Hepatitis D caused by hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection is the most serious type of viral hepatitis. The prevalence rate of HDV has been seriously underestimated due to the lack of accurate HDV RNA detection methods. HDV RNA is the gold standard for the diagnosis of HDV infection and is of great significance in the diagnosis, screening, and treatment guidance of HDV. However, the multiple genotypes and strong secondary structure of HDV have led to great difficulties in HDV RNA detection. This article reviews the advances in HDV RNA detection methods and elaborates on the development from qualitative to quantitative detection methods, in order to provide new ideas for understanding the significance of HDV RNA detection and promoting the research and development of new HDV RNA detection methods.

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) needs hepatitis B virus (HBV) as a helper to infect hepatocytes and spread. Co-infection with HDV and HBV may lead to accelerated progression and poor prognosis, but at present, the hazard and disease burden of HDV infection have been severely underestimated. This article summarizes the research advances in the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of HDV infection, in order to provide a reference for more clinicians.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of adult human liver-derived stem cell exosomes (HLSC-exo) intravenously injected at different time points against acute liver injury induced by concanavalin A (ConA) in mice. Methods HLSC-exo was extracted by differential centrifugation. Western blot was used to measure the expression of the marker proteins CD9 and CD63, and nanoparticle tracking analysis was used to investigate particle size distribution. A total of 56 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into blank control group, ConA model group, and HLSC-exo treatment group. The ConA model group and the HLSC-exo treatment group were further divided into 3-, 6-, and 12-hour subgroups according to the interval between phosphate buffer or HLSC-exo injection and ConA injection. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured, and the gross morphology and histopathology of the liver were compared between groups. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups. Results HLSC-exo was a membranous vesicle with a diameter of 90-110 nm, with a clear saucer-like structure under an electron microscope and marked expression of its specific marker proteins CD9 and CD63. In the blank control group, the levels of ALT and AST were 31.81±6.74 U/L and 69.75±8.30 U/L, respectively. Compared with the blank control group, the 3-, 6-, and 12-hour ConA model groups had significant increases in the levels of ALT and AST (all P < 0.001); compared with the 3-and 6-hour ConA model groups, the 3-and 6-hour HLSC-exo treatment groups had significant reductions in the levels of ALT and AST (225.58±115.59 U/L vs 1989.32±347.67 U/L, 1174.71±203.30 U/L vs 2208.33±349.96 U/L, 303.53±126.68 U/L vs 2534.27±644.72 U/L, 1340.70±262.56 U/L vs 2437.13±288.13 U/L, all P < 0.001); compared with the 6-hour HLSC-exo treatment group, the 3-hour HLSC-exo treatment group had significantly greater reductions ( P < 0.001). In the blank group, the levels of IL-10 and TNF-α were 313.51±10.97 pg/ml and 476.05±7.31 pg/ml, respectively. Compared with the blank control group, the 3-, 6-, and 12-hour ConA model groups had a significant reduction in the level of IL-10 (all P < 0.001); compared with the 3-and 6-hour ConA model groups, the 3-and 6-hour HLSC-exo treatment groups had a significant increase in the level of IL-10(331.61±10.46 pg/ml vs 266.20±8.15 pg/ml, 288.13±10.74 pg/ml vs 264.41±9.12 pg/ml, both P < 0.001); compared with the 6-hour HLSC-exo treatment group, the 3-hour HLSC-exo treatment group had a significantly greater increase ( P < 0.001). Compared with the blank control group, the 3-, 6-, and 12-hour ConA model groups had a significant increase in the level of TNF-α (all P < 0.001); compared with the 3-and 6-hour ConA model groups, the 3-and 6-hour HLSC-exo treatment groups had a significant reduction in the level of TNF-α (478.26±12.99 pg/ml vs 551.31±17.70 pg/ml, 515.58±7.18 pg/ml vs 556.21±11.15 pg/ml, both P < 0.001); compared with the 6-hour HLSC-exo treatment group, the 3-hour HLSC-exo treatment group had a significantly greater reduction ( P < 0.001). Compared with the 3-and 6-hour ConA model groups in terms of the gross morphology and histopathology of the liver, the 3-and 6-hour HLSC-exo treatment groups had a significant reduction in the degree of hepatocyte necrosis, and the 3-hour HLSC-exo treatment group had a basically complete lobular structure, with sporadic spotty necrosis; the 12-hour HLSC-exo treatment group had no significant improvement in hepatocyte necrosis compared with the 12-hour ConA model group. Conclusion Intravenous injection of adult HLSC-exo can alleviate acute liver injury induced by ConA in mice, and injection at 3 hours in advance has the most significant protective effect. Regulation of cytokines is one of the important mechanisms for HLSC-exo to alleviate liver injury.

Objective:To investigate the expression and role of asparte-specific cysteine protease (Caspase)-1, inflammasomes key molecule, in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related diseases.Methods:HBV-related liver disease patients' serum (438 cases) and liver tissue (82 cases) samples were collected from Beijing You'an Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University. The mRNA expression level of caspase-1 in liver tissue was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The protein expression level of Caspase-1 in liver tissue was detected by the immunofluorescence method. The activity of Caspase-1 was detected using the Caspase-1 colorimetric assay kit. The level of Caspase-1 in the serum was detected by an ELISA kit.Results:The results of qRT-PCR showed that the mRNA level of Caspase-1 was downregulated in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), cirrhosis (LC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while up-regulated in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) ( P＜0.01) compared with normal subjects. Immunofluorescence assays showed that Caspase-1 protein levels were elevated in ACLF patients, decreased in HCC and LC patients, and slightly elevated in CHB patients. The activity of Caspase-1 was slightly higher in liver tissue from CHB, LC, and HCC patients than in the normal control group, and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Additionally, compared with the control group, Caspase-1 activity was significantly reduced in the ACLF group ( P＜0.01). Serum Caspase-1 levels were significantly lower in patients with CHB, ACLF, LC, and HCC than in normal subjects, and serum Caspase-1 levels were lowest in patients with ACLF ( P＜0.001). Conclusion:Caspase-1, a key molecule of inflammasomes, plays an important role in HBV-related diseases and has significant differences, showing distinct features for ACLF than other HBV-related diseases.

ObjectiveTo establish a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) method for detecting hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). MethodsHBV cccDNA standard substance was constructed, and HBV cccDNA primers and probes were designed based on the structural differences between HBV cccDNA and relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA). HBV plasmid was amplified to obtain HBV cccDNA standard substance, and a ddPCR detection method was established with the standard substance after gradient dilution as the template for HBV cccDNA detection; the limit of detection and repeatability of this method were analyzed. Liver tissue samples were collected from 20 patients who attended Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, from June 2017 to October 2020, all of whom were diagnosed with HBV infection, and DNA of the samples was extracted and digested with plasmid-safe ATP-dependent DNA enzyme to obtain HBV cccDNA template; the ddPCR detection method was evaluated in clinical samples and was compared with the quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) detection method. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between the two groups. ResultsThe HBV cccDNA detection method based on ddPCR was established, which accurately detected HBV cccDNA in standard substance after gradient dilution, with a limit of detection of 1 copy/μl, and the coefficients of variation of 1×103, 1×102, and 1×101 copies/μl standard substances were 441%, 3.98%, and 5.09%, respectively. HBV cccDNA was detected in the samples of 20 patients with HBV infection; the ddPCR detection method detected HBV cccDNA in 17 patients, with a positive rate of 85%, while the qPCR detection method detected HBV cccDNA in 11 patients, with a positive rate of 55%, and there was a significant difference between the two methods (χ2=4.286, P=0038). ConclusionThe established ddPCR method for detecting HBV cccDNA has a low limit of detection and good repeatability, which provides an effective tool for further clinical detection.

Objective To establish a new patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model of human liver cancer by inoculating the complex of human primary liver cancer cells and a novel microcarrier (microcarrier 6) into mice with normal immune function. Methods Primary liver cancer cells were isolated and extracted from the fresh human liver cancer tissue of five patients and were then co-cultured with microcarrier 6 to construct a three-dimensional tumor cell culture model in vitro . According to the type of graft, 75 male C57BL/6 mice were divided into cell control group, microcarrier control group, and experimental group (each sample corresponded to three groups, with 15 groups in total and 5 mice in each group). The liver cancer cell-microcarrier complex was implanted into the mice by subcutaneous inoculation, and tumor formation time, tumor formation rate, and histopathological manifestations were observed. The Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Results As for the liver cancer cells from the five patients, tumor formation was observed in the mice corresponding to three patients. In these three experiments, tumor formation was not observed in the control groups and was only observed in the experimental groups, and 12 of the 15 mice in the experimental groups had successful tumor formation, with a tumor formation rate as high as 80%, which was significantly different from that in the cell control groups and the microcarrier control groups (all P < 0.05). The tumor formation time was 5-7 days; the xenograft tumor grew rapidly, and HE staining showed nested or flaky cells with obvious heteromorphism, with the presence of pathological mitosis; immunohistochemical staining showed positive CK8/18, Hep, and Gpc-3, which was in accordance with the characteristics of human liver cancer cells. Conclusion This experiment successfully establishes a new PDX model of human liver cancer based on the complex of microcarrier 6 and human primary liver cancer cells in mice with normal immunity. This model can be used to better elucidate the mechanism of the development and progression of liver cancer in the body with normal immunity, and besides, it also provides a new animal model with higher value for the precise treatment of liver cancer.

Objective: To investigate the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) role in the course of liver failure induced by severe hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its related mechanism. Methods: Liver tissue samples and clinical data [chronic hepatitis B patients (12 cases, chronic hepatitis B group), hepatic failure induced by severe hepatitis B virus (12 cases, severe hepatitis B virus liver failure group), and normal subjects (8 cases, control group)] were collected from the Beijing You'an Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University between 2009 to 2011. Statistical analysis was performed on the clinical indicators of each group. The structure of endoplasmic reticulum in liver tissue was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis-related factors, including glucose-regulated protein (Grp), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). Frozen sections of liver tissues were prepared for immunofluorescence test. All data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. LSD-t test was used to compare the results between groups. A p value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Transmission electron microscopy showed that the morphological structure of the endoplasmic reticulum was damaged in both groups (chronic hepatitis B and liver failure induced by severe hepatitis B virus), and liver failure induced by severe hepatitis B virus group was more critical. Western blot and qRT-PCR showed that Grp78, Grp94 and Caspase-4 were highly expressed in normal group and chronic hepatitis B group, and the relative protein expressions were 1.20 ± 0.13 and 0.78 ± 0.11, 0.90 ± 0.06 and 0.11 ± 0.01, 0.15 ± 0.02 and 0.22 ± 0.04, respectively. The expression of protein was weakened in liver failure induced by severe hepatitis B virus group (relative protein expression was 0.01 ± 0, 0.01 ± 0, and 0.11 ± 0.02, respectively).There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The expression of CHOP was consistent with the results of immunofluorescence, and increased with the stressing of injury. Conclusion During the course of severe hepatitis B infection, dysregulated endoplasmic reticulum stress activated mild stress in chronic hepatitis B group, while severe stress in hepatic failure induced by severe hepatitis B virus group. Therefore, endoplasmic reticulum stress plays an important and complex role in the pathogenesis of hepatic failure induced by severe hepatitis B virus.

Objective To investigate the endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)role in the course of liver failure induced by severe hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection and its related mechanism.Methods Liver tissue samples and clinical data [chronic hepatitis B patients(12 cases,chronic hepatitis B group),hepatic failure induced by severe hepatitis B virus(12 cases,severe hepatitis B virus liver failure group),and normal subjects(8 cases,control group)] were collected from the Beijing You'an Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University between 2009 to 2011.Statistical analysis was performed on the clinical indicators of each group.The structure of endoplasmic reticulum in liver tissue was observed by transmission electron microscopy.Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis-related factors,including glucose-regulated protein(Grp),and C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP).Frozen sections of liver tissues were prepared for immunofluorescence test.All data were expressed as mean±standard deviation.LSD-t test was used to compare the results between groups.A p value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results Transmission electron microscopy showed that the morphological structure of the endoplasmic reticulum was damaged in both groups(chronic hepatitis B and liver failure induced by severe hepatitis B virus),and liver failure induced by severe hepatitis B virus group was more critical.Western blot and qRT-PCR showed that Grp78,Grp94 and Caspase-4 were highly expressed in normal group and chronic hepatitis B group,and the relative protein expressions were 1.20±0.13 and 0.78±0.11,0.90±0.06 and 0.11±0.01,0.15±0.02 and 0.22±0.04,respectively.The expression of protein was weakened in liver failure induced by severe hepatitis B virus group(relative protein expression was 0.01±0,0.01±0,and 0.11±0.02,respectively).There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05).The expression of CHOP was consistent with the results of immunofluorescence,and increased with the stressing of injury.Conclusion During the course of severe hepatitis B infection,dysregulated endoplasmic reticulum stress activated mild stress in chronic hepatitis B group,while severe stress in hepatic failure induced by severe hepatitis B virus group.Therefore,endoplasmic reticulum stress plays an important and complex role in the pathogenesis of hepatic failure induced by severe hepatitis B virus.

Objective To examine the predictive value of fetal umbilical artery Doppler in preterm birth in pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).Methods The clinical data from 160 live births of SLE patients were analyzed retrospectively.Results The mean age of SLE patients at pregnancy was(29.7 ± 3.7) years(20 ~ 37 years). Totally,56 patients(32.5%)were preterm births and 76(47.5%)were full-term births without any other adverse pregnancy outcomes. The rate of preterm birth before 34 weeks was 26.9% and that was 73.1% for those preterm deliveries after 34 weeks. Iatrogenic preterm birth was the most common cause of preterm birth(32 cases),followed by spontaneous preterm birth(12 cases)and preterm premature rupture of membranes (10 cases).The pulsatility index(PI),resistance index(RI)as well as S/D value of SLE patients with pre-term delivery was higher than those of patients with full-term delivery(P<0.05).The area below the ROC curve for PI, RI and S/D was 0.6(95% CI 0.5~0.7),0.7(95% CI 0.6~0.8)and 0.6(95% CI 0.5~0.7),respectively.PI with cut-off value of 1.0 indicated the highest risk of preterm birth,with sensitivities of 34.6% and 84.2.The optimal cut-off value for RI and S/D was 0.7 and 2.8 respectivly,at which sensitivity and specificity had the best combination. Conclusions Pregnancies in lupus still have an increased risk of preterm birth. Umbilical artery Doppler was a useful monitoring tool for preterm birth in lupus pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cerebrolysin in adjuvant treatmenut of acute cerebral infarction systematically,and to provide evidence-based reference in clinic.METHODS:Retrieved from SCI,Cochrane Library,EMBase,PubMed,CJFD,VIP and Wanfang Database,RCTs about cerebrolysin combined with routine plan (trial group) vs.routine plan alone or combined with placebo (control group) in adjuvant treatment of acute cerebral infarction were collected.After data extraction and quality evaluation by using Cochrane systematic review manual 5.1.0,Meta-analysis was conducted by using Rev Man 5.2 statistical software.RESULTS:A total of 20 RCTs were included,involving 3 313 patients.Meta-analysis showed that NIHSS score [MD=-1.77,95％CI(-2.33,-1.21),P＜0.001],response rate [OR=2.85,95％CI(1.75,4.63),P＜0.001] and Barthel index (BI) score [MD =7.30,95 ％ CI (3.48,11.13),P＜ 0.001] in trial group were significantly higher than control group,with statistical significance.There was no statistical significance in disability rate [OR=0.46,95％ CI(0.20,1.03),P=0.06],mortality [OR=0.79,95％ CI (0.52,1.19),P=0.25],the incidence of ADR [OR=1.04,95％ CI (0.85,1.27),P=0.72] or the incidence of severe ADR [OR=0.01,95％CI(-0.02,0.04),P=0.51] between 2 groups.CONCLUSIONS:Cerebrolysin is good for adjanctive therapy of acute cerebral infarction,can significantly improve neurologic impairment and life quality and dosen't increase the incidence of ADR.