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Purpose: To describe clinical characteristics of patients positive simultaneously for RdRp, N and E genes of SARS-CoV-2 and to analyse dynamics of symptoms and Ct values in the interval from day 0 to day 10 after symptoms onset. Materials and methods: Retrospective analysis of data obtained on the day of specimen collection from 1044 individuals was carried out. Detection of RdRp, E and N genes of SARS-CoV-2 was conducted by RT-PCR. Only patients positive for all three genes were included. Results: Out of all patients, 47.8% were female, and 52.2% were male with a median age of 60 years, and the elder (>50 years) population constituted 71.5%. The most common comorbidities were cardiovascular disease (44.5%), diabetes mellitus (11.0%), and chronic pulmonary disease (8.6%). The prevalent symptoms at the time of specimen collection were fever (74.7%), cough (67.1%), and dyspnea (39.6%). Fever and cough were leading symptoms in the time interval between zero and the tenth day since the onset of COVID-19. A linear trend for dry cough and dyspnea, with a daily increase of 2.2% and 2.3%, respectively, was observed. Dry cough was the primary discriminator in distinguishing mild and moderate infection. Gradual increase of Ct values of all genes was observed from day 0 to day 10, and day 3 was essential for separating two time intervals. Conclusions: Flu-like symptoms were leading over the study period. Male sex, older age, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and chronic pulmonary disease were risk factors for infection. Cough, age over 65 years and male sex in the group 33-63 years were predictors of more severe disease.

A recoil-beta-tagging experiment has been performed to study the excited $$T=0$$ T = 0 and $$T=1$$ T = 1 states in the odd–odd $$N=Z$$ N = Z nucleus $$^{94}$$ 94 Ag, populated via the $$^{40}$$ 40 Ca($$^{58}$$ 58 Ni,1p3n)$$^{94}$$ 94 Ag reaction. The experiment was conducted using the MARA recoil separator and JUROGAM3 array at the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä. Through correlating fast, high-energy beta decays at the MARA focal plane with prompt $$\gamma $$ γ rays emitted at the reaction target, a number of transitions between excited states in $$^{94}$$ 94 Ag have been identified. The timing characteristics of these transitions confirm that they fall within decay sequences that feed the short-lived $$T=1$$ T = 1 ground state of $$^{94}$$ 94 Ag. The transitions are proposed to proceed within and between the sets of states with $$T=0$$ T = 0 and $$T=1$$ T = 1 . Possible correspondence between some of these transitions from analog states in $$^{94}$$ 94 Pd has been discussed, and shell-model calculations including multipole and monopole electromagnetic effects have been presented, in order to enable predictions of the decay patterns between the $$T=0$$ T = 0 and $$T=1$$ T = 1 states and to allow a theoretical set of Coulomb energy differences to be calculated for the $$A = 94$$ A = 94 $$T=1$$ T = 1 analog states.

Estradiol is an estrogen steroid hormone and is produced basically within the follicles of the ovaries. The decrease in serum estrogens concentration at menopause disrupts the metabolic balance, changes the lipid profile leading to visceral obesity, which caused an increase in serum estradiol levels, through aromatase activity. Estrogen deficiency also is a reason for the development of osteoporosis.We investigated the serum estradiol levels and changes in bone alpha estrogen receptor expression in ovariectomized rats. For this purpose, we used 20 female Wistar rats at reproductive age - 2 months divided into 2 groups: group 1 (G1)-10 animals were ovariectomized and group 2 (G2)-10 of which were sham-operated. All animals of G1 showed weight gain compared to group G2. The results showed that the values of serum 17β-estradiol in rats of G1 statistically increased compared to G2 (p

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.

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.

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.

Ever-lasting interest in the structure of 100Sn and neighbouring nuclei is still well justified by the fact that it is the heaviest doubly-magic nucleus with N=Z. State-of-the-art experimental techniques involving stable and radioactive beam facilities have enabled access to these exotic nuclei. In particular, the analysis of experimental data obtained in two DESPEC experiments at GSI Darmstadt extends the information on the shell structure and its evolution towards N = Z = 50, and allows the study of seniority conservation and proton-neutron interaction in the g9/2 orbit. Several theoretical approaches for shell-model investigations are discussed and their predictive power assessed. The calculated systematics of the reduced transition probabilities for high- to medium-spin states in N∼Z isotopes with active g9/2 orbit is presented for the first time.

