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. Exploration and Practice of a Generative AI-assisted Four-dimensional Integration Platform of “Teaching, Learning, Evaluation, and Research” for The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Courses
Pan CHEN ; Yang XI ; Xiao-Feng JIN ; De-Sen SUN ; Qiang CHEN ; Jun-Ming GUO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):789-800
ObjectiveBiochemistry and Molecular Biology, a discipline that elucidates life phenomena at the molecular level, serves as a core foundational course in medical education. It provides the theoretical basis for studying other basic and clinical medical subjects, as well as for understanding pathogenesis, disease diagnosis, and treatment. However, its complex content and highly abstract concepts have posed a dual challenge to traditional teaching models: “inefficient instruction” and “inadequate learning outcomes”. Within limited classroom hours, how to engage students and stimulate their intrinsic motivation, and how to help them recognize, understand, and develop a passion for biochemistry from the perspective of the discipline’s essence, have long been key focuses of curriculum research. MethodsUsing the lipid metabolism chapter as an example, this study employs “Rain Classroom”, a generative artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted platform, to support education in four dimensions: teaching, learning, evaluation, and research. In teaching, it assists instructors through virtual experiments, lesson preparation support, knowledge mapping, and assignment design. For learning, it serves as an intelligent study assistant for students, providing automated assignment review, enabling educational resource sharing, and facilitating personalized learning pathways. In evaluation, the platform automates assignment grading, analyzes student performance data, and offers diagnostic feedback and teaching recommendations. In research, it aids educators in collecting and analyzing teaching data, as well as searching for and summarizing relevant literature. ResultsThe results indicate that an educational model integrating teacher-led instruction, student-centered learning, and generative AI assistance significantly enhances teaching quality, students’ self-directed learning abilities, and knowledge mastery. Furthermore, with the support of generative AI, curriculum-based ideological education—focusing on cutting-edge disciplinary advances and topical medical issues—helps cultivate students’ medical spirit of “honoring life and healing the wounded”, thereby fostering the establishment of appropriate professional values. Finally, while generative AI presents both opportunities and challenges for higher education, this study also analyzes potential risks in its teaching applications, emphasizing the need for both instructors and students to avoid over-reliance and to ensure that technological tools consistently serve the fundamental goals of education. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that integrating generative AI, specifically via the “Rain Classroom” platform, can effectively enhance biochemistry education. By supporting teaching, learning, evaluation, and research, this approach improves both educational effectiveness and student outcomes. It also facilitates the incorporation of cutting-edge knowledge and professional ethics, nurturing a patient-centered mindset. Additionally, the study addresses potential implementation risks to ensure that such technological tools remain aligned with the core purpose of education.
3.Analysis on Theoretical Model and Pharmacological Mechanism of Staged Treatment of Severe Acute Pancreatitis with "Strengthening Healthy Qi to Eliminate Pathogenic Factors"
Wei JIN ; Quanyu DU ; Yang SONG ; Yong CHEN ; Junfeng MO ; Xiaochuan PAN ; Chunrun LI ; Peishu LAN ; Shaohong CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):195-204
Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is closely related to dysfunction of the spleen-stomach ascent and descent. Due to the influence of modern lifestyle and dietary factors, Qi deficiency in the spleen and stomach has become the pathological basis of SAP. Its pathogenesis is characterized by dampness, heat, pathogenic factors, stasis, stagnation, obstruction, Fu-organs Qi obstruction, pathogenic excess, and healthy Qi deficiency. At different stages of the disease course of SAP, there is a focus on both pathogenic excess and healthy Qi deficiency. It is specifically manifested as Fu-organs stagnation and heat accumulation, as well as pathogenic excess and healthy Qi deficiency, during the systemic inflammatory response phase, intermingling of blood stasis and pathogenic factors, as well as Qi deficiency and blood stasis, during the infection period, and weakness of the spleen and stomach, as well as healthy Qi deficiency and lingering pathogenic factors, during the residual infection period. Based on the theory that "the spleen and stomach are the acquired foundation", a staged treatment method centered on the core principle of "strengthening healthy Qi to eliminate pathogenic factors" was developed. The staged treatment method included "clearing the Fu-organs to expel turbidity, replenishing Qi to harmonize the stomach, activating blood circulation to expel pathogenic factors, replenishing Qi to relieve pain, promoting digestion to stimulate appetite, and replenishing Qi to invigorate the spleen". In clinical practice, Hewei Tongxie mixture, Yikang mixture, and Shiwei Jianpi Xiaoshi powder were selected for staged treatment of SAP. This article systematically summarized the theoretical basis of traditional Chinese medicine, Western medicine foundation, modern pharmacological mechanisms, and clinical application experience of the staged treatment of SAP with "strengthening the healthy Qi to eliminate pathogenic factors", providing new ideas for the treatment of SAP with traditional Chinese medicine.
4.Incremental effectiveness of two-dose of mumps-containing vaccine in chidren
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):883-887
Objective:
To evaluate the incremental vaccine effectiveness (VE) of two dose of the mumps containing vaccine (MuCV) in chidren, so as to provide a basis for optimizing mumps immunization strategies.
Methods:
A 1∶2 frequency matched case-control study was conducted by using reported mumps cases in childcare centers or schools from Lu an, Hefei, Ma anshan and Huainan cities of Anhui Province from September 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, as a case group(383 cases). And healthy children in the same classroom were selected as a control group(766 cases). The MuCV immunization histories of participants were collected to estimate the incremental VE of the second dose of MuCV against mumps. Group comparisons were performed using the Chi square test or t-test. For matched case-control pairs, the Cox regression model was employed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for two dose MuCV vaccination and to estimate the incremental vaccine effectiveness (VE).
Results:
There were no statistically significant differences between the case and control groups regarding gender, age, dosage of MuCV vaccination and the time interval since the last dose vaccination( χ 2/t=0.05, 0.20, 0.94, -0.02, P >0.05). The proportions of the case and control groups vaccinated with two doses of MuCV were 26.63% and 29.37%, respectively, and the overall incremental VE of the second dose of MuCV was 40.73% (95% CI=3.03%-63.77%, P <0.05). Subgroup analyses revealed that the incremental VE for children with a period of ≥1 year between the two doses of MuCV was 54.13% (95% CI=1.90%-78.56%, P <0.05), while for children with a period of <1 year, it was 30.63% (95% CI=-28.59%-62.58%, P >0.05). The incremental VE of the second dose of MuCV was 30.36% (95% CI=-25.95%-61.50%, P >0.05) in kindergarten children and 66.73% (95% CI=14.92%-86.99%, P <0.05) in elementary and secondary school students. The incremental VE was 28.78% (95% CI=-27.46%-60.21%, P >0.05) within five years of the last dose of MuCV vaccination and 66.07% (95% CI=-41.56%-91.87%, P >0.05) for vaccinations administered beyond five years.
Conclusions
The second dose of MuCV may offer additional protection for children; however, extending the interval between two dose of MuCV (<1 year) has shown limited incremental protective effects. Therefore, it is crucial to consider optimizing current immunization strategies for mumps.
5.Traditional Chinese Medicine Treats Colorectal Cancer by Regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway: A Review
Yingying SUN ; Pan ZHENG ; Jin DING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):271-281
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignant tumor of the digestive tract, with a high incidence and high mortality. The majority of patients are diagnosed at the middle or advanced stage, which severely influences and threatens their physical health. Current treatment modalities such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy often encounter challenges including metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway serves as a classical regulator that regulates physiological processes such as cell cycle, autophagy, apoptosis, and proliferation. Overexpression of this pathway is observed in various tumors. In the context of CRC, the activation of this pathway can facilitate the proliferation, invasion, and migration, inhibit the autophagy and apoptosis, promote the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of CRC cells, enhance angiogenesis within the tumor, and contribute to chemotherapy resistance and radiation resistance in CRC. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment can exert an anti-CRC effect by inhibiting this pathway, thereby improving clinical efficacy and safety. This article retrieves relevant research literature published domestically and internationally regarding the regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway by TCM in the treatment of CRC and conducts detailed classification and summary. The active components of TCM include glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, polyphenols, and naphthoquinones. The volatile oils and extracts of TCM include Angelicae Sinensis Radix volatile oil, Astragali Radix polysaccharides, Caryophylli Flos extract, Forsythiae Fructus extract, Curcumae Longae Rhizoma extract, and Celastrus orbiculatus extract. The compound formulas of TCM include Banxia Xiexin decoction, Jianpi Qingre Huoxue formula, and Chanling Plaster. Through summary and analysis, it is discovered that the abovementioned TCM can produce effects such as blocking the cell cycle, inducing autophagy and apoptosis, inhibiting angiogenesis, suppressing proliferation and migration, and reversing chemotherapy resistance and radiotherapy resistance by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in CRC cells. TCM holds promise in the research and application of targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway for CRC treatment. The summary and conclusion of this article aim to provide references for subsequent research and the development of new drugs.
6.Traditional Chinese Medicine Treats Colorectal Cancer by Regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway: A Review
Yingying SUN ; Pan ZHENG ; Jin DING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):271-281
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignant tumor of the digestive tract, with a high incidence and high mortality. The majority of patients are diagnosed at the middle or advanced stage, which severely influences and threatens their physical health. Current treatment modalities such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy often encounter challenges including metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway serves as a classical regulator that regulates physiological processes such as cell cycle, autophagy, apoptosis, and proliferation. Overexpression of this pathway is observed in various tumors. In the context of CRC, the activation of this pathway can facilitate the proliferation, invasion, and migration, inhibit the autophagy and apoptosis, promote the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of CRC cells, enhance angiogenesis within the tumor, and contribute to chemotherapy resistance and radiation resistance in CRC. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment can exert an anti-CRC effect by inhibiting this pathway, thereby improving clinical efficacy and safety. This article retrieves relevant research literature published domestically and internationally regarding the regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway by TCM in the treatment of CRC and conducts detailed classification and summary. The active components of TCM include glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, polyphenols, and naphthoquinones. The volatile oils and extracts of TCM include Angelicae Sinensis Radix volatile oil, Astragali Radix polysaccharides, Caryophylli Flos extract, Forsythiae Fructus extract, Curcumae Longae Rhizoma extract, and Celastrus orbiculatus extract. The compound formulas of TCM include Banxia Xiexin decoction, Jianpi Qingre Huoxue formula, and Chanling Plaster. Through summary and analysis, it is discovered that the abovementioned TCM can produce effects such as blocking the cell cycle, inducing autophagy and apoptosis, inhibiting angiogenesis, suppressing proliferation and migration, and reversing chemotherapy resistance and radiotherapy resistance by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in CRC cells. TCM holds promise in the research and application of targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway for CRC treatment. The summary and conclusion of this article aim to provide references for subsequent research and the development of new drugs.
7.Disease burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Zhejiang Province from 1990 to 2021
ZHOU Xiaoyan ; GONG Weiwei ; PAN Jin ; DAI Pinyuan ; GUAN Yunqi ; WANG Hao ; LI Na ; LU Feng ; ZHONG Jieming
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):757-761
Objective:
To analyze the disease burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and changes in its risk factors among residents in Zhejiang Province from 1990 to 2021, so as to identify key priorities for COPD prevention and control.
Methods:
Data on COPD mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) for residents in Zhejiang Province from 1990 to 2021 were collected from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database. Standardized mortality and standardized DALY rate were calculated using the GBD 2021 world population standard structure. Premature mortality was computed via the life table method. The average annual percent change (AAPC) was applied to analyze trends in COPD mortality, DALY rate, and premature mortality. Changes in deaths of COPD risk factors were evaluated using population attributable fraction (PAF).
Results:
From 1990 to 2021, the standardized COPD mortality in Zhejiang Province decreased from 272.40/100 000 to 70.56/100 000 (AAPC=-4.395%), and the standardized DALY rate declined from 4 167.37/100 000 to 1 071.89/100 000 (AAPC=-4.396%). Similar downward trends were observed in both males (AAPC=-3.933%, -4.173%) and females (AAPC=-4.785%, -4.480%), all P<0.05. Crude mortality and DALY rates increased with age, and the crude mortality and DALY rates of various age groups in Zhejiang Province showed decreasing trends from 1990 to 2021 (all P<0.05). The premature mortality declined from 4.37% to 0.60% from 1990 to 2021 (AAPC=- 6.206%), with consistent trends across males and females (AAPC=- 6.144%, - 6.379%, all P<0.05). From 1990 to 2021, particulate matter pollution showed the largest reduction in PAF (- 56.76%), while ambient ozone pollution had the largest increase (103.07%) in Zhejiang Province. By 2021, smoking became the leading risk factor for deaths of COPD (PAF=43.32%).
Conclusions
The standardized mortality, standardized DALY rate, and premature mortality for COPD show consistent declining trends in Zhejiang Province from 1990 to 2021. However, risk factors such as smoking and ambient ozone pollution require intensified focus to further reduce disease burden of COPD.
8.Experimental study on alternative method of local lymph node assay using bromodeoxyuridine with flow cytometry(LLNA:BrdU-FCM)for skin sensitization evaluation of cosmetics
Xiao-jun LYU ; Ju ZHANG ; Sen WU ; Xiao-ling XU ; Meng-ting SHI ; Jin-jing XU ; Wang-ping PAN ; Jia-te SHEN ; Kai-yong HE
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):793-799
Aim To establish and evaluate an alternative meth-od for detecting skin sensitization of cosmetics based on local lymph node assay using bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU)with flow cytometry(FCM).Methods(1)25%hexyl cinnamic alde-hyde(HCA)was chosen as a positive control with an acetone:olive oil(4∶1,V/V,AOO)mixture as a vehicle control for the experiment.The dorsal sides of both ears of mice were treated with test solutions on day 1,day 2,and day 3.Brdu solution was injected inter-peritoneally on day 5.On day 6,the bilateral ears and mandibular lymph nodes were excised,and the number of Brdu positive cells was measured by flow cytometry.The stim-ulation index(SI)was calculated to identify whether it was ≥3,in order to establish the method of LLNA:Brdu-FCM.(2)BrdU-FCM test was conducted using a blind method with the fif-teen reference substances listed in OECD TG429 whose skin sensitization potentials were known.The test substances were dissolved in AOO,N,N-dimethylformamide(DMF)or dimeth-yl sulfoxide(DMSO)at three different concentrations.Tests were performed the same as above.SI and EC2.7 were calculat-ed to evaluate whether the test substance was categorized as a skin sensitizer.The reliability and accuracy of the method were validated by comparing the classification of test substances with that in OECD TG429.Results The SI for 25%HCA was 3.9,showing positive in the skin sensitization test.It demonstrated that the LLNA:Brdu-FCM test method was properly implemen-ted.Nine test substances(2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene,4-pheny-lenediamine,cobalt chloride,2-mercaptobenzothiazole,hexyl-cinnamaldehyde,eugenol,phenyl benzoate,cinnamic alcohol,imidazolidinyl urea)were positive,and six test substances(methyl methacrylate,chlorobenzene,isopropanol,lactic acid,methyl salicylate,salicylic acid)were negative.The method was evaluated with sensitivity of 90%,specificity of 100%,positive prediction rate of 100%,negative prediction rate of 83%,false positive rate of 0%,false negative rate of 17%and accuracy of 93%.The LLNA:BrdU-FCM assay could correctly categorize the test substances that were skin sensitizers or non-sensitizers.Conclusion The LLNA:BrdU-FCM assay appears to be a relia-ble predictor of skin sensitization protential of chemicals,and it is expected to an alternative method for identifying skin sensitization as a supplementary in safety evaluation of cosmetic ingredient.
9.Vonoprazan for ulcers associated with endoscopic submucosal dissection:a rapid health technology assessment
Wei WANG ; Yijun KE ; Chang CHENG ; Chongwen FANG ; Lisheng PAN ; Yong JIN ; Yanping ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(3):306-313
Objective To evaluate the efficacy,safety and economy of vonoprazan in the treatment of post-endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)ulcer by rapid health technology assessment method,and to provide reference for clinical treatment decision.Methods PubMed,Cochrane Library,Embase,ScienceDirect,CNKI,WanFang Data databases and the official website of health technology assessment(HTA)agency were electronically searched to collect HTA reports,systematic reviews/Meta-analysis and pharmacoeconomic studies of vonoprazan in the treatment of post-ESD ulcer from inception to July 31,2024.Two researchers independently screened literature,extracted data,and comprehensively analyzed the results of the included literature on the basis of literature quality evaluation.Results A total of 8 studies were included,all were systematic reviews/Meta-analysis.In terms of effectiveness,compared with proton pump inhibitors(PPI),vonoprazan significantly increased the overall ulcer healing rate after ESD and more rapid reduction of ulcer area(P<0.05).The results of subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant difference in ulcer healing rate between vonoprazan and PPI treatment at 4 or 8 weeks after ESD(P>0.05).Vonoprazan significantly increased the rate of postoperative ulcer reduction in H.pylori positive patients compared with PPI(P<0.05).In terms of safety,compared with PPI,vonoprazan reduced the incidence of overall adverse events rate(P<0.05).The difference in the incidence of delayed bleeding and ulcer perforation between vonoprazan and PPIs showed no statistically significant difference.(P>0.05).Conclusion Vonoprazan demonstrated favorable efficacy and safety in the treatment of ESD ulcers,and further economic studies are warranted.
10.Post-chemotherapy myelosuppression after Chinese medicine compound intervention chemotherapy based on patent mining
Wang JIN ; Sheng LI ; Yinping PAN
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(8):70-74
Objective To explore the prescription compatibility of post-chemotherapy myelosuppression after traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)compound patent,and provide reference for research and development of Chinese medicine.Methods Search formulary data of post-chemotherapy myelosuppression after TCM compound patent from the patent database from buiding to October 29,2024.A total of 63 patents were included,involving 668 flavors of TCM.The frequency,properties and taste statistics,association rules and cluster analysis were conducted,and core network was constructed.Results Chinese medicine flavor were mainly cool,warm,sweet,bitter,xin,mostly return to the lung,liver,spleen three classics,high frequency drugs included Huangqi,Danggui,etc.Common medicine included Huangqi-Danggui,Huangqi-Baizhu,etc.Conclusion This study uses data mining to explore the prescription compatibility rule of post-chemotherapy myelosuppression after TCM compound patent intervention.Huangqi and Danggui are core Chinese medicine treating post-chemotherapy myelosuppression.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail