Objective: To investigate the incidence, characteristics, and influencing factors of resolution discrepancies within the minipool (MP) testing model across Chinese blood station laboratories in 2024. Methods: A nationwide, multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted, including 334 blood station laboratories that reported nucleic acid reactive data among enzyme immunoassay non-reactive samples. Of these, 296 laboratories adopted the pool resolution model, with a total of 12 536 273 samples tested. Systematic analysis was performed on resolution data, focusing on the MP-NAT reactivity rate, the pool resolution concordance rate, and the resolution discrepancy rate. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on reagent types, viral targets, and Ct values. Potential causes were further explored through laboratory surveys and re-examination of raw amplification curves. Results: In 2024, the national average MP-NAT reactivity rate was 0.15%. The overall pool resolution concordance rate was 57.86%, which showed a gradual decline as Ct values increased across all reagents. The national average resolution discrepancy rate was 0.081‱(102/12 536 273), with 17.91%(53/296) of laboratories reporting at least one discrepancy. Nine reagent types were associated with these events, exhibiting reagent-specific patterns. For Reagent A2, the predominant discrepancy was HBV reactive pools resolving as HIV (36.36%); for Reagent D1, HBV pools frequently resolved as HCV (38.89%); and for Reagent E, the most common pattern was HIV pools resolving as HBV (48.00%). These resolution discrepancies were strongly associated with high Ct values: the median pool Ct for HBV exceeded 38, while those for HCV and HIV both exceeded 40. Investigations across 16 laboratories revealed that most discrepant samples exhibited “tailing” amplification curves, with some cases linked to cross-contamination or reagent batch-specific issues. Conclusion: While the incidence of resolution discrepancies in the MP-NAT model remains low in China, variations exist across different reagents and laboratories. These discrepancies are closely associated with low viral load, reagent performance, and laboratory operational practices.

Pre-admission is a critical initiative to optimize medical service processes and alleviate the challenge of "difficult access to healthcare. "However, there is currently a lack of standardized protocols for pre-admission procedures. This study aims to systematically analyze key nodes and risk factors in pre-admission process design and propose optimization strategies, providing a foundation for policy formulation and hospital practices. By constructing a "forward-reverse" dual-process model of pre-admission and identifying risk points based on stakeholder theory (patients, hospitals, healthcare administration, and insurance), the study reveals that while pre-admission can reduce the average length of stay, improve bed turnover rates, and enhance patient satisfaction, it also presents risks such as cross-period financial settlement, challenges in insurance policy adaptability, demands for information system integration, and the need for defining medical safety boundaries. To optimize the pre-admission process and mitigate these risks, this study explores framework improvements in areas including eligibility criteria, mode selection, cost settlement, transition between pre-admission and inpatient status, and cancellation of pre-admission, offering practical guidance for public hospitals. The authors argue that pre-admission requires tripartite collaboration among hospitals, insurers, and healthcare administrations: hospitals should establish top-level design, continuously refine processes, and implement dynamic risk assessment mechanisms; insurance providers should support cross-period settlement policies; and healthcare administrations should issue guiding policies or standardized protocols. Through multi-department coordination and collaborative efforts, the optimization and innovation of pre-admission processes can be advanced, ultimately delivering more efficient and convenient healthcare experiences for patients.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular genetic features of high-grade astrocytomas with piloid features (HGAP).Methods:Clinical, histopathological and imaging data of 7 cases of HGAP diagnosed at the Neuropathology Center of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, China from August 2023 to October 2024 were collected. The histopathological and molecular features for each case were analyzed.Results:Among the seven patients there were 4 males and 3 females, with the median age of 37 (34, 51) years. Patients exhibited various clinical symptoms and signs depending on the tumor′s location. Four tumors were located in the cerebellum, 2 in the supratentorial region, and 1 in the spinal cord. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that 6 of the 7 patients had cystic and solid lesions, with focal or nodular enhancement and relatively unclear boundaries. Histopathological features had a diverse morphological spectrum and extensive grading. Five cases displayed a pilocytic astrocytoma-like appearance with infiltrative growth patterns, while two cases presented glioblastoma-like morphology, containing locally anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma with minor pilocytic components. All tumors were diffusely positive for GFAP and Olig2, while 4 tumors exhibited partial or complete loss of ATRX. The Ki-67 proliferation index ranged from 2% to 40%. Next-generation sequencing showed that tumor cells most commonly harbored MAPK pathway gene mutations, and/or homozygous deletions of CDKN2A/B, and/or ATRX mutations. Among the 7 HGAP models, 3 cases showed the three types of molecular genetic variations, 1 case showed MAPK mutations and homozygous deletions of CDKN2A/B, 1 case had MAPK mutations and ATRX mutations, 1 case had only MAPK mutations, and 1 case showed no detectable molecular changes. DNA methylation clustering analyses showed that the median model prediction score was 0.94 (range, 0.85-0.99) for the 7 HGAP models. Five cases showed the MGMT promoter hypermethylation. Four patients received radiotherapy and concomitant temozolomide treatment after surgery, while three patients received no known treatments. At the last follow-up, seven patients were alive without any tumor, two patients had recurrence, and one patient was alive with the tumor.Conclusions:HGAP is relatively rare and predominantly occurs in adults. It has a wide histopathological spectrum and various histological grades, characterized by piloid astrocytoma-like and glioblastoma-like histological features. Its diagnosis relies on methylation clustering analysis. Most tumors harbor gene alterations in the MAPK signaling pathway, along with homozygous deletions of CDKN2A/B or ATRX mutations. The biological behavior is typically aggressive, while imaging and histological findings can be misleading. Therefore, clinicians need to increase their diagnostic awareness of this tumor and prevent missed diagnoses.

