Mechanisms of Hepatitis B Virus cccDNA and Minichromosome Formation and HBV Gene Transcription.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the etiologic agent of chronic hepatitis B, which puts at least 300 million patients at risk of developing fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV is a partially double-stranded DNA virus of the family. While HBV was discovered more than 50 years ago, many aspects of its replicative cycle remain incompletely understood.

Topoisomerase Inhibitors Increase Episomal DNA Expression by Inducing the Integration of Episomal DNA in Hepatic Cells.

Gene therapy is a promising strategy to treat and cure most inherited metabolic liver disorders. Viral vectors such as those based on adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) and lentiviruses (LVs) are used as vehicles to deliver functional genes to affected hepatocytes. Adverse events associated with the use of high vector doses have motivated the use of small molecules as adjuvants to reduce the dose.

Short-term effectiveness prognostic factors after dexamethasone intravitreal implant in macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to describe functional and anatomical changes (best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA], central macular thickness [CMT], and central macular volume [CMV]) in patients with macular edema (ME) secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) treated with intravitreal dexamethasone implant (IDI) and identify its clinical predictors in a real-world setting.

Methods: Data from 111 patients who underwent IDI to treat RVO-associated ME were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic, preoperative, and postoperative variables were assessed using a logistic regression analysis to determine predictors of visual and anatomical improvement.

TRPM5 rs886277 Polymorphism Predicts Hepatic Fibrosis Progression in Non-Cirrhotic HCV-Infected Patients.

Background: (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 5) rs886277 polymorphism has been related to liver cirrhosis from different etiologies. The present study investigates the association of rs886277 polymorphism with liver fibrosis progression and cirrhosis development in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 208 non-cirrhotic patients with CHC, who had at least two liver stiffness measurements (LSM) with a separation of 12 months (baseline LSM (LSM1) and the last LSM (LSM2)).

rs1801133 Polymorphism Is Associated With Liver Fibrosis Progression in Chronic Hepatitis C: A Retrospective Study.

The (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) rs1801133 polymorphism leads to higher circulating levels of homocysteine, which is related to several liver diseases. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between rs1801133 polymorphism and liver fibrosis progression in HCV-infected patients. We conducted a preliminary retrospective cohort study in 208 non-cirrhotic HCV-infected patients.

The Host Factor Erlin-1 is Required for Efficient Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Development of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection cell culture systems has permitted the identification of cellular factors that regulate the HCV life cycle. Some of these cellular factors affect steps in the viral life cycle that are tightly associated with intracellular membranes derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here, we describe the discovery of erlin-1 protein as a cellular factor that regulates HCV infection.

Characteristics and survival of hepatocellular carcinoma in non-cirrhotic liver.

Introduction: the characteristics, screening, and survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for patients without cirrhosis have not been fully studied.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed in non-cirrhotic patients with histological HCC, between January 2004 and October 2018. Their characteristics, treatment, follow-up and overall survival were described.

Impact of rs12075 Variants on Liver Fibrosis Progression in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C: A Retrospective Study.

The Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines rs12075 polymorphism regulates leukocyte trafficking and proinflammatory chemokine homeostasis. Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-mediated liver fibrosis is associated with an uncontrolled inflammatory response. In this study, we evaluate the association between the rs12075 polymorphism and liver stiffness progression in HCV-infected patients.

The Myeloid-Epithelial-Reproductive Tyrosine Kinase (MERTK) rs4374383 Polymorphism Predicts Progression of Liver Fibrosis in Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Patients: A Longitudinal Study.

Background: The myeloid-epithelial-reproductive tyrosine kinase (MERTK) is involved in hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and liver fibrosis. Here we evaluated the association between the rs4374383 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and liver fibrosis progression in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study (repeated measures design) in 208 patients who had liver stiffness measurement (LSM), which was assessed using transient elastography.

The IL7RA rs6897932 polymorphism is associated with progression of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C: Repeated measurements design.

The polymorphisms at the α-chain of the IL-7 receptor (IL7RA) have been related to T-cell homeostasis and development and may contribute to immune system deregulation. In the present study, we analyzed the association between IL7RA polymorphisms and the progression of liver fibrosis in patients infected with HCV. We carried out a retrospective study with a design consisting of repeated measurements in 187 HCV-infected patients, to study the risk prediction of liver fibrosis progression using genetic factors.

A 5-Year Follow-Up Study of the Treatment of Macular Edema Due to Retinal Vein Occlusion Using Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implants.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term effects of intravitreal dexamethasone implants (IDIs) in eyes with macular edema (ME) due to retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Methods: We reviewed the records of 10 patients followed for 5 years after they received their first IDI. The main outcome measures included changes in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and central macular volume (CMV), and the incidence of side effects.

PNPLA3 rs738409 polymorphism is associated with liver fibrosis progression in patients with chronic hepatitis C: A repeated measures study.

Background: Host genetic background has been associated with liver fibrosis progression.

Objective: To analyze the association between the patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) rs738409 polymorphism and liver fibrosis progression in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients.

Study Design: In this retrospective cohort study, 187 patients with chronic HCV infection were included, who had at least two liver stiffness measurements (LSM) by transient elastography during the follow-up.

Hepatitis B virus e antigen-negative chronic infection. Treatment based on glutamic pyruvic transaminase and hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid cut-off values.

Objectives: To identify glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV-DNA) cut-off values at diagnosis in patients with hepatitis B virus e antigen-negative chronic infection (HBeAg(-)), which may be predictors of clinical course, prognosis and/or the need for antiviral therapy.

Methods: A retrospective and observational cohort study of patients diagnosed with HBeAg(-) chronic infection (2005-2012). A normal GPT cut-off value at diagnosis that predicts abnormal GPT values in the clinical course of the infection, a baseline HBV-DNA cut-off value that predicts an increase in HBV-DNA above 2,000IU/ml, and GPT and HBV-DNA as predictors of the need for treatment were investigated using ROC curves.

Hepatitis B Virus and DNA Damage Response: Interactions and Consequences for the Infection.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major etiologic agent of acute and chronic hepatitis, and end-stage liver disease. Establishment of HBV infection, progression to persistency and pathogenesis are determined by viral and cellular factors, some of which remain still undefined. Key steps of HBV life cycle e.

Liver stiffness measurement predicts liver-related events in patients with chronic hepatitis C: A retrospective study.

The management of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) depends on their clinical stage. Thus, noninvasive early recognition of patients with CHC at high risk for developing liver-related events (LREs) is important because it ensures optimal preventative management strategies may be employed that can affect the course of CHC disease. Our aim was to determine whether liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients is associated with a risk of LREs, particularly in cirrhotic patients.

CXCL9-11 polymorphisms are associated with liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C: a cross-sectional study.

Background And Aims: CXCL9-11 polymorphisms are related to various infectious diseases, including hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In this study, we analyzed the association between CXCL9-11 polymorphisms and liver fibrosis in HCV-infected patients.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study in 389 patients who were genotyped for CXCL9-11 polymorphisms (CXCL9 rs10336, CXCL10 rs3921, and CXCL11 rs4619915) using the Sequenom's MassARRAY platform.

Characteristics and course of chronic hepatitis B e antigen-negative infection.

Objective: To describe the epidemiological, analytical and histological characteristics and clinical course of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers with negative HBe antigen.

Material And Methods: Observational, retrospective cohort study of HBV carriers with negative HBe antigen (2005-2012), with no other causes of liver disease.

Results: One hundred and thirty-eight patients were included, with mean age 40.

[Characteristics of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. analysis of a series of 474 patients].

Objective: To determine the clinical, laboratory, serological and histologic characteristics of chronic hepatitis B virus carriers in our environment.

Material And Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed that included chronic AgHBs carriers aged more than 13 years attending our service since January 2000.

Results: A total of 474 patients were included.

[Clinical characteristics, staging and treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in clinical practice. Prospective study of 136 patients].

Unlabelled: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent cause of mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. There are no prospective series from a single tertiary hospital in Spain.

Material And Methods: We performed a prospective study of patients with HCC in our center.

[Endoscopic and echoendoscopic findings in secondary linitis plastica of the rectum].

Linitis plastica of the rectum consists of intraparietal, subepithelial and circumferential tumoral infiltration of the wall of the rectum leading to a constricted rectum with mural thickening. There is often a delay between symptom onset and diagnosis because this entity mimics a large number of diseases and the findings of endoscopy and conventional biopsies are non-conclusive since the surface mucosa is not usually affected. We present the endoscopic and echoendoscopic findings of two patients with secondary linitis plastica of the rectum.