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.In Vitro and in vivo Component Analysis of Total Phenolic Acids from Gei Herba and Its Effect on Promoting Acute Wound Healing and Inhibiting Scar Formation
Xixian KONG ; Guanghuan TIAN ; Tong WU ; Shaowei HU ; Jie ZHAO ; Fuzhu PAN ; Jingtong LIU ; Yong DENG ; Yi OUYANG ; Hongwei WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):156-167
ObjectiveBased on ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbital trap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS), to identify the in vivo and in vitro chemical components of total phenolic acids in Gei Herba(TPAGH), and to clarify the pharmacological effects and potential mechanisms of the effective part in promoting acute wound healing and inhibiting scar formation. MethodsUPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS was used to identify the chemical components of TPAGH and ingredients absorbed in vivo after topical administration. A total of 120 ICR mice were randomly divided into the model group, recombinant human epidermal growth factor(rhEGF) group(4 mg·kg-1), and low, medium, and high dose groups of TPAGH(3.5, 7, 14 mg·kg-1), with 24 mice in each group. A full-thickness skin excision model was constructed, and each administration group was coated with the drug at the wound site, and the model group was treated with an equal volume of normal saline, the treatment was continued for 30 days, during which 8 mice from each group were sacrificed on days 6, 12, and 30. The healing of the wounds in the mice was observed, and histopathological changes in the skin tissues were dynamically observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE), Masson, and Sirius red staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to dynamically measure the contents of interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA), matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-3 and MMP-9 in skin tissues. Network pharmacology was used to predict the targets related to the promotion of acute wound healing and the inhibition of scar formation by TPAGH, and molecular docking of key components and targets was performed. Gene Ontology(GO) biological process analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were carried out for the related targets, so as to construct a network diagram of herbal material-compound-target-pathway-pharmacological effect-disease for further exploring its potential mechanisms. ResultsA total of 146 compounds were identified in TPAGH, including 28 phenylpropanoids, 31 tannins, 23 triterpenes, 49 flavonoids, and 15 others, and 16 prototype components were found in the serum of mice. Pharmacodynamic results showed that, compared with the model group, the TPAGH groups showed a significant increase in relative wound healing rate and relative scar inhibition rate(P<0.05), and the number of new capillaries, number of fibroblasts, number of new skin appendages, epidermal regeneration rate, collagen deposition ratio, and Ⅲ/Ⅰ collagen ratio in the tissue were significantly improved(P<0.05, 0.01), the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-3 and MMP-9 in the skin tissues were reduced to different degrees, while the level of VEGFA was increased. Network pharmacology analysis screened 10 core targets, including tumor protein 53(TP53), sarcoma receptor coactivator(SRC), protein kinase B(Akt)1, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) and so on, participating in 75 signaling pathways such as advanced glycation end-products(AGE)-receptor for AGE(AGE/RAGE) signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathway. Molecular docking confirmed that the key components genistein, geraniin, and casuariin had good binding ability to TP53, SRC, Akt1, STAT3 and EGFR. ConclusionThis study comprehensively reflects the chemical composition of TPAGH and the absorbed components after topical administration through UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS. TPAGH significantly regulates key indicators of skin healing and tissue reconstruction, thereby clarifying its role in promoting acute wound healing and inhibiting scar formation. By combining in vitro and in vivo component identification with network pharmacology, the study explores how key components may bind to targets such as TP53, Akt1 and EGFR, exerting therapeutic effects through related pathways such as immune inflammation and vascular regeneration.
3.A retrospective comparative study of the effects of soft tissue precise reduction on the treatment of intra-capsular condylar fractures
Jianzhen SHE ; Jianghui XIE ; Le WANG ; Feng CAO ; Han BAO ; Luying YANG ; Xiaoying XU ; Lei TIAN ; Liang KONG ; Bolei CAI
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2025;41(1):46-51
Objective:To evaluate the improvement in the outcome of intracapsular condylar fractures(ICFs)treatment with pre-cise soft tissue reduction in combination with open reduction and internal fixation(PSTR-ORIF)by comparson with traditional open reduction and internal fixation(T-ORIF).Methods:40 patients with ICFs were treated by T-ORIF and PSTR-ORIF(n=20)re-spectively.Preoperative and 6-month postoperative whole-mouth panoramic tomography,CT and MRI imaging data were analyzed,the repositioning of the soft and hard tissues of temporomandibular joints(TMJs),the Helkimo index,clinical symptoms and subjec-tive symptoms were compared between the 2 groups.Results:In PSTR-ORIF(26 sides)and T-ORIF(27 sides)groups,the rate of complete anatomical restoration of fractured segments at 6 months after surgery was 96.15%and 81.48%,and the overall effective rate of ICF articular disc restoration was 96.15%and 74.07%respectively,the height of the ascending mandibular branch was bet-ter restored in patients with B-type fracture after surgery(P<0.05).At 6 months postoperatively,patients in the PSTR-ORIF group showed significant improvement in mouth opening,mandibular anterior extension distance,and lateral movement compared with the T-ORIF group(P<0.05).The Helkimo index showed that the PSTR-ORIF group got a significant improvement in the complaint symptom index score and the clinical symptom index score compared with the T-ORIF group(P<0.05).Conclusion:PSTR-ORIF is more effective than T-ORIF in the treatment of ICFs for the healing of condylar fractures,restore postoperative TMJ mobility and reduce the postoperative joint discomfort through good repositioning of soft tissues.
4.Study on the radical kinetics driven by the beam time profile under different oxygen contents in FLASH radiotherapy
Jianhan SUN ; Xianghui KONG ; Jianfeng LYU ; Jinghui WANG ; Xiaodong LIU ; Chen LIN ; Tian LI ; Yibao ZHANG ; Senlin HUANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(11):1061-1068
Objective:To reveal the coupling mechanism of beam temporal profile and tissue oxygen content on radical kinetics, further explain the potential biological basis of the FLASH effect, and provide a reference for beam optimization and treatment planning design of FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT).Methods:TOPAS-nBio v3.0 was used to simulate the physical and chemical processes of electron beams in water, and a full-scale kinetic model was established covering the generation, diffusion, reaction, and quenching of free radicals such as hydroxyl radical (·OH) and hydrated electrons (e aq-). Under different beam temporal profiles (single pulse, multi-pulses, continuous wave irradiation) and different oxygen concentration conditions, the evolution dynamics of free radicals were systematically simulated. At the same time, the data on e aq- content were obtained by experimental measurement of laser absorption spectroscopy to verify the accuracy of the model prediction. Results:The changing trend of e aq- concentration measured in the experiment was highly consistent with the simulation result, verifying the reliability of the constructed model. The beam time structure had a significant impact on the peak value and duration of free radical concentration. The single-pulse structure can cause the free radicals to rapidly increase and then quickly quench in a short time, while the continuous or long-pulse structure can cause the radical concentration to remain at a high level for a long time. The evolution of ·OH was not sensitive to the oxygen environment, while e aq- are greatly affected by the oxygen environment. The scavenging efficiency of free radicals in a hypoxic environment was significantly decreased, leading to an enhanced accumulation of oxidative damage to biological macromolecules. The lifespan of e aq- in an oxygen-rich environment decreased rapidly. Conclusions:Radical kinetics are regulated by both the beam temporal profile and oxygen content. FLASH-RT can utilize single-pulse or multi-pulses intervals to form periodic windows, reducing normal tissue damage by efficiently scavenging free radicals through antioxidants, while free radicals in tumor tissues continuously accumulate and amplify damage, thus generating a selective protective effect.
5.Literature review of one case of Tropheryma whipplei infection diagnosed by pathogenic metagenomic next-generation sequencing
Jiaqi LI ; Huimin ZHOU ; Xiaoman SHEN ; Xiaowei LIU ; Min KONG ; Yanjun TIAN ; Xiaohang HU ; Liqing JIANG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(10):1514-1519
OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical characteristics of Tropheryma whipplei(TW)infection and observe the application of pathogenic metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS)in diagnosis of TW infection.METHODS The clinical data were collected from 1 patient who was diagnosed by mNGS in the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University on Apr.9,2022.The data including the results of laboratory tests and treatment out-comes were summarized,and a literature review was conducted.RESULTS A 50-year-old woman presented to the hospital with chest tightness and chest pain lasting for 3 days,accompanied by dyspnea,palpitations,and expec-toration.The chest plain CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)scan suggested a high probability of pul-monary infection.Normal flora were isolated by culture of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF);TW and human βherpes virus type 7 were detected in BALF by mNGS,with the sequence numbers 327 000 and 9,respectively.The pulmonary symptoms of the patient were improved after joint treatment of the infection with etimicin,levo-floxacin and minocycline.The patient repeatedly sought for medical treatment due to the pain of shoulder joint and limitation of motion.CONCLUSIONS TW is one of major pathogens leading to the infections of systemic multiple systems,and it is necessary to attach great importance to the diagnosis and treatment.The traditional laboratory test method can not achieve ideal diagnosis effect and is more likely to make a missed diagnosis.mNGS is more ac-curate and more efficient than the traditional detection method in diagnosis of TW-induced diseases.Early use of mNGS can make a rapid identification of pathogens and facilitate the reasonable clinical use of antibiotics.It is of great significance for control of the disease progression,improvement of prognosis and prevention of recurrence.
6.Prognostic factors and outcomes of extremity necrotising fasciitis in Singapore.
Shaun Kai Kiat CHUA ; Noah Tian Run LIM ; Anna Hien Anh TRAN ; Liang SHEN ; Choon Chiet HONG ; Joel Yong Hao TAN ; Mark Edward PUHAINDRAN ; Jonathan Jiong Hao TAN
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2025;54(10):679-681
7.Real-world characteristics and treatment patterns in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed endometrial cancer.
Aijun YIN ; Dong WANG ; Yanlin LUO ; Ruifang AN ; Shuzhong YAO ; Yufei SHEN ; Li SUN ; Cuirong LEI ; Yan TIAN ; Li WANG ; Dan ZHONG ; Manman XU ; Yuanyuan JIANG ; Min ZHANG ; Binqi ZHANG ; Huirong MAO ; Fengshi DONG ; Yu ZHANG ; Beihua KONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(13):1624-1626
8.Experience in Treating Acne Based on the Staged Approach of "Eruption in Warm Diseases"
Yisheng ZHANG ; Ningxin ZHANG ; Fengyan TIAN ; Yuanyao SHE ; Jing LANG ; Weili KONG ; Qingyun LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(16):1723-1726
This paper summarizes clinical experience in treating acne based on the staged therapeutic principles of "eruption in warm diseases". It is considered that acne results from wind-heat retained in the lungs, invading the ying level and obstructing the blood collaterals, and is primarily a disorder involving both the wei and ying systems. In clinical practice, the treatment emphasizes the use of acrid-cool and sweet-cold methods. The core prescription is namely Yinqiaosan Qu Douchi Jia Xishengdi Danpi Daqingye Bei Xuanshen Fang (from Epidemic Warm Diseases [《温病条辨》]), and is adjusted according to the stage of disease. In the non-inflammatory stage, when the pathogen initially attacks the wei level, treatment focuses on acrid-cool herbs to release the exterior, with supplementary bitter-sweet ingredients such as Yejuhua (Chrysanthemum Indicum). In the inflammatory stage, with pronounced heat toxin in the qi level affecting the ying and blood, and local stagnation of qi and blood, the approach is to clear heat and resolve toxin, using blood-cooling and stasis-resolving herbs early to prevent progression. Herbs such as Pugongying (Taraxacum Mongolicum), Zihuadiding (Viola Yedoensis), Tiankuizi (Semiaquilegia Adoxoides), Chonglou (Paris Polyphylla), Machixian (Portulaca Oleracea), Zaojiaoci (Gleditsia Sinensis), Chuanshanjia (Manis Pentadactyla) may be added. In the post-inflammatory erythema stage, when yin of the ying level is depleted and internal deficiency-heat arises, sweet-cold herbs are recommended to nourish the stomach and generate fluids, with the possible addition of Yiwei Decoction (益胃汤).
9.Influencing factors of urinary tract infection after transurethral bipolar plasma enucleation of the prostate in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and the early predictive value of serum inflammatory indicators for postoperative urinary tract infection
Yingming PENG ; He ZHENG ; Lijie YUAN ; Yinggen ZHANG ; Wen KONG ; Jiayue TIAN ; Yanhe CHANG
International Journal of Surgery 2025;52(2):123-130
Objective:To analyze the influence factors of urinary tract infection after transurethral bipolar plasma enucleation of the prostate (TUPEP) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH), and the early predictive value of serum inflammatory indicators for postoperative urinary tract infection.Methods:A total of 300 patients with BPH who received TUPEP treatment in the Department of Urology, Kailuan General Hospital from January 2021 to August 2023 were selected, according to whether they had urinary tract infections after the operation, they were divided into infection group ( n=117) and non-infection group ( n=183). The clinical data of the two groups were collected, and the serum inflammatory indexes of the two groups were recorded within 24 hours after the operation, including white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil granulocyte (NE%), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), procalcitonin (PCT), heparin-binding protein (HBP), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and serum ferritin (SF). The differences of clinical data and serum inflammatory indexes between the two groups were analyzed. The measurement data of normal distribution were expressed as mean ± standard deviation ( ± s), and independent sample t-test was used for inter-group comparisons. The measurement data of non- normal distribution were represented by median (interquartile range) [ M ( Q1, Q3)], and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for inter-group comparison. The count data were expressed as cases and percentage, and inter-group comparisons were conducted using the Chi-test. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explored the influencing factors of urinary tract infections in BPH patients after TUPEP surgery. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted using GraphPad Prism 8.0.1 medical plotting softwar to evaluate the predictive value of serum inflammatory markers and combined detection of multiple markers for early postoperative urinary tract infections. Results:The duration of disease, history of diabetes, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), prostate volume, preoperative serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, preoperative urine residual volume, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative catheter indwelling time, and hospitalization time in the infection group were higher than those in the non-infection group ( P<0.05). The preoperative 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) level and maximum urinary flow rate were lower in the infection group than those in the non- infection group ( P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the course of the disease, history of diabetes, IPSS score, prostate volume, preoperative PSA level, preoperative urine residual volume, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative catheter indwelling time was positively correlated with urinary tract infection after TUPEP ( B=0.660, 0.242, 0.164, 0.125, 0.230, 0.066, 0.382, 0.022, 0.436, P<0.01), and preoperative 25OHD level and preoperative maximum urinary flow rate were negatively correlated with urinary tract infection after TUPEP ( B=-0.216, -0.372, P<0.01). The levels of hs-CRP, SAA, PCT, HBP, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, SF in the infection group were higher than those in the non-infection group ( P<0.001). The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of hs-CRP, SAA, PCT, HBP, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, SF in early predicting urinary tract infection after TUPEP in BPH patients were 0.697, 0.775, 0.902, 0.873, 0.884, 0.904, 0.917, 0.823, 0.906, 0.852, 0.807, 0.787. The AUC of the combined detection of multiple serum inflammatory markers was 0.972, the sensitivity and specificity were 93.18% and 96.63%, and the sensitivity and specificity of the combined detection of multiple serum inflammatory markers were higher than those of separate detection. Conclusion:The course of BPH, whether to combine history of diabetes, preoperative IPSS score, prostate volume, preoperative PSA level, preoperative 25OHD level, preoperative maximum urinary flow rate, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative catheter indwelling time are influencing factors of urinary tract infection after TUPEP, hs-CRP, SAA, PCT, HBP, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, SF had certain value in the early prediction of urinary tract infection after TUPEP in patients with BPH, the combination of multiple indicators can improve the predictive value of early urinary tract infection.
10.Analysis of dosimetric characteristics of proton radiotherapy in 1 case of whole central nervous system tumor
Shizhang WU ; Man HU ; Tianyuan DAI ; Chengqiang LI ; Cheng TAO ; Jinghao DUAN ; Jinhu CHEN ; Tong BAI ; Tian KONG ; Jian ZHU
Journal of International Oncology 2025;52(7):434-440
Objective:To explore the dosimetric characteristics of intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and tomotherapy (TOMO) techniques applied in the irradiation of pediatric whole central nervous system tumors.Methods:Taking the target area of a 14-year-old pediatric patient clinically diagnosed with atypical teratoid/rhabdomyoid tumor, meningeal metastasis by Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, and undergoing craniospinal irradiation (CSI) as an example, IMPT, IMRT and TOMO plans were designed respectively based on the clinical prescription of the target area and the limit requirements of organs at risk (OARs). The conformal index (CI), homogeneity index (HI) and gradient index (GI) of each planning target volume, as well as the dose volume index of normal tissues, were evaluated to compare the dosimetric characteristics of the three types of plans.Results:The CI (0.71), HI (0.05) and GI (3.13) of the IMPT plan were comparable to those of IMRT plan (0.80, 0.08, 3.14). The HI (0.03) and GI (2.54) of the TOMO plan were excellent, which were all within the clinically acceptable range. The irradiation dose to parallel organs in the IMPT plan was lower than that in the IMRT and TOMO plan. In the IMPT plan, V 5 of lungs was 2.9%, IMRT plan was 37.6%, and TOMO plan was 43.5%. The D mean of liver in the IMPT plan was 0.01 Gy (RBE), IMRT plan was 6.12 Gy, and TOMO plan was 6.39 Gy. In the IMPT plan, none of the bladder, rectum, and femoral head received the dose, while there was low-dose radiation in both IMRT and TOMO plan. For serial organs adjacent to and within the target area, the D max of spinal cord and brainstem in IMPT plan was 39.89 and 39.88 Gy (RBE), respectively; in IMRT plan, they were 39.43 and 38.59 Gy, respectively; and in TOMO plan, they were 38.41 and 37.69 Gy, respectively. The low-dose area in the IMPT plan was significantly better than the photon radiotherapy plans. Among them, the absolute volume IMPT plan occupied by 10% of the prescribed dose area in the patient's body was reduced by 70.10% compared with IMRT plan and 76.96% compared with TOMO plan; the 30% prescribed dose volume IMPT plan was reduced by 53.49% compared with IMRT plan and 62.51% compared with TOMO plan; the 50% prescribed dose volume IMPT plan was reduced by 39.06% compared with IMRT plan and 42.23% compared with TOMO plan. Conclusions:The IMPT plan demonstrated significantly reduced low-dose exposure and lower doses to parallel OARs compared to both IMRT and TOMO plans in pediatric CSI. The CI, HI and GI of the three plans can all meet the clinical requirements. However, for serial organs adjacent to and within the target area, the D max of the IMPT plan may be higher than that of IMRT and TOMO plans.

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