BACKGROUND: Aplastic anemia (AA) is a bone marrow failure disease characterized by immune-mediated destruction of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Bone marrow adiposity represents a typical pathological manifesta...BACKGROUND: Aplastic anemia (AA) is a bone marrow failure disease characterized by immune-mediated destruction of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Bone marrow adiposity represents a typical pathological manifestation observed in AA. METHODS: The aim of this study was to establish a murine model of AA using immune-mediated methods and assess the impact of rapamycin (Rapa) and cyclosporin A (CsA) on bone marrow adiposity. The AA murine model was induced by 137Cs γ-ray irradiation and allogeneic lymphocyte infusion. Rapamycin and cyclosporine were administered intraperitoneally. Hematological parameters, bone marrow adiposity, and lipidomic profiles were evaluated. Gene and protein expression related to adipogenesis were analyzed. RESULTS: The Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) and BODIPY staining results revealed an increase in adipocyte area and a decrease in hematopoietic area in AA murine. Relative expression levels of PPAR-γ, LPL, and Ap2 mRNA were significantly elevated in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) from the AA group. Lipidomics analysis indicated notable differences between the AA group and the normal group regarding lipid metabolism, particularly concerning glycerolphospholipids. Following treatment with Rapa and CsA, not only did the hematological profile of AA murine recover, but there was also a reduction in bone marrow adiposity in HE and BODIPY staining and a decrease in the gene and protein expression of PPAR-γ, LPL, and Ap2. The lipidomic analysis revealed a reduction in the lipid metabolism of AA murine following Rapa and CsA treatment in AA murine, particularly acylcarnitin (ACar), phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). The enrichment results of the KEGG pathway analysis demonstrated a statistically significant role of C42H82N010P in glycerophospholipid metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: Our study used lipidomics for the first time to investigate lipid metabolism in AA murine, revealing that Rapa and CsA primarily downregulate glycerophospholipid metabolism as a means to alleviate bone marrow adiposity in AA murine.
BACKGROUND: Accurate measurement of serum triglycerides (TG) is essential for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Unexpectedly elevated TG levels in laboratory results may indicate analytical errors or contamination. METHO...BACKGROUND: Accurate measurement of serum triglycerides (TG) is essential for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Unexpectedly elevated TG levels in laboratory results may indicate analytical errors or contamination. METHODS: We report a case involving an unusual elevation of serum TG levels. Suspecting potential analytical interference, we first investigated issues related to quality control materials and reagents. To determine whether the pure water was the source of contamination, we performed manual TG testing. Five serum samples from the previous day, with TG concentrations of 0.72, 1.96, 2.93, 6.45, and 15.95 mmol/L, were selected for verification. A TG colorimetric strip was developed based on the final color of the enzymatic reaction system and used to compare pure water samples from the previous and current days. RESULTS: Quality control materials and reagents were ruled out as potential sources of interference for the unusually elevated TG levels. The TG reaction system for the current day's pure water produced a dark purple color, indicating a TG concentration theoretically exceeding 15.95 mmol/L. In contrast, the reaction system for the previous day's pure water showed a color comparable to the saline control. These findings confirmed the presence of TG contamination in the current day's pure water, which was ultimately traced to the recent replacement of the reverse osmosis membrane in the water purification system. CONCLUSIONS: The manual TG detection method developed in this case offers a rapid and practical solution for laboratories with high automation to identify triglyceride contamination in pure water. This approach ensures the accuracy of biochemical test results and highlights the importance of monitoring pure water quality in laboratory settings.
