Significant Biomarkers Identification Associated with Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression.

Background: This study aimed to identify significant genes associated with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) initiation and development. Methods: The overlapped differential expressed genes (DEGs) between normal and CSCC samples were firstly screened out, followed by KEGG analysis. The top 10 hub genes were then detected from the whole protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Further, important biomarkers continuously associated with actinic keratosis (AK), CSCC, and CSCC invasion was successively filtrated. GSEA analysis was finally performed to reveal potential mechanisms associated with biomarkers. Results: A total of 179 DEGs were identified, which were enriched in pathways in cancer, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and human papillomavirus infection. The 10 hub genes were firstly identified from the PPI network, and they were all highly expressed in AK tissues compared with normal tissues. Next, we found that 6 genes were overexpressed in CSCC compared with AK tissues. Further, we identified that the expression of 2 genes (MYBL2 and TK1) was higher in CSCC invasion groups compared with samples without invasion. Through a series of filtrations, we confirmed that MYBL2 and TK1 were the most significant biomarkers associated with CSCC initiation and progression. The pan-cancer analysis further supported their prognostic value in human cancers. GSEA analysis found that they positively correlated with N glycan biosynthesis and p53 signaling pathways. Conclusion: MYBL2 and TK1 were proved to play a vital role in CSCC tumorigenesis and progression, which may act as promising biomarkers or therapeutic targets for accurate diagnosis and treatment of CSCC.

Influence of aluminium accumulation on biological nitrification and phosphorus removal in an anoxic-oxic membrane bioreactor.

Poly-aluminium chloride (PAC) is often used to enhance phosphorus removal and control membrane fouling in membrane bioreactors (MBRs). However, the influence of aluminium accumulation on the biological nitrification and phosphorus removal of MBRs has not been well assessed. In the present study, the effects of accumulated aluminium on sludge activity and morphology were investigated in a lab-scale anoxic-oxic membrane bioreactor. The reasonably high removal efficiencies of NH4+-N, TN, and COD, i.e. 94.9%, 84.8%, and 92.8%, respectively, were achieved in the reactor when the percentage of atomic aluminium on sludge surface increased to 14.2%. However, the decreases in the ammonia oxidation rate, nitrite oxidation rate, and specific oxygen uptake rate of sludge by 82.1%, 79.8%, and 46.4%, respectively, were observed. Meanwhile, the activity of phosphate-accumulating organisms was completely inhibited. Furthermore, the protein content in the extracellular polymeric substances of sludge decreased substantially, and the sludge became more dispersed due to the alum accumulation, compared with that of the initial phase. Therefore, long-term dosing of PAC in the MBR should be managed to avoid excessive aluminium accumulation in the sludge.

Artificial Nanometalloenzymes for Cooperative Tandem Catalysis.

Artificial metalloenzymes that combine the advantages of natural enzymes and metal catalysts have been getting more attention in research. As a proof of concept, an artificial nanometalloenzyme (CALB-Shvo@MiMBN) was prepared by co-encapsulation of metallo-organic catalyst and enzyme in a soft nanocomposite consisting of 2-methylimidazole, metal ions, and biosurfactant in mild reaction conditions using a one-pot self-assembly method. The artificial nanometalloenzyme with lipase acted as the core, and the metallo-organic catalyst embedded in micropore exhibited a spherical structure of 30-50 nm in diameter. The artificial nanometalloenzyme showed high catalytic efficiency in the dynamic kinetic resolution of racemic primary amines or secondary alcohols compared to the one-pot catalytic reaction of immobilized lipase and free metallo-organic catalyst. This artificial nanometalloenzyme holds great promise for integrated enzymatic and heterogeneous catalysis.