Differential bicistronic gene translation mediated by the internal ribosome entry site element of encephalomyocarditis virus.

Background: Internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs) allow the translation of a transcript independent of its cap structure. They are distributed in some viruses and cellular RNA. The element is applied in dual gene expression in a single vector.

Locally Targeting the IL-17/IL-17RA Axis Reduced Tumor Growth in a Murine B16F10 Melanoma Model.

Interleukin (IL)-17 and the cells that produce it within the tumor microenvironment appear to promote tumor development and are associated with survival in cancer patients. Here we investigated the role of the IL-17/IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) axis in regulating melanoma progression and evaluated the therapeutic potential of blocking the IL-17/IL-17RA pathway. First, recombinant mouse IL-17 (γmIL-17) treatment significantly increased proliferation of mouse B16F10 cells and human A375 and A2058 cells.

Interleukin 17 and peripheral IL-17-expressing T cells are negatively correlated with the overall survival of head and neck cancer patients.

The presence and clinical significance of interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-17-expressing cells have recently been studied in several types of cancer, but their correlation to tumor development remains controversial. Additionally, the contribution of peripheral IL-17-expressing cells to head and neck cancer (HNC) progression is still poorly understood. We collected peripheral blood from healthy donors and HNC patients to isolate PBMCs.

The modulation of Th2 immune pathway in the immunosuppressive effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in a murine asthmatic model.

Background: Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease that has a high prevalence nowadays, and seeking the means of relieving asthmatic symptoms is now an issue with increased importance. While mesenchymal stem cells have been demonstrated to display immunomodulatory effects, the effect of fetus-type mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on asthmatic symptoms in vivo have not been reported to date.

Methods: Female BALB/c mice at 8 weeks of age were sensitized by ovalbumin, and MSCs derived from Wharton's jelly of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) were injected into the asthmatic mice.

The Correlation between Chitin and Acidic Mammalian Chitinase in Animal Models of Allergic Asthma.

Asthma is the result of chronic inflammation of the airways which subsequently results in airway hyper-responsiveness and airflow obstruction. It has been shown that an elicited expression of acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. Our recent study has demonstrated that the specific suppression of elevated AMCase leads to reduced eosinophilia and Th2-mediated immune responses in an ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mouse model of allergic asthma.

Immune checkpoint blockade therapy: the 2014 Tang Prize in Biopharmaceutical Science.

The first Tang Prize for Biopharmaceutical Science has been awarded to Prof. James P. Allison and Prof.

Assessing schizophrenia-relevant cognitive and social deficits in mice: a selection of mouse behavioral tasks and potential therapeutic compounds.

Schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders are generally diagnosed based on a collection of symptoms defined by a combination of an individual's feelings, perceptions, and behaviors. Many of these disorders are characterized by specific cognitive and social deficits. Although it is nearly impossible to recapitulate the full phenotypic spectrum of schizophrenia in mice, mouse models play an indispensable role in understanding the pathogenesis of this disorder and the development of new therapeutics.

Blockade of phospholipid scramblase 1 with its N-terminal domain antibody reduces tumorigenesis of colorectal carcinomas in vitro and in vivo.

Background: Membrane-bound phospholipid scramblase 1 (PLSCR1) is involved in both lipid trafficking and cell signaling. Previously, we showed that PLSCR1 is overexpressed in many colorectal carcinomas (CRCs). In the present study, we investigated the tumorigenic role of PLSCR1 in CRC and suggest that it is a potential therapeutic target.

Evaluating the effects of an Internet education programme on newborn care in Taiwan.

Aim: The objectives of this study were to evaluate an Internet education programme provided to primigravida in the third trimester of pregnancy with the aim of enhancing mothers' knowledge about newborn care and increasing their maternal confidence.

Background: Shorter hospital stays have had an impact on the traditional role of mother-baby nurses in providing education about parenting to their parturient women. Internet education is an efficient way to provide nursing instruction.