Identification of a seven-gene signature and establishment of a prognostic nomogram predicting overall survival of triple-negative breast

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly heterogeneous breast cancersubtype characterized by the absence of expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesteronereceptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). TNBC exhibitsresistance to hormone and HER2-targeted therapy, along with a higher incidence ofrecurrence and poorer prognosis. Therefore, exploring the molecular features of TNBC andconstructing prognostic models are of significant importance for personalized treatmentstrategies. Methods: In this research, bioinformatics approaches were utilized to screendifferentially expressed genes in 405 TNBC cases and 128 normal tissue samples from 8 GEOdatasets. Key core genes and signaling pathways were further identified. Additionally, aprognostic model incorporating seven genes was established using clinical and pathologicalinformation from 169 TNBC cases in the TCGA dataset, and its predictive performance wasevaluated. Results: Functional analysis revealed dysregulated biological processes such asDNA replication, cell cycle, and mitotic chromosome separation in TNBC. Protein-proteininteraction network analysis identified ten core genes, including BUB1, BUB1B, CDK1,CDC20, CDCA8, CCNB1, CCNB2, KIF2C, NDC80, and CENPF. A prognostic model consistingof seven genes (EXO1, SHCBP1, ABRACL, DMD, THRB, DCDC2, and APOD) was establishedusing a step-wise Cox regression analysis. The model demonstrated good predictiveperformance in distinguishing patients' risk. Conclusion: This research provides importantinsights into the molecular characteristics of TNBC and establishes a reliable prognosticmodel for understanding its pathogenesis and predicting prognosis. These findingscontribute to the advancement of personalized treatment for TNBC.

IMPACT PROPERTIES OF METALLOCENE - CATALYZED ETHYLENE-α-OLEFIN COPOLYMERS

The impact properties of two selected metallocene-catalyzed ethylene-butene copolymers and one conventionalcopolymer were evaluated using Izod impact test. It is found that the metallocene-catalyzed copolymer shows superior impactproperties. This result was explained on the basis of the more homogeneous inter-molecular composition distribution andnarrower molecular weight distribution, which leads to more homogeneous morphology with fewer defects. Stepwisecrystallization improves the impact properties, especially in the crack propagation process, to a large extent. This is due to thedecrease of entanglements by stepwise crystallization, which is advantageous for the chain slip and shear. The polymer withheterogeneous intra-molecular composition distribution exhibits a more evident improvement of impact properties understepwise crystallization.

Clinical variability and molecular heterogeneity inprostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a clinically heterogeneous disease, with some men having indolent disease that can safely be observed, while others have aggressive, lethal disease. Over the past decade, researchers have begun to unravel some of the genomic heterogeneity that contributes to these varying clinical phenotypes. Distinct molecular sub-classes of prostate cancer have been identified, and the uniqueness of these sub-classes has been leveraged to predict clinical outcomes, design novel biomarkers for prostate cancer diagnosis, and develop novel therapeutics. Recent work has also elucidated the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of prostate cancer, helping us understand disease pathogenesis, response to therapy, and progression. New genomic techniques have provided us with a window into the remarkable clinical and genomic heterogeneity of prostate cancer, and this new perspective will increasingly impact patient care.

Highly selective and efficient electroreduction of CO_(2) in water by quaterpyridine derivative‐based molecular catalyst noncovalently tethered to carbon nanotubes

A disubstituted quaterpyridine based cobalt complex non‐covalently tethered to multiwalled carbon nanotube(MWCNT)substrate,forming a hybrid catalyst,Co‐qpyCOOH/CNT,catalyzed the conversion of CO_(2) to CO under aqueous conditions.At an optimal and uniform loading,it exhibited remarkable catalytic activity,near‐exclusive selectivity,and high stability towards the formation of CO.At a mere cathodic potential of−0.65 V versus RHE(η=0.54 V),it achieved a high partial current density of−6.7 mA/cm^(2) and a F.E.CO=100%.In addition,with 20 h of stable operation,hydrogen evolution remained practically undetected.Its hybrid structure due to noncovalent immobilization on MWCNT imparted the intrinsic activity and much‐needed stability in performance whereas‒COOH groups may stabilize the intermediates by acting as H‐bond donors,promoting catalytic activity.Tethering to a conductive solid substrate and tuning of the second sphere of coordination played an important role in its performance to achieve desired reduction product with high selectivity and activity.

Intertumoral heterogeneity of molecular phenotype and analysis of prognosis in multifocal and multicentric breast cancer

Objective This study was designed to investigate the prognostic implications of the intertumoral heterogeneity of molecular phenotype in multifocal and multicentric breast cancer(MMBC).Methods The clinical and follow-up data of 146 patients with MMBC from Jan.2009to Dec.2009 treated in Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University were retrospectively analyzed.