Extensive investigation of 0⁺ states in rare earth region nuclei

The nature of 0+ excitations, especially in transitional and deformed nuclei, has attracted new attention. Following a recent experiment studying 158Gd, we investigated a large group of nuclei in the rare-earth region with the (p,t) pickup reaction using the Q3D magnetic spectrograph at the University of Munich MP tandem accelerator laboratory. Outgoing tritons were recorded at various lab angles, and their angular distributions are compared to those calculated using the distorted-wave Born approximation. Using the unique shape of the L=0 angular distribution, more than double the number of 0+ states than were previously known are identified. The distribution of 0+ energies and cross sections is discussed in terms of collective and noncollective degrees of freedom, and the density of low-lying 0+ states is discussed as a corroboration of a characteristic feature of phase transition regions. The degree of level mixing, as extracted from Brody distribution fits to the energy spacings of adjacent 0+ levels, is also explored.</p

The Cytosolic Protein G0S2 Maintains Quiescence in Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) balance proliferation and differentiation by integrating complex transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms regulated by cell intrinsic and extrinsic factors. We found that transcripts of G0/G1 switch gene 2 (G0S2) are enriched in lineage− Sca-1+ c-kit+ (LSK) CD150+ CD48− CD41− cells, a population highly enriched for quiescent HSCs, whereas G0S2 expression is suppressed in dividing LSK CD150+ CD48− cells. Gain-of-function analyses using retroviral expression vectors in bone marrow cells showed that G0S2 localizes to the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and early endosomes in hematopoietic cells. Co-transplantation of bone marrow cells transduced with the control or G0S2 retrovirus led to increased chimerism of G0S2-overexpressing cells in femurs, although their contribution to the blood was reduced. This finding was correlated with increased quiescence in G0S2-overexpressing HSCs (LSK CD150+ CD48−) and progenitor cells (LS−K). Conversely, silencing of endogenous G0S2 expression in bone marrow cells increased blood chimerism upon transplantation and promoted HSC cell division, supporting an inhibitory role for G0S2 in HSC proliferation. A proteomic study revealed that the hydrophobic domain of G0S2 interacts with a domain of nucleolin that is rich in arginine-glycine-glycine repeats, which results in the retention of nucleolin in the cytosol. We showed that this cytosolic retention of nucleolin occurs in resting, but not proliferating, wild-type LSK CD150+ CD48− cells. Collectively, we propose a novel model of HSC quiescence in which elevated G0S2 expression can sequester nucleolin in the cytosol, precluding its pro-proliferation functions in the nucleolus

ANCA-associated vasculitis.

The anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAVs) are a group of disorders involving severe, systemic, small-vessel vasculitis and are characterized by the development of autoantibodies to the neutrophil proteins leukocyte proteinase 3 (PR3-ANCA) or myeloperoxidase (MPO-ANCA). The three AAV subgroups, namely granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis and eosinophilic GPA (EGPA), are defined according to clinical features. However, genetic and other clinical findings suggest that these clinical syndromes may be better classified as PR3-positive AAV (PR3-AAV), MPO-positive AAV (MPO-AAV) and, for EGPA, by the presence or absence of ANCA (ANCA+ or ANCA-, respectively). Although any tissue can be involved in AAV, the upper and lower respiratory tract and kidneys are most commonly and severely affected. AAVs have a complex and unique pathogenesis, with evidence for a loss of tolerance to neutrophil proteins, which leads to ANCA-mediated neutrophil activation, recruitment and injury, with effector T cells also involved. Without therapy, prognosis is poor but treatments, typically immunosuppressants, have improved survival, albeit with considerable morbidity from glucocorticoids and other immunosuppressive medications. Current challenges include improving the measures of disease activity and risk of relapse, uncertainty about optimal therapy duration and a need for targeted therapies with fewer adverse effects. Meeting these challenges requires a more detailed knowledge of the fundamental biology of AAV as well as cooperative international research and clinical trials with meaningful input from patients

Severe Influenza Outbreak in Western Ukraine in 2009 – a molecular-epidemiological study

Introduction: In the autumn of 2009 the authors participated in a humanitarian operation in Western Ukraine by undertaking an epidemiological investigation of an influenza-like-illness (ILI) in the L’viv Oblast region. Mobile biological survey teams took samples from civilian patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, rapid transportation of the samples, and their molecular analysis in Poland to provide accurate results. Objective: The aim of the study was the molecular and epidemiological analysis of the biological samples collected. Material and Methods: Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR), multiplex PCR techniques, traditional Sanger Sequencing and classical viral culture methods were used. Results: Among the 124 influenza-like illness cases, ~50% (58) were positive for influenza A virus in WHO-CDC molecular assay, including subtyping. The specimens were further analyzed to confirm results and determine the genetic sequence. Phylogenetically, the nucleotide similarity of both the Ukraine specimens and reference A/California/7/2009 (pH1N1) was 99.2–99.3%. Oseltamivir resistance was not registered. HA1 region characterization showed an overall protein identity of 98.5–99.4%. Conclusions: An unexpected high contribution of influenza A was confirmed among ILI patients, as well as a very limited number of other detected viruses, indicate that the 2009 epidemic in western Ukraine was strongly related to novel influenza A/H1N1. The importance of swift sharing of information and reference laboratories networking in surveillance, as well as serving governments and international agencies in pursuing adequate actions, should be stressed

Geração de mapas multitemáticos em agricultura de precisão.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi delinear uma metodologia de geração de mapas multitemáticos para o apoio à tomada de decisão nas culturas de grãos, considerando a abordagem integrada e hierarquizada dos fatores que interferem na produtividade. A área foi mapeada para os atributos da fertilidade do solo, nutrição de plantas, plantas daninhas e estande de plantas, sendo colhida com colhedora equipada com sensores de produtividade, umidade e GPS para a geração de mapas de produtividade. Utilizou-se a análise de componentes principais (ACP) com o intuito de correlacionar a produtividade das culturas com a disponibilidade dos nutrientes do solo e planta, infestação de plantas daninhas e estande. Os três maiores fatores que interferiram na produtividade, segundo o Diagrama de Fatores gerados pela ACP, foram selecionados para a geração dos mapas multitemáticos interpolados por krigagem indicatriz. O excesso de K no solo foi o atributo de maior peso, desbalanceando as relações Ca:Mg; Ca+Mg / K e Mg / K; sendo que as zonas com melhores relações foram as mais produtivas. Contribuiu para a diminuição da produtividade a falta de boro e a maior infestação do banco de sementes de plantas daninhas. ABSTRACT: The objective of this research was to delineate a methodology for generating multi-themathics maps to support the decision making in agricultural production systems. This approach will consider the major factors that affect the grain yield. The experimental area was sampled at 50 by 50 meters grid to the variables of soil fertility, plant nutrition, weeds and stand, being harvested with yield sensor, moisture sensor and GPS for the generation of yield maps. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used with the objective of correlating the grain yield with soil fertility, plant nutrition, weeds and stand. After the three major factors were ranked according to the Scatter Class Diagram generated by PCA, those variables were selected for the generation of multi-themathic maps interpolated by indicator kriging. The high values of potassium in the soil was the variable that most interfered in the adequate balancing of Ca:Mg; Ca+Mg / K and Mg / K conditioning better yields. Other variables that contributed to the low yield were lack of B, the largest weed seed bank infestation and soil organic matter content.bitstream/CPAC-2009/28928/1/bolpd_181.pd

Extensive investigation of 0⁺ states in rare earth region nuclei

The nature of 0+ excitations, especially in transitional and deformed nuclei, has attracted new attention. Following a recent experiment studying 158Gd, we investigated a large group of nuclei in the rare-earth region with the (p,t) pickup reaction using the Q3D magnetic spectrograph at the University of Munich MP tandem accelerator laboratory. Outgoing tritons were recorded at various lab angles, and their angular distributions are compared to those calculated using the distorted-wave Born approximation. Using the unique shape of the L=0 angular distribution, more than double the number of 0+ states than were previously known are identified. The distribution of 0+ energies and cross sections is discussed in terms of collective and noncollective degrees of freedom, and the density of low-lying 0+ states is discussed as a corroboration of a characteristic feature of phase transition regions. The degree of level mixing, as extracted from Brody distribution fits to the energy spacings of adjacent 0+ levels, is also explored.</p