Mass Measurement of Upper fp-Shell N=Z-2 and N=Z-1 Nuclei and the Importance of Three-Nucleon Force along the N=Z Line.

Using a novel method of isochronous mass spectrometry, the masses of ^{62}Ge, ^{64}As, ^{66}Se, and ^{70}Kr are measured for the first time, and the masses of ^{58}Zn, ^{61}Ga, ^{63}Ge, ^{65}As, ^{67}Se, ^{71}Kr, and ^{75}Sr are redetermined with improved accuracy. The new masses allow us to derive residual proton-neutron interactions (δV_{pn}) in the N=Z nuclei, which are found to decrease (increase) with increasing mass A for even-even (odd-odd) nuclei beyond Z=28. This bifurcation of δV_{pn} cannot be reproduced by the available mass models, nor is it consistent with expectations of a pseudo-SU(4) symmetry restoration in the fp shell. We performed ab initio calculations with a chiral three-nucleon force (3NF) included, which indicate the enhancement of the T=1 pn pairing over the T=0 pn pairing in this mass region, leading to the opposite evolving trends of δV_{pn} in even-even and odd-odd nuclei.

[Efficacy and safety of inactivated novel coronavirus vaccine inoculation in patients with chronic hepatitis B].

Objective: To explore the safety of inactivated novel coronavirus vaccine inoculation and the fluctuating neutralizing antibody in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods: Retrospective and prospective epidemiological research methods were employed. 153 CHB patients who visited the Department of Infectious Diseases at the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from September 2021 to February 2022 were selected as the research subjects. Information on vaccination-related adverse reactions was collected. Colloidal gold immunochromatography was used to identify neutralizing antibodies in the body after 3-6 months of vaccination. Statistical analysis was performed using the χ2-test or Fisher's exact test. Results: The positive rates of neutralizing antibodies after inactivated novel coronavirus vaccine inoculation in 153 patients with CHB were 45.50%, 44.70%, 40.00% and 16.20%, respectively, at 3, 4, 5, and 6 months. The neutralizing antibody concentrations were 10.00 (2.95, 30.01) U/ml, 6.08 (3.41, 24.50) U/ml, 5.90 (3.93, 14.68) U/ml, and 1.25 (0.92, 3.75) U/ml, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05) when the neutralizing antibody positivity rates in hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA-negative and positive patients and HBeAg-negative and positive patients at different time points were compared. The overall incidence of adverse reactions following vaccination was 18.30%. Pain at the site of inoculation and fatigue were the main presentations, and no serious adverse reactions occurred. Conclusion: CHB patients, when inoculated with an inactivated novel coronavirus vaccine, can produce neutralizing antibodies, which can stay at certain levels for 3, 4, and 5 months. However, the neutralizing antibody level gradually decreases over time, and the decrease is remarkable at 6 months. So, it is recommended to boost vaccinations at an appropriate time. Additionally, the results of the study suggest that HBV replication status has little effect on the production of neutralizing antibodies in CHB patients with relatively stable liver function, which means the inactivated novel coronavirus vaccine has a good safety profile.

[Impact and mechanism of CHL1 in insulin resistant adipocytes and insulin resistant mouse model induced by high glucose and high fat].

