Search Results (1,729)

The present study was conducted to study the effect of exposure time to ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation on seed germination, fungal suppression and seedling growth of three Egyptian rice cultivars, namely, Sakha 105, Sakha 108, and Giza 183. Experiments were carried out under controlled laboratory conditions. Rice seeds were exposed to UV-C radiation with a wavelength of 253.7 nm and intensity of 1960 µW cm² for 0 (control), 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min. Initial seed health testing showed the presence of several seed-borne fungi, mainly Alternaria alternata, Rhizoctonia solani, and Fusarium verticillioides, in addition to Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. Results revealed that UV-C exposure time, rice cultivar and their interactions significantly (p < 0.05) affected germination percentage, reduction percentage of seed fungal infection, and seedling growth parameters. The optimum exposure time was 30 min, which was found to maximize germination and improve shoot and root growth to achieve high levels of fungal suppression. Giza 183 exhibited the highest average germination percentage (92.40%), while Sakha 105 obtained the highest shoot height (17.00 cm) and root length (12.91 cm). The results indicate that UV-C irradiation is an effective, residue-free and environmentally sustainable seed treatment technology for improving rice seed quality as well as early seedling performance. Full article

Quantum secure direct communication, as an important branch of quantum communication, possesses strict information-theoretic security and can achieve secure communication in channel environments with noise interference and eavesdropping threats. As voice communication is the most fundamental and widespread communication method in daily life, guaranteeing its security and efficiency has become an important research topic in current communication technology. One-way quantum secure direct communication technology can build an efficient and reliable security barrier for voice communication services, effectively preventing the leakage of private information in voice communication. This paper proposes a duplex voice communication scheme based on one-way quantum secure direct communication. By adopting a method combining multi-task parallel processing and stream processing, the communication rate and transmission delay performance of the system are significantly improved. Relying on quantum secure direct communication technology and the one-time-key encryption channel within the system, duplex voice communication is achieved securely. The real-time temperature drift compensation algorithm is introduced to ensure the long-term stable operation of the system. At the same time, through the real-time temperature drift prediction mechanism, the strategy selection during the call process is optimized to ensure the quality of the voice communication. To verify the feasibility and performance of this scheme, a one-way quantum secure direct communication duplex voice communication system was built in the laboratory environment, and comprehensive performance indicator tests were conducted. The test results show that the constructed one-way quantum secure direct communication system can fully meet the performance requirements of duplex voice communication. The realization of this system successfully achieves the goal of secure and efficient quantum voice communication, laying an important technical foundation for further expanding the practical application scenarios of quantum communication technology and promoting the industrialization development of quantum communication. Full article

Objective: Preanalytical errors account for the vast majority of preanalytical incidents and remain a fundamental threat to the reliability of test results. Although the types and frequencies of these errors have been extensively studied in the literature, their time-dependent variability has received comparatively little attention. This study aimed to evaluate how preanalytical specimen rejection rates vary across intraday time intervals and to assess the independent influence of time on preanalytical quality. Methods: This retrospective observational study included a total of 579,845 specimens accepted by the central laboratory of Istanbul Atlas University Hospital between January 2024 and December 2025. Specimens were analyzed with respect to preanalytical rejection reasons, the distribution and rate of these reasons across clinical units, and time of day. Each day was divided into six equal four-hour intervals: Z1 (00:00–04:00), Z2 (04:00–08:00), Z3 (08:00–12:00), Z4 (12:00–16:00), Z5 (16:00–20:00), and Z6 (20:00–24:00). Statistical analyses were performed using the Pearson chi-square test, and effect sizes were quantified using Cramér’s V coefficient. Results: Of the 579,845 specimens examined, 4365 were rejected, yielding an overall rejection rate of 0.79%. Rejection rates were found to be non-uniformly distributed across the day (p < 0.001). The highest rejection rate was observed during the Z2 interval (04:00–08:00) at 1.98%, whereas the lowest was recorded during Z3 (08:00–12:00) at 0.45%. Negative binomial regression analysis identified the Z2 interval as the only time period independently associated with an increased rejection risk Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) = 1.63; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.22–2.19. Among clinical units, the highest rejection rate was recorded in the emergency department (1.92%). Analysis of error types revealed that the majority of rejections were attributable to hemolysis (47.5%) and clotted specimens (26.3%). Hemolysis rates peaked in the emergency department, while clotted specimens occurred more frequently within intensive care units. Analysis of time and error interactions revealed that clotted specimens peaked during Z1 and Z2, whereas hemolysis became the primary cause of rejection during Z3 and Z4. Conclusions: Preanalytical specimen rejection rates exhibited significant variation according to time of day, clinical unit, and error type, with time emerging as a factor independently associated with preanalytical quality. The coexistence of elevated rejection risk during Z2 (04:00–08:00) and markedly low rejection rates during Z3 (08:00–12:00) indicates that the relationship between workload and error frequency is not linear. Although hemolysis and clotted specimens constituted the dominant error types, their distribution followed distinct patterns depending on the clinical unit and time interval. These results underscore the necessity of time-based monitoring to pinpoint unit-specific risks, providing a clear roadmap for targeted quality improvement interventions. Full article

This study aims to design and develop an innovative manual kitchen tool that integrates the functionalities of a Lazy Susan and a Dough Kneader into a two-in-one setup, addressing common challenges experienced by students during laboratory activities—crowdedness, inconvenience, and physical strain associated with manual dough kneading. Employing a descriptive–developmental research design, the study focused on the prototype’s conceptualization, construction, and evaluation in terms of its design, construction quality and availability of materials, functionality, usability, aesthetics, modularity, and ergonomics. Survey questionnaires were administered to faculty members and field experts to assess the overall acceptability of the product. The study was conducted at Caraga State University—Cabadbaran City. Results indicated a high level of acceptability across all evaluative criteria. Although minor design issues emerged during testing, these were addressed and refined accordingly. Findings suggest that the two-in-one Lazy Susan and Dough Kneader offers significant benefits in terms of space-saving, user convenience, and manual labor reduction. With its practical design and market viability, the product is a promising tool for educational and domestic culinary settings. Further research is recommended to enhance the tool’s features, particularly by exploring the integration of solar-powered functionality to improve efficiency and sustainability. Full article

This study aimed to design, develop, and evaluate a multi-axis welding positioner, designed as a laboratory simulator with 360° rotational capability and 90° tilting functionality to support outcome-based instruction in welding and fabrication technology courses. A developmental research design was employed to systematically address common challenges in instructional welding operations, such as limited workpiece maneuverability, inconsistent welding angles, operator fatigue, safety risks from manual repositioning, and the lack of affordable, adaptable positioning equipment. The study was conducted at Caraga State University–Cabadbaran Campus in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, and involved sixteen purposively selected experts in Welding and Fabrication Technology. These experts assessed the prototype during the design, development, and evaluation phases via a validated researcher-developed survey instrument. The welding positioner was evaluated based on the following criteria: design, construction and material availability, functionality, usability, safety, modularity, and ergonomics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings indicated that the prototype was highly functional, safe, and user-centered, enhancing welding accuracy and reducing operator fatigue. Of the evaluated parameters, Design, Construction, and Material Availability achieved the highest mean rating (3.61), reflecting strong structural quality and resource accessibility. Functionality received the lowest mean rating (3.51), signaling minor areas for improvement in responsiveness and component adjustability. The prototype, built from locally available, cost-effective materials, featured a motorized rotation system and a manual tilting mechanism that operated reliably during testing. The study concluded that the welding positioner met structural, ergonomic, and operational standards for use as a laboratory simulator in outcome-based welding instruction. Recommendations include integrating automated controls, enhancing portability, embedding digital monitoring features, and conducting extended performance evaluations in industrial settings. Full article

Home healthcare has recently been promoted in response to the increase in vulnerable people, such as elderly patients who can have difficulty accessing clinics and hospitals in Japan. A characteristic specific to home healthcare is that laboratory tests using specimens are conducted by transport from home to laboratory centers or by point-of-care testing at home. In this case, several issues can lead to inaccurate test values. This narrative literature review summarizes issues in the preanalytical process, a critical phase for ensuring the accuracy of laboratory tests. Specimen collection may not always be smooth in the pathological conditions of some elderly patients and/or in the non-clinic/hospital environments. The preservation of specimens, considering prolonged pre-centrifugation time and storage temperature, can alter the values of various analytes, including blood glucose, potassium, and lactate dehydrogenase. In addition, hemolytic phenomenon caused by insufficient specimen collection, vibration during specimen transport, and excessive milking during fingertip blood sampling can also be an issue. Awareness of the preanalytical process in testing specimens is important for obtaining accurate laboratory tests in home healthcare settings. This comprehensively summarized paper will be helpful in securing test quality and patient care. Full article

Background/Objectives: Despite hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining remaining the cornerstone of histopathological diagnosis, substantial intra- and inter-laboratory variability persists. This issue is increasingly relevant in Digital Pathology, where staining inconsistency may affect whole-slide image interpretation and the performance of image analysis algorithms. In the present work, we evaluated the diagnostic adequacy and non-inferiority of a novel tabs-based H&E histochemical staining method compared with conventional liquid reagents. Methods: Fifty formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples from routine practice were sectioned in duplicate and stained either conventionally or using H&E Stain Tabs. After slide review, 14 representative tissue samples were selected, scanned at 40× magnification, and used to generate 24 matched image pairs at different magnifications. A blind online survey was completed by 13 expert pathologists using high-quality monitors. Participants assessed overall staining preference and rated stromal, epithelial, cytoplasmic, and nuclear staining quality. Non-inferiority was tested using a predefined margin of −0.10, and paired rating differences were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Across 312 paired evaluations, the tabs-based method was preferred in 120 cases (38.5%), conventional staining in 118 cases (37.8%), and no preference was expressed in 74 cases (23.7%). The tabs-based method met the criterion for non-inferiority compared with standard staining (z = 2.7). Rating-scale analysis showed significantly better stromal evaluation with the tablet-based method (z = 2.638; p = 0.008), whereas no significant differences were observed for epithelial, cytoplasmic, or nuclear staining. All evaluated images were considered diagnostically adequate. Conclusions: The tabs-based H&E stain was non-inferior to the conventional method and showed particularly favorable performance in the assessment of stromal components. These findings support its potential role in improving staining reproducibility and standardization, particularly in Digital Pathology workflows where pre-analytical and analytical consistency is critical. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nanopore sequencing is increasingly used in mycobacterial diagnostics, where clinical microbiologists and diagnostic laboratories must decide when broad metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) or focused targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) is most appropriate. This review examined reported clinical and laboratory roles of nanopore mNGS and tNGS in tuberculosis (TB) and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) settings. Methods: Targeted searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus were refreshed on 4 April 2026. Thirty-five records spanning original clinical studies, evidence syntheses, and guideline-context documents were included. Results: Nanopore mNGS is most useful for broad organism detection and diagnostic rescue in unresolved pulmonary and extrapulmonary presentations, particularly when first-line testing is negative, discordant, low-yield, or when mixed infection is suspected. Nanopore tNGS appears better aligned with predefined TB confirmation and resistance-focused workflows because targeted regions allow more standardized interpretation. Agreement is strongest for rifampicin- and isoniazid-related resistance targets. In NTM settings, evidence is stronger for detection and species identification than for disease-level diagnosis. Common implementation constraints include pre-analytical variation, contamination control, host-background interference, inconsistent bioinformatics, and limited workforce capacity. Conclusions: A practical tiered approach is supported in which mNGS is positioned mainly for diagnostic rescue and discovery, whereas tNGS is considered for predefined workflows requiring standardized target interrogation and resistance-associated mutation reporting under local validation and quality systems. Full article

Background: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-based wearable devices offer non-invasive, continuous monitoring of muscle oxygenation, providing direct microvascular and metabolic information that complements indirect indices of intensity such as heart rate and accelerometry. Their clinical applicability in chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remains under active development. Methods: A structured narrative review was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore (January 2010–January 2026) using pre-specified search strings combining NIRS, muscle oxygenation, SmO₂, StO₂, wearable, exercise intensity, ventilatory/lactate threshold, and individual chronic disease terms. Eligible studies addressed technical validation of wearable NIRS, NIRS-derived exercise intensity estimation, clinical applications in NCDs, or rehabilitation implementation. Evidence was synthesized thematically; quality of validation studies was appraised against AMSTAR-2-informed, COSMIN-informed, or Cochrane RoB-2 criteria. Results: Wearable continuous-wave NIRS shows acceptable concurrent validity with frequency-domain laboratory systems (r = 0.79; range 0.69–0.88; ±8% SmO₂ agreement in 95% of measurements) and good test–retest reliability for moderate-to-severe domains (ICC 0.72–0.91). NIRS-derived breakpoints align more reliably with the second ventilatory/lactate threshold (ICC = 0.80) than with the first (ICC = 0.53), constraining its use for prescribing lower-intensity domains. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral arterial disease, chronic respiratory failure and selected cardiovascular conditions, wearable NIRS detects disease-specific patterns of muscle deoxygenation and post-exercise reoxygenation that track responses to rehabilitation. Conclusions: Current evidence supports wearable NIRS as a complementary, intensity-aware monitoring tool—particularly for delineating the heavy/severe-intensity boundary and detecting peripheral metabolic limitations—rather than as a stand-alone replacement for ventilatory or lactate thresholds. Because much of the evidence derives from small, single-sex or athlete-only cohorts, these findings should be regarded as a promising basis requiring further validation in broader NCD populations. Implementation in NCDs requires standardized placement and calibration protocols, sex- and body composition-stratified reference values, motion-artifact mitigation, and adequately powered longitudinal trials in clinical populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Vancomycin-resistant (VRE) and vancomycin-variable (VVE) Enterococcus spp. represent an increasing clinical challenge due to limited treatment options and the potential for undetected dissemination of such resistance genes. Data on Enterococci genomic epidemiology in healthcare settings remain rather limited. Our study aimed to investigate vancomycin resistance determinants in Enterococcus spp., clonal structure, and occurrence of VVE using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in Latvia. Methods: Clinical isolates collected from hospitalised patients in two tertiary-level hospitals in Latvia (2021–2024) were analysed using WGS following routine laboratory identification. Vancomycin resistance determinants were identified in silico, along with MLST and cgMLST genotyping. Results: Of 532 sequenced isolates, 482 met the quality and inclusion criteria. E. faecalis (56.64%) and E. faecium (40.25%) predominated. Among 125 isolates carrying vancomycin resistance genes, vanB (54.40%) was the most frequent, followed by vanA (38.20%) and vanC (6.40%); vanC was restricted to E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus. Vancomycin resistance was more prevalent in E. faecium (51.03%) than in E. faecalis (6.59%). cgMLST identified outbreak clusters among E. faecium ST80 and ST78 with complex type-specific resistance patterns and hospital specificity. E. faecalis showed polyclonal endemicity with the vanB gene present in different clades. Three (0.62%) vancomycin-variable E. faecium (VVE) isolates were identified in one hospital, harbouring vanA-type gene clusters comprising vanHAX but lacking the sensory gene vanS and the regulatory gene vanR. Conclusions: The VanB gene predominated in both hospitals, driven by clonal expansion of hospital-adapted E. faecium ST80/ST78, contrasting with earlier vanA predominance in Europe but aligning with recent regional vanB trends. The detection of VVE highlights clinically relevant genotype–phenotype discordance, underscoring the importance of integrating genomic surveillance with routine phenotypic testing to detect cryptic resistance and guide effective antimicrobial therapy. Full article

Compression tests are widely used to characterize cereal kernels, yet the loading rate is often treated as a secondary methodological factor, despite the fact that the ASAE S368.4 procedure recommends a low crosshead speed, whereas industrial size-reduction operations involve much faster and more complex loading conditions. This mismatch limits the direct transfer of laboratory data to milling practice and makes it difficult to compare results obtained under different test settings. The aim of this study was therefore to determine how grain moisture content and loading rate (crosshead speed) affect kernel damage and selected mechanical properties of bread wheat cultivars (Bataja and Tytanika) and feed wheat cultivars classified in the Polish C quality group (Lawina and Sikorka). Before the analyses, kernels were adjusted to five moisture levels: 10%, 12%, 14%, 16%, and 18% on a wet basis (w.b.). Compression tests were conducted at six crosshead speeds: 1, 3, 5, 10, 30, and 50 mm min⁻¹. The conversion ratio of mechanical properties determined relative to 1 mm min⁻¹ and 10% moisture content ranged from 0.46 to 2.59, confirming that both factors markedly changed kernel response. Rupture force generally decreased with increasing moisture content, whereas longitudinal strain, relative strain and rupture energy increased. A distinct decrease in all mechanical parameters was observed at 10 mm min⁻¹, and this effect became more pronounced at higher moisture contents. The results indicate that the loading rate should be reported and controlled in wheat kernel compression tests and should be considered when laboratory measurements are used to support milling optimization. However, the proposed value of 10 mm min⁻¹ should be interpreted as a promising laboratory reference point rather than as a direct industrial operating standard. Full article

Newborn screening in England is a national program with laboratories adhering to common screening algorithms. Until recently, screening for inherited metabolic disorders was provided by ten laboratories using laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) and three using commercial assays: harmonization of results proved challenging. Introduction of hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 screening meant LDTs required modification to include the measurement of succinylacetone, and subsequent re-validation. This provided an opportunity to implement a single commercial reagent kit in all laboratories. It was anticipated that this would improve analytical performance and harmonization. This study aimed to determine whether these goals were achieved. Verification across the 13 laboratories revealed that the commercial kit reduced inter-laboratory variation for all analytes demonstrating improved harmonization. However, this was achieved by applying instrument-specific correction factors to all analytes, the magnitude of which were significant, indicating a lack of standardization. Performance of succinylacetone was limited by instrument-dependent background interference from the methionine stable isotope label, underscoring the need to establish evidence-based screening cut-off values (COV) rather than adopting published thresholds. This study emphasizes the need for traceable reference materials to improve laboratory quality and the value of screening outcome data. Full article

Lysosomal diseases (LDs, or Lysosomal Storage Disorders) have become increasingly visible in the newborn screening community, with the addition of mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS-II) into the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel in August 2022 and Infantile Krabbe disease in June 2024. As more LDs are expected to be considered for screening adoption, the ability to multiplex conditions and expand proficiency testing (PT) using quality control materials is essential. This study examines the use of recombinant enzymes to produce first-tier PT materials for mucopolysaccharidosis type I, MPS-II, Gaucher, Fabry, Krabbe, Pompe, and Niemann–Pick A/B (acid sphingomyelinase deficiency)—adding four disorders to the CDC’s Newborn Screening Quality Assurance Program (NSQAP) LD PT panel. Through an iterative process that included two prototype phases, two pilot phases, and external testing by up to 31 external laboratories, a new manufacturing process was developed for producing high-performing dried blood spot-based LD PT specimens. Materials were evaluated using several methods commonly employed by newborn screening laboratories, including tandem mass spectrometry with flow injection and liquid chromatography, digital microfluidics, and fluorometric assays. This novel process for producing LD PT materials offers several advantages over previous manufacturing methods that relied on immortalized cell lines from affected patients. Improved scalability, for example, has enabled NSQAP to expand LD PT enrollment internationally. Furthermore, the new process makes it easier to support future expansions of the LD screening panel. The updated specimens and expanded program were launched in January 2025. Full article

Background and Objectives: Nutritional impairment and systemic inflammation contribute to disease progression and poor outcomes in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The geriatric-nutritional-risk-index (GNRI) and prognostic-nutritional-index (PNI) are practical markers reflecting both nutritional and immune status. In elderly COPD patients, malnutrition-related exacerbations often worsen quality of life and increase hospitalization. Identifying reliable predictors of exacerbation risk is therefore important for improving disease management. This study evaluated the association between GNRI, PNI and exacerbation frequency across different age groups in COPD. Materials and Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 302 patients with COPD from 10 medical centers. All patients were classified as GOLD Group-E according to exacerbation history. Demographic characteristics, pulmonary function tests, Charlson-Comorbidity-Index (CCI), pharmacological treatments, dyspnea scores, and annual exacerbation frequency were obtained from hospital databases. Laboratory parameters including complete blood count, C-reactive protein, albumin, and total protein were recorded. GNRI, PNI, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were calculated to evaluate nutritional and inflammatory status. Results: The mean age of participants was 67.9 ± 9.6 years and 26.5% were female. Elderly patients had significantly higher CCI scores, longer disease duration, greater cumulative smoking exposure, and more frequent exacerbations than younger patients (p < 0.001). Pulmonary function parameters were significantly lower in the elderly group, while long-term oxygen therapy and nebulizer use were more common (p < 0.001). Baseline and exacerbation NLR levels were higher in elderly patients, whereas GNRI and PNI values were lower during both stable disease and exacerbation periods. Patients with more than four exacerbations per year had significantly higher NLR and lower GNRI values. Conclusions: Elderly COPD patients in GOLD Group-E demonstrate marked inflammatory and nutritional burden. Lower PNI values were independently associated with increased annual exacerbation frequency, while lower GNRI values were observed in patients with greater inflammatory and nutritional burden. Routine immune-nutritional assessment may improve risk stratification and help identify patients who could benefit from early multidisciplinary management. Full article

This study experimentally evaluates hydrogen recovery from synthetic syngas and water–gas shift (WGS) syngas using a laboratory-scale pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit equipped with layered activated carbon/zeolite 5A beds. Breakthrough tests were first performed to determine adsorption-time limits and identify the critical impurity controlling product quality. Continuous PSA experiments were then carried out using two cycle configurations: a two-bed Berlin-type cycle and a four-bed Linde-type cycle. CO was the first impurity breakthrough experimentally detected and it therefore defined the practical adsorption-time cut-off, whereas CO₂ exhibited the strongest retention, especially in beds with an increased activated-carbon fraction. The results showed a clear trade-off between purity and recovery. The four-bed Linde-type cycle provided a wider operating window than the two-bed Berlin-type cycle, owing to pressure equalization and product-purge steps. The best overall performance was obtained for WGS syngas with the 1.6:1 AC:zeolite bed, reaching 99.5 vol.% H₂ at 84% recovery and maintaining 99.2 vol.% H₂ at 86% recovery. The tail gas was enriched in CO₂ up to approximately 72 vol.%, indicating potential for integration with downstream CO₂ management. Full article