1.Compact Fundus Imaging System Using Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensing for High-speed Auto-focus
Zhe-Kai LIN ; Long CHEN ; Geng-Yong ZHENG ; Jin-Tian HUANG ; Jia-Xin DONG ; Shang-Pan YANG ; Wen-Zheng DING ; Ding-An HAN ; Xue-Hua WANG ; Ya-Guang ZENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):1076-1086
ObjectiveThe widespread adoption of portable fundus cameras for primary care and community screening is hindered by limitations in current autofocus(AF) technologies. Image-based methods relying on sharpness evaluation require iterative searches, resulting in slow convergence, while projection-based techniques are susceptible to optical artifacts and calibration errors. To address these challenges, this study introduces a novel AF system based on direct wavefront sensing, designed to deliver simultaneous high speed, high precision, and operational robustness within the compact form factor essential for portable ophthalmic devices. MethodsOur approach fundamentally reimagines the AF process by directly measuring the ocular wavefront aberration. We developed a custom portable fundus camera integrating a miniaturized Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWS) into the optical path. An 850 nm laser diode projects a point source onto the retina via oblique illumination to minimize corneal reflections. Light scattered from this spot carries the eye’s refractive error through the imaging optics and is directed to the SHWS, positioned at a plane optically conjugate to the primary color CMOS imaging sensor. A microlens array within the SHWS samples the incident wavefront, generating a pattern of focal spots on a CCD. Real-time centroid analysis of these spots provides a map of local wavefront slopes. These measurements are processed through a singular value decomposition (SVD) algorithm to fit a Zernike polynomial basis set, enabling real-time reconstruction of the wavefront phase. The defocus component (S) is extracted from the second-order Zernike coefficients, providing a direct, quantitative measure of the refractive error in diopters. This value serves as a precise error signal in a closed-loop control system, which commands a voice-coil actuated focusing lens to its null position in a single, deterministic step, eliminating the need for iterative search algorithms. ResultsComprehensive evaluation demonstrated the system’s high performance. Testing on a calibrated model eye (OEMI-7) established a highly linear relationship between the computed defocus S and the focusing lens position across a ±20 Diopter (D) compensation range, achievable within a 5 mm mechanical travel. The system achieved a focusing precision of 0.08 D, corresponding to an 18-fold improvement over a conventional projection spot-size method tested under identical conditions. The total focus acquisition time, encompassing wavefront measurement, computation, and lens actuation, averaged under 0.5 s. Clinical validation with 25 human volunteers (50 eyes, refractive range -15 D to +10 D) confirmed practical efficacy. The wavefront-sensing AF succeeded in 92% of attempts with a mean time of 0.5 s, substantially outperforming a projection-based benchmark which achieved only a 32% success rate with an average time of 4.25 s. The system provided instantaneous directional guidance and maintained stability during minor ocular movements. Objective assessment of image quality, via amplitude contrast of retinal vasculature, showed consistent and significant enhancement following AF correction across the entire tested diopter range. ConclusionThis work successfully implements and validates a direct wavefront-sensing autofocus paradigm for portable fundus cameras. By directly quantifying and compensating for the optical defocus aberration, this method bypasses the fundamental limitations of image-processing and projection-based techniques, enabling rapid, precise, and deterministic diopter compensation. The developed system delivers an exceptional combination of a wide operational range (±20 D), high accuracy (0.08 D), fast convergence (0.5 s), and a compact physical footprint. This technology provides a practical and high-performance focusing solution capable of enhancing the reliability, throughput, and diagnostic utility of portable retinal imaging in large-scale screening applications. Future efforts will be directed towards system cost optimization and performance adaptation for diverse ocular conditions.
