Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, small (17-25 nucleotides) non-coding RNAs that are overexpressed in many human cancers including HCC. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of miRNAs play an important role in the pathogenesis of HCC. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the role of miR-196a2 rs11614913 polymorphism in the development of HCC. A total of 200 subjects, including 80 HCC patients, 60 patients with liver cirrhosis, and 60 healthy controls were selected. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was taken to determine miR-196a2 rs11614913 polymorphism. Results: The genotype distribution of the TC and CC, TC + CC genotypes, and the C allele were significantly higher in HCC patients than control and cirrhotic groups (P = 0.02, P = 0.005, and P = 0.003, respectively). Compared with the wild-type TT genotype, both the variant TC, CC, TC + CC genotypes were associated with an elevated risk of HCC (OR = 2.77, 95% CI = 1.27-6.04), (OR = 4.94, 95% CI = 1.74-14.07), (OR = 3.24, 95% CI = 1.55-6.78) respectively. Moreover, the C allele was correlated with an increased risk of HCC (OR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.40-3.76) compared to the wide-type T allele. Also, there is no significant correlation between the different miR-196a2 genotypes and either the clinico-pathologic features of HCC or its aggressiveness. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the miR-196a2 rs11614913 polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of HCC in the Egyptian population.

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Aim of the study:To evaluate the role of plasma level of von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF-Ag) as a possible predictor for the presence of esophageal varices (EVs) in children with chronic liver diseases (CLDs). Material and methods: All patients underwent upper esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and were categorized as group I (had EVs) and group II (had no EVs). The following patient data were determined: Child-Pugh score (CPS), plasma vWF-Ag, vWF-Ag/thrombocyte ratio (VITRO) score, aspartate transaminase (AST) to platelet ratio index (APRI) score, AST/alanine transaminase (ALT), platelet count/spleen diameter, grading of EVs (small, medium and large) and categorizing the stage of liver fibrosis. Results: The analysis included 50 patients with CLD; 30 (60%) were female. The commonest etiological diagnoses were autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) (20%) and extra-hepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) (12%). 26% of cases were categorized as undiagnosed CLD. The CPS showed CPS-A 34%, CPS-B 44% and CPS-C 22%. The vWF-Ag was found at a high level of 243.52 ±195.97, with a highly statistically significant difference in discriminating the EVs with 74% accuracy at a cut-off value of 108.99 IU/ml, p < 0.0001. Also, ROC analysis was performed for discriminating large esophageal varices with 84% accuracy at a cut-off value of 475.85 mg%. The VITRO score at a cut-off value of 1.72 could detect EVs with 70% sensitivity, 86.7% specificity, and 80% accuracy. Conclusions: High vWF-Ag is a valuable prognostic tool for estimating the presence of EVs, and higher vWF-Ag is associated with increased grade of EVs.