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Abstract DPY30 belongs to the core subunit of components of the histone lysine methyltransferase complex, which is implicated in tumorigenesis, cell senescence, and other biological events. However, its contribution to colorectal carcinoma (CRC) progression and metastasis has yet to be elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the biological function of DPY30 in CRC metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Herein, our results revealed that DPY30 overexpression is significantly positively correlated with positive lymph nodes, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and CRC metastasis. Moreover, DPY30 knockdown in HT29 and SW480 cells markedly decreased EMT progression, as well as the migratory and invasive abilities of CRC cells in vitro and lung tumor metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, DPY30 increased histone H3K4me3 level and promoted EMT and CRC metastasis by upregulating the transcriptional expression of ZEB1. Taken together, our findings indicate that DPY30 may serve as a therapeutic target and prognostic marker for CRC. Graphical Abstract

The“tailing” effect caused by residual non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) in porous aquifers is one of the frontiers in pollution hydrogeology research. Based on the current knowledge that the residual NAPLs is mainly controlled by the pore structure of soil, this study established a method for evaluating the residual saturation of NAPLs by investigating the fractal dimension of porous media. In this study, the soil column experiments of residual light NAPLs (LNAPLs) in sandy aquifer with different ratios of sands and soil were carried out, and the correlation between the fractal dimension of the medium, the residual of LNAPLs and the soil structure parameters are statistically analyzed, and its formation mechanism and main control factors are discussed. The results show that: Under our experimental condition: (1) the fractal dimension of the medium has a positive correlation with the residual saturation of NAPLs generally, and the optimal fitting function can be described by a quadratic model: SR=192.02D2−890.73D+1040.8; (2) the dominant formation mechanism is: Smaller pores in the medium is related to larger fractal dimension, which leads to higher residual saturation of NAPLs; stronger heterogeneity of the medium is related to larger fractal dimension, which also leads to higher residual saturation of NAPLs; (3) the micro capillary pores characterized by fine sand are the main controlling factors of the formation mechanism. It is concluded that both the theory and the method of using fractal dimension of the medium to evaluate the residual saturation of NAPLs are feasible. This study provides a new perspective for the research of “tailing” effect of NAPLs in porous media aquifer.

Proteomic profiling of extracellular vesicles (EVs) represents a promising approach for early detection and therapeutic monitoring of diseases such as cancer. The focus of this study was to apply robust EV isolation and subsequent data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS) for urinary EV proteomics of prostate cancer and prostate inflammation patients. Urinary EVs were isolated by functionalized magnetic beads through chemical affinity on an automatic station, and EV proteins were analyzed by integrating three library-base analyses (Direct-DIA, GPF-DIA, and Fractionated DDA-base DIA) to improve the coverage and quantitation. We assessed the levels of urinary EV-associated proteins based on 40 samples consisting of 20 cases and 20 controls, where 18 EV proteins were identified to be differentiated in prostate cancer outcome, of which three (i.e., SERPINA3, LRG1, and SCGB3A1) were shown to be consistently upregulated. We also observed 6 out of the 18 (33%) EV proteins that had been developed as drug targets, while some of them showed protein-protein interactions. Moreover, the potential mechanistic pathways of 18 significantly different EV proteins were enriched in metabolic, immune, and inflammatory activities. These results showed consistency in an independent cohort with 20 participants. Using a random forest algorithm for classification assessment, including the identified EV proteins, we found that SERPINA3, LRG1, or SCGB3A1 add predictable value in addition to age, prostate size, body mass index (BMI), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). In summary, the current study demonstrates a translational workflow to identify EV proteins as molecular markers to improve the clinical diagnosis of prostate cancer.

The increasing severity of ground subsidence, ground fissure and other disasters caused by the excessive exploitation of deep underground resources has highlighted the pressing need for effective management. A significant contributing factor to the challenges faced is the inadequacy of existing soil mechanics experimental instruments in providing effective indicators, creating a bottleneck in comprehensively understanding the mechanisms of land subsidence. It is urgent to develop a multi-field and multi-functional soil mechanics experimental system to address this issue. Based soil mechanics theories, the existing manufacturing capabilities of triaxial apparatus and the practical demands of the test system, a set of multi-field coupled high-pressure triaxial system is developed tailored for testing deep soils (at depths of approximately 3 000 m) and soft rock. This system incorporates specialized design elements such as high-pressure chamber and horizontal deformation testing devices. In addition to the conventional triaxial tester functions, its distinctive feature encompass a horizontal deformation tracking measuring device, a water release testing device and temperature control device for the sample. This ensemble facilitates testing of horizontal and vertical deformation water release and other parameters of samples under a specified stress conditions, at constant or varying temperature ranging from −40°C–90°C. The accuracy of the tested parameters meets the requirements of relevant current specifications. The test system not only provides scientifically robust data for revealing the deformation and failure mechanism of soil subjected to extreme temperature, but also offers critical data support for major engineering projects, deep exploration and mitigation efforts related to soil deformation-induced disaster.

In order to improve the wear resistance of plunger and the service life of plunger assembly for low-speed marine diesel engine, TiN and DLC coatings were prepared on plunger by ion-plating technology and multiple arc magnetron coupling coating technology respectively. SEM, optical profiler and XRD were used to characterize the micro-morphology, surface roughness and phase composition of TiN and DLC coatings, and nano indentation instrument was employed to detect the nano-hardness and elastic modulus of such coatings. In addtion, the scratch and indentation methods were used to test the binding force of the coatings. And the friction coefficients of such coatings in the air and under the environment of heavy diesel oil were investigated through the reciprocating wear test. Then, the wear degrees of those coatings were qualitatively evaluated with the help of a optical microscope. Furthermore, a bench test was adopted to evaluate the actual wear situation of the coated plunger. Results showed that the crystals of two coatings grew well, and their structures were continuous and dense, and there was no stratification, cracking or peeling phenomenon. The DLC coating was relatively smooth and the roughness R;was about 0.10 μm, while the TiN coating R;was 0.16 μm. The nano-hardness, elastic modulus and poisson ratio of DLC coating were higher than those of the TiN coating. No matter in dry friction or heavy oil friction,the friction coefficient of TiN coating was higher than that of DLC coating,and the wear resistance of TiN coating was lower than that of DLC coating. After the bench test,relatively obvious parallel grooving wear marks appeared on the plunger with TiN coating,and the overall wear was relatively serious,while the wear marks on the plunger with DLC coating were narrow and shallow that not easy to find,further proving that the wear resistance of DLC was superior.