2.The Regulatory Effects and Mechanisms of Piezo1 Channel on Chondrocytes and Bone Metabolic Dysregulation in Osteoarthritis
Yan LI ; Tao LIU ; Yu-Biao GU ; Hui-Qing TIAN ; Lei ZHANG ; Bi-Hui BAI ; Zhi-Jun HE ; Wen CHEN ; Jin-Peng LI ; Fei LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):564-576
Osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease worldwide, is defined by articular cartilage degradation, abnormal bone remodeling, and persistent chronic inflammation. It severely compromises patients’ quality of life, and currently, there is no radical cure. Abnormal mechanical stress is widely regarded as a core driver of OA pathogenesis, and the exploration of mechanical signal perception and transduction mechanisms has become crucial for deciphering OA’s pathophysiological processes. Piezo1, a key mechanosensitive cation channel belonging to the Piezo protein family, has recently gained significant attention due to its pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to mechanical stimuli in joint tissues. This review systematically examines Piezo1’s expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and pathological functions in OA, with a particular focus on its dual roles in modulating chondrocyte homeostasis and bone metabolism disorders, while also delving into the underlying molecular signaling pathways and potential therapeutic implications. Piezo1, consisting of approximately 2 500 amino acids and forming a unique trimeric propeller-like structure, is widely expressed in chondrocytes, osteocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and synovial cells. It exhibits permeability to cations such as Ca2+, K+, and Na+, and directly responds to membrane tension changes induced by mechanical stimuli like fluid shear stress and mechanical overload. In OA patients and animal models, Piezo1 expression is significantly upregulated, especially in cartilage regions subjected to abnormal mechanical stress (e.g., human temporomandibular joint cartilage). This overexpression is closely associated with aggravated cartilage degeneration, increased chondrocyte apoptosis, accelerated cellular senescence, and intensified inflammatory responses. Mechanical overload and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β) are key inducers of Piezo1 upregulation: IL-1β activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance Piezo1 expression, forming a pathogenic positive feedback loop that inhibits chondrocyte autophagy, promotes apoptosis, and further accelerates joint degeneration. Mechanistically, Piezo1 mediates OA progression through multiple interconnected pathways. When activated by mechanical stress, Piezo1 triggers excessive Ca2+ influx, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrial dysfunction, which directly induce chondrocyte apoptosis. This process involves the activation of downstream signaling cascades such as cGAS-STING and YAP-MMP13/ADAMTS5. YAP, a transcriptional regulator, upregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and aggrecanase (ADAMTS5), thereby accelerating cartilage matrix degradation. Additionally, Piezo1-driven Ca2+ overload promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulates senescence markers (p16 and p21), accelerating chondrocyte senescence via the p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Senescent chondrocytes secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β), further amplifying joint inflammation. In terms of bone metabolism, Piezo1 maintains joint homeostasis by promoting the differentiation of fibrocartilage stem cells into chondrocytes and balancing bone formation and resorption through regulating the FoxC1/YAP axis and RANKL/OPG ratio. Therapeutically, targeting Piezo1 shows promising potential. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Piezo1 inhibitors (e.g., GsMTx4) can reduce joint damage and alleviate pain in OA mice. Simultaneously, siRNA-mediated co-silencing of Piezo1 and TRPV4 (another mechanosensitive channel) decreases intracellular Ca2+ concentration, inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis, and promotes cartilage repair. Conditional knockout of Piezo1 using Gdf5-Cre transgenic mice alleviates cartilage degeneration in post-traumatic OA models by downregulating MMP13 and ADAMTS5 expression. Despite existing challenges, such as off-target effects of inhibitors, inefficient local drug delivery, and interindividual genetic variability, strategies like developing selective Piezo1 antagonists, optimizing targeted nanocarriers, and combining Piezo1-targeted therapy with physical therapy provide viable avenues for clinical translation. The authors propose that Piezo1 serves as a critical therapeutic target for OA, and future research should focus on deciphering its context-dependent regulatory networks, developing tissue-specific intervention strategies, and validating their efficacy and safety in clinical trials to address the unmet medical needs of OA patients.
3.Current application status of stem cell therapy in the field of lung transplantation
Mingyu GU ; Xiangyun ZHENG ; Ji’er MA ; Xiaohan JIN ; Zhiqiang DENG ; Haoji YAN ; Dong TIAN
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(2):311-318
In recent years, research on stem cell therapy in the field of lung transplantation has gradually increased, demonstrating its potential in improving the outcomes of lung transplantation. As a treatment option for end-stage lung diseases, lung transplantation faces challenges such as scarcity of donor organs, postoperative complications and rejection. Stem cells, with their self-renewal and multi-directional differentiation capabilities, have emerged as strong candidates for alternative or adjunctive treatments. Current studies show that embryonic stem cells and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells play significant roles in lung tissue regeneration and immune regulation. However, stem cell therapy still needs to overcome issues such as the selection of cell sources, low survival rates after transplantation and unclear long-term efficacy in clinical applications. Future research should focus on exploring new stem cell sources, improving transplantation techniques and establishing efficacy evaluation systems.
4.Incidence rate and related factors of dyslipidemia in children with simple obesity and overweight
Zizhu WANG ; Naijun WAN ; Jin ZHANG ; Tian ZHANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(3):155-158
Objective To explore the incidence rate and related factors of dyslipidemia in children with simple obesity and overweight. Methods From October 2018 to December 2023, 254 children with simple obesity and overweight who received physical examination in the pediatric outpatient department of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital were selected as the observation group, and 46 healthy children during the same period were included in the control group. According to whether dyslipidemia occurred, children with simple obesity and overweight were classified into the dyslipidemia group (n=97) and the normal blood lipid group (n=157). Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors affecting dyslipidemia in children with simple obesity and overweight. Results The concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) of children in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), while the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) showed the opposite trend and was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). After logistic regression analysis, it was found that body mass index (BMI), fasting insulin level, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, uric acid level, and daily sedentary time were related factors influencing dyslipidemia in children with simple obesity and overweight (P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence rate of dyslipidemia is high in children with simple obesity and overweight. BMI, fasting insulin level, ALT, uric acid level, and daily sedentary time are related factors of dyslipidemia in children with simple obesity and overweight.
5.Causal relationship between circulating inflammatory cytokines and bone mineral density based on two-sample Mendelian randomization
Shuai CHEN ; Jie JIN ; Huawei HAN ; Ningsheng TIAN ; Zhiwei LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(8):1556-1564
BACKGROUND:Many recent studies have shown a close relationship between inflammatory cytokines and osteoporosis and bone mineral density(BMD).However,the causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and BMD has not been fully revealed. OBJECTIVE:To explore the potential causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and BMD using a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis. METHODS:The single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with 41 circulating inflammatory cytokines were selected from the open database of genome-wide association studies(GWAS)as instrumental variables.The GWAS data about BMD were from the Genetic Factors for Osteoporosis Consortium,involving a total of 32 735 individuals of European ancestry.Inverse variance weighting was used as the primary analysis to evaluate the causal effect.Weighted median,MR Egger regression,simple mode,and weighted mode methods were used to supplement the explanation.We used the MR-Egger intercept and MR-PRESSO method to conduct a pleiotropy test,the Cochran's Q test was used to determine whether there was heterogeneity in the results,and the leave-one-out method was used to evaluate the stability of the results.In addition,to more accurately assess the causality,the Bonferroni-corrected test was used to identify inflammatory cytokines that have a strong causal relationship with BMD. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)According to the results of the inverse variance weighting method,we found a positive causal relationship between interleukin-8 and lumbar spine BMD[β=0.075,95%confidence interval(CI):0.033-0.117,P=0.000 5),while a negative causal relationship between interleukin-17 and lumbar spine BMD(β=-0.083,95%CI:-0.152 to-0.014,P=0.018).There might be a negative causal relationship between tumor necrosis factor b and femoral neck BMD(β=-0.053,95%CI:-0.088 to-0.018,P=0.003),while a positive causal relationship between basic fibroblast growth factor and femoral neck BMD(β=0.085,95%CI:0.016-0.154,P=0.015).There might be a negative causal relationship between macrophage inflammatory protein-1a and total body BMD(β=-0.056,95%CI:-0.105 to-0.007,P=0.025).There was a negative causal relationship between interleukin-5(β=-0.019,95%CI:-0.031 to-0.006,P=0.004),stromal cell-derived factor-1a(β=-0.022,95%CI:-0.038 to-0.005,P=0.010),hepatocyte growth factor(β=-0.021,95%CI:-0.041 to-0.002,P=0.030),interleukin-4(β=-0.016,95%CI:-0.032 to-0.001,P=0.034)and heel BMD,while a positive causal relationship between nerve growth factor(β=0.019,95%CI:0.002-0.036,P=0.033),granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(β=0.011,95%CI:0.000-0.022,P=0.050),and heel BMD.Meanwhile,after the Bonferroni-corrected test,there was a strong positive causal effect between interleukin-8 and lumbar spine BMD(P=0.000 5).And consistent directional effects for all analyses were observed in MR Egger,weighted median,simple mode,and weighted mode methods.(2)Sensitivity analyses revealed no heterogeneity,pleiotropy,or outliers for the causal effect of circulating inflammatory cytokines on BMD.
6.One Health theory and practice in China:history,present and future
Mu-xin CHEN ; Tian TIAN ; Yang HONG ; Jun-hu CHEN ; Jing-shu LIU ; Jian HE ; Xian-fa CHEN ; Qin LI ; Jin-xin ZHENG ; Tie-jian FENG ; Xiao-nong ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(5):447-455
This paper summarizes the progress of theoretical research and practice of One Health in China,and discusses the paradigm of One Health governance to improve the prevention and control of infectious diseases in China and the world,and provide an example for the improvement of the public health system.In particular,China has long history to apply the concept of One Health in the national schistosomiasis control programmes and patriotic health campaigns,which were not only focusing on human health,but also emphasizing the sustainable development of animal health and ecological environment.At the same time,the application of tools such as system dynamics model,eDNA technology,One Health economic assessment and global One Health index(GOHI)in the field of disease control and environmental health provides technical support for the concept of One Health.Despite the challenges of practical application of these tools,the One Health concept will play a greater role in providing sustainable solutions for human-animal-environmental health by strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration,improving standardization protocols and promoting inter-national cooperation.
7.Effect of Qishen Yixin Granules on microcirculatory endothelial dysfunction induced by Ang Ⅱ and high-fat diet in mice and its mechanism
Wen-fang JIN ; Zhen-ni ZHANG ; Tian-tian ZHU ; Hu-gang JIANG ; Xin-qiang WANG ; Chun-zhen REN ; Xi-ping XING ; Kai LIU ; Ying-dong LI ; Xin-ke ZHAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(10):1982-1990
Aim To clarify the mechanism by which Qishen Yixin Granules improved microcirculation vas-cular endothelial dysfunction(VED)in mice,through activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to regulate oxidative stress.Methods C57 mice were randomly divided into six groups:blank group,model group,pos-itive drug group,and low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of Qishen Yixin Granules.The VED model was established by long-term infusion of Ang Ⅱ combined with a high-fat diet.Each treatment group received the corresponding drug intervention.After four weeks of drug intervention,cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography.Carstairs staining was used to ob-serve the formation of microthrombi in myocardial tis-sue.The micro vascular ischemia was evaluated by Hei-denhain staining.The ultrastructure of endothelial cells was observed by electron microscopy.The levels of EMPs,ROS,NO,ET-1,TF,TM,VWF,and TXA2 in serum were measured by ELISA.The expression levels of MDA,SOD,and GSH-Px in mouse heart tissue were determined by chemical methods.Cardiac microvascu-lar density and the expression of Nrf2,Keap1,and HO-1 proteins were detected by Immunohistochemical stai-ning.The protein expressions of Keap1,cytoplasmic Nrf2,nuclear Nrf2,and HO-1 in myocardial tissue were detected by Western blot.Results Qishen Yixin Granules could effectively improve the cardiac function of mice,alleviate the damage of endothelial cells and endothelial function.They could up-regulate serum NO levels and the activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px,while down-regulating the expression of ROS and vascular inflammatory injury factors such as ET-1,VWF,TXA2,TF,TM,and EMPs.Qishen Yixin Granules also increased the positive counts of CD34,Nrf2,and HO-1,as well as microvessel density.Fur-thermore,they inhibited the expression of MDA,Keap1,and cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein in myocardial tis-sue,while increasing the expression of nuclear proteins HO-1 and Nrf2.Conclusions Qishen Yixin Granules may inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory response by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway,thereby improving vascular endothelial damage and cardiac function in VED mice.
8.CT angiography radiomics for evaluating risk of basilar tip aneurysm rupture
Song LIU ; Chao TIAN ; Tao REN ; Chen CAO ; Song JIN ; Shuang XIA
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(1):20-24
Objective To observe the value of CT angiography(CTA)radiomics for evaluating the risk of basilar tip aneurysm(BTA)rupture.Methods Totally 133 BTA patients were retrospectively enrolled and divided into ruptured group(n=39)and unruptured group(n=94)based on BT A ruptured or not,also divided into training set(n=93)and test set(n=40)at the ratio of 7∶3.CTA radiomics features of BTA were extracted,the best radiomics features were screened,and the radiomics score(Radscore)was calculated.Then machine learning(ML)models were established with logistic regression(LR),random forest(RF),decision tree(DT)and K-nearest neighbor(KNN)algorithms,respectively.Radscore model was also established,and finally a combined model was constructed based on clinical data,routine imaging findings and Radscore.The efficacy of the above models for evaluating the risk of BTA rupture were comparatively analyzed.Results Finally 4 radiomics features of BTA were obtained.The area under the curve(AUC)of LR,RF,DT and KNN radiomics models for differentiating ruptured and unruptured BTA in training set was 0.770,0.816,0.817 and 0.795,respectively,while that in test set was 0.795,0.793,0.786 and 0.824,respectively,both being not significant different(both P>0.05).Patient's gender,alcohol consumption history,BTA morphology and Radscore were all independent impact factors of BT A rupture(all P<0.05),which were used to establish a clinical-routine imaging model.For all 133 cases,AUC of the combination model for differentiating ruptured and unruptured BTA was 0.877,of Radscore model was 0.775,while that of clinical-routine imaging model was 0.677,of the former was significantly higher than of the last two(both P<0.05).Conclusion CTA radiomics was helpful for evaluating the risk of BTA rupture.Combining with clinical data and routine imaging findings could further improve the value of CTA radiomics.
9.Research status and application progresses of artificial intelligence combined with imaging in total knee arthroplasty
Zhenxin LI ; Feng JIN ; Huanxuan GUO ; Xiaoyan TIAN ; Yunlong RAN ; Xiaolong BAI
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(1):152-155
Total knee arthroplasty(TKA)is mainly used for the treatment of advanced knee osteoarthritis.Accurate preoperative planning and rapid prosthesis recognition are essential for smooth operation and postoperative rehabilitation.However,manual prosthesis recognition rely on doctors'experience,easily leading to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis.Recent years,artificial intelligence(AI)had been integrated with medical imaging,represented by machine learning(ML)and its branch deep learning(DL),and displayed relatively powerful auxiliary functions in TKA.The research status and application progresses of AI combined with imaging in TKA were reviewed in this article.
10.Construction and application of an esophageal language rehabilitation program for patients after total laryngectomy based on the behavioral change wheel theory
Li LI ; Yongling LIU ; Yang ZHANG ; Zirong TIAN ; Xiuya LI ; Xiaoting JIN ; Xiaobo REN ; Fang NAN ; Yiran HE
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(7):487-497
Objective:To construct an esophageal language rehabilitation program for patients after total laryngectomy (TL) based on the behavioral change wheel theory and exploring its application effects.Methods:The multidisciplinary team constructed the first draft of the esophageal language rehabilitation program for patients after TL based on the behavioral change wheel theory, combined with a literature review, and used an expert meeting to revise the rehabilitation program to form the final draft of the program. Adopting experimental research, 35 patients after TL who attended the nursing outpatient clinic of Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University from February 2023 to May 2023 were selected as the control group by convenience sampling method, and 35 patients after TL who attended the nursing outpatient clinic from June 2023 to September 2023 were selected as the experimental group. The experimental group applied the TL postoperative patients′ esophageal language rehabilitation program based on the behavioral change wheel theory on the basis of conventional nursing measures, and the control group received conventional nursing care. The status of language rehabilitation training, quality of life, social behavioral status, and anxiety and depression status before intervention, 1, 3, 6 months after intervention were compared between the two groups.Results:Both groups of patients completed the study. There were 29 males and 6 females in the control group, with an age of (54.63 ± 10.44) years old. There were 34 males and 1 female in the experimental group, with an age of (55.17 ± 10.67) years old. There was no statistically significant difference in the language rehabilitation training status, quality of life, social behavior status, and anxiety and depression status between the two groups before intervention (all P>0.05). The total scores of speech rehabilitation training in the experimental group at 1, 3, and 6 months after intervention were (32.80 ± 2.49), (39.80 ± 2.75), (51.91 ± 4.20) points, respectively, which were higher than those in the control group (23.40 ± 3.42), (24.40 ± 3.42), (25.80 ± 3.42) points, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=14.53, 23.44, 32.70, all P<0.05). The total scores of quality of life in the experimental group at 1, 3, and 6 months after intervention were (98.91 ± 8.49), (134.66 ± 11.31), (157.97 ± 13.97) points, respectively, which were higher than those in the control group (67.06 ± 7.64), (72.16 ± 7.64), (99.46 ± 8.09) points, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=17.53, 30.16, 21.45, all P<0.05). The scores for social occasion diet and language comprehension in the experimental group at 1, 3, and 6 months after intervention were (40.41 ± 13.94), (40.43 ± 24.08), (40.60 ± 18.56), and (43.71 ± 12.26), (47.40 ± 17.09), (52.50 ± 13.82), respectively, which were higher than those in the control group (30.59 ± 15.98), (30.57 ± 18.28), (27.21 ± 15.27), and (27.29 ± 15.13), (23.60 ± 14.78), (19.50 ± 12.78), and the differences were statistically significant ( t values were -6.88-2.16, all P<0.05). The total scores of anxiety and depression in the experimental group at 1, 3, and 6 months after intervention were (23.74 ± 2.73), (14.89 ± 3.89), (12.11 ± 3.14) points, respectively, which were lower than those in the control group (32.63 ± 1.85), (30.63 ± 1.85), (24.80 ± 2.75) points, and the differences were statistically significant (t=-19.55, -27.10, -17.97, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The esophageal language rehabilitation program for patients after TL based on the behavioral change wheel theory in this study is scientific, feasible, and can improve the patients′ esophageal language expression, quality of life, anxiety and depression, and social behavioral status, which can provide a reference for clinical care.


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