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Hepatitis B and C virus, Opisthorchis viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis, are all individually known to put a person at increased risk for cholangiocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. This paper seeks to determine if there is any interaction between liver flukes and hepatitis virus infection that are known to put a person at an increased risk for cholangiocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma collectively. This paper seeks to determine whether there is any publicly available articles in English that determine if having a hepatitis viral co-infection along with liver flukes would influence the risk of developing liver cancer. We followed PRISMA systematic review guidelines to conduct a literature review. Three manuscripts fit the search criteria. Two presented evidence in support of a synergistic relationship between liver fluke and viral hepatitis infection while the other found no relationship. One manuscript determined that the interaction between hepatitis B and C. sinensis did not have any significant risk of liver cancer. Studies found that HBV affected progression of co-infection to liver cancer but may have its own disease state worsened by presence of liver flukes. Only one paper was found that presented data on HCV, therefore no conclusion can be drawn due to the lack of evidence discovered. Of the studies, the conclusions and strength of the data were mixed. However, the stronger studies suggested a synergistic relationship between liver flukes and HBV to increase the risk of progressing to liver cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) has been considered to have better performance in rapid detection. A novel paper-based ECL biosensing platform for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) detection was developed based on a simple paper discs, the flexible design of a machine and a circuit of the custom-made ECL device. Through the modified magnetic suspension sandwich immunoassay protocol, rapid and sensitive clinical HBsAg detection was realized on the developed platform. The platform was characterized using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and ECL methods and obtained a linear range of 34.2 pg/mL–34.2 ng/mL with a 34.2 pg/mL (3σ) detection limit. This paper-based ECL sandwich immunoassay showed high sensitivity and selectivity, acceptable reproducibility, fast analysis time and better performance than chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting HBsAg in real clinical serum samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This article presents the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations on the use of hepatitis B vaccines excerpted from the Hepatitis B vaccines: WHO position paper, July 2017 , published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record (Hepatitis B vaccines, 2017) [1]. This position paper replaces the May 2009 WHO position paper on hepatitis B vaccines (Hepatitis B vaccines, 2009) [2]. The position paper gives updated information on hepatitis B vaccines and their storage, transport and deployment. The recommendations concern the target groups for vaccination and the appropriate schedules. In particular, the recommendations stress the importance of vaccination of all infants at birth as the most effective intervention for the prevention of hepatitis B virus-associated disease worldwide. Footnotes to this paper provide a number of core references including references to grading tables that assess the quality of the scientific evidence, and to the evidence-to-recommendation table. In accordance with its mandate to provide guidance to Member States on health policy matters, WHO issues a series of regularly updated position papers on vaccines and combinations of vaccines against diseases that have an international public health impact. These papers are concerned primarily with the use of vaccines in large-scale immunization programmes; they summarize essential background information on diseases and vaccines, and conclude with WHO's current position on the use of vaccines in the global context. Recommendations on the use of hepatitis B vaccines were discussed by SAGE in October 2016; evidence presented at these meetings can be accessed at: http://www.who.int/immunization/sage/meetings/2016/October/presentations_background_docs/en/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we show that a simple paper-based electrochemical sensor, fabricated by paper folding, is able to detect a 30-base nucleotide sequence characteristic of DNA from the hepatitis B virus (HBV) with a detection limit of 85 pM. This device is based on design principles we have reported HBV previously for detecting proteins via a metalloimmunoassay. It has four desirable attributes. First, its design combines simple origami (paper folding) assembly, the open structure of a hollow-channel paper analytical device to accommodate micrometer-scale particles, and a convenient slip layer for timing incubation steps. Second, two stages of amplification are achieved: silver nanoparticle labels provide a maximum amplification factor of 250 000 and magnetic microbeads, which are mobile solid-phase supports for the capture probes, are concentrated at a detection electrode and provide an additional ~25-fold amplification. Third, there are no enzymes or antibodies used in the assay, thereby increasing its speed, stability, and robustness. Fourth, only a single sample incubation step is required before detection is initiated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA analysis is essential for diagnosis and monitoring of many diseases. Conventional DNA testing is generally limited to the laboratory. Increasing access to relevant technologies can improve patient care and outcomes in both developed and developing regions. Here, we demonstrate direct DNA analysis in paper-based devices, uniquely enabled by ion concentration polarization at the interface of patterned nanoporous membranes in paper (paper-based ICP). Hepatitis B virus DNA targets in human serum are simultaneously preconcentrated, separated, and detected in a single 10 min operation. A limit of detection of 150 copies/mL is achieved without prior viral load amplification, sufficient for early diagnosis of hepatitis B. We clinically assess the DNA integrity of sperm cells in raw human semen samples. The percent DNA fragmentation results from the paper-based ICP devices strongly correlate (R2 = 0.98) with the sperm chromatin structure assay. In all cases, agreement was 100% with respect to the clinical decision. Paper-based ICP can provide inexpensive and accessible advanced molecular diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical paper-based analytical devices (ePADs) are useful analytical devices that serve as point-of-care testing (POCT) devices for various clinical biomarkers in view of their simplicity, portability, and low-cost format. However, multistep reagent manipulation usually restricts the performance of the device for end users. Herein, we developed a sequential ePAD for sequential immunosensing fluid delivery by integrating dual flow behaviors (fast-flow/delayed) within a single paper platform for the simultaneous detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C core antigen (HCVcAg). In the present work, a fast-flow channel was used for the automated washing of unbound antigens, while a delayed channel was created to store a redox reagent for further electrochemical analysis with a single buffer loading (the analysis time can be completed within 500 s). Hence, the undesirable complex procedure of multi-step reagent manipulation is scarcely needed by the user. The detection limit of the proposed ePAD was as low as 18.2 pg mL−1 for HBsAg and 1.19 pg mL−1 for HCVcAg. In addition, this proposed ePAD was also proven to be effective in real clinical sera from patients to verify its biological applicability. The ePAD sensor shows high promise as an easy-to-use, portable, and extendable sensor for other multiplex biological assays. [Display omitted] • ePAD for simultaneous HBsAg and HCVcAg was created. • First time employment of dual flow behaviors on ePAD for hepatitis markers sensing. • ePAD shows an easy to use, portability, and broad sensing applicability. • The sensor was applied to detect hepatitis markers in real clinical sera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An electrochemical paper-based analytical device with pop-up structure is developed for hepatitis B virus DNA detection. • A Pop-up architecture enables a multi-step operation within a single device, ease of sample introduction, avoiding contamination and minimizing the exposure of biofluids. • A pyrrolidinyl peptide nucleic acid offers a higher binding affinity and specificity toward a complementary DNA over conventional DNA or PNA probe. • A low detection limit of 1 pM is allowed with a label-free system. • The feasibility of the proposed sensor with plasmid construct is achieved. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a chronic viral infection, causing significant health concerns worldwide. For point-of-care testing, a simple, rapid, and disposable sensor is required. In this work, a pop-up DNA device as an alternative 3D microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) platform was firstly proposed for label-free HBV DNA detection. The pop-up design was created to allow control of the fluidic path, incubation time, and electrical connectivity by simple folding. The proposed platform enabled a multi-step operation to be performed within a single device. Moreover, this architecture allows facile sample introduction, avoiding contamination and minimizing the exposure of biofluids. A pyrrolidinyl peptide nucleic acid, acpcPNA, which exhibits high affinity and selectivity, was covalently immobilized onto the modified cellulose on a working electrode for capturing the target DNA. Differential pulse voltammetry was employed with a signal-off system. The presence of HBV DNA resulted in a decrease of the electrochemical signal of hexacyanoferrate (III)/(II) in a concentration-dependent fashion. Under optimal conditions, a linear range of 50 pM-100 nM with the detection limit of 1.45 pM was achieved. Moreover, good selectivity of proposed device was demonstrated. The pop-up DNA sensor was successfully applied for the detection of HBV DNA extracted from plasmid constructs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT)-chitosan (CHIT) modified pencil graphite electrodes (PGEs) were developed for monitoring of DNA hybridization. SWCNT-chitosan modified PGE (CNT–CHIT–PGE), Chitosan modified PGE (CHIT–PGE) and unmodified PGE (bare-PGE) were firstly characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their electrochemical behaviors were investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The concentrations of CHIT, carbon nanotube (CNT) and also amino linked DNA probe etc. were respectively optimized in order to obtain the better working conditions of CNT–CHIT modified PGE in DNA analysis. The sequence selective DNA hybridization related to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was then explored in the case of hybridization between amino linked HBV probe and its complementary (target), or noncomplementary (NC), or mismatch (MM) sequences, and also hybridization in mixture sample. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, a novel passive formulation has been developed based on LMI to design passive state-observer for a wide range of Lipschitz nonlinear systems. During this formulation, a stable and strictly passive state-observer is provided in order to have passive closed-loop system. A new interconnection between passivity of subsystems and passivity/stability of the total closed-loop system has been presented. In this regard, some theorems are defined based on virtually Euler-Lagrange form of passivation. Due to using this form and the proposed theorems, the design process will simplify and speed up. A passivity-based control based on passive state-observer has been proposed to control the hepatitis B virus infection disease. The reliability of the proposed controller/observer has been examined using MATLAB/SIMULINK, where the simulation results and the sensitivity analysis demonstrate the capability of this novel approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, following previous works of ours, we deal with a mathematical model of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We assume spatial diffusion of free HBV particles, logistic growth for both healthy and infected hepatocytes, and use the standard incidence function for viral infection. Moreover, one time delay is introduced to account for actual virus production. Another time delay is used to account for virus maturation. The existence, uniqueness, positivity and boundedness of solutions are established. Analyzing the model qualitatively and using a Lyapunov functional, we establish the existence of a threshold $ \mathcal {T}_0 $ T 0 such that, if the basic reproduction number $ \mathcal {R}_0 $ R 0 verifies $ \mathcal {R}_0\leq \mathcal {T}_0{ \lt }1 $ R 0 ≤ T 0 < 1 , the infection-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable. When $ \mathcal {R}_0 $ R 0 is greater than one, we discuss the local asymptotic stability of the unique endemic equilibrium and the occurrence of a Hopf bifurcation. Also, when $ \mathcal {R}_0 $ R 0 is greater than one, the system is uniformly persistent, which means that the HBV infection is endemic. Finally, we carry out some relevant numerical simulations to clarify and interpret the theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Healthcare waste is any waste generated by healthcare facilities that is considered potentially hazardous to health. Solid healthcare waste is categorized into infectious and non-infectious wastes. Infectious waste is material suspected of containing pathogens and potentially causing disease. Non-infectious waste includes wastes that have not been in contact with infectious agents, hazardous chemicals, or radioactive substances, similar to household waste, i.e. plastic, papers and leftover foods. This study aimed to investigate solid healthcare waste management practices and develop guidelines to improve solid healthcare waste management practices in Ethiopia. The setting was all health facilities found in Hossaena town. Method: A mixed-method study design was used. For the qualitative phase of this study, eight FGDs were conducted from 4 government health facilities, one FGD from each private health facility (which is 37 in number), and forty-five FGDs were conducted. Four FGDs were executed with cleaners; another four were only health care providers because using homogeneous groups promotes discussion. The remaining 37 FGDs in private health facilities were mixed from health professionals and cleaners because of the number of workers in the private facilities. For the quantitative phase, all health facilities and health facility workers who have direct contact with healthcare waste management practice participated in this study. Both qualitative and quantitative study participants were taken from the health facilities found in Hossaena town. Result: Seventeen (3.1%) health facility workers have hand washing facilities. Three hundred ninety-two (72.6%) of the participants agree on the availability of one or more personal protective equipment (PPE) in the facility "the reason for the absence of some of the PPEs, like boots and goggles, and the shortage of disposable gloves owes to cost inflation from time to time and sometimes absent from the market". The observational finding shows that colour-coded waste bins are available in 23 (9.6%) rooms. 