Metallicity gradient of the thick disc progenitor at high redshift

© 2017 The Authors. We have developed a novel Markov Chain Monte Carlo chemical 'painting' technique to explore possible radial and vertical metallicity gradients for the thick disc progenitor. In our analysis, we match an N-body simulation to the data from the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment survey.We assume that the thick disc has a constant scaleheight and has completed its formation at an early epoch, after which time radial mixing of its stars has taken place. Under these assumptions, we find that the initial radial metallicity gradient of the thick disc progenitor should not be negative, but either flat or even positive, to explain the current negative vertical metallicity gradient of the thick disc. Our study suggests that the thick disc was built-up in an inside-out and upside-down fashion, and older, smaller and thicker populations are more metal poor. In this case, star-forming discs at different epochs of the thick disc formation are allowed to have different radial metallicity gradients, including a negative one, which helps to explain a variety of slopes observed in high-redshift disc galaxies. This scenario helps to explain the positive slope of the metallicity-rotation velocity relation observed for the Galactic thick disc. On the other hand, radial mixing flattens the slope of an existing gradient

The Timi Risk score analysis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients after 6 months

Introdução: O escore de TIMI RISK (TR) para infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IAM) foi descrito originalmente por Morrow et al. (2000),baseado em 8 variáveis. Foi utilizado no estudo In TIME II como preditor de morte em 30m dias e diversos estudos têm relatado com sucesso o TR como índice prognóstico para IAM, no entanto poucos relatos avaliam a evolução tardia desses pacientes e relação como o escore. Objetivo: Avaliar a evolução em 6 meses dos pacientes internados em Hospital Escola com IAM e sua relação com a estradição do TR.Casuística e Método: Foram acompanhados ambulatorialmente em hospital escola, 89 pacientes, durante6 meses após determinação inicial do escore do TR realizado durante internação por IAM. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: óbito, reinternação por evento cardiovascular e necessidade de revascularização. Divididos em 3 grupos de acordo com o escore: Grupo I (0, 1, 2); Grupo II (3, 4, 5);Grupo III (> 5), foram submetidos à análise estatística pelo método de Qui-Quadrado. Resultados: Óbito, revascularização e reinternação respectivamente: GI- 4,1%, 20%, 25%; GII- 10%, 30% e GIII- 52%, 48%, 60%. Conclusão: O escore de TR manteve significativo aumento de eventos nos grupos II e III em relação ao grupo I; mostrando a possível aplicabilidade do escore também como preditor a longo prazo (6 meses).Background: The TIMI RISK (TR) score for ST-Evaluation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) was originally describes by Morrow et al. (2000), basead on 8 variables. It was used in the In TIME study as 30-day mortality predictor and several studies successfully relate TR as prognosis index for STEMI, although few reports evaluate lete evolution of these patients and the relation whith the score. Objective: Evaluating the evolution of the STEMI interned patients in University-Based Hospitals after 6 months and the relation with the TR stratification. Methods and Results: 89 patients were clinicallyfollowed up in University-Based Hospital for 6 months after the initial determination of the TR score realized during hospital admission. The following parameters were evaluated: death, readmission for cardiovascular event, and revascularization necessity. They were classified in 3 groups according the score: Group I (0, 1, 2); Group II (3, 4, 5) and Group III (>5), were submit to statistic analysis by chisquaretest. The results of death, readmission in coronary-care unit and revascularization were respectively: GI: 4,1%, 25,0%, 20,8%; GII: 10,0%, 35,0%, 30,0%; GIII: 52,0%, 60,0%, 48,0%. Conclusion: TR score maintained significant events increase on Groups II and III comparing to Group I; presenting the possible score applicability also at long term as predictor (6 moths)

Metallicity gradient of the thick disc progenitor at high redshift

We have developed a novel Markov Chain Monte Carlo chemical 'painting' technique to explore possible radial and vertical metallicity gradients for the thick disc progenitor. In our analysis, we match an N-body simulation to the data from the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment survey.We assume that the thick disc has a constant scaleheight and has completed its formation at an early epoch, after which time radial mixing of its stars has taken place. Under these assumptions, we find that the initial radial metallicity gradient of the thick disc progenitor should not be negative, but either flat or even positive, to explain the current negative vertical metallicity gradient of the thick disc. Our study suggests that the thick disc was built-up in an inside-out and upside-down fashion, and older, smaller and thicker populations are more metal poor. In this case, star-forming discs at different epochs of the thick disc formation are allowed to have different radial metallicity gradients, including a negative one, which helps to explain a variety of slopes observed in high-redshift disc galaxies. This scenario helps to explain the positive slope of the metallicity-rotation velocity relation observed for the Galactic thick disc. On the other hand, radial mixing flattens the slope of an existing gradient.DK and IC acknowledge the support of the UK’s Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC Grants ST/K000977/1 and ST/N000811/1). CAP is thankful to the Spanish MINECO for funding through grant AYA2014-56359-P. LC gratefully acknowledges support from the Australian Research Council (grants DP150100250, FT160100402). RJJG acknowledges support by the DFG Research Centre SFB-881 ‘The Milky Way System’, through project A1. JH is supported by a Dunlap Fellowship at the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics, funded through an endowment established by the Dunlap family and the University of Toronto

Discovery and Development of Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) Antagonists: A New Paradigm for Treating Sepsis and Other Diseases

Abstract. Sepsis remains the most common cause of death in intensive care units in the USA, with a current estimate of at least 750,000 cases per year, and 215,000 deaths annually. Despite extensive research still we do not quite understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that are involved in triggering and propagation of septic injury. Endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide from Gram-negative bacteria, or LPS) has been implicated as a major cause of this syndrome. Inflammatory shock as a consequence of LPS release remains a serious clinical concern. In humans, inflammatory responses to LPS result in the release of cytokines and other cell mediators from monocytes and macrophages, which can cause fever, shock, organ failure and death. A number of different approaches have been investigated to try to treat and/or prevent the septic shock associated with infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, including blockage of one or more of the cytokines induced by LPS. Recently several novel amphipathic compounds have been developed as direct LPS antagonists at the LPS receptor, TLR4. This review article will outline the current knowledge on the TLR4-LPS synthesis and discuss the signaling, in vitro pre-clinical and in vivo clinical evaluation of TLR4 antagonists and their potential use in sepsis and a variety of diseases such as atherosclerosis as well as hepatic and renal malfunction. KEY WORDS: drug discovery; LPS; sepsis; toll-like receptor antagonists