Serum Procalcitonin, Hematology Parameters, and Cell Morphology in Multiple Clinical Conditions and Sepsis.

Background: The clinical value of procalcitonin (PCT) in infection diagnosis and antibiotic stewardship is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum PCT and different clinical conditions as well as other infectious/inflammatory parameters in different septic patients in order to elucidate the value of PCT detection in infection management.

Methods: Chemiluminescence immunoassay was used for serum PCT analysis.

The diagnostic performance of the Mindray system in detecting CA125 and HE4 for patients with ovarian cancer.

Background: Cancer antigen 125 (CA125) and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) are the most commonly used tumor biomarkers for ovarian cancer (OC) screening and diagnosis. The risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) score uses these markers, as detected by the Roche system, to predict the risk of OC. This study sought to assess the performance of the Mindray system in detecting CA125 and HE4 for ROMA score calculation in clinical settings.

Analytical and clinical performance evaluation of a new NT-proBNP assay.

Background: The study evaluated the performance of the Mindray N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in a healthy population in China, focusing on creating a reference range for future clinical applications adjusted according to different demographics.

Methods: The study measured NT-proBNP in 2277 healthy individuals. We analyzed age and sex-stratified data, performed precision, accuracy, linearitcvy, and detection limit studies, and evaluated method comparison and consistency between Roche and Mindray assays on 724 serum samples.

Comparison on the consistency of Mindray and Siemens chemiluminescence analyzers for detecting FT3, FT4 and TSH in patients with hyper- and hypothyroidism.

Background: To examine the consistency of the Mindray and Siemens full-automatic chemiluminescence analyzers in detecting serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in patients with hyper- or hypothyroidism.

Methods: Included in this study were 164 new patients with abnormal thyroid function assessed at Nan Fang Hospital of Southern Medical University in 2021: 107 patients with hyperthyroidism and 57 with hypothyroidism. Additional 100 healthy individuals comprised the control group.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of respiratory viruses in 4403 pediatric patients from multiple hospitals in Guangdong, China.

Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) cause considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in children. Unfortunately, there are limited multi-center data on common viral respiratory infections in south China.

Methods: A total of 4403 nasal swabs were collected from children in 10 cities in Guangdong, China in 2019.

Thymic Epithelial Cells Contribute to Thymopoiesis and T Cell Development.

The thymus is the primary lymphoid organ responsible for the generation and maturation of T cells. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) account for the majority of thymic stromal components. They are further divided into cortical and medullary TECs based on their localization within the thymus and are involved in positive and negative selection, respectively.

Reflex threshold of signal-to-cut-off ratios of the Elecsys anti-HCV II assay for hepatitis C virus infection.

Introduction: Fast screening tests for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody often give false-positive results. Signal-to-cut-off (S/Co) ratios were suggested to be used as reflex confirmation of anti-HCV. The Elecsys Anti-HCV II assay is an effective test for the detection of hepatitis C, but no S/Co cutoff has been reported.

[Changes of serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels in patients with cardiovascular diseases and its clinical significance].

Objective: To detect the changes in serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels in patients with cardiovascular diseases and explore its clinical significance.

Methods: Serum NT-proBNP concentrations were measured by electrochemiluminescent immunoassay (ECLIA) in 460 patients with cardiovascular diseases and in 50 normal controls, and echocardiographic examination was performed to determine the left ventricular ejection function (LVEF). Analysis of NT-proBNP was performed for its correlation to New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classifications LVEF, and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases.