Nuclear astrophysics with radioactive ions at FAIR

The nucleosynthesis of elements beyond iron is dominated by neutron captures in the s and r processes. However, 32 stable, proton-rich isotopes cannot be formed during those processes, because they are shielded from the s-process flow and r-process, β-decay chains. These nuclei are attributed to the p and rp process. For all those processes, current research in nuclear astrophysics addresses the need for more precise reaction data involving radioactive isotopes. Depending on the particular reaction, direct or inverse kinematics, forward or time-reversed direction are investigated to determine or at least to constrain the desired reaction cross sections. The Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) will offer unique, unprecedented opportunities to investigate many of the important reactions. The high yield of radioactive isotopes, even far away from the valley of stability, allows the investigation of isotopes involved in processes as exotic as the r or rp processes

Nickel on nitrogen doped carbon pellets for continuous flow hydrogenation of biomass derived compounds in water

Hydrogenation reactions in water at elevated temperatures are challenging for heterogeneous catalyst. Thus, we present a simple, cheap, scalable, and sustainable approach for synthesizing an efficient and water-tolerant Ni catalyst supported on highly porous nitrogen-doped carbon (NDC) in pellet shape. The performance of this catalyst was evaluated in the aqueous-phase hydrogenation of lignocellulosic biomass-derived compounds, i.e., glucose (Glu), xylose (Xyl) and vanillin (V), using a continuous-flow system. The prepared 35 wt.- Ni on NDC catalyst exhibited a high catalytic performance in all three different aqueous-phase hydrogenation reactions, i.e., conversion of Glu, Xyl and V was 96.3 mol, 85 mol and 100 mol and yield of sorbitol (Sor), xylitol (Xyt) and 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol (MMP) was 82 mol, 62 mol and 100 mol, respectively. This high activity was attributed to heterojunction effects stabilizing and adjusting the homogenously dispersed Ni nanoparticles on the surface of NDC. Changing the electron density in the Nickel nanoparticle allows high performance of the catalyst under long time of stream (7 to 30 h) with minimized Ni leaching

The ASY-EOS experiment at GSI: investigating the symmetry energy at supra-saturation densities

The elliptic-flow ratio of neutrons with respect to protons in reactions of neutron rich heavy-ions systems at intermediate energies has been proposed as an observable sensitive to the strength of the symmetry term in the nuclear Equation Of State (EOS) at supra-saturation densities. The recent results obtained from the existing FOPI/LAND data for $^{197}$Au+$^{197}$Au collisions at 400 MeV/nucleon in comparison with the UrQMD model allowed a first estimate of the symmetry term of the EOS but suffer from a considerable statistical uncertainty. In order to obtain an improved data set for Au+Au collisions and to extend the study to other systems, a new experiment was carried out at the GSI laboratory by the ASY-EOS collaboration in May 2011.Comment: Talk given by P. Russotto at the 11th International Conference on Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions (NN2012), San Antonio, Texas, USA, May 27-June 1, 2012. To appear in the NN2012 Proceedings in Journal of Physics: Conference Series (JPCS

Prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia patients up to 60 years of age exhibiting trisomy 8 within a non-complex karyotype: individual patient data-based meta-analysis of the German Acute Myeloid Leukemia Intergroup

Background and Objectives Trisomy 8 (+8) is among the commonest genetic aberrations seen in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the prognostic significance of this aberration and the best consolidation strategy for patients with it are still not resolved. Additional prognostic indicators are needed to further classify these patients and determine their appropriate management.Design and Methods Individual patient data-based meta-analysis was performed on 131 patients (median age 50 (18–60) years) with +8 as a sole aberration or +8 with one additional aberration treated between 1993 and 2002 in eight prospective German AML treatment trials. All patients received state-of-the-art treatment including high-dose cytarabine with the option for autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).Results In total, the 131 patients had a 3-year overall survival (OS) of 29% and a 3-year relapse-free survival (RFS) of 32%. Independent prognostic factors contributing to shorter OS were age ≥45 years, extramedullary disease, and a percentage of +8 positive metaphases ≥80%. Combining these three prognostic variables established a hierarchical model for OS. The 3-year OS was 13% for the high-risk group, 36% for the intermediate-risk group, and 55% for the low-risk group (

