miR-23b-3p Plays an Oncogenic Role in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Reports show miR-23b to be a cancer-related biomarker in various cancer types. Interestingly, it has a dual role of oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions, depending on the cancer type. This study focused on the unknown association of miR-23b-3p with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

The Significance of Molecular Biomarkers on Clinical Survival Outcome Differs Depending on Colon Cancer Sidedness.

Background/aim: This retrospective study focused on the correlation between molecular markers and prognostic outcomes of colon cancer patients depending on sidedness.

Materials And Methods: A total of 117 stage I-III colon cancer patients who underwent colectomy were enrolled. Novel methylation markers (KIF1A, PAX5 and VGF) were selected for epigenetic evaluation and p53 and ERCC1 protein expression was examined for the investigation of genetic alterations.

Changes in oral microbial profiles associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma vs leukoplakia.

Aim: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most frequently occurring cancer among head and neck SCC worldwide. The identification of novel effective biomarkers for early detection may greatly improve the survival rate and prognosis of patients with OSCC. This study aimed to identify specific oral microbial profiles associated with OSCC.

Improvement of ethanol production by recombinant expression of pyruvate decarboxylase in the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete sordida YK-624.

To improve ethanol production by Phanerochaete sordida YK-624, the pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) gene was cloned from and reintroduced into this hyper lignin-degrading fungus; the gene encodes a key enzyme in alcoholic fermentation. We screened 16 transformant P. sordida YK-624 strains that each expressed a second, recombinant PDC gene (pdc) and then identified the transformant strain (designated GP7) with the highest ethanol production.

Improving xylitol production through recombinant expression of xylose reductase in the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete sordida YK-624.

We generated an expression construct consisting of the xylose reductase (XR) gene (xr) from Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Transformant X7 exhibited increased xylitol production and markedly higher XR activities than the wild-type strain. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the increased XR activity was associated with constant expression of the recombinant xr gene.

Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydroalkoxylation and hydrosulfenylation of diphenylphosphinylallenes.

The rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular asymmetric hydroalkoxylation and hydrosulfenylation of diphenylphosphinylallenes gave chiral allylic phosphine oxides substituted with vinyl ether and thioether moieties in high yields with high enantioselectivities.

Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydroarylation of diphenylphosphinylallenes with arylboronic acids.

Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydroarylation of diphenylphosphinylallenes with arylboronic acids proceeded in high yields with high regio- and enantioselectivity to give chiral allylphosphine oxides of up to 98% ee. The structural determination of the key intermediate, a pi-allylrhodium complex, was successful to establish the catalytic cycle of the reaction.