ObjectiveIn traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the foundational doctrine that the eyes reflect the essence of the internal viscera establishes ocular observation as a cornerstone of diagnostic practice. Specifically, the morphological characteristics and coloration variations of the scleral microvasculature serve as critical clinical indicators for assessing the dynamic balance of Qi and Blood, as well as the pathological status of internal organs. Historically, however, TCM eye diagnosis has relied predominantly on the subjective clinical experience and visual acuity of individual practitioners, leading to inherent challenges in standardization and reproducibility. While automated computer-aided diagnostic systems offer a promising solution, existing vessel segmentation algorithms encounter significant domain-specific bottlenecks when applied to scleral imagery. These challenges primarily stem from the highly reflective and moist nature of the ocular surface, which generates severe reflective interference. Furthermore, the inherent low contrast of fine capillary networks against complex background textures, compounded by non-uniform illumination, frequently results in high false-positive rates, misdetections, and severe vessel fragmentation. To address these critical limitations and advance the objective quantification of TCM diagnostics, this paper proposes a novel, highly robust sclera vessel segmentation framework that innovatively integrates Frangi-Sato dual-filter adaptive enhancement with pixel-level reflection detection. MethodsThe proposed methodology systematically addresses the segmentation pipeline through three synergistic stages. First, to overcome the structural limitations of single-filter approaches, a multi-scale weighted fusion strategy is meticulously designed to harness the complementary extraction capabilities of both Frangi and Sato filters. This adaptive enhancement optimally balances the preservation of main vessel trunk continuity with the heightened sensitivity required for delineating delicate, low-contrast peripheral capillaries. Second, to tackle the persistent issue of reflective highlights, a sophisticated multi-feature synergistic reflection detection module is introduced. By jointly analyzing local information entropy, gradient field variations, and intensity statistical distributions, this module achieves precise, pixel-level identification and elimination of reflective artifacts without compromising the underlying vascular structures. Finally, a dual-level adaptive thresholding strategy, featuring an innovative “core protection” mechanism, is implemented. This critical step effectively suppresses complex background noise while rigorously preserving the structural and topological integrity of the intricate vessel network, preventing the structural breaks often seen in conventional binarization methods. ResultsThe efficacy of the proposed framework was rigorously evaluated using both self-constructed clinical datasets specifically acquired for TCM research and standardized public datasets. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method consistently outperforms state-of-the-art traditional approaches and contemporary deep learning models. Specifically, the proposed method achieves a Dice similarity coefficient of approximately 0.71 on the private clinical dataset, and secures the best performance across the majority of quantitative metrics on both datasets. Notably, the framework exhibits exceptional robustness and generalization capabilities in highly challenging scenarios characterized by intense reflective interference, low signal-to-noise ratios, and cross-domain image variations. ConclusionThis study successfully realizes the high-integrity, automated segmentation of scleral vessel networks under complex clinical imaging conditions. By overcoming the fundamental algorithmic challenges of reflection interference and micro-vessel loss, the proposed methodology provides potential support for the digitization, objective standardization, and intelligent advancement of modern TCM eye diagnosis systems.

ObjectiveIn traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the foundational doctrine that the eyes reflect the essence of the internal viscera establishes ocular observation as a cornerstone of diagnostic practice. Specifically, the morphological characteristics and coloration variations of the scleral microvasculature serve as critical clinical indicators for assessing the dynamic balance of Qi and Blood, as well as the pathological status of internal organs. Historically, however, TCM eye diagnosis has relied predominantly on the subjective clinical experience and visual acuity of individual practitioners, leading to inherent challenges in standardization and reproducibility. While automated computer-aided diagnostic systems offer a promising solution, existing vessel segmentation algorithms encounter significant domain-specific bottlenecks when applied to scleral imagery. These challenges primarily stem from the highly reflective and moist nature of the ocular surface, which generates severe reflective interference. Furthermore, the inherent low contrast of fine capillary networks against complex background textures, compounded by non-uniform illumination, frequently results in high false-positive rates, misdetections, and severe vessel fragmentation. To address these critical limitations and advance the objective quantification of TCM diagnostics, this paper proposes a novel, highly robust sclera vessel segmentation framework that innovatively integrates Frangi-Sato dual-filter adaptive enhancement with pixel-level reflection detection. MethodsThe proposed methodology systematically addresses the segmentation pipeline through three synergistic stages. First, to overcome the structural limitations of single-filter approaches, a multi-scale weighted fusion strategy is meticulously designed to harness the complementary extraction capabilities of both Frangi and Sato filters. This adaptive enhancement optimally balances the preservation of main vessel trunk continuity with the heightened sensitivity required for delineating delicate, low-contrast peripheral capillaries. Second, to tackle the persistent issue of reflective highlights, a sophisticated multi-feature synergistic reflection detection module is introduced. By jointly analyzing local information entropy, gradient field variations, and intensity statistical distributions, this module achieves precise, pixel-level identification and elimination of reflective artifacts without compromising the underlying vascular structures. Finally, a dual-level adaptive thresholding strategy, featuring an innovative “core protection” mechanism, is implemented. This critical step effectively suppresses complex background noise while rigorously preserving the structural and topological integrity of the intricate vessel network, preventing the structural breaks often seen in conventional binarization methods. ResultsThe efficacy of the proposed framework was rigorously evaluated using both self-constructed clinical datasets specifically acquired for TCM research and standardized public datasets. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method consistently outperforms state-of-the-art traditional approaches and contemporary deep learning models. Specifically, the proposed method achieves a Dice similarity coefficient of approximately 0.71 on the private clinical dataset, and secures the best performance across the majority of quantitative metrics on both datasets. Notably, the framework exhibits exceptional robustness and generalization capabilities in highly challenging scenarios characterized by intense reflective interference, low signal-to-noise ratios, and cross-domain image variations. ConclusionThis study successfully realizes the high-integrity, automated segmentation of scleral vessel networks under complex clinical imaging conditions. By overcoming the fundamental algorithmic challenges of reflection interference and micro-vessel loss, the proposed methodology provides potential support for the digitization, objective standardization, and intelligent advancement of modern TCM eye diagnosis systems.

Objective To gain insights into the biological characteristics of different populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus within and around the Yellow Sea wetland from the perspective of the occurrence of resistance, we investigated the levels of resistance to deltamethrin and kdr gene mutation in the wetland and its peripheral areas. Methods Specimens were collected from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations at two monitoring sites in the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area, and also from two populations in Yancheng City and the Liuhe District of Nanjing, and the resistance of these mosquitoes to deltamethrin was determined using the CDC biotest bottle method. For each concentration of deltamethrin assessed, a random subset of exposed specimens was selected for amplification of the kdr gene fragment, followed by Sanger sequencing to identify and analyze resistance-associated mutations. Results The LC50 levels of deltamethrin among mosquitoes from the four populations in Luhe, Yancheng, the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and the Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area were 2.048 5, 7.798 2, 3.473 3, and 17.695 5 mg/mL, respectively, with corresponding concentrations of deltamethrin ranging from 0.005 to 5.000,0.050 to 50.000,0.050 to 25.000 and 0.050 to 50.000 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the ranges of the KT50 values were 11.76-107.43, 67.05-216.30,29.77-107.43 and 28.40-329.51 min; the 1-h knockdown rates were 34.58%-99.15%, 9.52%-43.80%, 55.09%-73.01%, and 10.09%-68.07%; and the 24-h mortality rates were 12.15%-67.52%,9.52%-79.56%,13.17%-82.21%, and 11.01%-78.99%, respectively. With respect to kdr gene mutation, we assayed a total of 63,70,59, and 57 mosquitoes for the four populations, for which we detected L1014F mutation frequencies of 14.29%, 35.00%, 20.34%, and 31.58%, respectively, with a majority of these mutations being heterozygous for resistance. In addition, five adult mosquitoes were identified has having synonymous mutations at site 1011[i. e. , AAT(asparagine)mutation to AAC(asparagine)]. Conclusions Our findings revealed the clear resistance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus to deltamethrin in the Yancheng region of the Yellow Sea wetland, and the resistance phenotype and kdr frequency of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment were comparable to those of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment, thereby indicating that the resistance of different populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was homogeneous under the pressure of different insecticide selection within and around the wetland. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.

Invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (IMA) is a rare subtype of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, accounting for approximately 2%-10% of all pulmonary adenocarcinoma cases. IMA is characterized by a high frequency of intrapulmonary metastasis and a generally poor prognosis. Clinically, IMA often presents with nonspecific pneumonia-like symptoms. Radiologically, it manifests as multilobar and multifocal consolidations and ground-glass opacities, which significantly overlap with the radiologic features of pneumonia and other benign or malignant tumors. Consequently, IMA is frequently misdiagnosed in clinical practice, and a definitive diagnosis is nearly impossible upon initial presentation, leading to delayed treatment and a poor prognosis. Currently, there is a lack of systematic reviews correlating the clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, and radiologic features of IMA. This review aims to systematically elucidate the clinical, pathological, and radiologic features of IMA, and thoroughly analyze its diagnostic challenges and key points for differential diagnosis, in order to provide a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the early diagnosis of this disease.

Invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (IMA) is a rare subtype of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, accounting for approximately 2%-10% of all pulmonary adenocarcinoma cases. IMA is characterized by a high frequency of intrapulmonary metastasis and a generally poor prognosis. Clinically, IMA often presents with nonspecific pneumonia-like symptoms. Radiologically, it manifests as multilobar and multifocal consolidations and ground-glass opacities, which significantly overlap with the radiologic features of pneumonia and other benign or malignant tumors. Consequently, IMA is frequently misdiagnosed in clinical practice, and a definitive diagnosis is nearly impossible upon initial presentation, leading to delayed treatment and a poor prognosis. Currently, there is a lack of systematic reviews correlating the clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, and radiologic features of IMA. This review aims to systematically elucidate the clinical, pathological, and radiologic features of IMA, and thoroughly analyze its diagnostic challenges and key points for differential diagnosis, in order to provide a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the early diagnosis of this disease.

Invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (IMA) is a rare subtype of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, accounting for approximately 2%-10% of all pulmonary adenocarcinoma cases. IMA is characterized by a high frequency of intrapulmonary metastasis and a generally poor prognosis. Clinically, IMA often presents with nonspecific pneumonia-like symptoms. Radiologically, it manifests as multilobar and multifocal consolidations and ground-glass opacities, which significantly overlap with the radiologic features of pneumonia and other benign or malignant tumors. Consequently, IMA is frequently misdiagnosed in clinical practice, and a definitive diagnosis is nearly impossible upon initial presentation, leading to delayed treatment and a poor prognosis. Currently, there is a lack of systematic reviews correlating the clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, and radiologic features of IMA. This review aims to systematically elucidate the clinical, pathological, and radiologic features of IMA, and thoroughly analyze its diagnostic challenges and key points for differential diagnosis, in order to provide a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the early diagnosis of this disease.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the serotypes and antimicrobial resistance rate of clinically isolated Salmonel-la in a children's hospital in Suzhou,and to provide reference for the treatment of salmonellosis.METHOD Totally 177 strains of Salmonella isolated from Children's Hospital of Wujiang District from Jan.2021 to Dec.2023 were collected,and the results of serotypes and drug sensitivity of Salmonella were analyzed.RESULTS The male to fe-male isolation rate of Salmonella was 1.39∶1,with a median age of children infection at 1.3(0.8,2.3)years.The highest number of Salmonella strains were isolated in the month of Jun.,followed by Jul.,Aug.,Sep.,Oct.and May,collectively accounting for 82.49％of all isolates.Acute gastroenteritis was manifested in 142 cases(80.22％),with respiratory tract infections in 38 cases(21.47％)and septicemia in 7 cases(3.95％).The differ-ence in detection rates across the three years was not statistically significant(P=0.806).Salmonella Typhimuri-um was the predominant serotype,representing 54.24％of all isolates.The antimicrobial drug with the highest rate of resistance in Salmonella was ampicillin(71.35％,122/171),followed by sulfamethoxazole/metronidazole(43.60％,75/172),and ampicillin/sulbactam(30.23％,52/172),and no imipenem resistant strains were found.29.07％(50/172)of strains showed multidrug resistance.CONCLUSIONS Boys under three years of age are sus-ceptible to Salmonella infections in summer and fall in this region,with Salmonella Typhimurium being the pre-dominant serotype.Clinical attention should be paid to the characteristics of Salmonella infection and drug resist-ance,as well as the early diagnosis and rational use of antimicrobial drugs.

