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.Molecular mechanisms of hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis comorbid with fatty liver disease
Shuo DONG ; Ying WANG ; Xiwang WANG ; Jingjing JIN ; Kai WEI ; Xiao WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):739-744
Both hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis and fatty liver disease are associated with lipid metabolism disorders and are commonly comorbid with each other in clinical practice. The pathogenesis of such comorbidity involves the interaction between multiple factors such as hypertriglyceridemia, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and insulin resistance, and these factors may form a vicious cycle and jointly promote disease progression. In clinical practice, hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis is characterized by severe disease conditions, a high incidence rate of complications, a high mortality rate, and a tendency for recurrence, and it can easily lead to multi-organ damage and even multiple organ failure without timely treatment, posing a serious threat to the life of patients. Starting from the various signaling pathways associated with hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis comorbid with fatty liver disease, this article discusses the potential molecular mechanisms of synergistic pathogenesis between hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis and fatty liver disease, so as to provide a reference for the early prevention and treatment of such comorbidity.
3.Mechanisms of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma Water Extract in Ameliorating Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease Model Rats via SIRT1/HMGB1/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Fei WU ; Yuexia LI ; Qi HUANG ; Tianshi LI ; Chuanshan JIN ; Kai MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):230-240
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects of the Anemarrhenae Rhizoma water extract (AR) on Alzheimer's disease (AD) model rats and to explore its potential underlying mechanisms. MethodsMale rats were intraperitoneally injected with D-galactose (100 mg·kg-1) for 42 days, and on day 14, 1 μL of β-amyloid (Aβ25-35, 2 g·L-1) solution was injected into the hippocampus. Rats were randomly divided into a model group, low-dose AR (0.6 g·kg-1), medium-dose AR (1.2 g·kg-1), high-dose AR (2.4 g·kg-1), and a positive control group (donepezil, 5 mg·kg-1). Healthy rats receiving only a hippocampal injection of 1 μL of sterile saline served as the sham-operated group. From day 21, rats in the treatment groups were administered the corresponding drugs by gavage once daily for 21 consecutive days, while the blank control and model groups received an equal volume of saline. Learning and memory abilities were assessed using the Morris water maze. Brain tissue damage was observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and neuronal apoptosis was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in brain tissues were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). BV2 microglial cells were co-cultured with Aβ25-35 (40 μmol·L-1) for 2 h, and cell viability was determined by the CCK-8 assay to screen the optimal concentration of AR-containing serum (S-AR). Cells were divided into blank control, Aβ25-35, S-AR, EX527 [silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) inhibitor], and S-AR+EX527 groups. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of CD16, CD206, and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). Western blot analysis was performed to measure the protein expression of CD16, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), CD206, arginase (Arg), and proteins related to the SIRT1/HMGB1/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. ResultsIn vivo experiments showed that, compared with the sham-operated group, the model group exhibited reduced platform crossings and time spent in the target quadrant (P<0.01), prolonged escape latency, increased hippocampal neuronal apoptosis (P<0.01), and obvious hippocampal damage. The expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, CD16, and iNOS in brain tissues were significantly elevated (P<0.01), while CD206 and Arg protein expression showed an increasing trend without statistical significance. Compared with the model group, all AR-treated groups significantly increased platform crossings and target quadrant time (P<0.05, P<0.01), alleviated hippocampal damage, reduced escape latency and neuronal apoptosis, downregulated the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, CD16, and iNOS (P<0.05, P<0.01), and upregulated the expression of IL-10, CD206 and Arg (P<0.05, P<0.01). In vitro experiments demonstrated that, compared with the blank control group, the Aβ25-35 group showed increased fluorescence intensity of CD206, CD16, and HMGB1, as well as elevated protein expression of iNOS and CD16 (P<0.01), while CD206 and Arg protein expression exhibited an increasing trend without statistical significance. After S-AR intervention, CD206 fluorescence intensity and the protein expression of Arg and CD206 were significantly increased (P<0.01), whereas the fluorescence intensity of CD16 and HMGB1 and the protein expression of iNOS and CD16 were significantly decreased (P<0.01). These effects were reversed by EX527 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Furthermore, compared with the blank control group, the Aβ25-35 group showed significantly increased cytoplasmic HMGB1 expression and p-p65/p65 ratio (P<0.01), along with significantly decreased SIRT1 and nuclear HMGB1 expression (P<0.01). In contrast, the S-AR group exhibited opposite trends compared with the Aβ25-35 group, and the regulatory effects of S-AR on these proteins were reversed by EX527 (P<0.01). ConclusionAR exerts neuroprotective effects in AD model rats by regulating microglial polarization and alleviating neuroinflammation, potentially through modulation of the SIRT1/HMGB1/NF-κB signaling pathway.
