1.Advances, achievements, and challenges in action to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat in China
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):216-220
In 2016, the World Health Organization proposed the vision of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, and since then, China has actively promoted the elimination of hepatitis C as a public health threat and has made great achievements by formulating policies, clarifying main tasks, focusing on key issues, and implementing prevention and treatment measures. This article reviews the advances and achievements in China’s actions to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat since 2016, analyzes the existing problems and challenges, and puts forward recommendations for future prevention and control strategies, in order to provide a reference for achieving the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
2.Research advances in the disease burden of viral hepatitis in China
Jian LI ; Fuzhen WANG ; Zhongdan CHEN ; Jinlei QI ; Ailing WANG ; Fanghui ZHAO ; Yuanyuan KONG ; Jing SUN ; Jiaqi KANG ; Zundong YIN ; Zhongfu LIU ; Jidong JIA ; Yu WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):221-227
Over the past three decades, China has made significant progress in the prevention and control of viral hepatitis, and the incidence rates of new-onset pediatric hepatitis B virus infections and acute viral hepatitis in the population have reduced to a relatively low level; however, there is still a heavy disease burden of chronic viral hepatitis in China, which severely affects the health status of the population. This study systematically summarizes the achievements of viral hepatitis prevention and control in China, analyzes existing problems and challenges, and proposes comprehensive prevention and control strategies and measures to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat based on the national conditions of China, in order to provide a reference for related departments in China on how to achieve the action targets for eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
3.Role and Mechanism of Glucocorticoid-induced Transcription Factor 1 in Cognitive Dysfunction in Diabetic Mice
Yingrui LIU ; Jiayi WANG ; Yefeng WANG ; Jiahui LUAN ; Yun GU ; Zhongfu ZUO ; Hongdan YU
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(5):826-835
ObjectiveTo explore the protective effect of glucocorticoid-induced transcription factor 1 (GLCCI1) on cognitive dysfunction in diabetic mice and its mechanism. MethodsTwenty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely Control, DM, DM+AAV-Glcci1, and DM+AAV-NC. The Control group was intraperitoneally injected with saline, while the other groups were all injected with streptozotocin (STZ). Two weeks after successful modeling, the DM+AAV-Glcci1 group was brain stereotactic injected with Glcci1 overexpressing adeno-associated virus, and the DM+AAV-NC group was stereoscopically injected with the control virus. After 12 weeks, the Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of mice in each group. Subsequently, the localized expression of GLCCI1 in the hippocampus were determined by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry experiments. The myelin morphology in the hippocampus was observed by LFB staining, the neuronal morphology was observed by Nissl staining, and the myelin-related proteins MBP and CNPase were stained by immunohistochemistry. Molecular docking was used to predict the interaction between GLCCI1 and HSPA5. The expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins was detected by Western blot. ResultsThe results of the behavioral experiment showed that compared with the mice in the Control group, DM mice exhibited obvious cognitive dysfunction behaviors (P<0.000 1), and the learning and memory abilities of mice improved after overexpression of Glcci1 (P=0.000 7). The results of immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry showed that GLCCI1 was expressed in hippocampal neuron cells. Compared with Control mice, the expression level of GLCCI1 in DM mice was significantly downregulated (P<0.000 1). The molecular docking results revealed that GLCCI1 interacts with HSPA5. The Western blot results indicated that, compared with the Control group, the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins HSPA5 (P<0.000 1), ATF4 (P<0.000 1), ATF6 (P=0.001 1), and p-ELF2α/elF2α (P=0.000 1) in the DM group were significantly increased; Compared with the DM group, the expression of the corresponding protein HSPA5 (P<0.000 1), ATF4 (P<0.000 1), ATF6 (P=0.000 2), and p-ELF2α/elF2α (P=0.000 1) was significantly down-regulated after overexpression of Glcci1. LFB staining showed that compared with the Control group, the myelin integrity of DM mice decreased significantly (P=0.010 3), the expressions of myelin-related proteins MBP and CNPase decreased significantly (P=0.000 4, P=0.000 2), and Nissl staining observed disordered neuronal arrangement. Compared with the mice in the DM group, the myelin integrity in the hippocampal region significantly increased after overexpression of Glcci1 (P=0.000 3), the expressions of myelin-related proteins MBP and CNPase significantly increased (P=0.001 4, P=0.000 1), and the ordered arrangement of neurons was observed by Nissl staining. ConclusionThe down-regulation of GLCCI1 expression in hippocampal neurons promotes demyelination of hippocampal neurons and thereby induces diabetic cognitive dysfunction. The specific mechanism may be related to endoplasmic reticulum stress.
