Understanding the distribution and extent of suitable habitats is critical for the conservation of endangered and endemic taxa. Such knowledge is limited for many Central African species, including the rare and globally threatened Grey-necked Picathartes Picathartes oreas, one of only two species in the family Picathartidae endemic to the forests of Central Africa. Despite growing concerns about land-use change resulting in fragmentation and loss of forest cover in the region, neither the extent of suitable habitat nor the potential species’ distribution is well known. We combine 339 (new and historical) occurrence records of Grey-necked Picathartes with environmental variables to model the potential global distribution. We used a Maximum Entropy modelling approach that accounted for sampling bias. Our model suggests that Grey-necked Picathartes distribution is strongly associated with steeper slopes and high levels of forest cover, while bioclimatic, vegetation health, and habitat condition variables were all excluded from the final model. We predicted 17,327 km2 of suitable habitat for the species, of which only 2,490 km2 (14.4%) are within protected areas where conservation designations are strictly enforced. These findings show a smaller global distribution of predicted suitable habitat forthe Grey-necked Picathartes than previously thought. This work provides evidence to inform a revision of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status, and may warrant upgrading the status of the species from “Near Threatened” to “Vulnerable”.

In a multicenter cohort of 963 adults hospitalized due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), 5% had a proven hospital-acquired infection (HAI) and 21% had a proven, probable, or possible HAI. Risk factors for proven or probable HAIs included intensive care unit admission, dexamethasone use, severe COVID-19, heart failure, and antibiotic exposure upon admission.

ABSTRACT IMPACT: Cholecystokinin-B Receptor -Mediates Growth of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with the use proglumide. Proglumide is a non-selective antagonistic drug therefore, strategies that block signaling at the CCK-BR may provide to be a novel therapeutic option for Hepatocellular Carcinoma treatment OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Cholecystokinin (CCK)and gastrin mediate the growth of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) through CCK-R and interruption of this signaling pathway could decrease HCC. CCK-Receptors are overexpressed in HCC and proliferation may be mediated through CCK-B. Blockade of the CCK-BR with proglumide decreased both growth in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: RNA was extracted from murine Hepa1-6, RIL-175 and human HepG2 cells and was evaluated by qRT-PCR for expression of CCK-AR, CCK-BR and gastrin. CCK-R protein expression was analyzed by flow cytometry. HCC cells were treated in vitro with CCK peptide, the CCK-AR antagonist or the CCK-BR antagonist. Proliferation of selective CCK-R KO cells was compared to that of wild-type cells. To determine the effect of a CCK-R antagonist on tumor growth in vivo two cohorts of mice bearing subcutaneous Hepa1-6 or RIL-175 HCC tumors were treated with an oral bioavailable CCK-R antagonist proglumide or untreated water for 3-4 weeks. The mice bearing Hepa1-6 tumors were placed on a high-fat diet to raise blood CCK levels. Mice bearing RIL-175 tumors were fed standard chow to determine if proglumide could block autocrine growth by gastrin. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The mRNA expression of CCK-AR, CCK-BR and gastrin were increased 80-90-fold in all HCC cell lines compared to that of normal liver. CCK-BRs were detected on >85% of the cells by flow cytometry. CCK peptide (1nM) stimulated HCC growth in vitro in both wild-type cells and in CCK-AR KO cells but not in CCK-BR KO cells. CCK-BR antagonist blocked CCK-stimulated growth in vitro but the CCK-AR antagonist did not, suggesting that the CCK-BR was responsible for mediating proliferation. In vivo tumor growth was significantly reduced with proglumide treatment by 70% (p<0.05) in Hepa1-6 and by 73% (p<0.001) in RIL-75 tumors, respectively. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: CCK-Rs are overexpressed in HCC and proliferation appears to be mediated through the CCK-BR. Downregulation with CRISPR Cas9 or blockade of the CCK-BR with an antagonist decreases growth in vitro and proglumide therapy decreases tumor growth in vivo. Strategies that block signaling at the CCK-BR maybe a novel therapeutic option for HCC treatment.

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a leading cause of cirrhosis in the world for which no anti-fibrotic therapies exist. We hypothesized that BMS-22 and maraviroc (MVC), chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) and 5 (CCR5) antagonists, respectively, would diminish the fibrogenic activity of "fat-exposed" murine pHSCs. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: pHSCs were isolated from livers of 6 week old male mice following 4 weeks on a NASH-inducing choline-deficient high fat diet (CDAHFD, “fat-exposed”) or standard diet (SD) and passaged in vitro. Early passage (6-12) pHSCs were plate-adhered and TGF-b-treated (10ng/mL) to maximally activate their pro-fibrogenic genes, collagen 1α1 (Col1A1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1), or α-smooth muscle actin (ACTA2). CDAHFD and SD pHSCs were then treated for 48 hours with increasing doses of BMS-22 or MVC (range: 0.3-120ng/mL) to determine (1) the degree of attenuation of the pro-fibrogenic response as measured by qPCR of fibrogenic genes (Col1A1, TIMP1,ACTA2); (2) enhancement of a fibrolytic response as measured by qPCR of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2, 9 and 13 genes; and (3) pHSC migration using the scratch assay. Cell viability and CCR2 and CCR5 gene expression in response to escalating doses of antagonists were also measured. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Plate- and TGF-b activated CDAHFD pHSCs had a 2-fold greater, dose-dependent attenuation of their pro-fibrogenic activity in response to BMS-CCR2-22 and MVC, when compared with plate- and TGF-b activated SD pHSCs, as measured by reductions in collagen 1α1 (Col1A1) and α-smooth muscle actin (ACTA2) gene expression. TIMP1 gene expression was unaffected by drug treatment for 48 hours. Cell viability was not affected up to doses of 30ng/mL of each drug. pHSCs also demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in CCR2, CCR5 and MMP-9 gene expression in response to surface receptor antagonism. Migration assays comparing CDAHFD and SD pHSCs in response to escalating doses of MVC and BMS-22 are ongoing and expected to demonstrate a significantly decreased migratory capacity of CDAHFD pHSCs than SD pHSCs in response to therapy, reflecting the increased susceptibility of the “fat-exposed” pHSCs to anti-fibrotic therapy than normal pHSCs. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Anti-fibrotic drugs that dampen pro-fibrogenic activities of “fat-exposed” pHSCs are urgently needed. CCR2 and CCR5 antagonists, BMS-22 and MVC, respectively, can selectively dampen the pro-fibrogenic response of fat-exposed pHSCs, and must be considered for future trials in human NASH. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DESCRIPTION: Dr. Jill Smith has a patent licensing agreement with Immune Therapeutics, Inc.

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: NASH increases the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. High-fat diets increase CCK levels and CCK receptors have been identified on fibroblasts and immune cells. We hypothesized that CCK receptor blockade could prevent NASH by altering the hepatic microenvironment and macrophage activation. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Female mice were fed a Choline Deficient Ethionine supplemented (CDE) saturated fat diet or control high-fat diet for 18 weeks. Mice in each group were treated with a CCK receptor antagonist, proglumide (0.1 mg/ml) in the drinking water or regular water. Resected livers were stained for H&E for features of NASH and F4/80 for macrophages analysis. Liver RNA was evaluated for the expression of cytokines and chemokines using an 84-gene Profiler array (Qiagen). Oxidative stress was analyzed by qRT-PCR for heat shock proteins (HSPs) 27, 60, 70 and 90 and for glutathione by a fluorometric assay. Differences in CDE fed and CDE/proglumide-treated mouse livers were evaluated. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Livers from mice on the CDE diet displayed histologic features of NASH that were prevented by proglumide. Cytokines and chemokines expression, especially CCL20 and CCL2, were increased in the CDE fed mice and these levels were reduced greater than 20-fold with proglumide. Infiltration of F4/80+ macrophages was markedly increased in the CDE livers and these were reduced by > 50% (p < 0.0001) with proglumide. RNA expression of HSP70 (p = 0.006) and HSP27 (p = 0.011) were reduced with proglumide. Hepatic glutathione concentration more than doubled in the CDE/proglumide treated mice compared to CDE mice. CCK-B receptor expression increased in the CDE-fed mouse livers compared to controls. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: CCK receptor blockade decreases NASH by reducing hepatic macrophages, oxidative stress, and blocking inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. This data supports our novel hypothesis that CCK receptors play a role in NASH and proglumide may provide an innovative treatment for this condition.

Extra-care housing (ECH) has been hailed as a potential solution to some of the problems associated with traditional forms of social care, since it allows older people to live independently, while also having access to care and support if required. However, little longitudinal research has focused on the experiences of residents living in ECH, particularly in recent years. This paper reports on a longitudinal study of four ECH schemes in the United Kingdom. Older residents living in ECH were interviewed four times over a two-year period to examine how changes in their care needs were encountered and negotiated by care workers, managers and residents themselves. This paper focuses on how residents managed their own changing care needs within the context of ECH. Drawing upon theories of the third and fourth age, the paper makes two arguments. First, that transitions across the boundary between the third and fourth age are not always straightforward or irreversible and, moreover, can sometimes be resisted, planned-for and managed by older people. Second, that operational practices within ECH schemes can function to facilitate or impede residents’ attempts to manage this boundary.

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Epidemiologic studies have found that the incidence of pancreatic cancer is greatest in countries that consume diets high in fat. The gastrointestinal peptide cholecystokinin (CCK) is released from the duodenum in response to dietary fat. CCK has also been shown to stimulate growth of pancreatic cancer through the CCK receptor that is over-expressed on pancreatic cancer cells. The aim of this investigation was to determine if dietary fat promotes growth of pancreatic cancer through the actions of CCK at its receptor. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: The effects of dietary fat on growth of murine Panc02 pancreatic cancer xenografts were studied in 3 different systems with immune competent mice: (1) pharmacologic blockade with a CCK receptor antagonist, (2) genetic knockout of the CCK receptor by CRISPR, and (3) in genetically engineered mice lacking the CCK peptide (CCK-KO). After injection of 2×106 Panc02 cells subcutaneously, mice were fed either a high-fat diet or a control diet for 37–42 days. Tumor volumes and weights were measured and histology performed. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Dietary fat significantly increased the size of pancreatic cancer xenografts and this effect was reversed by CCK receptor blockade. Receptor antagonist therapy also significantly reduced tumor-associated fibrosis and increased the influx of CD8+ lymphocytes in the micro-environment. Panc02 cancer cells lacking CCK receptors failed to respond exogenous administration of CCK in vitro and to dietary fat in vivo. Dietary fat did not stimulate Panc02 tumor growth in CCK-KO mice. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: The mechanism by which dietary fat stimulates growth of pancreatic cancer is by CCK and this effect is independent of obesity. This is a significant finding because of the potential beneficial effects of medications which can block the effects of CCK in populations at risk for pancreatic cancer consuming a high-fat diet.

This study reports an outbreak of oriental theileriosis in dairy cattle imported to Vietnam from Australia. Following clinical and pathological diagnoses, a total of 112 cattle blood samples were divided into three groups and tested using multiplexed tandem PCR. Group 1 were from aborted heifers in Vietnam; group 2 were from cattle before shipment from group 1 cattle and group 3 were from the same batch of cattle but transported to Taiwan. Theileria orientalis DNA was detected in 72·3% cattle. The prevalences of T. orientalis in groups 1, 2 and 3 were 77·6, 86·9 and 57·5%, respectively, and the difference in prevalence was significant between groups 1 and 3 (P < 0·0001). The infection intensities of genotypes chitose and ikeda of T. orientalis were higher in groups 1 (57 721 and 33 709, respectively) and 3 (5897 and 61 766, respectively) than those in group 2 (2071 and 6331, respectively). Phylogenetic analyses of the major piroplasm surface protein sequences revealed that genotypes chitose and ikeda determined herein were closely related to those previously reported from Australia. This first report of an outbreak of oriental theileriosis in imported cattle emphasizes improved measures for the export and import of cattle infected with T. orientalis.

A 4-year-old boy developed Rasmussen’s syndrome and was treated with alpha interferon intraventricularly. An improvement in the epileptic and neurologic syndrome was noted for several weeks following interferon. No adverse side effects were encountered. Since hemispherectomy is the only established therapy in Rasmussen’s Syndrome, further studies are needed to establish if intraventricular alpha interferon may halt the clinical progression of the syndrome.

We present the characteristics of a high temperature CMOS integrated circuit process based on 4H silicon carbide designed to operate at temperatures beyond 300°C. N-channel and P-channel transistor characteristics at room and elevated temperatures are presented. Both channel types show the expected low values of field effect mobility well known in SiC MOSFETS. However the performance achieved is easily capable of exploitation in CMOS digital logic circuits and certain analogue circuits, over a wide temperature range.

Data is also presented for the performance of digital logic demonstrator circuits, in particular a 4 to 1 analogue multiplexer and a configurable timer operating over a wide temperature range. Devices are packaged in high temperature ceramic dual in line (DIL) packages, which are capable of greater than 300°C operation. A high temperature “micro-oven” system has been designed and built to enable testing and stressing of units assembled in these package types. This system heats a group of devices together to temperatures of up to 300°C while keeping the electrical connections at much lower temperatures. In addition, long term reliability data for some structures such as contact chains to n-type and p-type SiC and simple logic circuits is summarized.

The mRNAs accumulated in oocytes provide support for embryo development until embryo genomic activation. We hypothesized that the maternal mRNA stock present in bovine oocytes is associated with embryo development until the blastocyst stage. To test our hypothesis, we analyzed the transcriptome of the oocyte and correlated the results with the embryo development. Our goal was to identify genes expressed in the oocyte that correlate with its ability to develop to the blastocyst stage. A fraction of oocyte cytoplasm was biopsied using micro-aspiration and stored for further expression analysis. Oocytes were activated chemically, cultured individually and classified according to their capacity to develop in vitro to the blastocyst stage. Microarray analysis was performed on mRNA extracted from the oocyte cytoplasm fractions and correlated with its ability to develop to the blastocyst stage (good quality oocyte) or arrest at the 8–16-cell stage (bad quality oocyte). The expression of 4320 annotated genes was detected in the fractions of cytoplasm that had been collected from oocytes matured in vitro. Gene ontology classification revealed that enriched gene expression of genes was associated with certain biological processes: ‘RNA processing’, ‘translation’ and ‘mRNA metabolic process’. Genes that are important to the molecular functions of ‘RNA binding’ and ‘translation factor activity, RNA binding’ were also enriched in oocytes. We identified 29 genes with differential expression between the two groups of oocytes compared (good versus bad quality). The content of mRNAs expressed in metaphase II oocytes influences the activation of the embryonic genome and enables further develop to the blastocyst stage.