Objective: To systematically analyze the confirmatory positivity of different combinations of HBsAg screening results in blood testing, providing data to support the optimization of blood donor eligibility management. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on blood screening data from 174 266 voluntary blood donor samples at the Chongqing Blood Center between October 2021 and September 2022. Samples with inconsistent results between the two HBsAg enzymelinked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and individual donor nucleic acid testing (NAT) were confirmed using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) and a neutralization test. The detection efficacy of four different HBsAg ELISA reagents was compared using the HBsAg-confirmed positive samples. Results: A total of 767(0.44%) HBV-reactive (HB-sAg and/or HBV DNA reactive) samples were detected. Among them, 344 samples with discordant serological and NAT results were collected, of which 64(18.6%) were confirmed positive by neutralization test. Additionally, 5 samples that were neutralization-negative but double-reactive for HBsAg and HBV DNA were confirmed as positive according to FDA guidance, resulting in a total of 69(20.1%) confirmed HBsAg-positive samples. There were significant differences in the neutralization test confirmation rates among different screening result categories (P<0.05): The group with dual HBsAg reagent reactivity (double reactive) & NAT-negative had the highest confirmation rate (96.9%, 31/32); the group reactive to only reagent 2 (single reactive) had a rate of 25.7% (29/113); while the confirmation rates for samples reactive to only reagent 1 and samples with isolated HBV DNA positivity were extremely low [0(0/34) and 2.4%(4/165), respectively]. The four commercial reagents showed significant differences in their ability to detect confirmed positive samples that were initially single reactive (P<0.05). Conclusion: Given the performance variations among HBsAg screening reagents, thorough performance verification is essential before implementation. When NAT is negative, dual HBsAg reactivity in screening can serve as a basis for confirming infection and directly deferring blood donors. However, confirming infection in donors with single HBsAg reactivity is more challenging, necessitating supplementary tests to rule out infection risk.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of action of flavonoid combination of Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma （A. officinarum） against Helicobacter pylori （H. pylori） gastritis in mice. MethodsAfter acclimatization for one week， 56 SPF-grade healthy C57BL/6J mice were gavaged with mixed antibiotics for three consecutive days. They were randomly divided into a normal group， model group， positive drug group （triple therapy group）， and low- and high-dose groups （100， 200 mg·kg^-1） of flavonoid combination of A. officinarum. The H. pylori gastritis mice model was established by gavage with H. pylori bacterial suspension in each group except for the normal group. After successful modeling， mice were administrated with corresponding drugs once a day for two weeks. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in gastric tissue. Rapid urease test paper was used to detect the positive rate of H. pylori. Silver staining was used to observe the H. pylori adherence on the surface of gastric tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression of interleukin-8 （IL）-8 and myeloid differentiation factor （MyD88） in gastric tissue. The serum levels of IL-6， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， IL-8， and IL-1β were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） protein were detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group， mice in the model group had lower gastric weight coefficients， higher pH of gastric juice， 100% H. pylori infection rate， and significantly changed gastric histopathology. The expressions of IL-8 and MyD88 proteins in the gastric tissue of mice in the model group were significantly elevated， and the serum levels of inflammatory factors IL-6， TNF-α， IL-8， and IL-1β were significantly up-regulated in mice. Compared with that in the model group， the gastric weight coefficient of mice in each treatment group of the flavonoid combinations of A. officinarum was elevated （P<0.01）， and the pH of gastric juice was reduced （P<0.01）. The infection rate of H. pylori was reduced. The expressions of IL-8 and MyD88 proteins in the gastric tissue of mice in the treatment groups were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the serum levels of inflammatory factors IL-6， TNF-α， IL-8， and IL-1β were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner （P<0.01）. The flavonoid combinations of A. officinarum down-regulated the expression of PI3K and Akt proteins in H. pylori gastritis-infected cells （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe protective effect of flavonoid combinations of A. officinarum against H. pylori gastritis is associated with the inhibition of H. pylori infection rate and regulation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway， resulting in inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors.

Objective:To develop a training program for general practitioners (GPs) on carotid plaque screening using portable intelligent point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS).Methods:A draft training program for GPs on carotid plaque screening using POCUS was initially formulated through focus group discussions involving experts in ultrasonography and general practice. Two rounds of Delphi consultation were conducted with 15 ultrasound experts from 6 secondary and tertiary public hospitals in Shanghai in February and April 2023. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied to assign weights to the indicators in the final program.Results:The final program consisted of 4 first-level indicators, 10 second-level indicators, and 47 third-level indicators. Among the first-level indicators,"training objects" had the lowest weight (7.69%), while the other three indicators were equally weighted (30.77% each). The top 3 third-level indicators by combined weight were "mastering key diagnostic points of carotid plaque"(10.26%),"mastering carotid plaque screening using portable POCUS"(6.84%), and "primary care hands-on training sessions"(6.39%).Conclusion:A structured training program for GPs has been successfully developed for carotid plaque screening using portable intelligent POCUS, comprising 4 first-level, 10 second-level, and 47 third-level indicators.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of proximal ulnar osteotomy combined with autologous iliac bone grafting for the repair of chronic elbow varus with posteromedial rotational instability caused by coronoid process bone defects.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 9 male patients with chronic elbow varus and posteromedial rotational instability caused by coronoid process bone defects who were treated with proximal ulnar osteotomy combined with autologous iliac bone grafting at Sichuan Provincial Orthopaedic Hospital from January 2017 to May 2024. The patients' ages ranged from 20 to 46 years, with an average of 29.78±8.77 years old. There were 3 cases on the right side and 6 on the left side. The height of the bone defect on the anteromedial surface of the coronoid process ranged from 5.24 to 12.23 mm, with an average of 9.01±2.61 mm. The time from injury to surgery ranged from 5 to 9 months, with an average of 6.78±1.39 months. During the operation, proximal ulnar osteotomy combined with autologous iliac bone grafting was used to repair the coronoid process bone defect. Simultaneously, the lateral ulnar collateral ligament was reconstructed using the suture anchors (3 patients) or repaired with autologous palmaris longus tendon (6 patients). Finally, a hinged external fixator was applied in all cases. The range of motion (ROM) of the elbow joint was recorded before and after the surgery. The visual analogue score (VAS) was used to evaluate the degree of pain, and the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) was employed to assess the elbow joint function.Results:All surgical incisions healed primarily, and no case of infection occurred. All 9 patients were followed up, with a follow-up period ranging from 11 to 25 months, and an average of 17.78 ± 5.16 months. The bone grafts all healed, with a healing time ranging from 3 to 5 months, and an average of 3.56±0.73 months. The elbow extension angles before surgery, at 6 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up were 24.44°±14.24°, 11.11°±9.28°, and 2.22°±4.41°, respectively. The flexion angles were 118.89°±5.46°, 123.33°±5.00°, and 128.89°±3.33°, respectively. The flexion-extension ROMs were 94.44°±18.28°, 112.22°±13.02°, and 126.67°±7.07°, respectively. The pronation angles were 61.67°±6.12°, 61.67°±3.54°, and 67.22°±5.07°, respectively. The differences in these angles were all statistically significant ( P<0.05). The supination angles before surgery, at 6 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up were 77.22°±7.55°, 78.89°±6.01°, and 79.44°±6.35°, respectively. The rotational ROMs were 138.89°±11.93°, 140.56°±7.26°, and 146.67°±10.31°, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed ( P>0.05). The VAS scores before surgery, at 6 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up were 6.89±0.78 points, 2.33±1.00 points, and 0(0, 0.5) points, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( H=23.216, P<0.001). The MEPS scores were 42.22±5.65 points, 76.67±7.05 points, and 95.00±7.50 points, respectively, and the difference was also statistically significant ( F=134.212, P<0.001). The cantilever test confirmed that none of the patients had elbow joint instability symptoms, and the patients were satisfied with the treatment effect. Conclusions:Proximal ulnar osteotomy combined with autologous iliac bone grafting, simultaneous repair or reconstruction of the lateral ligament complex, and fixation with a hinged external fixator is an effective treatment approach for chronic elbow varus with posteromedial rotational instability. This method can alleviate elbow pain, improve the ROM, and enhance elbow function in patients, yielding satisfactory short-term outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of proximal ulnar osteotomy combined with autologous iliac bone grafting for the repair of chronic elbow varus with posteromedial rotational instability caused by coronoid process bone defects.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 9 male patients with chronic elbow varus and posteromedial rotational instability caused by coronoid process bone defects who were treated with proximal ulnar osteotomy combined with autologous iliac bone grafting at Sichuan Provincial Orthopaedic Hospital from January 2017 to May 2024. The patients' ages ranged from 20 to 46 years, with an average of 29.78±8.77 years old. There were 3 cases on the right side and 6 on the left side. The height of the bone defect on the anteromedial surface of the coronoid process ranged from 5.24 to 12.23 mm, with an average of 9.01±2.61 mm. The time from injury to surgery ranged from 5 to 9 months, with an average of 6.78±1.39 months. During the operation, proximal ulnar osteotomy combined with autologous iliac bone grafting was used to repair the coronoid process bone defect. Simultaneously, the lateral ulnar collateral ligament was reconstructed using the suture anchors (3 patients) or repaired with autologous palmaris longus tendon (6 patients). Finally, a hinged external fixator was applied in all cases. The range of motion (ROM) of the elbow joint was recorded before and after the surgery. The visual analogue score (VAS) was used to evaluate the degree of pain, and the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) was employed to assess the elbow joint function.Results:All surgical incisions healed primarily, and no case of infection occurred. All 9 patients were followed up, with a follow-up period ranging from 11 to 25 months, and an average of 17.78 ± 5.16 months. The bone grafts all healed, with a healing time ranging from 3 to 5 months, and an average of 3.56±0.73 months. The elbow extension angles before surgery, at 6 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up were 24.44°±14.24°, 11.11°±9.28°, and 2.22°±4.41°, respectively. The flexion angles were 118.89°±5.46°, 123.33°±5.00°, and 128.89°±3.33°, respectively. The flexion-extension ROMs were 94.44°±18.28°, 112.22°±13.02°, and 126.67°±7.07°, respectively. The pronation angles were 61.67°±6.12°, 61.67°±3.54°, and 67.22°±5.07°, respectively. The differences in these angles were all statistically significant ( P<0.05). The supination angles before surgery, at 6 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up were 77.22°±7.55°, 78.89°±6.01°, and 79.44°±6.35°, respectively. The rotational ROMs were 138.89°±11.93°, 140.56°±7.26°, and 146.67°±10.31°, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed ( P>0.05). The VAS scores before surgery, at 6 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up were 6.89±0.78 points, 2.33±1.00 points, and 0(0, 0.5) points, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( H=23.216, P<0.001). The MEPS scores were 42.22±5.65 points, 76.67±7.05 points, and 95.00±7.50 points, respectively, and the difference was also statistically significant ( F=134.212, P<0.001). The cantilever test confirmed that none of the patients had elbow joint instability symptoms, and the patients were satisfied with the treatment effect. Conclusions:Proximal ulnar osteotomy combined with autologous iliac bone grafting, simultaneous repair or reconstruction of the lateral ligament complex, and fixation with a hinged external fixator is an effective treatment approach for chronic elbow varus with posteromedial rotational instability. This method can alleviate elbow pain, improve the ROM, and enhance elbow function in patients, yielding satisfactory short-term outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the influence of genetic and environmental factors on the clinical characteristics of upper urinary tract calculi in pediatric patients.Methods:This study was a retrospective case series. The clinical data of 179 children under the age of 14 with upper urinary tract calculi treated at Beijing Friendship Hospital，Capital Medical University，from August 2014 to February 2023 were analyzed. There were 121 males（67.60%）and 58 females（32.40%），with a median age at onset of 2.10（1.14，5.17）years. Thirty-three cases（18.44%）had a family history of urinary stone disease. Stone characteristics was defined by CT，with a median stone burden（sum of the diameters of all stones）of 1.3（1.00，1.60）cm. Fifty-four（30.17%）children had staghorn calculi. Multiple stones were present in 92 cases（51.40%），and bilateral stones in 52 cases（29.05%），with hydronephrosis was present in 119 children（66.48%）. The median follow-up time was 67 months，and 36 children（20.11%）experienced stone recurrence. Dietary habits and related information were collected by electronic questionnaire，including a total of 115 children（64.25%）with an unbalanced diet，101（56.42%）with insufficient water intake，and 32 children（17.88%）with a preference for a high-protein diet. Tap water was used as the source of drinking water by 128 patients（71.51%），and 107（59.78%）took dietary supplements. Whole-exome sequencing revealed that 55 children（30.73%）carried pathogenic mutations in stone-related genes. Binary logistic regression was used for univariate analysis of above risk factors. Variables with P < 0.1 in univariate analysis and without multicollinearity were included in multivariate logistic regression to further screen for independent risk factors. Results:Multivariate analysis confirmed that carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 3.06，95% CI 1.25?7.45， P = 0.014）and insufficient water intake（ OR = 3.28，95% CI 1.14?9.47， P = 0.028）were independent risk factors for higher stone burden. A high-protein diet（ OR = 2.40，95% CI 1.03?5.63， P = 0.044），carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 4.57，95% CI 2.21?9.46， P<0.01），and a family history of stones（ OR = 3.18，95% CI 1.28 ~ 7.91， P = 0.013）were independent risk factors for staghorn calculi. Multiple stones were closely associated with a family history of stones（ OR = 2.66，95% CI 1.15-6.17， P = 0.022）and carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 3.22，95% CI 1.60-6.48， P = 0.001）. Moreover，carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 5.19，95% CI 2.52?13.82， P < 0.01）were an independent risk factor for stone recurrence，whereas dietary supplement intake was a protective factor（ OR = 0.26，95% CI 0.11?0.62， P = 0.002）. Conclusions:Genetic and environmental factors play significant roles in the occurrence and development of pediatric upper urinary tract stones. A high-protein diet as well as a positive family history of stones are independent risk factors for staghorn calculi，and insufficient water intake is a critical environmental factor for stone formation，while appropriate use of dietary supplements may help reduce the risk of stone recurrence. Genetic testing indicates that approximately 30% of children carry stone-related pathogenic gene mutations，and these patients prone to severe stone and an increased risk of recurrence.

Objective:To develop a training program for general practitioners (GPs) on carotid plaque screening using portable intelligent point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS).Methods:A draft training program for GPs on carotid plaque screening using POCUS was initially formulated through focus group discussions involving experts in ultrasonography and general practice. Two rounds of Delphi consultation were conducted with 15 ultrasound experts from 6 secondary and tertiary public hospitals in Shanghai in February and April 2023. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied to assign weights to the indicators in the final program.Results:The final program consisted of 4 first-level indicators, 10 second-level indicators, and 47 third-level indicators. Among the first-level indicators,"training objects" had the lowest weight (7.69%), while the other three indicators were equally weighted (30.77% each). The top 3 third-level indicators by combined weight were "mastering key diagnostic points of carotid plaque"(10.26%),"mastering carotid plaque screening using portable POCUS"(6.84%), and "primary care hands-on training sessions"(6.39%).Conclusion:A structured training program for GPs has been successfully developed for carotid plaque screening using portable intelligent POCUS, comprising 4 first-level, 10 second-level, and 47 third-level indicators.

Objective:To investigate the influence of genetic and environmental factors on the clinical characteristics of upper urinary tract calculi in pediatric patients.Methods:This study was a retrospective case series. The clinical data of 179 children under the age of 14 with upper urinary tract calculi treated at Beijing Friendship Hospital，Capital Medical University，from August 2014 to February 2023 were analyzed. There were 121 males（67.60%）and 58 females（32.40%），with a median age at onset of 2.10（1.14，5.17）years. Thirty-three cases（18.44%）had a family history of urinary stone disease. Stone characteristics was defined by CT，with a median stone burden（sum of the diameters of all stones）of 1.3（1.00，1.60）cm. Fifty-four（30.17%）children had staghorn calculi. Multiple stones were present in 92 cases（51.40%），and bilateral stones in 52 cases（29.05%），with hydronephrosis was present in 119 children（66.48%）. The median follow-up time was 67 months，and 36 children（20.11%）experienced stone recurrence. Dietary habits and related information were collected by electronic questionnaire，including a total of 115 children（64.25%）with an unbalanced diet，101（56.42%）with insufficient water intake，and 32 children（17.88%）with a preference for a high-protein diet. Tap water was used as the source of drinking water by 128 patients（71.51%），and 107（59.78%）took dietary supplements. Whole-exome sequencing revealed that 55 children（30.73%）carried pathogenic mutations in stone-related genes. Binary logistic regression was used for univariate analysis of above risk factors. Variables with P < 0.1 in univariate analysis and without multicollinearity were included in multivariate logistic regression to further screen for independent risk factors. Results:Multivariate analysis confirmed that carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 3.06，95% CI 1.25?7.45， P = 0.014）and insufficient water intake（ OR = 3.28，95% CI 1.14?9.47， P = 0.028）were independent risk factors for higher stone burden. A high-protein diet（ OR = 2.40，95% CI 1.03?5.63， P = 0.044），carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 4.57，95% CI 2.21?9.46， P<0.01），and a family history of stones（ OR = 3.18，95% CI 1.28 ~ 7.91， P = 0.013）were independent risk factors for staghorn calculi. Multiple stones were closely associated with a family history of stones（ OR = 2.66，95% CI 1.15-6.17， P = 0.022）and carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 3.22，95% CI 1.60-6.48， P = 0.001）. Moreover，carrying stone-related pathogenic gene mutations（ OR = 5.19，95% CI 2.52?13.82， P < 0.01）were an independent risk factor for stone recurrence，whereas dietary supplement intake was a protective factor（ OR = 0.26，95% CI 0.11?0.62， P = 0.002）. Conclusions:Genetic and environmental factors play significant roles in the occurrence and development of pediatric upper urinary tract stones. A high-protein diet as well as a positive family history of stones are independent risk factors for staghorn calculi，and insufficient water intake is a critical environmental factor for stone formation，while appropriate use of dietary supplements may help reduce the risk of stone recurrence. Genetic testing indicates that approximately 30% of children carry stone-related pathogenic gene mutations，and these patients prone to severe stone and an increased risk of recurrence.

BACKGROUND:The specific mechanism of Gushukang,as a Chinese traditional patent medicine for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis of kidney deficiency and blood stasis,needs further studies. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Gushukang on serum sex hormones,bone microstructure and estrogen receptor in postmenopausal osteoporosis. METHODS:Firstly,network pharmacological analysis was performed.The active ingredients and action targets of Gushukang and the targets of postmenopausal osteoporosis were obtained respectively.Cytoscape was used to construct the active ingredient-target network.STRING database and Cytoscape were used for protein-protein interaction analysis and screening of core targets.DAVID database was used for Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analyses of intersection targets.Then the ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the animal experiment.Gushukang was administered by gavage for 3 months.The serum estrogen level was detected by ELISA,the bone microstructure was detected by microCT,and the protein expression of estrogen receptor α and estrogen receptor β in bone tiusse was detected by western blot. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The network pharmacological research results identified 132 active ingredients and 150 targets of Gushukang and 1155 targets of postmenopausal osteoporosis.After intersections with 1155 postmenopausal osteoporosis targets,87 targets of active ingredients of Gushukang against postmenopausal osteoporosis were obtained.By constructing the active ingredient-target network,it was found that the active ingredients at the core were quercetin,kaempferol,luteolin,naringin and isorhamnetin,and the targets at the core were NCOA2,ESR2,AR,F2,ESR1 and PTGS1.The final targets obtained after the protein-protein interaction analysis and screening included MAPK8,ESR1,JUN,R3C1,RELA and FOS,of which ESR1 was the common core target obtained from the two analyses.KEGG enrichment analysis showed estrogen,tumor necrosis factor,apoptosis and other signaling pathways.Therefore,animal experiments focused on the effect of Gushukang on different subtypes of estrogen receptors in the estrogen signaling pathway.The results showed that in the Gushukang group,bone microstructure was significantly improved,serum estrogen level had no significant change,but the protein expression of estrogen receptor α and β in bone tissue was significantly increased.All the findings indicate that the mechanism of Gushukang in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis may be related to its hormone-like effect and the enhancement of estrogen receptor expression.

Background Maternal atmospheric pollution during pregnancy may alter fetal intrauterine development programming, thereby increasing the risk of childhood obesity in the future. Objective To investigate the effects of atmospheric pollution exposure during pregnancy on the incidence of childhood obesity in offspring. Methods English databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Medline) and Chinese databases (Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and VIP Information Chinese Journal Service Platform) were searched for literature reporting exposure to atmospheric pollution during pregnancy and childhood obesity published from 1 January 2000 to 31 August 2023. The quality of the included literature was evaluated using the quality assessment tools for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies recommended by the US National Institutes of Health. Results Twenty-four studies meeting the inclusion criteria were identified and the associated atmospheric pollutants included particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen oxide, carbon oxide, and sulfur oxide. In comparison to the non-exposed group, prenatal exposure to various common atmospheric pollutants were significantly associated with an elevated risk of childhood obesity in offspring. Conclusion Maternal exposure to atmospheric pollution during pregnancy is associated with an elevated risk of childhood obesity in subsequent years. Future studies should pay more attention to the effects of atmospheric pollution on the distribution of children's body fat and metabolic development, and further identify potential mechanisms of atmospheric pollutant exposure leading to childhood obesity.