Diabetic macular edema(DME)may occur at any stage of diabetic retinopathy(DR)and represents a significant cause of visual impairment in patients with DR. The pathogenesis of DME is complex, involving numerous risk factors. Recent studies have increasingly revealed that the occurrence and development of DME represents an intertwined pathophysiological process involving metabolic disorders, disruption of the blood-retinal barrier, amplified inflammatory responses, hemodynamic alterations, and the formation of hypoxic microenvironments. Multiple risk factors, including hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, and genetic factors, synergistically drive this process. Risk factors and pathogenesis are a dynamic, interactive relationship in the progression of disease. Comprehensive management of risk factors such as blood glucose and blood lipids, along with multi-target interventions on core pathogenic mechanisms—such as combined anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and anti-inflammatory treatments, exploration of gene therapy and regulation of metabolic pathways—are expected to become key strategies for delaying the progression of DME.

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.

Purpose: Maintaining the quality of Single Best Answer (SBA) questions remains a challenge in medical education, especially as artificial intelligence (AI)-generated items become more common. While considerable attention has been paid to AI question generation, the vetting process is under-explored and difficult to scale. Methods: This study investigates the feasibility and reliability of using a large language model to support the vetting of SBA questions. An AI-based reviewer, QA-bot, was developed using custom GPT and embedded with 25 criteria aligned with Bloom’s taxonomy (Levels 1–3). QA-bot and two experienced educators independently evaluated 32 AI-generated SBA questions using the shared evaluation rubric. Results: The rubric showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha=0.878), and strong inter-rater reliability between human reviewers (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]=0.893). QA-bot demonstrated good alignment with human raters (ICC=0.861 and 0.840). While the AI performed well on objective, rule-based criteria, it was less consistent in detecting irrelevant complexity and accurately judging difficulty. Conclusion These findings suggest that AI can function as an efficient first-pass reviewer, improving consistency and reducing workload, with human oversight remaining essential for educational and clinical relevance.

Background and Objectives: Heart failure (HF) imposes a significant global burden, yet awareness and implementation of guideline-directed management remain suboptimal. This study evaluated HF awareness, diagnostic patterns, and therapeutic strategies among physicians in Korea. Methods: A nationwide online survey was conducted from July to August 2019, targeting primary care physicians (PCPs; n=8,000) and hospital-based cardiology specialists (n=1,339) across Korea. The questionnaire comprised 23 items covering baseline characteristics, perceptions of HF prognosis, diagnostic approaches, and treatment practices. Results: A total of 543 physicians responded (209 PCPs and 334 cardiology specialists). While the majority correctly defined HF, a substantial proportion underestimated the lifetime risk and poor prognosis. Cardiology specialists were more likely than PCPs to use objective diagnostic tools, including echocardiography (97% vs. 61%, p<0.001) and natriuretic peptide testing (90% vs. 57%, p<0.001). Among PCPs, 29% reported diagnosing HF based on symptoms and physical findings without objective testing, and 27% reported referring patients to general hospitals for diagnostic evaluation. Prescription rates for guideline-directed medical therapies, including renin-angiotensin system blockers and beta-blockers, were consistently higher among cardiology specialists.PCPs more frequently cited advanced age as a barrier to prescribing evidence-based medications. Conclusions Physicians’ awareness and clinical practices regarding HF in Korea remain suboptimal. Given the growing burden, high mortality, and substantial costs of HF, early detection, appropriate diagnostic evaluation, and timely referral are essential. Targeted education and system-level strategies to improve guideline implementation, particularly in primary care settings, are warranted.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of modified Shaoyao Decoction with Astragali Radix and Houttuynize Herba in regulating PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway against intestinal mucosal barrier injury in ulcerative colitis (UC) rats.Methods:Totally 72 Wistar rats were randomly divided into a blank control group, a model group, a mesalazine group, and modified Shaoyao Decoction high-, medium-, and low-dose groups using a random number table method. After successful modeling, the mesalazine group was given 0.2 g/kg of mesalazine suspension by gavage, while modified Shaoyao Decoction high-, medium-, and low-dose groups were given 44.5, 22.3, and 11.1 g/kg of modified Shaoyao Decoction by gavage, once a day, for a total of 4 weeks. The pathological changes of colon tissue were observed using HE staining; immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the expressions of tight junction protein (ZO-1), cytoskeletal protein (F-actin), and vascular endothelial cadherin (VE cadherin) in colon tissue; Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of PI3K, Akt, NF-κB, VEGF, and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) in colon tissue; QRT PCR was used to detect the expressions of PI3K and Akt mRNA in colon tissue; ELISA method was used to detect the levels of serum TNF-α and endothelin (ET).Results:Compared with the model group, the DAI scores of the mesalazine group and modified Shaoyao Decoction high-dosage group decreased significantly on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day after modeling ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). In mesalazine group and modified Shaoyao Decoction high-, medium-, and low-dose groups, the pathological injury score of colon tissue decreased ( P<0.01), the immunofluorescence intensity of ZO-1, F-actin and VE-cadherin protein expression in colon tissue increased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the expressions of PI3K, Akt, NF-κB and VEGF protein decreased ( P<0.01). The expression of COX-2 protein and the levels of PI3K mRNA and Akt mRNA decreased in the mesalazine group and modified Shaoyao Decoction high- and medium groups ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion:Modified Shaoyao Decoction can antagonize the intestinal barrier injury of UC by inhibiting PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway and promote the healing of intestinal mucosal ulcer.

