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To explore the role of T-box 2 (TBX2) in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC).Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot (WB) assays were used to detect the expression level of TBX2 in tissues and cells. Transwell assays were conducted for determination of cell invasion and migration.The results suggested that the TBX2 was upregulated in ESCC tissues. Further, high expression of TBX2 expression was associated with tumor size, differentiation, distant metastasis, and TNM stage. In our in-vitro study, we decreased the expression of TBX2 in ESCC cells by transfection using LipofectamineTM 3000. The results from the transwell assay suggested that the downregulation of TBX2 could significantly suppress cell migration and invasion. Besides, WB results indicated that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related protein expressions were also changed after transfection.TBX2, as an oncogene, could promote the progress of ESCC by affecting the transfer ability in tumor cells.

To study the protective mechanism of glutamine (Gln) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rats through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway.A total of 30 healthy SD rats weighing 200-300 g were used in this experiment. They were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham group (n=10), myocardial IR injury group (IR group, n=10), IR+Gln group (n=10). The protein expression levels of phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), total Akt (t-Akt), phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), mTOR, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), P21, and Tubulin were determined by Western blotting (WB). Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) was applied to detect the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of Akt and mTOR. 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiazol(-z-y1)-3,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test was utilized to examine the proliferation ability of cardiomyocytes in vitro. Besides, the contents of the inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell apoptosis in each group was examined through Hoechst staining.Compared with those in the sham group, ratios of p-AKT/AKT, p-mTOR/mTOR, and the level of PCNA extremely significantly decreased, but the level of P21 notably increased in IR group (p0.01). In comparison with those in the IR group, ratios of p-AKT/AKT, p-mTOR/mTOR, and the level of PCNA were remarkably raised, while the level of P21 was remarkably reduced in IR+Gln group (p0.05). QRT-PCR results manifested that there were no significant differences in the mRNA levels of Akt and mTOR among the three groups [no significant difference (NS)]. Moreover, the cell proliferation ability in IR group was remarkably lower than that in the sham group (p0.01), while it was enhanced in the IR+Gln group compared with that in the IR group (p0.05). Additionally, IR group had significantly elevated expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 compared with the sham group (p0.01), whereas the IR+Gln group had notably decreased expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 compared with IR group (p0.05). In comparison with that in the sham group, the apoptosis in IR group was significantly raised (p0.01), and compared with that in the IR group, the apoptosis in the IR+Gln group prominently decreased (p0.05). The contents of the inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, and IL-6 presented the same trends among the three groups.Gln activates the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by increasing the levels of p-AKT and p-mTOR. Gln can increase the PCNA level and reduce the P21 level, so as to enhance the proliferation ability of cardiomyocytes. Besides, Gln reduces the levels of inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, and IL-6, and inhibits cell apoptosis. Finally, Gln can protect cells from myocardial IR injury by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

The melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) is a G protein-coupled receptor and potentially important in production traits. Three naturally occurring mutations (M54L, G104S, and L151R) in chicken MC3R (cMC3R) were reported previously to be associated with production traits. Here, we inserted the full-length cMC3R coding sequence into pcDNA3.1(+) and generated the 3 mutations by site-directed mutagenesis. The total and cell surface expression of the receptors was measured by flow cytometry. We analyzed the pharmacological characteristics, including binding and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, using 6 ligands ([Nle4, D-Phe7]-α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH), α-, β-, γ-, and D-Trp8-γ-MSHs, and agouti-related peptide). All mutants had similar total and cell surface expression as the wild-type (WT) cMC3R. M54L had similar pharmacological properties as the WT cMC3R. G104S did not exhibit any specific binding but had minimal response to α-, β-, γ-, and D-Trp8-γ-MSH, although it generated 24% WT response when stimulated by NDP-MSH. Although L151R had normal binding, the responses to agonists were reduced to approximately 25% of that of the WT. In MAPK signaling, all 3 mutants showed significantly increased agonist-stimulated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2, indicating the existence of biased signaling at G104S and L151R. In summary, our studies demonstrated that although all 3 mutations are significantly associated with production traits, only G104S and L151R had severe defects in receptor pharmacology. How M54L might cause production trait differences remains to be investigated.

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease characterised by immune system hyperactivation leading to the production of autoantibodies and immune attack on multiple organs including the skin and kidneys. High levels of type I interferons (IFNa/b) alter the activation state of immune cell populations and have been identified as a risk factor for SLE. Antibody blockade of the interferon alpha receptor (IFNAR) has demonstrated clinical efficacy in a Phase 2b study in SLE, and validates targeting this pathway in SLE1. Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) is critical for mediating downstream signalling of type I IFNs. Inhibition of JAK1, therefore, is anticipated to reduce IFN signalling, activation of immune cell subsets, and SLE disease activity. The JAK1 selective inhibitor filgotinib (FIL) is currently being evaluated in three proof-of-concept Phase 2 studies in SLE-like diseases. Objectives To characterise the efficacy and mechanism-of-action of FIL in the NZB/W F1 spontaneous mouse model of lupus in a therapeutic setting. Methods FIL was tested in the NZB/W F1 model of lupus at two concentrations (0.05% and 0.1%) formulated in chow and administered ad libitum from weeks 28–40. Cyclophosphamide (CP) was used as a positive control at 5 mg/kg, once daily, i.p. Efficacy was determined by changes in proteinuria, renal histopathology, and survival. Splenic cell populations were analysed by flow cytometry at study termination at week 40 to measure changes in immune cell subsets in diseased versus non-diseased mice and following FIL treatment. An in vitro murine whole blood pSTAT1 assay and PK exposure data were used to assess target coverage in the model. Results In the NZB/W model, FIL showed a dose-dependent decrease in proteinurea with a concomitant reduction in BUN levels, renal inflammation, improved glomerular morphology, and increased survival (table 1). Diseased mouse spleens had decreased frequencies of naive T cells, increased frequencies of CD11+dendritic cells (DCs), and an increased ratio of memory:naive T cells versus non-diseased mice. FIL treatment showed a dose-responsive reversal of these populations toward non-diseased levels. FIL inhibited in vitro IFNa-stimulated pSTAT1 signalling in T cells. Calculated JAK target coverage of pSTAT1 inhibition was similar to that observed in human studies at clinical doses. Conclusions FIL demonstrated efficacy in the NZB/W F1 murine model of lupus with an alteration of splenic immune cell subsets affected by type I IFNs toward non-diseased levels. This data provides the basis for the evaluation of FIL as monotherapy in the currently ongoing Phase 2 studies in lupus-related diseases. Reference [1] Furie R, et al. Arthritis Rheumatol2017;69:376–386. Disclosure of Interest C. Pohlmeyer Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, Z.-H. Cui Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, P. Han Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, A. Clarke Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, R. Jones Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, N. Mollova Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, I. Mikaelian Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, S. Zaboli Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, A. Shauf Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, J. Di Paolo Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc

UAVs have played important roles in many fields. However, due to the insufficient energy of electric UAVs, the future development has a major obstacle. This problem can be solved by laser power transmission. This paper summarizes the research results at abroad and domestic, introduces the work flow of the whole system, discusses the key technologies and puts forward the prospect.

A community-based seroepidemiologic survey on Taenia solium cysticercosis in humans was carried out in Shandong Province, China. Blood specimens from 2,898 residents were collected and examined for anti-cysticercus antibody. Information on demographic and potential risk factors was obtained using a standardized questionnaire. The overall seroprevalence of cysticercosis was 3.2%. Seropositivity tended to increase with age ranging from 1.8% in children under 6 years of age to 5.7% in those over 60 years old. Distance between village residence and the town of the community was negatively associated with seropositivity (Chi-square for trend test p = 0.02). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified four risk factors for cysticercosis infection in the community: defecating indiscriminately (OR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.01-1.81), being unable to identify diseased pork (OR = 4.09, 95% CI 1.53-10.97), raising pigs (OR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.09-1.69), and more than 60 years old (OR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.10-2.02. These findings have implications for developing appropriate strategies for the control of Taenia solium cysticercosis in the community.

From Oct 1992 to Dec 1993, 25 cases were done by VATS. They were: Wedge resection of the lung (5), biopsy of mediastinal mass (4), pleural biopsy (4), removal of mediastinal cyst (3), resection of pulmonary bullae and pleurodesis (2), removal of intrathoracic foreign body (2), lobectomy (2), removal of clotted blood of hemothorax (1), resection of malignant mesothelioma (1), and esophageal tumor (1). There was no severe complication. Three procedures of VATS needed to be converted to thoracotomy. All 25 patients were recovery well. The comment was done for indications and contraindications of VATS.

This paper reports on the incidence of advanced filariasis after basic elimination of bancroftian filariasis since 1983 in Shandong Province. Investigation was carried out in a population of 166,776 between 1984 and 1988 in 252 villages of Teng Xian and other 5 counties/cities, the erstwhile highly endemic areas. A total of 1,038 filariasis patients were found with an average incidence of 0.6%. Among them, 383 were with elephantiasis, 357 with chyluria and 298 with hydrocele. 902 cases (86.9%) who suffered the disease before the elimination of filariasis and 136 cases (13.1%) after it, 125 (91.9%) being chyluria cases. The oldest of the 1,038 cases was 86 years of age and the youngest, 6 years of age. The course of duration as 8-74 years in elephantiasis cases, 82.8% of them (317 cases) had previously lymphangitis and/or lymphadenitis. In the past three years 16.4% (52 cases) suffered from prolonged or intermittent acute lymphangitis and/or lymphadenitis. The results of this survey indicated that, after the basic elimination of filariasis in Shandong Province together with thorough clearance of infection source, elephantiasis and hydrocele persisted while new cases of chyluria continued to develop. Therefore, in such areas more emphasis should be put on the treatment of clinical patients. New patients should be surveyed and old patients be treated actively so as to reach the goal of eradicating filariasis.

This paper reports the results of epidemiological surveillance in areas where filariasis has been basically eradicated and control measures no longer adopted in Shandong Province. A 3-year longitudinal surveillance in 18 villages in 5 counties and a cross-sectional survey in 13 villages of 4 counties were carried out. The results showed that the average microfilaria rate was further reduced from 0.28% and 0.15% in 1980 to 0.19% and 0.05% in 1986, decreased by 32.1% and 66.7% respectively. 34.2% of the microfilaremic cases were found to be negative during the two-year follow-up. The positive rate of IFA and skin test was 34.2% and 38.6% respectively. In longitudinal surveillance. of the 240,992 Culex pipiens pallens dissected, 152(0.06%) were found to harbour different stages of larvae, among them, 5 were infective larvae from 4 vector mosquitoes. In cross-sectional survey, of the 3,875 Culex pipiens pallens dissected only 1 which had bitten immigrant from Zhejiang was found to contain one larvae at stage 1. No positive mosquito was found in the household of native villagers. No new infection was discovered at longitudinal and cross-sectional survey. The transmission of filariasis in these areas was interrupted. The results showed that in areas where filariasis has been basically eradicated, further control measures may not be instituted, but the management population movement and surveillance should be strengthened.