The effect of tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) on blood lipid profiles in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains unclear. This study aimed to explore whether TMF affects blood lipids during 48 weeks in patients with CHB.

A total of 91 patients with CHB undergoing TMF treatment for 48 weeks were divided into two groups: Lipid Normal (n = 42) and Lipid Abnormal (n = 49), based on baseline blood lipid levels. Lipid indices, virological responses, and biochemical indicators were compared between the two groups. Clinical observations were further verified through in vitro experiments.

After an average follow-up of 373 ± 121 days, lipid indices in all 91 patients had not significantly changed compared with baseline (total cholesterol: 4.67 vs. 4.69 mmol/L, P = 0.2499; triglycerides: 1.08 vs. 1.04 mmol/L, P = 0.4457; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: 1.25 vs. 1.25 mmol/L, P = 0.3063; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: 3.03 vs. 3.02 mmol/L, P = 0.5765). Subgroup comparisons showed lipid indices remained stable. Among treatment-naïve patients (n = 82), complete viral suppression rates were 23.2%, 59.8%, 70.7%, and 86.6% at four, 12, 24, and 48 weeks, respectively. Cellular experiments revealed that TMF did not promote lipid metabolism in primary hepatocytes and AML12 cells.

Regardless of baseline blood lipid characteristics, 48 weeks of antiviral treatment with TMF in patients with CHB had no significant lipid-raising effect.

Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign tumor of the salivary glands. Histologically, it is characterized by the presence of both epithelial and mesenchymal elements and may contain various metaplastic changes. This paper reported a case of pleomorphic adenoma with extensive mucinous metaplasia, which is histologically very similar to mucoepi- dermoid carcinoma. Pleomorphic adenoma with extensive mucinous and squamous differentiation may be misdiagnosed as mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry was ineffective in differential diagnosis, and the diagnosis was confirmed by the absence of mastermind like transcriptional coactivator 2 (MAML2) translocation. The detection of MAML2 translocation can help avoid misdiagnosis of MEC in similar cases. Additionally, the published literature on metaplasia on pleomorphic adenoma was also reviewed and summarized.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) still represent a significant medical challenge. The course of IBD is characterized by the development of fibrotic, inflammatory, or dysplastic lesions over time. Recent advancements in operative endoscopy have introduced new strategies to address these issues. Inflammatory and fibrotic strictures pose a challenge for clinicians and represent a surgical risk. Endoscopic treatments include dilation, stent placement, and electroincisional techniques. Moreover, endoscopic approaches can also be considered in the management of IBD-related surgical complications. Addressing colorectal dysplastic lesions is a crucial concern, and several resection endoscopic techniques are available, including endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection. This review aimed to summarize the pros and cons of advanced therapeutic endoscopic approaches in the management of IBD.

Early determination of prognosis in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is crucial for optimizing treatment options and liver allocation. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with ACLF and to develop new prognostic models that accurately predict patient outcomes.

We retrospectively selected 1,952 hospitalized patients diagnosed with ACLF between January 2010 and June 2018. This cohort was used to develop new prognostic scores, which were subsequently validated in external groups.

The study included 1,386 ACLF patients and identified six independent predictors of 28-day mortality through multivariate analysis (all p < 0.05). The new score, based on a multivariate regression model, demonstrated superior predictive accuracy for both 28-day and 90-day mortalities, with Areas under the ROC curves of 0.863 and 0.853, respectively (all p < 0.05). This score can be used to stratify the risk of mortality among ACLF patients with ACLF, showing a significant difference in survival between patients categorized by the cut-off value (log-rank (Mantel–Cox) χ2 = 487.574 and 606.441, p = 0.000). Additionally, the new model exhibited good robustness in two external cohorts.

This study presents a refined prognostic model, the Model for end-stage liver disease-complication score, which accurately predicts short-term mortality in ACLF patients. This model offers a new perspective and tool for improved clinical decision-making and short-term prognostic assessment in ACLF patients.

Isofraxidin, an important coumarin compound found in the medicinal plant Sarcandra glabra, is reported to have anti-inflammatory activity. However, its natural concentration is insufficient to meet the existing demand for this valuable molecule. Therefore, biotechnological approaches are necessary to enhance the isofraxidin content.

Endophytes were isolated from the roots, stems, and leaves of Sarcandra glabra and fermented with Sarcandra glabra, respectively. The target strains capable of increasing isofraxidin content were screened using high-performance liquid chromatography. Their genes were amplified, and the polymerase chain reaction products were sequenced. BLAST analysis was used to compare the sequences with those in GenBank, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed for species identification.

Fifteen endophytic bacteria and six endophytic fungi were isolated from the roots, stems, and leaves of Sarcandra glabra. Among them, Enterobacter, Bacillus wiedmannii, Trametes versicolor from the roots, and Diaporthe celeris and Diaporthe hongkongensis from the leaves increased the isofraxidin content in Sarcandra glabra. The isofraxidin content in Sarcandra glabra fermented by endophytes Enterobacter, Bacillus wiedmannii, Trametes versicolor, Diaporthe celeris, and Diaporthe hongkongensis was 1.37, 1.27, 1.11, 1.40, and 1.16 times higher than in the blank samples, respectively.

