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Background: ELMO complexes with DOCK180 and contributes to Rac signaling. Results: Arl4A binds ELMO and is a membrane localization signal that triggers DOCK180-Rac-dependent actin cytoskeleton remodeling. Conclusion: ELMO, via its versatile Ras-binding domain, binds its effector Arl4A, and this novel interaction facilitates Rac signaling. Significance: This is the first demonstration of a Ras-binding domain that binds Arf or Rho family GTPases.

The industrialization of quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) requires the use of less hazardous cadmium-free quantum dots, among which ZnSe-based blue and InP-based green and red quantum dots have received considerable attention. In comparison, the development of InP-based green QLEDs is lagging behind. Here, we prepare green InP/ZnSe/ZnS quantum dots with a diameter of 8.6 nm. We then modify the InP quantum dot emitting layer by passivation with various alkyl diamines and zinc halides, which decreases electron mobility and enhances hole transport. This, together with optimizing the electron transport layer, leads to green 545 nm InP QLEDs with a maximum quantum efficiency (EQE) of 16.3% and a current efficiency 57.5 cd/A. EQE approaches the theoretical limit of InP quantum dots, with an emission quantum yield of 86%.

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PurposeTo investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms of growth factor-related genes and prognosis in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Patients and MethodsA total of 334 ESCC patients with advanced tumor stages (stages IIB, III and IV) were enrolled in the study. The genotypes of 14 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) involved in growth factor-related functions were analyzed using iPLEX Gold technology from the genomic DNA of peripheral leukocytes, and were correlated with the clinical outcome of patients. Serum levels of growth factors were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsThe genetic polymorphisms of EGF:rs4444903, EGF:rs2237051 and VEGF:rs2010963 showed significant associations with overall survival (OS) of advanced ESCC patients (A/A+ A/G vs. GG, [HR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.60–0.99, P = 0.039 for rs4444903; A/G+ G/G vs. A/A, [HR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.58–0.95, P = 0.019 for rs2237051; G/G+G/C vs. C/C, [HR] inves = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.50–0.95, P = 0.023 for rs2010963). EGFR:rs2227983 and 3 SNPs of PIK3CA also showed borderline significant correlation with OS of advanced ESCC patients (P = 0.058 for rs2227983; P = 0.069, 0.091 and 0.067 for rs6443624, rs7651265 and rs7621329 of PIK3CA respectively). According to cumulative effect analysis of multiple SNPs, patients carrying 4 unfavorable genotypes exhibited more than a 3-fold increased risk of mortality. Finally, both EGF and VEGF expression levels significantly associated with patient mortality.ConclusionThe genetic variants and expression levels of EGF and VEGF can serve as prognostic predictors in patients with advanced ESCC, and thus provide more information for optimizing personalized therapies for patients with ESCC.