Objective To develop a predictive model for postoperative mortality risk in patients with acute aortic dissection(AAD)using the Extreme Gradient Boosting(XGBoost)algorithm combined with Shapley Additive Explanation(SHAP),and to establish a prediction website to serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic support platform for clinicians and patients.Methods A retrospective cohort study design was adopted.Data from 782 AAD patients who underwent surgical treatment at the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2013 to December 2023 were collected,including basic information and initial serum biomarker test results.Patients were randomly divided into training and test sets at a 7:3 ratio.An external validation set consisting of 313 AAD patients admitted to the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2020 to December 2023 was also established for further model validation.Variables were screened using LASSO regression,and an XGBoost machine learning model was constructed and interpreted using SHAP.The predictive performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.Using the Shiny package,the XGBoost model was deployed to shinyapps.io to create a prediction website for postoperative mortality risk in AAD patients.One patient was selected by simple random sampling from the test set and the external validation set respectively for the prediction example on the Shiny webpage.Results The XGBoost model demonstrated high predictive performance for postoperative mortality in AAD patients,with area under the ROC curve(AUC)values of 0.928(95%CI 0.901-0.956)in the training set,0.919(95%CI 0.891-0.949)in the test set,and 0.941(95%CI 0.915-0.967)in the external validation set.SHAP values indicated the following order of variable importance in the model(from highest to lowest):"lactate dehydrogenase""blood chlorine""multiple organ injury""carbon dioxide combining power""prothrombin time""α-hydroxybutyric acid""creatine kinase isoenzyme""Stanford classification""combined use of bedside blood purification""gender""acute kidney injury""gastrointestinal bleeding""brain injury"and"shock".A risk prediction website for adverse postoperative outcomes in AAD patients was developed using XGBoost-SHAP method(https://dun-dunxiaolu.shinyapps.io/document/)and validated with examples.One randomly selected patient from each of the test and external validation sets was applied:the predicted mortality risk value for patient 1(who died postoperatively)was 0.9539,and that for patient 2(who survived postoperatively)was 0.0206.Conclusions The XGBoost-SHAP model demonstrates high accuracy in predicting postoperative mortality risk for AAD patients.The online prediction tool established based on this model enhances the identification efficiency of high-risk postoperative mortality patients.