Objective: To investigate the role and mechanism of cell adhesion molecule L1 like (CHL1) in insulin resistant adipocytes and insulin resistant mouse model induced by high glucose and high fat. Methods: The 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were randomly divided into control group (transfected with empty vector) and CHL1 overexpression group (transfected with CHL1 vector), cells were then induced to mature adipocytes by insulin, and insulin resistance was then induced by high sugar and high fat. The glucose content was measured to determine the glucose consumption of cells from the two groups. Protein expression levels of CHL1 and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), serine/threonine protein kinase (AKT) phosphorylation levels were detected by Western blot (WB), the mRNA expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). 24 C57BL/6 adult male mouse were randomly divided into conventional diet group (regular group), high-fat diet group (high-fat group), empty vector overexpression+high-fat group and CHL1 overexpression+high-fat group (n=6 each group). CHL1 overexpression was induced by tail vein injection of lentivirus. Four months later, mice were sacrificed, body weight was determined, and the epididymal white adipose tissue was collect. Hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) was used to observe the pathology of mouse epididymal white adipose tissue, the expression of CHL1 was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining(IHC), RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of CHL1, TNF-α and IL-6 in mouse epididymal white adipose tissue. Results: In vitro, glucose consumption was significantly higher in the CHL1 overexpression group than in the control group (P<0.05), and the protein expressions of CHL1 and GLUT4 were higher in the CHL1 overexpression group than those in the control group (P<0.01), and the mRNA expressions levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were lower in the CHL1 overexpression group than those in the control group (P<0.01). In vivo, the body weight and epididymal white adipose tissue of mouse were higher in the high-fat group and the empty vector overexpression+high-fat group than those in the conventional group (P<0.01), which were lower in the CHL1 overexpression+high fat group than in the empty vector overexpression+high fat group (P<0.01). HE results showed that the volume of epididymal white adipocytes was larger in the high-fat group and the overexpression control+high-fat group than that in the conventional group, which was smaller in the CHL1 overexpression+high fat group than in the empty vector overexpression+high fat group (P<0.01). The mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in epididymal white adipose tissue of mice were higher in the high-fat group and the empty vector overexpression+high-fat group than those in the conventional group (P<0.01), which were lower in the CHL1 overexpression+high fat group than in the empty vector overexpression+high fat group (P<0.05). IHC results showed that protein expression of CHL1 in epididymal white adipose tissue was lower in the high-fat group and the empty vector overexpression+high-fat group than in regular group, which was upregulated in the CHL1 overexpression+high fat group than in the empty vector overexpression+high-fat group (P<0.01). RT-qPCR results showed that mRNA expression of CHL1 in epididymal white adipose tissue was lower in the high-fat group and the empty vector overexpression+high-fat group than in regular group (P<0.01), which was higher in the CHL1 overexpression+high fat group than in the empty vector overexpression+high fat group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Overexpression of CHL1 can improve insulin resistance in adipocytes and mouse insulin resistance model induced by high glucose and high fat, and the beneficial effects might be mediated by the inhibition of AKT activation and the reduction of related inflammatory responses.

Nd3+/Yb3+ cascade-sensitized single-band red upconversion emission in active-core/active-shell nanocrystals.

Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanomaterials (UCNMs) have promoted extensive interest for its biological research and biomedical applications, benefiting from low autofluorescence background, deep light penetration depth, and minimal photo-damage to biological tissues. However, owing to the 980 nm laser-induced overheating issue and the attenuation effect associated with conventional multi-peak emissions, the usage of UCNMs as fluorescent bioprobes is still limited. To address these issues, an effective strategy has been proposed to tune both the excitation and emission peaks of UCNMs into the first biological window (650 âˆ¼ 900 nm), where the light absorption by water and hemoglobin in biological tissues is minimal. Based on the Nd3+/Yb3+ cascade-sensitized upconversion process and efficient exchange-energy transfer between Mn2+ and Er3+ in conjunction with the active-core@active-shell nanostructured design, we have developed a new class of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) that exhibit strong single-band red emission upon excitation of an 808 nm near-infrared laser. Hopefully, the well-designed KMnF3:Yb/Er/Nd@ KMnF3:Yb/Nd core-shell nanocrystals will be considered a promising alternative to conventionally used UCNPs for biolabeling applications without the concern of the overheating issue and the attenuation constraints.

Use of microbial indicators combined with environmental factors coupled with metrology tools for discrimination and classification of Luzhou-flavoured pit muds.

AIMS: Pit mud is essential for the quality and yield of Chinese Luzhou-flavoured liquor. A reliable and fast method based on the use of microbial indicators combined with environmental factors coupled with metrology tools is needed to discriminate and classify different maturity levels of Luzhou-flavoured pit muds. METHODS AND RESULTS: Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Methanosarcina, Methanocorpusculum, Methanoculleus and Clostridium kluyveri were microbial indicators in Luzhou-flavoured pit muds. They were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. Environmental factors investigated included moisture content, pH, total acid and ammonia nitrogen. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square-discriminant analysis were employed to explore the structure of the data and construct discrimination and classification models by reduction in the data dimensionality. Pit muds were distinguished and classified as new, trend to-be aged and aged. Moisture content and pH were significantly negatively correlated with new pit mud, while pH, total acid, amino nitrogen, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Methanosarcina, Methanoculleus and C. kluyveri were significantly positively correlated with aged pit mud. CONCLUSIONS: Microbial indicators combined with environmental factors coupled to metrology tools can reliably and quickly discriminate and classify different maturity levels of Luzhou-flavoured pit muds. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Modern techniques and metrology tools verified the correctness of the traditional sensory evaluation used in controlling the quality of pit mud, and will contribute to distinguishing different maturity levels of Chinese Luzhou-flavoured pit muds.

