Dynamic evaluation of liver fibrosis to assess hepatocellular carcinoma risk in patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving nucleoside analogs treatment.

Despite good hepatitis B virus (HBV) inhibition by nucleoside analogs (NAs), cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still occur. This study proposed a non-invasive predictive model to assess HCC risk in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) receiving NAs treatment. Data were obtained from a hospital-based retrospective cohort registered on the Platform of Medical Data Science Academy of Chongqing Medical University, from 2013 to 2019. A total of 501 patients under NAs treatment had their FIB-4 index updated semiannually by recalculation based on laboratory values. Patients were divided into three groups based on FIB-4 index values: < 1.45, 1.45-3.25, and ≥ 3.25. Subsequently, HCC incidence was reassessed every six months using Kaplan-Meier curves based on the updated FIB-4 index. The median follow-up time of CHB patients after receiving NAs treatment was 2.5 years. HCC incidences with FIB-4 index < 1.45, 1.45-3.25, and ≥ 3.25 were 1.18%, 1.32%, and 9.09%, respectively. Dynamic assessment showed that the percentage of patients with FIB-4 index < 1.45 significantly increased semiannually (P < 0.001), and of patients with FIB-4 index ≥ 3.25 significantly decreased (P < 0.001). HCC incidence was the highest among patients with FIB-4 index ≥ 3.25. The FIB-4 index effectively predicted HCC incidence, and its dynamic assessment could be used for regular surveillance to implement early intervention and reduce HCC risk.

LncRNA RP1-276N6.2 Expression and RP1-276N6.2 Gene Polymorphisms Contribute to the Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in Chinese Han Population.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in coronary artery disease (CAD) processes. However, the relationship between the gene polymorphisms of lncRNA RP1-276N6.2 as a novel molecule and susceptibility to CAD remains unclear. In our case-control study, 949 CAD patients and 892 healthy controls were genotyped using the TaqMan genotyping assay. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed to examine the expression levels of RP1-276N6.2 and SLC22A3(OCT3). We observed that CAD patients had significantly lower RP1-276N6.2 levels than those healthy participants (p < 0.05). Compared to the wild-type genotype, the rs611950 T allele and the rs10499313 AG genotype and G allele significantly increased the premature CAD risk (p = 0.02, p = 0.002, and p = 0.01, respectively), while the rs505000 G allele reduced this risk (p = 0.01); moreover, the rs505000 CG genotype significantly enhanced the delayed CAD risk (p = 0.03), and the rs505000 G allele reduced the expression levels of RP1-276N6.2 and SLC22A3 (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively). In addition, RP1-276N6.2 positively regulated the mRNA and secreted protein levels of SLC22A3 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the RP1-276N6.2 gene polymorphisms were closely associated with CAD risk. LncRNA RP1-276N6.2 may be a potential genetic target for CAD early diagnosis and treatment.

The Role of Preoperative Computed Tomography in Nonsyndromic Craniosynostosis.

BACKGROUND: There is currently no consensus on the utility of preoperative computed tomography (CT) in nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the evidence available on the necessity of preoperative CT for the treatment of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review of the National Library of Medicine (PubMed) database was performed. The following variables were analyzed: concordance of findings between clinical examinations and CT, incidental findings reported on imaging, and the effect of imaging on subsequent management. Concordance between clinical examination/CT and the presence of incidental findings were collected and displayed as descriptive data. The effect of imaging on subsequent diagnosis/management was analyzed by meta-analysis. RESULTS: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria for a total of 728 patients. Overall, physical examination concordance with CT diagnosis was 97.9% (371/379). Overall, incidental findings led to additional imaging/workup in 1.79% of cases (5/278). The results of the meta-analysis revealed that, in the absence of alternative imaging modalities, CT scans significantly altered diagnosis or led to additional investigations in 12 cases (4.8%, 95% confidence interval = 3%-8%). Preoperative CT scans led to additional investigations in 5 cases and detected incomplete/wrong diagnoses in 7 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present meta-analysis support the use of preoperative CT scans for nonsyndromic craniosynostosis in the absence of alternative imaging modalities. The results also suggest that in properly selected patients, alternative imaging modalities may be appropriate, potentially obviating the need for CT scans.