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.Staged Prevention and Treatment for Low Anterior Resection Syndrome Using Acupuncture
Ruotong CAO ; Mengqi WANG ; Xue CAO ; Yuning QIN ; Jia LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(11):1157-1161
Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is a common complication of sphincter-preserving rectal cancer surgery, and its manifestations change dynamically at different stages. By analyzing and summarizing the clinical symptoms and pathomechanism evolution of LARS across different stages, this paper proposes a staged prevention and treatment strategy using acupuncture. During perioperative stage, the main principle is activating the transport function of the body, supplemented by regulating the mind, with the use of dredging the bowels as needed. During the stoma reversal stage, treatment focuses primarily on fortifying the spleen, with draining dampness as a supplementary method, to help consolidate the intestines. During the radiotherapy or chemotherapy stage, the main focus is reinfor-cing healthy qi, with reducing toxin as an adjunct, to achieve the effect of activating the transport of the pivot. During the survival management stage, treatment primarily focuses on tonifying the kidneys and secondarily on fortifying the spleen, with regulating the corporeal soul as the therapeutic emphasis. Acupoints are selected and combined in accordance with the treatment principles at each stage, and different stimulation methods such as electroacupuncture and moxibustion are applied. An analysis of the mechanisms underlying acupuncture for LARS is also provided, offering a theoretical basis and practical approach for the prevention and treatment of LARS with acupuncture.
3.Effect of refractive status before small incision lenticule extraction surgery on postoperative accommodative function
Meiluo ZHANG ; Chunyu TIAN ; Qinghua YANG ; Liexi JIA ; Hongtao ZHANG ; Manmei LI ; Zhengqing DU ; Zhuo ZENG ; Xue WANG ; Wei ZHANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(2):323-327
AIM: To investigate the abnormal conditions and change patterns of accommodative facility in patients with different refractive states before and after small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)surgery.METHODS:A prospective clinical cohort study was conducted. A total of 59 patients(118 eyes)who underwent SMILE surgery and had visual function files established in our hospital from June to December 2023 were randomly selected, including 37 males and 22 females, aged 18-35 years(with an average age of 25.19±5.65 years). According to the preoperative spherical equivalent(SE), they were divided into two groups: the low-to-moderate myopia group(SE≥-6.00 DS)with 40 patients(80 eyes), and the high myopia group(SE<-6.00 DS)with 19 patients(38 eyes). The monocular and binocular accommodative facility before surgery and at 1 wk and 1 mo after surgery were compared, and the changes in accommodative facility before and after SMILE surgery in the two groups of patients were analyzed.RESULTS:All surgeries were completed successfully. In the low-to-moderate myopia group, 33 cases(66 eyes)completed the 1-month follow-up after surgery, with a loss to follow-up rate of 17.5%(7/40). In the high myopia group, 15 patients(30 eyes)completed the 1-month follow-up after surgery, with a loss to follow-up rate of 21.1%(4/19). After SMILE surgery, the uncorrected visual acuity and SE of both low-to-moderate myopia and high myopia were significantly improved(all P<0.05). The accommodative facility of the right eyes in all the patients at 1 mo after surgery was better than that before surgery and at 1 wk after surgery(P=0.002, 0.006), the accommodative facility of the left eyes was significantly increased at 1 mo after surgery than that at 1 wk after surgery(P=0.005), and the binocular accommodative facility at 1 mo after surgery was significantly increased compared with that before surgery(P<0.017). Furthermore, there were statistical significance in accommodative facility of the right eyes in the low-to-moderate group at 1 mo compared with that before surgery and at 1 wk after surgery(P=0.011, 0.004); it was significantly increased in the left eyes at 1 mo after surgery compared with that at 1 wk after surgery(P=0.001), and binocular accommodative facility at 1 mo after surgery was significantly better than that before surgery(P<0.001). Furthermore, there was no statistical significance in the right, left and binocular accommodative facility of patients in the high myopia group(all P>0.017).CONCLUSION: After SMILE surgery, the monocular accommodative facility shows a transient decrease and then exceeds the preoperative level at 1 mo after surgery, and the binocular accommodative facility gradually improves after surgery. SMILE surgery has a positive impact on the monocular and binocular accommodative facility in patients with low-to-moderate myopia, but has no significant impact on the accommodative facility in patients with high myopia. It is of clinical significance to strengthen the detection of monocular and binocular accommodative facility before and after SMILE surgery.