BACKGROUND: Macro-aspartate aminotransferase (macro-AST), a high-molecular-weight complex formed by AST binding to immunoglobulins or plasma components, causes persistent enzyme elevation due to delayed renal clearance....BACKGROUND: Macro-aspartate aminotransferase (macro-AST), a high-molecular-weight complex formed by AST binding to immunoglobulins or plasma components, causes persistent enzyme elevation due to delayed renal clearance. Its diagnosis remains challenging due to rarity and nonspecific presentation. METHODS: We report two cases of asymptomatic isolated AST elevation: a 25-year-old pregnant woman (AST: 204 - 315 U/L) and an 83-year-old male (AST: 113 - 140 U/L). Both underwent PEG precipitation and refrigeration stability tests to confirm macro-AST. RESULTS: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation activity (PPA) values for Case 1 and Case 2 were 95.2% and 85.7%, respectively, exceeding the diagnostic cutoff (> 73%). Refrigeration testing revealed a 78.7% AST decline in Case 1 after 7 days, while Case 2 showed stable AST levels, consistent with macro-AST characteristics. Other hepatic and autoimmune markers were normal. CONCLUSIONS: Macro-AST should be considered in asymptomatic patients with isolated AST elevation. PEG precipitation is a simple, reliable diagnostic tool. Effective communication between clinicians and laboratories is crucial to avoid unnecessary investigations.
BACKGROUND: Microbial pathogens deploy sophisticated mechanisms to evade host immune responses, complicating the development of effective therapeutics. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers innovative tools to analyze comp...BACKGROUND: Microbial pathogens deploy sophisticated mechanisms to evade host immune responses, complicating the development of effective therapeutics. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers innovative tools to analyze complex host-pathogen interactions and enhance immune defense strategies. METHODS: Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have been applied to high-throughput immune-omics data-sets, structural prediction of microbial proteins, and identification of evasion-related genomic signatures. This letter discusses the emerging applications of machine learning models and neural networks in predicting immune evasion strategies and optimizing immune system support. RESULTS: Pathogens utilize strategies such as antigenic variation, immune suppression, and molecular mimicry to subvert host immunity. AI-driven approaches, including predictive modeling and machine learning, have been in-strumental in identifying novel therapeutic targets and optimizing immune responses. CONCLUSIONS: The integration of AI into immunological research provides a transformative approach to decoding microbial evasion tactics and developing targeted interventions. Sustained interdisciplinary efforts are critical to advancing this frontier in infectious disease management.
BACKGROUND: Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) is commonly used in pregnancy detection and as a tumor marker for reproductive system cancers. METHODS: We report a case of a 51-year-old female with primary malignan...BACKGROUND: Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) is commonly used in pregnancy detection and as a tumor marker for reproductive system cancers. METHODS: We report a case of a 51-year-old female with primary malignant giant cell tumor of bone (MGCTB) who developed persistently elevated serum β-hCG levels. Considering the possibility of detection interference, we evaluated pre-analytical factors, laboratory quality control, instrumentation, and personnel-related issues, and performed polyethylene glycol precipitation testing to exclude endogenous interference. RESULTS: No interfering factors affecting the β-hCG results were identified, and the measured β-hCG levels were confirmed to be accurate and reliable. The patient was diagnosed with MGCTB, a rare mesenchymal tumor. Eight months after undergoing tumor resection and chemotherapy, she developed pulmonary metastases. During hospitalization, progressive increases in C-reactive protein, D-dimer, and β-hCG levels were observed. We conducted a literature review on mesenchymal tumors with aberrant β-hCG expression, which indicated that elevated β-hCG levels may be associated with poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: This case suggests that MGCTB may be an unrecognized source of ectopic β-hCG secretion. Clini-cians should consider this possibility in similar contexts to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary interventions.
