Objective: To investigate the incidence of occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) in spouses of asymptomatic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected individuals in Shenzhen, China, and to analyze their serological and molecular characteristics and possible transmission routes, so as to propose refined strategies for blood safety. Methods: After rapid screening for HBsAg at the blood collection sites, samples from HBsAg-positive blood donors and their concurrently donating spouses were collected. All samples were tested for hepatitis B serological markers by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLI). Simultaneously, HBV nucleic acid extractiona, nested PCR amplification, gene sequencing of S and BCP/PC regions and qPCR were conducted. Results: A total of 112 samples were collected, including 56 from HBsAg positive donors and 56 from their spouses. All donors were confirmed as HBsAg+/DNA+/anti-HBc+, indicative of asymptomatic chronic hepatitis (CHB) infection. Among their 56 spouses, 11 (19.6%) were identified as HBV DNA+. The prevalence was higher in males (23.1%) than in females (16.7%). Six spouses (10.8%) had OBI, three of whom (5.4%) were negative in routine blood screening tests. The residual risk of HBV were estimated as 1∶127 (95%CI, 1∶356 to 1∶66). Among infected couples, immune escape mutation (E164D) and glycosylation mutations (I126T and T131N/M133T) were identified. Furthermore, sequence analysis suggested partner-to-partner transmission in eight cases. Conclusion: A substantial proportion (19.6%) of spouses of asymptomatic HBV infected donors were HBV-positve, with an OBI prevalence of 10.9%. Among these, 5.4% were negative in routine tests. To ensure blood safety, we recommend that spouses of HBV infected individuals be deferred from blood donation.

AIM: To investigate the correlation between serum Sestrin 2(SESN2), signal peptide, CUB and EGF-like domain-containing protein 1(SCUBE-1), and longpentraxin 3(PTX3)levels, with disease severity and prognosis in patients with diabetes macular edema(DME). METHODS:Prospective study. The study included DME patients who were treated at the hospital between January 2023 and October 2024, as well as patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations during the same period. Serum levels of SESN2, SCUBE-1, and PTX3 were measured using the ELISA method. Factors influencing poor prognosis in DME patients were analyzed. RESULTS:This study included a total of 114 eye from 114 DME patients, For unilateral disease, the affected eye was enrolled; for bilateral disease, the more severely affected eye was selected for enrollment.(72 men and 42 women, with a mean age of 56.94±7.38 y), 114 T2DM patients(65 men, 49 women, mean age 56.18±7.22 y), and 114 healthy individuals(77 men, 37 women, mean age 56.33±7.26 y). There were no cases of loss to follow-up. FPG and HbA1c levels in the DME and T2DM groups were significantly higher than those in the healthy group(all P<0.05). Serum SESN2 levels decreased progressively from the healthy group to the T2DM group to the DME group, while SCUBE-1 and PTX3 levels increased progressively(all P<0.05). DME patients were classified by disease severity into a mild group of 23 cases(14 men, 9 women, mean age 55.81±7.52 y), a moderate group 54 cases(35 males, 19 females, mean age 56.97±7.35y), and a severe group 37 cases(23 males, 14 females, mean age 57.60±7.41 y). Serum SESN2 levels decreased progressively from the mild to the moderate and to the severe group, while SCUBE-1, PTX3, and CST levels increased progressively(all P<0.05). Serum SESN2 levels were negatively correlated with DME severity and CST, whereas SCUBE-1 and PTX3 levels were positively correlated with both DME severity and CST(all P<0.001). Among the 114 DME patients, 81 were in the favorable prognosis group and 33 were in the unfavorable prognosis group. In the poor prognosis group, serum SESN2 levels were lower than those in the favorable prognosis group, while SCUBE-1 and PTX3 levels were higher(all P<0.05). Low serum SESN2 levels, high SCUBE-1 levels, and high PTX3 levels were factors associated with poor prognosis in DME patients(all P<0.05). The AUC(0.916)for the combined prediction of poor prognosis in DME patients using serum SESN2, SCUBE-1, and PTX3 levels was higher than that for each marker individually(0.780, 0.782, and 0.783, respectively, all P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Serum SESN2 levels are reduced in DME patients, while SCUBE-1 and PTX3 levels are elevated. Changes in these three markers are associated with disease severity and prognosis, and the combined detection has high predictive value for poor patient outcomes.

Hepatitis E is an acute and self-limiting viral hepatitis caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). It has a higher mortality rate among immunosuppressed patients and pregnant women infected with HEV. Although HEV infections in humans are mostly caused by contaminated water or food worldwide, the incidence of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E is continuously rising. Additionally, the prevalence of serum anti-HEV IgG in the blood donors in China is at a relatively high level, making it worth considering screening blood donors for HEV. This article briefly reviews the globally reported cases of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E and the HEV screening strategies for blood donations.

[Objective] To conduct a retrospective statistical comparison of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test values in blood donors prior to blood collection, aiming to analyze the objective characteristics of the population with elevated ALT levels (ALT>50 U/L) and provide reference data for adjusting the screening eligibility threshold for ALT. [Methods] The preliminary ALT screening data of 30 341 blood donor samples collected prior to blood donation from three smart blood donation sites at the Shenzhen Blood Center between 2022 and 2023 were extracted and compared with data from a health examination department of a tertiary hospital in Shenzhen (representing the general population, n=24 906). Both datasets were categorized and statistically described. A retrospective analysis was conducted to examine the associations between ALT test results and factors such as donors' gender, age, ethnicity, donation site, donation season, and frequency of blood donation. [Results] The ALT levels in both blood donors and the general population were non-normally distributed. The 95th percentile of ALT values was calculated as 61.4 U/L (male: 67.8 U/L, female: 39.3 U/L) for blood donors and 58.1 U/L (male: 63.7 U/L, female: 51.2 U/L) for the general population. The non-compliance rates (ALT>50 U/L) were 7.65% (2 321/30 341) in blood donors and 7.08% (1 763/24 906) in the general population. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the ALT failure rate among blood donors based on gender, age, and donation site, but no significant differences (P>0.05) during the blood donation season. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in the positive rates of four serological markers (HBsAg, anti HCV, HIV Ag/Ab, anti TP) for blood screening pathogens between ALT unqualified and qualified individuals (2.05% vs 1.5%). If the ALT qualification threshold was raised from 50 U/L to 90 U/L, the non qualification rates of male and female blood donors would decrease from 9.82% (2 074/21 125) to 2.23% (471/21 125) and from 2.70% (249/9 216) to 0.75% (69/9 216), respectively. Among the 154 blood donors who donated blood more than 3 times, 88.31% of the 248 ALT test results were in the range of 50-90 U/L. Among them, 9 cases had ALT>130 U/L, and ALT was converted to qualified in subsequent blood donations. [Conclusion] There are differences in the ALT failure rate among blood donors of different genders and ages, and different blood donation sites and operators can also affect the ALT detection values of blood donors. The vast majority of blood donors with ALT failure are caused by transient and non pathological factors. With the widespread use of blood virus nucleic acid testing, appropriately increasing the ALT qualification threshold for blood donors can expand the qualified population and alleviate the shortage of blood sources, and the risk of blood safety will not increase.

[Objective] To investigate the factors associated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) abnormalities in multi-ethnic blood donors across five Zang autonomous prefectures in the plateau regions of Qinghai Province, and to provide evidence for ensuring blood safety and formulating screening strategies. [Methods] A retrospective analysis was performed on the ALT abnormal test results of blood donors in the Zang autonomous prefectures of Qinghai from 2022 to 2024. The correlations between ALT levels and factors including gender, age, altitude, and infectious markers were investigated. [Results] The overall ALT unqualified rate among blood donors in this region was 9.01%. Significant differences in ALT levels were observed across genders and age groups (P<0.05). Variations in ALT abnormality rates were also noted among different plateau regions (P<0.05). Overall, ALT values exhibited an increasing trend with rising altitude. The average ALT unqualified rates were 11.19% in Zang donors, 7.96% in Han donors, and 4.79% in donors from other ethnic groups (P<0.05). No statistically significant association was observed between ALT abnormality and the presence of HBV/HCV infectious markers (P>0.05). [Conclusion] In the plateau areas of Qinghai, multi-ethnic blood donors have a relatively high ALT levels and ALT unqualified rates, showing distinct regional characteristics. ALT elevation in voluntary blood donors is related to non-pathological factors such as gender, age, and dietary habits, but not to infectious indicators.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the overall dietary intake of adult residents in Sijing Town, Songjiang District, Shanghai, and to explore the association between dietary health literacy and diet quality. MethodsA total of 1 280 adult residents were selected as the research subjects using a multi-stage sampling method, and face-to-face questionnaire surveys were administered on site. Dietary intake data were collected using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and the overall diet quality of the participants was evaluated based on the Chinese Healthy Eating Index (CHEI). Participants were divided into low- and high-CHEI groups according to the median CHEI score. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between dietary health literacy and diet quality. ResultsThe median CHEI score for adults in the area was 63.68 points. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that adults with lower dietary health literacy had lower CHEI scores and poorer overall diet quality compared to those with higher dietary health literacy (OR=1.435, 95%CI:1.132‒1.819). ConclusionThe overall diet quality of adult residents in this region requires improvement. There is a significant positive correlation between the level of dietary health literacy and CHEI scores, suggesting that enhancing dietary health literacy may be an important strategy to improve resident’ dietary quality.

Objective To systematically evaluate the effect of threshold inspiratory muscle training on pulmonary rehabilitation in postoperative lung cancer patients,with a focus on exploring the difference in efficacy under different interven-tion modes.Methods Randomized controlled trials on the effect of threshold inspiratory muscle training on pulmonary rehabilitation in postoperative lung cancer patients were retrieved from PubMed,Cochrane Library,Embase,Web of Science,CNKI,Wanfang data,VIP and China Biomedical Literature Database.Meanwhile,gray literature from ProQuest and clinicaltrials.gov was searched as supplements.The retrieval period was from the establishment of each data-base to May 9,2025.Cochrane 5.1.0 was used to evaluate the quality of literature,and a meta-analysis was per-formed using RevMan 5.4.Results Twelve studies involving 701 patients were included,all of which were of moderate to high quality.Threshold inspiratory muscle training could reduce the pulmonary complications of postoperative lung cancer patients(OR=0.45,95%CI 0.29 to 0.68,P<0.001),shorten the hospital stay(MD=-1.85,95%CI-3.29 to-0.42,P=0.010),improve the inspiratory muscle strength(MD=5.84,95%CI 0.96 to 10.71,P=0.020),enhance their ex-ercise endurance(SMD=0.40,95%CI 0.10 to 0.71,P=0.010),and did not increase the risk of pulmonary air leakage(OR=0.88,95%CI 0.47 to 1.63,P=0.680).Subgroup analysis revealed that shortening of hospital stay(MD=-2.98,95%CI-5.87 to-0.09,P=0.040)and the improvement in exercise endurance(SMD=0.57,95%CI 0.14 to 1.00,P=0.009)were significant only when threshold inspiratory muscle training was combined with aerobic exercise.However,standalone threshold inspiratory muscle training showed no statistical signifi-cance in these two outcomes.Conclusion Threshold inspiratory muscle training can effectively reduce postoperative pulmonary complications and im-prove inspiratory muscle strength in postoperative lung cancer patients with good safety.Threshold inspiratory muscle training could shorten hospital stay and improve exercise endurance only when combining with aerobic exercise.

Current experimental and computational methods have limitations in accurately and efficiently classifying ion channels within vast protein spaces. Here we have developed a deep learning algorithm, GPT2 Ion Channel Classifier (GPT2-ICC), which effectively distinguishing ion channels from a test set containing approximately 239 times more non-ion-channel proteins. GPT2-ICC integrates representation learning with a large language model (LLM)-based classifier, enabling highly accurate identification of potential ion channels. Several potential ion channels were predicated from the unannotated human proteome, further demonstrating GPT2-ICC's generalization ability. This study marks a significant advancement in artificial-intelligence-driven ion channel research, highlighting the adaptability and effectiveness of combining representation learning with LLMs to address the challenges of imbalanced protein sequence data. Moreover, it provides a valuable computational tool for uncovering previously uncharacterized ion channels.

Objective To systematically evaluate the effect of threshold inspiratory muscle training on pulmonary rehabilitation in postoperative lung cancer patients,with a focus on exploring the difference in efficacy under different interven-tion modes.Methods Randomized controlled trials on the effect of threshold inspiratory muscle training on pulmonary rehabilitation in postoperative lung cancer patients were retrieved from PubMed,Cochrane Library,Embase,Web of Science,CNKI,Wanfang data,VIP and China Biomedical Literature Database.Meanwhile,gray literature from ProQuest and clinicaltrials.gov was searched as supplements.The retrieval period was from the establishment of each data-base to May 9,2025.Cochrane 5.1.0 was used to evaluate the quality of literature,and a meta-analysis was per-formed using RevMan 5.4.Results Twelve studies involving 701 patients were included,all of which were of moderate to high quality.Threshold inspiratory muscle training could reduce the pulmonary complications of postoperative lung cancer patients(OR=0.45,95%CI 0.29 to 0.68,P<0.001),shorten the hospital stay(MD=-1.85,95%CI-3.29 to-0.42,P=0.010),improve the inspiratory muscle strength(MD=5.84,95%CI 0.96 to 10.71,P=0.020),enhance their ex-ercise endurance(SMD=0.40,95%CI 0.10 to 0.71,P=0.010),and did not increase the risk of pulmonary air leakage(OR=0.88,95%CI 0.47 to 1.63,P=0.680).Subgroup analysis revealed that shortening of hospital stay(MD=-2.98,95%CI-5.87 to-0.09,P=0.040)and the improvement in exercise endurance(SMD=0.57,95%CI 0.14 to 1.00,P=0.009)were significant only when threshold inspiratory muscle training was combined with aerobic exercise.However,standalone threshold inspiratory muscle training showed no statistical signifi-cance in these two outcomes.Conclusion Threshold inspiratory muscle training can effectively reduce postoperative pulmonary complications and im-prove inspiratory muscle strength in postoperative lung cancer patients with good safety.Threshold inspiratory muscle training could shorten hospital stay and improve exercise endurance only when combining with aerobic exercise.

OBJECTIVE To assess the current status of hospital-acquired infections and their economic burden in or-thopedic patients based on diagnosis-related groups(DRG).METHOD Based on the National Health Insurance dis-ease diagnosis-related groups,32 413 orthopedic patients from a tertiary care hospital in Beijing in 2021 were grouped,hospital-acquired infections were retrospectively analyzed,and the direct and indirect economic burdens of different DRG groups were assess using indictors such as hospitalization time and cost,bed turnover loss,and labor time loss.RESULTS A total of 32 413 patients were included,the incidence of hospital-acquired infection was 0.47％(153/32 413),the site of infection was predominantly the surgical site(57.99％),and hospital-acquired infections in the hematologic system had a greater impact on cost-consumption indices and time-consumption indi-ces.The infection cases were concentrated in 19.58％of the DRGs groups.The IF23 group(lower limb bone sur-gery with complications and comorbidities)had the highest direct economic burden(24 010 yuan/case)due to hos-pital-acquired infections,and the increase in the cost of consumables and medication was the main factor causing the direct economic burden.At both the hospital level and family-society level,the top three DRG groups in terms of indirect economic burden due to hospital-acquired infections were IB15,IB13 and IF23.CONCLUSION Hospital-acquired infections in orthopedic patients have a tendency to be concentrated,quantitatively assessment of their e-conomic burden based on DRGs not only illustrates the importance of hospital-acquired infection prevention and control,but also accurately identifies the disease groups that require focused management,providing an evidence-based basis for precise prevention and control of hospital-acquired infections.