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Circular RNA (circRNA), a new type of endogenous non-coding RNA, is abundantly present in eukaryotic cells, and characterized as stable high conservation and tissue specific expression. It has been generated increasing attention because of their close association with the progress of diseases. The liver is the vital organ of humans, while it is prone to acute and chronic diseases due to the influence of multiple pathogenic factors. Moreover, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the one of most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Overwhelming evidences indicate that some circRNAs are differentially expressed in liver diseases, such as, HCC, chronic hepatitis B, hepatic steatosis and hepatoblastoma tissues, etc. Additionally, these circRNAs are related to proliferation, invasion, migration, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and metastasis of cell in liver diseases and act as oncogenic agents or suppressors, and linked to clinical manifestations. In this review, we briefly summarize the biogenesis, characterization and biological functions, recent detection and identification technologies of circRNA, and regulation network mechanism of circRNA in liver diseases, and discuss their potential values as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for liver diseases, especially on HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have found that heavy metals are associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS), although findings are inconsistent. Further, investigations into potential associations that consider age- or gender-specific effects and dose-response associations for metal exposure and MetS are rare. In this study, we explore the associations between blood levels of typical heavy metals [lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and manganese (Mn)] and MetS among adults using logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic splines (RCS) logistic analysis using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2018. After adjusting for covariates, higher levels of blood Pb, Cd and Hg were associated with lower risks of MetS in participants overall, and in all subgroup analyses, by logistic regression analysis (all P -values <0.05); in contrast, higher levels of blood Mn had a higher risk of MetS only in the age group of 30–49 years (P -values <0.05). We also found non-linear associations of heavy metal levels in blood with risk of MetS in participants overall, in specific age groups and in both genders, using RCS logistic regressions (all P -values <0.05). In addition, the non-linear associations of Pb and Hg we observed in different subgroups differed. In conclusion, blood levels of four heavy metals were associated with the risk of MetS through a variety of non-linear patterns. • Higher levels of blood Pb, Cd, Hg indicated lower risks of metabolic syndrome (MetS). • Concentrations of blood Mn showed a significant association with prevalence of MetS only in age 30–49. • Non-linear associations were observed of four heavy metals in blood with the risks of MetS among all participants and in specific age and gender groups by restricted cubic splines logistic regression. • The non-linear associations of blood Pb and Hg are different in different subgroups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have found that heavy metals are associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS), although findings are inconsistent. Further, investigations into potential associations that consider age- or gender-specific effects and dose-response associations for metal exposure and MetS are rare. In this study, we explore the associations between blood levels of typical heavy metals [lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and manganese (Mn)] and MetS among adults using logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic splines (RCS) logistic analysis using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2018. After adjusting for covariates, higher levels of blood Pb, Cd and Hg were associated with lower risks of MetS in participants overall, and in all subgroup analyses, by logistic regression analysis (all P -values <0.05); in contrast, higher levels of blood Mn had a higher risk of MetS only in the age group of 30–49 years (P -values <0.05). We also found non-linear associations of heavy metal levels in blood with risk of MetS in participants overall, in specific age groups and in both genders, using RCS logistic regressions (all P -values <0.05). In addition, the non-linear associations of Pb and Hg we observed in different subgroups differed. In conclusion, blood levels of four heavy metals were associated with the risk of MetS through a variety of non-linear patterns. • Higher levels of blood Pb, Cd, Hg indicated lower risks of metabolic syndrome (MetS). • Concentrations of blood Mn showed a significant association with prevalence of MetS only in age 30–49. • Non-linear associations were observed of four heavy metals in blood with the risks of MetS among all participants and in specific age and gender groups by restricted cubic splines logistic regression. • The non-linear associations of blood Pb and Hg are different in different subgroups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A carbon nanotube (CNT)–mediated antibody-free suspension array (CASA) by integration of functionalized CNTs and aptamer (Apt) into xMAP® technology for simultaneous determination of typical endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) was developed. The interaction between CNTs and Apt acts as an effective and straightforward signal recognition, transformation, and amplification strategy. The amino-functionalized CNTs are covalently modified on the carboxyl-functionalized magnetic bead (MB) and further physically bridging with biotinylated Apt. CNTs on the surface of MBs not only increase the amount of Apt for target binding and signal amplification but also maintain the biological activity of Apt. After magnetic separation, the encoded MB address was distinguished and the concentration of the target in the liquid was negatively correlated with median fluorescence intensity. A series of environmental water samples were analysed by CASA, traditional immuno-SA, and competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for validation. The results obtained using CASA well matched for the multiplexed detection of various targets with dynamic concentration range from 6.40 × 10−5 to 4.00 μg L−1 within 1 h. The method also confirmed good selectively, accuracy, and consistency with high-performance liquid chromatography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]