1.Sclera Vessel Segmentation Based on Fusion Filtering and Reflection Suppression
Ming-Xuan FAN ; Zong-Qing MA ; Chu-Xiang GAO ; Yi-Xuan SHI ; Zi-Hang ZHANG ; Zhe-Xuan JIA ; Fan FAN ; Guo-Liang HUANG ; Jiang ZHU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1195-1206
ObjectiveIn traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the foundational doctrine that the eyes reflect the essence of the internal viscera establishes ocular observation as a cornerstone of diagnostic practice. Specifically, the morphological characteristics and coloration variations of the scleral microvasculature serve as critical clinical indicators for assessing the dynamic balance of Qi and Blood, as well as the pathological status of internal organs. Historically, however, TCM eye diagnosis has relied predominantly on the subjective clinical experience and visual acuity of individual practitioners, leading to inherent challenges in standardization and reproducibility. While automated computer-aided diagnostic systems offer a promising solution, existing vessel segmentation algorithms encounter significant domain-specific bottlenecks when applied to scleral imagery. These challenges primarily stem from the highly reflective and moist nature of the ocular surface, which generates severe reflective interference. Furthermore, the inherent low contrast of fine capillary networks against complex background textures, compounded by non-uniform illumination, frequently results in high false-positive rates, misdetections, and severe vessel fragmentation. To address these critical limitations and advance the objective quantification of TCM diagnostics, this paper proposes a novel, highly robust sclera vessel segmentation framework that innovatively integrates Frangi-Sato dual-filter adaptive enhancement with pixel-level reflection detection. MethodsThe proposed methodology systematically addresses the segmentation pipeline through three synergistic stages. First, to overcome the structural limitations of single-filter approaches, a multi-scale weighted fusion strategy is meticulously designed to harness the complementary extraction capabilities of both Frangi and Sato filters. This adaptive enhancement optimally balances the preservation of main vessel trunk continuity with the heightened sensitivity required for delineating delicate, low-contrast peripheral capillaries. Second, to tackle the persistent issue of reflective highlights, a sophisticated multi-feature synergistic reflection detection module is introduced. By jointly analyzing local information entropy, gradient field variations, and intensity statistical distributions, this module achieves precise, pixel-level identification and elimination of reflective artifacts without compromising the underlying vascular structures. Finally, a dual-level adaptive thresholding strategy, featuring an innovative “core protection” mechanism, is implemented. This critical step effectively suppresses complex background noise while rigorously preserving the structural and topological integrity of the intricate vessel network, preventing the structural breaks often seen in conventional binarization methods. ResultsThe efficacy of the proposed framework was rigorously evaluated using both self-constructed clinical datasets specifically acquired for TCM research and standardized public datasets. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method consistently outperforms state-of-the-art traditional approaches and contemporary deep learning models. Specifically, the proposed method achieves a Dice similarity coefficient of approximately 0.71 on the private clinical dataset, and secures the best performance across the majority of quantitative metrics on both datasets. Notably, the framework exhibits exceptional robustness and generalization capabilities in highly challenging scenarios characterized by intense reflective interference, low signal-to-noise ratios, and cross-domain image variations. ConclusionThis study successfully realizes the high-integrity, automated segmentation of scleral vessel networks under complex clinical imaging conditions. By overcoming the fundamental algorithmic challenges of reflection interference and micro-vessel loss, the proposed methodology provides potential support for the digitization, objective standardization, and intelligent advancement of modern TCM eye diagnosis systems.
2.Sclera Vessel Segmentation Based on Fusion Filtering and Reflection Suppression
Ming-Xuan FAN ; Zong-Qing MA ; Chu-Xiang GAO ; Yi-Xuan SHI ; Zi-Hang ZHANG ; Zhe-Xuan JIA ; Fan FAN ; Guo-Liang HUANG ; Jiang ZHU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1195-1206
ObjectiveIn traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the foundational doctrine that the eyes reflect the essence of the internal viscera establishes ocular observation as a cornerstone of diagnostic practice. Specifically, the morphological characteristics and coloration variations of the scleral microvasculature serve as critical clinical indicators for assessing the dynamic balance of Qi and Blood, as well as the pathological status of internal organs. Historically, however, TCM eye diagnosis has relied predominantly on the subjective clinical experience and visual acuity of individual practitioners, leading to inherent challenges in standardization and reproducibility. While automated computer-aided diagnostic systems offer a promising solution, existing vessel segmentation algorithms encounter significant domain-specific bottlenecks when applied to scleral imagery. These challenges primarily stem from the highly reflective and moist nature of the ocular surface, which generates severe reflective interference. Furthermore, the inherent low contrast of fine capillary networks against complex background textures, compounded by non-uniform illumination, frequently results in high false-positive rates, misdetections, and severe vessel fragmentation. To address these critical limitations and advance the objective quantification of TCM diagnostics, this paper proposes a novel, highly robust sclera vessel segmentation framework that innovatively integrates Frangi-Sato dual-filter adaptive enhancement with pixel-level reflection detection. MethodsThe proposed methodology systematically addresses the segmentation pipeline through three synergistic stages. First, to overcome the structural limitations of single-filter approaches, a multi-scale weighted fusion strategy is meticulously designed to harness the complementary extraction capabilities of both Frangi and Sato filters. This adaptive enhancement optimally balances the preservation of main vessel trunk continuity with the heightened sensitivity required for delineating delicate, low-contrast peripheral capillaries. Second, to tackle the persistent issue of reflective highlights, a sophisticated multi-feature synergistic reflection detection module is introduced. By jointly analyzing local information entropy, gradient field variations, and intensity statistical distributions, this module achieves precise, pixel-level identification and elimination of reflective artifacts without compromising the underlying vascular structures. Finally, a dual-level adaptive thresholding strategy, featuring an innovative “core protection” mechanism, is implemented. This critical step effectively suppresses complex background noise while rigorously preserving the structural and topological integrity of the intricate vessel network, preventing the structural breaks often seen in conventional binarization methods. ResultsThe efficacy of the proposed framework was rigorously evaluated using both self-constructed clinical datasets specifically acquired for TCM research and standardized public datasets. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method consistently outperforms state-of-the-art traditional approaches and contemporary deep learning models. Specifically, the proposed method achieves a Dice similarity coefficient of approximately 0.71 on the private clinical dataset, and secures the best performance across the majority of quantitative metrics on both datasets. Notably, the framework exhibits exceptional robustness and generalization capabilities in highly challenging scenarios characterized by intense reflective interference, low signal-to-noise ratios, and cross-domain image variations. ConclusionThis study successfully realizes the high-integrity, automated segmentation of scleral vessel networks under complex clinical imaging conditions. By overcoming the fundamental algorithmic challenges of reflection interference and micro-vessel loss, the proposed methodology provides potential support for the digitization, objective standardization, and intelligent advancement of modern TCM eye diagnosis systems.
3.A detection method of arsenic free fully automatic online digestion iodine analyzer for urinary iodine
Xiuxiu SUN ; Ji'an XIE ; Shudong XU ; Jian JIANG ; Ying WEI ; Ruihan ZONG ; Ningning CHEN ; Hui LIU
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2025;44(11):920-924
Objective:To establish an arsenic free fully automatic online digestion iodine analyzer detection method for urinary iodine (hereinafter referred to as the method).Methods:Based on the principle of iodine catalyzed antimony cerium redox reaction, a fully automatic online digestion iodine analyzer was used to determine the iodine content in urine. The effectiveness of the method in terms of detection limit, precision, accuracy (determination of urinary iodine primary standard reference materials GBW09108z and GBW09110f and spiked recovery experiment), and interference experiments was validated. The method was compared with the arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometry method recommended by the National Reference Laboratory for Iodine Deficiency Disorders.Results:The linear range of the method was 0 - 300 μg/L, with a correlation coefficient │ r│> 0.999 5. The qualitative and quantitative detection limits were 7.41 and 18.01 μg/L, respectively. The relative standard deviation ( RSD) of urine samples with different iodine concentrations ranged from 1.0% to 1.7%. The results of the determination of iodine concentrations in urine using standard substances GBW09108z and GBW09110f were within the given standard range, with RSD < 2.5%. The range of spiked recovery rates for urine samples with different iodine concentrations was 101.3% to 104.8%, with an overall average spiked recovery rate of 103.0%. The average concentration of the baseline iodine standard solution was determined to be 116.21 μg/L, and the relative error of the concentration determination with the addition of interfering substances was less than 5.0%. The comparison results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the measurement results between the two methods ( t = - 0.06, P = 0.952). Conclusions:The method adopts automated detection, which is simple to operate, labor-saving, and does not require the use of arsenic trioxide. It has high precision and accuracy, and is suitable for detection of large quantities of samples.
4.Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham alleviates inflammatory pain through inhibiting mast cell P2X7 receptors
Fan YE ; Li-hui LIAO ; Jing-yue TANG ; Jia-hui CHEN ; Jiang CHENG ; Gong-xi CHEN ; Zong-xiang TANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(1):131-137
Aim To investigate the effect of Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham on inflammatory pain mediated by mast cell P2X7 receptor.Methods Using the ATP-induced foot inflammatory pain,immunofluores-cence and toluidine blue staining techniques were used to investigate whether Senecio scandens has inhibitory effect on P2X7 receptor on mast cells.Using the calci-um ion imaging experimental technology,to explore whether Senecio scandens inhibit the intracellular cal-cium ion enrichment caused by activation of P2X7 re-ceptor on mouse peritoneal mast cell.The whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to investigate whether senecio scandens could inhibit the inward current in-duced by activation of P2X7 receptor on mouse perito-neal mast cell.Results In vivo,Senecio scandens alle-viate ATP induced inflammatory pain(3.9 g·kg-1:P<0.05),and significantly inhibited the infiltration of P2X7 receptor-positive mast cells(3.9 g·kg-1:P<0.05).Knockout of mast cell can reduce the analgesic effect of Senecio scandens(3.9 g·kg-1:P=0.645).In vitro.The experiment results show that senecio scandens can significantly inhibit the calcium influx(300 mg·L-1:P<0.05;1 g·L-1:P<0.01;3 g·L-1:P<0.01)and the inward current mediated by P2X7 receptor in mast cell(1 g·L-1:P<0.01).Conclusion Senecio scandens alleviate inflammatory pain by inhibiting mast cell P2X7 receptor.
5.Clinical effect of drug-coated balloon combined with drug eluting stent on coronary bifurcation le-sions
Zong-yu XU ; Xiao-ming WANG ; Zhou-tong LI ; Yi-wei CHEN ; Jin-quan JIANG
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;34(4):487-492
Objective:To explore the therapeutic effect of drug-coated balloon(DCB)combined drug-eluting stent(DES)on coronary bifurcation lesions.Methods:A total of 108 patients with coronary bifurcation lesions admitted in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Huangpu Branch,Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine between February 2021 and March 2023 were enrolled in this randomized controlled study.Patients were randomly divided into combined treatment group(n=54,DCB was implanted in the sub-branch,and DES was implanted in the main branch)and DES group(n=54,DES were implanted in both main branch and sub-branch).Clinical therapeutic effect,coronary angiography quantitative parameters before,instant and 9 months after operation and clinical out-comes during 1-year follow-up after operation were compared between two groups.Results:The total effective rate of combined treatment group was significantly higher than that of DES group(96.30%vs.87.04%,P=0.030).Compared to those in DES group,instant and 9 months after operation,patients in the combined treatment group had significant higher diameters of main branch vessel[(3.13±0.31)mm vs.(3.01±0.25)mm,(2.99±0.33)mm vs.(2.84±0.23)mm],sub-branch vessel[(2.51±0.26)mm vs.(2.42±0.13)mm,(2.44±0.24)mm vs.(2.29±0.36)mm],and significant lower main branch stenosis rate[(6.05±0.21)%vs.(6.24±0.31)%,(9.06±0.23)%vs.(10.12±0.12)%]and sub-branch stenosis rate[(7.38±0.42)%vs.(7.63±0.18)%,(8.07±0.39)%vs.(11.25±0.22)%](P<0.05 or<0.01).There were no significant difference in incidence of target lesion revascularization,cardiogenic death and major adverse cardiovascular events between two groups(P>0.05 all).Conclusion:Drug-eluting stent combined drug-coated balloon may promote vascular branch dilation of coro-nary artery lesions,increase the minimum lumen diameter of sub-branch vessels,and reduce the occurrence of ste-nosis in the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesion,which had similar effectiveness and safety with drug-eluting stent technique.
6.Clinical effect of drug-coated balloon combined with drug eluting stent on coronary bifurcation le-sions
Zong-yu XU ; Xiao-ming WANG ; Zhou-tong LI ; Yi-wei CHEN ; Jin-quan JIANG
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;34(4):487-492
Objective:To explore the therapeutic effect of drug-coated balloon(DCB)combined drug-eluting stent(DES)on coronary bifurcation lesions.Methods:A total of 108 patients with coronary bifurcation lesions admitted in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Huangpu Branch,Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine between February 2021 and March 2023 were enrolled in this randomized controlled study.Patients were randomly divided into combined treatment group(n=54,DCB was implanted in the sub-branch,and DES was implanted in the main branch)and DES group(n=54,DES were implanted in both main branch and sub-branch).Clinical therapeutic effect,coronary angiography quantitative parameters before,instant and 9 months after operation and clinical out-comes during 1-year follow-up after operation were compared between two groups.Results:The total effective rate of combined treatment group was significantly higher than that of DES group(96.30%vs.87.04%,P=0.030).Compared to those in DES group,instant and 9 months after operation,patients in the combined treatment group had significant higher diameters of main branch vessel[(3.13±0.31)mm vs.(3.01±0.25)mm,(2.99±0.33)mm vs.(2.84±0.23)mm],sub-branch vessel[(2.51±0.26)mm vs.(2.42±0.13)mm,(2.44±0.24)mm vs.(2.29±0.36)mm],and significant lower main branch stenosis rate[(6.05±0.21)%vs.(6.24±0.31)%,(9.06±0.23)%vs.(10.12±0.12)%]and sub-branch stenosis rate[(7.38±0.42)%vs.(7.63±0.18)%,(8.07±0.39)%vs.(11.25±0.22)%](P<0.05 or<0.01).There were no significant difference in incidence of target lesion revascularization,cardiogenic death and major adverse cardiovascular events between two groups(P>0.05 all).Conclusion:Drug-eluting stent combined drug-coated balloon may promote vascular branch dilation of coro-nary artery lesions,increase the minimum lumen diameter of sub-branch vessels,and reduce the occurrence of ste-nosis in the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesion,which had similar effectiveness and safety with drug-eluting stent technique.
7.ICU nurses' real experience of caring for patients undergoing shallow sedation and mechanical ventilation: a Meta-synthesis
Xue FU ; Jing TANG ; Jinxia JIANG ; Xiaojia ZONG ; Jingyi ZOU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(20):2667-2672
Objective:To systematically evaluate the qualitative study of ICU nurses' experience in caring for patients undergoing shallow sedation and mechanical ventilation, and provide reference for improving the quality of shallow sedation nursing.Methods:Qualitative studies about ICU nurses' experiences of caring for patients undergoing shallow sedation and mechanical ventilation were systematically searched in Chinese and English databases such as Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, Ovid, Wanfang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine disc, and VIP. The search period was from database establishment to June 30, 2024. Included literature was assessed according to the Joanna Briggs Institute Center for Evidence-Based Health Care quality assessment criteria for qualitative research. The results were summarized and analyzed through the aggregative meta-synthesis method.Results:A total of nine articles were included. Eight subcategories and were synthesized into three integrated results of difficulties and challenges, positive coping, and facilitation strategies for sedation management.Conclusions:ICU nurses encounter difficulties and challenges in caring for patients undergoing shallow sedation and mechanical ventilation. Although nurses themselves are able to respond positively, nursing managers need to provide additional sedation management support strategies to improve the quality of nursing.
8.Mechanism of puerarin in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis based on network pharmacology and animal experimental verification
Yue Gao ; Fang Tang ; Wukai Ma ; Weiya Lan ; Zong Jiang ; Zexu Jin
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(1):22-31
Objective :
To investigate the mechanism of puerarin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) by network pharmacology and animal experiments.
Methods :
Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmcolog Database(TCMSP) and SwissTargetPrediction database were used to collect puerarin targets, and the targets of RA were obtained from GeneCards database and OMIM database. The PPI network was established by Cytoscape 3.7.2 software. Gene ontology(GO) function and Kyotoencyclopedia of genes(KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed through the Metascape database. RA rat-collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) model was reproduced using type Ⅱ collagen emulsion, 49 Wistar rats were randomly assigned to seven groups: control group, CIA model group, low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose puerarin group, methotrexate group, Tripterysium Glycosides Tablets group. Except for the control group, the other groups were given continuous gavage for 28 days after the CIA in rats model were prepared. The redness and swelling of the joints and ankle joint pathological changes were observed in each group. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Glycogen synthase kinase3β(GSK-3β), beta-catenin(β-catenin) proteins in the synovium. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR) was used to detect the expression of GSK-3β, β-catenin and c-Myc mRNA in the synovium.
Results :
Puerarin had 134 targets genes, RA had 5 821 target genes, and there were 102 overlapping target genes of puerarin and RA. It involved 184 signaling pathways, including JAK-STAT signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, et al. The results of animal experiments showed that after the intervention of M-puerarin and MTX, the symptoms of redness and swelling of the hind foot were alleviated, the inflammatory cell infiltration in the synovium of the joint was significantly reduced, and the damage of cartilage and bone tissue was reduced. Compared with CIA group, the expressions of GSK-3β, β-catenin protein and GSK-3β, β-catenin and c-Myc mRNA in synovial tissue of rats after M-puerarin intervention decreased(P<0.05).
Conclusion
Puerarin has the characteristic of multi-components, multi-targets and multi-pathway intervention in RA. Puerarin may alleviate synovial hyperplasia, reduce articular cartilage erosion and bone destruction in CIA in rats by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
9.ICU nurses' real experience of caring for patients undergoing shallow sedation and mechanical ventilation: a Meta-synthesis
Xue FU ; Jing TANG ; Jinxia JIANG ; Xiaojia ZONG ; Jingyi ZOU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(20):2667-2672
Objective:To systematically evaluate the qualitative study of ICU nurses' experience in caring for patients undergoing shallow sedation and mechanical ventilation, and provide reference for improving the quality of shallow sedation nursing.Methods:Qualitative studies about ICU nurses' experiences of caring for patients undergoing shallow sedation and mechanical ventilation were systematically searched in Chinese and English databases such as Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, Ovid, Wanfang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine disc, and VIP. The search period was from database establishment to June 30, 2024. Included literature was assessed according to the Joanna Briggs Institute Center for Evidence-Based Health Care quality assessment criteria for qualitative research. The results were summarized and analyzed through the aggregative meta-synthesis method.Results:A total of nine articles were included. Eight subcategories and were synthesized into three integrated results of difficulties and challenges, positive coping, and facilitation strategies for sedation management.Conclusions:ICU nurses encounter difficulties and challenges in caring for patients undergoing shallow sedation and mechanical ventilation. Although nurses themselves are able to respond positively, nursing managers need to provide additional sedation management support strategies to improve the quality of nursing.
10.Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham alleviates inflammatory pain through inhibiting mast cell P2X7 receptors
Fan YE ; Li-hui LIAO ; Jing-yue TANG ; Jia-hui CHEN ; Jiang CHENG ; Gong-xi CHEN ; Zong-xiang TANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(1):131-137
Aim To investigate the effect of Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham on inflammatory pain mediated by mast cell P2X7 receptor.Methods Using the ATP-induced foot inflammatory pain,immunofluores-cence and toluidine blue staining techniques were used to investigate whether Senecio scandens has inhibitory effect on P2X7 receptor on mast cells.Using the calci-um ion imaging experimental technology,to explore whether Senecio scandens inhibit the intracellular cal-cium ion enrichment caused by activation of P2X7 re-ceptor on mouse peritoneal mast cell.The whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to investigate whether senecio scandens could inhibit the inward current in-duced by activation of P2X7 receptor on mouse perito-neal mast cell.Results In vivo,Senecio scandens alle-viate ATP induced inflammatory pain(3.9 g·kg-1:P<0.05),and significantly inhibited the infiltration of P2X7 receptor-positive mast cells(3.9 g·kg-1:P<0.05).Knockout of mast cell can reduce the analgesic effect of Senecio scandens(3.9 g·kg-1:P=0.645).In vitro.The experiment results show that senecio scandens can significantly inhibit the calcium influx(300 mg·L-1:P<0.05;1 g·L-1:P<0.01;3 g·L-1:P<0.01)and the inward current mediated by P2X7 receptor in mast cell(1 g·L-1:P<0.01).Conclusion Senecio scandens alleviate inflammatory pain by inhibiting mast cell P2X7 receptor.


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