Cost-effective Alternatives Research Articles

Illumina SBS Sequencing and DNBSEQ Perform Similarly for Single-Cell Transcriptomics

Background/Objectives: High-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) workflows produce libraries that demand extensive sequencing. However, standard next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods remain expensive, contributing to the high running costs of single-cell experiments and often negatively affecting the sample numbers and statistical strength of such projects. In recent years, a plethora of new sequencing technologies have become available to researchers through several manufacturers, often providing lower-cost alternatives to standard NGS. Methods: In this study, we compared data generated from mouse scRNA-seq libraries sequenced with both standard Illumina sequencing by synthesis (Illumina SBS) and MGI’s DNA nanoball sequencing (DNBSEQ). Results: Our findings reveal similar overall performance using both technologies. DNBSEQ exhibited mildly superior sequence quality compared to Illumina SBS, as evidenced by higher Phred scores, lower read duplication rates and a greater number of genes mapping to the reference genome. Yet these improvements did not translate into meaningful differences in single-cell analysis parameters in our experiments, including detection of additional genes within cells, gene expression saturation levels and numbers of identified cells, with both technologies demonstrating equally robust performance in these aspects. The data produced by both sequencing platforms also produced comparable analytical outcomes for single-cell analysis. No significant difference in the annotation of cells into different cell types was observed and the same top genes were differentially expressed between populations and experimental conditions. Conclusions: Overall, our data demonstrate that alternative technologies can be applied to sequence scRNA-seq libraries, generating virtually indistinguishable results compared to standard methods, and providing cost-effective alternatives.

A Simple Test Ratio APRI (AST to Platelet Ratio Index) as a Useful Tool for Cirrhosis: A Study from Bir Hospital, Nepal

Background Liver cirrhosis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, including Nepal. Liver biopsy, the gold standard for fibrosis assessment, is invasive and carries risks. The Aspartate Aminotransferase to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) offers a non-invasive, cost-effective alternative. However, data on its utility in Nepalese populations are limited.  Objective To evaluate the diagnostic performance of APRI as a non-invasive marker of cirrhosis in Nepalese patients, determining its sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values.  Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled 58 cirrhotic patients and 58 healthy controls at Bir Hospital from April 2019 to January 2020. Clinical examinations, laboratory tests, and ultrasonography were performed. APRI with a cut-off of 0.5 was evaluated using SPSS version 23, applying chi-square and ANOVA tests.  Results Among 116 participants, APRI at a 0.5 cut-off demonstrated 88.3% sensitivity, 82.5% specificity, 90.1% positive predictive value, and 70.2% negative predictive value (p = 0.002, 95% CI).  Conclusion APRI is a reliable non-invasive tool for diagnosing liver fibrosis in cirrhotic patients, offering high sensitivity and specificity. It is practical for bedside use, especially in resource-limited settings.

Innovative perspectives on bacteriocins: advances in classification, synthesis, mode of action, and food industry applications.

Bacteriocins, natural antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria, present eco-friendly, non-toxic, and cost-effective alternatives to traditional chemical antimicrobial agents in the food industry. This review provides a comprehensive update on the classification of bacteriocins in food preservation. It highlights the significant industrial potential of pediocin-like and two-peptide bacteriocins, emphasizing chemical synthesis methods like Fmoc-SPPS to meet the demand for bioactive bacteriocins. The review details the mode of action, focusing on mechanisms such as transmembrane potential disruption and pH-dependent effects. Furthermore, it addresses the limitations of bacteriocins in food preservation and explores the potential of nanotechnology-based encapsulation to enhance their antimicrobial efficacy. The benefits of nanoencapsulation, including improved stability, extended antimicrobial spectrum, and enhanced functionality, are underscored. This understanding is crucial for advancing the application of bacteriocins to ensure food safety and quality.

