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OBJECTIVE: Both non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are prevalent diseases worldwide. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms of NAFLD and HCC and identify new therapeutic targets for human cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NAFLD and HCC gene expression profiles were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were utilized to identify co-expressed genes associated with NAFLD and HCC. Public databases were consulted to find common targets of NAFLD and HCC. Enrichment analysis and CIBERSORT techniques were employed to analyze the pathways enriched with DEGs and the attributes of infiltrating immune cells. Furthermore, the expression data of UROC1 and clinical information of patients were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Finally, the expression of the UROC1 was validated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: Through a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, eight hub genes (CCL2, CCR2, IL6, CSF3R, ATL2, SESN3, UROC1, FIGNL1) were identified. Enrichment analysis indicated that in- flammatory and immune response may be common features between NAFLD and HCC. CIBERSORT analysis revealed an imbalance of plasma cells and macrophages in NAFLD and HCC. Pan-cancer analysis demonstrated that UROC1 expression was related to clinical outcomes and tumor immunity in various cancers. Moreover, a strong correlation was exhibited between UROC1 expression and crucial elements, including tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), multiple immune checkpoints (ICP), and tumor microenvironment (TME). Importantly, an adverse clinical prognosis of HCC was linked to decreased UROC1 expression, which was consistent with IHC results. CONCLUSIONS: We identified eight hub genes (CCL2, CCR2, IL6, CSF3R, ATL2, SESN3, UROC1, FIGNL1), which may become early diagnostic and therapeutic targets for NAFLD and HCC. The pan-cancer analysis of UROC1 provides new evidence for its broad application prospects in the field of HCC and other cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ablative effect of argon laser delivered fibreoptically in vitro on 234 segments of atherosclerotic human aorta was studied. The variables such as energy density, type of atheroma and immersion media were included, and all irradiated specimens were subsequently submitted to histological examination and crater volumes in mm3 to micrometer measurements under light microscope. The results showed 1) a linear relationship between energy dose and crater volume in fibrous atheroma, 2) significantly greater damage or surrounding in the higher energy dose groups, 3) a lower dose response in calcified tissue than in fatty streaks or fibrous atheroma, and 4) immersion of tissue in blood during ablation resulted in a significantly greater dose response than immersion in plasma or saline, and the corresponding surrounding tissue damage was greatest when immersed in blood. Thus, argon laser is both effective and predictable in response during ablating of atheromatous tissue. The efficacy of the process is dependent on immersion medium, while the degree of surrounding tissue damage is dependent on energy dose.