Measurement of the Lifetime and Λ Separation Energy of _{Λ}^{3}H

The most precise measurements to date of the _{Λ}^{3}H lifetime τ and Λ separation energy B_{Λ} are obtained using the data sample of Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV collected by ALICE at the LHC. The _{Λ}^{3}H is reconstructed via its charged two-body mesonic decay channel (_{Λ}^{3}H→^{3}He+π^{-} and the charge-conjugate process). The measured values τ=[253±11(stat)±6(syst)]  ps and B_{Λ}=[102±63(stat)±67(syst)]  keV are compatible with predictions from effective field theories and confirm that the _{Λ}^{3}H structure is consistent with a weakly bound system.

Measurement of the J/ψ Polarization with Respect to the Event Plane in Pb-Pb Collisions at the LHC

We study the polarization of inclusive J/ψ produced in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV at the LHC in the dimuon channel, via the measurement of the angular distribution of its decay products. We perform the study in the rapidity region 2.5 Collapse

Key Words Collapse

MESH Headings Collapse

Grants Collapse

First Measurement of Antideuteron Number Fluctuations at Energies Available at the Large Hadron Collider

The first measurement of event-by-event antideuteron number fluctuations in high energy heavy-ion collisions is presented. The measurements are carried out at midrapidity (|η|<0.8) as a function of collision centrality in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV using the ALICE detector. A significant negative correlation between the produced antiprotons and antideuterons is observed in all collision centralities. The results are compared with a state-of-the-art coalescence calculation. While it describes the ratio of higher order cumulants of the antideuteron multiplicity distribution, it fails to describe quantitatively the magnitude of the correlation between antiproton and antideuteron production. On the other hand, thermal-statistical model calculations describe all the measured observables within uncertainties only for correlation volumes that are different with respect to those describing proton yields and a similar measurement of net-proton number fluctuations.

Enhanced Deuteron Coalescence Probability in Jets

The transverse-momentum (p_{T}) spectra and coalescence parameters B_{2} of (anti)deuterons are measured in p-p collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV for the first time in and out of jets. In this measurement, the direction of the leading particle with the highest p_{T} in the event (p_{T}^{lead}>5  GeV/c) is used as an approximation for the jet axis. The event is consequently divided into three azimuthal regions, and the jet signal is obtained as the difference between the toward region, that contains jet fragmentation products in addition to the underlying event (UE), and the transverse region, which is dominated by the UE. The coalescence parameter in the jet is found to be approximately a factor of 10 larger than that in the underlying event. This experimental observation is consistent with the coalescence picture and can be attributed to the smaller average phase-space distance between nucleons in the jet cone as compared with the underlying event. The results presented in this Letter are compared to predictions from a simple nucleon coalescence model, where the phase-space distributions of nucleons are generated using pythia8 with the Monash 2013 tuning, and to predictions from a deuteron production model based on ordinary nuclear reactions with parametrized energy-dependent cross sections tuned on data. The latter model is implemented in pythia8.3. Both models reproduce the observed large difference between in-jet and out-of-jet coalescence parameters, although the almost flat trend of the B_{2}^{Jet} is not reproduced by the models, which instead give a decreasing trend.

Comparative Study of Molecular Mechanics Force Fields for β-Peptidic Foldamers: Folding and Self-Association

Computer-assisted study and design of non-natural peptidomimetics is increasingly important in the development of novel constructs with widespread applicability. Among these methods, molecular dynamics can accurately describe monomeric as well as oligomeric states of these compounds. We studied seven different sequences composed of cyclic and acyclic β-amino acids, the closest homologues of natural peptides, and compared the performance on them of three force field families in which specific modifications were made to improve reproduction of β-peptide structures. Altogether 17 systems were simulated, each for 500 ns, testing multiple starting conformations and in three cases also oligomer formation and stability from eight β-peptide monomers. The results indicated that our recently developed CHARMM force field extension, based on torsional energy path matching of the β-peptide backbone against quantum-chemical calculations, performs best overall, reproducing the experimental structures accurately in all monomeric simulations and correctly describing all the oligomeric examples. The Amber and GROMOS force fields could only treat some of the seven peptides (four in each case) without further parametrization. Amber was able to reproduce the experimental secondary structure of those β-peptides which contained cyclic β-amino acids, while the GROMOS force field had the lowest performance in this sense. From the latter two, Amber was able to hold together already formed associates in the prepared state but was not able to yield spontaneous oligomer formation in the simulations.

