Downregulation of PDGF-D Inhibits Proliferation and Invasion in Breast Cancer MDA-MB-231 Cells.

Background: The platelet derived growth factor-D (PDGF-D) plays an important role in breast tumor aggressiveness. However, limited study has investigated the effect of silencing PDGF-D on the biological function of breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to clarify the potential value of PDGF-D as a target for breast cancer treatment.

LncRNA MYLK-AS1 facilitates tumor progression and angiogenesis by targeting miR-424-5p/E2F7 axis and activating VEGFR-2 signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial in the invasion, angiogenesis, progression, and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The lncRNA MYLK-AS1 promotes the growth and invasion of HCC through the EGFR/HER2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway. However, the clinical significance of MYLK-AS1 in HCC still needs to be further determined.

MicroRNAs and long non-coding RNAs in liver surgery: Diagnostic and therapeutic merits.

Background: Hepatectomy and liver transplantation (LT) are the two most commonly performed surgical procedures for various hepatic lesions. microRNA (miRNA) and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) have been gradually unveiled their roles as either biomarkers for early diagnosis or potentially therapeutic tools to manipulate gene expression in many disease entities. This review aimed to discuss the effects of miRNA or lncRNA in the hepatectomy and LT fields.

Cross-talk among AFAP1-AS1, ACVR1 and microRNA-384 regulates the stemness of pancreatic cancer cells and tumorigenicity in nude mice.

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) represents one of the most aggressive forms of cancer. The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been highlighted in various malignancies including PC. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects associated with actin filament-associated protein 1 antisense RNA 1 (AFAP1-AS1) on the progression of PC and the underlying mechanism.

Self-management and self-efficacy status in liver recipients.

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) is a viable treatment for patients with end-stage chronic liver diseases. The main aim of LT is to prolong life and improve life quality. However, although survival after LT continues to improve, some aspects of recipient's health-related quality of life such as self-management and self-efficacy have been largely ignored.

Clinical operational tolerance in liver transplantation: state-of-the-art perspective and future prospects.

Background: Liver transplantation is the definite treatment for end-stage liver diseases with satisfactory results. However, untoward effects of life-long immunosuppression prevent the development of alternative strategies to achieve better long-term outcome. Achieving clinical operational tolerance is the ultimate goal.

A new method for gene synthesis and its high-level expression.

An optimized Citrobacter braakii phytase gene, appA-c, was chemically synthesized by oligonucleotides synthesis and over-lap PCR method. The appA-c gene encoding 423 amino acids was cloned into expression vector pPIC9 and transformed into methylotropic yeast Pichia pastoris. From about 2000 transformants, 400 transformants exhibiting phytase activity were obtained.