lncRNA ELFN1-AS1 enhances the progression of colon cancer by targeting miR-4270 to upregulate AURKB.

The oncogenic role of lncRNA ELFN1-AS1 has been described in different cancers, including colon cancer (CC). However, how ELFN1-AS1 regulates CC malignancy remains unclear. In this study, ELFN1-AS1, AURKB, and miR-4270 expression levels in CC cells and tissues were determined using RT-qPCR and western blotting. CCK-8 and wound healing assays were also performed to analyze alterations in CC cell proliferation and migration. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Bax and Bcl-2) was determined via western blot analysis. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays coupled with luciferase reporter assays were employed to verify the relationship between miR-4270, ELFN1-AS1, and AURKB. An in vivo assay was performed using xenograft tumors in mice to detect the change of tumor growth. It was found that AURKB and ELFN1-AS1 expression was upregulated, whereas miR-4270 was downregulated in CC cells and tissues. ELFN1-AS1 silencing exhibited anti-proliferative, anti-migratory, and pro-apoptotic effects in CC cells. The tumor-suppressive effect of ELFN1-AS1 silencing was verified using in vivo assays. MiR-4270 was predicted to be a target of ELFN1-AS1 and AURKB as a target of miR-4270. Their interactions were further elucidated using luciferase reporter and RNA RIP assays. More importantly, treatment with a miR-4270 inhibitor not only rescued the tumor-suppressing effect of ELFN1-AS1 silencing but also abrogated the tumor suppressor functions of AURKB silencing in CC cells. Taken together, the ELFN1-AS1/miR-4270/AURKB axis facilitates CC tumorigenesis; therefore, targeting this axis might be a promising intervention in preventing CC progression.

Biosensors and biomarkers for determining gestational diabetes mellitus and jaundice in children.

Gestational diabetes and jaundice are the correlated diseases predominantly found in mother and newborn child. Jaundice is a neonatal complication with an increased risk when mother has gestational diabetes. Mothers with diabetes at an early stage of gestational age are at higher risk for hyperbilirubinemia (jaundice) and hypoglycemia. So, it is mandatory to monitor the condition of diabetes and jaundice during the pregnancy period for a healthy child and safest delivery. On the other hand, nanotechnology has displayed a rapid advancement that can be implemented to overcome these issues. The development of high-performance diagnosis using appropriate biomarkers provides their efficacy in the detection gestational diabetes and jaundice. This review covers the aspects from a fast-developing field to generate nanosensors in the nanosized dimensions for the applications to overcome these complications by coupling diagnostics with biomarkers. Further, the serum-based biomarkers have been discussed for these inborn complications and also the diagnosis with the current trend.