Objective: To explore the setting of gray zone of Treponema pallidum (TP) testing by retrospective analysis of blood donors with single reagent reactive anti-TP results, so as to improve blood utilization and supply safety. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 112 blood donors previously deferred due to single reagent reactive TP antibody results between January 2020 and December 2023, and subjected to dual ELISA reagents and TPPA test. The gray zone panel analysis was performed on the two ELISA reagents currently used in our department. The detection rate at each concentration of the gray zone panle was counted, and the corresponding concentrations for C , C , and C and gray zone cut-off were calculated. Results: Among the 50 samples deferred by reagent 1, 19 were confirmed reactive and 31 non-reactive in supplementary testing. Among the 62 samples deferred by reagent 2, 12 were confirmed reactive and 50 non-reactive in supplementary testing. For reagent 1, the detection rate of was 56% for S/CO≥1 and 20% for 0.5≤S/CO<1, retrospectively. For reagent 2, the detection rate was 27% for S/CO≥1 and 12.5% for 0.5≤S/CO<1, retrospectively. The detection rate for S/CO≥1 was higher than those for 0.5≤S/CO<1 for both reagents. All the 112 samples were negative in TPPA test. The C concentration of reagent 1 was 1.51 mIU/mL, and the concentration range of C ±20% was 1.21-1.81 mIU/mL. The C concentration of reagent 2 was 1.45 mIU/mL, and the concentration range of C ±20% was 1.16-1.74 mIU/mL. The C and C concentration of both reagents were within the C ±20% range, suggesting that the gray zone cutoff for both Reagent 1 and Reagent 2 should be set at S/CO=0.8 (80% of the CO value). Conclusion: All anti-TP single reagent reactive samples with S/CO value within the gray zone was tested negative by TPPA. It is necessary to consider the rationality and necessity of establishing the gray zone, so as to ensure blood safety and improve the utilization rate of blood resources.

BACKGROUND: The American Heart Association recently released a new cardiovascular health (CVH) metric, Life's Essential 8 (LE8), for health promotion. However, the association between LE8 scores and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains uncertain. We aimed to explore the association of LE8 scores with new-onset CKD and examine whether socioeconomic deprivation and genetic risk modify this association. METHODS: A total of 286,908 participants from UK Biobank and without prior CKD were included between 2006 and 2010. CVH was categorized using LE8 scores: low (LE8 scores <50), moderate (LE8 scores ≥50 but <80), and high (LE8 scores ≥80). The study outcome was new-onset CKD, ascertained by data linkage with primary care, hospital inpatient, and death data. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to investigate the association between CVH categories and new-onset CKD. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 12.5 years, 8857 (3.1%) participants developed new-onset CKD. Compared to the low CVH group, the moderate (adjusted hazards ratio [HR], 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47-0.53) and high CVH (adjusted HR, 0.31; 95% CI: 0.27-0.34) groups had a significantly lower risk of developing new-onset CKD. The population-attributable risk associated with high vs. intermediate or low CVH scores was 40.3%. Participants who were least deprived ( vs.  most deprived; adjusted HR, 0.75; 95% CI: 0.71-0.79) and with low genetic risk of CKD ( vs.  high genetic risk; adjusted HR, 0.89; 95% CI: 0.85-0.94) had a significantly lower risk of developing new-onset CKD. However, socioeconomic deprivation and genetic risks of CKD did not significantly modify the relationship between LE8 scores and new-onset CKD (both P -interaction >0.05). CONCLUSION Achieving a higher LE8 score was associated with a lower risk of developing new-onset CKD, regardless of socioeconomic deprivation and genetic risks of CKD.
