A significant difference in the diagnostic signature between the non-diabetic subjects (N group) (median: -0.10, interquartile range (IQR): -2.44~0.79) and diabetes subjects (DM + DN group) (median: 2.91, IQR: 1.64–4.96, P < 0.001) (Fig. 7B); Therefore, the lncRNA GAS5/miR⁃21 diagnostic signature could well distinguish patients with normal blood glucose from those with diabetes, with or without nephropathy. The gene discussed is GAS5; the disease is liver dysplastic nodule.