Hepatitis B virus X protein mediated suppression of miRNA-122 expression enhances hepatoblastoma cell proliferation through cyclin G1-p53 axis.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBx) reported to be associated with pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and miR-122 expression is down regulated in HCC. Previous studies reported miR-122 targets cyclin G1 (CCNG1) expression and this in turn abolishes p53-mediated inhibition of HBV replication. Here we investigated the involvement of HBx protein in the modulation of miR-122 expression in hepatoblastoma cells.

Tumor suppressor micro RNA miR-145 and onco micro RNAs miR-21 and miR-222 expressions are differentially modulated by hepatitis B virus X protein in malignant hepatocytes.

Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) X protein (HBx) is known to be involved in the initiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through modulation of host gene response. Alterations in miRNA expressions are frequently noted in HCC. This study is aimed to examine the role of HBx protein in the modulation of oncogenic miRNA-21, miRNA-222 and tumor suppressor miRNA-145 in malignant hepatocytes.

Shift in the hepatitis B virus genotype distribution in the last decade among the HBV carriers from eastern India: possible effects on the disease status and HBV epidemiology.

In a previous study from eastern India, the prevalence of HBV/C has been increasing among the blood donors. In order to analyze whether there has been any shift in HBV genotype distributions in recent years, the HBV genotypes prevalent during the periods 2000-2002 (Group-I; n=176) and 2007-2009 (Group-II; n=203) were compared, with special attention to changes in the proportion of HBV/C. The rate of prevalence of the three HBV genotypes (A, C, and D; percent prevalence 19.

Rapid spread of chikungunya virus following its resurgence during 2006 in West Bengal, India.

Re-emergence of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in West Bengal was detected after almost 40 years when an outbreak of fever occurred in Baduria village (West Bengal, India) in October 2006. The symptoms of CHIKV infection are similar to those of dengue virus (DENV) infection. Serum samples were tested for detection of IgM antibody to CHIKV and DENV and the aetiological agent was detected as CHIKV.

Genetic characterization of hepatitis B virus in peripheral blood leukocytes: evidence for selection and compartmentalization of viral variants with the immune escape G145R mutation.

The compartmentalization of viral variants in distinct host tissues is a frequent event in many viral infections. Although hepatitis B virus (HBV) classically is considered hepatotropic, it has strong lymphotropic properties as well. However, unlike other viruses, molecular evolutionary studies to characterize HBV variants in compartments other than hepatocytes or sera have not been performed.

Molecular epidemiology and clinical significance of hepatitis B virus genotypes, core promoter and precore mutations in eastern India.

Objectives: This unmatched case-control study aimed at determining the molecular epidemiology and clinical significance of HBV genotypes, core promoter (CP) and precore (PC) mutations in Eastern India.

Methods: Serological, biochemical and molecular assays were used to examine antigens, ALT, genotypes, mutations and viremia among 106 inactive carriers and 183 chronic liver disease (CLD) patients.

Results: Male gender (p < 0.

Analysis of hepatitis B virus X gene phylogeny, genetic variability and its impact on pathogenesis: implications in Eastern Indian HBV carriers.

HBx genetic variability was explored in the Eastern Indian population with low HCC incidence. DNase I sensitive HBV DNA was detected in 53% samples, which differed significantly between clinical groups (P<0.001).

Frequency and distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes among eastern Indian voluntary blood donors: Association with precore and basal core promoter mutations.

Aim: To screen hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes and associated basal core promoter (BCP; T1762/A1764) and precore (PreC; A1896) mutations among the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) positive voluntary blood donors in eastern India.

Methods: HBV genotypes, BCP and PreC mutations of 141 HBsAg positive voluntary blood donors were determined by the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method and a phylogenetic tree was constructed from surface (S) gene region sequences of representative HBsAg positive donors to confirm the results.

Results: HBV/D was the most predominant (79, 56.

Drug trafficking routes and hepatitis B in injection drug users, Manipur, India.

Prevalence of hepatitis B genotype C in injection drug users in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, neighboring the "Golden Triangle," correlates well with overland drug-trafficking routes, the injection drug use epidemic, and the spread of HIV. Further spread to other regions of India through mobile populations is possible.