•An immune-modulator was prepared by concentrating cytokines and growth factors in urine.•It can boost immunomodulatory responses in allergic and autoimmune disease patients.•The immune-modulator is ...administrated sublingually.•This strategy aims to boost the immunomodulatory response of the treated patients.
At “Instituto de Alergias y Autoinmunidad Dr. Maximiliano Ruiz Castañeda, A.C.” in Mexico City, a non-traditional health care center focused on the treatment of autoimmune and allergic diseases using personalized medicine, an alternative treatment referred to as an “immune-modulator” has been developed. In this study, we will refer to this treatment substance as the “immune-modulator.” In brief, a urine sample is collected from the patient and processed to obtain the peptide fraction, which is conditioned and then administered sublingually to the patient. Sample processing involves multiple steps aimed at the removal of toxic compounds and enrichment for cytokines, growth factors, and other immune peptides that may contribute to the function of the immune-modulator. This treatment has been administered for many years, and patients testify that it is useful and reliable. Despite the benefits of this treatment, the molecular mechanisms underlying its effects have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, this study aims to identify immunoregulatory peptides, such as cytokines and growth factors, in the immune-modulator.
Urine and immune-modulator concentrations of cytokines and growth factors were assessed using a Luminex assay.
Twenty-one cytokines and growth factors were identified in immune-modulator samples. MCP-1 was identified in 100% of the samples; MIP-1β, IL-8, RANTES, INF-γ, and IP-10 were identified in approximately 65–70% of samples; IL5, IL-1B, and IL-17 in 50–60%; eotaxin, VEGF, IL-6, and FGF in about 40%; MIP-1α, IL-9, GM-CSF, G-CSF, IL-12, and IL-15 in about 20–30%; and IL-13 and PDGF-bb were identified in <6% of samples. Additionally, patients exhibited significant changes in IL-1β, IFN-γ, and MCP-1 concentrations after treatment with the immune-modulator, whereas healthy individuals showed no significant change in response to the treatment.
The immune-modulator is an alternative treatment based on the administration of cytokines and growth factors obtained from the urine of patients. In this study, its composition was characterized. The isolated products could be responsible for the effects of the immune-modulator. Further trials are required to evaluate the effective delivery of these molecules by the administration route described.
The miniJPAS survey quasar selection Martínez-Solaeche, G.; Queiroz, C.; González Delgado, R. M. ...
Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin),
05/2023, Letnik:
673
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
This paper is part of large effort within the J-PAS collaboration that aims to classify point-like sources in miniJPAS, which were observed in 60 optical bands over ~1 deg
2
in the AEGIS field. We ...developed two algorithms based on artificial neural networks (ANN) to classify objects into four categories: stars, galaxies, quasars at low redshift (
z
< 2.1), and quasars at high redshift (
z
≥ 2.1). As inputs, we used miniJPAS fluxes for one of the classifiers (ANN
1
) and colours for the other (ANN
2
). The ANNs were trained and tested using mock data in the first place. We studied the effect of augmenting the training set by creating hybrid objects, which combines fluxes from stars, galaxies, and quasars. Nevertheless, the augmentation processing did not improve the score of the ANN. We also evaluated the performance of the classifiers in a small subset of the SDSS DR12Q superset observed by miniJPAS. In the mock test set, the f1-score for quasars at high redshift with the ANN
1
(ANN
2
) are 0.99 (0.99), 0.93 (0.92), and 0.63 (0.57) for 17 <
r
≤ 20, 20 <
r
≤ 22.5, and 22.5 <
r
≤ 23.6, respectively, where r is the J-PAS rSDSS band. In the case of low-redshift quasars, galaxies, and stars, we reached 0.97 (0.97), 0.82 (0.79), and 0.61 (0.58); 0.94 (0.94), 0.90 (0.89), and 0.81 (0.80); and 1.0 (1.0), 0.96 (0.94), and 0.70 (0.52) in the same r bins. In the SDSS DR12Q superset miniJPAS sample, the weighted f1-score reaches 0.87 (0.88) for objects that are mostly within 20 <
r
≤ 22.5. We find that the most common confusion occurs between quasars at low redshift and galaxies in mocks and miniJPAS data. We discuss the origin of this confusion, and we show examples in which these objects present features that are shared by both classes. Finally, we estimate the number of point-like sources that are quasars, galaxies, and stars in miniJPAS.
The miniJPAS survey González Delgado, R. M.; Rodríguez-Martín, J. E.; Díaz-García, L. A. ...
Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin),
10/2022, Letnik:
666
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The miniJPAS survey has observed ∼1 deg
2
of the AEGIS field with 60 bands (spectral resolution of
R
∼ 60) in order to demonstrate the scientific potential of the Javalambre-Physics of the ...Accelerating Universe Astrophysical Survey (J-PAS), which will map ∼8000 deg
2
of the northern sky over the coming years. In particular, this paper demonstrates the potential of J-PAS in detecting groups with mass of up to 10
13
M
⊙
and in characterising their galaxy populations up to
z
∼ 1. The parametric code BaySeAGal is used to derive the stellar population properties by fitting the J-PAS spectral energy distribution (SED) of the galaxy members in 80 groups at
z
≤ 0.8 previously detected by the AMICO code, and of a galaxy field sample retrieved from the whole miniJPAS down to
r
< 22.75 (AB). Blue, red, quiescent, and transition (blue quiescent or green valley) galaxy populations are identified through their rest-frame (extinction-corrected) (
u
−
r
)
int
colour, galaxy stellar mass (
M
⋆
), and specific star formation rate (sSFR). We measure the abundance of these galaxies as a function of
M
⋆
and environment in order to investigate the role that groups play in quenching star formation. Our findings are as follows. (i) The fraction of red and quiescent galaxies in groups increases with
M
⋆
and is always higher in groups (28% on average) than in the field (5%). (ii) The quenched fraction excess (QFE) in groups shows a strong dependence on
M
⋆
, and increases from a few percent for galaxies with
M
⋆
< 10
10
M
⊙
to higher than 60% for galaxies with
M
⋆
> 3 × 10
11
M
⊙
. (iii) The abundance excess of transition galaxies in groups shows a modest dependence on
M
⋆
, being 5%–10% for galaxies with
M
⋆
< 10
11
M
⊙
. (iv) The fading timescale, defined as the time that galaxies in groups spend in the transition phase, is very short (< 1.5 Gyr), indicating that the star formation of galaxies in groups declines very rapidly. (v) The evolution of the galaxy quenching rate in groups shows a modest but significant evolution since
z
∼ 0.8. This latter result is compatible with the expected evolution with constant QFE = 0.4, which has been previously measured for satellites in the nearby Universe, as traced by SDSS. Further, this evolution is consistent with a scenario where the low-mass star forming galaxies in clusters at
z
= 1–1.4 are environmentally quenched, as previously reported by other surveys.
We present a technique that permits the analysis of stellar population gradients in a relatively low-cost way compared to integral field unit (IFU) surveys. We developed a technique to analyze ...unresolved stellar populations of spatially resolved galaxies based on photometric multi-filter surveys. This technique allows the analysis of vastly larger samples and out to larger galactic radii. We derived spatially resolved stellar population properties and radial gradients by applying a centroidal Voronoi tessellation and performing a multicolor photometry spectral energy distribution fitting. This technique has been successfully applied to a sample of 29 massive (M⋆ > 1010.5M⊙) early-type galaxies at z < 0.3 from the ALHAMBRA survey. We produced detailed 2D maps of stellar population properties (age, metallicity, and extinction), which allow us to identify galactic features. Radial structures were studied, and luminosity-weighted and mass-weighted gradients were derived out to 2–3.5 Reff. We find that the spatially resolved stellar population mass, age, and metallicity are well represented by their integrated values. We find the gradients of early-type galaxies to be on average flat in age (∇log AgeL = 0.02 ± 0.06 dex/Reff) and negative in metallicity (∇Fe/HL = −0.09 ± 0.06 dex/Reff). Overall,the extinction gradients are flat (∇Av = −0.03 ± 0.09 mag/Reff ) with a wide spread. These results are in agreement with previous studies that used standard long-slit spectroscopy, and with the most recent IFU studies. According to recent simulations, these results are consistent with a scenario where early-type galaxies were formed through major mergers and where their final gradients are driven by the older ages and higher metallicity of the accreted systems. We demonstrate the scientific potential of multi-filter photometry to explore the spatially resolved stellar populations of local galaxies and confirm previous spectroscopic trends from a complementary technique.
The miniJPAS survey Rodríguez-Martín, J. E.; González Delgado, R. M.; Martínez-Solaeche, G. ...
Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin),
10/2022, Letnik:
666
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The Javalambre-Physics of the Accelerating Universe Astrophysical Survey (J-PAS) is a photometric survey that is poised to scan several thousands of square degrees of the sky. It will use 54 ...narrow-band filters, combining the benefits of low-resolution spectra and photometry. Its offshoot, miniJPAS, is a 1 deg
2
survey that uses J-PAS filter system with the Pathfinder camera. In this work, we study mJPC2470-1771, the most massive cluster detected in miniJPAS. We survey the stellar population properties of the members, their star formation rates (SFR), star formation histories (SFH), the emission line galaxy (ELG) population, spatial distribution of these properties, and the ensuing effects of the environment. This work shows the power of J-PAS to study the role of environment in galaxy evolution. We used a spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting code to derive the stellar population properties of the galaxy members: stellar mass, extinction, metallicity, (
u
−
r
)
res
and (
u
−
r
)
int
colours, mass-weighted age, the SFH that is parametrised by a delayed-
τ
model (
τ
,
t
0
), and SFRs. We used artificial neural networks for the identification of the ELG population via the detection of the H
α
, NII, H
β
, and OIII nebular emission. We used the Ew(H
α
)-NII (WHAN) and OIII/H
α
-NII/H
α
(BPT) diagrams to separate them into individual star-forming galaxies and AGNs. We find that the fraction of red galaxies increases with the cluster-centric radius; and at 0.5
R
200
the red and blue fractions are both equal. The redder, more metallic, and more massive galaxies tend to be inside the central part of the cluster, whereas blue, less metallic, and less massive galaxies are mainly located outside of the inner 0.5
R
200
. We selected 49 ELG, with 65.3% of them likely to be star-forming galaxies, dominated by blue galaxies, and 24% likely to have an AGN (Seyfert or LINER galaxies). The rest are difficult to classify and are most likely composite galaxies. These latter galaxies are red, and their abundance decreases with the cluster-centric radius; in contrast, the fraction of star-forming galaxies increases outwards up to
R
200
. Our results are compatible with an scenario in which galaxy members were formed roughly at the same epoch, but blue galaxies have had more recent star formation episodes, and they are quenching out from within the cluster centre. The spatial distribution of red galaxies and their properties suggest that they were quenched prior to the cluster accretion or an earlier cluster accretion epoch. AGN feedback or mass might also stand as an obstacle in the quenching of these galaxies.
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•Intercritical annealing modifies grain structure and texture of hot-rolled bands.•Decarburization and isothermal γ-Fe → α-Fe transformation assist columnar grain ...growth.•Decarburization rate affects the driving force needed for columnar grain growth.•Bain and Kurdjumov-Sachs correspondence relationships may explain changes in texture.•Deformation texture is also modified: α and γ fibers weaken and θ-fibre strengthens.
The present research reports the microstructural factors that favor the development of columnar grains during annealing prior to cold rolling (APCR). Results show that decarburization of steel has a strong effect on phase transformations, grain structure and crystallographic texture. Annealing at 850 °C (two-phase field) promotes the development of columnar-grained microstructures with orientations close to the ideal cube texture. Higher annealing temperatures within the intercritical region, results in a mixture of columnar + equiaxial grains (875 °C) or completely equiaxial-grained microstructures (900 °C). Annealing at temperatures within the single ferrite (700 °C, 750 °C) or austenite (950 °C, 1050 °C) phase fields does not promote the development of columnar grains. In these cases, annealing promotes the development of equiaxial grains with rotated cube texture and orientations along the γ-fibre. Changes in texture produced by APCR are consistent with the Bain and Kurdjumov-Sachs correspondence relationships and occur according to oriented nucleation and selective growth mechanisms depending on the characteristics of decarburization.
Olive (Olea europaea L.) is one of the main crops in the Mediterranean area, with Spain leading its production. The majority of the plantations are on rainfed land, poor soils with steep slopes. ...Regarding to soil, tillage (T) is the main management system used by farmers. Consequently, erosion and the resulting soil organic carbon (SOC) losses associated to it are one of the main environmental problems of olive production. Conservation Agriculture (CA) practices in permanent crops comprise the sowing of groundcovers or cover crops (CC) between the rows of olive trees. CC protect the olive orchard from erosion, preventing soil degradation. However, the relationship between the erosion and SOC losses under CC and T need to be better understood. In a four-year period (2003–2007) water, soil and SOC losses by erosion were measured in micro-plots (1 ×1 m2) that were managed with T and CC in eight study zones in Andalusia (Southern Spain). At the same time, the characteristics of all rainfall events during the study period were registered, and soil cover was estimated from images taken during the field campaigns. SOC output was observed to be statistically positively correlated to runoff and erosion. The loss of water, SOC and sediment were mainly affected by the characteristics of the rainfall events and soil cover. The type of soil or the typology of the olive grove plantation were not so important for the loss of SOC under conservation agriculture management. However, these facts were especially significant for the T conditions. Conversely to T, where only 22.4 % of soil was protected, CC provided a 65.7 % cover throughout the season. This better protection of the soil provided by the CC, resulted in a lower influence of the rainfall events in the loss of water, soil and SOC. This was not the case in the T systems. The conservation management was responsible for a 36.7 % average reduction in runoff and an 85.5 % reduction in erosion compared to T, which decreased SOC loss associated with sediment by 76.4 %.
•Cover crops increased soil cover and reduced runoff (37.6 %) and erosion (85.6 %).•Cover crops made that SOC were less dependent of the rain characteristics than tillage.•The poorest soils presented higher erosive rates and increased the C enrichment ratio.•Cover crops reduced three quarters the loss of SOC respect to tillage.
