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.Risk factors of thyroid nodules in patients with type 2 diabetes
Chong WANG ; Lanxin KONG ; Shuzhen WANG ; Xiumin ZHANG ; Junqi MA ; Jing KANG ; Qing LI ; Lihua JIANG ; Zheng SHEN ; Li AI
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2025;44(10):851-853
Objective:To study the risk factors of thyroid nodules in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:Data of patients with type 2 diabetes with normal thyroid function admitted to the Department of Endocrinology of Heze Municipal Hospital from January to June 2024 were collected. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of thyroid nodules in patients with type 2 diabetes, and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of each influencing factor.Results:Among 162 patients with type 2 diabetes, 96 had thyroid nodules, accounting for 59.3%. The incidence of thyroid nodules in women was significantly higher than that in men (χ 2 = 4.56, P = 0.034). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (≥50 years old), overweight and obesity [body mass index (BMI)≥24.0 kg/m 2], high glycated hemoglobin (≥10%), and high total cholesterol ( > 6.5 mmol/L) were independent risk factors for thyroid nodules in patients with type 2 diabetes ( OR = 1.83, 1.67, 1.08, 3.65, P < 0.05), and men was an independent protective factor ( OR = 0.63, P = 0.039). The ROC curve results showed that total cholesterol and total cholesterol combined with glycated hemoglobin could distinguish patients with thyroid nodules from those without thyroid nodules, with AUC = 0.64 and 0.68, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:The incidence of thyroid nodules in patients with type 2 diabetes is relatively high. Age, overweight and obesity, high glycated hemoglobin, and high total cholesterol are independent risk factors for thyroid nodules in patients with type 2 diabetes, and total cholesterol has the ability to distinguish patients with thyroid nodules.
3.Observation on the effect of endoscopic surgery for parotid gland tumors via the postauricular hairline approach
Lanfang ZHENG ; Jiazheng ZHAO ; Lifen WANG ; Hui KONG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(2):65-68
Objective To compare the efficacy of endoscopic parotidectomy through postauricular incision with conventional incision parotidectomy.Methods A total of 60 parotid tumor patients admitted to Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from March 2023 to March 2024 were selected as the study subjects.Thirty patients had the requirement for small scar cosmetic surgery,and the endoscopic parotid tumor resection of the posterior ear were in endoscopic group,and remaining 30 patients underwent traditional open surgery at the same period in open group.Two groups were compared in terms of operation time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative drainage volume,length of hospital stay,postoperative complications,nursing satisfaction,and incision satisfaction at one month postoperatively.Results Endoscopic group had significantly lower drainage volume,hospital stay,and postoperative complications than open group,there were significant difference between two groups(P<0.05).The nursing satisfaction and incision satisfaction in endoscopic group were significantly higher than those in open group(P<0.05).Conclusion Efficacy of endoscopic parotidectomy through postauricular incision postoperative recovery was faster,the hospitalization time was shorter,and the postoperative complications were less.Perioperative optimization nursing in the endoscopic group improved patient satisfaction,which is worth promoting clinically.
4.Identification of differential genes in systemic sclerosis and prediction of traditional Chinese medicine
Shuang FENG ; Yangfang TAI ; Shengxiao ZHANG ; Peifeng HE ; Chaoyue ZHENG ; Lingjing CHENG ; Teng KONG ; Xiangfei SUN ; Qi YU ; Xuechun LU
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(1):107-115,中插1-中插2
Objective:The differentially expressed genes(DEGs)and activated signaling pathways in systemic sclerosis(SSc)were screened by bioinformatics methods,and Chinese medicines for potential treatment of SSc were explored,providing a new theoretical basis for the study of SSc and the screening of potential markers.Methods:The data sets GSE58095,GSE130953,GSE33463 and GSE58613 were selected from GEO database and divided into skin group and peripheral blood group according to the sample source.The DEGs of SSc patients was analyzed by R language,and the Wayne diagram was drawn to take the intersection of the two groups.Metascape was used for GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis,and STRING and Cytoscape were used for protein interaction network analysis to find key pathways and hub genes.The core genes were mapped to the medical on-tology information retrieval platform,and related Chinese medicines for SSc treatment were screened.The effective components of Chi-nese medicines were obtained through TCMSP and HERB databases,and the target letters of active ingredients were obtained through swiss database.The"drug-active ingredient-target"network was constructed by Cytoscape.Results:Total 218 DEGs were identified from the skin group of patients with SSc,and 283 DEGs were screened from peripheral blood of patients with SSc.Among them,there were 7 DEGs co-upregulated in skin and peripheral blood,namely ISG15,LGALS3BP,BST2,C1QB,IFI27,CEACAM1 and FBP1.CAMK2N1 was up-regulated in skin but down-regulated in peripheral blood,ARG1 was down-regulated in skin but up-regulated in pe-ripheral blood.GO and KEGG analysis of SSc DEGs showed that these genes were significantly enriched in inflammatory response,he-moglobin complex,immune receptor activity and extracellular matrix.The results of protein interaction network suggest that more than 10 genes such as COL1A1,CTGF12,IL1B,IFNG and JUN may be potential markers of SSc and core genes of therapeutic targets.The potential Chinese medicines screened for SSc treatment include ginseng,sanguisorba,convolvula,wolfberry,safflower,etc.The main components of these herbs were β-sitosterol,quercetin,kaempferol,stigmasterol,luteolin,sitosterol,Spinasterol,and the target were AKR1B1,AR,CYP1B1,XDH,etc.Conclusion:This study uses bioinformatics to screen out core genes that may be potential markers and therapeutic targets for SSc,which is expected to be a new target for the early diagnosis and mechanism research of SSc.Meanwhile,the mapped Chinese medicine and its effective components can provide ideas for the research and development of Chinese medicine compounds for the treatment of SSc.
5.Cuscutae Semen ameliorates mepanipyrim-induced visual impairment in zebrafish via the phototransduction pathway with identification of potential active constituents
Yaling YANG ; Zihan ZHAO ; Yaqian ZHENG ; Naying ZHENG ; Lian YANG ; Anfernee Kai Wing TSE ; Zhenghong ZUO ; Chengyong HE ; Jian YANG ; Lanping GUO
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;3(4):336-346
Background: The global rise in visual impairment, driven by population aging, the increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related chronic diseases, and environmental factors, has made it a critical public health concern, highlighting the urgent need for effective preventive strategies and eye health maintenance. Cuscutae Semen (CS), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine long regarded for its vision-enhancing properties, has been widely used to support ocular health. However, its underlying molecular mechanisms and bioactive constituents remain poorly understood, limiting its modernization and broader clinical application. Objective: This study aims to investigate the restorative effects of CS on visual impairment, elucidate its underlying mechanisms, and identify potential active components. Methods: A zebrafish model of visual impairment was established using mepanipyrim to simulate retinal structural damage and visual dysfunction. The therapeutic effects of CS were systematically evaluated through behavioral analyses and histomorphological observations. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, an integrated approach was employed, combining transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq), reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction validation, and immunofluorescence staining to identify critical genes and pathways involved. Furthermore, macroporous resin column chromatography was employed for the fractionation and screening of potential active components. Results: CS treatment significantly alleviated mepanipyrim-induced ocular abnormalities in zebrafish, restoring approximately 82% of the observed morphological defects. Behavioral assessments revealed that CS-treated zebrafish exhibited markedly increased swimming speed and distance, indicating enhanced visual light sensitivity. Histopathological analysis demonstrated that CS effectively repaired the structure of retinal cell layers. RNA-seq revealed that CS broadly reversed mepanipyrim-induced gene expression disturbances, suggesting a restorative effect on transcriptomic homeostasis. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis identified the phototransduction pathway as a key mediator of CS’s therapeutic effects. This was further supported by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction validation of critical genes and immunofluorescence staining, which confirmed the restored expression of Pde6a and Gnat2, key proteins involved in photic signal transmission. Active component screening indicated that high-polar constituents, including chlorogenic acid, may constitute one of the major bioactive fractions responsible for the observed therapeutic effects. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of the vision-protective effects of CS in a zebrafish model, demonstrating that its therapeutic mechanism involves modulation of the phototransduction pathway. Chlorogenic acid was identified as one of the key bioactive constituents contributing to this effect. These findings not only provide scientific validation for the traditional use of CS in ocular protection but also present promising therapeutic prospects for the prevention and treatment of visual impairment.
6.Observation on the effect of endoscopic surgery for parotid gland tumors via the postauricular hairline approach
Lanfang ZHENG ; Jiazheng ZHAO ; Lifen WANG ; Hui KONG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(2):65-68
Objective To compare the efficacy of endoscopic parotidectomy through postauricular incision with conventional incision parotidectomy.Methods A total of 60 parotid tumor patients admitted to Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from March 2023 to March 2024 were selected as the study subjects.Thirty patients had the requirement for small scar cosmetic surgery,and the endoscopic parotid tumor resection of the posterior ear were in endoscopic group,and remaining 30 patients underwent traditional open surgery at the same period in open group.Two groups were compared in terms of operation time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative drainage volume,length of hospital stay,postoperative complications,nursing satisfaction,and incision satisfaction at one month postoperatively.Results Endoscopic group had significantly lower drainage volume,hospital stay,and postoperative complications than open group,there were significant difference between two groups(P<0.05).The nursing satisfaction and incision satisfaction in endoscopic group were significantly higher than those in open group(P<0.05).Conclusion Efficacy of endoscopic parotidectomy through postauricular incision postoperative recovery was faster,the hospitalization time was shorter,and the postoperative complications were less.Perioperative optimization nursing in the endoscopic group improved patient satisfaction,which is worth promoting clinically.
7.Exploring the medication patterns of using the"Shaoyang as the pivot"theory to treat children's night cough based on data mining
Yafeng YANG ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Liping LIU ; Lingxia KONG ; Xiaojuan ZHENG ; Zhuo CHEN
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(12):72-75,112
Objective To exploring the drug rules for treating children's night cough based on the theory of"Shaoyang as the pivot".Methods 189 cases of children with night cough were included,and 224 prescriptions.Used the Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Assistance Platform to analyze the time distribution,syndrome types,and four nature,five flavors,and channel tropism of diseases.Used frequency statistics,association rule analysis,and cluster analysis to extract drug patterns for pediatric night cough.Results Coughing occured most frequently during the Yin period.The syndrome type was mainly Shaoyang syndrome.The high-frequency core drugs were Chaihu,Huangqin,and Banxia,etc..The prescription characteristics were Xiaochaihu decoction without Renshen,Shengjiang,and Dazao,and added Wuweizi,Danggui and Xingren.The drugs were used flexibly according to the syndromes:Maxing Er San decoction was added to the phlegm and drink syndrome,Qumai Er Chen decoction was added to the food stagnation syndrome,Sijunzi decoction was added to the qi deficiency syndrome,Maiwei Dihuang decoction was added to the yin deficiency syndrome,and Weijing decoction was added to the phlegm and heat syndrome.Conclusion Based on the basic principle of harmonizing Shaoyang,and according to the disease mechanism,the classical prescription is flexibly used,forming a night cough treatment system based on the"Shaoyang as the pivot"theory,with distinct clinical characteristics.
8.Comparison on texture features of medial gastrocnemius and biceps brachii muscles between young and elderly individuals based on ultrasound tomography
Yudong KONG ; Yi LI ; Yuanyi ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(5):773-777
Objective To compare the texture features of medial gastrocnemius and biceps brachii muscles between young and elderly individuals with ultrasound tomography(UT).Methods Twenty healthy adults under 30 years old(young group)and 22 healthy adults greater than or equal to 60 years old(elderly group)were prospectively recruited.A ring-array UT system was used to collect images of upper and lower limbs,the texture features of medial gastrocnemius and biceps brachii muscles were extracted and compared between 2 groups.Results Significant differences of gray level mean(GLM),gray level variance(GLV),contrast(CON),homogeneity(HOM),entropy(ENT),gray-level non-uniformity(GLN)and run-length non-uniformity(RLN)of medial gastrocnemius,as well as of GLM,GLV,CON,HOM and ENT of biceps brachii muscles were found between groups(all P<0.05).Conclusion Significant differences of GLM,GLV,CON,HOM and ENT of medial gastrocnemius and biceps brachii muscles were found between young and elderly individuals,indicating that structural remodeling and functional changes in muscles happened in elderly individuals.
9.NTRK gene fusion and molecular pathological characteristics of mismatch repair deficient colorectal cancer
Hong KANG ; Dujuan LI ; Huihan YOU ; Zheng XIANG ; Qiong CHENG ; Lingfei KONG
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(2):135-141
Objective:To investigate the expression pattern of pan-TRK protein in colorectal cancers with NTRK gene fusion and mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) and to analyze its molecular pathological characteristics.Methods:A total of 117 dMMR colorectal cancers diagnosed in the Department of Pathology of Henan Provincial People′s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China from 2020 to 2023 were collected. Immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and DNA/RNA-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) were used to detect pan-TRK protein expression and fusion partner genes in tumors, and to further explore the correlation between pan-TRK staining patterns and partner genes.Results:IHC and FISH were performed successfully in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from 117 dMMR colorectal cancer patients. There were 15 (15/117, 12.8%) cases with positive pan-TRK, including 6 cases with strong staining in tumor cell membrane and cytoplasm, 2 cases with weakly granular staining in tumor cytoplasm, 2 cases with moderate dot-like staining in near 5% tumor cell nuclei, 1 case with moderately to strongly granular staining in the cytoplasm and membrane of tumor cells, 1 case with moderately to weakly granular staining in about 60% of the tumor cells, 1 case with strongly staining in about 1% of the tumor cells, 1 case with moderately to strongly staining in about 3% of the tumor cells and 1 case with diffuse, moderate para-nuclear dot-like and weakly perinuclear granular staining. NTRK1 gene disruption was detected in 6 cases (6/117, 5.1%) and consistent with diffusely strong expression of pan-TRK. Based on DNA/RNA NGS, it was further confirmed that the 6 cases with NTRK1 gene disruption all carried TPM3-NTRK1 fusion gene, and all had high microsatellite instability and high tumor mutation burden. No KRAS, NRAS, BRAF V600E or TP53 gene mutations were detected. Four patients carried frame shift mutations in RNF43. Other molecular changes included 3 cases with ROS1 gene mutation, 2 cases with BRAC, ALK, and EGFR gene mutations, 2 cases with ATM gene mutation, and 2 cases with KIT gene mutation. These were missense/frame shift mutations that were associated with no clinical significance. The nine pan-TRK-positive cases without NTRK gene fusion detected with DNA-based NGS were further confirmed with RNA-based NGS, and no NTRK gene fusion was found. The sensitivity and specificity of NTRK gene fusion detected using IHC were 100.0% and 92.5%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of diffusely strong membranous/cytoplasmic staining were both 100.0%.Conclusions:Pan-TRK protein has various expression patterns in dMMR colorectal cancer. Its diffusely strong expression is highly suggestive of NTRK1 gene fusion. TPM3-NTRK1 gene fusion is a common form of NTRK gene fusion in dMMR colorectal cancer.
10.Diagnostic efficacy of spectral CT virtual non-contrast imaging combined with iodine mapping for differenti-ating early postoperative intracerebral hemorrhage from contrast extravasation after endovascular therapy
Yun TAN ; Zhongyi KONG ; Ximing CAO ; Zhenbang WANG ; Junhui ZHENG ; Wei LUO
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(21):3449-3454
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of dual-layer spectral CT(DLCT)virtual non-contrast(VNC)imaging combined with iodine maps in differentiating early post-endovascular therapy(EVT)intracranial hemorrhage from contrast extravasation.Methods Retrospective analysis of 97 patients who underwent DLCT immediately after EVT was conducted.Taking 24-hour follow-up CT/MRI as the gold standard,patients were divided into hemorrhage and non-hemorrhage groups,and their clinical data were compared.VNC CT values and iodine concentration(IC)were measured.Spearman's rank correlation was used to analyze the relationship between VNC CT and IC values,and ROC curve analysis using R software to evaluate the diagnostic performance of VNC,iodine maps,and their combination.Results Among 97 patients,51(52.6%)showed no intracranial hyperdense lesions,while 46(47.4%)with abnormal densities were analyzed.Using 24-hour postoperative CT/MRI as reference stan-dard,among the 46 patients ultimately included in the analysis,38 cases(82.6%)were non-hemorrhagic and 8 cases(17.4%)hemorrhagic.No significant differences existed in age,sex,or treatment methods(all P>0.05).VNC CT values and IC showed significantly negative correlation(r=-0.537,P<0.01).ROC analysis revealed AUCs of 0.917(95%CI:0.786~0.999)for VNC,0.878(95%CI:0.719~0.999)for IC,and 0.919(95%CI:0.812~0.999)for the combination of the two(P<0.05 for combined vs.individual methods).Optimal thresholds were 53.6 HU for VNC and 0.605 mg/ml for IC.Based on the final analysis of 46 enrolled patients,the sensitivity of VNC,iodine map,and their combination in differentiating early cerebral hemorrhage from contrast extravasation was 88.9%,94.3%,and 91.4%,respectively;the specificity 94.3%,77.8%,and 88.9%,respectively;and the accuracy 90.9%,90.9%,and 93.2%,respectively.Conclusion The DLCT VNC-iodine map combination significantly im-proves differentiation between post-EVT hemorrhage and contrast extravasation,and it is recommended for routine clinical application.

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