This paper presents a publicly accessible industrial condition monitoring dataset collected from a Sulzer centrifuge at the Arab Potash Company (APC) in Jordan. The twelve-month dataset (September 2022-August 2023) was acquired using an ABB 800xA distributed control system (DCS) sampling four sensor channels: torque (% of nominal load), vibration velocity (mm/s RMS), and dual bearing temperatures (°C, solid and liquid ends) at one-minute intervals (≈0.0167 Hz), yielding approximately 525,600 observations per channel. The preprocessing pipeline included timestamp synchronisation, duplicate removal, and linear interpolation for short gaps; records exceeding DCS alarm thresholds (vibration ≥12 mm/s, torque ≥85%, temperature ≥85 °C) were retained and labelled as candidate anomalies rather than deleted, to preserve event realism. The dataset is internally consistent, plant-specific, and suitable for exploratory benchmarking in industrial AI, digital twin development, and prognostics and health management (PHM) research.
The immunomodulatory and regenerative effects of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) extracellular vesicles (EVs) have spurred the development of strategies to manufacture these EVs as therapeutics. Clinical-grade EV manufacturing requires defined serum-free media (SFM) to reduce heterogeneity and improve batch reproducibility, yet standard protocols for collecting EVs from SFM are lacking. A primary concern is the co-isolation of SFM-derived proteins with EVs during separation, which can interfere with the characterization of the collected EVs, and their subsequent application. In this study, we evaluated how removing proteins from SFM affects EV yield and purity, and examined how collection timing and cell confluence influence EV yield and proteomic profile. A defined SFM (PPRF-msc6) was compared to (i) an ultracentrifuged medium (PPRF-msc6 after overnight ultracentrifugation), and (ii) a starvation medium (PPRF-msc6 without albumin and fetuin). MSC growth and viability were reduced in starvation medium, but were not adversely impacted when using ultracentrifuged medium. Compared to unmodified PPRF-msc6, ultracentrifuged medium improved EV purity but lowered EV yield. MSC confluence impacted the proteomic profile of EV fractions, demonstrating the importance of determining when EVs are collected during the culture period. Defining protocols for MSC-EV collection contributes to standardization within the rapidly growing EV field, and informs the development of clinically relevant bioprocesses.
Plasma separation plays an indispensable role in clinical diagnosis and therapeutic applications, since plasma contains critical biomarkers including proteins and nucleic acids, while interference from the color of red blood cells may compromise the accuracy of biomedical detection. Conventional methods, such as centrifugation, are effective but require specialized equipment, skilled personnel, and significant time, making them impractical for point-of-care testing (POCT) in resource-limited settings. The advent of microfluidic plasma separation techniques has successfully addressed the inherent drawbacks of conventional centrifugation approaches. Herein, we propose a rope-skipping microfluidic centrifugation (RSMC) plasma separation method, aiming to better accommodate POCT scenarios. Specifically, a blood-loaded tube was first secured to the skipping-rope device, and the RSMC device was then rotated manually at about 200 rpm speed. Driven by centrifugal force, efficient plasma separation was achieved without the need for electricity or sophisticated instrumentation. Experimental results demonstrated 67.3% plasma yield with 99.99% purity within 5 min, exceeding the performance of existing manual alternatives like fidget-spinner centrifuges. And the plasma separation system can also achieve pre-processing of large volumes of whole blood samples (∼mL). Moreover, the blood glucose recovery rate of plasma reached as high as 98.3% with this method, which was nearly comparable to that obtained using a standard centrifuge. The RSMC method is characterized by its simplicity, high cost-effectiveness, and ease of operation, making it particularly suitable for POCT applications in resource-limited settings.
