Comparison of clinical and virological features in pediatric and adult dengue cases at Insein General Hospital during Myanmar's 2022 dengue season.

Background: Myanmar is one of the countries in Southeast Asia where serious dengue outbreaks occur and Yangon is among the regions with the highest number of cases in the country. Many infections including dengue are common in Yangon during the rainy season, and co-infections may also occur. Adults are more likely than children to experience co-infections of dengue and other diseases.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 11 Inhibits Hepatitis B Virus Gene Expression Through FXRα Suppression.

Fibroblast growth factor 11 (FGF11) is a member of the intracellular FGF family, which shows different signal transmission compared with other FGF superfamily members. The molecular function of FGF11 is not clearly understood. In this study, we identified the inhibitory effect of FGF11 on hepatitis B virus (HBV) gene expression through transcriptional suppression.

Core promoter mutation of nucleotides A1762T and G1764A of hepatitis B virus increases core promoter transactivation by hepatocyte nuclear factor 1.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection highly increases the risk for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The clinical manifestation of HBV infection is determined by the mutual interplay of the viral genotype, host genetic factors, mode of transmission, adaptive mutations, and environmental factors. Core promoter activation plays a critical role in the pre-genomic RNA transcription of HBV for HBV replication.

Surge of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections linked to single introduction of a virus strain in Myanmar, 2020.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a major health concern globally. Genomic epidemiology is an important tool to assess the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Several mutations have been reported by genome analysis of the SARS-CoV-2.

Distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes in the general population of Myanmar via nationwide study.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are a severe health concern worldwide. HBV is a DNA virus with a rapid rate of mutation. Based on heterogeneity of the nucleotide sequence, the HBV strains are divided into nine genotypes, each with a characteristic geographical distribution.

Mitochondrial dysfunction stimulates HBV gene expression through lipogenic transcription factor activation.

In previous studies, we showed two consistent findings regarding the functional relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) gene expression and hepatic lipid accumulation. One is that HBV X (HBx) protein expression induces hepatic lipid accumulation via specific transcriptional activation. The other is that hepatic rich lipids increase HBV gene expression.

Functional interaction of endoplasmic reticulum stress and hepatitis B virus in the pathogenesis of liver diseases.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a non-cytopathic virus that causes acute and chronic inflammatory liver diseases, often leading to the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although many studies for the roles of HBV on pathogenesis of the liver diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatic inflammation, cirrhosis, and HCC, have been reported, the mechanisms are not fully understood. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria have the protective mechanisms to restore their damaged function by intrinsic or extrinsic stresses, but their chronic dysfunctions are associated with the pathogenesis of the various diseases.

Safety and long-term effect of the probiotic FK-23 in patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

A clinical trial was conducted on 39 adult HCV-positive subjects to determine the safety and long-term effect of the probiotic FK-23 (heat-treated Enterococcus faecalis strain FK-23). Asymptomatic anti-HCV positive adults who fulfilled the selection criteria and gave voluntary consent were recruited from attendees of the Hepatitis Carrier Clinic, Department of Medical Research (Lower Myanmar). Each subject was given 2,700 mg of FK-23 per day by oral route.

HBx induces the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via AP1 over-expressed as a result of ER stress.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most common risk factor for HCC. The HBV proteins can induce oncogenic or synergy effects with a hyperproliferative response on transformation into HCC. CREBH (cAMP-responsive, element-binding protein H), activated by stress in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), is an ER-resident transmembrane bZIP (basic leucine zipper) transcription factor that is specifically expressed in the liver.

Long-term management of hepatitis C-seropositive subjects with AntiOxidant Biofactor (AOB), a fermented food supplement.

The efficacy of AntiOxidant Biofactor (AOB) for the management of apparently healthy subjects with chronic hepatitis C infection was investigated. A total of 60 subjects (35 males, 25 females) participated in the trial. AOB was given orally in 2 packs (3 g per pack) 3 times per day.

Analysis of HCV genotypes from blood donors shows three new HCV type 6 subgroups exist in Myanmar.

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in Myanmar in comparison with the rest of Southeast Asia is not well known. Serum samples were obtained from 201 HCV antibody-positive volunteer blood donors in and around the Myanmar city of Yangon. Of these, the antibody titers of 101 samples were checked by serial dilution using HCV antibody PA test II and Terasaki microplate as a low-cost method.