Objective: To statistically analyze the association between blood donation intervals and the incidence of adverse reactions to blood donation based on blood donor data from Shenzhen. Methods: Basic data and records of adverse reactions to blood donation among voluntary whole blood donors in Shenzhen from January 2017 to June 2025 were extracted. A total of 795 404 whole blood donations were recorded, including 502 743 from males and 292 661 from females, with 1 088 and 751 cases of adverse reactions, respectively. Analyses were performed using R software, including restricted cubic spline (RCS), binary logistic regression, and generalized estimating equations (GEE) to evaluate the correlation between donation intervals and adverse reactions. Results: A total of 1 839 cases of adverse reactions were recorded, accounting for 0.23% of the total donations. Both binary logistic regression analysis and the generalized estimating equations (GEE) model showed that there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between male and female donors with an interval of ≥6 months compared to those with an interval of ≥3 months but<6 months. Furthermore, using the 3-5 month interval group as the reference, the analysis indicated that the incidence of adverse reactions significantly increased in males with a 9-12 month interval, while no statistically significant differences were observed across any of the female subgroups. Conclusion: There was no significant correlation between adverse reactions to blood donation and the donation interval. Compared with a donation interval of ≥6 months, an interval of<6 months does not lead to an increase in the incidence of adverse reactions among male or female donors. The findings of this study may help enhance the willingness of blood donors to participate.

Objective: To statistically analyze the association between blood donor age and the incidence of adverse reactions based on whole blood donor data from Shenzhen. Methods: Data on basic characteristics and records of adverse donation reactions among voluntary whole blood donors in Shenzhen from January 2017 to June 2025 were extracted. A total of 795 404 whole blood donations were recorded, including 502 743 from males and 292 661 from females, with 1 088 and 751 cases of adverse reactions, respectively. Analyses were performed using R software, including restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis, binary logistic regression, and generalized estimating equations (GEE) to evaluate the correlation between donor age and adverse reactions. Results: A total of 1 839 cases of adverse reactions were recorded, accounting for 0.23% of the total donations. Both binary logistic regression and GEE model revealed that, compared with the≤55 years age group, the incidence of adverse reactions was reduced in both male and female donors in the >55 years age group, with the difference being statistically significant in males. Using the <23 years age group as a reference, the incidence of adverse reactions significantly decreased in both male and female donors across the 23-30, 31-40, 41-50, and 51-60 age groups, with the differences being statistically significant. Conclusion: There is a negative correlation between the rate of adverse donation reactions and age, with the incidence of such reactions among whole blood donors over 55 years old being no higher than that among donors aged 55 years or younger. These findings carry positive significance for safeguarding the donation rights of older donors and meeting clinical blood demand.

ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical manifestations， diagnostic approaches， treatment strategies， and prognostic outcomes of uterine arteriovenous fistula （UAVF）. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 6 patients with confirmed UAVF admitted to the Department of Gynecology， the Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University， between January 2010 and December 2023. We summarized the clinical data of the cohort， including age， gravidity， chief complaints， treatment regimens， and postoperative follow-up outcomes， and explored the clinical efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation for UAVF in conjunction with a literature review. ResultsThe patients were aged 26-44 years， with a mean age of （34.33±6.12） years and a median age of 33.5 years. All patients were initially screened via color Doppler ultrasound and definitively diagnosed by imaging modalities including uterine arteriography， computed tomography， and magnetic resonance imaging. The median gravidity was 4（4，6）， with 5 patients having a history of ≥2 pregnancies. Five patients had a history of intrauterine instrumentation， among whom 4 had undergone ≥2 procedures. Regarding clinical presentations， 3 patients presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding （2 with massive hemorrhage）， 2 were asymptomatic with abnormalities detected only on imaging， and 1 reported lower abdominal pain. In terms of management， 1 patient with recurrence after uterine artery embolization （UAE） underwent ultrasound-guided microwave ablation； 1 received UAE alone； 2 patients with concomitant retained products of conception underwent hysteroscopic mechanical morcellation （1 developed massive hemorrhage 10 hours postoperatively， which was successfully controlled with uterine balloon tamponade）； 1 underwent focal lesion resection； and 1 underwent total hysterectomy. All 6 patients achieved favorable therapeutic outcomes. ConclusionAbnormal vaginal bleeding is the most typical clinical manifestation of UAVF， and digital subtraction angiography of the uterine arteries is recognized as the gold standard for definitive diagnosis. Emergency UAE is indicated for patients presenting with acute massive hemorrhage and hemodynamic instability. For patients with failed UAE or post-UAE recurrence who desire uterine and fertility preservation， ultrasound-guided microwave ablation represents a safe， effective， and novel minimally invasive therapeutic option.

