Objective To achieve a preliminary understanding of the current situation of clinical laboratories in Guangdong Province,and discuss how to establish a sound investigation system,and utilize quality indicators to improve laboratory quality through the inves-tigation and analysis of data from 16 clinical laboratory quality indicators issued by the National Center for Clinical Laboratories.Meth-ods The questionnaire was issued by Clinet-EQA system and the basic information and quality indicator information during 2023 were collected.SPSS 20.0 software was used for statistical analysis according to different specialty categories and hospital grades.The 13 quality indicators measured in rate-based units were evaluated by sigma measurement.The P75,P50 and P25 percentiles of the overall distribution of each quality index were used to explore the optimal,appropriate and minimum quality specifications.Results A total of 577 laboratories participated in this survey.In addition to the implementation rate of internal quality assessment and the inter-laboratory comparison rate,the median sigma(σ)value of 11/13 quality indicators was greater than 3σ,and some of them even reach the level of 6σ,and there were disparities between hospital laboratories at different grades.The turnaround time(TAT)of the whole process of emergency examination was significantly less than those of inpatient and outpatient,TAT before emergency examination was controlled within 20 min,TAT before outpatient examination was within 30 min,and TAT before inpatient examination was within 42 min.The optimal quality specifications of 8 out of 13 indicators reached 6σ level,while the minimum quality specifications of 2 out of 13 indica-tors were lower than 3σ level.Conclusion In Guangdong Province,the overall level of quality indicators in the post-analytical of clin-ical laboratories was superior to that in the pre-analytical and analytical process.It should be essential to continuously monitor quality indicators and actively adopt improvement measures for those laboratories with unsatisfactory results,so as to enhance the examination quality of laboratories.

Objective:To investigate the effect of stable low expression of DNA methyltransferase 3b（DNMT3b）on the adriamycin（ADM）resistance of wild-type bladder cancer cells BIU-87 and BIU-87/ADM-resistant cells（BIU-87/ADM）.Methods:Lentiviruses expressing DNMT3b siRNA and negative control siRNA were packaged. Stable DNMT3b-low-expressing BIU-87 cells（BIU-87-siRNA group），BIU-87/ADM cells（BIU-87/ADM-siRNA group），and corresponding control groups（BIU-87-NC group and BIU-87/ADM-NC group）were established via lentiviral infection. DNMT3b expression was detected by quantitative PCR and Western blot to validate siRNA interference efficiency. BIU-87-siRNA and BIU-87-NC cells were treated with 0.0125，0.025，0.05，0.1，and 0.2 mg/L ADM，while BIU-87/ADM-siRNA and BIU-87/ADM-NC cells were treated with 0.5，1，2，4，and 8 mg/L ADM. Cell survival rates were measured using the MTT assay to calculate the half-maximal inhibitory concentration（IC50）and relative reversal rate. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Expression of drug resistance-related genes（MRP1，P-gp and Survivin）was detected by quantitative PCR and Western blot. In vivo tumorigenesis experiments were performed by subcutaneously inoculating BIU-87-siRNA，BIU-87/ADM-siRNA，and control group cells into nude mice. Tumor sizes were measured on days 7，10，13，16，20，and 25 to plot growth curves and assess the effect of DNMT3b low expression on ADM resistance.Results:Quantitative PCR showed that the relative mRNA expression of DNMT3b in BIU-87-siRNA and BIU-87-NC groups were（0.32 ± 0.08） vs.（1.00±0.12）（ P < 0.01），and（0.30 ± 0.07） vs.（1.00 ± 0.11）in BIU-87/ADM-siRNA vs. BIU-87/ADM-NC groups（ P < 0.01）. Western blot confirmed significantly reduced DNMT3b protein levels in both siRNA groups（ P < 0.01）. After ADM treatment，BIU-87-siRNA cells exhibited lower survival rates compared to BIU-87-NC at 0.025，0.05，and 0.1 mg/L ADM（ P < 0.05），with IC50 values of（0.14 ± 0.02）mg/L vs.（0.18 ± 0.03）mg/L（ P > 0.05）. For BIU-87/ADM-siRNA cells，survival rates at 1，2，4，and 8 mg/L ADM were significantly lower than controls（ P < 0.05），with IC50 values of（7.10 ± 0.45）mg/L vs.（13.96 ± 1.20）mg/L and a relative reversal rate of 49.76%（ P < 0.01）. Apoptosis rates were significantly higher in siRNA groups（ P < 0.01）. mRNA and protein levels of MRP1，P-gp，and Survivin were reduced in both siRNA groups（ P < 0.05），except for P-gp protein in BIU-87-siRNA cells（ P > 0.05）. In vivo，tumor volumes in siRNA groups were significantly smaller than controls by day 25（ P < 0.05）. Conclusion:Stable low expression of DNMT3b reverses ADM resistance in bladder cancer BIU-87/ADM cells.

Objective:To clarify the natural course of renal angiomyolipoma and the risk factors for its progression.Methods:This was a retrospective case-control study that included 401 patients diagnosed several times by ultrasound examination in the hospital physical examination system from January 2012 to June 2024. All patients were untreated. There were 128 male cases (31.90%) and 273 female cases (68.10%). The average age at initial diagnosis was (44.04 ± 10.24) years (range 22-78 years). The median longest diameter of the tumor at initial diagnosis was 9.0 (7.0, 11.5) mm. There were 359 cases (89.50%) with single tumors and 42 cases (10.50%) with multiple tumors. The patients were divided into the progression group(≥1 mm/year) and the non-progression group (<1 mm/year)based on the average growth rate of tumor. The differences in gender, age at initial diagnosis, initial tumor size, number of lesions and lesion site between the two groups were compared. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between the above factors and the progression of renal angiomyolipoma. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the risk factors for progression.Results:A total of 401 cases were followed up for an average of (88.15 ± 21.09) months (range 48-140 months). The median maximum diameter of the tumors at the initial diagnosis was 9.0 (7.0, 11.5) mm, and at the end of the follow-up, it was 11 (8, 14) mm. The average growth rate was 0.38 mm/year, and the median growth rate was 0.25 (0, 0.60) mm/year. Among them, 341 cases (85.04%) were in the non-progression group with an average growth rate of 0.14 mm/year, and 60 cases (14.96%) were in the progression group with an average growth rate of 1.74 mm/year. The age of the progression group was lower than that of the non-progression group [(41.43 ± 9.64) years vs. (44.50±10.29) years], the initial maximum diameter of the tumors in the progression group was larger than that in the non-progression group [11.0 (8.0, 16.0) mm vs. 9.0 (7.0, 11.0) mm], and the proportion of multiple tumors in the progression group was higher than that in the non-progression group [14 cases (23.30%) vs. 28 cases (8.20%)], and the differences were all statistically significant ( P<0.05). Age at initial diagnosis( OR=0.96, 95% CI 0.93-0.99), initial tumor size ( OR=1.08, 95% CI 1.04-1.12) and number of lesions ( OR=2.96, 95% CI 1.38-6.34) were the risk factors for the growth of renal angiomyolipoma ( P<0.05), according to the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusions:The natural history of most renal angiomyolipoma shows slow growth or relative quiescence, with a small number showing a significant increasing trend. Age at initial diagnosis, initial tumor size and number of lesions were independent risk factors for the growth of renal angiomyolipoma.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of total ginsenosides(TG)in alleviating myocardial injury in septic rat models by regulating solute carrier family 7 member 11/glutathione per-oxidase 4(SLC7 A1 1/GPX4)-mediated ferroptosis.Methods Ninety SPF-grade male rats were ran-domly divided into five groups:Sham group(sham operation),septic cardiomyopathy(SCM)group,TG40 group(SCM model rats gavaged with 40 mg/kg TG),TG160 group(SCM model rats gavaged with 160 mg/kg TG),and TG160+RSL3 group(SCM model rats gavaged with 160 mg/kg TG and intraperitoneally injected with 10 mg/kg ferroptosis inducer RSL3).The SCM model was established using the cecal ligation and puncture method.Cardiac function was assessed in each group.Hematox-ylin-eosin(HE)staining was performed to observe pathological changes in myocardial tissue.Levels of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-1 β,IL-6,creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB),myo-globin(Mb),and cardiac troponin I(cTnI)were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Protein expression levels of NADPH oxidase(NOX)1,NOX2,NOX4,SLC7A11,and GPX4 were detected by western blotting.Levels of Fe2+and total iron in myocardial tissue were also determined.Results Compared with the Sham group,the SCM group exhibited decreased left ventricular ejec-tion fraction(LVEF),left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS),and protein expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4,along with increased levels of CK-MB,Mb,cTnI,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,Fe2+,total iron,and protein expression of NOX1,NOX2,and NOX4(P＜0.05).Compared with the SCM group,the TG40 and TG160 groups showed dose-dependent increases in LVEF,LVFS,and SLC7A11/GPX4 expression,as well as reductions in CK-MB,Mb,cTnI,TNF-α,IL-1 β,IL-6,Fe,total iron,and NOX1/NOX2/NOX4 expression(P＜0.05).In contrast,the TG160+RSL3 group displayed lower LVEF,LVFS,and SLC7A11/GPX4 expression,and higher levels of the aforementioned biomarkers compared with the TG160 group(P＜0.05).Conclusion TG sig-nificantly suppresses sepsis-induced myocardial inflammation and oxidative stress,improves cardiac function,and mitigates myocardial injury,likely by inhibiting ferroptosis via activation of the SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway.

Objective To achieve a preliminary understanding of the current situation of clinical laboratories in Guangdong Province,and discuss how to establish a sound investigation system,and utilize quality indicators to improve laboratory quality through the inves-tigation and analysis of data from 16 clinical laboratory quality indicators issued by the National Center for Clinical Laboratories.Meth-ods The questionnaire was issued by Clinet-EQA system and the basic information and quality indicator information during 2023 were collected.SPSS 20.0 software was used for statistical analysis according to different specialty categories and hospital grades.The 13 quality indicators measured in rate-based units were evaluated by sigma measurement.The P75,P50 and P25 percentiles of the overall distribution of each quality index were used to explore the optimal,appropriate and minimum quality specifications.Results A total of 577 laboratories participated in this survey.In addition to the implementation rate of internal quality assessment and the inter-laboratory comparison rate,the median sigma(σ)value of 11/13 quality indicators was greater than 3σ,and some of them even reach the level of 6σ,and there were disparities between hospital laboratories at different grades.The turnaround time(TAT)of the whole process of emergency examination was significantly less than those of inpatient and outpatient,TAT before emergency examination was controlled within 20 min,TAT before outpatient examination was within 30 min,and TAT before inpatient examination was within 42 min.The optimal quality specifications of 8 out of 13 indicators reached 6σ level,while the minimum quality specifications of 2 out of 13 indica-tors were lower than 3σ level.Conclusion In Guangdong Province,the overall level of quality indicators in the post-analytical of clin-ical laboratories was superior to that in the pre-analytical and analytical process.It should be essential to continuously monitor quality indicators and actively adopt improvement measures for those laboratories with unsatisfactory results,so as to enhance the examination quality of laboratories.

Objective:To investigate the effect of stable low expression of DNA methyltransferase 3b（DNMT3b）on the adriamycin（ADM）resistance of wild-type bladder cancer cells BIU-87 and BIU-87/ADM-resistant cells（BIU-87/ADM）.Methods:Lentiviruses expressing DNMT3b siRNA and negative control siRNA were packaged. Stable DNMT3b-low-expressing BIU-87 cells（BIU-87-siRNA group），BIU-87/ADM cells（BIU-87/ADM-siRNA group），and corresponding control groups（BIU-87-NC group and BIU-87/ADM-NC group）were established via lentiviral infection. DNMT3b expression was detected by quantitative PCR and Western blot to validate siRNA interference efficiency. BIU-87-siRNA and BIU-87-NC cells were treated with 0.0125，0.025，0.05，0.1，and 0.2 mg/L ADM，while BIU-87/ADM-siRNA and BIU-87/ADM-NC cells were treated with 0.5，1，2，4，and 8 mg/L ADM. Cell survival rates were measured using the MTT assay to calculate the half-maximal inhibitory concentration（IC50）and relative reversal rate. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Expression of drug resistance-related genes（MRP1，P-gp and Survivin）was detected by quantitative PCR and Western blot. In vivo tumorigenesis experiments were performed by subcutaneously inoculating BIU-87-siRNA，BIU-87/ADM-siRNA，and control group cells into nude mice. Tumor sizes were measured on days 7，10，13，16，20，and 25 to plot growth curves and assess the effect of DNMT3b low expression on ADM resistance.Results:Quantitative PCR showed that the relative mRNA expression of DNMT3b in BIU-87-siRNA and BIU-87-NC groups were（0.32 ± 0.08） vs.（1.00±0.12）（ P < 0.01），and（0.30 ± 0.07） vs.（1.00 ± 0.11）in BIU-87/ADM-siRNA vs. BIU-87/ADM-NC groups（ P < 0.01）. Western blot confirmed significantly reduced DNMT3b protein levels in both siRNA groups（ P < 0.01）. After ADM treatment，BIU-87-siRNA cells exhibited lower survival rates compared to BIU-87-NC at 0.025，0.05，and 0.1 mg/L ADM（ P < 0.05），with IC50 values of（0.14 ± 0.02）mg/L vs.（0.18 ± 0.03）mg/L（ P > 0.05）. For BIU-87/ADM-siRNA cells，survival rates at 1，2，4，and 8 mg/L ADM were significantly lower than controls（ P < 0.05），with IC50 values of（7.10 ± 0.45）mg/L vs.（13.96 ± 1.20）mg/L and a relative reversal rate of 49.76%（ P < 0.01）. Apoptosis rates were significantly higher in siRNA groups（ P < 0.01）. mRNA and protein levels of MRP1，P-gp，and Survivin were reduced in both siRNA groups（ P < 0.05），except for P-gp protein in BIU-87-siRNA cells（ P > 0.05）. In vivo，tumor volumes in siRNA groups were significantly smaller than controls by day 25（ P < 0.05）. Conclusion:Stable low expression of DNMT3b reverses ADM resistance in bladder cancer BIU-87/ADM cells.

