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 evaluate the role of splenic sympathetic nerve-regulated infiltration and polarization of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) macrophages in diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) in mice.Methods:Forty-eight specific pathogen-free male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6 weeks, weighing 20-22 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: control group (Con group), DNP group, DNP plus sham operation group (DNP+ Sham group), and diabetes mellitus induced by DNP plus splenic sympathetic denervation group (DNP+ SS group). In DNP+ SS group, the splenic sympathetic denervation procedures were performed using 6-hydroxydopamine solution, while a solvent of 0.2% ascorbic acid saline solution was used as a substitute for 6-hydroxydopamine solution in DNP+ Sham group. After a two-week recovery, the diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin 120 mg/kg in mice at 8 weeks of age. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) were measured on day 1 before developing the model and on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 after developing the model. After the last behavioral testing, the DRG was taken after anesthesia for determination of the expression of the macrophage marker ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1(Iba1), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (by immunofluorescence) and expression of M1 phenotype markers (CD16, TNF-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS]) and M2 phenotype markers (interleukin-10 [IL-10], transforming growth factor-β1 [TGF-β1], and CD206) mRNA (using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction). Results:Compared with Con group, the MWT was significantly decreased on days 14, 21 and 28 after developing the model, the expression of CGRP and TNF-α in the DRG was up-regulated, the count of Iba1-positive cells was increased, the expression of CD16, TNF-α and iNOS mRNA was up-regulated ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the expression of IL-10, TGF-β1 and CD206 in DNP group ( P>0.05). Compared with DNP group and DNP+ Sham group, the MWT was significantly increased on days 14, 21 and 28 after developing the model, the expression of CGRP and TNF-α in the DRG was down-regulated, the count of Iba1-positive cells was decreased, the expression of CD16, TNF-α and iNOS mRNA was down-regulated, and the expression of IL-10, TGF-β1 and CD206 mRNA was up-regulated in DNP+ SS group ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the aforementioned parameters at each time point in DNP and DNP+ Sham groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Activation of splenic sympathetic nerve can promote the infiltration and polarization of DRG macrophages, thus participating in the process of diabetic neuropathic pain in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of posterior cruciate ligament(PCL) resection on soft tissue elasticity and knee stability in total knee arthroplasty(TKA). METHODS: Six adult cadaveric knee specimens (involving 10 knees) were included in the study. With the assistance of the robotic system(TiRobot Recon, TINAVI, Beijing), total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was performed sequentially using cruciate retaining (CR) prostheses and posterior stabilizing (PS) prostheses. Between the two surgical procedures, the femoral and tibial osteotomy surfaces were not altered;only the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was resected and the intercondylar fossa was treated. After installing the femoral trial component, a soft tissue balance solver was used to apply tension ranging from 30 N to 90 N in 5 N increments at 0°, 10°, and 90° of knee flexion. Meanwhile, the medial and lateral joint gaps were measured synchronously. Based on the tension-gap coupling data, the equivalent elastic coefficients of the medial and lateral soft tissue sleeves at different knee flexion angles, as well as the range of the joint line convergence angle (JLCA) under fixed varus-valgus stress, were calculated. Additionally, the gap balance status under 80 N of tension was analyzed. Self-control comparisons of each indicator were conducted before and after PCL resection to analyze the change patterns. RESULTS: After PCL resection, in the fully extended position (knee flexion 0°). The medial equivalent elastic coefficient was 32.2 (25.7, 63.3) N·mm^-1 for the CR prosthesis and 27.7 (22.0, 51.9) N·mm^-1 for the PS prosthesis, and the statistically significant difference (P=0.013). The range of JLCA was 0.41°(0.26, 0.55)° for the CR prosthesis, which was smaller than 0.75° (0.40, 0.98)° for the PS prosthesis, and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.041). At 90° of knee flexion, the medial joint gap was 10.7(10.1, 11.7) mm for the CR prosthesis, which was smaller than 12.1(10.9, 15.1) mm for the PS prosthesis, with a statistically significant difference(P=0.011). No statistically significant differences were observed in other joint gaps. CONCLUSION PCL resection reduces the rigidity of the medial soft tissues in the fully extended knee and increases the medial joint gap in the flexed position, thereby affecting knee stability and balance. This finding suggests that PS and CR prostheses may require different morphological designs, and there should be differences in indications and osteotomy strategies between CR-TKA and PS-TKA. CR-TKA is more suitable for patients with preoperative medial soft tissue laxity.
Humans ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament/physiopathology* ; Knee Joint/physiopathology* ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Elasticity ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Adult

Neuropathic pain is a chronic condition caused by damage or dysfunction in the nervous system. While the spleen may influence neuropathic pain, its role has been poorly understood. This study demonstrates that the spleen plays a crucial role in regulating neuropathic pain through the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) - paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) neural circuit in a chronic constriction injury (CCI) mouse model. Splenectomy, splenic denervation, or splenic sympathectomy significantly increased the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and reduced macrophage infiltration in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of CCI mice. Pseudorabies virus injections into the spleen revealed connections to the BNST and PVN in the brain. Chemogenetic inhibition of the BNST-PVN circuit increased macrophage infiltration in the DRG and decreased the MWT; these effects were reversed by splenectomy, splenic denervation, or sympathectomy. These findings underscore the critical role of the spleen, regulated by the BNST-PVN circuit, in neuropathic pain.
Animals ; Neuralgia/pathology* ; Septal Nuclei/physiopathology* ; Male ; Spleen/physiopathology* ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/physiopathology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Splenectomy ; Mice ; Neural Pathways/physiopathology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Ganglia, Spinal/physiopathology* ; Sympathectomy ; Macrophages

Objective:To evaluate the role of splenic sympathetic nerve-regulated infiltration and polarization of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) macrophages in diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) in mice.Methods:Forty-eight specific pathogen-free male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6 weeks, weighing 20-22 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: control group (Con group), DNP group, DNP plus sham operation group (DNP+ Sham group), and diabetes mellitus induced by DNP plus splenic sympathetic denervation group (DNP+ SS group). In DNP+ SS group, the splenic sympathetic denervation procedures were performed using 6-hydroxydopamine solution, while a solvent of 0.2% ascorbic acid saline solution was used as a substitute for 6-hydroxydopamine solution in DNP+ Sham group. After a two-week recovery, the diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin 120 mg/kg in mice at 8 weeks of age. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) were measured on day 1 before developing the model and on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 after developing the model. After the last behavioral testing, the DRG was taken after anesthesia for determination of the expression of the macrophage marker ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1(Iba1), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (by immunofluorescence) and expression of M1 phenotype markers (CD16, TNF-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS]) and M2 phenotype markers (interleukin-10 [IL-10], transforming growth factor-β1 [TGF-β1], and CD206) mRNA (using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction). Results:Compared with Con group, the MWT was significantly decreased on days 14, 21 and 28 after developing the model, the expression of CGRP and TNF-α in the DRG was up-regulated, the count of Iba1-positive cells was increased, the expression of CD16, TNF-α and iNOS mRNA was up-regulated ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the expression of IL-10, TGF-β1 and CD206 in DNP group ( P>0.05). Compared with DNP group and DNP+ Sham group, the MWT was significantly increased on days 14, 21 and 28 after developing the model, the expression of CGRP and TNF-α in the DRG was down-regulated, the count of Iba1-positive cells was decreased, the expression of CD16, TNF-α and iNOS mRNA was down-regulated, and the expression of IL-10, TGF-β1 and CD206 mRNA was up-regulated in DNP+ SS group ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the aforementioned parameters at each time point in DNP and DNP+ Sham groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Activation of splenic sympathetic nerve can promote the infiltration and polarization of DRG macrophages, thus participating in the process of diabetic neuropathic pain in mice.