Towards virtual histology with X-ray grating interferometry

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide. Diagnosing breast cancer relies on clinical examination, imaging and biopsy. A core-needle biopsy enables a morphological and biochemical characterization of the cancer and is considered the gold standard for breast cancer diagnosis. A histopathological examination uses high-resolution microscopes with outstanding contrast in the 2D plane, but the spatial resolution in the third, Z-direction, is reduced. In the present paper, we propose two high-resolution table-top systems for phase-contrast X-ray tomography of soft-tissue samples. The first system implements a classical Talbot-Lau interferometer and allows to perform ex-vivo imaging of human breast samples with a voxel size of 5.57 μm. The second system with a comparable voxel size relies on a Sigray MAAST X-ray source with structured anode. For the first time, we demonstrate the applicability of the latter to perform X-ray imaging of human breast specimens with ductal carcinoma in-situ. We assessed image quality of both setups and compared it to histology. We showed that both setups made it possible to target internal features of breast specimens with better resolution and contrast than previously achieved, demonstrating that grating-based phase-contrast X-ray CT could be a complementary tool for clinical histopathology.

Standardization of extracellular vesicle concentration measurements by flow cytometry: the past, present and future

Concentrations of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in body fluids are being explored as disease biomarkers. Most laboratories use flow cytometry to characterize single EVs at high throughput. A flow cytometer (FCM) detects light scattering and fluorescence intensities of EVs. However, detection of EVs by flow cytometry is complicated for two reasons. Firstly, EVs are small and have weak light scattering and fluorescence signals compared to cells, and therefore are hard to detect. Secondly, FCMs differ in sensitivity and provide data in arbitrary units, which complicates data interpretation. Due to the mentioned challenges, the measured concentration of EVs by flow cytometry is cumbersome to compare between FCMs and institutes. To improve comparability, standardization and development of traceable reference materials to calibrate all aspects of an FCM are needed, as are interlaboratory comparison studies. Within this manuscript, we will provide an overview of the standardization of EV concentration measurements, including the current effort to introduce robust calibration of FCMs, thereby enabling comparable concentration measurements of EVs, which in turn can be used to establish clinically relevant reference ranges of EV concentrations in blood plasma and other body fluids.

[Multicentric Hungarian results of cabozantinib therapy in patients with metastatic kidney cancer based on real-world data]

The aim of our analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of cabozantinib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Cabozantinib therapy initiated between 01/01/2019 and 31/12/2022 was evaluated based on a retrospective review of data from 14 renal centers in Hungary. The starting dose was 60 or 40 mg. Physical examinations and laboratory tests were performed every 4 weeks and imaging studies 3-monthly. Tumor response was assessed according to RECIST 1.1, and toxicity according to NCI CTCAE 4.0. A total of 230 patient records were evaluated, 201 (87.4%) of them had clear cell RCC. Cabozantinib was administered as third, second and first-line treatment in 48.7%, 38.3% and <5% of cases, respectively. Dose reductions occurred in 62.6% and treatment interruption in 6.5%. Duration of therapy was 10.03 months, which was independent of dose reduction. Overall tumor response rate was 39.2% and clinical benefit was 82.8%. The duration of first-, second-, third- and fourth-line treatment was 11.47, 8.03, 11.57 and 10.13 months, respectively. Overall survival from the start of therapy was 22.0 months. Cabozantinib therapy in daily practice was more beneficial than according to registry study results. Dose reduction did not affect efficacy.

[Multicentric Hungarian results of cabozantinib therapy in patients with metastatic kidney cancer based on real-world data]

The aim of our analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of cabozantinib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Cabozantinib therapy initiated between 01/01/2019 and 31/12/2022 was evaluated based on a retrospective review of data from 14 renal centers in Hungary. The starting dose was 60 or 40 mg. Physical examinations and laboratory tests were performed every 4 weeks and imaging studies 3-monthly. Tumor response was assessed according to RECIST 1.1, and toxicity according to NCI CTCAE 4.0. A total of 230 patient records were evaluated, 201 (87.4%) of them had clear cell RCC. Cabozantinib was administered as third, second and first-line treatment in 48.7%, 38.3% and <5% of cases, respectively. Dose reductions occurred in 62.6% and treatment interruption in 6.5%. Duration of therapy was 10.03 months, which was independent of dose reduction. Overall tumor response rate was 39.2% and clinical benefit was 82.8%. The duration of first-, second-, third- and fourth-line treatment was 11.47, 8.03, 11.57 and 10.13 months, respectively. Overall survival from the start of therapy was 22.0 months. Cabozantinib therapy in daily practice was more beneficial than according to registry study results. Dose reduction did not affect efficacy.

