MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate many cellular activities, including cancer development, progression, and metastasis. Some miRNAs are involved in breast cancer (BC) migration and invasion, thus affect patients’ prognosis. Microarray analysis was performed to compare miRNA expression in BC tissues, and results confirmed by qPCR. BC cell migration and invasion were studied in vitro with MDA‐MB‐231 cells using microplate transwell assays. miRNA targeting was investigated using luciferase assays, qPCR, and Western blot analysis in cells with overexpression of miRNA mimics. Knockdown of miRNA targets was performed using target siRNA lentiviral infection. Results show that microRNA‐141 (miR‐141) was downregulated in breast cancer tumor tissues compared with matched surrounding tissues. Downregulation of miR‐141 expression correlated with tumor stage, lymph node involvement, and expressions of PCNA, Ki67, and HER2. Overexpression of miR‐141 inhibited BC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. ANP32E gene was selected as one putative target for further studies based on results from in silico analysis. Results from a dual‐luciferase reporter system suggested ANP32E as a direct target of miR‐141. Overexpression of miR‐141 downregulated ANP32E expression at both mRNA and protein levels in BC cells. Knockdown of ANP32E inhibited BC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, mimicking the effect of the overexpression of miR‐141. Our study revealed important roles miR‐141 plays in BC growth and metastasis. Moreover, for the first time, we identified ANP32E as one of the miR‐141 targets, and demonstrated its involvement in the regulation of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

BackgroundTo explore whether plasma fatty acids and SNPs in the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we utilized gas chromatography–mass spectrometric analysis and the high-resolution melting method to detect plasma fatty acids and SNPs respectively (rs174537G>T, rs174616C>T, rs174460T>C, and rs174450A>C) in 234 T2D, 200 CAD, 185 T2D&CAD patients, and 253 healthy controls.ResultsWe found that T2D&CAD patients had the highest plasma arachidonic acid, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid and delta-6 desaturase, and the lowest stearic acid, linolenic acid, and saturated fatty acids; plasma eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid elevated in T2D patients, but significantly reduced in CAD patients. Moreover, T2D patients with rs174537 GG genotype were at risk of developing T2D&CAD (odds ratio (OR) 1.763; 95 % CI 1.143–2.718; p = 0.010), with elevated plasma LDL-cholesterol, arachidonic acid, and delta-6 desaturase.ConclusionsOur results show that SNPs in FADS gene (particularly rs174537) associate with plasma fatty acids and desaturase levels in patients with both T2D and CAD, which maybe increases the risk of CAD in diabetic patients.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-016-0834-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background: Recent studies have indicated that microRNA-15a (miR-15a) is dysregulated in breast cancer (BC). We aimed to evaluate the expression of miR-15a in BC tissues and corresponding para-carcinoma tissues. We also focused on effects of miR-15a on cellular behavior of MDA-MB-231 and expression of its target gene synuclein-γ (SNCG). Materials and Methods: The expression levels of miR-15a were analysed in BC formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues by microarray and quantitative real-time PCR. CCK-8 assays, cell cycle and apoptosis assays were used to explore the potential functions of miR-15a in MDA-MB-231 human BC cells. A luciferase reporter assay confirmed direct targets. Results: Downregulation of miR-15a was detected in most primary BCs. Ectopic expression of miR-15a promoted proliferation and suppressed apoptosis in vivo. Further studies indicated that miR-15a may directly interact with the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of SNCG mRNA, downregulating its mRNA and protein expression levels. SNCG expression was negatively correlated with miR-15a expression. Conclusions: MiR-15a has a critical role in mediating cell cycle arrest and promoting cell apoptosis of BC, probably by directly targeting SNCG. Thus, it may be involved in development and progression of BC.

BackgroundFree fatty acids (FFAs) play importance roles in the development of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. We measured serum FFA levels from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients and assay the correlation between serum FFA levels and related factors. The present study was undertaken to investigate a possible relation between the changes in serum free fatty acid concentration with acute myocardial infarction and type 2 diabetes mellitus.MethodsThe study population consisted of 540 healthy individuals and 103 patients with T2DM, 59 patients with AMI and 21 volunteers. Serum FFAs were measured with high pressure liquid chromatography. Blood urea nitrogen and uric acid were measured in clinical laboratory, as were glycemic, lipid and blood routine parameters. We selected 242 individuals with age over 60 years, 143 healthy individuals and 52 patients with T2DM, 47 patients with AMI were incorporated into three groups as control group, T2DM group and AMI group. Associations were analyzed with stepwise regression analysis with adjusted for age, sex, body mass index.ResultsSerum FFA levels were significantly higher in the age over 60 years individuals compared to 20 ~ 50 years (logFFA μmmol/L:2.60 ± 0.16 vs. 2.73 ± 0.18, P < .001) in the healthy group. We found lower FFA levels in the AMI compared to the T2DM and control group (2.64 ± 0.22 vs. 2.72 ± 0.13&2.72 ± 0.16, respectively, P < .05&P < 0.01) in the age over 60, fasting blood glucose level higher in the AMI and T2DM (5.78 ± 1.32&7.75 ± 2.93 mmol/L vs. 4.90 ± 0.47 mmol/L, P < .01&P < .001) compared with the normal group, HDL level (1.01 ± 0.22&0.98 ± 0.18 mmol/L vs.1.30 ± 0.22 mmol/L, P < .001&P < .001). With stepwise regression analysis, the serum FFA levels was positively associated with the HDL in the control group (YlogFFA = 2.32 + 0.33XHDL, R = 0.26, P < .01) and T2MD (YlogFFA = 2.46 + 0.27XHDL, R = 0.36, P < .05), AST in AMI (YlogFFA =2.24 + 0. 015XAST, R = 0.49, P < .01).ConclusionsCompared to control group, serum FFA levels were decreased only in AMI group, while HDL level was increased in both AMI and T2DM group. The serum FFA levels were positive association with the HDL level in both T2DM and control group, FFA levels were positive association with AST in AMI.

Objective: This study aims to discuss the clinical effect of the combined therapy of nifedipine controlledrelease tablets-valsartan on elderly patients who have Type II Diabetic Nephropathy (T2DN) with Hypertension (HTN). Methods: We recruited 130 elderly patients who have T2DN with HTN and who were admitted to our hospital over the period of April, 2015 to February, 2017. We divided the patients into the control (n=65) and observation groups (n=65) through the odd-even method. The control group received controlledrelease nifedipine tablets and the observation group received controlled-release nifedipine tabletsvalsartan. We compared the blood pressure level, total therapeutic efficiency, treatment satisfaction, and BUN level of the two groups. Results: The blood pressure level of the observation group significantly improved relative to that of the control group (P<0.05). The total therapeutic efficiency of the control group was 80.00%, which was significantly lower than that of the observation group (98.46%) (P<0.05). The treatment satisfaction of the observation group was 96.92%, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (75.38%) (P<0.05). The BUN level of the observation group was considerably higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Elderly patients who received controlled-release nifedipine tablets-valsartan for the clinical treatment of T2DN with HTN exhibited significantly improved blood pressure level, total therapeutic efficiency, treatment satisfaction, and BUN levels. Therefore, the reasonable application of controlled-release nifedipine tablets-valsartan therapy can improve the life quality of elderly patients who have T2DN with HTN.