Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASC) are promising candidates for cell therapy, for example to treat myocardial infarction. Commonly, fetal bovine serum (FBS) is used in ASC culturing. However, FBS ...has several disadvantages. Its effects differ between batches and, when applied clinically, transmission of pathogens and antibody development against FBS are possible. In this study, we investigated whether FBS can be substituted by human platelet lysate (PL) in ASC culture, without affecting functional capacities particularly important for cardiac repair application of ASC. We found that PL-cultured ASC had a significant 3-fold increased proliferation rate and a significantly higher attachment to tissue culture plastic as well as to endothelial cells compared with FBS-cultured ASC. PL-cultured ASC remained a significant 25% smaller than FBS-cultured ASC. Both showed a comparable surface marker profile, with the exception of significantly higher levels of CD73, CD90, and CD166 on PL-cultured ASC. PL-cultured ASC showed a significantly higher migration rate compared with FBS-cultured ASC in a transwell assay. Finally, FBS- and PL-cultured ASC had a similar high capacity to differentiate towards cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, this study showed that culturing ASC is more favorable in PL-supplemented medium compared with FBS-supplemented medium.
The Kilo-Degree Survey is an optical wide-field survey designed to map the matter distribution in the Universe using weak gravitational lensing. In this paper, we use these data to measure the ...density profiles and masses of a sample of ∼1400 spectroscopically identified galaxy groups and clusters from the Galaxy And Mass Assembly survey. We detect a highly significant signal (signal-to-noise-ratio ∼120), allowing us to study the properties of dark matter haloes over one and a half order of magnitude in mass, from M ∼ 1013–1014.5 h
−1 M⊙. We interpret the results for various subsamples of groups using a halo model framework which accounts for the mis-centring of the brightest cluster galaxy (used as the tracer of the group centre) with respect to the centre of the group's dark matter halo. We find that the density profiles of the haloes are well described by an NFW profile with concentrations that agree with predictions from numerical simulations. In addition, we constrain scaling relations between the mass and a number of observable group properties. We find that the mass scales with the total r-band luminosity as a power law with slope 1.16 ± 0.13 (1σ) and with the group velocity dispersion as a power law with slope 1.89 ± 0.27 (1σ). Finally, we demonstrate the potential of weak lensing studies of groups to discriminate between models of baryonic feedback at group scales by comparing our results with the predictions from the Cosmo-OverWhelmingly Large Simulations project, ruling out models without AGN feedback.
We present cosmological parameter constraints from a tomographic weak gravitational lensing analysis of ~450 deg super( 2) of imaging data from the Kilo Degree Survey (KiDS). For a flat ... cold dark ...matter (...CDM) cosmology with a prior on H sub( 0) that encompasses the most recent direct measurements, we find S sub( 8) ... = 0.745 plus or minus 0.039. This result is in good agreement with other low-redshift probes of large-scale structure, including recent cosmic shear results, along with pre-Planck cosmic microwave background constraints. A 2.3... tension in S sub( 8) and 'substantial discordance' in the full parameter space is found with respect to the Planck 2015 results. We use shear measurements for nearly 15 million galaxies, determined with a new improved 'self-calibrating' version of lensfit validated using an extensive suite of image simulations. Four-band ugri photometric redshifts are calibrated directly with deep spectroscopic surveys. The redshift calibration is confirmed using two independent techniques based on angular cross-correlations and the properties of the photometric redshift probability distributions. Our covariance matrix is determined using an analytical approach, verified numerically with large mock galaxy catalogues. We account for uncertainties in the modelling of intrinsic galaxy alignments and the impact of baryon feedback on the shape of the non-linear matter power spectrum, in addition to the small residual uncertainties in the shear and redshift calibration. The cosmology analysis was performed blind. Our high-level data products, including shear correlation functions, covariance matrices, redshift distributions, and Monte Carlo Markov chains are available at http://kids.strw.leidenuniv.nl. (ProQuest: ... denotes formulae/symbols omitted.)
We present five new satellites of the Milky Way discovered in Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) imaging data, four of which were followed up with either the Subaru or the Isaac Newton Telescopes. They ...include four probable new dwarf galaxies--one each in the constellations of Coma Berenices, Canes Venatici, Leo, and Hercules--together with one unusually extended globular cluster, Segue 1. We provide distances, absolute magnitudes, half-light radii, and color-magnitude diagrams for all five satellites. The morphological features of the color-magnitude diagrams are generally well described by the ridge line of the old, metal-poor globular cluster M92. In the past two years, a total of 10 new Milky Way satellites with effective surface brightness k sub(u) 28 mag arcsec super(-2) have been discovered in SDSS data. They are less luminous, more irregular, and apparently more metal-poor than the previously known nine Milky Way dwarf spheroidals. The relationship between these objects and other populations is discussed. We note that there is a paucity of objects with half-light radii between 640 and 6100 pc. We conjecture that this may represent the division between star clusters and dwarf galaxies.