Stimuli-Responsive Membrane Anchor Peptide Nanofoils for Tunable Membrane Association and Lipid Bilayer Fusion

Self-assembled peptide nanostructures with stimuli-responsive features are promising as functional materials. Despite extensive research efforts, water-soluble supramolecular constructs that can interact with lipid membranes in a controllable way are still challenging to achieve. Here, we have employed a short membrane anchor protein motif (GLFD) and coupled it to a spiropyran photoswitch. Under physiological conditions, these conjugates assemble into ∼3.5 nm thick, foil-like peptide bilayer morphologies. Photoisomerization from the closed spiro (SP) form to the open merocyanine (MC) form of the photoswitch triggers rearrangements within the foils. This results in substantial changes in their membrane-binding properties, which also varies sensitively to lipid composition, ranging from reversible nanofoil reformation to stepwise membrane adsorption. The formed peptide layers in the assembly are also able to attach to various liposomes with different surface charges, enabling the fusion of their lipid bilayers. Here, SP-to-MC conversion can be used both to trigger and to modulate the liposome fusion efficiency.

A Chemical Lure for Trapping Both Sexes of Amata phegea L

The addition of synthetic eugenol and benzyl acetate to the known floral chemical and moth attractant phenylacetaldehyde synergized the attraction of Amata phegea (Lepidoptera: Amatidae). Traps baited with the ternary blend caught ca. four times more A. phegea moths than traps baited with phenylacetaldehyde alone. Both female and male moths were attracted; in a preliminary test, the female numbers caught were almost double compared to the males. Most A. phegea were caught when the blend was formulated in a dispenser with medium release rates. Traps baited with the ternary lure in polyethylene bag dispensers detected a single well-pronounced peak in seasonal trapping, suggesting that this multicomponent bisexual lure could be efficient enough to be applied to the detection and monitoring of female and male A. phegea.

Single-particle detection of native SARS-CoV-2 virions by microfluidic resistive pulse sensing

Microfluidic resistive pulse sensing (MRPS) was used to determine the size –distribution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) based on detecting nearly 30,000 single virions. However, the ultrastructure of SARS-CoV-2 is thoroughly described, but ensemble properties of SARS-CoV-2, e.g., its particle size distribution, are sparsely reported. According to the MRPS results, the size distribution of SARS-CoV-2 follows a log-normal function with a mean value of 85.1 nm, which corresponds to an approximate diameter of the viral envelope. This result also confirms the low number (< 50) of spike proteins on the surface of the virions.

Synthesis and preclinical application of a Prussian blue-based dual fluorescent and magnetic contrast agent (CA)

The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a Prussian Blue based biocompatible and chemically stable T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent with near infrared (NIR) optical contrast for preclinical application. The physical properties of the Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) (iron (II); iron (III);octadecacyanide) were characterized with dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential measurement, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In vitro contrast enhancement properties of PBNPs were determined by MRI. In vivo T1-weighted contrast of the prepared PBNPs was investigated by MRI and optical imaging modality after intravenous administration into NMRI-Foxn1 nu/nu mice. The biodistribution studies showed the presence of PBNPs predominantly in the cardiovascular system. Briefly, in this paper we show a novel approach for the synthesis of PBNPs with enhanced iron content for T1 MRI contrast. This newly synthetized PBNP platform could lead to a new diagnostic agent, replacing the currently used Gadolinium based substances.

