Unveiling the flames: macrophage pyroptosis and its crucial role in liver diseases.

Macrophages play a critical role in innate immunity, with approximately 90% of the total macrophage population in the human body residing in the liver. This population encompasses both resident and infiltrating macrophages. Recent studies highlight the pivotal role of liver macrophages in various aspects such as liver inflammation, regeneration, and immune regulation. A novel pro-inflammatory programmed cell death, pyroptosis, initially identified in macrophages, has garnered substantial attention since its discovery. Studies investigating pyroptosis and inflammation progression have particularly centered around macrophages. In liver diseases, pyroptosis plays an important role in driving the inflammatory response, facilitating the fibrotic process, and promoting tumor progression. Notably, the role of macrophage pyroptosis cannot be understated. This review primarily focuses on the role of macrophage pyroptosis in liver diseases. Additionally, it underscores the therapeutic potential inherent in targeting macrophage pyroptosis.

[Determination of ascitic bacterial 16S rRNA by quantitative PCR-microarray in the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the significance of determining ascitic bacterial 16S rRNA by quantitative PCR combined with microarray (PCR-microarray) in the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). METHODS: Ascitic bacterial 16SrRNA was determined by real time fluorescent quantitative PCR-microarray in 76 cases of suspected SBP and 6 cases of non-infectious ascites with chronic liver diseases. The results were compared with ascitic bacterial culture simultaneously. RESULTS: Of 76 ascitic samples, 17 were detected bacteria positive by PCR-microarray, including 8 Grams positive(G+) and 9 Grams negative(G-), which was higher than that by bacterial culture which had only 6 ascitic samples detected positive (all G-); the positive rates were 22.4% vs 7.9%, respectively (P < 0.01). The bacterial strains detected by both methods in 6 cases had a consistency with each other. No bacteria were detected in another 6 cases of non-infectious ascites with chronic liver diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of ascitic bacteria 16S rRNA by PCR-microarray has a higher specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis of SBP as compared with the bacteria culture. Application of this novel method can not only accelerate SBP diagnosis but also stratify the different pathogens.

[Determination of ascitic bacterial 16S rRNA gene in the rapid diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of ascitic bacterial 16S rRNA gene determination in the rapid diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). METHODS: 16S rRNA gene from bacterial DNA in ascites was determined by quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 76 patients with suspected SBP and 6 patients with non-infectious ascites. The results were compared with those obtained from bacterial culture. RESULTS: The positive rate of SBP was 22.4% among patients detected with ascitic bacterial 16S rRNA gene determination-based quantitative fluorescent PCR, which was significantly higher than that (7.9%) in patients only received bacterial culture (P<0.05). In addition,in 6 patients with non-infectious ascites,both the 16S rRNA gene determination-based quantitative fluorescent PCR and bacterial culture showed negative results. CONCLUSIONS: 16S rRNA gene determination-based quantitative fluorescent PCR can be an effective tool for the rapid diagnosis of SBP. It is more sensitive than the bacterial culture.

[The roles of saliva testing for preventing hepatitis B virus spreading].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the significance of testing hepatitis B virus (HBV) from saliva in HBV patients. METHODS: HBV DNA content in serum and saliva of 200 HBV patients and 20 healthy subjects were detected by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. According to the serum level of HBV content, four groups were divided: control group A, group B negative, low virus C (1 x 10(3) - 1 x 10(5) copies/ml) and high-group D ( > 1 x 10(5) copies/ml). The relationship of serum and virus content in saliva was analysed. RESULTS: Of 200 HBV cases, 180 were found HBV DNA in serum with positive rate of 90.0%; while 145 were found HBV DNA in saliva with positive rate of 72.5%, and there was no significant difference (chi2 = 1.35, P > 0.05). The significant difference was observed in testing serum and saliva in Group C (100.0% vs. 38.5%; Z = 14.11, P < 0.01). In group D, there was no significant difference found either (100.0% vs. 83.8%; chi2 = 1.05, P > 0.05). Group D virus serum had a high average level of (6.63 +/- 1.55) log copies/ml virus and in the saliva had an average level of (5.21 +/- 1.85) log copies/ml; saliva had serum viral load lower than an order of magnitude average. No HBV DNA was found in serum or saliva from 20 health subjects. CONCLUSION: When the serum contains a high content of HBV DNA virus, the content of saliva HBV DNA virus should be likely high, which might pose a threat of source of infection. A precise quantitative detection of HBV DNA in saliva might be used as evaluation of the level of virus in the body copy for judgment of infection.

The Double Burdens of Mental Health Among AIDS Patients With Fully Successful Immune Restoration: A Cross-Sectional Study of Anxiety and Depression in China.

Background: Anxiety and depression continue to be significant comorbidities for people with HIV infection. We investigated the prevalence of and factors associated with anxiety and depression among adult HIV-infected patients across China. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we described clinical and psychosocial variables related to depression and anxiety in 4103 HIV-infected persons. Doctors assessed anxiety and depression by asking patients whether they had experienced anxiety or depression in the prior month. Patients also self-administered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale; those with score ≥8 on HAD-A/D were considered to be at high risk of anxiety or depression. Results: Associations between socio-demographic, psychosocial, and ART-related clinical factors and risk of depression or anxiety were investigated using multivariable logistic regression. Among patients assessed between 9/2014 and 11/2015, 27.4% had symptoms of anxiety, 32.9% had symptoms of depression, and 19.0% had both. Recentness of HIV diagnoses (P = 0.046) was associated with elevated odds of anxiety. Older age (P = 0.004), higher educational attainment (P < 0.001), employment (P = 0.001), support from family / friends (P < 0.001), and sleep disturbance (P < 0.001), and number of ART regimen switches (P = 0.046) were associated with risk of depression, while neither sex nor transmission route showed any associations. There were no significant associations with HIV-specific clinical factors including current CD4+ T cell count and current viral load. Conclusions: Prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression is high in this cohort of treatment-experienced HIV patients. Psychological and social-demographic factors, rather than HIV disease status, were associated with risk of depression and anxiety. This finding highlights the need to deliver interventions to address the mental health issues affecting HIV-infected persons with fully successful immune restoration across China.