Further investigation on the fusion of ^(6)Li with ^(209)Bi target at near-barrier energies

The complete and incomplete fusion cross sections for ^(6)Li+^(209)Bi were measured using the in-beamγ-ray method around the Coulomb barrier.The cross sections of(deuteron captured)incomplete fusion(ICF)products were re-quantified experimentally for this reaction system.The results reveal that the ICF cross section is equivalent to that of complete fusion(CF)above the Coulomb barrier and dominant near or below the Coulomb barrier.A theoretical calculation based on the continuum discretized coupled channel(CDCC)method was performed for the aforementioned CF and ICF cross sections;the result is consistent with the experiments.The universal fusion function(UFF)was also compared with the measured CF cross section for different barrier parameters,demonstrating that the CF suppression factor is significantly influenced by the choice of potential,which can reflect both dynamic and static effects of breakup on the fusion process.

Pleural fluid from tuberculous pleurisy inhibits the functions of T cells and the differentiation of Th1 cells via immunosuppressive factors

Immunosuppressive mediators in tuberculosis pleurisy(pleural fluid(PF))are associated with the course of disease,but they remain poorly defined.To study the local immune status of patients with tuberculosis pleurisy,we examined the effect of PF on the functions of T cells and the differentiation of Th1 cells.PF could inhibit the ability of T cells to produce cytokines.However,tumor-necrosis factor(TNF)-a derived from non-T cells was not impaired.Further analysis indicated that cell activation and cell cycle progression were also suppressed.Moreover,PF could inhibit Th1 cell differentiation.Importantly,we found that inhibitors of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase(IDO)and adenosine and neutralizing antibodies against IL-10 and transforming growth factor(TGF)-b could reverse cytokine production,suggesting that IDO,adenosine,IL-10 and Transforming growth factor–b1 in PF might take part in impairing T-cell functions.Taken together,our data demonstrate for the first time that several immunopathological factors participate in the downregulation of T-cell functions in local PF.

Recent progress in AMS measurement of ^(182)Hf at the CIAE

In order to improve the accuracy of accelerator mass spectrometry （AMS） measurement for 182Hf/180Hf, a series of measurements have been taken in the AMS laboratory at the China Institute of Atomic Energy （CIAE）. The major ones include the instantaneous monitoring of 180HfF5- current, testing the stability of transmission, the alternate measurements of an unknown sample and standard, and the origin identification and minimization of background 182W. The experimental details and the improvement in the measurement accuracy, as well as some useful suggestions for better satisfying the requirements of certain practical applications, are presented in this paper.

The inhibitory activities of Urtica fissa to BPH

In the present study, the BPH inhibitory activities of Urtica fissa were systematically investigated. Firstly, inhibitory activities of 5α reductase of the alcoholic extracts from different parts(root, stem, leaf, flower and fruit) were evaluated. The results indicated that the root possessed the most significant action. Subsequently, U. fissa root(UFR) was subjected to further pharmacological evaluation using the benign prostate hyperplasia(BPH) model rats induced by testosterone propionate. The results revealed that UFR could significantly decrease the prostate index, alter the hyperplasia tissue morphology, suppress the prostatic growth factors of VEGF, EGF, bF GF and KGF, decrease the inflammation factor levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, improve the activities of GSH-Px, CAT and SOD and decrease the MDA level in the prostate of the model rats. Moreover, UFR also significantly suppressed the hormone levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. These results indicated that the possible BPH inhibitory mechanisms of UFR were growth factor suppression, hormone level modulation, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidative stress.