623 research outputs found
Resolved Spectroscopy of the Narrow-Line Region in NGC 1068: Kinematics of the Ionized Gas
We have determined the radial velocities of the [O III] emitting gas in the
inner narrow-line region (NLR) of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068, along a slit
at position angle of 202 degrees, from STIS observations at a spatial
resolution of 0.1 arcsec and a spectral resolving power of approximately 1000.
We use these data to investigate the kinematics of the NLR within 6 arcsec (430
pc) of the nucleus. The emission-line knots show evidence for radial
acceleration, to a projected angular distance of 1.7 arcsec in most cases,
followed by deceleration that approaches the systemic velocity at a projected
distance of about 4 arcsec. We find that a simple kinematic model of biconical
radial outflow can match the general trend of observed radial velocities. In
this model, the emitting material is evacuated along the bicone axis, and the
axis is inclined 5 degrees out of the plane of the sky. The acceleration of the
emission-line clouds provides support for dynamical models that invoke
radiation and/or wind pressure. We suggest that the deceleration of the clouds
is due to their collision with a patchy and anistropically distributed ambient
medium.Comment: 18 pages, Latex, includes 3 figures in postscript, to appear in the
Astrophysical Journal Letter
Spatially Resolved Far-Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of the Nuclear Region of NGC 1068
We carry out high-resolution FUSE spectroscopy of the nuclear region of NGC
1068. The first set of spectra was obtained with a 30" square aperture that
collects all emission from the narrow-line region. The data reveal a strong
broad OVI component of FWHM ~3500 kms-1 and two narrow OVI 1031/1037 components
of ~350 kms-1. The CIII 977 and NIII 991 emission lines in this spectrum can be
fitted with a narrow component of FWHM ~1000 kms-1 and a broad one of ~2500
kms-1. Another set of seven spatially resolved spectra were made using a long
slit of 1.25" X 20", at steps of ~1" along the axis of the emission-line cone.
We find that (1) Major emission lines in the FUSE wavelength range consist of a
broad and a narrow component; (2) There is a gradient in the velocity field for
the narrow OVI component of ~200 kms-1 from ~2" southwest of the nucleus to ~4"
northeast. A similar pattern is also observed with the broad OVI component,
with a gradient of ~3000 kms-1. These are consistent with the HST/STIS findings
and suggest a biconical structure in which the velocity field is mainly radial
outflow; (3) A major portion of the CIII and NIII line flux is produced in the
compact core. They are therefore not effective temperature diagnostics for the
conical region; and (4) The best-fitted UV continuum suggests virtually no
reddening, and the HeII 1085/1640 ratio suggests a consistently low extinction
factor across the cone.Comment: To appear in the Astrophysical Journal. 37 pages with 12 figure
Detailed Radio Spectra of Selected Compact Sources in the Nucleus of M82
We have determined detailed radio spectra for 26 compact sources in the
starburst nucleus of M82, between 74 and 1.3 cm. Seventeen show low-frequency
turnovers. One other has a thermal emission spectrum, and we identify it as an
HII region. The low frequency turnovers are due to absorption by the
interstellar gas in M82. New information on the AGN candidate 44.01+595, shows
it to have a non-thermal falling powerlaw spectrum at the highest frequencies,
and that it is strongly absorbed below 2 GHz. We derive large magnetic fields
in the supernova remnants, of order 1-2 milliGauss, hence large pressures in
the sources suggest that the brightest ones are either expanding or are
strongly confined by a dense interstellar medium. From the largest source in
our sample, we derive a supernova rate of 0.016 SN/yr.Comment: 19 pages, 7 tables, 29 figures, LaTeX, requires AAS macros v. 4.0. To
appear in ApJ July 20, 199
Physical Conditions in the Seyfert Galaxy NGC 2992
This paper presents long slit spectral maps of the bi-cone shaped extended
narrow line region (ENLR) in the Seyfert galaxy NGC 2992. We investigate the
physical properties of the ENLR via emission line diagnostics, and compare the
observations to shock and photoionization models for the excitation mechanism
of the gas. The line ratios vary as a function of position in the ENLR, and the
loci of the observed points on line ratio diagrams are shown to be most
consistent with shock+precursor model grids. We consider the energetics of a
nuclear ionizing source for the ENLR, and perform the q-test in which the rate
of ionizing photons from the nucleus is inferred from measurements of the
density and ionization parameter. The q-test is shown to be invalid in the case
of NGC 2992 because of the limitations of the [S II]6717/6731 density
diagnostic. The excitation of the gas is shown to be broadly consistent with
the kinematics, with higher [N II]6583/H-alpha present in the more dynamically
active region. We also show that the pressure associated with the X-ray
emitting plasma may provide a large fraction of the pressure required to power
the ENLR via shocks.Comment: 55 pages, 49 figures, ApJ accepted September 9, 1998. Figures 1a-f
are provided in jpeg forma
Doublecortin expression in CD8+ T-cells and microglia at sites of amyloid-ÎČ plaques:A potential role in shaping plaque pathology?
