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.

ObjectiveTo explore the ethical issues and coping strategies in the diagnosis and treatment of 46, XY disorders of sex development （46, XY DSD） under a multidisciplinary team （MDT） model， and to deepen the understanding of relevant ethical issues while accumulating experience. MethodsA retrospective collection was conducted on the data of children with 46, XY disorders of sex development under a single-center MDT model from January 2017 to December 2024， and the ethical issues involved in the diagnosis and treatment process were analyzed. ResultsA total of 24 MDT discussion documents involving 20 children were collected， including 17 with female social gender and 3 with male social gender. The age ranged from 0.5 to 15.8 years， with children under 8 years accounting for 75%. The ethical issues primarily involved how to ensure adequate informed consent， whether surgery was necessary and its timing， and whether gender selection is reasonable and its timing. Among the 10 children raised as females who completed the gender role psychological scale assessment， 5 demonstrated masculine tendencies， all of whom had pathogenic genetic variants. Furthermore， only 1 patient changed the social gender to male. ConclusionThe diagnosis and treatment of 46, XY DSD is relatively complex， requiring multidisciplinary collaboration. This process involves numerous ethical issues and necessitates adhering to medical ethical principles. Ensuring adequate informed consent is crucial， especially for younger children. The surgery and its timing selection must adhere to the principles of beneficence， non-maleficence， and leaving room for the future. Gender selection constitutes a focus and challenge in diagnosis and treatment. Psychological scales and genetic etiologies are conducive to judgments regarding gender selection， yet multiple factors in the real world may interfere with the gender selection.

ObjectiveTo reveal the effects of overexpression and knockdown of CDH18 gene on cervical cancer proliferation and migration levels through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in cervical cancer cells. MethodsA comprehensive analysis of CDH18-interacting molecules was performed via the bioinformatics STRING database （http：//cn.string-db.org）. Molecular docking between Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor XAV939 and β-catenin was performed using the bioinformatics tool AutoDock （http：//autodock.scripps.edu）. The effect of CDH18 on β-catenin subcellular distribution was detected by laser confocal microscopy. EdU assay， wound healing assay and Transwell assay were used to detect the effects of CDH18 gene overexpression， CDH18 gene knockdown and the XAV939 on cell proliferation and migration. Western blot was performed to measure the expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related molecules， including β-catenin， transcription factor 4 （TCF4）， and cellular myelocytomatosis oncogene （c-Myc）， following CDH18 gene overexpression， CDH18 gene knockdown， or XAV939 treatment. ResultsIn SiHa and HeLa cells， CDH18 gene overexpression significantly increased the protein expression levels of β-catenin， TCF4 and c-Myc， decreased the protein expression of GSK-3β， and enhanced cell proliferation and migration， with statistically significant differences （P<0.05）. Conversely， CDH18 gene knockdown significantly reduced the protein expression of β-catenin， TCF4 and c-Myc， elevated GSK-3β expression， and suppressed cell proliferation and migration （P<0.05）.Treatment with XAV939 in SiHa and HeLa cells downregulated β-catenin， TCF4 and c-Myc， upregulated GSK-3β， and inhibited cell proliferation and migration， with significant differences （P<0.05）. ConclusionCDH18 promotes the proliferation and migration of cervical cancer cells via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Ditantang on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） in rats by focusing on the regulation of glycogen synthesis mediated by the uridine diphosphate glucose （UDPG）-site-1-protease （S1P）-sterol regulatory element-binding protein （SREBP） axis. MethodsMAFLD was modeled in SD rats by feeding a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. Rats were randomized into a control group， a model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose （2.68， 5.36， and 10.72 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively） Ditantang groups， and a positive control （Yishanfu， 0.18 g·kg^-1·d^-1） group. Starting from week 9 of modeling， each treatment group received corresponding drug interventions via gavage. After the experiment， the serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） were measured. The levels of TG， non-esterified fatty acids （NEFA）， glycogen， glucose-6-phosphate （G6P）， glucose-1-phosphate （G1P）， and UDPG in the liver tissue samples were measured by biochemical assay kits. Liver pathological morphology and lipid/glycogen deposition were observed via hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， oil red O staining， and Periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining. Immunofluorescence assay was conducted to detect the expression and localization of phosphoglucomutase-1 （Pgm1） and UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase 2 （Ugp2） in the rat liver. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to quantify mRNA and protein levels， respectively， of key glycogen synthesis enzymes （Pgm1 and Ugp2）， key lipogenesis-related transcription factor SREBP and its target genes ［acetyl-CoA carboxylase （ACC）， fatty acid synthetase （FASN）， and stearoyl-CoA desaturase （SCD1）］， as well as S1P. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited elevated levels of TC， TG， LDL-C in the serum and TG and NEFA in the liver， decreased serum HDL-C level （P<0.01）， reduced hepatic levels of G1P， G6P， UDPG， and glycogen （P<0.01）， appearance of fat vacuoles of varying sizes and abundant red lipid droplets， with prominent lipid deposition and reduced areas of deep glycogen staining in the liver tissue， upregulated mRNA and protein levels of SREBP1， S1P， ACC， FASN， and SCD1 （P<0.01）， and downregulated mRNA and protein levels of Pgm1 and Ugp2 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， all doses of Ditantang reduced the levels of TC and TG in the serum and TG and NEFA in the liver， while elevating the serum HDL-C level. Additionally， medium- and high-dose Ditantang reducted the LDL-C level （P<0.05）. Ditantang at all doses increased the hepatic levels of G1P， G6P， UDPG， and glycogen， alleviated hepatic steatosis and lipid deposition， enhanced glycogen storage， downregulated the mRNA and protein levels of SREBP1， S1P， ACC， FASN， and SCD1 （P<0.05）， while upregulating the expression of Pgm1 and Ugp2 （P<0.01）. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed decreased fluorescence intensity of S1P and enhanced fluorescence intensity of Ugp2 （P<0.01）. ConclusionDitantang can regulate glycogen synthesis through the UDPG-S1P-SREBP axis to prevent and treat MAFLD.

