Long non-coding RNA GClnc1 promotes progression of colorectal cancer by inhibiting p53 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) GClnc1 was involved in the development of colorectal cancer, and to explore its possible mechanisms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was conducted to detect GClnc1 expression in 48 colorectal cancer tissues and normal colon tissues. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the relationship between GClnc1 expression and survival rate of patients with colorectal cancer. In addition, GClnc1 expression in colorectal cancer cell lines and normal colonic epithelial cell lines were analyzed. After knockdown and over-expression of GClnc1 in colorectal cancer cells, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assay were performed to detect the viability and proliferation of cells, respectively. RNA pull-down and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) were applied to examine the specific interaction between GClnc1 and p53. After over-expression of GClnc1 in colorectal cancer cells, qPCR and Western blot were performed to evaluate the expression levels of p53, p21 and BAX. Meanwhile, the Luciferase reporter gene assay was established to reveal the activity of p53 after over-expression of GClnc1. ChIP assay was applied to figure out whether GClnc1 could affect the binding ability of p53 to the promoter region of p21. After p53 or GClnc1 knock-down in colorectal cancer cells, the protein level of p53 was analyzed using Western blot. Finally, qRT-PCR, CCK-8 and colony formation assay were used to detect the levels of p21 and BAX, the viability, as well as the proliferation ability of cells, respectively. RESULTS: The expression of GClnc1 in colorectal cancer tissues was significantly higher than that of para-cancerous tissues. Meanwhile, GClnc1 expression in T3 and T4 tumors was markedly higher than that of T1 and T2. The survival analysis revealed that patients with a higher level of GClnc1 showed remarkably lower overall survival than those with lower expression of GClnc1. QRT-PCR results indicated that GClnc1 expression in colorectal cancer cells (including SW620 and HCT116) was conspicuously higher than that of normal colonic epithelial cells (NCM640). After knocking down GClnc1 in SW620 cells, the viability and proliferation abilities were conspicuously decreased. Meanwhile, the expression level of GClnc1, as well as the viability and colony formation ability of cells, were significantly increased after over-expression of GClnc1 in HCT116 cells. Subsequently, the qRT-PCR assay demonstrated that GClnc1 was mainly localized in the nucleus. RNA pull-down and RIP experiments revealed that there was a specific interaction between GClnc1 and p53. Moreover, qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis indicated that the expression level of p53 was not affected after over-expression of GClnc. However, the expressions of p21 and BAX were remarkably decreased. The Luciferase reporter gene assay revealed that GClnc1 over-expression markedly weakened the Luciferase activity of p53. Meanwhile, ChIP experiments demonstrated that GClnc1 up-regulation affected the binding condition of p53 to p21. Western blot analysis showed that knockdown of p53 reversed the increased mRNA level of p21 as well as BAX. Furthermore, p53 down-regulation significantly weakened cell viability and colony formation ability caused by knockdown of GClnc1. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA GClnc1 was highly expressed in colorectal cancer tissues. Meanwhile, it could increase the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells by reducing the expression of p21 as well as BAX via p53 signaling pathway, thereby promoting the progression of colorectal cancer.

[The correlation study between PM2.5 and the life quality in patients with allergic rhinitis].

Objective:This study aims to research the relationship betweeen allergic rhinitis (AR) patients life quality and the PM2.5 concentration. Method:Fifty-two patients with clinically diagnosed AR were enrolled in this study. Patients were asked to fill in the questionnaire about the quality of life of rhinoconjunctivitis (RQLQ) continuously. The concentrations of PM2.5 in their living environment were continuously tested for one month (31 days) and SPSS 19.0 software was used to analyze data through descriptive statistical method, Spearman correlation analysis and nonparametric test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result:There were significant association between PM2.5 and nasal symptoms (r=0.121, P<0.01), daily activities (r=0.146, P<0.01) and practical problems (r=0.099, P<0.01). However, sleep (r=0.059, P=0.051), non-hay fever symptoms (r=0.042, P=0.169), emotion (r=0.042, P=0.168), eye symptoms (r=0.087, P=0.274) and PM2.5 had no statistical significance. AR patients have faced notable differences in genders. The scores of activities, non hay fever symptoms and emotions also showed the difference. Female AR patients have demonstrated the statistical significance with the concentration of PM2.5 among the activity, non hay fever symptoms, practical problems, nasal symptoms and emotions. While the male AR patients existed a statistical significance in the concentration of PM2.5 only between the activity and nasal symptoms. Conclusion:PM2.5 concentration is negatively associated with the life quality of AR patients. The higher concentration of PM2.5, the lower AR patients quality of life they got.

[Risk for metastasis of lymph node between sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscle in papillary thyroid cancer].

Objective: To analyze the risk factors for metastasis of lymph nodes between sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscle (LNSS) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Methods: Papillary thyroid cancer patients with clinically positive lateral lymph node metastasis (cN1) who underwent surgery including LNSS dissection between May 1, 2013 and May 31, 2016 at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center were retrospectively studied. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate possible clinicopathological factors related to LNSS metastasis. Results: In 85 patients, 54 patients (63.5%) showed LNSS in their surgical specimen, and 20 patients (23.5%) had pathologically positive LNSS metastasis. Patients with LNSS showed preoperatively higher levels of serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) compared to patients only with fibrofatty tissues between sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscle (P<0.05), and they also displayed a higher proportion of multifocality in ipsilateral thyroid lobe (P<0.05). Multi-factor analysis indicated that LNSS metastasis was correlated with original tumor size (OR=1.819, 95%CI 1.050-3.850, P=0.002) and Level Ⅳ lymph node metastasis (OR=2.190, 95%CI 1.132-2.334, P=0.005). Furthermore, the number of positive LNSS was tightly correlated to that of level Ⅳ lymph node metastasis(P<0.05). Conclusion: LNSS metastasis is occult but not quite rare in PTC. Patients with extensive lymph node metastasis in Level Ⅳhave a higher risk for metastasis of LNSS.

Delayed radiation encephalopathy after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer: a CT study of 45 cases.

The CT features of 45 cases of delayed radiation encephalopathy (including radiation necrosis) following radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma are reported. The brain lesions were uni- or bilateral and involved mainly the white matter and subsequently the gray matter of the lower portion of the brain included within the portals of irradiation and its vicinity. The lesions were edematous and hypodense on CT and showed postcontrast enhancement in 50% of the cases. Within the period of follow-up (1-5 years), the lesions showed remissions and exacerbations and in some cases stabilized. In addition, there was progressive cerebral atrophy, manifesting itself mainly as dilatation of the temporal horns, the neighboring cisterns, and sylvian fissures. In some cases that were followed for a long time, the cerebral lesions showed either foci of calcification or encephalomalacia and/or porencephaly.

[Abdominal wall desmoid tumor--analysis of 42 patients].

Forty two patients with abdominal wall desmoid tumor, including one Gardner's syndrome, are reported. All patients were female except one. The tumor occurred in various sites in the abdominal wall, 66% in the lower abdominal wall. The fascia, sheath and muscle layer were chiefly involved and a very large tumor could invade peritoneum and viscera. This tumor shows aggressive growth and is prone to recurrence. Surgery is the treatment of choice. Local recurrence rate was 5.5%. Abdominal wall desmoid tumor associated colonic polyposis is named Gardner's syndrome. The authors emphasize that a local extended resection should be performed with a safety margin at least 2-3 cm beyond the tumor. Peritoneum, if involved, should be resected together with the primary focus.