The development of metabolic diseases is linked to the gut microbiota. A cross-sectional study involving 45 children (6 to 12 years old) was conducted to investigate the relationship between gut ...microbiota and childhood obesity. Anthropometric and metabolic measurements, food-frequency questionnaires (FFQs), and feces samples were obtained. Using the body mass index (BMI) z-score, we categorized each participant as normal weight (NW), or overweight and obese (OWOB). We determined 2 dietary profiles: one with complex carbohydrates and proteins (pattern 1), and the other with saturated fat and simple carbohydrates (pattern 2). The microbial taxonomic diversity and metabolic capacity were determined using shotgun metagenomics. We found differences between both BMI groups diversity. Taxa contributing to this difference, included
sp., Faecalibacterium prausnitzii,
, Monoglobus pectinilyticus,
, Intestinibacter bartlettii, Bacteroides intestinalis, Bacteroides uniformis, and Methanobrevibacter smithii. Metabolic capacity differences found between NW and OWOB, included the amino acid biosynthesis pathway, the cofactor, carrier, and vitamin biosynthesis pathway, the nucleoside and nucleotide biosynthesis and degradation pathways, the carbohydrate-sugar degradation pathway, and the amine and polyamine biosynthesis pathway. We found significant associations between taxa such as
,
, Klebsiella variicola, and
spp., metabolic pathways with the anthropometric, metabolic, and dietary data. We also found the microbiome's lipooligosaccharide (LOS) category as differentially abundant between BMI groups. Metabolic variations emerge during childhood as a result of complex nutritional and microbial interactions, which should be explained in order to prevent metabolic illnesses in adolescence and maturity.
The alteration of gut microbiome composition has been commonly observed in diseases involving inflammation, such as obesity and metabolic impairment. Inflammatory host response in the gut can be a consequence of dietary driven dysbiosis. This response is conducive to blooms of particular bacterial species, adequate to survive in an inflammatory environment by means of genetical capability of utilizing alternative nutrients. Understanding the genomic and metabolic contribution of microbiota to inflammation, including virulence factor prevalence and functional potential, will contribute to identifying modifiable early life exposures and preventive strategies associated with obesity risk in childhood.
Aims. Our goal is to study the evolution of the B-band luminosity function (LF) since z ~ 1 using ALHAMBRA data. Methods. We used the photometric redshift and the I-band selection magnitude ...probability distribution functions (PDFs) of those ALHAMBRA galaxies with I ≤ 24 mag to compute the posterior LF. We statistically studied quiescent and star-forming galaxies using the template information encoded in the PDFs. The LF covariance matrix in redshift – magnitude – galaxy type space was computed, including the cosmic variance. That was estimated from the intrinsic dispersion of the LF measurements in the 48 ALHAMBRA sub-fields. The uncertainty due to the photometric redshift prior is also included in our analysis. Results. We modelled the LF with a redshift-dependent Schechter function affected by the same selection effects than the data. The measured ALHAMBRA LF at 0.2 ≤ z< 1 and the evolving Schechter parameters both for quiescent and star-forming galaxies agree with previous results in the literature. The estimated redshift evolution of MB* ∝ Qz is QSF = −1.03 ± 0.08 and QQ = −0.80 ± 0.08, and of log 10φ∗ ∝ Pz is PSF = −0.01 ± 0.03 and PQ = −0.41 ± 0.05. The measured faint-end slopes are αSF = −1.29 ± 0.02 and αQ = −0.53 ± 0.04. We find a significant population of faint quiescent galaxies with MB ≳ −18, modelled by a second Schechter function with slope β = −1.31 ± 0.11. Conclusions. We present a robust methodology to compute LFs using multi-filter photometric data. The application to ALHAMBRA shows a factor 2.55 ± 0.14 decrease in the luminosity density jB of star-forming galaxies, and a factor 1.25 ± 0.16 increase in the jB of quiescent ones since z = 1, confirming the continuous build-up of the quiescent population with cosmic time. The contribution of the faint quiescent population to jB increases from 3% at z = 1 to 6% at z = 0. The developed methodology will be applied to future multi-filter surveys such as J-PAS.
The relationship between chemical composition and thermal properties as it affects the degree of cooking in six varieties of common beans was investigated. The degree of cooking (DC) and the hardness ...of cooked beans were estimated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and texture analysis, respectively. The total protein of bean seeds varied between 19.7 and 23.6%. However, the fractions of albumin, glutelin, and globulin showed significant differences among varieties. The amylose content varied from 18.4 to 36.0%. The first endothermic peak was associated with inactivated enzymatic activity, denaturation of low-protein fractions, and starch gelatinization, while the second endothermic peak was associated with the denaturation of heat-resistant protein fractions. The high values of minerals and chemical composition among bean varieties affected thermal behavior and was associated with greater hardness and a lower degree of cooking.
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