We present a tomographic cosmic shear analysis of the Kilo-Degree Survey (KiDS) combined with the VISTA Kilo-Degree Infrared Galaxy Survey. This is the first time that a full optical to near-infrared ...data set has been used for a wide-field cosmological weak lensing experiment. This unprecedented data, spanning 450 deg
2
, allows us to significantly improve the estimation of photometric redshifts, such that we are able to include robustly higher-redshift sources for the lensing measurement, and – most importantly – to solidify our knowledge of the redshift distributions of the sources. Based on a flat ΛCDM model we find
S
8
≡ σ
8
Ω
m
/0.3 = 0.737
+0.040
−0.036
in a blind analysis from cosmic shear alone. The tension between KiDS cosmic shear and the Planck-Legacy CMB measurements remains in this systematically more robust analysis, with
S
8
differing by 2.3
σ
. This result is insensitive to changes in the priors on nuisance parameters for intrinsic alignment, baryon feedback, and neutrino mass. KiDS shear measurements are calibrated with a new, more realistic set of image simulations and no significant B-modes are detected in the survey, indicating that systematic errors are under control. When calibrating our redshift distributions by assuming the 30-band COSMOS-2015 photometric redshifts are correct (following the Dark Energy Survey and the Hyper Suprime-Cam Survey), we find the tension with
Planck
is alleviated. The robust determination of source redshift distributions remains one of the most challenging aspects for future cosmic shear surveys.
ABSTRACT
We present a new sample of galaxy-scale strong gravitational lens candidates, selected from 904 deg2 of Data Release 4 of the Kilo-Degree Survey, i.e. the ‘Lenses in the Kilo-Degree Survey’ ...(LinKS) sample. We apply two convolutional neural networks (ConvNets) to ${\sim }88\,000$ colour–magnitude-selected luminous red galaxies yielding a list of 3500 strong lens candidates. This list is further downselected via human inspection. The resulting LinKS sample is composed of 1983 rank-ordered targets classified as ‘potential lens candidates’ by at least one inspector. Of these, a high-grade subsample of 89 targets is identified with potential strong lenses by all inspectors. Additionally, we present a collection of another 200 strong lens candidates discovered serendipitously from various previous ConvNet runs. A straightforward application of our procedure to future Euclid or Large Synoptic Survey Telescope data can select a sample of ∼3000 lens candidates with less than 10 per cent expected false positives and requiring minimal human intervention.
In patients with metastatic neuroendocrine neoplasms, the liver is the most commonly affected organ and a crucial factor for prognosis and survival. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy can prolong ...progression-free survival in these patients. Additional treatment of liver disease might further improve outcomes. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of additional holmium-166 (166Ho) radioembolisation after peptide receptor radionuclide therapy in patients with metastatic liver neuroendocrine neoplasms.
The Holmium Embolization Particles for Arterial Radiotherapy Plus 177Lu-Dotatate in Salvage Neuroendocrine Tumour Patients (HEPAR PLuS) study was a single-centre, phase 2 study done at the University Medical Center Utrecht (Utrecht, Netherlands). Patients, aged at least 18 years, with histologically proven grade 1 or 2 neuroendocrine neoplasms of all origins, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0–2, and three or more measurable liver metastases according to Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 criteria received 166Ho-radioembolisation within 20 weeks after four cycles of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (lutetium-177-dotatate 177Lu-dotatate). The primary endpoint was objective liver tumour response in the treated liver volume, defined as complete response (disappearance of all lesions) or partial response (≥30% decrease in the sum of the longest diameters of the target lesions, compared with baseline measurements), according to RECIST 1.1, analysed per protocol at 3 months. Safety was assessed in all patients who received treatment. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02067988. Recruitment is completed and long-term follow-up is ongoing.
From Oct 15, 2014, to Sept 12, 2018, 34 patients were assessed for eligibility. 31 patients received treatment and 30 (97%) patients were available for primary endpoint assessment and completed 6 months of follow-up. Three (9%) patients were excluded at screening and one (3%) patient was treated and died before the primary endpoint and was replaced. According to the per-protocol analysis 13 (43%; 95% CI 26–63) of 30 patients achieved an objective response in the treated volume. The most frequently reported Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade 3–4 clinical and laboratory toxicities within 6 months included abdominal pain (three 10% of 31 patients), increased γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (16 54%), and lymphocytopenia (seven 23%). One (3%) fatal treatment-related serious adverse event occurred (radioembolisation-induced liver disease). Two (6%) patients had serious adverse events deemed to be unrelated to treatment (gastric ulcer and perforated cholecystitis).
