Better performance of PIVKA-II for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic liver disease with normal total bilirubin.

Background: Serum protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) is a promising biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance.

Aim: To identify the contributing factors related to the abnormal elevation of PIVKA-II level and assess their potential influence on the performance of PIVKA-II in detecting HCC.

Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled in 784 chronic liver disease (CLD) patients and 267 HCC patients in Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University from April 2016 to December 2019.

STAT3 Promotes Schistosome-Induced Liver Injury by Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Proliferation, and Apoptosis Signal Pathway.

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic helminth disease that can cause organ lesions leading to health damage. During a schistosome infection, schistosome eggs can flow into the liver along the portal vein. Numerous inflammatory cells gather around the eggs, causing granulomas and fibrosis in the liver.

Puerarin inhibits apoptosis and inflammation in myocardial cells via PPARα expression in rats with chronic heart failure.

Chronic heart failure affects myocardial energy metabolism and cardiac function. Puerarin has been reported to improve cardiac function through regulation of energy metabolism in mice with myocardial infarction. The aim of the current study was to determine whether puerarin can improve body weight and reduce inflammation and apoptosis in rats with chronic heart failure.

The type VI secretion system protein AsaA in Acinetobacter baumannii is a periplasmic protein physically interacting with TssM and required for T6SS assembly.

Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is described as a macromolecular secretion machine that is utilized for bacterial competition. The gene clusters encoding T6SS are composed of core tss genes and tag genes. However, the clusters differ greatly in different pathogens due to the great changes accumulated during the long-term evolution.

Roadmap to functional cure of chronic hepatitis B: An expert consensus.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be a major public health issue worldwide. HBsAg loss is associated with functional remission and improved long-term outcome, and is considered to be a 'functional cure' (also referred to as clinical or immunologic cure) for chronic hepatitis B. This ideal goal of therapy can be achieved using optimized combination regimens with direct-acting antivirals [eg nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs)] and immunomodulators [eg pegylated interferon alpha2a (Peg-IFN)] in selected patients with chronic hepatitis B.

[Effect of total triterpenoids of Chaenomeles speciosa on PPARγ/SIRT1/NF-κBp65 signaling pathway and intestinal mucosal barrier of ulcerative colitis induced by DSS in mice].

To observe the effect of total triterpenoids of Chaenomeles speciosa on PPARγ/SIRT1/NF-κBp65 signaling pathway and intestinal mucosal barrier of ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice, C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, total triterpenoids of C. speciosa (50, 100 mg·kg⁻¹) groups and sulfasalazine (250 mg·kg⁻¹) group. The ulcerative colitis (UC) model was induced by orally administering 2.

Study on the relationship between insulin growth factor 1 and liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between serum protein level of insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and the degree of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: The cases are divided into four groups. Then serum levels of IFG-1, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA, and HCV genotypes were detected simultaneously in patients with hepatitis C, liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was measured by transient elastography, and aspartate aminotransferase platelet ratio (APRI) score was determined.

Dual gRNAs guided CRISPR/Cas9 system inhibits hepatitis B virus replication.

Aim: To screen and investigate the effective gRNAs against hepatitis B virus (HBV) of genotypes A-D.

Methods: A total of 15 gRNAs against HBV of genotypes A-D were designed. Eleven combinations of two above gRNAs (dual-gRNAs) covering the regulatory region of HBV were chosen.

Integrative analysis of aberrant Wnt signaling in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: To comprehensively understand the underlying molecular events accounting for aberrant Wnt signaling activation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: This study was retrospective. The HCC tissue specimens used in this research were obtained from patients who underwent liver surgery.

[Cloning of the Helicobacter pylori thioredoxin-1 gene and characterization].

Objective: To clone the Helicobacter pylori (Hp) thioredoxin-1 (Trx1) gene and construct the recombinant expression vector containing the target gene, then to express and purify the protein, and detect its activity.

Methods: The cDNA gene of the Hp Trx1 was amplified by RT-PCR from the international standard strain 26695, using the specific primers containing double endonuclease digesting sites. The Hp Trx1 cDNA was then inserted into the pEASY-T1 vector to construct the pEASY-T1-Hp Trx1 recombinant vector.

Management of hepatitis E virus (HEV) zoonotic transmission: protection of rabbits against HEV challenge following immunization with HEV 239 vaccine.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) constitutes a significant health burden worldwide, with an estimated approximately 33% of the world's population exposed to the pathogen. The recent licensed HEV 239 vaccine in China showed excellent protective efficacy against HEV of genotypes 1 and 4 in the general population and pregnant women. Because hepatitis E is a zoonosis, it is also necessary to ascertain whether this vaccine can serve to manage animal sources of human HEV infection.

Neuroendocrine and haemodynamic changes in single-lead atrial pacing and dual-chamber pacing modes.

Objectives: Neuroendocrine and haemodynamic changes were compared between single-lead atrial (AAI) or dual-chamber (DDD) pacing modes in patients with sick sinus syndrome, in a crossover study.

