Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related death, whose patterns vary among geographical regions and ethnicities. It is a multifactorial disease, and its development depends on infection byHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), host genetic factors, and environmental factors. The heterogeneity of the disease has begun to be unraveled by a comprehensive mutational evaluation of primary tumors. The low-abundance of mutations suggests that other mechanisms participate in the evolution of the disease, such as those found through analyses of noncoding genomics. Noncoding genomics includes single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), regulation of gene expression through DNA methylation of promoter sites, miRNAs, other noncoding RNAs in regulatory regions, and other topics. These processes and molecules ultimately control gene expression. Potential biomarkers are appearing from analyses of noncoding genomics. This review focuses on noncoding genomics and potential biomarkers in the context of gastric cancer and the gastric precancerous cascade.

Huiro negro (Lessonia spicata) is a brown alga with potential in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. This study evaluated its convection drying at 30, 40, and 50 °C (2 ± 0.1 m/s; 83% RH), analyzing the kinetics using nine mathematical models. The Midilli–Kucuk model showed the best fit (R² = 0.999). Drying at 50 °C significantly increased the fucoxanthin content (p ≤ 0.05) but had the highest energy cost (7.20 USD/kg). In contrast, 30 °C achieved the highest thermal efficiency (48.73%) and lowest cost (5.37 USD/kg), although with the lowest total phenolic compound (TPC) content. TPC was highest at 40 °C, while antioxidant capacity decreased to 30 °C and 40 °C, partially recovering at 50 °C. Higher temperatures also increased protein, fiber, and carbohydrates, while ash decreased. Tests on gastric cell lines (AGS and GES-1) showed low cytotoxicity at doses ≤ 1 mg/mL, with reductions in viability at concentrations ≥ 10 mg/mL. Overall, the extracts showed good biocompatibility at low doses and outstanding functional properties, especially after drying at 50 °C. The results show that the drying temperature significantly influences the nutritional and functional quality of L. spicata, favoring its use in functional foods.

Aberrant expression of multiple microRNAs has been reported in gastric cancer. In particular, microRNA-597 has been associated with poor survival rates but is not yet well characterized. Seventy-five clinical samples, four cell lines, and two patient-derived organoids were evaluated for the expression of microRNA-597 and its target genes. microRNA-597 was transiently transfected for analysis of cell migration, invasion, wound healing, colony formation, and cell viability, and its regulation by long non-coding RNAs was explored using the TCGA-STAD and LncBook tools. In clinical samples, low expression of microRNA-597 was associated with the intestinal subtype (p = 0.002) and stages III and IV (p = 0.048). All functional readouts were reduced after microRNA-597 transfection, including colony formation, in patient-derived organoids. Among target genes, RUNX1 was directly regulated by microRNA-597. Other cell invasion genes were dependent on RUNX1 as a hub for regulation. Analysis of the Intersection between long non-coding RNAs co-expressed with RUNX1 and those with the highest microRNA-597 prediction binding identified KCNQ1OT1 as the top transcript. Silencing of KCNQ1OT1 and co-expression in clinical samples suggest the existence of a KCNQ1OT1/microRNA-597/RUNX1 network. The results indicate that microRNA-597 directly suppresses RUNX1, while KCNQ1OT1 modulates this interaction. Our approach enabled the simultaneous analysis of dysregulation in three families of transcripts in gastric cancer progression.

Repeat blood donation may progressively reduce iron stores, although the clinical relevance of biochemical iron depletion in otherwise healthy donors remains debated. This PRISMA-based systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated iron depletion among repeat whole-blood donors and explored factors associated with prevalence estimates. Sixteen studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, and 15 contributed to meta-analyses. The pooled prevalence of iron deficiency, associated with serum ferritin measurement, among regular donors was 14.26% (95% CI: 12.50-16.23). Female donors showed a higher pooled prevalence than male donors, and meta-regression identified sex and serum ferritin cut-off values as significant determinants of prevalence, whereas donation frequency was not independently associated. These findings indicate that iron depletion is common among repeat donors but highly dependent on case definitions and donor characteristics. Serum ferritin testing may support risk stratification, but universal screening should be balanced against feasibility, donor-centered outcomes, and local resources, particularly in low and middle income settings.