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J Hepatol 2019 Feb 19. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Department of Pharmacology and Center for Cancer Research and Diagnostic Medicine, IBST, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea; KU Open Innovation Center, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea; Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea. Electronic address:

Background & Aims: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is one the most potent nucleot(s)ide analogues for treating chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Phenotypic resistance caused by genotypic resistance to TDF has not been reported. This study aimed to characterize HBV mutations that confer tenofovir resistance. Read More

PLoS One 2019 22;14(2):e0212908. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.

The German Infection Protection Act requires notifying certain cases of infectious diseases to local health departments (LHD) in Germany. LHDs transmit notifications meeting case definitions to the national health authority, where the proportion of discarded notifications is not known. The proportion of discarded cases at the level of LHDs can be expressed as the positive predictive value (PPV) of the notification system. Read More

PLoS One 2019 22;14(2):e0212800. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany.

This study describes the comparative expression and purification of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) particles produced upon infection of human primary hepatocytes and human hepatoma cell lines (HuH-7 and HepG2) with recombinant vaccinia viruses. The highest levels of HBsAg expression were found in HuH-7 hepatoma cells following infection with recombinant vaccinia viruses, which contain the S gene under control of a 7.5 k-promoter. Read More

PLoS One 2019 22;14(2):e0212559. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan.

Aim: Deletions are observed frequently in the preS1/S2 region of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome, in association with liver disease advancement. However, the most significant preS1/S2 region and its influences on viral markers are unclear.

Methods: The preS1/S2 HBV regions of 90 patients without antiviral therapy were subjected to deep sequencing and deleted regions influencing viral markers were investigated. Read More

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2019 Feb 21. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Infectious Diseases, Campania University "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.

Background: Suppression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication with nucles(t)ide analogues should be considered for patients with chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection and ongoing HBV replication.

Aim: To verify the clinical outcome after long-term entecavir or tenofovir treatment in patients with advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis, ineligible to peg-interferon therapy.

Methods: Patients were prospectively followed-up at 3-6 month intervals; measured outcomes were decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver transplant and liver related death. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Feb 21;9(1):2508. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Department of Internal medicine, Yonsei University College of medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Routine nucleos(t)ide analogs (NUCs) have not yet been recommended for patients with immune-tolerant (IT) phase in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We aimed to evaluate prognosis of patients in untreated IT-phase (UIT group), compared to those in immune-active phase who achieved virological response by NUCs according to guidelines (VR group). Between 2006 and 2012, patients in UIT or VR groups were included. Read More

Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019 Feb 6:1-14. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

b Baylor University Medical Center , Dallas , TX , USA.

Introduction: Non-invasive assessment of fibrosis is increasingly utilized in clinical practice to diagnose hepatic fibrosis. Non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis relies on biologic and/or physical properties to assess tissue fibrosis. Serum markers estimate fibrosis by incorporating markers reflecting hepatic function (indirect markers) and/or markers measuring extracellular matrix degradation/fibrogenesis (direct markers). Read More

Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019 Mar 21;13(3):229-239. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

b Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology , Boston University School of Medicine , Boston , MA , USA.

Introduction: Many of the therapeutic options for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suppress the immune system, which increases the risk of certain infections in these patients. Effective vaccines exist and offer protection against a number of infectious diseases. However, data has shown that IBD patients are inadequately vaccinated and, as a result, are at risk of developing certain preventable infections. Read More

Cancer Med 2019 Feb 21. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Hatano Red Cross Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan.

Background: It is well known that the incidence of developing hepatocelluler carcinoma (HCC) is increased in liver cirrhosis of different etiologies. However, comparison of HCC incidence in various liver diseases has not yet been estimated. We surveyed this comparison. Read More

Liver Int 2019 Feb 21. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Department of Pediatrics, , National Taiwan University Hospital, and Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Bioethics.

Background And Aims: Despite the success of universal infant immunization initiated in Taiwan in 1984, occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) and circulating surface antigen mutants remain potential obstacles for eventual eradication of HBV infection.