Humans ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics* ; Aged ; Risk Factors ; Adult ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Socioeconomic Factors

With the widespread useof immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)in the treatment of various solid tumors,immune-related adverse events have attracted increasing clinical attention.Although ICI-associated myocarditis is rare,it typically has an insidious onset,progresses rapidly,and carries a high mortality rate,making it one of the most severe complications of ICI therapy.Early recognition and management remain challenging due to the absence of standardized diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines.ICI-associated myocarditis is characterized by the following features,with symptom onset commonly occurring within weeks of initiating ICI therapy.Its clinical manifestations are often non-specific and can be misdiagnosed as coronary artery disease or viral myocarditis.Prompt administration of high-dose corticosteroids combined with immunosuppressants,cardiac rhythm and functional support,is crucial for effective management.Although numerous stud-ies highlight the importance of early detection and multidisciplinary collaboration,there is still no consensus on standardized treatment pro-tocols.This report describes a case of acute ICI-associated myocarditis with ovarian cancer who developed symptoms after receiving com-bined apalutamide and toripalimab therapy.The patient responded well to corticosteroid pulse therapy,second-line immunosuppressants,and intensive care support.Due to recurrent ventricular arrhythmias,an implantable cardioverter defibrillator was placed,and cardiac func-tion remained stable during follow-up.Through this case and a review of the relevant literature,we discuss the clinical features,compre-hensive treatment strategies,and long-term management approaches for ICI-associated myocarditis,aiming to raise clinical awareness,pro-mote standardized multidisciplinary team collaboration,and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Objective:To observe any effect of combining visual deprivation training (VDT) with repeated low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of lower limb motor dysfunction among stroke survivors.Methods:Fifty stroke survivors were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group ( n=25 each). In addition to routine rehabilitation treatment, the control group received rTMS targeting the primary motor cortex (M1, lower limb representation area) of the unaffected hemisphere, while the experimental group also received VDT. Before and after 4 weeks of the treatments, everyone′s lower limb motor function, balance, gait and ability in the activities of daily living were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-LE), the root mean square (RMS) values generated through surface electromyography of the affected tibialis anterior muscle, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), the Tinetti Gait Assessment (TGA), and the modified Barthel Index (MBI). Results:After the treatment, both groups showed significant improvements in their average FMA-LE, BBS, TUGT, TGA and MBI results, as well as in the RMS values of the affected tibialis anterior muscle. The experimental group showed significantly greater improvement compared to the control group.Conclusions:The combination of VDT and low-frequency rTMS can effectively improve the lower limb motor function, balance and gait of stroke survivors. It is more effective than rTMS alone. The combined therapy is worthy of clinical application and promotion.

Objective:To investigate the clinical significance of elevated cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21-1) in patients with dermatomyositis associated with positive anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody.Methods:142 consecutive cases with newly onset anti-MDA5(+) (MADEDM)-DM admitted to the first affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2018 to October 2021 were enrolled. They were divided into two groups, the low serum CYFRA21-1 group (CYFRA21-1≤4 ng/ml) and the high serum CYFRA21-1 group (CYFRA21-1>4 ng/ml). The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests results, imaging examinations treatment and outcome were collected for statistical analysis. Enumeration data were expressed as the number of cases and percentage (%). Normally distributed parameters were tested by t-test. Parameters with skewed distribution were tested by Mann-Whitney Wilcoxon analysis. Categorical variables were compared by the Chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test. Risk factor analysis was performed using Logistic regression. Cumulative survivals were described by Kaplan-Meier curves. Results:The age of onset in the high CYFRA21-1 group [(56±9)years vs. (50±10) years, t=-3.50, P=0.001] was higher than that in the low CYFRA21-1 group. Fever [63.3% (38/60) vs. 40.2% (33/82), χ2=7.39, P=0.007] was more common in the high CYFRA21-1 