Objective: To analyze the results of national external quality assessment (EQA) for transfusion compatibility test from 2018 to 2023, with the aim of providing references for improving laboratory testing quality and ensuring the safety of clinical blood transfusion. Methods: Three EQA programs were conducted annually, each distributing 22 quality assessment samples. Participating transfusion laboratories were required to complete testing within specified deadlines and to submit results along with documentation of testing methodologies, reagents, and equipment used. National Center for Clinical Laboratories (NCCL) conducted statistical analysis of laboratory results, evaluated testing outcomes and related circumstances, and provided feedback to participating laboratories. EQA data from transfusion laboratories across China from 2018 to 2023 were collected and systematically analyzed. Results: From 2018 to 2023, the qualification rates for all five items (ABO forward typing, ABO reverse typing, Rh blood group typing, antibody screening, and cross-matching) were 67.59%, 77.11%, 77.38%, 72.78%, 79.96%, and 85.16%, respectively. The mean qualification rates for ABO forward typing, ABO reverse typing, RhD blood group typing, antibody screening, and cross-matching over the past six years were 96.25%±0.59%, 90.45%±4.52%, 96.05%±0.71%, 90.88%±2.86%, and 88.34%±3.48%, respectively. The qualification rates in 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023 all showed a stable trend of "blood stations>tertiary hospitals>secondary hospitals". The mean qualification rate of laboratories in secondary hospitals from 2018 to 2023 was significantly lower than those of laboratories in tertiary hospitals and blood stations (P<0.05), while no significant difference was observed between laboratories in tertiary hospitals and blood stations (P>0.05). The micro column agglutination method was the most widely used in all five tests. In the four test items, namely ABO forward typing, ABO reverse typing, antibody screening, and cross-matching, there was a statistically significant difference in the qualification rate of micro column agglutination method compared to other methods (P<0.05). There was a statistical difference in the qualification rate between manual and automated detection using micro column agglutination method in the cross-matching tests (P<0.05), whereas no significant difference was noted for the other test items (P>0.05). Conclusion: From 2018 to 2023, the number of laboratories participating in EQA activities has been increasing year by year, and the qualification rate has shown an overall upward trend. The type of laboratory is a key factor affecting the qualification rate, and the testing capabilities of some laboratories still need to be improved. The micro column agglutination method is widely used in transfusion compatibility tests. The established EQA program effectively monitors quality issues in laboratories, drives continuous improvement, and ensures sustained enhancement of testing standards to safeguard clinical blood safety.

Objective To explore the level of energy balance related protein antibody,adropin,and its correlation with collateral circulation status in elderly patients with AMI.Methods A total of 193 elderly AMI patients admitted to our department from February 2022 to February 2024 were enrolled,and based on their collateral circulation status,they were divided into a good circulation group(121 cases)and a poor circulation group(72 cases).The level of adropin was determined.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the influencing factors of poor collateral circulation in elderly AMI patients.Results The poor circulation group had significantly larger proportion of hypertension,higher fasting blood glucose(FBG),and larger red blood cell distribution width(RDW),but lower adropin level and mean platelet volume(MPV)when com-pared with the good circulation group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analy-sis showed that adropin,FBG,RDW,MPV,and hypertension were all influencing factors for poor collateral circulation in elderly AMI patients(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The AUC value of adropin,FBG,RDW,MPV,and hypertension was 0.810,0.762,0.761,0.715 and 0.563,respectively in pre-dicting poor collateral circulation.Among them,adropin level had the highest predictive value(P＜0.01).Conclusion The decrease in adropin level in elderly AMI patients is closely associated with poor collateral circulation,and it is a predictive factor for collateral circulation.

