Objective: To explore a simple, effective, and safe method for excluding false positives and identifying infections by comprehensively evaluating blood donors with reactive HIV screening results, thereby providing a basis for developing management strategies for such donors. Methods: HIV testing data of blood donors from our laboratory from January 2022 to December 2024 were collected. The results of ELISA and nucleic acid testing (NAT) were combined with confirmatory results from the CDC and analyzed. Results: A total of 605 929 samples were tested for HIV over the three-year period, with 682 reactive samples (reactive rate: 11.25 per 10 000). All were sent to the CDC for Western blot (WB) confirmation, resulting in 53 confirmed positives ((confirmed positive rate: 7.77%). Among these, 619 samples showed isolated HIV Ag&Ab reactivity with non-reactive NAT (HIV Ag&Ab+-&HIV RNA or NAT NR), with a confirmed infection rate of 0%; 9 samples showed dual HIV Ag&Ab reactivity with non-reactive NAT (HIV Ag&Ab++&HIV RNA NR or NAT NR), also with 0% confirmed infection; 52 samples showed dual HIV Ag&Ab reactivity and reactive NAT (HIV Ag&Ab++&HIV RNA R or NAT R), all confirmed as positive (100% infection rate); and 2 HIV Ag&Ab dual-reactive samples without NAT detection were also confirmed infected (100%). For all four HIV Ag&Ab assays, the S/CO values in the true positive group with dual reactivity were significantly higher than those in the false-positive groups (P<0.05). The S/CO distributions for both single-reactive false positives and dual-reactive false positives were narrow, with the upper box (Q3, 75th percentile) below optimal cutoff values in all cases (The optimal cutoff values for the four reagents were 5.00, 11.67, 8.50, and 20.90, respectively). Conclusion: Blood donors with positive NAT results in HIV blood screening are permanently deferred. Donors with dual positive HIV Ag&Ab but negative NAT results are classified and managed based on the S/CO values of HIV Ag&Ab and the optimal screening thresholds. Donors with single positive HIV Ag&Ab but negative NAT results are placed under evaluation status and retain their eligibility to donate blood. Optimizing the management measures for blood donors and establishing a scientific stratified management and assessment mechanism can effectively maintain the stability of the blood donor team.

This study identified the types and pathogen carrying status of fleas on the surface of sheep in some areas of southern Xinjiang,and analyzed the genetic evolution differences with respect to related pathogens.The aim was to provide a reference for the local prevention and control of fleas and insect borne infectious diseases.A total of 1 586 fleas were collected from agricultural and pas-toral areas of Tumushuke City and Hotan Prefecture.Flea species were identified on the basis of morphology and the Pulex irritans mi-tochondrial COII gene.Flea DNA was extracted,and PCR was conducted to amplify the Bartonella gltA gene;Arsenophonus,Ana-plasma,Ehrlichia,and Wolbachia 16S rRNA genes;RickettsiaOmpA,17kDa,16S rRNA genes,and Yersinia pestis 16S rDNA gene.The amplified products were sequenced,and the homology of the genes of the three detected pathogens(gltA gene of Bartonella,16S rRNA gene of Wolbachia,and Anaplasma phagocytophilum)with respect to known corresponding genes of the same pathogen in Gen-Bank was analyzed.Phylogenetic trees were constructed with the adjacency method in MEGA 11.0.According to morphological and mo-lecular biology identification results,all fleas collected in this study were Pulex irritans.PCR indicated that the target gene fragments had been added to the mitochondrial COII,BartonellagltA,Wolbachia,and autophagosomal 16S rRNA genes of human fleas,all of which were consistent with the expected fragment sizes.Target bands were not amplified from Ehrlichia,Arsenophonus,spotted fever group Rickettsia,and Yersinia pestis.According to homology and genetic evolution analysis of human flea mitochondrial COII and the corresponding genes of the above-described pathogens,the COX2 gene(ON455234.1)of human fleas in Tumushuke city and Iran ob-tained in this study showed the highest homology(99.84%).The COII gene(NC_063709.1)of human fleas in Hetan City and Hunan region showed the highest homology(100%).Our findings further confirmed that the flea species was Pulex irritans.The PCR amplifi-cation results indicated that the collected Pulex irritans carried multiple pathogens,among which Bartonella and Wolbachia had the highest infection rates,and the infection rate with Anaplasma phagocytophilum was relatively low.This study is the first to discover flea species on the surface of sheep in some areas of southern Xinjiang.Our findings preliminarily confirmed that Bartonella,Wolba-chia,and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are the main Pulex irritans pathogens.

