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The aim of this study was to determine the potential of early inflammatory markers to diagnose late-onset neonatal sepsis – interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8) and endocan (ESM-1), and to compare them with routinely used markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT). A prospective (January, 2022 – January, 2023) clinical-epidemiological study was conducted in a third level NICU in Pleven, Bulgaria. Patients with suspected nosocomial infection and healthy controls were tested. A sandwich ELISA method was used to measure the serum concentrations. Sixty newborns with an average gestational age of 29.75±3.61 gestational weeks were included, of which 35% were symptomatic and infected, 33.3% were symptomatic but uninfected, and 31.7% were asymptomatic controls. The mean values of PCT and IL-6 differ significantly in the three groups. For ESM-1, IL-8 and CRP, the difference was statistically insignificant. The best sensitivity (78%) and negative predictive value (84%) was found for IL-6. The introduction into routine practice of indicators such as PCT and IL-6 may provide an opportunity to promptly optimize the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to LOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Early diagnosis of nosocomial infections in newborns is a great challenge, because in the initial phase of systemic infection, clinical symptoms are often non-specific, and routinely used hematological markers are not sufficiently informative. The aim of this study was to determine the potential of early inflammatory markers to diagnose late-onset neonatal sepsis—procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8) and endocan (ESM-1). Material and methods: A prospective clinical–epidemiological study was conducted in a third-level NICU in Pleven, Bulgaria. Patients with suspected late-onset sepsis and healthy controls were tested. A sandwich ELISA method was used to measure the serum concentrations of biomarkers. Results: Sixty newborns were included, of which 35% symptomatic and infected, 33.3% symptomatic but uninfected and 31.7% asymptomatic controls. The mean values of PCT, IL-6, I/T index and PLT differ significantly in the three groups. For ESM-1, IL-8 and CRP, the difference was statistically insignificant. The best sensitivity (78%) and negative predictive value (84%) was found for IL-6. The combinations of PCT + IL-6 and PCT + IL-6+ I/T+ PLT showed very good diagnostic potential. Conclusion: The introduction into the routine practice of indicators such as PCT and IL-6 may provide an opportunity to promptly optimize the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to LOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare cancer type with an increasing incidence worldwide. We aimed to develop a rational gene expression-based prognostic score in MPM using publicly available datasets. Methods: We developed and validated a two-gene prognostic score (2-PS) using three independent publicly available gene expression datasets. The 2-PS was built using the Robust Likelihood-Based Survival Modeling with Microarray Data method. Results: We narrowed down the model building to the analysis of 179 genes, which have been shown previously to be of importance to MPM development. Our statistical approach showed that a model including two genes (GOLT1B and MAD2L1) was the best predictor for overall survival (OS) (p < 0.0001). The binary score based on the median of the continuous score stratified the patients into low and high score groups and also showed statistical significance in uni- and multivariate models. The 2-PS was validated using two independent transcriptomic datasets. Furthermore, gene set enrichment analysis using training and validation datasets showed that high score patients had distinct gene expression profiles. Our 2-PS also showed a correlation with the estimated infiltration by some immune cell fractions such as CD8+ T cells and M1/2 macrophages. Finally, 2-PS correlated with sensitivity or resistance to some commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs. Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate good performance of only two-gene expression-based prognostic scores in MPM. Our initial approach for features selection allowed for an increased likelihood for the predictive value of the developed score, which we were also able to demonstrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased glycation of elastin is an important factor in vascular changes in diabetes. Using the ELISA method, we determined serum levels of IgM and IgG autoantibodies to advanced glycation end products of vascular elastin (anti-AGE EL IgM and anti-AGE EL IgG) in 59 hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and 20 healthy controls. Serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and the C-reactive protein (CRP) were also determined. The levels of anti-AGE EL IgM antibodies in the T2D group were similar to those in the control group, while those of anti-AGE EL IgG antibodies were significantly higher (p = 0.017). Significant positive correlations were found between the levels of anti-AGE EL IgM antibodies and MMP-2 (r = 0.322; p = 0.013) and between the levels of anti-AGE EL IgG antibodies and CRP (r = 0.265; p = 0.042). Our study showed that elevated anti-AGE EL IgG antibody levels may be an indicator of the enhanced AGE-modification and inflammatory-mediated destruction of vascular elastin in