Isotope shifts in electron affinities and in binding energies of Pb and hyperfine structure of 207Pb.

The isotope shifts in electron affinities of Pb were measured by Walter et al. [Phys. Rev. A 106, L010801 (2022)] to be -0.002(4) meV for 207-208Pb and -0.003(4) meV for 206-208Pb by scanning the threshold of the photodetachment channel Pb-(S3/2◦4) - Pb (3P0), while Chen and Ning reported 0.015(25) and -0.050(22) meV for the isotope shifts on the binding energies measured relative to 3P2 using the SEVI method [J. Chem. Phys. 145, 084303 (2016)]. Here we revisited these isotope shifts by using our second-generation SEVI spectrometer and obtained -0.001(15) meV for 207-208Pb and -0.001(14) meV for 206-208Pb, respectively. In order to aid the experiment by theory, we performed the first ab initio theoretical calculations of isotope shifts in electron affinities and binding energies of Pb, as well as the hyperfine structure of 207Pb-, by using the MCDHF and RCI methods. The isotope shifts in electron affinities of 207-208Pb and 206-208Pb are -0.0023(8) and -0.0037(13) meV for the 3P0 channel, respectively, in good agreement with Walter et al.'s measurements. The isotope shifts in binding energies relative to 3P1,2, -0.0015(8) and -0.0026(13) meV for 207-208Pb and 206-208Pb, respectively, are compatible with the present measurements. The hyperfine constant for the ground state of 207Pb- obtained by the present calculations, A(S3/2◦4)=-1118 MHz, differs by a factor of 3 from the previous estimation by Bresteau et al. [J. Phys. B: At., Mol. Opt. Phys. 52, 065001 (2019)]. The reliability is supported by the good agreement between the theoretical and experimental hyperfine parameters of 209Bi.

MS2 Virus-like Particles as a Versatile Peptide Presentation Platform: Insights into the Deterministic Abilities for Accommodating Heterologous Peptide Lengths.

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are nanostructures with the potential to present heterologous peptides at high density, thereby triggering heightened immunogenicity. RNA bacteriophage MS2 VLPs are a compelling delivery platform among them. However, a notable hurdle arises from the immune response toward MS2 coat protein, swiftly eliminating subsequent vaccinations via the same vector. Although larger inserts effectively mask carrier epitopes, current research predominantly focuses on displaying short conserved peptides (<30 aa). A systematic evaluation regarding the deterministic ability of MS2 VLPs as a platform for presenting heterologous peptides remains a gap. In light of this, we employed the "single-chain dimer" paradigm to scrutinize the tolerance of MS2 VLPs for peptide/protein insertions. The results unveiled functional MS2 VLP assembly solely for inserts smaller than 91 aa. Particularly noteworthy is the largest insertion achieved on the MS2 VLPs to date: the RNA helicase A (RHA) dsRNA-binding domains (dsRBD1). Attempts to introduce additional linkers or empty coat subunits fail to augment the expression level or assembly of the MS2 VLPs displaying dsRBD1, affirming 91 aa as the upper threshold for exogenous protein presentation. By illuminating the precise confines of MS2 VLPs in accommodating distinct peptide lengths, our study informs the selection of appropriate peptide and protein dimensions. This revelation not only underscores the scope of MS2 VLPs but also establishes a pivotal reference point, facilitating the strategic manipulation of MS2 VLPs to design next-generation epitope/antibody-based therapeutics.

Tazarotene gel promotes healing of deep tissue injury in mice.

We investigated the efficacy and molecular mechanisms of tazarotene gel for healing deep tissue injury (DTI). We used male C57BL/6J mice to establish a DTI model. Animals were divided randomly into control, tazarotene gel and purilon gel groups. We injected 100 ul tazarotene gel, purilon gel or saline every 48 h for 20 days. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe pathological changes on days 14 and 21. The mRNA and protein expression of VEGF-α, TGF-ß1 and HIF-1α were detected by qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. Wound sites exhibited accelerated healing by 20 days in the tazarotene gel group. Fewer inflammatory cells and more granulation tissue were found in both experimental groups compared to controls. The mRNA and protein expression of VEGF-α and TGF-ß1 in the experimental groups were increased compared to the control group by day 14. Expression of HIF-1α in the experimental groups was significantly less than in the controls. Tazarotene gel promoted wound healing independent of the HIF-1α/VEGF signalling pathway during tissue repair of DTI. Tazarotene and purilon gels exhibited similar macroscopic healing of wounds and expression of genes and proteins.

Multi-configuration Dirac-Hartree-Fock calculations of forbidden transitions within the 3d k ground configurations of highly charged ions (Z = 72-83).

Extensive self-consistent multi-configuration Dirac-Hartree-Fock (MCDHF) calculations are performed for the 3s23p63d k (k = 1-9) ground configurations of highly charged ions (Z = 72-83). Complete and consistent datasets of excitation energies, wavelengths, line strengths, oscillator strengths, and magnetic dipole (M1) and electric quadrupole (E2) transition rates among all these levels are given. We have compared our results with the results available in the literature and the accuracy of the data is assessed. We predict new energy levels and transition probabilities where no other experimental or theoretical results are available, which will form the basis for future experimental work.

Evaluation of clinical and serological data from Taenia solium cysticercosis patients in eastern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is one of the major causes of neurological disease in China. ELISA and immunoblotting using glycoproteins purified by preparative isoelectric focusing were used to detect human cysticercosis in Tongliao area, Inner Mongolia, China in 1998. Approximately 89% (39 of 44 inpatients and outpatients with suspected NCC at Tongliao City Hospital) were residents of Inner Mongolia. About 53% were male and 77% were of working age (18-59 years), and 32% were farmers. Immunoblotting and ELISA showed a high correlation. Of the 44 patients, 31 positive by cerebral computed tomography (CT) scan were confirmed serologically to have cysticercosis. In the ELISA, patients with no lesions by CT scan had lower OD values, similar to those of normal serum. These findings confirm that both ELISA and immunoblotting assays are sufficiently sensitive to detect asymptomatic or symptomatic cysticercosis patients.