166Ho-radioembolisation, as an adjunct to peptide receptor radionuclide therapy in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasm liver metastases, is safe and efficacious. Radioembolisation can be considered in patients with bulky liver disease, including after peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. A future randomised, controlled study should investigate the added benefit of this treatment on progression-free survival.
None.
We announce the discovery of a new dwarf galaxy, Leo T, in the Local Group. It was found as a stellar overdensity in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 5 (SDSS DR5). The color-magnitude ...diagram of Leo T shows two well-defined features, which we interpret as a red giant branch and a sequence of young, massive stars. As judged from fits to the color-magnitude diagram, it lies at a distance of 420 kpc and has an intermediate-age stellar population with a metallicity of Fe/H = -1.6, together with a young population of blue stars of age 200 Myr. There is a compact cloud of neutral hydrogen with mass 10 super(5) M sub( )and radial velocity +35 km s super(-1) coincident with the object visible in the HIPASS channel maps. Leo T is the smallest, lowest luminosity galaxy found to date with recent star formation. It appears to be a transition object similar to, but much lower luminosity than, the Phoenix dwarf.
Summary
In this small cross-sectional study of predominantly well-treated participants with relatively short-term type 2 diabetes duration, HbA1c > 7% (53 mmol/mol) was associated with lower cortical ...density and thickness and higher cortical porosity at the distal radius, lower trabecular thickness at the distal tibia, and higher trabecular number at both sites.
Introduction
To examine the association between diabetes status and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), bone microarchitecture and strength of the distal radius and tibia as assessed with HR-pQCT. Additionally—in participants with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), to examine the association between HbA1c, diabetes duration, and microvascular disease (MVD) and bone parameters.
Methods
Cross-sectional data from 410 (radius) and 198 (tibia) participants of The Maastricht Study (mean age 58 year, 51% female). Diabetes status (normal glucose metabolism, prediabetes, or T2DM) was based on an oral glucose tolerance test and medication history.
Results
After full adjustment, prediabetes and T2DM were not associated with vBMD, bone microarchitecture, and strength of the radius and tibia, except for lower trabecular number (Tb.N) of the tibia (− 4%) in prediabetes and smaller cross-sectional area of the tibia (− 7%) in T2DM. In T2DM, HbA1c > 7% was associated with lower cortical vBMD (− 5%), cortical thickness (− 16%), higher cortical porosity (+ 20%) and Tb.N (+ 9%) of the radius, and higher Tb.N (+ 9%) and lower trabecular thickness (− 13%) of the tibia. Diabetes duration > 5 years was associated with higher Tb.N (+ 6%) of the radius. The presence of MVD was not associated with any bone parameters.
Conclusions
In this study with predominantly well-treated T2DM participants with relatively short-term diabetes duration, inadequate blood glucose control was negatively associated with cortical bone measures of the radius. In contrast, trabecular number was increased at both sites. Studies of larger sample size are warranted for more detailed investigations of bone density and bone quality in patients with T2DM.
To determine the activity of radiotherapy in patients with inoperable desmoid-type fibromatosis (DF) a multicenter prospective phase II trial was carried out.
Patients with inoperable progressive ...disease of primary, recurrent or incompletely resected lesions received a dose of 56 Gy in 28 fractions. Follow-up MRI studies were carried out every 3 months for 2 years and thereafter every 6 months. The primary end point was local control rate at 3 years, estimated by a nonparametric method for interval-censored survival data. Secondary end points were objective tumor response, acute and late toxic effect.
Forty-four patients (27 F/17 M) were enrolled from 2001 to 2008. Median age was 39.5 years. Main tumor sites included trunk 15 (34.1%) and extremities 27 (61.3%). Median follow-up was 4.8 years. The 3-year local control rate was 81.5% (90% one-sided confidence interval 74% to 100%). Best overall response during the first 3 years was complete response (CR) 6 (13.6%), partial response (PR) 16 (36.4%), stable disease 18 (40.9%), progressive disease 3 (6.8%) and nonassessable 1 (2.3%). Five patients developed new lesions. After 3 years, the response further improved in three patients: (CR 2, PR 1). Acute grade 3 side-effects were limited to skin, mucosal membranes and pain. Late toxic effect consisted of mild edema in 10 patients.
Moderate dose radiotherapy is an effective treatment of patients with DF. Response after radiation therapy is slow with continuing regression seen even after 3 years.
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