Galactic structure towards the Open Clusters NGC 188 and NGC 3680

We present the first comparisons of a newly developed Galactic Structure and Kinematic Model to magnitude and color counts, as well as relative proper motions, in the fields of the open clusters NGC 188 [(l, b)= (122.8 deg, +22.4 deg)] and NGC 3680 [(l,b)= (286.8 deg, +16.9 deg)]. In addition to determining the reddening toward these two clusters, it is shown that starcounts at intermediate Galactic latitudes in the range 11< V< 17 allow us to constrain the model scale-height for disk subgiants. We obtain a mean value of 250 +/- 32 pc, in agreement with previous determinations of the scale-height for red-giants. We are also able to constrain the scale-height of main-sequence stars, and the distance of the sun from the Galactic plane, ruling out the possibility of a value of +40 pc, in favor of a smaller value. Comparisons with the observed proper-motion histograms indicate that the velocity dispersion of disk main-sequence stars must increase with distance from the Galactic plane in order to match the observed proper-motion dispersion. The required increase is consistent with the values predicted by dynamical models, and provides a clear observational evidence in favor of such gradients. The shape of the observed proper-motion distribution is well fitted within the Poisson uncertainties. This implies that corrections to absolute proper motion (and, therefore, space velocities) for open clusters may be obtained using our model when no inertial reference frame is available. Using this approach, the derived tangential motions for NGC 188 and NGC 3680 are presented.Comment: Tex type, 29 pages, 9 postscript figures. Accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journa

Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in the Netherlands:Personalised treatment and outcome

Tuberculosis (TB) caused by bacilli that are resistant to the two major drugs, rifampicin and isoniazid is defined as Multi-Drug Resistant TB or MDRTB. MDRTB kills around 50% of people affected around the world. In contrast, treatment results of MDR-TB in the Netherlands (1985-2013) have consistently shown a high success rate (86%). This is comparable with worldwide WHO-targets for drug TB that is susceptible to 1st line TB drugs. Treatment of MDRTB was based on drug susceptibility testing (DST) and fast molecular genetic tests, while dosage was adjusted by pharmacokinetic measurements, by measuring drug concentrations in blood samples over time to estimate the total exposure of the drug and modeled these measurements to optimize dosing by maintaining efficacy while at the same time minimizing dose-dependent toxicity. We advocate a search for other antibiotics, not only new ones like bedaquiline and delamanid, but also antibiotics registered for other infections that may help treat TB. As such we describe ertapenem, not included in the WHO list of MDR-TB drugs. We argue that ertapenem is a promising drug for TB, with reasonable efficacy and limited side effects. Using aminoglycosides for MDR-TB, we applied individualized dosing based on the peak concentration divided by the minimal inhibitory concentration; we reduced the number of blood samples taken by comparing a limited sampling strategy with standard multiple blood sampling. The median dose was in our patients 400 mg, more than two-fold lower than the dose recommended by WHO, while outcome in our patients was favourable without failures or relapses. Concluding remarks. Molecular sensitivity testing combined with pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics may be an important weapon in the global fight against MDR-TB.In regard to aminoglycosides prospective PK/PD studies are necessary to confirm the efficacy of the lower dosage.Likewise, ertapenem needs further investigations as is seems to be a highly promising drug for the treatment of MDR-TB, parameters being efficacy and safety