Immune-checkpoint HLA-G gene polymorphisms, 3'-UTR types and their association with hepatocellular carcinoma and treatment response in Indian population.

Background: Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a cancer-associated immune checkpoint protein implicated in tumor-driven immune escape mechanisms. This study was undertaken to determine genetic variations at the 3'-UTR of the HLA-G gene that may alter its expression, identify risk alleles and genotypes for their association with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and treatment responses in the Indian population.

Objectives: Case-control genetic association study of HLA-G gene UTR polymorphisms with HCC and response to locoregional therapy (LRT).

Utility of microRNA analysis in exhaled breath condensate of sarcoidosis and mediastinal tuberculosis patients: a pilot study.

Background: Sarcoidosis and tuberculosis (TB) are the two most common causes of granulomatous mediastinal lymphadenopathy. These often exhibit overlapping clinical and radiological characteristics, rendering accurate diagnosis difficult. MicroRNA (miRNA) analysis is increasingly utilised as a potential biomarker for various diseases.

Serum miR-215-5p, miR-192-5p and miR-378a-5p as novel diagnostic biomarkers for periampullary adenocarcinoma.

Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are present in human serum in a stable form. Circulating miRNAs are increasingly recognized as promising biomarkers for early cancer detection. The aim of this study was to identify serum miRNAs as biomarkers for periampullary adenocarcinoma (PAC).

Intravoxel incoherent motion and diffusion kurtosis imaging and their machine-learning-based texture analysis for detection and assessment of prostate cancer severity at 3 T.

Objectives: To evaluate the role of combined intravoxel incoherent motion and diffusion kurtosis imaging (IVIM-DKI) and their machine-learning-based texture analysis for the detection and assessment of severity in prostate cancer (PCa).

Materials And Methods: Eighty-eight patients underwent MRI on a 3 T scanner after giving informed consent. IVIM-DKI data were acquired using 13 b values (0-2000 s/mm) and analyzed using the IVIM-DKI model with the total variation (TV) method.

Decoding the genetic symphony: Profiling protein-coding and long noncoding RNA expression in T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia for clinical insights.

T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a heterogeneous malignancy characterized by the abnormal proliferation of immature T-cell precursors. Despite advances in immunophenotypic classification, understanding the molecular landscape and its impact on patient prognosis remains challenging. In this study, we conducted comprehensive RNA sequencing in a cohort of 35 patients with T-ALL to unravel the intricate transcriptomic profile.

Comparison of 1-day versus 3-day intravenous terlipressin in cirrhosis patients with variceal bleeding: A pilot randomised controlled trial.

Background: In cirrhosis patients with acute variceal bleeding (AVB), the optimal duration of vasoconstrictor therapy after endoscopic haemostasis is unclear.

Aims: We aimed to compare efficacy of 1-day versus 3-day terlipressin therapy in cirrhosis patients with AVB post-endoscopic intervention. The primary objective was to compare rebleeding at 5 days between the two arms.

Elevated levels of peripheral Th17 cells and Th17-related cytokines in patients with periampullary adenocarcinoma.

Aim: Periampullary adenocarcinoma (PAC) is a malignant tumor originating at the ampulla of Vater, distal common bile duct, head of the pancreas, ampulla and duodenum. The levels of circulating Th17 cells and Th17-related cytokines in patients with PAC remain unreported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the levels of circulating Th17 cells and Th17-related cytokines in patients with PAC.

ABDA Score: A Non-invasive Model to Identify Subjects with Fibrotic Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis in the Community.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are prevalent in the community, especially among those with metabolic syndrome. Patients with fibrotic NASH are at increased risk of liver-related-events. Currently available non-invasive tests have not been utilized for screening for fibrotic NASH among the community.

Assessments of TP53 and CTNNB1 gene hotspot mutations in circulating tumour DNA of hepatitis B virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the major causes of chronic liver disease, which progresses from chronic hepatitis B (CHB) to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Early detection and laboratory-based screening of hepatocellular carcinoma are still major challenges. This study was undertaken to determine whether the cancer hallmark gene signatures that are released into circulation as circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) can be used as a liquid biopsy marker for screening, early detection, and prognosis of HCC.