Aim To explore the effect of astragalosideⅣ(AS-Ⅳ)on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced po-larization and migration of RAW 264.7 macrophages and the underlying mechanism.Methods 1 mg·L-1 LPS was used to construct cell migration model.Scratch assay was utilized to determine cell migration rate.Immunofluorescence staining was utilized to de-tect the expression and location of F4/80,iNOS and Arg-1.CCK-8 assay was used to determine the viabili-ty of RAW 264.7 cells.Griess assay was used to measure NO content.Molecular docking was used to analyze the interaction between AS-Ⅳ and the core tar-gets such as cGAS and STING protein.Western blot was employed to detect the expression of iNOS,Arg-1,cGAS,STING,NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 protein.Results AS-Ⅳ significantly inhibited the migration and M1 polarization of RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS.Moreover,AS-Ⅳ could interact with cGAS and STING protein,especially cGAS.Further Western blot assay showed that AS-Ⅳ significantly downregulated the expression of iNOS,cGAS,STING and p-NF-κB p65 protein.Conclusions AS-Ⅳ could promote mac-rophage M1 to M2 polarization,thereby inhibited mac-rophage migration through restraining the cGAS/STING/NF-κB signaling pathway,which provides a new therapeutic target for AS-Ⅳ to improve the early inflammatory response of AS.

Aim To explore the protective effect of icariin on the damage of tight junctional function of Sertoli cells in naturally aging mice and the related mechanism.Methods 15-month-old C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into three groups:aging model group,low-dose and high-dose icariin treatment group(5 and 20 mg·kg-1).Another 1-month-old C57BL/6J male mice were considered as adult control group(n=10).The mice in adult control group and aging model group were given the vehicle(0.5％sodi-um carboxymethyl cellulose solution)by intragastric administration,while the mice in icariin-treated groups were given different concentrations of icariin,respec-tively.After continuous administration of icariin for three months,the testes and epididymis were immedi-ately removed,weighed,and the organ index was calcu-lated.Sperm viability and sperm concentration in epi-didymis were measured.The morphological changes of testes were observed by HE staining.The ultrastructur-al changes of tight junctions of Sertoli cells were ob-served by transmission electron microscopy.The ex-pression levels of tight junction-related proteins ZO-1,Occludin,and Claudin11 of testicular Sertoli cells were detected by Western blot.The expression and localiza-tion of ZO-1,Occludin,Raptor,Rictor,p-70S6K,and p-rps6 were detected by immunofluorescence.Results Compared with the aging model group,icariin signifi-cantly increased testicular weight and its index,and ep-ididymal index,improved sperm viability and increased sperm concentration in naturally aging mice.In addi-tion,icariin improved the degeneration of testicular morphology and the damage of ultrastructure of Sertoli cell tight junction with aging.Furthermore,Western blot results showed that icariin up-regulated the expres-sion of ZO-1 and Occludin,but had no significant effect on the expression of Claudin 11.Immunofluorescence assay showed that icariin up-regulated the expression of Rictor,and down-regulated the expression of p-70S6K,p-rps6 and Raptor.Conclusions Icariin improves the tight junction damage of Sertoli cells in naturally aging mice,and its mechanism may be related to restoring the balance between mTORC1 and mTORC2.

