To compare the effects of blue light-filtering and non-blue light-filtering senofilcon A daily disposable contact lenses on color discrimination and contrast sensitivity in healthy young adults with myopia. This comparative study included 68 eyes of 34 myopic adults with best-corrected visual acuity of 0.0 logMAR. All participants were evaluated while wearing blue light-filtering and non-blue light-filtering senofilcon A daily disposable contact lenses. Color discrimination was assessed binocularly using the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 Hue test, with blue-yellow axis local error score (LES), red-green axis LES, and total error score (TES) recorded. Contrast sensitivity was evaluated monocularly using the Spaeth-Richman Contrast Sensitivity (SPARCS) test, and central, peripheral, and total SPARCS scores were compared between the two lens types. No statistically significant differences were observed between blue light-filtering and non-blue light-filtering contact lenses in blue-yellow axis LES (p = 0.130), red-green axis LES (p = 0.275), or TES (p = 0.090). Contrast sensitivity scores were significantly higher with blue light-filtering lenses than with non-blue light-filtering lenses in the central area (p = 0.009), superotemporal area (p = 0.024), inferotemporal area (p = 0.013), and in the total SPARCS score (p = 0.016). No significant differences were found in the superonasal or inferonasal areas. Blue light-filtering senofilcon A daily disposable contact lenses were associated with higher contrast sensitivity in central and selected peripheral visual field regions, without a measurable effect on color discrimination.
The widespread use of disposable polypropylene-based personal protective equipment (PPE) in dentistry contributes significantly to healthcare waste. Sustainable approaches that promote responsible material use within educational clinical settings are increasingly needed to mitigate the environmental footprint of dental training. To evaluate the feasibility of a controlled, sustainability-oriented repurposing strategy for disposable SMS polypropylene surgical gowns in a university dental clinic, focusing on functional performance, user perception, and educational implications. A mixed-methods, quasi-experimental applied study was conducted between August and November 2025. Used SMS gowns underwent standardized inspection, cleaning, disinfection (0.1% sodium hypochlorite), terminal dry heat treatment (70-75 °C), and subsequent transformation into repurposed dental chair covers for use as non-critical barriers during non-aerosol-generating procedures. Functional performance was assessed via structured checklists. User perception and instrument reliability (α = 0.82) were evaluated through validated 5-point Likert-scale questionnaires administered to dental students (n = 148) and professionals (n = 25). This study does not aim to validate microbiological sterility or clinical repurposing of personal protective equipment, but rather to assess sustainability-oriented repurposing into non-critical barriers within an educational dental setting. Of 286 gowns collected, 205 (71.7%) met eligibility criteria and were successfully repurposed. The transformed materials demonstrated adequate stability, resistance to displacement, and tolerance to routine surface disinfection. High acceptance was reported across both groups (Global Index: 3.89/5), with significantly stronger institutional adoption support among professionals (80%) compared to students (66.2%). Preliminary environmental estimation further indicated that the intervention diverted approximately 12.9 kg of SMS polypropylene from disposal, corresponding to an estimated reduction of 20.5 kg CO₂-equivalent emissions. Controlled repurposing of disposable SMS gowns into non-critical barriers is feasible and represents a practical strategy to reduce clinical waste while fostering sustainability competencies in dental education. By integrating functional assessment, stakeholder acceptance, and preliminary environmental impact estimation within a real-world academic workflow, this study provides a replicable systems-integration model that supports the implementation of circular economy principles in dental education.