4.The mechanism of PTGES3/HSP90 in the medial prefrontal cortex regulating obesity-related cognitive impairment
Jinyan Wang ; Jia Hu ; Rui Hu ; Chunxia Huang ; Qi Xue
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(4):596-603
Objective :
To investigate the mechanism of prostaglandin E synthase 3(PTGES3)/heat shock protein 90(HSP90) in the medial prefrontal cortex regulating obesity-related cognitive dysfunction.
Methods:
This study consisted of clinical trials and animal experiments. In part one, obese patients scheduled for bariatric surgery, and healthy adults matching gender and age were recruited at the same time to reach 10 cases in each group. The cognitive level was assessed with trail making test part A(TMT-A) and victoria stroop tests(VST). Four-dimensional data-independent acquisition(4D-DIA) was used to screen the proteome changes in peripheral blood. In part two, forty SPF healthy male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal diet group(ND group), high fat diet induced obesity group(DIO group), DIO supplemented with the control virus group(DIO+Scramble group) and DIO supplemented with the interfering virus group(DIO+shPTGES3 group). The Morris water maze test was conducted to evaluate the cognitive behavior changes of the four groups of mice. The immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the expression of PTGES3 and HSP90 in the medial prefrontal cortex and the activation of ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1(IBA1)-labeled microglia.
Results:
In the case-control study, the cognitive function of obese patients significantly decreased, and the expression of PTGES3 in peripheral blood significantly increased, while the level of PTGES3 was negatively correlated with cognitive function. In animal experiments, compared with ND group, DIO group had significantly prolonged time reaching the target platform, otherwise, the residence time in the target quadrant was shortened in the Morris water maze test. Simultaneously, there were significant increase in the expression of PTGES3 and HSP90, and the activation of IBA1 in the medial prefrontal cortex. Compared with DIO+Scramble group, mice in the DIO+shPTGES3 group spent less time reaching the target platform, and stayed longer in the target quadrant. The expression and co-localization levels of PTGES3 and HSP90 in medial prefrontal cortex significantly decreased. The activation level of microglia cells was also attenuated by PTGES3 interference.
Conclusion
Obesity-related cognitive dysfunction may be attributed to PTGES3/HSP90 in the medial prefrontal cortex by mediating neural inflammation.
5.Correlation between serum adipokine levels and insulin resistance in preterm infants with extrauterine growth retardation
Yongming WANG ; Jiao YUAN ; Pengyu ZHANG ; Jia WANG ; Sanxiang XUE
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(5):1123-1127
Objective To investigate the correlation between serum adipokine levels and insulin resist-ance in preterm infants with early extrauterine growth retardation(EUGR).Methods A total of 130 preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the hospital from March 2023 to March 2024 were se-lected as the research subjects.They were divided into the EUGR group(n=63)and the non-EUGR group(n=67)based on whether their weight Z-score at 2 weeks of age was ≥-1.28.Clinical data of the preterm infants and their mothers were collected.Blood samples were collected at 14 days after birth to measure serum insulin,adiponectin,resistin,leptin,blood glucose,total cholesterol,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),and triglyceride levels.The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)was calculated,and the correlation between HOMA-IR and adipokine levels as well as lipid levels was analyzed.Results Compared with the non-EUGR group,the EUGR group had a high-er proportion of mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension.The preterm infants in the EUGR group had higher levels of insulin,resistin,leptin,triglycerides,and HOMA-IR,and lower levels of HDL-C,with statisti-cally significant differences(P<0.05).In the EUGR group,HOMA-IR was positively correlated with adi-ponectin,resistin,and leptin levels,while in the non-EUGR group,HOMA-IR was positively correlated with adiponectin levels(P<0.05).Conclusion Insulin resistance in preterm infants with early EUGR may be re-lated to changes in adipokine levels.