The recent global outbreaks of monkeypox virus (MPXV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) underscore the urgent need for rapid, accessible, and cost-effective diagnostic methods. Conventional CRISPR/Cas fluorescence assays rely on trans-cleavage of ssDNA/RNA reporters labeled with expensive fluorophores and quenchers, which limits widespread application. This study aims to develop and optimize a label-free, fluorogenic DNA aptamer-based reporter for a portable, one-pot Cas12a detection system capable of highly sensitive detection of MPXV and CHIKV directly from clinical specimens. We evaluated commonly used ssDNA aptamers for their fluorescence emission upon Thioflavin T (ThT) binding and their cleavage efficiency by Cas12a. Through systematic mutagenesis targeting G-rich regions, we enhanced fluorescence emission. Additionally, poly-A linkers were introduced between G-rich motifs to promote Cas12a cleavage efficiency. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy confirmed G-quadruplex (G4) formation in the aptamers. The assay's sensitivity and specificity were assessed using simulated clinical samples, followed by validation with actual clinical specimens. The performance of direct detection from simulated clinical samples was compared to qRT-PCR. A battery-powered heating-pad, a mini-centrifuge, and a flashlight were used to validate its POCT applicability. We designed and optimized a cost-effective, stable fluorogenic ssDNA aptamer that specifically binds to ThT. The aptamer ThT-3-5.1 exhibited the highest fluorescence enhancement and cleavage efficiency by Cas12a. Leveraging this aptamer, we developed a rapid, portable, one-pot detection platform (ROD-ThT) capable of detecting as few as 1 copy/reaction of MPXV and CHIKV nucleic acids within 35 min. Validation with clinical samples confirmed the assay's reliability without the need for nucleic acid purification. Our simple, efficient, portable, and affordable ROD-ThT platform holds great promise for disease diagnostics and management, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) smear microscopy remains central to tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment monitoring; however, its sensitivity is limited by incomplete recovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis during pre-analytical processing. This study evaluated whether modifying centrifugation force and duration improves bacillary recovery and ZN smear microscopy performance. Laboratory experiments were conducted using M. tuberculosis H37Rv suspensions and clinical sputum specimens. Following NALC-NaOH treatment, samples were centrifuged at 2,000, 3,000, and 6,000 × g for 40 min. The effect of centrifugation duration was assessed at 3,000 × g by comparing 20 and 40 min using the same M. tuberculosis H37Rv cultures and the same clinical sputum specimens at both time points, ensuring paired measurements within each sample type. Smear positivity and ZN smear grading were evaluated from replicate smears and analyzed using non-parametric statistical tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. In M. tuberculosis H37Rv suspensions, no significant differences in smear positivity or grading were observed across centrifugal forces (p = 0.368 and p = 0.212, respectively). In clinical sputum specimens, smear positivity did not differ significantly across forces (p = 0.716), whereas ZN smear grading increased significantly with higher centrifugal force (p = 0.0051). At 3,000 × g, extending centrifugation time from 20 to 40 min did not significantly affect smear positivity in either sample type (both p = 1.000). In contrast, ZN smear grading increased from 1+ to 2+ in clinical specimens with extended centrifugation time (p = 0.016), while no change was observed in M. tuberculosis H37Rv suspensions. These findings indicate that increasing centrifugal force may enhance bacillary concentration in clinical sputum, resulting in improved smear grading without a corresponding increase in detection rate. Extending centrifugation time has limited impact on smear positivity. Optimization of pre-analytical centrifugation parameters may improve ZN smear microscopy performance in clinical specimens.
Metagenomics analysis is a critical tool in identifying and typing viral samples to aid surveillance, clinical, epidemiological, and other workflows. Despite advances in sequencing technology and analysis pipelines, there are still limitations that lead to reduced taxonomic resolution or false positives from highly recombinant or challenging samples. Here we describe MGtree, a novel metagenomics pipeline that utilizes a combination of full-length read alignments and phylogenetic analysis to classify samples of interest. We demonstrate that MGtree accurately genotypes viral samples from challenging norovirus and HPV datasets. MGtree outperforms the popular metagenomics programs Kraken2 and Centrifuge, and it succeeds with low-input samples where de novo assembly fails. MGtree's correct assignments across highly mutant and coinfected samples highlights its ability to resolve viral genotypes and its potential to improve classification precision in complex samples.
Commercial human spaceflight has expanded markedly since 2021, with a growing cohort of civilian participants having undertaken suborbital, orbital free-flyer, and International Space Station visiting-crew missions. Pre-flight medical assessment of this population, however, continues to rely on regulatory guidance that predates the first civilian orbital flight by approximately fifteen years and stratifies eligibility on a single dimension of G-load exposure. The evidence accumulated since on spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome, on centrifuge-analog tolerance in participants with chronic comorbidities, on the integrated multi-omic findings of recent civilian orbital missions, and on the new mission profiles introduced by the Axiom and Polaris Dawn programs has not been incorporated into a unified evaluation framework. In this narrative review, the aerospace-medicine and clinical literature of the past two decades is synthesized within a framework that distinguishes mission-related background factors (including acceleration, microgravity, spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome, ionizing radiation, and cabin environment) from participant-related factors (comprising age, sex, reproductive status, and cardiopulmonary, metabolic, and oncological comorbidity). The documented cohort spans 18 to 90 years of age, with the extremes confined to suborbital flights. The orbital free-flyer subset (n=12 across Inspiration4, Polaris Dawn, and Fram2) ranges from approximately 29 to 63 years, and the International Space Station (ISS) visiting-crew subset (n=12 civilian participants across Axiom AX-1 through AX-4, excluding career-astronaut commanders) from 33 to 71 years. Documented comorbidities include treated coronary artery disease, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and prior oncological conditions. Based on the available evidence, a clinical routine is proposed, organized across three assessment tiers - a universal baseline (Tier 1), an indication-driven system-specific evaluation (Tier 2), and a mission-class-specific evaluation (Tier 3) - and distributed along a four-step pathway from 90 days before flight to the day of launch. The proposed workflow may serve as an operational starting point, although prospective validation will be required as the commercial era generates additional data on participants, mission profiles, and clinical outcomes.
Background and objectives Acanthamoeba spp. are free-living amoebae causing rare but frequently fatal, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). Understanding their genotypic distribution is essential for defining epidemiology and identifying environmental sources. This study investigated Acanthamoeba in clinically suspected cases of GAE and in environmental water sources across India. Methods A total of 125 clinical specimens from patients with suspected GAE [cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), brain biopsy tissue, or pus] and 14 environmental water samples (pond, well, and household water) were analyzed between April 2023 and August 2025. Microscopic examination of samples and culture on non-nutrient agar overlaid with Escherichia coli was done. Centrifuged water pellets were processed similarly. DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction assay (PCR) targeting the Acanthamoeba spp. diagnostic fragment were performed, followed by sequencing for genotype identification. Results Eighteen (14.4%) clinical samples were Acanthamoeba-PCR positive, with seven yielding positive cultures. These included samples from Kerala (n=9), Karnataka (n=4), Himachal Pradesh (n=2), and one each from Delhi, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. Seven (50%) water samples were Acanthamoeba-PCR positive (Kerala, n=4, and West Bengal, n=3), of which two were culture-positive. Genotyping of 12 clinical and four environmental samples revealed that all isolates belonged to genotype T4, except for one T3 CSF-derived isolate from Karnataka. Interpretation and conclusions The predominance of Acanthamoeba genotype T4 across clinical and environmental samples mirrors global trends and suggests enhanced pathogenic potential and ecological adaptability of this genotype. The detection of environmental genotypes underscores the importance of systematic environmental surveillance in elucidating transmission pathways more effectively.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are prevalent worldwide, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most common causative agent. The ability of the bacteria to form intracellular bacterial communities (IBCs) and biofilm is a major reason for UTIs. Studies have indicated that the persistence of uropathogenic E. coli as IBCs and biofilms has been implicated in UTIs. However, IBCs are not routinely identified by standard diagnostic methods. To compare the various staining techniques for the detection of IBCs in urine samples from E. coli culture-positive UTI patients with the biofilm-forming capability of the isolates. The study included 73 patients with E. coli culture-confirmed UTI. Before antibiotic treatment midstream urine sample was collected, and the sediment was obtained by centrifugation. The samples were visualized using Sternheimer-Malbin, Wright-Giemsa, Safranin, and immunofluorescence staining to detect IBCs. Formation of biofilms was analyzed by the tube method. Descriptive statistics were used. E. coli clusters were seen by light microscopy using various stains. However, immunofluorescence staining showed a better picture in the form of bright intracellular signals, which indicate bacterial aggregates. Biofilm assay showed an association with intracellular colonization. The various staining techniques help in the identification of uropathogenic E. coli as IBCs inside superficial epithelial cells. These bacteria are also capable of forming biofilms, which resists action of antibiotics. Thus, IBCs and biofilms are rich reservoirs of organisms in the urinary bladder, paving the way for chronic treatment-resistant UTIs. This study requires further larger studies to substantiate these findings.