Objective:To analyze the morphology and molecular biology of Rhodococcus erythropolis isolated from blood culture, and clarify its microbiological characteristics, clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods:Strain F1069 was isolated and cultured. Then, it was analyzed by morphology, physiological tests, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS), 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing analysis.Results:The colonies of Rhodococcus erythropolis were light yellow, moist, round, and raised, and had neatly-edged margins after being cultured for 48 h. They could turn orange-red after a prolonged cultivation time. The strain was gram-positive bacillus without spores and was negative in acid-fast staining. The strain was identified as Rhodococcus erythropolis by MALDI-TOF MS, and the result was confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The F1069 strain contained the RbpA resistance gene and multiple virulence genes. Conclusions:Cases of Rhodococcus erythropolis infection are rare. The diagnosis of such cases depends on the pathogen detection results, especially molecular biology methods. A definitive diagnosis enables rapid guidance for clinical anti-infection treatment.

Objective To explore the intervention effect of remote hypertension health management mode with"Dayi Jiankangxing"as the core on hypertension patients.Methods Patients with primary hypertension who were treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College from January 2023 to January 2024 were divided into control group and intervention group by random number table method,with 101 cases in each group.The patients in control group were managed with traditional hypertension management,while the patients in intervention group were managed with a remote hypertension mode centered on"Dayi Jiankangxing".After 6 months of management,the blood pressure compliance rate,quality of life and medication compliance of two groups were compared.Results After 6 months,the blood pressure compliance rate of intervention group was significantly higher than that of control group(60.4％vs.40.6％,x2=7.922,P=0.005).The medication compliance of patients in intervention group was significantly higher than that in control group(x2=7.371,P=0.025).The scores of physiological function,general health status,energy,social function,emotional function and mental health of patients in intervention group were significantly higher than those in control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The remote hypertension health management mode with"Dayi Jiankangxing"as the core is helpful for hypertension patients to control blood pressure,improve medication compliance and improve quality of life.

