The very red halo of the cD galaxy in A 3284

We present deep CCD surface photometry in the Gunn g, r, i system and spectroscopy of the cD galaxy at the centre of the cluster A 3284 at z=0.15. The brightness profile of the galaxy has been tracked up to 40 arcsec (142kpc) from the centre, and down to 26 mag/arcsec^+2^. The core and halo components in the galaxy have been singled out deriving geometrical parameters of the fitting isophotes as well as magnitudes and colours. The spectral properties of the galaxy core indicate a stellar population super metal-rich with [Fe/H]=+0.5. The cD halo is clearly dominant at 45kpc from the galactic centre and has exceedingly red colours (g-r=1.03, g-i=1.82), about 0.7mag redder than the core g-i. A match with the models for evolutionary population synthesis by Buzzoni (1989) shows that the halo is consistent with a population of unevolved M-dwarf stars lower than 0.7 Msun_. The M/L ratio in B for the halo is estimated to range between 50 and 200 implying a total mass for the cD galaxy of 1.6-3.1x10^13^Msun_ and a total B luminosity of 6.0x10^11^Lsun_

Multicolor photometry of clusters of galaxies: A3284, A3305, A1942

We present complete multicolor photometry in the Gunn system for the three clusters of galaxies A3284, A3305 and A1942 at redshift z~0.2. INVENTORY magnitudes and colours have been obtained for over 1,000 objects in the three fields down to g=24, and with a good completeness level in the detections (85% or better) about one magnitude brighter. By fitting with King profiles the r counts we derived the total number of galaxies and the core radius down to the r magnitude limit in each cluster. These are N_TOT_=146 galaxies and R_c_=0.24 Mpc for A3284, N_TOT_=129 and R_c_=0.20 Mpc for A3305, N_TOT_=130 and R_c_=0.24 Mpc for A1942. The observed mean redshift of the clusters is z=0.150+/-0.001 for A3284, z=0.157+/-0.001 for A3305, and z=0.226+/-0.001 for A1942. The c-m diagrams and the g-i colour distribution as well as the two-colour diagrams are used to single out early-type galaxies and spirals on the basis of their different photometric properties. This approach aimed at a self-consistent classification of galaxies on the basis of photometric indicators will be further developed for a systematic study of the galaxy population in distant clusters

Actual and undiagnosed HIV prevalence in a community sample of men who have sex with men in Auckland, New Zealand

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The prevalence of HIV infection and how this varies between subgroups is a fundamental indicator of epidemic control. While there has been a rise in the number of HIV diagnoses among men who have sex with men (MSM) in New Zealand over the last decade, the actual prevalence of HIV and the proportion undiagnosed is not known. We measured these outcomes in a community sample of MSM in Auckland, New Zealand.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was embedded in an established behavioural surveillance programme. MSM attending a gay community fair day, gay bars and sex-on-site venues during 1 week in February 2011 who agreed to complete a questionnaire were invited to provide an anonymous oral fluid specimen for analysis of HIV antibodies. From the 1304 eligible respondents (acceptance rate 48.5%), 1049 provided a matched specimen (provision rate 80.4%).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>HIV prevalence was 6.5% (95% CI: 5.1-8.1). After adjusting for age, ethnicity and recruitment site, HIV positivity was significantly elevated among respondents who were aged 30-44 or 45 and over, were resident outside New Zealand, had 6-20 or more than 20 recent sexual partners, had engaged in unprotected anal intercourse with a casual partner, had had sex with a man met online, or had injected drugs in the 6 months prior to survey. One fifth (20.9%) of HIV infected men were undiagnosed; 1.3% of the total sample. Although HIV prevalence did not differ by ethnicity, HIV infected non-European respondents were more likely to be undiagnosed. Most of the small number of undiagnosed respondents had tested for HIV previously, and the majority believed themselves to be either "definitely" or "probably" uninfected. There was evidence of continuing risk practices among some of those with known HIV infection.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This is the first estimate of actual and undiagnosed HIV infection among a community sample of gay men in New Zealand. While relatively low compared to other countries with mature epidemics, HIV prevalence was elevated in subgroups of MSM based on behaviour, and diagnosis rates varied by ethnicity. Prevention should focus on raising condom use and earlier diagnosis among those most at risk, and encouraging safe behaviour after diagnosis.</p