Objective: Some regions in China have lowered the minimum interval for whole blood donation to 3 months through local regulations: Hainan, effective from March 1, 2012, allows men to donate at intervals of≥3 months and women at intervals of≥4 months; Shenzhen, effective from November 1, 1995, allows whole blood donation at intervals of≥3 months. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of shortening the whole blood donation interval on blood donation adverse reactions and donation behavior, thereby providing scientific evidence for policy evaluation and revision of relevant regulations. Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study based on blood donation registry data from Shenzhen and Hainan. Data were obtained from the blood information management systems of Hainan Province (1991-2025) and Shenzhen City (2018-2024). Eligible participants were donors aged 18-65 years who had donated whole blood at least twice and met health eligibility criteria. The exposure was defined as a shorter donation interval (whole-blood interval≥3 months and<6 months) and was treated as a time-varying variable. The primary outcome was blood donation adverse reactions. Negative binomial regression with person-years as an offset was used to estimate incidence rate ratios for adverse reactions. Marginal standardization was used to estimate the adjusted incidence rate difference, and donor-level bootstrap resampling was used to estimate the 95% confidence interval of the adjusted incidence rate difference. Non-inferiority was assessed by comparing the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval with the prespecified non-inferiority margin of Δ=0.00 070 per person-year. In addition, Andersen-Gill models were used to analyze adverse reaction-free probability for recurrent events. Secondary outcomes were donation behavior, including annual repeat donation rate, annual donation frequency, mean donation interval, and annual whole-blood donation volume. These were analyzed using logistic regression, negative binomial regression, and linear regression models, respectively, with adjustment for age, sex, region, and donation site. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (Approval No.2025011) and registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2500114968). Results: A total of 375 075 repeat whole-blood donors were included, contributing 1 292 748 whole-blood donations. Among them, 119 993 had ever donated at a shorter interval and 255 082 had never done so. Over 1 281 842 person-years of follow-up in the dynamic cohort, 2 100 blood donation adverse reactions were recorded. The incidence rates of adverse reactions were 1.76 and 1.58 per 1 000 person-years in the ever-short interval and never-short interval groups, respectively. After adjustment for age, sex, province, and donation site, the ever-short interval group had a slightly higher adverse reaction rate than the never-short interval group (IRR=1.28, 95%CI: 1.15-1.41, P<0.001). Marginal standardization showed that the adjusted incidence rates were 1.73 and 2.21 per 1 000 person-years in the never-short interval and ever-short interval groups, respectively. The adjusted incidence rate difference was 0.000 48 per person-year, with a bootstrap 95%CI of 0.000 26-0.000 69 per person-year; the upper limit of the 95%CI was below the prespecified non-inferiority margin. Andersen-Gill recurrent-event analysis showed that the ever-short interval group had a higher probability of remaining adverse reaction-free. Analysis of donation behavior showed that among donors followed for at least 365 days, the ever-short interval group had a higher annual repeat donation rate than the never-short interval group (74.2% vs 18.3%; adjusted OR=12.5, 95%CI: 12.3-12.7, P<0.001). They also had a higher annual whole-blood donation rate (adjusted RR=1.98, 95%CI: 1.97-1.98, P<0.001), a shorter mean whole-blood donation interval (β=-239 days, 95%CI: -242 to -237 days, P<0.001), and a higher annual whole-blood donation volume (adjusted RR=2.14, 95%CI: 2.13-2.15, P<0.001). Conclusion: Based on real-world data from repeat whole-blood donors in Shenzhen and Hainan, lowering the minimum whole blood donation interval to 3 months did not show an absolute increase in blood donation adverse reactions exceeding the prespecified margin within the scope of this outcome. Shorter whole-blood donation interval behavior was also associated with greater repeat-donation activity, higher annual donation frequency, and higher annual whole-blood donation volume. Given the observational nature of this study and the lack of long-term donor health indicators such as iron status and longitudinal hemoglobin changes, the long-term safety of setting the minimum whole blood donation interval at 3 months requires further evaluation.

ObjectiveTo analyze the genomic characteristics of Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) isolated from children with respiratory tract infections in a tertiary hospital in Jinshan District of Shanghai during 2013‒2024, to compare the changes in trend for genomic characteristics before and after 2000, and to provide scientific data for the prevention and control of GAS infections. MethodsGAS strains isolated from children with respiratory tract infections in this hospital were collected from 2013 to 2024. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolated strains to 12 antibiotics, including penicillin, cefotaxime, cefepime, linezolid, vancomycin, meropenem, chloramphenicol, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline, was determined using broth microdilution plate method. Besides, whole genome sequencing (WGS) was used to analyze multilocus sequence type (MLST), emm typing, carriage of superantigen genes, mobile genetic element (MGE), carriage of virulence gene, and genomic phylogenetic tree of the isolated strains. ResultsA total of 50 GAS strains were collected and identified from children with respiratory tract infections aged 4‒14 years old, and the resistance rates of those isolates to erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline were 100.00%, 100.00%, and 86.00%, respectively. There were two emm types in the GAS isolates; the emm12 type accounted for 76.00% (38/50), corresponding to ST36 type, and the emm1 type accounted for 24.00% (12/50), corresponding to ST28, ST1274, and new-1 types. There was a statistically significant difference in the constitution of the MLST before and after 2020 (P=0.015). All the isolates carried the superantigen genes speC, speG, ssa, and smeZ. The predominant emm12 isolates belonged to the Clade Ⅱ, carrying the mobile elements ICE-emm12 (harboring erythromycin-resistance gene ermB and tetracycline-resistance gene tetM) and ΦHKU.vir (carrying virulence genes speC and ssa). The emm1 isolates carried the mobile elements ICE-HKU488 (harboring erythromycin-resistance gene ermB and tetracycline-resistance gene tetM) and ΦHKU488.vir (carrying virulence genes speC and ssa), and had close phylogenetical relationships with isolates from Hong Kong, China. No M1_UK new clone strains were found. The ST1274 isolates of emm1 were newly discovered in 2020‒2024, and belonged to a separate phylogenetic clade. ConclusionGAS strains isolated from children with respiratory tract infections in a tertiary hospital in Jinshan District of Shanghai exhibit a high resistance to erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline. It is recommended that the clinical treatments change to use other antimicrobial drugs, such as penicillin, third-generation cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones. During 2020‒2024, a new ST1274 clone strain is discovered in emm1 GAS isolates, without M1_UK new clone strains being found. It is essential to continuously concern locally prevalent GAS strains and perform early identification of MLST types to promptly monitor the internal changes of the bacterial population and potential prevalence of new clones.

Hepatitis E is an acute and self-limiting viral hepatitis caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). It has a higher mortality rate among immunosuppressed patients and pregnant women infected with HEV. Although HEV infections in humans are mostly caused by contaminated water or food worldwide, the incidence of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E is continuously rising. Additionally, the prevalence of serum anti-HEV IgG in the blood donors in China is at a relatively high level, making it worth considering screening blood donors for HEV. This article briefly reviews the globally reported cases of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E and the HEV screening strategies for blood donations.

Metastasis is the leading cause of death from cutaneous melanoma. Identifying metastasis-related targets and developing corresponding therapeutic strategies are major areas of focus. While functional genomics strategies provide powerful tools for target discovery, investigations at the protein level can directly decode the bioactive epitopes on functional proteins. Aptamers present a promising avenue as they can explore membrane proteomes and have the potential to interfere with cell function. Herein, we developed a target and epitope discovery platform, termed functional aptamer evolution-enabled target identification (FAETI), by integrating affinity aptamer acquisition with phenotype screening and target protein identification. Utilizing the aptamer XH3C, which was screened for its migration-inhibitory function, we identified the Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), as a potential target involved in melanoma migration. Further evidence demonstrated that XH3C induces cytoskeletal rearrangement by blocking the interaction between the bioactive epitope of CSPG4 and integrin α4. Taken together, our study demonstrates the robustness of aptamer-based molecular tools for target and epitope discovery. Additionally, XH3C is an affinity and functional molecule that selectively binds to a unique epitope on CSPG4, enabling the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear mainly caused by bacteria, and current treatments rely heavily on antibiotics. However, the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains seriously affects their efficacy. In our study, we found that extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from human natural killer cells (NKs) inhibit the proliferation of both standard and levofloxacin (LVX)-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, compared to LVX, EVs were more effective at reducing effusion and rescuing hearing thresholds in animal models. For LVX-sensitive strains, EVs were significantly more effective in terms of curative time but not curative rate. For LVX-resistant strains, EVs were significantly more effective in terms of both curative rate and curative time when applied alone or applied jointly with LVX. In summary, we found that NK EVs are highly effective in treating otitis media, providing an alternative approach for treating this common disease.
Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism* ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Animals ; Humans ; Otitis Media/therapy* ; Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Levofloxacin/pharmacology*

The 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor (5-HT_2AR) is one of the key targets in the development of novel antidepressants. To develop new antidepressants targeting the 5-HT_2A receptor, this study established a high-throughput screening method for drugs targeting the 5-HT_2A receptor based on the principle of detecting calcium flux signals. The immunofluorescence assay and western blotting were employed to evaluate receptor expression levels in the 5-HT_2AR-CHO cell line. The reaction system parameters, including cell seeding density, DMSO concentration, and dye incubation time, were optimized with Z'-factor and signal window values as evaluation indicators. The specificity, precision, stability, and applicability of the method were assessed. Results indicated that the 5-HT_2AR-CHO cell line stably expressed high levels of the 5-HT_2A receptor. The optimized screening method involved a reaction system with 10 000 cells/well, 0.2% DMSO, and 2 h incubation with Calcium 6 dye. The method demonstrated excellent specificity, with inter-batch precision below 10% for the detection of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) at low, medium, and high concentrations. Testing four compounds that target the 5-HT_2A receptor- agonists 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI), 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), along with the antagonist MDL100907-yielded Z'-factors (at EC₈₀) greater than 0.85 and signal window values over 0.91. The EC₅₀ values of these compounds were in the nanomolar range, and their potency rank order aligned with previously reported data, confirming the reliability of the established method. When being applied to the detection of 38 known active compounds, the method efficiently identified 5-HT_2A receptor agonists and antagonists while showing no response to non-target compounds. In conclusion, this study successfully constructs a high-throughput screening approach for 5-HT_2A receptor-targeting drugs based on calcium flux signals. The method possesses strong specificity, high sensitivity, and robust stability, being suitable for screening antidepressants targeting the 5-HT_2A receptor.
High-Throughput Screening Assays/methods* ; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A/metabolism* ; Animals ; CHO Cells ; Cricetulus ; Calcium Signaling/drug effects* ; Antidepressive Agents/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists/pharmacology* ; Calcium/metabolism*

[Objective] To investigate the factors associated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) abnormalities in multi-ethnic blood donors across five Zang autonomous prefectures in the plateau regions of Qinghai Province, and to provide evidence for ensuring blood safety and formulating screening strategies. [Methods] A retrospective analysis was performed on the ALT abnormal test results of blood donors in the Zang autonomous prefectures of Qinghai from 2022 to 2024. The correlations between ALT levels and factors including gender, age, altitude, and infectious markers were investigated. [Results] The overall ALT unqualified rate among blood donors in this region was 9.01%. Significant differences in ALT levels were observed across genders and age groups (P<0.05). Variations in ALT abnormality rates were also noted among different plateau regions (P<0.05). Overall, ALT values exhibited an increasing trend with rising altitude. The average ALT unqualified rates were 11.19% in Zang donors, 7.96% in Han donors, and 4.79% in donors from other ethnic groups (P<0.05). No statistically significant association was observed between ALT abnormality and the presence of HBV/HCV infectious markers (P>0.05). [Conclusion] In the plateau areas of Qinghai, multi-ethnic blood donors have a relatively high ALT levels and ALT unqualified rates, showing distinct regional characteristics. ALT elevation in voluntary blood donors is related to non-pathological factors such as gender, age, and dietary habits, but not to infectious indicators.