Neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitors - thiorphan, sialorphin, and its derivatives exert anti-proliferative activity towards colorectal cancer cells in vitro.

Neutral endopeptidase (NEP) is an enzyme implicated in development of different tumors, e.g. colorectal cancer (CRC).

Artificial (137)Cs and (134)Cs and natural (40)K in sclerotia of Wolfiporia extensa fungus collected across of the Yunnan land in China.

Dried sclerotia of Wolfiporia extensa has a long history of medicinal and grocery uses in Asia and elsewhere. This study aimed at providing and evaluating data on activity concentrations from artificial (137)Cs and (134)Cs radionuclides and natural (40)K in sclerotia collected across of the Yunnan land in China, which is generally lacking information. Sclerotia of W.

Synthesis of α-collagen fragments and research of their influence on the degree of hydration of a model of epidermis.

Introduction: In recent years the interest into areas of science, such as cosmetology, dermatology, pharmacology or aesthetic medicine has increased significantly. Scientists are more frequently looking for ingredients that affect the skin's condition and slow down the aging process. Practically every year, the scientists discover a number of new chemical substances (both natural and synthetic) that can be potentially used to manufacture cosmetics.

Hypertensive activity of synthesized PTH(25-34) and Ac-PTH(25-30)-NH2 in rats.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is secreted by parathyroid glands and is the main known factor that control plasma calcium concentration. There are many indications that PTH or products of PTH degradation influence the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). These observations might be important in diseases accompanied with the overproduction of PTH such as primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).

Discriminating between serological responses to European-genotype live vaccine and European-genotype field strains of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) by peptide ELISA.

A peptide ELISA was developed based on an immunodominant and hypervariable epitope in the ORF4 envelope glycoprotein of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). The peptide sequence was derived from the Porcilis live-attenuated PRRSV vaccine strain (genotype 1, European). Antibodies induced by the field PRRSVs currently circulating in Poland were not detected by the Porcilis ORF4 peptide ELISA.

Human heat shock protein 60 (409-424) fragment is recognized by serum antibodies of patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS), including unstable angina (UA) and acute myocardial infarction (MI), are clinical manifestations of a progressive atherosclerotic process. Antibodies (Ab) to heat shock proteins (hsp) have been reported to be associated with atherosclerosis. Blood samples from 35 patients with ACS and 20 healthy volunteers were tested for Ab to human hsp60 by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

In vitro effect of short-term exposure to two synthetic peptides, alone or in combination with clarithromycin or rifabutin, on Cryptosporidium parvum infectivity.

The viability of Cryptosporidium parvum after exposure to peptide antibiotics was studied by two different methods, a cell culture system and a double fluorogenic staining. The peptides KFFKFFKFF and IKFLKFLKFL exerted high cytotoxic effects on sporozoites, as demonstrated by cell cultures (complete inhibition after 60 min at 100 microg/ml) and flow cytometry (30% after 20 min at 100 microg/ml), but did not affect consistently the oocysts. Clarithromycin and rifabutin demonstrated less activity against sporozoites but higher activity against oocysts (30% after 180 min at 10 microg/ml).

Therapeutic efficacy of intraperitoneal polymyxin B and polymyxin-like peptides alone or combined with levofloxacin in rat models of septic shock.

The efficacy of two polymyxin-like peptides, KFFKFFKFF and IKFLKFLKFL, alone and combined with levofloxacin, was investigated in a rat model of septic shock. Rats were given an ip injection of 2 x 10(10) cfu of Escherichia coli and randomized to receive ip isotonic sodium chloride solution, 7 mg/kg levofloxacin, 1 mg/kg polymyxin B and 1 mg/kg of each polymyxin-like peptides alone or combined with 7 mg/kg levofloxacin. Polymyxins achieved a significant reduction in plasma endotoxin and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) concentration.