Apoptosis-Related Protein Expression During Pre- and Post-Natal Testicular Development After Administration of Glucocorticoid in utero in the Sheep

Pre-natal glucocorticoids are used in women at risk of preterm delivery to induce foetal lung maturation. However, glucocorticoids can produce negative outcomes for other tissues such as the reproductive system. We therefore tested the effects of pre-natal betamethasone on testicular morphology and apoptotic protein immune expression during pre- and post-natal development. Pregnant ewes (n = 42) bearing singleton male foetuses were randomly allocated to receive intramuscular injections of saline or betamethasone (0. 5 mg/kg) at 104, 111 and 118 days of gestation (DG). Testes were collected at 121 and 132 DG, and at 45 and 90 post-natal days (PD) and subjected to morphometric analysis (volume densities of sex cords and interstitial tissues; sex cord diameter). Immunohistochemistry (% stained area) was used to assess active caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2 and cell-cycle proteins (PCNA). Compared with control values, betamethasone treatment decreased sex cord diameter at 121 DG, 45 and 90 PD, and sex cord volume at 90 PD. Active caspase-3 was decreased by betamethasone at 121 DG and 90 PD, but Bax was increased in all betamethasone groups. Bcl-2 and PCNA decreased in the betamethasone groups at 121 DG and 45 PD, but increased at 132 DG and 90 PD. We conclude that high levels of pre-natally administered glucocorticoid reduce foetal testicular development, perhaps via changes in the balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins and cell-cycle proteins. These outcomes could compromise the future spermatogenic potential of male offspring.Fil: Pedrana, G.. Universidad de la Republica; UruguayFil: Viotti, M. H.. Universidad de la Republica; UruguayFil: Souza, E.. Universidad de la Republica; UruguayFil: Slodoba, D.. Mc Master University; CanadáFil: Martin, G. B.. University of Western Australia; AustraliaFil: Cavestany, D.. Universidad de la Republica; UruguayFil: Ortega, Hugo Hector. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Ciencias Morfológicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Santa Fe; Argentin

Low maternal nutrition during pregnancy reduces the number of Sertoli cells in the newborn lamb

The nutritional status of females during pregnancy can play a critical role in the postnatal growth and development of the offspring, often leading to permanent changes ('fetal programming'). The Sertoli cells are a strong candidate for fetal programming of future performance because the number of Sertoli cells is highly correlated with adult testicular size and the maximum rate of sperm production. For Merino ewes, we imposed different levels of metabolizable energy (ME) intake (LowME: 70% of requirements for maintenance of ewe body mass and normal growth of conceptus (n=13); HighME: 110% of those requirements (n=12)) from Week 10 of pregnancy until parturition and then tested for effects on testicular histology in newborn males. Pregnant ewes were weighed weekly and lambs were weighed at birth and 2 days later. Blood was sampled at the same times. LowME ewes did not gain weight, whereas HighME ewes gained 17% over their pretreatment weight. Birthweights were higher in HighME lambs than in LowME lambs. Paired testes tended to be heavier in the HighME group than in the LowME group (P=0.08). The diameter of the testicular cords did not differ. The absolute volume of testicular cords (0.36+/-0.02 v. 0.30+/-0.02 mL for HighME v. LowME, respectively; P=0.03) and the number of Sertoli cells (43.0+/-2.5 v. 34.5+/-2.0x10(8) for HighME v. LowME, respectively; P=0.018) per testis were both greater in the HighME than in the LowME group. Plasma follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations were not significantly affected at birth or 2 days later. We conclude that undernutrition during pregnancy can reduce testicular development in the newborn. Depending on the ability of the Sertoli cell population to recover between birth and puberty, this may limit the ultimate number of Sertoli cells and, hence, the future capacity for sperm production and fertility