Lateral flow assay (LFA) is a low-cost and rapid immunoassay method for detecting inflammatory biomarkers and assessing severity of infection. Conventional LFA strips are composed of laminated porous components, such as conjugate pads and nitrocellulose (NC) membranes. However, micropores within these components impose resistance to the flow of sample solution, thereby reducing flow velocity and prolonging detection time. Additionally, LFA strips are usually housed in cassettes. When the cassettes are removed to reduce cost, the strip components may loosen under external disturbances. Loosening of components would disrupt the continuity of the flow path and cause the residue of the solution, thereby decreasing detection robustness and sensitivity. To overcome these limitations, we introduced an integrated process that fabricated all components on a barbed-arrow structure (BAS) membrane to develop a unidirectional-flow assay strip (UFA strip). The integrated components (e.g., conjugate ridge and test ridges) adhered tightly to the membrane, thereby providing a straight flow path and maintaining flow continuity. Moreover, the UFA strip achieveed a solution utilization of 35.7%, supporting detection with small-volume samples. Using the UFA strip, we developed a rapid, sensitive immunoassay method for multiplex detection of serum amyloid A (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) within 7 min, with detection limits of 0.254 μg/mL and 0.285 μg/mL, respectively. In the detection of 26 clinical samples, this method showed a sensitivity of 93.8% (15/16) and a specificity of 90.0% (9/10). Therefore, the UFA strip demonstrated excellent performance for rapid and low-cost immunoassays, offering a promising platform for detection of inflammatory biomarkers.
Soil moisture deficit limits crop productivity in rain-fed areas, and root system architecture and plasticity are closely related to water uptake and utilization. This study explored maize grain yield, soil moisture, root architectural plasticity, and their relationships with water use efficiency under modified strip-tillage (MST), no-tillage (NT), and conventional tillage (CT, as control) practices using two-year (2023-2024) field experiments in the black soil region of the Songliao Plain, China. The results showed that compared with conventional tillage, grain yield increased by 13.32%-17.15% under no-tillage and 11.89%-16.06% under modified strip-tillage. Tillage practices significantly affected silking-stage root density (root length density, etc.), root morphology, and root diameter classes (e.g., < 0.5 mm). These root-related indices were higher under MST and NT than under CT, with no significant difference between MST and NT. Specifically, MST increased fine root length (root diameter, RD < 0.5 mm) by 93.23%-95.22% (vs. CT) and 39.90%-66.15% (vs. NT). The two conservation tillage treatments (MST and NT) increased the average soil moisture in the 0-40 cm layer during the growing season by 12.80%-31.43% and 11.44%-31.48%, respectively, compared with CT. Additionally, compared with CT, MST reduced water consumption by 1.95%-2.41% and increased water use efficiency by 16.33%-18.27%. Structural equation modeling showed that conservation tillage improved grain yield by optimizing root traits (e.g., root density, root morphology) and water use efficiency. MST performed better in these aspects, with its yield benefit attributed to the coordinated regulation of these traits.
Avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H3 has evolved into a major zoonotic pathogen and poses a potential threat to public health. Hemagglutinin 1 region (HA1) proteins constitute the globular head region of hemagglutinin proteins, contain receptor-binding domains and esterase structural domains, and are an important molecular basis for antigenic variation in AIV. Therefore, a rapid and highly sensitive assay for the HA1 protein of this viral subtype is essential for effective epidemic control. Using quantum dots (QDs) as the core material, a fast-response fluorescent immunochromatographic test strip was developed in this study for the specific recognition of the HA1 protein. The fluorescent probe required for detection was constructed by covalently binding the QDs to a high-affinity HA1 monoclonal antibody (mAb). The test strip works based on the double antibody sandwich principle and can detect the HA1 protein in as little as 15 min. The method was validated with recombinant HA1 protein and the visual limit of detection (LOD) was 15.63 ng/mL. The assay exhibited high specificity, demonstrating no cross-reactivity with other prevalent subtypes of AIV, infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), or infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). In conclusion, this method combines high sensitivity, high specificity and high timeliness, which can provide an effective idea for the detection and rapid diagnosis of avian influenza.
Metopic craniosynostosis results in characteristic trigonocephaly and may impair cranial growth. Surgical correction is traditionally performed using fronto-orbital advancement (FOAR), while strip craniectomy with postoperative helmet therapy (SC) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative. This study compares perioperative outcomes and postoperative cranial shape between FOAR and SC. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary pediatric craniofacial unit. Patients with isolated metopic craniosynostosis treated with FOAR or SC between 2015 and 2024 were included. Primary outcomes were operative time, blood transfusion volume, hospital stay, and complication rates. Postoperative cranial morphology was assessed using two-dimensional photograph-derived craniometrics, including the anterior arc angle (AAA). Thirty-six patients were included (FOAR n=18, SC n=18). SC was associated with significantly shorter operative time (83.8±29.2 versus 177.6±31.6 min), shorter hospital stay (1.28±0.46 versus 4.22±0.55 d), and lower transfusion volume (10.1±10.9 versus 33.0±13.8 mL/kg) (all P<0.0001). Total complication rates were 11 percent for SC and 27.8 percent for FOAR. Among patients with available images (n=20), both cohorts showed significant postoperative AAA improvement, without a statistically significant difference between groups. Strip craniectomy with helmet therapy is a safe and effective alternative to FOAR for appropriately selected infants, offering reduced perioperative morbidity and cost while achieving significant short-term improvement in frontal cranial morphology.
The purpose of this study was to explore the photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP)-a fluoroquinolone-using a bench-top photoreactor equipped with energy-efficient UV LED (395 nm) light strips coated with a catalyst. The photocatalyst coating was synthesized by integrating a novel copper-based metal-organic framework (MOF) with titanium dioxide nanoparticles to activate both pollutant adsorption and photodegradation processes. Batch experiments were conducted to evaluate the catalyst's (TiO2/HKUST-1) efficiency in degrading fluoroquinolone-type antibiotics as a function of the initial CIP concentration, catalyst concentration in the coating material, irradiation time, and system geochemistry, including temperature. The longevity of the catalyst, including potential leaching of metal ions from the catalyst coating, was examined under dynamic, flow-through conditions in the baffled reactor. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), initiated by the TiO₂/HKUST-1 composite, degraded CIP (C0 = 100 µg L-1) by > 95% within 15 min. These results, including an assessment of the reactor's energy use, demonstrate that the catalyst coating on LED light strips enhances treatment efficiency by improving light absorption, facilitating efficient charge separation, and increasing the accessibility of active sites on the catalyst. This approach, with further optimization, could have practical and scalable applications in the decentralized (i.e., household-scale) treatment of aqueous-phase fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
Yellow fever (YF) is an epidemic disease caused by the yellow fever virus (YFV). Historically, it has caused several epidemics and continues to result in fatalities in South Sudan and other regions today. Due to its limited therapeutic options, high mortality rate, and high transmissibility, YFV is classified as a biosafety level-3 (BSL-3) pathogen. The development of a rapid and sensitive YFV detection method is therefore important for epidemic prevention and response. Herein, we combined the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated proteins (Cas) 13a system, reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification (RT-RAA), and the easy-readout, sensitive enhanced lateral flow strip (ERASE LFS) to establish a new detection method for YFV. YFV ribonucleic acid and infectious YFV 17D particles were effectively detected using this approach. The RT-RAA-CRISPR-ERASE LFS (RCE) assay for YFV RNA demonstrated a detection sensitivity of 100 copies/μL with no cross-reactivity observed with five other common flaviviruses. The lyophilized RCE kit successfully detected YFV 17D in spiked human serum samples at a titer of 102 plaque-forming units (PFU)/mL. Furthermore, the optimized RCE reaction required only 35 min with a portable heat block. The RCE assay we established enabled rapid and sensitive on-site detection of YFV, holding substantial biosecurity significance for resource-limited regions with inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
The Gaza Strip has faced prolonged blockade, recurrent military conflicts, and systemic infrastructure collapse since October 2023, resulting in an unprecedented public health crisis characterized by surging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This narrative review aims to synthesize the available evidence to elucidate the epidemiological drivers, health system disruptions, and environmental determinants underlying this crisis. A comprehensive narrative review was conducted using peer-reviewed literature, WHO and UNRWA reports, Gaza Ministry of Health field data (2023-2025), and surveillance summaries. Relevant studies and institutional reports were thematically analyzed to identify key trends in infectious diseases, AMR dynamics, and health system vulnerabilities in conflict-affected settings. The review highlights the re-emergence of hepatitis A, acute respiratory infections, and poliovirus previously eliminated locally, as well as the proliferation of multidrug-resistant pathogens such as carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Over 200,000 diarrheal cases, half among children under five, reflect the collapse of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems, with 97% of groundwater deemed unfit for consumption. Structural damage to health infrastructure, shortages of sterile supplies, and disrupted supply chains have severely impaired infection control and antibiotic stewardship. Environmental degradation, including 23 million tons of debris and untreated sewage, further amplifies the disease transmission risks. Gaza's infectious disease and AMR crisis stems from the convergence of environmental degradation, infrastructural collapse, and health system disruption. Immediate evidence-based interventions, including WASH rehabilitation, decentralized AMR diagnostics, and emergency immunization, are urgently needed. These findings underscore the necessity of sustained, coordinated global health responses to prevent wider regional transmission and mitigate mortality in conflict settings.
Methylparaben (MPB) is a preservative used in pharmaceutical and food products to inhibit microbial growth and is also recognized as an endocrine disrupting compound. This work presents a simple, low cost, and reliable colorimetric paper based analytical device (PAD) for point of use detection of MPB in nonconforming health care products. The test strip was prepared by immobilizing Fe3+ on a chitosan modified paper substrate. Detection relies on the coordination interaction between MPB and the immobilized Fe3+, which produces a violet color on the paper surface. A smartphone was used to capture images of the test strip, and the images were analyzed using an RGB color detector mobile application. The intensity of the magenta component was extracted and used for quantitative analysis. The smartphone-based method showed strong correlation between magenta intensity and MPB concentration over the range of 10 to 50 mg mL-1 with a coefficient of determination (R 2) of 0.989. The fabricated PAD demonstrated high accuracy, indicated by % recovery values ranging from 97.8 to 101.5, and precision with a relative standard deviation below 2 percent. The method was applied directly to determine MPB in health care products without any sample preparation. Statistical evaluation using t-test and F-test showed no significant difference between results obtained from the PAD and conventional colorimetric analysis. The developed approach enables rapid and practical on-site detection of nonconforming health care products.
During short-term frozen storage, crispy pork strips undergo moisture migration, crispness loss, and sensory deterioration. Traditional batters composed mainly of native starch, water, and whole egg cannot effectively retard these changes. This study evaluated the effects of four modified starches-oxidized starch, hydroxypropyl starch, acetate starch, and hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate-added at 0-10% (based on starchy raw material mass) to a traditional batter. Using a deep-fried crust model (DFCM), physicochemical and microstructural changes were assessed before and after 7 days of frozen storage. All modified starches significantly reduced quality deterioration. Comprehensive evaluation showed that 6-8% hydroxypropyl starch or hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate gave the best overall performance by balancing batter pickup with formation of a dense water-oil barrier, limiting ice crystal-induced structural damage, and preserving eating quality. These findings provide targeted guidance for optimizing batter formulations for frozen batter-coated meat products.
A novel multiplex immunochromatographic assay (ICA) based on quantum-dot-encoded multicolor fluorescent microsphere (MFMs) was developed for the simultaneous and quantitative detection of prometryn (PRO), diquat (DQ), and sulfometuron-methyl (SMR). Red, yellow, and green MFMs were fabricated by embedding CdSe/ZnS QDs into polymer microspheres and subsequently conjugated with specific monoclonal antibodies, generating highly uniform MFM-mAb probes with clear and stable emission signals. The multiplex ICA exhibited excellent analytical performance, with limits of detection of 0.41 ng/mL for PRO, 9.36 ng/mL for DQ, and 1.32 ng/mL for SMR, better than most ELISA-based assays. The strip also demonstrated high specificity, good storage stability, and reliable performance in complex matrices. In spiked river water and vegetable samples, recoveries ranged from 85.53% to 109.67% with RSDs of 1.33-7.02%, indicating strong applicability. Overall, this MFM-ICA provides an effective platform for rapid multi-herbicide screening.