Objective:To construct a personalized service platform based on Internet of Things technique of medical equipment for rehabilitation information,so as to analyze the application effect of that in the management for rehabilitation information of patients.Methods:Based on the Internet of Things technique of medical equipment,a personalized service platform was constructed to conduct intelligent management for rehabilitation information of patients through sensor technique,wireless communication technique and big data analysis technique.A total of 112 patients who received treatment in the department of rehabilitation medicine of Dushan Hospital,Nanyang City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February to December 2023 were selected,and they were divided into control group which adopted conventional platform to manage rehabilitation information,and observation group which adopted personalized service platform based on IoTs technique of medical equipment for rehabilitation information to manage rehabilitation information,with 56 cases in each group.A self-made questionnaire was used to investigate the satisfaction of patients of two groups for the service platform of rehabilitation information,and the acceptance scores of maintainers for platform,relevant operators,doctors and nurses for different service platform.The service efficiency and success of rehabilitation treatment of different service platforms were compared.Results:53 patients satisfied for the service platform of rehabilitation information(94.64%)in the observation group,which was higher than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(x2=13.187,P＜0.05).The scores of convenience,flexibility and continuity of patients of observation group were respectively(94.74±3.36),(94.57±4.12)and(93.65±4.02)for the platform,which were higher than those of control group,and the differences were statistically significant(t=14.279,13.604,13.553,P＜0.05).The acceptance scores of maintainers for platform,relevant operators,doctors and nurses were respectively(91.69±2.11),(94.52±3.65),(93.87±4.58)and(94.74±3.36)for the personalized service platform for rehabilitation information of the observation group,which were higher than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(t=15.280,13.236,12.373,14.279,P＜0.05).The waiting time,appointment time and treatment cycle of patients in observation group were respectively(4.65±2.01)min,(3.21±1.03)d and(13.02±1.02)months,which were shorter than those of control group,and the differences were statistically significant(t=9.768,11.401,12.300,P＜0.05).Conclusion:The personalized service platform based on the IoTs technique of medical equipment for rehabilitation information can take doctors to timely adjust rehabilitation programs by combining the dynamic changes of patients'information,and formulate targeted rehabilitation guidance,and provide effective rehabilitation treatment for patients,and reduce waiting time of patient,and shorten the rehabilitation cycle.

AIM To investigate the improvement effects of Poria cocos polysaccharides(PCPs)on mouse nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).METHODS Forty-eight C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the blank group,the model group,the simvastatin group(4 mg/kg)and the high,medium and low dose PCPs groups(200,100 and 50 mg/kg),with 8 mice in each group.The NAFLD model was reproduced by 16 weeks feeding of high-fat and high-cholesterol diet,followed by 8 weeks administration of corresponding drug by gavage.The mice had their body mass and liver coefficient assessed;their levels of hepatic free fatty acid(FFA),and serum total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),γ-glutamyltransferase(γ-GT)and malondialdehyde(MDA)detected;their hepatic pathological changes and lipid deposition observed using HE staining,NAFLD activity score(NAS)and oil red O staining;and their hepatic protein expressions of Akt,mTOR,p-Akt,p-mTOR and SREBP-1c detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,the model group demonstrated all increased body weight,liver coefficient,hepatic FFA level,and serum TC,TG,LDL-C,AST,ALT,γ-GT,MDA,IL-1β and TNF-α.levels(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased HDL-C level and activities of SOD and GSH-Px(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);more obvious hepatic pathological damage as revealed by increased NAS score(P＜0.01)and increased lipid deposition area(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with high or medium dose PCPs,or simvastatin displayed decreased body weight,liver coefficient,hepatic FFA level,and serum TC,TG,LDL-C,AST,ALT,γ-GT,MDA,IL-1β and TNF-α levels(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);increased HDL-C level and SOD,GSH-Px activities(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased hepatic pathological damage as revealed by the decreased NAS score and lipid deposition area(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and decreased hepatic protein expressions of p-Akt,p-mTOR and SREBP-1c protein(P＜0.05)as well.CONCLUSION PCPs can improve mouse NAFLD,and its mechanism may lie in their function in reversing abnormal lipid metabolism via Akt/mTOR/SREBP-1c signaling pathway.