Methods: Inpatients scheduled for their first pacemaker implantation were screened for the following inclusion criteria: sick sinus syndrome; intact atrioventricular conduction; normal QRS interval. All study patients were implanted with a dual-chamber pacemaker, programmed for AAI or DDD pacing mode.

Transmission of hepatitis E virus from rabbits to cynomolgus macaques.

The recent discovery of hepatitis E virus (HEV) strains in rabbits in the People's Republic of China and the United States revealed that rabbits are another noteworthy reservoir of HEV. However, whether HEV from rabbits can infect humans is unclear. To study the zoonotic potential for and pathogenesis of rabbit HEV, we infected 2 cynomolgus macaques and 2 rabbits with an HEV strain from rabbits in China.

[Impact of proton pump inhibitor omeprazole on the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel in individuals with various CYP2C19*2 genotypes].

Objective: To investigate the impact of omeprazole on platelet response to clopidogrel and the effect of polymorphisms of CYP2C19 on the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel.

Methods: Platelet aggregation (PA) was assessed before 300 mg aspirin plus 300 mg loading dose of clopidogrel and after 300 mg aspirin plus 75 mg maintenance dose of clopidogrel 7 days later in 414 patients with acute coronary syndrome who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Thereafter, gastric mucosal protective drugs were given (omeprazolem 20 mg, n=224 or cimetidine 800 mg, n=190).

Higher dN/dS ratios in the HCV core gene, but not in the E1/HVR1 gene, are associated with human immunodeficiency virus-associated immunosuppression.

Coinfection with HCV and HIV is prevalent among former commercial blood donors in some rural areas in China. Genetic variability of the HCV core and E1/HVR1 was investigated in 23 patients chronically infected with HCV-1b, with or without concomitant HIV infection. Genetic variability in the core sequence was higher under HIV-associated immunocompromised conditions.

A type-specific nested PCR assay established and applied for investigation of HBV genotype and subgenotype in Chinese patients with chronic HBV infection.

Background: Many studies have suggested that hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes show not only geographical distribution and race specificity, but also are associated with disease progression and response to interferon treatment. The objective of this study was to develop a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) assay for genotypes A-D and subgenotypes B1, B2, C1 and C2 of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and to investigate the distribution characteristics of HBV genotypes/subgenotype in China.

Methods: After redesigning the primers and optimizing the reaction conditions using common Taq polymerase, the sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility of the method were evaluated using plasmids and serum samples.

[Quantitative analyses of intrahepatic HBV cccDNA and serum HBsAg in 54 patients with chronic hepatitis B].

Objective: To quantitatively detect intrahepatic HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and serum HBsAg; and to analyze the relationship between the two parameters and with serum HBV DNA level.

Methods: Intrahepatic cccDNA (copies/cell) was quantitated by plasmid-safe ATP-dependent Danes (PSAD) digestion in combination with rolling circle amplification and gap-spanning selective real-time PCR assay using formalin fixed paraffin-embedded liver biopsy samples. HBsAg was measured by chemiluminescence's reagent manufactured by Abbott Company using sera sampled at time-point of liver biopsy.

Enterovirus 71 viral capsid protein linear epitopes: identification and characterization.

Background: To characterize the human humoral immune response against enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection and map human epitopes on the viral capsid proteins.

Methods: A series of 256 peptides spanning the capsid proteins (VP1, VP2, VP3) of BJ08 strain (genomic C4) were synthesized. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was carried out to detect anti-EV71 IgM and IgG in sera of infected children in acute or recovery phase.

[Upgrading to resynchronization therapy in patients with heart failure after chronic right ventricular apical pacing].

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) through biventricular pacing in chronically right ventricular apical paced patients with heart failure.

Methods: Ten chronically right ventricular apical paced patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 35% underwent CRT upgrading. And the follow-up period was over 12 months.

Coexistence of 2 types of atrial tachycardias and right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia.

Double tachycardia is a relatively uncommon type of tachycardia. In this report, we discuss a 68-year-old woman with history of frequent palpitations. Electrophysiologic study revealed that narrow QRS tachycardias from 2 origins and 1 wide QRS tachycardia were induced and each of the tachycardias was induced by the other.

[Sequence analysis of two different subtypes of thioredoxin gene of Helicobacter pylori].

Objective: To analyze the gene sequences of Trx1 and Trx2 of Helicobacter pylori (HP) from different gastric diseases, define the amino acid sequences and investigate the relationship with these diseases.

Methods: The HP strains were isolated from gastric mucosa of 25 patients with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer respectively and cultured on solid blood agar medium. The primers of Trx1 and Trx2 were designed according to the sequences of GenBank.

Dynamic change of mother-source neutralizing antibodies against enterovirus 71 and coxsackievirus A16 in infants.

Background: Enterovirus 71 (EV71) and coxsackievirus A16 (Cox A16) are major causative agents for hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). Studies indicate that the frequent HFMD outbreaks result in a few hundreds children's death in China in recent years. The vaccine and other research for HFMD need to be developed urgently.