4.Health literacy promotion strategies for the elderly: a review
HOU Rui ; WEI Yingqi ; FANG Kai ; XIE Jin
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(2):154-157
Abstract
The health literacy level among the elderly in China remains at a low level. The 14th Five-Year Plan for Healthy Aging clearly points out that health literacy promotion projects should be implemented to improve the health literacy level among the elderly. The health literacy promotion strategies for the elderly require individual, social, policy and environmental supports. This article reviewed four types of health literacy promotion strategies for the elderly, including social strategies, lecture-based health education strategies, new media-based health communication strategies and environmental strategies. It also proposed that health education institutions, communities and other parties should work together, take advantage of digital technology and internet, and take various measures simultaneously to improve the health literacy of the elderly.
5.Effects of conditioned medium and exosomes of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on proliferation,migration,invasion,and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Kai JIN ; Ting TANG ; Meile LI ; Yuan XIE
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(7):1350-1355
BACKGROUND:Mesenchymal stem cells can regulate the tumor microenvironment by secreting extracellular vesicles containing cytokines,growth factors and exosomes for the precise regulation of biological behavior of tumor cells. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium and their released exosomes on the biological properties of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. METHODS:Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell supernatant was collected,centrifuged and filtered at high speed to obtain human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium.Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell supernatant was collected and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell exosomes were extracted by ultra-high speed gradient centrifugation.Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell exosomes were labeled with PKH26 and co-cultured with hepatocellular carcinoma cell MHCC97-H.The uptake of exosomes by MHCC97-H cells was observed by fluorescence microscopy.The effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell exosomes on biological functions of hepatocellular carcinoma cells were assessed by the CCK-8 proliferation assay,Transwell migration and invasion assay,and the apoptosis assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell exosomes could be uptaken by MHCC97-H cells and was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm.(2)After treatment with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium,MHCC97-H cells showed a significant increase in proliferation,migration,and invasion(P<0.001,P<0.05,P<0.01),and a significant decrease in apoptosis(P<0.001),while after treatment with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell exosomes,MHCC97-H cells showed a decrease in proliferation(P<0.001)and migration,invasion,and apoptosis were significantly enhanced(P<0.001).(3)The results indicated that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium had the ability to promote the proliferation,migration,invasion,and inhibit apoptosis of MHCC97-H cells,while human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell exosomes had the properties of promoting the migration,invasion and apoptosis of MHCC97-H cells,inhibiting the proliferation.
6.The efficacy and safety of concurrent versus sequential chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Kai YANG ; Li DOU ; Wei CAO ; Dacheng JIN ; Qi WANG ; Yunjiu GOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(12):1777-1785
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of concurrent chemoradiotherapy versus sequential chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Methods The relevant literature was searched in PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI and Wanfang databases from the inception to October 15, 2023, and the literature was screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Review Manager 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis of the literature, and the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of the literature. Results Finally, 14 randomized controlled studies were included covering a total of 1048 patients. The results of meta-analysis showed that the overall response rate [OR=2.39, 95%CI (1.83, 3.11)], 1-year survival rate [OR=1.81, 95%CI (1.39, 2.35)], 2-year survival rate [OR=1.75, 95%CI (1.27, 2.42)] and 3-year survival rate [OR=2.33, 95%CI (1.49, 3.66)] were superior to sequential chemoradiotherapy (P<0.001). In terms of safety, concurrent chemoradiotherapy increased the incidence of radiation esophagitis (P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference in the incidence of leukopenia and radiation pneumonia (P>0.05). Conclusion For patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, the short-term efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy is better than that of sequential chemoradiotherapy and can improve the 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates, but the toxic side effects of the treatment are slightly greater than those of the sequential chemoradiotherapy.
7.Predictive value of pre-treatment circulating tumor DNA genomic landscape in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma undergoing anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy: Insights from tumor cells and T cells
Rongrong CHEN ; Chunxiang JIN ; Kai LIU ; Mengyu ZHAO ; Tingting YANG ; Mingming ZHANG ; Pingnan XIAO ; Jingjing FENG ; Ruimin HONG ; Shan FU ; Jiazhen CUI ; Simao HUANG ; Guoqing WEI ; He HUANG ; Yongxian HU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(19):2481-2490
Background::B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) therapy yield remarkable responses in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/RMM). Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) reportedly exhibits distinct advantages in addressing the challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity in the distribution and genetic variations in R/RMM.Methods::Herein, the ctDNA of 108 peripheral blood plasma samples from patients with R/RMM at the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University was thoroughly investigated before administration of anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy to establish its predictive potential. Flow cytometry is used primarily to detect subgroups of T cells or CAR-T cells.Results::In this study, several tumor and T cell effector-mediated factors were considered to be related to treatment failure by an integrat analysis, including higher percentages of multiple myeloma (MM) cells in the bone marrow ( P = 0.0125), lower percentages of CAR-T cells in the peripheral blood at peak ( P = 0.0375), and higher percentages of CD8 + T cells ( P = 0.0340). Furthermore, there is a substantial correlation between high ctDNA level (>143 ng/mL) and shorter progression-free survival (PFS) ( P = 0.007). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high levels of ctDNA (>143 ng/mL), MM-driven high-risk mutations (including IGLL5 [ P = 0.004], IRF4 [ P = 0.024], and CREBBP [ P = 0.041]), number of multisite mutations, and resistance-related mutation ( ERBB4, P = 0.040) were independent risk factors for PFS. Conclusion::Finally, a ctDNA-based risk model was built based on the above independent risk factors, which serves as an adjunct non-invasive measure of substantial tumor burden and a prognostic genetic feature that can assist in predicting the response to anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy.
8.Prediction of Ki-67 expression in pituitary adenoma using a joint model based on siamese network and transfer learning
Xue GE ; Jin DUAN ; Xiuling WANG ; Lu TANG ; Chunfeng HU ; Kai XU ; Qian XU
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(11):1769-1772,1790
Objective To explore the prediction efficiency of Ki-67 expression status in pituitary adenoma(PA)based on a joint model of siamese network and transfer learning.Methods The preoperative MR T1WI enhanced sequence images of 370 patients with PA diagnosed by surgery and pathology were retrospectively collected.According to the results of immunohistochemical,all patients were divided into high proliferation index group(Ki-67≥3,n=97)and low proliferation index group(Ki-67<3,n=273),and all the sample data were randomly divided into training set and test set according to the ratio of 7∶3.Two single predictive models,ResNet-50 and VGGNet-16 and combined them with the siamese network and transfer learning were built.The prediction efficiency of different models were evaluated via accuracy rate,precision rate,recall rate,F1 score and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve as the main criteria.Results Compared with a single predictive model,the model combined with siamese network and transfer learning showed a better performance for predicting the Ki-67 of PA.Additionally,the ResNet-50 joint model exhibited the superior predictive performance.The accuracy rate was 0.872 7,the precision rate was 0.812 5,the recall rate was 0.764 7,the F1 score was 0.787 9,and the area under the curve(AUC)was 0.841 6.Conclusion The joint model based on siamese network and transfer learning exhibits a higher efficiency for predicting the Ki-67 expression status in PA,which can help the clinicians to formulate more personalized treatment for the patients.
9.Implant restoration assisted by autonomous dental robot after upper jaw reconstruction
Zhenxing GUO ; Yue WANG ; Minmin ZHENG ; Jin TU ; Jianhua WEI ; Shizhu BAI ; Yimin ZHAO ; Kai JIAO
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2025;41(2):173-176
The left maxilla of a patient was resected because of tumor,and the defect was reconstruted with fibular transplantation.The autonomous dental implant robot technology was used to achieve precise implantation of multiple implants and immediate denture restoration within the limited left maxilla.The surgery was minimally invasive and efficient,and significantly reducing patient post-operative discomfort.The final restoration was completed 6 months after surgery.
10.Effect of minimally invasive interbody fusion device height on lumbar biomechanics in patients with adolescent lumbar disc herniation
Ruofan ZHANG ; Huanhuan GUAN ; Zhuoqun HE ; Yunfeng ZHANG ; Feng JIN ; Zhiqiang WANG ; Jianzhong WANG ; Xiaohe LI ; Yong ZHU ; Haiyan WANG ; Kai ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(21):4421-4429
BACKGROUND:Adolescent lumbar disc herniation is the main cause of low back pain in adolescents. At present,most of them are treated by conservativetreatment. When long-term non-surgical treatment attempts,surgery may be necessary to prevent further injury when the patient's symptoms are notsufficiently relieved or when the patient has symptoms of single nerve paralysis or compression of the cauda equina,it is very important to choose a suitable interbody fusion device for the surgical treatment of the patients.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of minimally invasive interbody fusion with different heights on lumbar biomechanics in patients with adolescent lumbar disc herniation.METHODS:CT scans of a 17-year-old male patient with adolescent lumbar disc herniation (L4-5 segment herniation) were collected. After the three-dimensional reconstruction of MIMICS,the interbody fusion device equal to and 3 mm higher than the intervertebral space was selected for analysis,so two expandablemixed material interbody fusion devices were designed and reconstructed. Fusion device L:11 mm high front,9 mm high posterior,9 mm wide,28 mmlong,and fusion device H:14 mm high front,11 mm high posterior,11 mm wide,28 mm long and the lumbar fusion device was modeled. The fusion deviceand lumbar spine model were optimized,inversely modeled,and then imported into ABAQUS,and finally the 3D model of lumbar fusion was obtained.The physiological activities of the human body were simulated,such as lumbar extension,forward bending,right bending,and left bending,to obtain thecorresponding stress contours. The biomechanical characteristics of the L4-5 vertebra under seven different working conditions were observed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The maximum stress of the two kinds of fuses was in the condition of forward bending and backward extension,the stress value of H fuses was (18.27±3.80) Mpa and (15.02±3.24) Mpa;the stress value of L fuses was (9.16±0.05) Mpa and (9.17±1.83) Mpa. The stress values of the end plate of the H-fusion in the extension station were (19.11±4.03) Mpa and (16.32±3.72) Mpa respectively. The stress values of the L-fusion end plate were (9.13±0.01) Mpa and (4.92±1.01) Mpa respectively. (2) The stress of H-type fusing end plate was higher than that of L-type fusing end plate except for L-5 end plate at neutral position (P<0.05). (3) Choosing an interbody fusion device with a height of more than 3 mm in the same intervertebral space has a more stable biomechanics.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail