Search Results (371)

The ultrasensitive detection of microRNA-17 (miRNA-107) is required for clinical diagnosis. In this work, an aggregation-induced electrochemiluminescence (AIECL) sensor was developed for the quantification of miRNA-107, in which AIECL-active polymer dots (Pdots) were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry and used as ECL emitters. Black hole quencher-labeled hairpin DNA (HP-BHQ) was modified on the Pdot surfaces, resulting in the ECL signal of the Pdots being in the “off” state due to the resonant energy transfer (RET) between the BHQ and Pdots. In the presence of miRNA-107, HP-BHQ opened through RNA-DNA hybridization. Subsequently, the introduced duplex-specific nuclease (DSN) facilitated the cleavage of DNA in the RNA–DNA hybrid chain and led to the detachment of HP-BHQ from the electrode surface. The ECL signal of the Pdots recovered, i.e., to the “on” state. The variation in the ECL signal was related to the concentration of the target miRNA-107. As a result, the AIECL biosensor exhibited a wide linear response to miRNA-107 concentrations ranging from 1.0 fM to 10.0 pM, and a low detection limit of 0.82 fM. This work provides a novel platform for the sensitive analysis of miRNA. Full article

Background: Altered passive eruption (APE) is one of the etiological factors associated with excessive gingival display and is commonly treated with esthetic crown lengthening (ECL). However, existing classification systems provide limited guidance for selecting appropriate treatment approaches. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate (1) the expected outcome of ECL in eliminating unattractive excessive gingival display (4 mm) based on digital smile assessment and (2) the distribution of teeth and patients according to the modified APE classification. Methods: Forty-two Thai patients with APE underwent clinical examination, digital smile assessment, intraoral scanning, and CBCT. Predicted gingival display (PGD) was calculated to assess the expected outcomes of ECL. The modified APE classification, incorporating CEJ–BC distance and buccal bone thickness, was analyzed at both the tooth and patient levels. Results: A total of 252 maxillary anterior teeth were assessed. Most patients (78.57%) presented with APE and hyperactive upper lip. The mean gingival display (GD) was 6.04 ± 1.76 mm, with GD ≥ 4 mm observed in 92.86% of patients. The mean PGD was 3.56 ± 1.71 mm, and ECL was predicted to reduce GD to < 4 mm in 66.67% of patients. Teeth were classified as Class I (28.97%), II (15.48%), III (41.27%), and IV (14.28%); only Types II (11.9%) and III (88.1%) occurred at the patient level. Conclusions: ECL performed at the CEJ level is predicted to eliminate excessive gingival display in approximately two-thirds of APE patients. The modified APE classification offers guidance for selecting surgical approaches, highlighting the necessity of open-flap procedures and the limited applicability of flapless approaches. Full article

The rapid development of intelligent transportation systems and autonomous driving technologies has made visual perception a key component in ensuring safety and improving efficiency in complex traffic environments. As a core task in visual perception, object detection directly affects the reliability of downstream modules such as path planning and decision control. However, adverse weather conditions (e.g., fog, rain, and snow) significantly degrade image quality—causing texture blurring, reduced contrast, and increased noise—which in turn weakens the robustness of traditional detection models and raises potential traffic safety risks. To address this challenge, this paper proposes an enhanced object detection framework, ECL-YOLOv11 (Edge-enhanced, Context-guided, and Lightweight YOLOv11), designed to improve detection accuracy and real-time performance under adverse weather conditions, thereby providing a reliable solution for in-vehicle perception systems. The ECL-YOLOv11 architecture integrates three key modules: (1) a Convolutional Edge-enhancement (CE) module that fuses edge features extracted by Sobel operators with convolutional features to explicitly retain boundary and contour information, thereby alleviating feature degradation and improving localization accuracy under low-visibility conditions; (2) a Context-guided Multi-scale Fusion Network (AENet) that enhances perception of small and distant objects through multi-scale feature integration and context modeling, improving semantic consistency and detection stability in complex scenes; and (3) a Lightweight Shared Convolutional Detection Head (LDHead) that adopts shared convolutions and GroupNorm normalization to optimize computational efficiency, reduce inference latency, and satisfy the real-time requirements of on-board systems. Experimental results show that ECL-YOLOv11 achieves mAP@50 and mAP@50–95 values of 62.7% and 40.5%, respectively, representing improvements of 1.3% and 0.8% over the baseline YOLOv11, while the Precision reaches 73.1%. The model achieves a balanced trade-off between accuracy and inference speed, operating at 237.8 FPS on standard hardware. Ablation studies confirm the independent effectiveness of each proposed module in feature enhancement, multi-scale fusion, and lightweight detection, while their integration further improves overall performance. Qualitative visualizations demonstrate that ECL-YOLOv11 maintains high-confidence detections across varying motion states and adverse weather conditions, avoiding category confusion and missed detections. These results indicate that the proposed framework provides a reliable and adaptable foundation for all-weather perception in autonomous driving systems, ensuring both operational safety and real-time responsiveness. Full article

A growing body of research shows that students’ self-regulatory behaviors are positively associated with reading achievement, whereas attention difficulties are negatively related. However, these factors have typically been examined separately. This study addresses this gap by simultaneously analyzing self-regulation and attention difficulties, as well as their interactions with sociodemographic characteristics, thereby offering a more comprehensive understanding of early reading development. Using nationally representative data from approximately 18,000 first-grade students in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS-K:2011), we employed structural equation modeling to examine how self-regulatory behaviors and attention difficulties mediate the relationship between reading achievement and attention difficulties. Findings indicated that the direct and mediating effects of self-regulation and attention difficulties differed across sociodemographic groups. Attention difficulties emerged as the stronger mediator of reading achievement compared to self-regulation. These results underscore the importance of supporting self-regulatory skills in the early elementary grades to manage attention difficulties and improve reading performance. This study is among the first to integrate sociodemographic factors with self-regulation and attention in predicting reading outcomes, providing a foundation for more targeted early interventions. Full article

The pervasive presence of foodborne contaminants in foods poses a significant global threat, contributing to various foodborne diseases and food safety issues. Therefore, developing rapid, sensitive, and universal detection methods for them is essential to ensure public health and food safety. Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensors, particularly those incorporating innovative nanoaggregates, have been widely used to detect related contaminant residues in foodstuffs owing to their superior sensitivity and low background signals. This review summarizes recent advances in nanoaggregate-based novel ECL sensors for detecting a wide range of contaminants, with emphasis on their fundamentals and representative applications. This area has not yet been comprehensively covered in the existing literature. The current challenges and emerging trends for next-generation ECL sensors based on nanoaggregates in food safety monitoring are also discussed. Full article

The molecular fatty acid (FA) profiles of seven certified thermophilic Lactobacillus strains, including the influence of an extracellular source of oleic acid (as Tween 80^TM), were characterised using advanced chromatographic and spectrometric methods. Cyclic and conjugated fatty acids were identified by GC-MS using co-injections with authentic standards, ECL, and diagnostic EI ions, with a secondary confirmation using literature data. Additionally, the molecular-level characterisation of fatty acid profiles of bacterial cells was summarised using the latest analytical approaches, highlighting inconsistencies and differences reported in previous studies. Six saturated fatty acids, two single-branched fatty acids with iso and anteiso structures, one hydroxy fatty acid, nine unsaturated fatty acids with one double bond, two fatty acids with unsaturated double bonds, six fatty acids with conjugated bonds, and three fatty acids with a cyclic part in the carbon chain were identified. Within these fatty acids, we also demonstrated the limitations of molecular chromatographic resolution and structural discrimination, which impacted the effective identification of fatty acids in our research. We confirmed the significant differences in terms of the identification of C18:1,cis-9 and C18:1,cis-11 acids, as well as cycC19:0,cis-10,11, and cycC19:0,cis-9,10 acids. The observations at the molecular–physiological interface related to the lack of growth of L. acidophilus strains and the visibly reduced growth of L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis ATCC 4797 in the MRS without the addition of Tween 80^TM allowed us to confirm that the exclusion of this medium is useful in differentiating the lactobacilli. Full article

Co-reactants are essential in co-reactant-based electrochemiluminescence (ECL) systems because they generate reactive intermediates that can oxidize or reduce ECL luminophores, thereby driving ECL emission. In the context of ECL, gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) have emerged as innovative luminophores, owing to their tunable electronic structures and excellent biocompatibility. However, their efficiency in ECL applications is often compromised by challenges such as limited excited-state generation and non-radiative losses. To tackle these practical challenges, advanced co-reactant engineering strategies have been developed to improve the performance of Au NCs in ECL systems. This review begins with a brief overview of the mechanisms of ECL. Subsequently, a systematic overview of various co-reactant engineering strategies is presented, including: (1) using innovative co-reactants to replace traditional ones due to their lower toxicity and better biocompatibility; (2) applying co-reaction accelerators to reduce the onset potential and improve the production of reactive intermediates from co-reactants; (3) combining co-reactants with luminophores or creating integrated nanostructure assemblies of co-reactants, co-reaction accelerators, and luminophores to achieve shorter electron transfer paths and reduced energy loss for stable high-intensity ECL emission; (4) utilizing host-guest strategies that encapsulate co-reactants within cavities to stabilize radical intermediates and minimize environmental quenching. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments in co-reactant engineering for Au NCs-based ECL systems, thereby encouraging further exploration and understanding of these systems and expanding their potential applications. Full article

In an interlayered carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate (CFRPC) composite constructed of nine CF plies alternating between ten PC sheets, designated [PC]₁₀[CF]₉, applying homogeneous low voltage electron beam irradiation (HLEBI) at 200 kV cathode potential, with V_c setting at a 43.2 kGy dose, to both finished sample surfaces resulted in a 47% increase in Charpy impact strength and a_uc at median fracture probability (P_f) of 0.50 over that of untreated, from 118 kJm⁻² to 173 kJm⁻². Increasingly higher V_c settings of 150, 175, and 200 kV successively increased a_uc at median-P_f of 0.50 to 128, 155, and 173 kJm⁻², respectively. Strengthening is attributed to increasing the HLEBI penetration depth, D_th, into the sample thickness. Since the [PC]₁₀[CF]₉ has an inhomogeneous structure, D_th is calculated for each ply successively into the thickness. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photos showed a hierarchy of fracture mechanisms from poor PC/CF adhesion in untreated; to sporadic PC adhesion with aggregated CF at 150 kV; to high consolidation of CFs by PC at 200 kV. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) examination of the CF surface in the fracture area showed C1s carbonate O–(C=O)–O and ester O–(C=O)–R peak generation at 289 to 292 eV to be non-existent in untreated; well-defined at 150 kV; and increased in intensity at 200 kV, after which a reduction was observed at 225 kV. Moreover, the 200 kV yielded the largest area sp³ peak at 49.5%, signifying an increase in graphitic edge planes in the CF, apparently as dangling bonds, for increased adhesion sites to PC. For O1s scan, 200 kV yielded the largest area O–(C=O)–O peak at 34%, indicating maximum PC adhesion to CF. At the higher 225 kV, increase in a_uc at P_f of 0.50 was less, to 149 kJm⁻², and XPS indicated a lower amount of O–(C=O)–O groups, apparently by excess bond severing by the higher V_c setting. Full article

Influence of surface pretreatment Hydrofluoric acid (HFA), Erbium yttrium scandium gallium garnet (Er, Cr: YSGG) laser (ECL), and Phthalocyanine (Pc) photosensitizer (Ps) activated by Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) via a light-emitting diode (LED) device on surface roughness (Ra) and shear bond strength (SBS) of ceramic bracket bonded to enamel via unmodified and Sepiolite-modified adhesive. Sixty non-cavitated human maxillary premolars were obtained. Ninety ceramic brackets were classified into three groups based on different pretreatment methods: Group 1: HFA; Group 2: ECL; and Group 3: Pc-LLLT. Twenty samples from each cohort were allocated into two subgroups by adhesive type: unmodified Transbond XT(A) and adhesive-modified Sep-NPs(B) (n = 10). Ra was measured using profilometry followed by surface topography via SEM, SBS via universal testing machine, and degree of conversion (DC) through FTIR spectroscopy. ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc tests compared Ra, SBS, and DC across groups (p ˂ 0.05). Maximum Ra was observed in the ECL group (1087.43 ± 0.043 µm), while Group 3 (Pc-LLLT) showed the lowest Ra (706.53 ± 0.054 µm). Maximum SBS was recorded in Group 2B (ECL + SepNPs modified adhesive) (8.79 ± 0.48 MPa), while Group 3A (Pc-LLLT + unmodified adhesive) (5.23 ± 0.32 MPa) showed minimum bond integrity. ECL serves as an appropriate substitute for HFA in improving Ra and SBS of ceramic brackets to enamel. SepNPs improved the SBS of orthodontic adhesive to enamel with no significant difference in DC. Full article

Background/Objectives: The use of intraoperative venoarterial extracorporeal life support (VA ECLS) has traditionally been used to support unstable patients undergoing complex lung transplantation. More evidence is emerging that the use of intraoperative VA ECLS may be beneficial for all patients undergoing lung transplantation. The aim of this study was to report the safety and feasibility of lung transplantation with the routine use of central VA ECLS. Methods: In this single-center retrospective observational study, all consecutive patients undergoing lung transplantation from April 2021 until September 2025 were included. Early outcomes and the incidence of primary graft dysfunction were evaluated with the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation criteria at 72 h after transplantation. Survival and chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD)-free survival were reported with Kaplan–Meier estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: During the study period, 35 patients were successfully transplanted with the aid of central VA ECLS. There were no complications associated with intraoperative ECLS. One revision surgery was performed for immediate postoperative bleeding, and one for bronchial anastomosis air leak. Operative mortality occurred in three patients (8.6%). The median in-hospital stay was 30 (25–43) days. Severe primary graft dysfunction at 72 h was observed in four (11.4%) patients. Survival and CLAD-free survival at 1-, 3-, and 5-years following surgery were 85% (95% CI [74–98]), 74% (95% CI [59–92]), 67% (95% CI [28–82]), and 82% (95% CI [70–96]), 52% (95% CI [37–74]), 36% (95% CI [11–59]), respectively. Conclusions: Lung transplantation can safely be performed with the aid of central VA ECLS, with a low rate of primary graft dysfunction and favorable long-term outcomes. Further follow-up studies and greater experience are needed to make inferences on the long-term outcomes. This technique is relatively recent and evolving, representing an innovative intersection of advanced supportive technology with transplant surgery, potentially broadening indications and improving success rates. Full article

Background/Objectives: Autoimmune metaplastic atrophic gastritis (AMAG) is a chronic, autoimmune-mediated condition associated with increased risk of malignancy and nutritional deficiencies, yet diagnostic and follow-up processes remain inconsistent and unclear. This study investigates follow-up testing performance in patients with AMAG and neuroendocrine tumors (NET), as well as the correlation between endoscopic impressions and histologic findings. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 65 gastric biopsies with final diagnoses or comments mentioning the possibility of AMAG, 12 of which included well-differentiated WHO grade 1 NET arising in AMAG. H&E slides were reviewed to assess atrophy severity, the presence or absence of enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cell hyperplasia, and Helicobacter organisms. The final diagnostic line or comments made were scored from 1 to 5, based on the strength of the language used to alert the treating clinician to the likelihood of AMAG. Corresponding endoscopy reports were scored from 1 to 5 based on the likelihood of the reports documenting AMAG features. Data regarding follow-up laboratory testing relevant to AMAG and biopsy performance were collected from the electronic medical records. Results: Endoscopy scores showed no significant associations with the histology comment score or atrophy grade. The histology comment score was positively associated with performing at least a total of three laboratory tests (p = 0.03). No association was found between the presence or absence of follow-up biopsy and histology comment score (p = 0.60). Follow-up biopsy was more common in patients with NET than those with AMAG without NET (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Poor endoscopic–histologic correlation with variable follow-up practices highlights the need for standardized protocols in AMAG management. Enhanced adherence to biopsy guidelines, standardized pathology reporting, and consistent surveillance, particularly for patients with AMAG without NET, are imperative to improve diagnosis and outcomes. Future research should focus on optimizing endoscopic techniques, standardizing serological tests, and establishing evidence-based surveillance protocols for AMAG patients. Full article

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) has evolved into a powerful analytical technique due to its ultra-high sensitivity, low background noise, and precise electrochemical control. The development of efficient ECL emitters is central to advancing this technology for practical applications. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have recently emerged as promising candidates for constructing high-performance ECL systems. The tunable porosity, ordered π-conjugated structures, and versatile modular functionalities of COFs provide fast massive transport, effective electron transfer, rapid interfacial electrochemical reaction, and enhanced ECL emission performance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the rational design strategies and structural engineering for COF-based ECL materials at the molecular level. Linkage chemistry, monomer selection (luminophores and π-conjugated non-ECL motifs), precise framework regulation, post-synthetic modification, composite formation, and other ECL enhancement strategies were discussed for developing COF-based ECL emitter. Both the incorporation of aggregation-induced emission and intramolecular charge transfer mechanisms are included to enhance ECL efficiency. Donor–acceptor conjugation, heteroatom element content, isomerism, substitution, and dimensional direction were regarded as effective strategies to regulate the electronic structure and band diagrams for designing high-performance ECL systems. The role of COFs as both active emitters and functional scaffolds for signal amplification is critically examined. Furthermore, their diverse analytical applications across biosensing, food safety, environmental monitoring, and chiral recognition are highlighted. By correlating structural features with ECL performance, this review offers insights into the design principles of next-generation reticular ECL materials and outlines future directions for their practical deployment in sensitive and selective sensing platforms. Full article

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) is a chemiluminescence phenomenon triggered by electrochemical reactions at the electrode surface, which has gradually become a high-sensitivity detection technology due to its low background, simple instrumentation, and high sensitivity. Therein, potential-resolved ECL refers to the generation of two or more ECL signals with distinct potentials and wavelengths during an electrochemical process. This unique capability enables simultaneous multi-signal outputs, making potential-resolved ECL particularly promising for self-calibration and multiplexed detection strategies. In this review, we focus on two critical aspects: on the one hand, the advancement of traditional ECL luminophores and potential-resolved ECL systems was reviewed, which were classified, respectively, into three categories to be introduced in detail (inorganic, organic and nanomaterial-based ECL luminophores or potential-resolved ECL of metal–organic complexes, layer-by-layer-modified electrodes, and nanomaterials). On the other hand, we summarized ECL detection strategies based on potential-resolved ECL systems and the application of these protocols in disease biomarker detection, which results in two categories (self-calibration strategies and multi-target strategies) for discussion. In this work, we aim to inspire investigators to explore novel ECL luminophores and design detection strategies with high performance, which could provide strong support for precision medicine, personalized assessment, portable medical devices, and the digital transformation of healthcare. Full article

Misconceptions about sound are common among primary-school pupils, but research on voice-interactive game-based learning remains limited, especially regarding the role of scaffolding. We investigated whether a voice-interactive 2D platformer with a three-tier scaffolding model improves learning about loudness, pitch, and echo. In a classroom-feasible randomized comparison, 45 third-graders were assigned to a scaffolded serious game (SSG), a non-scaffolded serious game (NSG), or traditional hands-on materials instruction (TRAD) on matched sound content. Outcomes were an immediate eight-item knowledge test and learner-centered ratings of perceived learning, flow, intrinsic motivation, and extraneous cognitive load (ECL). The knowledge test showed low internal consistency, so results involving this measure should be interpreted with caution. SSG yielded higher immediate learning than NSG and matched traditional instruction. Across experience measures, only intrinsic motivation differed, favoring NSG. Hierarchical regression revealed a motivation-by-structure effect: scaffolding strengthened the positive association between intrinsic motivation and test scores, whereas ECL was not predictive. Findings indicate that voice-interactive serious games can match near-term learning achieved with physical materials, and well-calibrated scaffolds help convert motivation into accurate encoding. We also map sound constructs to gameplay mechanics and provide a compact, classroom-feasible, replicable evaluation design for primary classrooms. Full article

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a complex, life-threatening syndrome characterized by inadequate tissue perfusion due to impaired cardiac function. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute decompensated heart failure are the leading causes, with mortality remaining high despite advances in revascularization and supportive care. The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) classification allows risk stratification and guides clinical decision making by capturing the spectrum of shock severity. Percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (pMCS) devices, such as the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and Impella, aim to stabilize hemodynamics by augmenting cardiac output and unloading the left ventricle. However, randomized trials and meta-analyses have not demonstrated a consistent survival advantage of Impella over IABP, while reporting higher rates of bleeding and vascular complications. Landmark trials, including ECLS-SHOCK and DanGer, have provided conflicting results, likely reflecting differences in baseline severity and timing of device implantation. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (VA-ECMO) offers full cardiopulmonary support but increases left ventricular afterload, potentially worsening myocardial injury. Combined strategies such as ECPELLA (Impella + VA-ECMO) or ECMO + IABP may mitigate left ventricle (LV) overload and improve bridging to recovery or advanced therapies, although evidence remains largely observational and complication rates are considerable. In right-sided or biventricular failure, tailored options (e.g., Impella RP, Bi-Pella) guided by invasive hemodynamics may be required. Current evidence suggests that pMCS benefits are limited to carefully selected subgroups, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis, prompt referral, and individualized intervention. Robust randomized data are still needed to define the optimal role of pMCS in AMI-related CS. Full article