BACKGROUND: Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (IHES) occurring concurrently with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is rarely reported, and its diagnosis and management present notable challenges. METHODS: This case repo...BACKGROUND: Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (IHES) occurring concurrently with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is rarely reported, and its diagnosis and management present notable challenges. METHODS: This case report describes a 79-year-old male with ESRD, undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for two years, who presented with persistent pruritus, interstitial pneumonia, and decreased muscle strength. Laboratory investigations revealed sustained eosinophilia (4.39 x 10⁹/L). RESULTS: Following the exclusion of secondary causes such as infections and malignancies, a diagnosis of IHES was established. A treatment course consisting of low-dose prednisone (0.3 mg/kg/day) for five days led to a 71.2% reduction in eosinophil count (p < 0.01) and a 62.5% decrease in pruritus score (p < 0.05). Complete remission was attained within one month of initiating therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This case underscores the importance of multidisciplinary management in patients with ESRD complicated by IHES and indicates that low-dose glucocorticoids may serve as a safe and effective first-line treatment option.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the influencing factors and possible predictors of cognitive impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicating cerebral infarction (T2DM/CI). METHODS:...BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the influencing factors and possible predictors of cognitive impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicating cerebral infarction (T2DM/CI). METHODS: The clinical data of 130 patients with T2DM/CI were retrospectively analyzed. According to MMSE score and MoCA score, they were divided into cognitive impairment group (78 cases) and no cognitive impairment group (52 cases). Multifactorial logistic regression analysis was used to explore the independent influencing factors of cognitive impairment in patients with T2DM/CI. Pearson analysis was used to analyze the correlation between DBIL and HbA1c and MoCA score. In turn, ROC curves were plotted to analyze the predictive efficacy of DBIL and HbA1c in cognitive impairment in T2DM/CI patients. RESULTS: DBIL in serum was significantly lower in the cognitive impairment group compared with the no cognitive impairment group and was an independent protective factor for cognitive impairment in T2DM/CI patients. In contrast, HbA1c levels were completely opposite and acted as an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment in patients with T2DM/CI. There was a negative correlation between MoCA scores and HbA1c as well as between HbA1c and DBIL. There was a positive correlation between MoCA scores and DBIL. Combined DBIL and HbA1c was more effective in predicting the cognitive impairment in patients with T2DM/CI. CONCLUSIONS: Low DBIL and high HbA1c levels are independent risk factors for cognitive impairment in T2DM/ CI patients with some predictive efficacy and are positively correlated with the severity of cognitive impairment.
BACKGROUND: Enterococci are clinically important pathogens exhibiting intrinsic and acquired resistance to multiple antimicrobial classes. Vancomycin (VCM) and teicoplanin (TEIC) are glycopeptide antibiotics used in case...BACKGROUND: Enterococci are clinically important pathogens exhibiting intrinsic and acquired resistance to multiple antimicrobial classes. Vancomycin (VCM) and teicoplanin (TEIC) are glycopeptide antibiotics used in cases of β-lactam intolerance or resistance, yet TEIC is less frequently recommended in the guidelines despite its favorable safety profile. This study aimed to compare the in vitro activity of VCM and TEIC against clinical Enterococcus isolates by analyzing minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) distributions. METHODS: Between July 2024 and March 2025, 552 Enterococcus isolates were collected at Okayama University Hospital. MICs were determined using the microdilution method. RESULTS: Among the 551 isolates, 370 (67%) were E. faecalis, 117 (21%) were E. faecium, 31 (6%) were E. avium, 21 (4%) were E. casseliflavus, and 12 (2%) were E. gallinarum. Cumulative MIC distributions revealed notably lower MICs for TEIC compared to VCM in Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus casseliflavus, and Enterococcus gallinarum, while Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus avium showed comparatively equivalent MIC profiles. Particularly, the MIC50 and MIC90 values for VCM in E. faecalis (1 and 2 µg/mL, respectively) were substantially higher than those for TEIC (0.125 and 0.25 µg/mL), which remained considerably below the established antimicrobial susceptibility breakpoint. The MIC50 and MIC90 values of VCM against E. faecium were both 1 µg/mL, whereas those of TEIC were 0.5 µg/mL and 1 µg/mL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest TEIC may provide a therapeutic advantage in the management of selected enterococcal infections. Further clinical investigations to validate its role in treatment strategies for enterococcal infections are warranted.
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze the effect of different storage conditions and different detection time on the results of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) in clinical peripheral blood samples by flow cytome...BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze the effect of different storage conditions and different detection time on the results of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) in clinical peripheral blood samples by flow cytometry (FCM) after the completion of all procedure steps. METHODS: 68 inpatients were randomly selected at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in March 2025, and 68 peripheral blood specimens were collected. After all laboratory procedure steps were completed, cell suspension in PBS was prepared and stored both at 4℃ and at room temperature away from light, which were then divided into four different detection time groups: 0 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, and 24 hours groups. The percentage results of seven cell populations, CD45+ Lym cell population (CD45+ Lym cells), CD3+ T cell popu-lation (CD3+ T cells), CD3+ CD4+ T cell population (CD3+ CD4+ T cells), CD3+ CD8+ T cell population (CD3+ CD8+ T cells), CD3+PD-1+ T cell population (CD3+ PD-1+ T cells), CD3+ CD4+ PD-1+ T cell population (CD3+ CD4+ PD-1+ T cells), and CD3+ CD8+ PD-1+ T cell population (CD3+ CD8+ PD-1+ T cells), were detected using FCM. Statistical software was used to compare and analyze the results. RESULTS: When stored at 4℃ away from light, compared with 0 hours group, the results of seven cell populations in the 4 hours and 8 hours groups did not change significantly and the results of the 24 hours group decreased significantly (p < 0.05). At room temperature away from light, the results of seven cell populations had no significant difference between the 0 hours and 4 hours groups. The results of seven cell populations in the 8 hours and 24 hours groups decreased significantly, with significant difference (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The detection of PD-1 should not be carried out too long after all of the laboratory procedure steps have been completed. If samples are stored at 4℃ away from light, the detection time should be limited to 8 hours; if stored at room temperature away from light, the detection time should be limited to 4 hours. This is to ensure the accuracy and stability of the detection results.
BACKGROUND: This study investigates the changes in serum miRNA-210 expression at different stages of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) and their clinical significance. METHODS: Twenty patients with sICH and adm...BACKGROUND: This study investigates the changes in serum miRNA-210 expression at different stages of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) and their clinical significance. METHODS: Twenty patients with sICH and admitted to the Neurosurgery Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Beihua University between August 2022 and January 2023 were selected for this study. Venous blood samples were collected on Day 1 (within 12 hours) and Day 7 after disease onset. Serum miRNA-210 expression was quantified using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: Serum miRNA-210 levels on Day 7 (31.5775 ± 0.13242) were significantly lower than on Day 1 (31.6865 ± 0.1654) in patients with sICH. Results of a paired t-test analysis showed a t value of 2.268, p = 0.035 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, differences in serum miRNA-210 expression at different stages of sICH were found to be significant. Changes in miRNA-210 levels may serve as potential biomarkers for disease progression, providing insights for clinical management.
BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with a high mortality rate. Previous studies have shown that FOXQ1, MMP11, and CST1 play significant roles in various cancers, influencing the invasion and metastasis of...BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with a high mortality rate. Previous studies have shown that FOXQ1, MMP11, and CST1 play significant roles in various cancers, influencing the invasion and metastasis of tumors. However, their effects on colorectal cancer have not been fully investigated. The purpose of this research was to examine the expression of FOXQ1, MMP11, and CST1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and to systematically as-sess how these factors relate to clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival outcomes. METHODS: This study retrospectively gathered paraffin-embedded samples from 110 CRC patients who underwent surgery between 2017 and 2018. Meanwhile, relevant data were obtained from public databases to analyze expression differences of FOXQ1, MMP11, and CST1 between tumor tissues and normal lung tissues. We examined the expression of FOXQ1, MMP11, and CST1 using immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the associations among FOXQ1, MMP11, CST1, clinical-pathological parameters, and prognosis were systematically analyzed. Further verification of the in vitro results was conducted through qRT-PCR. RESULTS: Expression of FOXQ1, MMP11, and CST1 in patients was high, with 83.6%, 67%, and 74.5%, respectively. Through rigorous quantitative analysis of clinical-pathological parameters, the study confirmed that these biomarkers have a close and clinically significant correlation with the progression of TNM staging and the occurrence of lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05). Bioinformatics analysis and qRT-PCR verification both indicated that the expression levels of FOXQ1, MMP11, and CST1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues were significantly higher than those in adjacent non-cancerous tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The research data indicate that the abnormal overexpression of FOXQ1, MMP11, and CST1 in CRC tissues is significantly correlated with poor clinical prognosis in patients. There may be a synergistic effect influencing the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells, positioning them as potential novel therapeutic targets for patients with CRC.
