Long non-coding RNA ANRIL promotes carcinogenesis via sponging miR-199a in triple-negative breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a complex breast cancer subtype characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2). Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) antisense non-coding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) has been verified as oncogenic molecular in series of tumors, however, the role of ANRIL in TNBC carcinogenesis is still unclear. The purpose of present study is to investigate the expression and in-depth regulation of ANRIL on TNBC tumorigenesis. Expression level of ANRIL was up-regulated in TNBC tumor tissue and cell lines compared to noncancerous tissue and non-TNBC cells. Besides, the up-regulated ANRIL expression was closely correlated to poor prognosis. In vitro, loss-of-function experiments showed that ANRIL knockdown interfered by interference oligonucleotide could markedly suppress TNBC cells proliferation and enhance apoptosis. In vivo, ANRIL knockdown inhibited the tumor growth. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-199a targeted ANRIL at 3'-UTR. Rescue experiments showed that miR-199a inhibitor could reverse the tumor-suppressing role of ANRIL knockdown on TNBC proliferation and apoptosis. Overall, present study demonstrated that ANRIL overexpression modulated TNBC tumorigenesis through acting as molecular 'sponge' for miR-199a, providing a novel insight and therapeutic target for TNBC.

[Air negative ion concentration and its relationships with meteorological factors in greenbelts of Jiamusi, Heilongjiang Province].

From March 2006 to February 2007, a synchronous observation was conducted on the air negative ion concentration and related meteorological factors in the greenbelts of Jiamusi, with their relationships studied. There was an obvious diurnal and monthly Variation in the air negative ion concentration, being higher in early morning and midnight and lower in mid-day and late afternoon, with the minimum of 217 ions per cubic centimeter, and being the highest in summer and the lowest in winter, with the maximum (782 ions per cubic centimeter) in July and the minimum (283 ions per cubic centimeter) in December. The air negative ion concentration was significantly negatively correlated with air temperature, and positively correlated with air pressure and relative humidity.

[Clinical analysis of primary biliary cirrhosis: a report of 42 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical features of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) in order to facilitate cognition of the disease. METHODS: Clinical data of 42 patients clinically and/or histologically diagnosed with PBC were reviewed. Anti mitochondrial antibody (AMA) negative/positive patients as well as the patients who were/were not associated with Sjogren Syndrome (SS) were compared in terms of clinical, biochemical and immunological features. RESULTS: Among the 42 patients, 78.6% (33/42) of the cases were females; the mean age at diagnosis was (61.1+/-10.8) years. The most frequent symptoms were fatigue. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) and total bile acid (TBA) levels were markedly elevated in the majority of the patients, whereas ALT and AST levels were mildly to moderately elevated. Thirty-one patients had a total bilirubin (TBil) level above normal. The levels of TBil and prothrombin time had positive correlationship with years of the course (P=0.000, r=0.696; P=0.005, r=0.424), whereas serum albumin level had negative correlationship with years of the course (P=0.002, r=-0.462). Thirty-seven patients had elevated serum IgM and 34 patients were AMA/AMA-M(2) positive. AMA negative and AMA positive patients were similar in terms of clinical manifestations and liver biochemistries findings. Serum IgM and IgA levels were significantly lower, whereas total cholesterol level was higher in AMA negative patients when compared with AMA positive cases. Fifteen cases were associated with SS, which were similar in terms of clinical, biochemical and immunological features when compared with the PBC patients were not associated with SS. CONCLUSION: PBC is mostly found in middle aged and old women. Elevated serum ALP, TBA and gamma-GT levels together with positive AMA/AMA-M(2) can help to diagnose PBC. AMA negative PBC patients are characterized by relatively lower serum IgM and IgA levels and higher total cholesterol level. PBC patients who are associated with SS have not substantial differences in the clinical, biochemical and immunological spectra of the disease.