Game-theoretical model for the sustainable use of thermal water resources: the case of Ischia volcanic Island (Italy)

The Island of Ischia, one of the Italian active volcanoes, is a famous tourist resort for spa treatments. Spas are supplied by withdrawals from groundwaters which are characterized by a wide range of chemical compositions, salinity and temperature. In natural conditions, the hydrogeological system is recharged by rainfall and by deep fluids; the discharge is towards the sea and the springs. During the peak of the tourist season, when approximately 240 wells are operating simultaneously, a significant additional recharge of the aquifers derives from seawater and from upwelling increase in deep fluids. Although this does not compromise the availability of groundwater, the pumping often determines variation in composition and temperature of groundwater over time. Conversely, the maintenance of a stable quality of thermal waters represents one of the requirements for their therapeutic use in the spas. The study aims to establish game-theoretical modeling of the optimal sustainable exploitation of the groundwater resources of the island by competing users (spas) falling in the same flow tube of the aquifer. In the game the spas are the players, the strategy of a player consists of a fixed pumping rate and daily time durations of pumping, and the player's utility or payoff is proportional to the total quantity of withdrawn thermal water in a given time period. A special constrained Pareto optimal strategy choice is obtained, considered as a cooperative solution of the game. Pareto optimality means that there is no other strategy choice that makes one player better off without making some other player worse off.

Hypertriton Production in p-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The study of nuclei and antinuclei production has proven to be a powerful tool to investigate the formation mechanism of loosely bound states in high-energy hadronic collisions. The first measurement of the production of _{Λ}^{3}H in p-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV is presented in this Letter. Its production yield measured in the rapidity interval -1<y<0 for the 40% highest-multiplicity p-Pb collisions is dN/dy=[6.3±1.8(stat)±1.2(syst)]×10^{-7}. The measurement is compared with the expectations of statistical hadronization and coalescence models, which describe the nucleosynthesis in hadronic collisions. These two models predict very different yields of the hypertriton in charged particle multiplicity environments relevant to small collision systems such as p-Pb, and therefore the measurement of dN/dy is crucial to distinguish between them. The precision of this measurement leads to the exclusion with a significance larger than 6.9σ of some configurations of the statistical hadronization model, thus constraining the theory behind the production of loosely bound states at hadron colliders.

Responsiveness of the widely used cardiomyocyte cell platforms to simulated ischemia/reperfusion

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Research, Development and Innovation Office of Hungary (NKFIA; NVKP-16-1-2016-0017 National Heart Program and OTKA-FK 134751)

MTA-SE System Pharmacology Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary

Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide; therefore, the development of cardioprotective therapies is currently a main focus of research. Cultured cell lines and primary cell cultures play an integral role in cardiovascular research. However, there are many limitations when using these models, including variations in proliferation capacity, uncontrolled stress during cell isolation, poor reproducibility and low translational value. The aim of our study was to test the responsiveness of the most widely used cardiomyocyte platforms to simulated ischemia/reperfusion injury (SI/R) considering the effect of differentiation protocols.

Human, rat and mouse cell lines as well as primary cell cultures were used for in vitro viability assay with or without widely used differentiation protocols. The cells were exposed to normoxic or simulated ischemia/reperfusion protocols: a simulated ischemic period of 6 hours was used for the primary and the differentiated cell cultures, while for the non-differentiated cells 16 hours of simulated ischemia followed by 2 hours of reperfusion was applied. The duration of simulated ischemia was determined from preliminary experiments. Viability of the cells was measured by calcein assay.

In non-differentiated human AC16 and rat H9C2 cardiac cell lines, cell viability was significantly reduced (50%) by 16h SI / 2h R in contrast, the viability of the mouse HL-1 cell line was not reduced by 16 h SI. In primary rat neonatal cardiac myocytes 6h SI / 2h R caused significant cell death (25%). In primary human iPSC-derived cardiac myocytes 6h SI / 2h R did not result significant injury (10%) whereas 16h did (37%). Responsiveness of different cell types to SI/R ranged between 40-100%.

We have shown that the responsiveness of primary cardiac cells and non-differentiated cardiac cell lines is significantly different to simulated ischemia / reperfusion. Differentiation protocols in cell lines markedly affects their response to simulated ischemia / reperfusion. Comparative analyses of different types of cardiomyocytes can provide a good basis for accurate design of in vitro cardioprotective test systems.

POS0920 THE EFFECT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON IDIOPATHIC INFLAMMATORY MYOSITIS PATIENTS – A SINGLE CENTRE’S EXPERIENCES

Background

Pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov2/COVID19) determines the life of clinicians and patients since 2 years. Limited information is available on the nature, prognosis, and complications of SARS-Cov2 virus infection in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). There are also few data on triggered humoral response, side effects and disease course after COVID19 infection or vaccination in IIM.