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: One characteristic of Alzheimer's disease is the formation of amyloid-ÎČ plaques, which are typically linked to neuroinflammation and surrounded by inflammatory cells such as microglia and infiltrating immune cells.
METHODS: Here, we describe nonneurogenic doublecortin (DCX) positive cells, DCX being generally used as a marker for young immature neurons, at sites of amyloid-ÎČ plaques in various transgenic amyloid mouse models and in human brains with plaque pathology.
RESULTS: The plaque-associated DCX+ cells were not of neurogenic identity, instead most of them showed coexpression with markers for microglia (ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1) and for phagocytosis (CD68 and TREM2). Another subpopulation of plaque-associated DCX+ cells was negative for ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 but was highly positive for the pan-leukocyte marker CD45. These hematopoietic cells were identified as CD3-and CD8-positive and CD4-negative T-cells.
DISCUSSION: Peculiarly, the DCX+/ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1+ microglia and DCX+/CD8+ T-cells were closely attached, suggesting that these two cell types are tightly interacting and that this interaction might shape plaque pathology
Yttrium-90 Radioembolization in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Who have Previously Received Sorafenib
Purpose: Yttrium-90 radioembolization (RE) is a locoregional therapy option for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor used in HCC that can potentially affect the efficacy of RE by altering tumor vascularity or suppressing post-irradiation angiogenesis. The safety and efficacy of sorafenib followed by RE has not been previously reported.
Materials and Methods: Patients with HCC who received RE after sorafenib were included in this retrospective review. Overall survival, toxicity, and maximal radiographic response and necrosis criteria were examined.
Results: Ten patients (15 RE administrations) fit the inclusion criteria. All were Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage C. Median follow-up was 16.5ĂąâŹâ°weeks. Median overall survival and radiographic progression-free survival were 30 and 28ĂąâŹâ°weeks, respectively. Significant differences in overall survival were seen based on Child-Pugh class (pĂąâŹâ°=ĂąâŹâ°0.002) and radiographic response (pĂąâŹâ°=ĂąâŹâ°0.009). Three patients had partial response, six had stable disease, and one had progressive disease. Grade 1 or 2 acute fatigue, anorexia, and abdominal pain were common. Three patients had Grade 3 ascites in the setting of disease progression. Two patients had Grade 3 biochemical toxicity. One patient was sufficiently downstaged following RE and sorafenib to receive a partial hepatectomy.
