ObjectiveDiscriminating atypical hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from other malignancies in liver nodules classified as Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System category M (LR-M) remains a significant diagnostic challenge on conventional ultrasound examination. The LR-M category, originally intended to capture non-HCC malignancies, paradoxically contains up to 63% of atypical HCCs that deviate from classic enhancement patterns, leading to potential misdiagnosis and suboptimal treatment planning. While deep learning has shown promise in HCC diagnosis, most existing models rely exclusively on single-modality ultrasound, overlooking the diagnostic benefits of integrating complementary information from multiple imaging sources. To address this gap, we propose a novel attention-weighted tri-modal ultrasound network (TUS-Net) that integrates contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), B-mode ultrasound (BUS), and time-intensity curves (TICs) to improve diagnostic accuracy for these clinically challenging lesions. MethodsOur framework incorporates a three-dimensional convolutional neural network (C3D) backbone to extract spatiotemporal features from CEUS videos, capturing dynamic vascular patterns critical for lesion characterization. To effectively fuse complementary modalities, we introduce a dual-channel feature fusion module (DCFFM) that adaptively combines features from CEUS and BUS through channel-wise attention mechanisms, allowing the model to dynamically weigh the contribution of each modality based on diagnostic relevance. Additionally, we propose a temporal intensity feature fusion module (TIFFM) that leverages quantitative hemodynamic information from TICs to guide the model’s attention toward diagnostically critical temporal phases, such as arterial wash-in and portal venous washout. The model is further enhanced by automated lesion localization using YOLOX and class activation mapping for interpretability, ensuring that predictions align with clinically meaningful imaging features. ResultsEvaluated on a tri-modal ultrasound dataset comprising 161 patients with pathologically confirmed LR-M nodules (131 atypical HCC and 30 non-HCC malignancies), our model achieved an accuracy of 86.83%, a sensitivity of 92.50%, a specificity of 75.50%, and an AUC of 89.32% in screening atypical HCC. Compared to single-modality baselines, TUS-Net demonstrated superior specificity, a clinically critical metric given the higher risk associated with misclassifying non-HCC malignancies. Ablation studies confirmed the contribution of each module, with the full model outperforming both standard C3D and 3D ResNet backbones integrated with attention mechanisms. A reader study involving junior and senior radiologists further validated the clinical utility of AI assistance, showing consistent improvements in specificity and inter-reader consistency, particularly for less experienced clinicians. ConclusionThese results surpass existing benchmark models and demonstrate the potential of our approach to enhance diagnostic precision in clinically specific cases. By intelligently fusing multi-modal ultrasound data with attention-guided mechanisms, TUS-Net offers a reliable and interpretable tool that holds promise for improving the non-invasive diagnosis of atypical HCC in challenging LR-M liver nodules.

ObjectiveDiscriminating atypical hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from other malignancies in liver nodules classified as Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System category M (LR-M) remains a significant diagnostic challenge on conventional ultrasound examination. The LR-M category, originally intended to capture non-HCC malignancies, paradoxically contains up to 63% of atypical HCCs that deviate from classic enhancement patterns, leading to potential misdiagnosis and suboptimal treatment planning. While deep learning has shown promise in HCC diagnosis, most existing models rely exclusively on single-modality ultrasound, overlooking the diagnostic benefits of integrating complementary information from multiple imaging sources. To address this gap, we propose a novel attention-weighted tri-modal ultrasound network (TUS-Net) that integrates contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), B-mode ultrasound (BUS), and time-intensity curves (TICs) to improve diagnostic accuracy for these clinically challenging lesions. MethodsOur framework incorporates a three-dimensional convolutional neural network (C3D) backbone to extract spatiotemporal features from CEUS videos, capturing dynamic vascular patterns critical for lesion characterization. To effectively fuse complementary modalities, we introduce a dual-channel feature fusion module (DCFFM) that adaptively combines features from CEUS and BUS through channel-wise attention mechanisms, allowing the model to dynamically weigh the contribution of each modality based on diagnostic relevance. Additionally, we propose a temporal intensity feature fusion module (TIFFM) that leverages quantitative hemodynamic information from TICs to guide the model’s attention toward diagnostically critical temporal phases, such as arterial wash-in and portal venous washout. The model is further enhanced by automated lesion localization using YOLOX and class activation mapping for interpretability, ensuring that predictions align with clinically meaningful imaging features. ResultsEvaluated on a tri-modal ultrasound dataset comprising 161 patients with pathologically confirmed LR-M nodules (131 atypical HCC and 30 non-HCC malignancies), our model achieved an accuracy of 86.83%, a sensitivity of 92.50%, a specificity of 75.50%, and an AUC of 89.32% in screening atypical HCC. Compared to single-modality baselines, TUS-Net demonstrated superior specificity, a clinically critical metric given the higher risk associated with misclassifying non-HCC malignancies. Ablation studies confirmed the contribution of each module, with the full model outperforming both standard C3D and 3D ResNet backbones integrated with attention mechanisms. A reader study involving junior and senior radiologists further validated the clinical utility of AI assistance, showing consistent improvements in specificity and inter-reader consistency, particularly for less experienced clinicians. ConclusionThese results surpass existing benchmark models and demonstrate the potential of our approach to enhance diagnostic precision in clinically specific cases. By intelligently fusing multi-modal ultrasound data with attention-guided mechanisms, TUS-Net offers a reliable and interpretable tool that holds promise for improving the non-invasive diagnosis of atypical HCC in challenging LR-M liver nodules.

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.

Objective:To explore the difference of type 2 innate lymphoid cell(ILC2),IL-9 and related cytokines between chronic lymphocytic leukemia(CLL)patients and normal individuals,as well as the correlation between ILC2 and IL-9 and other cytokines in CLL patients.Methods:Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of ILC2 and regulatory T cells(Tregs)in peripheral blood of 26 CLL patients at initial diagnosis and 10 healthy controls.RT-qPCR was used to detected IFN-γ,TGF-β,IL-9 and IL-10 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC).ELISA was used to detect serum IFN-γ,TNF-α,TGF-β,IL-9,IL-10 and IL-21.ILC2 and IL-9 were observed in the cervical lymph node of 12 CLL patients at initial diagnosis and 12 patients with reactive lymphoid hyperplasias by multiplex indirect immunofluorescence staining.Spearman test was used to analyze the correlation between peripheral blood ILC2 and IL-9,IL-9 and IL-21,IFN-γ mRNA and IL-10 mRNA in CLL patients.Pearson test was used to analyze the correlation between TNF-α and TGF-β in CLL patients.Results:Compared with control group,the proportions of ILC2 and Tregs were significantly increased in CLL group(both P＜0.05).The mRNA expressions of IFN-γ,IL-9,IL-10 and TGF-β in PBMCs of CLL patients were significantly increased(all P＜0.05).In CLL patients,the expressions of IFN-γ,TNF-α,TGF-β,IL-9 and IL-10 in serum were significantly increased(all P＜0.01),while IL-21 slightly increased without statistical difference(P＞0.05).In CLL patients,the peripheral blood ILC2 was positively related to IL-9(r=0.56),IL-9 was positively related to IL-21(r=0.397),IFN-γ mRNA was positively related to IL-10 mRNA(r=0.623),and TNF-α was positively related to TGF-β(r=0.577).Compared with reactive lymphoid hyperplasias patients,the mean fluorescence intensities of GAT A3 and CRTH2 representing ILC2 and IL-9 in cervical lymph nodes were significantly increased in the CLL group(all P＜0.001),and showed colocalization.Conclusion:In CLL patients,the proportions of ILC2 and IL-9 in peripheral blood and lymph nodes increase,and ILC2 and IL-9 show colocalization in lymph nodes.There is a positive correlation between ILC2 and IL-9 in the peripheral blood of CLL patients,the ability of ILC2 to secrete IL-9 is increased,and ILC2 may affect the occurrence and development of CLL through IL-9.

Objective:The purpose of this study is to explore the mediating effect of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3[25(OH)D3]on the relationship between psychological status and cognitive function in elderly obese patients.Methods:130 elderly obese patients who visited Hongdu Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in Nanchang from January 2023 to June 2024 were selected,they were divided into cognitive impairment group(n=27)and cognitive normal group(n=103)based on the Mini Mental State Examination(MMSE)score.General information were prospectively collected,their psychological status used Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD)and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale(HAMA)to evaluated,25(OH)D3 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.General information,psychological status scores,and 25(OH)D3 levels were compare between two groups.Analysis of the correlation between 25(OH)D3 and psychological status and cognitive function by Pearson method.Analysis of the mediating effect of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3[25(OH)D3]on the relationship between psychological status and cognitive function in elderly obese patients.Results:Compared with cognitive normal group,cognitive impairment group had higher age and lower years of education(P＜0.05).HAMA and HAMD scores in the cognitive impairment group were significantly higher than those in the cognitive normal group(P＜0.05),and the 25(OH)D3 level was significantly lower than that in the cognitive normal group(P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that,25(OH)D3 was negatively correlated with HAMA score and HAMD score,and positively correlated with MMSE score(P＜0.05);HAMA score,HAMD score,and MMSE score were all negatively correlated(P＜0.05).The structural equation model shows good fit[x2/df=1.87,root mean square error approximate=0.062,comparative fit index=0.945,Tucker-Lewis index=0.931].The direct effect of psychological status(HAMA+HAMD)on cognitive function was-0.325(95％confidence Interval(CI):-0.454～-0.216,P＜0.05),and the mediating effect through 25(OH)D3 was-0.182(95％CI:-0.271～-0.112,P＜0.05),accounting for 36.00％of the total effect.Conclusion:In elderly obese patients,25(OH)D3 is positively correlated with cognitive function and negatively correlated with psychological status,moreover,25(OH)D3 plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between psychological status and cognitive function,and is an important mediating factor affecting the relationship between the two.

AIM To investigate the effects of Congrong San on neuronal apoptosis and the Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase3 signaling pathway in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease(AD).METHODS A total of 60 2-month-old SD male rats were randomly divided into the blank group,the model group,the memantine hydrochloride group(0.025 g/kg)and low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose Congrong San groups(4.62,9.24,18.48 g/kg).All groups except the control group received stereotactic intracerebral injection of Aβ1-42 to establish AD models.Following the successful modeling,each group received its corresponding intragastric administration once daily for 28 consecutive days.After the administration,the rats had their learning and memory ability detected by the morris water maze test;their hippocampal neuronal morphology observed with HE and Nissl staining;their hippocampal neuronal apoptosis observed with TUNEL staining;and their hippocampal expressions of amyloid precursor protein(APP),β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1(BACE1),and apoptosis-related proteins Bax,Bcl-2 and Caspase3 detected with Western blot assay.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with medium-dose and high-dose Congrong San exhibited improved learning and memory performance,alleviated hippocampal neuronal damage,increased Nissl body count(P＜0.01),reduced hippocampal apoptosis rate(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),decreased protein expressions of APP,BACE1,Bax and cleaved-Caspase3/Caspase3 ratio(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and elevated Bcl-2 expression(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Congrong San mitigates cognitive impairment,hippocampal neuronal damage,and apoptosis in AD rats,probably through inhibition of the Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase3 signaling pathway activation.

Aim To investigate the effect of linarin on improving cognitive behavior of APP/PS1 mice,and to explore the therapeutic effect of linarin on A β deposi-tion and neuroinflammation and its correlation.Meth-ods APP/PS1 transgenic mice were randomly divid-ed into the model group,high-dose group,medium-dose group,low-dose group and positive control group.C57BL/6J mice were set as the normal group.Morris water maze was used to evaluate the learning and mem-ory abilities of mice.TUNEL staining was used to de-tect the apoptosis of neurons in the CA1 region of mice.IHC was used to detect the expression levels of Aβ42 and GFAP.Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of BACE1 and PS-1.Results Com-pared with the normal group,mice of the model group showed lower NCP,shorter target quadrant travel,less target quadrant residence time percentage(all P＜0.01),higher apoptosis rate of neurons in the CA1 re-gion(P＜0.01),significantly higher protein expres-sion levels of A β42 and GFAP(all P＜0.01),and significantly higher protein expression levels of BACE1 and PS-1(all P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the medium-dose group,high-dose group and positive control group showed higher NCP,longer tar-get quadrant travel,more target quadrant residence time percentage(all P＜0.05),lower apoptosis rate of neurons in the CA1 region(P＜0.01),significantly lower protein expression levels of A β42 and GFAP(all P＜0.01),and significantly lower protein expression levels of BACE1 and PS-1(all P＜0.01).Conclu-sions Linarin can inhibit two key enzymes to reduce the decomposition of APP and the generation of A β42,thereby inhibiting the activation of astrocytes,allevia-ting neuroinflammation,improving the core pathologi-cal features of AD,and thus significantly improving learning and memory impairment in APP/PS1 mice.

OBJECTIVE To explore the association of the expressions of tissue forkhead box transcription factor(FOX)F2,angiopoietin-like protein 4(ANGPTL4)and FOXP3 with the pathological features and recurrence of the cervical cancer patients with human papillomavirus(HPV)infection undergoing radical hysterectomy.METHODS Totally 69 cervical cancer patients with HPV infection who underwent radical hysterectomy in Danzhou People's Hospital from Nov.2018 to Jul.2021 were randomly assigned as the cervical cancer group,meanwhile,72 patients who had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia(CIN)were chosen as the CIN group.The patients of the cer-vical cancer group were divided into the recurrence group with 25 cases and the no recurrence group with 44 cases according to the prognosis.The levels of tissue FOXF2,ANGPTL4 and FOXP3 were compared among the groups.The levels of FOXF2,ANGPTL4 and FOXP3 were compared among the cervical cancer patients with dif-ferent clinical pathological features,and the pathological features were compared among the patients with different treatment outcomes.The values of the three indexes in diagnosis of the postoperative recurrence in the cervical cancer patients with HPV infection undergoing radical resection were analyzed.RESULTS There were significant differences in the levels of tissue FOXF2 mRNA,ANGPTL4 mRNA and FOXP3 mRNA between the cervical cancer group and the CIN group(P＜0.05).There were significant differences in the levels of FOXF2 mRNA,ANGPTL4 mR-NA and FOXP3 mRNA among the cervical cancer patients with HPV infection who varied in federation international of gynecology and obstetrics(FIGO)stage,lymphatic metastasis and infiltration depth(P＜0.05).There were significant differences in the FIGO stage,lymphatic metastasis,infiltration depth,FOXF2 mRNA level,ANGPTL4 mRNA level and FOXP3 mRNA level between the recurrence group and the no recurrence group(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)value of the joint detection of FOXF2 mRNA,ANGPTL4 mRNA and FOXP3 mRNA was higher than that of the single detection in diagnosis of the postoperative recurrence in the cervical cancer patients with HPV infection under-going radical resection(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS The cervical cancer patients with HPV infection undergoing radi-cal resection show the abnormal expressions of tissue FOXF2 mRNA,ANGPTL4 mRNA and FOXP3 mRNA.There is association between the three indexes and the FIGO stage,lymphatic metastasis and infiltration depth.The joint detection of the three indexes has high value in diagnosis of the postoperative recurrence.

AIM To study the chemical constituents from Commelina communis L.METHODS The 95％ethanol extract from C.Communis was isolated and purified by activated charcoal,silica gel,Sephadex LH-20,and HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.RESULTS Seventeen compounds were isolated and identified as p-hydroxyl ethyl cinnamate(1),p-hydroxybenzaldehyde(2),vanillin(3),4-hydroxy-2,3-dimethyl-2-nonen-4-olide(4),hemeratrol A(5),chakyunglupulin B(6),chakyunglupulin A(7),2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylfumaric acid(8),N-cis-feruloyl tyramine(9),N-trans-coumaroyltyramine(10),5,6,7,3',4',5'-hexamethoxyflavone(11),N-trans-sinapoyltyramine(12),dihydro-feruloyltyramine(13),N-trans-feruloyltyramine(14),2-phenylethanol-β-D-glucoside(15),quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside(16),and isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(17).CONCLUSION Compounds 4-8,10 and 11 are isolated from Commelina genus for the first time,and 1,9,12-15 are first isolated from this plant.

Objective To explore the injury types,associated injuries,and correlations of the lateral meniscus posterior root(LMPR),and to improve the comprehensive understanding of LMPR and its associated injuries.Methods The patients with LMPR who underwent knee MRI examination were retrospectively selected.A total of 223 patients with LMPR injury were classified into 4 types.The integ-rity of the meniscofemoral ligament and the grading of the cartilage injuries in the lateral tibiofemoral compartment were recorded.The relationship between the types of LMPR injury and the lateral meniscus tear locations,as well as lateral meniscus extrusion were analyzed.The relationship between the integrity of the meniscofemoral ligament and lateral meniscus extrusion was analyzed.The correlation between the time to clinical presentation after injury and the grading of the cartilage injuries was analyzed in patients with anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)ruptures.Results The incidence of LMPR injury was 1.02％,with males affected 2.19 times more frequently than females.Among patients with ACL ruptures,the incidence was 13.17％.Both type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ LMPR inju-ries predominantly involved only the posterior root,while type Ⅲ injuries mainly affected the posterior root extending to the posterior horn and body.The incidence of the lateral meniscus extrusion was higher in type Ⅲ LMPR injury than in type Ⅱ.When the menis-cofemoral ligament was not intact,the incidence of the lateral meniscus extrusion increased.In patients with ACL ruptures,a longer time to clinical presentation after injury was associated with more severe cartilage injuries grading in the lateral tibiofemoral compart-ment.Conclusion Males are more susceptible to LMPR injuries than females.The classification of LMPR injuries is correlated with the location of the lateral meniscus tears and the incidence of the lateral meniscus extrusion.The integrity of the meniscofemoral lig-ament is related to the incidence of the lateral meniscus extrusion.The time to clinical presentation after injury is related to the sever-ity of cartilage injury in ACL rupture patients.