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Siglec-15 (S15) is another important mechanism of tumor immune escape besides the PD-L1/PD-1 pathway and represents a new kind of immune checkpoint inhibitor. However, the associations of tumor Siglec-15 expression with clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in a tumor microenvironment (TME) have so far been unclear. A total of 324 NSCLC surgical samples on tumor microarray were used in this study for investigating the association of S15 expression with clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival (OS) as well as correlation with TILs using multiplex immunofluorescence staining and PD-L1. Results showed that the expression of S15 in adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than that in squamous cell carcinoma. S15 expression was positively correlated with CD8+ T cell density in the stroma. The expression rate of PD-L1 in lung squamous cell carcinoma was higher than that in lung adenocarcinoma. S15 expression was not associated with the prognosis of early NSCLC. The pathological mechanism of the co-expression of S15 and PD-L1 in resectable NSCLC remains to be further studied.

Isoprene is an important material used in the synthetic rubber industry, the applications have been extensively studied, but research into the safe use of this substance has been scanty. The lack of safety information has become worrisome, and this study focuses on an evaluation of the hazardous properties of isoprene. Thermal analysis of the heat polymerization and exothermic characteristics of isoprene mixed with contaminating substances was done using DSC, and the results provide valuable information that engineers can use to avoid the danger of accidents. Isoprene is flammable and can be unstable. This presents the danger of explosion and fire in the presence of air and an ignition source. Thermal analysis was carried out for isoprene and isoprene mixed with contaminating substances. From the experiments with contaminating substances, it can be seen that contamination can accelerate the decomposition reaction of isoprene.

Career situation of first and presenting author Resident. Introduction The underlying mechanism of excessive osteoclastogenesis causing bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains elusive. PGC-1β is implicated in transcriptional regulation of osteoclastogenesis but its role in RA pathogenesis is unknown. Objectives To investigate whether PGC-1β regulated osteoclastogenesis in RA. Methods PGC-1β expression in peripheral CD14+ monocytes from RA patients were detected by immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and western blot. Peripheral CD14+ monocytes from RA patients or healthy controls were transfected with lentivirus for PGC-1β gene silencing or over-expression and cultured with M-CSF and RANKL. Mature osteoclasts and their bone resorption activity were determined by TRAP, F-actin and toluidine blue staining. DC-STAMP and bone degrading enzymes as well as signaling molecules were detected by western blot. Results Increased nuclear accumulation of PGC-1β was observed in peripheral CD14+ monocytes from RA patients and their relative PGC-1β protein expression was higher than that in healthy controls. Cultured with RANKL and M-CSF, the cell counts of mature osteoclasts on day 14 and 21 and the pit area of bone resorption lacunae on day 21 were significantly higher in RA patients than those in healthy controls. PGC-1β knockdown in monocytes suppressed the expression of cathepsin K, TRAP and MMP-9 as well as osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption activity, while PGC-1β over-expression markedly promoted these indicators and osteoclastogenesis. Furtherly, over-expressed PGC-1β increased the nuclear expression of NFATc-1. VIVIT, inhibitor of NFATc-1 activation, limited the effect of over-expressed PGC-1β on promoting the expression of cathepsin K, TRAP and MMP-9 in peripheral CD14+ monocytes from healthy controls. ChIP-QPCR analysis confirmed the immunoprecipitation of PGC-1β and the NFATc-1 promoter which indicated that PGC-1β binds to the NFATc-1 promoter region. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay showed that over-expressed PGC-1β on the peripheral CD14+ monocytes from healthy controls increased the transcriptional activity of NFATc-1 in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions Our data revealed a novel PGC-1β/NFATc-1 pathway contributing to excessive osteoclastogenesis in RA, which implied a potential therapeutic target of PGC-1β for osteoclast inhibition in RA. Acknowledgements This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (81471597, 81671612 and 81601427) and Guangdong Natural Science Foundation (2017A030313576 and 2017A030310236). Disclosure of Interest None declared.

Our objective was to assess the sustained, low-dose and constant administration of the thyroid receptor-β (TRβ)-selective agonist GC-1 (sobetirome) from a novel nanochannel membrane device (NMD) for drug delivery. As it known to speed up metabolism, accomplish weight loss, improve cholesterol levels and possess anti-diabetic effects, GC-1 was steadily administered by our NMD, consisting of an implantable nanochannel membrane, as an alternative to conventional daily administration, which is subject to compliance issues in clinical settings.Diet-induced obese C57BL/J6 male mice were fed a very high-fat diet (VHFD) and received NMD implants subcutaneously. Ten mice per group received capsules containing GC-1 or phosphate-buffered saline (control). Weight, lean and fat mass, as well as cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin and glucose, were monitored for 24 days. After treatment, plasma levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine were compared. mRNA levels of a panel of thermogenic markers were examined using real-time PCR in white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT). Adipose tissue, liver and local inflammatory response to the implant were examined histologically. Pancreatic islet number and β-cell area were assessed.GC-1 released from the NMD reversed VHFD-induced obesity and normalized serum cholesterol and glycemia. Significant reductions in body weight and fat mass were observed within 10 days, whereas reductions in serum cholesterol and glucose levels were seen within 7 days. The significant decrease in TSH was consistent with TRβ selectivity for GC-1. Levels of transcript for Ucp1 and thermogenic genes PGC1a, Cidea, Dio2 and Cox5a showed significant upregulation in WAT in NMD-GC-1-treated mice, but decreased in BAT. Although mice treated by NMD-GC-1 showed a similar number of pancreatic islets, they exhibited significant increase in β-cell area.Our data demonstrate that the NMD implant achieves steady administration of GC-1, offering an effective and tightly controlled molecular delivery system for treatment of obesity and metabolic disease, thereby addressing compliance.

The spin Hamiltonian parameters (g-factors and hyperfine structure constants) and defect structure of tetragonal Cu2+ ion in SrCl2 are theoretically investigated, using the high-order perturbation formulas for 3d 9 ions in tetragonally elongated octahedra. In these formulas, the contributions to the spin Hamiltonian from the ligand orbital and spin-orbit coupling interactions are considered with respect to strong covalency. Based on the studies, the impurity Cu2+ is found to be located at a distance of about 0.42 A from the nearest chlorine plane. The signs of the hyperfine structure constants A|| and A⊥ are suggested. The theoretical spin Hamiltonian parameters show good agreement with the experimental values. The results are discussed.

Two new species— Stigmaeopsis temporalis n. sp. collected in Kochi, Japan, and S. tegmentalis n. sp. collected in Fuzhou, China—both from bamboo plants, are described. In addition, four new life types (WN-p, WN-h, WN-n, and CW-g) in five species— S. temporalis , Stigmaeopsis tenuinidus Zhang et Zhang, S. tegmentalis , Neonidulus tereotus Beard et Walter, and Eotetranychus asiaticus Ehara—are documented in relation to their supposed functions.

Background: Previous studies have shown that hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may be associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, no study regarding the presence of HBV in the synovial membrane from RA patients has been reported. Objectives: To investigate the presence of HBV in RA synovium and determine its influence on histopathological characteristics of synovitis as well as clinical and radiographic outcomes in RA. Methods: 57 consecutive patients with active RA (DAS28-CRP≥2.6) and qualified synovium (at least 6 pieces of synovial tissues per patient, containing lining layer and sublining area) obtained by closed Parker-Pearson needle biopsy who had completed one year follow-up were retrospectively recruited from a prospective RA cohort (n=239). The patients were divided into chronic HBV infection (CHB, positive HBsAg and/or HBV DNA in serum persisting for over 6 months; n=11), resolved HBV (negative HBsAg and HBV DNA in serum, but positive anti-HBc; n=22), and non-HBV (negative HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBc, and HBV DNA in serum, regardless of anti-HBs; n=24) groups according to baseline HBV infection status. Clinical data were collected at baseline and follow-up visits at months 1, 3, 6, and 12. Radiographic assessments of hand/wrist at baseline and month 12 were performed with the Sharp/van der Heijde-modified sharp score (mTSS). Serial tissue sections were stained immunohistochemically for HBsAg, HBcAg, CD3, CD15, CD20, CD34, CD38, and CD68. Nested PCR was used to detect HBV S gene DNA in synovium. Results: Immunohistochemical staining and nested PCR revealed the presence of HBcAg and S gene DNA in the synovium from RA patients with CHB (figure 1). Compared with the non-CHB group (n=46), significantly more CD15-positive neutrophils, CD20-positive B cells, and CD68-positive macrophages infiltrated the CHB synovium (all p Figure 1 Identification of HBV in RA synovium. (A) Representative immunohistochemical staining for HBcAg in RA synovium. Representative images illustrated detection of HBcAg in a RA patient with CHB, but not in RA patients with resolved HBV or no infection. (B) Representative staining of HBcAg in one RA patient with CHB compared to stains for CD38 and CD68. Serial sections of synovium from one RA patient with CHB were stained with H&E and immunohistochemically. HBcAg immunoreactivity was observed in the sublining inflammatory cells including plasma cells (CD38+) and macrophages (CD68+), mainly located in the cytoplasm. (C) Detection of HBV S gene in RA synovium by nested PCR. Nested PCR showed HBV S gene only in all four CHB synovial tissues. Liver tissue from a patient with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma was used as positive control. Conclusions: Our results reveal definite presence of HBV in the synovium which may be involved in the pathogenesis of local lesion and exacerbate disease progression in RA patients with CHB. Acknowledgements: This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant No. 81671612 and 81601427), Guangdong Natural Science Foundation (grant No. 2016A030313307 and 2016A030313307) and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (grant No. 17ykjc12). Disclosure of Interest: None declared

English-Chinese names of Chinese journals/books

This list for names of Chinese authors cited in this volume was compiled because it is not easy to translate names listed in English such as “Ai, M.” to Chinese accurately. We tried to include as many names as possible here, but this list is not complete.

Burnett equations with the slip boundary conditions are used to study the three‐dimensional gaseous flow in slip and transition regime. The results were first compared with those of DSMC method and good agreements were achieved. The effects of inlet to outlet pressure ratios and Knudsen numbers on flow characteristics were analyzed. The compressible effect increases the pressure nonlinear distribution while the rarefied effect reduces the nonlinear trend. With the same pressure ratio and cross‐section area, the flow rate decreases with the increase of aspect ratio.

The flow characteristics of two rotating side‐by‐side circular cylinders are investigated experimentally with particle image velocimetry (PIV) and Hot‐wire anemometer in this paper. The Reynolds number, Re, is 950 and the non‐dimensional center distances, T/D, are 1.11 and 1.6, respectively, where T and D are the center distance between the two cylinders and the cylinder diameter. The velocity ratio, |α|, ranges from 0 to 2, where |α| is the circumferential speed at the cylinder surface normalized by the free stream velocity. Three rotational directions are analyzed. The experimental results show that the first rotation is optimal for weakening the near‐wake vorticities. Both the vorticities and turbulence diminish significantly and the time‐averaged velocity field is homogenized with increasing |α|. The second rotation enlarges the vorticity distribution. Under the third type of rotational direction the time‐averaged velocity loss deflects from the free stream with the increase of |α|. Meanwhile, the wake vorticity and turbulence with turbulivity higher than 20% both shift downwards, with the intensity of turbulence and vorticity unchanged.

Stability analyses of two‐dimension conventional Burnett and Woods equations were carried out. The characteristic stability equations of these two equations were first derived and the characteristic curves were achieved. The linearized stability analyses show that the two‐dimension conventional Burnett and Woods equations are not stable. The critical Knudsen numbers for these two extended hydrodynamic equations are 0.353 and 0.130, respectively. The critical Knudsen numbers are smaller than those of one‐dimension equations. The two‐dimension extended hydrodynamic equations are more unstable than one‐dimension equations.

The tool portfolio of a plant refers to the makeup, in quantity and type, of processing machines in the plant. Portfolio planning is a multi-criteria decision-making task involving trade-offs between investment cost, throughput, cycle time and risk. In this paper, an economic decision model is first presented for optimal configuration of portfolio and to determine optimal factory loading. If plants are closely located or have a twin-fab design, portfolio planning at multiple plants can be integrated to enhance the overall effectiveness of portfolios. A novel methodology for arbitrating capacity backup between multiple plants is described in the second part. Finally, robust configuration of portfolio in a dynamic demand environment is addressed. Industry data have been utilized to run through the developed methodologies.

The response of the predatory mite Amblyseius longispinosus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to the webnest of the spider mite Schizotetranychus nanjingensis (Acari: Tetranychidae) was examined using two-choice tests in the laboratory. A. longispinosus females were found significantly more often on leaves with webnests than on leaves without webnests and were often observed searching under the webbing. Because spider mites and their eggs were removed from the webnests before experiments, predators responded to stimuli associated with webbing, mite feeding damage and other residues in the webnests.

According to the pathological observations on BALB/c mice after being given steroid hormone, the following results were obtained: secondary thymic atrophy could be observed 24 hours after steroid therapy. The degree of atrophy correlated with the amount of medication and duration of therapy; the weight and pathological changes under light and electron microscope examination almost returned to normal 7 days after the drug was stopped except in individual animals. Our study indicated that secondary atrophy of the thymus can be reversed after elimination of the pathogenic factor.

Acute bacterial otitis media was induced in guinea pigs with H. influenzae to investigate the ultrastructural changes of the organ of Corti. The results showed that the stereocilia in the organ of Corti adjacent to the round window was disoriented and partially disappeared, there was an increase in the number of lysosomes and marked aggregation of smooth endoplasmic reticula, the surface of the supporting cells was damaged and broken. The most prominent damages were observed on specimens 7 days following the middle ear inoculation with H. influenzae. The damages to the supporting cells were repaired 21 days after the inoculation though the damaged stereocilia did not show any sign of recovery.

The endotoxin (lipopolysaccharides, LPS) of H. influenzae extracted with phenol-water method was injected into the perilymphatic compartment of guinea pig via the round window membrane. The CAP thresholds of the cochleas injected with LPS rose to 70.00 +/- 21.76 dB. The N1 latency at threshold prolonged until 2.63 +/- 0.28 ms. Compared with the controls, the differences were significant statistically at the level of 1% and 5% respectively. Electron microscopy found that the neural fibers of the organ of Corti were swollen, organelles degenerated, axon atrophied and disappeared. The myelin sheaths collapsed. The organelles and vesicles in the synapses decreased and disappeared. The synaptic membrane destroyed. The results exhibited that the LPS of H. influenzae had toxic effects on the neural components of the organ of Corti and the degeneration of the neural components was the pathological basis of the elevation of CAP thresholds and the N1 latency delay. It is concluded that once endotoxin enters into the perilymphatic compartment, it not only causes physiological changes but results in irreversible alterations of the neural components pathologically.