Predicting survival in patients with buccal cancer: A study based on SEER database and external validation in China.

OBJECTIVE: Buccal mucosa cancer (BMC) is one of the most common oral cancers and has poor prognosis. The study aimed to develop and validate nomograms for predicting the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of BMC patients. METHODS: We collected and reviewed information on BMC patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2019 from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database. Two nomograms were developed and validated to predict the OS and CSS based on predictors identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression. An extra external validation was further performed using data from Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital (SYSMH). RESULTS: A total of 3154 BMC patients included in this study were randomly assigned to training and validation groups in a 2:1 ratio. Independent prognostic predictors were identified, confirmed, and fitted into nomograms for OS and CSS, respectively. The C-indices are 0.767 (Training group OS), 0.801 (Training group CSS), 0.763 (Validation group OS), and 0.781 (Validation group OS), respectively. Moreover, the nomograms exhibited remarkable precision in forecasting and significant clinical significance, as evidenced by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analyses (DCA). The final validation using our data from SYSMH also showed high accuracy and substantial clinical benefits within the nomograms. The C-indices are 0.849 (SYSMH group OS) and 0.916 (SYSMH group CSS). These indexes are better than tumor, node, and metastasis stage based on prediction results. CONCLUSIONS: The nomograms developed with great performance predicted 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and CSS of BMC patients. Use of the nomograms in clinical practices shall bring significant benefits to BMC patients.

Study on Molecular Model Construction and Gas Adsorption Simulation of Anthracite in the Qinshui Basin.

Uncovering gas adsorption characteristics of coal at the molecular scale is of great theoretical significance for the study of gas occurrence, coalbed methane exploitation, and carbon dioxide sequestration. In this study, based on proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy experiments, the existence forms and relative contents of elements of anthracite in the Qinshui Basin were tested and analyzed, and a macromolecular structure model was constructed. Besides, three types of acidic oxygen-containing functional groups, namely, carboxyl groups, phenolic hydroxyl groups, and lactone groups, were added to the molecular model. Furthermore, CH4 adsorption simulation was conducted on the original molecular model of anthracite and models with three types of acidic functional groups added. The following research results were obtained. The molecular formula of the constructed macromolecular model of anthracite in the Qinshui Basin is C193H138N2O7. The molecular structure of coal becomes more compact and curved after structural optimization and annealing optimization. For the four models, the CH4 adsorption characteristics of coal molecules all conform to the Langmuir equation under the same simulation conditions. Among them, the original model has the largest CH4 adsorption capacity, while the addition of oxygen-containing functional groups reduces the CH4 adsorption capacity to varying extents. The reduction of CH4 adsorption capacity follows the order: adding carboxyl groups > adding phenolic hydroxyl groups > adding lactone groups, which is mainly attributed to the different adsorption heats and adsorptive potential wells triggered by the addition of acidic functional groups in molecules.

Crop domestication disrupts intercropping benefits: A case study from barley-faba bean mixture under contrasting P inputs.

How crop domestication mediates root functional traits and trait plasticity in response to neighboring plants is unclear, but it is important for selecting potential species to be grown together to facilitate P uptake. We grew two barley accessions representing a two-stage domestication process as a sole crop or mixed with faba bean under low and high P inputs. We analyzed six root functional traits associated with P acquisition and plant P uptake in five cropping treatments in two pot experiments. The spatial and temporal patterns of root acid phosphatase activity were characterized in situ with zymography at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after sowing in a rhizobox. Under low P supply, wild barley had higher total root length (TRL), specific root length (SRL), and root branching intensity (RootBr) as well as higher activity of acid phosphatase (APase) in the rhizosphere, but lower root exudation of carboxylates and mycorrhizal colonization (MC), relative to domesticated barley. In response to neighboring faba bean, wild barley exhibited larger plasticity in all root morphological traits (TRL, SRL, and RootBr), while domesticated barley showed greater plasticity in root exudates of carboxylates and colonization by mycorrhiza. Wild barley with greater root morphology-related trait plasticity was a better match with faba bean than domesticated barley, indicated by higher P uptake benefits in wild barley/faba bean than domesticated barley/faba bean mixtures under low P supply. Our findings indicated that the domestication of barley disrupts the intercropping benefits with faba bean through the shifts of root morphological traits and their plasticity in barley. Such findings provide valuable information for barley genotype breeding and the selection of species combinations to enhance P uptake.

Serial Capture Affinity Purification and Integrated Structural Modeling of the H3K4me3 Binding and DNA Damage Related WDR76:SPIN1 Complex.

WDR76 is a multifunctional protein involved in many cellular functions. With a diverse and complicated protein interaction network, dissecting the structure and function of specific WDR76 complexes is needed. We previously demonstrated the ability of the Serial Capture Affinity Purification (SCAP) method to isolate specific complexes by introducing two proteins of interest as baits at the same time. Here, we applied SCAP to dissect a subpopulation of WDR76 in complex with SPIN1, a histone marker reader that specifically recognizes trimethylated histone H3 lysine4 (H3K4me3). In contrast to the SCAP analysis of the SPIN1:SPINDOC complex, H3K4me3 was copurified with the WDR76:SPIN1 complex. In combination with crosslinking mass spectrometry, we built an integrated structural model of the complex which revealed that SPIN1 recognized the H3K4me3 epigenetic mark while interacting with WDR76. Lastly, interaction network analysis of copurifying proteins revealed the potential role of the WDR76:SPIN1 complex in the DNA damage response. Teaser: In contrast to the SPINDOC/SPIN1 complex, analyses reveal that the WDR76/SPIN1 complex interacts with core histones and is involved in DNA damage.

Enhanced nodulation and phosphorus acquisition from sparingly-soluble iron phosphate upon treatment with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in chickpea.

The coordination/trade-off among below-ground strategies for phosphorus (P) acquisition, including root morphology, carboxylate exudation and colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), is not well understood. This is the first study investigating the relationships between root nodulation, morphology, carboxylates and colonisation by an indigenous community of AMF under varying P levels and source. Two chickpea genotypes with contrasting amounts of rhizosheath carboxylates were grown in pots at six P levels (from 0 to 160 µg g-1 ) as KH2 PO4 (KP, highly soluble) or FePO4 (FeP, sparingly soluble), with or without AMF (±AMF) treatment. Under both FeP and KP, the presence of AMF inhibited shoot growth and shoot branching, decreased total root length and specific root length, increased mean root diameter and root tissue density and reduced carboxylates. However, the role of AMF in acquiring P differed between the two P sources, with the enhanced P acquisition under FeP while not under KP. Co-inoculation of AMF and rhizobia enhanced nodulation under FeP, but not under KP. Our results suggest that the effects of AMF on shoot branching were mediated by cytokinins as the reduced shoot branching in FeP40 and KP40 under +AMF relative to -AMF coincided with a decreased concentration of cytokinins in xylem sap for both genotypes.

A lightweight metastructure for simultaneous low-frequency broadband sound absorption and vibration isolation.

We theoretically, numerically, and experimentally study a lightweight metastructure that can simultaneously reduce vibration and noise in a broad low-frequency range. We introduce spiral slits and micro-perforations in the panel and core plate of a face-centered cubic sandwich structure, respectively. A bottom-up acoustic impedance theory is developed to describe the impedance of a single unit cell. Broadband low-frequency sound absorption is achieved for a 3 × 3 supercell via reinforcement learning optimization. The resonant coupling of the upper spiral panel and the lower panel of the unit can form a wide hybridized bandgap for flexural waves, which is further validated for vibration isolation with a one-dimensional supercell. The proposed multifunctional metastructure provides a new route to design lightweight load-bearing structures with noise and vibration reduction performance for potential applications such as aerospace engineering and transportation vehicles, among others.

Differences in foliar phosphorus fractions, rather than in cell-specific phosphorus allocation, underlie contrasting photosynthetic phosphorus use efficiency among chickpea genotypes.

Although significant intraspecific variation in photosynthetic phosphorus (P) use efficiency (PPUE) has been shown in numerous species, we still know little about the biochemical basis for differences in PPUE among genotypes within a species. Here, we grew two high PPUE and two low PPUE chickpea (Cicer arietinum) genotypes with low P supply in a glasshouse to compare their photosynthesis-related traits, total foliar P concentration ([P]) and chemical P fractions (i.e. inorganic P (Pi), metabolite P, lipid P, nucleic acid P, and residual P). Foliar cell-specific nutrient concentrations including P were characterized using elemental X-ray microanalysis. Genotypes with high PPUE showed lower total foliar [P] without slower photosynthetic rates. No consistent differences in cellular [P] between the epidermis and mesophyll cells occurred across the four genotypes. In contrast, high PPUE was associated with lower allocation to Pi and metabolite P, with PPUE being negatively correlated with the percentage of these two fractions. Furthermore, a lower allocation to Pi and metabolite P was correlated with a greater allocation to nucleic acid P, but not to lipid P. Collectively, our results suggest that a different allocation to foliar P fractions, rather than preferential P allocation to specific leaf tissues, underlies the contrasting PPUE among chickpea genotypes.

