MicroRNA-450b-5p modulated RPLP0 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression via activating JAK/STAT3 pathway.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is distinguished by its insidious onset, difficult treatment, and poor prognosis. Ribosomal Protein Lateral Stalk Subunit P0 (RPLP0) is implicated in numerous tumor progression processes. Nevertheless, the regulatory mechanism of RPLP0 in HCC progression remains unclear.

The influence of different intensity of Tan Tui exercises on the posture control of students in the Tai Chi Elective Course: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Tai Chi (TC) holds a unique and valued place in promoting the physical and mental health of college students. Its significance is underscored by its incorporation as a compulsory physical education course in every university in China. TC, with its rich tradition, places a strong emphasis on posture control as a core sports ability.

Effect of Tan Tui combined with kinesio taping on the posture control of patients with PFPS: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a chronic disease. Its early symptoms are mild and can be relieved by rest after the pain. If there is no effective rehabilitation, it may develop into patellofemoral arthritis.

Effect of Tai Chi combined with Kinesio taping on posture control of football players with FAI: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Functional ankle instability (FAI) of college football players is an important risk factor affecting their training and competition. Physical therapy and appropriate sports intervention can improve the stability of FAI patients. Previous studies have shown that Tai Chi (TC) and Kinesio taping (KT) can improve the posture control ability of FAI patients.

Amphiphilic mPEG-Modified Oligo-Phenylalanine Nanoparticles Chemoenzymatically Synthesized via Papain.

Amphiphilic mPEG-modified peptide nanoparticles were developed from oligo-phenylalanine (OPhe) nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized via papain. Tyndall effects indicate that OPhe NPs are amphiphobic. Addition of protein perturbants, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and urea, in the dispersion solution of OPhe NPs can significantly reduce the value of NPs, from approximately 749.

miR‑122 and miR‑199 synergistically promote autophagy in oral lichen planus by targeting the Akt/mTOR pathway.

The aim of the present study was to characterize the roles of two microRNAs (miRNAs), miR‑122 and miR‑199, in oral lichen planus (OLP). miRNA microarray analysis was performed to detect potential miRNAs involved in OLP, while in‑silicon analysis, reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR), western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses were utilized to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the roles of miR‑199 and miR‑122 in OLP. The results from the microarray and RT‑qPCR analyses demonstrated that the expression levels of miR‑122 and miR‑199 were significantly decreased in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from the OLP group compared with the control group.

Integrated Mechanical, Thermal, Data, and Power Transfer Interfaces for Future Space Robotics.

connectability among modules of a space system can provide significantly enhanced flexibility, adaptability, and robustness for space exploration and servicing missions. Connection of modules in extra-terrestrial environment is hence a topic of rising importance in modern orbital or planetary missions. As an example, the increasing number of satellites sent to space have introduced a large set of connections of various type, for transferring mechanical loads, data, electrical power and heat from one module to another.

MicroRNA Microarray-Based Identification of Involvement of miR-155 and miR-19a in Development of Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) by Modulating Th1/Th2 Balance via Targeting eNOS and Toll-Like Receptor 2 (TLR2).

BACKGROUND A wide range of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play a significant role in disease regulation. The objective of this study was to explore the role of miR-155 and miR-19a in the regulation of oral lichen planus (OLP). MATERIAL AND METHODS Microarray assay, real-time PCR, Western blot assay, computational analysis, luciferase assay, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry analysis were carried out to investigate the role of miR-155 and miR-19a in OLP.

A high-throughput, multiplexed assay for superfamily-wide profiling of enzyme activity.

The selectivity of an enzyme inhibitor is a key determinant of its usefulness as a tool compound or its safety as a drug. Yet selectivity is never assessed comprehensively in the early stages of the drug discovery process, and only rarely in the later stages, because technical limitations prohibit doing otherwise. Here, we report EnPlex, an efficient, high-throughput method for simultaneously assessing inhibitor potency and specificity, and pilot its application to 96 serine hydrolases.

Quantitation of fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-specific protease activity in mouse, baboon and human fluids and organs.

The protease fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a specific marker of activated mesenchymal cells in tumour stroma and fibrotic liver. A specific, reliable FAP enzyme assay has been lacking. FAP's unique and restricted cleavage of the post proline bond was exploited to generate a new specific substrate to quantify FAP enzyme activity.

A general method for making peptide therapeutics resistant to serine protease degradation: application to dipeptidyl peptidase IV substrates.

Bioactive peptides have evolved to optimally fulfill specific biological functions, a fact which has long attracted attention for their use as therapeutic agents. While there have been some recent commercial successes fostered in part by advances in large-scale peptide synthesis, development of peptides as therapeutic agents has been significantly impeded by their inherent susceptibility to protease degradation in the bloodstream. Here we report that incorporation of specially designed amino acid analogues at the P1' position, directly C-terminal of the enzyme cleavage site, renders peptides, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36) amide (GLP-1) and six other examples, highly resistant to serine protease degradation without significant alteration of their biological activity.

A pan-inhibitor of DASH family enzymes induces immune-mediated regression of murine sarcoma and is a potent adjuvant to dendritic cell vaccination and adoptive T-cell therapy.

Multimodality therapy consisting of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation will fail in approximately 40% of patients with pediatric sarcomas and result in substantial long-term morbidity in those who are cured. Immunotherapeutic regimens for the treatment of solid tumors typically generate antigen-specific responses too weak to overcome considerable tumor burden and tumor suppressive mechanisms and are in need of adjuvant assistance. Previous work suggests that inhibitors of DASH (dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity and/or structural homologs) enzymes can mediate tumor regression by immune-mediated mechanisms.

Identification of selective and potent inhibitors of fibroblast activation protein and prolyl oligopeptidase.

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a serine protease selectively expressed on reactive stromal fibroblasts of epithelial carcinomas. It is widely believed to play a role in tumor invasion and metastasis and therefore to represent a potential new drug target for cancer. Investigation into its biological function, however, has been hampered by the current unavailability of selective inhibitors.

4-Substituted boro-proline dipeptides: synthesis, characterization, and dipeptidyl peptidase IV, 8, and 9 activities.

The boroProline-based dipeptidyl boronic acids were among the first DPP-IV inhibitors identified, and remain the most potent known. We introduced various substitutions at the 4-position of the boroProline ring regioselectively and stereoselectively, and incorporated these aminoboronic acids into a series of 4-substituted boroPro-based dipeptides. Among these dipeptidyl boronic acids, Arg-(4S)-boroHyp (4q) was the most potent inhibitor of DPP-IV, DPP8 and DPP9, while (4S)-Hyp-(4R)-boroHyp (4o) exhibited the most selectivity for DPP-IV over DPP8 and DPP9.

Chemical and biological evaluation of dipeptidyl boronic acid proteasome inhibitors for use in prodrugs and pro-soft drugs targeting solid tumors.

Bortezomib, a dipeptidyl boronic acid and potent inhibitor of the 26S proteasome, is remarkably effective against multiple myeloma (MM) but not against solid tumors. Dose-limiting adverse effects from "on target" inhibition of the proteasome in normal cells and tissues appear to be a key obstacle. Achieving efficacy against solid tumors therefore is likely to require making the inhibitor more selective for tumor tissue over normal tissues.

Dipeptide boronic acid inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV: determinants of potency and in vivo efficacy and safety.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV; E.C. 3.

Asymmetric synthesis of four isomers of 2-C-trifluoromethylerythritol.

Optically active 2-C-trifluoromethylerythritols, analogues of 2-C-methylerythritol, which is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of isoprenoid with a mevalonate-independent route, were conveniently synthesized from 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,3-epoxypropane.

Solvent-controlled asymmetric Strecker reaction: stereoselective synthesis of alpha-trifluoromethylated alpha-amino acids.

[reaction: see text] Stereoselective approaches to alpha-trifluoromethylated alpha-amino acids (alpha-Tfm AAs) have been developed. The stereoconfigurations of the resulting alpha-Tfm AA precursors were well controlled by using different solvents. The optically active (S)-2-amino-2-phenyl-1,1,1-trifluoropropanoic acid was synthesized by this method.

High stereoselective preparation of O-protected 2-trifluoromethyl 3-bromoallylic alcohols from 1,1-dibromo-1-alkenes.

A highly stereoselective lithium-bromine exchange reaction of 2-trifluoromethyl-3,3-dibromoallylic alcohols is described. (E)- and (Z)-2-trifluoro-3-bromoallylic alcohols were obtained in THF and hexane, respectively. The lithium carbenoid intermediate was stable even at -40 degrees C and could be trapped by various electrophiles to afford functionalized 2-trifluoromethyl-3-bromoallylic alcohols.