Prevalence and clinical significance of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients with and without anti-HBe antibody.

The clinical significance of the coexistence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and antibodies against HBeAg (anti-HBe) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains unclear. This study investigated the clinical features and phase transition of patients with coexisting HBeAg/anti-HBe. A total of 840 treatment-naïve HBeAg-positive CHB patients from two medical centres were included.

Glycan Covalent Targeting Chimera-Based T-Cell Glycoengineering for Boosting Immunotherapy.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is one of the most effective approaches in cancer immunotherapy. However, shortcomings such as loss of target antigens and poor infiltration remain in the treatment of solid tumors. Herein, we propose an approach to glycoengineer T cells based on glycan covalent targeting chimera (gcTAC), to enhance immunotherapy by modulating the glycan recognition behavior of T cells.

Phylogenetic relationships and species composition of host community influence the transmission of coronaviruses in sympatric bats.

Since the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2002, bats have been recognized as important reservoirs of diverse coronaviruses (CoVs). Despite extensive research on the broad geographic transmission of bat CoVs, there is a notable gap in understanding the transmission dynamics within sympatric bat communities. Using a phylogeographic Bayesian statistical framework, we examined CoV transmission patterns and their determinants in a region where four bat roosting caves coexist and CoVs circulate persistently.

A compendium of 8,176 bat RNA viral metagenomes reveals ecological drivers and circulation dynamics.

Bats are natural hosts for many emerging viruses for which spillover to humans is a major risk, but the diversity and ecology of bat viruses is poorly understood. Here we generated 8,176 RNA viral metagenomes by metatranscriptomic sequencing of organ and swab samples from 4,143 bats representing 40 species across 52 locations in China. The resulting database, the BtCN-Virome, expands bat RNA virus diversity by over 3.

Optimization of the Use of APRI and FIB-4 for Ruling Out Liver Cirrhosis in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients With Normal Alanine Aminotransferase.

The exclusion of cirrhosis is important in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT). We aimed to optimise the performance of the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis score based on four factors (FIB-4) to exclude cirrhosis in these patients. Five hundred and eighty four patients with normal ALT who underwent liver biopsy were included in the study.

Detecting the Phaeocystis globosa bloom and characterizing its bloom condition in the northern Beibu Gulf using MODIS measurements.

Phaeocystis globosa is the most common species making up harmful algal blooms. For better detect P. globosa bloom, a multispectral approach was developed based on extensive in-situ investigation and MODIS remote sensing reflectance (R) dataset.

HBeAg-positive CHB patients with indeterminate phase associated with a high risk of significant fibrosis.

Background: The risk of liver fibrosis in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with indeterminate phase is not well characterized. We aimed to compare the presence of liver fibrosis in HBeAg-positive CHB patients between indeterminate phase and immune-tolerant phase.

Methods: This multi-center, retrospective cohort study included 719 treatment-naïve HBeAg-positive CHB patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT).

Favourable Prognosis of Patients With Untreated HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection With HBsAg < 100 IU/mL.

Background: Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) < 100 IU/mL has been recently proposed as one of the key criteria of 'partial cure' in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We analysed the clinical prognosis of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative untreated patients with HBsAg < 100 IU/mL and normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.

Methods: Five hundred and twenty-one untreated patients with HBeAg negativity, HBsAg < 100 IU/mL and normal ALT levels were included from three hospitals.

Spatial distribution, chemical speciation and source apportionment of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in surface sediments of northern Beibu Gulf, South China.

This study presents the spatial distribution and chemical speciation of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in sediments, and traces the origins of sedimentary organic matter (SOM) with CN isotopes composition and elemental ratios in the northern Beibu Gulf. The spatial distribution of biogenic elements was significantly related to the grain size composition and terrestrial inputs. The liable nitrogen (LN) accounted for 20.

A Patching and Coding Lipid Raft-Localized Universal Imaging Platform.

Lipid rafts (LRs) are relatively well-ordered functional microdomains in cell membranes and play an irreplaceable role in physiological processes as a transduction platform for multiple signaling pathways. Due to their small size and high spatiotemporal dynamics, it is difficult to perform lipid raft-localized biomolecule imaging on the surface of living cells. Here, we report a DNA nanotechnology-based platform for reversible manipulation and localized analysis of lipid rafts, which consists of two modules: "patching and coding probe pair" and "fishing probe".

Effects of tenofovir alafenamide fumarate on serum lipid profiles in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Concerns have been raised regarding changes in lipid profiles among patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) treatment. We aimed to evaluate the effect of TAF treatment on the lipid profiles of patients with CHB.

Methods: A total of 430 patients with CHB from three hospitals were retrospectively included, including 158 patients treated with TAF and 272 patients treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).

Association of hepatitis B core antibody level and hepatitis B surface antigen clearance in HBeAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Predicting hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance is important for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients receiving pegylated interferon-alfa (Peg-IFN) therapy. We aimed to determine the predictive value of serum hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) for HBsAg clearance. A total of 189 HBeAg-negative CHB patients who received Peg-IFN based therapy were retrospectively included and classified into two groups: nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) add-on Peg-IFN group (add-on group,  = 94) and Peg-IFN combined with NAs or Peg-IFN monotherapy group (combination or monotherapy group,  = 95).

Rapid diagnosis of a fox's death case using nanopore sequencing reveals the infection with an Artic-like rabies virus.

• We detected a rabies virus (RABV) in a fox's death case within 6 h upon sample receipt using nanopore direct sequencing. • The virus belongs to AL2 sub-lineage, suggesting a high risk of fox-related AL2 RABV on the northeastern border of China. • Nanopore sequencing showed less sensitivity and accuracy, though it helped us rapidly identify the cause of death.

Red Blood Cell Distribution Width Predicts Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome.

Background: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging epidemic infectious disease with high mortality rate. This study aimed to investigate the association of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and mortality risk in hospitalized SFTS patients.

Methods: Clinical data of SFTS patients was retrospectively collected from three hospitals between October 2010 and August 2022.

Shikonin blocks CAF-induced TNBC metastasis by suppressing mitochondrial biogenesis through GSK-3β/NEDD4-1 mediated phosphorylation-dependent degradation of PGC-1α.

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by its high metastatic potential, which results in poor patient survival. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are crucial in facilitating TNBC metastasis via induction of mitochondrial biogenesis. However, how to inhibit CAF-conferred mitochondrial biogenesis is still needed to explore.

AhR agonists screening and identification in indoor dust based on non-target chemical analysis by GC-Q-TOFMS and biological effect evaluation referring to ToxCast/Tox21 database.

Numerous studies reported the concentration of agonists of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in indoor dust by target chemical analysis or the biological effects of activating the AhR by indoor extracts, but the major AhR agonists identification in indoor dust were rarely researched. In the present study, the indoor dust samples were collected for 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) assay and both non-targeted and targeted chemical analysis for AhR agonists by gas chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Coupled with non-targeted analysis and toxicity Forecaster (ToxCast)/Tox21 database, 104 ToxCast chemicals were screened to be able to induce EROD response.

Association of liver function and prognosis in patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome.

Objectives: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an epidemic emerging infectious disease with high mortality rate. We investigated the association between liver injury and clinical outcomes in patients with SFTS.

Methods: A total of 291 hospitalized SFTS patients were retrospectively included.

Clinical outcomes of treatment-naïve HBeAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection with low serum HBsAg and undetectable HBV DNA.

Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) level < 100 IU/ml and undetectable hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA have been recently proposed as an alternate endpoint of "partial cure" in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We investigated clinical outcomes of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative CHB patients with HBsAg <100 IU/ml and undetectable HBV DNA. Treatment-naïve HBeAg-negative CHB patients with undetectable HBV DNA and normal alanine aminotransferase were retrospectively included from three institutions.

Nutrient budgets and biogeochemical dynamics in the coastal regions of northern Beibu Gulf, South China Sea: Implication for the severe impact of human disturbance.

This study examined the nutrient budgets and biogeochemical dynamics in the coastal regions of northern Beibu Gulf (CNBG). Nutrient concentrations varied spatially and seasonally among the different bays. High nutrient levels were found in the regions with high riverine inputs and intensive mariculture.

Isolation, characterization, and circulation sphere of a filovirus in fruit bats.

Bats are associated with the circulation of most mammalian filoviruses (FiVs), with pathogenic ones frequently causing deadly hemorrhagic fevers in Africa. Divergent FiVs have been uncovered in Chinese bats, raising concerns about their threat to public health. Here, we describe a long-term surveillance to track bat FiVs at orchards, eventually resulting in the identification and isolation of a FiV, Dehong virus (DEHV), from bats.

Histological features of chronic hepatitis B patients with normal alanine aminotransferase according to different criteria.

Background: The upper limits of normal (ULNs) for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are different among international guidelines for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We aimed to investigate the proportion of significant histological disease in Asian patients with CHB with detectable hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA under diverse ALT ULNs.

Methods: Consecutive patients with CHB and detectable HBV DNA who underwent liver biopsy were retrospectively included from four tertiary hospitals.