Experimental study of wetting effect of surfactant based on dynamic wetting process and impedance response of coal.

Surfactant can improve the wettability of water to coal, which is beneficial to reduce the production of coal dust in coal seam water injection. Through the measurement and calculation of contact angle and its decay rate, the wettability differences of SDS (C12H25OSO3Na), AES (C14H29O5NaS), OP-10 (C18H30O10), and JFC (RO(CH2CH2O)nH) to anthracite were compared. In addition, the wetting modification effect and infiltration rate of anthracite by water, AES, and OP-10 were studied by infrared spectroscopy and complex impedance monitoring of coal pillar immersion process. The results show that when the concentration of surfactant is 0.1%, the contact angle decay time of OP-10 is very short, and the contact angle decay rate is as high as 19°/s. The decay rate can more obviously reflect the wettability difference of surfactants. And the wetting modification effect of OP-10 on anthracite is stronger than that of AES, and the peaks of oxygen-containing functional groups such as carboxyl and hydroxyl groups are stronger. Furthermore, the capillary force between OP-10 and anthracite is much larger than that of water, which shows the characteristics of fast water absorption and wide distribution in the infiltration experiment of columnar coal. The results of complex impedance measurement indicate that the impedance decay rate of coal is well correlated with capillary rise factor FC, contact angle decay rate, and contact angle. It is hoped that the research results can provide help for coal seam water injection and dust prevention.

COL10A1-DDR2 axis promotes the progression of pancreatic cancer by regulating MEK/ERK signal transduction.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal malignant tumors with a poor prognosis. Type X collagen α 1 chain (COL10A1), a member of the collagen family, is a gene associated with the progression of a variety of human tumors, but the specific function and molecular mechanism of COL10A1 in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. Our study found that COL10A1 is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer cells and tissues, and its high expression is related to poor prognosis and some clinicopathological features, such as tumor size and differentiation. Biological functional experiments showed that overexpression of COL10A1 enhanced the proliferation and migration of PDAC cells. Interestingly, discoid protein domain receptor 2 (DDR2), the receptor of COL10A1, is regulated by COL10A1. We found that the COL10A1-DDR2 axis activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, which leads to epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and accelerates the progression of pancreatic cancer. In summary, COL10A1 regulates PDAC cell proliferation and MEK/ERK signaling pathways by binding to DDR2 to promote migration, invasion and EMT. Our study suggested that COL10A1 might be a critical factor in promoting PDAC progression. More research is needed to confirm COL10A1 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for PDAC.

Characteristics of Energy Conversion and Temperature Response of Coal Excited by a DC Electric Field.

This study is aimed at investigating the characteristics of energy conversion and temperature response of coal excited by a direct current (DC) electric field (CEEDCEF). First, factors influencing energy conversion and temperature response of CEEDCEF were theoretically analyzed. Based on the analysis, the temperature distribution law of coal under different excitation conditions was simulated using the COMSOL software. The results of theoretical analysis and numerical simulation were verified through an experiment on the temperature distribution on the surface of CEEDCEF. Finally, the energy conversion mechanism and temperature response characteristics of CEEDCEF were revealed. The research results show that loading time and the loading voltage are the main factors influencing the temperature rise of CEEDCEF. Under the excitation of 6000 V constant DC voltage, the internal temperature at the lower end face of CEEDCEF increased from 29.4 to 92 °C within 20-90 min, the sections of the internal temperature increased from 36 to 94 °C under different voltage excitations of 3000-6000 V. Moreover, the temperature rise response process is divided into three stages, i.e., slow warming, fast warming, and slow cooling into stabilization. The coal shows a "capacitance effect" in the early stage of DC electric field excitation and a "resistance effect" after the charge reaches saturation. In addition, the temperature surges when the free radicals in the macromolecular structure of the coal turn into a current beam. With the increase in excitation time, the electrical parameters of the coal tend to be stable, and the surface temperature slowly decreases and stabilizes accordingly. The research results provide theoretical support for the gas production mechanism of the coal stimulated by the electric field and exploring methods for the monitoring and prewarning of these dynamic disasters.

Study on natural frequency response characteristics of coal vibration excited by simple harmonic wave.

The natural frequency of coal is one of the important technical parameters for the application of the permeability enhancement technology of coal and rock forced vibration. Aiming at exploring the dominant frequency of the permeability enhancement technology of coal vibration excited by vibration wave, the model of coal vibration excited by simple harmonic wave (SHW) was constructed. Furthermore, considering the three main control parameters, i.e., excitation force, coal sample size and mechanical parameters, the response characteristics of coal vibration excited by SHW were simulated and calculated. The calculation results demonstrate that when the frequency of excitation force equals the natural frequency of coal, the vibration occurs and the peak values of response parameters all increase significantly. The peak acceleration response of coal increases with the increase of excitation force, whereas it decreases with the increase of coal size. Under the same SHW excitation force, the mechanical parameters of coal determine the vibration response characteristics of coal, and the natural frequency of coal is proportional to the elastic modulus. Finally, the variation law of natural frequency response characteristics of coal vibration excited by SHW was verified by the response experiment on coal vibration under SHW excitation and related test results. The research results can serve as a theoretical basis for the application of the permeability enhancement technology of coal vibration excited by vibration wave.

Mediator recruits the cohesin loader Scc2 to RNA Pol II-transcribed genes and promotes sister chromatid cohesion.

The ring-like cohesin complex plays an essential role in chromosome segregation, organization, and double-strand break repair through its ability to bring two DNA double helices together. Scc2 (NIPBL in humans) together with Scc4 functions as the loader of cohesin onto chromosomes. Chromatin adapters such as the RSC complex facilitate the localization of the Scc2-Scc4 cohesin loader. Here, we identify a broad range of Scc2-chromatin protein interactions that are evolutionarily conserved and reveal a role for one complex, Mediator, in the recruitment of the cohesin loader. We identified budding yeast Med14, a subunit of the Mediator complex, as a high copy suppressor of poor growth in Scc2 mutant strains. Physical and genetic interactions between Scc2 and Mediator are functionally substantiated in direct recruitment and cohesion assays. Depletion of Med14 results in defective sister chromatid cohesion and the decreased binding of Scc2 at RNA Pol II-transcribed genes. Previous work has suggested that Mediator, Nipbl, and cohesin connect enhancers and promoters of active mammalian genes. Our studies suggest an evolutionarily conserved fundamental role for Mediator in the direct recruitment of Scc2 to RNA Pol II-transcribed genes.

Influence of inclination angle on dust migration and settlement characteristics of excavation roadway.

The migration law of dust in the roadway is the basis of dust control, but most of the relevant studies are based on the horizontal roadway, ignoring the roadway inclination. Therefore, numerical simulation and similar experiments are used to systematically study the settlement and diffusion law of dust in roadways with different inclination angles. The results show that the roadway inclination has little effect on the structure of the convection field, but the roadway inclination will change the law of dust transport in the roadway. In the elevation roadway, with the increase of elevation, the settling particle size and distance of dust will increase, which is conducive to dust discharge, but it will also cause secondary dust in the roadway. In the depression angle roadway, with the increase of depression angle, the particle size and distance of dust settlement decrease, which is conducive to dust settlement, but will cause dust accumulation in front of the roadway. Based on this, it is proposed to reduce the wind speed in elevation roadway and increase the wind speed in depression roadway, which provides a basis for improving the dust transport theory and prevention and control work in heading roadway.

Linking root exudation to belowground economic traits for resource acquisition.

The concept of a root economics space (RES) is increasingly adopted to explore root trait variation and belowground resource-acquisition strategies. Much progress has been made on interactions of root morphology and mycorrhizal symbioses. However, root exudation, with a significant carbon (C) cost (c. 5-21% of total photosynthetically fixed C) to enhance resource acquisition, remains a missing link in this RES. Here, we argue that incorporating root exudation into the structure of RES is key to a holistic understanding of soil nutrient acquisition. We highlight the different functional roles of root exudates in soil phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) acquisition. Thereafter, we synthesize emerging evidence that illustrates how root exudation interacts with root morphology and mycorrhizal symbioses at the level of species and individual plant and argue contrasting patterns in species evolved in P-impoverished vs N-limited environments. Finally, we propose a new conceptual framework, integrating three groups of root functional traits to better capture the complexity of belowground resource-acquisition strategies. Such a deeper understanding of the integrated and dynamic interactions of root morphology, root exudation, and mycorrhizal symbioses will provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying species coexistence and how to explore belowground interactions for sustainable managed systems.

LncRNA NEAT1 Promotes Gastric Cancer Progression Through miR-17-5p/TGFßR2 Axis Up-Regulated Angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been indicated to play critical roles in gastric cancer (GC) tumorigenesis and progression. However, their roles in GC remain to be further elucidated. METHODS: RT-qPCR and fluorescence in situ hybridzation (FISH) were conducted to detect the expression of lncRNA NEAT1 in GC tissues and cell lines. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed to screen out potential phenotypes and pathways that NEAT1 may participate in. NEAT1-silenced AGS and MGC803 cells were constructed and a series of functional experiments to investigate the roles of NEAT1 in GC angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. RNA pull down and luciferase reporter assays were utilized to illustrate the mechanisms underlying the functions of NEAT1 in GC. RESULTS: We observed that NEAT1 was upregulated in most GC specimens and cell lines. NEAT1 high was correlated with poor prognosis of GC patients. In vitro experiments showed that NEAT1 promoted GC angiogenesis by enhancing proliferation, migration, and tube formation ability of endothelial cells. Mechanism researches revealed that NEAT1 could competitively sponge miR-17-5p which targeted TGFßR2 directly. Subsequently, activate TGFß/Smad pathway by following with upregulation of a series of classical proangiogenic factors especially VEGF. CONCLUSION: The study unveiled that the LncRNA NEAT1/miR-17-5p/TGFßR2 axis is a novel mechanism in GC angiogenesis. Disrupting this axis may be a potential strategy for GC treatment.

Multiple roles for PARP1 in ALC1-dependent nucleosome remodeling.

The SNF2 family ATPase Amplified in Liver Cancer 1 (ALC1) is the only chromatin remodeling enzyme with a poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) binding macrodomain. ALC1 functions together with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase PARP1 to remodel nucleosomes. Activation of ALC1 cryptic ATPase activity and the subsequent nucleosome remodeling requires binding of its macrodomain to PAR chains synthesized by PARP1 and NAD+ A key question is whether PARP1 has a role(s) in ALC1-dependent nucleosome remodeling beyond simply synthesizing the PAR chains needed to activate the ALC1 ATPase. Here, we identify PARP1 separation-of-function mutants that activate ALC1 ATPase but do not support nucleosome remodeling by ALC1. Investigation of these mutants has revealed multiple functions for PARP1 in ALC1-dependent nucleosome remodeling and provides insights into its multifaceted role in chromatin remodeling.

Experimental study on variation law of electrical parameters and temperature rise effect of coal under DC electric field.

Joule heats which are generated by coals in an applied electric field are directly correlated with variation resistivity of electrical parameters of coals. Moreover, the joule heating effect is closely related with microstructural changes and relevant products of coal surface. In the present study, a self-developed applied direct current (DC) field was applied onto an experimental system of coals to investigate variation resistivity of electrical parameters of highly, moderately and lowly metamorphic coal samples. Moreover, breakdown voltages and breakdown field intensities of above three coal samples with different metamorphic grades were tested and calculated. Variation resistivity of electrical parameters of these three coal samples in 2 kV and 4 kV DC fields were analyzed. Results show that internal current of all coal samples increases continuously and tends to be stable gradually after reaching the "inflection point" at peak. The relationship between temperature rise effect on anthracite coal surface in an applied DC field and electrical parameters was discussed. The temperature rise process on anthracite coal surface is composed of three stages, namely, slowly warming, rapid warming and slow cooling to stabilize. The temperature rise effect on anthracite coal surface lags behind changes of currents which run through coal samples. There's uneven temperature distribution on anthracite coal surface, which is attributed to the heterogeneity of coal samples. In the experiment, the highest temperature on anthracite coal surface 65.8 â„ƒ is far belower than the lowest temperature for pyrolysis-induced gas production of coals 200 â„ƒ. This study lays foundations to study microstructural changes and relevant products on coal surface in an applied DC field.

