Human Leukocyte Antigen Polymorphism HLA-A*24:02 is Associated with Acute Liver Disease in HBV-Infected Han Chinese Adults.

BACKGROUND: Whether polymorphic Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-A, HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 alleles were associated with acute liver disease after hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections was investigated. METHODS: In this study, from initially 100 participants in each group, HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 sequences were available from 86 acute hepatitis B (AHB) patients and from 84 HBV-resistant individuals (controls), using sequencing-based typing allele groups and alleles that exhibited differences in distribution between the case and control groups were subjected to chi-squared and logistic regression analyses to identify those associated with AHB. A dose response analysis was also performed on the effect of HLA-A*24:02 allele number on acute liver disease following HBV infection. RESULTS: The frequency distribution of HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 alleles in the control group were in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (P > .05). HLA-A*24:02 (χ2 = 6.949, P = .008) occurred most frequently in the AHB and HLA-DRB1*12:02 (χ2 = 7.768, P = .005) in the control group. With adjustment for sex, the logistic regression model showed that the HLA-A*24:02 allele was significantly associated with AHB liver injury (P = .0326, OR = 2.270, 95% CI: 1.070-4.816), whereas the other HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1 alleles were not (P > .05). A linear response was observed for the association between HLA-A*24:02 allele number and acute liver disease after HBV infections (χ2 = 4.428, P = .025). CONCLUSION: The HLA-A*24:02 allele may influence the severity of the cellular response to HBV infection, increasing the elimination of HBV-infected hepatocytes. The HLA-A*24:02 allele may be a potential screening marker for identifying people or regional populations in China at higher risk of acute liver disease following HBV infection.

KIFC1 aggravates non-small-cell lung cancer cell proliferation and metastasis via provoking TGF-ß/SMAD signal.

Worldwide, the non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) is considered one of the deadliest cancers. Very early onset of distant metastasis is an important reason for the lower survival rate of NSCLC patients. Kinesin family member C1 (KIFC1) with highly protein levels in various of cancers contributes to the initiation and development of many cancers. KIFC1 has also been suggested as a possible marker of NSCLC. Nevertheless, the effects of KIFC1 on NSCLC metastasis has not been researched. To investigate the role of KIFC1 in NSCLC and related mechanisms. Westernblot and quantitative real-time PCR were conducted to test the levels of KIFC1 in NSCLC cancerous tissues and NSCLC cancerous cell lines. Colony formation assay, CCK-8, transwell assay and wound healing assay was conducted to detect the functions of KIFC1 on proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC cell lines. WesternBlot was conducted to test the role of KIFC1in EMT and TGF-ß/SMAD pathway. We discovered that the protein levels of KIFC1 were upregulated in NSCLC cancerous cell lines and cancerous tissues from mankind. KIFC1 was positively related with worse clinical staging and lymphnode metastasis of NSCLC patients in clinical data. Overexpressed KIFC1 aggravated expansion, migration and invasion in NSCLC cells, whereas silencing of KIFC1 had the opposite effect in vitro. Mechanistically, the progression of NSCLC was promoted by KIFC1 through induction of EMT and TGF-ß/SMAD signal. KIFC1 promoted proliferation and metastasis through accommodating TGF-ß/SMAD signal, which is a hint that KIFC1 might offer a prospective therapeutic target for the NSCLC treatment.

Self-affirmation increases acceptance of information on COVID-19 vaccines and promotes vaccination intention.

Previous studies have shown that self-affirmation increases acceptance of a message and motivates health behavior change. The present study investigated whether self-affirmation increases the acceptance of persuasive messages on COVID-19 vaccines and promotes vaccination intention. A total of 144 participants were randomly assigned to the self-affirmation (n = 72) or control (n = 72) groups before reading a persuasive message on COVID-19 vaccines. The results revealed that the self-affirmation group showed significantly higher acceptance of persuasive information on COVID-19 vaccines than the control group. Additionally, the self-affirmation group also showed significantly higher post-experiment vaccination intention than the control group. Mediation analysis indicated that increased acceptance of persuasive information significantly mediated the beneficial effects of self-affirmation on post-experiment vaccination intention. The present study demonstrated that self-affirmation could be an effective strategy for increasing the acceptance of persuasive messages on COVID-19 vaccines and promoting vaccination intention.

