47 research outputs found
Digging for red nuggets: Discovery of hot haloes surrounding massive, compact, relic galaxies
No full textWe present the results of Chandra X-ray observations of the isolated, massive, compact, relic galaxies MRK 1216 and PGC 032873. Compact massive galaxies observed at z > 2, also called red nuggets, formed in quick dissipative events and later grew by dry mergers into the local giant ellipticals. Due to the stochastic nature of mergers, a few of the primordial massive galaxies avoided the mergers and remained untouched over cosmic time.We find that the hot atmosphere surrounding MRK 1216 extends far beyond the stellar population and has a 0.5-7 keV X-ray luminosity of LX = (7.0 ± 0.2) × 1041 erg s-1, which is similar to the nearby X-ray bright giant ellipticals. The hot gas has a short central cooling time of ~50 Myr and the galaxy has an ~13-Gyr-old stellar population. The presence of an X-ray atmosphere with a short nominal cooling time and the lack of young stars indicate the presence of a sustained heating source, which prevented star formation since the dissipative origin of the galaxy 13 Gyr ago. The central temperature peak and the presence of radio emission in the core of the galaxy indicate that the heating source is radio-mechanical active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback. Given that both MRK 1216 and PGC 032873 appear to have evolved in isolation, the order of magnitude difference in their current X-ray luminosity could be traced back to a difference in the ferocity of the AGN outbursts in these systems. Finally, we discuss the potential connection between the presence of hot haloes around such massive galaxies and the growth of super-/overmassive black holes via chaotic cold accretion. © 2018 The Author(s) Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society
Soluble Factors and Receptors Involved in Skin Innate Immunity—What Do We Know So Far?
No full textThe pattern recognition receptors, complement system, inflammasomes, antimicrobial peptides, and cytokines are innate immunity soluble factors. They sense, either directly or indirectly, the potential threats and produce inflammation and cellular death. High interest in their modulation has emerged lately, acknowledging they are involved in many cutaneous inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic disorders. We extensively reviewed the implication of soluble factors in skin innate immunity. Furthermore, we showed which molecules target these factors, how these molecules work, and how they have been used in dermatological practice. Cytokine inhibitors have paved the way to a new era in treating moderate to severe psoriasis and atopic dermatitis
Autoimmune pemphigus: difficulties in diagnosis and the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease
No full textRecently recognised as a desmosomal disorder, autoimmune pemphigus remains severe in some of its forms, such as pemphigus vulgaris. This review is divided into four parts. “Cellular and molecular mechanisms in autoimmune pemphigus” discusses in detail antigenic targets, antibodies, immunological and genetic mechanisms of apoptosis and the involvement of cells and organelles (keratinocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils) in different forms of pemphigus. These advances have led to today’s first-line biologic therapy for pemphigus. The section “Specific features in the diagnosis of immune pemphigus” deals with the clinical diagnostic clues (enanthema, intertrigo, pruritus, distribution of lesions). The third section, “Characteristics and challenges in different types of pemphigus”, focuses on the importance of using standardised diagnostic criteria in paraneoplastic pemphigus and pemphigus herpetiformis, the specific and difficult situations of differentiation between bullous lupus and autoimmune Senear-Usher pemphigus, between IgA forms of pemphigus or differentiation with other autoimmune diseases or neutrophilic dermatoses. The possibility of subtype cross-reactivity in pemphigus is also discussed, as is the diagnosis and course of the disease in pregnant women. The final section is an update of the “gold standard for the diagnosis and evaluation of autoimmune pemphigus”, the role and place of direct immunofluorescence and additional serological tests. This revision is the first to combine the difficulties in clinical diagnosis with new molecular insights. It provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the understanding of autoimmune pemphigus, bridging the clinical challenges and complexities of diagnosing different forms of pemphigus, and is a valuable resource for clinicians caring for patients with pemphigus
Assessing Sustainability of Railway Modernization Projects; A Case Study from Romania
No full textAbstractProjects are important ‘instruments of change’ in realizing a more sustainable society. Sustainability in project management aims to integrate the concepts of sustainability into project management. In order to facilitate the consideration of sustainability aspects of projects, the SPM3 model provides a ‘snapshot’ on how the different variables of sustainability are considered in the management of a specific project.This paper reports a case study into the consideration of sustainability in the project Modernization of KM614-Curtici Romanian Railway Network. The assessment showed that the project is primarily economically driven, but that environmental aspects are also proactively considered. The project focusses less on the social aspects.The assessment also showed that the sustainability aspects of the project are mostly considered in relation to the project's deliverable. Less attention is given to the sustainability of the process. Regarding the level of consideration of sustainability, the participants of the study first of all indicate that a more proactive consideration of sustainability aspects is desired.The participants also agreed that the assessment of the project with the SPM3 model provided a holistic analysis of the sustainability of the project that formed an essential step in the further development and improvement of the project
Fascinating Molecular and Immune Escape Mechanisms in the Treatment of STIs (Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Herpes Simplex)
No full textThe incidence of syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes simplex has increased over the last decade, despite the numerous prevention strategies. Worldwide scientists report a surge in drug-resistant infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Antigenic variations in syphilis enable long-term infection, but benzathine penicillin G maintains its efficiency, whereas macrolides should be recommended with caution. Mupirocin and zoliflodacin were recently introduced as therapies against ceftriaxone-resistant gonococcus, which poses a larger global threat. The gastrointestinal and prostatic potential reservoirs of Chlamydia trachomatis may represent the key towards complete eradication. Similar to syphilis, macrolides resistance has to be considered in genital chlamydiosis. Acyclovir-resistant HSV may respond to the novel helicase-primase inhibitors and topical imiquimod, particularly in HIV-positive patients. Novel drugs can overcome these challenges while nanocarriers enhance their potency, particularly in mucosal areas. This review summarizes the most recent and valuable discoveries regarding the immunopathogenic mechanisms of these sexually transmitted infections and discusses the challenges and opportunities of the novel molecules and nanomaterials
Granuloma Gravidarum on the Post-Excisional Scar for an Atypical Melanocytic Lesion During Pregnancy
No full textIntroduction: Granuloma gravidarum represents a rare lesion, defined as a reactive vascular hyperplasia of pregnancy, that affects mainly the oral mucosa. Very few cases were reported on non-mucous sites. Case presentation: We present the case of a 32-year-old, 18 weeks pregnant patient, that developed a granuloma gravidarum on the excision scar of a volar atypical melanocytic lesion. She presented to the dermatology department with a recently developed melanocytic lesion on her left heel. Dermoscopy showed asymmetry and brown globules in a ring pattern. The lesion was excised with 5 mm margins, under local anesthesia and sedation. The path report and immunohistology revealed a dysplastic melanocytic acral nevus. The excision site closed nicely, but after 5 days a red friable 0,5 cm vascular bleeding tumor developed in one extremity of the scar. Patient refused biopsy. The new tumor raised diagnostic difficulties between a vascular lesion and an amelanotic recurrence of the melanocytic lesion. Due to the path report which showed a benign pigmented lesion and because the lesion was excised completely, granuloma gravidarum was suspected. Patient received local antibiotic treatment and the vascular lesion
involuted completely after 3.5 weeks. Conclusion: Pregnant women are at high risk of developing vascular tumors at trauma sites, due to hormonal changes. It’s important to be aware of this surgery complication in pregnant patients, as evolution is usually benign and complete spontaneous resolution is possible
AN EVALUATION OF USA UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FORECASTS IN TERMS OF ACCURACY AND BIAS. EMPIRICAL METHODS TO IMPROVE THE FORECASTS ACCURACY
No full textThe most accurate forecasts for USA unemployment rate on the horizon 2001-2012, according to U1 Theil’s coefficient and to multi-criteria ranking methods, were provided by International Monetary Fund (IMF), being followed by other institutions as: Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Blue Chips (BC). The multi-criteria ranking methods were applied to solve the divergence in assessing the accuracy, differences observed by computing five chosen measures of accuracy: U1 and U2 statistics of Theil, mean error, mean squared error, root mean squared error. Some strategies of improving the accuracy of the predictions provided by the four institutions, which are biased in all cases, excepting BC, were proposed. However, these methods did not generate unbiased forecasts. The predictions made by IMF and OECD for 2001-2012 can be improved by constructing combined forecasts, the INV approach and the scheme proposed by author providing the most accurate expections. The BC forecasts can be improved by smoothing the predictions using Holt-Winters method and Hodrick - Prescott filter
Basal cell carcinoma—a clinical indicator of immunosuppression
No full textBackgroundBasal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are skin-derived carcinomas. The literature strongly connects SCC with acquired immunosuppression. Current data regarding BCC’s association with immunosuppressive comorbidities are vague. The primary objective of this study was to establish the correlations between BCC and immunosuppressive comorbidities of patients. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 275 patients with a histopathological proven diagnosis of BCC from October 2019 to October 2023. Demographic data, BCC characteristics, and patients’ comorbidities were analyzed. Comorbidities were classified as non-immunosuppressant and immunosuppressant (primary and secondary immunodeficiencies).ResultsWe recorded 292 BCCs from 275 patients (142 females, 133 males), with equally distributed skin phototypes. 66.44% of the BCCs were detected in patients with various comorbidities (p < 0.001), of which 81.44% had immunosuppressive comorbidities (p < 0.001). All the immunosuppressive comorbidities were secondary and included diabetes mellitus (47.55%), history of solid or hematogenous cancer in the last 5 years (26.57%), chronic kidney disease (8.39%), chronic infections (9.09%), and antirheumatic immunosuppressive therapies (8.39%) (p < 0.001). BCC patients with immunosuppressive comorbidities did not develop larger BCCs (p = 0.2577) or more aggressive subtypes (p = 0.4269) and BCC did not arise earlier in their life (p < 0.001). BCC on the nasal pyramid was frequent in cancer history patients (p = 0.008). The ulcerated form of BCC is more confined to patients with chronic kidney disease (p = 0.006). Multiple BCCs are more frequent in patients with secondary immunodeficiencies (p = 0.027).ConclusionBCC represents a clinical indicator of secondary immunodeficiency. Further research should establish if cancer screening campaigns may be beneficial in BCC patients