We aimed to determine the presence and distribution of

Direct lifetime measurements via gamma -gamma coincidences using a fast timing detector array consisting of LaBr3(Ce) scintillators has been applied to determine the lifetime of low-lying states in the semimagic (N = 50) nucleus Ru-94. The experiment was carried out as the first in a series of "FAIR-0" experiments with the DESPEC experimental setup at the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR). Excited states in Ru-94 were populated primarily via the beta-delayed proton emission of Pd-95 nuclei, produced in the projectile fragmentation of an 850 MeV/nucleon Xe-124 beam impinging on a 4 g/cm(2) Be-9 target. While the deduced E2 strength for the 2(+) -> 0(+) transition in the yrast cascade follows the expected behavior for conserved seniority symmetry, the intermediate 4(+) -> 2(+) transition exhibits a drastic enhancement of transition strength in comparison with pure-seniority model predictions as well as standard shell model predictions in the f pg proton hole space with respect to doubly magic Sn-100. The anomalous behavior is ascribed to a subtle interference between the wave function of the lowest seniority v = 2, I-pi = 4(+) state and that of a close-lying v = 4 state that exhibits partial dynamic symmetry. In addition, the observed strongly prohibitive 6(+) -> 4(+) transition can be attributed to the same mechanism but with a destructive interference. It is noted that such effects may provide stringent tests of the nucleon-nucleon interactions employed in state-of-the-art theoretical model calculations.

11 pags., 16 figs., 1 tab., We report on γ-ray spectroscopy of low-lying excited states in the neutron-rich Kr94,95,96 isotopes measured as part of the "Shell Evolution And Search for Two-plus energies At RIBF"(SEASTAR) campaign at the RIKEN Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory. Excited yrast and non-yrast states were observed, and half-lives extracted via geant4 simulations. In Kr94,96 candidates for the 31- state were identified. For Kr95, the prompt SEASTAR data were combined with delayed spectroscopic data measured with the EURICA array to observe transitions on top of the known (7/2)+ isomer at a level energy of 195.5(3) keV. The comparison of the new experimental results with five-dimensional collective Hamiltonian (5DCH) and mapped interacting boson model (IBM) calculations, both using the Gogny D1M interaction, could suggest oblate-prolate shape coexistence already in Kr96., This work is supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG—German Research Foundation) under Grant No. BL 1513/1-1 and by the BMBF under Grants No. 05P15PKFNA, No. 05P19PKFNA, No. 05P15RDFN1, No. 05P19RDFN1, and No. 05P21RDFN1. We thank the RIKEN Nishina Centre accelerator staff and the BigRIPS team for providing the stable and high-intensity uranium beam and secondary beams, and the STFC (UK). The work of K. Nomura was supported by the Tenure Track Pilot Programme of the Croatian Science Foundation, the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, and Project No. TTP-2018-07-3554, Exotic Nuclear Structure and Dynamics, with funds of the Croatian-Swiss Research Programme. B.D. and Z.L. were supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants No. 12135004, No. 11635003, and No. 11961141004). R.T. was supported by JSPS Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Research Fellows JP14J08718.

The aim of the study was to determine prevalence of Anaplasmataceae-infected ticks in the Black Sea Coast and the Pleven regions of Bulgaria. A total of 350 ticks from different tick species were collected. Two hundred fifty-five ticks were removed from dogs in the Black Sea Coast region, and 95 Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected by flagging vegetation with a white flannel cloth in two areas in the region of Pleven. After the DNA isolation of the ticks, a genus-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to identify Anaplasmataceae. Second PCRs were performed with species-specific primers to identify Ehrlichia canis (E. canis) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum). The results showed that 26.9% of the Ixodes ricinus ticks were infected with Anaplasmataceae in the Black Sea Coast region and 36.8% in the Pleven region. The infection with E. canis was detected in 35.7% and A. phagocytophilum in 25.0% of positive ticks from the Black Sea Coast region. In the Pleven region, 22.9% of ticks were positive for E. canis, while 42.9% were positive for A. phagocytophilum. The molecular identification of E. canis in ticks collected from Bulgaria was performed for the first time. In conclusion, the present study revealed a higher prevalence of ticks infected with Anaplasmataceae, particularly A. phagocytophilum, in the Pleven region than in the Black Sea Coast region.

