Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly aggressive malignancy, requiring effective biomarkers for prognosis and therapeutic responsiveness. In this retrospective study of banked pathology material, we investigated the protein expression of MMP-21 in ESCC and its association with clinical significance. MMP-21 protein expression was investigated in 311 cases of ESCC by immunohistochemistry assay. Statistical analysis was utilized to evaluate the association of MMP-21 expression with clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival of patients with ESCC. Results showed that MMP-21 expression was significantly increased in ESCC (P < 0.001). It was also found that MMP-21 expression in ESCC was associated with tumor invasion (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001), distant metastasis (P < 0.001) and TNM stage (P < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed MMP-21 expression was associated with overall survival of patients with ESCC for patients with tumors of positive MMP-21 staining tend to have worse overall survival (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis proved that MMP-21 was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival for patients with ESCC (P < 0.001). These results suggested the potential role of MMP-21 in tumor progression and prognosis predication of human ESCC. It might also be a novel molecular target for therapeutic intervention.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) have been investigated as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for cancer; however, the significance of miRNAs in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to determine the genetic profiles of CRC tissue, and screen for miRNAs implicated in CRC cell proliferation and migration. RNA sequencing of 10 paired specimens was performed to for screen genes that were upregulated or downregulated in CRC. miRNA expression in CRC specimens and cell lines was confirmed using qPCR analysis. The significance of indicated miRNAs in CRC cell proliferation and migration was evaluated using MTT and scratch wound-healing assays. Online computational prediction, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification analysis and a luciferase reporter assay were applied to determine candidate targeted genes for the miRNAs. RNA-seq data revealed miR-1914 as the most prominent miRNA in CRC specimens. qPCR analysis also suggested that the expression of miR-1914, as well as its counterpart miR-647 were elevated in CRC specimens and cell lines. Suppression of miR-647/1914 using small interfering RNAs inhibited CRC SW480 and SW620 cell proliferation, and migration. Nuclear factor I/X (NFIX) was demonstrated to be a candidate for miR-647/1914 and mediated the oncogenic activity of miR-647/1914. In all, miR-647 and miR-1914 were demonstrated to promote the proliferation and migration of CRC cells by directly targeting NFIX. Therapeutic delivery of siRNAs targeting miR-647/1914 and overexpression of NFIX may be feasible approaches for CRC treatment.

Stainless steel has attracted significant attention in industrial and engineering applications. To improve its corrosion resistance, there are two major approaches that are to optimize the elemental composition and tune the microstructure. A comprehensive review of the main findings on the corrosion of stainless steel is presented, and some controversial issues are highlighted. First, the functional roles of alloying elements are discussed, including nonmetallic (B, C, and N) and metallic (Cr, Ni, Cu, and Mo) elements. Additionally, their detrimental and positive effects, as well as the corresponding mechanisms, are highlighted. Second, the microstructure‐induced corrosion of stainless steel is discussed, including the crystallographic‐orientation‐dependent corrosion, the dual influence of grain size and grain boundary distribution, texture, and defects in the matrix. In addition, nanostructured materials are mentioned herein. Third, challenges as well as research trends in the future are proposed with perspectives for the development of novel stainless steel in research and industrial applications.