4.Advances in laboratory testing methods and strategies for hepatitis C virus infection
Yu WANG ; Wenge XING ; Zhongfu LIU ; Cong JIN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(4):672-678
Laboratory testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection provides an important basis for the identification and diagnosis of patients with HCV infection. With the continuous development of HCV testing in recent years, the performance of reagents has been significantly improved, and new testing service strategies have emerged and gradually been applied in clinical practice. This article summarizes the laboratory testing methods and strategies for HCV infection in China and globally, as well as the testing methods for HCV infection, and analyzes the influence of new methods and strategies on the prevention and control of HCV infection in China. Timely and accurate laboratory testing methods and effective and feasible testing strategies may help to realize the early identification, early diagnosis, and early treatment of HCV infection and ultimately achieve the strategic goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public health threat by 2030.
5.Effect of Qihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules on STAT3/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Zhongfu TANG ; Chuanbing HUANG ; Lili CHENG ; Junjie CHEN ; Shuangshuang SHANG ; Ming LI ; Sidi LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(8):118-125
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of Qihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its effect on the signal transducer and activator of tranSCription 3/mammalian target of rapamycin (STAT3/mTOR) signaling pathway, and to decipher the possible mechanism. MethodSixty female SLE patients who met the criteria in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from May 2022 to May 2023 were selected and randomized into a control group and an observation group (30 cases in each group). The control group was treated with prednisone acetate + hydroxychloroquine sulfate orally, and the observation group was additionally treated with Qihuang Jianpi Zishen granules. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks. The SLE disease activity (SLEDAI), TCM syndrome score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), immune indexes [immunoglobulin G (IgG), C3, C4, CD4+, and CD8+], interleukin (IL)-17, IL-23, interferon (IFN)-γ, 24 h urinary protein (24 h PRO), serum creatinine (SCr), and expression of proteins [STAT3, phosphorylated (p)-STAT3, mTOR protein and STAT3,mTOR mRNA] in the STAT3/mTOR signaling pathway were determined before and after treatment. In addition, the adverse reactions were recorded. ResultAfter 8 weeks of treatment, the total response rate in the observation group was 93.33% (28/30), which was higher than that (70.00%, 21/30) in the control group (χ2=4.007, P<0.05). After treatment, both groups showed declined SLEDAI, TCM syndrome score, ESR, hs-CRP, IgG, CD8+, IL-17, IL-23, IFN-γ, 24 h PRO, SCr, and expression of proteins in the STAT3/mTOR pathway (P<0.01) and elevated levels of C3, C4, and CD4+ (P<0.01). Moreover, the observation group had lower SLEDAI, TCM syndrome score, ESR, hs-CRP, IgG, CD8+, IL-17, IL-23, IFN-γ, 24 h PRO, SCr, and expression of proteins in the STAT3/mTOR pathway (P<0.05, P<0.01) and higher levels of C3, C4, and CD4+ (P<0.05, P<0.01) than the control group after treatment. Neither group showed serious adverse reactions during the treatment period. ConclusionQihuang Jianpi Zishen Granules can ameliorate the inflammatory response, reduce the disease activity, and mitigate the kidney injury in SLE by inhibiting the STAT3/mTOR signaling pathway to regulate the immune function.