Clinical significance of Notch pathway-associated microRNA-107 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

MicroRNAs associated with the Notch pathway play a critical role in the progression of pancreatic carcinoma. Our aim was to study the clinical significance of miR-107 and NOTCH2 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The circulating miR-107 levels in PDAC and controls were determined by qPCR.

DDX3-mediated miR-34 expression inhibits autophagy and HBV replication in hepatic cells.

HBV entry to the host cells and its successful infection depends on its ability to modulate the host restriction factors. DEAD box RNA helicase, DDX3, is shown to inhibit HBV replication. However, the exact mechanism of inhibition still remains unclear.

Hepatitis B Virus X Protein Inhibits the Expression of Barrier To Autointegration factor1 via Upregulating miR-203 Expression in Hepatic Cells.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection targets host restriction factors that inhibit its replication and survival. Previous studies have shown that barriers to autointegration factor1 (BANF1) inhibited the replication of herpes simplex virus and vaccinia virus by binding to phosphate backbone of dsDNA. To date, no reports are available for the interplay between BANF1 and HBV.

Evaluation of the cell-free DNA integrity index as a liquid biopsy marker to differentiate hepatocellular carcinoma from chronic liver disease.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs in the majority of patients with underlying chronic liver disease (CLD) of viral and non-viral etiologies, which requires screening for early HCC diagnosis. Liquid biopsy holds great promise now for early detection, prognosis, and assessment of response to cancer therapy. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a liquid biopsy marker can be easily detected by a real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay for a change in its concentration, integrity, and fragmentation in cancer.

Pattern recognition receptor CD14 gene polymorphisms in alcohol use disorder patients and its Influence on liver disease susceptibility.

Background: Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) leading to liver disease is major concern over other spectrum of disorder. Excessive alcohol consumption resulting in leaky gut syndrome is attributed to alcohol-induced liver injury through portal translocation of bacterial endotoxin. Susceptibility to alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in AUD patients could be dependent upon genes responsible for inflammation and alcohol metabolism.

Effect of thrombocytopenia and platelet transfusion on outcomes of acute variceal bleeding in patients with chronic liver disease.

Background: Platelet transfusion in acute variceal bleeding (AVB) is recommended by few guidelines and is common in routine clinical practice, even though the effect of thrombocytopenia and platelet transfusion on the outcomes of AVB is unclear.

Aim: To determine how platelet counts, platelets transfusions, and fresh frozen plasma transfusions affect the outcomes of AVB in cirrhosis patients in terms of bleeding control, rebleeding, and mortality.

Methods: Prospectively maintained database was used to analyze the outcomes of cirrhosis patients who presented with AVB.

Spectrum of Neuroimaging Abnormalities in Brain in Patients of Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure.

Background And Aims: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is associated with high short-term mortality. There is a paucity of data about the spectrum of neuroimaging abnormalities in the brain in ACLF patients. The present study was aimed to study the prevalence of cerebral edema and other parenchymal changes in MR imaging of the brain in patients with ACLF.

Prevalence and Predictors of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Family Members of Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Background And Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the commonest cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Despite the high prevalence, no screening recommendations yet exist. We designed a prospective observational study to estimate the prevalence of NAFLD in the family of patients with NAFLD and develop a predictive model for identifying it.

Correction: Generation by Reverse Genetics of an Effective, Stable, Live-Attenuated Newcastle Disease Virus Vaccine Based on a Currently Circulating, Highly Virulent Indonesian Strain.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Rural-Urban differentials in prevalence, spectrum and determinants of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in North Indian population.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a spectrum of disease ranging from simple steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), through to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. We assessed the prevalence, spectrum, and determinants of NAFLD among adults in urban and rural North India.

Methods: A representative sample of adults aged 30-60 years were recruited from urban Delhi and rural Ballabhgarh during 2017-2019.

Comparative Evaluation of Anti-Fibrotic Effect of Tissue Specific Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived Extracellular Vesicles for the Amelioration of CCl4 Induced Chronic Liver Injury.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) derived Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) have emerged as an effective candidate for amelioration of liver fibrosis. However, the effect and the mechanisms of MSC-EVs in liver repair remains elusive. In this study, we have evaluated the differential regenerative efficacy of EVs derived from two different human tissue-specific MSCs (Adipose tissue; AD-MSC and Wharton's Jelly; WJ-MSC), in a murine model of chronic liver fibrosis.