Objectives

The primary goals of the current research were to assess frequency and outcome of COVID-19 disease and to determine the vaccination rate and effect in our IIM cohort. Secondary objectives were to search for risk factors of infection, predictive factors of hospitalization and to assess incidence of vaccination adverse events, complications and post vaccination breakthrough infections.

Methods

We retrospectively identified the confirmed COVID19 positive patients and assessed the symptoms, disease course and outcome on 01/06/2021 then patients were prospectively followed. Incidence and complications of vaccination were determined by questionnaires. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S enzyme electrochemiluminescent immunoassay has been used to assess seroconversion, which measures total antibody (IgM and IgG) to the SARS-CoV2 S protein and SARS-CoV2 N protein. Disease activity was determined by physician global activity.

Results

A total of 176 patients were screened and 101 participated in the study. By 01/06/2021, the COVID infection rate was 34,7% (mean age: 49.54 years, 72.72% women), which was significantly higher than the national prevalence at that time (8.2%). A third of these infections occurred asymptomatically or mild but 20% of the infected patients were hospitalized, one patient died. Longer disease duration (8.67 vs. 17.87 years; p=0.003) and higher incidence of anti-Jo-1 antibody (57% vs. 10% p=0.018) were significantly associated with hospitalization. All of COVID infected patients became seropositive regardless of immunosuppressive therapy or symptoms severity. 53,4 % of the patients received anti-COVID19 vaccine, 75,9 % choose the mRNA type. The titer of antibodies against the spike protein induced by vaccines showed high variance, but 72,3% of patients became seropositive after vaccination. Higher antibody titer against spike protein was detected after Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination compared to others (177,1 U / ml vs. 81.1 U / ml; p <001). Patients receiving steroid therapy had decreased post-vaccination antibody response compared to those without steroid treatment (94,03 U/ml vs. 165.6 U/ml; p = 0.008). With the follow-up of vaccinated patients, we did not found short term vaccine related major adverse events, but long term data revealed 7,4 % post vaccination disease relapse. Breakthrough infection was detected in 9.25 % of the vaccinated patients, one cancer associated patient without post vaccination seroconversion died due to COVID pneumonia. All the fatal COVID infections occurred in patients with seronegativity to anti- SARS-CoV2 S protein.

Conclusion

Based on our results, myositis may be associated with an increased risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2. Independent risk factor for hospitalization is anti-Jo1 positivity and longer disease duration. Anti-SARS-CoV2 vaccines are safe, tolerable and strongly recommended for IIM population, but further investigation is required to assess clinical significance of post-vaccination disease flare.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Minipigs as a Robust Tool to Model Acute Kidney Injury: Technical Notes and Characteristics

Objective

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vv-ECMO) can save lives in severe respiratory distress, but this innovative approach has serious side-effects and is accompanied by higher rates of iatrogenic morbidity. Our aims were, first, to establish a large animal model of vv-ECMO to study the pathomechanism of complications within a clinically relevant time frame and, second, to investigate renal reactions to increase the likelihood of identifying novel targets and to improve clinical outcomes of vv-ECMO-induced acute kidney injury (AKI).

Methods

Anesthetized Vietnamese miniature pigs were used. After cannulation of the right jugular and femoral veins, vv-ECMO was started and maintained for 24 hrs. In Group 1 (n = 6) ECMO was followed by a further 6-hr post-ECMO period, while (n = 6) cannulation was performed without ECMO in the control group, with observation maintained for 30 h. Systemic hemodynamics, blood gas values and hour diuresis were monitored. Renal artery flow (RAF) was measured in the post-ECMO period with an ultrasonic flowmeter. At the end of the experiments, renal tissue samples were taken for histology to measure myeloperoxidase (MPO) and xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) activity and to examine mitochondrial function with high-resolution respirometry (HRR, Oroboros, Austria). Plasma and urine samples were collected every 6 hrs to determine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) concentrations.

Results

During the post-ECMO period, RAF dropped (96.3 ± 21 vs. 223.6 ± 32 ml/min) and, similarly, hour diuresis was significantly lower as compared to the control group (3.25 ± 0.4 ml/h/kg vs. 4.83 ± 0.6 ml/h/kg). Renal histology demonstrated significant structural damage characteristic of ischemic injury in the tubular system. In the vv-ECMO group NGAL levels, rose significantly in both urine (4.24 ± 0.25 vs. 2.57 ± 0.26 ng/ml) and plasma samples (4.67 ± 0.1 vs. 3.22 ± 0.2 ng/ml), while tissue XOR (5.88 ± 0.8 vs. 2.57 ± 0.2 pmol/min/mg protein) and MPO (11.93 ± 2.5 vs. 4.34 ± 0.6 mU/mg protein) activity was elevated. HRR showed renal mitochondrial dysfunction, including a significant drop in complex-I-dependent oxidative capacity (174.93 ± 12.7 vs. 249 ± 30.07 pmol/s/ml).

Conclusion

Significantly decreased renal function with signs of structural damage and impaired mitochondrial function developed in the vv-ECMO group. The vv-ECMO-induced acute renal impairment in this 30-hr research protocol provides a good basis to study the pathomechanism, biomarker combinations or possible therapeutic possibilities for AKI.

Polarization of Λ and Λ[over ¯] Hyperons along the Beam Direction in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s]_{NN}=5.02 TeV

The polarization of the Λ and Λ[over ¯] hyperons along the beam (z) direction, P_{z}, has been measured in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV recorded with ALICE at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The main contribution to P_{z} comes from elliptic flow-induced vorticity and can be characterized by the second Fourier sine coefficient P_{z,s2}=⟨P_{z}sin(2φ-2Ψ_{2})⟩, where φ is the hyperon azimuthal emission angle and Ψ_{2} is the elliptic flow plane angle. We report the measurement of P_{z,s2} for different collision centralities and in the 30%-50% centrality interval as a function of the hyperon transverse momentum and rapidity. The P_{z,s2} is positive similarly as measured by the STAR Collaboration in Au-Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV, with somewhat smaller amplitude in the semicentral collisions. This is the first experimental evidence of a nonzero hyperon P_{z} in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC. The comparison of the measured P_{z,s2} with the hydrodynamic model calculations shows sensitivity to the competing contributions from thermal and the recently found shear-induced vorticity, as well as to whether the polarization is acquired at the quark-gluon plasma or the hadronic phase.

Synthesis of Porous Hollow Organosilica Particles with Tunable Shell Thickness

Porous hollow silica particles possess promising applications in many fields, ranging from drug delivery to catalysis. From the synthesis perspective, the most challenging parameters are the monodispersity of the size distribution and the thickness and porosity of the shell of the particles. This paper demonstrates a facile two-pot approach to prepare monodisperse porous-hollow silica particles with uniform spherical shape and well-tuned shell thickness. In this method, a series of porous-hollow inorganic and organic-inorganic core-shell silica particles were synthesized via hydrolysis and condensation of 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl) ethane (BTEE) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in the presence of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a structure-directing agent on solid silica spheres as core templates. Finally, the core templates were removed via hydrothermal treatment under alkaline conditions. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the particles′ morphology and size distribution, while the changes in the chemical composition during synthesis were followed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) was applied to assess the monodispersity of the hollow particles prepared with different reaction parameters. We found that the presence of BTEE is key to obtaining a well-defined shell structure, and the increase in the concentration of the precursor and the surfactant increases the thickness of the shell. TEM and spICP-MS measurements revealed that fused particles are also formed under suboptimal reaction parameters, causing the broadening of the size distribution, which can be preceded by using appropriate concentrations of BTEE, CTAB, and ammonia.

Measurement of the Groomed Jet Radius and Momentum Splitting Fraction in pp and Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

This article presents groomed jet substructure measurements in pp and Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV with the ALICE detector. The soft drop grooming algorithm provides access to the hard parton splittings inside a jet by removing soft wide-angle radiation. We report the groomed jet momentum splitting fraction, z_{g}, and the (scaled) groomed jet radius, θ_{g}. Charged-particle jets are reconstructed at midrapidity using the anti-k_{T} algorithm with resolution parameters R=0.2 and R=0.4. In heavy-ion collisions, the large underlying event poses a challenge for the reconstruction of groomed jet observables, since fluctuations in the background can cause groomed parton splittings to be misidentified. By using strong grooming conditions to reduce this background, we report these observables fully corrected for detector effects and background fluctuations for the first time. A narrowing of the θ_{g} distribution in Pb-Pb collisions compared to pp collisions is seen, which provides direct evidence of the modification of the angular structure of jets in the quark-gluon plasma. No significant modification of the z_{g} distribution in Pb-Pb collisions compared to pp collisions is observed. These results are compared with a variety of theoretical models of jet quenching, and provide constraints on jet energy-loss mechanisms and coherence effects in the quark-gluon plasma.

Advancement of Fluorescent and Structural Properties of Bovine Serum Albumin-Gold Bioconjugates in Normal and Heavy Water with pH Conditioning and Ageing

The red-emitting fluorescent properties of bovine serum albumin (BSA)–gold conjugates are commonly attributed to gold nanoclusters formed by metallic and ionized gold atoms, stabilized by the protein. Others argue that red fluorescence originates from gold cation–protein complexes instead, not gold nanoclusters. Our fluorescence and infrared spectroscopy, neutron, and X-ray small-angle scattering measurements show that the fluorescence and structural behavior of BSA–Au conjugates are different in normal and heavy water, strengthening the argument for the existence of loose ionic gold–protein complexes. The quantum yield for red-emitting luminescence is higher in heavy water (3.5%) than normal water (2.4%), emphasizing the impact of hydration effects. Changes in red luminescence are associated with the perturbations of BSA conformations and alterations to interatomic gold–sulfur and gold–oxygen interactions. The relative alignment of domains I and II, II and III, III and IV of BSA, determined from small-angle scattering measurements, indicate a loose (“expanded-like”) structure at pH 12 (pD ~12); by contrast, at pH 7 (pD ~7), a more regular formation appears with an increased distance between the I and II domains, suggesting the localization of gold atoms in these regions.

Storage conditions determine the characteristics of red blood cell derived extracellular vesicles

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released during the storage of red blood cell (RBC) concentrates and might play adverse or beneficial roles throughout the utilization of blood products (transfusion). Knowledge of EV release associated factors and mechanism amends blood product management. In the present work the impact of storage time and medium (blood preserving additive vs isotonic phosphate buffer) on the composition, size, and concentration of EVs was studied using attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy, microfluidic resistive pulse sensing (MRPS) and freeze-fraction combined transmission electron micrography (FF-TEM). The spectroscopic protein-to-lipid ratio based on amide and the C-H stretching band intensity ratio indicated the formation of various vesicle subpopulations depending on storage conditions. After short storage, nanoparticles with high relative protein content were detected. Spectral analysis also suggested differences in lipid and protein composition, too. The fingerprint region (from 1300 to 1000 cm^-1) of the IR spectra furnishes additional information about the biomolecular composition of RBC-derived EVs (REVs) such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), lactose, glucose, and oxidized hemoglobin. The difference between the vesicle subpopulations reveals the complexity of the REV formation mechanism. IR spectroscopy, as a quick, cost-effective, and label-free technique provides valuable novel biochemical insight and might be used complementary to traditional omics approaches on EVs.

Measurement of Prompt D^{0}, Λ_{c}^{+}, and Σ_{c}^{0,++}(2455) Production in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The p_{T}-differential production cross sections of prompt D^{0}, Λ_{c}^{+}, and Σ_{c}^{0,++}(2455) charmed hadrons are measured at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV. This is the first measurement of Σ_{c}^{0,++} production in hadronic collisions. Assuming the same production yield for the three Σ_{c}^{0,+,++} isospin states, the baryon-to-meson cross section ratios Σ_{c}^{0,+,++}/D^{0} and Λ_{c}^{+}/D^{0} are calculated in the transverse momentum (p_{T}) intervals 2<p_{T}<12 and 1<p_{T}<24  GeV/c. Values significantly larger than in e^{+}e^{-} collisions are observed, indicating for the first time that baryon enhancement in hadronic collisions also extends to the Σ_{c}. The feed-down contribution to Λ_{c}^{+} production from Σ_{c}^{0,+,++} is also reported and is found to be larger than in e^{+}e^{-} collisions. The data are compared with predictions from event generators and other phenomenological models, providing a sensitive test of the different charm-hadronization mechanisms implemented in the models.