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.

Dietary interventions such as fasting are gaining increasing attention for their synergistic effects in anti-tumor therapy, yet the precise underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Recent research has unveiled a novel mode of cell death named “mitoxyperilysis”, providing a fresh perspective on the molecular mechanisms by which fasting may interfere with tumor treatment. This form of death is primarily triggered by the synergy between metabolic dysfunction and innate immune activation. Its mechanism involves the mTORC2 signaling pathway mediating prolonged abnormal contact between damaged mitochondria and the plasma membrane. This leads to massive local release of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which further induces lipid peroxidation of the plasma membrane, ultimately resulting in the physical rupture and death of the cell. The most significant distinction between mitoxyperilysis and classical cell death pathways lies in its independence from caspases and GSDMD. This comment aims to systematically elucidate the process, molecular mechanisms, and differences from other classical cell death pathways of mitoxyperilysis, while also exploring its potential for clinical translation in oncological diseases. Targeting induction of mitoxyperilysis may enhance the efficacy of existing anti-tumor drugs and overcome chemotherapy resistance. However, intervention protocols require further optimization to achieve an optimal balance between safety and therapeutic effectiveness in clinical application.

Objective To analyze the relationship of protein intake level with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and its influence on prognosis. Methods A total of 325 patients with DKD admitted from June 2021 to June 2024 were included and classified into a low protein group and a high protein group. The levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α were compared between the two groups of patients before follow-up and after 1 year of follow-up. The correlation was analyzed by linear mixed model. The incidence of endpoint events during follow-up and disease progression-free survival time were compared between the two groups. Results The inflammatory indicators exhibited no statistical differences between the two groups before follow-up (P>0.05). After 1 year of follow-up, the levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α in the two groups were higher than those before follow-up, and the levels in the high protein group were higher than those in the low protein group (P<0.05). Linear mixed model analysis suggested that the protein intake level, time, and the interaction term of protein intake level × time were correlated with the changes of hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α levels (P<0.05). The incidence rate of endpoint events in the high-protein group during follow-up was 24.84% (40/161), which was significantly higher than 12.80% (21/164) in the low-protein group (χ²=7.724, P=0.005). The disease progression-free survival time was longer in the low-protein group than that in the high-protein group (Log Rank χ²=9.007, P=0.003). Conclusion The level of protein intake in patients with diabetic kidney disease is closely related to inflammatory response and prognosis.

Background/Aims: Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues. Results: We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts. Conclusion Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.

Objective To measure the urethral meatus circumference in middle-aged and elderly males to undergo surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and to collect data for developing endoscopic equipment suitable for the male urethra in China. Methods Clinical data were collected from patients (aged ≥50 years) who underwent transurethral resection of prostate in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University during Jan. and Dec. 2024. All patients had the urethral meatus circumference measured with a metal urethral probe before surgery, followed by the use of a F26.5 endoscopic sheath for surgery. The passage of urethral meatus using different types of metal urethral probes were observed. Results For the 183 patients, the types of endoscopic sheath smoothly passing through the urethral meatus were distributed as follows:42 cases (22.95%) with F26 or above, 66 cases (36.07%) with F25-26, 27 cases (14.75%) with F23-24, 26 cases (14.21%) with F21-22, 22 cases (12.02%) with F20 or below, and the smallest was F17 (1 case). Of all patients, 59.02% (108/183) were able to insert the F26.5 endoscopic sheath smoothly into the urethral meatus (≥F25), 28.96% (53/183) required force or urethral dilation before inserting (F21-F24), and 12.02% (22/183) needed to open the urethral meatus before inserting the endoscopic sheath (≤F20). Conclusion When the most common F26.5 endoscopic sheath is used, 40.98% of the patients have the possibility of urethral injury, which is significantly too big for male transurethral surgery. For patients undergoing transurethral BPH surgery, a thinner sheath should be used to reduce the possibility of urethral injury and secondary iatrogenic urethral stricture.

Objective To explore the clinical value of preoperative assessment and intraoperative frozen section pathology in screening patients suitable for testicular preservation surgery, so as to provide reference for reducing unnecessary radical orchiectomy in patients with benign testicular tumors. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 121 patients who underwent surgical treatment for testicular tumors in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University during Jan. 2021 and Sep. 2025. Data were collected, including demographic information, preoperative imaging, serum tumor markers, surgical procedures, intraoperative frozen section, postoperative pathology, and postoperative testicular volume changes. Results Among the 121 patients, 105 underwent radical orchiectomy, with 91 malignant and 14 benign cases confirmed by postoperative pathology; 16 received testicular tumor enucleation, all confirmed as benign. Benign lesions accounted for 24.79% (30/121) of all cases. In patients undergoing tumor enucleation, intraoperative frozen section results were fully consistent with final pathological findings. Conclusion Preoperative differentiation between benign and malignant testicular tumors is crucial for selecting the appropriate surgical approach. For patients with preoperative findings suggesting benign lesions, testicular tumor enucleation combined with intraoperative frozen section can achieve precise treatment while maximizing testicular preservation.

The expert consensus on the clinical treatment of herpes zoster with fire needling was developed, and the commonly used fire needling treatment scheme verified by clinical research was selected to form a standardized diagnosis and treatment scheme for acute herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), so as to answer the core problems in clinical application. The consensus focuses on patients with herpes zoster, and forms recommendations for 9 key clinical issues, covering simple fire needling and TCM comprehensive therapy based on fire needling, including fire needling combined with cupping, fire needling combined with Chinese herb, fire needling combined with cupping and Chinese herb, fire needling combined with filiform needling, fire needling combined with moxibustion, and provides specific recommendations and operational guidelines for various therapies.
Humans ; Herpes Zoster/therapy* ; Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Consensus ; Clinical Protocols