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In this work, a direct determination of 238Pu determination using reactive gases, CO2 and H2 in triple quadrupole ICP-MS without prior radiochemical separation resins has been established. Quantification of 0.25 pg/mL 238Pu sample mixture (1.18 pg of 238Pu) yielded satisfactory results (> 95% accuracy), uncertainties of less than 15% and in the presence of spiked natural U (0.5 ng/mL). Additional verification of this method was performed using certified ratio materials (IRMM-086, Belgium) and experimental 238Pu/239Pu and 240Pu/239Pu values are analogous to the certified values provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a neuroinvasive parasite causing neuroinflammation, which in turn is associated with a higher risk for several psycho-behavioral disorders. There is an urgent need to identify drugs capable of improving cognitive deficits induced by T. gondii infection. β-Glucan, an active ingredient in mushrooms, could significantly enhance immunity. However, the effects of β-glucan against neuroinflammation and cognitive decline induced by T. gondii infection remain unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of β-glucan on goal-directed behavior of mice chronically infected by T. gondii Wh6 strain. Methods: A mice model of chronic T. gondii Wh6 infection was established by infecting mice by oral gavage with 10 cysts of T. gondii Wh6. Intraperitoneal injection of β-glucan was manipulated 2 weeks before T. gondii infection. Performance of the infected mice on the Y-maze test and temporal order memory (TOM) test was used to assess the goal-directed behavior. Golgi-Cox staining, transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, real-time PCR and western blot assays were used to detect prefrontal cortex-associated pathological change and neuroinflammation. Results: The administration of β-glucan significantly prevented T. gondii Wh6-induced goal-directed behavioral impairment as assessed behaviorally by the Y-maze test and TOM test. In the prefrontal cortex, β-glucan was able to counter T. gondii Wh6-induced degeneration of neurites, impairment of synaptic ultrastructure and decrease of pre- and postsynaptic protein levels. Also, β-glucan significantly prevented the hyperactivation of pro-inflammatory microglia and astrocytes, as well as the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines caused by chronic T. gondii Wh6 infection. Conclusions: This study revealed that β-glucan prevents goal-directed behavioral impairment induced by chronic T. gondii infection in mice. These findings suggest that β-glucan may be an effective drug candidate to prevent T. gondii-associated psycho-behavioral disorders including goal-directed behavioral injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on sensitive high resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) uranium-lead (U-Pb) age and its geological implications of concealed granite in the Changchong ore deposits in northeast Hunan, China. It also mentions that the major rock-forming minerals of the granodiorite porphyry in the deposit are quartz, feldspar and sericite. It further elaborates on the identification and examination of Zircon.