90% of the sharp containers were reusable, and 100% of the waste storage bins were plastic buckets that were easily cleanable. In 40 (97.56%) health facilities, infectious wastes were collected daily from the waste generation areas to the final disposal points. Two hundred seventy-one (50.2%) of the respondents were satisfied or agreed that satisfactory procedures are available in case of an accident. Only 220 (40.8%) respondents were vaccinated for the Hepatitis B virus. Conclusion: Hand washing facilities, personal protective equipment and preventive vaccinations are not readily available for health workers. Solid waste segregation practices are poor and showed that solid waste management practices (SWMP) are below the acceptable level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major source of disease burden worldwide, with an estimated 296 million individuals living with infections worldwide. Although vaccine programs exist to control infections, certain sub-populations around the world continue to have very high prevalence of HBV infection. Methods: A systematic search of studies of HBV published after 2010 was conducted for India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. Each paper was independently screened for risk of bias and inclusion. Data were extracted from included studies before being analysed to estimate pooled prevalence, and to conduct sub-group analyses. Random-effects models were used for estimating summary prevalence due to a high level of heterogeneity between studies, and funnel plots were combined with Egger's test to assess publication bias. Meta-regression was conducted to investigate sources of between-study heterogeneity. Results: The pooled prevalence of HBV across all studies was 3% (95% CI 0.02, 0.05). For countries with multiple studies, the pooled prevalence in India was 3% (95% CI 0.02, 0.04), in Pakistan 6% (95% CI 0.03, 0.09), in Bangladesh 5% (95% CI of 0.02, 0.12), and in Nepal 1% (95% CI 0.00, 0.08). There was some evidence of publication bias, and a high level of heterogeneity across studies. Risk of bias analysis found most studies to be of fair or moderate quality. Conclusions: The prevalence of HBV among countries in the sub-continent was higher than the global average, but was not as high as some other regions. Countries with greater numbers of displaced persons had higher prevalence of HBV, with a wide range of prevalence between subpopulations likely reflecting differential uptake, and implementation, of vaccination programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to a paper released and submitted to WHO by IARC scientists, there would be 905,700 new cases of liver cancer diagnosed globally in 2020, with 830,200 deaths expected as a direct result. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis D virus (HDV) all play critical roles in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), despite the rising prevalence of HCC due to non-infectious causes. Liver cirrhosis and HCC are devastating consequences of HBV and HCV infections, which are widespread worldwide. Associated with a high mortality rate, these infections cause about 1.3 million deaths annually and are the primary cause of HCC globally. In addition to causing insertional mutations due to viral gene integration, epigenetic alterations and inducing chronic immunological dysfunction are all methods by which these viruses turn hepatocytes into cancerous ones. While expanding our knowledge of the illness, identifying these pathways also give possibilities for novel diagnostic and treatment methods. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) activation is gaining popularity as a treatment option for oxidative stress (OS), inflammation, and metabolic abnormalities. Numerous studies have shown that elevated Nrf2 expression is linked to HCC, providing more evidence that Nrf2 is a critical factor in HCC. This aberrant Nrf2 signaling drives cell proliferation, initiates angiogenesis and invasion, and imparts drug resistance. As a result, this master regulator may be a promising treatment target for HCC. In addition, the activation of Nrf2 is a common viral effect that contributes to the pathogenesis, development, and chronicity of virus infection. However, certain viruses suppress Nrf2 activity, which is helpful to the virus in maintaining cellular homeostasis. In this paper, we discussed the influence of Nrf2 deregulation on the viral life cycle and the pathogenesis associated with HBV and HCV. We summed up the mechanisms for the modulation of Nrf2 that are deregulated by these viruses. Moreover, we describe the molecular mechanism by which Nrf2 is modulated in liver cancer, liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs), and liver cancer caused by HBV and HCV. EW1h6cVcK6kCY2-xSiZ8DW Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Authorization of the Matrix-M (MM)–adjuvanted R21 vaccine by three countries and its subsequent endorsement by the World Health Organization for malaria prevention in children are a milestone in the fight against malaria. Yet, our understanding of the innate and adaptive immune responses elicited by this vaccine remains limited. Here, we compared three clinically relevant adjuvants [3M-052 + aluminum hydroxide (Alum) (3M), a TLR7/8 agonist formulated in Alum; GLA-LSQ, a TLR4 agonist formulated in liposomes with QS-21; and MM, the now-approved adjuvant for R21] for their capacity to induce durable immune responses to R21 in macaques. R21 adjuvanted with 3M on a 0, 8, and 23–week schedule elicited anti-circumsporozoite antibody responses comparable in magnitude to the R21/MM vaccine administered using a 0-4-8–week regimen and persisted up to 72 weeks with a half-life of 337 days. A booster dose at 72 weeks induced a recall response similar to the R21/MM vaccination. In contrast, R21/GLA-LSQ immunization induced a lower, short-lived response at the dose used. Consistent with the durable serum antibody responses, MM and 3M induced long-lived plasma cells in the bone marrow and other tissues, including the spleen. Furthermore, whereas 3M stimulated potent and persistent antiviral transcriptional and cytokine signatures after primary and booster immunizations, MM induced enhanced expression of interferon- and TH2-related signatures more highly after the booster vaccination. Collectively, these findings provide a resource on the immune responses of three clinically relevant adjuvants with R21 and highlight the promise of 3M as another adjuvant for malarial vaccines. Editor's summary: Most vaccines based on recombinant antigens rely on coadministration with an adjuvant to elicit a robust immune response. Although adjuvants are needed for many vaccines, it is less clear which adjuvant(s) should be paired with each immunogen. In two papers, Bechtold et al. and Arunachalam et al. performed comparative analyses to assess the effect of different adjuvants on the immune response. Bechtold et al. showed that an AS01-adjuvanted hepatitis B virus vaccine, which induces robust CD4+ T cell responses against the vaccine antigen, also elicited trained immunity in human recipients, which was not observed in an alum-adjuvanted vaccine. Arunachalam et al. found that Matrix-M and 3M-052 + aluminum hydroxide (Alum) adjuvantation induced robust immune responses to the R21 malaria vaccine in nonhuman primates, but a third comparator, GLA-LSQ, elicited a lower magnitude of response that was short lived. Although Matrix-M and 3M-052 + Alum induced robust and durable antibody responses, they elicited distinct innate immune responses, demonstrating that multiple innate immune mechanisms can program durable vaccine-induced immunity. These head-to-head comparisons in both humans and nonhuman primates demonstrate that selecting an adjuvant should be done carefully and that different adjuvants have distinct effects on both innate and adaptive immunity. —Courtney Malo [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are a variety of lethal infectious diseases that are seriously affecting people's lives worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Hepatitis B, a fatal liver disease, is a contagious disease spreading globally. In this paper, a new hybrid approach of feed forward neural networks is considered to investigate aspects of the SEACTR (susceptible, exposed, acutely infected, chronically infected, treated, and recovered) transmission model of hepatitis B virus disease (HBVD). The combination of genetic algorithms and sequential quadratic programming, namely CGASQP, is applied, where genetic algorithm (GA) is used as the main optimization algorithm and sequential quadratic programming (SQP) is used as a fast-searching algorithm to fine-tune the outcomes obtained by GA. Considering the nature of HBVD, the whole population is divided into six compartments. An activation function based on mean square errors (MSEs) is constructed for the best performance of CGASQP using proposed model. Results: The solution's confidence is boosted through comparative analysis with reference to the Adam numerical approach. The results revealed that approximated results of CGASQP overlapped the reference approach up to 3–9 decimal places. The convergence, resilience, and stability characteristics are explored through mean absolute deviation (MAD), Theil's coefficient (TIC), and root mean square error (RMSE), as well as minimum, semi-interquartile range, and median values with respect to time for the nonlinear proposed model. Most of these values lie around 10−10–10−4 for all classes of the model. Conclusion: The results are extremely encouraging and indicate that the CGASQP framework is very effective and highly feasible for implementation. In addition to excellent reliability and level of precision, the developed CGASQP technique also stands out for its simplicity, wider applicability, and flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Africa exhibits a considerably high prevalence of the hepatitis B virus among pregnant women. Furthermore, there is a discernible lack of a well-established surveillance system to adequately monitor and comprehend the epidemiology of the hepatitis B virus, particularly among pregnant women. The eradication efforts of the virus in Africa have been impeded by the significant disease burden in the region, and there is a lack of evidence regarding the pooled prevalence of the hepatitis B virus in Africa. Consequently, this systematic review and meta-analysis aims to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women in Africa. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search using reputable databases such as PubMed, Advanced Google Scholar, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. The search spanned from July 2013 to July 2023 and included all relevant articles published within this period. To identify potentially eligible articles, we conducted a comprehensive manual review of the reference lists of the identified studies. Our review encompassed articles from the African Journal Online. The analysis focused on observational studies published in peer-reviewed journals that reported the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen-positive testing among pregnant women. We utilized the Newcastle-Ottawa critical appraisal checklist to assess the methodological quality of each paper. Finally, a meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model. Results: Out of the 774 studies identified, 31 studies involving 33,967 pregnant women were selected for the meta-analysis. According to the random-effects model, the combined prevalence of hepatitis B virus among pregnant women was 6.77% [95% CI: 5.72, 7.83]. The I2 statistic was calculated to be 95.57% (p = 0.00), indicating significant heterogeneity among the studies. The high I2 value of 95.57% suggests a substantial degree of heterogeneity. A subgroup meta-analysis revealed that factors such as time-dependent bias, sample size dependence, or individual variation among study participants contributed to this heterogeneity (p-difference < 0.05). Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, the pooled prevalence of hepatitis B infection among pregnant women in Africa was found to be intermediate-high. It is recommended that policymakers implement hepatitis B virus immunization programs targeting pregnant women and their new-born babies at higher risk of exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we have delved into the intricate dynamics of a discrete-time Hepatitis B virus (HBV) model, shedding light on its local dynamics, topological classifications at equilibrium states, and pivotal epidemiological parameters such as the basic reproduction number. Our analysis extended to exploring convergence rates, control strategies, and bifurcation phenomena crucial for understanding the behavior of the HBV system. Employing linear stability theory, we meticulously examined the local dynamics of the HBV model, discerning various equilibrium states and their topological classifications. Subsequently, we identified bifurcation sets at these equilibrium points, providing insights into the system’s stability and potential transitions. Further, through the lens of bifurcation theory, we conducted a comprehensive bifurcation analysis, unraveling the intricate interplay of parameters that govern the HBV model’s behavior. Our investigation extended beyond traditional stability analysis to explore chaos and convergence rates, enriching our understanding of the dynamics of the understudied HBV model. Finally, we validated our theoretical findings through numerical simulations, confirming the robustness and applicability of our analysis in real-world scenarios. By integrating biological and epidemiological insights into our mathematical framework, we offered a holistic understanding of the dynamics of HBV transmission dynamics, with implications for public health interventions and disease control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: HBV-specific T lymphocytes are pivotal in eliminating the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and regulating intrahepatic inflammatory reactions. Effective T cell responses curtail HBV infection; however, compromised immunity can result in persistent infection. Beyond the acute phase, the continued presence of antigens and inflammation leads to the increased expression of various inhibitory receptors, such as PD-1, CTLA-4, Tim-3, LAG3, 2B4, CD160, BTLA, and TIGIT. This escalates the dysfunction of and diminishes the immune and proliferative abilities of T cells. Methods: In this study, we reviewed English-language literature from PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus up to 9 July 2023. This paper aims to elucidate the inhibitory effects of these receptors on HBV-specific T lymphocytes and how immune function can be rejuvenated by obstructing the inhibitory receptor signaling pathway in chronic HBV patients. We also summarize the latest insights into related anti-HBV immunotherapy. Result: From 66 reviewed reports, we deduced that immunotherapy targeting inhibitory receptors on T cells is a reliable method to rejuvenate T cell immune responses in chronic HBV patients. However, comprehensive combination therapy strategies are essential for a functional cure. Conclusions: Targeting T cell suppressor receptors and combining immunotherapy with antiviral treatments may offer a promising approach towards achieving a functional cure, urging future research to prioritize effective combination therapeutic strategies for chronic HBV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Globally, 257 million people have chronic hepatitis. Even though a safe and effective prophylactic vaccine against HBV infection has been available, it causes significant morbidity and mortality. HBV vaccines were designed to improve or modulate the host immune responses. The effectiveness of the vaccine is determined by measuring serum hepatitis B surface antibody (Anti-HBs) level. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccine among vaccinated children. Methods Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines was applied for systematically searching of different databases. Only cross-section studies measuring the level of anti-HBs of vaccinated children were included. The seroprotective level with anti-HBs>10mIU/ml was extracted. The metaanalysis was performed using statistical software for data sciences (STATA) version 14. Effectiveness estimates were reported as a proportion of anti-HBs level. The heterogeneity between studies was evaluated using the I2 test, and I 2>50% and/or P<0.10 was considered significant heterogeneity. Significant publication bias was considered when Egger’s test P-value<0.10. The new castle Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of the studies. Results A pooled sample size of the included papers for meta-analysis was 7430. The pooled prevalence of seroprotected children was 56.95%, with a heterogeneity index (I2 ) of 99.4% (P<0.001). 35% of the participants were hypo-responders (10-99mIU/ml) and 21.46% were good responders (>100mIU/ml). Based on subgroup analysis using country of studies conducted, the highest prevalence of anti-HBs was 87.00% (95% CI: 84.56, 89.44), in South Africa, and the lowest was 51.99% (95% CI: 20.41–83.58), with a heterogeneity index I2=70.7% (p=0.009) in Ethiopia. Conclusion and recommendations Hepatitis B vaccine seroprotective level in the current pooled analysis have suboptimal, which failed to demonstrate consistent effectiveness for global hepatitis B virus elimination plan in 2030. Using consistent age group may have a significant value for the decision of the HB vaccine effectiveness. A significant heterogeneity was observed both in studies conducted in Ethiopia and Egypt. Therefore, the impact of HB vaccination on the prevention of hepatitis B virus infection should be assessed regularly in those countries. Future meta-analysis is needed to investigate all possible vaccines in a separate way of reviewing, which will lead to a strong conclusion and recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects around 300 million people worldwide and is a significant risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nucleos(t)ide analog therapy has aided in decreasing mortality from HBV. However, no cure for HBV currently exists. Despite adequate treatment based on the undetectable viral load or absence of surface protein, there has been much research demonstrating persistent risk for HBV-associated HCC. The aim of this paper is to review the related factors, pathophysiology, and evidence for why this risk exists. Further clarification of the relationship and risk factors for HBV-related HCC is necessary for appropriate screening and the eventual development of a cure. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the largest global cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Current HBV treatment options include pegylated interferon-alpha and nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs), which have been shown to be effective in reducing HBV DNA levels to become undetectable. However, the literature has shown that some patients have persistent risk of developing HCC. The mechanism in which this occurs has not been fully elucidated. However, it has been discovered that HBV's covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) integrates into the critical HCC driver genes in hepatocytes upon initial infection; additionally, these are not targets of current NA therapies. Some studies suggest that HBV undergoes compartmentalization in peripheral blood mononuclear cells that serve as a sanctuary for replication during antiviral therapy. The aim of this review is to expand on how patients with HBV may develop HCC despite years of HBV viral suppression and carry worse prognosis than treatment-naive HBV patients who develop HCC. Furthermore, HCC recurrence after initial surgical or locoregional treatment in this setting may cause carcinogenic cells to behave more aggressively during treatment. Curative novel therapies which target the life cycle of HBV, modulate host immune response, and inhibit HBV RNA translation are being investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertical flow assays have been developed in recent years addressing limitations of the lateral flow assays, including limited multiplexing capability, quantitation, and hook effect. In the present study, the first passive paper-based vertical flow assay is developed for the detection of the nucleic acid target. Horseradish peroxidase was used as an enzymatic tracer with a high potential for signal amplification. In order to achieve the best signal-to-noise ratio, different parameters of paper-based assays were optimized. The sample is heat denatured and hybridized with a specific probe to form a dual-labeled hybridization complex. A small volume of diluted sample, 12 µl, can be analyzed within 6 min on the assay in a sandwich format. Assay specificity was evaluated by testing different unrelated samples, and also, 1.7 nM was obtained as the limit of detection (LOD) using the 0 + 3SD method, which is equivalent to 8.5 fmol of double-stranded DNA in the 12 µl sample volume. The linear range of 3–194 nM with a 0.978 correlation coefficient was obtained according to the calibration curve. The developed assay was evaluated with 45 hepatitis B virus clinical plasma samples, and the result showed 100% consistency of the assay with the real-time PCR benchmark. In the present study, we sought to develop a mere detection system for nucleic acid targets, and to investigate the possibility of using enzyme reporter in a passive vertical flow assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) which are nanoscale membranous vesicles with lipid bilayers secreted by most cells, have received widespread attention from research scholars because they are important mediators of substance exchange and signaling. The basis of curing hepatitis B disease lies in fully understanding the molecular mechanism of HBV replication regulation. HBV mainly binds to membrane surface receptors for replication and transmission, but it is not the only route of infection. In addition to the receptor route, sEVs can transmit free viral HBV to uninfected hepatocytes. However, the mechanism of sEVs mediating HBV infection is not very clear to us, therefore, this paper will focuses on the relationship between sEVs secreted by hepatocytes after HBV infection and the transmission of HBV virus and the mechanism of infection, so as to provide a theoretical guidance for clinical treatment of hepatitis B virus infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we ameliorate the model proposed in [13], by incorporating the influence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status of mothers on vertical transmission. We use the improved model to fit reported HBV new infections in the Zhejiang Province of China. Also to predict the course of the Hepatitis B (HBV) infection in this Chinese area, and in Tokombere, located in sub-Saharan Africa(SSA). Furthermore, we apply optimal control techniques in view to re-examine the effects of the newborn vaccination, the universal vaccination and the treatment of chronic carriers in preventing the HBV infection. Simulation results show that treatment slightly steps in the optimal strategy, while immunisation is an effective measure. On the other hand, they indicate that the control measures and immunization programs implemented in Zhejiang Province are effective. Besides, they suggest that in SSA, a package of several policies centred on birth dose vaccination should be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to cause substantial health and economic burdens, and its target of elimination may not be reached in 2030 without further efforts in diagnostics, non-pharmaceutical prevention measures, vaccination, and treatment. Current therapeutic options in chronic HBV, based on interferons and/or nucleos(t)ide analogs, suppress the virus replication but do not eliminate the pathogen and suffer from several constraints. This paper reviews the progress on biotechnological approaches in functional and definitive HBV treatments, including gene-editing tools, i.e., zinc-finger proteins, transcription activator-like effector nucleases, and CRISPR/Cas9, as well as therapeutics based on RNA interference. The advantages and challenges of these approaches are also discussed. Although the safety and efficacy of gene-editing tools in HBV therapies are yet to be demonstrated, they show promise for the revitalization of a much-needed advance in the field and offer viral eradication. Particular hopes are related to CRISPR/Cas9; however, therapeutics employing this system are yet to enter the clinical testing phases. In contrast, a number of candidates based on RNA interference, intending to confer a functional cure, have already been introduced to human studies. However, larger and longer trials are required to assess their efficacy and safety. Considering that prevention is always superior to treatment, it is essential to pursue global efforts in HBV vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper will explore a fractional-order hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection model that takes into account cell-cell and virus-cell transmission and multiple treatment modalities. The desired control strategy is realized by means of a fractional order PD controller. Firstly, we calculated the basic regeneration number and equilibrium point of the HBV model. Afterwards, for the uncontrolled HBV virus system, the adequate conditions for both stability and Hopf bifurcation are systematically investigated via choosing the appropriate time delay as a parameter for bifurcation. Subsequently, under fractional order PD controller, the effect of a proposed controller on system stability and Hopf bifurcation is studied. The desired dynamic characteristics can be obtained afterwards. Finally, numerical simulations show that all three treatments significantly reduce R 0. The onset of oscillations can be delayed by decreasing the order of the fractional order. There are three control pathways for fractional order PD control, and the generation of bifurcation can also be delayed by changing the gain parameter. Using the above methods, the diffusion of HBV virus particles in the body can be effectively controlled. The conclusions drawn in this paper are extremely novel and have potential theoretical value for the future treatment of hepatitis B illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Healthcare staff are at high risk of occupational exposure to Hepatitis B and other blood-borne diseases. Lack of education about the knowledge of Hepatitis B virus contributes to an increase in cases. This study aims to determine the knowledge of the Hepatitis B virus among the medical professionals in Duhok province, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and to determine their knowledge of the importance of vaccination. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Duhok province, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, among medical science students from November 2022 to February 2023 and a total of 511 students participated in the study. A Self-administered questionnaire comprising 22 items categorized into five sections was distributed to the students either electronically or by paper and pen method. The survey utilized a Five-point Likert scale when assessing respondents' opinions on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP). Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism 9 were used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 511 responses were collected from medical, dental, pharmacy, and laboratory students. The average age of the participants was 20.74 ±1.43 years. Among the respondents, only 96 (18.8%) were fully vaccinated against the Hepatitis B virus (received 3 or more doses of the vaccine), while 294 (57.5%) were not vaccinated. Lack of vaccination programs was the major reason for not receiving a vaccination (n = 182, 62%). About 286 (55.96%) of the participants had good knowledge, attitude, and practice on Hepatitis B, manifesting median scores of 26, 18, and 20, respectively. Conclusion: In our study, half of the students were found to be unvaccinated, mainly due to the absence of vaccination programs. Vaccinated students exhibited better knowledge, attitude, and practice toward the infection than non-vaccinated students. Therefore, we recommend the implementation of a vaccination program as well as training on infection prevention guidelines to increase awareness and encourage vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim This scoping review aims to identify and map the extent of published literature on Hepatitis B vaccination in stage 4/5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and dialysis patients, the availability of standardised practice guidelines, the optimal CKD stage to commence the vaccination for efficient response, and seroconversion rate. Background Hepatitis B vaccination remains 'standard-of-care' in the haemodialysis (HD) population despite immunological challenges. CKD patients have decreasing immunity as the disease progresses, prompting further research to investigate the response of Hepatitis B vaccination in earlier stages of CKD for better response rate prior to requiring dialysis. Method This scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) five-stage approach: 1) identifying the research question; 2) identifying the relevant studies; 3) selecting the studies; 4) data charting; and 5) collating, summarising and reporting the results. Medline, PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC) and Cochrane databases were used to access research literature published between 2012--2022. Results Of the 602 eligible articles,183 full text papers were identified. There were 41 studies retained for this review which were sorted out into domains relating to the vaccine immunogenicity, vaccine response and clinical practice guidelines. Although there were studies suggesting immunosuppression in declining renal function leads to low vaccine response, most of the studies were focused on HD patients. There have been no large, randomised control trials on optimal vaccination policy in CKD patients. This scoping review provided important knowledge for future studies to explore the efficiency of commencing vaccination at an earlier stage of CKD before reaching dialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectiveMethodsResultsConclusionChronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major disease that seriously affects the health of patients. In this paper, the relationship among MTHFR gene polymorphism, MTRR gene polymorphism and 1762/1764 mutation in the BCP region of HBV gene with disease progression in chronic HBV patients was studied.A total of 144 chronic HBV infection patients from January 2021 to June 2022 in the Third People’s Hospital of Zigong City, were included as the study subjects. These patients were divided into hepatitis B primary liver cancer patients group (PLC) in 51 cases, Non-primary liver cancer patients group (Non-PLC) in 93 cases, Non-PLC is also divided into chronic hepatitis B virus carriers (CHC) in 49 cases, hepatitis B Live cirrhosis(LC) in 44 cases. MTHFR (C677T), MTRR (A66G) and MTHFR (A1298C) genes polymorphisms were detected by PCR-dissolution curve. The level of HBV-DNA was quantified by real-time PCR, and the 1762/1764 mutation site in the BCP region of the HBV gene were detected by ARMS-PCR. Data were statistically analyzed using the SPSS statistical software.The proportion of HBV mutations in BCP region 1762/1764 in PLC group was 82.4%, which was higher than that in LC group (63.6%) and CHC group (51.0%), and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the distribution of MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C and MTRR A66G polymorphisms among CHC, LC and PLC (p > 0.05). The polymorphism distribution of MTHFR C677T, MTRR A66G and MTHFR A1298C genes in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection at different stages (CHC, LC and PLC) showed no gender or age differences between and within groups (p > 0.05). Among the patients with MTHFR 677CT + TT, MTRR 66AG + GG and MTHFR 1298AA genotype, the proportion of HBV mutation in BCP region 1762/1764 in PLC group was higher than that in CHC group and LC group, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Folate levels in the PLC group were lower than those in the non-PLC group (CHC and LC patients), and the difference was statistically significant compared with the CHC group (p < 0.05). In different MTHFR C677T and MTRR A66G genotypes, the serum GGT activity were statistically significant between mutant PLC and mutant Non-PLC (p < 0.05).MTHFR C677T, MTRR A66G and MTHFR A1298C gene polymorphisms distribution have no gender and age differences in chronic hepatitis B virus infection patients. The mutation of HBV gene BCP region 1762/1764 may be associated with the occurrence and development of liver cancer in patients with chronic HBV infection. Single difference of MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C and MTRR A66G gene polymorphisms may have little effect on the disease progression in patients with chronic HBV infection. MTHFR 677CT + TT, MTRR 66AG + GG and MTHFR 1298AA genotype combined with HBV gene BCP region 1762/1764 mutation may be closely related to the occurrence and development of hepatitis B liver cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The disproportionate burden of viral hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B virus (HBV) is experienced by people living in low-resourced sub-Saharan Africa, where the estimated prevalence is 3–7 times the global average. Therefore to inform policy, we describe the seroprevalence and trends of hepatitis C (HCV) and HBV biomarkers: anti-HCV antibody and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), respectively, in Zimbabwe. Methods: We analysed data from 181,248 consecutive blood-donors, examined between January 2015 through December 2018. Additionally, we conducted a comprehensive literature review using PubMed and African Journals Online databases, meta-analysing selected papers from Zimbabwe, published between 1970 and 2020, that met specific criteria. Results: Overall age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) for anti-HCV was 8.67 (95%CI, 0.25–17.09) per 100,000, while that for HBsAg was 2.26 (95%, 1.89–2.63) per 1000 blood-donors, per year. Meta-analysis of 9 studies comprising 220,127 persons tested for anti-HCV revealed ASPR of 0.05% (95% 0%–0.19%) in blood-donors and 1.78% (95%CI, 0.01%–5.55%) in the general population, for an overall pooled ASPR of 0.44 (95%CI, 0.19%–0.76%). 21 studies comprising 291,784 persons tested for HBsAg revealed ASPR of 0.65% (95%CI, 0.31%–1.00%) in blood-donors and 4.31% (95%CI, 1.77%–6.50%) in the general population for an overall pooled ASPR of 4.02% (95%CI, 3.55%–4.48%), after HBV vaccine introduction. HBsAg prevalence was significantly higher before HBV vaccine introductions. Conclusions: The prevalence of HBV is decreasing, consistent with the introduction of HBV vaccination, while HCV prevalence is increasing in Zimbabwe. This highlights the need for Improved blood-donor screening and more informative biomarker studies, particularly among repeat donors and children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a mathematical study applied to Hepatitis B disease utilizing fractional calculus and numerical methods. We begin by discussing mathematical fundamentals, focusing on fractional calculus concepts and relevant numerical aspects for disease modeling. We then formulate the problem, describing a nonlinear fractional differential system that models hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its response to drug therapy. A detailed theoretical analysis explores system properties and biological implications. We provide a qualitative analysis of the model, discussing important dynamic behaviors such as stability and parameter sensitivity. Subsequently, numerical analysis is performed to validate the model and estimate unknown parameters from patient data. Our findings include significant insights into biological parameters and their impact on therapeutic response. We conclude that the proposed fractional-order model is effective, offering optimal therapeutic strategies for hepatitis B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates linkage to care following community‐based screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) in rural Senegal. HBV‐positive participants who completed a biological and clinical examination to assess liver disease and treatment eligibility were referred to a regional hospital (if eligible for treatment), invited to join the Sen‐B research cohort study (adults with detectable viral load) or referred to their local health centre (all others). Logistic regressions were conducted to investigate factors associated with (i) uptake of the scheduled post‐screening examination, and (ii) HBV management initiation. Obstacles to HBV management were identified using thematic analysis of in‐depth patient interviews. Of the 206 HBV‐positive participants, 163 (79.1%) underwent the examination; 47 of the 163 (28.8%) initiated HBV management. Women, people not migrating for >6 months/year, individuals living in households with more agricultural and monetary resources, with other HBV‐positive participants, and beneficiaries of the national cash transfer program, were all more likely to undergo the examination. The likelihood of joining the Sen‐B cohort increased with household monetary resources, but decreased with agricultural resources. Initiation of HBV management in local health centre was higher among participants with a non‐agricultural economic activity. Individuals reported wariness and confusion about HBV management content and rationale at various stages of the care continuum, in particular with respect to venous blood sampling and management without treatment. In conclusion, HBV community‐based test‐and‐treat strategies are feasible, but early loss to follow‐up must be addressed through simplified, affordable management and community support and sensitization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A draft UK Parliamentary Bill sought to criminalize assaults on emergency workers through biting and spitting. This seemed to be based on a fear of bloodborne virus transmission. We undertook a literature search to clarify the risk of hepatitis infection from such exposures. We identified 245 possible papers and then reduced these to those relevant to HBV and HCV transmission through biting or spitting and the scientific plausibility. Nine papers were identified, reporting 16 possible cases of HBV (15 bites, 1 spitting) and 2 of HCV transmission (both bites). Only 3 HBV transmissions by bites and 1 by spitting and both HCV transmissions were felt to be plausible. Although both HBV DNA and HCV RNA can be found in the saliva of infected patients, it seems unlikely that there is enough to transmit infection unless there is blood contamination. In conclusion, the risk of acquiring HCV through spitting is negligible and is very low for HBV. The risk is also low for acquiring HBV and HCV through biting, especially if no blood is apparent in the saliva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Clinical Hepatology / Linchuang Gandanbing Zazhi is the property of Journal of Clinical Hepatology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A reaction-diffusion hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection model based on the mean-reverting Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process is studied in this paper. We demonstrate the existence and uniqueness of the positive solution by constructing the Lyapunov function. The adequate conditions for the solution's stationary distribution were described. Last but not least, the numerical simulation demonstrated that reversion rates and noise intensity influenced the disease and that there was a stationary distribution. It was concluded that the solution tends more toward the stationary distribution, the greater the reversion rates and the smaller the noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors, and its high morbidity, high mortality rate, and low survival rate are the basic features of the epidemiology of HCC in China. It has been found that phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is involved in the complex processes of phospholipid digestion and metabolism, immune defense and signaling, and actively participates in the inflammatory response of liver tissue, hepatocyte survival, proliferation and apoptosis, and the process of hepatocellular carcinogenesis and development. This paper introduces the role of PLA2 in the development of HCC and points out that PLA2 can be used as a new idea and drug target for drug development and clinical control of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we aimed to evaluate clinical and imagistic features, and also to provide a diagnostic algorithm for patients presenting with gastrointestinal involvement from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We conducted a systematic search on the PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases to identify and collect papers oncases of HCC with gastrointestinal involvement. This search was last updated on 29 April 2022. One hundred and twenty-three articles were included, corresponding to 197 patients. The majority of the patients were male (87.30%), with a mean age of 61.21 years old. The analysis showed large HCCs located mainly in the right hepatic lobe, and highly elevated alfa-fetoprotein (mean = 15,366.18 ng/mL). The most frequent etiological factor was hepatitis B virus (38.57%). Portal vein thrombosis was present in 27.91% of cases. HCC was previously treated in most cases by transarterial chemoembolization (32.99%) and surgical resection (28.93%). Gastrointestinal lesions, developed mainly through direct invasion and hematogenous routes, were predominantly detected in the stomach and duodenum in equal measure—27.91%. Gastrointestinal bleeding was the most common presentation (49.74%). The main diagnostic tools were esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and computed tomography. The mean survival time was 7.30 months. Gastrointestinal involvement in HCC should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with underlying HCC and gastrointestinal manifestations or pathological findings in EGD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we delve into the analysis of the Hepatitis B model, specifically the S E I A I C R model, within the scope of the Caputo–Fabrizio fractional operator. A new state variable the number of vaccinated individuals is also added to the model. This addition enriches the scope of the hepatitis B model inviting a deeper exploration of the subject matter. Our study proves the existence of a disease-free fixed point within the proposed compartmental model. To ensure the existence and uniqueness of the fixed point, we employ a fixed-point result in the b-complete b-dislocated quasi-metric space, utilizing a Geraghty-type contraction mapping. This approach establishes the fixed point of a disease-free state within the model. Furthermore, we employ a two-step Adams–Bashforth numerical scheme, serving as a validation of both the significance of fractional-order derivatives and the validity of our obtained theoretical results. Together our research presents an innovative perspective on the S E I A I C R hepatitis B model pushing the boundaries of understanding and shedding light on the dynamics of disease transmission with the impact of vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Arab Journal of Dentistry is the property of Saint Joseph University, Faculty of Dental Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Some biological therapies for psoriasis can cause the reactivation of viral infections. Although recent studies suggest no increased rate of reactivation with biological therapies, some life-threatening cases have been reported. Therefore, this meta-analysis examined the rate of virus reactivation in patients with psoriasis with biological therapies and concurrent hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for available papers from inception to December 2021. The outcome was the number of patients with virus reactivation after using biological therapies. The random-effect model was used in all analyses. Fourteen reports (1033 patients) were included. The pooled overall rate of virus reactivation was 0.04 (95%CI 0.01–0.09; I2 = 67.7%, P < 0.001). The pooled rates of HBV, HCV, and HIV reactivation were 0.04 (95%CI 0.00–0.10; I2 = 79.9%, P < 0.001), 0.07 (95%CI 0.02–0.14; I2 = 23.7%, P = 0.24), and 0.12 (95%CI 0.00–0.40), respectively. The pooled rates of HBV and HCV reactivation were 0.10 (95%CI 0.03–0.19) and 0.08 (95%CI 0.03–0.15) in Asia, but 0.00 (95%CI 0.00–0.01) and 0.04 (95%CI 0.00–0.21) in Europe. The publication type also influenced the results. The use of biological therapy in patients with psoriasis and HBV, HCV, or HIV infection might be associated with the rate of viral reactivation, but this meta-analysis had limitations, and the evidence might be weak. Nevertheless, it might suggest that at least a consultation with an infection specialist might be warranted in patients with psoriasis in whom biological therapies are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic hepatitis B remains a major public health concern and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, specifically through its causative role in chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Worldwide, it affects up to 292 million people. In this paper, we review the historic discovery of the hepatitis B virus and chronicle the significant advances in our understanding of the virus and its interactions with the human host to cause disease. We also overview advancements in therapies for hepatitis B virus and the current absence of curative therapies and highlight on-going therapeutic efforts in search of curative therapies to control transmission and eradicate hepatitis B virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mathematical model considering two strains of hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronic carriers, to assess the impact of dose-structured imperfect vaccine, in a population, is designed and analyzed. The model is shown to have a locally and globally asymptotically stable disease-free equilibrium (DFE) whenever its associated reproduction number is numerically less than unity. Numerical analysis of the model shows that with the expected 50% minimum efficacy of the first vaccine dose, vaccinating 55% of the susceptible population with the first vaccine dose will be sufficient to effectively control the spread of hepatitis B infection. Such effective control can also be achieved if 50% of the first vaccine dose recipients take the second dose. Threshold analysis reveals that an imperfect HBV vaccine should have positive or negative population-level effect. Latin hypercube sampling–PRCC analysis illustrates that disease transmission rate, birth rate, natural death rate and proportion of children born with maternal immunity are most influential parameters in the disease dynamics. In this paper, the sensitivity analysis based on mathematical and in addition statistical techniques have been performed to determine the significance of the model parameters. It is observed that a number of the parameters play an important role to determine the magnitude of the basic reproduction number. Sensitivity analysis is achieved to determine model parameters' importance in disease dynamics. It is observed that the reproduction number is the most responsive quantity to the potent transmission rate of HBV and in addition also vital to control the spread of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis B is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Thus, this paper focuses on three control measures as the best way to intervene against the hepatitis B viral infection. These measures are condom use, testing and treatment, and vaccination to stop the disease from spreading over a community. The model comprises seven (7) compartments that include susceptible individuals, latent individuals, acute-infected individuals, chronic-infected individuals, infected by carrier individuals, recovered individuals from the disease, and the vaccinated population. We mathematically established a nonlinear differential equation to study the dynamics of the model. The disease-free equilibrium (DFE) and endemic equilibrium (EE) are reached. The basic reproduction numbers, R 0 A , R 0 H , and R 0 C , determine the transmission of the disease and thus are gotten. We perform sensitivity analysis on the reproduction numbers to identify the factors that affect the reproduction numbers. The results of the sensitivity analysis paved a way for introducing a controlled system which was solved using Pontryagin's maximum principle (PMP) and the optimality system got. The optimality system was then solved numerically using the forward and backward sweep approach, and graphs were generated, establishing the conditions for local and global stability of the disease-free equilibrium using the Routh-Hurwitz criterion and Castillo-Chavez approach, respectively. We also used Pontryagin's maximum principle to determine the optimality system. The result of the analysis of the stability of the disease-free equilibrium states that hepatitis B virus can be completely wiped out if the rate of infection is kept at a number less than unity. A numerical simulation of the model was carried out and showed that hepatitis B virus transmission can best be controlled when condom use, testing and treatment, and vaccination are implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a serious global public health problem, and HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in the nucleus of infected cells cannot be eliminated by current treatments and is a major factor in the persistence and recurrence of hepatitis B. Efficient and scientific detection methods are important for clinical monitoring of cccDNA and targeted drug development. Western blotting is the gold standard for the quantitative detection of cccDNA, but it is time‐consuming and complex. In recent years, new detection technologies have been continuously updated. There are new developments and breakthroughs in both next‐generation polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and non‐PCR methods such as in situ hybridization. Some HBV‐related markers (such as hepatitis B core‐related antigen) have also been shown to be closely related to cccDNA, and they can be used as surrogate markers to indirectly reflect cccDNA content. In this paper, the main detection methods of cccDNA and their improvements are reviewed, the advantages and limitations of these methods are analysed and summarized, and future development directions are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a global health challenge. Despite the availability of effective preventive vaccines, millions of people are at risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current drug therapies inhibit viral replication, slow the progression of liver fibrosis and reduce infectivity, but they rarely remove the covalently sealed circular DNA (cccDNA) of the virus that causes HBV persistence. Alternative treatment strategies, including those based on CRISPR/cas9 knockout virus gene, can effectively inhibit HBV replication, so it has a good prospect. During chronic infection, some virus gene knockouts based on CRISPR/cas9 may even lead to cccDNA inactivation. This paper reviews the progress of different HBV CRISPR/cas9, vectors for delivering to the liver, and the current situation of preclinical and clinical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]