Search

We collected the largest spectroscopic catalog of RR Lyrae (RRLs) including ≈20,000 high-, medium-, and low-resolution spectra for ≈10,000 RRLs. We provide the analytical forms of radial velocity curve (RVC) templates. These were built using 36 RRLs (31 fundamentalâ€"split into three period binsâ€"and five first-overtone pulsators) with well-sampled RVCs based on three groups of metallic lines (Fe, Mg, Na) and four Balmer lines (H α , H β , H Îł , H δ ). We tackled the long-standing problem of the reference epoch to anchor light-curve and RVC templates. For the V -band, we found that the residuals of the templates anchored to the phase of the mean magnitude along the rising branch are ∼35% to ∼45% smaller than those anchored to the phase of maximum light. For the RVC, we used two independent reference epochs for metallic and Balmer lines and we verified that the residuals of the RVC templates anchored to the phase of mean RV are from 30% (metallic lines) up to 45% (Balmer lines) smaller than those anchored to the phase of minimum RV. We validated our RVC templates by using both the single-point and the three phase point approaches. We found that barycentric velocities based on our RVC templates are two to three times more accurate than those available in the literature. We applied the current RVC templates to Balmer lines RVs of RRLs in the globular NGC 3201 collected with MUSE at VLT. We found the cluster barycentric RV of V Îł = 496.89 ± 8.37(error) ± 3.43 (standard deviation) km sâˆ'1, which agrees well with literature estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss the largest and most homogeneous spectroscopic data set of field RR Lyrae variables (RRLs) available to date. We estimated abundances using both high-resolution and low-resolution (Î" S method) spectra for fundamental (RRab) and first overtone (RRc) RRLs. The iron abundances for 7941 RRLs were supplemented with similar estimates that are available in the literature, ending up with 9015 RRLs (6150 RRab, 2865 RRc). The metallicity distribution shows a mean value of 〈[Fe/H]〉 = âˆ'1.51 ± 0.01, and σ (standard deviation) = 0.41 dex with a long metal-poor tail approaching [Fe/H] ≃ âˆ' 3 and a sharp metal-rich tail approaching solar iron abundance. The RRab variables are more metal-rich (〈[Fe/H]〉ab = âˆ'1.48 ± 0.01, σ = 0.41 dex) than RRc variables (〈[Fe/H]〉c = âˆ'1.58 ± 0.01, σ = 0.40 dex). The relative fraction of RRab variables in the Bailey diagram (visual amplitude versus period) located along the short-period (more metal-rich) and the long-period (more metal-poor) sequences are 80% and 20%, while RRc variables display an opposite trend, namely 30% and 70%, respectively. We found that the pulsation period of both RRab and RRc variables steadily decreases when moving from the metal-poor to the metal-rich regime. The visual amplitude shows the same trend, but RRc amplitudes are almost two times more sensitive than RRab amplitudes to metallicity. We also investigated the dependence of the population ratio (N c /Ntot) of field RRLs on the metallicity and we found that the distribution is more complex than in globular clusters. The population ratio steadily increases from ∼0.25 to ∼0.36 in the metal-poor regime, it decreases from ∼0.36 to ∼0.18 for âˆ'1.8 ≤ [Fe/H] ≤ âˆ'0.9 and it increases to a value of ∼0.3 approaching solar iron abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide the largest and most homogeneous sample of α-element (Mg, Ca, Ti) and iron abundances for field RR Lyrae (RRLs; 162 variables) by using high-resolution spectra. The current measurements were complemented with similar abundances available in the literature for 46 field RRLs brought to our metallicity scale. We ended up with a sample of old (t ≥ 10 Gyr), low-mass stellar tracers (208 RRLs: 169 fundamental, 38 first overtone, and 1 mixed mode) covering 3 dex in iron abundance (−3.00 ≤ [Fe/H] ≤ 0.24). We found that field RRLs are ∼0.3 dex more α poor than typical halo tracers in the metal-rich regime ([Fe/H] ≥ −1.2), while in the metal-poor regime ([Fe/H] ≤ −2.2) they seem to be on average ∼0.1 dex more α enhanced. This is the first time that the depletion in α elements for solar iron abundances is detected on the basis of a large, homogeneous, and coeval sample of old stellar tracers. Interestingly, we also detected a close similarity in the [α/Fe] trend between α-poor, metal-rich RRLs and red giants (RGs) in the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy as well as between α-enhanced, metal-poor RRLs and RGs in ultrafaint dwarf galaxies. These results are supported by similar elemental abundances for 46 field horizontal branch stars. These stars share with RRLs the same evolutionary phase and the same progenitors. This evidence further supports the key role that old stellar tracers play in constraining the early chemical enrichment of the halo and, in particular, in investigating the impact that dwarf galaxies have had in the mass assembly of the Galaxy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the flux tables of the spectrophotometric standard stars (SPSS) used to calibrate in flux the Gaia DR2 and (E)DR3 data releases. The latest SPSS grid version contains 112 stars, whose flux tables agree to better than 1 per cent with the CALSPEC spectra of 11 flux standards for the calibration of the Hubble Space Telescope. The synthetic magnitudes computed on the SPSS spectra also agree to better than 1 per cent with the Landolt magnitudes of 37 stars in common. The typical spreads in both comparisons are of the order of 1 per cent. These uncertainties already meet the initial requirements for the Gaia SPSS project, but further improvements are expected in the next SPSS versions, that will be used to calibrate future Gaia releases. We complement the SPSS flux tables with literature spectra of 60 additional stars that did not pass all the criteria to be SPSS, the Passband Validation Library (PVL). The PVL contains stars of extreme spectral types, such as bright O and B stars and late M stars and brown dwarfs, and was useful to investigate systematic effects in the previous Gaia DR2 release and to minimize them in the EDR3 one. The PVL literature spectra are recalibrated as accurately as possible on to the SPSS reference scale, so that the two sets together can be used in a variety of validation and comparison studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a chemo-dynamical study of the Orphan stellar stream using a catalog of RR Lyrae pulsating variable stars for which photometric, astrometric, and spectroscopic data are available. Employing low-resolution spectra from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), we determined line-of-sight velocities for individual exposures and derived the systemic velocities of the RR Lyrae stars. In combination with the stars' spectroscopic metallicities and Gaia EDR3 astrometry, we investigated the northern part of the Orphan stream. In our probabilistic approach, we found 20 single mode RR Lyrae variables likely associated with the Orphan stream based on their positions, proper motions, and distances. The acquired sample permitted us to expand our search to nonvariable stars in the SDSS dataset, utilizing line-of-sight velocities determined by the SDSS. We found 54 additional nonvariable stars linked to the Orphan stream. The metallicity distribution for the identified red giant branch stars and blue horizontal branch stars is, on average, −2.13 ± 0.05 dex and −1.87 ± 0.14 dex, with dispersions of 0.23 and 0.43 dex, respectively. The metallicity distribution of the RR Lyrae variables peaks at −1.80 ± 0.06 dex and a dispersion of 0.25 dex. Using the collected stellar sample, we investigated a possible link between the ultra-faint dwarf galaxy Grus II and the Orphan stream. Based on their kinematics, we found that both the stream RR Lyrae and Grus II are on a prograde orbit with similar orbital properties, although the large uncertainties on the dynamical properties render an unambiguous claim of connection difficult. At the same time, the chemical analysis strongly weakens the connection between both. We argue that Grus II in combination with the Orphan stream would have to exhibit a strong inverse metallicity gradient, which to date has not been detected in any Local Group system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present Johnson–Kron–Cousins BVRI photometry of 228 candidate spectrophotometric standard stars for the external (absolute) flux calibration of Gaia data. The data were gathered as part of a 10-yr observing campaign with the goal of building the external grid of flux standards for Gaia and we obtained absolute photometry, relative photometry for constancy monitoring, and spectrophotometry. Preliminary releases of the flux tables were used to calibrate the first two Gaia releases. This paper focuses on the imaging frames observed in good sky conditions (about 9100). The photometry will be used to validate the ground-based flux tables of the Gaia spectrophotometric standard stars and to correct the spectra obtained in non-perfectly photometric observing conditions for small zero-point variations. The absolute photometry presented here is tied to the Landolt standard stars system to ≃1 per cent or better, depending on the photometric band. Extensive comparisons with various literature sources show an overall ≃1 per cent agreement, which appears to be the current limit in the accuracy of flux calibrations across various samples and techniques in the literature. The Gaia photometric precision is presently of the order of 0.1 per cent or better, thus various ideas for the improvement of photometric calibration accuracy are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We performed the largest and most homogeneous spectroscopic survey of field RR Lyraes (RRLs). We secured ≈6300 high-resolution (HR, R ∼ 35,000) spectra for 143 RRLs (111 fundamental, RRab; 32 first-overtone, RRc). The atmospheric parameters were estimated by using the traditional approach and the iron abundances were measured by using an LTE line analysis. The resulting iron distribution shows a well-defined metal-rich tail approaching solar iron abundance. This suggests that field RRLs experienced a complex chemical enrichment in the early halo formation. We used these data to develop a new calibration of the ΔS method. This diagnostic, based on the equivalent widths of Ca ii K and three Balmer (Hδ,γ,β) lines, traces the metallicity of RRLs. For the first time, the new empirical calibration: (i) includes spectra collected over the entire pulsation cycle; (ii) includes RRc variables; (iii) relies on spectroscopic calibrators covering more than three dex in iron abundance; and (iv) provides independent calibrations based on one/two/three Balmer lines. The new calibrations were applied to a data set of both SEGUE-SDSS and degraded HR spectra totalling 6451 low-resolution (R ∼ 2000) spectra for 5001 RRLs (3439 RRab, 1562 RRc). This resulted in an iron distribution with a median η = −1.55 ± 0.01 and σ = 0.51 dex, in good agreement with literature values. We also found that RRc are 0.10 dex more metal-poor than RRab variables, and have a distribution with a smoother metal-poor tail. This finding supports theoretical prescriptions suggesting a steady decrease in the RRc number when moving from metal-poor to metal-rich stellar environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Although the Gaia catalogue on its own is a very powerful tool, it is the combination of this high-accuracy archive with other archives that will truly open up amazing possibilities for astronomical research. The advanced interoperation of archives is based on cross-matching, leaving the user with the feeling of working with one single data archive. The data retrieval should work not only across data archives but also across wavelength domains. The first step for a seamless access to the data is the computation of the cross-match between Gaia and external surveys. Aims. We describe the adopted algorithms and results of the pre-computed cross-match of the Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2) catalogue with dense surveys (Pan-STARRS1 DR1, 2MASS, SDSS DR9, GSC 2.3, URAT-1, allWISE, PPMXL, and APASS DR9) and sparse catalogues (HIPPARCOS2, Tycho-2, and RAVE 5). Methods. A new algorithm is developed specifically for sparse catalogues. Improvements and changes with respect to the algorithm adopted for DR1 are described in detail. Results. The outputs of the cross-match are part of the official Gaia DR2 catalogue. The global analysis of the cross-match results is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gaia-ESO survey (GES) is now in its fifth and last year of observations and has produced tens of thousands of high-quality spectra of stars in all Milky Way components. This paper presents the strategy behind the selection of astrophysical calibration targets, ensuring that all GES results on radial velocities, atmospheric parameters, and chemical abundance ratios will be both internally consistent and easily comparable with other literature results, especially from other large spectroscopic surveys and from Gaia. The calibration of GES is particularly delicate because of (i) the large space of parameters covered by its targets, ranging from dwarfs to giants, from O to M stars; these targets have a large wide of metallicities and also include fast rotators, emission line objects, and stars affected by veiling; (ii) the variety of observing setups, with different wavelength ranges and resolution; and (iii) the choice of analyzing the data with many different state-of-the-art methods, each stronger in a different region of the parameter space, which ensures a better understanding of systematic uncertainties. An overview of the GES calibration and homogenization strategy is also given, along with some examples of the usage and results of calibrators in GES iDR4, which is the fourth internal GES data release and will form the basis of the next GES public data release. The agreement between GES iDR4 recommended values and reference values for the calibrating objects are very satisfactory. The average offsets and spreads are generally compatible with the GES measurement errors, which in iDR4 data already meet the requirements set by the main GES scientific goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of the short-term constancy monitoring of candidate Gaia Spectrophotometric Standard Stars (SPSS). We obtained time series of typically 1.24 h – with sampling periods from 1–3 min to a few hours, depending on the case – to monitor the constancy of our candidate SPSS down to 10 mmag, as required for the calibration of Gaia photometric data. We monitored 162 out of a total of 212 SPSS candidates. The observing campaign started in 2006 and finished in 2015, using 143 observing nights on nine different instruments covering both hemispheres. Using differential photometry techniques, we built light curves with a typical precision of 4 mmag, depending on the data quality. As a result of our constancy assessment, 150 SPSS candidates were validated against short-term variability, and only 12 were rejected because of variability including some widely used flux standards such as BD+174708, SA 105−448, 1740346, and HD 37725. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Unlike cytotoxic agents, novel antineoplastic drugs can variably affect thyroid function and so impair patient outcomes. However, the widely used standard thyroid tests have demonstrated low sensitivity for detecting early thyroid damage that leads to dysfunction of the gland. To find a more reliable thyroid marker, we assessed the presence of antibodies binding thyroid hormones (THAbs) in a cancer population undergoing potentially thyrotoxic treatment. Methods From April 2010 to September 2013, 82 patients with hematologic malignancies treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors or immunoregulatory drugs were recruited. Healthy volunteers (n = 104) served as control subjects. Thyroid function, autoimmunity tests, THAbs, and thyroid sonography were assessed once during treatment. Results Overall, THAbs positivity was recorded in 13% of the entire cohort. In most cases, the thAbs were of a single type, with a predominance of T3 immunoglobulin G. More specifically, thAbs were detected in 11 cancer patients; and abnormal levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroglobulin antibody, and thyroperoxidase antibody were detected in 6 (p = 0.05), 0 (p = 0.0006), and 2 cancer patients (p = 0.001) respectively. Ultrasonographic alterations of the thyroid were observed in 12 cancer patients. In contrast, of the 104 healthy control subjects, only 1 was positive for thAbs (1%). Conclusions We have demonstrated for the first time that THAbs are a reliable marker of early thyroid dysfunction when compared with the widely used standard thyroid tests. A confirmatory prospective trial aiming at evaluating THAbs at various time points during treatment could clarify the incidence and timing of antibody appearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the discovery and characterization of a deeply eclipsing AM CVn-system, Gaia14aae (=ASSASN-14cn). Gaia14aae was identified independently by the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN; Shappee et al.) and by the Gaia Science Alerts project, during two separate outbursts. A third outburst is seen in archival Pan-STARRS-1 (PS1; Schlafly et al.; Tonry et al.; Magnier et al.) and ASAS-SN data. Spectroscopy reveals a hot, hydrogen-deficient spectrum with clear double-peaked emission lines, consistent with an accreting double-degenerate classification. We use follow-up photometry to constrain the orbital parameters of the system. We find an orbital period of 49.71 min, which places Gaia14aae at the long period extremum of the outbursting AM CVn period distribution. Gaia14aae is dominated by the light from its accreting white dwarf (WD). Assuming an orbital inclination of 90° for the binary system, the contact phases of the WD lead to lower limits of 0.78 and 0.015 Mʘ on the masses of the accretor and donor, respectively, and a lower limit on the mass ratio of 0.019. Gaia14aae is only the third eclipsing AM CVn star known, and the first in which the WD is totally eclipsed. Using a helium WD model, we estimate the accretor's effective temperature to be 12 900 ± 200 K. The three outburst events occurred within four months of each other, while no other outburst activity is seen in the previous 8 yr of Catalina Real-time Transient Survey (CRTS; Drake et al.), Pan-STARRS-1 and ASAS-SN data. This suggests that these events might be rebrightenings of the first outburst rather than individual events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the discovery and characterization of a deeply eclipsingAMCVn-system, Gaia14aae (=ASSASN-14cn). Gaia14aae was identified independently by the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN; Shappee et al.) and by the Gaia Science Alerts project, during two separate outbursts. A third outburst is seen in archival Pan-STARRS-1 (PS1; Schlafly et al.; Tonry et al.; Magnier et al.) and ASAS-SN data. Spectroscopy reveals a hot, hydrogen-deficient spectrum with clear double-peaked emission lines, consistent with an accreting double-degenerate classification. We use follow-up photometry to constrain the orbital parameters of the system. We find an orbital period of 49.71 min, which places Gaia14aae at the long period extremum of the outbursting AM CVn period distribution. Gaia14aae is dominated by the light from its accreting white dwarf (WD). Assuming an orbital inclination of 90? for the binary system, the contact phases of the WD lead to lower limits of 0.78 and 0.015M⊙ on the masses of the accretor and donor, respectively, and a lower limit on the mass ratio of 0.019. Gaia14aae is only the third eclipsingAMCVn star known, and the first in which the WD is totally eclipsed. Using a helium WD model, we estimate the accretor's effective temperature to be 12 900 ± 200 K. The three outburst events occurred within four months of each other, while no other outburst activity is seen in the previous 8 yr of Catalina Real-time Transient Survey (CRTS; Drake et al.), Pan-STARRS-1 and ASAS-SN data. This suggests that these events might be rebrightenings of the first outburst rather than individual events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gaia SpectroPhotometric Standard Stars (SPSS) survey started in 2006, was awarded almost 450 observing nights and accumulated almost 100000 raw data frames with both photometric and spectroscopic observations. Such large observational effort requires careful, homogeneous, and automatic data reduction and quality control procedures. In this paper, we quantitatively evaluate instrumental effects that might have a significant (i.e., ≥1 %) impact on the Gaia SPSS flux calibration. The measurements involve six different instruments, monitored over the eight years of observations dedicated to the Gaia flux standards campaigns: DOLORES@TNG in La Palma, EFOSC2@NTT and ROSS@REM in La Silla, CAFOS@2.2m in Calar Alto, BFOSC@Cassini in Loiano, and LaRuca@1.5m in San Pedro Mártir. We examine and quantitatively evaluate the following effects: CCD linearity and shutter times, calibration frames stability, lamp flexures, second order contamination, light polarization, and fringing. We present methods to correct for the relevant effects which can be applied to a wide range of observational projects at similar instruments. (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gaia Science Alerts project (GSA) aims to augment a precision survey of the Milky Way with a controlled, precision survey of all classes of transient phenomena. While onboard BP/RP spectra from Gaia will ultimately allow us to classify many Gaia Alerts based on Gaia data alone, in the initial phases of the GSA project it is necessary to verify and classify discoveries with ground-based spectroscopic followup. In this article, we describe a subset of the ongoing Gaia Alerts followup programmes, and some of the initial science results from this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a single-institution retrospective case series of mucocutaneous toxicity induced by pegylated liposomal doxorubicin.

ABSTRACT We describe two ground-based observing campaigns aimed at building a grid of approximately 200 spectrophotometric standard stars (SPSS), with an internal ≃1 per cent precision and tied to Vega within ≃3 per cent, for the absolute flux calibration of data gathered by Gaia, the European Space Agency (ESA) astrometric mission. The criteria for the selection and a list of candidates are presented, together with a description of the survey strategy and the adopted data analysis methods. We also discuss a short list of notable rejected SPSS candidates and difficult cases, based on identification problems, literature discordant data, visual companions and variability. In fact, all candidates are also monitored for constancy (within ±5 mmag, approximately). In particular, we report on a CALSPEC standard, 1740346, that we found to be a δ Scuti variable during our short-term monitoring (1-2 h) campaign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented on a study which examined efficacy of clindamycin phosphate and benzoyl peroxide gel in male adults who developed acneiform eruption after treatment with EGFR inhibitors.

Conclusions. Human papilloma virus (HPV) was associated with sinonasal inverted papilloma (SIP) in 14/20 (70%) patients with a prevalence of HPV 6/11; alterations of the cell cycle proteins were statistically significant. Objectives. We investigated SIPs relationships between HPV infection and aberrant expression of cell cycle proteins. Materials and methods. Twenty SIPs were evaluated for p53, p16INK4a, pRb, p21WAF1, p27Kip1, cyclin D1 and Ki-67 expression by immunohistochemistry. HPV was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results. HPV DNA was detected in 14/20 patients with inverted papillomas (IPs) (70%). The majority of tumours showed strong p16, p21, p27, pRb and cyclin D1 staining and little or no p53 expression. Tumours harbouring dysplasia were significantly more likely to be p53-positive and exhibit up-regulated p21 and p27, and showed altered intensity and distribution of reactive cells into and through the epithelium. Dysplastic epithelium was strongly reactive for p16 and the MIB 1 labelling index was almost 20%. These findings were associated with expression of p53 in the same zones. Comparing the p53 reactivity with the presence of HPV DNA, SIPs were stratified as follows: HPV + p53-, 12 (63.15%); HPV + p53+, 2 (10.52%); HPV - p53+, 3 (15.78%) and HPV - p53-, 2 (10.52%). Statistical analysis showed that HPV presence correlated with p53-positive immunostaining ( p=0.045). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human polyomavirus BK (BKV) is oncogenic in rodents and induces malignant transformation of rodent cells in vitro. Although its role in human tumorigenesis is still debated, BKV represents an excellent model to evaluate molecularly targeted antineoplastic approaches. Here, we have tested whether stable suppression of the T antigen (T-ag) oncogene expression could inhibit the in vitro and in vivo malignant phenotype of BKV-transformed mouse cells. An adenovirus vector system that expresses small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs), which are converted into active small interfering RNAs (siRNA) molecules against the BKV T-ag, was developed. This vector was able to inhibit the expression of BKV T-ag through a highly efficient in vitro and in vivo delivery of the siRNA molecule. In addition, it allowed a stable expression of siRNA for a period of time sufficient to elicit a biological effect. Inhibition of T-ag expression results in reduction of the in vitro growth rate of BKV-transformed cells, which is, at least in part, caused by restoration of p53 activity and induction of apoptosis. In vivo studies proved that adenovirus vectors expressing anti-T-ag siRNA were able to suppress tumorigenicity of BKV-transformed cells. Moreover, adenovirus vector direct treatment of growing tumors resulted in a significant reduction of tumor growth. This study indicates that siRNAs delivery via a viral vector have a potential usefulness as in vivo anticancer tool against viral and cellular oncogenes.Cancer Gene Therapy (2007) 14, 297–305. doi:10.1038/sj.cgt.7701014; published online 12 January 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present optical and near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy of the Type Ia SN 2003cg, which exploded in the nearby galaxy NGC 3169. The observations cover a period between −8.5 and +414 d post-maximum. SN 2003cg is a normal but highly reddened Type Ia event. Its B magnitude at maximum and . Allowing to become a free parameter within the Cardelli et al. extinction law, simultaneous matches to a range of colour curves of normal SNe Ia yielded , and . While the value obtained for is small, such values have been invoked in the past, and may imply a grain size which is small compared with the average value for the local interstellar medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present spectroscopic and photometric observations of the peculiar Type II supernova (SN) 1998A. The light curves and spectra closely resemble those of SN 1987A, suggesting that the SN 1998A progenitor exploded when it was a compact blue supergiant. However, the comparison with SN 1987A also highlights some important differences: SN 1998A is more luminous and the spectra show bluer continua and larger expansion velocities at all epochs. These observational properties indicate that the explosion of SN 1998A is more energetic than SN 1987A and more typical of Type II supernovae. Comparing the observational data with simulations, we deduce that the progenitor of SN 1998A was a massive star with a small pre-supernova radius. The Ba ii lines, unusually strong in SN 1987A and some faint II-P events, are almost normal in the case of SN 1998A, indicating that the temperature plays a key role in determining their strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gianni S, Cecchetto A, Altavilla G, Ragazzi R, Bertazzo M, De Giorgio M, Baldan A, Fagiuoli S, Farinati F (Padua University School of Medicine, Padova, Italy). Tumour staging, morphology and p53 overexpression concur in predicting survival in hepatocellular carcinoma.J Intern Med2005;257:367–373.The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on cirrhosis is hard to predict as it depends on tumour stage, underlying liver disease, type of treatment and, possibly, biological factors of the tumour itself.We prospectively evaluated the survival of 91 consecutive patients with HCC on cirrhosis, diagnosed between January 1998 and December 1999. Clinical features and histological/biological aspects, including histotype, grade, p53 overexpression, cytoproliferation and apoptotic markers were analysed.Child-Pugh (P = 0.01), Okuda (P <0.0001), Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) staging (P < 0.0001) and type of treatment (P = 0.0001) were significantly related to survival. In the Cox model, CLIP staging was included as independent predictor of survival at step 1 (P < 0.0001) with Okuda at step 2 (P = 0.013). Amongst the biological factors, p53 overexpression and histotype were significantly related with survival (P = 0.0044 and 0.017 respectively). When clinical and biological variables were examined together in the Cox model, CLIP and Okuda were confirmed as being statistically related with survival (P < 0.0001 and =0.012) followed by histotype and p53 overexpression (P = 0.019 and 0.02).CLIP, Okuda, histotype and p53 overexpression are the strongest predictors of survival in this series of patients. These data confirm that staging of the tumour and underlying liver disease are strictly related to prognosis but support the concurrent role of clinical and biological factors in upgrading our capacity of predicting the fate of HCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present optical/near-infrared photometry and spectra of the type Ia SN 2002bo spanning epochs from −13 d before maximum B-band light to +102 d after. The pre-maximum optical coverage is particularly complete. The extinction deduced from the observed colour evolution and from interstellar Na i D absorption is quite high, namely . On the other hand, model matches to the observed spectra point to a lower reddening . In some respects, SN 2002bo behaves as a typical ‘Branch normal’ type Ia supernova (SN Ia) at optical and infrared wavelengths. We find a B-band risetime of of , and a dereddened . However, comparison with other type Ia supernovae having similar values indicates that in other respects SN 2002bo is unusual. While the optical spectra of SN 2002bo are very similar to those of SN 1984A , lower velocities and a generally more structured appearance are found in SNe 1990N, 1994D and 1998bu. For supernovae having , we confirm the variation of with . However, for supernovae such as SN 2002bo, with lower values of the relation breaks down. Moreover, the evolution of for SN 2002bo is strikingly different from that shown by other type Ia supernovae. The velocities of SN 2002bo and 1984A derived from S ii 5640 Å, Si ii 6355 Å and Ca ii H and K lines are either much higher and/or evolve differently from those seen in other normal SNe Ia events. Thus, while SN 2002bo and SN 1984A appear to be highly similar, they exhibit behaviour which is distinctly different from other SNe Ia having similar values. We suggest that the unusually low temperature, the presence of high-velocity intermediate-mass elements and the low abundance of carbon at early times indicates that burning to Si penetrated to much higher layers than in more normal type Ia supernovae. This may be indicative of a delayed detonation explosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present spectroscopic and photometric observations for four core-collapsed supernovae (SNe), namely SNe 1994N, 1999br, 1999eu and 2001dc. Together with SN 1997D, we show that they form a group of exceptionally low-luminosity events. These SNe have narrow spectral lines (indicating low expansion velocities) and low luminosities at every phase (significantly lower than those of typical core-collapsed supernovae). The very-low luminosity during the 56Co radioactive decay tail indicates that the mass of 56Ni ejected during the explosion is much smaller than the average . Two supernovae of this group (SN 1999br and SN 2001dc) were discovered very close to the explosion epoch, allowing us to determine the lengths of their plateaux (≈100 d) as well as establishing the explosion epochs of the other, less completely observed SNe. It is likely that this group of SNe represent the extreme low-luminosity tail of a single continuous distribution of Type II plateau supernovae events. Their kinetic energy is also exceptionally low. Although an origin from low-mass progenitors has also been proposed for low-luminosity core-collapsed SNe, recent work provides evidence in favour of the high-mass progenitor scenario. The incidence of these low-luminosity SNe could be as high as 4–5 per cent of all Type II SNe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the photometry and spectroscopy of the Type IIP supernova 1999em in NGC 1637 from several days after the outburst until day 642. Radioactive tail of the recovered bolometric light curve of the supernova; Dust formation scenario after day 465; Pre-supernova radius.

A number of supernovae, classified as Type II, show remarkably peculiar properties such as an extremely low expansion velocity and an extraordinarily small amount of [SUP56]Ni in the ejecta. We present a joint analysis of the available observations for two of these peculiar Type II supernovae, SN 1997D and SN 1999br, using a comprehensive semi-analytic method that can reproduce the light curve and the evolution of the line velocity and continuum temperature. We find that these events are underenergetic with respect to a typical Type II supernova and that the inferred mass of the ejecta is relatively large. We discuss the possibility that these supernovae originate from the explosion of a massive progenitor in which the rate of early infall of stellar material on the collapsed core is large. Events of this type could form a black hole remnant, giving rise to significant fallback and late-time accretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain resistance to intracerebral superinfections develops after a peripheral inoculation of neurovirulent viruses. Superinfection resistance combines specificity, toward the virus used for the peripheral inoculum, and short-term duration after the inoculum. In order to study this unusual combination, neurovirulent superinfections were made on albino Swiss mice previously infected with a nasal inoculum. A herpesvirus strain SC16, or a homologue recombinant virus carrying the reporter lac Z gene or a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) (a virus taxonomically unrelated to Herpesviridae) were used. The mice underwent a neurological examination and their survival rate was recorded. The brains superinfected with the reporter virus were stained for the β-galactosidase reaction to trace the virus spread and the inflammatory infiltrates were characterized immunocytochemically. The results confirm and extend previous observations about virus specificity and short-term duration of superinfection resistance. They show, moreover, an enhanced brain inflammation with T-cells and macrophages infiltrating the tissue around microvessels, at a time when both neurovirulence and the spread of herpesvirus in the brain are reduced. The results suggest that the immune response to superinfection in the nervous tissue is enhanced by blood-brain barrier mechanisms that promote the timely extravasation of immune cells. Journal of NeuroVirology (2002) 8, 180-190. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital absence of portal vein is a rare malformation. To date, 16 cases have been reported--all in association with other anomalies, i.e. benign or malignant hepatic neoplasms in 6 cases and cardiac malformations in 12. This case report described a girl with congenital absence of portal vein, focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver and cystic kidney dysplasia. Angiography showed the splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein joining to form a common trunk that entered the inferior vena cava directly above the liver. A review of the other cases in the literature is provided and the clinical aspects of our patient are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumors were induced by BK virus (BKV) inoculated intravenously in 3-week-old Syrian golden hamsters immunosuppressed with anti-lymphocyte serum or methylprednisolone acetate alone or in association with γ-radiation (Co). The induced neoplasms were ependymoma, carcinoma of pancreatic islets, lymphoma, osteosarcoma, undifferentiated sarcoma, kidney and renal pelvis carcinoma, pheochromocytoma and hemangiosarcoma. High levels of insulin and glucagon and altered concentrations of glucose were detected in blood of animals with tumors of pancreatic islets. No antibodies to BKV tumor antigen (T Ag) and low levels of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies to BKV viral coat protein Ag were detected in hamster sera. BKV T Ag was found in tumors by complement fixation. Blot hybridization analysis of tumor DNA showed the presence of both free and integrated BKV genomes in tumor cells. BKV DNA inoculated intravenously and subcutaneously in immunosuppressed or immunocompetent hamsters was not oncogenic, whereas it was weakly oncogenic when inoculated intracerebrally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thymoma-associated paraneoplastic diseases include myasthenia gravis (MG), neuromyotonia (NMT), Morvan’s syndrome, and several non-neurological paraneoplastic manifestations, including glomerulonephritis. Paraneoplastic syndromes often precede the occurrence of thymoma, but cases occurring after thymomectomy, which sometimes herald the recurrence of thymoma, have also been described. We report on a patient who developed MG after thymomectomy for a malignant thymoma. After MG remission, NMT and Morvan’s syndrome occurred, which heralded a mediastinic recurrence, as demonstrated only by autopsy findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "The Treatment of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis in Elderly Patients," by V. Adamo and colleagues is presented.

Presents letter to the editor about sternal metastasis as initial presentation of an unknown rectal cancer.