Resveratrol induces human colorectal cancer cell apoptosis by activating the mitochondrial pathway via increasing reactive oxygen species.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer­related mortality worldwide according to Global Cancer Statistics 2018. Resveratrol (RSV) is a phenolic compound that possesses anticancer functions against various types of cancer, including breast and gastric cancer. However, the functions and mechanism underlying RSV in CRC are not completely understood. The present study aimed to investigate the anticancer effects and mechanism underlying RSV in CRC cells by conducting Cell Counting Kit­8, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and western blotting assays. The results suggested that RSV dose­dependently inhibited CRC cell viability, and increased cell apoptosis and ROS levels compared with the control group. The protein expression levels of Bax, cytochrome c, cleaved caspase­9 and cleaved caspase­3 were upregulated, whereas Bcl­2 expression levels were downregulated in RSV­treated CRC cells compared with control cells. The results indicated that RSV might activate the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by increasing ROS release. The present study suggested that RSV possessed antitumour activity against CRC by modulating an ROS­mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

The ALDH Family Contributes to Immunocyte Infiltration, Proliferation and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transformation in Glioma.

Gliomas are malignant tumors that originate from the central nervous system. The aldehyde dehydrogenase family has been documented to affect cancer progression; however, its role in gliomas remains largely unexplored. Bulk RNA-seq analysis and single-cell RNA-Seq analysis were performed to explore the role of the aldehyde dehydrogenases family in gliomas. Training cohort contained The Cancer Genome Atlas data, while data from Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus were set as validation cohorts. Our scoring system based on the aldehyde dehydrogenases family suggested that high-scoring samples were associated with worse survival outcomes. The enrichment score of pathways were calculated by AUCell to substantiate the biofunction prediction results that the aldehyde dehydrogenases family affected glioma progression by modulating tumor cell proliferation, migration, and immune landscape. Tumor immune landscape was mapped from high-scoring samples. Moreover, ALDH3B1 and ALDH16A1, two main contributors of the scoring system, could affect glioblastoma cell proliferation and migration by inducing cell-cycle arrest and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Taken together, the aldehyde dehydrogenases family could play a significant role in the tumor immune landscape and could be used to predict patient prognosis. ALDH3B1 and ALDH16A1 could influence tumor cell proliferation and migration.

Analyzing microsatellite instability and gene mutation in circulating cell-free DNA to monitor colorectal cancer progression.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Detection of microsatellite instability (MSI) status and gene mutations may be useful for molecular targeted therapy. The liquid biopsy is a newly developed, non-invasive method for tumor diagnosis and monitoring. In this study, we evaluated the possible clinical value of liquid biopsy by analyzing MSI and gene mutation. METHODS: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to analyze MSI and gene mutation in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and tissue DNA extracted from 6 CRC patients' plasma and matched primary tumor tissue (MPTT) samples, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 6 patients (4 male, 2 female) were included for analysis, whose stage ranges from stage I through stage III. NGS-based panel of 5 quasi-monomorphic microsatellite markers (MSI-NGS) BAT-25, BAT-26, NR21, NR24 as well as NR27, and 4 mismatch repair (MMR) genes (MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, MLH1) expressions assessed by immunohistochemistry (MMR-IHC) and NGS (MMR-NGS) were used to determine MSI status synergistically. Comprehensive analysis of NGS and IHC results showed that the overall incidences of MSI in plasma and MPTT samples from these patients were 1/6 and 2/6, respectively. 4 patients were defined as microsatellite stable (MSS) in both plasma and MPTT. In the above 6 patients, MSI-NGS detection in cfDNA accurately identified 1/2 of tissue high-level microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and 4/4 of tissue MSS for an overall accuracy of 5/6. Gene mutational profiles in these CRC patients' plasma and MPTT samples were analyzed by NGS. Tumor-specific gene mutations were detected in 2/6 of plasma and 4/4 of MPTT samples. The two mutation-positive plasma samples were from CRC patients at stage IIb and stage IIIc. CONCLUSIONS: Analyzing MSI and gene mutation might be a non-invasive supplementary way to reveal the molecular characteristics of CRC.