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BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common malignancy affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Extensive research indicates that basement membranes (BMs) may play a crucial role in the initiation and progression of the disease.MethodsData on the RNA expression patterns and clinicopathological information of patients with CRC were sourced from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. A BM-linked risk signature for the prediction of overall survival (OS) was formulated using univariate Cox regression and combined machine learning techniques. Survival outcomes, functional pathways, the tumor microenvironment (TME), and responses to both immunotherapy and chemotherapy within varying risk classifications were also investigated. The expression trends of the model genes were evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database.ResultsA nine-gene risk signature containing UNC5C, TINAG, TIMP1, SPOCK3, MMP1, AGRN, UNC5A, ADAMTS4, and ITGA7 was constructed for the prediction of outcomes in patients with CRC. The expression profiles of these candidate genes were verified using RT-PCR and the HPA database and were found to be consistent with the findings on differential gene expression in the TCGA dataset. The validity of the signature was confirmed using the GEO cohort. The patients were stratified into different risk groups according to differences in clinicopathological characteristics, TME features, enrichment functions, and drug sensitivities. Lastly, the prognostic nomogram model based on the risk score was found to be effective in identifying high-risk patients and predicting OS.ConclusionA basement membrane-related risk signature was constructed and found to be effective for predicting the prognosis of patients with CRC.

A well-designed game can offer enormous opportunities for pragmatics learning by providing an immersive environment where learners can practice L2 in a variety of social contexts. To examine the applicability of gaming to L2 pragmatics learning, this study used the platform "Unity" to develop a scenario-based digital game ("Questaurant") to teach Chinese formulaic expressions. In the game, the player took the role of a robot who works in a restaurant in China and runs quests by interacting with built-in characters. The game incorporated four key gaming attributes: "context (representation)", "goals", "feedback", and "interactivity". This paper reports the usability of these gaming attributes based on interview data collected from 12 learners of Chinese who completed the game. Results showed that the combination of "context" and "interactivity" in "Questaurant" delivered an engaging learning experience, while explicit "feedback" directly contributed to learning. Participants raised some concerns regarding the motivational appeal of "goals" and implicit "feedback" in the game. This paper further discusses implications for developing and utilizing digital games for pragmatics learning.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays a crucial role in various aquatic environments, while comprehensive insights into DOM and its relations with heavy metals in drinking water sources are still lacking. Here, we choose the drinking water sources of Anhui province (China) as a typical case, exploring the occurrence of DOM and its relationship with heavy metals in 159 major drinking water sources. Results indicate the occurrence levels of DOM and three identified fluorescent components in the surface water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs) are significantly higher than that in the groundwater, while there was no significant difference in the occurrence levels of the chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) among the drinking water sources. Significant correlations between the DOM and heavy metals indicate that DOM could be used as a promising indicator for evaluating the occurrence and environmental behavior of some heavy metals in drinking water sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) is an important member of the peroxiredoxin family (PRDX) and is upregulated in a variety of tumors. Previous studies have found that high PRDX1 expression is closely related to the metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but the specific molecular mechanism is elusive. To elucidate the role of PRDX1 in the metastasis process of OSCC, we evaluated the expression of PRDX1 in OSCC clinical specimens and its impact on the prognosis of OSCC patients. Then, the effect of PRDX1 on OSCC metastasis and cytoskeletal reconstruction was explored in vitro and in nude mouse tongue cancer models, and the molecular mechanisms were also investigated. PRDX1 can directly interact with the actin‐binding protein Cofilin, inhibiting the phosphorylation of its Ser3 site, accelerating the depolymerization and turnover of actin, promoting OSCC cell movement, and aggravating the invasion and metastasis of OSCC. In clinical samples and mouse tongue cancer models, PRDX1 also increased lymph node metastasis of OSCC and was negatively correlated with the phosphorylation of Cofilin; PRDX1 also reduced the overall survival rate of OSCC patients. In summary, our study identified that PRDX1 may be a potential therapeutic target to inhibit OSCC metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital technology has great potential for second language (L2) pragmatics learning as it creates communicative contexts for learners to practice L2s. However, despite the growing interest in technology enhanced learning, the efficacy of using technology on L2 pragmatics remains unknown. This paper examines the role of technology in L2 pragmatics learning and synthesizes the learning outcomes in previous studies. The researchers addressed the following: (1) The use of technology to develop L2 learners' pragmatic competence; and (2) Pragnatics learning outcomes and the means to document them. Twenty one studies were selected after an exhaustive literature search and application of inclusion/exclusion criteria. The findings revealed three uses of technology: as an instructional tool; as a medium for communication; and as both. The findings showed positive results of using technology to facilitate pragmatics learning. However, the learning outcomes were documented in diverse ways across studies: through assessments before and after technology use or qualitative analysis on technology-mediated interaction. This paper further discusses how different conceptualizations of pragmatic competence affect technology use and learning outcomes.