Objective:To clarify the natural course of renal angiomyolipoma and the risk factors for its progression.Methods:This was a retrospective case-control study that included 401 patients diagnosed several times by ultrasound examination in the hospital physical examination system from January 2012 to June 2024. All patients were untreated. There were 128 male cases (31.90%) and 273 female cases (68.10%). The average age at initial diagnosis was (44.04 ± 10.24) years (range 22-78 years). The median longest diameter of the tumor at initial diagnosis was 9.0 (7.0, 11.5) mm. There were 359 cases (89.50%) with single tumors and 42 cases (10.50%) with multiple tumors. The patients were divided into the progression group(≥1 mm/year) and the non-progression group (<1 mm/year)based on the average growth rate of tumor. The differences in gender, age at initial diagnosis, initial tumor size, number of lesions and lesion site between the two groups were compared. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between the above factors and the progression of renal angiomyolipoma. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the risk factors for progression.Results:A total of 401 cases were followed up for an average of (88.15 ± 21.09) months (range 48-140 months). The median maximum diameter of the tumors at the initial diagnosis was 9.0 (7.0, 11.5) mm, and at the end of the follow-up, it was 11 (8, 14) mm. The average growth rate was 0.38 mm/year, and the median growth rate was 0.25 (0, 0.60) mm/year. Among them, 341 cases (85.04%) were in the non-progression group with an average growth rate of 0.14 mm/year, and 60 cases (14.96%) were in the progression group with an average growth rate of 1.74 mm/year. The age of the progression group was lower than that of the non-progression group [(41.43 ± 9.64) years vs. (44.50±10.29) years], the initial maximum diameter of the tumors in the progression group was larger than that in the non-progression group [11.0 (8.0, 16.0) mm vs. 9.0 (7.0, 11.0) mm], and the proportion of multiple tumors in the progression group was higher than that in the non-progression group [14 cases (23.30%) vs. 28 cases (8.20%)], and the differences were all statistically significant ( P<0.05). Age at initial diagnosis( OR=0.96, 95% CI 0.93-0.99), initial tumor size ( OR=1.08, 95% CI 1.04-1.12) and number of lesions ( OR=2.96, 95% CI 1.38-6.34) were the risk factors for the growth of renal angiomyolipoma ( P<0.05), according to the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusions:The natural history of most renal angiomyolipoma shows slow growth or relative quiescence, with a small number showing a significant increasing trend. Age at initial diagnosis, initial tumor size and number of lesions were independent risk factors for the growth of renal angiomyolipoma.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of targeted sequencing panel in the detection of genetic variation in neonates in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Methods:All neonates (≤28 d of age) admitted in the NICU (case group) and 200 full-term healthy neonates born with no obvious phenotypic abnormalities of Huzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital were enrolled in this prospective study from November 2022 to January 2023. Based on a list of preventable and treatable rare diseases as well as newly screened diseases in China, a targeted sequencing panel suitable for Chinese newborns was designed to target the pathogenic genes and mutation sites associated with 601 genes and 542 diseases. Dried blood spot specimens were prepared and analyzed by the targeted sequencing panel. Pathogenic sites detected by the panel sequencing were verified using Sanger sequencing. The genetic testing results were analyzed according to the clinical features of the neonates. According to the number of primary clinical diagnosis index (including premature infants, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, hemorrhagic diseases, neonatal infections, ventricular septal defect/patent ductus arteriosus, and others), these patients were divided into four groups with 1, 2, 3, and ≥4 diagnosis index, respectively. Chi-square test and linear correlation Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:There were 173 patients in the case group and 30.6% (53/173) of them carried pathogenic variants, including 52 positive for pathogenic genes and one with chromosome copy number variant. The positive rate of pathogenic genes was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group [30.1% (52/173) vs. 15.0% (30/200), χ 2=12.26, P<0.001]. Fourteen pathogenic genes were detected in the case group, including FLG, UGT1A1, G6PD, MYH7, AR, ABCC2, ACADS, CYP21A2, GJB2, MEFV, PAH, PKHD1, SCN4A, and HBA. In the case group, the detection rate of pathogenic variants in jaundiced neonates was higher than that in non-jaundiced neonates [35.2% (44/125) vs. 18.8% (9/48), χ 2=4.42, P=0.036]. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the detection rates of pathogenic variants between male and female infants, infants born to mothers of advanced maternal age or not, infants born to mothers with or without gestational diabetes mellitus, premature and term infants, or infants with or without hemorrhagic disorders, neonatal infections, or ventricular septal defects/patent ductus arteriosus in the case group (all P>0.05). The detection rate of pathogenic variants showed a linear increase in infants with 1, 2, 3, and ≥4 diagnosis index [21.1% (8/38), 25.4% (15/59), 38.2% (13/34), and 40.5% (17/42); linear correlation χ 2=4.84, P=0.028]. In the case group, seven genes with a high detection rate of genetic variation (including positive pathogenic genes and carriers) were UGT1A1 [had the highest detection rate, 24.9% (43/173)], GJB2, FLG, DUOX2, ABCA4, G6PD, and MUT. Seven loci with higher mutation frequency were c.211G>A(p.Gly71Arg), c.1091C>T(p.Pro364Leu), c.-41_-40dupTA, and c.686C>A(p.Pro229Gln) in the UGT1A1 gene, c.109G>A(p.Val37Ile) in the GJB2 gene, and c.12064A>T(p.Lys4022Ter) and c.3321del(p.Gly1109GlufsTer13) in the FLG gene. Conclusion:This panel sequencing can provide effective genetic testing for neonates in NICU, especially in children with complex clinical diagnosis.

Objective:To analyze the types and distribution of pathogenic variants for neonatal genetic diseases in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province.Methods:One thousand neonates (48 ~ 42 h after birth) born to Huzhou region were selected as the study subjects. Dry blood spot samples were collected from the newborns, and targeted capture high-throughput sequencing was carried out for pathogenic genes underlying 542 inherited diseases. Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing.Results:Among the 1 000 newborns, the male to female ratio was 1.02 : 1.00. No pathogenic variants were detected in 253 cases, whilst 747 cases were found to carry at least one pathogenic variant, which yielded a carrier rate of 74.7%. The most frequently involved pathogenic gene was FLG, followed by GJB2, UGT1A1, USH2A and DUOX2. The variants were classified as homozygous, compound heterozygous, and hemizygous variants. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), 213 neonates were verified to have carried pathogenic and/or likely pathogenic variants, with a positive rate of 21.3%. The most commonly involved genes had included UGT1A1, FLG, GJB2, MEFV and G6PD. Conclusion:Newborn screening based on high-throughput sequencing technology can expand the scope of screening and improve the positive predictive value. Genetic counseling based on the results can improve the patients′ medical care and reduce neonatal mortality and childhood morbidity, while provide assistance to family members′ health management and reproductive decisions.

The popularity of prostate-specific antigen screening has led to overdiagnosis and overtreatment of prostate cancer. Active surveillance can be used as a safe and reliable treatment option for some patients with localized prostate cancer. At the same time, compared with surgery and chemoradiotherapy, active surveillance can provide these patients with a better quality of life. A variety of new monitoring methods, including PSMA PET and biomarkers, can optimize the risk stratification of prostate cancer and reduce unnecessary puncture biopsies to further improve the quality of life of patients. However, there are still great controversies about the inclusion criteria, monitoring programs, and intervention indications for active surveillance of prostate cancer, and domestic doctors and patients still lack acceptance of it. This article reviews the research progress of active surveillance in prostate cancer.