Nevertheless, this study shows the need to standardize AMH assays to improve the comparability of the methods.

This study investigated whether platelet-to-neutrophil ratio (PNR) can predict short-term mortality in patients with HBV-associated decompensated cirrhosis (HBV-DeCi).

We retrospectively analyzed 121 HBV-DeCi patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to identify predictors of mortality. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine prognostic accuracy.

Thirteen HBV-DeCi patients (10.7%) died at 30 days after admission. PNR was significantly lower in survivors compared with non-survivors and was negatively correlated with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. Both MELD score and PNR were independent predictors for 30-day mortality.

The present findings suggest that PNR may be a useful biomarker for predicting mortality in HBV-DeCi patients and could have potential for clinical application.

The present findings suggest that PNR may be a useful biomarker for predicting mortality in HBV-DeCi patients and could have potential for clinical application.

Balanced translocation of chromosomes has a negative impact on male fertility, which can easily cause clinical manifestations such as oligospermia and asthenospermia. It is necessary to conduct cytogenetic examination on men of childbearing age to guide them in their fertility.

We report a case of balanced translocation 46, XY, t(9;22) (q22;q13) accompanied with oligospermia and asthenospermia. The lymphocytes in peripheral blood were cultured to examine the patient’s karyotype.

The karyotypes of the patient and the patient’s wife were detected and identified as 46, XY, t(9;22) (9pter→9q2222q13→22qter;22pter→22q139q22→9qter) and 46, XX, respectively. The origin of the chromosome translocation was unknown because the patient’s parents did not undergo cytogenetic tests.

For patients with oligospermia and asthenospermia, cytogenetic examination should be carried out to obtain a healthy fetus. Prenatal diagnosis should be strictly performed to prevent the birth of children with chromosomal diseases if one partner of the couple is a carrier with abnormal chromosome structure.

For patients with oligospermia and asthenospermia, cytogenetic examination should be carried out to obtain a healthy fetus. Prenatal diagnosis should be strictly performed to prevent the birth of children with chromosomal diseases if one partner of the couple is a carrier with abnormal chromosome structure.

Diarrhea remains a major threat to children in low- and middle-income countries, which is the second cause of death among children in the world. The aim of the present study was to develop and evaluate a multiplex-PCR assay for direct detection of common bacterial enteropathogens in fecal specimens.

One hundred and three stool specimens were collected from children under 5 years of age with gastroenteritis during a six-month period in Ilam, Iran. The multiplex PCR assay simultaneously detected Shigella spp., Campylobacter jejuni, Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), and Salmonella enterica in stool samples.

Our results demonstrated that the prevalence of Shigella spp. Campylobacter jejuni, EPEC, ETEC, and Salmonella enterica were 21.35%, 10.67%, 1.94%, 0.97% and 0%, respectively. In addition, Shigella spp. with Campylobacter jejuni and EPEC with Campylobacter jejuni coinfection were observed in sample 11 (10.67%). The analytical sensitivity of the multiplex PCR assay was estimated to be 0.01 ng/µL of genomic DNA from culture. The analytical specificity was determined to be 100% by using common and standard enteropathogenic bacterial strains.

The molecular method developed in the study was rapid, sensitive, and specific for detection of common bacterial enteropathogens.

The molecular method developed in the study was rapid, sensitive, and specific for detection of common bacterial enteropathogens.

Essential trace elements play key roles in multiple biological systems, and hemodialysis patients are at risk for deficiency of essential trace elements. The aim of the study was to assess the essential element status in end stage renal disease patients undergoing online hemodiafiltration (online HDF) in outpatient dialysis clinic.

A total of 28 Korean patients with regular online HDF were included. Blood samples were collected before and after one HDF session, and serum concentrations of zinc, copper, selenium, and manganese were simulta-neously measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Selenium, zinc, copper deficiencies were observed in 71.4%, 35.8%, and 21.4%, compared with the reference range. No patients revealed manganese deficiency. After the HDF, the post-HDF level significantly increased in all trace elements, compared with the pre-HDF (11.2% for selenium, 10.7% for copper, and 6.6% for zinc). Enzalutamide However, 50% patients were still deficient for selenium at the post-HDF.

Our data suggest that the patients undergoing online HDF are at an increased risk of trace element deficiency, especially for selenium.

Our data suggest that the patients undergoing online HDF are at an increased risk of trace element deficiency, especially for selenium.

We analyzed the 2019 external quality assessment (EQA) results to evaluate the analytical performance of maternal serum prenatal screening for Down Syndrome (DS) in the first trimester in China.

In each round, five lyophilized EQA samples with detailed clinical information were distributed to participants and used to test the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin free beta subunits (free β-HCG) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) to calculate the risk value of DS. The robust coefficient of variability (CV) was calculated or test results for free β-HCG and PAPP-A using analytes and major measurement platforms. For DS risk values, the robust CV was calculated using a professional calculation platform. Failed EQA results were analyzed using serum marker testing results and DS risk values.

EQA results were collected from 242 laboratories in round 1 and 239 laboratories in round 2. Total acceptable rates of testing results for free β-HCG and PAPP-A ranged from 95.04% to 97.91%. Overall acceptable rates of DS risk values ranged from 97.