Abstract: To explore the relationship between the replication-associated bromodomain protein 4 ( BRD4)and human papillomavirus (HPV) 16(HPV16) viral load in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and CIN Ⅰ tissues , confirm the effects of BRD4 degradation agent MZ1 on viral load . Methods : Thirty HPV16-positive cervi- cal cancer specimens and 30 non-cervical cancer specimens were collected , and the viral load of the samples was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR , and the expression of BRD4 was analyzed by immunohisto- chemistry and Western blot. Results : The viral load was higher in the samples of cervical cancer group than in the samples of non-cancer group , the difference is statistically significant ( P < 0. 01) . Immunohistochemistry results showed that the expression of BRD4 were significantly higher in cervical cancer specimens than in noncancerous specimens , the difference is statistically significant (P < 0. 05) . BRD4 expression was significantly and positively correlated with high viral loads , the difference is statistically significant (P < 0. 001) . the BRD4 degradation agent MZ1 significantly reduced the viral load , the difference is statistically significant (P < 0. 01) . Conclusion BRD4 may be involved in the replication of HPV16 virus , and BRD4 degradation agent MZ1 can inhibit the replication of HPV16 virus .

Objective To investigate the correlation between cognitive impairment and depression in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods Based on China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study in 2011,totally 521 elderly T2DM patients were enrolled,and according to the results of minimum mental state examination(MMSE)and their education lev-els,they were divided into a cognitively impaired group(437 cases)and a cognitively normal group(84 cases).Center for ED Epidemiological Survey Depression Scale was used to assess the depression symptoms.The correlation between cognitive impairment and depression was analyzed.Results Compared with the cognitively normal group,the cognitively impaired group had signifi-cantly advanced age(71.98±5.29 year vs 69.42±3.98 year,P=0.000),larger proportion of de-pression(60.6％vs 35.7％,P=0.000),and higher C-reactive protein level(5.09±12.80 mg/L vs 2.25±2.43 mg/L,P=0.000),and obviously lower ratios of being married(72.1％vs 86.9％,P=0.001)and having cardiovascular disease(20.1％vs 32.1％,P=0.010),and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate[77.15±15.88 ml/(min·1.73 m2)vs 81.91±13.55 ml/(min·1.73 m2),P=0.001].Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that cognitive impairment was an independent risk factor for the development of depression in elderly T2DM patients(OR=3.44,95％CI:1.89-6.27,P＜0.01).ROC curve analysis indicated that the AUC value of MMSE score in predicting depression in elderly T2DM patients was 0.669(95％CI:0.626-0.709,P＜0.01).The direct effect of cognitive impairment and the mediating effect of loneliness on depression in elderly T2DM patients accounted for 72.22％and 27.78％of the total effect,respectively.Conclu-sion Cognitive impairment is associated with the presence of depression in elderly T2DM pa-tients,and loneliness plays a mediating role.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of O-arm navigation versus C-arm guidance for anterior internal fixation in the management of Anderson-D′Alonzo type II odontoid fractures.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 58 patients with Anderson-D′Alonzo type II odontoid fractures admitted to Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital between January 2017 and September 2024, including 35 males and 23 females, aged 18-57 years [(39.3±9.0)years]. Anderson-D′Alonzo type II fractures were further classified as type IIA in 25 patients and type IIB in 33. Twenty-seven patients underwent O-arm assisted anterior internal fixation (O-arm navigation group), while 31 received C-arm guided anterior internal fixation (C-arm guidance group). The two groups were compared in terms of the operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, success rate for one-time guidewire placement, and intraoperative radiation exposure (anteroposterior and lateral views). At 3 days postoperatively, screw placement accuracy was evaluated via CT in both groups. Additionally, neck disability index (NDI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were assessed preoperatively, at 1 week, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. Bone union time and complication rate were also analyzed.Results:All the patients were followed up for 6-20 months [(13.1±3.4)months]. The O-arm navigation group exhibited significantly shorter operative duration [(91.1± 8.9)minutes] and less intraoperative blood loss [(38.9±8.2)ml], compared with (103.3±14.5)minutes and (47.3±9.1)ml in the C-arm guidance group ( P<0.01). The success rate for one-time guidewire placement was 100% (27/27) in the O-arm navigation group, significantly higher than 52% (16/31) in the C-arm guidance group ( P<0.01). Intraoperative radiation exposure for patients in the O-arm navigation group was lower in both anteroposterior view [(11 612.6±1 603.6)μSv] and lateral views [(29 738.2±6 602.5)μSv], compared with (40 638.0±9 431.9)μSv and (47 152.0±11 759.3)μSv in the C-arm guidance group ( P<0.01). CT scans at 3 days postoperatively revealed a 100% (27/27) screw placement accuracy in the O-arm navigation group, compared with 65% (20/31) in the C-arm guidance group ( P<0.01). Before operation, at 1 weeks and 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up, NDI scores were (48.4±7.8)%, (21.0±3.1)%, (14.4±2.4)%, and (13.9±2.3)% in the O-arm navigation group, while they were (47.4±7.6)%, (20.9±3.2)%, (14.1±2.0)%, and (13.8±1.4)% in the C-arm guidance group ( P>0.05); VAS scores were 6.0(6.0, 7.0)points, 4.0(3.0, 4.0)points, 2.0(1.0, 2.0)points, and 2.0(1.0, 2.0)points in the O-arm navigation group, while they were 7.0(6.0, 7.0)points, 4.0(3.0, 5.0)points, 2.0(1.0, 3.0)points, and 2.0(2.0, 2.0)points in the C-arm guidance group ( P>0.05). The NDI and VAS scores in both groups were significantly improved at 1 weeks and 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up compared to those preoperatively ( P<0.05), and were furtherly improved at 3 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up compared to those at 1 weeks postoperatively ( P<0.05), with no significant differences between those at 3 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). No significant difference was found in bone union time between the two groups ( P>0.05). The complication rate in the O-arm navigation group was 4% (1/27), lower than 29% (9/31) in the C-arm guidance group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with C-arm guidance, O-arm assisted anterior internal fixation for Anderson-D′Alonzo type II odontoid fractures can reduce operative duration and intraoperative blood loss, improve the success rate for one-time guidewire placement and screw accuracy, and decrease radiation exposure and complication rate.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of whole-process visualization system-assisted pedicle screw internal fixation and free-hand pedicle screw internal fixation in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fracture (TLBF) without neurologic symptoms.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 64 patients with TLBF without neurologic symptoms admitted to Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital from December 2020 to October 2022, including 41 males and 23 females, aged 23-52 years [(42.1±6.6)years]. The injured vertebrae involved T 11 in 26 patients, T 12 in 17, L 1 in 12, and L 2 in 9. The Wiltse approach was used in all the patients, 31 of whom were treated with pedicle screw internal fixation assisted by the whole-process visualization system (visualization system-assisted screw placement group) and 33 of whom were treated with free-hand pedicle screw internal fixation (free-hand screw placement group). The two groups were compared in terms of operation time, single screw placement time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative total radiation dose and total length of hospital stay. The accuracy of pedicle screw placement and penetration rate of the pedicle cortex were evaluated in the two groups. The Cobb angle and lumbar visual analogue scale (VAS) before surgery, at 1 week, 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up were compared between the two groups. The incidence of postoperative complications was also investigated. Results:All the patients were followed up for 10-33 months [(17.5±4.8)months]. The operation time was (106.9±11.8)minutes in the visualization system-assisted screw placement group, shorter than (121.3±11.4)minutes in the free-hand screw placement group ( P<0.01). The single screw placement time was (9.1±1.0)minutes in the visualization system-assisted screw placement group, shorter than (11.7±1.5)minutes in the free-hand screw placement group ( P<0.01). The total radiation dose was (10.4±2.4)mGy in the visualization system-assisted screw placement group, lower than (51.8±7.2)mGy in the screw placement group ( P<0.01). There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss or total length of hospital stay between the two groups ( P>0.05). The accuracy of pedicle screw placement was 96.6% (197/204) in the visualization system-assisted screw placement group, significantly higher than 89.3% (191/214) in the free-hand screw placement group ( P<0.01). Both groups showed significant improvements in Cobb angle and VAS scores at 1 week, 3 months after surgery, and at the last follow-up ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in Cobb angle or VAS scores between the two groups at each time point ( P>0.05). In the visualization system-assisted screw placement group, one patient had incision infection at 4 days after operation, which was cured with antibiotics. One patient in the free-hand screw placement group developed the symptoms of nerve root irritation at 2 days after surgery, which disappeared at 7 days after revision. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). During the follow-up, no patients had broken screws, loosening of internal fixation, or loss of correction in either group. Conclusions:Compared with free-hand pedicle screw internal fixation, the whole-process visualization system-assisted pedicle screw internal fixation in the treatment of TLBF without neurologic symptoms can shorten the time of operation and screw placement, reduce the radiation dose, and improve the accuracy of pedicle screw placement, suggesting that it is a safer and more effective auxiliary method for pedicle screw placement.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of three-dimensional visualization-assisted intermuscular versus conventional intermuscular cervical expansive open-door laminoplasty (CEOL) in the treatment of cervical spinal cord injury without fracture or dislocation (CSCIWFD).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 58 patients with CSCIWFD admitted to Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital from October 2021 to January 2024, including 39 males and 19 females, aged 36-77 years [(52.9±8.9)years]. Among them, 26 patients were treated with three-dimensional visualization-assisted intermuscular CEOL (three-dimensional visualization group), while 32 patients were treated with conventional intermuscular CEOL (conventional intermuscular group). All patients were treated with CEOL in 4 segments (C 3-C 6), comprising 104 surgical segments in the three-dimensional visualization group and 128 in the conventional intermuscular group. The following outcomes were compared between the two groups, including the operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, accuracy rate of open-door and hinge placement at the surgical levels, visual analogue scale (VAS) of the neck and shoulder and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score preoperatively, at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale preoperatively and at the last follow-up, and postoperative complication rate. Results:All patients were followed up for 12-24 months [(17.5±3.1)months]. The operative duration and intraoperative blood loss were (117.0±12.3)minutes and (151.3±30.9)ml in the three-dimensional visualization group, which were shorter or less than (131.9±15.0)minutes and (184.7±42.9)ml in the conventional intermuscular group ( P<0.01). The accuracy rate of open-door and hinge placement at the surgical levels was 94.2% (98/104) in the three-dimensional visualization group, significantly higher than 83.6% (107/128) in the conventional intermuscular group ( P<0.05). The VAS scores of the neck and shoulder preoperatively, at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up were 6.0(5.0, 7.0)points, 3.5(3.0, 4.0)points, 3.0(2.0, 3.0)points, 2.0(1.0, 3.0)points, 2.0(1.0, 2.3)points, and 2.0(1.0, 2.0)points in the three-dimensional visualization group, which were not statistically different from 5.0(4.3, 6.8)points, 4.0(3.0, 4.0)points, 3.0(2.0, 3.0)points, 2.0(1.3, 2.0)points, 2.0(1.0, 2.8)points, and 2.0(1.0, 2.0)points in the conventional intermuscular group ( P>0.05). The VAS scores of the neck and shoulder in the two groups were significantly decreased at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months postoperatively from the preoperative values ( P<0.05), while they were stabilized at 6 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up compared with those at 3 months postoperatively, with no significant difference among them ( P>0.05). The JOA scores were (8.1±2.8)points, (10.0±2.6)points, (10.5±2.6)points, (11.6±2.3)points, (12.7±2.3)points, and (13.7±2.4)points in the three-dimensional visualization group, which were not statistically different from (8.8±2.2)points, (10.3±2.1)points, (10.8±2.0)points, (12.0±2.0)points, (12.9±2.0)points, and (13.8±2.1)points in the conventional intermuscular group ( P>0.05). The JOA scores of the two groups showed continuous improvement at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up in comparison with the preoperatively values ( P<0.05). Although no significant difference was observed between the two groups in ASIA grade preoperatively and at the last follow-up ( P>0.05), the ASIA grade at the last follow-up was significantly improved compared with that before surgery in both groups ( P<0.05). The postoperative complication rate was 12% (3/26) in the three-dimensional visualization group, significantly lower than 38% (12/32) in the conventional intermuscular group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with the conventional intermuscular approach, the three-dimensional visualization-assisted intermuscular CEOL offers advantages in reducing surgical trauma, improving surgical precision, and lowering the postoperative complication rate in the treatment of CSCIWFD.

We report the clinical course from birth to adolescence of a patient carrying a compound heterozygous variation in the ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase family member 1(ENPP1) gene. The patient was diagnosed with generalized arterial calcification of infancy shortly after birth, and subsequently with autosomal recessive hypophosphatemic rickets type 2 at the age of 11 years. Following effective blood pressure control, treatment with neutral phosphate, calcitriol, and vitamin D was initiated. During follow-up, no progression of vascular calcification was observed. Through this case report and a review of relevant literature, we aim to enhance clinicians′ understanding of this rare condition.