Direct lifetime measurements via γ–γ coincidences using the FATIMA fast-timing LaBr3(Ce) array were performed for the excited states below previously reported isomers. In the N = 50 semi-magic 96Pd nucleus, lifetimes below the I π = 8+ seniority isomer were addressed as a benchmark for further analysis. The results for the I π = 2+ and 4 + states confirm the published values. Increased accuracy for the lifetime value was achieved for the 4 + state. peerReviewed

The $5/{2}_{1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, $9/{2}_{1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, and $11/{2}_{1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ states in $^{209}\mathrm{Po}$ were populated in the $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay of $^{209}\mathrm{At}$ and their lifetimes measured using the electronic $\ensuremath{\gamma}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ fast timing technique. The lifetime of the $9/{2}_{1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state is measured for first time. The lifetime of the $5/{2}_{1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ is measured to be shorter than the value adopted in the literature while the lifetime of the $11/{2}_{1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state agrees well with the previous measurement. In order to get deeper insight into the structure of the states, a shell-model calculation was carried out adopting a microscopic effective interaction derived from the realistic CD-Bonn potential. The comparison between theoretical and experimental data for the low-lying negative-parity states of $^{209}\mathrm{Po}$ supports the reliability of the predicted wave functions, which are found to be dominated by the coupling of a neutron hole to the yrast states of $^{210}\mathrm{Po}$. However, it also points to the important role played by minor wave-function components in describing the reduced electromagnetic strengths, suggesting the need of additional configuration mixing for achieving a better quantitative agreement.

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.

Excited states in $^{55}\mathrm{Cr}$ have been populated via the fusion-evaporation reaction $^{48}\mathrm{Ca}(^{11}\mathrm{B},p3n){\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{55}\mathrm{Cr}$ at a beam energy of 32 MeV. The Cologne plunger device surrounded by a $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray detector array was employed to determine lifetimes with the recoil-distance Doppler-shift method. $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays were observed by one Ge EUROBALL cluster detector and five HPGe detectors. $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$-coincidence data were analyzed with help from the differential decay-curve method, and precise lifetimes for the first excited states were extracted from the $5/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and the $9/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ transitions. Reduced transition strengths $B(\ensuremath{\sigma}\ensuremath{\lambda})$ were determined and compared to shell-model calculations employing four interactions KB3G, FPD6, GXPF1A, and GXPF1Br. The calculations were also performed for the $N=31$ isotonic chain from $^{53}\mathrm{Ti}$ to $^{61}\mathrm{Zn}$. Inspection of the wave functions as well as particle-plus-rotor model calculations allow for a detailed understanding of the excited states and the reduced transition strength in $^{55}\mathrm{Cr}$. The interactions GXPF1A and GXPF1Br reproduce well the experimental findings in $^{55}\mathrm{Cr}$ and in other isotones.

Introduction: Collagen type I is a major structural component of human uterus. Recent studies have found that collagen type I turnover is altered in preeclampsia and imbalance occurs between collagen synthesis and degradation processes. This acts as a stimulus for abnormal changes in the concentrations of collagen type I derived products in circulating blood. Aim: Having in mind the pathological collagen type I turnover in preeclampisa, the aim of the present study was to determine the levels of N-terminal propeptide of collagen type I (PINP), C-terminal propeptide of collagen type I (PICP): both markers of collagen type I synthesis and levels of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1): marker of collagen type I degradation in sera of women with early-onset preeclampsia. Materials and methods: Thirty-two patients with early-onset preeclampsia were examined. The mean age of the patients was 28.8±5.5 years; and the mean age of 22 age-matched healthy pregnant women was 28.5±6.0 years. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for measuring serum levels of PINP, PICP and MMP-1. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between levels of PINP, PICP and MMP-1 in the sera of women with preeclampsia and healthy pregnancies: 16.991 (15.41÷21.143) vs. 17.189 (15.805÷20.747) µg/L (KW=0.02; p>0.05), 10.929 (8.7÷13.937) vs. 11.474 (7.369÷11.932) µg/L (KW=0.026; p>0.05), and 2.097 (1.384÷2.923) vs. 2.589 (1.41÷4.533) µg/L (KW=0.238; p>0.05), respectively. There were statistically significantly higher number of patients from the preeclampsia group than healthy pregnant women with BMI≥25 (23/32 vs. 4/22) and abnormal UAD (18/32 vs. 2/22) (p Conclusions: Our results did not show significant differences between serum levels of PINP, PICP and MMP-1 (markers of collagen type I turnover) in women with early-onset preeclampsia and healthy pregnancy. Further studies with more specific methods and larger sample size are required to assess changes in the serum levels of PINP, PICP and MMP-1 in early-onset preeclampsia.

The lifetimes of the 2 1 + and 4 1 + states of Po 208 were measured in the α -transfer reaction Pb 204 ( C 12 , Be 8 ) Po 208 by γ -ray spectroscopy utilizing the recoil distance Doppler shift method. The newly extracted transition strengths alongside ones of the decay of the 2 2 + state were compared to the results of large-scale shell-model calculations using an effective interaction derived from the realistic CD-Bonn nucleon-nucleon potential. The comparison indicates the importance of the quadrupole isovector excitations in the valence shell for a fine tuning of the two-body matrix elements of the shell-model interaction.

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. Abstract (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.

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-)].

Lifetimes of low-spin excited states in $^{112}\mathrm{Pd}$ were measured using the recoil-distance Doppler-shift technique. The nucleus of interest was populated in a $^{110}\mathrm{Pd}(^{18}\mathrm{O},^{16}\mathrm{O})^{112}\mathrm{Pd}$ reaction using the Cologne FN Tandem accelerator. Three lifetimes of ground-state band members and one lifetime of the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ band were measured. From these lifetimes reduced transition probabilities were extracted and compared to interacting boson model, $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-soft calculations, and Davydov calculations. The lifetime of the ${2}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{+}$ gives some insights on the nuclear shape and structure of the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ band. The deduced transition rates show an indicator for a rigid triaxial nucleus as well as more indicators for a $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-soft nucleus.

We report on spectroscopic information and lifetime measurements of even-even neutron-rich Te isotopes. Excited states were populated in fast-neutron induced fission of U238 at the ALTO facility of IJCLab with the LICORNE neutron source and detected using the hybrid ν-ball spectrometer. We provide first results on lifetimes of the 61+ state in Te136 and the (61+), (41+), and (21+) states in Te138 and discuss the results in the context of large-scale shell-model calculations. The level schemes of Te136 and Te138 are revised in terms of lifetimes of their 21+,41+ states and updated information on the (42+) state in Te136 is presented. In addition, previously reported data on spectroscopy and lifetimes in Te134 are reexamined. This work provides new insights into the evolution of collectivity for Te isotopes with N=82,84,86.

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 × 10-4 mol dm-3, cA336 = 5.6 × 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 l = 548 nm and a shoulder at 590 nm is formed. The following extraction-spectrophotometric characteristics were determined at the above-mentioned optimal conditions: lmax (545 nm), molar absorptivity (5.0 × 104 dm3 mol-1 cm-1), Sandell's sensitivity (1.2 × 10-3 ∆g cm-2), Beer's law limits (0.05-3.1 mg 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.

We report on spectroscopic information and lifetime measurements of even-even neutron-rich Te isotopes. Excited states were populated in fast-neutron induced fission of 238U at the ALTO facility of IJCLab with the LICORNE neutron source and detected using the hybrid ν-ball spectrometer. We provide first results on lifetimes of the 6+1 state in 136Te and the (6+1), (4+1), and (2+1) states in 138Te and discuss the results in the context of large-scale shell-model calculations. The level schemes of 136Te and 138Te are revised in terms of lifetimes of their 2+1,4+1 states and updated information on the (4+2) state in 136Te is presented. In addition, previously reported data on spectroscopy and lifetimes in 134Te are reexamined. This work provides new insights into the evolution of collectivity for Te isotopes with N=82,84,86.

Summary Lazaroid U-74389G is a synthetic 21-aminosteroid with free radical-scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of U-74389G on experimental 2,4-dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid hydrate (DNBS)-induced colitis in Wistar rats. Five experimental groups were formed: a sham control group, a control group, treated with 0.25 ml of 50% ethanol intrarectally (n=8), a group treated with DNBS (30 mg in 0.25 ml of 50% ethanol administered intrarectally, (n=8), a group treated with DNBS and U-74389G at a daily dose of 15 mg/kg i.p. (n=8), and a group treated with DNBS and sulfasalazine, orally, at a dose of 300 mg/kg. During the experiment, the bodyweight of the rats, food intake, stool consistency, and presence of blood in the stool were recorded as markers of clinical condition. On day 6, colonic tissues were excised and scored for macroscopic and histological damage. Blood samples were taken to measure levels of cytokines by ELISA methods. DNBS decreased significantly body weight (from 237.00±2.52 g to 212.50±6.25 g, p=0.04). The rats treated with U-74389G showed greater food intake and weight gain. U-74389G reduced ulceration index: the U-74389G score was 1.25±0.25, and the DNBS score –3.87±0.61; p

Prompt and delayed γ -ray spectroscopy of the neutron-rich 94 Kr was performed, as part of the fission campaign at the ALTO facility of the IPN Orsay, using the fast-neutron-induced fission reaction 238 U ( n , f ) in combination with the ν -Ball array, a novel hybrid γ spectrometer for energy and lifetime measurements. Several new yrast and nonyrast transitions were observed for the first time, extending the previously known level scheme. Additionally, we report on the observation of a new short-lived isomer at 3444 keV with a half-life of 32(3) ns. The analysis of the Nilsson orbitals obtained from Gogny cranked Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations suggests a ( 9 − ) spin and an oblate deformation for this isomer corresponding to a two-quasineutron state, indicating an isomeric structure very similar to that of the neighboring isotones 96 Sr and 92 Se

A recoil-distance Doppler shift experiment has been performed using the $^{102}\mathrm{Pd}(^{19}\mathrm{F},p2n$) reaction at a beam energy of 73 MeV to measure the lifetime of excited states in $^{118}\mathrm{Xe}$. The differential decay-curve method using $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidences and a gating procedure that allows to extract the lifetime without feeding assumptions has been employed. The lifetimes obtained for the yrast states up to spin-parity ${8}^{+}$ are compared with interacting boson model calculations and $^{118}\mathrm{Xe}$ can be classified as a transitional nucleus between the spherical and a deformed shape. Systematics of the $B(E2)$ values for the ${2}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{0}^{+}$ and ${4}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{2}^{+}$ transitions in the isotopic chains of tin, tellurium and xenon are presented. It is proposed that a ``critical point'' exists at which the $B(E2;{4}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{2}^{+})/B(E2;{2}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{0}^{+})$ ratio drops to unity for lower neutron numbers within the isotopic chain. The position of the ``critical point'' varies with proton number, i.e., it is presumed to be located at the same mass number $A=114$ in the Sn, Te, and Xe isotopes.

Lifetimes of low-spin excited states in $^{98}$Zr were measured using the recoil-distance Doppler-shift technique and the Doppler-shift attenuation method. The nucleus of interest was populated in a $^{96}$Zr($^{18}$O,$^{16}$O)$^{98}$Zr two-neutron transfer reaction at the Cologne FN Tandem accelerator. Lifetimes of six low-spin excited states, of which four are unknown, were measured. The deduced $B(E2)$ values were compared with Monte Carlo shell model and interacting boson model with configuration mixing calculations. Both approaches reproduce well most of the data but leave challenging questions regarding the structure of some low lying states., Comment: 13 pages, 12 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in Physical Review C

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.

Level lifetimes of the yrast (5/2(-)) to 13/2(-) states in the neutron-rich nucleus Ti-53, produced in a multinucleon-transfer reaction, have been measured for the first time. The recoil distance Doppler-shift method was employed and lifetimes of the excited states were extracted by a lineshape analysis aided by GEANT4-based Monte-Carlo simulations. The experiment was performed at the Grand Accelerateur National d'Ions Lourds facility in Caen, France, by using the Advanced Gamma Tracking Array for the gamma-ray detection coupled to the large-acceptance variable mode spectrometer for an event-by-event particle identification and the Cologne plunger for deep-inelastic reactions. Reduced transition probabilities, deduced from the lifetimes, give new information on the nuclear structure of Ti-53, and are used to benchmark different shell-model calculations using established interactions in the f p shell.

Lifetimes of excited nuclear states were determined in $^{44}\mathrm{Ti}$ using the recoil distance Doppler-shift technique and the Doppler-shift attenuation method. Results from the ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={3}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ band confirm isospin-symmetry breaking for the ${3}_{1}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{2}_{1}^{+}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}E1$ transition. The lifetime of the ${4}_{1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state differs considerably from the previously known value. Good agreement is found for the ${4}_{1}^{+}$ and ${6}_{1}^{+}$ level lifetimes with respect to previous values. The experimental values are compared with large-scale shell-model calculations employing established interactions in the $0f1p$ shell, as well as a modern effective Hamiltonian including multiparticle multihole cross-shell configurations. Extended configuration spaces of this shell-model calculation allow for a detailed comparison with newly determined negative-parity states.

Background: Most of the heavier $p$ isotopes are believed to be produced in the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ process whose reaction path crucially depends on the proton and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle penetrability at sub-Coulomb energies. Both nuclei of the samarium $p$-process chronometer, $^{146}\mathrm{Sm}$ and $^{144}\mathrm{Sm}$, are produced in the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ process, and their initial abundance ratio is very sensitive to the $(\ensuremath{\gamma},n)$ and $(\ensuremath{\gamma},\ensuremath{\alpha})$ branching ratio on $^{148}\mathrm{Gd}$. The $^{148}\mathrm{Gd}(\ensuremath{\gamma},\ensuremath{\alpha})^{144}\mathrm{Sm}$ reaction rate was measured roughly 20 years ago by means of the activation technique and its surprising results triggered adjustments to the global low-energy $\ensuremath{\alpha}+\text{nucleus}$ optical-model potentials (OMPs).Purpose: We want to take advantage of modern $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle spectroscopy techniques in order to constrain the controversial previous results on the $^{148}\mathrm{Gd}(\ensuremath{\gamma},\ensuremath{\alpha})^{144}\mathrm{Sm}$ reaction rate.Method: The $^{148}\mathrm{Gd}(\ensuremath{\gamma},\ensuremath{\alpha})^{144}\mathrm{Sm}$ reaction rate has been determined by measuring the cross section of the reverse reaction $^{144}\mathrm{Sm}(\ensuremath{\alpha},\ensuremath{\gamma})^{148}\mathrm{Gd}$, applying the activation technique to the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decay of $^{148}\mathrm{Gd}$. Targets have been irradiated at the cyclotron of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt in Braunschweig, Germany. The $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle spectroscopy has been carried out with a state-of-the-art low-background ionization chamber of the Technische Universit\"at Dresden, Germany.Results: Cross sections for the $^{144}\mathrm{Sm}(\ensuremath{\alpha},\ensuremath{\gamma})^{148}\mathrm{Gd}$ reaction have been measured between 10.66 and 12.66 MeV with much higher precision than in the previous measurement. The results agree with earlier results within their uncertainties. The statistical-model analysis has been carried out using the talys code on the basis of the latest parametrizations of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-OMPs. The best reproductions of the experimental results within the statistical model have been used to calculate the reaction rates.Conclusion: The values presented here suggest a steeper increase in the astrophysical $S$ factor towards lower center-of-mass energies. Different parametrizations of the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-OMP were able to describe the experimental values sufficiently. Further measurements at energies below 11.0 MeV are suggested.

Lifetimes of low-lying yrast states in $^{162}\mathrm{Er}$ are measured using the electronic $\ensuremath{\gamma}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ fast-timing technique. Excited states were populated in a $^{154}\mathrm{Sm}(^{12}\mathrm{C},4n)^{162}\mathrm{Er}$ fusion-evaporation reaction and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays were detected in a combined setup of high purity germanium and ${\mathrm{LaBr}}_{3}$(Ce) scintillation detectors. The lifetimes of the ${4}_{1}^{+}$ and ${6}_{1}^{+}$ states are determined for the first time and the lifetimes of the ${2}_{1}^{+}$ and ${7}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ states are remeasured with higher precision. Reduced transition probabilities are extracted and well reproduced by theoretical calculations in the framework of the confined $\ensuremath{\beta}$ soft model and the interacting boson model.

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 $$\alpha $$ -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.

A lifetime measurement of excited states in $^{144}\mathrm{Ce}$ using the $^{142}\mathrm{Ce}(^{18}\mathrm{O},^{16}\mathrm{O})$ reaction with a beam energy of 67 MeV and the recoil distance Doppler-shift method was performed at the Cologne FN Tandem accelerator. Lifetimes of the three lowest yrast states in $^{144}\mathrm{Ce}$ have been measured as well as for the ${3}_{1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state and an effective lifetime of the ${4}_{2}^{+}$ state. Reduced $E2$ transition strengths determined using these results have been compared to predictions from recent shell-model calculations. From the interband transitions reduced $E1$ strengths could be determined, which are strongly enhanced.

We report on new γ-ray spectroscopy results from β decays of In99 and Sn101. 30 new γ rays were observed following the β decay of In99, and inconsistencies in the literature with respect to the γ rays following the β decay of Sn101 were addressed with two confirmed cases and two new transitions. The experimental γ-ray energies, intensities, and coincidence relationships are discussed with shell model calculations, where theoretical β-decay branching ratios from the parent nuclei and γ-ray cascades of excited states from the daughter nuclei were combined to generate hypothetical βγ spectra and βγγ coincidence matrices. The most intense β-delayed γ-ray branches in both Cd99 and In101 were well reproduced with this approach, and several γ rays were assigned to new excited states based on their good agreement with shell model predictions.

Twenty-one two-proton knockout (p; 3p) cross sections from neutron-rich nuclei at ~ 250 MeV/nucleon were measured. For the first time, the angular distribution of the three emitted protons were measured in coincidence with the tracker and hydrogen target MINOS, demonstrating that the (p; 3p) kinematics is consistent with two sequential proton-proton collisions within the projectile nucleus. Ratios of (p; 3p) over (p; 2p) inclusive cross sections follow the trend of other many-proton (neutron) removal reactions, further reinforcing the sequential nature of (p; 3p) in neutron-rich nuclei.

7 pags., 4 figs., Twenty-one two-proton knockout (p,3p) cross sections were measured from neutron-rich nuclei at ∼250 MeV/nucleon in inverse kinematics. The angular distribution of the three emitted protons was determined for the first time, demonstrating that the (p,3p) kinematics are consistent with two sequential proton-proton collisions within the projectile nucleus. Ratios of (p,3p) over (p,2p) inclusive cross sections follow the trend of other many-nucleon removal reactions, further reinforcing the sequential nature of (p,3p) in neutron-rich nuclei., We thank the RIBF and BigRIPS teams for providing a stable beam and optimum settings over the two experimental campaigns. A. F. acknowledges support from the DFG under Grant No. SFB1245. M. G.-R. acknowledges support from the Alexander von Humboldt foundation. A. O. thanks the European Research Council for its support through ERC Grant No. MINOS-258567, the JSPS Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science for the long-term fellowship L-13520, the German DFG for its support from the SFB Grant No. 1245, and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for its support. K. Mo. acknowledges support from German BMBF Grant No. 05P15PKFNA. M. L. C., M. L., and V. W. acknowledge support from German BMBF Grants No. 05P15RDFN1, and No. 05P19RDFN1, as well as DFG Grant No. SFB 1245. L. X. C. and B. D. L. are supported by the Vietnam MOST through Physics Development Program Grant No. Ð TÐ LCN.25/18 and acknowledge the Radioactive Isotope Physics Laboratory of the RIKEN Nishina Center for supporting their stay during the experiment. A. J. and V. V. acknowledge support from the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad under Contract No. FPA2017-84756-C4-2- P. U.K. participants acknowledge support from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). Collaborators from I. M. P. were supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. R. T. was supported by the JSPS Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Research Fellows JP14J08718. Zs. D., Z. K., and Zs. V. acknowledge the support from Projects No. OTKA K128947 and No. GINOP-2.3.3-15-2016-00034. C. Santamaria acknowledges support by the IPA program at the RIKEN Nishina Center.

Background and Aims: Proteins containing advanced glycation end products are highly immunogenic and anti-advanced glycation end products antibodies (anti-AGEs antibodies) are found in the sera of diabetics. Materials and methods: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for measuring levels of anti-advanced glycation end products antibodies in sera of 93 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension (mean age 61.4±11.3 years, diabetes duration 9.88±3.12 years; hypertension duration 9.28±4.98). These values were compared to serum anti-AGEs antibodies in 42 age and sex matched controls. Diabetics were divided in two groups according to presence or absence of microangiopathy, group 1 (n=67) and group 2 (n=26), respectively. Results: Serum levels of anti-AGEs antibodies in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension were statistically significantly higher than those in the control group (1.39±0.39 vs. 1.05±0.32), (ppr=0.26, p=0.05) and body mass index (r=0.37, p=0.03). We found significantly higher percentage of positive patients for anti-AGEs antibodies (mean+2SD) in group 1 than in group 2. Conclusion: Determining the levels of serum anti-AGEs antibodies can help physicians make early diagnosis and prognosis of the severity of late diabetic complications in hypertensive patients.