52 research outputs found
Statistical Properties of the GALEX/SDSS matched source catalogs, and classification of the UV sources
We use the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) Medium and All-Sky-Imaging
Survey (MIS & AIS) data from the first public data release (GR1), matched to
the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) DR3 catalog, to perform source
classification. The GALEX surveys provide photometry in far- and near-UV bands
and the SDSS in five optical bands (u,g,r,i,z). The GR1/DR3 overlapping areas
are 363[83]deg^2 for the GALEX AIS[MIS], for sources within the 0.5deg central
area of the GALEX fields. Our sample covers mostly |b|>30deg galactic
latitudes. We present statistical properties of the GALEX/SDSS matched sources
catalog, containing >2x10^6 objects detected in at least one UV band. We
classify the matched sources by comparing the seven-band photometry to model
colors constructed for different classes of astrophysical objects. For sources
with photometric errors <0.3 mag, the corresponding typical AB-magnitude limits
are m_FUV~21.5, m_NUV~22.5 for AIS, and m_FUV~24, m_NUV~24.5 for MIS. At AIS
depth, the number of Galactic and extragalactic objects are comparable, but the
latter predominate in the MIS. Based on our stellar models, we estimate the
GALEX surveys detect hot White Dwarfs throughout the Milky Way halo (down to a
radius of 0.04 R_sun at MIS depth), providing an unprecedented improvement in
the Galactic WD census. Their observed surface density is consistent with Milky
Way model predictions. We also select low-redshift QSO candidates, extending
the known QSO samples to lower magnitudes, and providing candidates for
detailed z~1 follow-up investigations. SDSS optical spectra available for a
large subsample confirm the classification for the photometrically selected
candidates with 97% purity for single hot stars, ~45%(AIS)/31%(MIS) for
binaries containing a hot star and a cooler companion, and about 85% for QSOs.Comment: 33 pages, 11 figures, accepted for the GALEX special issue of ApJS.
For a version with full resolution figures see
http://dolomiti.pha.jhu.edu/publgoto.htm
Gemini GMOS and WHT SAURON integral-field spectrograph observations of the AGN driven outflow in NGC 1266
We use the SAURON and GMOS integral field spectrographs to observe the active
galactic nucleus (AGN) powered outflow in NGC 1266. This unusual galaxy is
relatively nearby (D=30 Mpc), allowing us to investigate the process of AGN
feedback in action. We present maps of the kinematics and line strengths of the
ionised gas emission lines Halpha, Hbeta, [OIII], [OI], [NII] and [SII], and
report on the detection of Sodium D absorption. We use these tracers to explore
the structure of the source, derive the ionised and atomic gas kinematics and
investigate the gas excitation and physical conditions. NGC 1266 contains two
ionised gas components along most lines of sight, tracing the ongoing outflow
and a component closer to the galaxy systemic, the origin of which is unclear.
This gas appears to be disturbed by a nascent AGN jet. We confirm that the
outflow in NGC 1266 is truly multiphase, containing radio plasma, atomic,
molecular and ionised gas and X-ray emitting plasma. The outflow has velocities
up to \pm900 km/s away from the systemic velocity, and is very likely to be
removing significant amounts of cold gas from the galaxy. The LINER-like
line-emission in NGC 1266 is extended, and likely arises from fast shocks
caused by the interaction of the radio jet with the ISM. These shocks have
velocities of up to 800 km/s, which match well with the observed velocity of
the outflow. Sodium D equivalent width profiles are used to set constraints on
the size and orientation of the outflow. The ionised gas morphology correlates
with the nascent radio jets observed in 1.4 GHz and 5 GHz continuum emission,
supporting the suggestion that an AGN jet is providing the energy required to
drive the outflow.Comment: Contains 18 figures. Accepted to MNRA
Multicenter evaluation of the clinical utility of laparoscopy-assisted ERCP in patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
Background and Aims
The obesity epidemic has led to increased use of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). These patients have an increased incidence of pancreaticobiliary diseases yet standard ERCP is not possible due to surgically altered gastroduodenal anatomy. Laparoscopic-ERCP (LA-ERCP) has been proposed as an option but supporting data are derived from single center small case-series. Therefore, we conducted a large multicenter study to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of LA-ERCP.
Methods
This is retrospective cohort study of adult patients with RYGB who underwent LA-ERCP in 34 centers. Data on demographics, indications, procedure success, and adverse events were collected. Procedure success was defined when all of the following were achieved: reaching the papilla, cannulating the desired duct and providing endoscopic therapy as clinically indicated.