Objective To investigate the influencing factors for lymph node metastasis in Siewert type Ⅲ carcinoma of esophagogastric junction. Methods A total of 162 patients with Siewert type Ⅲ carcinoma of esophagogastric junction undergoing radical surgery in our department of general surgery from January 2010 to June 2018 were recruited in this study. Their clinical and pathological data were collected and retrospectively analyzed for independent influencing factors for lymph node metastasis. Results Among the 162 patients with Siewert type Ⅲ carcinoma of esophagogastric junction, lymph node metastases were found in 72 cases, with a metastatic rate of 44.4%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the pathological types of tumor, histological differentiation grade, depth of invasion and presence or absence of vascular tumor thrombus were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). Conclusion The Siewert type Ⅲ carcinoma of esophagogastric junction is more prone to lymph node metastasis in signet ring cell carcinoma, low-grade differentiation, invasion to full-thickness gastric wall and vascular tumor thrombus.

Introduction Lung cancer is one of the most common and fatal malignant tumors worldwide (Siegel et al. 2017). Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of all cases of [...], Compound K [C-K; 20-0-([beta]-D-glucopyranosyl)-20(S)-protopanaxadiol], as a metabolite of ginsenoside, has been verified to have antitumor effects in various cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the detailed mechanisms of C-K in NSCLC remain largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of C-K on apoptosis and autophagy in NSCLC cells as well as its related mechanisms. According to the results, C-K suppressed the proliferation, and led to G1 phase arrest and apoptosis in A549 and H1975 cells. Subsequently, C-K promoted autophagy, as confirmed by the enhanced rate of cells staining positive with acridine orange, increased levels of LC3II and Beclin-1, and with decreased levels of p62 in A549 and H1975 cells. Moreover, 3-methyladenine (3-MA; an inhibitor of autophagy) effectively suppressed the inhibition of proliferation and apoptosis that was induced with C-K. Finally, C-K treatment promoted the activation of the AMPK-mTOR and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways. Treatment with compound C (AMPK inhibitor) or SP600125 (JNK inhibitor) significantly restrained the inhibition of proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy induced with C-K in A549 and H1975 cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that C-K promotes autophagy-mediated apoptosis in NSCLC via AMPK-mTOR and JNK signaling pathways. Key words: compound K, non-small cell lung cancer, apoptosis, autophagy, AMPK-mTOR. Le compose K [C-K; 20-0-([beta]-D-glucopyranosyl)-20(S)-protopanaxadiol], un metabolite du ginsenoside, s&apos;avere exercer des effets antitu-moraux sur differents cancers, dont le cancer du poumon non a petites cellules (CPNPC). Toutefois, les mecanismes detailles de l&apos;action du C-K dans les CPNPC demeurent essentiellement inconnus. Dans cette etude, les auteurs desiraient evaluer l&apos;effet du C-K sur l&apos;apoptose et l&apos;autophagie des cellules de CPNPC de meme que les mecanismes d&apos;action impliques. Selon les resultats, le C-K reprimait la proliferation et provoquait un arret du cycle cellulaire en phase G1 et l&apos;apoptose des cellules A549 et H1975. Subsequemment, le C-K provoquait l&apos;autophagie tel que confirme par l&apos;accroissement du taux de coloration des cellules a l&apos;acridine orange, accroissait les niveaux de LC3II et de Becline-1, tout en diminuant le niveau de p62 dans les cellules A549 et H1975. De plus, la 3-methyladenine (3-MA; un inhibiteur de l&apos;autophagie) levait efficacement l&apos;inhibition de la proliferation induite par le C-K. Finalement, un traitement au C-K activait les voies de signalisation AMPK-mTOR et JNK. Un traitement avec le compose C (inhibiteur de l&apos;AMPK) ou le SP600125 (inhibiteur de JNK) limitait significativement l&apos;inhibition de la proliferation, l&apos;apoptose et l&apos;autophagie induites par le C-K dans les cellules A549 et H1975. En conclusion, cette etude demontre que le C-K favorise l&apos;apoptose mediee par l&apos;autophagie dans les CPNPC par les voies de signalisation AMPK-mTOR et JNK. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: compose K, cancer pulmonaire non a petites cellules, apoptose, autophagie, AMPK-mTOR.

This study examined the effectiveness and usability of a scenario-based interactive practice in teaching Chinese formulaic expressions. Thirty students enrolled in Chinese classes in a U.S. university interacted with characters in videos featuring scenes recorded in Shanghai. Students were prompted to use formulaic expressions during their text-based interactions with built-in characters. Several game-like features were incorporated into the practice (e.g., a plot and settings, character selections, and point systems). Pre-, post-, and delayed posttest results showed that students made significant gains in their knowledge of formulaic expressions after the practice, and their knowledge was maintained 2 weeks later. Interviews with individual students revealed some features that motivated them with the practice (e.g., videorecordings of authentic situations, interactions with the characters). However, some students did not perceive the practice as a game-like experience because of the linear, structured nature of the practice and limited decision-making power, leaving room for design improvement in the future.