Electrical stimulation accelerates wound repair by modulating endogenous bioelectric signals that regulate inflammation, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and cellular responses within the wound microenvironment. However, clinical translation has been hindered by cumbersome devices with procedures that disrupt standard wound-care workflows, direct electrode contact with the wound bed, and/or limited stimulation output. Wearable Disposable Electrotherapy (WDE) integrates an electronics-free printed electrochemical architecture into an mm-thick patch that looks and is applied like a conventional bandage. The device is self-powered and delivers a single electrotherapy dose simply by application to the skin. Device dose-control (electrochemical performance) and efficacy were evaluated in a full-thickness excisional wound model in rats, compared with a sham device and a conventional Constant Current (CC) stimulator. WDE or control treatments were applied daily from day 1 through day 13, with endpoint evaluation on day 14. WDE delivered electrical stimulation comparable to CC while reducing the time required to achieve 50% wound closure by 2.08 days (~29%) relative to sham treatment. Histological and immunofluorescence analyses at day 14 demonstrated enhanced tissue remodeling, including increased collagen deposition (~25%), tissue cellularity (~73%), myofibroblast-associated αSMA expression (~2.6-fold), angiogenesis-associated CD31 expression (~2.0-fold), and increased expression of both M2- (CD206, ~2.0-fold) and M1-associated (iNOS, ~1.7-fold) markers compared with sham. A novel cellular-resolution dosimetry model, leveraging charge-based boundary element method accelerated with the fast multipole method (BEM-FMM), provides a biophysical framework linking electrical stimulation with wound microenvironment and tissue repair mechanisms. Together, these findings establish WDE as a practical bioelectric wound dressing that accelerates wound healing and tissue remodeling, with the simplicity and scalability of disposable bandages.
The Alisklamp® Nero M is a novel metallic disposable circumcision device allowing thermocautery-assisted excision, immediate device removal, and standardized mucosal cuff length. This study evaluated its real-world safety profile and complication rates in a large pediatric cohort. This retrospective study included 6000 boys aged 1 month to 12 years circumcised using the Alisklamp® Nero M between November 2020 and November 2025. Procedures were performed by a single experienced surgeon using a standardized local anesthesia technique. Postoperative follow-up was conducted through a structured smartphone-based telemedicine protocol until complete wound healing. Primary and secondary outcomes were overall complication and revision surgery rates, respectively. The mean patient age was 3.14 ± 3.13 years. No patients were lost to follow-up. A total of 130 complications (2.16%) occurred, predominantly wound dehiscence (0.95%) and postoperative bleeding (0.58%). Revision surgery was required in only 10 patients (0.16%) due to persistent bleeding (n = 5) or secondary phimosis (n = 5). Remaining complications were managed conservatively, yielding complete mucocutaneous healing in all patients. Circumcision with the Alisklamp® Nero M demonstrated low overall complication and exceptionally low revision surgery rates. Standardized excision, immediate device removal, and structured telemedicine follow-up support its safety, feasibility, and practicality in routine pediatric care.
As robotic platform adoption expands, differences in procedural cost for inguinal hernia repair are frequently attributed to surgical technology. However, the relative contribution of surgical approach versus surgeon-specific practice patterns to cost variation remains incompletely defined. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults undergoing inguinal hernia repair within a multi-hospital healthcare system from 2017 to 2025. Mixed-effects regression models evaluated direct disposable supply cost and operating room time, adjusting for patient characteristics, case complexity, surgeon experience, calendar year, and clustering at both surgeon and hospital levels. The cohort included 14,313 repairs performed by 137 surgeons across 29 hospitals (open 43.8%, robotic 46.7%, laparoscopic 9.5%). Robotic utilization increased from 8.7 to 66.0% by 2024, largely replacing laparoscopy; 62% of surgeons performed only one approach. After adjustment, mean direct disposable supply cost was $567 for open, $1,527 for robotic, and $1,741 for laparoscopic repair (robot vs. laparoscopic: - $213, 95% CI - $274 to - $153, p < 0.001). Adjusted mean operating room time was 119 min for open, 142 for robotic, and 120 for laparoscopic repair (robotic vs. open: + 23.1 min, p < 0.001). Robotic repair was associated with lower odds of overnight admission (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55-0.96, p = 0.022). Within each platform, surgeon-level cost deviations ranged up to $777 (open) and $196 (robotic) above the platform mean, often exceeding between-platform differences. Standardized per 1,000 cases, combined potentially avoidable cost (supplies plus operating room time at $75/min) was $638,000 for robotic repairs. Surgeon-level practice variation is a major contributor to procedural cost variation in inguinal hernia repair and may provide an important target for value-improvement efforts. Because most surgeons in this cohort performed only one approach, such efforts are likely to have the greatest practical impact when directed at preference-card standardization and peer benchmarking within the platforms where surgeons already practice.
The decentralization of biosensing to point-of-need (PON) settings necessitates single-use devices that combine laboratory-level sensitivity with field-deployable simplicity. Existing fluorescent optofluidic chips achieve high sensitivity but rely on bench-top optics, pumps, and trained personnel. Here, we present a smart, disposable evanescent wave fluorescent optofluidic bio-nanochip (DEFOB) that bridges this performance gap. The DEFOB integrates a gravity-driven, 3D-printed microfluidic chip with a functionalized tapered fiber nanosensor, a compact alignment-free all-fiber optical reader, and a smartphone application. This synergistic design enables ultrasensitive, quantitative detection in both homogeneous and heterogeneous assay formats without the need for external pumps or complex peripherals. We demonstrate the platform's versatility through the laboratory-comparable quantification of sulfamerazine antibiotics via immunoassay and of SARS-CoV-2 via an integrated RAA-CRISPR/Cas12b assay, achieving detection limits of 0.06 µg/L and 0.70 copies/µL, respectively. By combining dual-mode operation, high sensitivity, quantitative accuracy, intelligence, plug-and-play functionality, and a low-cost workflow, the DEFOB platform represents a paradigm shift in PON testing, with broad applications in clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and global health security.
A disposable glove-derived flexible biosensor employs vertex-selective Pd-Pt nanodendrites catalyzing dissolved oxygen-mediated electrochemiluminescence, quenched by organophosphorus poisoning for on-site detection.
Prolonged digital device use can result in digital eye strain which may be exacerbated by uncorrected astigmatism. This study explored how sustained smartphone reading impacts on visual function and symptoms when astigmatism is corrected with disposable soft toric contact lenses. 30 adult contact lens wearers (mean age 23 ± 4 years, mean astigmatism 1.12 ± 0.35 D) habitually using digital devices for ≥10 h/day were fitted with Delefilcon A daily disposable toric contact lenses for 14-days. High and low contrast near visual acuity (VA) were assessed before and after a prolonged smartphone reading task on day 1 and day 14 of lens wear. The severity of digital eye strain symptoms were reported using a 0-100 visual analogue scale following the reading task. Contact lens dry eye symptoms were assessed using the 8-item Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire (CLDEQ-8). At baseline, the mean high and low contrast near VAs were - 0.08 ± 0.05 and + 0.04 ± 0.08 logMAR, respectively, which did not decline significantly following the prolonged reading task, or after 14 days of lens wear. The average reading speed was not significantly different between day 1 and day 14 of lens wear (251 ± 85 words-per-minute vs 252 ± 80 words-per-minute, p = 0.47). Digital eyestrain symptoms following the reading task (mean of all symptom scores: 13 ± 21) remained stable over the 14-days of lens wear (all p > 0.05), and > 75% of the reported symptoms were ranked as <15/100 in severity. The mean CLDEQ-8 score was 15.2 ± 8.8. The correction of astigmatism with disposable toric contact lenses provided stable functional visual performance, with minimal digital eye strain during a prolonged smartphone reading task. However, over half of participants, reported significant dryness/discomfort (CLDEQ-8, ≥12) during 2-weeks of wear, highlighting a disconnect between short-term digital task symptoms and overall daily lens comfort in participants habitually using digital devices for ≥10 h/day.
Contaminated environmental surfaces contribute to the transmission of pathogens that cause healthcare-associated infections. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy and cost implications of a chlorine-based combined detergent-disinfectant used for environmental decontamination around methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) patients. The study was conducted over a six-month period in the inpatient wards (medical, surgical, and orthopedic) of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China. The surrounding areas of newly diagnosed MRSA patients were divided into two equal halves and decontaminated using either the conventional two-step process (cleaning with detergent followed by disinfection with a 1000 ppm hypochlorite solution) or a new one-step method using a combined detergent-disinfectant. High-touch surfaces in the patients' immediate environment were sampled before and after decontamination to detect MRSA by culture and to measure adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels. The number of disposable wipes used and the duration of the decontamination process were recorded for the cost analysis. Both the conventional and the new methods significantly reduced the MRSA detection rate from 68.7% to 12.7% and to 15.3%, respectively (p < 0.001), and significantly reduced the ATP failure rate from 78.2% to 2.7% and to 4.5%, respectively (p < 0.001). Compared with the conventional method, the new method saved an average of 5.9 minutes of decontamination time and 10.2 disposable wipes per patient, resulting in a substantial cost saving of over 6 million Hong Kong dollars per year according to current infection control recommendations for MRSA patients in public hospitals in Hong Kong. The one-step method using a combined detergent-disinfectant effectively decontaminated high-touch hospital surfaces in the patient environment while reducing both time and costs. Its broader implementation in local inpatient settings may enhance environmental hygiene while reducing costs.
Health Technology Assessment (HTA) supports evidence-based decision-making, but integrating economic evaluation within Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) remains challenging in hospital-level HTA. This study developed and preliminarily applied an integrated decision-support framework combining MCDA, economic evaluation, and contextualized evidence assessment to support adoption recommendations. A pragmatic digital framework integrated MCDA with Budget Impact Analysis (BIA) and Cost-Consequence Analysis (CCA) within a rule-based decision matrix. The economic module estimated cost per patient, incremental cost, budget impact, cost-consequence outputs, and, when appropriate, a supportive soft ICER. Evidence was assessed through structured critical appraisal, Summary of Findings tables, and outcome relevance, using a GRADE-informed approach mapped onto the predefined 0-1-3-5-7-9 MCDA evidence scale. Operational robustness was assessed through Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and self-audit controls. In a case study comparing disposable and reusable continence care systems, the disposable option showed a lower MCDA score than the current standard (2.60 vs 4.80; ΔMCDA = -2.20) and a higher cost per patient (€1.00 vs €0.65; incremental cost €0.35). Although the 3-year budget impact was €2,634 and remained within the institutional affordability threshold, the technology was classified as dominated because it generated lower value at a higher cost. The final recommendation was not favorable for routine adoption. The framework supports transparent integration of MCDA and economic evaluation in hospital-level HTA and helps distinguish affordability from overall value. The case study suggests that technologies should not be adopted solely because their budget impact is acceptable when the value-risk profile is unfavorable. Further validation across technologies and settings is required.
We collected data on tuberculosis incidence and influencing factors (demographic factors, socioeconomic factors, medical resources, population mobility, and air pollutants) in 31 provinces of China from 2012 to 2020. Using a Bayesian spatio-temporal model, we studied the spatio-temporal distribution and its influencing factors of tuberculosis in various regions of China from 2012 to 2020. The spatial clustering effect of tuberculosis incidence in China showed an overall increasing trend during the study period, but there was a significant decline in 2018, followed by a continued increase. High-risk areas for tuberculosis incidence are primarily concentrated in the northwest and southwest regions, while low-risk areas are mainly distributed in the eastern coastal provinces. The number of healthcare institutions (NHI), illiteracy rate (IR), rural residents' disposable income (PDIR), passenger flow (PRV), and sulfur dioxide emissions (SO2) are statistically correlated with tuberculosis incidence. The IR,PRV, and SO2 are positively correlated with tuberculosis incidence, with relative risks of 2.191, 1.759, and 1.126, respectively.
Recent developments in low-cost and customizable electronics have demonstrated the remarkable potential of graphite traces produced from ordinary pencil lines as a sustainable fabrication route for next-generation devices. This review presents a systematic study of the fabrication processes, properties, and applications of pencil-drawn graphite films for electrochemical, strain, and pressure sensors, energy storage devices, photodetectors, and wearable electronics. The intrinsic advantages of this technique include simplicity, low cost, and environmental friendliness. It enables the frictional deposition of graphite flakes directly onto porous surfaces such as paper, textiles, and wood. The resulting films exhibit good electrical conductivity, flexibility, and mechanical adhesion, without requiring high-temperature processing or toxic chemicals. The major focus is on the relationship among drawing parameters, substrate roughness, and the resulting microstructural morphology, which collectively determine device performance. Pencil-drawn electrodes have enabled self-powered wearable systems, supercapacitors, thermoelectric generators, and disposable biosensors. The potential of green electronics is further enhanced by combining renewable substrates with cellulose-based materials and recyclable carbon materials. This review concludes that pencil-on-paper technology not only democratizes device fabrication but also expands its use in educational, research, and industrial settings by offering a convenient method for prototyping and functional demonstration of electronic systems.
This review examines the dual relationship between climate change and otolaryngology by assessing the environmental impacts on upper airway diseases, particularly allergic rhinitis (AR), and identifying concrete, evidence-based strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within surgical practice. A narrative literature review was conducted to provide an interpretative synthesis of current knowledge across two distinct but interconnected domains: climate-driven airway health impacts and the environmental sustainability of surgical care. Literature was purposively selected from major databases to support this discussion. Available evidence suggests that elevated CO₂ and particulate matter (PM2.5) act synergistically to increase the allergenicity and mucosal penetration of pollen, significantly exacerbating AR, chronic rhinosinusitis, and sleep-disordered breathing. Marginalized populations face disproportionate exposure to these health impacts due to socioeconomic disparities. In the surgical domain, healthcare contributes approximately 5.2% of global emissions, with operating rooms generating up to 30% of hospital waste. Transitioning from single-use devices to reusable alternatives-such as replacing disposable instruments that account for 68% of the carbon footprint in tonsillectomies-and optimizing anesthetic gas management significantly reduce Scope 3 emissions without compromising patient safety. Otolaryngologists face a critical dual challenge: managing the escalating, climate-driven burden of upper aerodigestive tract disorders while actively mitigating the specialty's own carbon footprint. Recognizing socioeconomic vulnerabilities and adopting rigorous, LCA-backed sustainable surgical practices are vital. However, widespread clinical implementation remains restricted by infrastructural and financial constraints, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Bismuth (Bi3+) contamination has become an important concern in environmental and cosmetic safety studies. Bismuth compounds are widely used in cosmetic formulations such as compact powders and eyeshadows because of their pearlescent appearance, smooth texture, and skin-adhesive properties. Bi3+ ions may enter environmental water systems through industrial effluents, mining activities, and improper disposal of chemical wastes. This contamination can affect natural water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and tap water supplies, potentially impacting aquatic organisms and human health. In this work, we designed a fluorescence sensor capable of detecting Bi3+ ions with high sensitivity and portability. The fluorescence sensor was developed based on calix[4]arene functionalized with cystamine dihydrochloride linkage and dansyl acid used as a fluorophore (C4ADA). C4ADA exhibits high selectivity towards Bi3+, resulting in a marked fluorescence enhancement attributed to a chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) mechanism. The sensor exhibited a linear fluorescence response over the Bi3+ (0-80 nM), with a detection limit of 8.7 nM. To demonstrate real-world applicability, the performance of C4ADA was examined in different types of samples via fluorescence methods, such as compact powder, eyeshadow, industrial water, lake water and tap water samples. Bi3+ detection was successfully demonstrated using a disposable paper-based sensor integrated with a smartphone, where fluorescence color changes were quantified through RGB analysis of C4ADA, compact powder, and eyeshadow, yielding a LOD of 19.5 nM to 22.4 nM. Due to its low cost, simplicity, and portability, this method is suitable for on-spot monitoring of Bi3+ ions.
