Low-lying octupole isovector excitation in Nd-144

International audienceThe nature of low-lying 3− levels in Nd144 was investigated in the Nd143(n,γγ) cold neutron-capture reaction. The combination of the high neutron flux from the research reactor at the Institut Laue-Langevin and the high γ-ray detection efficiency of the EXILL setup allowed the recording of γγ coincidences. From the coincidence data precise branching ratios were extracted. Furthermore, the octagonal symmetry of the setup allowed angular-distribution measurements to determine multipole-mixing ratios. Additionally, in a second measurement the ultra-high resolution spectrometer GAMS6 was employed to conduct lifetime measurements using the gamma-ray induced Doppler-shift technique (GRID). The confirmed strong M1 component in the 33−→31− decay strongly supports the assignment of the 33− level at 2779keV as low-lying isovector octupole excitation. Microscopic calculations within the quasiparticle phonon model confirm an isovector component in the wave function of the 33− level, firmly establishing this fundamental mode of nuclear excitation in near-spherical nuclei

Clinical Outcomes of Two-Stage Implantation in Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty for Postinfectious End-Stage Glenohumeral Arthritis in Native Shoulders: A Single-Center Cohort Study with a Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

Background: Septic arthritis of the shoulder is a rare but devastating condition that may lead to joint destruction. There are few studies and limited outcome data on shoulder arthroplasty for infected native shoulders with end-stage glenohumeral arthritis (GHA). Hence, this study aimed to demonstrate the clinical outcomes of two-stage implantation in reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) using an antibiotic spacer in the first stage for this challenging condition. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on two-stage implantation in RSA in infected shoulders. Patients were diagnosed with end-stage GHA due to primary shoulder sepsis or infection following non-arthroplasty shoulder surgery. Laboratory data, range of motion (ROM), and functional scores including American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant score, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score were assessed prior to spacer placement and at the latest follow-up. Furthermore, intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Results: In this study, 10 patients with a mean age of 54.8 ± 15.8 years (range, 30–77 years) were included. The mean follow-up period was 37.3 ± 9.1 months (range, 25–56 months). All postoperative ROM measurements and functional scores were improved significantly. Although no reinfection was observed, a total of 5 complications including 2 hematomas, 1 intraoperative humeral fracture, 1 humeral stem loosening, and 1 anterior deltoid dysfunction were observed in 4 patients after a follow-up period of at least 2 years after RSA. Conclusions: Two-stage implantation in RSA is an effective method for improving the function and controlling the infection in postinfectious end-stage GHA in native shoulders

Synthetic Protein Mimics for Functional Protein Delivery

The use of proteins as biological tools and therapeutic agents is limited due to the fact that proteins do not effectively cross the plasma membrane of cells. Here, we report a novel class of protein transporter molecules based on protein transduction domain mimics (PTDMs) synthesized via ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The PTDMs reported here were specifically inspired by amphiphilic peptides known to deliver functional proteins into cells via noncovalent interactions between the peptide and the cargo. This contrasts with peptides like TAT, penetratin, and R9, which often require covalent fusion to their cargoes. Using the easily tunable synthetic ROMP platform, the importance of a longer hydrophobic segment with cationic guanidinium groups was established through the delivery of EGFP into Jurkat T cells. The most efficient of these protein transporters was used to deliver functional Cre Recombinase with ∼80% knockdown efficiency into hard to transfect human T cells. Additionally, a C-terminally deleted form of the transcription factor Runx1 (Runx1.d190) was delivered into primary murine splenocytes, producing a 2-fold increase in c-Myc mRNA production, showcasing the versatility of this platform to deliver biologically active proteins into hard to transfect cell types

Identification of low-energy isovector octupole states in 144^{144}Nd

International audienceRecently, first candidates for low-lying isovector states in the octupole sector were suggested. The unambiguous identification of those states will contribute to the decomposition of the octupole-octupole residual interaction in an isoscalar and isovector part. This will help us understand the octupole degree of freedom. In 144Nd the 3− state at 2778 keV is a good candidate for such a "mixed-symmetry'' octupole state. In order to clarify the nature of this state, a 143Nd(n, γ)-experiment was conducted with the EXILL-setup. Following neutron capture the 3− states are populated and EXILL provides the opportunity to determine the multipole-mixing ratios of the 3i −→31 - transitions. For the transition from the "mixed-symmetry" octupole state to the symmetric 31 − state we expect a strong M1 component

Substrate-Initiated Synthesis of Cell-Penetrating Poly(disulfide)s

Lessons from surface-initiated polymerization are applied to grow cell-penetrating poly(disulfide)s directly on substrates of free choice. Reductive depolymerization after cellular uptake should then release the native substrates and minimize toxicity. In the presence of thiolated substrates, propagators containing a strained disulfide from asparagusic or, preferably, lipoic acid and a guanidinium cation polymerize into poly(disulfide)s in less than 5 min at room temperature at pH 7. Substrate-initiated polymerization of cationic poly(disulfide)s and their depolymerization with dithiothreitol causes the appearance and disappearance of transport activity in fluorogenic vesicles. The same process is further characterized by gel-permeation chromatography and fluorescence resonance energy transfer

Identification of low-energy isovector octupole states in 144

Recently, first candidates for low-lying isovector states in the octupole sector were suggested. The unambiguous identification of those states will contribute to the decomposition of the octupole-octupole residual interaction in an isoscalar and isovector part. This will help us understand the octupole degree of freedom. In 144Nd the 3− state at 2778 keV is a good candidate for such a "mixed-symmetry'' octupole state. In order to clarify the nature of this state, a 143Nd(n, γ)-experiment was conducted with the EXILL-setup. Following neutron capture the 3− states are populated and EXILL provides the opportunity to determine the multipole-mixing ratios of the 3i −→31 - transitions. For the transition from the "mixed-symmetry" octupole state to the symmetric 31 − state we expect a strong M1 component