Danggui-Shaoyao San alleviates cognitive impairment via enhancing HIF-1α/EPO axis in vascular dementia rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Invigorating blood circulation to remove blood stasis is a primary strategy in TCM for treating vascular dementia (VaD). Danggui-Shaoyao San (DSS), as a traditional prescription for neuroprotective activity, has been proved to be effective in VaD treatment. However, its precise molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. AIM OF THE STUDY: The specific mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of DSS on VaD was explored by employing network pharmacology as well as in vivo and in viro experiment validation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We downloaded components of DSS from the BATMAN-TCM database for target prediction. The intersection between the components of DSS and targets, PPI network, as well as GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were then performed. Subsequently, the potential mechanism of DSS predicted by network pharmacology was assessed and validated through VaD rat model induced by 2VO operation and CoCl2-treated PC12 cells. Briefly, the DSS extract were first quantified by HPLC. Secondly, the effect of DSS on VaD was studied using MWM test, HE staining and TUNEL assay. Finally, the molecular mechanism of DSS against VaD was validated by Western blot and RT-QPCR experiments. RESULTS: Through network analysis, 137 active ingredients were obtained from DSS, and 67 potential targets associated with DSS and VaD were identified. GO and KEGG analysis indicated that the action of DSS on VaD primarily involves hypoxic terms and HIF-1 pathway. In vivo validation, cognitive impairment and neuron mortality were markedly ameliorated by DSS. Additionally, DSS significantly reduced the expression of proteins related to synaptic plasticity and neuron apoptosis including PSD-95, SYP, Caspase-3 and BCL-2. Mechanistically, we confirmed DSS positively modulated the expression of HIF-1α and its downstream proteins including EPO, p-EPOR, STAT5, EPOR, and AKT1 in the hippocampus of VaD rats as well as CoCl2-induced PC12 cells. HIF-1 inhibitor YC-1 significantly diminished the protection of DSS on CoCl2-induced PC12 cell damage, with decreased HIF-1α, EPO, EPOR expression. CONCLUSION: Our results initially demonstrated DSS could exert neuroprotective effects in VaD. The pharmacological mechanism of DSS may be related to its positive regulation on HIF-1α/EPO pathway.

CT radiomics based on the peritumoral adipose region of gastric adenocarcinoma for preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis.

PURPOSE: To construct and validate CT radiomics model based on the peritumoral adipose region of gastric adenocarcinoma to preoperatively predict lymph node metastasis (LNM). METHODS AND METHODS: 293 consecutive gastric adenocarcinoma patients receiving radical gastrectomy with lymph node dissection in two medical institutions were stratified into a development set (from Institution A, n = 237), and an external validation set (from Institution B, n = 56). Volume of interest of peritumoral adipose region was segmented on preoperative portal-phase CT images. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method and stepwise logistic regression were used to select features and build radiomics models. Manual classification was performed according to routine CT characteristics. A classifier incorporating the radiomics score and CT characteristics was developed for predicting LNM. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to show discrimination between tumors with and without LNM, and the calibration curves and Brier score were used to evaluate the predictive accuracy. Violin plots were used to show the distribution of radiomics score. RESULTS: AUC values of radiomics model to predict LNM were 0.938, 0.905, and 0.872 in the training, internal test, and external validation sets, respectively, higher than that of manual classification (0.674, all P values < 0.01). The radiomics score of the positive LNM group were higher than that of the negative group in all sets (both P-values < 0.001). The classifier showed no improved predictive power compared with the radiomics signature alone with AUC values of 0.916 and 0.872 in the development and external validation sets, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that radiomics score was an independent predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Radiomics model based on peritumoral adipose region could be a useful approach for preoperative LNM prediction in gastric adenocarcinoma.

Work-Related Factors Associated With the Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Among a Sample of Female Nurses in China.

BACKGROUND: Female nurses are a high-risk group for pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). Predictors of female nurses' PFD among work-related factors are not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of PFD and its association with workplace conditions among female nurses in China. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in May 2021. A sample of 380 registered nurses working in six tertiary hospitals in Nanjing, China participated. Data on individual characteristics, work-related factors, the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 were used. FINDINGS: The overall prevalence of PFD among nurses was 83.9%, with 43.9% of participants experiencing pelvic organ prolapse, 66.6% experiencing anorectal dysfunction and 60.5% experiencing lower urinary tract symptoms. In terms of work-related factors, PFD was associated with heavy lifting, pushing, and carrying at work, delayed toileting at work and fluid intake. Female nurses with PFD reported lower quality of life (QoL) relative to nurses without PFD. CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATION TO PRACTICE: Our findings provide initial insights into workplace conditions that promote PFD among female nurses. Occupational health nurses should consider providing educational information for female workers who are potentially at risk for PFD and consider integrating screening of PFD into practice.

The pathological role of hypersplenism in the course of liver cirrhosis / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Hypersplenism is an important complication of cirrhotic portal hypertension, and splenectomy is an important means to treat hypersplenism in cirrhosis. It is realized that hypersplenism played a pathological role in the course of cirrhosis. This article analyzes and compares the changes in the condition of patients with cirrhosis between splenectomy with and without hyperfunction, and comprehensively discusses the pathological role and mechanism of hypersplenism in the course of cirrhosis, in order to strengthen the clinical prevention and treatment of hypersplenism in cirrhosis and to better improve the condition and prognosis of patients with cirrhosis.

The role of Nrf2 in the alteration of tight junction protein expression in choroid plexus epithelial cells created by lanthanum-activated MMP9 / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To investigate the effect of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the alteration of tight junction protein expression in choroid plexus epithelial cells created by lanthanum-activated matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) . Methods: In October 2020, immortalized rat choroid plexus epithelial cell line (Z310) cells were used as the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier in vitro, and were divided into control group and 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 mmol/L lanthanum chloride (LaCl(3)) treatment group. After treating Z310 cells with different concentrations of LaCl(3) for 24 hours, the morphological changes of Z310 cells were observed under inverted microscope, the protein expression levels of MMP9, occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) were observed by cellular immunofluorescence method, and the protein expression levels of MMP9, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase1 (TIMP1) , occludin, ZO-1 and Nrf2 were detected by Western blotting. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells was detected by flow cytometry. Results: Compared with the control group, Z310 cells in the LaCl(3) treatment group were smaller in size, with fewer intercellular junctions, and more dead cells and cell fragments. The expression level of MMP9 protein in cells treated with 0.25 and 0.5 mmol/L LaCl(3) was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05) , and the expression level of TIMP1 and tight junction proteins occudin and ZO-1 was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the ROS production level in the 0.25, 0.5 mmol/L LaCl(3) treatment group was significantly increased (P<0.05) , and the Nrf2 protein expression level in the 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 mmol/L LaCl(3) treatment group was significantly decreased (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Lanthanum may increase the level of ROS in cells by down regulating the expression of Nrf2, thus activating MMP9 to reduce the expression level of intercellular tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1.

Disrupting ACE2 Dimerization Mitigates the Infection by SARS-COV-2

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused over 6 million death and 460 million reported cases globally. More effective antiviral medications are needed to curb the continued spread of this disease. The infection by SARS-COV-2 virus is initiated via the interaction between the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the viral glycoprotein Spike (S protein) and the N-term peptidase domain (PD) of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expressed on host cell membrane. ACE2 forms protein homodimer primarily through its ferredoxin-like fold domain (aka. Neck-domain). We investigated whether the dimerization of ACE2 receptor plays a role in SARS-COV-2 virus infection. We report here that the ACE2 receptor dimerization enhances the recognition of SARS-COV-2 S protein. A 43 amino acid peptide based on the N-term of Neck-domain could block the ACE2 dimerization and the interaction between RBD and ACE2, and mitigate the SARS-COV-2/host cell interaction. Our study illustrated a new route to develop potential therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of SARS-COV-2 viral infection.

Visualization analysis of microfluidics research status / 生物医学工程学杂志

Microfluidics is the science and technology to manipulate small amounts of fluids in micro/nano-scale space. Multiple modules could be integrated into microfluidic device, and due to its advantages of microminiaturization and controllability, microfluidics has drawn extensive attention since its birth. In this paper, the literature data related to microfluidics research from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2021 were obtained from Web of Science Core Collection database. CiteSpace 5.8.R3 software was used for bibliometrics analysis, so as to explore the research progress and development trends of microfluidics research at home and abroad. Based on the analysis of 50 129 articles, it could be seen that microfluidics was a hot topic of global concern, and the United States had a certain degree of authority in this field. Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University not only had a high number of publications, but also had strong influence and extensive cooperation network. Combined with ultrasonic, surface modification and sensor technology, researchers constructed paper-based microfluidic, droplet microfluidic and digital microfluidic platforms, which were applied in the field of immediate diagnosis, nucleic acid and circulating tumor cell analysis of in vitro diagnosis and organ-on-a-chip. China was one of the countries with a high level of research in the field of microfluidics, while the industrialization of high-end products needed to be improved. As people's demand for disease risk prediction and health management increased, promoting microfluidic technological innovation and achievement transformation is of great significance to safeguard people's life and health.

Research progress of DNA methylation in the diagnosis of early colorectal cancer / 国际外科学杂志

Colorectal cancer is a common tumor of the digestive system with a high degree of malignancy. Most patients are in the advanced stages of the disease when they develop symptoms. Although the detection rate of traditional screening methods is improving with advances in imaging and the popularity of colonoscopy, the diagnosis of early, asymptomatic colon cancer is still unsatisfactory. Therefore, it is particularly important to further study the occurrence and development mechanism of colorectal cancer and obtain new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment.? In recent years, with the deepening of epigenetics research, the role of DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer has gradually attracted attention. This paper will review the research progress of DNA methylation in colorectal cancer′s diagnosis and treatment.

Technical progress and industrial development of in vitro diagnostic / 中华检验医学杂志

In vitro diagnosis (IVD) is an important source of clinical diagnostic information, and provides an important decision basis for disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment. IVD is a necessary tool for promoting graded diagnosis and treatment, realizing precision medicine, constructing a "Healthy China" and responding to major public health emergencies. Combining the great progress made in the development of in vitro diagnostics in China and the shortcomings and weaknesses faced by it, this article analyzed the demand for IVD, policy support, technical and industrial development trends, and the ways to accelerate the industrialization development, aiming to promote the development and improvement of IVD in China.

Predictive Value of Blood Ammonia in the Prognosis of Acute Liver Failure Evaluated by Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the predictive value of blood ammonia (BLA) quantification in the prognosis of acute liver failure (ALF). METHODS: Seventy-one patients with ALF were enrolled and BLA concentration was measured in all patients. After following up for 28 days, patients were divided into two groups: the surviving group (n = 21) and the deceased group (n = 50). An independent-samples t-test was used to compare BLA concentrations between the two groups, and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to ¬evaluate the predictive value of BLA in the prognosis of ALF. A fourfold table analysis was performed with the determined BLA cutoff value. RESULTS: The average concentration of BLA in the deceased group was significantly higher compared with the surviving group (144.50 µmol/L vs. 106 µmol/L, respectively; P = .035). The cutoff BLA concentration for a good ALF prognosis was 122.5 µmol/L. The area under the curve was 0.659. Both the sensitivity and specificity were >0.6. The 95% CIs for sensitivity and specificity were 0.452-0.733 and 0.477-0.878, respectively. The fourfold table analysis revealed a positive predictive value of 83.3%, a negative predictive value of 42.9%, a misdiagnosis rate of 28.6%, and an accuracy of 63.4%. CONCLUSION: With a cutoff BLA concentration of 122.5 µmol/L, the prognosis of ALF could be predicted with high sensitivity and specificity, a positive predictive value, a low misdiagnosis rate, and good accuracy.

Co-expression of IL-7 and PH20 promote anti-GPC3 CAR-T tumour suppressor activity in vivo and in vitro.

BACKGROUND: While CAR-T therapy has successfully treated haematological malignancies, it has proved sub-optimal for solid tumours. The main limitation is the inability of CAR-T cells to infiltrate and then proliferate within tumours. METHOD: We co-expressed IL-7 and PH20, a type of hyaluronidase, with CAR targeting GPC3 (G3CAR-7 × 20). We test the anti-tumour ability in vitro and in vivo. Moreover the capacity of infiltration and proliferation of G3CAR-7 × 20 was measured. RESULT: We found (G3CAR-7 × 20) exhibited better proliferation in vivo and in vitro than G3CAR, reduced the level of apoptosis after stimulation by tumour cells, and maintained the memory phenotype of CAR-T cells. G3CAR-7 × 20 also increased the ability of CAR-T cells to infiltrate tumour tissue. CONCLUSION: co-expressed IL-7 and PH20 may significantly enhance the efficacy of targeted GPC3 CAR-T cells in solid tumours treatment.

Seed oil of Brucea javanica induces apoptosis through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in acute lymphocytic leukemia Jurkat cells / 中国天然药物

Brucea javanica oil emulsion (BJOE) has been used to treat tumor in China for more than 40 years. However, its components and effectiveness in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and its mechanism of anti-cancer activity remain unknown. In the current study, high-performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD) was used to analyze the components of BJOE. Then, the anti-leukemia effects of BJOE were examined both in vitro and in vivo using ALL Jurkat cells and the p388 mouse leukemia transplant model, respectively. The primary ALL leukemia cells were also used to confirm the anti-leukemia effects of BJOE. The apoptotic-related results indicated that BJOE induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells and were suggestive of intrinsic apoptotic induction. Moreover, BJOE inhibited Akt (protein kinase B) activation and upregulated its downstream targets p53 and FoxO1 (forkhead box gene, group O-1) to initiate apoptosis. The activation of GSK3β was also involved. Our findings demonstrate that BJOE has anti-leukemia effects on ALL cells and can induce apoptosis in Jurkat cells through the phosphoinositide3-kinase (PI3K) /Akt signaling pathway.

circRNA 001306 enhances hepatocellular carcinoma growth by up-regulating CDK16 expression via sponging miR-584-5p.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been demonstrated to play important roles in cancer progress. However, the roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still unclear. Here, we found has_circRNA_001306 (circ_1306) was up-regulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown the expression circ_1306 significantly suppressed HCC cell proliferation and induced the cell apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we identified circ_1306 could up-regulate the expression of CDK16 by sponging miR-584-5p. The expression of miR-584-5p was decreased, and the expression of CDK16 was increased in HCC tissues and cell lines. Meanwhile, either knockdown of miR-584-5p or overexpression of CDK16 could suppress the HCC cell proliferation. In vivo, overexpression of miR-584-5p or knockdown of circ_1306 could inhibit the expression of CDK16, and suppress tumour growth. Altogether, our findings suggested that circ_1306 could promoter HCC progress by miR-584-5p/CDK16 axis, which provided a novel marker for HCC diagnosis and treatment.

Clinical screening and genetic diagnosis for Prader-Willi syndrome / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the clinical screening and genetic diagnosis of children suspected of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), as well as the differences in the scores of clinical diagnostic criteria among the children with a confirmed diagnosis of PWS.@*METHODS@#A total of 94 children suspected of PWS who were admitted from July 2016 to December 2018 were enrolled as subjects. Methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA) was performed to confirm the diagnosis. For the children with a confirmed diagnosis of PWS, the scores of clinical diagnostic criteria were determined, and the perinatal characteristics were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#A total of 11 children with PWS were confirmed by MS-MLPA, with a detection rate of 12%, among whom there were 7 boys and 4 girls, with a median age of 3 years and 4 months (range 25 days to 6 years and 8 months) at the time of confirmed diagnosis. Among the 11 children with PWS, only 5 children (45%) met the criteria for clinical diagnosis. The main perinatal characteristics of the children with PWS were decreased fetal movement (9 cases, 82%), cesarean section birth (11 cases, 100%), hypotonia (11 cases, 100%), feeding difficulties (11 cases, 100%), and weak crying (11 cases, 100%).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Gene testing should be performed as early as possible for children suspected of PWS by clinical screening. PWS may be missed if only based on the scores of clinical diagnostic criteria.

The effects of early exercise on the cortical spinal tract after cerebral infarction / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of early exercise intervention on the corticospinal tract of rats with cerebral infarction.Methods:Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sedentary group (SED), a 1 day later exercise group (1D) and a 1 week later exercise group (1W), each of 6. A modified Longa′s method was used to occlude the middle cerebral artery to model a stroke. Rats in the 1D and 1W groups started exercising 1 day and 1 week after the modeling, while those in the sedentary group were placed on a stationary treadmill for 30 minutes every day. Modified neurological severity scores (mNSSs) were used to quantify neurological functioning after 1, 4 and 8 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to calculate the infarct volume ratio, and diffusion tensor imaging was used to detect the fractional anisotropy ratio (rFA) of the corticospinal tract for correlation with the mNSS scores. The corticospinal cord′s morphology was observed using DTT.Results:After 1 week the average mNSS score of the 1D group was significantly lower than the other two groups′ averages. At 4 weeks the average mNSS scores of both the 1D and the 1W group were significantly lower than the sedentary group′s average. At 8 weeks the 1D group′s average mNSS score was significantly lower than those of the other two groups, while that of the 1W group was significantly lower than the sedentary group′s average. At 1 and 4 weeks after modeling the average infarct volume ratio in the 1D group was significantly lower than those of the other groups. By 4 weeks the average infarct volume ratio of the 1W group was significantly lower than that of the sedentary group, and by 8 weeks the average infarct volume ratios of both the 1D and 1W groups was significantly lower than that of the sedentary group. After 1 week the average rFA of the 1D group was significantly lower than that of the sedentary group, but by 4 weeks the averages of the 1D group and the 1W group were both significantly higher than the sedentary group′s average. At 8 weeks the 1D group′s average rFA was significantly above that of the 1W group and of the sedentary group, and that of the 1W group was significantly higher than that of the sedentary group. After 8 weeks the corticospinal tracts in the 1D group appeared to be more symmetrical than those of the other 2 groups. The rFA results correlated strongly with the mNSS scores ( r=-0.707). Conclusions:Exercise can promote corticospinal cord remodeling and improve neurological function after cerebral infarction, at least in rats. It should be started as early as possible.

Relationship between hemoglobin level and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in male patients with primary gout / 中华全科医师杂志

Four hundred and four male patients with primary gout were enrolled. According to the degree of nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), the patients were divided into simple gout ( n=121), gout combined with mild NAFLD ( n=149) and gout combined with moderate-severe NAFLD ( n=134). The height, weight, waist, hip, blood pressure and blood biochemistry parameters of patients were measured. The degree of NAFLD was negatively correlated with the age of patients in three groups. The BMI, ratio of waist/hip, count of red cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell distribution width ( SD and CV), triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase and HOMA-IR were increased with the increasing of NAFLD severity (all P<0.05). Red blood cell count, hemoglobin, alanine aminotransferase, serum uric acid increased with the increasing of NAFLD severity (all P<0.05). Platelet, serum urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were decreased with the increase of NAFLD severity. Logistic regression showed that BMI, hemoglobin and HOMA-IR were independent risk factors for NAFLD. The prevalence and the severity of NAFLD was increased with increasing quadrates of hemoglobin. Taking group Q1 as a control, OR of NAFLD in group Q2 was 1.166(95 %CI:0.638-2.133), OR in group Q3 was 2.011(95 %CI:1.122-3.605)and OR in group Q4 was 3.120(95 %CI:1.613-6.034). The result indicates that hemoglobin levels are associated with the development and the severity of NAFLD in male patients with primary gout.

Awareness of Autonomic Dysreflexia post Spinal Cord Injury in Surgeons / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To investigate the levels of knowledge on autonomic dysreflexia (AD) following spinal cord injury (SCI) from surgeons.Methods September 1st to 30th, 71 surgeons from seven departments were tested with the knowledge about AD with a questionnaire.Results Only 35％ of them gave the correct answer above 60％ of the items. The items that got respondence less than 60％ involved in those about causes, clinical signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for AD. The respondence about knowledge of causes, clinical signs and symptoms, and treatment for AD was different among departments (F＞ 2.270, P ＜ 0.05). The respondence about knowledge of treatment for AD was different among the surgeons who had managed different numbers of SCI patients (F = 4.043, P ＜ 0.05). The knowledge of clinical signs and symptoms, and treatment was different among the surgeons with their self-reported knowledge level of AD (F = 5.519, P ＜ 0.01). There was no difference in knowledge for AD among the surgeons with different educational background, technological position and length of career (F ＜ 2.107, P＞ 0.05).Conclusion The knowledge about AD needs to improve in the surgeons.

Non-coding RNA and tumor immune regulation / 药学学报

non-coding RNA (ncRNA) is a kind of non-protein coding RNA, which plays a vital role in the initiation and development of tumor. The immune system also exhibits more complex function in tumor development. It can not only inhibit the development of tumor, but also create conditions for tumor growth. As an important means of tumor therapy, tumor immunotherapy can be regulated by non-coding RNA to achieve the goal of treatment. This article summarizes the regulation of tumor immunity by non-coding RNA.

Modified Bascom cleft lift procedure for chronic pilonidal sinus / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of modified Bascom cleft lift procedure in the treatment of chronic sinus.Methods Modified Bascom cleft lift procedure was performed in 53 patients admitted from Oct 2012 to Jul 2016.49 cases were male and 4 were female.The average age was (25.4± 2.3) years.Results All patients were satisfied with the operation.There were 49 cases of primary healing and 4 cases of incision complications.The average follow-up was (12.1 ±4.3) months,no recurrence was observed.Conclusion The modified Bascom cleft lift technique is effective and reliable,with less complications and a lower recurrence rate.

Prevalence and associated knowledge of hepatitis B infection among healthcare workers in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is considered highly prevalent in West Africa. However, major gaps in surveillance exist in Sierra Leone. Although healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk for HBV infection, little is known about the prevalence and knowledge of hepatitis B among HCWs in Sierra Leone. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of all HCWs at the No. 34 Military Hospital located in Freetown, Sierra Leone, was conducted from March 20 to April 10, 2017. Whole blood was collected and screened for HBV markers using a one-step rapid immunochromatographic test with positive samples tested for HBV DNA. Additionally, questionnaires assessing self-reported knowledge of HBV infections were administered to all participants. Data were processed and analyzed using SPSS (version 17.0) software. RESULTS: A total of 211 HCWs were included in this study with a median age of 39.0 years (range: 18-59). Of the participating HCWs, 172 (81.5%) participants were susceptible (all markers negative), 21(10.0%) were current HBV (HBsAg positive) and nine (4.3%) were considered immune because of past infection (HBsAg negative and anti-HBc positive; anti-HBs positive). Additionally, nine (4.3%) participants displayed immunity to the virus as a result of prior hepatitis B vaccination (only anti-HBs positive). Of the 21 HCWs with positive HBsAg, 13 (61.9%) had detectable HBV DNA. There was a significantly lower risk for current HBV infection among HCWs older than 39 years (OR 0.337, p = 0.046). In addition, only 14 (6.6%), 73 (34.6%) and 82 (38.9%) participants in this survey had adequate knowledge about the clinical outcome, routes of transmission, and correct preventive measures of HBV infection, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: HCWs in Sierra Leone lacked adequate knowledge of the hepatitis B virus. Additionally, the low coverage rate of hepatitis B vaccination among HCWs fails to meet WHO recommendations, leaving many of the sampled HCWs susceptible to infection. This study reaffirms the need for more intensive training for HCWs in addition to strengthening vaccination programmes to protect HCWs against HBV in Sierra Leone.