442 research outputs found
Keck Spectroscopy of Candidate Proto-globular Clusters in NGC 1275
Keck spectroscopy of 5 proto-globular cluster candidates in NGC 1275 has been
combined with HST WFPC2 photometry to explore the nature and origin of these
objects and discriminate between merger and cooling flow scenarios for globular
cluster formation. The objects we have studied are not HII regions, but rather
star clusters, yet their integrated spectral properties do not resemble young
or intermediate age Magellanic Cloud clusters or Milky Way open clusters. The
clusters' Balmer absorption appears to be too strong to be consistent with any
of the standard Bruzual & Charlot evolutionary models at any metallicity. If
these models are adopted, an IMF which is skewed to high masses provides a
better fit to the data. A truncated IMF with a mass range of 2-3 Mo reproduces
the observed Balmer equivalent widths and colors at about 450 Myr. Formation in
a continuous cooling flow appears to be ruled out since the age of the clusters
is much larger than the cooling time, the spatial scale of the clusters is much
smaller than the cooling flow radius, and the deduced star formation rate in
the cooling flow favors a steep rather than a flat IMF. A merger would have to
produce clusters only in the central few kpc, presumably from gas in the
merging galaxies which was channeled rapidly to the center. Widespread shocks
in merging galaxies cannot have produced these clusters. If these objects are
confirmed to have a relatively flat, or truncated, IMF it is unclear whether or
not they will evolve into objects we would regard as bona fide globular
clusters.Comment: 30 pages (AAS two column style, including 9 tables and 7 figures) to
appear in the AJ (August issue), also available at
http://www.ucolick.org/~mkissler/Sages/sages.html (with a full resolution
Fig.1) Revised Version: previous posted version was an uncorrect ealier
iteration, parts of the text, tables and figures changed. The overall
conclusions remain unchange
Genomic Organization of Duplicated Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Regions in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo Salar)
Background: We have previously identified associations between major histocompatibility complex(MHC) class I and resistance towards bacterial and viral pathogens in Atlantic salmon. To evaluate if onlyMHC or also closely linked genes contributed to the observed resistance we ventured into sequencing ofthe duplicated MHC class I regions of Atlantic salmon.Results: Nine BACs covering more than 500 kb of the two duplicated MHC class I regions of Atlanticsalmon were sequenced and the gene organizations characterized. Both regions contained the proteasomecomponents PSMB8, PSMB9, PSMB9-like and PSMB10 in addition to the transporter for antigen processingTAP2, as well as genes for KIFC1, ZBTB22, DAXX, TAPBP, BRD2, COL11A2, RXRB and SLC39A7. TheIA region contained the recently reported MHC class I Sasa-ULA locus residing approximately 50 kbupstream of the major Sasa-UBA locus. The duplicated class IB region contained an MHC class I locusresembling the rainbow trout UCA locus, but although transcribed it was a pseudogene. No other MHCclass I-like genes were detected in the two duplicated regions. Two allelic BACs spanning the UBA locushad 99.2% identity over 125 kb, while the IA region showed 82.5% identity over 136 kb to the IB region.The Atlantic salmon IB region had an insert of 220 kb in comparison to the IA region containing threechitin synthase genes.Conclusion: We have characterized the gene organization of more than 500 kb of the two duplicatedMHC class I regions in Atlantic salmon. Although Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout are closely related,the gene organization of their IB region has undergone extensive gene rearrangements. The Atlanticsalmon has only one class I UCA pseudogene in the IB region while trout contains the four MHC UCA, UDA,UEA and UFA class I loci. The large differences in gene content and most likely function of the salmon andtrout class IB region clearly argues that sequencing of salmon will not necessarily provide informationrelevant for trout and vice versa
A crossover randomised controlled trial of oral mandibular advancement devices for obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea (TOMADO)
Rationale Mandibular advancement devices (MADs)
are used to treat obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea
syndrome (OSAHS) but evidence is lacking regarding
their clinical and cost-effectiveness in less severe disease.
Objectives To compare clinical- and cost-effectiveness
of a range of MADs against no treatment in mild to
moderate OSAHS.
Measurements and methods This open-label,
randomised, controlled, crossover trial was undertaken at
a UK sleep centre. Adults with Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index
(AHI) 5–<30/h and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score
≥9 underwent 6 weeks of treatment with three nonadjustable
MADs: self-moulded (SleepPro 1; SP1);
semi-bespoke (SleepPro 2; SP2); fully-bespoke MAD
(bMAD); and 4 weeks no treatment. Primary outcome
was AHI scored by a polysomnographer blinded to
treatment. Secondary outcomes included ESS, quality of
life, resource use and cost.
Main results 90 patients were randomised and 83
were analysed. All devices reduced AHI compared with
no treatment by 26% (95% CI 11% to 38%, p=0.001)
for SP1, 33% (95% CI 24% to 41%) for SP2 and 36%
(95% CI 24% to 45%, p<0.001) for bMAD. ESS was
1.51 (95% CI 0.73 to 2.29, p<0.001, SP1) to 2.37
(95% CI 1.53 to 3.22, p<0.001, bMAD) lower than no
treatment (p<0.001 for all). Compliance was lower for
SP1, which was the least preferred treatment at trial exit.
All devices were cost-effective compared with no
treatment at a £20 000/quality-adjusted life year (QALY)
threshold. SP2 was the most cost-effective up to
£39 800/QALY.
Conclusions Non-adjustable MADs achieve clinically
important improvements in mild to moderate OSAHS and
are cost-effective
Screening for Impaired Visual Acuity in Older Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement
DESCRIPTION: Update of the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on screening for impaired visual acuity in older adults.
METHODS: The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on screening for visual acuity impairment associated with uncorrected refractive error, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration among adults 65 years or older in the primary care setting; the benefits and harms of screening; the accuracy of screening; and the benefits and harms of treatment of early vision impairment due to uncorrected refractive error, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration.
POPULATION: This recommendation applies to asymptomatic adults 65 years or older who do not present to their primary care clinician with vision problems.
RECOMMENDATION: The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for impaired visual acuity in older adults. (I statement)
Recent Food Shortage Is Associated with Leprosy Disease in Bangladesh: A Case-Control Study
Although intensive control programs reduced the prevalence of leprosy worldwide, new cases of this infectious disease are still detected in several of the poorest areas of the world. Therefore the disease is known as a disease of poverty. To be able to control the disease it is important to know which aspects of poverty play a role in transmission and acquiring clinical signs of disease. In this study socio-economic circumstances of recently diagnosed leprosy patients were compared with those of a control population in the poverty stricken northwest area of Bangladesh where leprosy is common. A recent period of food shortage was the only socio-economic factor that was found related to leprosy disease in this study and not poverty as such. Food shortage is seasonal and poverty related in northwest Bangladesh, while malnutrition is known to lower immunity and make people more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Therefore it was concluded that malnutrition as an aspect of poverty played an important role in the development of the clinical signs of leprosy. We therefore recommend that nutritional support for high risk groups should be included in leprosy control programmes to reduce risk of disease in areas where leprosy is common
The Vehicle, 1967, Vol. 9 no. 2
Table of Contents
Commentarypage 3
SketchAnn Butlerpage 4
I Take A Long-Out-of-Use BookAnthony Griggspage 5
The Leaf StemDianne Cochranpage 6
The Four MusketeersJim Courterpage 7
Status QuoAdrian Beardpage 7
SketchAnn Butlerpage 8
NocturneMike Baldwinpage 9
Oh Impatient HeartK. H. Shariffpage 9
Letter to a FianceeMaurice Snivelypage 10
Listen!Bonnie Blackpage 11
The Water\u27s EdgeStephen W. Gibbspage 12
TogetherDavid Reifpage 13
SketchAnn Butlerpage 14
Evening TimeSharon Nelsonpage 15
Japanese HaikuBev Hensonpage 15
Of Love and WarBruce Czeluscinskipage 16
Always AloneKib Voorheespage 17
the end of loveJackie Bratcherpage 18
1-20-66Sharon Nelsonpage 19
Blessed Are WeBonnie Marie Beckpage 19
The Time To LiveNeil Tracypage 20
Imminent AwakeningHelen Coxpage 21
The Dead Panther LairMolly J. Evanspage 21
Good SheepMike Tilfordpage 22
The Flame of LifeJacki Jacquespage 23
Then Arrives The Day Of DarkMolly J. Evanspage 23
Sketch: To love is to rememberAnn Butlerpage 24
Hidden RiversCharles J. Mertzpage 25
SilenceLinda G. Phillipspage 26
December - 1964Bonnie Blackpage 26
LoveHazel Thomaspage 27
To Praise A Good Man Neil Tracypage 28
Definitions \u2767Sharon Nelsonpage 29
To Wish Is a CrimeBonnie Marie Beckpage 30
College MadhatterMaurice Snivelypage 31
No. 8Sharon Nelsonpage 32
The Open FireSusan Williamspage 32https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1017/thumbnail.jp
Phenotype and immune function of lymph node and peripheral blood CLL cells are linked to transendothelial migration
everal lines of evidence suggest that homing of tumor cells to lymphoid tissue contributes to disease progression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Here, we demonstrate that lymph node (LN)-derived CLL cells possess a distinct phenotype, and exhibit enhanced capacity for T-cell activation and superior immune synapse formation when compared with paired peripheral blood (PB) samples. LN-derived CLL cells manifest a proliferative, CXCR4(dim)CD5(bright) phenotype compared with those in the PB and higher expression of T-cell activation molecules including CD80, CD86, and HLA-D-related (DR). In addition, LN-CLL cells have higher expression of α4β1 (CD49d) which, as well as being a co-stimulatory molecule, is required for CLL cells to undergo transendothelial migration (TEM) and enter the proliferation centers of the LNs. Using an in vitro system that models circulation and TEM, we showed that the small population of CLL cells that migrate are CXCR4(dim)CD5(bright) with higher CD49d, CD80, CD86, and HLA-DR compared with those that remain circulating; a phenotype strikingly similar to LN-derived CLL cells. Furthermore, sorted CD49d(hi) CLL cells showed an enhanced capacity to activate T cells compared with CD49d(lo) subpopulations from the same patient. Thus, although PB-CLL cells have a reduced capacity to form immune synapses and activate CD4(+) T cells, this was not the case for LN-CLL cells or those with the propensity to undergo TEM. Taken together, our study suggests that CLL cell immunologic function is not only modulated by microenvironmental interactions but is also a feature of a subpopulation of PB-CLL cells that are primed for lymphoid tissue homing and interaction with T cells
The state of the Martian climate
60°N was +2.0°C, relative to the 1981–2010 average value (Fig. 5.1). This marks a new high for the record. The average annual surface air temperature (SAT) anomaly for 2016 for land stations north of starting in 1900, and is a significant increase over the previous highest value of +1.2°C, which was observed in 2007, 2011, and 2015. Average global annual temperatures also showed record values in 2015 and 2016. Currently, the Arctic is warming at more than twice the rate of lower latitudes
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