OBJECTIVE To provide direction and reference for the adjustment of the discount rate （DR） in China’s pharmacoeconomic guidelines. METHODS Search was conducted on the official websites of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research， health technology assessment agencies in various countries/regions， as well as relevant websites of other upper-middle-income or high-income countries/regions. The recommended DR， adjustment trends， and setting rationales in pharmacoeconomic evaluation guidelines across different countries/regions were then summarized and compared. Based on theoretical derivation and literature analysis， the effects of different DR on the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER） were examined. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS Among the 40 included guidelines， the base-case DR ranged from 1.5% to 5%， with 5% being the most common value； the range for sensitivity analysis was 0 to 12%. Thirty-six countries/regions applied the same DR to both costs and health outcomes， while in the Netherlands， Belgium， Poland and Czech Republic， DR for costs was higher than for health outcomes. In recent years， Korea， France and Ireland had lowered their DR in response to economic changes， whereas the Netherlands and Czech Republic had raised their DR for cost. The setting of the DR was primarily based on the public project investment interest rate or referred to recommendations from internationally authoritative institutions and other relevant guidelines. The direction and magnitude of the impact of different DR on the ICER largely depended on the distribution of costs and health outcomes between the intervention and reference measure. The setting and adjustment of DR were closely associated with the economic environment. Based on international experience, the DR in China can be lowered by 0.5% to 1.5%， and localized empirical research can be conducted using internationally common estimation methods.

Objective To discuss the morphological characteristics of three types of clinically rare cerebral aneurysms and arterial bifurcations.Methods A total of 17 patients with clinically rare cerebral aneurysms,including anterior cerebral artery-pericallosal artery aneurysms(ACA-PA aneurysms,n=8),internal carotid artery-anterior choroidal artery bifurcation aneurysms(ICA-AChA aneurysms,n=5)and vertebral artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery bifurcation aneurysms(VA-PICA aneurysms,n=4),who received treatment in the Shijiazhuang People's Hospital between January 2017 and April 2020 were enrolled in this study.The clinical baseline data were recorded,and the morphological parameters of the aneurysms were determined.The bifurcation angle,small lateral angle and large lateral angle were defined as φ1,φ2 and φ3,respectively.D1,S1 and T1 represented the diameter,cross-sectional area and tortuosity of the main blood vessel,respectively.D2,S2 and T2 were defined as the corresponding parameters of the branch vessel forming small lateral angle with the main vessel.D3,S3 and T3 were the corresponding morphological parameters of the contralateral branch vessel.Results All of the ICA-AChA and VA-PICA bifurcation aneurysms were type D aneurysms and oriented towards the small lateral angle.Six ACA-PA bifurcation aneurysms were type C aneurysm,and 5 of them were oriented toward the small lateral angle.The S2 and φ2 of the ACA-PA and ICA-AChA bifurcations harboring aneurysms were significantly smaller than S3 and φ3(P＜0.05),while T2 was remarkably largerthan T3(P＜0.05).The VA-PICA bifurcations also showed a similar manifestations.Conclusion These three types of clinically rare cerebral aneurysms are mostly oriented towards the small lateral angle,and the diameter and cross-section area of the branch forming small lateral angle with parent artery were smaller than those of the contralateral branch vessel,while the tortuosity was greater than that of the contralateral branch.

【Objective】 To objectively evaluate the quality control level of blood testing process in blood banks through quantitative monitoring and trend analysis, and to promote the homogenization level and standardized management of blood testing laboratories in blood banks. 【Methods】 A quality monitoring indicator system covering the whole process of blood collection and supply, including blood donation service, blood component preparation, blood testing, blood supply and quality control was established. The questionnaire Quality Monitoring Indicators for Blood Collection and Supply Process with clear definition of indicators and calculation formulas was distributed to 17 blood banks in Shandong province. Quality monitoring indicators of each blood bank from January to December 2022 were collected, and 31 indicators in terms of blood testing were analyzed using SPSS25.0 software. 【Results】 The proportion of unqualified serological tests in 17 blood bank laboratories was 55.84% for ALT, 13.63% for HBsAg, 5.08% for anti HCV, 5.62% for anti HIV, 18.18% for anti TP, and 1.65% for other factors (mainly sample quality). The detection unqualified rate and median were (1.23±0.57)% and 1.11%, respectively. The ALT unqualified rate and median were (0.74±0.53)% and 0.60%, respectively. The detection unqualified rate was positively correlated with ALT unqualified rate (r=0.974, P<0.05). The unqualified rate of HBsAg, anti HCV, anti HIV and anti TP was (0.15±0.09)%, (0.05±0.04)%, (0.06±0.03)% and (0.20±0.05)% respectively. The average unqualified rate, average hemolysis rate, average insufficient volume rate and the abnormal hematocrit rate of samples in 17 blood bank laboratories was 0.21‰, 0.08‰, 0.01‰ and 0.02‰ respectively. There were differences in the retest concordance rates of four HBsAg, anti HCV and anti HIV reagents, and three anti TP reagents among 17 blood bank laboratories (P<0.05). The usage rate of ELISA reagents was (114.56±3.30)%, the outage rate of ELISA was (10.23±7.05) ‰, and the out of range rate of ELISA was (0.90±1.17) ‰. There was no correlation between the out of range rate, outrage rate and usage rate (all P>0.05), while the outrage rate was positively correlated with the usage rate (r=0.592, P<0.05). A total of 443 HBV DNA positive samples were detected in all blood banks, with an unqualified rate of 3.78/10 000; 15 HCV RNA positive samples were detected, with an unqualified rate of 0.13/10 000; 5 HIV RNA positive samples were detected, with an unqualified rate of 0.04/10 000. The unqualified rate of NAT was (0.72±0.04)‰, the single NAT reaction rate [(0.39±0.02)‰] was positively correlated with the single HBV DNA reaction rate [ (0.36±0.02) ‰] (r=0.886, P<0.05). There was a difference in the discriminated reactive rate by individual NAT among three blood bank laboratories (C, F, H) (P<0.05). The median resolution rate of 17 blood station laboratories by minipool test was 36.36%, the median rate of invalid batch of NAT was 0.67%, and the median rate of invalid result of NAT was 0.07‰. The consistency rate of ELISA dual reagent detection results was (99.63±0.24)%, and the median length of equipment failure was 14 days. The error rate of blood type testing in blood collection department was 0.14‰. 【Conclusion】 The quality monitoring indicator system for blood testing process in Shandong can monitor potential risks before, during and after the experiment, and has good applicability, feasibility, and effectiveness, and can facilitate the continuous improvement of laboratory quality control level. The application of blood testing quality monitoring indicators will promote the homogenization and standardization of blood quality management in Shandong, and lay the foundation for future comprehensive evaluations of blood banks.

【Objective】 To establish an effective quality monitoring indicator system for blood quality control in blood banks, in order to analyze the quality control indicators for blood collection and supply, and evaluate blood quality control process, thus promoting continuous improvement and standardizing management of blood quality control in blood banks. 【Methods】 A quality monitoring indicator system covering the whole process of blood collection and supply, including blood donation services, component preparation, blood testing, blood supply and quality control was established. The Questionnaire of Quality Monitoring Indicators for Blood Collection and Supply Process was distributed to 17 blood banks in Shandong, which clarified the definition and calculation formula of indicators. The quality monitoring indicator data from January to December 2022 in each blood bank were collected, and 20 quality control indicators data were analyzed by SPSS25.0 software. 【Results】 The average pass rate of key equipment monitoring, environment monitoring, key material monitoring, and blood testing item monitoring of 17 blood banks were 99.47%, 99.51%, 99.95% and 98.99%, respectively. Significant difference was noticed in the pass rate of environment monitoring among blood banks of varied scales(P<0.05), and the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) between the total number of blood quality testing items and the total amount of blood component preparation was 0.645 (P<0.05). The average discarding rates of blood testing or non-blood testing were 1.14% and 3.36% respectively, showing significant difference among blood banks of varied scales (P<0.05). The average discarding rate of lipemic blood was 3.07%, which had a positive correlation with the discarding rate of non testing (r=0.981 3, P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the discarding rate of lipemic blood between blood banks with lipemic blood control measures and those without (P<0.05). The average discarding rate of abnormal color, non-standard volume, blood bag damage, hemolysis, blood protein precipitation and blood clotting were 0.20%, 0.14%, 0.06%, 0.06%, 0.02% and 0.02% respectively, showing statistically significant differences among large, medium and small blood banks(P<0.05).The average discarding rates of expired blood, other factors, confidential unit exclusion and unqualified samples were 0.02%, 0.05%, 0.003% and 0.004%, respectively. The discarding rate of blood with air bubbles was 0.015%, while that of blood with foreign body and unqualified label were 0. 【Conclusion】 The quality control indicator system of blood banks in Shandong can monitor weak points in process management, with good applicability, feasibility, and effectiveness. It is conducive to evaluate different blood banks, continuously improve the quality control level of blood collection and supply, promote the homogenization and standardization of blood quality management, and lay the foundation for comprehensive evaluation of blood banks in Shandong.