hypertensive patients with T2D. Anti-AGE EL IgM antibodies may reflect changes in vascular MMP-2 activity, and their elevated levels may be a sign of early vascular damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrophobic azo dye 6-hexyl-4-(2-thiazolylazo)resorcinol (HTAR, H2L) was studied as part of a system for the centrifuge-less cloud point extraction (CL-CPE) and spectrophotometric determination of traces of cobalt. The extracted 1:2 (Co:HTAR) complex, [CoIII(HL−)(L2−)]0, shows an absorption maximum at 553 nm and contains HTAR in two different acid–base forms. Optimum conditions for its formation and CL-CPE were found as follows: 1 × 10−5 mol L−1 of HTAR, 1.64% of Triton X-114, pH of 7.8, incubation time of 20 min at ca. 50 °C, and cooling time of 30 min at ca. −20 °C. The linear range, limit of detection, and apparent molar absorptivity coefficient were 5.4–189 ng mL−1, 1.64 ng mL−1, and 2.63 × 105 L mol−1 cm−1, respectively. The developed procedure does not use any organic solvents and can be described as simple, cheap, sensitive, convenient, and environmentally friendly. It was successfully applied to the analysis of artificial mixtures and real samples, such as steel, dental alloy, rainwater, ampoules of vitamin B12, and saline solution for intravenous infusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension (HTN) is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) are thought to be actively involved in the remodeling of the CV extracellular matrix (ECM) during hypertensive damage. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate serum levels of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in patients with essential HTN and compare them with those of normotensive individuals. We measured serum concentrations of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in 60 patients with HTN and 20 healthy controls using an ELISA. The obtained results showed that in patients with HTN, the mean levels of MMP-1 (1.82 ± 0.9 ng/mL) were significantly higher (p = 0.03) than the mean levels in the control group (1.19 ± 0.7 ng/mL). The levels of TIMP-1 in patients with essential HTN (0.44 ± 0.1 ng/mL) were also significantly higher (p = 0.005) than those in the control group (0.33 ± 0.1 ng/mL). In HTN, elevated serum MMP-1 levels may be associated with increased collagen degradation in the CV ECM, whereas elevated TIMP-1 levels may favor its accumulation and the development of pathological remodeling and fibrosis of the heart and arterial vessels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the pathogenesis of hypertension (HTN) is not clearly established. There is evidence that its circulating levels are elevated in some forms of experimental and human HTN, but this was not a consistent finding. Based on these controversial data, we tested serum levels of ET-1 and Big ET-1 (the precursor of ET-1) in patients with essential HTN, comparing the results with those of healthy normotensive controls. The levels of ET-1 and Big ET-1 were measured by ELISA. Our results in patients with essential HTN showed that the mean levels of ET-1 (5.01 ± 2.1 pg/mL) were significantly higher (F = 6.34, p = 0.0144) than the mean levels in the control group (3.2 ± 1.0 pg/mL). The levels of Big ET-1 in patients with essential HTN (0.377 ± 0.1 pmol/L) were similar to those in the control group (0.378 ± 0.07 pmol/L) and did not differ significantly (F = 0.00, p = 0.9531). These data suggest that ET-1, but not Big ET-1, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of primary HTN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of trace element in the mushroom samples collected from the Rhodope region of Bulgaria have been determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after microwave digestion. Good accuracy was assured by the analysis of standard reference materials. In all cases, quantitative analytical recoveries ranging from 82.4 to 115% were obtained. The trace element (mg kg-1) ranged as follows: Pb = 4.18, Cd = 0.439, Ni = 8.84, Cr = 10.23, Mn = 106.3, Co = 2.96, Cu = 85.9, Zn = 156.6 and Fe = 423.5. Results obtained are in agreement with data reported in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibody-based cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized oncology. The first successful therapeutic antibodies relied on eliciting immune-mediated cytotoxicity (rituximab) or modulation of intracellular signaling (trastuzumab). Further attempts to enhance the antitumor effects led to the development of immunoconjugates with radioactive or cytotoxic compounds (tositumomab, brentuximab vedotin). Another line of research led to the bispecific antibodies that can enhance the formation of immunological synapse between cancer and cytotoxic T cells (blinatumomab). Despite the constant advances in design and production, the application of monoclonal antibodies in cancer treatment remains limited by the presence of specific cell surface markers. A rational approach to target intracellular cancer antigens was proposed almost two decades ago by the development of anti-peptide human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex (T cell receptor-like/mimic) antibodies. They could recognize specifically cancer neoantigens expressed in the context of specific HLA molecules theoretically providing unprecedented specificity. Furthermore, they can be developed in a semigeneric format, that is, to target common neoantigens expressed in the context of common HLA molecules. It is rationale to expect that