Results
A total of 579 patients (median age 51, 84% women) were included. Indication for LA-ERCP was biliary in 89%, pancreatic in 8%, and both in 3%. Procedure success was achieved in 98%. Median total procedure time was 152 minutes (IQR 109-210) with median ERCP time 40 minutes (IQR 28-56). Median hospital stay was 2 days (IQR 1-3). Adverse events were 18% (laparoscopy-related 10%, ERCP-related 7%, both 1%) with the clear majority (92%) classified as mild/moderate whereas 8% were severe and 1 death occurred.
Conclusion
Our large multicenter study indicates that LA-ERCP in patients with RYGB is feasible with a high procedure success rate comparable with that of standard ERCP in patients with normal anatomy. ERCP-related adverse events rate is comparable with conventional ERCP, but the overall adverse event rate was higher due to the added laparoscopy-related events
Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries
Abstract
Background
Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres.
Methods
This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries.
Results
In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia.
Conclusion
This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries
The natural product honokiol preferentially inhibits cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein and augments death receptor–induced apoptosis
Quinazolin-4-one derivatives:A novel class of noncompetitive NR2C/D subunit-selective N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists
We describe a new class of subunit-selective antagonists of N-methyl D-Aspartate (NMDA)-selective ionotropic glutamate receptors that contain the (E)-3-phenyl-2-styrylquinazolin-4(3H)-one backbone. The inhibition of recombinant NMDA receptor function induced by these quinazolin-4-one derivatives is non-competitive and voltage-independent, suggesting that this family of compounds does not exert action on the agonist binding site of the receptor or block the channel pore. The compounds described here resemble CP-465,022 ((S)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-[2-(6-diethylaminomethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-vinyl]-6-fluoro-3H-quinazolin-4-one), a non-competitive antagonist of AMPA-selective glutamate receptors. However, modification of ring substituents resulted in analogues with greater than 100-fold selectivity for recombinant NMDA receptors over AMPA and kainate receptors. Furthermore, within this series of compounds, analogues were identified with 50-fold selectivity for recombinant NR2C/D-containing receptors over NR2A/B containing receptors. These compounds represent a new class of non-competitive subunit-selective NMDA receptor antagonists
Analytical and Numerical Development of a Baffled Liquid Rocket Combustion Stability Code
Structure–Activity Relationships and Pharmacophore Model of a Noncompetitive Pyrazoline Containing Class of GluN2C/GluN2D Selective Antagonists
Here
we describe the synthesis and structure–activity relationship
for a class of pyrazoline-containing dihydroquinolone negative allosteric
modulators of the NMDA receptor that show strong subunit selectivity
for GluN2C- and GluN2D-containing receptors over GluN2A- and GluN2B-containing
receptors. Several members of this class inhibit NMDA receptor responses
in the nanomolar range and are more than 50-fold selective over GluN1/GluN2A
and GluN1/GluN2B NMDA receptors, as well as AMPA, kainate, GABA, glycine,
nicotinic, serotonin, and purinergic receptors. Analysis of the purified
enantiomers of one of the more potent and selective compounds shows
that the <i>S</i>-enantiomer is both more potent and more
selective than the <i>R-</i>enantiomer. The <i>S</i>-enantiomer had an IC<sub>50</sub> of 0.17–0.22 μM at
GluN2D- and GluN2C-containing receptors, respectively, and showed
over 70-fold selectivity over other NMDA receptor subunits. The subunit
selectivity of this class of compounds should be useful in defining
the role of GluN2C- and GluN2D-containing receptors in specific brain
circuits in both physiological and pathophysiological conditions
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Discovery of Reactive Microbiota-Derived Metabolites that Inhibit Host Proteases
The gut microbiota modulate host biology in numerous ways, but little is known about the molecular mediators of these interactions. Previously, we found a widely distributed family of nonribosomal peptide synthetase gene clusters in gut bacteria. Here, by expressing a subset of these clusters in Escherichia coli or Bacillus subtilis, we show that they encode pyrazinones and dihydropyrazinones. At least one of the 47 clusters is present in 88% of the National Institutes of Health Human Microbiome Project (NIH HMP) stool samples, and they are transcribed under conditions of host colonization. We present evidence that the active form of these molecules is the initially released peptide aldehyde, which bears potent protease inhibitory activity and selectively targets a subset of cathepsins in human cell proteomes. Our findings show that an approach combining bioinformatics, synthetic biology, and heterologous gene cluster expression can rapidly expand our knowledge of the metabolic potential of the microbiota while avoiding the challenges of cultivating fastidious commensals. Keywords: microbiome; natural products; synthetic biology; metagenomics; biosynthetic gene cluster; peptide aldehyde; protease inhibito
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