Endoplasmic reticulum stress promotes HBV production by enhancing use of the autophagosome/multivesicular body axis.

Background And Aims: HBV infection has been reported to trigger endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and initiate autophagy. However, how ER stress and autophagy influence HBV production remains elusive. Here, we studied the effect of tunicamycin (TM), an N-glycosylation inhibitor and ER stress inducer, on HBV replication and secretion and examined the underlying mechanisms.

CCDC88A/GIV promotes HBV replication and progeny secretion via enhancing endosomal trafficking and blocking autophagic degradation.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) particles are thought to be secreted from hepatocytes through multivesicular bodies (MVBs); however, the cellular trafficking mechanisms prior to this process remain elusive. It has been reported that CCDC88A/GIV expression, which is involved in multiple aspects of vesicular trafficking, changes dynamically at different phases of chronic HBV infection. In this study, we focused on the role of CCDC88A/GIV in HBV replication.

Immunostimulatory siRNA with a uridine bulge leads to potent inhibition of HBV and activation of innate immunity.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is difficult to cure. HBV-specific immune tolerance plays a key role in HBV persistence, and enhancing cellular and humoral immunity will improve the control of HBV infection. The purpose of the study was to explore the anti-HBV and immunostimulatory effects of msiRNAs that introduce unpaired uridine bulges in the passenger strand.

The Value of Contrast-Enhanced Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Detection of Cardiac Right-to-Left Shunt Related with Cryptogenic Stroke and Migraine.

Purpose: To analyze the characteristics of right-to-left shunt (RLS) in patients with cryptogenic stroke and migraine by contrast-enhanced transesophageal echocardiography (c-TEE).

Methods: The study population consisted of 330 patients with cryptogenic stroke and 330 patients with migraine who suspected PFO. All of them received c-TEE examination successfully.

The Efficacy of Contrast Transthoracic Echocardiography and Contrast Transcranial Doppler for the Detection of Patent Foramen Ovale Related to Cryptogenic Stroke.

Background: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been linked to the pathophysiology of cryptogenic stroke. Contrast transesophageal echocardiography (cTEE) is the current gold standard for PFO diagnosis, but it has the disadvantage of being semi-invasive and does not exempt from risks. As a diagnostic test, the efficacy of contrast transthoracic echocardiography (cTTE) and contrast transcranial Doppler (cTCD) is controversial.

Multiple leadless pacemakers implanted in the right ventricle of swine.

Aims: The miniaturized leadless pacemaker has recently emerged as a bradycardia therapy in humans, and many patients may need at least two pacemakers in their lifetime. Thus, the present study assessed the effect of two leadless pacemakers in the right ventricle (RV) on cardiac function in a swine model.

Methods And Results: Fourteen mini pigs were chronically studied.

Quantification of mitral regurgitation by general imaging three-dimensional quantification: feasibility and accuracy.

Background: Mitral regurgitant volume (MRvol) is an important index of the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR), but MRvol measurement remains challenging. With the development of probe technology and software, General Imaging 3D Quantification (GI 3DQ) allows the direct measurement of MR jet volume. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of MRvol by quantification of MR jet volume using GI 3DQ.