【Objective】 To establish an effective quality indicator monitoring system, scientifically and objectively evaluate the quality management level of blood banks, and achieve continuous improvement of quality management in blood bank. 【Methods】 A quality monitoring indicator system that covers the whole process of blood collection and supply was established, the questionnaire of Quality Monitoring Indicators for Blood Collection and Supply Process with clear definition of indicators and calculation formulas was distributed to 17 blood banks in Shandong. Statistical analysis of 21 quality monitoring indicators in terms of blood donation service (10 indicators), blood component preparation (7 indicators ), and blood supply (4 indicators) from each blood bank from January to December 2022 were conducted using SPSS25.0 software The differences in quality monitoring indicators of blood banks of different scales were analyzed. 【Results】 The average values of quality monitoring indicators for blood donation service process of 17 blood banks were as follows: 44.66% (2 233/5 000) of regular donors proportion, 0.22% (11/50) of adverse reactions incidence, 0.46% (23/5 000) of non-standard whole blood collection rate, 0.052% (13/25 000) of missed HBsAg screening rate, 99.42% (4 971/5 000) of first, puncture successful rate, 86.49% (173/200) of double platelet collection rate, 66.50% (133/200) of 400 mL whole blood collection rate, 99.25% (397/400) of donor satisfaction rate, 82.68% (2 067/2 500) of use rate of whole blood collection bags with bypass system with sample tube, and 1 case of occupational exposure in blood collection.There was a strong positive correlation between the proportion of regular blood donors and the collection rate of 400 mL whole blood (P<0.05). The platelet collection rate, incidence of adverse reactions to blood donation, and non-standard whole blood collection rate in large blood banks were significantly lower than those in medium and small blood banks (P<0.05). The average quality monitoring indicators for blood component preparation process of 17 blood banks were as follows: the leakage rate of blood component preparation bags was 0.03% (3/10 000), the discarding rate of lipemic blood was 3.05% (61/2 000), the discarding rate of hemolysis blood was 0.13%(13/10 000). 0.06 case had labeling errors, 8 bags had blood catheter leaks, 2.76 bags had blood puncture/connection leaks, and 0.59 cases had non-conforming consumables. The discarding rate of hemolysis blood of large blood banks was significantly lower than that of medium and small blood banks (P<0.05), and the discarding rate of lipemic blood of large and medium blood banks was significantly lower than that of small blood banks (P<0.05). The average values of quality monitoring indicators for blood supply process of 17 blood banks were as follows: the discarding rate of expired blood was 0.023% (23/100 000), the leakage rate during storage and distribution was of 0.009%(9/100 000), the discarding rate of returned blood was 0.106% (53/50 000), the service satisfaction of hospitals was 99.16% (2 479/2 500). The leakage rate of blood components during storage and distribution was statistically different with that of blood component preparation bags between different blood banks (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the proportion of regular blood donors, incidence of adverse reactions, non-standard whole blood collection rate, 400 mL whole blood collection rate, double platelet collection rate, the blood bag leakage rate during preparation process, the blood components leakage rate during storage and distribution as well as the discarding rate of lipemic blood, hemolysis blood, expired blood and returned blood among large, medium and small blood banks (all P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 The establishment of a quality monitoring indicator system for blood donation services, blood component preparation and blood supply processes in Shandong has good applicability, feasibility and effectiveness. It can objectively evaluate the quality management level, facilitate the continuous improvement of the quality management system, promote the homogenization of blood management in the province and lay the foundation for future comprehensive evaluation of blood banks.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and genetic background of adrenoleukodystrophy(ALD).Methods:In this study, we reported a rare case of ALD who initially presented with progressive bilateral lower limb weakness. The clinical data of the patient and his family members were collected and the ABCD1 gene was sequenced for the patient and his three daughters by a high-throughput sequencing method.Results:The proband had a later onset of symptoms, a prolonged course of the disease, and initially exhibited bilateral lower limb weakness and nocturnal muscle spasms. The disease progressed to spastic quadriplegia, aphasia, dementia, swallowing difficulties, and urinary and fecal incontinence. Serum very-long-chain fatty acid concentrations were elevated. Subclinical cortisol secretion abnormalities were observed. Cranial imaging indicated symmetrical reduction in density around the lateral ventricles and white matter degeneration. The proband′s ABCD1 gene analysis revealed a novel heterozygous mutation c. 1367G>A, p. R456H. His three daughters carried the same nucleotide heterozygous mutation.Conclusion:This study investigates the clinical characteristics of ALD, providing additional clinical evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Additionally, a novel mutation in the ABCD1 gene was identified, contributing to the genetic variation database.

Objective:To investigate the association between CITP/MMP-1 ratio and the severity of Myocardial fibrosis (MF) in patients with Chronic Heart failure (CHF) and its diagnostic and prognostic value in patients with MF.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to select 110 cases [86 males, (56.60±11.15) years old;24 females, (60.06±12.02) years old] who were hospitalized in the Department of Cardiology, Teda International Cardiovascular Hospital from May 18, 2021 to February 30, 2022 and underwent magnetic magnetic examination. Serum CITP and MMP-1 were detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay and CITP/MMP-1 ratio was calculated. Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was detected by automatic chemiluminescence analyzer. Anova and non-parametric test were used to compare the difference of indexes among all groups. Spearman analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum collagen metabolites and the severity of myocardial fibrosis. Logistic regression analysis was performed for multivariate analysis, and ROC curve was used to evaluate the auxiliary diagnostic value of related indexes. Major adverse cardiac events within 1 year after discharge were recorded, including cardiogenic death, HF rehospitalization, malignant arrhythmia, and myocardial infarction. The risk factors of poor prognosis were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients were divided by the median value of CITP/MMP-1 ratio or the median value of CITP/MMP-1 ratio and BNP. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier and Log Rank test was performed.Results:Serum MMP-1 and BNP in LGE (+) group were higher than those in LGE (-) group (1.79 ng/ml > 0.91 ng/ml, Z=-2.924; 503 pg/ml > 367 pg/ml, Z=-1.932; P<0.05); The CITP/MMP-1 ratio in the LGE (+) group was lower than that in the LGE (-) group (3.84 < 10.85, Z=-3.601, P<0.001). MMP-1 in CHF with arrhythmia group was higher than that in CHF group (1.98 ng/ml > 1.25 ng/ml, Z=-2.016), while CITP/MMP-1 ratio was lower than that in CHF group (3.25 < 5.73, Z=-2.751), all P<0.05. CITP/MMP-1 ratio in CHF patients was negatively correlated with the severity of MF ( r=-0.363, P<0.001), and BNP and MMP-1 were positively correlated with the severity of MF ( r=0.267, r=0.264, P<0.05). Serum BNP was positively correlated with collagen metabolite MMP-1 and negatively correlated with CITP/MMP-1 ratio (all P<0.05). Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that only CITP/MMP-1 was a predictor of myocardial fibrosis, with an OR value of 0.624 ( P=0.005). ROC curve was used to evaluate serum BNP, MMP-1 and CITP/MMP-1 ratio in the diagnosis of myocardial fibrosis in HF patients, with AUC of 0.653, 0.696 and 0.754, respectively. The accuracy of CITP/MMP-1 ratio in diagnosing fibrosis was better than that of BNP by comparing their AUC, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-3.808, P<0.001). Cox regression analysis showed that CITP/MMP-1 ≤3.84 was a risk factor for poor prognosis, OR=2.647 ( P=0.009). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis at 1-year follow-up showed that the survival rate of the group with lower CITP/MMP-1 ratio was significantly lower than that of the group with higher CITP/MMP-1 ratio ( P=0.014). The survival rate of CITP/MMP-1 increased and BNP decreased group was higher than that of CITP/MMP-1 decreased and BNP increased group ( P=0.011). Conclusions:The ratio of CITP/MMP-1 can be used as a negative correlation indicator of the degree of cross-linking, which is better than BNP in the evaluation of MF, and has a good auxiliary diagnostic value for myocardial fibrosis in patients with chronic heart failure, and is expected to become a protective indicator for patients with chronic heart failure and be used in clinical evaluation of myocardial fibrosis. CITP/MMP-1 ratio is associated with the incidence of major adverse cardiac events, and CITP/MMP-1 ≤3.84 can be used as a predictor of prognostic adverse cardiovascular events in CHF patients.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between peripheral blood sST2 level and prognosis in patients with heart failure (HFpEF) complicated with hypertension with ejection fraction preservation.Methods:A total of 122 patients with HFpEF hospitalized in Teda International Cardiovascular Hospital and Baoding First Central Hospital from May 5, 2021 to March 9, 2023 were selected. According to whether they were combined with hypertension, they were divided into HFpEF combined with hypertension group (73 cases, 32 males, (67.56±12.06) years old). There were 41 females (70.61±9.95 years old) and 49 males (67.00±11.64 years old) in the HFpEF group alone. There were 24 female patients (70.12±7.49 years old). sST2 levels in peripheral blood were compared between the two groups.HFpEF patients with hypertension were grouped by hypertension grade and prognosis, and the difference of sST2 in different groups was compared. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. ROC curve to evaluate the diagnostic value of sST2 in the poor prognosis of HFpEF patients with hypertension. Patients were followed up regularly and major adverse cardiac events were recorded within 6 months after discharge, including cardiogenic death and heart failure re-hospitalization. The critical value of poor prognosis diagnosed by sST2 was divided into two groups, survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier,and the Log Rank test was performed. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine whether high levels of sST2 were a risk factor for poor prognosis after 6 months of follow-up.Results:There was no significant difference in sST2 in HFpEF combined with hypertension and HFpEF alone ( P>0.05). sST2 was higher in grade 2 and 3 than in grade 1 hypertension (23.83 ng/ml vs. 12.68 ng/ml, Z=-2.778, P=0.005; 22.54 ng/ml vs. 12.68 ng/ml, Z=-2.865, P=0.004); BNP was higher in grade 3 hypertension than in grade 1 hypertension (582.95 pg/ml vs. 154.50 pg/ml, Z=-2.101, P<0.05). sST2 and BNP were higher in the poor prognosis group than in the good prognosis group (30.10 ng/ml vs. 18.95 ng/ml, Z=-2.803; 685.00 pg/ml vs. 347.50 pg/ml, Z=-2.385), all P<0.05. Logistic regression analysis showed that sST2 was a risk factor for poor prognosis ( OR=1.045, P=0.013). The auxiliary diagnostic value of sST2 level in HFpEF patients with hypertension was analyzed by ROC curve (AUC was 0.721, P<0.05). The incidence of cardiac adverse events in sST2>29.12 group was higher than that in sST2≤29.12 group (44.00% vs. 14.58%), and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=7.657, P=0.006). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the percentage of patients with no endpoint event in the sST2≤29.12 group was higher than that in the sST2>29.12 group ( P=0.003).Cox regression analysis showed that the risk of endpoint event in sST2>29.12 group was 3.879 times that in sST2≤29.12 group ( OR=3.879, P=0.011). Conclusions:sST2 level can be used as an indicator of poor prognosis in HFpEF patients with hypertension, and can be used to stratify the risk of HFpEF patients. High levels of sST2 are associated with major adverse cardiac events.

Objective:To explore the methodology of the evidence-based expert consensus formulation process of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)nursing taking stroke as an example.Methods:First,preliminary and comprehensive presentation of all stroke-related symptoms and corre-sponding TCM nursing techniques involved were revealed through bibliometric analysis.Then,selection of stroke symptoms and TCM nursing techniques for inclusion in the consensus was performed using an expert consultation method.Next,we determined the search strategy for a precise evidence search;conducted an evaluation of evidence quality and the grade of the evidence;and completed evidence extraction,evidence analysis,and evidence synthesis based on the included symptoms and TCM nursing techniques.The Delphi method was then applied to determine the strength of each recommendation and the choice of nursing care points by referring to the Grading of Recommendations,Assessment,Devel-opment,and Evaluations grid.Finally,we conducted an external expert validation of the Delphi results to form an expert consensus guideline.Results:Through the bibliometric analysis,22 stroke symptoms and 18 TCM nursing techniques were identified in the literature.Then,after expert consultation,22 symptoms and 111 pairs of symptoms combined with TCM nursing techniques were selected for the evidence search.Evidence integration yielded 10 stroke symptoms corresponding to 29 bodies of evidence;these 10 symptoms were retained through the Delphi consultation,and recommendation strength results for 26 recommendations were obtained.A total of 9 symptoms were further retained for expert external validation to form 24 rec-ommendations,with a recommendation process score range of 7.64-9.99 points and a more scientific and standardized recommendation-formation process.Conclusion:Owing to the current limited conditions of evidence-based resources for TCM nursing,the present consensus-building process represents only a preliminary exploration of an evidence-based expert consensus for TCM nursing to provide a reference for a more scientific and standardized methodology.

Objective:To investigate the asymmetric geometry of middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcations and aneurysm formation.Methods:From January 2017 to April 2020, 65 patients with MCA aneurysm underwent 3D-digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in our hospital were recruited in this study; 170 patients without arterial stenosis or cerebral aneurysm at the same time period were selected as normal control group; their corresponding morphological parameters of MCA bifurcations in the imaging data were analyzed. Bifurcation angle was termed as φ1, while small and large lateral angles were termed as φ2 and φ3, respectively. D2, S2, C2, T2 and E2 represented diameter, sectional area, circumference, tortuosity and ellipticity of the branch forming angle φ2 with parent vessel, respectively; whereas D3, S3, C3, T3 and E3 represented diameter, sectional area, circumference, tortuosity and ellipticity of the branch forming angle φ2 with parent vessel on the contralateral branch, respectively. The independent factors affecting the formation of MCA aneurysm were screened by binary Logistic regression, and the predictive value of independent factors affecting the formation of MCA aneurysm was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:(1) The aneurysmal group had significantly larger φ1, significantly smaller φ2 and φ3 than the normal control group ( P<0.05); D3, S3, C3, T2, T3 and E2 in the aneurysmal group were significantly higher/larger than those in the normal control group ( P<0.05). In terms of the symmetry of bilateral branches of blood vessels, the difference of φ3/φ2 ratio between the normal control group and aneurysm group was statistically significant ( P<0.05). (2) Binary Logistic regression results showed that φ2 was the protective factor for aneurysm formation ( OR=0.880, 9 5%CI: 0.844-0.918, P=0.000), while D3 and φ3/φ2 ratio were the risk factors for aneurysm formation ( OR=4.493, 9 5%CI: 1.414-14.278, P=0.011; OR=30.676, 95%CI: 9.884-95.202, P=0.000). (3) The ROC curve showed that the area under the curve of φ2 was the largest, reaching 0.93, and the optimal cut-off point was 104.59°, enjoying sensitivity and specificity of 87.7% and 85.9%, respectively. Conclusion:Normal MCA bifurcations almost show symmetrical morphology, whereas aneurysmal MCA bifurcations show asymmetrical morphology in both lateral angles and daughter branches; φ2 is the best morphological parameter to predict the aneurysm formation of MCA bifurcations.