Identification of the Lowest T=2, J

Masses of ^{52g,52m}Co were measured for the first time with an accuracy of ∼10 keV, an unprecedented precision reached for short-lived nuclei in the isochronous mass spectrometry. Combining our results with the previous ß-γ measurements of ^{52}Ni, the T=2, J^{π}=0^{+} isobaric analog state (IAS) in ^{52}Co was newly assigned, questioning the conventional identification of IASs from the ß-delayed proton emissions. Using our energy of the IAS in ^{52}Co, the masses of the T=2 multiplet fit well into the isobaric multiplet mass equation. We find that the IAS in ^{52}Co decays predominantly via γ transitions while the proton emission is negligibly small. According to our large-scale shell model calculations, this phenomenon has been interpreted to be due to very low isospin mixing in the IAS.

Polymorphic microsatellite markers in the false kelpfish Sebastiscus marmoratus: isolation, characterization, and cross-species amplification.

A (GT/CA)13-microsatellite-enriched genomic library of the false kelpfish Sebastiscus marmoratus was constructed, and 20 polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized. The polymorphisms were investigated in 48 wild individuals from a single population collected from the northern Yellow Sea. The numbers of alleles per locus varied from 4-22 with an average of 9. The observed and expected heterozygosities of each locus ranged from 0.196-0.958 and from 0.487-0.942, with an average of 0.693 and 0.765, respectively. One locus significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and one pair of loci was in linkage disequilibrium determined by Bonferroni's correction. Cross-species amplification was also conducted in the related species Inimicus japonicus, collected from East China Sea. The result showed that six loci could be amplified from I. japonicus DNAs. These polymorphic markers would be useful for assessment of genetic variation and population structure of scorpionfish.

Mass measurements of the neutron-deficient 41Ti, 45Cr, 49Fe, and 53Ni nuclides: first test of the isobaric multiplet mass equation in f p-shell nuclei.

Isochronous mass spectrometry has been applied to neutron-deficient 58Ni projectile fragments at the HIRFL-CSR facility in Lanzhou, China. Masses of a series of short-lived T(z)=-3/2 nuclides including 41Ti, 45Cr, 49Fe, and 53Ni have been measured with a precision of 20-40 keV. The new data enable us to test for the first time the isobaric multiplet mass equation (IMME) in fp-shell nuclei. We observe that the IMME is inconsistent with the generally accepted quadratic form for the A=53, T=3/2 quartet. We perform full space shell model calculations and compare them with the new experimental results.

Seventeen polymorphic microsatellite markers developed for the Javelin goby, Synechogobius hasta (Gobiidae).

Synechogobius hasta is an important commercial marine fish with distinctive features of rapid growth and short lifespan. We isolated and characterized 17 microsatellite markers for S. hasta using a (GT)(13)-enriched genomic library. Polymorphism was assessed in 48 individuals from a single population collected from the northern coastal waters of the Yellow Sea. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 23, with a mean of 11.3. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.130 to 1.000 and from 0.123 to 0.939, with means of 0.758 and 0.774, respectively. Fourteen of 17 loci conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and no significant linkage disequilibrium between locus pairs was detected. These microsatellite markers will be useful for population genetic structure analyses.

Direct mass measurements of short-lived A=2Z-1 nuclides (63)Ge, (65)As, (67)Se, and (71)Kr and their impact on nucleosynthesis in the rp process.

Mass excesses of short-lived A=2Z-1 nuclei (63)Ge, (65)As, (67)Se, and (71)Kr have been directly measured to be -46,921(37), -46,937(85), -46,580(67), and -46,320(141) keV, respectively. The deduced proton separation energy of -90(85) keV for (65)As shows that this nucleus is only slightly proton unbound. X-ray burst model calculations with the new mass excess of (65)As suggest that the majority of the reaction flow passes through (64)Ge via proton capture, indicating that (64)Ge is not a significant rp-process waiting point.

Recombinant glycerol dehydratase from Klebsiella pneumoniae XJPD-Li: induction optimization, purification and characterization.

Glycerol dehydratase (GDHt) is the rate limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of 1,3-propanediol from glycerol. The optimization of inducting process for recombinant GDHt from Klebsiella pneumoniae XJPD-Li carried out to increase specific activity and ratio of soluble form. The optimum condition was inducing under the isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside concentration of 0.8 mM and the temperature of 20 degrees C for 3 h. Homogeneity of GDHt then was obtained by affinity chromatography, resulted in 2.11-fold purification and an overall yield of 47.5%. The optimum pH and reaction temperature of GDHt were pH 8.0 and 45 degrees C, respectively. The K(m) for glycerol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,2-ethanediol and coenzyme B12 were 0.48, 1.43, 3.07 mM, and 10.03 nM, respectively. The GDHt showed relatively stable even under temperature of 40 degrees C and a bit blunt to oxygen. The thermo-inactivation kinetic models were fit linear under different temperatures.

Current advances in lupus genetic and genomic studies in Asia.

The genetic components in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have long been established, however, it has been unclear for many years whether the same genetic risk factors for SLE are shared across different ethnic groups. Over the past few years, a number of genetic and genomic studies have been conducted in Asian populations to address this question. These studies have demonstrated that genetic heterogeneity does exist in SLE across different ethnic groups. With these studies, it has been established that a number of genes associated with SLE in Caucasians are also risk factors in Asians: HLA class II genes, STAT4, BANK1, BLK, IRF5, TNFSF4, ITGAM, etc., while there are also novel genetic risk factors identified by these studies in Asians, for instance, the ETS1 and WDFY4 in Chinese. For the genomic studies, the interferon signature has been confirmed as a major lupus molecular phenotype in Asians the same as in Caucasians; microRNA expression profiling and its novel role in regulating the interferon pathway has been first revealed in Asians. Further understanding of the function of lupus disease genes and delineating the key molecular pathway(s) will enhance the development of novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for individualized clinical management for lupus patients.

Emittance study of the high intensity highly charged heavy ion beams extracted from electron cyclotron resonance ion source.

According to the requirements of ion beams extracted from an electron cyclotron resonance ion source transverse phase space coupling research and the afterglow beam property effective measurement, a pepper pot type meter called PEMiL (Pepper Pot Emittance Meter in Lanzhou) has been designed, fabricated, and commissioned to obtain the emittance of high intensity highly charged heavy ion beams. The direct current beam emittance measurement results verify the coupling property caused by the semisolenoid field. This paper also describes the scheme of multiple exposure accumulation which was applied to measure the afterglow beam property, and the transverse phase space distribution of the oxygen afterglow beam which was measured for the first time is presented.

[Analysis of key genes and signal pathways of human papilloma virus-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: To explore differentially expressed genes (DEG) and pathways between human papilloma virus (HPV) positive and negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and to search gene targets for diagnosis and treatment of HPV-related HNSCC. Methods: HPV-related HNSCC expression profile chips of GSE3292 (including 8 HPV-positive and 28 HPV-negative HNSCC tissues, of which 15 collected from oral cavity cancer, 9 from oropharyngeal cancer, 9 from laryngeal cancer and 3 from hypopharyngeal cancer) were selected from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database of National Center for Biotechnology Information and DEG were screened out using Gene-Cloud of Biotechnology Informs (GCBI). Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis were performed using DAVID and protein-to-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by STRING. Hub genes were identified by Cytoscape and then performed pathway enrichment analysis. Finally, expression differences of hub genes in the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database were checked using UALCAN. Results: Five hundred and seventy-three DEG were screened out from more than 25 000 genes detected in the chips including 539 up-regulated genes and 34 down regulated ones. Twenty-seven hub genes including cyclin-dependent kinases 1(CDK1), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), minichromosome maintenance proteins (MCM) family (MCM2, MCM3, MCM6 and MCM7), replication factor C subunit 4 (RFC4) and kinesin family member 11 (KIF11) were identified after two rounds of Cytoscape screening. Gene ontology and pathway analysis showed that DEG were mainly distributed in chromosome, nucleoplasm, nuclear lumen and membrane-enclosed lumen and participated in biological processes such as DNA replication, DNA metabolism, cell cycle and cell division, and also 6 major signaling pathways centered on p53 signaling pathway （P<0.01）. All hub genes were expressed differently between HPV-positive and negative HNSCC in TCGA database（P<0.01）. Conclusions: Hub genes including CDK1, PCNA, MCM family (MCM2, MCM3, MCM6 and MCM7) act as an important part on HPV-induced HNSCC and the p53 pathway is the key of this process and plays different regulatory roles between two subtypes of HNSCC. CDK1, MCM7 and RFC4 are expected to be potential treatment targets for HPV-positive HNSCC while MCM2, MCM3, PCNA and KIF11 may be employed as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis.

Rapid host strain improvement by in vivo rearrangement of a synthetic yeast chromosome.

Synthetic biology tools, such as modular parts and combinatorial DNA assembly, are routinely used to optimise the productivity of heterologous metabolic pathways for biosynthesis or substrate utilisation, yet it is well established that host strain background is just as important for determining productivity. Here we report that in vivo combinatorial genomic rearrangement of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast with a synthetic chromosome V can rapidly generate new, improved host strains with genetic backgrounds favourable to diverse heterologous pathways, including those for violacein and penicillin biosynthesis and for xylose utilisation. We show how the modular rearrangement of synthetic chromosomes by SCRaMbLE can be easily determined using long-read nanopore sequencing and we explore experimental conditions that optimise diversification and screening. This synthetic genome approach to metabolic engineering provides productivity improvements in a fast, simple and accessible way, making it a valuable addition to existing strain improvement techniques.