From Waste to Protein: Optimizing Rice Husk Utilization for Sustainable Single Cell Protein Production

The increasing global demand for protein has prompted a search for sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to traditional animal and dairy sources. Single-cell protein (SCP) produced from microorganism’s offers a promising solution due to its high protein content and rapid growth rates. This study addresses the challenge of utilizing rice husk, an abundant yet underutilized agricultural waste in Nigeria, as a substrate for SCP production. Through optimization of the production of SCP using Bacillus sp. AT-b3 and Bacillus sp. CMF 12 as model organisms. Molecular identification through 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed Bacillus sp. AT-b3 and Bacillus sp. CMF 12 as the most potent isolates for SCP production. Optimization studies were conducted using the One-Factor-at-a-Time (OFAT) method to determine the ideal fermentation conditions. The results showed that the optimal temperature for SCP production was 40 °C, with Bacillus sp. AT-b3 demonstrating superior production efficiency. pH optimization revealed that neutral pH (pH 7) was ideal for maximizing SCP production, with Bacillus spp. AT-b3 outperforming Bacillus sp. CMF 12 at this pH. Substrate concentration studies indicated that 2.0% was optimal for SCP production, and incubation time optimization indicated 48 hours as the optimal period for maximum yield. Amino acid profiling of the SCP produced showed significant variations between the two isolates. Bacillus sp. CMF 12 was richer in essential amino acids like Arginine and Methionine, while Bacillus sp. AT-b3 had a higher Glycine content at (p<0.05). The findings of this study suggest that both strains have potential applications in nutritional supplements, with Bacillus sp. AT-b3 being particularly suited for industrial-scale SCP production. This study concludes that Bacillus sp. AT-b3 is an efficient SCP producer under optimal conditions of neutral pH, moderate temperature, and appropriate substrate concentration. Further research is recommended to explore pilot-scale production, alternative substrates, and comprehensive safety assessments.

Assessment of a Low-cost Canine Uterine Simulator as a Tool for Teaching the Ovariohysterectomy Technique to Veterinary Students.

The acquisition of skills to perform an ovariohysterectomy (OVH) is crucial for veterinary medicine students. It has been demonstrated that the most effective way to develop these skills is through repetitive training on simulators. Unfortunately, commercial simulators are expensive, limiting their use and highlighting the need for the development of more cost-effective alternatives. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a low-cost, easily constructed textile-based simulator for the canine ovaries and uterus in training veterinary students on the OVH technique. The impact of tutor guidance on student learning was also assessed. Participants were divided into two groups: simulator and tutor guidance (SG) and simulator only (SO). Each student performed 20 repetitions of the three-clamp OVH technique, and the number of errors and execution time were quantified. The SG group reached the learning curve plateau in terms of minimum errors on the 7th repetition and attained the fastest time on the 6th repetition. The SO group reached the learning curve plateau in terms of minimum errors and attained the fastest time both on the 15th repetition. From individuals in the SG group, there were no requests for tutor guidance from the 11th attempt. This low-cost simulator is ideal for training veterinary students in the early stages of surgical learning, as it effectively facilitates learning the OVH procedure without the use of live animals.

Considering the Costs: Resin 3D Printing for a Temporal Bone Dissection Course.

Significant costs associated with obtaining cadaveric temporal bones (TBs) have led many to seek more cost-effective alternatives for TB surgical simulation. Multiple studies support the face validity of resin 3-dimensional (3D)-printed TBs as high-fidelity, useful alternatives for simulating TB dissection. However, a paucity of literature describes the cost or time associated with in-house manufacturing of resin TBs at scale. This paper reviews the hardware and manufacturing costs, and time required for in-house development of resin TB models for an annual dissection course. An open-source library of TB models was queried for a candidate model which was edited for optimal printing on a recently developed resin 3D printer. In the described workflow, we were able to 3D-print 60 TB models at $6.40 each, for a total material cost of $384.10, less than the price of a single cadaveric TB specimen (∼$400-$700).

Biosimilars: What pharmacists should know and a survey

Biosimilars are biologic products that are highly similar to existing reference biologics and provide cost-effective treatment alternatives. As more biologic patents expire, biosimilars are becoming increasingly important in healthcare, requiring healthcare professionals to have a solid understanding of their development, regulatory pathways, and clinical implications. Despite their potential benefits, biosimilars face barriers such as limited awareness, concerns about safety and efficacy, and complex regulatory processes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program designed to address these challenges and enhance healthcare professionals’ knowledge and confidence in biosimilar use. Methods: The Howard University College of Pharmacy, in collaboration with the FDA, Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP), and Biologics & Biosimilars Collective Intelligence Consortium (BBCIC), conducted a symposium on biosimilars. The program, funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer, included two primary sessions featuring expert presentations and workshops. Feedback was collected from 114 participants using post-program surveys to assess learning outcomes, program relevance, and its impact on practice. Participants included pharmacists (44.74%), students (44.74%), and other healthcare professionals (10.52%) from various states, with a strong representation from Maryland and Washington, D.C. Results: The program received highly positive feedback, with 86.96% rating the applicability of the program to their practice as "Excellent" and 13.04% as "Good." In terms of knowledge enhancement, 89.13% rated the program as "Excellent," and 10.87% as "Good." Overall, 84.78% rated the program as "Excellent" and 13.04% as "Good," with only 2.17% being "Neutral." No participants rated the program negatively. The program was effective in meeting specific educational objectives, with 89-93% of respondents marking “Strongly Agree” for understanding key biosimilar concepts, such as recognizing their role in practice and understanding development pathways. The objective on using biosimilars in practice received slightly lower ratings, with 73.91% “Strongly Agree” and 19.57% “Agree.” Conclusion: The study demonstrates the effectiveness of structured educational programs in enhancing healthcare professionals’ understanding and confidence in the use of biosimilars. The overwhelmingly positive reception underscores the need for continued education, particularly as more biosimilars enter the market. Future programs should focus on addressing remaining barriers, such as provider hesitancy and practical implementation strategies, to ensure that healthcare professionals are well-prepared to integrate biosimilars into clinical practice. This will ultimately contribute to better patient outcomes, increased adoption of cost-effective therapies, and a more sustainable healthcare system

Ball-Milling-Assisted N/O Codoping for Enhanced Sodium Storage Performance of Coconut-Shell-Derived Hard Carbon Anodes in Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are regarded as cost-effective alternatives or competitors to lithium-ion batteries for large-scale electric energy storage applications. However, their development has been hindered by the high cost of hard carbon (HC) anodes and poor electrochemical performance. To enhance the sodium storage capacity and rate performance of HC, this study accelerated the electrochemical performance of coconut-shell-derived HC anodes for SIBs through N/O codoping using ball milling and pyrolysis. Experimental results demonstrate that the simultaneous introduction of N and O generates a synergistic effect, increasing the surface oxygen-containing functional groups, defects, and interlayer spacing of coconut-shell-derived HC through the codoping of light elements. The excellent strategy has increased the slope capacity and platform capacity of HC, and the synergistic modification of N/O has increased its reversible specific capacity from 272 to 343 mA h g-1 (30 mA g-1), with a retention rate of approximately 92.1% after 100 cycles. In addition, it also exhibits an excellent rate performance, reaching 178 mA h g-1 at 1500 mA g-1. In summary, this study presents an effective strategy for modifying biomass-derived HC.

A novel alkali and thermotolerant protease from Aeromonas spp. retrieved from wastewater

Enzymes are integral to numerous industrial processes, with a growing global demand for various enzyme types. Protease enzymes, in particular, have proven to be cost-effective, stable, and compatible alternatives to traditional chemical processes in both industrial and environmental applications. In this study, an alkaline protease-producing strain of Aeromonas spp. was isolated from a wastewater treatment plant in Iran. The protease production was confirmed by culturing the strain on casein agar medium. The bacterium was identified through morphological, biochemical, and 16 S rRNA sequencing analyses. The optimal culture medium for bacterial growth and enzyme production was obtained using peptone, salt, yeast extract, galactose, and CaCl₂ at an initial pH of 8. Maximum protease production was achieved after 20 h of incubation at 40 °C. To partially purify the enzyme, the supernatant of the bacterial culture medium was first centrifuged, and the enzyme was precipitated using ammonium sulfate, followed by dialysis. Zymography revealed the production of one type of protease during bacterial growth. The partially purified protease exhibited optimal activity at pH 8.5 and maximum stability at pH 9. The optimum temperature for maximum enzyme activity was observed at 50 °C, with 100% residual activity retained for 1 h at 0 °C. The effect of metal ions on enzyme activity was assessed, revealing that KCl induced the most significant effects (p < 0.0001) on enzyme activity. Chemical amino acid modifiers and inhibitors, such as EDTA, DEPSI, and IAA, did not exhibit significant inhibition. In contrast, PMSF and HNBB significantly (p < 0.0001) reduced enzyme activity, suggesting that the enzyme could be classified as a serine protease. The protease also demonstrated high stability in the presence of 2% SDS, showing no signs inactivation. The alkaline pH optimum, thermal stability, and resistance to SDS exhibited by the protease produced by the Aeromonas strain are particularly promising characteristics that warrant further investigation. Based on preliminary tests and the enzyme’s characteristics, this protease can be recommended for various applications, pending further studies.

Policy Solutions for Enhancing Drug Pricing Transparency and Reducing Health Care Costs in the United States

The excessive cost of prescription pharmaceuticals in the United States is an often-recognized issue for consumers, healthcare providers, and insurance companies alike. A major contributing factor to excess cost is the lack of transparency in drug pricing, which makes it difficult for stakeholders to understand the actual costs of medications. In this article, we look at two basic policy measures to ameliorate this issue. First, we explore providing consumers with clear information on medication costs at the point of prescription, specifically in outpatient doctors' offices. This policy seeks to empower patients and enhance informed decision-making by integrating drug cost information into electronic health records (EHRs), allowing physicians to discuss cost-effective alternatives with their patients. Second, we investigate potential federal regulations that would require pharmaceutical companies to publicly disclose reasons for price hikes, using specific benchmarks as guidelines. These regulations would mandate pharmaceutical companies to report heavy price increases and the factors contributing to these hikes, thereby holding manufacturers accountable and promoting price stability. By addressing these two policy measures, the article aims to enhance drug price transparency and reduce healthcare costs.

The Impact of Heavy Metal Accumulation on Agricultural Soils and Its Mitigation

Heavy metal contamination in various fields such as agricultural soils create severe global challenges affecting crop health, productivity, and overall ecosystem stability. This review investigates the source effects of heavy metals, which initially accumulate due to industrial activities and chemicals used during farming. The excessive presence of these metals can disrupt normal plant metabolism and reduce their growth. Furthermore, these metals can penetrate the food chain, posing serious health risks to humans and animals. Recent advancements in mitigating heavy metal pollution have been found, such as phytoremediation and biotechnological innovations offering promising solutions. Also, sustainable approaches utilizing microbial enzymes, microalgae, and bio-char-based technologies have shown high efficiency in removing heavy metals from contaminated environments. Further biosensors for detecting metal contamination provide sensitive, portable, and cost-effective alternatives. Overall, this review emphasizes the urgent need for awareness and continued research.

Development of a Matrix for Seismic Isolators Using Recycled Rubber from Vehicle Tires

Over recent decades, numerous strong earthquakes have caused widespread devastation, including citywide destruction, significant loss of life, and severe structural damage. Seismic base isolation is a well-established method for mitigating earthquake-induced risks in buildings; however, its high cost often limits its implementation in developing countries. Simultaneously, the global rise in vehicle numbers has led to the accumulation of discarded tires, intensifying environmental challenges. In response to these issues, this study investigates the development of a seismic isolator matrix using recycled rubber from vehicle tires, proposed as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative. Ten recycled rubber matrices were experimentally evaluated for their physical and mechanical properties. The matrix with optimal granulometry and binder content, demonstrating superior performance, was identified. This optimized matrix underwent further validation through compression and cyclic shear tests on reduced-scale prototypes of fiber-reinforced isolators, which included five prototype designs, two of which featured flexible reinforcement. The best-performing prototype comprised a recycled rubber matrix with 15% binder and glass fiber, exhibiting vertical stiffness and damping characteristics superior to those of natural rubber. Specifically, this prototype achieved a damping ratio of up to 22%, surpassing the 10% minimum required for seismic isolation, along with a vertical stiffness of 45 kN/mm, critical for withstanding the vertical loads transferred by buildings. These findings suggest that the recycled tire rubber matrix, when combined with glass fiber, is a viable material for the production of seismic isolators. This combination utilizes discarded materials, contributing to environmental sustainability.

A rapid, facile, and economical method for the isolation of ribosomes and translational machinery for structural and functional studies.

