Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, a type of cellular stress, always occurs when unfolded or misfolded proteins accumulating in the ER exceed the protein folding capacity. Because of the demand for rapid viral protein synthesis after viral infection, viral infections become a risk factor for ER stress. The hepatocyte is a cell with large and well-developed ER, and hepatitis virus infection is widespread in the population, indicating the interaction between hepatitis viruses and ER stress may have significance for managing liver diseases. In this paper, we review the process that is initiated by the hepatocyte through ER stress against HBV and HCV infection and explain how this information can be helpful in the treatment of HBV/HCV-related diseases.

Liver X receptor α (LXRα), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is identified as a protein activated by ligands that interacts with the promoters of specific genes. It regulates cholesterol, bile acid, and lipid metabolism in normal physiological processes, and it participates in the development of some related diseases. However, many studies have demonstrated that LXRα is also involved in regulating numerous human malignancies. Aberrant LXRα expression is emerging as a fundamental and pivotal factor in cancer cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, and metastasis. Herein, we outline the expression levels of LXRα between tumor tissues and normal tissues via the Oncomine and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) 2.0 databases; summarize emerging insights into the roles of LXRα in the development, progression, and treatment of different human cancers and their diversified mechanisms; and highlight that LXRα can be a biomarker and therapeutic target in diverse cancers.

Background: We aim to investigate the characteristics of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in patients with HBV-related acute on chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF). Methods: A total of 44 patients with probable IPA were selected as the case group, and another 88 patients without lung infections were chosen as the control group. Results: HBV-ACLF patients with probable IPA had more significant 90-day mortality (38.6% vs. 15.9%, p = 0.0022) than those without. The white blood cell (WBC) count was the independent factor attributed to the IPA development [odds ratio (OR) 1.468, p = 0.027]. Respiratory failure was associated with the mortality of HBV-ACLF patients with IPA [OR 26, p = 0.000]. Twenty-seven patients received voriconazole or voriconazole plus as an antifungal treatment. Plasma voriconazole concentration measurements were performed as therapeutic drug monitoring in 55.6% (15/27) of the patients. The drug concentrations exceeded the safe range with a reduced dosage. Conclusions: The WBC count might be used to monitor patients’ progress with HBV-ACLF and IPA. The presence of IPA increases the 90-day mortality of HBV-ACLF patients mainly due to respiratory failure. An optimal voriconazole regimen is needed for such critical patients, and voriconazole should be assessed by closely monitoring blood levels.

Mycobacterium tilburgii is a nonculturable, nontuberculous mycobacterium that occasionally causes serious infections in individuals with immune deficiencies. Owing to its nonculturable nature, its antimicrobial susceptibility has not been assessed, and the optimal treatment regimen is unclear. Herein, we report a case of disseminated M. tilburgii infection in a person with AIDS, identified using metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A 33-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of abdominal pain, lymphadenopathy, intermittent night hot flashes, night sweats, and weight loss. No pathogen was detected during initial routine investigations. M. tilburgii was subsequently identified in a left cervical lymph node sample using mNGS. Furthermore, M. tilburgii infection was detected in a bone marrow sample based on PCR of 16S rRNA and hsp65 gene sequencing. The person was treated with a combination of moxifloxacin, clarithromycin, ethambutol, rifabutin, and amikacin. The laboratory results improved, and the patient's symptoms resolved. M. tilburgii may be missed in diagnostic tests because it cannot be grown using routine culture techniques. Early diagnosis and timely and effective treatment are critical in patients with M. tilburgii infection; therefore, molecular techniques are recommended for patients with suspected M. tilburgii infection.

Hepatitis B virus‐related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (HBV‐ACLF) is a life‐threatening condition with high short‐term mortality, making early prognosis crucial. The liver‐to‐spleen volume ratio (LSVR) provides important prognostic information but is not included in current tools. This study evaluated the link between LSVR from computed tomography and short‐term mortality in HBV‐ACLF patients. The study included 278 patients, divided into five groups based on LSVR quintiles. The main outcome was 28‐day mortality, with a secondary focus on 90‐day mortality. Multivariable Cox regression and restricted cubic splines were used to analyse the LSVR‐mortality relationship. Participants had a mean age of 48 years, 82.7% were male, with 28‐ and 90‐day mortality rates of 23.4% and 31.3%, respectively. After adjusting for covariates, the risk of 28‐day mortality was elevated by 553% (OR 6.53, 95% CI 1.86–23) in the highest quintile of LSVR (Q5 ≥ 3.6) and by 343% (OR 4.43, 95% CI 1.14–17.16) in the lowest quintile (Q1 ≤ 1.6), as compared to the reference quintile (Q3 2.4–2.9). The curve‐fitting results showed a U‐shaped relationship between LSVR and the risk of 28‐day mortality and 90‐day mortality, with an infection point of 2.7. There is a U‐shaped relationship between LSVR and mortality in HBV‐ACLF patients. Higher or lower LSVR is associated with an increased risk of short‐term mortality in HBV‐ACLF patients.