Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a defective virus that completes its life cycle only with hepatitis B virus (HBV). The HBV with HDV super-infection has been considered as one of the most severe forms of ...the chronic viral hepatitis. However, there is a scarcity of data on the global burden of HDV infection.
We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and China Knowledge Resource Integrated databases from 1 January 1977 to 31 December 2016. We included studies with a minimum sample size of 50 patients. Our study analysed data from a total of 40 million individuals to estimate the prevalence of HDV by using Der-Simonian Laird random-effects model. The data were further categorised according to risk factors.
From a total of 2717 initially identified studies, only 182 articles from 61 countries and regions met the final inclusion criteria. The overall prevalence of HDV was 0.98% (95% CI 0.61 to 1.42). In HBsAg-positive population, HDV pooled prevalence was 14.57% (95% CI 12.93 to 16.27): Seroprevalence was 10.58% (95% CI 9.14 to 12.11) in mixed population without risk factors of intravenous drug use (IVDU) and high-risk sexual behaviour (HRSB). It was 37.57% (95% CI 29.30 to 46.20) in the IVDU population and 17.01% (95% CI 10.69 to 24.34) in HRSB population.
We found that approximately 10.58% HBsAg carriers (without IVDU and HRSB) were coinfected with HDV, which is twofold of what has been estimated before. We also noted a substantially higher HDV prevalence in the IVDU and HRSB population. Our study highlights the need for increased focus on the routine HDV screening and rigorous implementation of HBV vaccine programme.
A group of patients with a febrile illness and a history of tick bites was identified in northeastern China. A previously unknown virus was determined to be a possible etiologic agent. This virus was ...also found in ticks in the area.
Inhibition of apoptosis signal‐regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) activation has emerged as a promising target for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Multiple forms of posttranslational ...modifications determine the activity of ASK1. In addition to phosphorylation, recent studies revealed that ubiquitination is essential for ASK1 activation. However, the endogenous factor that regulates ASK1 ubiquitination and activation remains poorly defined. In this study, we identified the E3 ligase Skp1‐Cul1‐F‐box (SCF) protein F‐box/WD repeat‐containing protein 5 (FBXW5) as a key endogenous activator of ASK1 ubiquitination. FBXW5 is the central component of the SCF complex (SCFFbxw5) that directly interacts with and ubiquitinates ASK1 in hepatocytes during NASH development. An in vivo study showed that hepatocyte‐specific overexpression of FBXW5 exacerbated diet‐induced systemic and hepatic metabolic disorders, as well as the activation of ASK1‐related mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in the liver. Conversely, hepatocyte‐specific deletion of FBXW5 significantly prevented the progression of these abnormalities. Mechanically, FBXW5 facilitated the addition of Lys63‐linked ubiquitin to ASK1 and thus exacerbated ASK1‐c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase/p38 MAPK signaling, inflammation, and lipid accumulation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the N‐terminus (S1) and C‐terminus (S3) of FBXW5 respectively and competitively ablate the function of FBXW5 on ASK1 activation and served as effective inhibitors of NASH progression. Conclusion: This evidence strongly suggests that SCFFbxw5 is an important activator of ASK1 ubiquitination in the context of NASH. The development of FBXW5(S1) or FBXW5(S3)‐mimicking drugs and screening of small‐molecular inhibitors specifically abrogating ASK1 ubiquitination‐dependent activation are viable approaches for NASH treatment.
The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) in the global population. We searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane ...and Web of Science from database inception through 27 Dec, 2018. Studies reporting HBV‐DNA serological data in previously undiagnosed hepatitis B patients were included. The data were further categorized according to the presence of risk factors. After an initial screening of 2,325 records, we finally included 98 articles about the prevalence of OBI from 34 countries and regions. The OBI prevalence was 0.82% (95% CI:0.69–0.96) in the general population, 16.26% (95% CI:10.97–22.34) in HIV patients, 13.99% (95% CI:8.33–20.79) in patients with other liver diseases, 4.25% (95% CI:1.64–7.87) in haemodialysis patients and 5.14% (95% CI:2.26–9.01) patients with other risk factors. In conclusion, OBI prevalence varies significantly across different populations and nations, which deserve attention from the public health authorities. Our results generate further epidemiological data to identify the population with OBI, which has important clinical implications in finding these high‐risk populations to design preventive and management strategies.
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is an obligate satellite of hepatitis B virus (HBV). HIV/HDV co‐infection is associated with a high rate of hepatic decompensation events and death. We aimed to ...characterize the epidemiology of HDV infection in HIV/HBV co‐infected individuals. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL and Scopus for studies published from 1 Jan 2002 to 7 May 2018 measuring prevalence of HDV among the HIV population. Pooled seroprevalence was calculated with the DerSimonian–Laird random‐effects model. Our search returned 4624 records, 38 of which met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. These studies included data for 63 cohorts from 18 countries and regions. The overall HDV seroprevalence of HIV‐infected individuals was 1.03% (95% CI 0.43–1.85) in 2002–2018 globally. Moreover, the estimated pooled HDV seroprevalence among the general population was 1.07% (95% CI 0.65–1.59) in 2002–2018, which was not significantly different from the HDV seroprevalence of individuals living with HIV (p = 0.951). The overall HDV seroprevalence of the HBsAg positive population was 12.15% (95% CI 10.22–14.20), p = 0.434 when compared with the corresponding data of HIV/HBV co‐infected individuals. This meta‐analysis suggested that there was no difference between the HDV seroprevalence in HIV‐infected individuals and the general population.
The established tradition of consuming and marketing wild mushrooms has focused attention on mycotoxicity, which has become a global issue. In the present study, we describe the toxins found in a ...previously unknown poisonous European mushroom Tricholoma terreum. Fifteen new triterpenoids terreolides A–F (1–6) and saponaceolides H–P (8–16) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of the toxic mushroom T. terreum. Terreolides A–C (1–3) possessed a unique 5/6/7 trioxaspiroketal system, whereas terreolides D–F (4–6) possessed an unprecedented carbon skeleton. Two abundant compounds in the mushroom, saponaceolide B (7) and saponaceolide M (13), displayed acute toxicity, with LD50 values of 88.3 and 63.7 mg kg−1 when administered orally in mice. Both compounds were found to increase serum creatine kinase levels in mice, indicating that T. terreum may be the cause of mushroom poisoning ultimately leading to rhabdomyolysis.
Murderous mushroom identified: A chemical investigation of the fruiting bodies of the mushroom Tricholoma terreum led to the isolation of 15 new triterpenoids including three that possess a unique 5/6/7 trioxaspiroketal system and three that possess an unprecedented carbon skeleton (see figure). Two compounds, saponaceolide B and saponaceolide M, were abundantly expressed in the mushroom and displayed acute toxicity, with LD50 values of 88.3 and 63.7 mg kg−1, respectively.
•A panel discrete Lotka-Volterra model is proposed to estimate relationship between ERP and MES markets.•ERP and MES markets in China present a mutually beneficial and symbiotic relationship.•The ...heterogeneity of the ERP and MES markets for digital technology products in China in the temporal and provincial dimensions is characterized.
In the critical period of enterprise digital reform, the market interaction between enterprise resource planning (ERP) and manufacturing execution system (MES) is an important way in which to realize the digital transformation and upgrading of Chinese enterprises. Based on the panel data pertaining to 31 provinces in China from 2011 to 2017, a panel discrete Lotka-Volterra model is established to estimate the relationship between ERP and MES markets. Interaction terms for time, region, and core variables are introduced to examine the heterogeneity of the relationship between ERP and MES. The results show that the market of ERP and MES for digital technology products in China presents a mutually beneficial and symbiotic relationship. However, there is regional and temporal heterogeneity in the relationship: from 2011 to 2016, showing a significant symbiotic and mutually beneficial relationship subsequently shifts to a weak predator–prey relationship, with the ERP market being more dominant; there is a significant regional imbalance between the provinces of China, with Jilin and Gansu Provinces showing a strong symbiotic relationship, while Qinghai and Tibet have no relevant links. The effectiveness of the novel Lotka-Volterra model has been verified by its significant prediction accuracy and greatly enhanced robustness.
Two novel 3-nor-methyl-chamigrane sesquiterpene peroxides, named steperoxide A (1) and B (2), have been isolated from basidiomycete Steccherinum ochraceum. This is the first report on the isolation ...of chamigrane sesquiterpene from higher fungi. The structures of 1 and 2 were established on the basis of spectroscopic data and single-crystal X-ray analysis.
The development of a near-infrared fluorophore with excellent fluorescence performance, a large Stokes shift, and good biocompatibility has become a focus in the field of fluorescence imaging in ...recent years. Based on quantum chemistry calculations and reasonable molecular design strategies, a new NIR fluorophore was developed and characterized by simple synthesis, easy structural modification, and a large Stokes shift (105 nm). Furthermore, two new "activatable" fluorescent probes QN-Cys and QN-DNP were synthesized using a simple structural modification. The probe QN-Cys can recognize Cys with high sensitivity (LOD = 128 nM) and high selectivity, and its fluorescence intensity has a good linear relationship with the Cys concentration in the range of 5–35 μM. Furthermore, probe QN-Cys can effectively distinguish Cys from Hcy and GSH, and was successfully applied to the detection and imaging of Cys in human serum, cells, and zebrafish. The probe QN-DNP showed a good specific and sensitive (LOD = 78 nM) fluorescence response to thiophenol, and its fluorescence intensity has a good linear relationship with the thiophenol concentration in the range of 5–30 μM. Furthermore, it was successfully applied to detect thiophenol in real water samples with good recoveries (97–102%), and image thiophenol in living cells, zebrafish and mice. Notebly, the QN-DNP probe could be applied to visualize the distribution of thiophenol in the mice.
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•Reasonably designed a fluorophore QN-OH with NIR fluorescence properties (λem = 685 nm) and large Stokes shift (105 nm).•Probe QN-Cys can be used to discriminate detection of Cys from Hcy and GSH, imaging Cys in cells and zebrafish.•Probe QN-DNP was used for detection of PhSH in water samples, and imaging PhSH in living cells, zebrafishs and mice.
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Kr is a major radioactive byproduct released during nuclear fuel reprocessing and an important atmospheric indicator for nuclear safety and environmental monitoring. In this work, we report on ...online monitoring of atmospheric
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Kr activities with time resolution of 1.5 hours. An automated Kr purification system and an atom trap based
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Kr measurement system work synchronously in the experiment. The Kr purification system features temperature-controlled cryogenic distillation and gas chromatography, which allows direct sampling of ambient air and continuous operation. The separated Kr is fed into an atom trap capable of measuring the abundance of
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Kr with micro-L size Kr samples. The sample consumption is 3 L STP of air per measurement with a 1.5 hour processing time. Compared to the conventional monitoring method based on proportional counting, both the measurement time and sample size (10 m
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and 1 week) are reduced by several orders of magnitude. The
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Kr analysis technology demonstrated in this work allows analysis of atmospheric
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Kr activities with hourly resolution, enabling applications such as online monitoring of nuclear fuel reprocessing plants and tracing of atmospheric circulation patterns.
Automatic Kr separation apparatus and atom counting enable online monitoring of atmospheric krypton-85 with hourly time resolution.
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