group, and arthritis [41.7% (25/60) vs. 69.5%(57/82), χ2=11.01, P=0.001] was less common. Myalgia, myasthenia, rashes, Raynaud′s phenomenon and skin ulcers had no significant difference between the two groups. The WBC count [5.2(4.1, 6.9)×10 9/L vs. 4.3(3.2, 6.2)×10 9/L, Z=-2.57, P=0.010], neutrophil count [4.0(2.9, 5.5)×10 9/L vs. 2.9(2.1, 4.5)×10 9/L, Z=-3.25, P=0.001] and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio [5.75(3.50, 9.20) vs. 3.55(2.64, 5.41), Z=-3.77, P<0.001] in high CYFRA21-1 group were significantly higher than those in low CYFRA21-1 group. At the same time, LDH [384(302, 519)U/L vs. 318(260, 405)U/L, Z=-2.98, P=0.003], ferritin [1 204(677, 2 039)ng/ml vs. 570(229, 846)ng/ml, Z=-4.78, P<0.001], KL-6 [995(658, 1 491)U/ml vs. 750(563, 1 197)U/ml, Z=-2.49, P=0.013], ESR [36(22, 61)mm/1 h vs. 28(15, 46)mm/1 h, Z=-2.18, P=0.029] and CRP [9.2(4.7, 31.5)mg/L vs. 3.1(1.1, 11.6)mg/L, Z=-3.53, P<0.001] were significantly increased in the high level of CYFRA21-1 group, while serum albumin[(32±5)g/L vs. (35±5)g/L, t=3.92, P<0.001] was significantly decreased. There was no significant difference in the titers of serum anti-MDA5 antibodies between the two groups. The positive rate of anti-RO52 antibody [44(74.6%) vs. 44(53.7%), χ2=6.40, P=0.011] in high CYFRA21-1 group was higher than that in low CYFRA21-1 group. The ground glass opacity (GGO) score [1.75(1.33, 2.42) vs. 1.09(0.67, 1.67), Z=-4.60, P<0.001] based on high resolution CT (HRCT) was also significantly increased in the CYFRA21-1 high level group. Compared with the low CYFRA21-1 group, the high CYFRA21-1 group had a higher probability of RP-ILD [48.3%(29/60) vs. 23.2%(19/82), χ2=9.80, P=0.002] and a higher 6-month mortality rate[48.3%(29/60) vs.13.4%(11/82), χ2=19.70, P<0.001]. Logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥53 years old [ OR(95% CI)=5.197(1.781, 15.165), P=0.003], duration < 2 months [ OR(95% CI)=3.314 (1.058, 10.378), P=0.040], NE/LYMP >5 [ OR(95% CI)=3.443(1.120, 10.586), P=0.031], CRP>5 mg/L[ OR(95% CI)=6.271(1.749, 22.480), P=0.005], CA125>14 U/ml[ OR(95% CI)=7.500 (2.409, 23.345), P=0.001] and CYFRA21-1>4 ng/ml[ OR(95% CI)=3.665(1.258, 10.676), P=0.017] were independent risk factors for death within 6 months in MDA5-DM patients. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the survival rate of the high CYFRA21-1 group was significantly lower than that of the low CYFRA21-1 group( P<0.001). Conclusion:Elevated CYFRA21-1 is an independent risk factor for early mortality in MDA5-DM patients and can serve as a novel serological marker for risk stratification in these patients.

Objective To explore the effect of visual deprivation training combined with proprioceptive training on balance function of hemiplegic patients after stroke.Methods A total of 80 stroke patients with hemiplegia in Jiangsu Shengze Hospital were selected from May,2022 to March,2024,and randomly divided into control group(n=20),proprioceptive training group(n=20),visual de-privation group(n=20)and combined group(n=20).All the groups received routine rehabilitation training,while the proprioceptive training group added proprioceptive training,the visual deprivation group added balance training under visual deprivation,and the combined group added visual deprivation training and proprioceptive training,for four weeks.They were assessed with ProKin Balance Test and Training System,Berg Balance Scale(BBS),10-metre walking test(10MWT),Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremities(FMA-LE)and Functional Gait Assessment(FGA)before and after treatment.Results The intra-group effect(F>96.618,P<0.001)and interaction effect(F>5.444,P<0.01)were significant in mean longitudinal velocity and mean horizontal velocity.The intra-group effect(F>177.671,P<0.001),inter-group effect(F>3.761,P<0.05)and interaction effect(F>7.555,P<0.001)were significant in movement el-lipse area and movement length both with eyes open and closed.The intra-group effect(F>221.902,P<0.001)and interaction effect(F>7.586,P<0.001)were significant in the time of 10MWT,and the scores of BBS,FMA-LE and FGA;and the inter-group effect were significant in FGA score(F=5.258,P<0.01).Post Hoc test showed that all the indicators were better in the combined group and the visual deprivation group than in the con-trol group(P<0.05);as well as in the proprioceptive training group than in the control group(P<0.05)except mean longitudinal velocity with eyes open,mean horizontal velocity with eyes closed,and movement length with eyes open;while all the indicators were better in the combined group than both in the visual deprivation group and the proprioceptive training group(P<0.05);there was no significant difference between the visual depriva-tion group and the proprioceptive training group for all the indicators(P>0.05).Conclusion Both visual deprivation training and proprioceptive training can improve balance,lower limb motor function and walking of hemiplegic stroke patients,and the combination is more effective.

Objective To screen and analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to oxidative stress in a silicosis mouse model using transcriptome sequencing technology. Methods i) A total of 30 workers without occupational dust-exposed history were selected as the control group and 17 patients with silicosis were selected as the silicosis group using a judgment sampling method. The levels of glutathione and malondialdehyde in the plasma of workers in the two groups were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ii) RAW264.7 cells in the logarithmic growth phase were randomly divided into the control group and the silica group, treated with 0 and 50 mg/L silica suspensions for 24 hours. Protein expression of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the cells was determined by Western blotting. iii) The specific pathogen free male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the control group and the silicosis model group, with 10 mice in each group. Mice were exposed to 50 μL of 0.9% sodium chloride solution and silica suspension at a mass concentration of 100 g/L, respectively, using a single tracheal exposure method. After 28 days of exposure, the pathological changes of mouse lung tissues were observed. Transcriptome sequencing was used to screen DEGs in the lung tissues of the silicosis mouse model, and gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed. The expression of DEGs was verified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results i) The level of malondialdehyde in the patients′ plasma was higher (P<0.01), while the level of glutathione was lower (P<0.01) in the silicosis group than that of the control group. ii) The relative expression of SOD2 protein decreased (P<0.05), while the relative expression of IL-6 and TNF-α proteins increased (all P<0.05) in the silica group of RAW264.7 cells compared with the control group. iii) The pathological results of lung tissues showed that the alveolar structure of mice was destroyed and silicotic nodules were formed in the silicosis model group. Transcriptome sequencing identified 3 703 DEGs, of which 3 199 were significantly down-regulated and 504 were significantly up-regulated. The GO enrichment analysis results showed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in biological processes such as oxidative stress, inflammation, immunity and hypoxia, with cellular components mainly located in membranes, cytoplasm, and nucleus. Molecular functions were enriched in oxidoreductase activity, protein binding, and adenosine triphosphate binding. The KEGG enrichment analysis results showed that the DEGs were mainly involved in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B signaling pathway, cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling pathway, chemokine signaling pathway, and apoptosis signaling pathway. A total of 28 DEGs involved in the "oxidative stress response" pathway were screened by GO enrichment analysis. The qPCR verification results showed that the relative expression of DEGs carbonic anhydrase 3 (Car3), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (Mmp9), and MutY DNA glycosylase (Mutyh) involved in the "oxidative stress response" of lung tissues in the silicosis model group were lower than those of the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion Oxidative stress response exists in silicosis patients. The oxidative stress-related genes Car3, Mmp9, and Mutyh are altered in the mouse lung tissues of the silicosis model through the oxidative stress pathway, suggesting that they could be new targets for the treatment of silicosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the carrier rate for thalassemia mutations in the ethnic Miao population of Qianxinan Prefecture. METHODS: Ethnic Miao people suspected for thalassemia trait at the People's Hospital of Qianxinan Prefecture, Guizhou Province between November 2020 to September 2024 were selected as the study subjects. Gap-PCR technology combined with high-throughput sequencing was used to screen a total of 666 individuals. ArcMap v10.8.2 was used to create a spatial distribution map of thalassemia based on the screening results. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: 2016-01). RESULTS: In total 254 positive cases were detected, with an overall positive rate of 38.14%. Among these, 173 cases were α-thalassemia (25.98%), 77 cases were β-thalassemia (11.56%), and 4 cases were αβ compound thalassemia (0.60%). The most common genotypes for α-thalassemia were αα/--^SEA (positive rate = 10.06%, accounting for 38.73%), αα/-α^3.7 (positive rate = 8.86%, accounting for 34.10%), and α^CSα/αα (positive rate = 4.95%, accounting for 19.08%). The most common genotypes for β-thalassemia were β^41/42(-TTCT)/β^A (positive rate = 5.11%, accounting for 44.16%) and β^{17 (A>T)}/β^A(positive rate = 4.20%, accounting for 36.36%), with these two genotypes accounting for as much as 80.52%. The spatial distribution map indicated that the highest overall detection rate of thalassemia and α-thalassemia in the Miao population of Qianxinan Prefecture was in Xingyi City. The highest detection rate of β-thalassemia was in Zhenfeng County, and the highest detection rate of αβ compound thalassemia was in Wangmo County. CONCLUSION The detection rate of thalassemia among the ethnic Miaos from Qianxinan Prefecture is relatively high, which primarily consisted of α-thalassemia. Regular monitoring and educational outreach should be conducted.
Humans ; China/ethnology* ; Female ; Male ; Genetic Testing ; Adult ; alpha-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Thalassemia/ethnology* ; Ethnicity/genetics* ; Genotype ; beta-Thalassemia/ethnology* ; Adolescent ; Mutation ; Middle Aged ; Child ; Asian People/genetics* ; Young Adult

Objective Through molecular genetics analysis of a calculi family lineage,this study aims to explore its pathogenesis and the association between genotypes and phenotypes.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on a calculi family lineage admitted to Tongji Hospital,affiliated with Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology.Clinical data and peripheral blood samples of the affected children and some family members were collected.Whole exome sequencing was performed,followed by Sanger sequencing to validate the candidate variants.Results Among the 38 family members across four generations,10 members were diagnosed with calculi disease.The second generation,member 2(Ⅱ-2),third generation,member 2(Ⅲ-2),and third generation,member 4(Ⅲ-4)suffered from recurrent multiple kidney stones and gallstones.The second generation,member 6(Ⅱ-6),second generation,member 13(Ⅱ-13),and third generation,member 5(Ⅲ-5)had recurrent multiple kidney stones alone,while first generation,member 2(Ⅰ-2),second generation,member 4(Ⅱ-4),second generation,member 8(Ⅱ-8),and second generation,member 11(Ⅱ-11)only had gallstones.No other family members exhibited any signs of kidney or gallbladder involvement.Ⅱ-2 was diagnosed in 2018 with end-stage renal disease stage 5,grade 3 hypertension and gallstones,urinary amino acid high-performance liquid chromatography analysis indicated elevated urinary cystine.This member had a history of recurrent multiple kidney stones and recurrent urinary tract infections for over 30 years,with multiple histories of ureteroscopic stone removal.Genetic analysis revealed that Ⅱ-2,Ⅲ-2,Ⅲ-4,Ⅲ-5 and Ⅳ-1 all carry a heterozygous mutation in exon 10 of the solute carrier family 3 member 1(SLC3A1)gene,c.1889G＞A(p.Gly630Asp).The third generation,member 1(Ⅲ-1),and fourth generation,member 2(Ⅳ-2),are wild type.This mutation shows a phenomenon of family co-segregation.Conclusions The heterozygous mutation of SLC3A1 gene,c.1889G＞A,may be the genetic cause of calculi disease in multiple members of this family lineage.Recurrent multiple kidney stones and/or gallstones require high attention to genetic etiology.It is recommended to perform genetic analysis on calculi family lineages and patients with early-onset calculi disease.

Objective To explore the effect of visual deprivation training combined with proprioceptive training on balance function of hemiplegic patients after stroke.Methods A total of 80 stroke patients with hemiplegia in Jiangsu Shengze Hospital were selected from May,2022 to March,2024,and randomly divided into control group(n=20),proprioceptive training group(n=20),visual de-privation group(n=20)and combined group(n=20).All the groups received routine rehabilitation training,while the proprioceptive training group added proprioceptive training,the visual deprivation group added balance training under visual deprivation,and the combined group added visual deprivation training and proprioceptive training,for four weeks.They were assessed with ProKin Balance Test and Training System,Berg Balance Scale(BBS),10-metre walking test(10MWT),Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremities(FMA-LE)and Functional Gait Assessment(FGA)before and after treatment.Results The intra-group effect(F>96.618,P<0.001)and interaction effect(F>5.444,P<0.01)were significant in mean longitudinal velocity and mean horizontal velocity.The intra-group effect(F>177.671,P<0.001),inter-group effect(F>3.761,P<0.05)and interaction effect(F>7.555,P<0.001)were significant in movement el-lipse area and movement length both with eyes open and closed.The intra-group effect(F>221.902,P<0.001)and interaction effect(F>7.586,P<0.001)were significant in the time of 10MWT,and the scores of BBS,FMA-LE and FGA;and the inter-group effect were significant in FGA score(F=5.258,P<0.01).Post Hoc test showed that all the indicators were better in the combined group and the visual deprivation group than in the con-trol group(P<0.05);as well as in the proprioceptive training group than in the control group(P<0.05)except mean longitudinal velocity with eyes open,mean horizontal velocity with eyes closed,and movement length with eyes open;while all the indicators were better in the combined group than both in the visual deprivation group and the proprioceptive training group(P<0.05);there was no significant difference between the visual depriva-tion group and the proprioceptive training group for all the indicators(P>0.05).Conclusion Both visual deprivation training and proprioceptive training can improve balance,lower limb motor function and walking of hemiplegic stroke patients,and the combination is more effective.