LidNA, a miRNA inhibitor constructed with unmodified DNA, requires an xxxA insertion sequence in miRNA binding site for its potent inhibitory activity.

The involvement of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancer, poses the need for developing miRNA inhibitors. Previously, using unmodified DNA, we designed LidNA, which inhibited miRNA function more potently than 2'-O-methylated RNA and locked nucleic acid. LidNA consists of a complementary sequence to miRNA flanked by two structured DNAs. Alterations in the connected sequences between the complementary region and structured region modestly affect miRNA inhibition activity. Surprisingly, variations in the mismatched insertion sequence in the center of the complementary sequence significantly affect activity. The central insertion sequence xxxA is required for the potent miRNA inhibitory effects of LidNA. This suggests that both the structure and insertion sequence of LidNA and other miRNA inhibitors should be considered for maximal miRNA inhibitory activity.

Effects of ocular dominance and visual input on body sway.

PURPOSE: To clarify the role of ocular dominance and to investigate the importance of visual acuity and restriction of the visual field for the visual stabilization of posture. METHODS: The subjects were 31 healthy volunteers ranging in age from 18 to 27 years. The sway of the center of gravity in the upright position was measured by a stabilometer. The tracings of the center of gravity obtained with the stabilometer while the subjects were standing erect for 1 min under several conditions were analyzed. The root mean square (RMS) area of body sway in each case was determined by analysis of the data. The main visual conditions were as follows: with the eyes open; with fixation of the dominant eye or of the nondominant eye; with a binocular or a monocular visual field of 10 degrees; with a binocular or a monocular visual field of 10 degrees and a visual acuity of 0.01; and with the eyes closed. RESULTS: The main results were as follows: (1) The RMS area while fixation of the dominant eye was maintained was significantly greater than that with fixation of the nondominant eye, and (2) the RMS area showed marked differences between binocular and monocular visual fields restricted to 10 degrees. In monocular fixation of the same visual field, the RMS area increased significantly compared with in binocular fixation. CONCLUSIONS: Binocular vision with the field restricted to 10 degrees offered the greatest contribution to postural stability, but the nondominant eye was more concerned with postural control than the dominant eye.