Aims. We aim to use multiband imaging from the Phase-3 Verification Data of the J-PLUS survey to derive accurate photometric redshifts (photo-z) and look for potential new members in the surroundings ...of the nearby galaxy clusters A2589 (z = 0.0414) & A2593 (z = 0.0440), using redshift probability distribution functions (PDFs). The ultimate goal is to demonstrate the usefulness of a 12-band filter system in the study of largescale structure in the local Universe. Methods. We present an optimized pipeline for the estimation of photometric redshifts in clusters of galaxies. This pipeline includes a PSF-corrected photometry, specific photometric apertures capable of enhancing the integrated signal in the bluest filters, a careful recalibration of the photometric uncertainties and accurate upper-limit estimations for faint detections. To foresee the expected precision of our photo-z beyond the spectroscopic sample, we designed a set of simulations in which real cluster galaxies are modeled and reinjected inside the images at different signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) levels, recomputing their photometry and photo-z estimates. Results. We tested our photo-z pipeline with a sample of 296 spectroscopically confirmed cluster members with an averaged magnitude of ⟨r⟩ = 16.6 and redshift ⟨z⟩ = 0.041. The combination of seven narrow and five broadband filters with a typical photometric-depth of r ~ 21.5 provides δz/(1 + z) = 0.01 photo-z estimates. A precision of δz/(1 + z) = 0.005 is obtained for the 177 galaxies brighter than magnitude r < 17. Based on simulations, a δz/(1 + z) = 0.02 and δz/(1 + z) = 0.03 is expected at magnitudes ⟨r⟩ = 18 and ⟨r⟩ = 22, respectively. Complementarily, we used SDSS/DR12 data to derive photo-z estimates for the same galaxy sample. This exercise demonstrates that the wavelength-resolution of the J-PLUS data can double the precision achieved by SDSS data for galaxies with a high S/N. Based on the Bayesian membership analysis carried out in this work, we find as much as 170 new candidates across the entire field (~5 deg2). The spatial distribution of these galaxies may suggest an overlap between the systems with no evidence of a clear filamentary structure connecting the clusters. This result is supported by X-ray Rosat All-Sky Survey observations suggesting that a hypothetical filament may have low density contrast on diffuse warm gas. Conclusions. We prove that the addition of the seven narrow-band filters make the J-PLUS data deeper in terms of photo-z-depth than other surveys of a similar photometric-depth but using only five broadbands. These preliminary results show the potential of J-PLUS data to revisit membership of groups and clusters from nearby galaxies, important for the determination of luminosity and mass functions and environmental studies at the intermediate and low-mass regime.
Context. The intracluster light (ICL) is a luminous component of galaxy clusters composed of stars that are gravitationally bound to the cluster potential, but do not belong to the individual ...galaxies. Previous studies of the ICL have shown that its formation and evolution are intimately linked to the evolutionary stage of the cluster. Thus, the analysis of the ICL in the Coma cluster will give insights into the main processes driving the dynamics in this highly complex system. Aims. Using a recently developed technique, we measure the ICL fraction in Coma at several wavelengths, using the J-PLUS unique filter system. The combination of narrow- and broadband filters provides valuable information on the dynamical state of the cluster, the ICL stellar types, and the morphology of the diffuse light. Methods. We used the Chebyshev-Fourier intracluster light estimator (CICLE) to distinguish the ICL from the light of the galaxies, and to robustly measure the ICL fraction in seven J-PLUS filters. Results. We obtain the ICL fraction distribution of the Coma cluster at different optical wavelengths, which varies from ∼7%−21%, showing the highest values in the narrowband filters J0395, J0410, and J0430. This ICL fraction excess is a distinctive pattern that has recently been observed in dynamically active clusters (mergers), indicating a higher amount of bluer stars in the ICL than in cluster galaxies. Conclusions. The high ICL fractions and the excess in the bluer filters are indicative of a merging state. The presence of younger stars or stars with lower metallicity in the ICL suggests that the main mechanism of ICL formation for the Coma cluster is the stripping of the stars in the outskirts of infalling galaxies and possibly the disruption of dwarf galaxies during past or ongoing mergers.
Cathepsin C (CatC) is a lysosomal enzyme involved in activation of serine proteases from immune and inflammatory cells. Several loss-of-function mutations in the CatC gene have been shown to be the ...genetic mark of Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS), a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by severe early-onset periodontitis, palmoplantar hyperkeratosis, and increased susceptibility to infections. Deficiencies or dysfunction in other cathepsin family proteins, such as cathepsin B or D, have been associated with autophagic and lysosomal disorders.
Here we characterized the basis for autophagic dysfunction in patients with PLS by analyzing skin fibroblasts derived from patients with several mutations in the CatC gene and reduced enzymatic activity.
Skin fibroblasts were isolated from patients with PLS assessed by using genetic analysis. Authophagic flux dysfunction was evaluated by examining accumulation of p62/SQSTM1 and a bafilomycin assay. Ultrastructural analysis further confirmed abnormal accumulation of autophagic vesicles in mutant cells. A recombinant CatC protein was produced by a baculovirus system in insect cell cultures.
Mutant fibroblasts from patients with PLS showed alterations in oxidative/antioxidative status, reduced oxygen consumption, and a marked autophagic dysfunction associated with autophagosome accumulation. These alterations were accompanied by lysosomal permeabilization, cathepsin B release, and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation. Treatment of mutant fibroblasts with recombinant CatC improved cell growth and autophagic flux and partially restored lysosomal permeabilization.
Our data provide a novel molecular mechanism underlying PLS. Impaired autophagy caused by insufficient lysosomal function might represent a new therapeutic target for PLS.
Summary
Background
Eccrine sweat glands (ESGs) are critical for thermoregulation and are involved in wound healing. ESGs have traditionally been considered as separate skin appendages without ...connection to the pilosebaceous unit (PSU). However, recent preliminary evidence has encouraged the hypothesis that the PSU and ESG are more interconnected than previously thought.
Objectives
To re‐evaluate the morphology of human skin adnexa with an integrated three‐dimensional (3D) perspective in order to explore the possible interconnections that the PSU and the ESG may form.
Methods
A systematic 3D reconstruction method of skin sections, direct visualization of human scalp follicular unit transplant grafts and a scalp strip ex vivo were used to validate and further explore the hypothesis.
Results
We demonstrate that the coiled portion of most ESGs is morphologically integrated into the PSU of human scalp skin and forms a structural unit that is embedded into a specific, hair follicle‐associated region of dermal white adipose tissue (dWAT). This newly recognized unit is easily accessible and experimentally tractable by organ culture of follicular units and can be visualized intravitally.
Conclusions
We propose a model of functional human skin anatomy in which ESGs are closely associated with the PSU and the dWAT to form a common homeostatic tissue environment, which may best be encapsulated in the term ‘adnexal skin unit’. The challenge now is to dissect how each component of this superstructure of human skin functionally cooperates with and influences the other under physiological conditions, during regeneration and repair and in selected skin diseases.
What's already known about this topic?
Eccrine sweat glands (ESGs) are traditionally regarded as being separate from the pilosebaceous unit (PSU).
However, it has recently been hypothesized that human scalp ESGs may actually form an integral part of the PSU.
The dermal white adipose tissue (dWAT), formally called the upper subcutis, is known to differ functionally from subcutaneous adipocytes and to be associated with hair follicles.
What does this study add?
We show by three‐dimensional reconstruction imaging and intravital dye staining that the coiled portion of scalp ESGs is morphologically closely associated with neighbouring hair follicles and that both form a structural adnexal skin unit that is largely embedded into the dWAT.
The location of the ESG coil can be identified macroscopically in a distinct area, close to the connective tissue sheath of the hair follicles, right below the sebaceous gland.
What is the translational message?
The described observation is clinically relevant as it mandates to evaluate and consider individual skin appendage structures and their embedding into the dWAT as one morphological unit of human skin.
In this unit, each element may influence the other under physiological conditions, during wound healing and in selected skin diseases.
Pharmacological manipulation of one component of the unit may therapeutically impact on another.
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We set out to identify the prognostic factors in adult patients with Candida spp. bloodstream infection, assessing the impact on in-hospital mortality of catheter removal and adequacy of antifungal ...therapy.
Patients with positive blood culture for Candida spp. and a central venous catheter in place at the time of candidaemia were included. Data collected included demographics, underlying diseases, severity of illness, clinical presentation, catheter withdrawal and adequacy of empirical therapy.
We included 188 patients (mortality 36.7%). The mortality rate was 34.9% (23/66) in patients with early adequate antifungal treatment and 18.9% (7/37) in patients with early adequate antifungal therapy and catheter withdrawal in the first 48 h. The APACHE (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) II score on the day of candidaemia adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.12; 95% CI 1.06-1.17; P < 0.001 was associated with death whereas early adequate therapy (aHR 0.4; 95% CI 0.23-0.83; P = 0.012) and catheter withdrawal (aHR 0.34; 95% CI 0.16-0.70; P = 0.03) were protective factors. In primary candidaemia, mortality was 28% (14/50) in patients with adequate therapy and decreased to 17.7% (6/34) in patients with both interventions in the first 48 h. Catheter removal was a protective factor and adequacy of antifungal therapy in the first 48 h showed a strong tendency to protection against death (aHR 0.46; 95% CI 0.19-1.08; P = 0.07). In secondary non-catheter-related candidaemia, only early adequate therapy was a protective factor for mortality.
Delay in catheter withdrawal and in administration of adequate antifungal therapy was associated with increased mortality in candidaemic patients. Catheter management did not influence the prognosis of secondary non-catheter-related candidaemia.
ABSTRACT
The structure of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) is very complex, in particular in the periphery that suffers more from the interactions with the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). A wealth of ...observational evidence has been accumulated revealing tidal tails and bridges made up of gas, stars, and star clusters. Nevertheless, a full picture of the SMC outskirts is only recently starting to emerge with a 6D phase-space map plus age and metallicity using star clusters as tracers. In this work, we continue our analysis of another outer region of the SMC, the so-called West Halo, and combined it with the previously analysed Northern Bridge. We use both structures to define the Bridge and Counter-bridge trailing and leading tidal tails. These two structures are moving away from each other, roughly in the SMC–LMC direction. The West Halo form a ring around the SMC inner regions that goes up to the background of the Northern Bridge shaping an extended layer of the Counter-bridge. Four old Bridge clusters were identified at distances larger than 8 kpc from the SMC centre moving towards the LMC, which is consistent with the SMC–LMC closest distance of 7.5 kpc when the Magellanic Bridge was formed about 150Myr ago; this shows that the Magellanic Bridge was not formed only by pulled gas, but it also removed older stars from the SMC during its formation. We also found age and metallicity radial gradients using projected distances on sky, which are vanished when we use the real 3D distances.
We present the first systematic study of the stellar populations of ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) in the field, integrating the large area search and characterization of UDGs by the SMUDGes survey ...with the twelve-band optical photometry of the S-PLUS survey. Based on Bayesian modeling of the optical colors of UDGs, we determine the ages, metallicities, and stellar masses of 100 UDGs distributed in an area of ∼330 deg2 in the Stripe 82 region. We find that the stellar masses and metallicities of field UDGs are similar to those observed in clusters and follow the trends previously defined in studies of dwarf and giant galaxies. However, field UDGs have younger luminosity-weighted ages than do UDGs in clusters. We interpret this result to mean that field UDGs have more extended star formation histories, including some that continue to form stars at low levels to the present time. Finally, we examine stellar population scaling relations that show that UDGs are, as a population, similar to other low surface brightness galaxies.
•A negative relationship was observed between the level of tannin inclusion and CH4 emission.•The effect of CH4 mitigation is increasing as the level of tannin inclusion is higher.•Sub-group analysis ...revealed differences of tannins supplementation response according to CH4 emission measurements techniques.
Methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas generated during the feed fermentation processes in the rumen. However, numerous studies have been conducted to determine the capacity of plant secondary metabolites to enhance ruminal fermentation and decrease CH4 production, especially those plants rich in tannins. This review conducted a descriptive analysis and meta-analysis of the use of tannin-rich plants in tropical regions to mitigate CH4 production from livestock. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of tannins supplementation in tropical plants on CH4 production in ruminants using a meta-analytic approach and the effect on microbial population. Sources of heterogeneity were explored using a meta-regression analysis. Final database was integrated by a total of 14 trials. The ‘meta’ package in R statistical software was used to conduct the meta-analyses. The covariates defined a priori in the current meta-regression were inclusion level, species (sheep, beef cattle, dairy cattle, and cross-bred heifers) and plant. Results showed that supplementation with tropical plants with tannin contents have the greatest effects on CH4 mitigation . A negative relationship was observed between the level of inclusion and CH4 emission (−0.09), which means that the effect of CH4 mitigation is increasing as the level of tannin inclusion is higher. Therefore, less CH4 production will be obtained when supplementing tropical plants in the diet with a high dose of tannins.
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The misuse of antibiotics has been related to increased morbidity, mortality and bacterial resistance. The development of antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) has been encouraged by scientific ...societies as an essential measure. An educational, institutionally supported ASP was developed in our tertiary-care centre. Local guidelines on the management of infectious syndromes were created. Antimicrobial prescriptions were chosen arbitrarily weekly and counselling interviews by expert clinicians were carried out, using a paedagogic, non-restrictive methodology. Satisfaction with the interview was assessed using anonymous questionnaires. The appropriateness of antimicrobial prescriptions as well as consumption was assessed prospectively throughout the year. Feedback regarding the correct use of treatments was communicated to each participating department periodically. The improvement in antimicrobial prescription was included among the annual objectives linked to economic incentives in every department. A total of 1206 counselling interviews were carried out during the first year. Fifty-three per cent of antimicrobial prescriptions (176/332) were inappropriate when the programme started. The rate of inappropriate prescriptions continuously declined to 26.4% (107/405) in the fourth trimester (p <0.001; RR = 0.38; 95% CI, 0.23–0.43). Antimicrobial consumption decreased from 1150 defined daily doses (DDDs) per 1000 occupied bed-days in the first trimester to 852 DDDs in the fourth, reflecting a reduction in antimicrobial expenditures of 42%. A total of 352 satisfaction questionnaires were received and 98% described the advice as positive. In conclusion, the implementation of an education-based ASP achieved a significant improvement in all antimicrobial prescriptions in the centre and a reduction in antimicrobial consumption, even when no restrictive measures were implemented. The programme was highly accepted by all prescribers.
ABSTRACT
This paper presents a method for finding ram pressure stripped (RPS) galaxy candidates by performing a morphological analysis of galaxy images obtained from the Legacy survey. We consider a ...sample of about 600 galaxies located in different environments such as groups and clusters, tidally interacting pairs and the field. The sample includes 160 RPS previously classified in the literature into classes from J1 to J5, based on the increasing level of disturbances. Our morphological analysis was done using the astromorphlib software followed by the inspection of diagnostic diagrams involving combinations of different parameters like the asymmetry (A), concentration (C), Sérsic index (n), and bulge strength parameters $F(G,\, M_{20})$. We found that some of those diagrams display a distinct region in which galaxies classified as J3, J4, and J5 decouples from isolated galaxies. We call this region as the morphological transition zone and we also found that tidally interacting galaxies in pairs are predominant within this zone. Nevertheless, after visually inspecting the objects in the morphological transition zone to discard obvious contaminants, we ended up with 33 bona fide new RPS candidates in the studied nearby groups and clusters (Hydra, Fornax, and CLoGS sample), of which one-third show clear evidence of unwinding arms. Future works may potentially further increase significantly the samples of known RPS using such method.
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