This cohort study compared split-thickness skin graft transplantation and dispersed implantation of autologous strip skin (ASS) grafts combined with small autologous columnar skin (SCS) grafts for the treatment of small-area deep burn wounds. The experimental group was treated with dispersed implantation of ASS grafts combined with SCS grafts, whereas the control group underwent split-thickness skin graft (STSG) transplantation. The graft survival rate was significantly greater in the experimental group (p < 0.0001). The time to complete epithelialization was similar for both groups (p = 0.6626). The ratio of the donor site area to the wound area was lower (p = 0.0002), and the healing time for the donor site was shorter in the experimental group (p < 0.0001). Additionally, the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) scores for both the donor and recipient sites were significantly lower in the experimental group (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0075). The combined implantation of ASS and SCS grafts effectively promoted the healing of small-area third-degree burn wounds, with good preservation of hair follicles and sebaceous glands. This method reduces wound contraction and damage to the donor site, with no significant lamellate scar hyperplasia observed during long-term follow-up, making it a viable alternative to split-thickness skin graft transplantation.
Overlapping clinical manifestations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) detection and diseases caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pose significant diagnostic challenges in tuberculosis-endemic settings. Conventional methods often fail to provide a discriminated diagnosis and/or detect co-detections; however, molecular assays enable precise species-level identification and simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens, thereby enabling detection of multiple mycobacterial species, including co-detection patterns. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of molecular methods for detecting the incidental coexistence of MTB and NTM, thereby supporting improved laboratory-level identification. A total of 890 clinical samples from patients presumed to have a mycobacterial infection were evaluated. The test involved performing AFB smear microscopy, NAAT, MGIT, and MPT64 antigen testing, followed by analysis using the GenoType Mycobacterium CM/AS, which helped identify MTB complex as well as NTM, thus enabling us to identify accidental co-detections that would arise from MTB-NTM. Out of 890 samples analyzed, 27/890 (3.03%) samples turned out to be positive for NTM detection. In this study, 19/27 (70.3%) had only NTM detection, and 8/27 (29.6%) demonstrated MTB-NTM co-detection. Overall, co-detections accounted for 0.89% (8/890) of the total processed samples and 29.6% (8/27) of the samples positive for NTM. The most predominant species was M. fortuitum, which was followed by M. chelonae, and then a case of simultaneous detection with M. avium complex and M. fortuitum along with MTB. In general, it has been seen that M. fortuitum had the highest frequency in such cases. These findings are based on laboratory detection and should not be interpreted as evidence of confirmed co-infection.
Although the modified Winograd procedure is an established surgical treatment for stage II-III ingrown toenails, the influence of wound-closure strategy on postoperative recovery and patient-reported outcomes remains insufficiently defined. This study evaluated whether adhesive skin-closure strips could improve early clinical outcomes compared with polypropylene sutures. In this retrospective cohort study, 75 adult patients undergoing modified Winograd surgery were analyzed. Wound closure was performed using polypropylene sutures (n = 36) or adhesive strips (n = 39). Patient-reported functional and cosmetic satisfaction (five-point Likert scale), time to painless walking, return to daily activities, postoperative complications, and recurrence were assessed. Logistic regression quantified complication risk, and multivariable linear regression identified independent predictors of functional recovery. Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Adhesive strip closure was associated with significantly higher functional and cosmetic satisfaction (median 5 vs. 4, p < 0.001) and faster recovery, including earlier painless ambulation (6 vs. 9 days, p < 0.001) and faster return to daily activities (8 vs. 11 days, p < 0.001). Postoperative wound complications were substantially less frequent with adhesive strips (2.6 vs. 27.8%; χ² = 9.51, p = 0.002), and polypropylene suturing independently increased complication risk (OR 14.6, 95% CI 1.8-121.2). Adhesive strip closure remained an independent predictor of earlier painless walking (B = - 2.45, p < 0.001), whereas higher body mass index was associated with delayed recovery. Adhesive strip closure was associated with significantly improved early functional recovery and lower wound morbidity, without compromising recurrence outcomes after Winograd surgery. Optimization of wound-closure technique may represent a simple yet impactful strategy to improve patient-centred outcomes in ingrown toenail surgery. This retrospective cohort study was not prospectively registered in a clinical trial registry.
Tear fluid is a promising minimally invasive source of biomarkers for ocular surface diseases (OSDs). However, variability in sampling and pre-analytical processing remains a major limitation for reproducibility and cross-study comparability. Here, we quantitatively evaluated two commonly used tear collection methods, microcapillary tubes (CT) and Schirmer strips (SCH), and assessed the effect of elution buffer composition on protein recovery from SCH. In Study I, tears were collected from the same healthy donors using CT and SCH. In Study II, SCH from additional donors were longitudinally split and eluted with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or a denaturing cell lysis buffer (CLB; 7 M urea, 2 M thiourea, 4% CHAPS), enabling paired within-strip comparisons. Samples were analyzed by Evosep-timsTOF Pro DIA mass spectrometry and quantified using library-free DIA-NN. Overall, 3749 proteins were identified. SCH markedly increased proteome coverage compared with CT, reflecting recovery of both soluble tear proteins and ocular surface-derived cellular material. Functional annotation showed enrichment of intracellular compartments in SCH samples, particularly cytoplasmic, nuclear, and cytoskeleton-related proteins. For SCH extraction, CLB modestly increased unique protein identifications compared with PBS while preserving high quantitative concordance. These findings show that pre-analytical choices strongly influence tear proteome depth and abundance profiles. SIGNIFICANCE: Tear proteomics is increasingly recognized as a valuable platform for biomarker discovery in ocular, neurological, and systemic diseases. However, substantial methodological heterogeneity in tear collection and pre-analytical processing remains a major source of variability, limiting reproducibility and cross-study comparability. By directly comparing microcapillary tube and Schirmer strip sampling within the same donors, and by evaluating mild versus denaturing elution conditions from Schirmer strips using a within-strip paired design, this study provides quantitative evidence that pre-analytical choices systematically shape both proteome depth and quantitative abundance profiles. Schirmer strip sampling markedly expands detectable proteome coverage, partly through co-recovery of ocular surface-derived cellular material, whereas denaturing extraction enhances the recovery of protein subsets insufficiently solubilized under mild conditions while preserving high quantitative concordance. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that sampling and extraction strategies are not neutral technical variables but key determinants of the biological space interrogated by tear proteomics. The data presented here inform rational study design, improve inter-laboratory comparability, and support the development of harmonized standard operating procedures for robust tear-based proteomic biomarker discovery and translational applications.
To determine whether the intra-examiner and the inter-examiner reliabilities of the implicit times and amplitudes of the ERGs differed when recorded with two different types of skin electrodes. Eleven subjects (5 men and 6 women) were studied. The RETeval system was used to record ERGs, and the Sensor Strip of the RETeval system or the Red Dot electrocardiography electrodes (Red Dot) were used to record the ERGs. Flicker ERGs were recorded with a natural pupil. To test the intra-examiner reliability, one examiner positioned electrodes and recorded the ERGs three times on three different days from each subject. For the inter-examiner reliability, three different examiners recorded the ERGs from the 11 subjects. The implicit times and amplitudes of the flicker ERGs were analyzed using one-way intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC (1,1)) to assess intra-examiner variability and using a two-way intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC (2,1)) for inter-examiner variability. For implicit times both the ICC (1,1) and ICC (2,1) were > 0.8 for both electrode types. For the amplitude, ICC (1,1) was > 0.8 for both electrodes, but the ICC (2,1) was lower at 0.474 for the Sensor Strip and 0.672 for the Red Dot electrodes. After Benjamini-Hochberg adjustments, the amplitudes did not differ between electrodes in either setting; implicit time was slightly shorter with the Red Dot than with Sensor Strip in the three-examiner setting (BH-adjusted P = 0.032; mean difference, 0.13 ms). The intra-examiner reliability was high for both types of electrodes, but the inter-examiner reliability indicated that the amplitudes of the ERGs tended to be less reliable for both types of electrodes. We conclude that standardizing the electrode placement and ensuring precise applications may help improve inter-examiner reproducibility, especially for the amplitude measurements.
Taste alterations are a common adverse effect of chemotherapy and may substantially impair quality of life, social interactions, and dietary habits. Reported incidence rates vary widely, partly due to the heterogeneity of assessment methods. This study aimed to investigate chemotherapy-induced taste alterations in patients with breast cancer using both objective (taste strips) and subjective (questionnaire-based) measures. This was a prospective study conducted between July 2023 and June 2025 at the Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, in Torino (Italy). Sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric variables, and dietary habits were collected. Taste alterations were evaluated using both subjective and objective assessment tools (taste strips). A total of 94 female patients were enrolled. Of these, 70 patients had completed chemotherapy and taste evaluation and were included in the statistical analyses. According to subjective assessment, all taste modalities were significantly altered from pre- to post-chemotherapy evaluation, whereas one third of patients exhibited taste impairment when assessed using taste strips. The two methods showed limited agreement. In multiple regression models adjusted for age, smoking status, and pack-years, higher education level was inversely associated with subjective deterioration in sour (β = -0.49; 95% CI -0.82, -0.16; p = 0.006) and bitter taste perception (β = -0.47; 95% CI -0.79, -0.13; p = 0.006). Moreover, carbohydrate intake was inversely associated with worsening of overall taste perception (β = -1.96; 95% CI -3.72, -0.20; p = 0.035), as well as sour (β = -2.05; 95% CI -4.01, -0.09; p = 0.044) and salty taste perception (β = -1.92; 95% CI -3.76, -0.04; p = 0.046), based on subjective assessment. Taste alterations affect a substantial proportion of patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. The low agreement observed between subjective and objective measures suggests that these methods may assess distinct aspects of taste dysfunction and should be interpreted accordingly.
Interproximal enamel reduction (IPR) is commonly used in orthodontics to address tooth-size discrepancies, but enamel removal is irreversible and may compromise surface integrity. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative enamel surface alterations induced by three IPR systems: mechanical oscillating strips, diamond burs, and manual coarse strips. Thirty extracted human premolars were randomly assigned to three groups and subjected to IPR using different methods. Enamel thickness and surface roughness (Ra) were measured before and after IPR and surface morphology was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. This study advances knowledge by providing a comparative analysis of IPR systems, aiding clinicians in selecting the most effective and biologically conservative technique for orthodontic treatment.
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a highly prevalent condition characterized by urinary urgency that negatively affects quality of life. Because obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are known as major risk factors for OAB, we explored the mechanisms underlying obesity-/MetS-associated OAB using a high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity mouse model. Four-week-old male C57BL6 mice were subjected to either a HFD (60 kcal% fat) or a normal diet (ND, 10 kcal% fat). Cystometry and bladder afferent activity recordings in anaesthetized mice, isometric tension recordings in detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) strips and intravesical pressure recordings in isolated whole bladders were performed after 12 weeks of ND or HFD feeding. Bladder morphology was examined using histochemistry. HFD mice exhibited a MetS phenotype characterized by abdominal obesity, hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance. HFD mice developed enlarged non-voiding contractions (NVCs) during bladder filling associated with enhanced afferent activity. Both were attenuated by intravenous administration of atropine (1 mg/kg) or pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS), a P2X purinoceptor antagonist (10 mg/kg), or by bilateral pelvic nerve transection. In ND mice these drugs attenuated NVCs but not afferent activity. Spontaneous or nerve-evoked DSM contractions or transient pressure increases in isolated whole bladders were unaltered in HFD mice. DSM thickness, collagen deposition or parasympathetic nerve density in HFD bladders was unaltered. Thus the OAB phenotype in HFD mice appears to primarily results from the increased parasympathetic neural activity during the bladder storage phase. These results provide the basis of the clinical effectiveness of anti-muscarinic agents on OAB as well as the enhanced purinergic transmission in OAB patients known as 'atropine resistance'. KEY POINTS: High-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obese mice exhibiting metabolic syndrome phenotype display overactive bladder (OAB) phenotype characterized by enlarged non-voiding contractions (NVCs) associated with bladder afferent overactivity. Both enlarged NVCs and afferent overactivity in HFD mice are reversed by intravenous administration of atropine or the P2X receptor antagonist pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS), or by bilateral pelvic nerve transection. Detrusor muscle strip contractility, corresponding spontaneous pressure increases in isolated whole bladder and bladder morphology are unaltered in HFD mice. The OAB phenotype in HFD-induced obese mice primarily results from excessive parasympathetic activity during the bladder storage phase. These findings provide a basis for the clinical effectiveness of anti-muscarinic drugs on bladder storage symptoms as well as the relevance of enhanced purinergic transmission in OAB patients known as 'atropine resistance'.
