High normal alanine aminotransferase is an indicator for better response to antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Evidence shows people living with CHB even with a normal ALT (40U/L as threshold) suffer histological disease and there is still little research to evaluate the potential benefit of antiviral benefits in them.

Methods: We retrospectively examined 1352 patients who underwent liver biopsy from 2017 to 2021 and then obtained their 1-year follow-up data to analyze.

Results: ALT levels were categorized into high and low, with thresholds set at >29 for males and >15 for females through Youden's Index.

Relationship between skeletal muscle mass loss and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease among Chinese patients with metabolic dysregulation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between skeletal muscle content and the presence and severity of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in patients with metabolic dysregulation in China.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients from the endocrinology outpatient department at Ningbo First Hospital, in Ningbo, China, in April 2021. Adult patients with metabolic dysregulation who accepted FibroScan ultrasound were included in the study.

The association between atherogenic index of plasma and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease as detected by FibroScan.

Objectives: this study aimed to explore the potential of the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) as a predictor of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Methods: a cross-sectional study, including data from 4473 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018, was performed. A control attenuation parameter (CAP) ≥ 285 dB/m was used to confirm hepatic steatosis.

Association between body roundness index and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease detected by Fibroscan in America.

Background: The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and obesity is worldwide on the rise. Body roundness index (BRI), as a newly developed anthropometric indicator, has been recently reported to identify obesity. However, it is still unclear whether BRI is associated with the prevalence of NAFLD.

Galanin ameliorates liver inflammation and fibrosis in mice by activating AMPK/ACC signaling and modifying macrophage inflammatory phenotype.

Background And Aims: Galanin is a naturally occurring peptide that plays a critical role in regulating inflammation and energy metabolism, with expression in the liver. The exact involvement of galanin in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and related fibrosis remains controversial.

Methods: The effects of subcutaneously administered galanin were studied in mice with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) induced by a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks, and in mice with liver fibrosis induced by CCl for 7 weeks.

Role of the extracellular matrix in COVID-19.

An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread globally, with over 500 million cases and 6 million deaths to date. COVID-19 is associated with a systemic inflammatory response and abnormalities of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is also involved in inflammatory storms. Upon viral infection, ECM proteins are involved in the recruitment of inflammatory cells and interference with target organ metabolism, including in the lungs.

The clinical application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in infectious diseases at a tertiary hospital in China.

Background: Compared with traditional diagnostic methods (TDMs), rapid diagnostic methods for infectious diseases (IDs) are urgently needed. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has emerged as a promising diagnostic technology for clinical infections.

Methods: This retrospective observational study was performed at a tertiary hospital in China between May 2019 and August 2022.

Relative bradycardia presented as a clinical feature of infection: A case report.

Brucellosis, caused by species, is an infectious disease transmitted through contact with infected animals or their secretions. The clinical disease is characterized by fever and headache. Relative bradycardia is an inappropriate response of heart rate to body temperature, in which the heart rate does not increase proportionally despite a high fever.

Regulatory Effect of JAK2/STAT3 on the Immune Function of Endotoxin-tolerant Dendritic Cells and its Involvement in Acute Liver Failure.

Background And Aims: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a potentially fatal clinical syndrome with no effective treatment. This study aimed to explore the role of Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) pathway in modulating the phenotype and immune function of endotoxin-tolerant dendritic cells (ETDCs). In addition, we explored the use of EDTCs in an experimental model of ALF and investigated the associated mechanisms.

Autophagy genes CCL2 and MYC are considered as potential biomarkers for pulmonary embolism.

Objective: The pathogenesis of pulmonary embolism (PE) remains unclear. This study was designed to determine the differential genes associated with PE autophagy via the gene expression omnibus (GEO).

Methods: Microarray data sets GSE11851 and GSE13535 were downloaded from the GEO to determine the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of PE, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) and hub gene networks were constructed by string and Cytoscape software.

Clinical and Pulmonary CT Characteristics of Patients Infected With the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant Compared With Those of Patients Infected With the Alpha Viral Strain.

Background: Omicron has become the dominant variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) globally. We aimed to compare the clinical and pulmonary computed tomography (CT) characteristics of the patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron with those of patients infected with the Alpha viral strain.

Methods: Clinical profiles and pulmonary CT images of 420 patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) at Ningbo First Hospital between January 2020 and April 2022 were collected.

Serum uric acid to creatinine ratio is associated with higher prevalence of NAFLD detected by FibroScan in the United States.

Background: The association between the serum uric acid (sUA) to creatinine ratio (sUA/Cr) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been sufficiently clarified. In this study, we investigated the relationship between sUA/Cr and NAFLD among participants in the United States.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study based on data from the National Health and Nutrition examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018.

Association Between Monocyte to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio and Risk of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health problem affecting more than a quarter of the entire adult population. Both monocytes and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were found to participate in the progression of hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress. We speculated that the monocyte-to-HDL-C ratio (MHR) may be associated with the risk of NAFLD.

Changes and Clinical Significance of PIVKA-II in Hepatitis E Patients.

Increased protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) levels had been widely reported in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and chronic hepatitis. However, the role of PIVKA-II in hepatitis E is unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify the changes related with PIVKA-II and its clinical significance in hepatitis E.

The association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and serum ferritin levels in American adults.

Background: Elevated serum ferritin levels (SFLs) was previously reported to be related with hepatic histologic severity and advanced liver fibrosis among non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. However, whether NAFLD influences SFLs remains uncertain and needs more clinical evidences. This study explored the differences of SFLs in US adults with or without NAFLD.

Cryptococcosis as a complication of therapy for sarcoidosis: A case report.

Cryptococcosis is a rare complication of sarcoidosis, especially when it grows in lungs. It may escape from being diagnosed because of low prevalence and non-specific radiological presentation. Hereby, we reported an unusual case of pulmonary cryptococcosis secondary to the long-term use of glucocorticoids to treat sarcoidosis which can be misdiagnosed as progression of sarcoidosis due to the similar radiological presentation.

Case Report: Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing in Diagnosis of Disseminated Tuberculosis of an Immunocompetent Patient.

Disseminated tuberculosis (TB) is a rare disease and mainly occurs in immunodeficient patients. It is marked by hematogenous or lymphatic dissemination of , causing tuberculous infection involving any organ system. Here, we report a case of disseminated TB involving lung, liver, spine, mediastinum, and prostate in an immunocompetent man.

Case Report: Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing in Diagnosis of Talaromycosis of an Immunocompetent Patient.

Talaromycosis is a serious fungal infection which is rare in immunocompetent people. Since its clinical manifestations lack specificity, it is easy to escape diagnosis or be misdiagnosed leading to high mortality and poor prognosis. It is necessary to be alert to the disease when broad-spectrum antibiotics do not work well in immunocompetent patients.

Coronavirus disease 19 with gastrointestinal symptoms as initial manifestations: a case report.

Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in December 2019, an epidemic has spread rapidly worldwide. COVID-19 is caused by the highly infectious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. A 42-year-old woman presented to hospital who was suffering from epigastric discomfort and dyspepsia for the past 5 days.

In-flight transmission cluster of COVID-19: a retrospective case series.

Background: No data is available about in-flight transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we report an in-flight transmission cluster of COVID-19 and describe the clinical characteristics of these patients.

Methods: After a flight, laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 was reported in 12 patients.