Novel ΔJ=1 Sequence in

A sequence of low-energy levels in _{32}^{78}Ge_{46} has been identified with spins and parity of 2^{+}, 3^{+}, 4^{+}, 5^{+}, and 6^{+}. Decays within this band proceed strictly through ΔJ=1 transitions, unlike similar sequences in neighboring Ge and Se nuclei. Above the 2^{+} level, members of this sequence do not decay into the ground-state band. Moreover, the energy staggering of this sequence has the phase that would be expected for a γ-rigid structure. The energies and branching ratios of many of the levels are described well by shell-model calculations. However, the calculated reduced transition probabilities for the ΔJ=2 in-band transitions imply that they should have been observed, in contradiction with the experiment. Within the calculations of Davydov, Filippov, and Rostovsky for rigid-triaxial rotors with γ=30°, there are sequences of higher-spin levels connected by strong ΔJ=1 transitions which decay in the same manner as those observed experimentally, yet are calculated at too high an excitation energy.

Spectroscopic Quadrupole Moments in {96,98}Sr: Evidence for Shape Coexistence in Neutron-Rich Strontium Isotopes at N=60.

Neutron-rich {96,98}Sr isotopes have been investigated by safe Coulomb excitation of radioactive beams at the REX-ISOLDE facility. Reduced transition probabilities and spectroscopic quadrupole moments have been extracted from the differential Coulomb excitation cross sections. These results allow, for the first time, the drawing of definite conclusions about the shape coexistence of highly deformed prolate and spherical configurations. In particular, a very small mixing between the coexisting states is observed, contrary to other mass regions where strong mixing is present. Experimental results have been compared to beyond-mean-field calculations using the Gogny D1S interaction in a five-dimensional collective Hamiltonian formalism, which reproduce the shape change at N=60.

Erratum: Spectroscopic Quadrupole Moments in

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.022701.

Precise electromagnetic tests of ab initio calculations of light nuclei: states in 10Be.

In order to test ab initio calculations of light nuclei, we have remeasured lifetimes in 10Be using the Doppler shift attenuation method (DSAM) following the 7Li(7Li,alpha)10Be reaction at 8 and 10 MeV. The new experiments significantly reduce systematic uncertainties in the DSAM technique. The J(pi) = 2(1)(+) state at 3.37 MeV has tau = 205 +/- (5)(stat) +/- (7)(sys) fs corresponding to a B(E2 down) of 9.2(3)e(2) fm(4) in broad agreement with many calculations. The J(pi) = 2(2)(+) state at 5.96 MeV was found to have a B(E2 down) of 0.11(2)e(2) fm(4) and provides a more discriminating test of nuclear models. New Green's function Monte Carlo calculations for these states and transitions with a number of Hamiltonians are also reported and compared to experiment.

Human herpesvirus-6 enhances natural killer cell cytotoxicity via IL-15.

The marked tropism of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) for natural killer (NK) cells and T lymphocytes has led us to investigate the effect of HHV-6 on cellular cytotoxicity. We describe here how HHV-6 infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) leads to upregulation of their NK cell cytotoxicity. The induction of NK cell activity by HHV-6 was abrogated by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to IL-15 but not by mAbs to other cytokines (IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, TNF-beta, IL-2, IL-12) suggesting that IL-15 secreted in response to viral infection was responsible for the observed effect. Furthermore, NK activation by HHV-6 was blocked with mAb to CD122, as well as by human anti-HHV-6 neutralizing antibodies. Using RT-PCR, we were able to detect IL-15 mRNA upregulation in purified monocyte and NK cell preparations. IL-15 protein synthesis was increased in response to HHV-6. Finally, addition of IL-15 to PBMC cultures was found to severely curtail HHV-6 expression. Taken together, our data suggest that enhanced NK activity in response to viral infection represent a natural anti-viral defense mechanism aimed at rapidly eliminating virus-infected cells.

Infection of a murine T-cell line with a retrovirus carrying c-myc decreases the interleukin-2 cell dependence by a nonautocrine mechanism.

A murine interleukin-2 (IL-2)-dependent T-cell line, CTLL-2, was infected with a retrovirus carrying the mouse c-myc cDNA and the Tn-5 neogene. Transduced cells were selected in the presence of Geneticin sulfate (G418); these cells were shown to express both the endogenous and the transduced c-myc genes. The IL-2 requirement of these cells was then found to be significantly reduced. The cells did not express IL-2 mRNA nor did they produce an activity mitogenic for CTLL-2 cells. This suggests that the reduction of IL-2 dependence observed following retroviral transduction of c-myc is caused by a nonautocrine mechanism.

About three cases of ulceroglandular tularemia, is this the re-emergence of Francisella tularensis in Belgium?

Tularemia is a zoonosis caused by Francisella tularensis that can be transmitted by several ways to human being and cause different clinical manifestations. We report three clinical cases of tularemia with ulceroglandular presentation in young males acquired during outdoor activities in Southern Belgium. Confirmation of the diagnosis was established by serology. Only three cases of tularemia have been reported in Belgium between 1950 and 2012 by the National Reference Laboratory CODA-CERVA (Ref Lab CODA-CERVA) but re-emergence of tularemia is established in several European countries and F. tularensis is also well known to be present in animal reservoirs and vectors in Belgium. The diagnosis of tularemia has to be considered in case of suggestive clinical presentation associated with epidemiological risk factors.

Applying direct liquid scintillation counting to low level tritium measurement.

Different types of procedures could be applied to measure environmental tritium level, but usually all are based on measuring tritium concentration in extracted samples water by liquid scintillation counting techniques. There are two standard methods published for tritium measurement in aqueous samples. The recommended tritium activities for tritium standard solutions can be found in these reference procedures. This paper reports the results from a comparative study carried out for different tritium standard solutions, in order to measure the counting efficiency using liquid scintillation method.

0(gs)+ -->2(1)+ transition strengths in 106Sn and 108Sn.

The reduced transition probabilities, B(E2; 0(gs)+ -->2(1)+), have been measured in the radioactive isotopes (108,106)Sn using subbarrier Coulomb excitation at the REX-ISOLDE facility at CERN. Deexcitation gamma rays were detected by the highly segmented MINIBALL Ge-detector array. The results, B(E2;0(gs)+ -->2(1)+)=0.222(19)e2b2 for 108Sn and B(E2; 0(gs)+-->2(1)+)=0.195(39)e2b2 for 106Sn were determined relative to a stable 58Ni target. The resulting B(E2) values are approximately 30% larger than shell-model predictions and deviate from the generalized seniority model. This experimental result may point towards a weakening of the N=Z=50 shell closure.

Interplay between single-particle and collective effects in the odd-A Cu isotopes beyond N=40.

Collective properties of the low-lying levels in the odd-A 67-73Cu were investigated by Coulomb excitation with radioactive beams. The beams were produced at ISOLDE and postaccelerated by REX-ISOLDE up to 2.99 MeV/u. In 67,69Cu, low-lying 1/2(-), 5/2(-), and 7/2(-) states were populated. In 71,73Cu, besides the known transitions deexciting the single-particle-like 5/2(-) and core-coupled 7/2(-) levels, gamma rays of 454 and 135 keV, respectively, were observed for the first time. Based on a reanalysis of beta-decay work and comparison with the systematics, a spin 1/2(-) is suggested for these excited states. Three B(E2) values were determined in each of the four isotopes. The results indicate a significant change in the structure of the odd-A Cu isotopes beyond N=40 where single-particle-like and collective levels are suggested to coexist at very low excitation energies.

Nuclear charge radii of neutron-deficient lead isotopes beyond N = 104 midshell investigated by in-source laser spectroscopy.

The shape of exotic even-mass (182-190)Pb isotopes was probed by measurement of optical isotope shifts providing mean square charge radii (delta(r(2))). The experiment was carried out at the isolde (cern) on-line mass separator, using in-source laser spectroscopy. Small deviations from the spherical droplet model are observed, but when compared to model calculations, those are explained by high sensitivity of delta(r(2)) to beyond mean-field correlations and small admixtures of intruder configurations in the ground state. The data support the predominantly spherical shape of the ground state of the proton-magic Z=82 lead isotopes near neutron midshell (N=104).

Measurement of the sign of the spectroscopic quadrupole moment for the 2(1)+ state in 70Se: no evidence for oblate shape.

Using a method whereby molecular and atomic ions are independently selected, an isobarically pure beam of 70Se ions was postaccelerated to an energy of 206 MeV using REX-ISOLDE. Coulomb-excitation yields for states in the beam and target nuclei were deduced by recording deexcitation gamma rays in the highly segmented MINIBALL gamma-ray spectrometer in coincidence with scattered particles in a silicon detector. At these energies, the Coulomb-excitation yield for the first 2+ state is expected to be strongly sensitive to the sign of the spectroscopic quadrupole moment through the nuclear reorientation effect. Experimental evidence is presented here for a prolate shape for the first 2+ state in 70Se, reopening the question over whether there are, as reported earlier, deformed oblate shapes near to the ground state in the light selenium isotopes.

Coulomb excitation of 68,70Cu: first use of postaccelerated isomeric beams.

We report on the first low-energy Coulomb excitation measurements with radioactive Ipi=6- beams of odd-odd nuclei 68,70Cu. The beams were produced at ISOLDE, CERN and were post-accelerated by REX-ISOLDE to 2.83 MeV/nucleon. Gamma rays were detected with the MINIBALL spectrometer. The 6- beam was used to study the multiplet of states (3-, 4-, 5-, 6-) arising from the pi2p3/2 nu 1g9/2 configuration. The 4- state of the multiplet was populated via Coulomb excitation and the B(E2;6--->4-) value was determined in both nuclei. The results obtained illustrate the fragile stability of the Z=28 shell and N=40 subshell closures. A comparison with large-scale shell-model calculations using the 56Ni core shows the importance of the proton excitations across the Z=28 shell gap to the understanding of the nuclear structure in the neutron-rich nuclei with N approximately 40.

Evidence for nontermination of rotational bands in 74Kr.

Three rotational bands in 74Kr were studied up to (in one case one transition short of) the maximum spin I(max) of their respective single-particle configurations. Their lifetimes have been determined using the Doppler-shift attenuation method. The deduced transition quadrupole moments reveal a modest decrease, but far from a complete loss of collectivity at the maximum spin I(max). This feature, together with the results of mean field calculations, indicates that the observed bands do not terminate at I = I(max).

[Chemotherapy of the source and the risk of infection in home contacts]. / Chimioterapia sursei si riscul de infectie si de imbolnavire a contactilor de la domiciliu

An attack treatment with 3 drugs during 4-6 months and a consolidation treatment with 2 drugs then INH was applied in 595 cases detected between July 1, 1968 and June 30, 1972, i.e. 264 group A (positive), 200 group B (negative cultures) and 131 group C (pleuretics). The contacts had been in close contact with the source for at least three months before establishing the diagnosis; 549 had been vaccinated at birth with BCG and 209 revaccinated; 413 had undergone chemoprophylaxis with INH. The control group comprised 1008 subjects, the mean age of the groups being very close; they were followed up for 2 years and 1 month and 2 years and 7 months. Testing was done every year with 1 u PPD IC 65. The contacts were controlled annually by radiophotography and X-ray and the controls only in case of shifting of the test. Among the contacts there were 44 conversions in the subjects with an initial tuberculin reaction of 0-5 mm and 4 in those with an initial tuberculin reaction of 6-9 mm, representing 15.1% (group A 27.7%, group B 9,8%, group C 10.5%). Three months after the initiation of chemotherapy the proportion of conversions in the three groups (group A 12.3%, group B 5.9%, group C 10.5%) was equal to that of the controls (8.8%). The next year there were 11.2% conversions among the contracts (group A 11.4%, group B 9.6% and C 17.7%) as against 11.9% among the controls. In the first year 8.3% of the contacts contracted tuberculosis (A 15.6%, B 2.4%, C 4.0%) and 0.32% of the controls. The next year 2.8% of the contacts fell ill (A 4.3%, B 2%, C 0%) and 0.5% of the controls. Among group A contacts aged 0 to 6 years there were 31.7% conversions and 30.7% cases of tuberculosis in the first year, and 7.1% and 1.8% respectively in the following year. Group B and C presented 10.9% conversions and 6% cases of disease in the first year, and no case of tuberculosis in the second year. Chemotherapy reduced conversions and sickness in this group three months after the diagnosis was established.

Epstein-Barr virus gp350-specific antibody titers and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxic effector function in different groups of patients: a study using cloned gp350-expressing transfected human T cell targets.

An NK cell activity-resistant human lymphoid T cell line (CEM-NKr) expressing the transfected Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) gp350 gene was used in membrane immunofluorescence (MIF) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assays to analyze the gp350-specific humoral and ADCC responses in groups of EBV-seropositive persons. Results show that there is no correlation between gp350-specific ADCC-mediating antibody titers and MIF or EBV neutralizing antibody titers. For example, sera from patients in the acute phase of infectious mononucleosis, while positive by MIF assay or EBV neutralization test, were not reactive in the ADCC assay. Results also show that nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients on MIF present high IgG titers against gp350 compared with healthy persons. Anti-gp350 IgA antibodies were detected in all groups tested; however, titers were highest in the NPC group.

Differential staphylococcal protein A-induced enhancement of natural killer cell activity of lymphocytes from HIV-seropositive individuals.

A decrease in Natural Killer (NK) cell activity is a common feature of the immune dysfunction found in patients with HIV-induced acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). We and others have shown earlier that staphylococcal protein A (SpA) preparations enhance NK cell activity against tumor targets. The present study was aimed at exploring whether the decreased NK activity of lymphocytes from HIV seropositive subjects could be modulated or restored in vitro by SpA. Two types of HIV-seropositive subjects were studied: hemophiliac and non-hemophiliac; matched controls were chosen among hospital staff and HIV-seronegative hemophiliac volunteers. In vitro proliferation and interleukin-2(IL-2)/interferon gamma (IFN gamma) release in response to mitogens were also studied. NK cell responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of HIV-seropositives were lower than those of seronegatives. However, exposure of PBL from HIV-seropositive individuals to SpA boosted their NK cell responses against NK-resistant target cells of tumor origin. The decrease in NK activity could not be attributed to the low number of NK cells, since no significant difference in NK cell number was observed between HIV-seropositive individuals and controls. Mitogen-induced blastogenic responses were present in all four groups, as was the mitogen-induced IFN gamma release. We conclude that impaired NK activity and its boosting against NK-resistant targets after SpA induction is an important characteristic of lymphocytes of HIV-seropositive individuals regardless of the disease state and that this NK defect may not be irreversible.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

IgG from Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis patients inhibits interleukin-2 production.

Patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated dissorders usually demonstrate evidence of immunosupression during active disease. Sera of some patients with EBV-induced infectious mononucleosis (IM), contain an IgG-blocking factor (IM-IgG) which inhibits in vitro cell-mediated immune responses and which we postulate plays an important role in viral immunosuppression. We had shown earlier that Isoprinosine (an immunostimulator) has a counterinhibitory effect on this IM-IgG activity. Here we describe evidence showing for the first time that the immunosuppressive activity of IM-IgG is aimed at inhibition of interleukin-2 (IL-2) synthesis and does not affect IL-2 receptors.

Activation of the Epstein-Barr virus replicative cycle by human herpesvirus 6.

One common attribute of herpesviruses is the ability to establish latent, life-long infections. The role of virus-virus interaction in viral reactivation between or among herpesviruses has not been studied. Preliminary experiments in our laboratory had indicated that infection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome-positive human lymphoid cell lines with human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) results in EBV reactivation in these cells. To further our knowledge of this complex phenomenon, we investigated the effect of HHV-6 infection on expression of the viral lytic cycle proteins of EBV. Our results indicate that HHV-6 upregulates, by up to 10-fold, expression of the immediate-early Zebra antigen and the diffuse and restricted (85 kDa) early antigens (EA-D and EA-R, respectively) in both EBV producer and nonproducer cell lines (i.e., P3HR1, Akata, and Raji). Maximal EA-D induction was observed at 72 h post-HHV-6 infection. Furthermore, expression of late EBV gene products, namely, the viral capsid antigen (125 kDa) and viral membrane glycoprotein gp350, was also increased in EBV producer cells (P3HR1 and Akata) following infection by HHV-6. By using dual-color membrane immunofluorescence, it was found that most of the cells expressing viral membrane glycoprotein gp350 were also positive for HHV-6 antigens, suggesting a direct effect of HHV-6 replication on induction of the EBV replicative cycle. No expression of late EBV antigens was observed in Raji cells following infection by HHV-6, implying a lack of functional complementation between the deleted form of EBV found in Raji cells and the superinfecting HHV-6. The susceptibility of the cell lines to infection by HHV-6 correlated with increased expression of various EBV proteins in that B95-8 cells, which are not susceptible to HHV-6 infection, did not show an increase in expression of EBV antigens following treatment with HHV-6. Moreover, UV light-irradiated or heat-inactivated HHV-6 had no upregulating effect on the Zebra antigen or EA-D in Raji cells, indicating that infectious virus is required for the observed effects of HHV-6 on these EBV products. These results show that HHV-6, another lymphotropic human herpesvirus, can activate EBV replication and may thus contribute to the pathogenesis of EBV-associated diseases.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) glycoprotein gp350 expressed on transfected cells resistant to natural killer cell activity serves as a target antigen for EBV-specific antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.

Cell surface-associated viral glycoproteins are thought to play a major role as target antigens in cellular cytotoxicity and antiviral immunosurveillance. One such glycoprotein is the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded glycoprotein 350 (gp350), which is expressed on both virion envelope and EBV producer cells and carries the virus attachment protein moiety. Although it is known that some antibodies to gp350 can neutralize the virus, the role of this glycoprotein in EBV-specific cellular cytotoxicity is not yet clear. We describe here a study in which we successfully used a new approach to demonstrate that gp350 is a target antigen for EBV-specific antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Transfection of gp350-negative cells resistant to natural killer (NK) cell activity (i.e., Raji) with a recombinant vector (pZIP-MA) containing the gene encoding the EBV-gp350 and the neomycin resistance gene enabled us to isolate cell clones with a stable and strong expression of gp350 on their surface membranes. ADCC determined by using two clones clearly demonstrated that gp350 is the target of the EBV ADCC. Interestingly, this ADCC was comparable to that obtained against the EBV-superinfected (coated) Raji cell expressing the same percentage of gp350 positivity as the two clones. No cytotoxic activity was detected against either nontransfected (gp350-negative) Raji cells or cells transfected with the vector [pZIP-neo-SV(X)1] lacking the gp350 gene. In addition to demonstrating that gp350 is a target molecule for EBV-specific ADCC, our approach in using NK-resistant transfectants provides a lead for probing the role of cell surface-associated viral antigens in specific cellular killing and immunosurveillance.