A Comparative Study of Human TLR 7/8 Stimulatory Trimer Compositions in Influenza A Viral Genomes

Background: Variation in the genomes of single-stranded RNA viruses affects their infectivity and pathogenicity in two ways. First, viral genome sequence variations lead to changes in viral protein sequences and activities. Second, viral genome sequence variation produces diversity at the level of nucleotide composition and diversity in the interactions between viral RNAs and host toll-like receptors (TLRs). A viral genome-typing method based on this type of diversity has not yet been established. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study, we propose a novel genomic trait called the ‘‘TLR stimulatory trimer composition’ ’ (TSTC) and two quantitative indicators, Score S and Score N, named ‘‘TLR stimulatory scores’ ’ (TSS). Using the complete genome sequences of 10,994 influenza A viruses (IAV) and 251 influenza B viruses, we show that TSTC analysis reveals the diversity of Score S and Score N among the IAVs isolated from various hosts. In addition, we show that low values of Score S are correlated with high pathogenicity and pandemic potential in IAVs. Finally, we use Score S and Score N to construct a logistic regression model to recognize IAV strains that are highly pathogenic or have high pandemic potential. Conclusions/Significance: Results from the TSTC analysis indicate that there are large differences between human and avian IAV genomes (except for segment 3), as illustrated by Score S. Moreover, segments 1, 2, 3 and 4 may be majo

Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Early Breast Cancer: Update 2023

Background: Each year the interdisciplinary Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie (AGO), German Gynecological Oncology Group Breast Committee on Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer provides updated state-of-the-art recommendations for early and metastatic breast cancer. Summary: The updated evidence-based treatment recommendation for early and metastatic breast cancer has been released in March 2023. Key Messages: This paper concisely captures the updated recommendations for early breast cancer chapter by chapter

Activation of tissue plasminogen activator by metastasis-inducing S100P protein

S100P protein in human breast cancer cells is associated with reduced patient survival and, in a model system of metastasis, it confers a metastatic phenotype upon benign mammary tumour cells. S100P protein possesses a C-terminal lysine residue. Using a multiwell in vitro assay, S100P is now shown for the first time to exhibit a strong, C-terminal lysine-dependent activation of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), but not of urokinase-catalysed plasminogen activation. The presence of 10 μM calcium ions stimulates tPA activation of plasminogen 2-fold in an S100P-dependent manner. S100P physically interacts with both plasminogen and tPA in vitro, but not with urokinase. Cells constitutively expressing S100P exhibit detectable S100P protein on the cell surface, and S100P-containing cells show enhanced activation of plasminogen compared with S100P-negative control cells. S100P shows C-terminal lysine-dependent enhancement of cell invasion. An S100P antibody, when added to the culture medium, reduced the rate of invasion of wild-type S100P-expressing cells, but not of cells expressing mutant S100P proteins lacking the C-terminal lysine, suggesting that S100P functions outside the cell. The protease inhibitors, aprotinin or α-2-antiplasmin, reduced the invasion of S100P-expressing cells, but not of S100P-negative control cells, nor cells expressing S100P protein lacking the C-terminal lysine. It is proposed that activation of tPA via the C-terminal lysine of S100P contributes to the enhancement of cell invasion by S100P and thus potentially to its metastasis-promoting activity

Plant volatile-mediated signalling and its application in agriculture: successes and challenges

The mediation of volatile secondary metabolites in signalling between plants and other organisms has long been seen as presenting opportunities for sustainable crop protection. Initially, exploitation of interactions between plants and other organisms, particularly insect pests, foundered because of difficulties in delivering, sustainably, the signal systems for crop protection. We now have mounting and, in some cases, clear practical evidence for successful delivery by companion cropping or next-generation genetic modification (GM). At the same time, the type of plant signalling being exploited has expanded to signalling from plants to organisms antagonistic to pests, and to plant stress-induced, or primed, plant-to-plant signalling for defence and growth stimulation