Objective

The concentration of bilirubin in blood or serum is useful for assessing liver function as well as monitoring treatment. This study evaluates the clinical performance of a novel point-of-care (PoC) device for the detection of bilirubin in serum. The PoC device incorporates an integrated miniature optoelectronic sensing module and a microfluidic test cartridge.

Methods

Patients’ serum total bilirubin concentrations, ranging from 2 ​μmol/L to 480 ​μmol/L, were measured using the PoC device and the standard laboratory method (n=20). Bland-Altman analysis and regression analysis using Passing-Bablok method were used to benchmark the PoC device against the standard laboratory measurements. The diagnostic capability of the PoC device in categorising the serum samples within clinically relevant bilirubin concentration thresholds of 200, 300, and 450 ​μmol/L was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

The mean difference between the PoC device and the standard laboratory method was −5.6 ​μmol/L, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of −45.1 ​μmol/L to 33.9 ​μmol/L. The coefficient of determination (R²) was 0.986. The PoC device achieved a detection sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 97% in categorising bilirubin concentrations within bands used in clinical decision-making.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the proposed PoC device is capable of measuring bilirubin levels in patient samples with clinically acceptable accuracy.

Objective

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) had lower vitamin D3 levels than neurotypical (NT) children, as well as deficits in language, social, and fine motor abilities. Nanotechnology has appeared as a suitable answer to absorption and bioavailability problems related to vitamin D3. This study aims to investigate the influence of vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion supplementation on adaptive behavior and language performance in children with ASD compared to the influence of the marketed product of vitamin D3.

Methods

Supplementation of ASD children with an oral vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion was performed in group I while the marketed product of the oral vitamin D3 was used in group II for 6 months. Evaluation of their abilities and measuring the plasma levels of 2 types of vitamin D3 were performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography before and after supplementation.

Results

Supplementation in group I (n ​= ​40) has led to an elevation of levels of 25 (OH) and 1, 25 (OH)₂ forms of vitamin D3 (P ​< ​0.000,1), to behavioral improvement in the form of a reduction in ASD severity, and to a rise in the social IQ and total language age of ASD children (P ​= ​0.000,2, 0.04, 0.000,9, respectively). On the other hand, group II (n ​= ​40) did not show adaptive behavioral improvements.

Conclusions

The vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion provided better vitamin D3 bioavailability and a true influence on severity, adaptive behavior, fine motor abilities, and language performance, reflecting the desired benefits of the rise of vitamin D3 levels in the blood.

The study investigates the interaction between the human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2) and amygdalin, a compound found in peaches, almonds, and apples. To assess the potential of amygdalin, the interaction between HER2 and amygdalin was explored using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Binding energies were evaluated for both the crystal and equilibrated HER2 structures. The effects of water on binding were also assessed. Molecular dynamics simulations analyzed structural changes in HER2, including interdomain distances, hydrogen bond fluctuations, dihedral angle shifts, and residue-residue distances at the dimerization arm. The free energy landscape was constructed to evaluate stability. Binding energies of −33.472 ​kJ/mol and −36.651 ± 0.867 ​kJ/mol were observed for the crystal and equilibrated HER2 structures, respectively, with water further enhancing binding to −41.212,4 ​± ​1.272,7 and −53.513 ± 1.452,3 ​kJ/mol. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed significant conformational changes in HER2, including a reduction in interdomain distance, fluctuations in hydrogen bond lengths, and a shift in dihedral angles from 60° to −30°. The residue-residue distance at the dimerization arm decreased, indicating conformational changes upon binding. The free energy landscape showed a deeper and more defined minimum in the bound state, reflecting enhanced stability. These findings highlight amygdalin’s potential as a therapeutic agent targeting HER2.

In photocatalytic water treatment processes, the particulate photocatalysts are typically immobilized on membrane, through either chemical/physical loading onto the surface or directly embedding in the membrane matrix. However, these immobilization strategies inevitably compromise the interfacial mass diffusion and cause activity decline relative to the suspended catalyst. Here, we propose a binder-free surface immobilization strategy for fabrication of high-activity photocatalytic membrane. Through a simple dimethylformamide (DMF) treatment, the nanofibers of polyvinylidene fluoride membrane were softened and stretched, creating enlarged micropores to efficiently capture the photocatalyst. Subsequently, the nanofibers underwent shrinking during DMF evaporation, thus firmly strapping the photocatalyst microparticles on the membrane surface. This surface self-bounded photocatalytic membrane, with firmly bounded yet highly exposed photocatalyst, exhibited 4.2-fold higher efficiency in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) photosynthesis than the matrix-embedded control, due to improved O₂ accessibility and H₂O₂ diffusion. It even outperformed the suspension photocatalytic system attributed to alleviated H₂O₂ decomposition at the hydrophobic surface. When adopted for UV-based water treatment, the photocatalytic system exhibited tenfold faster micropollutants photodegradation than the catalyst-free control and demonstrated superior robustness for treating contaminated tap water, lake water and secondary wastewater effluent. This immobilization strategy can also be extended to the fabrication of other photocatalytic membranes with diverse catalyst types and membrane substrate. Overall, our work opens a facile avenue for fabrication of high-performance photocatalytic membranes, which may benefit advanced oxidation water purification application and beyond.

Efficient photocatalytic valorization of lignocellulose, Earth’s most abundant renewable biomass, remains a longstanding scientific challenge. In this study, an atomically dispersed Pt catalyst anchored on carbon nitride was developed, which promotes charge separation and modulates the electronic structure. Mechanistic investigations reveal that •OH radicals induce retro-aldol cleavage of sugars, while photogenerated electrons facilitate proton reduction to H₂. The catalyst exhibits outstanding activity and selectivity, offering a sustainable solar-driven approach for simultaneous energy conversion and platform chemical production from biomass.

Discover how a common probiotic can supercharge a cholesterol-lowering drug at low doses but turn dangerous with higher amounts. A new study reveals surprising insights into the delicate balance between probiotics and medication, with big implications for your health.

Discover how scientists have developed a groundbreaking quantum metrology technique that can measure tiny displacements with incredible precision, even beyond the diffraction limit. This innovation could revolutionize nanofabrication, microscopy, and more. Read on to learn about this exciting advancement in precision measurement!

Discover how China’s HPR1000 nuclear reactor is revolutionizing safety with its Passive Containment Heat Removal System. A new study reveals the advanced technologies that keep containment vessels intact during severe accidents. Learn about the breakthroughs in heat transfer and natural circulation that make this system a game-changer for nuclear power safety.