A Novel Four-Gene Signature Based on Nonsense-Mediated RNA Decay for Predicting Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Bioinformatics Analysis and Functional Validation.

Purpose: Nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD), a surveillance pathway for selective degradation of aberrant mRNAs, is associated with cancer progression. Its potential as a predictor for aggressive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. Here, we present an innovative NMD risk model for predicting HCC prognosis. Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data of 374 liver HCC (LIHC) and 50 normal liver samples were extracted. A risk model based on NMD-related genes was developed through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox (LASSO-Cox) regression of the LIHC-TCGA data. Prognostic validation was done using GSE54236, GSE116174, and GSE76427 data. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to assess the prognostic value of the model. We also constructed nomograms for survival prediction. Tumor immune infiltration was evaluated using the CIBERSORT algorithm, and the tumor cell phenotype was assessed. Finally, mouse experiments verified UPF3B knockdown effects on HCC tumor characteristics. Results: We developed a risk model based on four NMD-related genes (PABPC1, RPL8, SMG5, and UPF3B) and validated it using GSE54236, GSE116174, and GSE76427 data. The model effectively distinguished high- and low-risk groups corresponding to unfavorable and favorable HCC outcomes. Its prognostic prediction accuracy was confirmed through time-dependent ROC analysis, and clinical-use nomograms with calibration curves were developed. Single-cell RNA sequencing results indicated significantly higher expression of SMG5 and UPF3B in tumor cells. Knockdown of SMG5 and UPF3B inhibited HCC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, while affecting cell-cycle progression and apoptosis. In vivo, UPF3B knockdown delayed tumor growth and increased immune cell infiltration. Conclusion: Our NMD-related gene-based risk model can help identify therapeutic targets and biomarkers for HCC. Additionally, it assists clinicians in predicting the prognosis of HCC patients.

Plastic-derived sandwich-like porous carbon nanosheet-supported hexagonal carbon micro-flakes for K-ion storage.

Novel sandwich-like porous carbon nanosheet-supported hexagonal carbon micro-flakes (WPWMC) are fabricated via a one-step hydrothermal route at 700 °C with polyethylene as the precursor and magnesium as the inducer. Through various characterizations, it is confirmed that the hexagonal carbon micro-flakes exhibit (002) orientation, which exposes abundant edge active sites and shortens the K+ transmission path. Moreover, the inside cross-linked carbon nanosheets with abundant pores can accelerate ion diffusion and increase the capacitive contribution. The WPWMC anode displays a high reversible capacity (528.7 mA h g-1 at 0.2 A g-1), good rate capability (152.7 mA h g-1 at 10 A g-1) and long-term cycle stability (112.1 mA h g-1 at 5 A g-1 after 10 000 cycles). Furthermore, the WPWMC//CMK-3 hybrid capacitor exhibits an energy density of 222.7 W h kg-1 at 446.2 W kg-1. This work provides an idea for transforming waste plastic into value-added materials.