The MR-Linac enables adaptive radiotherapy using MRI guidance. Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) has been shown to be feasible on the MR-Linac and offers many advantages, but commissioning tests are needed. This study establishes and demonstrates a framework of commissioning tests to facilitate clinical implementation of VMAT on the MR-linac. A framework of tests was developed to verify stability and accuracy of the radiation, mechanical, and imaging systems during dynamic delivery for MR-linac platforms. Beam stability is assessed under static and dynamic gantry conditions using the portal imager and detector array. The beam-limiting device (BLD) is evaluated through sliding-window measurements and a modified strip test to determine its suitability for dynamic delivery. MRI stability during gantry rotation is examined using B0 and B1 mapping, geometric fidelity phantoms, and isocenter alignment tests. All tests were performed on two MR-linacs to demonstrate feasibility. All static beam profiles met clinical tolerances (symmetry <3%, flatness <3%). Profiles remained stable during dynamic delivery for all gantry speeds (all gamma passing rates> 95%). The BLD is sufficiently well modelled in the planning system, and strip tests showed accurate leaf positioning and dynamic stability. MRI stability measurements demonstrated minimal B0, and B1 variations, and geometric fidelity was within tolerances. No degradation in image quality was observed during gantry rotation. The presented tests provide a foundation for VMAT commissioning for the MR-linac that verifies the stability of the mechanical, radiation, and imaging components.
Dental caries is a multifactorial disease influenced by biological, behavioral, and preventive factors. Salivary pH has been proposed as a non-invasive biomarker for caries risk assessment, however, its independent clinical relevance within structured digital risk models remains unclear. This study school-aged pediatric cohort using the Cariogram platform as a structured, multifactorial caries risk assessment tool, and to evaluate the role of digitally measured salivary pH in relation to caries risk stratification and clinical caries indicators within this framework. A total of 66 children aged 6-12 years were included. Unstimulated salivary pH was measured using both a digital pH meter and colorimetric strips. Caries risk was assessed using the Cariogram platform. Agreement between pH measurement methods was evaluated using Bland-Altman analysis. Associations between salivary pH, dietary intake frequency, and caries risk were explored using Spearman's rank correlation. A multivariable linear regression model was constructed using the Cariogram-derived chance to avoid new caries (%) as the dependent variable, including mean digitally measured salivary pH, dietary intake frequency, oral hygiene status, fluoride toothpaste use, age, gender, and saliva collection timing as predictors. Digital salivary pH values ranged from 6.1 to 7.2, with a peak between 6.6 and 6.8. Strip-based measurements systematically underestimated pH, with a mean bias of approximately 0.24 pH units. Salivary pH showed weak or negligible associations with Cariogram risk categories. In the multivariable model, dietary intake frequency, oral hygiene status, fluoride toothpaste use, and saliva collection timing were significant predictors of caries risk, whereas salivary pH was not independently associated after adjustment for behavioral and preventive factors. Salivary pH is a biologically relevant but insufficient standalone marker of caries risk in children. Its clinical value emerges when measured reliably and interpreted within a multifactorial, caries risk-assessment framework supported by digital tools, particularly the Cariogram platform and digital pH measurement.