Volume 06 · Issue 03 · 2023

Photoheating in a venous blood vessel under near-infrared laser irradiation by a scanning laser beam, which is synchronized with the blood flow velocity, is analyzed numerically by considering the light scattering, absorption, and heat transfer in the blood and surrounding tissues. The scanning regime of the laser irradiation with a wavelength of 1064 nm is found to increase strongly the photoheating of the blood while minimizing the overheating of the skin and the tissues surrounding the blood vessel. Simulations show that the photoheating effect can be additionally enhanced by light-absorbing nanoparticles in the blood. The proposed approach of dynamic laser photohyperthermia with the scanning laser beam is discussed for potential applications in laser phototherapy.

Anti-HBe and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA are important markers in evaluating HBV infection. Anti-HBe indicates past or current infection that persists after hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) clearance. Detecting anti-HBe helps identify cleared or chronic infections. HBV DNA measures viral replication, indicating infection activity. Studying these markers in HBeAg-seronegative young adults provides insights into infection dynamics, immune responses, and transmission risk. It informs clinical management and public health interventions for preventing HBV transmission and reducing the burden of liver disease.

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBeAg seronegativity and its association with HBV infection markers among young adults in Etsako, Edo State, Nigeria.

The study population consisted of HBeAg-seronegative individuals aged 18 to 30 years. A total of 400 participants (200 females and 200 males) were randomly selected from urban and rural communities using a multistage sampling technique. Anti-HBe and HBeAg were analyzed by ELISA, whereas HBV DNA was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction.

The prevalence of HBeAg seropositivity was 28%, whereas 72% of participants were seronegative. Among the HBeAg-seronegative participants, the frequencies of anti-HBe and HBV DNA were analyzed based on various categorical variables. The results showed no significant differences in the frequency of anti-HBe and HBV DNA based on occupation, training, or other categorical variables (P>0.05). However, there was a significantly higher proportion of males (60%) among the total number of anti-HBe-seropositive young adults compared to females (40%) (P<0.05). Additionally, a significantly higher proportion of single/unmarried individuals without children (63.3%) was observed among anti-HBe-seropositive young adults compared to those who were married (25%) and those who were single/unmarried with children (12.5%, P<0.05).

The study findings contribute to the understanding of HBeAg seronegativity and its association with anti-HBe and HBV DNA in young adults in Etsako, Edo State, Nigeria. Further research and public health interventions are warranted to better comprehend the factors influencing HBeAg seronegativity and its association with anti-HBe and HBV DNA and its implications for HBV transmission and disease progression in this population.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to social disruptions, mainly because we know too little about SARS-CoV-2.

In this study, we integrated RNA sequencing results and found that SARS-CoV-2 infection alters aerobic glycolysis, the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (oxiPPP), and DNA replication in lung tissues and cells. However, the direction of metabolic flux and DNA replication are dominated by angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a host cell-expressed viral receptor protein. More interestingly, although hosts with a high expression of ACE2 are more likely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2, the invading virus cannot perform nucleic acid replication well due to the restriction of glucose metabolism, eventually resulting in a prolonged infection cycle or infection failure.

Our findings preliminarily explain the reasons for the emergence of asymptomatic infections at an early stage, which will provide assistance for the development of detection methods for diagnosing COVID-19.

Exosomes have gained recognition as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers due to their stability and disease-specific cargos. Exosomes, once dismissed as cellular debris, are now acknowledged as crucial mediators of intercellular communications and disease. These nanosized vesicles transport dynamic cargos consisting of bioactive molecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, enabling cells to exchange information and influence each other’s behavior. This review delves into the multifaceted roles of exosomes, particularly their emergence as biomarkers for various diseases. To conduct research for this review, a comprehensive literature search strategy was employed across various databases using keywords related to exosomes, biomarkers, cellular communication, disease diagnosis, and more. Selected articles were evaluated based on their relevance, and data were extracted, synthesized, and categorized according to thematic content. Quality assessment was performed on different types of articles, ensuring robust findings. In cancer, exosomes act as liquid biopsy samples, revealing genetic mutations, and protein markers. The misfolded proteins characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease and Parkinson disease are carried by exosomes. Moreover, exosomes have been studied as biomarkers for cardiovascular, infectious, and autoimmune diseases. In addition to their functions as biomarkers, exosomes influence the tumor microenvironment, immune response, synaptic plasticity, and tissue regeneration. Challenges remain to fill research gaps and standardize exosome analyses. Exosomes are pivotal in intercellular communication and for disease diagnosis, offering insights into cellular processes, immunity, and regeneration. Future research may reshape our understanding of cellular communication and drive therapeutic interventions. Although challenges must be addressed, exosomes hold undeniable potential for use in personalized medicine and biomedical research.