the development of such antibodies in the format of bispecific antibody constructs can bring together the power of specific antibody-based recognition and that of T cell-mediated lysis. There are already some preliminary reports that suggest such constructs would be an achievable goal. In this brief review, we discuss some of the successful preclinical developments in the field and the major challenges that are yet to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lifetimes of excited states in 116 Xe were measured using the recoil-distance Doppler-shift technique. Excited 116 Xe nuclei were populated in the fusion-evaporation reaction 102 Pd( 16 O,2n) 116 Xe. Lifetimes of the 2 1 + and 4 1 + states were evaluated using the differential decay-curve method with γ - γ -coincidence data as well as lifetimes of the 6 1 + and 7 1 - states using simulations of spectra considering Doppler-shift attenuation effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is one of the most potent vasoconstrictors known to date. While its plasma or serum concentrations are elevated in some forms of experimental and human hypertension, this is not a consistent finding in all forms of hypertension. Matrix metalloproteinases -2 and -9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9), which degrade collagen type IV of the vascular basement membrane, are responsible for vascular remodeling, inflammation, and atherosclerotic complications, including in type 2 diabetes (T2D). In our study, we compared concentrations of ET-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in pre-hypertensive (PHTN) and hypertensive (HTN) T2D patients with those of healthy normotensive controls (N). ET-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were measured by ELISA. Concentrations of ET-1 in PHTN and N were very similar, while those in HTN were significantly higher. Concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in PHTN and HTN were also significantly higher compared to N. An interesting result in our study is that concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in HTN were lower compared to PHTN. In conclusion, we showed that increased production of ET-1 in patients with T2D can lead to long-lasting increases in blood pressure (BP) and clinical manifestation of hypertension. We also demonstrated that increased levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in pre-hypertensive and hypertensive patients with T2D mainly reflect the early vascular changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex formation in the vanadium(V) / 4-(2-thiazolylazo)orcinol (TAO) / 2,3,5-triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) liquid-liquid extraction-chromogenic system was studied. The chloroform-extracted complex has a composition of 2:2:2 under the optimum conditions (pH 4.8-5.2, extraction time 3 min, concentration of TAO 3.4 x 10-4 mol dm-3, and concentration of TTC 9.4 x 10-4 mol dm-3) and could be regarded as a dimer (D) of two 1:1:1 species (S) presented by the formula (TT+)[VO2(TAO)]. The constant of extraction was calculated by two methods and some analytical characteristics were determined. The wavelength of maximum absorption (λmax), molar absorptivity (ελ) and fraction extracted (E) were found to be λ = 545 nm, ε545 = 1.97 x 104 dm³ mol-1 cm-1, and E = 97.9%. The ground-state equilibrium geometries of the complexes S and D were optimized by quantum chemical Hartree-Fock calculations using 3-21G* basis functions. The bonding and interaction energies were calculated as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduced quadrupole transition probabilities for low-lying transitions in neutron-rich 84,86Se are investigated with a recoil distance Doppler shift (RDDS) experiment. The experiment was performed at the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro using the Cologne Plunger device for the RDDS technique and the AGATA Demonstrator array for the γ-ray detection coupled to the PRISMA magnetic spectrometer for an event-by-event particle identification. In Se86 the level lifetime of the yrast 21+ state and an upper limit for the lifetime of the 41+ state are determined for the first time. The results of 86Se are in agreement with previously reported predictions of large-scale shell-model calculations using Ni78-I and Ni78-II effective interactions. In addition, intrinsic shape parameters of lowest yrast states in 86Se are calculated. In semimagic 84Se level lifetimes of the yrast 41+ and 61+ states are determined for the first time. Large-scale shell-model calculations using effective interactions Ni78-II, JUN45, jj4b, and jj4pna are performed. The calculations describe B(E2;21+01+) and B(E2;61+⊖41+) fairly well and point out problems in reproducing the experimental B(E2;41+⊖21+). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several liquid-liquid extraction systems containing vanadium {vanadium(IV) or vanadium(V)}, azoderivative of resorcinol {ADR: 4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol (PAR) or 4-(2-thiazolylazo)-resorcinol (TAR)} and (phenylmethoxibis)tetrazolium salts {MBT: 3,3'-(3,Y-dimetoxy-4,4'-biphenylene)-bis(2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium) chloride (Blue Tetrazolium, BT) or 3,3'-(3,Y-dimetoxy-4,4'-biphenylene)-bis[2,5-di(4-nitrophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium] chloride (Tetranitroblue Tetrazolium, TNBT)} were studied. The optimum operating conditions and compositions of the extracted species were found. The constants of association (β) between MBT2+ and the anionic V-ADR chelates (Cheln-) were calculated. Previously reported negative linear relationship between log β and the number of nitro groups included in tetrazolium cation (Nnitro) was discussed taking into account the obtained results and literature data for V-ADR-MBT complexes of the same class, in which MBT is BT or 3,3'-(3,3'-dimetoxy-4,4'-biphenylene)bis[2-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl-2H-tetrazolium] chloride (Nitroblue Tetrazolium, NBT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The β decay of 94Pd and of the 71s isomer of 94Rh was investigated by using total γ-ray absorption techniques. Several levels in 94Rh are established, including a new low-lying isomer characterized by a half-life of 0.48(3)μs and a de-exciting transition of 55keV. E2 multipolarity is determined for this transition by measuring the intensities of its γ-rays and the characteristic X-rays from its electron conversion. On the basis of the measured reduced β-decay transition rates to known 94Ru levels and shell model considerations, the spin-parity of the 71s and the 0.48μs isomers of 94Rh is assigned to be (4+) and (2+), respectively. The β-decay strength distributions measured for 94Pd and the 71s isomer of 94Rh yield Q EC values of 6700(320) and 9750(320)keV for these decays and give evidence for the population of those states below and above the magic N = 50 gap that belong to both components of the 0 g spin-orbit doublet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The single-particle structure and shell gap of 100Sn as inferred from previous in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy has been confirmed in recent studies of seniority and spin-gap isomers by γγ, βγ, β pγ, pγ and 2 pγ spectroscopy. The results for 94, 95Ag, 98Cd and its N = 50 isotones 96Pd and 94Ru stress the importance of large-scale shell model calculations employing realistic interactions for the isomerism, np- nh excitations, seniority mixing and E2 polarisation of the 100Sn core. The strong monopole interaction of the Δ l = 0, 1 spin/isospin-flip partners π g 9/2- ν g 7/2 along the N = 50 isotones and the π f 5/2- ν g 9/2 pair of nucleons along the Z = 28 Ni isotopes are decisive for the evolution of the shell structure towards 100Sn and 78Ni. It can be traced back to the tensor force in the effective nucleon-nucleon interaction and provides a straightforward explanation for new shells in neutron-rich light nuclei, implying qualitative predictions for new N = 32, 34 subshells in Ca isotopes, persistence of the 78Ni proton and neutron shell gaps and non-equivalence of the g 9/2 valence mirror Ni isotopes and N = 50 isotones. This is corroborated by recent experimental data on 56, 58Cr and 70-76Ni. The implication of monopole driven shell evolution for apparent spin-orbit splitting towards N ≫ Z and structure along the astrophysical r-path between N = 50 and N = 82 is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The single-particle structure and shell gap of 100Sn is inferred from prompt in-beam and delayed γ-ray spectroscopy of seniority and spin-gap isomers. Recent results in 94, 95Ag and 98Cd stress the importance of large-scale shell model calculations employing realistic interactions for the isomerism, np- nh excitations and E2 polarisation of the 100Sn core. The strong monopole interaction of the Δ l = 0 spin-flip partners π g9/2- ν g7/2 in N = 51 isotones below 100Sn is echoed in the Δ l = 1 π f5/2- ν g9/2 pair of nucleons, which is decisive for the persistence of the N = 50 shell gap in 78Ni. This is corroborated by recent experimental data on 70, 76Ni, 78Zn. The importance of monopole driven shell evolution for the appearance of new shell closures in neutron-rich nuclei and implications for r-process abundances near the N = 82 shell is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is an autoimmune disease associated with the presence of different types of autoantibodies. The presence of these antibodies and the corresponding antigens in the circulation leads to the formation of circulating immune complexes (CIC). CIC are known to persist in the blood for long periods of time. Such CIC following deposition in the small blood vessels have the potential to lead to microangiopathy with debilitating clinical consequences. The aim of our pilot study was to investigate whether a correlation exists between CIC and the development of microvascular complications in diabetic children. Isolation of a new glycoprotein complement inhibition factor (CIF) from the parasitic plant Cuscuta europea seed, which appears to bind specifically to complement component C3 has provided an unique tool for the measurement of immune complexes by means of ELISA-type techniques (CIF-ELISA). We studied the levels of CIC (IgG, IgM and IgA) in 58 diabetic children (mean age 12.28±4.04 years, diabetes duration 5.3±3.7 years), 29 of them had vascular complications (group 1) and the other 29 were without vascular complications (group 2). As controls, we studied sera samples from 21 healthy children (mean age 13.54±4.03 years). Sera from the diabetic patients showed statistically significant higher levels of CIC IgG ( p =0.03) than sera from the control group. In sera from group 1 values of CIC IgG showed statistically significant higher levels than controls ( 0.720±0.31 vs. 0.46±0.045; p =0.011 ) Sera from 59% of the patients were positive for CIC IgG, 36% for CIC IgM and 9% for CIC IgA. Among 26 patients with microalbuminuria, sera from 17/26 (65%) were positive for CIC IgG, 8/26 (31%) for CIC IgM and 2/26 (8%) for CIC IgA. CIC IgG correlated with HbA1c ( r =0.51; p =0.005 ) and microalbuminuria ( r =0.42, p =0.033 ). CIC IgA correlated with age ( r =0.44, p =0.03 ). CIC IgM correlated with the duration of diabetes ( r =0.63, p =0.02 ). These findings suggest that elevated levels of CIC IgG are associated with the development of early diabetic nephropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research programme pursued at the ISOL facility of GSI Darmstadt focuses on the study of decay properties of nuclei along the N≅Z line between the double shell closures at 56Ni and 100Sn. In this report, the major scientific achievements obtained in the past two years are reviewed, with particular emphasis being put on the detection techniques. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Lifetime measurements of excited states in doubly-magic 56Ni have been performed exploiting the Doppler-shift attenuation method in order to determine reduced transition probabilities. For the 4 1 + and 6 1 + states, the deduced B (E2) values are compared with results from shell-model calculations employing the GXPF1A and the modern PFSDG-U interactions. In addition, valence ab-initio calculations were performed using a novel realistic Hamiltonian derived from chiral perturbation theory including three-body potential contributions and are confronted with the experimental findings. The new results show maximum E2 strength in comparison with known values along the N = 28 chain of isotones. The results corroborate the high collectivity for the double shell closure at N = Z = 28 which was anticipated from the large B (E2 ; 2 1 + → 0 g. s. +) value despite the considerable increase of its excitation energy as compared to neighboring semi-magic nuclei. Based on similarities in the shell structures of the self-conjugate doubly-magic nuclei 56Ni and 100Sn, the new values could be an indication for an expected comparable collective behavior of the 6 1 + state in 100Sn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Hard ticks transmit the etiological agents of numerous diseases. Kaylaka Park is a protected area, but part of it is designated for various outdoor activities. The aim of our study was to establish the presence of hard ticks in four urbanized areas and four areas that are not maintained and are natural wilderness areas (wild areas). The flagging method of collection was used. Temperature, relative humidity, both collection time and distance covered were measured during the sampling campaigns. The density of ticks collected was calculated, the number of ticks captured per minute was calculated and the results were compared between urban and wild areas over a five-year period (2016–2020). A total of 622 ticks were collected. All of them were identified as Ixodes ricinus. Significant differences between the urban and wild areas were observed in the number of ticks per minute and density of nymphs. The peak in questing tick activity has been established at the end of April. The highest yield was obtained at 20 °C and at 60% relative humidity. We found that the distribution of Ixodes ricinus ticks is widespread in Kaylaka Park. Their high density poses a serious risk to park visitors in both wild and maintained urban areas. (1) Background: Ticks are vectors of a large number of pathogenic microorganisms, which cause serious diseases in both humans and animals. Kaylaka Park is located in northern Bulgaria close to the city of Pleven. Part of the park is urbanized and visited daily by many citizens. The aim of our study was to determine the presence and distribution of hard ticks in the park area by surveying and comparing four urbanized with four wild areas. (2) Methods: Ticks were collected by flagging from 2016 to 2020 during the spring–summer season (March–July). Air temperature, relative humidity, collection time and flagging area were measured during the campaign. (3) Results: A total of 622 ticks were collected: 285 females (46%), 272 (44%) males and 64 (10%) nymphs. All were identified as Ixodes ricinus. Wild areas showed statistically significant higher values of ticks collected per minute (p = 0.009) and nymph densities (p = 0.003) compared to urbanized sampling sites. Other densities indices did not have a significant difference between urban and wild areas. Highest numbers of Ixodes ticks were collected at a temperature of 20 °C and at 60% relative humidity. The active questing began in March, peaked in end of April and declined in June. (4) Conclusions: In the present study, we found that ecological factors in the Kaylaka Park area are favourable for the development and distribution of tick populations. The results give us reason to consider that there is a high risk to visitors from tick bites in the Kaylaka Park area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thickening of the vascular basement membrane (BM) is a fundamental structural change in the small blood vessels in diabetes. Collagen type IV (CIV) is a major component of the BMs, and monitoring the turnover of this protein in type 2 diabetes (T2D) can provide important information about the mechanisms of vascular damage. The aim of the study was through the use of non-invasive biomarkers of CIV (autoantibodies, derivative peptides, and immune complexes) to investigate vascular turnover of CIV in patients with long-term complications of T2D. We measured serum levels of these biomarkers in 59 T2D patients with micro- and/or macrovascular complications and 20 healthy controls using an ELISA. Matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) were also tested. In the T2D group, significantly lower levels of CIV markers and significantly higher levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were found compared to controls. A significant positive correlation was found between IgM antibody levels against CIV and MMP-2. These findings suggest that vascular metabolism of CIV is decreased in T2D with long-term complications and show that a positive linear relationship exists between MMP-2 levels and CIV turnover in the vascular wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following his studies at the universities of Munich and Freiburg, Hubert received his doctorate in Freiburg at the end of the 1960s under the supervision of Theodor Schmidt. Graph Hubert Grawe It is with deep sadness that we have to inform you that Hubert Grawe passed away suddenly on 8 November 2020 at the age of 82. Hubert followed this research line at the Hahn-Meitner-Institut (HMI) in Berlin, where he first worked on combining solid-state physics and nuclear physics to derive precise nuclear moments. [Extracted from the article]

Lifetimes of excited states in 211At were measured using the electronic γ-γ fast timing technique. The nucleus of interest was populated in a 208Pb(6Li,3n)211At fusion-evaporation reaction at the FN Tandem accelerator of the Institute for Nuclear Physics, University of Cologne. The lifetimes of the 17/2-1 and 23/2-1 states were determined, together with an upper limit for the 13/2-1 state. The experimental results are compared to two shell-model calculations, one using a semiempirical interaction for three particles in a single j=9/2 shell and the other using the modified Kuo-Herling interaction in a multi-j model space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted on Cambisols soils and wild edible mushrooms (Suillus luteus) from the Batak Mountain, Bulgaria. The total cadmium content in the soils was measured after their decomposition with HCl and HNO3 acids. Mushroom samples were digested with HNO3 and H2O2 in microwave digestion system Mars Xpress. The cadmium levels were determined by Varian 240Z atomic absorption spectrometer with Zeeman background corrector by HGA graphite furnace using argon as inert gas. A correlation/regression analysis was carried out to reveal possible associations between pH, humus content, and total cadmium content of the soils and the concentration of this element in the mushroom samples. It was calculated that BF = 0.37. BF < 1 indicates that the fungus is a metal ion bioreactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Silver(I)-assisted reduction of Blue tetrazolium chloride (3,3'-(3,3'-dimethoxy[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diyl)-bis(2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium) dichloride, BTC) by semicarbazide hydrochloride (SCH) was investigated in water-chloroform medium. The obtained colored products can be used for the visual detection and sensitive liquid-liquid extraction- spectrophotometric determination of Ag(I). Under the optimum conditions the calibration curve (which can be best approximated by a third-order polynomial; R2=0.9990) has two linear segments. For Ag(I) concentrations up to 0.011 g/ml, the linear regression equation had an intercept that was statistically indistinguishable from zero. The limit of detection, limit of quantitation, and molar absorptivity coefficient at λmax=573 nm were 0.6 ng/ml, 2 ng/ml and 1.2×106 l/(molcm), respectively. The regression equation of the second linear segment (0.021- 0.028 g/ml) was A = 200γ - 3.5 (R2=0.9989), where γ is the concentration in µg/ml. The relative standard deviation at the 22 ng/ml level (n = 5) was 3.8%. The effect of concomitant ions was studied, and the analysis of real samples tested the applicability of the developed procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the systematics of mixed-symmetry states in N=52 isotones, a relativistic Coulomb excitation experiment was performed during the PreSPEC campaign at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung to determine E2 transition strengths to 2+ states of the radioactive nucleus 88Kr. Absolute transition rates could be measured towards the first and third 2+ states. For the latter a mixed-symmetry character is suggested on the basis of the indication for a strong M1 transition to the fully symmetric 21+ state, extending the knowledge of the N=52 isotones below Z=40. A comparison with the proton-neutron interacting boson model and shell-model predictions is made and supports the assignment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of nuclei in the region around the N = Z doubly-magic nucleus 100Sn has been of long standing interest for the nuclear structure and nuclear astrophysics. Recently, Park et al. have reported on properties of -decaying isomers and isomeric ratios in the vicinity of 100Sn. That experiment was performed at the Radioactive Ion Beam Factory (RIBF) of the RIKEN Nishina Center in Japan as a part of the EURICA campaign. Neutron-deficient nuclei were produced in a fragmentation reaction of a 124Xe primary beam on a 9Be target at an energy of 345 MeV/A. Secondary ions were separated and identified in the BigRIPS fragment separator and implanted in the silicon detector array WAS3ABi. The data presented here were obtained in another experiment performed at the RIBF using the same reaction but slightly different separator settings. New results of ratios of isomeric population and half-lives of -decaying isomers populated in the experiment are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quaternary ammonium salt Aliquat 336 (A336; R4N+Cl-) and the azo dye 4-(2-thiazolylazo)orcinol (TAO) were examined as constituents of a water-isobutanol extraction-chromogenic system for vanadium(V). Under the optimum conditions (cTAO = 1.6×10-;3 mol dm-;3, cA336 = 1.3×10-;2 mol dm-;3 and pH 5.0), vanadium(V) is extracted as a ternary complex which can be represented by the formula (R4N+)[VO2(TAO2-)]. The key extraction-spectrophotometric characteristics were determined. The interfering effect of foreign ions was studied as well. The wavelength of maximum absorption (λmax), molar absorptivity (εmax), constant of extraction (Kex) and fraction extracted (E) were found to be λ = 547 nm, ε = 3.1 × 104 dm3 mol-;1 cm-;1, Log Kex = 2.8 and E = 90.2%, respectively. Beer's law was obeyed in the range of 0.084-;2.0 μg cm-;3 and the limit of detection was 25 ng cm-;3 of vanadium(V). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medium spin states of light N = 50 isotones have been populated using fast neutron-induced fission of 232 Th. Online prompt γ spectroscopy has been performed using the hybrid γ spectrometer ν - Ball coupled to the LICORNE directional neutron source at the ALTO facility of IJCLab. Medium spin states of the neutron-rich nucleus 82 Ge have been investigated using γ - γ and γ - γ - γ coincidence data to exploit the resolving power of ν - Ball. Two new transitions were assigned to this nucleus and a new level was placed in the level scheme. We tentatively assigned to this new state a ( 7 + ) spin-parity, which is interpreted as a new N = 50 core breaking state. This provides further insight into the energy evolution of the N = 50 shell gap toward 78 Ni. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four azo dyes known to form anionic complexes with V(V) were investigated as potential liquid–liquid extraction–spectrophotometric reagents for the antihistamine medication hydroxyzine hydrochloride (HZH). A stable ion-association complex suitable for analytical purposes was obtained with 6-hexyl-4-(2-thiazolylazo)resorcinol (HTAR). The molar absorption coefficient, limit of detection, linear working range, and relative standard deviation in the analysis of real pharmaceutical samples (tablets and syrup) were 3.50 × 104 L mol−1 cm−1, 0.13 μg mL−1, 0.43–12.2 μg mL−1, and ≤2.7%, respectively. After elucidating the molar ratio in the extracted ion-association complex (HZH:V = 1:1), the ground-state equilibrium geometries of the two constituent ions—HZH+ and [VO2(HTAR)]−—were optimized at the B3LYP level of theory using 6-311++G** basis functions. The cation and anion were then paired in four different ways to find the most likely structure of the extracted species. In the lowest-energy structure, the VO2 group interacts predominantly with the heterochain of the cation. A hydrogen bond is present (V–O···H–O; 1.714 Å) involving the terminal oxygen of this chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Shell-model calculations crucially depend on the residual interaction used to approximate the nucleon-nucleon interaction. Recent improvements to the empirical universal sd interaction (USD) describing nuclei within the sd shell yielded two new interactions--USDA and USDB--causing changes in the theoretical description of these nuclei. Purpose: Transition matrix elements between excited states provide an excellent probe to examine the underlying shell structure. These observables provide a stringent lest for the newly derived interactions. The nucleus 26Na with 7 valence neutrons and 3 valence protons outside the doubly-magic 16O core is used as a test case. Method: A radioactive beam experiment with 26Na (T1/2 = 1,07s) was performed at the REX-ISOLDE facility (CERN) using Coulomb excitation at safe energies below the Coulomb barrier. Scattered particles were detected with an annular Si detector in coincidence with γ rays observed by the segmented MINIBALL array. Coulomb excitation cross sections of the beam have been obtained by normalization to the well known Coulomb excitation cross sections of the 104Pd target. Results: The observation of three γ-ray transitions in 26Na together with available spectroscopic data allows us to determine E2- and M1-transitional matrix elements. Results are compared to theoretical predictions. Conclusion: The improved theoretical description of 26Na could be validated. Remaining discrepancies between experimental data and theoretical predictions indicate the need for future experiments and possibly further theoretical improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we present a numerical approach to calculate Laplace's equations in an unbounded domain with non-homogeneous material properties and under Dirichlet-Neumann boundary conditions. Finite Element Method implemented in the software FEMM was used to predict the electric field distribution in two-phase dielectrics, accounting for the effects of phase distribution. The field enhancement effect in model structures was investigated at different surface fractions and different ratios of permittivity of the participating media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The level lifetimes of the 2 1 + and 4 1 + states in 182 Pt have been re-measured employing the γ – γ fast-timing technique using fast LaBr 3 (Ce) scintillators. Excited states in the nucleus of interest were populated by the fusion-evaporation reaction 170 Yb (16 O , 4n) 182 Pt at a beam energy of 87 MeV provided by the FN Tandem accelerator of the University of Cologne. The lifetime of the 2 1 + state was re-measured with high accuracy to be τ = 563 (12) ps and resolves inconsistencies from previous measurements. Experimental results are compared to theoretical calculations in the framework of the sd-IBM with and without configuration mixing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction between CoII and 5-methyl-4-(2-thiazolylazo)-resorcinol (MTAR) was studied in a water-chloroform system, in the presence or absence of benzalkonium chloride (BZC) as a cationic ion-association reagent. The optimum pH, concentration of the reagents and extraction time for the extraction of Co were found. In the presence of BZC, the extracted ion-associate could be represented by the formula (BZ+)[CoIII(MTAR2-)2], where MTAR is in its deprotonated form. The following extraction-spectrophotometric characteristics were determined: absorption maximum, molar absorptivity, Sandell's sensitivity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, constant of extraction, distribution ratio and fraction extracted. In the absence of BZC, the extraction is incomplete and occurs in a narrow pH range. The extracted chelate contains one deprotonated and one monoprotonated ligand: [CoIII(MTAR2-)(HMTAR-)]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine microelements (Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn and Fe) were studied in wild edible mushroom species Agaricus sylvicola collected from Rhodope region of Bul- garia, using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after microwave digestion. The microelements contents (mg kg-1) ranged as follows: Pb = 3.78, Cd = 0.82, Ni = 1.93, Cr =3.50, Mn = 47.7, Co = 0.059, Cu = 74.2, Zn = 146.5 and Fe = 127.5. All values of the microelements in the wild edible mushrooms Agaricus sylvicola were within the permitted WHO limits. Thus, the mushrooms analysed are safe for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results from an experiment dedicated to measure the lifetime of the 2 2 + state, candidate for the one-phonon mixed-symmetry state, of 208 Po. This nucleus was studied in the α -transfer reaction 204 Pb( 12 C, 8 Be) 208 Po and the lifetime of the 2 2 + state was determined by utilizing the Doppler-shift attenuation method. The experimental data show that the 2 2 + state decays with a sizable M1 transition to the 2 1 + state revealing its isovector nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have studied collective properties of the unstable 88Kr and 92Kr nuclei using Coulomb excitation in inverse kinematics at the REX-ISOLDE facility at CERN. We present preliminary results for both nuclei and give a short discussion in the framework of valence mirror symmetry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A first performance test of the Coulomb excitation multipolarimetry (Coulex-multipolarimetry) method is presented. It is based on a 85 Br π p 3 / 2 → π p 1 / 2 spin-flip experiment performed as part of the PreSPEC-AGATA campaign at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung (GSI). Via determination of background levels around the expected 85 Br excitations as well as measured 197 Au excitations, an upper limit for the M1 transition strength of the 1 / 2 1 - → 3 / 2 g.s. - transition in 85 Br and a lower beam time limit for upcoming experimental campaigns utilizing Coulex-multipolarimetry have been inferred. The impact of the use of AGATA in its anticipated 1 π configuration on these estimates is deduced via Geant4 simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excited states in the neutron-rich85Se nucleus have been studied usingfor the first time a fast neutron-induced fission of 232Th. The experimentwas performed at the ALTO facility of the IPN Orsay. Coupling of the LICORNE directional neutron source with theν-ball high-resolutionγ-rayspectrometer provided unique access to high-spin states in neutron-rich fis-sion fragments from the 232Th (n,f) reaction. A preliminary level scheme of 85Se was established by the analysis of promptγ–γ–γcoincidences. Identi-fication of the all known yrast states in85Se is the first step towards studiesof more neutron-rich Se isotopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A water--isobutanol extraction-chromogenic system for NiII, based on the azo dye 5-methyl-4-(2-thiazolylazo)resorcinol (MTAR; H2L) and the ionic liquid Aliquat 336 (A336), was studied. Under the optimal conditions (cMTAR = 2.0 x 10-4 mol dm-3, cA336 = 5.6 x 10-3 mol dm-3, pH 8.5 and extraction time t = 1 min), NiII is extracted as a ternary complex which can be represented by the formula (A336+)2[Ni(L2--)2]. In the absence of A336, or in a slightly acidic medium, a binary complex, [Ni(HL--)2], with an absorption maximum at λ = 548 nm and a shoulder at 590 nm is formed. The following extraction-spectrophotometric characteristics were determined at the above-mentioned optimal conditions: λmax (545 nm), molar absorptivity (5.0 x 104 dm3 mol-1 cm-1), Sandell's sensitivity (1.2 x 10-3 μg cm-2), Beer's law limits (0.05-3.1 µg cm-3), constant of extraction (Log K = 6.1) and fraction extracted (99.2%). The effect of foreign ions was studied; the most serious interferences were caused by CoII, CuII and CrIII. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]