6.Synthesis and Identification of Saturated Arsenic-containing Hydrocarbons
Jia-Jia CHEN ; Ying-Xiong ZHONG ; Xin-Huang KANG ; Chun-Mei DENG ; Bing-Bing SONG ; Xiao-Fei LIU ; Zhuo WANG ; Rui LI ; Jian-Ping CHEN ; Xue-Jing JIA ; Sai-Yi ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(3):472-480
Arsenic is a semi-metal,and lipid-soluble arsenic compounds are one of the widespread forms in the environment and food chain,but there is a lack of standards for lipid-soluble arsenic compounds,which is one of the bottlenecks in the current analytical detection and toxicological studies of organic arsenic.In this study,four saturated arsenic-containing hydrocarbons,AsHC 318,AsHC 332,AsHC 346,and AsHC 374(The number is relative molecular mass),were successfully synthesized in three steps by using dimethylarsinic acid,potassium iodide,sodium hydroxide,and four brominated alkanes(1-Bromotetradecane,1-bromopentadecane,1-bromohexadecane,and 1-bromooctadecane)as raw materials.The structures of these four saturated arsenic-containing hydrocarbons were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance(1H NMR)spectroscopy,13C nuclear magnetic resonance(13C NMR)spectroscopy,and high-resolution mass spectrometry(HR-MS).The yields of the method were 8%-10%,and the synthesized compounds could be used in subsequent toxicity evaluation experiments to assess the toxic effects and mechanisms of action of arsenic-containing hydrocarbons.This study provided an effective method for synthesis of arsenic-containing hydrocarbons,enriching the synthesis methods of arsenic-containing hydrocarbons,and provided raw materials for the subsequent toxicological studies of arsenic-containing hydrocarbons.
7.Polarity-extended Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry System for Prostate Cancer Biomarker Screening Based on Extracellular Vesicles
Lu-Lu XIAO ; Meng-Xuan CHEN ; Shan-Shan PAN ; Yi-Chen WANG ; Tao-Hong HUANG ; Qi-Sheng ZHONG ; Yong CHEN ; Teng-Fei XU ; Jia-Hui ZHAO ; Xue-Song LIU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(11):1848-1859,中插4-中插29
Integrated metabolomic and lipidomic profiling,utilizing liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry(LC-HRMS),has emerged as a pivotal strategy for biomarker discovery.However,the inherent polarity disparity between metabolites and lipids complicates simultaneous analysis.To address this,a dual-stationary phase polarity-extended liquid chromatography(PELC)system was developed,which surpassed conventional one-dimensional LC(1D-LC)by enabling comprehensive coverage of both polar and non-polar compounds within a single injection.This system enhanced chromatographic resolution,peak capacity,and throughput while minimizing analytical variability.Extracellular vesicles(EVs),lipid bilayer-enclosed nanoparticles ubiquitously present in biofluids,had gained prominence as reservoirs of cancer biomarkers due to their cargo stability and pathophysiological relevance.Herein,the application of PELC-HRMS for concurrent metabolome-lipidome profiling in EVs was pioneered.A total of 193 metabolites were identified using this technique coupled with MS-DIAL software and Human Metabolome Database.Subsequently,this technique was employed to explore potential biomarkers for prostate cancer(PCa).Multivariate analysis identified 17 differentially abundant metabolites in PCa,implicating dysregulated pathways including purine metabolism,starch and sucrose metabolism,galactose metabolism,cysteine and methionine metabolism,and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids.Notably,creatine(AUC=0.92)and DG 42:5(AUC=0.80)demonstrated robust diagnostic efficacy,attributable to their broad polarity ranges and EV-specific enrichment.This study established PELC as a high-fidelity platform for multi-omics integration in complex biospecimens,advancing mechanistic insights into metabolic rewiring and disease pathophysiology.
8.Study on the effects of exposure to various concentrations of cigar smoke on gut microbiota in mice
Jingyuan FAN ; Jing LUO ; Wanrong HU ; Yun JIA ; Xue LIAO ; Xin WANG ; Dongliang LI
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(14):1770-1777
Objective To investigate the effects of exposure to various concentrations of cigar smoke on gut microbiota in mice.Methods A total of 40 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the control group,the low-dose cigar exposure group,the medium-dose group and the high-dose group,with 10 mice in each group.After 4 weeks of feeding,fecal samples were collected for gene sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA and analysis of differences in gut microbiota.Results Compared to the control group,gut microbiota richness was signifi-cantly reduced in the cigar-exposed groups(P<0.05).Compared with thecontrol group,the Shannon index of mice in the high-dose group was significantly increased(P<0.05).In multi-group comparisons,ten bacterial genera with high abundance-such as Akkermansia,Allobaculum,and Alloprevotella-were identified.Pairwise comparison results indicated that compared to the control group,abundances of Akkermansia,Candidatus_Sac-charimonas,and Lactobacillus decreased while those of Allobaculum,Alloprevotella,Muribaculaceae,and Pre-votellaceae_UCG001 increased(P<0.05).Alistipes and Faecalibaculum showed significant increases in low-dose and medium-dose groups respectively,Blautia and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136 group exhibited notable in-creases in the high-dose group(P<0.05).Linear discriminant analysis effect size revealed that six phyla and forty-four species displayed significant differences across all groups at both phylum and species levels,distinct dose-specific were observed among different cigar exposure groups.Conclusion Cigar smoke exposure and different exposure concentrations can both cause changes in the gut microbiota.The effects of different con-centrations of cigars on the gut microbiota of mice are specific.
9.Feature of Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic Syndrome Among Ethnic Minorities in Yunnan,China
Nuerguli TUERDI ; Xue CAO ; Yujie ZHANG ; Zixuan DONG ; Weiping LI ; Fan LI ; Xin WANG ; Congyi ZHENG ; Yixin TIAN ; Chenye CHANG ; Xuyan PEI ; Qinglan JIA ; Jialu YANG ; Zengwu WANG
Chinese Circulation Journal 2025;40(10):1022-1029
Objectives:To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and ethnic differences of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome(CKM)among the Hani,Dai,Bai,and Lisu populations in Yunnan Province,and to provide evidence for developing effective prevention and control strategies for CKM.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among four ethnic minority groups.A total of 3 906 permanent residents aged 18 years and older were enrolled using a multistage cluster random sampling method.CKM stages(0-4)were defined based on the 2023 American Heart Association criteria,stages 3-4 were classified as advanced CKM.Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to compare the prevalence of CKM stages across ethnic groups.Modified Poisson regression was applied to estimate relative risk(RR)and 95%confidence intervals(CI)for factors associated with advanced CKM.Results:The prevalence rates of CKM stage 1 and above among the Hani,Dai,Bai and Lisu ethnic groups were 80.1%,87.3%,84.8%and 67.8%,respectively.The prevalence of CKM was generally higher in males than in females,and the prevalence of CKM increased significantly with age.The Dai ethnic group had the highest prevalence of advanced CKM(24.7%,95%CI:22.1%-27.4%),while the Lisu ethnic group had the lowest prevalence of advanced CKM(13.7%,95%CI:11.5%-15.9%).Modified Poisson regression analysis showed that older age and higher body mass index were common risk factors for advanced CKM across all four ethnic groups.Additionally,except for the Lisu ethnic group,the other three ethnic groups had specific individual risk factors:among the Hani ethnic group,low educational attainment(RR=2.18,95%CI:1.12-4.25)and low income(RR=1.47,95%CI:1.00-2.18)were the primary risk factors of CKM.Among the Dai ethnic group,smoking(RR=1.60,95%CI:1.07-2.37)and a family history of cardiovascular disease(RR=1.61,95%CI:1.14-2.27)are the primary risk factors of CKM.Among the Bai ethnic group,male gender(RR=0.48,95%CI:0.29-0.79)was the primary risk factor of CKM.Conclusions:The prevalence of CKM stage 1 or higher is relatively high among the four minority ethnic groups in Yunnan province.There are significant differences in staging characteristics and primary risk factors across ethnic groups,necessitating the development of stratified,differentiated intervention strategies to achieve precise prevention and control and ethnic health equity in terms of CKM.
10.Changing antimicrobial resistance profiles of Burkholderia cepacia in hospitals across China:results from CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program,2015-2021
Chunyue GE ; Yunjian HU ; Xiaoman AI ; Yang YANG ; Fupin HU ; Demei ZHU ; Yingchun XU ; Xiaojiang ZHANG ; Hui LI ; Ping JI ; Yi XIE ; Mei KANG ; Chuanqing WANG ; Pan FU ; Yuanhong XU ; Ying HUANG ; Ziyong SUN ; Zhongju CHEN ; Yuxing NI ; Jingyong SUN ; Yunzhuo CHU ; Sufei TIAN ; Zhidong HU ; Jin LI ; Yunsong YU ; Jie LIN ; Bin SHAN ; Yan DU ; Sufang GUO ; Lianhua WEI ; Fengmei ZOU ; Hong ZHANG ; Chun WANG ; Chao ZHUO ; Danhong SU ; Dawen GUO ; Jinying ZHAO ; Hua YU ; Xiangning HUANG ; Wen'en LIU ; Yanming LI ; Yan JIN ; Chunhong SHAO ; Xuesong XU ; Chao YAN ; Shanmei WANG ; Yafei CHU ; Lixia ZHANG ; Juan MA ; Shuping ZHOU ; Yan ZHOU ; Lei ZHU ; Jinhua MENG ; Fang DONG ; Zhiyong LÜ ; Fangfang HU ; Han SHEN ; Wanqing ZHOU ; Wei JIA ; Gang LI ; Jinsong WU ; Yuemei LU ; Jihong LI ; Jinju DUAN ; Jianbang KANG ; Xiaobo MA ; Yanping ZHENG ; Ruyi GUO ; Yan ZHU ; Yunsheng CHEN ; Qing MENG ; Shifu WANG ; Xuefei HU ; Jilu SHEN ; Wenhui HUANG ; Ruizhong WANG ; Hua FANG ; Bixia YU ; Yong ZHAO ; Ping GONG ; Kaizhen WENG ; Yirong ZHANG ; Jiangshan LIU ; Longfeng LIAO ; Hongqin GU ; Lin JIANG ; Wen HE ; Shunhong XUE ; Jiao FENG ; Chunlei YUE
Chinese Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy 2025;25(5):557-562
Objective To examine the changing prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Burkholderia cepacia in 52 hospitals across China from 2015 to 2021.Methods A total of 9 261 strains of B.cepacia were collected from 52 hospitals between January 1,2015 and December 31,2021.Antimicrobial susceptibility of the strains was tested using Kirby-Bauer method or automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems according to a unified protocol.The results were interpreted according to the breakpoints released in the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)guidelines(2023 edition).Results A total of 9 261 strains of B.cepacia were isolated from all age groups,especially elderly patients.The proportion was 11.1%(1 032 strains)in children,significantly lower than the proportion in adults.About half(46.5%,4 310/9 261)of the strains were isolated from patients at least 60 years old and 42.3%(3 919/9 261)of the strains were isolated from young adults.Most isolates(71.1%)were isolated from sputum and respiratory secretions,followed by urine(10.7%)and blood samples(8.1%).B.cepacia isolates were highly susceptible to the five antimicrobial agents recommended in the CLSI M100 document(33rd edition,2023).B.cepacia isolates showed relatively higher resistance rates to meropenem and levofloxacin.However,the resistance rates to ceftazidime,trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,and minocycline remained below 8.1%.The percentage of B.cepacia strains resistant to levofloxacin was the highest compared to other antibiotics in any of the three age groups(from 12.4%in the patients<18 years old to 20.6%in the patients aged 60 years or older).Conclusions B.cepacia is one of the clinically important non-fermenting gram-negative bacteria.Accurate and timely reporting of antimicrobial susceptibility test results and ongoing antimicrobial resistance surveillance are helpful for rational prescription of antimicrobial agents and proper prevention and control of nosocomial infections.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail