12 research outputs found
A2626 and Friends:Large- And Small-scale Structure
New MMT/Hectospec spectroscopy centered on the galaxy cluster A2626 and
covering a area out to more than
doubles the number of galaxy redshifts in this region. The spectra confirm four
clusters previously identified photometrically. A2625, which was previously
thought to be a close neighbor of A2626, is in fact much more distant. The new
data show six substructures associated with A2626 and five more associated with
A2637. There is also a highly collimated collection of galaxies and galaxy
groups between A2626 and A2637 having at least three and probably four
substructures. At larger scales, the A2626--A2637 complex is not connected to
the Pegasus--Perseus filament.Comment: 18 pages, 13 figures, accepted for publication in the Astronomical
Journa
Laparoscopic Versus Robot-Assisted Versus Transanal Low Anterior Resection:3-Year Oncologic Results for a Population-Based Cohort in Experienced Centers
BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic, robot-assisted, and transanal total mesorectal excision are the minimally invasive techniques used most for rectal cancer surgery. Because data regarding oncologic results are lacking, this study aimed to compare these three techniques while taking the learning curve into account. METHODS: This retrospective population-based study cohort included all patients between 2015 and 2017 who underwent a low anterior resection at 11 dedicated centers that had completed the learning curve of the specific technique. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) during a 3-year follow-up period. The secondary outcomes were 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) and 3-year local recurrence rate. Statistical analysis was performed using Cox-regression. RESULTS: The 617 patients enrolled in the study included 252 who underwent a laparoscopic resection, 205 who underwent a robot-assisted resection, and 160 who underwent a transanal low anterior resection. The oncologic outcomes were equal between the three techniques. The 3-year OS rate was 90% for laparoscopic resection, 90.4% for robot-assisted resection, and 87.6% for transanal low anterior resection. The 3-year DFS rate was 77.8% for laparoscopic resection, 75.8% for robot-assisted resection, and 78.8% for transanal low anterior resection. The 3-year local recurrence rate was in 6.1% for laparoscopic resection, 6.4% for robot-assisted resection, and 5.7% for transanal procedures. Cox-regression did not show a significant difference between the techniques while taking confounders into account. CONCLUSION: The oncologic results during the 3-year follow-up were good and comparable between laparoscopic, robot-assisted, and transanal total mesorectal technique at experienced centers. These techniques can be performed safely in experienced hands
Imatinib treatment of poor prognosis mesenchymal-type primary colon cancer: A proof-of-concept study in the preoperative window period (ImPACCT)
Background: The identification of four Consensus Molecular Subtypes (CMS1-4) of colorectal cancer forms a new paradigm for the design and evaluation of subtype-directed therapeutic strategies. The most aggressive subtype - CMS4 - has the highest chance of disease recurrence. Novel adjuvant therapies for patients with CMS4 tumours are therefore urgently needed. CMS4 tumours are characterized by expression of mesenchymal and stem-like genes. Previous pre-clinical work has shown that targeting Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptors (PDGFRs) and the related KIT receptor with imatinib is potentially effective against mesenchymal-type colon cance
Gravitational stability and dynamical overheating of stellar disks of galaxies
We use the marginal stability condition for galactic disks and the stellar
velocity dispersion data published by different authors to place upper limits
on the disk local surface density at two radial scalelengths .
Extrapolating these estimates, we constrain the total mass of the disks and
compare these estimates to those based on the photometry and color of stellar
populations. The comparison reveals that the stellar disks of most of spiral
galaxies in our sample cannot be substantially overheated and are therefore
unlikely to have experienced a significant merging event in their history. The
same conclusion applies to some, but not all of the S0 galaxies we consider.
However, a substantial part of the early type galaxies do show the stellar
velocity dispersion well in excess of the gravitational stability threshold
suggesting a major merger event in the past. We find dynamically overheated
disks among both seemingly isolated galaxies and those forming pairs. The ratio
of the marginal stability disk mass estimate to the total galaxy mass within
four radial scalelengths remains within a range of 0.4---0.8. We see no
evidence for a noticeable running of this ratio with either the morphological
type or color index.Comment: 25 pages, 5 figures, accepted to Astronomy Letter
An Ha ¯ i story of galaxies in Abell 2626 and beyond
Context. To study the effects of environment on galaxies, we use Ha ¯I observations of galaxies in and around the cluster Abell 2626 (A2626). The cluster can effectively be divided into three different environments: the cluster itself, a group environment in the periphery of the cluster (we call it the Swarm), and substructure in the cluster itself. We use these to study the dependence of the galaxy properties on environment. Aims. We have explored the relation between Ha ¯I deficiency, Ha ¯I morphology, and star formation deficiency for the galaxies in and around the A2626 galaxy cluster to investigate the environmental effects on these properties. Methods. To quantify the asymmetries of the outer Ha ¯I disc of a galaxy, we used 1) three visual classes based on the outermost reliable Ha ¯I contour (settled, disturbed, and unsettled Ha ¯I discs), 2) the offset between the Ha ¯I centre and the optical centre of a galaxy, and 3) the modified asymmetry parameter Amod as defined previously. Results. The Ha ¯I deficiency of a galaxy is strongly correlated with the projected distance from the centre of A2626. Furthermore, substructure galaxies tend to be more asymmetric than the isolated galaxies in A2626, probably because tidal interactions are more efficient within the substructures than outside the substructures. Moreover, asymmetric, offset, and smaller Ha ¯I discs are not necessarily the result of the cluster environment because they are also observed in substructures in A2626 and in the Swarm. This signifies that a pre-processing of the Ha ¯I discs of galaxies in groups or substructures plays an important role, together with the processing in the cluster environment. Finally, the star formation rates for the galaxies in all three environments are slightly lower than the typical star formation rate for normal galaxies, as manifested by their offset from the star formation main sequence. This implies effective gas removal mechanisms in all three environments.</p
IFN-gamma-producing human invariant NKT cells promote tumor-associated antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell responses.
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69909.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)CD1d-restricted invariant NKT (iNKT) cells can enhance immunity to cancer or prevent autoimmunity, depending on the cytokine profile secreted. Antitumor effects of the iNKT cell ligand alpha-galactosylceramide (alphaGC) and iNKT cell adoptive transfer have been demonstrated in various tumor models. Together with reduced numbers of iNKT cells in cancer patients, which have been linked to poor clinical outcome, these data suggest that cancer patients may benefit from therapy aiming at iNKT cell proliferation and activation. Herein we present results of investigations on the effects of human iNKT cells on Ag-specific CTL responses. iNKT cells were expanded using alphaGC-pulsed allogeneic DC derived from the acute myeloid leukemia cell line MUTZ-3, transduced with CD1d to enhance iNKT cell stimulation, and with IL-12 to stimulate type 1 cytokine production. Enhanced activation and increased IFN-gamma production was observed in iNKT cells, irrespective of CD4 expression, upon stimulation with IL-12-overexpressing dendritic cells. IL-12-stimulated iNKT cells strongly enhanced the MART-1 (melanoma Ag recognized by T cell 1)-specific CD8(+) CTL response, which was dependent on iNKT cell-derived IFN-gamma. Furthermore, autologous IL-12-overexpressing dendritic cells, loaded with Ag as well as alphaGC, was superior in stimulating both iNKT cells and Ag-specific CTL. This study shows that IL-12-overexpressing allogeneic dendritic cells expand IFN-gamma-producing iNKT cells, which may be more effective against tumors in vivo. Furthermore, the efficacy of autologous Ag-loaded DC vaccines may well be enhanced by IL-12 overexpression and loading with alphaGC