Dynamics and Shape of Brightest Cluster Galaxies

We identified Brightest Cluster Members (BCM) on DSS images of 1083 Abell clusters, derived their individual and host cluster redshifts from literature and determined the BCM ellipticity. Half the BCMs move at a speed higher than 37 % of the cluster velocity dispersion sigma_{cl}, suggesting that most BCMs are part of substructures falling into the main cluster. Both, the BCM's velocity offset in units of sigma_{cl}, and BCM ellipticity, weakly decrease with cluster richness.Comment: 2 pages, 2 figures, Proc. ESO Workshop "Groups of galaxies in the nearby Universe", Santiago, Chile, 5-9 Dec. 2005, ESO Astrophysics Symposia, eds. I. Saviane, V. Ivanov & J. Borissova, Springer-Verla

Evaluation of the Subchronic Toxicity of Dietary Administered Equisetum arvense in F344 Rats

Equisetum arvense, commonly known as the field horsetail, has potential as a new functional food ingredient. However, little information is available on its side effects, and the general toxicity of Equisetum arvense has yet to be examined in detail. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of administration in diet at doses of 0, 0.3, 1 and 3% for 13 weeks in male and female F344 rats. No toxicity was detected with reference to clinical signs, body weight, urinalysis, hematology and serum biochemistry data and organ weights. Microscopic examination revealed no histopathological lesions associated with treatment. In conclusion, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for Equisetum arvense was determined to be greater than 3% in both sexes of F344 rat (males and females: >1.79 g/kg BW/day and >1.85 g/kg BW/day, respectively) under the conditions of the present study