Chronic physical inactivity and reduced sensorimotor engagement are associated with alterations in large-scale brain network organization, often reflected as changes in resting-state functional connectivity. Interventions capable of modulating multisensory input without requiring volitional movement may therefore provide a useful experimental framework for investigating inactivity-related cortical plasticity. Short-arm human centrifugation (SAHC) delivers controlled, intermittent graded hypergravity, providing a reproducible vestibular-somatosensory stimulus with potential neuromodulatory effects on cortical networks. In this exploratory pilot study, resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded before and after repeated SAHC exposure in a neurological inactivity cohort predominantly comprising individuals with multiple sclerosis. EEG signals were reconstructed at the cortical source level using standardized low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) and parcellated into 148 cortical regions. Functional connectivity was estimated using synchronization likelihood, and large-scale network organization was characterized using graph-theoretical analysis. Network-Based Statistics (NBS) was applied to identify statistically significant pre-post connectivity differences. Following repeated exposure to graded hypergravity, 1333 cortical connections exhibited statistically significant changes, all reflecting reductions in resting-state functional connectivity. These effects were distributed across widespread cortical regions, indicating large-scale network reorganization rather than focal modulation. The intervention was well tolerated, and no serious adverse events were reported. Graded hypergravity delivered via short-arm human centrifugation was associated with widespread reorganization of resting-state cortical functional networks in a phenotype of prolonged inactivity. The observed reductions in functional connectivity are consistent with adaptive network reconfiguration. These findings suggest that controlled multisensory gravitational stimulation can modulate large-scale cortical network organization under conditions of prolonged inactivity. Given the small and heterogeneous pilot cohort, these findings should be considered exploratory and hypothesis-generating.
β-lactam antibiotics are the leading cause of drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions. Yet available in vitro diagnostics still show limited sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility. In this work, we report the use of magnetic silica-coated nanoparticles functionalized with dendrimeric antigen conjugates (DeAn@Np) for an improved in vitro detection of β-lactam-specific IgE. These nanoparticles possess a high surface area and combine the chemical versatility of silica with the magnetic properties of iron oxide, enabling efficient magnetic separation and reducing assay handling times compared with centrifugation-based workflows. The chosen nanoparticle size (30 nm) was evaluated in immunoassays using sera from 50 amoxicillin-allergic patients and 44 tolerants, achieving 98% sensitivity and outperforming both conventional RAST (38%) and commercial ImmunoCAP (17%) in this cohort, with sensitivity gains of up to 60% (p < 0.0001). Remarkably, DeAn@Np discriminates effectively between selective and cross-reactive allergic patients, minimizing false positives and negatives with a 100% of specificity compared to conventional RAST (70.4%) (p = 0.005). These results highlight the potential of DeAn@Np as a sensitive and modular platform for β-lactam allergy diagnosis, combining improved analytical performance with practical advantages for future translational immunodiagnostic applications and safer penicillin allergy delabelling. Beyond drug allergy, these modular dendrimer-based magnetic nanoparticles can be extended to other antibody targets, offering a versatile strategy for immunodiagnostic applications.
This study presents a systematic validation and comparative assessment of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) strategies for centrifugal blood pump simulations using the US Food and Drug Administration benchmark model. A scale-resolving large eddy simulation (LES) with transient sliding-interface (SI) coupling is evaluated and compared against Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) approaches employing both multiple reference frame and SI formulations. Numerical predictions are validated through direct comparison with particle image velocimetry measurements under two representative operating conditions. The results indicate that LES with transient rotor-stator coupling achieves consistently improved agreement with experimental velocity fields compared with RANS-based methods, particularly in the diffuser region where strong intermittency and wall-bounded turbulence are present. In contrast, RANS-based approaches exhibit noticeable discrepancies in these regions. A mesh sensitivity study and an assessment of temporal averaging effects are conducted for LES. The quality of the LES results is further quantified using three complementary metrics, demonstrating that a mesh resolution of approximately 80 million cells achieves a well-resolved LES regime. Building on the validated scale-resolving simulations, detailed analyses of vortical structures, turbulent kinetic energy distributions, and velocity energy spectra are performed to characterize the internal flow physics of the pump. The results reveal the central role of transient vortex dynamics in turbulence generation within centrifugal blood pumps. Overall, this study demonstrates that scale-resolving, transient simulation approaches are essential for accurately capturing the highly unsteady, turbulence-dominated flow features in ventricular assist devices and provides practical guidance for future high-fidelity hemodynamic and hemocompatibility studies.
Allergic asthma (AA) is a common type 2 eosinophilic asthma phenotype. Inflammatory (iEOS) and lung-resident (rEOS) eosinophil subtypes may contribute to its underlying inflammatory processes. The biological functions of these eosinophils are tightly regulated by gene expression, with micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) emerging as key modulators and potential biomarkers. To investigate the expression of miR-185-5p, miR-146b-5p, miR-320b, and miR-21-5p in eosinophil subtypes and relate with their plasma levels in AA patients. The study included 13 AA patients and 16 healthy subjects (HS). All AA patients underwent bronchial allergen challenge (BAC) with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and blood samples were re-taken after 24 hours. Total blood eosinophils were isolated by high-density centrifugation and magnetic separation, phenotyped using CD62L-conjugated magnetic beads. miRNAs expression quantified by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Before BAC, miR-185-5p and miR-146b-5p expression were elevated in both eosinophil subtypes relative to HS, with miR-185-5p showing higher expression in iEOS-like cells than in rEOS-like cells within the AA group. miR-320b was elevated only in iEOS-like cells relative to HS and remained higher than in rEOS-like cells within the AA group, whereas miR-21-5p was decreased only in iEOS-like cells and remained lower than in rEOS-like cells. After BAC, miR-146b-5p expression decreased in iEOS-like cells but increased in rEOS-like cells. Plasma analysis revealed elevated levels of all investigated miRNAs in AA patients relative to HS before BAC. However, after BAC, miR-185-5p and miR-146b-5p remained elevated, whereas miR-320b and miR-21-5p decreased to levels not significantly different from HS. Elevated miR-185-5p and miR-320b expression in iEOS-like cells compared to rEOS-like cells from AA patients highlights differences in their biological properties. Following the BAC, miR-146b-5p expression decreased in iEOS-like cells but increased in rEOS-like cells. Moreover, miR-185-5p and miR-146b-5p remained elevated in plasma, suggesting their potential to reflect chronic inflammation rather than acute response to allergen.
This current study aimed to determine the impact of Mitoquinone (MitoQ) on the quality of frozen-thawed donkey semen. Ejaculates were collected from six male donkeys (Equus asinus), and ejaculates were polled and aliquoted into 12 samples. Samples were diluted with TRIS-egg yolk glycerol extender that reached 200 million sperm/mL. After centrifugation, the pellet was diluted at 1:15 with TRIS-egg yolk glycerol extender and divided into the five main groups containing MitoQ with different concentrations: 0 nmol/mL (control; MitoQ0), 100 nmol/mL (MitoQ1), 150 nmol/mL (MitoQ2), 200 nmol/mL (MitoQ3), and 250 nmol/mL (MitoQ4). After thawing, semen quality was evaluated using CASA kinematic parameters, fluorescence microscopy, and biochemical markers such as alanine and aspartate aminotransferase levels (ALT and AST). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT) levels were also measured. MitoQ1 with 100 nmol/mL significantly increased total motility (p = 0.04), progressive motility (p = 0.04), viability (p = 0.03), kinetic parameters (p = 0.04), linearity (p = 0.02), and straightness (p = 0.04). A significant decline in MDA (p = 0.02), ALT (p = 0.03), and AST (p = 0.03) levels in MitoQ1 with 100 nmol/mL was found, with an elevation of CAT levels (p = 0.02) compared to other concentrations and the control in TRIS-egg yolk glycerol extender. Different concentrations of MitoQ did not affect acrosome and DNA integrity. In conclusion, the addition of MitoQ during cryopreservation has a positive effect on sperm motility, viability, and kinetic parameters, especially at a concentration of 100 nmol/mL when used with a TRIS-egg yolk glycerol extender for frozen-thawed donkey sperm.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the extraction efficiency, physicochemical, and functional properties of yellow pea protein (YPP) using deep eutectic solvents (DESs), and to assess the effect of DESs on alcalase activity and the hydrolysis of YPP. Proteins extracted with DESs exhibited higher purity than those obtained by alkaline extraction (>93% vs. 70%). Among the DES systems, DES-2 (choline chloride: urea: water, molar ratio 1:2:1) showed the highest protein extraction efficiency (approximately 72 ± 2%) and enhanced relative Alcalase activity to approximately 116.9%. YPP was purified by dilution with acidified water (1:40 v/v), followed by centrifugation. DES-2-extracted YPP (DES-YPP-2) exhibited higher band intensity, particularly in the higher molecular weight regions, lower fluorescence intensity, and greater intensity of characteristic amide bands than alkaline-extracted YPP, as evidenced by SDS-PAGE, fluorescence spectroscopy, and FTIR analyses, respectively. DES-YPP-2 also showed a lower zeta potential (~ -0.2 mV), reduced particle size (824 ± 31 nm), and a higher contact angle (θ = 73°), indicating significant changes in the physicochemical properties of the DES-extracted protein. The increased solubility of DES-extracted protein (up to 15%) and the consequently greater stability of its emulsion and foam, when compared to alkaline-extracted YPP, confirmed the results of the structural and physicochemical analyses. These findings demonstrate that DES-2 has a strong ability to extract high-molecular-weight globulin proteins. Furthermore, this approach supports the valorization of yellow split pea, an underutilized agricultural by-product, into value-added protein ingredients.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by cells into extracellular space and play a key role in intercellular communication. During pregnancy, embryo- and placenta-derived EVs are present in the maternal circulation, where they can serve as biomarkers of pregnancy status. The present study aimed to characterize the circulating EVs in pregnant cows carrying male or female calves. Crossbred Angus cows were subjected to Timed- Artificial Insemination (TAI) using the 7-Day CoSynch + CIDR protocol. Thirty days after TAI, pregnancy diagnoses were performed using gray mode ultrasonography, and thirty pregnant cows were randomly selected for the experiment. Blood samples were taken at days 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, and 270 of gestation. Samples from each cow were centrifugated to separate the plasma, and 1 mL aliquots were stored at -80 °C. After parturition, calf sex was recorded, and samples from five male-carrying gestations (MCG) and five female-carrying gestations (FCG) were selected for EVs analysis. EVs mean size and concentration were measured using nanoparticle flow cytometry and electron microscopy. Capillary wester analysis was used to corroborate the presence of EVs surface proteins CD63, CD9, CD81, and TSG101, confirming the presence of EVs in the isolates. The observed size ranged from 50 to 200 nm, with an average size of 87-105 nm, classifying the majority as small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). EVs size was not affected by fetal sex or gestation day. EVs concentration did not follow a clear pattern throughout pregnancy, and no significant effect of fetal sex or gestational day was observed. Most circulating EVs found in the plasma of pregnant of beef cattle, regardless of the fetal sex, are primarily sEVs. No differences were observed between male- and female-carrying gestations in EVs size or concentration throughout gestation.
Antigen detection provides rapid and convenient diagnosis of respiratory infections. This study develops an innovative dual-fluorescence aptasensing method based on polydopamine-functionalized MXene (PDA-MXene) for the simultaneous detection of spike protein and hemagglutinin protein. The method employs green- and red-emitting quantum dot (QD) probes as fluorescence reporters, and the PDA-MXene as an effective adsorption and separation substrate. Coupled with a centrifugation-assisted separation strategy, this design method reduces background interference and enhances detection reliability. The method demonstrates good analytical performance, with detection limits of 0.82 ng/mL for spike protein and 2.11 ng/mL for hemagglutinin protein in single-channel mode. The dual-channel mode enables reliable and simultaneous quantification of both target proteins with minimal spectral cross-talk. Furthermore, this method exhibits high specificity against interferents including ions, proteins, and toxins. Artificial saliva, chosen as real sample, is spiked with target proteins to investigate the practical applicability of the method, showing recovery rates for both target proteins between 100 and 114 sensing strategy is simple to operate and allows the detection of new targets by simply replacing the azide-modified aptamer lyophilized powder. It therefore holds promising application for the simultaneous detection of multiple proteins in point-of-care testing and health monitoring fields.
Home healthcare has recently been promoted in response to the increase in vulnerable people, such as elderly patients who can have difficulty accessing clinics and hospitals in Japan. A characteristic specific to home healthcare is that laboratory tests using specimens are conducted by transport from home to laboratory centers or by point-of-care testing at home. In this case, several issues can lead to inaccurate test values. This narrative literature review summarizes issues in the preanalytical process, a critical phase for ensuring the accuracy of laboratory tests. Specimen collection may not always be smooth in the pathological conditions of some elderly patients and/or in the non-clinic/hospital environments. The preservation of specimens, considering prolonged pre-centrifugation time and storage temperature, can alter the values of various analytes, including blood glucose, potassium, and lactate dehydrogenase. In addition, hemolytic phenomenon caused by insufficient specimen collection, vibration during specimen transport, and excessive milking during fingertip blood sampling can also be an issue. Awareness of the preanalytical process in testing specimens is important for obtaining accurate laboratory tests in home healthcare settings. This comprehensively summarized paper will be helpful in securing test quality and patient care.
Nanoemulsions (NEs) are promising delivery systems for lipophilic active ingredients. However, traditional preparation methods of NEs are energy-intensive, complex, and lead to poor stability and high costs. This study aims to introduce a novel Pre-Nanoemulsions (PNEs) system to overcome the limitations of traditional nanoemulsion preparation methods. The PNEs, composed of an oil phase, surfactant, co-surfactant, and aqueous phase, form thermodynamically stable isotropic mixtures. The optimized PNEs were characterized in terms of particle size, zeta potential, and polydispersity index (PDI). Comprehensive stability tests, including centrifugation, dilution, and long-term storage, were conducted. Turbiscan analysis was also performed to further assess their stability. Additionally, the sustained release and transdermal absorption capabilities of the PNEs were evaluated. The optimized PNEs exhibited a particle size of 115.8 ± 2.6 nm, zeta potential of -40.4 ± 2.4 mV, and PDI of 0.15 ± 0.02, with high encapsulation efficiency for lipophilic substances. Comprehensive stability tests, including centrifugation, dilution, and long-term storage, demonstrated robust performance, which was further confirmed by Turbiscan analysis. The PNEs also showed enhanced sustained release and transdermal absorption capabilities. This universal PNEs system provides a simple, low-cost, and efficient solution for delivering lipophilic active ingredients. It addresses the key challenges of traditional nanoemulsions and offers significant potential for practical applications across various industries.
We compared analytical outlier rates for cardiac troponin T (cTnT) between biotin sensitive and insensitive testing reagents, and between testing platforms Roche Cobas e411 and e601. Plasma samples from hospitalized patients were tested on a Roche Cobas e411 analyzer using lots of Roche Elecsys Troponin T Gen 5 Stat reagent labelled free of biotin interference at ≤20 ng/mL (biotin sensitive reagent, n = 1997); compared to samples tested on a Roche Cobas e601 analyzer using the same reagent labelled free from biotin interference at ≤1200 ng/mL (biotin insensitive, n = 2555). Samples with measurable cTnT (≥6 ng/L) were aliquoted, re-centrifuged and retested on the same analyzer. Analytical outliers were defined as repeat value that differed from the initial value by a critical difference (CD): where CD = z x 2 x SDanalytical, with a z-value of 3.719. The total number of outliers that were observed for the biotin-sensitive reagent on the e411 was 68/1997 (3.4%), compared to 208/2555 (8.1%) on the biotin-insensitive reagent measured on the e601 (p < 0.0001). Outliers were observed in 45 (2.6%) of samples with initial values <100 ng/L using the biotin-sensitive reagent compared to 138 (6.4%) of samples using biotin insensitive (p < 0.0001). Among these samples, outliers with repeat values differing by ≥10 ng/L occurred for 0.8% and 1.3% of samples tested with the biotin sensitive and insensitive reagent, respectively. cTnT analytical outliers occurred more than twice as often using biotin-insensitive reagent on the Cobas e601 analyzer compared to biotin-sensitive reagent on the Cobas e411.