To describe and compare health-related quality of life (HRQL) across disease stages (advanced schistosomiasis [AS], schistosomiasis-induced liver fibrosis [SLF], and healthy controls [HP]) in a low-endemic setting, and to explore associations between HRQL and socioeconomic/geographic factors. The findings aim to inform targeted interventions and policies at specific disease stages. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a schistosomiasis-endemic county in Jiangxi Province, China. A total of 2,652 participants, including 884 each in the AS, SLF, and healthy population (HP) groups, were enrolled. HRQL was assessed using the validated Chinese version of the SF-36 questionnaire. Socioeconomic variables (per-capita disposable income of rural households [P-DIRH], per-capita gross domestic product [P-GDP]) and geographic variables (type of schistosomiasis endemic area, endemic status) were analyzed. Non-parametric tests and multivariate linear regression (SPSS 27.0) were employed for statistical analyses. It was observed that the HRQL scores showed a gradually increasing trend (AS <SLF < HP) for the physical component summary (PCS). The median PCS and mental component summary (MCS) scores were lowest in the AS group (71.30 and 71.95), significantly lower than those in the SLF group (78.80 and 77.20) and the HP group (83.80 and 80.80). Patients with AS exhibited the most severe impairments in physical functioning (PF), vitality (VT), social function (SF), and general health (GH). Age ≥ 60 years was most strongly associated with lower HRQL scores (PCS: β = -0.217 to -0.266; MCS: β = -0.153 to -0.168). Areas meeting elimination criteria were positively associated with HRQL (β = 0.114 to 0.109), while low P-GDP regions were strongly associated with poorer HRQL (P < 0.05). HRQL is significantly impaired among schistosomiasis patients in low-endemic areas, driven by age, economic status, and regional disease control efforts. This study underscores the need for integrated interventions combining biomedical care, mental health support, and economic policies to alleviate the long-term burden of schistosomiasis and advance health equity, aligning with the World Health Organization's 2030 elimination goals.
To evaluate the prevalence and microbiological profile of contamination in reusable tourniquets in Brazilian hospitals. A multicenter study conducted in six hospitals. Swabs were collected from 54 tourniquets immediately after surgical use and before disinfection, covering an estimated area of 10 cm². The samples were cultured and identified using automated methods. The microbial load was described by median and interquartile range (IQR), and comparisons between public and private hospitals were performed using Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney test. The prevalence of contamination was 70.4% (38/54). The median overall microbial load was 101 CFU per device (IQR: 0-153), corresponding to approximately 10.1 CFU/cm². The predominant microorganisms were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (48.1%) and Staphylococcus aureus (18.5%), with isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus sp., and Candida sp. The contamination rate was 78.6% in public hospitals and 61.5% in private hospitals (p=0.081), with no statistically significant difference in the median bacterial load between the institutions (p=0.412). There is a high prevalence of contamination by clinically relevant pathogens in reusable tourniquets, regardless of the type of hospital. The results indicate systemic failures in reprocessing and suggest the need for high-level disinfection protocols or the adoption of disposable sterile devices to mitigate the risk of cross-contamination. Level of evidence III; multicenter cross-sectional study of microbiological prevalence. Avaliar a prevalência e o perfil microbiológico da contaminação em torniquetes reutilizáveis em hospitais brasileiros. Estudo multicêntrico conduzido em seis hospitais. Foram coletados swabs de 54 torniquetes imediatamente após o uso cirúrgico e antes da desinfecção, abrangendo uma área estimada de 10 cm². As amostras foram cultivadas e identificadas por métodos automatizados. A carga bacteriana foi descrita por mediana e intervalo interquartil (IIQ), e as comparações entre hospitais públicos e privados foram realizadas pelos testes exato de Fisher e de Mann-Whitney. A prevalência de contaminação foi de 70,4% (38/54). A mediana da carga microbiana geral foi de 101 UFC por dispositivo (IIQ: 0–153), correspondendo a aproximadamente 10,1 UFC/cm². Os microrganismos predominantes foram Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo (48,1%) e Staphylococcus aureus (18,5%), com isolamento de Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus sp. e Candida sp. A taxa de contaminação foi de 78,6% nos hospitais públicos e de 61,5% nos hospitais privados (p=0,081), sem diferença estatisticamente significativa na mediana da carga bacteriana entre as instituições (p=0,412). Há alta prevalência de contaminação por patógenos clinicamente relevantes em torniquetes reutilizáveis, independentemente do tipo de hospital. Os resultados indicam falhas sistêmicas no reprocessamento e sugerem a necessidade de protocolos de desinfecção de alto nível ou a adoção de dispositivos estéreis descartáveis para mitigar o risco de contaminação cruzada. Nível de evidência III; estudo transversal multicêntrico de prevalência microbiológica.
This review paper provides an overview of contemporary research areas in the field of contact lenses, recent progress and outstanding questions. Beyond the introduction of silicone hydrogel materials and current widespread use of daily disposable soft lenses, material and design innovations over the past decade have expanded the scope of contact lens applications to include preventative strategies for myopia, drug delivery, biosensing, theranostic (diagnostic sensing and delivery of therapy in response), visual augmentation and communication. Material and nanotechnology innovations have supported drug loading and controlled drug release from contact lenses, using molecular imprinting, layer-by-layer assembly and the incorporation of colloidal and polymeric nanoparticles. Other than many optical interventions for myopia control, most applications are either in pre-clinical or clinical testing. Drug delivery and theranostic applications are likely to be advanced with standardisation of protocols and agreed outcome measures in clinical trials to support comparisons between studies and regulatory approval pathways. Development of visual augmentation, sensing and communication applications will depend on demonstration of clear benefits, affordability, comfort and wearer acceptance. While innovations beyond myopia control are largely not commercially available, the next decade is likely to translate these new technologies into broader use.
Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a critical environmental concern due to their ubiquitous presence in ecosystems and potential impacts on human health. However, conventional MP detection and identification methods are often constrained by procedural complexity, limited particle size coverage, and the lack of continuous monitoring capability. In this proof-of-concept study, we present a novel microwave-microfluidic platform for flow-through detection and identification of MPs in aqueous media. In this system, engineered, size-categorized particles are passed through disposable microfluidic chips positioned over split-ring resonator (SRR) sensing hotspots, generating particle-specific perturbations in resonance frequency and transmission amplitude. We first evaluated single-particle detection performance across four particle-size ranges spanning 20-300 μm. Next, we focused on distinguishing between particle types in the 165-300 μm size range using a lightweight k-nearest neighbors (k-NN) model to recognize material-specific resonance-derived features for polyethylene, polystyrene, soda lime glass, and brine shrimp eggs. We further examined robustness across multiple aqueous carrier liquids through carrier-specific baseline referencing. Overall, our work demonstrates the feasibility of microwave-microfluidic sensing for continuous, in-flow, single-particle monitoring and materials classification under controlled conditions, thus, establishing the foundation for future analysis of MPs in complex environmental matrices.
To evaluate the 1-year outcome of vitreous cortex remnants (VCRs) removal using a nitinol flex loop during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in the treatment of recurrent retinal detachment (rRD). A total of 95 eyes from 95 patients with rRD with the intraoperative evidence of VCRs were retrospectively analyzed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Vitreous visualization was enhanced with triamcinolone. The presence of VCRs was determined by gently scraping the retinal surface with a disposable nitinol loop. Patients were divided into two groups: conventional PPV with the aid of vitrectomy probe and intraocular forceps between January 2022 and December 2022 (Group A, 41 eyes), and PPV assisted by the FINESSE Flex loop for VCRs removal between January 2023 and December 2023 (Group B, 54 eyes). Outcomes were assessed during follow-ups at postoperative 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Primary outcomes included vitrectomy duration, single-surgery anatomic success rate, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Group B had a significantly shorter vitrectomy duration compared to Group A (p < 0.001). The incidence of intraoperative iatrogenic retinal breaks was significantly lower in Group B (3.7%) than in Group A (22.0%) (p = 0.015). Other intraoperative complications, including focal retinal hemorrhage and inadvertent lens touch, were comparable between groups (all p > 0.05). No cases of iatrogenic rhegmatogenous RD or vitreous hemorrhage were observed in either group. The single-surgery anatomic success rate was higher in Group B (98.1%) than in Group A (85.4%) (p = 0.049). No significant differences were found in the total number of RD surgeries or final BCVA between groups (p = 0.076 and p = 0.109, respectively). During the follow-up, unattached retinas occurred in 6 eyes in Group A and 1 eye in Group B; ocular hypertension was noted in 2 eyes in Group A and 3 in Group B. Use of the FINESSE Flex loop during PPV for rRD allows a shorter surgical duration, a lower incidence of iatrogenic retinal breaks, and a higher single-surgery anatomic success rate, without increasing postoperative complications.