Objective To investigate the effects of meridian and tendon acupuncture on the mitochondrial apoptosis of quadriceps femoris muscle cells in model rats of knee osteoarthritis(KOA);To explore its mechanism for the treatment of KOA.Methods Totally 40 SPF healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group(10 rats)and modeling group(30 rats).The modified Hulth method was used to establish a KOA rat model.The model rats were randomly divided into model group,celecoxib group and meridian and tendon acupuncture group,with 9 rats in each group.Corresponding intervention measures were given to each group for 14 consecutive days.Improved Lequesne MG score was used for evaluating knee joint function in rats,measuring thigh circumference,quadriceps femoris wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate and wet weight ratio of the affected limb,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of quadriceps femoris tissue,TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis of quadriceps femoris cells,immunofluorescence was used to detect the expressions of reactive oxygen species(ROS),superoxide dismutase(SOD),Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris muscle tissue,fluorescence double staining method was used to detect the co-expression of ROS and Caspase-3 in quadriceps femoris tissue,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of apoptosis related proteins in quadriceps femoris tissue.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the improved Lequesne MG score of the knee joint in the model group rats increased(P<0.05),the circumference of the thigh,wet weight of the quadriceps femoris,wet weight maintenance rate and wet weight ratio of the affected limb decreased(P<0.05),the arrangement of quadriceps femoris muscle fibers was disordered and loose,with some muscle fibers dissolved and necrotic,accompanied by a large amount of inflammatory exudate,an increase in lymphocytes,and an increase in cell apoptosis index(P<0.05),the expressions of ROS,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris tissue increased,while the expression of SOD decreased(P<0.05),the protein expressions of Bcl-2,Bcl-XL,Bax,Cytochrome C(CytC),Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris tissue increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the improved Lequesne MG scores of the knee joint in the celecoxib group and the meridian and tendon acupuncture group decreased(P<0.05),while thigh circumference,quadriceps femoris wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,wet weight ratio increased(P<0.05),the structure of quadriceps femoris muscle fibers was normal,the muscle membrane was relatively intact,the apoptosis index decreased(P<0.05),the expressions of ROS,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris tissue decreased,while the expression of SOD increased(P<0.05),the protein expressions of Bcl-2,Bcl-XL,Bax,CytC,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris muscle tissue decreased(P<0.05),and the expression trend of ROS and Caspase-3 in fluorescent double staining was consistent.Conclusion Meridian and tendon acupuncture can reduce ROS in the quadriceps femoris tissue of KOA model rats,inhibit the expressions of mitochondrial apoptosis-related proteins,thereby improving skeletal muscle strength,and play a certain therapeutic role.

Objective To explore the mechanism of acupuncture protection of quadriceps muscle cells in knee osteoarthritis model rats based on Piezo1/YAP/Caspase3 axis.Methods 40 SPF grade Wistar rats were selected and adaptively fed for 7 days before being divided into three groups:sham surgery group,model group,western medicine group,and acupuncture group,with 10 rats in each group,according to a random control table.The model group,Western medicine group,and acupuncture group used the modified Hulth method to construct knee osteoarthritis models,while the sham surgery group only cut open the joint cavity and sutured it.After successful model replication,the sham surgery group was given physiological saline by gavage,the western medicine group was given celecoxib solution by gavage,and the acupuncture group was given acupuncture at the infrapatellar,crane top,and blood sea levels.Each group was intervened once a day for 14 consecutive days.During the treatment period,the rats continued to undergo treadmill training.After the intervention,the hematoxylin eosin staining method(HE)was used to detect the morphological changes of various rat quadriceps muscle tissues and articular cartilage;TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis of quadriceps muscle cells,immunofluorescence method was used to detect the protein expression of Piezo1,YAP,and p-YAP in quadriceps muscle cells,Western blot method was used to detect the expression of anti apoptotic proteins CTGF,AREG,Gli2,AFP in quadriceps muscle tissue,as well as the protein expression levels of apoptosis related proteins Bcl-2,Bcl-xl,Bax,cytc,and Caspase3.Results Compared with the model group,the western medicine group and the acupuncture group had higher thigh circumference,quadriceps wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,and wet weight to body weight ratio(P<0.05).Compared with the western medicine group,the acupuncture group had higher thigh circumference,quadriceps wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,and wet weight to body weight ratio(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the apoptosis index of the quadriceps muscle in the Western medicine group and acupuncture group rats was lower,and the apoptosis index of the quadriceps muscle in the acupuncture group was lower(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the Western medicine group and acupuncture group showed higher expression of Piezo1 and p-YAP proteins in the quadriceps femoris muscle tissue,lower expression of YAP protein,higher expression of CTGF,AREG,Gli2,AFP proteins,higher expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl proteins,and lower expression of Bax,cytc,and Caspase3 proteins(P<0.05).Compared with the Western medicine group,the acupuncture group showed higher expression of Piezo1 and p-YAP proteins in the quadriceps muscle tissue,lower expression of YAP protein,higher expression of CTGF,AREG,Gli2,AFP proteins,higher expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl proteins,and lower expression of Bax,cytc,and Caspase3 proteins(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture increases the expression of Piezo1 protein in the quadriceps femoris muscle of knee osteoarthritis model rats,promotes the phosphorylation of YAP into the nucleus,thereby promoting proliferation,anti apoptotic proteins CTGF,AREG,Gli2,and AFP protein expression,inhibiting Caspase3-dependent mitochondrial apoptosis,and protecting muscle cells.

Objective To translate the English version of communicative effectiveness index(CETI)into Chinese and validate its reliability and validity for use in the elderly population.Methods The English version of CETI was translated into Chinese and back-translated using the Brislin translation model.After adjustments and pilot testing,a Chinese version of CETI was created.Between January and March 2024,a total of 395 elderly individuals aged 60 years and over were recruited from Jiangsu and Henan Provinces via convenience sampling.A total of 30 elderly people were retested with the Chinese version of CETI after two weeks of primary test to assess the reliability and validity of the scale.Results The Chinese version of CETI comprised two dimensions:conversational comprehensibility(5 items)and conversational initiative(4 items).The Cronbach α coefficient of the scale was 0.831with the split-half reliability 0.785 and the test-retest reliability 0.909.The Cronbach α coefficients of each dimension ranged from 0.641 to 0.778.The test-retest reliability of each dimension ranged from 0.889 to 0.936.The KMO value of exploratory factor analysis was 0.893,Bartlett's sphericity test valueχ 2=583.291(P<0.01),and the total explanatory rate of variation was 63.305%.Conclusion The Chinese version of CETI has good reliability and validity.It is suitable to be used in the assessment of the status of verbal communicative function in the elderly.

Objective To explore the mechanism of acupuncture protection of quadriceps muscle cells in knee osteoarthritis model rats based on Piezo1/YAP/Caspase3 axis.Methods 40 SPF grade Wistar rats were selected and adaptively fed for 7 days before being divided into three groups:sham surgery group,model group,western medicine group,and acupuncture group,with 10 rats in each group,according to a random control table.The model group,Western medicine group,and acupuncture group used the modified Hulth method to construct knee osteoarthritis models,while the sham surgery group only cut open the joint cavity and sutured it.After successful model replication,the sham surgery group was given physiological saline by gavage,the western medicine group was given celecoxib solution by gavage,and the acupuncture group was given acupuncture at the infrapatellar,crane top,and blood sea levels.Each group was intervened once a day for 14 consecutive days.During the treatment period,the rats continued to undergo treadmill training.After the intervention,the hematoxylin eosin staining method(HE)was used to detect the morphological changes of various rat quadriceps muscle tissues and articular cartilage;TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis of quadriceps muscle cells,immunofluorescence method was used to detect the protein expression of Piezo1,YAP,and p-YAP in quadriceps muscle cells,Western blot method was used to detect the expression of anti apoptotic proteins CTGF,AREG,Gli2,AFP in quadriceps muscle tissue,as well as the protein expression levels of apoptosis related proteins Bcl-2,Bcl-xl,Bax,cytc,and Caspase3.Results Compared with the model group,the western medicine group and the acupuncture group had higher thigh circumference,quadriceps wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,and wet weight to body weight ratio(P<0.05).Compared with the western medicine group,the acupuncture group had higher thigh circumference,quadriceps wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,and wet weight to body weight ratio(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the apoptosis index of the quadriceps muscle in the Western medicine group and acupuncture group rats was lower,and the apoptosis index of the quadriceps muscle in the acupuncture group was lower(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the Western medicine group and acupuncture group showed higher expression of Piezo1 and p-YAP proteins in the quadriceps femoris muscle tissue,lower expression of YAP protein,higher expression of CTGF,AREG,Gli2,AFP proteins,higher expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl proteins,and lower expression of Bax,cytc,and Caspase3 proteins(P<0.05).Compared with the Western medicine group,the acupuncture group showed higher expression of Piezo1 and p-YAP proteins in the quadriceps muscle tissue,lower expression of YAP protein,higher expression of CTGF,AREG,Gli2,AFP proteins,higher expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl proteins,and lower expression of Bax,cytc,and Caspase3 proteins(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture increases the expression of Piezo1 protein in the quadriceps femoris muscle of knee osteoarthritis model rats,promotes the phosphorylation of YAP into the nucleus,thereby promoting proliferation,anti apoptotic proteins CTGF,AREG,Gli2,and AFP protein expression,inhibiting Caspase3-dependent mitochondrial apoptosis,and protecting muscle cells.

