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.

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 investigate the relationships of serum amyloid A(SAA),eotaxin and pentraxin 3(PTX3)levels with Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA(MP-DNA)level,lung function and prognosis in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP).Methods A total of 163 chil-dren with MPP were enrolled in MPP group and divided into good prognosis group(n=109)and poor prognosis group(n=54)based on prognosis;another 124 healthy children with physical examinations in the same period were included as control group.Levels of serum SAA,eotaxin and PTX3 were measured in the children.Multivariable Logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore risk fac-tors for poor prognosis in children with MPP.Results Compared with the control group,the MPP group had significantly increased levels of SAA,eotaxin,PTX3 and MP-DNA positivity(P＜0.01);the MPP group also had significantly lower values of peak expiratory flow(PEF),forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1),forced vital capacity(FVC),tidal expiratory flow time to total expiratory time(tPTEF/TE),and tidal volume compared with the control group(P＜0.01).Compared with the good prognosis group,the poor prognosis group had significantly increased MP-DNA level,SAA,eotaxin and PTX3 levels,as well as decreased values of PEF,FEV1,FVC,tPTEF/TE and tidal volume(P＜0.01).Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that high MP-DNA lev-el,high SAA,eotaxin and PTX3 levels,low values of PEF,FEV1,FVC,tPTEF/TE and tidal vol-ume were risk factors for poor prognosis in children with MPP(P＜0.01).The SAA,PTX3 and eotaxin levels in children with MPP were positively correlated with their MP-DNA level and negative-ly correlated with lung function indicators(P＜0.05).Conclusion SAA,PTX3 and eotaxin lev-els are positively correlated with MP-DNA level and negatively correlated with lung function indica-tors in children with MPP.SAA,PTX3 and eotaxin levels can be used to assess the prognosis of children with MPP.

Objective To explore the potential targets and pathways of Yanghe Decoction for the treatment of granulomatous lobular mastitis(GLM)using network pharmacology and molecular docking;To experimentally validate its mechanism.Methods Active components and targets of Yanghe Decoction were screened through TCMSP and TCM-ID.GLM targets were retrieved from GeneCards and OMIM databases,the intersection of drug targets and disease targets was taken,and a protein interaction network was constructed.GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed.Molecular docking of main components and key targets was conducted.Totally 60 SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,prednisolone group(0.005 g/kg),and Yanghe Decoction low-,medium-and high-dosage groups(2.5,5.0,10.0 g/kg).Except for the blank group,GLM models were constructed for all other groups,and corresponding drug interventions were given to each treatment group for 14 consecutive days.The body mass and breast mass size of rats were recorded,breast ultrasound images were collected,and the inflammatory index score was scored.The pathological morphology of rat breast tissue was observed through HE staining.ELISA was used to detect the contents of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in serum.Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,IκBα,TLR4 and p65 in breast tissue.Results Yanghe Decoction was screened for 140 active components,363 targets,and 32 intersecting targets with GLM,mainly involving NF-κB,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,etc.Molecular docking showed that the main components had good binding activities with key targets.Compared with the blank group,rats in the model group showed obvious redness and swelling of the breasts with a large range of lumps and a significant increase in mammary inflammation index score(P<0.01),and ultrasound could detect a large range of patchy hypoechoic areas,and pathological changes showed a variety of inflammatory cell infiltration in the mammary lobules and the formation of tiny abscesses,and the serum contents of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in the model group significantly increased(P<0.01),the protein expressions of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,TLR4 and p65 in breast tissue significantly increased(P<0.01),and the protein expression of IκBα significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the erythema of the breasts of the rats in each treatment group was improved,and the extent of the lumps was reduced,and the reduction in the size of the lumps in the prednisolone group and the Yanghe Decoction high-dosage group was obvious(P<0.05).The inflammatory index score of prednisolone group and Yanghe Decoction groups decreased to different degrees(P<0.01),ultrasound showed a smaller range of hypoechoic area,pathology showed a reduction in the infiltration of inflammatory cells,and a reduction in the formation of granulomas and abscesses,and the prednisolone group and Yanghe Decoction groups significantly down-regulated the contents of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum(P<0.01),and the prednisolone group and Yanghe Decoction middle-and high-dosage groups significantly down-regulated the content of IL-6 in serum(P<0.05,P<0.01),the expression of TLR4 protein in breast tissue was significantly decreased in Yanghe Decoction high-dosage group(P<0.05),the expressions of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α and p65 proteins in prednisolone group and Yanghe Decoction groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the expression of the protein of IκBα significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion Yanghe Decoction can reduce the inflammatory response in GLM rats,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the relationship between the postoperative intervertebral space infection and the expressions of β-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β)in the patients with lumbar disc herniation(LDH).METHODS A total of 201 patients with LDH who received surgical procedures in Harbin Orthopedics and Traumatology Hospital from Jan.2022 to May 2024 were enrolled in the study and were divided into the infection group and the no infection group according to the status of postoperative intervertebral space infection.The distri-bution and drug resistance of pathogens isolated from the patients of the infection group were detected.The rela-tive expression levels of peripheral blood Wnt,β-catenin and GSK-3β proteins were compared between the two groups.RESULTS Among the 201 patients who received surgical procedures,21 had postoperative intervertebral space infections,with the infection rate 10.45％.Totally 26 strains of pathogens were isolated from the 21 patients in the infection group,11(42.31％)of which were gram-negative bacteria,and 15(57.69％)were gram-positive bacteria.The operation duration of the infection group was(3.46±0.89)hour,longer than(3.09±0.73)hour of the no infection group(t=2.146,P=0.033).There were significant differences in the expressions of peripheral blood β-catenin and GSK-3β proteins between the infection group and the no infection group(P＜0.05).Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that the areas under the curves(AUCs)of the relative ex-pression levels of β-catenin and GSK-3β were 0.836 and 0.800,respectively;the sensitivities were 52.40％and 66.70％,respectively;the specificities were 90.56％and 93.89％,respectively;the cut-off point were 5.65 and 2.15,respectively.CONCLUSIONS The LDH patients are at high risk of postoperative intervertebral space infec-tion,the patients with the infection show the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways and the rise of ex-pression levels of β-catenin and GSK-3β proteins.The levels of the indexes may facilitate the prediction of postop-erative intervertebral space infection in the LDH patients.

[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.

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.

Current experimental and computational methods have limitations in accurately and efficiently classi-fying 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 con-taining 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.