Objective To explore the mediating effect of patient trust between outpatient appointment and medical expe-rience,and to provide academic reference for improving patients' medical experience.Methods Using 1 200 samples of ques-tionnaire survey conducted in the outpatient department of Tianjin First Central Hospital from December 2024 to March 2025,the correlation among outpatient appointment,medical experience and patient trust was analyzed,and the mediation effect model was constructed by using the Model 4 module in the SPSS 27.0 Process plug-in to test the mediation effect of patient trust.Results The study found that patients' trust plays a completely mediating role in the model(95％CI:0.044 6-0.180 5,P＜0.05),and outpatient appointment can improve patients' medical experience by improving patients' trust.Conclusion Outpatient appoint-ment can not only directly affect patients' medical experience,but also indirectly affect patients' medical experience through the intermediary trusted by patients.A perfect outpatient appointment system is helpful to guide patients to build trust in the hospital and promote the improvement of patients' medical experience.

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between polymorphism of epidermal growth factor(EGF)gene and sensitivity of concurrent chemoradiotherapy(CCRT)regimen containing cisplatin in esophageal cancer patients.Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted in 112 esophageal cancer patients who underwent CCRT treatment in Tianchang City People's Hospital and Haimen People's Hospital from March 2020 to February 2024 as the research subjects.All patients under-went EGF gene polymorphism detection and pathological features were analyzed at admission.The genotypes and alleles of EGF G-61A locus were counted.All patients were evaluated for the effect at 4 cycles of CCRT treatment.According to the pathological evalua-tion criteria established by Becker et al.the patients were divided into the CCRT-tolerant group and CCRT-sensitive group.The EGF G-61A locus gene polymorphism and clinicopathological features were compared between the two groups,and the relationship between EGF G-61A locus polymorphism and CCRT sensitivity of esophageal cancer was analyzed.Results A total of 112 patients with e-sophageal cancer were enrolled in this study,of which 106 patients were followed up.The results of EGF G-61A locus genotype detec-tion showed that among the 106 patients,33 cases had GG genotype,45 cases had GA genotype,and 28 cases had AA genotype.The results of allele detection showed that 73 cases had G allele and 33 cases had A allele.The results of CCRT treatment showed that 28 patients were tolerant to CCRT treatment and 78 patients were sensitive to CCRT treatment.The proportion of TNM stage Ⅳa,poor dif-ferentiation and CCRT tolerance in patients with EGF G-61A GG genotype was higher than that in patients with GA and AA geno-types.The proportion of TNM stageⅣa,low differentiation and CCRT tolerance in patients with EGF G-61A G allele was higher than that in patients with A allele.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The proportion of TNM stage Ⅳa and low differen-tiation in the CCRT tolerance group was higher than that in the CCRT sensitive group,and the proportion of EGF G-61A GG genotype and G allele was higher than that in the CCRT treatment sensitive group,with significant differences(P<0.05).Logistic regression a-nalysis showed that TNM stage Ⅳa,poor differentiation,EGF G-61A GG genotype,and G allele were risk factors for CCRT tolerance in esophageal cancer(P<0.05).Conclusion The sensitivity of patients with esophageal cancer to CCRT regimen containing cisplatin is related to EGF G-61A gene polymorphism,and the EGF G-61A GG genotype and G allele may increase the risk of CCRT toler-ance.

AIM To prepare the sustained-release microspheres of ginsenosides.METHODS The sustained-release microspheres were prepared by SPG membrane emulsification technology with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA)as a shell carrier.With PLGA concentration,feed rate and Span 60 concentration as influencing factors,comprehensive score for appearance,drug loading and encapsulation efficiency as an evaluation indice,the preparation process was optimized by response surface method.The morphology of sustained-release microspheres was observed,after which the particle size,drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were determined,and the in vitro drug release was investigated.RESULTS The optimal conditons were determined to be 45 s for agitation time of primary emulsion,74.68 mg/mL for PLGA concentration,11％for feed rate,and 4.18 mg/mL for Span 60 concentration,the comprehensive score was 74.98.The round sustained-release microspheres demonstrated the average particle size of 4.33 μm,drug loading of(8.24±0.13)％,and encapsulation efficiency of(74.94±1.17)％,respectively.At 336 h,ginsenosides Rg1,Rb1,Rb2 displayed the accumulative release rates of 84.12％,78.04％,65.88％,respectively.CONCLUSION This reasonable and feasible method can be used for the preparation of sustained-release microspheres of ginsenosides with good appearance and high drug loading,which can provide references for the preparation of other water-soluble drug microspheres and solution of microsphere collapse problem.