Aim To investigate the effect of high-fat diet on the tight junction function injury of Sertoli cells through the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway in mice and to explore the underlying mechanism.Methods Male C57BL/6J mice were fed with high-fat or normal diet for five months.The body and gonadal organ weight of mice were measured,and their indices were calculated.The sperm concentration,the sperm viabili-ty,the testicular histomorphology and the expression levels of tight junction proteins ZO-1,Occludin and Claudin-11 were measured.TM4 cells were treated with palmitic acid(PA)for 24 h.Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 method.Then,TM4 cells were di-vided into different groups treated with PA(0,50,100,200 and 300 μmnol·L-1),and the expression lev-els of tight junction proteins ZO-1,Occludin and Clau-din-11 were detected by Western blot.The tight junc-tion permeability of TM4 cells were detected by transepithelial electrical resistance(TEER)and FITC-dextran.The expression levels of mRNA and proteins for the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway-related factors were de-tected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Results The results from animal experiments showed that high-fat diet increased body weight and seminal vesicle weight of mice,and decreased testicular index,epididymal in-dex,sperm concentration and sperm motility of mice.High-fat diet also caused testicular tissue structure damage and down-regulated the expression levels of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin,without af-fecting the expression of Claudin-11.In vitro,PA sig-nificantly down-regulated the expression levels of ZO-1,Occludin and Claudin-11 in TM4 cells,increased the cell permeability,as well as up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3/NF-κB signa-ling pathway-related factors in TM4 cells.Conclusions High-fat diet can impair the function of tight junction of testicualr Sertoli cells,and the machanism may be related to the activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway,resulting in Sertoli cell inflammation in mice.

Aim To investigate the effect of high-fat diet on the tight junction function injury of Sertoli cells through the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway in mice and to explore the underlying mechanism.Methods Male C57BL/6J mice were fed with high-fat or normal diet for five months.The body and gonadal organ weight of mice were measured,and their indices were calculated.The sperm concentration,the sperm viabili-ty,the testicular histomorphology and the expression levels of tight junction proteins ZO-1,Occludin and Claudin-11 were measured.TM4 cells were treated with palmitic acid(PA)for 24 h.Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 method.Then,TM4 cells were di-vided into different groups treated with PA(0,50,100,200 and 300 μmnol·L-1),and the expression lev-els of tight junction proteins ZO-1,Occludin and Clau-din-11 were detected by Western blot.The tight junc-tion permeability of TM4 cells were detected by transepithelial electrical resistance(TEER)and FITC-dextran.The expression levels of mRNA and proteins for the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway-related factors were de-tected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Results The results from animal experiments showed that high-fat diet increased body weight and seminal vesicle weight of mice,and decreased testicular index,epididymal in-dex,sperm concentration and sperm motility of mice.High-fat diet also caused testicular tissue structure damage and down-regulated the expression levels of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin,without af-fecting the expression of Claudin-11.In vitro,PA sig-nificantly down-regulated the expression levels of ZO-1,Occludin and Claudin-11 in TM4 cells,increased the cell permeability,as well as up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3/NF-κB signa-ling pathway-related factors in TM4 cells.Conclusions High-fat diet can impair the function of tight junction of testicualr Sertoli cells,and the machanism may be related to the activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway,resulting in Sertoli cell inflammation in mice.

Aim To explore the protective effect of icariin on the damage of tight junctional function of Sertoli cells in naturally aging mice and the related mechanism.Methods 15-month-old C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into three groups:aging model group,low-dose and high-dose icariin treatment group(5 and 20 mg·kg-1).Another 1-month-old C57BL/6J male mice were considered as adult control group(n=10).The mice in adult control group and aging model group were given the vehicle(0.5％sodi-um carboxymethyl cellulose solution)by intragastric administration,while the mice in icariin-treated groups were given different concentrations of icariin,respec-tively.After continuous administration of icariin for three months,the testes and epididymis were immedi-ately removed,weighed,and the organ index was calcu-lated.Sperm viability and sperm concentration in epi-didymis were measured.The morphological changes of testes were observed by HE staining.The ultrastructur-al changes of tight junctions of Sertoli cells were ob-served by transmission electron microscopy.The ex-pression levels of tight junction-related proteins ZO-1,Occludin,and Claudin11 of testicular Sertoli cells were detected by Western blot.The expression and localiza-tion of ZO-1,Occludin,Raptor,Rictor,p-70S6K,and p-rps6 were detected by immunofluorescence.Results Compared with the aging model group,icariin signifi-cantly increased testicular weight and its index,and ep-ididymal index,improved sperm viability and increased sperm concentration in naturally aging mice.In addi-tion,icariin improved the degeneration of testicular morphology and the damage of ultrastructure of Sertoli cell tight junction with aging.Furthermore,Western blot results showed that icariin up-regulated the expres-sion of ZO-1 and Occludin,but had no significant effect on the expression of Claudin 11.Immunofluorescence assay showed that icariin up-regulated the expression of Rictor,and down-regulated the expression of p-70S6K,p-rps6 and Raptor.Conclusions Icariin improves the tight junction damage of Sertoli cells in naturally aging mice,and its mechanism may be related to restoring the balance between mTORC1 and mTORC2.

