Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of death and disability worldwide,affecting over 69 million individuals yearly.One-carbon metabolism has been shown to have beneficial effects after brain damage,such as ischemi...Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of death and disability worldwide,affecting over 69 million individuals yearly.One-carbon metabolism has been shown to have beneficial effects after brain damage,such as ischemic stroke.However,whether increasing one-carbon metabolite vitamins impacts traumatic brain injury outcomes in patients requires more investigation.The aim of this review is to evaluate how one-carbon metabolites impact outcomes after the onset of traumatic brain injury.PubMed,Web of Science,and Google Scholar databases were searched for studies that examined the impact of B-vitamin supplementation on traumatic brain injury outcomes.The search terms included combinations of the following words:traumatic brain injury,dietary supplementation,one-carbon metabolism,and B-vitamins.The focus of each literature search was basic science data.The year of publication in the literature searches was not limited.Our analysis of the literature has shown that dietary supplementation of B-vitamins has significantly improved the functional and behavioral recove ry of animals with traumatic brain injury compared to controls.Howeve r,this improvement is dosage-dependent and is contingent upon the onset of supplementation and whether there is a sustained or continuous delive ry of vitamin supplementation post-traumatic brain injury.The details of supplementation post-traumatic brain injury need to be further investigated.Overall,we conclude that B-vitamin supplementation improves behavioral outcomes and reduces cognitive impairment post-traumatic brain injury in animal model systems.Further investigation in a clinical setting should be stro ngly considered in co njunction with current medical treatments for traumatic brain injury-affected individuals.展开更多
Backscatter communications will play an important role in connecting everything for beyond 5G(B5G)and 6G systems.One open challenge for backscatter communications is that the signals suffer a round-trip path loss so t...Backscatter communications will play an important role in connecting everything for beyond 5G(B5G)and 6G systems.One open challenge for backscatter communications is that the signals suffer a round-trip path loss so that the communication distance is short.In this paper,we first calculate the communication distance upper bounds for both uplink and downlink by measuring the tag sensitivity and reflection coefficient.It is found that the activation voltage of the envelope detection diode of the downlink tag is the main factor limiting the back-scatter communication distance.Based on this analysis,we then propose to implement a low-noise amplifier(LNA)module before the envelope detection at the tag to enhance the incident signal strength.Our experimental results on the hardware platform show that our method can increase the downlink communication range by nearly 20 m.展开更多
Blautia has attracted attention because of its potential efficacy in ameliorating host energy metabolism and inflammation.This study aims to investigate the influences of Blautia producta D4 on colitis induced by dext...Blautia has attracted attention because of its potential efficacy in ameliorating host energy metabolism and inflammation.This study aims to investigate the influences of Blautia producta D4 on colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)and to reveal the underlying mechanisms.Results showed that B.producta D4 intervention significantly relieved body weight loss,and suppressed the elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines(including interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and interleukin-1β(IL-1β))and excessive oxidative stress(myeloperoxidease(MPO)activity,superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity,glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)activity,and malondialdehyde(MDA)level)in colitis mice.Moreover,the concentrations of tight junction proteins(occludin,claudin-1,and ZO-1)related to the intestinal barrier were obviously elevated,and colitis-related TLR4/NF-κB pathway activation was remarkably inhibited after B.producta D4 intervention.The intestinal microbial disorder was evidently ameliorated by increasing the relative abundance of Clostridium sensu stricto 1,Bifidobacterium,GCA-900066225,Enterorhabdus,and reducing the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group.In conclusion,oral administration of B.producta D4 could ameliorate DSS-induced colitis by suppressing inflammatory responses,maintaining the intestinal barrier,inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB pathway,and regulating intestinal microbiota balance.These results are conducive to accelerate the development of B.producta D4 as a functional probiotic for colitis.展开更多
BACKGROUND Occult hepatitis B infection(OBI)is characterized by the detection of hepatitis B virus(HBV)DNA in serum(usually HBV DNA<200 IU/mL)or the liver but negativity for hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg).The d...BACKGROUND Occult hepatitis B infection(OBI)is characterized by the detection of hepatitis B virus(HBV)DNA in serum(usually HBV DNA<200 IU/mL)or the liver but negativity for hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg).The diagnosis of OBI relies on the sensitivity of assays used in the detection of HBV DNA and HBsAg.HBsAg assays with inadequate sensitivity or inability to detect HBV S variants may lead to misdiagnosis of OBI in people with overt HBV infection.CASE SUMMARY We report a HBsAg-negative but hepatitis B envelope antigen-positive patient who had a significant HBV DNA level.The patient was initially diagnosed as having OBI.However,sequence analysis revealed a unique insertion of amino acid residues at positions 120-124 in the S protein,which affects the formation of a disulfide bond that is associated with the formation of a loop.It is well known that there is an overlap between the S protein and Pol protein.We found that this new insertion site occurred in polymerase/reverse transcriptase domain,indi-cating that this insertion might be involved in HBV pathogenicity.The patient was finally diagnosed with a false OBI.CONCLUSION An insertion of amino acid residues at positions 120-124 of the S protein affects the formation of immunodominant epitopes and results in negative HBsAg levels.展开更多
Background: Surface antigen (HBsAg) is the mean marker of hepatitis B virus infection. During the course of the infection, some patients lose the HBsAg and only the presence of anti-HBc antibody indicates previous con...Background: Surface antigen (HBsAg) is the mean marker of hepatitis B virus infection. During the course of the infection, some patients lose the HBsAg and only the presence of anti-HBc antibody indicates previous contact with the virus. Among these patients, some have detectable viral load (occult infection) but most without viral replication. There is no guideline regarding these patients. The aim of this study was to assess hepatic fibrosis in patients with only the hepatitis B virus contact marker “total anti-HBc”. Patients and methods: it was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study, conducted in three private hospitals from January to August 2022. Were included HBsAg-negative and HBc-positive patients, consulting in Gastroenterology departments. Noninvasive methods (APRI, FIB-4 and FIBROSCAN) were used to evaluate liver stiffness because of their easy accessibility and low-cost. The hepatic fibrosis was considered significant when the score determined by APRI, FIB-4 and FIBROSCAN® tests was respectively greater than 1.5;2.67 and 8 kPa corresponding to fibrosis level 2 (F2). Results: A total of 63 HBsAg-negative/total HBcAg-positive patients were included. The mean age was 49.9 ± 13.4 years. The male/female sex ratio was 1.78. Of the 63 patients, 19 had significant liver fibrosis (30.1%) among which 9 patients had HCC. The FIB-4 score outperformed the APRI score in assessing liver fibrosis, with a sensitivity of 84.2%, a specificity of 100% and a negative predictive value of 93.6%. In univariate analysis, there was a significant association between the occurrence of significant liver fibrosis and age over 40 years, dyslipidaemia, obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, herbal medicine, negative anti-HBs immunological status and detectable viral load. Conclusion: Our study revealed a high prevalence of significant to severe hepatic fibrosis in anti-HBc positive patients. In most of the cases, the fibrosis was severe. Progression to HCC has also been possible. There is no consensus on the follow-up strategy for those patients. However, screening for hepatic fibrosis using noninvasive methods should be recommended for patients aged over 40 years, alcohol or herbal medicine users, patients with metabolic syndrome or occult hepatitis B. In HBsAg-negative/anti-HBc-positive patients, liver stiffness should be evaluated and if it is greater than F2, HCC screening should be started.展开更多
The management of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection now involves regular and appropriate monitoring of viral activity,disease progression,and treatment response.Traditional HBV infection biomarkers are limited in their ...The management of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection now involves regular and appropriate monitoring of viral activity,disease progression,and treatment response.Traditional HBV infection biomarkers are limited in their ability to predict clinical outcomes or therapeutic effectiveness.Quantitation of HBV core antibodies(qAnti-HBc)is a novel non-invasive biomarker that may help with a variety of diagnostic issues.It was shown to correlate strongly with infection stages,hepatic inflammation and fibrosis,chronic infection exacerbations,and the presence of occult infection.Furthermore,qAnti-HBc levels were shown to be predictive of spontaneous or treatment-induced HBeAg and HBsAg seroclearance,relapse after medication termination,re-infection following liver transplantation,and viral reactivation in the presence of immunosuppression.qAnti-HBc,on the other hand,cannot be relied on as a single diagnostic test to address all problems,and its diagnostic and prognostic potential may be greatly increased when paired with qHBsAg.Commercial qAnti-HBc diagnostic kits are currently not widely available.Because many methodologies are only semi-quantitative,comparing data from various studies and defining universal cut-off values remains difficult.This review focuses on the clinical utility of qAnti-HBc and qHBsAg in chronic hepatitis B management.展开更多
Considering the bidirectional crosstalk along the gut-liver axis,gut-derived microorganisms and metabolites can be released into the liver,potentially leading to liver injury.In this editorial,we comment on several st...Considering the bidirectional crosstalk along the gut-liver axis,gut-derived microorganisms and metabolites can be released into the liver,potentially leading to liver injury.In this editorial,we comment on several studies published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology.We focus specifically on the roles of gut microbiota in selected gastrointestinal(GI)diseases that are prevalent,such as inflammatory bowel disease,metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease,and hepatitis B virus-related portal hypertension.Over the past few decades,findings from both preclinical and clinical studies have indicated an association between compositional and metabolic changes in the gut microbiota and the pathogenesis of the aforementioned GI disorders.However,studies elucidating the mechanisms underlying the host-microbiota interactions remain limited.The purpose of this editorial is to summarize current findings and provide insights regarding the context-specific roles of gut microbiota.Ultimately,the discovery of microbiome-based biomarkers may facilitate disease diagnosis and the development of personalized medicine.展开更多
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Bifi dobacterium breve CCFM683 on psoriasis and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.B.breve CCFM683 significantly ameliorated psoriasis in mice as well as elevated the ...This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Bifi dobacterium breve CCFM683 on psoriasis and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.B.breve CCFM683 significantly ameliorated psoriasis in mice as well as elevated the deoxycholic acid(DCA)and lithocholic acid(LCA)in the colon compared with those of the imiquimod(IMQ)-treated mice.Meanwhile,B.breve CCFM683 increased the relative abundance of DCA-producing Lachnoclostridium and diminished the harmful Desulfovibrio and Prevotellaceae UCG001.Additionally,the farnesoid X receptor(FXR)in the skin was activated and the expression of the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)pathway was inhibited,and the downstream interleukin(IL)-17 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-αwere downregulated whereas IL-10 was up-regulated.Moreover,the subsequent hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and the dysfunction of the epidermal barrier were improved.In conclusion,CCFM683 administration ameliorated IMQ-induced psoriasis via modulating gut microbiota,promoting the DCA production,regulating the FXR-TLR4/NF-κB pathway,diminishing proinflammatory cytokines,and regulating keratinocytes and epidermal barrier.These findings may be conducive to elucidating the mechanism for probiotics to ameliorate psoriasis and to promote its clinical trials in skin disease.展开更多
BACKGROUND Reactivation of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection is a well-known risk that can occur spontaneously or following immunosuppressive therapies,including cancer chemotherapy.HBV reactivation can cause significan...BACKGROUND Reactivation of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection is a well-known risk that can occur spontaneously or following immunosuppressive therapies,including cancer chemotherapy.HBV reactivation can cause significant morbidity and even mortality,which are preventable if at-risk individuals are identified through screening and started on antiviral prophylaxis.AIM To determine the prevalence of chronic HBV(CHB)and occult HBV infection(OBI)among oncology and hematology-oncology patients undergoing chemo-therapy.METHODS In this observational study,the prevalence of CHB and OBI was assessed among patients receiving chemotherapy.Serological markers of HBV infection[hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)/anti-hepatitis B core antigen(HBc)]were evaluated for all patients.HBV DNA levels were assessed in those who tested negative for HBsAg but positive for total anti-HBc.RESULTS The prevalence of CHB in the study cohort was determined to be 2.3%[95%confidence interval(95%CI):1.0-4.2].Additionally,the prevalence of OBI among the study participants was found to be 0.8%(95%CI:0.2-2.3).CONCLUSION The findings of this study highlight the importance of screening for hepatitis B infection in oncology and hematology-oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy.Identifying individuals with CHB and OBI is crucial for implementing appropriate antiviral prophylaxis to prevent the reactivation of HBV infection,which can lead to increased morbidity and mortality.展开更多
Biomass‐derived carbon is a promising electrode material in energy storage devices.However,how to improve its low capacity and stability,and slow diffusion kinetics during lithium storage remains a challenge.In this ...Biomass‐derived carbon is a promising electrode material in energy storage devices.However,how to improve its low capacity and stability,and slow diffusion kinetics during lithium storage remains a challenge.In this research,we propose a“self‐assembly‐template”method to prepare B,N codoped porous carbon(BN‐C)with a nanosandwich structure and abundant pyridinic N‐B species.The nanosandwich structure can increase powder density and cycle stability by constructing a stable solid electrolyte interphase film,shortening the Li^(+) diffusion pathway,and accommodating volume expansion during repeated charging/discharging.The abundant pyridinic N‐B species can simultaneously promote the adsorption/desorption of Li^(+)/PF_(6)^(−) and reduce the diffusion barrier.The BN‐C electrode showed a high lithium‐ion storage capacity of above 1140 mAh g^(−1) at 0.05 A g^(−1) and superior stability(96.5% retained after 2000 cycles).Moreover,owing to the synergistic effect of the nanosandwich structure and pyridinic N‐B species,the assembled symmetrical BN‐C//BN‐C full cell shows a high energy density of 234.7Wh kg^(−1),high power density of 39.38 kW kg−1,and excellent cycling stability,superior to most of the other cells reported in the literature.As the density functional theory simulation demonstrated,pyridinic N‐B shows enhanced adsorption activity for Li^(+) and PF_(6)^(−),which promotes an increase in the capacity of the anode and cathode,respectively.Meanwhile,the relatively lower diffusion barrier of pyridinic N‐B promotes Li^(+) migration,resulting in good rate performance.Therefore,this study provides a new approach for the synergistic modulation of a nanostructure and an active site simultaneously to fabricate the carbon electrode material in energy storage devices.展开更多
BACKGROUND The role of diverse antibodies in mediating peripheral nerve injury in Guillain-Barrésyndrome(GBS)is becoming clearer,but positivity for multiple antibodies in one case is uncommon.To our knowledge,thi...BACKGROUND The role of diverse antibodies in mediating peripheral nerve injury in Guillain-Barrésyndrome(GBS)is becoming clearer,but positivity for multiple antibodies in one case is uncommon.To our knowledge,this is the first case involving GBS with positive anti-sulfatide,anti-GT1a,and anti-GT1b antibodies.CASE SUMMARY A 20-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital due to weakness of limbs for 5 d,and deterioration of the weakness and muscle aches for 1 d.The patient's limbs were weak,but the tendon reflexes in the part of the limbs were normal.There was no comorbid peripheral nociception or deep sensory dysfunction.She was diagnosed with GBS and was discharged after receiving intravenous human immunoglobulin pulse therapy.CONCLUSION In this article,the clinical manifestations,neurophysiological examination,and auxiliary examination findings of a GBS patient positive for multiple antibodies were analyzed to improve the identification of the disease by clinical physicians at an early stage.展开更多
Introduction: Healthcare workers in Mogadishu, Somalia face significant occupational injury risks, particularly needle stick injuries, with 61.1% reporting incidents. This poses a serious threat to their health, leadi...Introduction: Healthcare workers in Mogadishu, Somalia face significant occupational injury risks, particularly needle stick injuries, with 61.1% reporting incidents. This poses a serious threat to their health, leading to infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Despite the high prevalence of injuries, awareness of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) accessibility is relatively high, with 84.0% of respondents aware of it. However, there are gaps in knowledge and implementation, as evidenced by variations in availability of PEP. Improving workplace safety measures, providing comprehensive training on injury prevention and PEP protocols, and ensuring consistent availability of PEP in healthcare facilities are crucial steps to safeguard the well-being of healthcare workers in Mogadishu, Somalia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among hospital workers in Mogadishu, Somalia, focusing on professionals from various healthcare facilities. The study targeted nurses, doctors, laboratory personnel, and pharmacists. Purposive sampling was employed, resulting in a sample size of 383 calculated using Fisher’s sample size formula. Data were collected using coded questionnaires entered into Microsoft Excel 2019 and analyzed with SPSS software to generate frequencies and proportions, presented through frequency tables and pie figures. Results: The study in Mogadishu, Somalia, examined the prevalence of occupational injuries and knowledge of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) accessibility among healthcare workers. Findings indicate a high prevalence of injuries, with 61.1% reporting incidents, predominantly needle stick injuries (60.6%). Despite the majority seeking prompt medical attention (72.0%), work-related illnesses affected 53.2% of respondents, notably work-related stress (59.5%). While most received training on injury and illness prevention (68.9%), gaps exist in PEP awareness, with 16.0% unaware of it. Nonetheless, 84.0% were aware, predominantly through health facilities (52.0%). Availability of PEP was reported by 71.3% in healthcare facilities, with variations in shift availability. The majority reported guidelines for PEP use (55.7%). Efforts are needed to bolster PEP awareness and ensure consistent availability in healthcare facilities to safeguard worker health. Conclusion: High prevalence of occupational injuries among healthcare workers, with needle stick injuries being the most common (60.6%). Despite this, 84.0% of respondents were aware of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), primarily learning about it from health facilities (52.0%). While 71.3% reported the availability of PEP in their facility, 28.7% noted its unavailability. These results emphasize the need for improved education and accessibility of PEP to mitigate occupational injury risks.展开更多
基金Salary for TCT was supported by National Institutes of Health Grant(R01NS100793)。
文摘Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of death and disability worldwide,affecting over 69 million individuals yearly.One-carbon metabolism has been shown to have beneficial effects after brain damage,such as ischemic stroke.However,whether increasing one-carbon metabolite vitamins impacts traumatic brain injury outcomes in patients requires more investigation.The aim of this review is to evaluate how one-carbon metabolites impact outcomes after the onset of traumatic brain injury.PubMed,Web of Science,and Google Scholar databases were searched for studies that examined the impact of B-vitamin supplementation on traumatic brain injury outcomes.The search terms included combinations of the following words:traumatic brain injury,dietary supplementation,one-carbon metabolism,and B-vitamins.The focus of each literature search was basic science data.The year of publication in the literature searches was not limited.Our analysis of the literature has shown that dietary supplementation of B-vitamins has significantly improved the functional and behavioral recove ry of animals with traumatic brain injury compared to controls.Howeve r,this improvement is dosage-dependent and is contingent upon the onset of supplementation and whether there is a sustained or continuous delive ry of vitamin supplementation post-traumatic brain injury.The details of supplementation post-traumatic brain injury need to be further investigated.Overall,we conclude that B-vitamin supplementation improves behavioral outcomes and reduces cognitive impairment post-traumatic brain injury in animal model systems.Further investigation in a clinical setting should be stro ngly considered in co njunction with current medical treatments for traumatic brain injury-affected individuals.
基金supported in part by National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos.61971029 and U22B2004in part by Beijing Municipal Natural Science Foundation under Grant No.L222002.
文摘Backscatter communications will play an important role in connecting everything for beyond 5G(B5G)and 6G systems.One open challenge for backscatter communications is that the signals suffer a round-trip path loss so that the communication distance is short.In this paper,we first calculate the communication distance upper bounds for both uplink and downlink by measuring the tag sensitivity and reflection coefficient.It is found that the activation voltage of the envelope detection diode of the downlink tag is the main factor limiting the back-scatter communication distance.Based on this analysis,we then propose to implement a low-noise amplifier(LNA)module before the envelope detection at the tag to enhance the incident signal strength.Our experimental results on the hardware platform show that our method can increase the downlink communication range by nearly 20 m.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(31972086,32172173,32072197)Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control in Jiangsu Province。
文摘Blautia has attracted attention because of its potential efficacy in ameliorating host energy metabolism and inflammation.This study aims to investigate the influences of Blautia producta D4 on colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)and to reveal the underlying mechanisms.Results showed that B.producta D4 intervention significantly relieved body weight loss,and suppressed the elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines(including interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and interleukin-1β(IL-1β))and excessive oxidative stress(myeloperoxidease(MPO)activity,superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity,glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)activity,and malondialdehyde(MDA)level)in colitis mice.Moreover,the concentrations of tight junction proteins(occludin,claudin-1,and ZO-1)related to the intestinal barrier were obviously elevated,and colitis-related TLR4/NF-κB pathway activation was remarkably inhibited after B.producta D4 intervention.The intestinal microbial disorder was evidently ameliorated by increasing the relative abundance of Clostridium sensu stricto 1,Bifidobacterium,GCA-900066225,Enterorhabdus,and reducing the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group.In conclusion,oral administration of B.producta D4 could ameliorate DSS-induced colitis by suppressing inflammatory responses,maintaining the intestinal barrier,inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB pathway,and regulating intestinal microbiota balance.These results are conducive to accelerate the development of B.producta D4 as a functional probiotic for colitis.
基金Supported by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning,No.PKJ2018-Y05.
文摘BACKGROUND Occult hepatitis B infection(OBI)is characterized by the detection of hepatitis B virus(HBV)DNA in serum(usually HBV DNA<200 IU/mL)or the liver but negativity for hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg).The diagnosis of OBI relies on the sensitivity of assays used in the detection of HBV DNA and HBsAg.HBsAg assays with inadequate sensitivity or inability to detect HBV S variants may lead to misdiagnosis of OBI in people with overt HBV infection.CASE SUMMARY We report a HBsAg-negative but hepatitis B envelope antigen-positive patient who had a significant HBV DNA level.The patient was initially diagnosed as having OBI.However,sequence analysis revealed a unique insertion of amino acid residues at positions 120-124 in the S protein,which affects the formation of a disulfide bond that is associated with the formation of a loop.It is well known that there is an overlap between the S protein and Pol protein.We found that this new insertion site occurred in polymerase/reverse transcriptase domain,indi-cating that this insertion might be involved in HBV pathogenicity.The patient was finally diagnosed with a false OBI.CONCLUSION An insertion of amino acid residues at positions 120-124 of the S protein affects the formation of immunodominant epitopes and results in negative HBsAg levels.
文摘Background: Surface antigen (HBsAg) is the mean marker of hepatitis B virus infection. During the course of the infection, some patients lose the HBsAg and only the presence of anti-HBc antibody indicates previous contact with the virus. Among these patients, some have detectable viral load (occult infection) but most without viral replication. There is no guideline regarding these patients. The aim of this study was to assess hepatic fibrosis in patients with only the hepatitis B virus contact marker “total anti-HBc”. Patients and methods: it was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study, conducted in three private hospitals from January to August 2022. Were included HBsAg-negative and HBc-positive patients, consulting in Gastroenterology departments. Noninvasive methods (APRI, FIB-4 and FIBROSCAN) were used to evaluate liver stiffness because of their easy accessibility and low-cost. The hepatic fibrosis was considered significant when the score determined by APRI, FIB-4 and FIBROSCAN® tests was respectively greater than 1.5;2.67 and 8 kPa corresponding to fibrosis level 2 (F2). Results: A total of 63 HBsAg-negative/total HBcAg-positive patients were included. The mean age was 49.9 ± 13.4 years. The male/female sex ratio was 1.78. Of the 63 patients, 19 had significant liver fibrosis (30.1%) among which 9 patients had HCC. The FIB-4 score outperformed the APRI score in assessing liver fibrosis, with a sensitivity of 84.2%, a specificity of 100% and a negative predictive value of 93.6%. In univariate analysis, there was a significant association between the occurrence of significant liver fibrosis and age over 40 years, dyslipidaemia, obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, herbal medicine, negative anti-HBs immunological status and detectable viral load. Conclusion: Our study revealed a high prevalence of significant to severe hepatic fibrosis in anti-HBc positive patients. In most of the cases, the fibrosis was severe. Progression to HCC has also been possible. There is no consensus on the follow-up strategy for those patients. However, screening for hepatic fibrosis using noninvasive methods should be recommended for patients aged over 40 years, alcohol or herbal medicine users, patients with metabolic syndrome or occult hepatitis B. In HBsAg-negative/anti-HBc-positive patients, liver stiffness should be evaluated and if it is greater than F2, HCC screening should be started.
文摘The management of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection now involves regular and appropriate monitoring of viral activity,disease progression,and treatment response.Traditional HBV infection biomarkers are limited in their ability to predict clinical outcomes or therapeutic effectiveness.Quantitation of HBV core antibodies(qAnti-HBc)is a novel non-invasive biomarker that may help with a variety of diagnostic issues.It was shown to correlate strongly with infection stages,hepatic inflammation and fibrosis,chronic infection exacerbations,and the presence of occult infection.Furthermore,qAnti-HBc levels were shown to be predictive of spontaneous or treatment-induced HBeAg and HBsAg seroclearance,relapse after medication termination,re-infection following liver transplantation,and viral reactivation in the presence of immunosuppression.qAnti-HBc,on the other hand,cannot be relied on as a single diagnostic test to address all problems,and its diagnostic and prognostic potential may be greatly increased when paired with qHBsAg.Commercial qAnti-HBc diagnostic kits are currently not widely available.Because many methodologies are only semi-quantitative,comparing data from various studies and defining universal cut-off values remains difficult.This review focuses on the clinical utility of qAnti-HBc and qHBsAg in chronic hepatitis B management.
文摘Considering the bidirectional crosstalk along the gut-liver axis,gut-derived microorganisms and metabolites can be released into the liver,potentially leading to liver injury.In this editorial,we comment on several studies published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology.We focus specifically on the roles of gut microbiota in selected gastrointestinal(GI)diseases that are prevalent,such as inflammatory bowel disease,metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease,and hepatitis B virus-related portal hypertension.Over the past few decades,findings from both preclinical and clinical studies have indicated an association between compositional and metabolic changes in the gut microbiota and the pathogenesis of the aforementioned GI disorders.However,studies elucidating the mechanisms underlying the host-microbiota interactions remain limited.The purpose of this editorial is to summarize current findings and provide insights regarding the context-specific roles of gut microbiota.Ultimately,the discovery of microbiome-based biomarkers may facilitate disease diagnosis and the development of personalized medicine.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32072227,32021005)111 Project(BP0719028)the Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control in Jiangsu Province.
文摘This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Bifi dobacterium breve CCFM683 on psoriasis and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.B.breve CCFM683 significantly ameliorated psoriasis in mice as well as elevated the deoxycholic acid(DCA)and lithocholic acid(LCA)in the colon compared with those of the imiquimod(IMQ)-treated mice.Meanwhile,B.breve CCFM683 increased the relative abundance of DCA-producing Lachnoclostridium and diminished the harmful Desulfovibrio and Prevotellaceae UCG001.Additionally,the farnesoid X receptor(FXR)in the skin was activated and the expression of the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)pathway was inhibited,and the downstream interleukin(IL)-17 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-αwere downregulated whereas IL-10 was up-regulated.Moreover,the subsequent hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and the dysfunction of the epidermal barrier were improved.In conclusion,CCFM683 administration ameliorated IMQ-induced psoriasis via modulating gut microbiota,promoting the DCA production,regulating the FXR-TLR4/NF-κB pathway,diminishing proinflammatory cytokines,and regulating keratinocytes and epidermal barrier.These findings may be conducive to elucidating the mechanism for probiotics to ameliorate psoriasis and to promote its clinical trials in skin disease.
文摘BACKGROUND Reactivation of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection is a well-known risk that can occur spontaneously or following immunosuppressive therapies,including cancer chemotherapy.HBV reactivation can cause significant morbidity and even mortality,which are preventable if at-risk individuals are identified through screening and started on antiviral prophylaxis.AIM To determine the prevalence of chronic HBV(CHB)and occult HBV infection(OBI)among oncology and hematology-oncology patients undergoing chemo-therapy.METHODS In this observational study,the prevalence of CHB and OBI was assessed among patients receiving chemotherapy.Serological markers of HBV infection[hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)/anti-hepatitis B core antigen(HBc)]were evaluated for all patients.HBV DNA levels were assessed in those who tested negative for HBsAg but positive for total anti-HBc.RESULTS The prevalence of CHB in the study cohort was determined to be 2.3%[95%confidence interval(95%CI):1.0-4.2].Additionally,the prevalence of OBI among the study participants was found to be 0.8%(95%CI:0.2-2.3).CONCLUSION The findings of this study highlight the importance of screening for hepatitis B infection in oncology and hematology-oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy.Identifying individuals with CHB and OBI is crucial for implementing appropriate antiviral prophylaxis to prevent the reactivation of HBV infection,which can lead to increased morbidity and mortality.
基金Jiangsu Key Lab of Biomass Energy and Material,Grant/Award Number:JSBEMS‐202101National Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant/Award Numbers:51902162,51902162+4 种基金National Key R&D Program of China,Grant/Award Number:2022YFB4201904Foundation of Jiangsu Key Lab of Biomass Energy and Material,Grant/Award Number:JSBEM‐S‐202101National Key R&D Program,Grant/Award Number:2022YFB4201904Jiangsu Co‐Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources,the International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materialsanjing Forestry University。
文摘Biomass‐derived carbon is a promising electrode material in energy storage devices.However,how to improve its low capacity and stability,and slow diffusion kinetics during lithium storage remains a challenge.In this research,we propose a“self‐assembly‐template”method to prepare B,N codoped porous carbon(BN‐C)with a nanosandwich structure and abundant pyridinic N‐B species.The nanosandwich structure can increase powder density and cycle stability by constructing a stable solid electrolyte interphase film,shortening the Li^(+) diffusion pathway,and accommodating volume expansion during repeated charging/discharging.The abundant pyridinic N‐B species can simultaneously promote the adsorption/desorption of Li^(+)/PF_(6)^(−) and reduce the diffusion barrier.The BN‐C electrode showed a high lithium‐ion storage capacity of above 1140 mAh g^(−1) at 0.05 A g^(−1) and superior stability(96.5% retained after 2000 cycles).Moreover,owing to the synergistic effect of the nanosandwich structure and pyridinic N‐B species,the assembled symmetrical BN‐C//BN‐C full cell shows a high energy density of 234.7Wh kg^(−1),high power density of 39.38 kW kg−1,and excellent cycling stability,superior to most of the other cells reported in the literature.As the density functional theory simulation demonstrated,pyridinic N‐B shows enhanced adsorption activity for Li^(+) and PF_(6)^(−),which promotes an increase in the capacity of the anode and cathode,respectively.Meanwhile,the relatively lower diffusion barrier of pyridinic N‐B promotes Li^(+) migration,resulting in good rate performance.Therefore,this study provides a new approach for the synergistic modulation of a nanostructure and an active site simultaneously to fabricate the carbon electrode material in energy storage devices.
基金The Scientific and Technological Innovation Talent Team Project of Zunyi City,No.[2022]2Guizhou Maotai Hospital Research and Talent Cultivation Funding Project,No.MTYK 2022-06.
文摘BACKGROUND The role of diverse antibodies in mediating peripheral nerve injury in Guillain-Barrésyndrome(GBS)is becoming clearer,but positivity for multiple antibodies in one case is uncommon.To our knowledge,this is the first case involving GBS with positive anti-sulfatide,anti-GT1a,and anti-GT1b antibodies.CASE SUMMARY A 20-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital due to weakness of limbs for 5 d,and deterioration of the weakness and muscle aches for 1 d.The patient's limbs were weak,but the tendon reflexes in the part of the limbs were normal.There was no comorbid peripheral nociception or deep sensory dysfunction.She was diagnosed with GBS and was discharged after receiving intravenous human immunoglobulin pulse therapy.CONCLUSION In this article,the clinical manifestations,neurophysiological examination,and auxiliary examination findings of a GBS patient positive for multiple antibodies were analyzed to improve the identification of the disease by clinical physicians at an early stage.
文摘Introduction: Healthcare workers in Mogadishu, Somalia face significant occupational injury risks, particularly needle stick injuries, with 61.1% reporting incidents. This poses a serious threat to their health, leading to infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Despite the high prevalence of injuries, awareness of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) accessibility is relatively high, with 84.0% of respondents aware of it. However, there are gaps in knowledge and implementation, as evidenced by variations in availability of PEP. Improving workplace safety measures, providing comprehensive training on injury prevention and PEP protocols, and ensuring consistent availability of PEP in healthcare facilities are crucial steps to safeguard the well-being of healthcare workers in Mogadishu, Somalia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among hospital workers in Mogadishu, Somalia, focusing on professionals from various healthcare facilities. The study targeted nurses, doctors, laboratory personnel, and pharmacists. Purposive sampling was employed, resulting in a sample size of 383 calculated using Fisher’s sample size formula. Data were collected using coded questionnaires entered into Microsoft Excel 2019 and analyzed with SPSS software to generate frequencies and proportions, presented through frequency tables and pie figures. Results: The study in Mogadishu, Somalia, examined the prevalence of occupational injuries and knowledge of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) accessibility among healthcare workers. Findings indicate a high prevalence of injuries, with 61.1% reporting incidents, predominantly needle stick injuries (60.6%). Despite the majority seeking prompt medical attention (72.0%), work-related illnesses affected 53.2% of respondents, notably work-related stress (59.5%). While most received training on injury and illness prevention (68.9%), gaps exist in PEP awareness, with 16.0% unaware of it. Nonetheless, 84.0% were aware, predominantly through health facilities (52.0%). Availability of PEP was reported by 71.3% in healthcare facilities, with variations in shift availability. The majority reported guidelines for PEP use (55.7%). Efforts are needed to bolster PEP awareness and ensure consistent availability in healthcare facilities to safeguard worker health. Conclusion: High prevalence of occupational injuries among healthcare workers, with needle stick injuries being the most common (60.6%). Despite this, 84.0% of respondents were aware of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), primarily learning about it from health facilities (52.0%). While 71.3% reported the availability of PEP in their facility, 28.7% noted its unavailability. These results emphasize the need for improved education and accessibility of PEP to mitigate occupational injury risks.
