Correlates of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in the general adult population of China: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Anti-HBV Drug Entecavir: Catalytic Strategies for the Stereospecific Construction of Densely Substituted Cyclopentene Cores

We have successfully accomplished a catalytic asymmetric total synthesis of entecavir, a first-line antihepatitis B virus medication. The pivotal aspect of our strategy lies in the utilization of a Pd-catalyzed enyne borylative cyclization reaction, enabling the construction of a highly substituted cyclopentene scaffold with exceptional stereoselectivity. Additionally, we efficiently accessed the crucial 1,3-diol enyne system early in our synthetic route through a diarylprolinol organocatalyzed enantioselective cross-aldol reaction and Re-catalyzed allylic alcohol relocation. By strategically integrating these three catalytic protocols, we established a practical pathway for acquiring valuable densely heteroatom-substituted cyclopentene cores.

Factors affecting quality of life in hepatitis B patients in Herat, Afghanistan: A case-control study

Hepatitis B virus is a global health concern with a high death rate in Afghanistan. Limited data exist on the disease's impact on quality of life in low-resource settings. This case-control study aims to identify potential risk factors and assess the quality of life among hepatitis B patients in Herat, Afghanistan, with a focus on sex differences. Understanding these factors can inform prevention, care, and sex-specific interventions. A cross-sectional study conducted at Herat Regional Hospital examined hepatitis B patients above 18 years old, between October 2020 and February 2021. The control group consisted of age and sex-matched individuals without a history of hepatitis B. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, signs and symptoms of hepatitis B, and the SF-36 questionnaire for measuring the quality of life of study participants. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate General Linear Models, and logistic regression. We identified several potential risk factors for hepatitis B infection, including male sex, younger age groups, tobacco use, lower education levels, rural residence, family history, weak social networks, specific family structures and underlying chronic diseases (p < .05). The study found that hepatitis B cases had significantly lower mean scores across all SF-36 components, indicating an overall reduced quality of life (p < .05). These differences were more pronounced in males, although females had lower scores in most components. Role limitations due to physical and emotional health were particularly affected. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions, sex-specific strategies, improved healthcare access and comprehensive policies. These findings can inform prevention efforts to improve the overall quality of life of people with hepatitis B in Afghanistan.

Comprehensive approach to controlling chronic hepatitis B in China

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was highly endemic in China, where the prevalence of HBsAg was 9.7% in 1992. Comprehensive strategies, including universal infant hepatitis B vaccination with emphasis on timely birth-dose and 3-dose coverage, dramatically reduced the mother-to-infant transmission and early childhood acquisition of HBV, resulting in estimated HBsAg prevalence rates of 5.6% and 0.1% in the general population and among children aged <5 years in 2022, respectively. Clinical guidelines on the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B have been periodically updated based on emerging evidence from clinical research. The continuously improved reimbursement policy and the massively reduced price of antiviral drugs through government negotiation and central procurement have increased treatment accessibility and affordability. However, due to the low rates of diagnosis and treatment, China still faces a large challenge in achieving the 2030 goal of lowering HBV-related mortality by 65%. A public health approach involving concerted efforts from the government, medical community, industry, and society as a whole would be necessary to increase the uptake of HBV tests and treatment to achieve the global goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

Phosphorylation of RGS16 at Tyr168 promote HBeAg-mediated macrophage activation by ERK pathway to accelerate liver injury

Liver injury is closely associated with macrophage activation following HBV infection. Our previous study showed that only HBeAg, but not HBsAg and HBcAg, stably enhances inflammatory cytokine production in macrophages. And we also indicated that HBeAg could induce macrophage activation via TLR2 and thus aggravate the progression of liver fibrosis. However, the specific molecular mechanism of HBeAg in macrophage activation is not clear. We screened significantly overexpressed RGS16 from RNASeq results of HBeAg-stimulated macrophages and validated them with cellular assays, GSE83148 microarray dataset, and in clinical samples. Meanwhile, small interference, plasmid, and lentivirus transfection assays were used to establish cell models for knockdown and overexpression of RGS16, and q-PCR, ELISA, Transwell, and CCK-8 assays were used to analyze the role of RGS16 in HBeAg-induced macrophage activation. In addition, the upstream and downstream mechanisms of RGS16 in HBeAg-treated macrophage activation were explored using inhibitors, phostag gels, and RGS16 phosphorylation mutant plasmids. Finally, the effect of RGS16 on hepatic inflammation in murine tissues was evaluated by H&E staining, liver enzyme assay and immunofluorescence. RGS16 was significantly upregulated in HBeAg-induced macrophage activation, and its expression was enhanced with increasing HBeAg content and treatment time. Functional experiments showed that overexpression of RGS16 promoted the production of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 and boosted macrophage proliferation and migration, while knockdown of RGS16 exhibited the opposite effect. Mechanistically, we discovered that RGS16 is regulated by the TLR2/P38/STAT5 signaling pathway. Meanwhile, RGS16 enhanced ERK phosphorylation via its own Tyr168 phosphorylation to contribute to macrophage activation, thereby accelerating liver injury. Finally, in mice, overexpression of RGS16 markedly strengthened liver inflammation. HBeAg upregulates RGS16 expression through the TLR2-P38-STAT5 axis, and the upregulated expression of RGS16 enhances macrophage activation and accelerates liver injury by promoting ERK phosphorylation. In this process, phosphorylation of Tyr168 is necessary for RGS16 to function. KEY MESSAGES: RGS16 boosted HBeAg-induced macrophage inflammation, proliferation, and migration. Tyr168 phosphorylation of RGS16 affected by ERK promoted macrophage activation. HBeAg upregulated the expression of RGS16 through TLR2/P38/STAT5 signal pathway. RGS16 promoted liver injury by regulating macrophage functions in mouse model.