Aim To explore the effect of astragalosideⅣ(AS-Ⅳ)on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced po-larization and migration of RAW 264.7 macrophages and the underlying mechanism.Methods 1 mg·L-1 LPS was used to construct cell migration model.Scratch assay was utilized to determine cell migration rate.Immunofluorescence staining was utilized to de-tect the expression and location of F4/80,iNOS and Arg-1.CCK-8 assay was used to determine the viabili-ty of RAW 264.7 cells.Griess assay was used to measure NO content.Molecular docking was used to analyze the interaction between AS-Ⅳ and the core tar-gets such as cGAS and STING protein.Western blot was employed to detect the expression of iNOS,Arg-1,cGAS,STING,NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 protein.Results AS-Ⅳ significantly inhibited the migration and M1 polarization of RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS.Moreover,AS-Ⅳ could interact with cGAS and STING protein,especially cGAS.Further Western blot assay showed that AS-Ⅳ significantly downregulated the expression of iNOS,cGAS,STING and p-NF-κB p65 protein.Conclusions AS-Ⅳ could promote mac-rophage M1 to M2 polarization,thereby inhibited mac-rophage migration through restraining the cGAS/STING/NF-κB signaling pathway,which provides a new therapeutic target for AS-Ⅳ to improve the early inflammatory response of AS.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular genetic features of high-grade astrocytomas with piloid features (HGAP).Methods:Clinical, histopathological and imaging data of 7 cases of HGAP diagnosed at the Neuropathology Center of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, China from August 2023 to October 2024 were collected. The histopathological and molecular features for each case were analyzed.Results:Among the seven patients there were 4 males and 3 females, with the median age of 37 (34, 51) years. Patients exhibited various clinical symptoms and signs depending on the tumor′s location. Four tumors were located in the cerebellum, 2 in the supratentorial region, and 1 in the spinal cord. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that 6 of the 7 patients had cystic and solid lesions, with focal or nodular enhancement and relatively unclear boundaries. Histopathological features had a diverse morphological spectrum and extensive grading. Five cases displayed a pilocytic astrocytoma-like appearance with infiltrative growth patterns, while two cases presented glioblastoma-like morphology, containing locally anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma with minor pilocytic components. All tumors were diffusely positive for GFAP and Olig2, while 4 tumors exhibited partial or complete loss of ATRX. The Ki-67 proliferation index ranged from 2% to 40%. Next-generation sequencing showed that tumor cells most commonly harbored MAPK pathway gene mutations, and/or homozygous deletions of CDKN2A/B, and/or ATRX mutations. Among the 7 HGAP models, 3 cases showed the three types of molecular genetic variations, 1 case showed MAPK mutations and homozygous deletions of CDKN2A/B, 1 case had MAPK mutations and ATRX mutations, 1 case had only MAPK mutations, and 1 case showed no detectable molecular changes. DNA methylation clustering analyses showed that the median model prediction score was 0.94 (range, 0.85-0.99) for the 7 HGAP models. Five cases showed the MGMT promoter hypermethylation. Four patients received radiotherapy and concomitant temozolomide treatment after surgery, while three patients received no known treatments. At the last follow-up, seven patients were alive without any tumor, two patients had recurrence, and one patient was alive with the tumor.Conclusions:HGAP is relatively rare and predominantly occurs in adults. It has a wide histopathological spectrum and various histological grades, characterized by piloid astrocytoma-like and glioblastoma-like histological features. Its diagnosis relies on methylation clustering analysis. Most tumors harbor gene alterations in the MAPK signaling pathway, along with homozygous deletions of CDKN2A/B or ATRX mutations. The biological behavior is typically aggressive, while imaging and histological findings can be misleading. Therefore, clinicians need to increase their diagnostic awareness of this tumor and prevent missed diagnoses.