Normalizing the Optical Signal Enables Robust Assays with Lateral Flow Biosensors

Lateral flow assays (LFAs) are widely adopted for fast, on-site molecular diagnostics. Obtaining high-precision assay results, however, remains challenging and often requires a dedicated optical setup to control the imaging environment. Here, we describe quick light normalization exam (qLiNE) that transforms ubiquitous smartphones into a robust LFA reader. qLiNE used a reference card, printed with geometric patterns and color standards, for real-time optical calibration: a photo of an LFA test strip was taken along with the card, and the image was processed using a smartphone app to correct shape distortion, illumination brightness, and color imbalances. This approach yielded consistent optical signal, enabling quantitative molecular analyses under different illumination conditions. We adapted qLiNE to detect cortisol, a known stress hormone, in saliva samples at point-of-use settings. The assay was fast (15 min) and sensitive (detection limit, 0.16 ng/mL). The serial qLiNE assay detected diurnal cycles of cortisol levels as well as stress-induced cortisol increase

Novel Bimetallic Thiocarboxylate Compounds as Single-Source Precursors to Binary and Ternary Metal Sulfide Materials

The binuclear compounds [(Ph3P)CuM(SC{O}Ph)4] (M = Ga (1) or In (2)), [(Ph3P)2 AgGa(SC{O}Ph)4] (3), [(Ph3P)2 AgIn(SC{O}R)4] (R = Me (4) or Ph (5)) have been synthesized and characterized. The solid-state structures of compounds 1−3 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Thermogravimetry and pyrolysis studies revealed that these compounds decompose to give the corresponding ternary metal sulfide materials. However, using the aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) method, In2S3 thin films were obtained from 2 and AgIn5S8 thin films were obtained from compounds 4 and 5

Advanced Colorimetric Paper Sensors Using Color Focusing Effect Based on Asymmetric Flow of Fluid

Although paper-based colorimetric sensors utilizing enzymatic reactions are well suited for real-field diagnosis, their widespread use is hindered by signal blurring at the detection spot due to the action of capillary forces on the liquid and the corresponding membrane. In this study, we eliminated signal losses commonly observed during enzyme-mediated colorimetric sensing and achieved pattern-free quantitative analysis of glucose and uric acid by mixing enzymes and color-forming reagents with chitosan oligosaccharide lactate (COL), which resulted in perfectly focused colorimetric signals at the detection spot, using asymmetric flow induced by changing the flow rate of the COL-treated paper. The targets were calibrated with 0–500 mg/dL of glucose and 0–200 mg/dL of uric acid, and the limit of detection was calculated to be 0.6 and 0.03 mg/dL, respectively. In human urine, the correlation has a high response between the measured and spiked concentrations, and the stability of the enzyme mixture including COL increased by 41% for glucose oxidase mixture and 29% for uricase mixture, compared to the corresponding mixtures without COL. Thus, the color focusing and pattern-free sensor, which have the advantages of easy fabrication, easy handling, and high stability, should be applied to real-field diagnosis

Variable Coordination Modes in Dialkyldithiophosphinato Complexes of Group 13 Metals: The X-ray Single Crystal Structures of Tris(diisobutyldithiophosphinato)gallium(III) and -indium(III)

Variable Coordination Modes in Dialkyldithiophosphinato Complexes of Group 13 Metals:  The X-ray Single Crystal Structures of Tris(diisobutyldithiophosphinato)gallium(III) and -indium(III

Normalizing the Optical Signal Enables Robust Assays with Lateral Flow Biosensors

Lateral flow assays (LFAs) are widely adopted for fast, on-site molecular diagnostics. Obtaining high-precision assay results, however, remains challenging and often requires a dedicated optical setup to control the imaging environment. Here, we describe quick light normalization exam (qLiNE) that transforms ubiquitous smartphones into a robust LFA reader. qLiNE used a reference card, printed with geometric patterns and color standards, for real-time optical calibration: a photo of an LFA test strip was taken along with the card, and the image was processed using a smartphone app to correct shape distortion, illumination brightness, and color imbalances. This approach yielded consistent optical signal, enabling quantitative molecular analyses under different illumination conditions. We adapted qLiNE to detect cortisol, a known stress hormone, in saliva samples at point-of-use settings. The assay was fast (15 min) and sensitive (detection limit, 0.16 ng/mL). The serial qLiNE assay detected diurnal cycles of cortisol levels as well as stress-induced cortisol increase

The role of rs121907892 in the GWAS signal on chromosome 11: 64–66 Mb region.

All dots in the figure are SNPs showing a genetic association with rs121907892, with r2 values > 0.01. Green circles are representative SNPs of each locus that reached genome-wide significance in the GWAS. The circle size is proportional to the strength of LD (r2) with rs121907892 (red circle). (A) Correlation between LD value (r2) with rs121907892 and the significance of association (–log10 p) of SNPs with serum uric acid (SUA) concentrations. (B) Regional plot for the results of the GWAS for SUA concentration. (C, D) Regional plots for the results of the association analysis for SUA concentration using SNPs derived from whole genome sequencing data before (C) and after (D) the conditional analysis incorporating rs121907892.</p

Results of the genome-wide association and validation studies for serum uric acid concentrations.

Results of the genome-wide association and validation studies for serum uric acid concentrations.</p

Effect of the p.W258* genotype on serum uric acid concentration in this study group.

Effect of the p.W258* genotype on serum uric acid concentration in this study group.</p

Advanced Colorimetric Paper Sensors Using Color Focusing Effect Based on Asymmetric Flow of Fluid

Although paper-based colorimetric sensors utilizing enzymatic reactions are well suited for real-field diagnosis, their widespread use is hindered by signal blurring at the detection spot due to the action of capillary forces on the liquid and the corresponding membrane. In this study, we eliminated signal losses commonly observed during enzyme-mediated colorimetric sensing and achieved pattern-free quantitative analysis of glucose and uric acid by mixing enzymes and color-forming reagents with chitosan oligosaccharide lactate (COL), which resulted in perfectly focused colorimetric signals at the detection spot, using asymmetric flow induced by changing the flow rate of the COL-treated paper. The targets were calibrated with 0–500 mg/dL of glucose and 0–200 mg/dL of uric acid, and the limit of detection was calculated to be 0.6 and 0.03 mg/dL, respectively. In human urine, the correlation has a high response between the measured and spiked concentrations, and the stability of the enzyme mixture including COL increased by 41% for glucose oxidase mixture and 29% for uricase mixture, compared to the corresponding mixtures without COL. Thus, the color focusing and pattern-free sensor, which have the advantages of easy fabrication, easy handling, and high stability, should be applied to real-field diagnosis

Mean K2P distance for concatenated dataset between and within the studied species.

<p>Mean K2P distance for concatenated dataset between and within the studied species.</p