An enhancer RNA-based risk model for prediction of bladder cancer prognosis.

Background: Bladder cancer patients have a high recurrence and poor survival rates worldwide. Early diagnosis and intervention are the cornerstones for favorable prognosis. However, commonly used predictive tools cannot meet clinical needs because of their insufficient accuracy. Methods: We have developed an enhancer RNA (eRNA)-based signature to improve the prediction for bladder cancer prognosis. First, we analyzed differentially expressed eRNAs in gene expression profiles and clinical data for bladder cancer from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Then, we constructed a risk model for prognosis of bladder cancer patients, and analyzed the correlation between this model and tumor microenvironment (TME). Finally, regulatory network of downstream genes of eRNA in the model was constructed by WGCNA and enrichment analysis, then Real-time quantitative PCR verified the differentiation of related genes between tumor and adjacent tissue. Results: We first constructed a risk model composed of eight eRNAs, and found the risk model could be an independent risk factor to predict the prognosis of bladder cancer. Then, the log-rank test and time-dependent ROC curve analysis shown the model has a favorable ability to predict prognosis. The eight risk eRNAs may participate in disease progression by regulating cell adhesion and invasion, and up-regulating immune checkpoints to suppress the immunity in TME. mRNA level change in related genes further validated regulatory roles of eRNAs in bladder cancer. In summary, we constructed an eRNA-based risk model and confirmed that the model could predict the prognosis of bladder cancer patients.

Tunable and Processable Shape-Memory Materials Based on Solvent-Free, Catalyst-Free Polycondensation between Formaldehyde and Diamine at Room Temperature.

Compared with traditional thermosets, malleable thermosets have more applications in aerospace, biotechnology, and construction. Here we report a one-step, solvent-free, catalyst-free polycondensation method between diamine and formaldehyde to prepare a series of malleable hemiaminal dynamic covalent networks (HDCNs). The materials have excellent malleability and reprocessability by hot pressing. The Young's modulus and breaking strength of HDCNs obtained by the polycondensation of formaldehyde and 4,4-diaminodiphenylmethane (MDA) are as high as 1.6 GPa and 60 MPa, respectively, which can be facilely adjusted through the introduction of polyetheramine-400 (PEDA). Moreover, the HDCNs feature the shape memory ability with a recovery ratio above 93.5% and can be recycled by the addition of different monomers. This promising HDCN, prepared from economical raw materials, may have vast applications in industries.

An Enzyme-Responsive "Turn-on" Fluorescence Polymeric Superamphiphile as a Potential Visualizable Phosphate Prodrug Delivery Vehicle.

The development of inexpensive and highly efficient enzyme-responsive polymers has significantly contributed to targeted drug delivery systems. Here, a superamphiphile with a capability of fluorescent dissociation sensing is designed. It is constructed with negatively charged adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and negatively charged fluorescein diphosphate (FDP), which are used as fluorescence detection, and a cationic diblock copolymer methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)113 -b-poly(2-dimethyl-aminoethyl methacrylate)70 . Upon addition of calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase, the superamphiphile disintegrates, presumably due to the enzymatic hydrolysis of ATP. This process is accompanied by an increase in the fluorescence emission intensity of fluorescein owing to the hydrolysis of FDP. The in vitro application of the superamphiphile is also proven. Thus, the "turn-on" fluorescence of the superamphiphile serves as a real-time module for detection of the disintegration of superamphiphile.