Methods: From 3299 apparently healthy, neonatally-vaccinated subjects (<30-year-old) enrolled during 2014 serosurvey, we recruited all HBsAg-positive (n=17), all HBsAg-negative but anti-HBc-positive (n=132), and randomly selected HBsAg-negative and anti-HBc-negative subjects (n=411). These recruited subjects and 81 HBsAg-negative children with various forms of hepatitis and multiple transfusions were analyzed for serum HBV DNA. Read More

J Gastroenterol 2019 Feb 21. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan.

Background And Aims: The clinical course and responsiveness to antiviral treatments differs among hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes. However, the cause of these differences is unclear. In the present study, we compared mRNA expression profiles in human hepatocyte chimeric mice infected with HBV genotypes A and C. Read More

JAMA Oncol 2019 Feb 21. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Importance: Increased intake of whole grain and dietary fiber has been associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and inflammation, which are known predisposing factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, we hypothesized that long-term intake of whole grains and dietary fiber may be associated with lower risk of HCC.

Objective: To assess the associations of whole grain and dietary fiber intake with the risk of HCC. Read More

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Section of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig.

Background/aim: The use of lamivudine for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is limited by high rates of lamivudine resistance. However, it is still in use in many regions. Factors associated with lamivudine resistance development have been studied in only a few European cohorts. Read More

Analyst 2019 Feb 21. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

STMicroelectronics Stradale Primosole, 50 - 95121 Catania, Italy.

An innovative miniaturized silicon-chip was developed for highly sensitive detection of pathogen genomes of both viruses and bacteria through real time PCR (qRT-PCR). The device was properly designed to enhance the optical signal and perform accurate thermal control. Results show an improvement of PCR amplification by one order of magnitude in sensitivity compared to the standard RT-PCR method. Read More

J Med Virol 2019 Feb 20. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

Aim: We aimed at investigating the effects of age on the predictive performances of non-invasive fibrosis scores for significant fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: A total of 496 CHB patients who underwent liver biopsy were stratified into four age groups: ≤30, 31-40, 41-50 and ≥51 years. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis score-4 (Fib-4) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase to platelet ratio (GPR) in different age groups. Read More

Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2019 Feb 20. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Abteilung für Infektionsepidemiologie, Robert Koch-Institut, Seestraße 10, Berlin, 13353, Deutschland.

Since the baseline study of the "German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS)" in 2003-2006, vaccination conditions in Germany have changed and additional vaccinations have been included in the immunization schedule. The current KiGGS data can be used to assess the current vaccination status of 3‑ to 17-year-olds and trends in the 1985-2013 birth cohorts.Of the 15,023 total participants in KiGGS Wave 2, 3238 aged 3-17 years participated in the KiGGS Wave 2 examinations and submitted the complete vaccination certificate or were, according to their parents, unvaccinated. Read More

Iran J Public Health 2018 Dec;47(12):1906-1912

Dept. of Pathology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Background: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV), as well as hepatitis B virus (HBV), are regarded as one of the main public health issues in developing countries. This retrospective study described histological and serological features of HDV coinfection patients with chronic active HBV in Northeastern Iran.

Methods: The frequency of HDV seropositivity and its impact on serum liver enzyme levels and pathological features were investigated by reviewing clinical and laboratory data. Read More

J Virol 2019 Feb 20. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Infectious Diseases, Emeryville, CA, USA.

Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) forms the basis for replication and persistence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the chronically infected liver. We have previously shown that viral transcription is subject to regulation by posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of histone proteins bound to cccDNA through analysis of HBV infected cell lines. We now report the successful adaptation of this chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIPseq) approach for analysis of fine-needle patient liver biopsy specimens to investigate the role of histone PTMs in chronically HBV-infected patients. Read More

BMC Med 2019 Feb 21;17(1):43. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK.

Background: Sustainable Development Goals set a challenge for the elimination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection as a public health concern by the year 2030. Deployment of a robust prophylactic vaccine and enhanced interventions for prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) are cornerstones of elimination strategy. However, in light of the estimated global burden of 290 million cases, enhanced efforts are required to underpin optimisation of public health strategy. Read More

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 2019 Feb;99(7):505-509

Department of Rheumatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Cinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100730, China.

To explore the effect of cathepsin (Cat) S in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). The serum of PBC patients and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients were collected in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from August 2016 to July 2017 and the liver tissue of PBC were collected from March 2010 to July 2013. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum concentrations of total-and pro-Cat S respectively in 24 PBC patients, 24 Hepatitis B patients and 24 healthy controls. Read More

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 2019 Feb;99(7):491-495

Department of Ultrasound, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.

To establish automatic liver fibrosis classification models by using traditional machine learning and deep learning methods and preliminaryly evaluate the efficiency. Gray scale ultrasound images and corresponding elastic images of 354 patients, 247 males and 107 females, mean age (54±12) years undergoing partial hepatectomy in Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from November 2014 to January 2016 were enrolled in this study. By using traditional machine learning and deep learning methods, an automatic classification model of liver fibrosis stages (S0 to S4) were established through feature extraction and classification of ultrasound image data sets and the accuracy in different classification categories of each model were calculated, by using liver biopsy as the reference standard. Read More

J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019 Feb 20. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.

Background And Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can still develop in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients receiving antiviral treatment. Serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) is a novel marker for liver fibrosis. We investigated its role on incidence of HCC in entecavir (ETV)-treated CHB patients. Read More

PLoS One 2019 20;14(2):e0211553. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center, Qingdao, Shandong, China.

With rapidly increasing animal pathogen surveillance requirements, new technologies are needed for a comprehensive understanding of the roles of pathogens in the occurrence and development of animal diseases. We applied metagenomic technology to avian virus surveillance to study the main viruses infecting six poultry farms in two provinces in eastern China. Cloacal/throat double swabs were collected from 60 birds at each farm according to a random sampling method. Read More

Exp Ther Med 2019 Mar 19;17(3):1919-1929. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Department of General Surgery, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, P.R. China.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential use of 7 plasma miRNAs for liver fibrosis staging in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Relative levels of miRNAs were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and used to develop a diagnostic panel. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the performance of individual miRNAs and the whole panel. Read More

World J Gastroenterol 2019 Feb;25(6):719-728

Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.

Background: Characteristics of alterations of serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA in different chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients still cannot be fully explained. Whether HBV RNA can predict HBeAg seroconversion is still controversial.

Aim: To investigate whether HBV RNA can predict virological response or HBeAg seroconversion during entecavir (ETV) treatment when HBV DNA is undetectable. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Feb 19;9(1):2269. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Division of Liver and Transplantation Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.

Liver resection remains the popular treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to explore the alteration of immune cells in HCC patients with liver resections. Nineteen patients were included and their peripheral blood samples were taken before and after liver resections for immune-cell analysis. Read More

Nefrologia 2019 Feb 16. Epub 2019 Feb 16.

Nefrología-Hemodiálisis, Clínica Fuensanta, Madrid, España.

J Hepatol 2019 Feb 16. Epub 2019 Feb 16.

Sriram Chandra Bhanja Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, Odisha, India.

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019 Feb 16;16(4). Epub 2019 Feb 16.

Center of Excellence in Behavioral Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam.

Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption can be considered as risk factors that increase the progression of chronic liver disease. Meanwhile, unprotected sex is one of the main causes of hepatitis B infection. This study aimed to explore drinking, smoking, and risky sexual behaviors among people with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) in a Vietnamese urban setting, as well as investigating potential associated factors. Read More

Exp Cell Res 2019 Feb 16. Epub 2019 Feb 16.

University of Portsmouth, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, White Swan Road, St. Michael's Building PO1 2DT, Portsmouth, United Kingdom; University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Cancer Biology Program, 701 Ilalo street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, USA. Electronic address:

Over the last decade there has been growing evidence that Brain Expressed X-Linked 2 (BEX2) has a significant role in the process of carcinogenesis. Collectively, available studies suggest a pro-oncogenic function for this gene in multiple malignancies, including breast, colorectal and hepatocellular cancers in addition to brain tumors. The identification of BEX2 in breast cancer resulted from gene expression microarray studies. Read More

PLoS One 2019 19;14(2):e0212233. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.

Currently, there is no available therapy to eradicate hepatitis B virus (HBV) in chronically infected individuals. This is due to the difficulty in eliminating viral covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA, which is central to the gene expression and replication of HBV. We developed an assay system for nuclear circular DNA using an integration-deficient lentiviral vector. Read More

Clin Infect Dis 2019 Feb 19. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Lao-Lux Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du Laos, Vientiane, Lao PDR.

Background: Lao PDR continues to sustain a considerable burden of vaccine preventable diseases because of incomplete vaccine coverage and weak vaccine responses. We have assessed seroconversion after routine vaccination with DTPw-HepB-Hib to capture weaknesses of vaccine management at the different levels of the health care system.

Methods: 1151 children (8-28 months) with three documented doses of the pentavalent vaccine delivered at Central hospitals in Vientiane and the Provincial hospital, 3 district hospitals and 10 health centers in Bolikhamxay province were enrolled. Read More

Front Immunol 2019 4;10:112. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Immunobiology and Immunotherapy in Chronic Diseases, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health burden potentially evolving toward cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV physiopathology is strongly related to the host immunity, yet the mechanisms of viral evasion from immune-surveillance are still misunderstood. The immune response elicited at early stages of viral infection is believed to be important for subsequent disease outcome. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Feb 18;9(1):2220. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Department of Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, PR China.

The impact of antiviral therapy before tumorigenesis on microvascular invasion (MVI) of Chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unknown. In this retrospective cohort study 3,276 HCC patients with early-stage who underwent curative resection were included. We investigated the effect of precancer antiviral therapy on the pathology, especially MVI, of CHB-related HCC. Read More

Indian J Ophthalmol 2019 Mar;67(3):335-339

Department of Ophthalmology, Maharaja Agrasen Medical College, Agroha, Hisar, Haryana, India.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to know practice pattern of cataract surgeons when operating on patients, positive for blood-borne viral infections (BBVIs), namely, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus. We also studied their awareness, knowledge, and attitude toward universal precautions and guidelines.

Methods: The telephonic survey enrolled practicing cataract surgeons, who were interviewed to record responses pertaining to their practice using an open-ended questionnaire. Read More

Exp Clin Transplant 2019 Jan;17(Suppl 1):260-263

From the Organ Procurement Unit (OPU), Lung Transplantation Research Center (LTRC), National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU), Tehran, Iran.

Objectives: In the organ donation process, screening for serologic markers for a selection of agents is essential to prevent infection transmission. The screening of donors for specific potential infections can never absolutely exclude the risk of transmission. For reevaluation of serology tests, we analyzed results of tests requested for all brain-dead donors. Read More

Exp Clin Transplant 2019 Jan;17(Suppl 1):202-206

From the Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), Karachi, Pakistan.

Objectives: The preferred modality for renal replacement therapy is renal transplantation. Marked improvements in early graft survival and long-term graft function have made renal transplantation a more cost-effective alternative to dialysis. The presence of liver disease in the posttransplant period adversely affects graft function and survival. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2019 Feb 18;19(1):171. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

College of Medical Laboratory, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China.

Background: Using serum markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, we aimed to develop a quantitative model that explains the complicated immune response to this infection.

Methods: Serum samples from HBV-infected patients were randomly selected and divided into groups based on HBV-DNA positivity or negativity. Quantitative markers of HBV were measured. Read More

J Med Virol 2019 Feb 18. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA.

Background: Recent studies have suggested a potential increase in the incidence of osteoporosis for patients receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), but this issue remains controversial.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 1,224 Asian chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients >18 years without baseline osteopenia/osteoporosis seen at four U.S. Read More

Clin Lab 2019 Jan;65(1)

Background: Recent reports suggest that the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) is a potential biomarker for predicting clinical outcomes. In the present study, LMR in patients with hepatitis B virus-related decompensated cirrhosis (HBV-DeCi) was investigated to evaluate whether LMR may have utility as a new predictive marker for mortality in HBV-DeCi patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study that included 135 patients with HBV-DeCi. Read More

Sci Adv 2019 Feb 6;5(2):eaau7130. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.

About 257 million people with chronic infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) worldwide are at high risk of developing terminal liver diseases. Reactivation of virus replication has been frequently reported in those patient populations receiving imatinib (an Abl kinase inhibitor) or bortezomib (a proteasome inhibitor) to treat concurrent diseases, but the underlying mechanism for this reactivation is unknown. We report that the HBV polymerase protein is recruited by Cdt2 to the cullin-RING ligase 4 (CRL4) for ubiquitination and proteasome degradation and that this process is stimulated by the c-Abl nonreceptor tyrosine kinase. Read More

Public Health Action 2018 Dec;8(4):202-210

National Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Programme, Ministry of Health and Sports, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

Two drug treatment centres (DTCs) for people who inject drugs (PWID) and are enrolled in methadone maintenance therapy (MMT), Yangon, Myanmar. To determine, in PWID enrolled for MMT from 2015 to 2017, 1) testing uptake and results for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV); 2) risk factors for infection; and 3) retention in care and risk factors for loss to follow-up (LTFU). Cohort study using secondary data. Read More

Public Health Action 2018 Dec;8(4):153

Adelaide Sexual Health Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

World J Nucl Med 2019 Jan-Mar;18(1):66-68

Department of Nuclear Medicine, Elazig Medical Park Hospital, Elazığ, Turkey.

One of the most important benign tumors in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is plexiform neurofibroma, and there is a risk of developing malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) throughout life approximately 10%. However lesion characterization by anatomical imaging methods are not possible. Because of that most of cases goes to biopsy. Read More

J Blood Med 2019 1;10:53-58. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetics (LaBioGene), Training and Research Unit in Life and Earth Sciences, University Ouaga I Professor Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso,

Introduction: In sub-Saharan Africa, the high endemicity of blood-borne infections is a serious threat to transfusion safety. In order to improve transfusion safety, Burkina Faso has undertaken in recent years a reorganization of its blood-transfusion system through the creation of a National Blood Transfusion Center, which is the only blood operator in the whole country. This study aimed to estimate the residual risk of transmission of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) by blood transfusion at the Regional Blood Transfusion Center (RBTC) of Ouagadougou. Read More

Drug Des Devel Ther 2019 22;13:397-404. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Liver Center, Cathay General Hospital Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan,

Background: Sorafenib is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is indicated for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical outcomes of HCC patients receiving sorafenib in real-life clinical setting in comparison with formal clinical trials.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with advanced HCC between 2007 and 2015 at single institute were retrospectively enrolled and evaluated for survival and tolerability following sorafenib treatment. Read More

Neth J Med 2019 Jan;77(1):19-24

Department of Internal Medicine, , Medical Centre Slotervaart, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Background: Patients with a chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection or patients who have recovered from an HBV infection are at risk for HBV reactivation (HBVr), especially if they need treatment with chemotherapy. International guidelines recommend routine HBV screening for all patients starting with chemotherapy. This study evaluates the implementation of a routine HBV screening protocol. Read More

Med Sci Monit 2019 Feb 18;25:1301-1306. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Third Central Hospital of Tianjin (Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Artificial Cell, Artificial Cell Engineering Technology Research Center of Public Health Ministry), Tianjin, China (mainland).

BACKGROUND We examined the level of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) and p16 gene methylation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and explored the relationship to liver cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS There were 56 patients with primary liver cancer who were admitted to the hospital from July 2015 to October 2017 included in the liver cancer group, and 24 non-hepatoma patients (hepatitis A/hepatitis B/hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis, liver fibrosis, and fatty liver, alcoholic liver identified as a control group. Fasting venous blood samples were collected from the 2 groups. Read More

Vaccine 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL), Melbourne Health, The Peter Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia; Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University, School of Science, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia. Electronic address:

The repetitive structure of compact virus-like particles (VLPs) provides high density displays of antigenic sequences, which trigger key parts of the immune system. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines exploit the assembly competence of structural proteins, which are the effective immunogenic components of the prophylactic HBV and HPV vaccines, respectively. To optimize vaccine designs and to promote immune responses against protective epitopes, the "Asp-Ala-Asp-Pro" (NANP)-repeat from the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP) was expressed within the exposed, main antigenic site of the small HBV envelope protein (HBsAgS); this differs from the RTS,S vaccine, in which CSP epitopes are fused to the N-terminus of HBsAgS. Read More

BMJ Open 2019 Feb 15;9(2):e026093. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Département des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France.

Introduction: Immune reconstitution after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a complex and dynamic process, varying from a state of nearly complete immunosuppression to an expected full immune recovery. Specific vaccination guidelines recommend reimmunisation after HSCT but data regarding vaccine efficacy in this unique population are scarce. New immune functional assays could enable prediction of vaccine response in the setting of HSCT. Read More