ABSTRACT
The Pristine survey uses narrow-band photometry to derive precise metallicities down to the extremely metal-poor regime ($ \rm Fe/H \lt -3$), and currently consists of over 4 million ...FGK-type stars over a sky area of $\sim 2500\, \mathrm{deg}^2$. We focus our analysis on a subsample of ∼80 000 main-sequence turn-off stars with heliocentric distances between 6 and 20 kpc, which we take to be a representative sample of the inner halo. The resulting metallicity distribution function (MDF) has a peak at $ \rm Fe/H =-1.6$, and a slope of Δ(LogN)/$\Delta \rm Fe/H = 1.0 \pm 0.1$ in the metallicity range of $-3.4\; \lt\; \rm Fe/H\; \lt -2.5$. This agrees well with a simple closed-box chemical enrichment model in this range, but is shallower than previous spectroscopic MDFs presented in the literature, suggesting that there may be a larger proportion of metal-poor stars in the inner halo than previously reported. We identify the Monoceros/TriAnd/ACS/EBS/A13 structure in metallicity space in a low-latitude field in the anticentre direction, and also discuss the possibility that the inner halo is dominated by a single, large merger event, but cannot strongly support or refute this idea with the current data. Finally, based on the MDF of field stars, we estimate the number of expected metal-poor globular clusters in the Milky Way halo to be 5.4 for $ \rm Fe/H\; \lt\; -2.5$ and 1.5 for $ \rm Fe/H\; \lt\; -3$, suggesting that the lack of low-metallicity globular clusters in the Milky Way is not due simply to statistical undersampling.
Insights for COVID-19 in 2023 Martín Sánchez, F J; Martínez-Sellés, M; Molero García, J M ...
Revista española de quimioterapia,
04/2023, Letnik:
36, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Odprti dostop
Predictions for a near end of the pandemic by the World Health Organization should be interpreted with caution. Current evidence indicates that the efficacy of a fourth dose of classical mRNA ...vaccines (BT162b2 or mRNA-1273) is low and short-lived in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in its predominant variant (Omicron). However, its efficacy is high against severe symptomatic infection, hospitalization and death. The new vaccines being introduced are bivalent and active against the Omicron variants. Potential new vaccines to be introduced in the coming year include a vaccine based on a recombinant protein that emulates the receptor binding domain of the Spike protein under development by the Spanish company Hipra, as well as vaccines for nasal or oral administration. Available information suggests that vaccines against COVID-19 can be administered in association with influenza vaccination without particular complications. New drugs against COVID-19, both antiviral and anti-inflammatory, are under investigation, but this does not seem to be the case with monoclonal antibodies. The indication to use masks in some circumstances will be maintained next year in view of the accumulation of scientific data on their efficacy. Finally, the long COVID or Post-COVID syndrome may continue to affect a very high proportion of patients who have had the disease, requiring combined diagnostic and therapeutic resources.
The precocity and efficacy of the vaccines developed so far against COVID-19 has been the most significant and saving advance against the pandemic. The development of vaccines has not prevented, ...during the whole period of the pandemic, the constant search for therapeutic medicines, both among existing drugs with different indications and in the development of new drugs. The Scientific Committee of the COVID-19 of the Illustrious College of Physicians of Madrid wanted to offer an early, simplified and critical approach to these new drugs, to new developments in immunotherapy and to what has been learned from the immune response modulators already known and which have proven effective against the virus, in order to help understand the current situation.
•Most tuberculosis (TB) units reported changes in their TB team operations.•TB patients diagnosed during COVID-19 showed more extended pulmonary forms.•Latent TB infections in children household ...contacts were higher in 2020.•Active TB in children household contacts were higher in 2020.
The impact of COVID-19 on the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis (TB) patients is unknown.
Participating centres completed a structured web-based survey regarding changes to TB patient management during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also included data from participating centres on patients aged ≥18 diagnosed with TB in 2 periods: March 15 to June 30, 2020 and March 15 to June 30, 2019. Clinical variables and information about patient household contacts were retrospectively collected.
A total of 7 (70%) TB units reported changes in their usual TB team operations. Across both periods of study, 169 patients were diagnosed with active TB (90 in 2019, 79 in 2020). Patients diagnosed in 2020 showed more frequent bilateral lesions in chest X-ray than patients diagnosed in 2019 (P = 0.004). There was a higher percentage of latent TB infection and active TB among children in households of patients diagnosed in 2020, compared with 2019 (P = 0.001).
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused substantial changes in TB care. TB patients diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic showed more extended pulmonary forms. The increase in latent TB infection and active TB in children of patient households could reflect increased household transmission due to anti-COVID-19 measures.
Local relapse and peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) for pT4 colon cancer is estimated in 15,6% and 36,7% for 12 months and 36 months from surgical resection respectively, achieving a 5 years overall ...survival of 6%. There are promising results using prophylactic HIPEC in this group of patients, and it is estimated that up to 26% of all T4 colon cancer could benefit from this treatment with a minimal morbidity. Adjuvant HIPEC is effective to avoid the possibility of peritoneal seeding after surgical resection. Taking into account these results and the cumulative experience in HIPEC use, we will lead a randomized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness and safety of adjuvant treatment with HIPEC vs. standard treatment in patients with colon cancer at high risk of peritoneal recurrence (pT4).
The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness and safety of adjuvant HIPEC in preventing the development of PC in patients with colon cancer with a high risk of peritoneal recurrence (cT4). This study will be carried out in 15 Spanish HIPEC centres. Eligible for inclusion are patients who underwent curative resection for cT4NxM0 stage colon cancer. After resection of the primary tumour, 200 patients will be randomized to adjuvant HIPEC followed by routine adjuvant systemic chemotherapy in the experimental arm, or to systemic chemotherapy only in the control arm. Adjuvant HIPEC will be performed simultaneously after the primary resection. Mitomycin C will be used as chemotherapeutic agent, for 60 min at 42-43 °C. Primary endpoint is loco-regional control (LC) in months and the rate of loco-regional control (%LC) at 12 months and 36 months after resection.
We assumed that adjuvant HIPEC will reduce the expected absolute risk of peritoneal recurrence from 36% to 18% at 36 months for T4 colon-rectal carcinoma.
NCT02614534 ( clinicaltrial.gov ) Nov-2015.
This study assessed the behaviour of a constructive material in CSP plants, namely ferritic-martensitic steel, with molten NaNO3/KNO3 (60/40 wt%), also known as Solar Salt. To this end, EIS is ...presented as a suitable technique to evaluate and monitor the resistance of this material to Solar Salt at 580 °C. Tests were performed up to 1000 h and results were also supported by gravimetric and microstructural characterisation of the samples and chemical analysis of the salt. According to the EIS results, a diffusion-controlled reaction occurred during contact, which indicates that the corrosion process follows a porous layer mechanism. The results also indicated variations in corrosion layer thickness and instability of the salt during the whole test. The EIS results were also used for determining the corrosion rate, this being estimated at ~300 µm year−1. Results obtained by EIS were in line with the behaviour of P91 steel as measured by gravimetric, morphological and chemical analysis. Thus, the results confirm the suitability of EIS for monitoring corrosion processes in real-time of constructive materials in CSP plants.
•EIS was used to monitor the corrosion resistance of a constructive material in CSP.•The behaviour of P91 in Solar Salt at 580 °C was evaluated and monitored for 1000 h.•EIS results indicated that the corrosion process follows a porous layer mechanism.•The EIS results estimated a corrosion rate of P91 at ~300 µm year−1.•Results obtained by EIS were in line with the ones obtained by other techniques.
ABSTRACT
Our Galaxy is known to contain a central boxy/peanut-shaped bulge, yet the importance of a classical, pressure-supported component within the central part of the Milky Way is still being ...debated. It should be most visible at low metallicity, a regime that has not yet been studied in detail. Using metallicity-sensitive narrow-band photometry, the Pristine Inner Galaxy Survey (PIGS) has collected a large sample of metal-poor ($\rm {Fe/H}\, \lt -1.0$) stars in the inner Galaxy to address this open question. We use PIGS to trace the metal-poor inner Galaxy kinematics as function of metallicity for the first time. We find that the rotational signal decreases with decreasing Fe/H , until it becomes negligible for the most metal-poor stars. Additionally, the velocity dispersion increases with decreasing metallicity for $-3.0 \lt \rm {Fe/H}\, \lt -0.5$, with a gradient of −44 ± 4 km s−1 dex−1. These observations may signal a transition between Galactic components of different metallicities and kinematics, a different mapping on to the boxy/peanut-shaped bulge for former disc stars of different metallicities and/or the secular dynamical and gravitational influence of the bar on the pressure-supported component. Our results provide strong constraints on models that attempt to explain the properties of the inner Galaxy.
Prostate Cancer (PC) is commonly known as one of the most frequent tumors among males. A significant problem of this tumor is that in early stages most of the cases course as indolent forms, so an ...active surveillance will anticipate the appearance of aggressive stages. One of the main strategies in medical and biomedical research is to find non-invasive biomarkers for improving monitoring and performing a more precise follow-up of diseases like PC. Here we report the relevant role of
and miR-93-5p as non-invasive biomarker for PC. This event could improve current medical strategies in PC.
•Lena virulent strain caused an increase in sera levels of IFN-γ and IL-6.•Lung viral load and PRRSV-N-protein+ cells were inversely correlated with CD163+ macrophages in the lung.•CD14+ cells ...infiltrated interstitium to possibly replenish macrophages subsets.•Lena-induced microscopic lung injury was linked to an increase of iNOS+ cells.•The increase of CD200R1+ and FoxP3+ cells was associated with the course of lung injury.
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) plays a key role in porcine respiratory disease complex modulating the host immune response and favouring secondary bacterial infections. Pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs) are the main cells supporting PRRSV replication, with CD163 as the essential receptor for viral infection. Although interstitial pneumonia is by far the representative lung lesion, suppurative bronchopneumonia is described for PRRSV virulent strains. This research explores the role of several immune markers potentially involved in the regulation of the inflammatory response and sensitisation of lung to secondary bacterial infections by PRRSV-1 strains of different virulence. Conventional pigs were intranasally inoculated with the virulent subtype 3 Lena strain or the low virulent subtype 1 3249 strain and euthanised at 1, 3, 6 and 8 dpi. Lena-infected pigs exhibited more severe clinical signs, macroscopic lung score and viraemia associated with an increase of IL-6 and IFN-γ in sera compared to 3249-infected pigs. Extensive areas of lung consolidation corresponding with suppurative bronchopneumonia were observed in Lena-infected pigs. Lung viral load and PRRSV-N-protein+ cells were always higher in Lena-infected animals. PRRSV-N-protein+ cells were linked to a marked drop of CD163+ macrophages. The number of CD14+ and iNOS+ cells gradually increased along PRRSV-1 infection, being more evident in Lena-infected pigs. The frequency of CD200R1+ and FoxP3+ cells peaked late in both PRRSV-1 strains, with a strong correlation between CD200R1+ cells and lung injury in Lena-infected pigs. These results highlight the role of molecules involved in the earlier and higher extent of lung lesions in piglets infected with the virulent Lena strain, pointing out the activation of routes potentially involved in the restraint of the local inflammatory response.
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