A Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization (CISH) Assay for Detection of HBV RNA, DNA, and cccDNA in Liver Tissue.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) developed highly intricates mechanisms exploiting host resources for its multiplication within a constrained genetic coding capacity. With the aid of a series of classical analytical methods such as ultrafiltration, and Southern and Northern blots, a general framework of HBV life cycle has been established. However, this picture still lacks many key histological contexts which involves pathophysiological changes of hepatocytes, non-parenchymal cells, infiltrated leukocytes, and associated extracellular matrix.

ZNFX1 promotes AMPK-mediated autophagy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis by stabilizing Prkaa2 mRNA.

Tuberculosis has the highest mortality rate worldwide for a chronic infectious disease caused by a single pathogen. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are involved in autophagy - a key defense mechanism against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) infection - by modulating RNA stability and forming intricate regulatory networks.

Factors associated with persistent positive in HBV DNA level in patients with chronic Hepatitis B receiving entecavir treatment.

Introduction: The clinical significance of persistent positive in Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) DNA level in patients receiving antiviral therapy is not well known. We investigated factors associated with persistent viremia (PV) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) given 78-week entecavir.

Methods: A total of 394 treatment-naïve CHB patients who had undergone liver biopsy at baseline and week 78 of treatment were analyzed in this prospective multicentre study.

Cisatracurium besylate rescues Mycobacterium Tuberculosis-infected macrophages from necroptosis and enhances the bactericidal effect of isoniazid.

Objective: Tuberculosis is the leading killer among the chronic single-source infectious diseases. Mycobacterium tuberculosis can induce necrotic-dominant multiple modes of cell death in macrophages, which accelerates bacterium dissemination and expands tissue injury in host lungs. Mining drugs to counteract Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced cell death would be beneficial to tuberculosis patients.

An-Luo-Hua-Xian Pill Improves the Regression of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Treated with Entecavir.

Background And Aims: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can cause liver fibrosis and lead to cirrhosis and cancer. As the effectiveness of antiviral therapy to reverse liver fibrosis is limited, We aimed to evaluate the effect of An-Luo-Hua-Xian pill (ALHX) on fibrosis regression in CHB patients treated with entecavir (ETV).

Methods: Treatment-naïve patients with CHB were randomly treated with ETV alone or combined with ALHX (ETV+ALHX) between October 1, 2013 and December 31, 2020.

The Origin of Capsid-Derived Immune Complexes and Their Impact on HBV-Induced Liver Diseases.

Over 240 million people worldwide are chronically infected with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), a hepatotropic DNA virus with an evolutionary root of over 400 million years. Persistent HBV infection exhibits distinct and diverse phases of disease, from minimal liver pathology to fulminant Hepatitis, that vary in duration and severity among individuals. Although huge progress has been made in HBV research which has yielded an effective prophylactic vaccine and potent antiviral therapy, our understanding of its virology and immunobiology is still far from complete.

Capabilities of hepatitis B surface antigen are divergent from hepatitis B virus DNA in delimiting natural history phases of chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Objective: Quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the natural history of chronic HBV infection have not been rationally evaluated. This study aimed to re-characterize quantitative HBsAg and HBV DNA in the natural history phases.

Methods: A total of 595 and 651 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients and 485 and 705 HBeAg-negative patients were assigned to the early and late cohorts, respectively.

Quantitative HBsAg versus HBV DNA in Predicting Significant Hepatitis Activity of HBeAg-Positive Chronic HBV Infection.

(1) Background: As specialparameters in predicting significant hepatitis activity of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the quantitative standard of HBV DNA has not been agreed and that of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) has not been formed. Our objective is to evaluate the validity of HBsAg and HBV DNA in predicting the significant hepatitis activity of HBeAg-positive patients. (2) Methods: A population of 516 patients with HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection was enrolled.

A Novel Non-invasive Model Based on GPR for the Prediction of Liver Fibrosis in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B.

Some controversy remains regarding conventional serum indices for the evaluation of liver fibrosis. Therefore, we aimed to combine the existing index with other serum parameters to discriminate liver fibrosis stages in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). A total of 1,622 treatment-naïve CHB patients were divided into training ( = 1,211) and validation ( = 451) cohorts.

Predictive performance of eLIFT for liver inflammation and fibrosis in chronic liver diseases.

The easy liver fibrosis test (eLIFT) is a novel predictor of liver fibrosis in chronic liver disease (CLD). This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the eLIFT for liver inflammation and fibrosis in CLD patients. We enrolled 1125 patients with CLD who underwent liver biopsy.

Quantitative serum HBV markers in predicting phases of natural history of chronic HBV infection.

Background: Clinical importance of commercially available quantitative HBV markers has not been fully investigated.

Objective: To choice and to evaluate clinically valuable HBV markers for predicting phases of natural history with chronic HBV infection.

Methods: 472 naïve patients with chronic HBV infection were enrolled, in which 21 and 220 were confirmed as HBeAg-positive inactive and active hepatitis (EPIH and EPAH), respectively, and 106 and 125 were confirmed as HBeAg-negative inactive and active hepatitis (ENIH and ENAH), respectively.

DZNep, an inhibitor of the histone methyltransferase EZH2, suppresses hepatic fibrosis through regulating miR-199a-5p/SOCS7 pathway.

Background: Hepatic fibrosis is a common response to chronic liver injury. Recently, the role of DZNep (a histone methyltransferase EZH2 inhibitor) in repressing pulmonary and renal fibrosis was verified. However, the potential effect of DZNep on hepatic fibrosis has not been elucidated.

Predictive Performances of Blood Parameter Ratios for Liver Inflammation and Advanced Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis B Infection.

Objective: Blood parameter ratios, including neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR), have been reported that they are correlated to the progression of liver disease. This study is aimed at evaluating the predictive value of PLR, NLR, and MLR for liver inflammation and fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: We recruited 457 patients with CHB who underwent a liver biopsy and routine laboratory tests.

Nomogram for predicting advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic liver disease.

Background: We aimed to formulate a novel predictive nomogram to discriminate liver fibrosis stage in patients with chronic liver disease.

Methods: Nomograms were established based on the results of multivariate analysis. The predictive accuracy of the nomograms was assessed by ROC analysis and calibration.

Identification of parameters in routine blood and coagulation tests related to the severity of COVID-19.

This study aimed to identify the predictive value of simple markers in routine blood and coagulation tests for the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A total of 311 consecutive COVID-19 patients, including 281 patients with mild/moderate COVID-19 and 30 patients with severe/life-threatening COVID-19, were retrospectively enrolled. Logistic modeling and ROC curve analyses were used to assess the indexes for identifying disease severity.

INR-to-platelet ratio (INPR) as a novel noninvasive index for predicting liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B.

We aimed to investigate whether a novel noninvasive index, i.e., the international normalized ratio-to-platelet ratio (INPR), was a variable in determining liver fibrosis stage in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Quantitative HBcrAg and HBcAb versus HBsAg and HBV DNA in predicting liver fibrosis levels of chronic hepatitis B patients.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of the quantitative markers of hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) and anti-hepatitis B core antigen antibodies HbcAb versus hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) in predicting liver fibrosis levels in chronic hepatitis B patients.

Methods: Two hundred and fifty hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and 245 HBeAg-negative patients were enrolled. With reference to the Scheuer standard, stage 2 or higher and stage 4 liver disease were defined as significant fibrosis and cirrhosis, respectively.

Clinical relevance of the in situ assay for HBV DNA: a cross-sectional study in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Aims: The visualisation of HBV DNA in liver sections of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in our previous report uncovered a mosaic distribution of viral antigens and nucleic acids. Here we aim to further explore the clinical utility of the in situ hybridisation (ISH) assay for HBV DNA.

Method: ISH of HBV DNA along with immunohistochemistry (IHC) of HBsAg, HBcAg and routine histopathology analysis was performed in 313 treatment-naive patients with CHB.

Proteomic profiling of hepatic stellate cells in alcohol liver fibrosis reveals proteins involved in collagen production.

Background: Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation has central functions in alcohol-induced liver fibrosis. Proteins of HSCs in alcoholic liver fibrosis (ALF) are still not completely understood. Here, we performed a proteomic study to discover proteins related to ALF using HSCs isolated from a rat model.

Quantitative Anti-HBc in Liver Pathological States in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection.

Background: Changes of hepatitis B core antigen antibody (anti-HBc) in liver pathological involvement in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have not been investigated in detail. This study aimed to explore evolving patterns of anti-HBc following liver pathological states and to investigate validities of anti-HBc for predicting liver pathological states.

Methods: 254 HBeAg-positive and 237 HBeAg-negative patients with chronic HBV infection were enrolled.

Unsatisfying antiviral therapeutic effect in patients with mother-to-child transmissed chronic hepatitis B virus infection: a prospective multi-center clinical study.

Background: Few data are available regarding the progression of liver disease and therapeutic efficacy in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers infected by mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). This study aimed to investigate these two aspects by comparing the adult chronic HBV carriers in MTCT group with those in horizontal transmission group.

Methods: The 683 adult chronic HBV patients qualified for liver biopsy including 191 with MTCT and 492 with horizontal transmission entered the multi-center prospective study from October 2013 to May 2016.

A noninvasive indicator for the diagnosis of early hepatitis B virus-related liver fibrosis.

Background And Aims: Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) detected by FibroScan, combined with biochemical indexes, has shown potential values for assessment of liver fibrosis pathological degrees. Here we aimed to investigate a noninvasive method for hepatitis B virus-related liver fibrosis.

Patients And Methods: In all, 307 patients who underwent liver biopsy and LSM measurement were included.

Performance evaluation of HBsAg by Lumipulse HBsAg-HQ: The agreement with HBsAg by Architect HBsAg-QT and the effectiveness in predicting liver tissue pathological states of chronic hepatitis B patients.

Background: A novel high-sensitivity HBsAg quantification assay, Lumipulse HBsAg-HQ, was developed. However, its performance in practical application has not yet been adequately investigated.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the agreement of serum HBsAg by Lumipulse HBsAg-HQ (HBsAg-HQ) with HBsAg by Architect HBsAg-QT (HBsAg-QT) and comparatively investigate the efficacy of serum HBsAg-HQ and HBsAg-QT in predicting the liver tissue pathological states of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.