Electropolishing is an essential process for the surface treatment of metallic materials. To determine the appropriate replacement timing of electropolishing solutions for their efficient use and improved productivity, it is important to periodically analyze the amounts of dissolved metals in the solutions. However, these solutions are typically highly corrosive, and on-site analytical techniques that can be easily applied at production sites have not yet been established. In this study, we demonstrated microvolume liquid analysis using low-energy laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) combined with a porous silicon substrate fabricated by metal-assisted etching (metal-assisted chemical etching) and a non-contact gas-blowing pretreatment. In the analysis of electropolishing solutions used for niobium superconducting cavities and stainless steel products, emission lines of niobium and of iron and chromium were successfully detected after blowing the respective microdroplet samples on porous silicon, and linear correlations were observed between the spectral line intensity and the polished amounts. The present results provide a basis for future on-site application of LIBS to highly corrosive electropolishing solutions in the metal finishing industry.

Purpose The Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) shows promise as a biomarker to assess immune status and inflammation, but its utility in predicting surgical site infections (SSIs) among HIV-infected patients remains underexplored. To evaluate SII’s predictive value for SSI risk in HIV-positive surgical patients in China, suggesting an effective clinical tool for this population. Methods This multicenter retrospective cohort study included HIV-infected patients with fractures from three hospitals. Baseline data on demographics, HIV metrics, comorbidities, and surgical details were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses examined the relationship between preoperative SII and postoperative SSIs, adjusting for potential confounders like age, gender, CD4 count, viral load, and comorbidities. Results Of 338 HIV patients, 36 (10.65%) developed postoperative SSIs. SSI patients had significantly higher SII levels. Bivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HIV viral load, open fracture, albumin, CD4, CD4/CD8 ratio and SII were risk factors for surgical site infection in HIV-positive patients. Multivariate analysis confirmed SII as an independent predictor of SSI (OR = 3.28, 95% CI = 2.07–5.54). SII showed good discriminatory performance (AUC = 0.810) and performed better than the CD4/CD8 ratio (AUC = 0.689), which was included as a representative immune-status marker. Subgroup analyses validated SII’s stability across patient subsets. Further, smooth curve fitting and RCS analysis showed that there was still a linear correlation between SII and surgical site infection in different subgroups of CD4 and HIV viral load (P for nonlinear > 0.05). Conclusions The SII may serve as a clinically accessible and cost-effective biomarker for identifying HIV-infected patients at increased risk of SSI. Incorporating preoperative SII assessment could support perioperative risk stratification and management. This novel approach has implications for optimizing patient care for HIV-positive surgical populations.

A sulfide online-monitoring system (S-OMS) was developed using a 3D-printed microfluidic platform to monitor sulfide in bioreactors. The S-OMS consisted of an electrochemical cell in which a microdevice was 3D-printed with co-polyester filaments and used an internal silver/silver sulfide (Ag/Ag2S) working electrode and a commercial, external silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) reference electrode. The analytical evaluation showed a wide linear range (1.5–30,400 mg L−1) with repeatability and reproducibility presenting relative standard deviations of less than 5%. The S-OMS remained stable during working periods ranging from 16 h to 8 days, depending on the operation mode. Real samples from a sulfate-reducing bioreactor were used to validate the S-OMS, and the results were compared with those of a commercial sulfide ion-selective electrode (S2−-ISE), yielding a good linear correlation (R2 = 0.92). Moreover, a t-test revealed no significant statistical difference between the two analytical methods. The bioreactor operation resulted in a high sulfate reduction rate and in the accumulation of total sulfide, as measured with the S-OMS, in the bioreactor. However, the H2S inhibition was offset by an increase in pH and volatile suspended solids (VSS) throughout the operation. Overall, the S-OMS demonstrated robust analytical performance and operational suitability for online monitoring of sulfide in sulfide-producing bioreactors.

Herein, a colorimetric and smartphone dual-channel sensor has been constructed for the sensitive detection of acetone based on a chemically driven redox-cycling reactive system. In the redox-cycling system, o-phenylenediamine (OPD) acted as the colorimetric substrate. Initially, colorless OPD was oxidized by Cu2+ ions to generate Cu+ ions and light yellow 2,3-diaminophenazine (DAP). The Fenton-like reaction between hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and generated Cu+ ions initiated the production of Cu2+ ions and hydroxyl radicals (·OH). The resulting ·OH and reproduced Cu2+ ions could further catalyze other OPD molecules, leading to the formation of more light yellow DAP molecules, with a distinct ultraviolet absorption peak appearing at 440nm. And this process continued until all OPD was completely consumed in the cycling reaction system. Interestingly, acetone was introduced into the redox-cycling system, leading to a colorless solution and a reduction of absorbance intensity at 440nm. Based on this phenomenon, a colorimetric sensor with excellent sensitivity and selectivity has been designed for the visual detection of acetone. The sensor exhibited a linear correlation with acetone concentrations within the range of 2μM to 5mM, achieving a detection limit of 0.5μM. Notably, RGB color space analysis was performed for the quantitative detection of acetone with the assistance of a smartphone. The results were in good agreement with the data obtained via UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. Furthermore, the strategy realized therapid detection of acetone in real tap water, river water, and lake water samples.

Abstract Nano-graphite (NG) has emerged as a promising material for the development of sensitive electrochemical sensors due to its exceptional electronic, thermal, and mechanical properties. This study presents a novel approach for synthesizing NG using a physical method that minimizes the use of harmful solvents and chemicals, thereby enhancing environmental sustainability and safety. The unique properties of NG, including its high surface area and superior electrical conductivity, make it an ideal candidate for electrochemical sensors. Nano-graphite paste electrodes (NGPE) were fabricated and demonstrated their capability to detect Cd(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), and Hg(II) ions simultaneously. The calibration curves show a strong linear correlation, with detection limits of 0.018 nM for Cd²⁺, 0.003 nM for Pb²⁺, 0.016 nM for Cu²⁺, and 0.078 nM for Hg²⁺ ions. This sensor, compared to traditional ones, offers significantly improved detection limits, making it highly effective for environmental monitoring and public health applications and demonstrating its applicability in real-sample testing, such as spiked tap water samples. This balance between simplicity, sensitivity, and selectivity makes the present method particularly attractive for real-world applications where both effectiveness and practicality are essential.

Association Between Monocyte to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio and Stroke Prevalence in American Adults: A Cross-Sectional NHANES Study.

Cobalt phthalocyanine encapsulation boosts oxidase-like activity of single-atom CoNC nanozyme for fluorescence sensing of tetracycline.

This study evaluated the protective effect of combining Bifidobacterium bifidum with the prebiotics inulin and isomalto-oligosaccharides against enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection and investigated the underlying mechanisms, using an integrated strategy of in vitro screening followed by in vivo validation. Among ten prebiotics screened, IMO and inulin were identified as optimal for promoting B. bifidum proliferation and acetate production (>2.5-fold), with IMO further enhancing bacterial adhesion to Caco-2 cells (4-fold). In a murine infection model, B. bifidum alone reduced total intestinal EHEC colonization, whereas inulin alone was ineffective. The combination of IMO and B. bifidum markedly suppressed EHEC colonization, particularly in the colon (5-fold reduction), while inulin provided no added benefit. Although fecal acetate levels were elevated in synbiotic groups, no linear correlation with EHEC clearance was observed, suggesting that protection may rely on mechanisms other than bulk acetate production-such as localized metabolite delivery or microbial ecological interactions. These findings demonstrate that an IMO-based synbiotic can effectively limit EHEC colonization through multifactorial modulation of the gut ecosystem. The presented strategy offers a rational framework for designing synbiotics to prevent foodborne infections.

In Indonesia, vitamin A deficiency poses a significant health challenge, affecting 15-20% of infants and children with severe consequences such as high mortality rates, developmental delays, and xerophthalmia. This study explored the potential of addressing vitamin A deficiency in infants aged 6-24 months by incorporating orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) puree into sorghum-based porridge. Conducted at the Southeast Asian Food and Agricultural Science and Technology Center, IPB University, Bogor, the research employed randomized experimental designs to test five formulations with varying OFSP puree content from 0-40%. The experiment assessed carotenoid and β-carotene levels, proximate content, physical properties, and acceptance among 60 mothers. Findings revealed a significant positive linear correlation between carotenoid incorporation and total carotenoid content (R2 = 0.9987). The F2 formulation, which included 20% OFSP, provided 410.45mg retinol activity equivalents per 100g, surpassing the daily vitamin A requirement of 100 mg for infants, and offered adequate protein (2.41%), energy density (81.76 kcal/100g), along with enhanced minerals and fiber. Consumer acceptance of F2 was high (8.2/9), with 48.3% of participants expressing a preference for purchasing this product (4.5/5). This laboratory experiment concludes that a 20% OFSP blend is an optimal, suitable, and well-accepted complementary food to help mitigate vitamin A deficiency in Indonesia and other resource-limited areas, providing a foundation for future pilot studies and community interventions.

ABSTRACT The kinetics and interfacial behavior of lithium(I) extraction are crucial for understanding the interactions between Li+ and extractant molecules at the molecular level. In this study, the kinetics of lithium(I) extraction from HCl medium using di(2-ethylhexyl) 2-ethylhexyl phosphonate (DEHEHP) loaded with FeCl3 in kerosene were systematically investigated using a constant interfacial area cell with laminar flow. The extraction regime was identified as chemically controlled and occurring at the interface, supported by an activation energy of 43.20 kJ·mol−1 and the linear correlation between extraction rate and specific interfacial area. The empirical rate equation was determined as: RF = 6.77 × 10−2 [Li+][FeCl4 −][DEHEHP]2. Furthermore, the interfacial activity of DEHEHP characterized by the Wilhelmy plate method showed significant dependence on diluent type, exhibiting the following efficiency order: n-heptane > cyclohexane > CCl4 > benzene. The interfacial mechanism derived from adsorption parameters aligned with that obtained from extraction kinetics, mutually confirming that the extraction process is governed by an interfacial chemical reaction. This work provides the first comprehensive study combining extraction kinetics and interfacial behavior for the DEHEHP/FeCl3 system, establishing a quantitative relationship between them and offering fundamental insights for process optimization.

Evaluation of retinal microvascular changes and laboratory characteristics in children with Wilson disease: an optical coherence tomography angiography study.

Temporal dynamics of cPRA levels and their categorical impact on waitlist longevity in Ecuadorian kidney transplant candidates: A 2011-2022 Nationwide cohort analysis.

Targeting periodontal inflammatory microenvironment to ameliorate periodontitis: A nitrogen ions implantation technique.

Background: A number of clinical scoring systems have been used for risk stratification of children with bronchiolitis, most of them have not validate in our setting. Modified Tal’s Score (MTS) is one of such clinical score. This study aimed to determine the relation between MTS and oxygen saturation (SpO2) measured by pulse Oximeterin children with acute bronchiolitis patients admitted to a tertiary-level hospital in Bangladesh. . Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included 251 children aged <24 months with bronchiolitis from the department of pediatrics of Chittagong Medical College Hospital from April 2021 to March 2022. Severity was assessed by MTS and simultaneously SpO2 of patients were seen and recorded in a case record form. Correlation between MTS and SpO2 was assessed. Results: MTS showed a strong negative linear correlation with SpO2 (r = 0.82, 95% CI: -0.857 to -0.775). Linear regression analysis showed that 58.5% of the variation in SpO2 can be explained by the model containing only MTS. The mean (± SD) SpO2 value was 96.3±2.4% in children with a score of 2–5 (n=140), 90.65±5.6% in those with a score of 6–7 (n=48) and 86.6±4.7% in children with a score of 8 or more(n=63), (p < 0.001 by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison, when all two-way comparisons were done for each pair of results). With the cutoff value of 6, the MTS had 96.61% sensitivity, 71.88% specificity, and 98.57% negative predictive value to detect hypoxaemia. Conclusions: As modified TAL’s clinical scoring system strongly correlates with the SpO2, in absences of pulse oximetry MTS can be used to confirm severity of hypoxaemia in infants with bronchiolitis. Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.24 (1); Jan 2025; Page 3-7

Is the use of intraoperative vasopressors associated with flap failure in head and neck free tissue transfer surgery?

Feasibility of target current pulse counting method for output dose measurement on the trilogy accelerator: dose quasi-quantization and real-time monitoring.

A preoperative tool is warranted to predict renal function after radical nephroureterectomy, as this would optimize treatment plans and avoid postoperative end-stage renal disease. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an equation to predict postoperative renal function changes. We reviewed the medical records of 487 patients who were diagnosed with upper tract urothelial carcinoma treated by unilateral radical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision between 2010 and 2020. Renal function was comprehensively evaluated preoperatively using 99mTc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine renal scintigraphy. Serum creatinine was evaluated before, and 3 and 6 months postoperatively. We then developed a predictive equation using Pearson linear correlation analysis. The median preoperative effective renal plasma flow was 241.30 mL/min., of which the lesion side accounted for 35.6% of the total. A predictive equation for changes in postoperative renal function was established. The preoperative lesion-side effective renal plasma flow ratio was significantly associated with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline ratio at 3 months postoperatively (r = 0.613, P <0.001). Internal validation of the patients during 2021 confirmed that the equation could predict eGFR decline (r = 0.896) and radical nephroureterectomy-related cisplatin ineligibility (100%) at 3 months postoperatively. We established an equation that assists in predicting changes in postoperative eGFRs based on the preoperative lesion-side effective renal plasma flow ratio. This equation can also predict postoperative residual renal function.

Development of a whole-cell biosensor for the detection of low concentrations of tetracycline.

Tunable graphene quantum dot surface chemistry enables fast and selective detection of viral RNA.

Boronic ester-functionalized dual-state emitter for oxygen/strain sensing and dynamic encryption.