LncRNA SNHG16 functions as an oncogene by sponging miR-200a-3p in pancreatic cancer
Authors: S Wang
D-C Wang
Z-J Yang
L-L Yin
Z-Z Wu
J-Q Guo
Journal: European review for medical and pharmacological sciences (2020)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: lncRNAs; SNHG16; pancreatic carcinoma; metastasis; RT-qPCR
Affiliations: Department of Emergency, Huaihe Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, China. .

Abstract:  Objective: Recently, the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is vital in tumor progression. Our study aims to identify the role of SNHG16 in the metastasis of pancreatic carcinoma. Patients and methods: Real-Time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to measure SNHG16 expression in 56 pancreatic carcinoma patients' tissues. Function assays, including wound healing assay, and transwell assay, were conducted to detect the effect of SNHG16 on the metastasis of pancreatic carcinoma. Besides, the luciferase assay was performed to explore the underlying mechanism. Results: The expression level of SNHG16 was upregulated in pancreatic carcinoma samples compared with adjacent tissues. Moreover, cell migration and cell invasion were repressed via the knockdown of SNHG16, while cell migration and cell invasion were promoted via the overexpression of SNHG16. Moreover, the expression of miR-200a-3p was upregulated via knockdown of SNHG16 while the expression of miR-200a-3p was downregulated via the upregulation of SNHG16 in vitro. Furthermore, it was discovered that SNHG16 acted as a competing endogenous RNA via sponging miR-200a-3p in pancreatic carcinoma. Conclusions: Our study suggests that SNHG16 acts as an oncogene in pancreatic carcinoma and promotes cell metastasis via sponging miR-200a-3p, which might be a novel therapeutic strategy in pancreatic carcinoma. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 This paper is one of a set of 121 papers that all contain images from the same library of about 100 photos and plots. This is unexpected, because each paper has different authors and different affiliations, with little to no overlap, and describes different cancer types and molecules. It would be very hard to explain how authors from different labs would all obtain the same photo. Therefore, the papers might have all be derived from the same source, such as a paper mill that sells ready-to-be-published papers. This  Stock Photo paper set has been described in more detail on my blog post, https: scienceintegritydigest.com 2020 07 05 the-stock-photo-paper-mill and in a Wall Street Journal article by Eva Xiao (currently behind a paywall): https: www.wsj.com articles chinese-research-papers-raise-doubts-fueling-global-questions-about-scientific-integrity-11593939600 The vast majority (113 121) of the papers were published in the same journal, European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences (ERMPS). A link to the full set of papers can be found here: https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 172RWS18w1lTNJ9Nnj80fuXXTqTm4fGkoK0sdYyvKE3g edit?usp=sharing All papers have been reported to the journal editors on July 2, 2020. , 
 At some point in July the publishers wished the paper into the cornfield and issued an undated Non-Retraction notice: https: www.europeanreview.org article 21869 Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, u201cLncRNA SNHG16 functions as an oncogene by sponging miR-200a-3p in pancreatic cancer, by J.-Q. Guo, Z.-J. Yang, S. Wang, Z.-Z. Wu, L.-L. Yin, D.-C. Wang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24 (4): 1718-1724u2013DOI: 10.26355 eurrev_202002_20347u2013PMID: 32141539u201d has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. , 
 The subject of [an investigation by Henan University] . H t Google Translate. ------------------ In order to strengthen the construction of scientific research integrity, severely punish violations, and create a good environment for scientific and technological innovation , the relevant paper issues recently investigated and dealt with by this unit are hereby notified as follows. 1. Guo Junqiang, Huaihe Hospital of Henan University, purchased SCI papers. After investigation, Li Shijie is the corresponding author, Guo Junqiang and Yang Zhijia are the first authors of the paper ** LncRNA SNHG16 functions as an oncogene by sponging miR-200a-3p in pancreatic cancer **, Guo Junqiang is the corresponding author and the first author of the paper  PHD2 acts as an oncogene through activation of Ras Raf MEK ERK and JAK1 STAT3 pathways in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells , which was purchased and written by Guo Junqiang through a third party, and at the same time violated the authorship specification, without the knowledge of other authors, Li Shijie Sign up as a corresponding author, and sign other colleagues as co- or participating authors. Henan University will deal with the relevant responsible persons as follows: Guo Junqiang will be given a warning, a scientific research admonishment, and an order to withdraw the manuscript. The whole school will notify the criticism, and the paper layout fee will be recovered; the qualification for promotion of the professional title will be postponed for 2 years; ), science and technology awards, qualifications for the title of scientific and technological talents, qualifications for evaluation and evaluation, nomination or recommender, nominee or recommender, evaluation expert and other qualifications for 5 years. Give Li Shijie and Yang Zhijia scientific research integrity admonitions, the whole school will report criticism, and cancel the qualification for evaluation for one year. ,