Effectiveness of dyadic sensory art therapies for People with dementia and their caregivers:A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The need for dyadic intervention is enhanced with increasing numbers of older adults with dementia. Studies have shown that sensory art therapies are essential for dementia patients and their caregivers. The effects of dyadic sensory art therapies for people with dementia and their caregivers require further exploration. OBJECTIVES: This review aimed to assess the efficacy of dyadic sensory art therapies on neuropsychiatric symptoms and mental function for dementia patients, caregiver burden and psychological state for caregivers, dyad relationship quality for dyads, and evaluate the potential effects of dyadic sensory art therapies on quality of life for both dementia patients and caregivers. METHODS: An electronic literature search of the PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO and three Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang and CBM) was conducted up to November 2022. Two reviewers (SZ and QG) worked independently to identify relevant studies. Risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane's and Joanna Briggs Institute's tool. Meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan software 5.4. RESULTS: This systematic review included 15 studies (7 RCTs and 8 quasi-experimental studies). The meta-analysis showed that dyadic sensory art therapies significantly ameliorated neuropsychiatric symptoms (SMD = -0.90, 95% CI -1.61 to -0.20, P = .01), caregiver burden (SMD = -0.75; 95% CI -1.03 to -0.47; P < .001). No significant improvements were found in caregiver depression and quality of life for both patients and caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: Dyadic sensory art therapies are generally effective at ameliorating neuropsychiatric symptoms, and caregiver burden. Future studies are encouraged to design large-scale randomized controlled trials with high-quality study to examine and confirm the effectiveness of dyadic sensory art therapies for these dyads composed of dementia patients and their caregivers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD 42023393577; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023393577.

Neovascularization and tissue regeneration by endothelial progenitor cells in ischemic stroke.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are immature endothelial cells (ECs) capable of proliferating and differentiating into mature ECs. These progenitor cells migrate from bone marrow (BM) after vascular injury to ischemic areas, where they participate in the repair of injured endothelium and new blood vessel formation. EPCs also secrete a series of protective cytokines and growth factors that support cell survival and tissue regeneration. Thus, EPCs provide novel and promising potential therapies to treat vascular disease, including ischemic stroke. However, EPCs are tightly regulated during the process of vascular repair and regeneration by numerous endogenous cytokines that are associated closely with the therapeutic efficacy of the progenitor cells. The regenerative capacity of EPCs also is affected by a range of exogenous factors and drugs as well as vascular risk factors. Understanding the functional properties of EPCs and the factors related to their regenerative capacity will facilitate better use of these progenitor cells in treating vascular disease. Here, we review the current knowledge of EPCs in cerebral neovascularization and tissue regeneration after cerebral ischemia and the factors associated with their regenerative function to better understand the underlying mechanisms and provide more effective strategies for the use of EPCs in treating ischemic stroke.

Unmet health needs and associated factors among 1727 rural community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: To investigate the needed, unneeded and unmet health care services among rural community-dwelling older adults in China and examine the influencing factors, aiming to facilitate the global development of the home care system for a healthier world. METHODS: This cross-sectional study investigated rural areas in three provinces in Western China. A total of 1727 rural community-dwelling older adults were enrolled. The needed, unneeded and unmet health care services were assessed by the Supply and Demand of Health Care Services (SD-HCS) questionnaire for older adults. RESULTS: Respect (73%, 1265/1727) was the most needed. The other top 9 needed mainly belonged to the divisions of health monitoring and information regarding chronic diseases. Re-employment or part-time jobs (71%, 1230/1727) was the most unneeded. All five protection and safety items were the most unmet but needed. Religion was the main influencing factor of those health care services that were less unmet but needed. CONCLUSIONS: Respect was basic for older adults, and chronic disease management was in great demand among rural community-dwelling older adults. Due to low willingness and the crisis workforce, a more flexible retirement policy is needed in rural China. It is urgent to improve the emergency care system in rural areas. Last but not least, more research is needed to explore the association between religion and health.

An investigation and analysis of the activities of daily living of older adults living at home in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the current situation regarding the activities of daily living (ADL) of older adults living at home in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China and to analyze the associated factors of ADL performance so that we can provide references for the implementation of pension policies and long-term care insurance of older adults living at home. METHODS: We surveyed a total of 1040 older adults who live at home and receive home-based care in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region by a face-to-face evaluation. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors associated with ADL performance. RESULTS: In the study, 82.79% of the older adults living at home can live independently. A total of 11.92% of the older adults have mild dysfunction, 4.33% have moderate dysfunction, and 0.96% have severe dysfunction. Multiple logistic analyses indicated that older adults with very difficult economic conditions (OR 3.212; 95% CI(1.209-8.534)) and without a spouse (OR 1.616; 95% CI(1.098-2.377)) were significantly associated with ADL limitations. In addition, the risks of ADL limitations in older adults aged 60-69 years and 70-79 years were 0.187 and 0.4307 times, respectively, that of older adults over 80 years old. The risk of ADL limitations in older adults of the Han nationality was 0.605 times that of the minority population. More highly educated and older adults without diseases have a lower risk of ADL limitations. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the national average in China, the number of ADL limitations of older adults in Ningxia is greater and is associated with advanced age, ethnic minority status, low education level, low income, lacking a spouse and having diseases. As the number of older adults increases, maintaining and improving their ability to perform ADL and providing comfortable pension services and health services urgently need to be solved.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the chinese version of the 15-item myasthenia gravis quality of life questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and evaluate the internal consistency and validity of the Chinese version of the 15-Item Myasthenia Gravis Quality of Life (MG-QOL15). METHODS: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the MG-QOL15 were performed. We used Cronbach's α to test internal consistency, one-way analysis of variance to test construct validity, and Pearson or Spearman correlations to test discriminant and concurrent validity. RESULTS: We enrolled 168 outpatients. Internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach's α = 0.928). The MG-QOL15 discriminated MG severity as stratified by the MG Composite (MGC; P < 0.001) and Osserman class (P = 0.01). Concurrent validity was low to moderate with the subscales of the 36-item Short Form (-0.31 to ∼-0.59), MGC (r = 0.46), and Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living profile (r = 0.54). DISCUSSION: The Chinese MG-QOL15 showed comparable construct, discriminant and concurrent validity, and internal consistency with to the original version. Muscle Nerve 59:95-99, 2019.

Patients' self-perceived burden, caregivers' burden and quality of life for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: a cross-sectional study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study surveys the quality of life of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and the factors associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients' self-perceived burden and their caregivers' burden. BACKGROUND: Burdens of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their caregivers in Chinese population are largely unknown. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 81 pairs of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and their caregivers. METHODS: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients' self-perceived burden and caregivers' burden were assessed by the Self-Perceived Burden Scale and Zarit-Burden Interview, respectively. Quality of life of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref. The amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised questionnaire was used to estimate patients' physical function. RESULTS: Both patients and caregivers reported a mild to moderate burden. The World Health Organization quality of life-Bref scores were decreased in respondents with lower amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised, higher Self-Perceived Burden Scale and higher Zarit-Burden Interview scores. Self-Perceived Burden Scale scores were associated with patients' knowledge of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, respiratory function and female sex. Zarit-Burden Interview scores were associated with caregivers' age, patients' motor function and out-of-pocket payment. CONCLUSION: With increase in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients' self-perceived burden and caregivers' burden, quality of life of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients decreased. Female patients, who had known more about the disease, and those with severe respiratory dysfunction were subject to higher self-perceived burden. Older caregivers and caregivers of patients with severe motor dysfunction and more out-of-pocket payment experienced more care burdens. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Our study suggests that paying more attention to female amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients might benefit patients in China or other South-East Asian countries under the Confucian concept of ethics. There is an urgent demand to expand medical insurance coverage to cover amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in China and other developing countries. Long and adequate supports are needed for relieving caregiver's burden. To improve the quality of life of patients, relieving the patients' SBP and caregivers' burden is likely to be not only required, but also essential.

[Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica].

OBJECTIVE: To assess anxiety and depression in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). METHODS: Eligible patients with NMO were assessed with Hamilton anxiety rating scale-14 (HARS-14),Hamilton depression rating scale-21 (HDRS-21) and expanded disability status scale (EDSS). RESULTS: A total of 65 NMO patients [(39.85±10.36) yr., male/female: 5/60) participated in this study. They had a median EDSS score of 2.5 and a mean score of (37.37±20.44) for bodily pain. About 76.9% of patients were NMO-IgG seropositive. The participants had (11.03±6.95) HARS-14 scores and (11.74±7.78) HDRS-21 scores,with 27.69% (18/65) being diagnosed with anxiety and 24.62% (16/65) being depressed. The EDSS scores were correlated with HARS-14 scores (r=0.285, P=0.004) and HDRS-21 scores (r=0.328, P=0.008). Bodily pain was negatively correlated with HARS-14 scores (r=-0.561, P<0.001) and HDRS-21 scores (r=-0.496, P<0.001). Relapse was correlated with anxiety (r=0.285, P=0.022). Age,sex,duration of disease,and serum NMO-IgG were not correlated with HARS-14 scores and HDRS-21 scores. The logistic regression model identified bodily pain as a predictor of anxiety and depression in NMO patients (OR=1.052,1.046,respectively P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Disability and bodily pain are associated with anxiety and depression in NMO patients,while relapse is associated with anxiety only. Bodily pain is a predictor of anxiety and depression in NMO patients.

NEDD4 Depletion Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth via Targeting PTEN.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally down-regulated gene 4 (NEDD4) plays an important role in tumor cell growth, yet its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. This study is to establish NEDD4 as a prognostic biomarker by which the survival of HCC patients can be predicted and to reveal the role of NEDD4 in hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth. METHODS: The expression of NEDD4 in 219 HCC specimens was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Postoperative overall survival and time to recurrence were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. The roles of NEDD4 in hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and invasion were determined. RESULTS: The patients with low NEDD4 expression tumors had an average cumulative survival of 64.9 ± 6.5 months during follow-up while the patients with high NEDD4 expression tumors had an average cumulative survival of 20.3 ± 15.8 months. NEDD4 silencing inhibited Huh7 cell proliferation and altered cell cytoskeletal assembly, and NEDD4 depletion furthermore seemed to suppress cell migration and invasion. A possible molecular mechanism for the observed effects might be that NEDD4 silence led to an increase in PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue) expression, which in turn resulted in the inactivation of STAT3, AKT, and ERK1/2. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that NEDD4 may participate in the HCC progression and may therefore be a potential target for HCC therapy.

Low expression of DCXR protein indicates a poor prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of dicarbonyl/L-xylulose reductase (DCXR) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Immunohistochemistry and tissue microarrays were used to evaluate DCXR protein expression levels. Image-Pro Plus was used to calculate the integral optic density (IOD) in each tissue sample, which represented the expression level of DCXR. DCXR proteins were found to be significantly lower in HCC tumor tissues (P < 0.0001) according to immunohistochemical analysis of DCXR protein levels in 74 paired HCC tissue and peritumoral non-cancer tissues. The prognostic value of DCXR in HCC was assessed in 290 cases of the training cohort and 74 cases of the validation cohort. Shorter overall survival (OS) time and shorter time to recurrence (TTR) in both the training and validation set were found to be associated with lower expression levels of DCXR. In the training set, the expression level of DCXR in HCC was an independent prognostic factor for OS according to univariate and multivariate analyses. In conclusion, DCXR expression is an independent prognostic factor for OS and TTR of post-operative HCC patients, and low expression levels of DCXR in HCC may indicate poor outcome of HCC patients after surgical resection.

Consumption of hydrogen-rich water alleviates renal injury in spontaneous hypertensive rats.

In hypertensive animals and patients, oxidative stress represents the primary risk factor for progression of renal disease. Recently, it has been demonstrated that hydrogen, as a novel antioxidant, can selectively reduce hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite anion to exert therapeutic antioxidant activity. Herein, we investigated the protective effect of hydrogen-rich water (HW) against renal injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The 8-week-old male SHR and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats were randomized into HW-treated (1.3 ± 0.2 mg/l for 3 months, drinking) and vehicle-treated group. Although treatment with HW had no significant effect on blood pressure, it significantly ameliorated renal injury in SHR. Treatment with HW lowered reactive oxygen species formation, upregulated the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-epoxide transferase, and catalase, and suppressed NADPH oxidase activity. Treatment with HW in SHR depressed pro-inflammatory cytokines expression including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, and macrophage chemoattractant protein 1, which might be mediated by suppressing nuclear factor-κB activation. In addition, treatment with HW had protective effect on mitochondrial function including adenosine triphosphate formation and membrane integrity in SHR. In conclusion, consumption of HW is a promising strategy to alleviate renal injury as a supplement for anti-hypertensive therapy.

A soft, bioinspired artificial lymphatic system for interactive ascites transfer.

Low-flow removal of refractory ascites is critical to treating cirrhosis and digestive system tumor, and thus, commercial ascites pump emerged lately. The rigid structure of clinically available pumps rises complication rate and lack of flow rate monitoring hinders early warning of abnormalities. Herein, a soft artificial system was proposed inspired by lymph for interactive ascites transfer with great biocompatibility. The implantable system is composed of pump cavity, valves and tubes, which are soft and flexible made by silica gel. Therefore, the system possesses similar modulus to tissues and can naturally fit surrounding tissues. The cavity with magnetic tablet embedded is driven by extracorporeal magnetic field. Subsequently, the system can drain ascites with a top speed of 23 mL min-1, much higher than that of natural lymphatic system and state-of-art devices. Moreover, integrated flexible sensors enable wireless, real-time flow rate monitoring, serving as proof of treatment adjustment, detection and locating of malfunction at early stage. The liver function of experimental objects was improved, and no severe complications occurred for 4 weeks, which proved its safety and benefit to treatment. This artificial lymphatic system can serve as a bridge to recovery and pave the way for further clinical research.

Nickel-Catalyzed Amidation of Aryl Alkynyl Acids with Tetraalkylthiuram Disulfides: A Facile Synthesis of Aryl Alkynyl Amides.

Nickel-catalyzed amidation of aryl alkynyl acids using tetraalkylthiuram disulfides as the amine source is described, affording a series of aryl alkynyl amides in good to excellent yields under mild conditions. This general methodology provides an alternative pathway for the synthesis of useful aryl alkynyl amides in an operationally simple manner, which shows its practical synthetic value in organic synthesis. The mechanism of this transformation was explored through control experiments and DFT calculations.

Hepatitis B virus X protein upregulates HSP90alpha expression via activation of c-Myc in human hepatocarcinoma cell line, HepG2.

BACKGROUND: The Hepatitis B Virus X protein (HBx) plays a major role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, however, its contribution to tumor invasion and metastasis has not been established so far. Heat shock protein 90 alpha (HSP90alpha) isoform is an ATP-dependent molecular chaperone that maintains the active conformation of client oncoproteins in cancer cells, which is abundantly expressed in HCC, especially in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related tumors, might be involved in tumor progression. METHODS: The levels of HSP90alpha, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) and c-Myc in HBx-transfected HepG2 cells were determined by western blots analysis. The endogenous ERKs activity was demonstrated by ELISA assay. The regulation of c-Myc-mediated HSP90 alpha promoter transactivation by HBx was evaluated through electrophoretic mobility shift analysis (EMSA). The c-Myc-mediated HSP90alpha transcription was analysed by promoter assay. The HBx-expressing cells were transfected with specific small interference RNA (siRNA) against c-Myc. The in vitro invasion potentials of cells were evaluated by Transwell cell invasion assay. RESULTS: HBx induces HSP90alpha expression at the transcription level. The induction effect of HBx was inhibited after treatment with c-Myc inhibitor, 10058-F4. In addition, the luciferase activity of the HSP90alpha promoter analysis revealed that the HBx is directly involved in the c-Myc-mediated transcriptional activation of HSP90alpha. Furthermore, HBx induces c-Myc expression by activation of Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 cascades, which in turn results in activation of the c-Myc-mediated HSP90alpha promoter and subsequently up-regulation of the HSP90alpha expression. Overexpression of HSP90alpha in HBx-transfected cells enhances tumor cells invasion. siRNA-mediated c-Myc knockdown in HBx-transfected cells significantly suppressed HSP90alpha expression and cells invasion in vitro. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the ability of HBx to promote tumor cells invasion by a mechanism involving the up-regulation of HSP90alpha and provide new insights into the mechanism of action of HBx and its involvement in tumor metastasis and recurrence of HCC.

[Dynamic detection of duck hepatitis B virus cccDNA in serum of ducks with liver injury].

OBJECTIVE: To confirm whether DHBV cccDNA could be detected in serum of DHBV-infected ducks after liver injury. METHODS: Twenty four ducks with persistent DHBV infection were divided into 4 groups with the following treatments: A, D-galactosamine (D-GalN, 2.2 g/kg) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 µg/kg); B, 10 mg/kg of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) every 12 h twice following D-GalN and LPS; C, 15 mg/kg of CCl4 every 12 h twice following D-GalN and LPS; D, normal saline as normal control (NC). At 0 h, 24 h, 36 h and 48 h post-treatment, sera were collected from each duck for determination of serum DHBV load, DHBV cccDNA and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). And ducks were eventually sacrificed to obtain liver specimens for pathological assessment of liver lesions and determination of intrahepatic total DHBV DNA and DHBV cccDNA. RESULTS: (1) No obvious pathological change was observed in the liver of ducks from NC group while the indices of liver injury were significantly different between Groups A, B and C; (2) DHBV cccDNA was undetectable in the sera of ducks from NC and A group at all time points. In contrast, DHBV cccDNA, varying from 3.17 × 10(3) copies/ml to 1.72 × 10(4) copies/ml, was detected in the sera of 2 ducks from Group B and 3 ducks from Group C at 36 h post-treatment. The occurrence of DHBV cccDNA in serum was significantly correlated with the degree of liver injury while no significant association with serum ALT level and DHBV load as well as with the level of intrahepatic total DHBV DNA and DHBV cccDNA was observed. CONCLUSION: DHBV cccDNA may be detected in the serum when the liver of duck is seriously damaged. The incidence of DHBV cccDNA occurrence in the serum is significantly associated with the severity of liver injury.

Persistent SARS-COV-2 RNA positivity in a patient for 92 days after disease onset: A case report.

RATIONALE: Recently, patients with COVID-19 who showed persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test results despite resolved clinical symptoms have attracted a lot of attention. We report the case of a patient with mild symptoms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), who achieved clinical recovery but showed persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test results until Day 92 after disease onset. PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient is a 50-year-old man with mild symptoms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). DIAGNOSES: COVID-19 pneumonia. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was quarantined for 105 days. Of these, inpatient quarantine lasted for 75 days. When the nucleic acid test results were negative for 3 consecutive days, the patient was discharged at Day 75 after disease onset. During this period, multiple samples were collected from the patient's body surface, the surrounding environment, and physical surfaces, but none of these tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. These samples included those from anal swabs, hands, inner surface of mask, cell phone, bed rails, floor around the bed, and toilet bowl surface. However, nucleic acid retest results on Day 80 and Day 92 after disease onset were positive for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids. OUTCOMES: The patient continued with quarantine and observation at home. After the test results on Days 101 and 105 after disease onset were negative, quarantine was terminated at last. LESSONS: Per our knowledge, this is the longest known time that a patient has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids. No symptoms were observed during follow-up. During hospitalization, the SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid positivity was not observed in samples from the body surface and surrounding environment, and no verified transmission event occurred during the quarantine at home. After undergoing clinical recovery a minority of patients with COVID-19 have shown long-term positive results for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid. This has provided new understanding and research directions for coronavirus infection. Long-term follow-up and quarantine measures have been employed for such patients. Further studies are required to analyze potential infectivity in such patients and determine whether more effective antiviral drugs or regimens to enable these patients to completely clear viral infection should be researched.

Risk factors for pneumonia in patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: A single-center retrospective study.

To identify the risk factors of pneumonia in patients with Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (Anti-NMDA) receptor encephalitis.This is a retrospective study.Department of Neurology in West China Hospital of Sichuan University.Patients with a definitive diagnosis of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.Risk factors associated with pneumonia were examined by bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression model.A total of 104 patients were included in this study, of which 41% patients (n = 43) were diagnosed with pneumonia at 7 days (range: 4-40 days) after admission. The occurrence of pneumonia was associated with prolonged hospital stays, a higher rate of poor outcome, and extra healthcare costs. Risk factors associated with pneumonia included Glasgow coma scale score (GCS), abnormal movements and hypokalemia.Pneumonia is a common complication in anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. In the present study, we found that disorders of consciousness, abnormal movements, and hypokalemia were independent risk factors for pneumonia in inpatients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. Pneumonia prolongs the patients' hospital stay, hospitalization expenditures, and affects the patients' prognosis.