Influence of Demographic Factors on Long-Term Trends of Premature Mortality and Burden Due to Liver Cancer: Findings From a Population-Based Study in Shanghai, China, 1973–2019

Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells improve thymus and spleen functions in D-galactose-induced aged mice

As aging progresses, the structures and functions of immune organs such as the thymus and spleen deteriorate, leading to impaired immune function and immune senescence. This study investigated the potential of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) to mitigate D-galactose-induced immune senescence by enhancing the structural and functional integrity of aging immune organs and regulating the gut microbiota. The findings show that UC-MSCs treatment significantly delayed thymus and spleen atrophy and reduced the number of senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) positive cells. At the molecular level, UC-MSCs treatment downregulated the expression of aging-related genes, including p16, p53, p21, and RB. It also boosted antioxidant enzyme activity, increasing the levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), while decreasing serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Additionally, UC-MSCs treatment restored the balance of the gut microbiota. These results demonstrate that UC-MSCs significantly improve the structural and functional integrity of immune organs and enhance the composition of the gut microbiome, offering a potential strategy for delaying immune senescence.

Impact of sarcopenia on postoperative outcomes after hepatectomy in older patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A multicentre cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Sarcopenia is associated with poor prognosis, but its role in older patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the impact of sarcopenia on the prognosis of older patients with ICC undergoing hepatectomy.

METHODS

A total of 363 patients with ICC following hepatectomy from 2015 to 2021 were retrospectively reviewed at five institutions. Sarcopenia was evaluated using skeletal muscle index by computed tomography images. Patients were divided into four subgroups according to sarcopenia and age. Postoperative outcomes including complication, overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were evaluated. Risk factors were identified through univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

302 patients were included in the analysis. The median age was 63 years and there were 128 patients (42.4%) aged over 65 years. 192 patients (63.6%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia, while 180 patients (59.6%) experienced myosteatosis. Older patients experienced a higher incidence of sarcopenia and myosteatosis, and worse postoperative outcomes than younger patients. In the subgroup of patients with sarcopenia, older patients experienced a significant shorter OS than younger patients, which was not observed in patients without sarcopenia. According to the multivariate Cox regression analysis, lymphatic metastasis (p < .001), blood transfusion (p = .004), low serum albumin (p = .051), sarcopenia (p = .024), and myosteatosis (p = .004) were identified as independent risk factors of OS in older patients, meanwhile tumour size (p = .013) and lymphatic metastasis (p < .001) were independent risk factors of RFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia and myosteatosis have a significant adverse impact on postoperative outcomes in older patients with ICC undergoing hepatectomy.

Premature death patterns and trends in diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue in Shanghai China from 1973 to 2019

OBJECTIVES

The long-term trends in crude mortality rates (CMRs) and age-standardized mortality rates characterized by Segi's world standard population (ASMRWs) of DMSCT in Pudong New Area (PNA), Shanghai, were evaluated from 1973 to 2019, and the role of demographic and non-demographic factors in the mortality of diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (DMSCT) was explored.

METHODS

The PNA district has the largest population and area in Shanghai. Therefore, the mortality registration system of the PNA district was used to calculate and verify the number of deaths. Then, the Joinpoint Regression Program was used to analyze the time trend of mortality. The difference decomposition method was used to visualize the mortality of population and non-population factors, and GraphPad Prism was used for image visualization.

RESULTS

A total of 2260 deaths from DMSCT occurred from 1973 to 2019. The CMR and ASMRW of DMSCT were 2.56/105 person-years and 1.57/105 person-years, respectively. The number of people aged ≥80 (696 deaths) who died of DMSCT was the highest among total deaths, the highest number of years of life lost (YLL) was observed in the 45-59 age group, and the YLL rate in the ≥80 age group was the highest. The CMR and YLL rates of DMSCT showed upward trends in the total population from 1973 to 2019.

CONCLUSION

The CMR and YLL rates of DMSCT showed upward trends in the total population from 1973 to 2019 in PNA, Shanghai, and age was closely related to the occurrence of DMSCT. Similarly, demographic factors played a role in this process.

Geographical disparities in hepatitis b virus related hepatocellular carcinoma mortality rates worldwide from 1990 to 2019

This study aims to evaluate global trends in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) related mortality over the past 30 years. Despite improvements in the treatment of both HBV and HCC, disparities in access to care and treatment persist, and these disparities may have affected HBV-HCC outcomes across certain global regions disproportionately. Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injury, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) from 1990 to 2019, we evaluated overall mortality rates related to HBV-HCC. From 1990 to 2019, overall global HBV-HCC mortality rate decreased by 30.3%. While most world regions experienced declines in HBV-HCC mortality, several regions also experienced significant increases in mortality, including Australasia, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe. When stratified by age, all age groups demonstrated declines in HBV-HCC mortality from 1990 to 2019. Similar trends were observed for both men and women. When stratified by world regions, HBV-HCC mortality in 2019 was highest in East Asia, which was significantly higher than the region with the next highest HBV-HCC mortality, Southeast Asia. Significant disparities in HBV-HCC mortality are observed among global regions. We observed higher HBV-HCC mortality rates with older age, higher mortality in males, and highest mortality in East Asia. The clinical significance of these findings are to highlight those regions that need more targeted resources to improve HBV testing and treatment to reduce the long term consequences of untreated HBV, such as HCC.

Role of NAT10-mediated ac4C-modified HSP90AA1 RNA acetylation in ER stress-mediated metastasis and lenvatinib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma

Emerging evidence showed that epigenetic regulation plays important role in the pathogenesis of HCC. N4-acetocytidine (ac4C) was an acetylation chemical modification of mRNA, and NAT10 is reported to regulate ac4C modification and enhance endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in tumor metastasis. Here, we report a novel mechanism by which NAT10-mediated mRNA ac4C-modified HSP90AA1 regulates metastasis and tumor resistance in ERS of HCC. Immunohistochemical, bioinformatics analyses, and in vitro and in vivo experiments, e.g., acRIP-Seq, RNA-Seq, and double luciferase reporter experiment, were employed to investigate the effect of NAT10 on metastasis and drug resistance in HCC. The increased expression of NAT10 was associated with HCC risk and poor prognosis. Cell and animal experiments showed that NAT10 enhanced the metastasis ability and apoptosis resistance of HCC cells in ERS and ERS state. NAT10 could upregulate the modification level of HSP90AA1 mRNA ac4C, maintain the stability of HSP90AA1, and upregulate the expression of HSP90AA1, which further promotes the metastasis of ERS hepatoma cells and the resistance to apoptosis of Lenvatinib. This study proposes a novel mechanism by which NAT10-mediated mRNA ac4C modification regulates tumor metastasis. In addition, we demonstrated the regulatory effect of NAT10-HSP90AA1 on metastasis and drug resistance of ERS in HCC cells.

Global burden of primary liver cancer in 2020 and predictions to 2040

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The burden of liver cancer varies across the world. Herein, we present updated estimates of the current global burden of liver cancer (incidence and mortality) and provide predictions of the number of cases/deaths to 2040.

METHODS

We extracted data on primary liver cancer cases and deaths from the GLOBOCAN 2020 database, which includes 185 countries. Age-standardised incidence and mortality rates (ASRs) per 100,000 person-years were calculated. Cases and deaths up to the year 2040 were predicted based on incidence and mortality rates for 2020 and global demographic projections to 2040.

RESULTS

In 2020, an estimated 905,700 people were diagnosed with, and 830,200 people died from, liver cancer globally. Global ASRs for liver cancer were 9.5 and 8.7 for new cases and deaths, respectively, per 100,000 people and were highest in Eastern Asia (17.8 new cases, 16.1 deaths), Northern Africa (15.2 new cases, 14.5 deaths), and South-Eastern Asia (13.7 new cases, 13.2 deaths). Liver cancer was among the top three causes of cancer death in 46 countries and was among the top five causes of cancer death in 90 countries. ASRs of both incidence and mortality were higher among males than females in all world regions (male:female ASR ratio ranged between 1.2-3.6). The number of new cases of liver cancer per year is predicted to increase by 55.0% between 2020 and 2040, with a possible 1.4 million people diagnosed in 2040. A predicted 1.3 million people could die from liver cancer in 2040 (56.4% more than in 2020).

CONCLUSIONS

Liver cancer is a major cause of death in many countries, and the number of people diagnosed with liver cancer is predicted to rise. Efforts to reduce the incidence of preventable liver cancer should be prioritised.

LAY SUMMARY

The burden of liver cancer varies across the world. Liver cancer was among the top three causes of cancer death in 46 countries and was among the top five causes of cancer death in 90 countries worldwide. We predict the number of cases and deaths will rise over the next 20 years as the world population grows. Primary liver cancer due to some causes is preventable if control efforts are prioritised and the predicted rise in cases may increase the need for resources to manage care of patients with liver cancer.

Spatial and temporal analysis of liver cancer mortality in Yunnan province, China, 2015-2019

Liver cancer is a major public health challenge. Few published studies reported temporal trend and geographical distribution of liver cancer mortality in China, especially in less developed southwest regions with higher liver cancer incidence. In the current study, we obtained liver cancer mortality data from population-based death surveillance system in Yunnan province in 2015-2019. The mortality of liver cancer was analyzed by using the joinpoint regression model. The space distribution of liver cancer mortality in 129 counties and districts in Yunnan province was illustrated by using the ArcGIS software. Moran's I method was used to estimate the global and local spatial autocorrelation of liver cancer mortality. Analytical results revealed that from 2015 to 2019, the average mortality rate of liver cancer in Yunnan province was 12.96/100,000, with an average annual growth rate of 6.26% (p < 0.05). Higher liver cancer mortality was found in rural areas and in males. Moreover, people aged 45-50 years experienced a steep increase in liver cancer mortality rate. High-high cluster was mainly consisted of areas with higher hepatitis virus infection rate or severe intravenous drug use problem. Our study results suggest a heavy burden of liver cancer in southwest China Yunnan province. Comprehensive intervention measures need to be developed and implemented.