This study identified the types and pathogen carrying status of fleas on the surface of sheep in some areas of southern Xinjiang,and analyzed the genetic evolution differences with respect to related pathogens.The aim was to provide a reference for the local prevention and control of fleas and insect borne infectious diseases.A total of 1 586 fleas were collected from agricultural and pas-toral areas of Tumushuke City and Hotan Prefecture.Flea species were identified on the basis of morphology and the Pulex irritans mi-tochondrial COII gene.Flea DNA was extracted,and PCR was conducted to amplify the Bartonella gltA gene;Arsenophonus,Ana-plasma,Ehrlichia,and Wolbachia 16S rRNA genes;RickettsiaOmpA,17kDa,16S rRNA genes,and Yersinia pestis 16S rDNA gene.The amplified products were sequenced,and the homology of the genes of the three detected pathogens(gltA gene of Bartonella,16S rRNA gene of Wolbachia,and Anaplasma phagocytophilum)with respect to known corresponding genes of the same pathogen in Gen-Bank was analyzed.Phylogenetic trees were constructed with the adjacency method in MEGA 11.0.According to morphological and mo-lecular biology identification results,all fleas collected in this study were Pulex irritans.PCR indicated that the target gene fragments had been added to the mitochondrial COII,BartonellagltA,Wolbachia,and autophagosomal 16S rRNA genes of human fleas,all of which were consistent with the expected fragment sizes.Target bands were not amplified from Ehrlichia,Arsenophonus,spotted fever group Rickettsia,and Yersinia pestis.According to homology and genetic evolution analysis of human flea mitochondrial COII and the corresponding genes of the above-described pathogens,the COX2 gene(ON455234.1)of human fleas in Tumushuke city and Iran ob-tained in this study showed the highest homology(99.84%).The COII gene(NC_063709.1)of human fleas in Hetan City and Hunan region showed the highest homology(100%).Our findings further confirmed that the flea species was Pulex irritans.The PCR amplifi-cation results indicated that the collected Pulex irritans carried multiple pathogens,among which Bartonella and Wolbachia had the highest infection rates,and the infection rate with Anaplasma phagocytophilum was relatively low.This study is the first to discover flea species on the surface of sheep in some areas of southern Xinjiang.Our findings preliminarily confirmed that Bartonella,Wolba-chia,and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are the main Pulex irritans pathogens.

Objective:To analyze the morphology and molecular biology of Rhodococcus erythropolis isolated from blood culture, and clarify its microbiological characteristics, clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods:Strain F1069 was isolated and cultured. Then, it was analyzed by morphology, physiological tests, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS), 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing analysis.Results:The colonies of Rhodococcus erythropolis were light yellow, moist, round, and raised, and had neatly-edged margins after being cultured for 48 h. They could turn orange-red after a prolonged cultivation time. The strain was gram-positive bacillus without spores and was negative in acid-fast staining. The strain was identified as Rhodococcus erythropolis by MALDI-TOF MS, and the result was confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The F1069 strain contained the RbpA resistance gene and multiple virulence genes. Conclusions:Cases of Rhodococcus erythropolis infection are rare. The diagnosis of such cases depends on the pathogen detection results, especially molecular biology methods. A definitive diagnosis enables rapid guidance for clinical anti-infection treatment.