BACKGROUND: Serum amyloid A (SAA) plays a vital role in the acute-phase response, acting as a cytokine-like protein. Few studies have examined the role of SAA, malnutrition, and the stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) in th...BACKGROUND: Serum amyloid A (SAA) plays a vital role in the acute-phase response, acting as a cytokine-like protein. Few studies have examined the role of SAA, malnutrition, and the stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) in the development of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study investigated the relationship between SAA, nutritional indices, SHR, inflammatory biomarkers, and the prevalence of DKD in overweight and non-overweight patients with T2DM. METHODS: A total of 245 patients with newly diagnosed T2DM were evaluated. Levels of SAA, C-reactive protein (CRP), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were measured. SHR, controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), systemic inflammatory index (SII), and inflammatory burden index (IBI) were calculated. CONUT scores ≥ 5.0 and 0 - 1 were defined as high and normal CONUT scores, indicating malnutrition and normal nutritional status, respectively. RESULTS: Patients with a high CONUT score had a 2.9-fold higher prevalence of DKD than those with a normal CONUT score. The prevalence of DKD was significantly higher in patients with elevated SAA levels than in those without elevated SAA levels, whereas no significant difference was observed between patients with elevated and non-elevated CRP levels. PNI and CONUT score were more closely correlated with SAA and CRP levels in non-overweight patients with diabetes than in overweight patients with diabetes. Levels of SAA, CONUT score, SII, and IBI were significantly higher in non-overweight patients than in overweight patients. SHR was more strongly associated with DKD prevalence (odds ratio: 2.471; 95% confidence interval, 1.164 - 5.746; p < 0.001) than either HbA1c or FPG. Inflammation combined with malnutrition significantly increased the risk of DKD compared with inflammation or malnutrition alone. CONCLUSIONS: Low nutritional status plays a crucial role in the development of DKD, possibly in connection with systemic inflammation, particularly in non-overweight patients with T2DM. SAA and SHR are more closely associated with DKD risk than CRP and HbA1c in patients with diabetes.
BACKGROUND: Our study aimed to analyze the molecular and clinical characteristics of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), identify prognostic factors, and evaluate their implications for patient outcomes. METHODS:...BACKGROUND: Our study aimed to analyze the molecular and clinical characteristics of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), identify prognostic factors, and evaluate their implications for patient outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 33 patients diagnosed with AITL between 2012 and 2022 at our center. Clinical data, laboratory parameters, pathological findings, and treatment outcomes were evaluated. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognostic factors were identified through univariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: The median age was 64.1 ± 7.2 years, with male predominance (63.6%). Most patients presented with advanced disease (69.7% stage IV). Immunophenotypic analysis confirmed high expression of follicular helper T-cell markers, including PD-1 (96.9%), CXCL13 (83.3%), and BCL-6 (96.6%). EBV was detected in 72.7% of specimens by EBER-ISH and 90% by EBV-DNA PCR. Univariate analysis identified lower hemoglobin, decreased platelet counts, low albumin levels, and elevated β2-microglobulin as significant negative prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS). For overall survival (OS), low albumin levels (HR 0.8, 95% CI 0.69 - 0.92, p = 0.002) and elevated β2-microglobulin (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.03 - 1.69, p = 0.029) were significant predictors of inferior outcomes. Interestingly, PD-1 positivity was associated with significantly better PFS (HR 0.03, 95% CI 0 - 0.52, p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the aggressive nature of AITL and identifies several readily accessible laboratory parameters as important prognostic factors. The protective effect of PD-1 positivity on survival outcomes warrants further investigation. While CHOP/CHOPE remains the standard treatment, the addition of novel targeted therapies shows promise for improving patient outcomes in this challenging lymphoma subtype.
BACKGROUND: Mutations in the NCSTN gene are believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of acne inversa (AI). Further, certain cytokines are overexpressed in the inflammatory milieu of AI skin. Considering its central ro...BACKGROUND: Mutations in the NCSTN gene are believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of acne inversa (AI). Further, certain cytokines are overexpressed in the inflammatory milieu of AI skin. Considering its central role in cytokine regulation, the JAK/STAT signaling pathway should be examined as a pathogenic factor and potential therapeutic target in AI. METHODS: NCSTNflox/+, CAGGCre-ERTM mice were given 10 mg/kg/day tamoxifen for 6 days. Knockout of the NCSTN gene was confirmed by PCR. The levels of JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, and TYK2 in the skin tissue of NCSTN conditional knockout mice and WT mice were measured by IHC. RESULTS: By objective scoring using ImageJ software, JAK2 (p = 0.013) expression was increased in the dermis of KO mice, and JAK1 (p = 0.032), JAK3 (p = 0.028), and TYK2 (p = 0.029) were upregulated in the epidermis of KO mice versus WT mice. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the JAK/STAT pathway is important in AI, rendering it a potential therapeutic target. Targeting the JAK1/2 may be more prominent in the treatment of HS.
BACKGROUND: ABO blood groups have certain connections with the occurrence of various infectious diseases. This article mainly explored the association between transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) and ABO blood group...BACKGROUND: ABO blood groups have certain connections with the occurrence of various infectious diseases. This article mainly explored the association between transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) and ABO blood groups and identified other possible influencing factors. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed the TTIs results of 257,117 blood donors and analyzed the relationship between age, gender, and blood groups and TTIs. RESULTS: The treponema pallidum (TP) infection rate in A and AB blood donors were significantly higher than that in B and O blood donors (p = 0.023), and the TP infection rate in women was significantly higher than that in men (p = 0.007). Age is an independent risk factor for HBsAg and TP infection [OR (95% CI): 1.4 (1.32 - 1.49), 1.44 (1.38 - 1.51)], and the infection rate gradually increases with age (p for trend 0.001). There may be a significant as-sociation between blood group A and TP infection risk [adj. OR (95% CI): 1.13 (1 - 1.28), p = 0.045], and the risk of blood group A increased by 13% compared with non-A group. Blood group A is an independent risk factor for TP infection. There is a significant association between blood group AB and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection risk [adj. OR (95% CI): 0.71 (0.52 - 0.96), p = 0.026]; blood group AB has a 29% lower risk of infection compared with the non-AB group, so blood group AB is an independent protective factor against HBsAg infection. CONCLUSIONS: The positive rate of TTIs among local blood donors is related to blood group and age, which has certain guiding significance for the recruitment of blood donor TTIs screening.
BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects millions of people worldwide. Patients often turn to the internet and artificial intelligence (AI)-based conversational models for information. The CLEAR tool evalu...BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects millions of people worldwide. Patients often turn to the internet and artificial intelligence (AI)-based conversational models for information. The CLEAR tool evaluates the quality of health-related content produced by AI-based models. This study assessed the responses provided by medical guidelines, ChatGPT, and Google Bard to the ten most frequently asked online questions about GDM, uti-lizing the CLEAR tool for evaluation. METHODS: The most common online questions about GDM were identified using Google Trends, and the top 10 questions were selected. Answers were then gathered from two experienced physicians, ChatGPT 4.0o-mini, and Google Bard, with responses categorized into 'Guide,' 'ChatGPT,' and 'Bard' groups. Answers from the AI models were obtained using two computers and two separate sessions to ensure consistency and minimize bias. RESULTS: ChatGPT received higher scores than the medical guidelines, while Bard scored lower than ChatGPT. The medical guidelines provided more accessible answers for the general audience, while ChatGPT and Bard required higher literacy levels. Good reliability (0.781) was observed between the two reviewers. Regarding readability, the medical guidelines were the easiest to read, while Bard provided the most challenging text. CONCLUSIONS: ChatGPT and Google Bard perform well in content completeness and relevance but face challenges in readability and misinformation. Future research should improve accuracy and readability, integrate AI with peer-reviewed sources, and ensure healthcare professionals guide patients to reliable AI information.
BACKGROUND: Extremely low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), defined as < 10 mg/dL, are rarely observed in clinical laboratories and may result from severe metabolic disorders, genetic conditions, or...BACKGROUND: Extremely low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), defined as < 10 mg/dL, are rarely observed in clinical laboratories and may result from severe metabolic disorders, genetic conditions, or analytical and preanalytical interferences. Understanding the prevalence and associated findings of such results is critical for accurate interpretation. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 1,022,234 HDL-C test results from specimens submitted to GC Labs, a large referral laboratory in South Korea, between January and December 2023. For specimens with HDL-C < 10 mg/dL, concurrent laboratory findings were evaluated. Additional comparisons of the prevalence of HDL-C < 10 mg/dL and its associated laboratory findings were made using public datasets from KNHANES (2011 - 2023), NHIS (2023), and US NHANES (2015 - 2020). RESULTS: Among all specimens, 147 (0.015%) showed HDL-C < 10 mg/dL. Out of these, 125 specimens had available concurrent test results. Common findings included abnormal liver chemistries (56.8%), decreased kidney function (31.2%), elevated CRP (20.0%), anemia, and very high triglyceride levels (≥ 500 mg/dL in 33.6%). Several patterns suggested preanalytical issues, including delayed serum separation, dilutional effects, or lipemic interference observed on gross examination (12.0%). One case showed no apparent abnormalities, raising suspicion of rare genetic or medical conditions or analytical error. Public datasets showed similarly low prevalence (0.004 - 0.009%) and comparable findings. CONCLUSIONS: Extremely low HDL-C values are rare but often linked to identifiable biochemical abnormalities or preanalytical/analytical interferences. Reviewing concurrent test results and specimen handling helps distinguish true pathology from spurious results and improve diagnostic accuracy in clinical laboratories.
BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, we have observed that compared with red blood cells and plasma, platelet trans-fusion is more likely to cause transfusion adverse reactions, especially in children. Platelets may suffer...BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, we have observed that compared with red blood cells and plasma, platelet trans-fusion is more likely to cause transfusion adverse reactions, especially in children. Platelets may suffer different degrees of structural and biochemical damage during processing and preservation, and the lipid components contained in platelets may have a significant impact on the generation of transfusion adverse reactions. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify the key bioactive lipid components that cause adverse blood transfusion reactions especially allergic rash and to explore ways to reduce the adverse transfusion reactions caused by irradiated aphaeresis platelets. METHODS: Platelet antibodies were determined in 15 children with rash after transfusion and 15 children with no adverse transfusion reactions, then lipid composition was analyzed by mass spectrometry. The Thermo UHPLC-Q Exactive HF-X Vanquish Horizon system compared differential lipid composition using GraphPad version 8.3.0 for statistical analysis and Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis. RESULTS: Platelet antibodies were negative in the allergic transfusion reaction (ATR) group. Among the platelet lipid components, PE (18:3/18:2) and TG (18:1/18:2/24:1) were up-regulated, whereas SM (d17:1/18:1), SM (d17:1/ 18:3) were significantly down-regulated in the no-AR group. Furthermore, the enrichment analysis of the KEGG pathway of differential lipids indicated that cholesterol metabolism has the most significant diversity. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggests that the content of PE (18:3/18:2), TG (18:1/18:2/24:1), SM (d17:1/18:1), SM (d17:1/18:3) in platelets can prospectively predict transfusion-related allergic reactions in children. It is possible to improve platelet products by changing the lipid component of platelets to improve platelet transfusion efficiency.
BACKGROUND: An icteric coloration or lipemic appearance of serum is frequently observed in clinical practice. These changes in appearance can be detected either visually after centrifugation or during the analytical phas...BACKGROUND: An icteric coloration or lipemic appearance of serum is frequently observed in clinical practice. These changes in appearance can be detected either visually after centrifugation or during the analytical phase by spectrophotometric determination of the HIL indices (hemolysis, icterus, lipemia). These endogenous interferences can be the cause of analytical interferences affecting the accuracy of the results of the analyses carried out. METHODS AND RESULTS: Our observation describes an atypical brown 'coffee-like' coloration of the plasma, causing a discrepancy between the total bilirubin dosed and the icterus index measured on our analytical system. CONCLUSIONS: It is essential to preserve the crucial information gathered during the pre-analytical and analytical phases, in order to avoid improperly cancelling the results or giving incorrect results as a result of analytical interference.