Objective:To analyze the effect of different concentrations of ropivacaine on the quality of postoperative recovery in patients undergoing radical resection of esophageal cancer under ultrasound guided thoracic paravertebral nerve block (TPVB) combined with general anesthesia.Methods:The clinical data of 97 patients with radical resection of esophageal cancer treated from Jun. 2022 to Jan. 2025 in Shangqiu First People’s Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.All patients underwent ultrasound-guided TPVB combined with general anesthesia,and were divided into group A (0.25%) and group B (0.5%) according to the intraoperative ropivacaine concentration.The analgesic effect at extubation,2 hours and 12 hours after surgery was evaluated by VAS score.The cerebral oxygen metabolism indicators at tracheal intubation,15 minutes after the start of surgery and extubation were evaluated by CERO 2 and Da-jvO 2.The indicators related to recovery and the occurrence of adverse reactions were statistically analyzed.The quality of recovery was evaluated by QoR-40 score. Results:VAS scores were compared between the two groups; At 2 h and 12 h after surgery, VAS scores in both groups were higher than those at extubation, and lower at 12 h than at 2 h after surgery ( P<0.05). There were significant differences in CERO 2 and Da-jvO 2 between groups, time and interaction between groups A and B ( P<0.05). CERO 2 and Da-jvO 2 in both groups were higher than those in tracheal intubation 15min after operation. At extubation, CERO 2 and Da-jvO 2 in both groups were lower than those at tracheal intubation and 15 minutes after operation ( P<0.05). During endotracheal intubation, there was no significant difference in CERO 2 or Da-jvO 2 between the two groups ( P>0.05). CERO 2 and Da-jvO 2 in group A were lower than those in group B at 15min after operation and extubation ( P<0.05). The recovery time in group A was shorter than that in group B, and the QoR-40 score was higher than that in group B ( P<0.05). The total incidence of adverse reactions had no statistical difference between the two groups ( P>0.05) . Conclusion:The application of 0.25% ropivacaine in ultrasound-guided TPVB combined with general anesthesia can shorten the postoperative recovery time and improve the recovery quality of patients undergoing radical resection of esophageal cancer.

Objective:To analyze the efficacy of different doses of esketamine in maintaining general anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing radical resection of esophageal cancer.Methods:A total of 98 elderly patients who underwent radical resection of esophageal cancer and admitted from Jun. 2023 to May. 2025 in Shangqiu First People’s Hospital were selected and divided into Group A ( n=50, 0.25 mg·kg -1·h -1) and Group B ( n=48,0.5 mg·kg -1·h -1) according to the dose of esketamine. The following situations between the two groups were compared: (1) hemodynamics [mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) ] before anesthesia induction (T0), 30 minutes after the start of the operation (T1), and at extubation (T2) ; (2) Stress inflammatory indicators [norepinephrine (NE), C-reactive protein (CRP) ] before the operation and 1 day after the operation; (3) Analgesia status [Dosage of propofol and remifentanil, remedial analgesia rate, and the degree of analgesia was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) 2 hours after the operation]; (4) Postoperative recovery [postoperative eye-opening time, extubation time, anesthesia recovery time, and postoperative recovery quality was evaluated using the Chinese version of the 15-item Quality of Recovery (QoR-15) Scale 1 day after the operation]; (5) Safety. Results:(1) At time T1, MAP of both groups was lower than that at time T0,and at time T2, MAP of group B was higher than that at time T1 ( P<0.05). At times T1 and T2, HR of both groups was lower than that at time T0, and HR of both groups at time T2 was higher than that at time T1 ( P<0.05). At time T1, MAP and HR in group B were lower than those in group A ( P<0.05). (2) The dosages of propofol and remifentanil in group B were lower ( P<0.05) ,while the comparison of remedial analgesia rate and VAS score between the two groups showed P>0.05. (3) One day after the operation,the levels of serum NE and CRP in both groups were higher than those before the operation,while those in group B were even lower ( P<0.05). (4) The incidence of adverse reactions in group B (20.83%) was slightly higher than that in group A (10.00%). (5) The eye-opening time,extubation time and anesthesia recovery time after surgery in group B were all longer than those in group A ( P<0.05), while the comparison of QoR-15 scores between the two groups showed P>0.05. Conclusions:In the maintenance of general anesthesia for elderly patients undergoing radical resection of esophageal cancer, the intraoperative hemodynamic fluctuations of low-dose esketamine are smaller. Although the dosages of propofol and remifentanil are higher and the postoperative recovery time is longer, there are no significant differences in analgesic effect, adverse reactions or recovery quality, while the stress and inflammatory responses of high-dose esketamine are smaller.