Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides but not translated into proteins. LncRNAs regulate gene expressions at multiple levels, such as chromatin, transcription, and post-transcription. Further, lncRNAs participate in various biological processes such as cell differentiation, cell cycle regulation, and maintenance of stem cell pluripotency. We have previously reported that lncRNAs are closely related to programmed cell death (PCD), which includes apoptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, and ferroptosis. Overexpression of lncRNA can suppress the extrinsic apoptosis pathway by downregulating of membrane receptors and protect tumor cells by inhibiting the expression of necroptosis-related proteins. Some lncRNAs can also act as competitive endogenous RNA to prevent oxidation, thereby inhibiting ferroptosis, while some are known to activate autophagy. The relationship between lncRNA and PCD has promising implications in clinical research, and reports have highlighted this relationship in various cancers such as non-small cell lung cancer and gastric cancer. This review systematically summarizes the advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms through which lncRNAs impact PCD.

ObjectiveTo determine willingness to pay for a diabetic retinopathy screening, and its determinants, among people with diabetes mellitus in Qujiang District of Shaoguan City, rural Guangdong, southern China.DesignThis cross-sectional study was conducted through a large-scale screening programme in 2019. We randomly selected 575 (21.5%) among 2677 people over 18 years old with known diabetes who attended the screening. Participants elected to pay nothing or RMB10–RMB120 (US$1.6–US$18.8), in RMB10 intervals, displayed on printed cards. One trained interviewer collected all the data.SettingTen primary health centres in Qujiang District of Shaoguan City, Guangdong.Participants545 from the 575 randomly selected people (94.8%) agreed to participate in the study.Outcome measuresProportion of participants willing to pay anything for screening, mean amount they were willing to pay and determinants of these figures.ResultsAmong 545 participants (mean age 64.6 years (SD±10.4), 40.7% men), 327 (60.0%) were willing to pay something for screening, of whom 273 (83.5%) would pay RMB10–RMB30 (US$1.6–US$4.7). People living in rural areas and those from lower-income families were more likely to be willing to pay anything, while men, urban residents and those covered by employer-linked insurance were willing to pay larger sums (p<0.05 for all).ConclusionNearly two-thirds of participants were willing to pay for screening in this screening programme organised at the primary care level in rural China. This finding offers the potential that such activities can be sustained and scaled up through user fees.

Objective To determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and associated risk factors among rural and urban people living with diabetes mellitus (PwDM ) in southern China.Methods This cross-sectional study informed all the 3,646 PwDM aged > = 18 years in 2019. All were registered at primary health centers in Qujiang district. A questionnaire was administered to collect information on demographic, socioeconomic, medical and lifestyle factors. Blood glucose, lipids and indices of renal function were measured. Presence of DR was determined by trained graders based on fundus photographs using criteria of the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) Diabetic Eye Screening (DES) Programme. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to assess potential risk factors for presence of DR.Results The mean age of the 2,677 participants (73.4%) was 63.4 years (SD 10.1 years), 1,503 (56.2%) were female, 1,749 (65.3%) were rural residents, 1,654 (71.0%) participants had HbA1c > = 6.5%, 1,773 (66.3%) had uncontrolled high blood pressure, and the median duration of DM was < 5 years. Although half (52.0%) of these participants had brief (< 5 years) exposure to DM, 831 (31.3%, 95% CI: 29.3–32.8%) had DR, among whom 412 (49.6%) had sight threatening DR. Men (33.1%), had a significantly higher prevalence of any DR than women (29.4%, p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in DR prevalence at any level between rural and urban residents. In multivariate regression models, risk factors for any DR were HbA1C > 6.5% (OR = 1.58 p < 0.01), using insulin and hypoglycemic drugs (OR = 1.76, p < 0.01), longer duration of DM and higher systolic blood pressure (OR = 1.01 for each mmHg, p < 0.01).Conclusion Although half of participants had DM for < 5 years, the high prevalence of DR, poorly controlled blood glucose and uncontrolled hypertension highlight the need for better management of non-communicable diseases in rural China.