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Background: Although radiotherapy has improved local control in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), a considerable number of patients still experience relapse due to resistance. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of cetuximab on radiosensitivity in two ESCC cell lines (ECA109 and TE‐13) and to investigate their underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cells were pretreated with or without cetuximab before irradiation. The MTT assay and clonogenic survival assay were performed to evaluate cell viability and radiosensitivity. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. The γH2AX foci were counted to determine cellular DNA‐repairing capacity via immunofluorescence assay. The phosphorylation of key molecules involved in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway and DNA double‐strand break (DSB) repair were measured by western blot. Results: Cetuximab alone was not sufficient to suppress cell viability, but significantly enhanced radiation‐induced inhibition of clonogenic survival in ECA109 and TE‐13. The radiation sensitivity enhancement ratio (SER) was 1.341 and 1.237 for ECA109 and TE‐13, respectively. ESCC cells treated with cetuximab were arrested at the G2/M phase in response to radiation. No significant increase in apoptotic rate was observed in irradiated cells that were treated with cetuximab. The average number of γH2AX foci increased in the combination group (cetuximab and radiation). Cetuximab suppressed phosphorylation of EGFR and downstream ERK, but had no significant effect on AKT. Conclusions: These results indicate the potential for use of cetuximab as an effective radiosensitizer in ESCC. Cetuximab promotes G2/M cycle arrest and reduces DSB repair, as well as inhibiting EGFR and downstream ERK pathways in ESCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In artificial structures of molecular or quantum dot emitters in contact with single-layer graphene (SLG) Förster-type resonant energy transfer (FRET) can occur unconditionally due to the gapless band structure of SLG. A significant breakthrough for applications, however, would be the electrical modulation of FRET between arbitrary FRET pairs, using the SLG to control this process and taking advantage of the particular band structure and the monatomic thickness of SLG, far below the typical Förster radius of a few nanometers. For a proof of concept, we have therefore designed a Sandwich device where the SLG was transferred onto holey Si3N4 membranes and organic molecules were deposited on either side of the SLG. The relative photoluminescence (PL) intensities of donor and acceptor molecules changed continuously and reversibly with the external bias voltage, and a variation of about 6% of FRET efficiency has been achieved. We ascribe the origin of the electrical modulation of FRET to important doping-dependent nonlocal optical effects in the near field of SLG in the visible range.

Aiming at the safety and stability issues of the proposed substation in Pingdingshan City, Henan Province, the substation was taken as the research object. Based on the basic geological conditions and mining conditions of the substation, the goaf was detected comprehensively the transient electromagnetic method and drilling detection. By analyzing the longitudinal profile of apparent resistivity obtained by transient electromagnetic detection and the relationship curve between formation depth and apparent resistivity, it could be seen that there are low resistance anomalies in some depths. The horizontal range of the low-resistance anomaly area was further determined by analyzing the horizontal profile of apparent resistivity. The relationship between the drilling depth and the core rate obtained by drilling detection could accurately determine the depth range where the rock formation is relatively broken and has a small amount of water leakage. It could be determined that the abnormal area of the mined-out area is located in the west of the proposed area according to the comprehensive analysis of the two detection results, and there are uncertain factors in the safety and stability of the mined-out area underlying the substation, and effective mined-out area governance measures must be taken to ensure the safe and stable operation of the substation.

At present, research and application of automation of fully-mechanized roadheader and intelligence of fully-mechanized process in China have achieved initial results, but there are still some problems in intelligent perception and remote control technologies. In terms of actual conditions of fully-mechanized heading face in Tangkou Coal Mine, automatic location, cutting, remote control technologies of fully-mechanized roadheader are used to develop an intelligent remote control system for fully-mechanized roadheader. Full-automatic explosive proof type total station is adopted to locate the roadheader combining with many sensors. Operation system, electrical control system and hydraulic pressure system of the roadheader are upgraded to realize location data analysis, automatic planning of cutting actions and other functions. Remote control of automatic location and one-key cutting of the roadheader are realized by use of long distance transmission protocol. The application show that after implementation of the intelligent remote control system for fully-mechanized roadheader, unmanned operation in range of 30-50 m away from fully-mechanized heading face in Tangkou Coal Mine is realized, which improvs safety production level, and only one operator is needed in a team to achieve goal of downsizing staffs and improving efficiency.

At present, the pollution of lakes have become very important in China, meanwhile management of lake is very critical. The key is that determines the location of the incident. The paper firstly introduces Bluetooth and RSSI ranging method in the Internet of Things. Then using some CC2540 chips by TI company,it establishes a math function between distance and RSSI coming from moving objects around the lake shore . According to it, a location algorithm is designed. After some experiments, it is high accurate to position anything. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract By using bifurcation techniques, this paper investigates the existence of nodal solutions for a class of fourth-order -point boundary value problems. Our results improve those in the literature.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Xiaoaiping on the general state of rats with malignant ascites secondary to gastric cancer by blocking the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signaling pathway., Methods: Fifty healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, with 10 rats in each group. After successful modeling, 0.2 g/(20 g∙d), 0.4 g/(20 g∙d) and 0.8 g/(20 g∙d) of Xiaoaiping injections were administrated at the low dose group (LDG), medium dose group (MDG) and high dose group (HDG), respectively. The model group (MG) was injected intraperitoneally with the same amount of sterile normal saline for 8 d. Rats in the control group (CG) were healthy without any treatment. The general states (mental state, dietary habits, reactions and body shape) of rats in each group were observed. The abdominal circumference, platelet (PLT) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, serum ferritin (SF), ascites volume, cell survival rate, and expression levels of TGF-β1 signaling pathway (TGF-β1, Smad2) were compared among the groups., Results: PLT and WBC counts in the MG were lower than those in the CG. Ascites volume, tumor cell survival rate, and SF in the MG were higher than those in the LDG, MDG and HDG ( P <0.05). Thymus index in the LDG, MDG and HDG were significantly higher than that in the MG ( P <0.05). There was no significant difference in the spleen indices among the groups (P>0.05). The kidney index, serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels in LDG, MDG and HDG were significantly lower than those of MG ( P <0.05). The LDG, MDG and HDG exhibited significantly higher peripheral blood CD4+ cells and CD4+/CD8+, and lower CD8+ level, as compared with the MG ( P <0.05). The levels of serum interferon γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the LDG, MDG and HDG were higher than those in the MG ( P <0.05). The ascites volume and tumor cell survival rate were decreased sequentially in the LDG, MDG and HDG ( P <0.05). The MG had higher mRNA levels of TGF-β1 and Smad2 than the CG ( P <0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in TGF-β1 and Smad2 between the LDG and MG ( P >0.05)., Conclusion: Xiaoaiping could significantly reduce the ascites volume in rats with gastric cancer, inhibit the production of tumor cells in the abdominal cavity, and improve the general state of rats in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of the mRNA level of TGF-β1 and Smad2., Competing Interests: None., (AJTR Copyright © 2023.)