6.Cost-effectiveness of HCV testing strategies for hepatitis C elimination in general population in China
Pengcheng LIU ; Di XU ; Guowei DING ; Liang ZHAO ; Jiejun YU ; Zhongfu LIU ; Jian LI
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(3):464-472
Objective:To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of hepatitis C screening in general population in China, and find the age group in which hepatitis C screening can achieve the best cost-effectiveness.Methods:A decision-Markov model was constructed by using software TreeAge pro 2019 to simulate the outcomes of hepatitis C disease pregression of 100 000 persons aged 20-59 years. The cost-effectiveness of the strategies were evaluated from societal perspectives by using incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and net monetary benefit (NMB). One-way sensitivity analysis and probability sensitivity analysis were used to evaluate the uncertainty of parameters and model.Results:Hepatitis C screening was cost-effective in people aged 20- 59 years and the cost effectiveness was best in age group 40-49 years. Compared with non-screening strategy of hepatitis C in people aged 20-59 years, the incremental cost was 161.24 yuan, the incremental utility was 0.003 6 quality adjusted life years (QALYs)/per person, ICER was 45 197.26 yuan/QALY, ICER was less than the willing payment threshold. The ICER and NMB in all age groups were 42 055.06-53 249.43 yuan/QALY and 96.52-169.86 yuan/per person. Hepatitis C screening in people aged 40-49 years had the best cost-effectiveness. The results of one-way sensitivity analysis showed that the discount rate, anti-HCV detection cost, anti-HCV infection rate and the cost of direct antiviral agents were the main factors influencing economic evaluation. The results of the probability sensitivity analysis indicated that the model analysis was stable.Conclusions:Implementing hepatitis C screening based on medical institutions is cost-effective in people aged 20- 59 years, especially in those aged 40-49 years. Implementing the HCV screening strategy of be willing to test as far as possible in general population can reduce hepatitis C disease burden in China.
7.Discussion on the prevention and control strategies of chronic hepatitis B: experience from AIDS prevention and control in China
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2024;32(5):402-405
Hepatitis B is a major infectious disease that seriously endangers the health of the people of China. Patients with hepatitis B have a large base in our country, and the core indicators such as detection and antiviral treatment ratio are far from the real goal of eliminating the public health threat of uiral hepatitis.Notably, the chronic hepatitis B prevention and control system lacks a wide targeted strategies. This paper systematically analyzes our country’s main successful experience with AIDS prevention and control and, on that basis, proposes the ideas and strategic paths for the construction of a chronic hepatitis B prevention and control system, analyzes and discusses the current difficulties and problems in prevention and control, and looks forward to future prevention and control efforts.
8.Application of liquid biopsy based on circulating tumor DNA in the monitoring of pseudoprogression in tumor immunotherapy
Cancer Research and Clinic 2022;34(10):794-797
As widely-used immunotherapy has brought therapeutic benefits to cancer patients, some problems begin to come, such as pseudoprogression which has posed a major challenge for clinicians to manage patients receiving novel drugs. If pseudoprogression is mistaken for the progression of the disease, the immunotherapy is stopped, which may lead patients to lose the treatment opportunity. Liquid biopsies based on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) play a key role in the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy and drug-resistance mechanism of tumor immunotherapy. This article reviews the potential application of ctDNA in the identification of pseudoprogressio for patients after tumor immunotherapy.
9.Role of neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally down-regulated gene 4-like in hepatitis B virus replication
Bangtao CHEN ; Xujiao FENG ; Qingqing YANG ; Mingshe LIU ; Zhongfu ZHAO ; Yun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Infectious Diseases 2020;38(8):501-506
Objective:To study the role and possible molecular mechanism of neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally down-regulated gene 4-like ( NEDD4 L) in the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methods:Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting NEDD4 L, plasmid expressing NEDD4 L with hemagglutinin(HA) C-terminal tag (pcDNA3.1- NEDD4 L-HA), plasmid expressing 1.3×HBV genome (pGEM-HBV1.3) and poly (dAT: dAT) were respectively transfected into HepG2 cells using Lipofectamine2000. HepG2.2.15 cells, a cell line that can stably express HBV, were used as control. The mRNA levels of NEDD4 L, interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-β, interferon-stimulated gene 56 ( ISG56), myxovirus resistance protein A ( MxA), oligoadenylate synthetase ( OAS), and the levels of HBV DNA or 3.5 kb HBV RNA were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Western blot was used to detect the silence and over-expression of NEDD4 L, and the protein levels of the related signaling molecules. The amount of IFN-β in the cellular supernatant was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Student t test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups. Results:The levels of NEDD4L mRNA and protein in HepG2.2.15 cells were 10.53±0.47 and 4.17±0.43, respectively, which were both statistically higher than those in HepG2 cells (1.00±0.05, t=3.27, P=0.008 and 1.26±0.25, t=1.68, P=0.030, respectively). In HepG2 cells with knockdown of NEDD4 L, the expression level of HBV DNA in cellular supernatant was 0.32±0.09, which was statistically lower than that in the control (1.00±0.05, t=-0.93, P=0.020), and the expression level of 3.5 kb HBV RNA was 0.49±0.11, which was statistically lower than that in the control (1.00±0.05, t=-0.68, P=0.040), while the mRNA levels of IFN-β and downstream effector molecules ( ISG56, MxA and OAS) were all significantly increased compared with the control ( t=4.66, 9.38, 7.29 and 7.01, respectively, all P<0.01). With poly (dAT: dAT) treatment and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) stimulation, the levels of IFN-β in HepG2 cells with knockdown of NEDD4 L were (776.41±115.49) ng/L and (961.21±130.19) ng/L, respectively, which were both statistically higher than those of the control group ((320.15± 56.05) ng/L, t=2.43, P=0.020; (440.17±67.82) ng/L, t=2.85, P=0.030, respectively). With poly (dAT: dAT) treatment and VSV stimulation, the levels of IFN-β in HepG2 cells with overexpression of NEDD4 L were (156.18±26.47) ng/L and (176.67±34.51) ng/L, respectively, which were both statistically lower than those of the control group ((320.38±49.39) ng/L, t=-2.03, P=0.040; (440.59±68.83) ng/L, t=-1.93, P=0.030, respectively). Western blot showed that the replication of HBV reduced the protein level of melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5), a key molecule in upstream of IFN-β, but the down-regulation was not obvious in cells with the knockdown of NEDD4 L. Conclusion:The replication of HBV could promote the up-regulation of NEDD4L protein and subsequently reduce the protein level of MDA5, thereby inhibiting the production of IFN-β, which facilitates HBV to escape the innate immune response.
10.Survival time and related factors of antiretroviral therapy among HIV/AIDS patients in Liangshan Prefecture, during 2005-2015
Xue JIANG ; Yan ZHAO ; Chunnong JIKE ; Jiali XU ; Gang YU ; Hailiang YU ; Ju WANG ; Decai ZHAO ; Qiang LIAO ; Xiumin GAN ; Zhongfu LIU
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2020;54(11):1237-1242
Objective:To analyze the survival time and to explore the releated factors of antiretroviral therapy among HIV/AIDS patients in LiangShan Prefecture, Sichuan Province for reduction of AIDS death rate.Methods:The retrospective research method was used to collect relevant information from the Management Database of Antiviral Treatment from the National AIDS Comprehensive Prevention Information System. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to describe the survival distribution and to analyze the survival time by single factor and the model of Cox proportional riskanalysis was performed to analyze the survival time of HARRT by multi-factors analysis.Results:Total 14 219 adults and young persons aged ≥15 HIV/AIDS patients received antiviral treatment from 2005 to 2015. The average age of all cases was (36.10±9.41) years old and 10 021 were males (70.5%). The main route of infection was intravenous drug use (61.0%, 8 678 cases). At the end of the observation, 10001 cases (70.3%) were still treated, and 1 425 cases (10.0%) died; Cox Regression analysis showed that female (0.67 (0.55-0.81)), route of sexual infection (0.67 (0.56-0.79)), baseline CD4 +T lymphocyte count 200-350 (0.41 (0.35-0.47)) and ≥350 (0.28 (0.24-0.34)), was a protective factor in death. At the beginning of treatment, the patient is clinically staging stage Ⅱ (0.70 (0.58-0.84)) and abnormal BMI (1.75 (1.50-2.03)), is a risk factor for death ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Early antiviral treatment is of great significance in improving the anti-viral treatment effect of AIDS. Compliance education should be further strengthened so as to enhance their knowledge. And it is feasible to enhance the effect of treatment through nutritional support for prolonging patients survival time and improving the quality of life.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail