Objective: To explore the management of blood donors tested reactive to HCV in blood screening based on confirmation of HCV infection. Methods: Multiple HCV antibody assays, repeating HCV RNA testing, follow-up of blood donors and retesting of archive samples were performed to confirm HCV infection, identify infection status, and exclude false positives in blood donors reactive to HCV in blood screening. Results: From 2011 to 2024, the unqualified rate of HCV detection in blood screening was 2.45‰(2 751/1 122 026). Among these, anti-HCV+-&NAT-accounted for 1.85‰, followed by anti-HCV++ at 0.60‰. The proportion of anti-HCV+-&NAT-and HCV RNA yields was extremely low (0.007‰). The positive rate of anti-HCV+-&NAT-samples tested by electrochemiluminescence method (ELCIA) was approximately 7.5%, differing among reagents (P<0.05). The follow-up of anti-HCV+-&NAT-donors showed that 96.2% (202/210) were false positives, but 51.4% of donors remained anti-HCV+-&NAT-during follow-up. Among them, 8 donors (3.8%) could not be ruled out from HCV infection due to positive retesting by ELCIA. Of the anti-HCV+-&NAT-donors who were reactive at the first follow-up, 86.8% remained anti-HCV+-&NAT-at the second follow-up. The sampling confirmation data showed that all of 260 anti-HCV++ donors were confirmed as anti-HCV positive, and the proportion of false positives or missed detections by NAT was very low. Two occult HBV infections (OBIs) and one HBsAg carrier were identified among the 3 anti-HCV +-&NAT+ donors, and no HCV infection was confirmed in 5 anti-HCV--&HCV RNA + donors. Conclusion: The prevalence of HCV among blood donors in Dalian was about 0.06%, with extremely low proportion of window-period infection and slightly higher proportion of resolved infections than that of current infections. The majority of anti-HCV+-&NAT-were false positive. Blood donors confirmed as false positive should be qualified in blood screening 3 months later before next donation. In order to reduce the false positive results, it was advisable to avoid the same type of supplementary reagents as the initial reagents when performing confirmation.

Objective: To evaluate repeated testing on blood screening platforms in confirmation of non-discriminatory reactive (NDR) samples in nucleic acid testing (NAT). Methods: A total of 102 HBsAg-negative/NAT NDR samples were collected from voluntary blood donors at Dalian Blood Center between January 2021 and December 2023. Repeated testing was performed using two NAT platforms (Cobas s201 and Panther). For the first round of repeated testing, all samples were tested 12 times on each system; for the second round, the samples which were non-reactive or only reactive once in the first round were tested an additional 8 times. Anti-HBc and anti-HBs was detected using electrochemiluminescence assay (ECA). Meanwhile, blood donors were followed up. Results: The proportion of anti-HBc+ in 102 NDR samples was 88.2%. Forty-one samples (40.2%, 41/102) and 7 samples were confirmed HBV DNA+ in first-round and second-round repeated testing, respectively. The cumulative confirmation rate of HBV DNA+ was 47.1% (48/102) after repeated testing. Extra five blood donors detected HBV DNA+ in follow-up were identified as anti-HBc+ occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI), while no window period infection was observed. Ultimately, there were 53 HBV infected donors confirmed, 46 HBV infection-unconfirmed, and 3 HBV uninfected. No significant difference was observed between the confirmation rate of the first-round testing and the cumulative confirmation rate after the second-round testing (P>0.05). The proportion of anti-HBc+ donors was quite high in both HBV infection-confirmed (98.1%) and unconfirmed group (82.6%), and donors with seronegative and anti-HBs-only occupied a high proportion in the latter (P<0.05). Conclusion: Numerous repeated testing of NDR samples using NAT platforms cannot achieve complete confirmation of HBV infection. Supplementary anti-HBc testing can minimize potential OBI risk among NDR donors, and is low-cost and efficient.

ObjectiveTo compare the differences in fungal community composition between lesional and non-lesional scalp areas in patients suffering from severe alopecia areata （AA）， and compare these with healthy scalp areas in control subjects. Additionally， to preliminarily explore the changes in scalp fungal communities in severe AA patients and their potential underlying immunological mechanisms. MethodsA total of 20 severe AA patients and 18 healthy controls were enrolled. Skin swab samples were collected from lesional and non-lesional scalp areas of severe AA patients， as well as from the normal scalp of healthy controls. The fungal internal transcribed spacer （ITS） region was amplified and analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. ResultsThe lesional scalp areas of severe AA patients exhibited higher α-diversity and species richness in fungal communities. Notably， the relative abundance of Ascomycota， along with genera such as Mycosphaerella， Aspergillus， Penicillium， and Wallemia， significantly increased in the bald regions. In contrast， Acremonium and Schizophyllum were more predominant in the non-lesional areas of severe AA patients. ConclusionDistinct region-specific differences in scalp fungal microbiota in severe AA patients suggests that fungal dysbiosis may play a potential role in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata. These findings provide new insights into the disease characteristics of severe AA from the perspective of scalp microecology.

Objective: To investigate the impact of current laboratory testing models and screening strategies on blood safety by analyzing repeat nucleic acid testing (NAT) results obtained from blood donors who had dual-reactive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results but were initially nonreactive by NAT. Methods: Samples from blood donors with dual-reactive ELISA results and initially nonreactive NAT results collected at Dalian Blood Center from 2017 to 2025 were included. Repeated testing was performed using two NAT systems: transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results were analyzed in terms of the frequency of reactive NAT results and the testing strategies, including minipool and individual donation testing. Results: A total of 199 samples with dual-reactive ELISA results and initially nonreactive NAT results were included，comprising 66 HBsAg-reactive samples，130 anti-HCV-reactive samples，and 3 HIV Ag/Ab-reactive samples. Among the HBsAg-reactive samples，57（57/66，86.4%）showed at least one reactive NAT result upon repeated testing，and 49 showed two or more repeat reactive results. Anti-HBc was reactive in 64 samples（64/66，97.0%）and nonreactive in 2 samples（2/66，3.0%）；both anti-HBc-nonreactive samples remained nonreactive in repeated NAT. No stable repeat nucleic acid reactivity was observed in anti-HCV- or HIV Ag/Abreactive samples. The TMA system detected 50 reactive samples（50/66，75.8%）through three combined assays plus one discriminatory assay, whereas the PCR system detected 51 reactive samples (51/66, 77.3%) through four rounds of individual-donation testing. Fortyfour samples were reactive on both systems, 6 were reactive only on the TMA system, and 7 were reactive only on the PCR system. Conclusion: Among blood donors with dual-reactive ELISA results and initially non-reactive NAT results, HBsAg-reactive samples contain a high proportion of low viral load HBV-related cases, with intermittent and probabilistic nucleic acid detectability. Both testing frequency and detection strategy significantly affect the detection of low viral load samples. These findings highlight the importance of recognizing the detection characteristics of low viral load HBV-related samples in order to optimize blood screening strategies and improve blood safety.

Objective To explore the hepatotoxicity of Dioscoreae Bulbiferae Rhizoma and its molecular mechanism using transcriptomics.Methods Totally 40 SPF-grade male Kunming mice were randomly divided into the normal control group and Dioscoreae Bulbiferae Rhizoma low-,medium-and high-dosage groups,and were orally administered with the decoction of Dioscoreae Bulbiferae Rhizoma for 14 days.Serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)contents were detected,HE staining was used for morphology examination of the liver and scoring,transcriptomic analysis was conducted to detect the gene expression of liver tissue,differentially expressed genes were subjected to GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis,serum alkaline phosphatase(ALP)and total bile acid(TBA)content in liver tissue were detected,Western blot was used to validate key targets.Results Compared with the normal control group,Dioscoreae Bulbiferae Rhizoma high-dosage group showed an increase in serum ALT and AST contents(P<0.05),with hepatic cell edema,increased volume,dilated hepatic sinusoids,necrosis in some areas,and elevated pathological score(P<0.05).Transcriptomic analysis revealed that after intervention with Dioscoreae Bulbiferae Rhizoma,differentially expressed genes in liver tissue were mainly enriched in cholesterol metabolism process,steroid metabolism process,cholesterol biosynthesis process,and signaling pathways such as steroid biosynthesis,cholesterol metabolism,bile secretion and primary bile acid biosynthesis.The experimental verification results showed that serum ALP and liver tissue TBA content in Dioscoreae Bulbiferae Rhizoma high-dosage group increased(P<0.05),as well as HMGCS1 and CYP51A1,the expressions of CYP27A1 and CYP7A1,which promoted cholesterol conversion to bile acids in liver tissue increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the expression of multidrug resistance protein 4(MRP4),which promoted bile acid excretion decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Dioscoreae Bulbiferae Rhizoma inducing liver toxicity is related to promoting cholesterol synthesis and conversion into bile acids,while inhibiting bile acid excretion.

BACKGROUND:When exercising in a cold environment,the body's inflammatory response is affected by both low temperature and exercise intervention,and its impact and mechanism remain to be explored.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects and mechanisms of cold water swimming on inflammatory response of rats based on transcriptome sequencing technology.METHODS:40 male SD rats were randomly divided into room temperature control group,room temperature swimming group,cold water control group,and cold water swimming group,with 10 rats in each group.The room temperature control group had no intervention and was free to eat.The room temperature swimming group received swimming at 30 min/time,6 times/week,for 5 weeks;the water temperature was(28±2)℃,and the water depth was 35 cm.In the cold water control group,the rats were placed in a water tank with a depth of 3 cm;the water temperature was(18±2)℃,and they were free to move.The cold water swimming group received swimming at 30 min/time,6 times/week,for 5 weeks;the water temperature was(18±2)℃,and the water depth was 35 cm.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of serum interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor-α,and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.Based on the transcriptome sequencing results,differentially expressed genes were screened to draw Venn diagrams and heat maps,and Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis were performed.The protein-protein interaction network was used to screen core genes.RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of IRF7,OAS2,and OASL in rat spleen tissue.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The ELISA results showed that compared with the room temperature control group,the levels of various inflammatory indicators in the room temperature swimming group and the cold water swimming group were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and there was no significant difference in the cold water control group.Compared with the room temperature swimming group,there was no significant difference in the expression of inflammatory indicators in the cold water swimming group.Compared with the cold water control group,the expressions of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the cold water swimming group showed an upward trend,and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein increased significantly(P＜0.05).(2)Transcriptome analysis:Venn diagram showed that there were 39 differentially expressed genes affected by the dual factors of temperature and exercise intervention.Cluster heat map analysis results showed that the overall gene expression trends of the room temperature swimming group and the cold water swimming group were similar,and the cold water control group showed an opposite trend.Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis results showed that differentially expressed genes were enriched in the immune system,locomotion,nucleic acid-binding transcription factor activity,NOD-like receptor signaling pathways and other pathways.The number of genes enriched in the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway was relatively large,and the q value was small,which may be a key pathway.The protein-protein interaction network screened out IRF7,OAS2,OASL,IFIT2,IFIT3 and other core genes.(3)RT-qPCR verification results showed that compared with the room temperature control group,the expressions of IRF7,OAS2 and OASL were significantly increased in the room temperature swimming group and the cold water swimming group(P＜0.01),and there was no significant difference in the cold water control group.Compared with the cold water control group,the expression of each gene was significantly increased in the cold water swimming group(P＜0.01).(4)It is concluded that cold water swimming can promote inflammatory response,and its mechanism may be regulated through the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway.

Objective To determine the chemical composition of TangNiaoLing Tablets by UHPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS/MS.Methods A Waters ACQUITY HSS T3 column(100 mm×2.1 mm,1.8 μm)was used for separation at a total flow rate of 0.2 mL/min.The mobile phase included an aqueous solution of 0.1%formic acid and acetonitrile mixed with 0.1%formic acid was supplied.The injection volume was set at 2 μL and the column oven temperature was 40℃.High-resolution mass spectrometric data were obtained by concurrently scanning the positive and negative ion modes.The identification was accomplished by inferring the empirical fragmentation patterns and comparing it with databases and references.Results 100 different chemical elements,including triterpenes,flavonoids,phenylpropanoids,phenylethanoid glycosides,iridoid glycosides,and phenols,among others were identified from the 50%methanol extract of TangNiaoLing pills.Conclusion The chemical contents of TangNiaoLing tablets were identified and analyzed using the UHPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS/MS method for the first time.This served as a foundation for future research into the tablets' effective components and quality control.

Objective To construct a prediction model for targeted biopsy(TB)of the prostate based on multiparameter magnetic resonance imaging(mp-MRI)and prostate-specific antigen density(PSAD)to predict the outcomes TB in patients with a score of 4-5 on the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System(PI-RADS).Methods Clinical data of 669 patients with PI-RADS 4-5 receiving transperineal TB in our hospital during Jan.2022 and Dec.2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The data were divided into the training set and validation set with a ratio of 2∶1.Independent predictors of TB results were identified with univariate and multivariate logistic regression to construct a formula for the prediction model.A prediction model was subsequently constructed and validated using the validation set to assess its efficacy and predictive performance with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC).The relative importance of each independent predictor in the formula was analyzed.Results Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that age,total number of lesions,histological location,PI-RADS score and PSAD were significantly associated with the TB outcomes(P＜0.05)and could be used as independent predictors,with PI-RADS score and PSAD making the highest contribution to outcome prediction,accounting for 27.59％and 37.58％,respectively.The training set had an AUC of 0.840(95％CI:0.800-0.881),which was more predictive than other single predictors,and the high-risk group based on the optimal threshold of 0.833 increased the positive biopsy rate from 79.3％to 94.4％.The validation set had an AUC of 0.865(95％CI:0.810-0.920),and the high-risk group based on the optimal threshold of 0.594 increased the positive biopsy rate from 80.0％to 96.2％.Conclusion The prediction model has good predictive ability for lesions with PI-RADS 4-5,which can significantly improve the positive detection rate and reduce a large number of unnecessary systematic puncture.

Autism spectrum disorder(ASD),characterized by unknown etiology and high heterogeneity,ne-cessitates precise diagnostic and intervention strategies.Neuroimaging techniques have shown great promise in un-covering the neural mechanisms of ASD,providing a foundation for aided diagnosis and transcranial magnetic stim-ulation(TMS)interventions.This review highlights that integrating multimodal neuroimaging and developing indi-vidualized indices with developmental specificity can significantly improve the accuracy of ASD diagnosis and clas-sification.Furthermore,TMS interventions guided by functional connectivity derived from functional magnetic reso-nance imaging(fMRI)offer a personalized approach to ASD treatment.

Autism spectrum disorder(ASD),characterized by unknown etiology and high heterogeneity,ne-cessitates precise diagnostic and intervention strategies.Neuroimaging techniques have shown great promise in un-covering the neural mechanisms of ASD,providing a foundation for aided diagnosis and transcranial magnetic stim-ulation(TMS)interventions.This review highlights that integrating multimodal neuroimaging and developing indi-vidualized indices with developmental specificity can significantly improve the accuracy of ASD diagnosis and clas-sification.Furthermore,TMS interventions guided by functional connectivity derived from functional magnetic reso-nance imaging(fMRI)offer a personalized approach to ASD treatment.