Recurrence and influencing factors of hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance induced by peginterferon alpha-based regimens.

Background: The long-term stability of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance following peginterferon alpha (peg-IFN-α)-based therapy has not been extensively studied, leaving the full potential and limitations of this strategy unclear.

Aim: To assess HBsAg recurrence after seroclearance achieved by peg-IFN-α regimens.

Methods: This prospective, multicenter, observational study was conducted from November 2015 to June 2021 at three Chinese hospitals: The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ankang Central Hospital, and The Affiliated Hospital of Yan'an University.

Hepatitis B cure: Current situation and prospects.

Achievement of a 'clinical cure' in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) implies sustained virological suppression and immunological control over the infection, which is the ideal treatment goal according to domestic and international CHB management guidelines. Clinical practice has shown encouraging results for specific patient cohorts using tailored treatment regimens. These regimens incorporate either nucleos(t)ide analogs, immunomodulatory agents such as pegylated interferon α, or a strategic combination of both, sequentially or concurrently administered.

Global burden of liver cirrhosis 1990-2019 and 20 years forecast: results from the global burden of disease study 2019.

Background: Cirrhosis is a disease that imposes a heavy burden worldwide, but its incidence varies widely by region. Therefore, we analysed data on the incidence and mortality of cirrhosis in 204 countries and territories from 1990-2019 and projected the disease development from 2019-2039.

Methods: Data on the incidence and mortality of liver cirrhosis from 1990 to 2019 were acquired from the public Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study.

Precision targeting in hepatocellular carcinoma: Exploring ligand-receptor mediated nanotherapy.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and poses a major challenge to global health due to its high morbidity and mortality. Conventional chemotherapy is usually targeted to patients with intermediate to advanced stages, but it is often ineffective and suffers from problems such as multidrug resistance, rapid drug clearance, nonspecific targeting, high side effects, and low drug accumulation in tumor cells. In response to these limitations, recent advances in nanoparticle-mediated targeted drug delivery technologies have emerged as breakthrough approaches for the treatment of HCC.

Erratum: MicroRNA-376c-3p Facilitates Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression via Repressing AT-Rich Interaction Domain 2: Erratum.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7150/jca.27939.

Prohibitin 1 inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis the p53-mediated mitochondrial pathway .

Background: Prohibitin 1 (PHB1) has been identified as an antiproliferative protein that is highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed, and it participates in a variety of essential cellular functions, including apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, proliferation, and survival. Emerging evidence indicates that PHB1 may play an important role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the role of PHB1 in HCC is controversial.

Hepatoprotective effects of aspirin on diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats by reducing inflammation levels and PD-L1 expression.

Aspirin, as a widely used anti-inflammatory drug, has been shown to exert anti-cancer effects in a variety of cancers. PD-L1 is widely expressed in tumor cells and inhibits anti-tumor immunity. This study aims to clarify whether aspirin exerts its anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) effect by inhibiting PD-L1 expression.

Associations of psychological wellbeing with COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality in adults aged 50 years or older from 25 European countries and Israel.

Background: Lower psychological wellbeing is associated with poor outcomes in a variety of diseases and healthy populations. However, no study has investigated whether psychological wellbeing is associated with the outcomes of COVID-19. This study aimed to determine whether individuals with lower psychological wellbeing are more at risk for poor outcomes of COVID-19.

Short-Term Peg-IFN α-2b Re-Treatment Induced a High Functional Cure Rate in Patients with HBsAg Recurrence after Stopping Peg-IFN α-Based Regimens.

Little is known about the treatment of patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) recurrence after being clinically cured by peginterferon alpha(peg-IFN-α)-based regimens. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of peg-IFNα-2b in re-treating patients with HBsAg recurrence after stopping peg-IFN α-based regimens. In this two-center, prospective observational study, 33 patients with HBsAg recurrence after stopping peg-IFN α-based regimens were enrolled and re-treated with an individualized course of peg-IFN α-2b.

Efficacy and mechanism of intermittent fasting in metabolic associated fatty liver disease based on ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Objectives: Drug treatment of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) remains lacking. This study analyzes the efficacy and mechanism underlying intermittent fasting combined with lipidomics.

Methods: Thirty-two male rats were randomly divided into three groups: Normal group, administered a standard diet; MAFLD group, administered a 60% high-fat diet; time-restricted feeding (TRF) group, administered a 60% high-fat diet.

A Phase 3 clinical trial validating the potency and safety of an innovative, extra-long-acting interferon in chronic hepatitis C.

Background And Aim: Ropeginterferon alfa-2b is a novel mono-pegylated, extra-long-acting interferon. It is administered infrequently and showed good tolerability and clinical activity for the chronic hepatitis B or C treatment in our previous Phase 2 clinical trials. This study aims to validate the potency and safety of this novel agent in a Phase 3 chronic viral hepatitis setting.

VCAN, expressed highly in hepatitis B virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma, is a potential biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Background: As a proteoglycan, VCAN exists in the tumor microenvironment and regulates tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, but its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been elucidated.

Aim: To investigate the expression and potential mechanism of action of VCAN in HCC.

Methods: Based on The Cancer Genome Atlas Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma dataset, we explored the correlation between VCAN expression and clinical features, and analyzed the prognosis of patients with high and low VCAN expression.

Erratum: MicroRNA-376c-3p Facilitates Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression via Repressing AT-Rich Interaction Domain 2: Erratum.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7150/jca.27939.

Risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation following treatment with abatacept: A retrospective study of international pharmacovigilance databases.

Background: Abatacept is a selective T-cell costimulation modulator approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. Reports were recently published on hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr) in patients who were treated with abatacept. However, the literature is limited to case reports and series, and no study has investigated the relationship between HBVr and abatacept using extensive population-based databases.

A Meta-Analysis of Statin Use and Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: The use of statins is a potential protective factor against the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the contribution of statins to the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: We searched for PubMed and EMBASE through January 2021.

Aspirin Use and the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis.

Introduction And Aim: The use of aspirin is a potential protective factor against the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the contribution of aspirin to the risk of HCC.

Methods: We searched for PubMed and EMBASE through September 2021.

DNA methylation and single-nucleotide polymorphisms in DDX58 are associated with hand, foot and mouth disease caused by enterovirus 71.

Background: This research aimed to explore the association between the RIG-I-like receptor (RIG-I and MDA5 encoded by DDX58 and IFIH1, respectively) pathways and the risk or severity of hand, foot, and mouth disease caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71-HFMD). In this context, we explored the influence of gene methylation and polymorphism on EV71-HFMD.

Methodology/principal Findings: 60 healthy controls and 120 EV71-HFMD patients, including 60 mild EV71-HFMD and 60 severe EV71-HFMD patients, were enrolled.

The Prevalence, Popular Trends, and Associated and Predictive Factors of Non-Obese Fatty Liver Disease.

Background And Aims: There are few studies on non-obese fatty liver disease, the aims of this study was to analyze its prevalence, popular trends, and associated and predictive factors, so as to provide reference for its prevention and treatment.

Methods: Individuals with complete data of body mass index, sex, age, and abdominal ultrasound in Karamay Central Hospital from 2009 to 2016 were selected to analyze the prevalence and popular trends of non-obese fatty liver disease (body mass index <24 kg/m), and associated and predictive factors.

Results: Between 2009 and 2016, a total of 191,555 medical check-ups were included.

ANGPTL4 regulates CD163 expression and Kuppfer cell polarization induced cirrhosis via TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

Angiopoietin like 4 (ANGPTL4) has been proved to play an important role in lipid and glucose metabolism disorders and related cardiovascular diseases, but its role in the formation of cirrhosis still needs to be further explored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of ANGPTL4 in the development of liver cirrhosis and its mechanism, as well as its effect on Kupffer cell polarization and hepatic stellate cell activation. The ELISA and RT-qPCR assay were used to detect the content of ANGPTL4 in serum and mRNA expression in cells and tissues respectively.

Efficacy and safety of peginterferon alpha monotherapy in Chinese inactive chronic hepatitis B virus carriers.

Background & Aims: The effectiveness and safety of peginterferon alpha (peg-IFN-α) monotherapy in inactive hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers (IHCs) have not been fully evaluated.

Methods: This observational study prospectively enrolled 298 IHCs in China from 2015 to 2019. Participants were given the right to choose to either receive peg-IFN-α monotherapy (treatment group, n = 142) or be monitored without treatment (control group, n = 156) according to their wishes.

Cost-effectiveness of Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab vs Sorafenib for Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Importance: Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab as a first-line therapy for patients with unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma has been shown to improve overall and progression-free survival compared with standard sorafenib treatment. However, because of the high cost of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, assessment of its value by considering both efficacy and cost is needed.

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab vs sorafenib for patients with unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma from a US payer perspective.

DNA methylation and SNP in IFITM3 are correlated with hand, foot and mouth disease caused by enterovirus 71.

Objectives: To explore the mechanisms of interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) in response to enterovirus-71-associated hand, foot and mouth disease (EV71-HFMD), in terms of DNA methylation, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype and gene expression.

Methods: In total, 120 patients with EV71-HFMD (60 with mild EV71-HFMD and 60 with severe EV71-HFMD) and 60 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. SNP genotype, IFITM3 promoter methylation and mRNA expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were examined using the improved multi-temperature ligase detection reaction, quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and MiSeq, respectively.

Polymorphisms in the DC-SIGN gene and their association with the severity of hand, foot, and mouth disease caused by enterovirus 71.

Severe hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection is associated with high mortality and disability. DC-SIGN, a receptor for EV71, is widely distributed in dendritic cells and may influence the severity of HFMD caused by EV71 infection. This observational study attempts to explore whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DC-SIGN are related to the severity of EV71-associated HFMD.