Effects of genetic polymorphisms of LINC-PINT gene on liver cancer susceptibility in the Chinese Han population.

Objective: Liver cancer (LC) is the most common cause of cancer mortality. This study aimed to explore the impact of LINC-PINT polymorphisms on LC. Materials & methods: The authors recruited 591 LC patients and 592 healthy controls. The association between LINC-PINT polymorphisms and susceptibility to LC was determined by logistic regression analysis. Results: The authors found that rs157916 and rs16873842 reduced susceptibility to LC. rs157916 decreased LC risk in patients aged <55 years, nondrinkers and those with BMI <24. rs16873842 had a protective role against LC in patients aged ≥55 years, women, nonsmokers and those with BMI ≥24. rs7801029 decreased LC risk in patients with BMI <24. rs28662387 increased LC risk in women. Conclusion: LINC-PINT polymorphisms exert a protective effect against LC.

MiR-532-3p inhibited the methylation of SOCS2 to suppress the progression of PC by targeting DNMT3A.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest malignancies, with poor diagnosis and prognosis. miR-532-3p has been reported to be a tumor suppressor in various cancers, whereas the mechanism of miR-532-3p in the progression of PC remains poorly understood. In this study, it was found that miR-532-3p and SOCS2 were down-regulated, whereas DNMT3A was up-regulated in PC. Knockdown of DNMT3A or overexpression of miR-532-3p suppressed PC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, as well as tumor formation in nude mice. DNMT3A induced the methylation of SOCS2 promoter. SOCS2 knockdown reversed the inhibiting effect of DNMT3A silencing on PC cell growth. miR-532-3p directly bound to DNMT3A and negatively regulated its expression while up-regulating SOCS2 levels. DNMT3A overexpression reversed the inhibiting effect of miR-532-3p overexpression on PC cell growth. In conclusion, the overexpression of miR-532-3p could suppress proliferation, invasion, and migration of PC cells, as well as tumor formation in nude mice through inhibiting the methylation of SOCS2 by targeting DNMT3A.

Contribution of PNPLA3 gene polymorphisms to hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility in the Chinese Han population.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of PNPLA3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs738409 C > G, rs3747207 G > A, rs4823173 G > A, and rs2896019 T > G) with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) susceptibility. METHODS: This case-control study included 484 HCC patients and 487 controls. Logistic regression analysis was performed to study the associations of PNPLA3 gene polymorphisms with HCC susceptibility, and odds ratios with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate these correlations. RESULTS: In the overall analysis, we found that the G allele (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.04-1.50, p = 0.018, false discovery rate (FDR)-p = 0.035) and GG genotype (OR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.06-2.39, p = 0.024, FDR-p = 0.048) of rs2896019 were significantly associated with increased HCC susceptibility. In stratified analysis, we found that all four SNPs were related to increased HCC susceptibility in subjects aged > 55 years. In haplotype analysis, the GAAG haplotype was significantly associated with increased HCC susceptibility (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.03-1.53, p = 0.023, FDR-p = 0.046). Besides, we noticed that rs738409 was significantly correlated with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (p = 0.007), and HCC patients with the GG genotype had a higher level of AFP. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested that PNPLA3-rs2896019 was significantly associated with an increased susceptibility to HCC.

Hsa_circ_0000994 Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Progression by Clearing Immune-Related miR-27a and miR-27b.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a common cause of cancer death. Although more and more evidences suggest that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are associated with the development of cancer, the biological function of circRNAs in PC has not been fully explored. Based on previous studies, Hsa_circ_0000994 was screened out, and its clinical significance, functional role, and mechanism in PC are poorly studied. In various cell lines, 50 PC tissues, and an equal number of normal tissues, RT-qPCR was used to identify expression level of Hsa_circ_0000994. The impact of Hsa_circ_0000994 on metastasis, cell proliferation, and apoptosis was detected using functional loss and functional gain tests. An animal study was also conducted. Underlying mechanisms of Hsa_circ_0000994 were revealed by luciferase reporter gene detection. Hsa_circ_0000994 was lowly expressed in PC tissues as well as various PC cell lines, and this low expression was closely related to cancer. In terms of functional testing, Hsa_circ_0000994 suppressed core ability of PC cells, including proliferation, migration, and invasion ability. Xenotransplantation studies further confirmed the effect of Hsa_circ_0000994 in promoting cell growth. Mechanically, Hsa_circ_0000994 inhibited miR-27a and miR-27b. Hsa_circ_0000994 inhibited the cancer cells through the effect on miR-27a and miR-27b. In summary, a circRNA with tumor suppressor effects on PC has been elucidated.

