Objective: To establish evidence-based, safe and efficient management of HIV-reactive blood donors by investigating safe and feasible assessment strategies for HIV-reactive blood donors based on routine blood screening data. Methods: The data of blood screening, supplementary testing, follow-up and CDC confirmation for HIV-reactive blood donors in our center from 2014 to 2024 were analyzed systematically to confirm HIV infection and identify infection status. Results: There were 1 235 samples (0.13%, 1 235/928 000) reactive in HIV blood screening over the 11-year period. A-mong them, 199 donors (16.11%) in asymptomatic HIV infection (HIV Ag/Ab++&HIV RNA+), 2(0.16%) as acute early HIV infection (HIV Ag/Ab+-&HIV RNA+) and 7(0.57%) as window-period infection (HIV RNA positive only) were confirmed. Donors with the result of HIV Ag/Ab+-&HIV RNA-(single-positive) were all excluded for HIV infection, while 1 in 6 HIV Ag/Ab++&HIV RNA-donors (double-positive) was confirmed to have HIV infection. When HIV Ag/Ab reagents were used continuously before and after the follow-up, it's observed in one reagent that the proportion of negative results in subsequent follow-up in single-positive donors who had negative results in the first sampling was significantly higher than the proportion of negative results in subsequent follow-up in those initially single-positive (P<0.05). But no significant difference was observed in another reagent (P>0.05). When reagents were changed in follow-up, the rate of singlepositive donors with negative results in the first sampling reached 96.7%, which was significantly higher than the negative rate of those without reagent changing in follow-up (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the serological and nucleic acid testing results of HIV blood screening, the confirmation of HIV infection and identification of infection status can be achieved accurately and efficiently. All HIV Ag/Ab+-&HIV RNA-donors were confirmed as false positive, and should be maintained their eligibilities for blood donation, but recommended to pass the retest before next donation. Using a different reagent for retesting helps improve the eligible rate. HIV Ag/Ab++&HIV RNA-donors should be deferred permanently due to the risk of true positivity.

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 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.

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.

Background: Adrenocortical hormones, particularly 11-oxygenated androgens, are pivotal in female reproductive health and fertility. Standardized detection kits and population-specific reference intervals are lacking in China, hindering related clinical applications. Methods: A HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) pipeline was developed, rigorously validated, and applied to simultaneously quantify corticosterone, cortisone, cortisol, 18-OH cortisol, androstenedione (A4), 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (11-OH A4), dehydroepiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in serum samples from 455 reproductive-aged women (18–45 yrs) in Guangxi, China. Age-dependent concentration trends were analyzed, and reference intervals stratified by age (2.5th to 97.5th percentiles) were established. Correlations with body-composition metrics, ethnicity, and the menstrual cycle were investigated. Results: The HPLC-MS/MS method demonstrated high precision (intra- and inter-assay CVs < 15%), accuracy, and sensitivity. All eight hormones exhibited significant age-related declines (P < 0.001 for seven hormones; P = 0.001 for 11-OH A4). Notably, 11-OH A4 levels were significantly lower in the 35–45-yr (3.05 nmol/L) and 25–34-yr (3.09 nmol/L) age groups than in the 18–24-yr (3.57 nmol/L) age group, whereas no significant difference was observed between the 35–45-yr and 25–34-yr age groups. Weak negative correlations were observed between the body mass index and corticosterone and cortisone levels, whereas ethnicity and the menstrual cycle showed no significant associations with hormone levels. Conclusions We developed an HPLC-MS/MS-based method for simultaneously quantifying eight adrenocortical hormones, including 11-OH A4, and defined age-specific reference intervals for reproductive-aged Chinese women. These findings advance the clinical utility of adrenocortical hormones in diagnosing and managing reproductive disorders.