Conclusion: Yttrium-90 RE in patients with HCC who have received sorafenib demonstrate acceptable toxicity and rates of radiographic response. However, the overall survival is lower than that reported in the literature on RE alone or sorafenib alone. This may be due in part to more patients in this study having advanced disease compared to these other study populations. Larger prospective studies are needed to determine whether the combination of RE and sorafenib is superior to either therapy alone
Surface-Energy Control and Characterization of Nanoparticle Coatings
Accurate and reproducible measurement of the structure and properties of high-value nanoparticles is extremely important for their commercialization. A significant proportion of engineered nanoparticle systems consist of some form of nominally core\u2013shell structure, whether by design or unintentionally. Often, these do not form an ideal core\u2013shell structure, with typical deviations including polydispersity of the core or shell, uneven or incomplete shells, noncentral cores, and others. Such systems may be created with or without intent, and in either case an understanding of the conditions for formation of such particles is desirable. Precise determination of the structure, composition, size, and shell thickness of such particles can prove challenging without the use of a suitable range of characterization techniques. Here, the authors present two such polymer core\u2013shell nanoparticle systems, consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene cores coated with a range of thicknesses of either polymethylmethacrylate or polystyrene. By consideration of surface energy, it is shown that these particles are expected to possess distinctly differing coating structures, with the polystyrene coating being incomplete. A comprehensive characterization of these systems is demonstrated, using a selection of complementary techniques including scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic light scattering, differential centrifugal sedimentation, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. By combining the results provided by these techniques, it is possible to achieve superior characterization and understanding of the particle structure than could be obtained by considering results separately
Resistance to Adenovirally Induced Hyperleptinemia in Rats
Leptin regulates appetite and body weight via hypothalamic targets, but it can act directly on cultured pancreatic islets to regulate their fat metabolism. To obtain in vivo evidence that leptin may act peripherally as well as centrally, we compared the effect of adenovirally induced hyperleptinemia on food intake, body weight, and islet fat content in ventromedial hypothalamic-lesioned (VMHL) rats, shamlesioned (SL) controls, and Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats in which the leptin receptor is mutated. Infusion with recombinant adenovirus containing the rat leptin cDNA increased plasma leptin by z 20 ng/ml in VMHL and ZDF rats but had no effect on their food intake, body weight, or fat tissue weight. Caloric matching of hyperphagic VMHL rats to SL controls did not reduce their resistance to hyperleptinemia. Whereas prediabetic ZDF rats had a fourfold elevation in islet fat, in VMHL rats islet fat was normal and none of them became diabetic. Isolated islets from ZDF rats were completely resistant to the lipopenic action of leptin, while VMHL islets exhibited 50% of the normal response; caloric matching of VMHL rats to SL controls increased leptin responsiveness of their islets to 92% of controls. We conclude that leptin regulation of adipocyte fat requires an intact VMH but that islet fat content is regulated independently of the VMH. ( J. Clin. Invest. 1998. 102:728â733.
Resistance to Adenovirally Induced Hyperleptinemia in Rats
Leptin regulates appetite and body weight via hypothalamic targets, but it can act directly on cultured pancreatic islets to regulate their fat metabolism. To obtain in vivo evidence that leptin may act peripherally as well as centrally, we compared the effect of adenovirally induced hyperleptinemia on food intake, body weight, and islet fat content in ventromedial hypothalamic-lesioned (VMHL) rats, shamlesioned (SL) controls, and Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats in which the leptin receptor is mutated. Infusion with recombinant adenovirus containing the rat leptin cDNA increased plasma leptin by z 20 ng/ml in VMHL and ZDF rats but had no effect on their food intake, body weight, or fat tissue weight. Caloric matching of hyperphagic VMHL rats to SL controls did not reduce their resistance to hyperleptinemia. Whereas prediabetic ZDF rats had a fourfold elevation in islet fat, in VMHL rats islet fat was normal and none of them became diabetic. Isolated islets from ZDF rats were completely resistant to the lipopenic action of leptin, while VMHL islets exhibited 50% of the normal response; caloric matching of VMHL rats to SL controls increased leptin responsiveness of their islets to 92% of controls. We conclude that leptin regulation of adipocyte fat requires an intact VMH but that islet fat content is regulated independently of the VMH. ( J. Clin. Invest. 1998. 102:728â733.
- âŠ