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Rabies is a lethal infectious disease caused by rabies virus (RABV). The mortality rate is very high after the appearance of clinical symptoms, with a survival rate of almost 0%. There is presently no cure for rabies. In the present study, we investigated whether the extract of Shougong powder—a calcium powder prepared from gecko that has demonstrated immunomodulatory properties in mice—is an effective treatment for rabies. The antiviral effects of the extract were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo with the cytotoxicity and antiviral assays and by immunofluorescence analysis, quantitative real‐time (qRT)‐PCR, and western blotting. The results showed that Shougong powder and its extract increased survival rate in RABV‐infected mice is up to 60% and 50%, respectively, even in 20 times of LD50, whereas the control groups treated with isoprinosine (IPS) or saline are only 20% and 0% survival (p =.011). qRT‐PCR and western blotting analyses showed that the extract strongly inhibited viral mRNA expression and protein synthesis in vitro: expression of the N, P, M, G, and L genes of RABV was decreased by 28.8%–45.0% in the IPS group (p <.05) and by 50.1%–59.0% in the extract group (p <.05) relative to the control group. These results demonstrate that Shougong powder has certain antiviral effects against RABV and can potentially be used for the treatment for rabies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microsatellite instability (MSI) analysis of tumors informs Lynch syndrome testing, therapeutic choice, and prognosis. The status of MSI is mainly detected by polymerase chain reaction coupled with capillary electrophoresis. However, there are various assays with different detection loci and the obtained results may vary. The objective of this study was to evaluate the concordance among different assays and the performance among different laboratories. External quality assessment (EQA) for the detection of MSI was performed in 2021 and 2022. Each sample panel consisted of five samples, including microsatellite-stable and MSI tumor tissues. The sample panels were coded at random, and the returned results were compared and scored. The fully validated sample panels showed appropriate applicability with commercially available assays. There were eight false-negative results in 2021 and five false results (two false-positives and three false-negatives) in 2022. Among the participating laboratories, in 2021, 20 (74.07%) provided completely correct results; in 2022, 38 (92.68%) obtained an optimal score. The molecular detection of MSI in China exhibited an improvement in a 2-year EQA study. Participation in EQA program is an efficient way of assessing the performance of laboratories and improving their ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection of Syndecan 2 (SDC2) methylation in stool DNA is a novel method for the auxiliary diagnosis of early colorectal cancer (CRC). Currently, this method has been widely applied; however, its accuracy and reliability have not been determined. The objective of this pioneering study was to evaluate the performance of clinical laboratories in China for their ability to detect SDC2 methylation from stool DNA. We generated a sample panel consisting of clinical and cell samples. The clinical samples were stool specimens from patients with or without CRC, including four positives (prepared by serial dilution from one stool specimen), one negative and one interferential sample. Two cell samples, with positive or negative methylated SDC2, were used as controls. The panel was distributed to 32 clinical laboratories for analysis of SDC2 methylation, and the results were compared and scored. The sample panel was compatible with commercially available assays and it showed appropriate stability to be an external quality assessment material. There were four false results; one hospital laboratory and one commercial diagnostic laboratory had a false-positive and a false-negative result, respectively, and one commercial diagnostic laboratory had both a false-positive and false-negative result. Among the 32 participating laboratories, 29 (90.62%) obtained an acceptable or better performance score, while 3 (9.38%) laboratories required improvement. Our results demonstrate that the detection of SDC2 methylation from stool DNA was satisfactory in China. Additionally, the importance of external quality assessment was highlighted for monitoring the performance of clinical laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19, caused by SARS‐Cov‐2) is a big challenge for global health systems and the economy. Rapid and accurate tests are crucial at early stages of this pandemic. Reverse transcription‐quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction is the current gold standard method for detection of SARS‐Cov‐2. It is impractical and costly to test individuals in large‐scale population screens, especially in low‐ and middle‐income countries due to their shortage of nucleic acid testing reagents and skilled staff. Accordingly, sample pooling, such as for blood screening for syphilis, is now widely applied to COVID‐19. In this paper, we survey and review several different pooled‐sample testing strategies, based on their group size, prevalence, testing number, and sensitivity, and we discuss their efficiency in terms of reducing cost and saving time while ensuring sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 continues to circulate globally in 2021, while under the precise policy implementation of China's public health system, the epidemic was quickly controlled, and society and the economy have recovered. During the pandemic response, nucleic acid detection of SARS-CoV-2 has played an indispensable role in the first line of defence. In the cases of emergency operations or patients presenting at fever clinics, nucleic acid detection is required to be performed and reported quickly. Therefore, nucleic acid point-of-care testing (POCT) technology for SARS-CoV-2 identification has emerged, and has been widely carried out at all levels of medical institutions. SARS-CoV-2 POCT has served as a complementary test to conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) batch tests, thus forming an experimental diagnosis platform that not only guarantees medical safety but also improves quality services. However, in view of the complexity of molecular diagnosis and the biosafety requirements involved, pathogen nucleic acid POCT is different from traditional blood-based physical and chemical index detection. No guidelines currently exist for POCT quality management, and there have been inconsistencies documented in practical operation. Therefore, Shanghai Society of Molecular Diagnostics, Shanghai Society of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Microbiology Division of Shanghai Society of Microbiology and Shanghai Center for Clinical Laboratory have cooperated with experts in laboratory medicine to generate the present expert consensus. Based on the current spectrum of major infectious diseases in China, the whole-process operation management of pathogen POCT, including its application scenarios, biosafety management, personnel qualification, performance verification, quality control, and result reporting, are described here. This expert consensus will aid in promoting the rational application and robust development of this technology in public health defence and hospital infection management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Inside Back Cover: The study of anti-rabies virus effect of Shougong powder" investigates the potential effectiveness of Shougong powder as a treatment for rabies. The experiments conducted on RABV-infected mice showed that both Shougong powder and its extract increased the survival rate, with the extract showing a 50% increase and the powder showing a 60% increase. These findings suggest that Shougong powder may have antiviral effects against rabies and could be considered for use in rabies treatment. The authors of the article are Minmin Zhang, Yun Fan, Xueliang Wang, Jinghua Wang, Rong Chen, Husheng Pan, Yanqun Xiao, Heyao Wang, Weigang Huang, and Hualiang Wang. [Extracted from the article]

Seven samples contained a different single HPV genotype (HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 52 and 58). Two samples included mixed HPV genotypes (HPV16+HPV18 and HPV16+HPV52) to assess the most common of the multiple HPV infections in China. 2 SP a sp All HPV genotyping assays could specifically identify the listed HPV genotypes except the Roche kit, which only identifies HPV16 and HPV18 genotypes separately. [Extracted from the article]