). These associations remained similar in 2096 nonglaucoma eyes in which each C allele was associated with a decrease of 1.39 lm in RNFL thickness (P ¼ 0.001). The strongest association was observed in the superior RNFL sector (a decrease of 2.83 lm per risk allele, P < 0.001) followed by the inferior RNFL sector (a decrease of 2.24 lm per risk allele, P ¼ 0.003), while the association did not reach significance in the nasal and temporal sectors. CONCLUSIONS. Nonglaucomatous individuals with the SIX6 missense variant have reduced RNFL thickness in regions known to be particularly affected in those with glaucoma. This may be the primary mechanism for increased risk of POAG in individuals who carry the SIX6 His141 risk variant

Chromosomal polymorphism of ribosomal genes in the genus Oryza

The genes encoding for 18S–5.8S–28S ribosomal RNA (rDNA) are both conserved and diversified. We used rDNA as probe in the fluorescent in situ hybridization (rDNA-FISH) to localized rDNAs on chromosomes of 15 accessions representing ten Oryza species. These included cultivated and wild species of rice, and four of them are tetraploids. Our results reveal polymorphism in the number of rDNA loci, in the number of rDNA repeats, and in their chromosomal positions among Oryza species. The numbers of rDNA loci varies from one to eight among Oryza species. The rDNA locus located at the end of the short arm of chromosome 9 is conserved among the genus Oryza. The rDNA locus at the end of the short arm of chromosome 10 was lost in some of the accessions. In this study, we report two genome specific rDNA loci in the genus Oryza. One is specific to the BB genome, which was localized at the end of the short arm of chromosome 4. Another may be specific to the CC genome, which was localized in the proximal region of the short arm of chromosome 5. A particular rDNA locus was detected as stretched chromatin with bright signals at the proximal region of the short arm of chromosome 4 in O.grandiglumis by rDNA-FISH. We suggest that chromosomal inversion and the amplification and transposition of rDNA might occur during Oryza species evolution. The possible mechanisms of cyto-evolution in tetraploid Oryza species are discussed

Inhibitory role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in hepatocarcinogenesis in mice and in vitro

Although peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonist have been shown to inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, the role of PPARγ in hepatocarcinogenesis remains unclear. We investigated the therapeutic efficacy of PPAR

Polycythemia vera as a presentation of renal angiomyolipoma: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Angiomyolipoma is a common benign renal tumor composed of thick-walled blood vessels, smooth muscle, and adipose tissue. It may be found incidentally during workup for suspected renal disease. Although angiomyolipoma may present as a palpable, tender renal mass with flank pain and gross or microscopic hematuria, many patients are asymptomatic. Erythrocytosis is an unusual presentation, and malignant transformation may be suspected. This report describes a rare case of a woman diagnosed with renal angiomyolipoma and polycythemia vera. The report discusses the differential diagnosis using erythropoietin, erythropoietin-receptor and Janus kinase 2.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 79-year-old Chinese woman was diagnosed with erythrocytosis according to World Health Organization criteria. An upper left renal pole angiomyolipoma was successfully ablated after multiple phlebotomy treatments. Red cell count immediately returned to normal, but gradually increased after 4 months. Polycythemia vera was finally diagnosed by positive mutation of Janus kinase 2 and negative erythropoietin protein expression. Her clinical symptoms improved with regular phlebotomy and hydroxyurea treatment.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Concurrent occurence of angiomyolipoma and polycythemia vera is rare. Polycythemia vera can be easily missed. Polycythemia vera can be confirmed with high specificity and sensitivity by the acquired somatic mutation. Surgical intervention for this renal tumor should be avoided unless malignancy or renal cell carcinoma is suspected or to prevent spontaneous rupture of larger tumors.</p