Ribosomes are essential RNA-protein complexes involved in protein synthesis and quality control. Traditional methods for ribosome isolation are labor intensive, expensive, and require substantial biological material. In contrast, our new method, RAPPL (RNA Affinity Purification using Poly-Lysine), offers a rapid, simple, and cost-effective alternative. This method enriches ribosomes and associated factors from various species and sample types, including cell lysates, whole cells, organs, and whole organisms, and is compatible with traditional isolation techniques. Here, we use RAPPL to facilitate the rapid isolation, functional screening, and structural analysis of ribosomes with associated factors. We demonstrate ribosome-associated resistance mechanisms from patient uropathogeni c Escherichia coli samples and generate a 2.7Å cryoEM structure of ribosomes from Cryptococcus neoformans . By significantly reducing the amount of the starting biological material and the time required for isolation, the RAPPL approach improves the study of ribosomal function, interactions, and antibiotic resistance, providing a versatile platform for academic, clinical, and industrial research on ribosomes. Ribosomes are macromolecular RNA-protein complexes that constitute the central machinery responsible for protein synthesis and quality control in the cell. Ribosomes also serve as a hub for multiple non-ribosomal proteins and RNAs that control protein synthesis. However, the purification of ribosomes and associated factors for functional and structural studies requires a large amount of starting biological material and a tedious workflow. Current methods are challenging as they combine ultracentrifugation, the use of sucrose cushions or gradients, expensive equipment, and multiple hours to days of work. Here, we present a rapid, facile, and cost-effective method to isolate ribosomes from in vivo or in vitro samples for functional and structural studies using single-step enrichment on magnetic beads - RAPPL (RNA Affinity Purification using Poly-Lysine). Using mass spectrometry and western blot analyses, we show that poly-lysine coated beads incubated with E. coli and HEK-293 cell lysates enrich specifically for ribosomes and ribosome-associated factors. We demonstrate the ability of RAPPL to isolate ribosomes and translation-associated factors from limited material quantities, as well as a wide variety of biological samples: cell lysates, cells, organs, and whole organisms. Using RAPPL, we characterized and visualized the different effects of various drugs and translation inhibitors on protein synthesis. Our method is compatible with traditional ribosome isolation. It can be used to purify specific complexes from fractions of sucrose gradients or in tandem affinity purifications for ribosome-associated factors. Ribosomes isolated using RAPPL are functionally active and can be used for rapid screening and in vitro characterization of ribosome antibiotic resistance. Lastly, we demonstrate the structural applications of RAPPL by purifying and solving the 2.7Å cryo-EM structure of ribosomes from the Cryptococcus neoformans , an encapsulated yeast causing cryptococcosis. Ribosomes and translational machinery purified with this method are suitable for subsequent functional or structural analyses and provide a solid foundation for researchers to carry out further applications - academic, clinical, or industrial - on ribosomes.

The future of metronomic chemotherapy: experimental and computational approaches of drug repurposing.

Metronomic chemotherapy (MC), long-term continuous administration of anticancer drugs, is gaining attention as an alternative to the traditional maximum tolerated dose (MTD) chemotherapy. By combining MC with other treatments, the therapeutic efficacy is enhanced while minimizing toxicity. MC employs multiple mechanisms, making it a versatile approach against various cancers. However, drug resistance limits the long-term effectiveness of MC, necessitating ongoing development of anticancer drugs. Traditional drug discovery is lengthy and costly due to processes like target protein identification, virtual screening, lead optimization, and safety and efficacy evaluations. Drug repurposing (DR), which screens FDA-approved drugs for new uses, is emerging as a cost-effective alternative. Both experimental and computational methods, such as protein binding assays, in vitro cytotoxicity tests, structure-based screening, and several types of association analyses (Similarity-Based, Network-Based, and Target Gene), along with retrospective clinical analyses, are employed for virtual screening. This review covers the mechanisms of MC, its application in various cancers, DR strategies, examples of repurposed drugs, and the associated challenges and future directions.

Low-Energy Desalination Techniques, Development of Capacitive Deionization Systems, and Utilization of Activated Carbon

