Downregulation of microRNA-382 is associated with poor outcome of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM: To study the potential prognostic role of microRNA-382(miR-382) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).METHODS: Forty six patients were divided into 2groups according to postoperative survival time:the poor outcome group(28 patients), who showed early metastasis but no recurrence, and died within 1year after surgery, 12 patients of the group received postoperative chemotherapy treatment that was given after early metastasis happening; the good outcome group(18 patients), who had no clinical metastasis and recurrence, and survived 5 years or more after surgery, all patients did not receive any postoperative treatment. Total RNA was extracted from the patients' formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded esophageal cancer tissues. miR-382 level was evaluated using highthroughput real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. The correlation between miR-382 level and clinicopathologic features was analyzed through COX regression model, and Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to analyze the relationship betweenmiR-382 level and patient survival time.RESULTS: miR-382 was differentially expressed in the two groups. Overall the average miR-382 level in the ESCC patients with good outcome was 9.8 ± 3.8,while miR-382 level in the ESCC patients with poor outcome was 3.0 ± 0.8. The differences of miR-382 levels between two groups were significant(P < 0.05).Kaplan-Meier analysis results showed that miR-382 expression level generally had a significant reversecorrelation with ESCC patient survival time(P <0.001), in which the patients with higher expressions of miR-382 had a longer survival time either among individuals with the same tumor stage or among the overall patients.CONCLUSION: miR-382 levels are reverse-correlated with ESCC poor outcomes, suggesting that miR-382 could be a potential predictive biomarker for both prognosis and treatment of ESCC.

Sequence architecture and sedimentary characteristics of a Middle Jurassic incised valley,western Sichuan depression,China

The Middle Jurassic Shaximiao Formation encompasses tens of meters of thick lowstand meandering valley （LMV） strata in the western Sichuan foreland basin. Ancient LMVs newly discovered in this area were further studied based on sequence stratigraphy and seismic sedimentology. The aim of the present study was to investigate the sedimentary characteristics, sequence architecture, and the controls on LMV deposition in this tectonically active basin using field survey data, seismic sections, seismic amplitude imaging, core description, and comprehensive application of drilling data. The results show the following： （1） Three regional sequence boundaries and two flooding surfaces were recognized, and the Shaximiao For- mation was divided into two-third-order sequences and four systems tracts. （2） Three sedimentary facies associations were identified： incised valley-fill, tributary channel, and overbank facies. Incised valleys are 5-17 km wide, 20-60 m deep and traceable for 120 km along their axes. （3） In the downstream segment, the role of tectonism gradually diminishes, and periodic base-level changes control the form and evolution of the incised valleys. Three types of LMVs--AI, A2, and A3--developed with changes in base level （lake level）; of these types, the base level of the A3 LMV was likely the lowest.

Hydrogen Bonds in Perovskite for Efficient and Stable Photovoltaic

Owing to their distinctive optical and physical properties,organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite materials have gained significant attention in the field of electronic devices,especially solar cells.The achievement of high-performance solar cells hinges upon the utilization of top-notch perovskite thin films.Nevertheless,the fabrication process involving solutions and the polycrystalline nature of perovskite result in the emergence of numerous defects within the perovskite films,consequently exerting a deleterious influence on the overall performance and stability of the devices.Improving the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells by additive engineering to suppress/passivate defects is a viable approach,which involves hydrogen bond interactions in these device engineering processes.This review explores the intrinsic hydrogen bonds in methylammonium and formamidium lead triiodide,while also considering cation rotations,phase transitions,and stability.Moreover,the review classifies additives into distinct categories,including organic small molecules,polymers,nanodots,classical salts,ionic liquids,and molten salts.The various forms and characterization techniques of hydrogen bonds are discussed,as well as their potential synergistic effects in conjunction with other chemical interactions.Furthermore,this review offers insights into the potential utilization of hydrogen bonds to further enhance the performance and stability of devices.