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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common disease with a significant mortality, and there is no effective treatment for advanced patients. Growing evidence indicates that circRNAs are closely related to HCC progression, may be used as biomarkers and targets for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. Recent researches have shown that circPUM1 may play an oncogene role in a variety of human cancers, but its role in HCC development has not been reported. Our study found that circPUM1 could promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells in vitro. In addition, in vivo studies showed that circPUM1 could increase the development of HCC tumours and regulate the expression of EMT‐related proteins. Furthermore, we demonstrated that circPUM1 could promote the development of HCC by up‐regulating the expression of MAP3K2 via sponging miR‐1208. Our study suggested that circPUM1 may be a potential therapeutic target for HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to develop thermo-sensitive in situ gelling formulation of KCL based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/hyaluronic acid. The prepared preparations were characterized for in vitro gelation, drug release and antifungal activity. In this study, drug content of prepared gels was found to be in the range of 91-96%. The pH value was in the range of 6.0-7.5. By measuring the gelation temperature of the prepared PN-HA thermogelling solutions, it was 33 °C. In vitro release showed that the release of KCL from in situ gels was moderate without burst effects. The KCL PN-HA in situ gels were well-tolerated by the rabbits, and no macroscopic signs of irritation, redness, or other toxic effects were observed. From in vivo antimicrobial study, KCL PN-HA in situ gels may be concluded to have a better cure percent in clinical profile and negative growth of Candida albicans in microbiological test. Therefore, this new formulation could prove to be a novel ocular dosage form able to prolong the residence time and to control the release of drug when administered into the eye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The utilization of CO2 as a renewable raw material for the production of chemicals is an area of great societal importance. In particular, the catalytic conversion of CO2 into cyclic carbonates, which are useful chemical intermediates used for the production of plastics and organic solvents, represents an appealing approach for the efficient use of CO2. Microporous crystals, such as zeolites and metal organic frameworks, and ordered mesoporous phases have emerged as novel porous materials that combine highly desirable properties, such as uniform pores on the microscale and mesoscale, high surface areas, flexible chemistries, and exceptional thermal and chemical stability; this makes them ideal candidates for catalytic applications. In this review, representative examples demonstrating the catalytic ability of these porous materials for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO2 are presented. The fundamental structure/catalysis relationships of these porous phases in the conversion of CO2 into cyclic carbonates are discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014, 131, 39738. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The catalytic activity of ZIF-8 in the synthesis of styrene carbonate from carbon dioxide and styrene oxide is presented. ZIF-8 crystals displayed catalytic activity even at temperatures as low as 50°C, with styrene carbonate yields as high as ~54% at 100°C. In contrast to many prior-art catalysts, solvents or co-catalysts were not required. Pyridine and ammonia were used as probe molecules to estimate the type and density of acid sites in fresh and reused ZIF-8 catalysts. DRIFT spectroscopy of adsorbed pyridine revealed the presence of both Brönsted (B) and Lewis (L) acid sites. The B-sites have nearly vanished in the case of recycled ZIF-8 catalysts. The simultaneous presence of both the acid sites and the nitrogen basic moieties from the imidazole linker in ZIF-8 promoted the adsorption of the CO2 on the solid surface and its further conversion to the cyclic carbonate. The ZIF-8 catalysts could be recycled and reused without significant loss in catalytic activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]