Water desalination technology has emerged as a critical area of research, particularly with the advent of more cost-effective alternatives to conventional methods, such as reverse osmosis and thermal evaporation. Given the vital importance of water for life and the scarcity of potable water for agriculture and livestock—especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—the capacitive deionization (CDI) method for removing salt from water has been highlighted as the most economical choice compared to other techniques. CDI applies a voltage difference across two porous electrodes to extract salt ions from saline water. This study will investigate water desalination using CDI, utilizing a compact DC power source under 5 volts and a standard current of 2 amperes. We will convert waste materials like sunflower seeds, peanut shells, and rice husks into activated carbon through carbonization and chemical activation to improve its pore structure. Critical parameters for desalination, including voltage, flow rate, and total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration, have been established. The initial TDS levels are set at 2000, 1500, 1000, and 500 ppm, with flow rates of 38.2, 16.8, and 9.5 mL/min across the different voltage settings of 2.5, 2, and 1.5 volts, applicable to both direct and inverse desalination methods. The efficiency at TDS concentrations of 2000, 1500, and 1000 ppm remains between 18% and 20% for up to 8 min. Our results indicate that the desalination process operates effectively at a TDS level of 750 ppm, achieving a maximum efficiency of 45% at a flow rate of 9.5 mL/min. At voltages of 2.5 V, 2 V, and 1.5 V, efficiencies at 3 min are attained with a constant flow rate of 9.5 mL/min and a TDS of 500 ppm, with the maximum desalination efficiency reaching 56%.

Enhancing physico-chemical water quality in recycled dairy effluent through microbial consortium treatment

The dairy industry, notorious by generating wastewater rich in organic and nitrogenous content, necessitates sustainable recycling solutions. Biological treatment emerges as a cost-effective and chemical-free alternative. This study delves into the potential of microbial consortium, a microbial consortium, for recycling dairy effluent, aiming at water reclamation and environmental sustainability. Effluent samples from Madurai's Dairy Industry underwent microbial consortium treatment in a recycling prototype, with treatment efficacy assessed through physicochemical parameters and contaminant removal efficiency.Guided by a biodegradability index of 4.51, the study showcased EM's impact, revealing a notable decrease in pH levels, fostering an alkaline environment (2.35 ± 0.06 ppt). Dissolved oxygen increased significantly to 4.50 ppm, indicating improved aerobic conditions. EM treatment led to substantial reductions in calcium (53 %), magnesium (95 %), nitrogen (22 %), sulfate (79 %), phosphate (86 %), BOD (78 %), and COD (82 %). In contrast, dairy effluent treated without microbial consortium during the sludge activation process exhibited negligible water quality improvement.These findings underscore microbial consortium efficacy in advancing biological treatment of dairy effluent, demonstrating a significant reduction in contaminants and showcasing its potential for sustainable water reclamation. Improved alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient content further signify positive impacts on ecosystem health. Microbial consortium emerges as a promising avenue for recycling dairy effluent, offering an economically viable and environmentally friendly solution. The study emphasizes the crucial role of microbial treatments in achieving efficient water reclamation, contributing to a cleaner and sustainable environment. Future research and broader implementation of microbial consortium in dairy industry wastewater management are recommended for enhanced environmental benefits.

Advancing resource sustainability with green photothermal materials: Insights from organic waste-derived and bioderived sources

Abstract Recently, there has been a surge of interest in developing new types of photothermal materials driven by the ongoing demand for efficient energy conversion, environmental concerns, and the need for sustainable solutions. However, many existing photothermal materials face limitations such as high production costs or narrow absorption bands, hindering their widespread application. In response to these challenges, researchers have redirected their focus toward harnessing the untapped potential of organic waste-derived and bioderived materials. These materials, with photothermal properties derived from their intrinsic composition or transformative processes, offer a sustainable and cost-effective alternative. This review provides an extended categorization of organic waste-derived and bioderived materials based on their origin. Additionally, we investigate the mechanisms underlying the photothermal properties of these materials. Key findings highlight their high photothermal efficiency and versatility in applications such as water and energy harvesting, desalination, biomedical applications, deicing, waste treatment, and environmental remediation. Through their versatile utilization, they demonstrate immense potential in fostering sustainability and support the transition toward a greener and more resilient future. The authors’ perspective on the challenges and potentials of platforms based on these materials is also included, highlighting their immense potential for real-world implementation.

Bladder Cancer detection by urinary methylation markers GHSR/MAL: a validation study

PurposeAlthough cystoscopy is a reliable tool for detecting bladder cancer, it poses a high burden on patients and entails high costs. This highlights the need for non-invasive and cost-effective alternatives. This study aimed to validate a previously developed urinary methylation marker panel containing GHSR and MAL.MethodsWe enrolled 134 patients who underwent cystoscopy because of hematuria, including 63 individuals with primary bladder cancer and 71 with non-malignant findings. Urine samples were self-collected at home and sent via regular mail. Subsequently, DNA was extracted and the hypermethylation of GHSR and MAL was evaluated using quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. The performance of methylation markers was assessed using area-under-the-curve (AUC) analysis and sensitivity and specificity based on pre-established cut-off values.ResultsValidation of the marker panel GHSR/MAL resulted in an AUC of 0.87 at 79% sensitivity and 80% specificity. Sensitivity was comparable to the previous investigation (P > 0.9), though specificity was significantly lower (P = 0.026). Sensitivity was higher for high-grade tumors compared to low-grade tumors (94% vs. 60%, P = 0.002).ConclusionValidation of the GHSR/MAL methylation marker panel on at home collected urine samples confirms its robust performance for bladder cancer detection in a hematuria population, and underscores the diagnostic potential for future clinical application.

A retrospective comparative study on the effectiveness of multisite injection versus arthroscopic capsular release for idiopathic frozen shoulder

Arthroscopic capsular release is a most well-known technique with favorable outcomes for frozen shoulder. However, considering the surgical trauma and the improvement of multisite injection, we design a study to compare the pain relief and safety of multisite injection (MI) versus arthroscopic capsular release (ACR) for frozen shoulder. A total of 80 patients with unilater al frozen shoulder were enrolled in this study. Group RBT (n = 40) received multisite injection (0.5% lidocaine and triamcinolone acetonide, once a week, no more than 2 injections), while Group ACR received arthroscopic capsular release. The following parameters were employed to compare: visual analog scale (VAS), range of motion (ROM), the Disability of Arm, Hand, and Shoulder (DASH) score and Oxford shoulder score (OSS). Side effects were also recorded. The VAS, ROM, DASH and OSS all improved significantly (P < 0.001). Internal rotation and external rotation at 1 month after operation were better in ACR group (40.35 ± 4.79 Vs 36.58 ± 7.49, 40.55 ± 4.37 Vs 38.63 ± 4.01, P = 0.009,0.043). However, no significance in terms of functional results and ROM was found at 6 months after operation. The OSS, DASH and VAS in patients with diabetes were 44.25 ± 3.05, 2.29 ± 1.12 and 0.50 ± 0.72, compared with 43.89 ± 3.09, 2.34 ± 1.49 and 0.29 ± 0.56 in patients without diabetes (P = 0.636, 0.889, 0.157). Multisite injection and arthroscopic capsular release are both effective treatments in the treatment of frozen shoulder. However, multisite injection is a simple, cost effective and superior alternative.

Diagnostic serology test comparison for Q fever and Rift Valley fever in humans and livestock from pastoral communities.

Q fever (QF) and Rift Valley fever (RVF) are endemic zoonotic diseases in African countries, causing significant health and economic burdens. Accurate prevalence estimates, crucial for disease control, rely on robust diagnostic tests. While enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are not the gold standard, they offer rapid, cost-effective, and practical alternatives. However, varying results from different tests and laboratories can complicate comparing epidemiological studies. This study aimed to assess the agreement of test results for QF and RVF in humans and livestock across different laboratory conditions and, for humans, different types of diagnostic tests. We measured inter-laboratory agreement using concordance, Cohen's kappa, and prevalence and bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK) on 91 human and 102 livestock samples collected from rural regions in Chad. The serum aliquots were tested using ELISA in Chad, and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) (for human QF and RVF) and ELISA (for livestock QF and RVF) in Switzerland and Germany. Additionally, we examined demographic factors influencing test agreement, including district, setting (village vs. camp), sex, age, and livestock species of the sampled individuals. The inter-laboratory agreement ranged from fair to moderate. For humans, QF concordance was 62.5%, Cohen's kappa was 0.31, RVF concordance was 81.1%, and Cohen's kappa was 0.52. For livestock, QF concordance was 92.3%, Cohen's kappa was 0.59, RVF concordance was 94.0%, and Cohen's kappa was 0.59. Multivariable analysis revealed that QF test agreement is significantly higher in younger humans and people living in villages compared to camps and tends to be higher in livestock from Danamadji compared to Yao, and in small ruminants compared to cattle. Additionally, RVF agreement was found to be higher in younger humans. Our findings emphasize the need to consider sample conditions, test performance, and influencing factors when conducting and interpreting epidemiological seroprevalence studies.