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, the role of remnant cholesterol (RC) in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases has gained increasing attention. However, evidence on the association between RC and subclinical atherosclerosis is limited. This study aims to examine the relationship between RC and atherosclerotic plaques in single and multiple vascular territories. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study used baseline data from participants enrolled between October 2022 and May 2024 in the National Key Research Program "Study on the Prevention and Control System of Risk Factors for Panvascular Diseases". Color Doppler ultrasonography was performed to detect plaques in 4 vascular territories: Bilateral carotid arteries, bilateral subclavian arteries, abdominal aorta, and iliac-femoral arteries. RC was calculated as total cholesterol minus the sum of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Participants were categorized into quartiles (Q1-Q4) according to RC levels. The proportions of participants with ≥2 plaques in a single vascular territory and with plaques in ≥2 vascular territories were compared across RC quartiles. Multivariate ordinal Logistic regression was used to assess the association between RC and the number of plaques in a single vascular territory, as well as the risk of multiple vascular territory involvement. Additionally, the effects of LDL-C/RC concordance on plaque distribution were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 3 539 participants were included, of whom 2 169 (61.29%) were male, with a age of (51.94±9.22) years. From Q1 to Q4, the proportion of participants with ≥2 plaques in a single vascular territory (bilateral carotid, subclavian, abdominal aorta, and iliac-femoral arteries), as well as those with plaques in ≥2 vascular territories, increased progressively. Compared with Q1, both Q3 and Q4 were significantly associated with higher plaque numbers in a single vascular territory (both P<0.05). When treated as a continuous variable, higher RC levels were associated with an increased risk of greater plaque numbers within a single vascular territory (all P<0.05). RC levels were also significantly associated with multiple vascular territory involvement: Compared with Q1, Q4 had a 1.015-fold higher risk [odds ratio (OR)=2.015, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.669 to 2.433], and each 1 mmol/L increase in RC corresponded to a 0.160-fold increased risk (OR=1.160, 95% CI 1.073 to 1.271). In LDL-C/RC coordination analysis, compared with the low LDL-C/low RC group, the low LDL-C/high RC group was significantly associated with multiple vascular territory involvement (OR=1.576, 95% CI 1.220 to 2.036). CONCLUSIONS Elevated RC levels are closely associated with atherosclerotic plaques in both single and multiple vascular territories, even among individuals with normal LDL-C, suggesting that RC should be considered in clinical risk assessment and management of atherosclerosis.
Humans ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Female ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Cholesterol/blood* ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood* ; Aged ; Cholesterol, HDL/blood* ; Risk Factors ; Atherosclerosis ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Femoral Artery/diagnostic imaging*

Objective To explore the clinical application value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the differential diagnosis of testicular masses.Methods A total of 63 patients at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University with testicular masses from January 2014 to August 2024 were sellected.All patients underwent both conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound examinations.Among them,pathological results were obtained through surgical resection in 55 cases,and 8 non-tumorous patients were diagnosed through clinical follow-up.According to the results,testicular masses were classified into neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions.Neoplastic lesions were further divided into benign and malignant masses.The routine ultrasound parameters,serum tumor markers and ultrasound contrast parameters were analyzed.Results In the differential diagnosis between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions of the testis,there were significant statistical differences in the maximum diameter of the mass,blood flow grade,enhancement time,and enhancement intensity(P<0.05).In the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant testicular masses,significant statistical differences were found in mass location,maximum diameter of the mass,echo characteristics,blood flow grade indicators,enhancement time,and enhancement intensity(P<0.05).Conclusion Contrast-enhanced ultrasound may have certain reference value in the diagnosis of testicular masses.Hypo-enhancement or non-enhancement,along with slow enhancement,may be manifestations of benign lesions.

Objective: To investigate prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among voluntary blood donors in Dalian and provide evidence for enhancing blood screening strategies. Methods: A total of 3 277 blood donor samples collected between December 2023 and February 2024 at Dalian Blood Center underwent routine blood screening (ALT, HBsAg, anti-HCV, HIV Ag/Ab, anti-TP, and HBV/HCV/HIV NAT). Subsequently, HEV antigen (Ag) was detected using chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). HEV-Ag reactive samples were further tested for HEV RNA, IgM and IgG antibodies. Blood donors with repeated reactive HEV Ag results were followed up to clarify the status of infection. Results: Among the 3 277 blood donor samples, 6 (0.18%) were repeatedly reactive for HEV Ag. However, supplemental testing for HEV RNA, anti-HEV IgM, and anti-HEV IgG on these samples yielded non-reactive results. One of these six blood donors was successfully followed up. On day 218 after the initial detection of HEV Ag reactivity, HEV Ag, HEV RNA, HEV IgM and IgG antibody were found to be non-reactive. Conclusion: The reaction rate for HEV antigen screening among voluntary blood donors in Dalian is low. CLIA method for detecting HEV antigen is easy to operate and cost-effective, but demonstrates some false reactivity. Improving the specificity of the assay and combining it with nucleic acid testing (NAT) would be valuable for implementing a selective HEV screening strategy for blood donors.

Objective: To analyze serological and molecular characteristics of asymptomatic HBV infection in HBV surface antigen positive (HBsAg+) blood donors from Dalian. Methods: The prevalence of HBsAg was analyzed among blood donors in Dalian between 2013 and 2022. Randomly selected HBsAg+ blood samples were subjected to HBV serological testing, HBV viral DNA quantification, and HBV genotyping. Results: Over this ten-year period, the prevalence of HBsAg decreased from 1.25% to 0.50% among blood donors in Dalian. Donors who tested positive for HBsAg prior to donation using a rapid test (RT) accounted for 92.5% of all HBsAg+ donors identified. A total of 240 confirmed HBsAg+ blood donors were randomly selected, including 125 donors with positive results and 115 with negative results in the pre-donation rapid test. HBsAg+ donors were mainly males (71.2%), with a median age of 42, and 97.5% of them being first-time donors. Based on HBV serological profiles, three stages of infection were identified: early infection (2.9%), suspected acute hepatitis (0.8%), and chronic infection (96.3%). The dominant HBV genotypes were C (68.9%) and B (28.4%). Among chronic HBV infection individuals, donors infected with HBV genotype B were older than those infected with genotype C (median age: 45y vs 38.5y, P<0.05). Additionally, they showed significantly lower HBsAg levels with a narrower distribution range than those infected with genotype C [median: 23.2 IU/mL (range: <0.05-7 910 IU/mL) vs 968 IU/mL (range: <0.05-3.4×10 ), P<0.05]. However, no significant difference was observed in the HBV DNA loads between these two genotypes (P>0.05). Conclusion: Between 2013 and 2022, the prevalence of HBsAg among blood donors in Dalian showed a year-over-year decline. Chronic infection was predominant among HBsAg+ first-time blood donors. The characteristics of chronic infection in blood donors differed significantly depending on the viral genotype, manifesting as differences in age of infected individuals and HBsAg level distribution.

Objective To analyze the impact of medical guidance games combined with special-ized nursing on treatment compliance and clinical symptoms in preschool children with pneumonia.Methods A total of 113 preschool children with pneumonia admitted to Beijing Daxing District Peo-ple's Hospital from February 2023 to June 2024 were selected as research subjects and randomly di-vided into control group(n=56)and observation group(n=57).The control group received routine nursing,while the observation group received medical guidance games combined with specialized nursing on the basis of the control group.Treatment compliance,improvement time of clinical symp-toms,and psychological states were compared between the two groups.Results The total treatment compliance rate in the observation group was 98.2％,which was higher than 89.3％in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The disappearance times of symp-toms such as cough,expectoration,dyspnea,and fever in the observation group were all shorter than those in the control group(P＜0.05).After intervention,the scores of the Children's Medical Fear Scale(CMFS)and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders(SCARED)in the ob-servation group were both lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Medical guidance games combined with specialized nursing can improve treatment compliance in preschool children with pneumonia,shorten their recovery time,help alleviate negative emotions such as medi-cal fear and anxiety,and promote disease recovery.