The fermentation of Sarcandra glabra with specific endophytes can increase its isofraxidin content. These findings provide preliminary scientific evidence for the potential of using microorganisms to enhance the quality of traditional Chinese medicine.

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a challenging complication in liver cirrhosis, with no currently available sensitive diagnostic markers. This study aimed to investigate the potential of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and Deoxyribonuclease (DNase) as diagnostic indicators for PVT in chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-related decompensated cirrhosis.

We analyzed 145 CHB-related decompensated cirrhosis patients from the Ditan study and 33 from the Changgung validation study, categorizing them based on PVT occurrence. Plasma samples were assessed for NET markers, including cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and histone-DNA complexes, along with DNase activity.

PVT patients exhibited elevated levels of cfDNA and histone-DNA complexes, and reduced DNase activity. This pattern persisted regardless of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) status. Histone-DNA levels, DNase activity, and hemoglobin were identified as independent risk factors for PVT. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that high histone-DNA levels may serve as a potential diagnostic marker for PVT, with an area under the curve of 0.8628 in the Ditan study and 0.7521 in the Changgung study. When combined with cfDNA and DNase activity, the area under the curve improved to 0.8774 in the Ditan study and 0.7975 in the Changgung study.

Imbalances in NET homeostasis are associated with PVT in CHB-related decompensated cirrhosis, including cases involving HCC. Histone-DNA complexes, a significant risk factor for PVT, show potential as a diagnostic marker for PVT in decompensated cirrhosis, particularly in HBV-related HCC.

The incidence of cardia gastric cancer (CGC) is rising worldwide, particularly in East Asia. There has been a debate over whether Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) constitutes a risk factor for CGC. This study aimed to evaluate the relative risk of H. pylori infection and CGC in Asian countries.

Relevant studies examining H. pylori and CGC were searched in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from their inception to June 30, 2024. Either a random-effect model or a fixed-effect model was used to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Sensitivity analyses and assessments of publication bias were performed. The stability of results was evaluated in cases where publication bias was detected.

A total of 24 studies were included in the meta-analysis. A significant association between H. pylori and CGC was observed (OR = 2.20, 95% CI 1.73–2.80). In a subgroup analysis of different countries, a significant association was observed in East Asian countries, including China (OR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.63–2.77), Japan (OR = 2.21, 95% CI 1.16–4.20), and Korea (OR = 2.36, 95% CI 1.58–3.54), but not in Iran (OR = 1.48, 95% CI 0.77–2.84). The pooled OR from five prospective cohort studies revealed a strong association between H. pylori and CGC (OR = 2.32, 95% CI 1.47–3.66).

East Asia bears a significant burden of H. pylori-related CGC. A clear association between H. pylori infection and CGC was observed in this region.

Infection with HPV16, a high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), can cause cervical cancer in humans. These infections carry a high risk of morbidity and mortality globally in females. This study aimed to conduct an in vivo comparison of Poly (D,L-lactic-co-glycolide) (PLGA)-encapsulated peptide mixture nanoparticles and PLGA microspheres as delivery systems for vaccines.

PLGA polymers were used to form microspheres for a therapeutic vaccine against cervical cancer. The target antigens were the L1 and L2 capsid proteins and the E6 and E7 oncoproteins from HPV16. These antigens were selected based on their immunogenicity, allergenicity, and toxicity. We predicted epitopes for cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and helper T lymphocytes. In our investigation of CTL epitopes, we employed synthetic chimeric PLGA microsphere peptides, consisting of multiple H-2Db-restricted HPV16 peptides, coupled with other immune-potentiating adjuvants as predicted by our work.

H-2Db-restricted HPV16 peptides, when administered subcutaneously, enabled CTLs to eliminate in vitro TC-1 tumor cells expressing E6 and E7 of HPV16. Additionally, TC-1 cells protected C57BL/6 mice against in vivo challenges. To address this problem, peptide-based vaccines, which are among the most effective vaccine systems, have been extensively studied. Combining peptide-based vaccinations with microsphere peptide mixture particles and delivery technologies enhances their efficacy in stimulating cellular immune responses and eliminating tumor cells.

This approach may provide a potential therapeutic candidate vaccine based on microsphere-encapsulated peptides for the prevention of cervical cancer caused by HPV.

Several studies have suggested that rose hip extracts have anti-obesity potential. Conventional medicines treating obesity are followed by multiple adverse side effects and is very cost full to society. This makes the investigation of herbal remedies with anti-obesity effects potential highly relevant. This systematic review aims to shed light on the results of existing literature reports on the correlation between the intake of rose hip extracts and anti-obesity effects.

A systematic literature search of PubMed and Web of Science was made to localize relevant experimental literature. Nine articles met the inclusion criteria, including one in vitro study, seven in vivo animal studies, and one human trial with pre-obese subjects. All nine articles are objectively reviewed in this systematic review.

Eight out of nine articles, including the article on humans, presented significant anti-obesity effects. Though some limitations of the studies were found, including the human trial, seven possible metabolic mechanisms are suggested as the underlying cause of the significant effects.

Based on the findings of this review, rose hip extracts containing tiliroside found in the seeds have the potential to become a new herbal remedy with anti-obesity effects. Nevertheless, more research is needed to assess the effectiveness and optimal dosage of the rose hip treatment and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the effects.