Application of the Preoperative Assistant System Based on Machine Learning in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Resection.

To conduct better research in hepatocellular carcinoma resection, this paper used 3D machine learning and logistic regression algorithm to study the preoperative assistance of patients undergoing hepatectomy. In this study, the logistic regression model was analyzed to find the influencing factors for the survival and recurrence of patients. The clinical data of 50 HCC patients who underwent extensive hepatectomy (≥4 segments of the liver) admitted to our hospital from June 2020 to December 2020 were selected to calculate the liver volume, simulated surgical resection volume, residual liver volume, surgical margin, etc. The results showed that the simulated liver volume of 50 patients was 845.2 + 285.5 mL, and the actual liver volume of 50 patients was 826.3 ± 268.1 mL, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (t = 0.425; P > 0.05). Compared with the logistic regression model, the machine learning method has a better prediction effect, but the logistic regression model has better interpretability. The analysis of the relationship between the liver tumour and hepatic vessels in practical problems has specific clinical application value for accurately evaluating the volume of liver resection and surgical margin.

Echinacoside promotes the proliferation of human renal tubular epithelial cells by blocking the HBX/TREM2­mediated NF­κB signalling pathway.

Hepatitis B virus X (HBX) protein is required for the replication of HBV and plays a role in the progression of hepatitis in humans. However, the underlying function of HBX during HBV­induced chronic glomerulonephritis (HBV­GN) is unknown. Echinacoside (ECH) is a phenylethanoid glycoside from the Cistanche genus, which possesses strong antiapoptosis and neuroprotective activities. In the present study, the function of HBX and the relationship between HBX and ECH in human renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs; HK­2 cell line) were explored. Reverse transcription­quantitative PCR and western blot analyses were used to quantify the mRNA and protein expression levels of HBX in HK­2 cells, respectively. The Cell Counting Kit­8 assay was performed to analyse cell proliferation. Flow cytometry analysis was used to determine the rate of apoptosis. HBX showed antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects in HK­2 cells and was positively associated with triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) expression. Furthermore, ECH disrupted the function of HBX in HK­2 cells, functioning as an HBX suppressor. Moreover, a specific NF­κB inhibitor, PDTC, was used to further examine the relationship between HBX and NF­κB. The results suggested that NF­κB was involved in the HBX/TREM2 signaling pathway and negatively regulated TREM2 expression in RTECs. The present study provided novel insights into the function of HBX, and also indicated the potential value of ECH as a therapeutic agent for HBV­GN.

How Key Stakeholders Perceive a Smart Mobile Integrated Care System for the Elderly.

Integrated care has been an important model for caring the elderly. In China, it is still at its very early stage. We proposed a new model to develop a smart mobile system, taking the CARE instrument as the base and composed of apps for stakeholders. We did an usability study using the TAMM tool and, from a convenience sample of 11 elderly and 18 nurses, the results indicated the system was well appreciated.

Making the CARE Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment as the Core of a Total Mobile Long Term Care Support System in China.

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessments (CGAs) have been recommended to be used for better monitoring the health status of elder residents and providing quality care. This study reported how our nurses perceived the usability of CGA component of a mobile integrated-care long term care support system developed in China. We used the Continuity Assessment Record and Evaluation (CARE), developed in the US, as the core CGA component of our Android-based support system, in which apps were designed for all key stakeholders for delivering quality long term care. A convenience sample of 18 subjects from local long term care facilities in Shanghai, China were invited to assess the CGA assessment component in terms of Technology Acceptance Model for Mobile based on real field trial assessment. All (100%) were satisfied with the mobile CGA component. 88.9% perceived the system was easy to learn and use. 99.4% showed their willingness to use for their work. We concluded it is technically feasible to implement a CGA-based mobile integrated care support system in China.