Discovery of a Potent, Selective, and Orally Bioavailable Tool Compound for Probing the Role of Lysophosphatidic Acid Type 2 Receptor Antagonists in Fibrotic Disorders.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal disease characterized by lung fibrosis leading to an irreversible decline of lung function. Current antifibrotic drugs on the market slow down but do not prevent the progression of the disease and are associated with tolerability issues. The involvement of lysophosphatidic acid receptor 2 (LPA) in IPF is supported by LPA knockdown studies.

A diagnostic circulating miRNA signature as orchestrator of cell invasion via TKS4/TKS5/EFHD2 modulation in human gliomas.

Background: Altered microRNA profiles have been observed not only in tumour tissues but also in biofluids, where they circulate in a stable form thus representing interesting biomarker candidates. This study aimed to identify a microRNA signature as a non-invasive biomarker and to investigate its impact on glioma biology.

Methods: MicroRNAs were selected using a global expression profile in preoperative serum samples from 37 glioma patients.

Exploring calixarene-based clusters for efficient functional presentation of Streptococcus pneumoniae saccharides.

Calixarenes are promising scaffolds for an efficient clustered exposition of multiple saccharide antigenic units. Herein we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a calix[6]arene functionalized with six copies of the trisaccharide repeating unit of Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) serotype 19F. This system has demonstrated its ability to efficiently inhibit the binding between the native 19F capsular polysaccharide and anti-19F antibodies, despite a low number of exposed saccharide antigens, well mimicking the epitope presentations in the polysaccharide.

Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Italian Version of the Homosexuality Scale of the Trueblood Sexual Attitudes Questionnaire.

The aim of the present study was to translate the Homosexuality scale of the Trueblood Sexual Attitudes Questionnaire into the Italian language and to assess its factor structure and psychometric properties in Italian psychology students. The questionnaire was originally developed and validated in U.S.

Molecular Architecture and Symmetry Properties of 1,3-Alternate Calix[4]arenes with Orientable Groups at the Para Position of the Phenolic Rings.

Two glycoclusters constituted by four fully acetylated β-acetylmannosamine residues linked through trimethylenethioureido spacers to a calix[4]arene core and differing for the presence of methoxy or propoxy groups at the lower rim were synthesized. One of the two compounds is fixed in the 1,3-alternate geometry by the presence of the propoxy groups, while the other is potentially free to assume one of the different geometries allowed in calix[4]arene. Their similar NMR spectra in chloroform clearly suggest the same 1,3-alternate geometry.

Correction: Moulding calixarenes for biomacromolecule targeting.

Correction for 'Moulding calixarenes for biomacromolecule targeting' by Marta Giuliani et al., Chem. Commun.

Moulding calixarenes for biomacromolecule targeting.

After their successful use as a preorganized platform for the preparation of receptors for metal ions and small neutral molecules over the last 15 years, calixarenes are enjoying a renaissance of popularity as scaffolds for ligands that are able to efficiently and selectively target macromolecules such as proteins/enzymes, nucleic acids and lipids. This feature article summarizes the peculiar factors characterizing the calixarene structure and properties, as well as outlines the main rules that can be used to turn such macrocycles into efficient and successful ligands for these classes of biomacromolecules. Factors that affect the multivalent properties of calixarenes, such as the size, conformation and stereochemical presentation of binding groups or their amphiphilicity and hybrid character, are described in detail with the use of a few selected examples from the literature.

Delayed ejaculation and alexithymia: what is the relationship?

Delayed Ejaculation (DE) is probably the least studied and understood of the male sexual dysfunctions (MSD). There is still little unanimity concerning its psychological/interpersonal aetiology. Previous studies found that MSD are strongly related with alexithymia, a multifaceted personality construct that describes a disturbance in the regulation of emotions.