Objectives:To analyze the clinical characteristics,strategies,success and complication rates of lead extraction and re-implantation during the upgrade of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices(CIED)in non-infectious patients.Methods:This retrospective study collected and analyzed the baseline clinical data and surgical data of 66 non-infected patients who had their existing CIEDs(including cardiac pacemaker,implantable cardioverter defibrillator[ICD],cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker[CRT-P])upgraded to ICD or CRT-P or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator(CRT-D)or subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator(S-ICD)in Peking University People's Hospital from March 2018 to March 2024.We analyzed the strategies of lead extraction and reimplantation as well as the operation success rate and complication rate.Results:Among the 66 patients,preoperative imaging revealed that 12 patients(18.2%)had severe stenosis/occlusion of the venous access route,with lead wear/perforation in 26 patients(39.4%).32 patients(48.5%)underwent transvenous lead extraction(TLE),of which all leads were removed in 27 patients(84.4%),and only non-functional leads were removed in 5 patients(15.6%).The success rate of the TLE procedure was 100%and no complication occurred.Among the 66 patients,functional leads retained and new leads were implanted on the same side in 28 patients(42.4%),all leads were removed and new leads were reimplanted on the opposite side in 22 patients(33.3%),only non-functional leads were removed and new leads were reimplanted on the same side in 5 patients(7.6%),all leads were removed and new leads were reimplanted on the same side in 5 patients(7.6%),and 6 patients(9.1%)had the leads abandoned and then were re-implanled.The success rate of the upgrade surgery was 100%,no complications were reported.Conclusions:When the existing CIEDs(including cardiac pacemaker,ICD,CRT-P)of non-infected patients are upgraded to ICD,CRT-P,CRT-D or S-ICD,lead extraction and reimplantation are safe and feasible,and reimplantation can be performed on the ipsilateral or contralateral side.

Objective To explore the clinical value of three-dimensional(3D)fracture mapping in improving the consistency of Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen(AO)/the Orthopaedic Trauma Association(OTA)classification and optimizing preoperative surgical planning for Pilon fractures.Methods This single-center retrospective cohort study included 60 Pilon fracture patients admitted to the Trauma Emergency Center of the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University between January 2022 and December 2024.All patients underwent preoperative computed tomography(CT)scans.Image standardization and expert manual segmentation/annotation of fracture lines and fragments were performed with 3D Slicer software.3D fracture lines extracted from gold-standard models were registered to a unified standard tibial model.A 3D probability heatmap was constructed by counting spatial fracture frequency,with high-incidence zones analyzed via spatial clustering algorithms.Three orthopedic surgeons independently completed AO/OTA classification and preoperative planning with the assistance of conventional CT only and CT with 3D fracture mapping.Accuracy,time consumption,inter-observer consistency(Cohen's κ),planning time,plan modification frequency,and subjective scores were evaluated.Results The 3D fracture heatmap revealed that fracture lines predominantly concentrated in the anterolateral and posteromedial regions of the distal tibia,with an average of(4.2±1.1)hotspots,a coverage rate of(78.3±5.6)%,and(3.5±1.0)clustering areas.With 3D fracture mapping assistance,classification accuracy was improved to(88.0±5.0)%compared to(75.0±8.0)%with conventional CT(P=0.001);classification time reduced to(10.4±2.5)min from(15.2±3.1)min(P<0.001);and Cohen's κ increased from 0.68±0.05 to 0.82±0.03(P=0.002).For preoperative planning,the average planning time was(15.8±3.2)min in the 3D mapping-assisted group,which was significantly shorter than that of conventional CT group(22.5±4.3)min(P<0.001);the number of plan modifications was(1.5±0.7)times,lower than that of conventional CT group(3.2±1.1)times(P<0.001),and the subjective score was 8.9±0.9,higher than that of conventional CT group(6.8±1.2)(P<0.001).Conclusion The 3D fracture mapping accurately characterizes spatial distribution patterns of Pilon fractures,significantly improves classification accuracy,inter-observer consistency,and preoperative planning efficiency,and thus holds substantial clinical value.

Objective: The CT/MRI Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) demonstrates high specificity with relatively limited sensitivity for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. This study aimed to explore the possibility of improving sensitivity by combining CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 with second-line contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) LI-RADS v2017 using sulfur hexafluoride (SHF) or perfluorobutane (PFB). Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected multicenter data included high-risk patients with treatment-naive hepatic observations. The reference standard was pathological confirmation or a composite reference standard (only for benign lesions). Each participant underwent concurrent CT/MRI, SHF-enhanced US, and PFB-enhanced US examinations. The diagnostic performances for HCC of CT/MRI LI-RADS alone and three combination strategies (combining CT/ MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or a modified algorithm incorporating the Kupffer-phase findings for PFB [modified PFB]) were evaluated. For the three combination strategies, apart from the CT/MRI LR-5 criteria, HCC was diagnosed if CT/MRI LR-3 or LR-4 observations met the LR-5 criteria using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB. Results: In total, 281 participants (237 males; mean age, 55 ± 11 years) with 306 observations (227 HCCs, 40 non-HCC malignancies, and 39 benign lesions) were included. Using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, and modified PFB, 20, 23, and 31 CT/MRI LR-3/4 observations, respectively, were reclassified as LR-5, and all were pathologically confirmed as HCCs. Compared to CT/MRI LI-RADS alone (74%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 68%–79%), the three combination strategies combining CT/MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB increased sensitivity (83% [95% CI: 77%–87%], 84% [95% CI: 79%–89%], 88% [95% CI: 83%–92%], respectively; all P < 0.001), while maintaining the specificity at 92% (95% CI: 84%–97%). Conclusion The combination of CT/MRI LI-RADS with second-line CEUS using SHF or PFB improved the sensitivity of HCC diagnosis without compromising specificity.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and disruptive effects of Meropenem（MEM）-loaded microbubbles（MBs）combined with ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction（UTMD）technology on Escherichia coli and its biofilm.Methods:MEM-MBs were prepared using the thin-film hydration method，and their characterization was assessed using a Zeta potential analyzer，with morphological observations conducted under an optical microscope. An in vitro biofilm model of periprosthetic joint infection（PJI）caused by Escherichia coli was constructed，and the morphology of the biofilm and the distribution of MEM-MBs in the bacterial biofilm were observed under a laser confocal microscope after staining the biofilm with SYTO59 staining and DIL staining for Microbubbles. The biofilm morphology and the distribution of MEM-MBs in bacterial biofilm were observed under laser confocal microscope. The biofilms were randomly divided into 5 groups using a random number table：control，Meropenem（MEM），MEM-MBs，UTMD，and MEM-MBs+UTMD，with 12 samples per group. After applying the respective interventions，scanning electron microscopy（SEM）and laser scanning confocal microscopy（LSCM）were employed to observe the effects on the morphology and structure of Escherichia coli and its biofilm. Crystal violet staining was utilized to determine and compare the biofilm density among groups using a microplate reader. LSCM was also used to observe the biofilm thickness，while both LSCM and spread plate counting were employed to assess bacterial viability differences across groups.Results:①MEM-MBs meeting the experimental requirements were successfully constructed.②A dense Escherichia coli biofilm visible under both the naked eye and LSCM was established，with a thickness of（10.61 ± 0.17）μm and a proportion of dead bacteria within the biofilm of（16.8 ± 0.8）%.③MEM-MBs were observed to penetrate into all layers of the biofilm using LSCM.④The results of crystal violet staining showed a decreasing trend in the biofilm density of the control group，the MEM group，the MEM-MBs group，the UTMD group，and the MEM-MBs+UTMD group. There was no significant difference between the MEM group and the MEM-MBs group（ P＞0.05），while there was a significant difference in biofilm density between the other groups，as revealed by pairwise comparison（all P＜0.05）.⑤UTMD technique and MEM-MBs+UTMD could significantly disrupt the biofilm of Escherichia coli. LSCM results showed that，compared to the control group，the thickness of the biofilm was reduced in all other groups，with only the UTMD group and the MEM-MBs+UTMD group showing an increase in porosity（both P＜0.05）. In comparison with the MEM group and the MEM-MBs group，the UTMD group showed an increase in porosity，while the MEM-MBs+UTMD group had a decrease in biofilm thickness and an increase in porosity（both P＜0.05）. Additionally，compared to the UTMD group，the MEM-MBs+UTMD group had a decrease in biofilm thickness and an increase in porosity（both P＜0.05），based on laser confocal microscopy results.⑥The results of the plate counting and LSCM showed that，compared with the control group，clump counts decreased，and the proportion of dead cells increased in the MEM group，the MEM-MBs group，and the MEM-MBs+UTMD group（all P＜0.05）. Compared with MEM group and MEM-MBs group，the clump counts of UTMD group increased，the proportion of dead cells decreased（all P＜0.05）；the clump counts of MEM-MBs+UTMD group decreased，and the proportion of dead cells increased（all P＜0.05）.Compared with UTMD group（all P＜0.05），the clump counts of MEM-MBs+UTMD group decreased，while the proportion of dead cells increased（all P＜0.05）.⑦The results of scanning electron microscopy revealed that the network structure of Escherichia coli was completely destroyed in the MEM-MBs+UTMD group. Conclusions:UTMD technology combined with MEM-MBs exerts a significant disruptive effect on the morphology and structure of Escherichia coli biofilm and significantly enhances bactericidal efficacy.

Objective: The CT/MRI Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) demonstrates high specificity with relatively limited sensitivity for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. This study aimed to explore the possibility of improving sensitivity by combining CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 with second-line contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) LI-RADS v2017 using sulfur hexafluoride (SHF) or perfluorobutane (PFB). Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected multicenter data included high-risk patients with treatment-naive hepatic observations. The reference standard was pathological confirmation or a composite reference standard (only for benign lesions). Each participant underwent concurrent CT/MRI, SHF-enhanced US, and PFB-enhanced US examinations. The diagnostic performances for HCC of CT/MRI LI-RADS alone and three combination strategies (combining CT/ MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or a modified algorithm incorporating the Kupffer-phase findings for PFB [modified PFB]) were evaluated. For the three combination strategies, apart from the CT/MRI LR-5 criteria, HCC was diagnosed if CT/MRI LR-3 or LR-4 observations met the LR-5 criteria using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB. Results: In total, 281 participants (237 males; mean age, 55 ± 11 years) with 306 observations (227 HCCs, 40 non-HCC malignancies, and 39 benign lesions) were included. Using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, and modified PFB, 20, 23, and 31 CT/MRI LR-3/4 observations, respectively, were reclassified as LR-5, and all were pathologically confirmed as HCCs. Compared to CT/MRI LI-RADS alone (74%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 68%–79%), the three combination strategies combining CT/MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB increased sensitivity (83% [95% CI: 77%–87%], 84% [95% CI: 79%–89%], 88% [95% CI: 83%–92%], respectively; all P < 0.001), while maintaining the specificity at 92% (95% CI: 84%–97%). Conclusion The combination of CT/MRI LI-RADS with second-line CEUS using SHF or PFB improved the sensitivity of HCC diagnosis without compromising specificity.

Objective: The CT/MRI Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) demonstrates high specificity with relatively limited sensitivity for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. This study aimed to explore the possibility of improving sensitivity by combining CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 with second-line contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) LI-RADS v2017 using sulfur hexafluoride (SHF) or perfluorobutane (PFB). Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected multicenter data included high-risk patients with treatment-naive hepatic observations. The reference standard was pathological confirmation or a composite reference standard (only for benign lesions). Each participant underwent concurrent CT/MRI, SHF-enhanced US, and PFB-enhanced US examinations. The diagnostic performances for HCC of CT/MRI LI-RADS alone and three combination strategies (combining CT/ MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or a modified algorithm incorporating the Kupffer-phase findings for PFB [modified PFB]) were evaluated. For the three combination strategies, apart from the CT/MRI LR-5 criteria, HCC was diagnosed if CT/MRI LR-3 or LR-4 observations met the LR-5 criteria using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB. Results: In total, 281 participants (237 males; mean age, 55 ± 11 years) with 306 observations (227 HCCs, 40 non-HCC malignancies, and 39 benign lesions) were included. Using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, and modified PFB, 20, 23, and 31 CT/MRI LR-3/4 observations, respectively, were reclassified as LR-5, and all were pathologically confirmed as HCCs. Compared to CT/MRI LI-RADS alone (74%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 68%–79%), the three combination strategies combining CT/MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB increased sensitivity (83% [95% CI: 77%–87%], 84% [95% CI: 79%–89%], 88% [95% CI: 83%–92%], respectively; all P < 0.001), while maintaining the specificity at 92% (95% CI: 84%–97%). Conclusion The combination of CT/MRI LI-RADS with second-line CEUS using SHF or PFB improved the sensitivity of HCC diagnosis without compromising specificity.

Objective: The CT/MRI Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) demonstrates high specificity with relatively limited sensitivity for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. This study aimed to explore the possibility of improving sensitivity by combining CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 with second-line contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) LI-RADS v2017 using sulfur hexafluoride (SHF) or perfluorobutane (PFB). Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected multicenter data included high-risk patients with treatment-naive hepatic observations. The reference standard was pathological confirmation or a composite reference standard (only for benign lesions). Each participant underwent concurrent CT/MRI, SHF-enhanced US, and PFB-enhanced US examinations. The diagnostic performances for HCC of CT/MRI LI-RADS alone and three combination strategies (combining CT/ MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or a modified algorithm incorporating the Kupffer-phase findings for PFB [modified PFB]) were evaluated. For the three combination strategies, apart from the CT/MRI LR-5 criteria, HCC was diagnosed if CT/MRI LR-3 or LR-4 observations met the LR-5 criteria using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB. Results: In total, 281 participants (237 males; mean age, 55 ± 11 years) with 306 observations (227 HCCs, 40 non-HCC malignancies, and 39 benign lesions) were included. Using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, and modified PFB, 20, 23, and 31 CT/MRI LR-3/4 observations, respectively, were reclassified as LR-5, and all were pathologically confirmed as HCCs. Compared to CT/MRI LI-RADS alone (74%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 68%–79%), the three combination strategies combining CT/MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB increased sensitivity (83% [95% CI: 77%–87%], 84% [95% CI: 79%–89%], 88% [95% CI: 83%–92%], respectively; all P < 0.001), while maintaining the specificity at 92% (95% CI: 84%–97%). Conclusion The combination of CT/MRI LI-RADS with second-line CEUS using SHF or PFB improved the sensitivity of HCC diagnosis without compromising specificity.

The armadillo repeat containing 5 (ARMC5) gene is part of a family of protein-coding genes that are rich in armadillo repeat sequences, are ubiquitously present in eukaryotes, and mediate interactions between proteins, playing roles in various cellular processes. Current research has demonstrated that reduced expression or absence of the ARMC5 gene in various tumor tissues can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation, thereby inducing a range of diseases. The ARMC5 gene was initially extensively studied in the context of bilateral macronodular adrenocortical disease (BMAD), with harmful pathogenic variants in ARMC5 identified in approximately 50% of BMAD patients. With advancing research, scientists have discovered that ARMC5 pathogenic variants may also have potential effects on other diseases and could be associated with increased susceptibility to certain cancers. This review aims to present the latest research progress on how the ARMC5 gene plays its role in tumors. It outlines the basic structure of ARMC5 and the regions where it functions, as well as the diseases currently proven to be associated with ARMC5. Moreover, some evidence suggests its relation to embryonic development and the regulation of immune system activity. In conclusion, the ARMC5 gene is a crucial focal point in genetic and medical research. Understanding its function and regulation is of great importance for the development of new therapeutic strategies related to diseases associated with its pathogenic variants.
Humans ; Neoplasms/genetics* ; Armadillo Domain Proteins/genetics* ; Animals ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Cytoskeletal Proteins/genetics* ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins/genetics*