Objective To comprehensively excavate and analyze the research status,research hotspots and future trends of the literature related to the field of acupoint catgut embedding therapy for pain treatment in the CNKI database.Methods We searched the CNKI database from its establishment to June 2022,and scientifically analyzed the authors,keywords,and institutions of the included literature of acupoint catgut embedding therapy for pain treatment through specific algorithms of Citespace to generate a visual knowledge map.Results A total of 319 documents were included for statistical analysis,the number of publications in the field of acupoint catgut embedding therapy for the treatment of pain was generally on the rise,the number of publications by various authors was on the low side,and there was a lack of co-operation between the research teams,with the main institutions being the Guang'anmen Hospital,Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical Universities of Nationalities and the Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine,forming a 10-keyword clustering,and the hotspots of diseases under study were mainly mixed haemorrhoids,postoperative pain,low back and leg pain and dysmenorrhoea,etc..The main interventions were pure acupoint catgut embedding therapy and the combination of acupoint catgut embedding therapy and other acupuncture therapies,and the main research method was clinical research.Conclusion Acupoint catgut embedding therapy for the treatment of pain has a good development prospect,the future needs to deepen the clinical research,strengthen the mechanism research,pay attention to the joint use of acupoint catgut embedding therapy and other traditional Chinese medicine methods,and pay attention to the research of different thread materials.

Objective To investigate the effect of 3-n-butylphthalide(NBP)on etoposide-induced senescence in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs).Methods HUVECs were divid-ed into blank control group,etoposide group(500 nmol/L etoposide+dimethyl sulfoxide),etopo-side+low-,medium-and high-dose NBP groups(500 nmol/L etoposide+5,10 and 20 μmol/L NBP,respectively).Senescence-related β galactosidase(SA-β-gal)staining was used to observe the change in senescent cell proportion.Real-time quantitative PCR was employed to detect the mRNA levels of senescence-associated secretory phenotype(SASP),such as IL-8,IL-1β,and CXC chemokine ligand 1(CXCL1).Western blotting was applied to measure the expression level of ag-ing-related protein,P21.Immunofluorescence staining was utilized to detect the proportion of pro-liferation-related protein Ki67 positive cells.Results Significantly higher P21 expression(1.00± 0.00 vs 0.59±0.09),larger ratio of SA-β-gal positive cells(29.58±4.51)％vs(11.27±1.18)％,increased mRNA levels of IL-8(2.49±0.11 vs 1.00±0.03),IL-1β(6.32±0.15 vs 1.00±0.03)and CXCL1(2.40±0.24 vs 1.00±0.04),but reduced proportion of Ki67 positive cells(5.95±1.55)％vs(27.38±7.00)％were observed in the etoposide group than the blank control group(P＜0.05).Low-dose NBP treatment decreased the ratio of SA-β-gal positive cells,P21 protein level,and mRNA level of IL-1β,and increased the proportion of Ki67 positive cells when compared with the etoposide group(P＜0.05).Conclusion NBP has an antagonistic effect on etoposide-induced se-nescence of vascular endothelial cells.

Objective:To unveil the pathological changes associated with demyelination in schizophre-nia(SZ)and its consequential impact on interstitial fluid(ISF)drainage,and to investigate the thera-peutic efficacy of ursolic acid(UA)in treating demyelination and the ensuing abnormalities in ISF drainage in SZ.Methods:Female C57BL/6J mice,aged 6-8 weeks and weighing(20±2)g,were randomly divided into three groups:control,SZ model,and UA treatment.The control group received intraperitoneal injection(ip)of physiological saline and intragastric administration(ig)of 1％carboxy-methylcellulose sodium(CMC-Na).The SZ model group was subjected to ip injection of 2 mg/kg dizo-cilpine maleate(MK-801)and ig administration of 1％CMC-Na.The UA treatment group underwent ig administration of 25 mg/kg UA and ip injection of 2 mg/kg MK-801.The treatment group received UA pretreatment via ig administration for one week,followed by a two-week drug intervention for all the three groups.Behavioral assessments,including the open field test and prepulse inhibition experiment,were conducted post-modeling.Subsequently,changes in the ISF partition drainage were investigated through fluorescent tracer injection into specific brain regions.Immunofluorescence analysis was employed to examine alterations in aquaporin 4(AQP4)polarity distribution in the brain and changes in protein expres-sion.Myelin reflex imaging using Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy(LSCM)was utilized to study modifications in myelin within the mouse brain.Quantitative data underwent one-way ANOVA,followed by TukeyHSD for post hoc pairwise comparisons between the groups.Results:The open field test re-vealed a significantly longer total distance[(7 949.39±1 140.55)cm vs.(2 831.01±1 212.72)cm,P＜0.001]and increased central area duration[(88.43±22.06)s vs.(56.85±18.58)s,P=0.011]for the SZ model group compared with the controls.The UA treatment group exhibited signifi-cantly reduced total distance[(2 415.80±646.95)cm vs.(7 949.39±1 140.55)cm,P＜0.001]and increased central area duration[(54.78±11.66)s vs.(88.43±22.06)s,P=0.007]compared with the model group.Prepulse inhibition test results demonstrated a markedly lower inhibition rate of the star-tle reflex in the model group relative to the controls(P＜0.001 for both),with the treatment group dis-playing significant improvement(P＜0.001 for both).Myelin sheath analysis indicated significant demy-elination in the model group,while UA treatment reversed this effect.Fluorescence tracing exhibited a significantly larger tracer diffusion area towards the rostral cortex and reflux area towards the caudal thala-mus in the model group relative to the controls[(13.93±3.35)mm2 vs.(2.79±0.94)mm2,P＜0.001 for diffusion area;(2.48±0.38)mm2 vs.(0.05±0.12)mm2,P＜0.001 for reflux area],with sig-nificant impairment of drainage in brain regions.The treatment group demonstrated significantly reduced tracer diffusion and reflux areas[(7.93±2.48)mm2 vs.(13.93±3.35)mm2,P＜0.001 for diffusion area;(0.50±0.30)mm2 vs.(2.48±0.38)mm2,P＜0.001 for reflux area].Immunofluorescence staining revealed disrupted AQP4 polarity distribution and reduced AQP4 protein expression in the model group compared with the controls[(3 663.88±733.77)μm2 vs.(13 354.92±4 054.05)μm2,P＜0.001].The treatment group exhibited restored AQP4 polarity distribution and elevated AQP4 protein expression[(11 104.68±3 200.04)μm2 vs.(3 663.88±733.77)μm2,P＜0.001].Conclusion:UA intervention ameliorates behavioral performance in SZ mice,Thus alleviating hyperactivity and anxiety symptoms and restoring sensorimotor gating function.The underlying mechanism may involve the improve-ment of demyelination and ISF drainage dysregulation in SZ mice.

Objective:Summarizing and analyzing the rules of access and renewal of drugs in Australia,Japan,South Korea,and Chinese Taiwan,this paper aims to provide experience for the improvement of China's policy on national drug reimbursement list renewal.Methods:Through literature review,expert interviews,and other academic methods,it compares the different experience of drug renewal policy from the perspectives of the type,content,and renewal period.Results:Internationally representative national or regional medical insurance drug renewal policies are broadly categorized into single-drug price-volume agreements,joint price-volume agreements,and efficacy-based risk-sharing agreements.Conclusion:It is recommended that China should introduce new content such as joint measurement for renewal of exclusive drugs,combination consideration of quantity,price,and effectiveness,risk-sharing agreement for renewal of non-exclusive drugs,and placing an upper limit on the rate of reduction for the first renewal in its medical insurance policy.

Objective:To investigate the effects of early postoperative nutritional management under enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) guidelines on nutritional biochemical indicators and length of hospital stay in patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery. Method:Ninety-four patients who underwent lumbar posterior internal fixation + intervertebral fusion surgery in Department of Orthopedics Ⅲ of Ningxia Medical University General Hospital from January 2020 to March 2021 were randomly divided into an intervention group (n=47) and a control group (n=47). The intervention group received nutritional intervention by a clinical nutritionist at 2 hours after anesthesia recovery, and the control group started to eat liquid diet at 6 hours after anesthesia recovery. The protein-calorie intake, blood glucose, total protein, albumin, hemoglobin, postoperative hospitalization time and total hospitalization time of the two groups were observed. Results:The protein-calorie intake of the intervention group was higher than that of the control group on the day of surgery and the first 3 days after surgery, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The blood glucose level of the intervention group was lower than that of the control group on the first day after surgery, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The total protein level of the intervention group was higher than that of the control group on the third day after surgery, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The albumin and hemoglobin levels of the intervention group were higher than those of the control group on the first and third days after surgery, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The incidence of abdominal distension and the length of hospital stay in the intervention group were lower than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion:Early postoperative nutritional management has a certain effect on improving nutritional and biochemical indicators and shortening the length of hospital stay in patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery.