lncRNA SNHG17 is Downregulated in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and Has Predictive Values.

AIM: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG17 has been shown to participate in type 2 diabetes mellitus, while its role in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is unknown. METHODS: Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assays were conducted to compare the differential expression of SNHG17 among 60 GDM patients and 60 healthy pregnant female controls. In addition, peripheral blood samples from 240 pregnant females were collected to evaluate the predictive value of SNHG17 for GDM patients. All females were followed-up until delivery to record the occurrence of GDM and perinatal outcomes. GDM-free curves were plotted to compare the occurrence of GDM between high- and low- SNHG17 expression groups. The diagnostic value of plasma SNHG17 for GDM was analyzed by ROC curve analysis. Moreover, the cell counting kit (CCK-8) assay was performed to evaluate the impact of SNHG17 on cell viability of INS-1, and the level of insulin secretion was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after overexpression or knockdown of SNHG17. RESULTS: SNHG17 was downregulated in GDM patients compared to normal pregnant females. Low plasma expression levels of SNHG17 were closely correlated with the high incidence rate of GDM (GDM-free curve). Remarkably, plasma expression levels of SNHG17 at 4 weeks before the diagnosis of GDM (diagnosed by standard method) can be used to distinguish (ROC curve) GDM patients (diagnosed during follow-up) from normal pregnant females (GDM was not diagnosed during follow-up). CONCLUSION: Plasma circulating SNHG17 is downregulated in GDM and has predictive values.

miR-708-5p promotes fibroblast-like synoviocytes' cell apoptosis and ameliorates rheumatoid arthritis by the inhibition of Wnt3a/ß-catenin pathway.

AIM: MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a class of small, highly conserved noncoding RNA molecules, which contain 18-28 nucleotides and are involved in the regulation of gene expression. It has been proved that microRNAs play a very important role in several key cellular processes, such as cell differentiation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis, as well as in autoimmune disease. One recently identified miRNA, miR-708-5p, has been demonstrated to have profound roles in suppressing oncogenesis in different types of tumors. However, the role of miR-708-5p in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains to be fully elucidated. Therefore, in this study, we are aiming to identify the role of miR-708-5p in RA. METHODS: The expression level of miR-708-5p in synovial tissues of patients with RA is much lower than in non-RA controls. The effects of miR-708-5p on cell apoptosis, colony formation, and migration in fibroblast-like synoviocytes were assessed in MH7A cells. RESULTS: Results showed that delivery of miR-708-5p mimics into synovial fibroblasts MH7A could induce cell apoptosis and inhibit colony formation and migration. In addition, miR-708-5p mimics significantly inhibit Wnt3a/ß-catenin pathway activity both in transcription and protein level, which could be reversed by the addition of R-spondin 1, an activator of Wnt pathway. R-spondin 1 could also reverse the inhibition of cell survival and proliferation, which was induced by miR-708-5p mimics in MH7A. Moreover, injection of miR-708-5p mimics into collagen-induced rat RA model could ameliorate the RA index and decrease Wnt3a/ß-catenin expression in rat joint tissues. CONCLUSION: Therefore, we concluded that miR-708-5p is likely to be involved in RA pathogenesis via inhibition of Wnt3a/ß-catenin pathway.

Suppression of Elk1 inhibits thyroid cancer progression by mediating PTEN expression.

ETS­domain containing protein (Elk1) is reported to be a member of the ETS oncogene family, and promotes tumorigenesis in cancer such as bladder, prostate and ovarian. Nevertheless, the role of Elk1 in thyroid cancer progression remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role and underlying molecular mechanism of Elk1 in thyroid cancer. The results indicated that Elk1 was significantly upregulated in thyroid cancer tissues and cells. We found that loss of Elk1 function obviously induced the expression of early growth response­1 (Egr­1) and PTEN, promoted apoptosis and constrained the proliferation of thyroid cancer cells. Furthermore, Egr­1 inhibition obviously abrogated the induction of PTEN induced by Elk1 reduction. Moreover, Egr­1 suppression prevented the promotion of apoptosis and the inhibition of cell proliferation caused by Elk1 reduction. In conclusion, Elk1 inhibition induced thyroid cancer cell apoptosis and restrained their proliferation by regulating Egr­1/PTEN, indicating a potential role for Elk1 in thyroid cancer treatment.

[The impact of antibiotic treatment in patients with influenza-like illness].

OBJECTIVE: To study the etiology of influenza-like illness (ILI) in Beijing, and to investigate the impact of antibiotic treatment on outcomes. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study. Patients with diagnosis of influenza-like illness were prospectively enrolled for study of bacterial and viral pathogens. Demographic characteristics, underlying diseases, respiratory and extrapulmonary symptoms, laboratory tests were also collected for analysis of relationship between drug therapy and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 476 cases were enrolled between Dec. 2006 and Apr. 2007, of whom 454 cases were used for analysis. Influenza virus was the most common pathogen( n = 197, 43.4%), with other pathogens rarely seen. The mean age of the patients was (33 +/- 13) years, and the ratio of male to female was 1.1:1. Twenty four patients (5.3% ) received influenza vaccine. The rate of antibiotic prescription after onset of illness was 63.4%, but none received antiviral drugs such as Oseltamivir and amantadine. Compared with influenza-negative patients, patients with influenza were older, had more underlying diseases and had greater severity of symptoms such as cough, sore throat, headache and myalgia (but with no statistical differences). The influenza syndrome (T > or = 39 degrees C plus cough, sore throat and headache or myalgia) was more common in the influenza group compared to the influenza-negative patients (P < 0.05). The ratio of antibiotic prescription was 67% in the influenza group, and the total white blood cell and platelet count, percentage of neutrophils were higher in antibiotic treatment patients compared with non-antibiotic treatment patients (P < 0.01). The cost in patients who received antibiotics was twice as much as non-antibiotic treatment patients (P < 0.05), but the defervescence time and respiratory symptom alleviation time did not differ. Cox regression analysis showed that the total white blood count and the differentials (OR value 1.049 and 1.014, respectively), but not antibiotic use were the independent risk factors for longer defervescence time. CONCLUSION: Influenza virus was the most common pathogen for adult patients with ILI in Beijing city during the winter and the spring seasons. Antibiotic treatment of adult patients with ILI did not improve illness resolution, while the cost was increased significantly.