Decades of research have shown that biosensors using photonic circuits fabricated using CMOS processes can be highly sensitive, selective, and quantitative. Unfortunately, the cost of these sensors combined with the complexity of sample handling systems has limited the use of such sensors in clinical diagnostics. We present a new "disposable photonics" sensor platform in which rice-sized (1 × 4 mm) silicon nitride ring resonator sensor chips are paired with plastic micropillar fluidic cards for sample handling and optical detection. We demonstrate the utility of the platform in the context of detecting human antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, both in convalescent COVID-19 patients and for subjects undergoing vaccination. Given its ability to provide quantitative data on human samples in a simple, low-cost single-use format, we anticipate that this platform will find broad utility in clinical diagnostics for a broad range of assays.
Sorghum is a major ingredient used in the production of complementary foods in Kenya's drylands, particularly in areas like Kerio Valley. However, it is known to be susceptible to aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination, which have adverse effects on human health. The current study aimed to assess the levels of aflatoxin and fumonisin in sorghum kernels and flour from Kerio Valley and to investigate whether fermentation (spontaneous or innoculum facilated) could reduce the levels of toxins.
The conventional mounting of ultra-soft biological tissues often involves gluing it between two plates or manually tightening grips. Both methods demand delicate handling skills and are time-consuming. This study outlines the design and practical application of 3D-printed suction clamps for uniaxial tension tests on brain samples.
The dried matrix spot (DMS) method, initially developed for neonatal blood screening, has gained prevalence in various research fields for its efficiency in handling small sample volumes and its adaptability to diverse analytical techniques. This study presents the results of the first systematic investigation of direct multi-element analysis in DMS of human blood and plasma samples with Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). Internal standard addition was used to address the issue of DMS heterogeneity and to eliminate the need for determining the sample volume equivalent, allowing a single-spot (single-punch) measurement.
Background: is a transmitted respiratory pathogen that causes high morbidity and mortality in children, especially those under 5 years of age. During the implementation of population control measures for COVID-19 in mainland China, the detection rate in pediatric patients decreased. However, with the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (2022), the incidence of pneumococcal disease (PD) and even invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) began to rise again.
Metastasis is a significant contributor to cancer-related mortality and a critical issue in cancer. Monitoring the changes in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with metastatic potential is a valuable prognostic and predictive biomarker. CTCs are a rare population in the peripheral blood of patients with cancer.
