Retinal Findings in Haemorrhagic Destruction of the Brain, Subependymal Calcification, and Congenital Cataracts (HDBSCC): Case Report and Review.

We describe a child from a consanguineous family born with a rare autosomal recessive disorder affecting junctional adhesion molecule 3 (JAM3) causing profound neurological and ophthalmological injury known as haemorrhagic brain destruction, subependymal calcifications, and congenital cataracts (HDBSCC; MIM# 613730). She was the product of an unremarkable pregnancy and was born near to term but was noted shortly after birth to have congenital cataracts, poor vision, increased muscle tone, seizures, and developmental delay. Her older sister had an identical syndrome and had previously been documented to have homozygous mutations in JAM3. Examination in our patient, although difficult because of bilateral central cataracts, revealed very poor vision, attenuated retinal vessels, optic atrophy, and a retinal haemorrhage in the right eye, implying that abnormal development of the retinas and/or optic nerves may at times play a significant role in the poor vision noted in children with HDBSCC.

Freiburg RNA tools: a central online resource for RNA-focused research and teaching.

The Freiburg RNA tools webserver is a well established online resource for RNA-focused research. It provides a unified user interface and comprehensive result visualization for efficient command line tools. The webserver includes RNA-RNA interaction prediction (IntaRNA, CopraRNA, metaMIR), sRNA homology search (GLASSgo), sequence-structure alignments (LocARNA, MARNA, CARNA, ExpaRNA), CRISPR repeat classification (CRISPRmap), sequence design (antaRNA, INFO-RNA, SECISDesign), structure aberration evaluation of point mutations (RaSE), and RNA/protein-family models visualization (CMV), and other methods. Open education resources offer interactive visualizations of RNA structure and RNA-RNA interaction prediction as well as basic and advanced sequence alignment algorithms. The services are freely available at http://rna.informatik.uni-freiburg.de.

Mildly Elevated Liver Transaminase Levels: Causes and Evaluation.

Mild, asymptomatic elevations (less than five times the upper limit of normal) of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels are common in primary care. It is estimated that approximately 10% of the U.S. population has elevated transaminase levels. An approach based on the prevalence of diseases that cause asymptomatic transaminase elevations can help clinicians efficiently identify common and serious liver disease. The most common causes of elevated transaminase levels are nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver disease. Uncommon causes include drug-induced liver injury, hepatitis B and C, and hereditary hemochromatosis. Rare causes include alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, autoimmune hepatitis, and Wilson disease. Extrahepatic sources, such as thyroid disorders, celiac sprue, hemolysis, and muscle disorders, are also associated with mildly elevated transaminase levels. The initial evaluation should include an assessment for metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance (i.e., waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting lipid level, and fasting glucose or A1C level); a complete blood count with platelets; measurement of serum albumin, iron, total iron-binding capacity, and ferritin; and hepatitis C antibody and hepatitis B surface antigen testing. The nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score and the alcoholic liver disease/nonalcoholic fatty liver disease index can be helpful in the evaluation of mildly elevated transaminase levels. If testing for common causes is consistent with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and is otherwise unremarkable, a trial of lifestyle modification is appropriate. If the elevation persists, hepatic ultrasonography and further testing for uncommon causes should be considered.

Novel ocular observations in a child with Joubert syndrome type 6 due to pathogenic variant in TMEM67 gene.

Purpose: To describe unique ocular features in a child with Joubert syndrome type 6. Observations: A 4-year-old male patient presented with right microphthalmia and non-dilating pupil and left primary position nystagmus. Brain MRI revealed a "molar tooth sign" of the midbrain and a "batwing sign" of the fourth ventricle along with large retroorbital cysts bilaterally. The diagnosis of autosomal recessive Joubert syndrome type 6 due to homozygous pathogenic variant c.725A > G p. (Asn242Ser) in TMEM67 gene was confirmed by whole exome sequencing. Left eye had nystagmus and the left optic nerve and retina showed epipapillary and subretinal fibrosis, respectively. Scleral buckle was performed for left non-rhegmatogenous retinal detachment which then improved and has been stable. Conclusions and Importance: We present a rare case of JS with some unique ophthalmic features which expand clinical knowledge on this complex systemic and ocular entity.

Steroid-Responsive Seronegative Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy Likely Triggered by Coxsackie B Virus: A Case Report.

Viral myositis can be mistaken for other types of myopathies, and the main causes of muscle damage are direct myotoxic effect and immune-mediated mechanisms. The biochemical parameters, electromyography (EMG), and muscle biopsy findings can be similar in viral myositis and idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Viruses are rarely isolated from muscle biopsy specimens, so clinical evaluation and ancillary tests are necessary for a definitive diagnosis. Viral etiology is suspected when weakness occurs after a respiratory or gastrointestinal infection. Coxsackieviruses, particularly A9 and B5, can cause myositis and muscle necrosis. This is a case of a 47-year-old female with a history of alcoholic cirrhosis and a recent coxsackie B virus infection presented with weakness, numbness, and body pain. Creatine kinase levels were elevated but tests for extended myositis panel and antibodies were negative. A muscle biopsy revealed immune-mediated inflammatory myopathy. After a week without improvement, the patient received IV methylprednisolone followed by prednisone taper leading to improvement in symptoms. Prolonged myalgia has been observed in patients recovering from coxsackie A infections. The role of coxsackie B in causing myositis is still disputed and requires more reported data and guidelines. Clinicians should consider testing for coxsackie B as a potential cause of weakness. Awareness of potential complications like myositis can aid in effective patient management. More cases are needed to determine the significance of steroid use in managing coxsackie B-related muscle weakness.

Clinical and ocular abnormalities in DEGCAGS syndrome-Developmental delay with gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, genitourinary, and skeletal abnormalities.

PURPOSE: To describe clinical and ocular abnormalities in a case of Developmental Delay with Gastrointestinal, Cardiovascular, Genitourinary, and Skeletal Abnormalities (DEGCAGS syndrome). METHODS: A clinical report. CASE DESCRIPTION: An infant born to a consanguineous Middle Eastern family who was delivered by cesarean section because of in utero growth restriction, premature labor, and breech presentation. Post-partum medical problems included hypotension, generalized hypotonia, bradycardia, apnea requiring resuscitation and positive pressure ventilation, facial dysmorphia, skeletal malformations, and disorders of the gastrointestinal, immune, urinary, respiratory, cardiac, and visual systems. The family reported that a previous child had severe hypotonia at birth and was given the diagnosis of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy; that child remains on a ventilator in a chronic care facility. Our patient was found to be homozygous for a novel pathogenic missense variant in theZNF699 zinc finger gene on chromosome 19p13 causing a syndrome known as Developmental Delay with Gastrointestinal, Cardiovascular, Genitourinary, and Skeletal Abnormalities (DEGCAGS syndrome). We review this variable syndrome, including abnormalities of the visual system not described previously. CONCLUSIONS: We describe the 15th child to be presumably identified with the DEGCAGS syndrome and the first individual with homozygous missense variants in the ZNF699 gene who had complete clinical examination and detailed retinal imaging.

Fundus fluorescein angiography via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: Description of technique.

Purpose: To report an alternative technique of fundus fluorescein angiography using percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). Methods: A case series from a single center. Results: Two bed-bound children on tracheostomy received 10% fluorescein sodium via PEG to diagnose their retinal condition. The dye appeared at 5 min after administration and stayed in the retinal circulation past 30 min. Good quality fluorescein angiograms were obtained in all cases. There were no safety issues in these two children. Conclusions and Importance: Retinal angiography with fluorescein dye administered via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy may represent a suitable alternative to currently used intravenous and oral fluorescein angiography.

Comparative Evaluation of Four Different Obturating Techniques in Primary Teeth Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography: An In Vivo Study.

Background: The quality of the obturation plays a significant role in the success of endodontic treatment. To date, various technologies have been used to evaluate the quality of obturation, but all of them have their own limitations. In order to overcome those limitations, recent technological advancements like cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) can be helpful. Aim: To compare and evaluate the efficiency of different root canal obturation techniques in primary teeth using CBCT. Materials and methods: A total of 80 root canals in 30 children aged between 4 and 9 years were selected and divided into four groups, with 20 root canals in each. Obturation in group I was performed using the endodontic pressure syringe; group II-hand spreaders; group III-Lentulo spirals mounted on slow-speed handpiece; and group IV-insulin syringe. The quality of obturation was evaluated using a CBCT scan. Results: Group I samples showed the most optimally filled canals followed by II and III; least in group IV. A maximum number of overfilled canals was exhibited in group III samples. Voids were minimal in all four groups and the values obtained were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Obturation with an endodontic pressure syringe reported the highest number of optimally filled root canals and the insulin syringe showed the least number of optimally filled canals. How to cite this article: Ali SM, Mukthineni S, Sai Sankar AJ, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Four Different obturating Techniques in Primary Teeth using Cone-beam Computed Tomography: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(2):218-222.

Reduced kidney lipoprotein lipase and renal tubule triglyceride accumulation in cisplatin-mediated acute kidney injury.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) activation attenuates cisplatin (CP)-mediated acute kidney injury by increasing fatty acid oxidation, but mechanisms leading to reduced renal triglyceride (TG) accumulation could also contribute. Here, we investigated the effects of PPARα and CP on expression and enzyme activity of kidney lipoprotein lipase (LPL) as well as on expression of angiopoietin protein-like 4 (Angptl4), glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored-HDL-binding protein (GPIHBP1), and lipase maturation factor 1 (Lmf1), which are recognized as important proteins that modulate LPL activity. CP caused a 40% reduction in epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT) mass, with a reduction of LPL expression and activity. CP also reduced kidney LPL expression and activity. Angptl4 mRNA levels were increased by ninefold in liver and kidney tissue and by twofold in adipose tissue of CP-treated mice. Western blots of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis identified increased expression of a neutral pI Angptl4 protein in kidney tissue of CP-treated mice. Immunolocalization studies showed reduced staining of LPL and increased staining of Angptl4 primarily in proximal tubules of CP-treated mice. CP also increased TG accumulation in kidney tissue, which was ameliorated by PPARα ligand. In summary, a PPARα ligand ameliorates CP-mediated nephrotoxicity by increasing LPL activity via increased expression of GPHBP1 and Lmf1 and by reducing expression of Angptl4 protein in the proximal tubule.

A potentiometric indirect uric acid sensor based on ZnO nanoflakes and immobilized uricase.

In the present work zinc oxide nanoflakes (ZnO-NF) structures with a wall thickness around 50 to 100 nm were synthesized on a gold coated glass substrate using a low temperature hydrothermal method. The enzyme uricase was electrostatically immobilized in conjunction with Nafion membrane on the surface of well oriented ZnO-NFs, resulting in a sensitive, selective, stable and reproducible uric acid sensor. The electrochemical response of the ZnO-NF-based sensor vs. a Ag/AgCl reference electrode was found to be linear over a relatively wide logarithmic concentration range (500 nM to 1.5 mM). In addition, the ZnO-NF structures demonstrate vast surface area that allow high enzyme loading which results provided a higher sensitivity. The proposed ZnO-NF array-based sensor exhibited a high sensitivity of ~66 mV/ decade in test electrolyte solutions of uric acid, with fast response time. The sensor response was unaffected by normal concentrations of common interferents such as ascorbic acid, glucose, and urea.

Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers: A cross-sectional survey from Pakistan.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the anxiety and depression symptoms in healthcare professionals in Pakistan as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2020 and included six different hospitals in Pakistan. An English-language demographics questionnaire, a validated COVID-19 fear scale, depression scale PHQ-9 and anxiety scale GAD-7 were sent to doctors, nurses and paramedical staff via WhatsApp. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and Student's t-test. Results: A total of 400 participants were included in this study (response rate: 80.0%); 263 (65.8%) were doctors and 137 (34.3%) were nurses and paramedical staff. Of the participants, 57.0% were less than 40 years old and 18.3% were aged above 50. Most of the participants (n = 262; 65.5 %) experienced moderate levels of fear and 16.5% (n = 66) experienced a high level of fear. Moreover, 19.5% feared death and 56.5% reported social media to be responsible for increasing their fears. On the depression PHQ-9 and anxiety GAD-7 scales, 21.8% (n = 87) reported moderate to severe depression and anxiety symptoms. A significant relationship was demonstrated between the depression level and age, education and profession (P <0.001 each). Similarly, anxiety and depression scores were strongly related to the availability of personal protective equipment (P <0.001). Conclusion: It was found that 21.8% of healthcare professionals are suffering from moderate to severe depression symptoms, 15.5% had moderate to severe anxiety, whereas 65.5% had moderate symptoms of fear. The predictors are age, education level and co-morbidities. These moderate to high levels of fear and anxiety and depression raise concerns about the psychological well-being of healthcare staff and should be addressed through different programmes.

Wireless remote monitoring of glucose using a functionalized ZnO nanowire arrays based sensor.

This paper presents a prototype wireless remote glucose monitoring system interfaced with a ZnO nanowire arrays-based glucose sensor, glucose oxidase enzyme immobilized onto ZnO nanowires in conjunction with a Nafion® membrane coating, which can be effectively applied for the monitoring of glucose levels in diabetics. Global system for mobile communications (GSM) services like general packet radio service (GPRS) and Short Message Service (SMS) have been proven to be logical and cost effective methods for gathering data from remote locations. A communication protocol that facilitates remote data collection using SMS has been utilized for monitoring a patient's sugar levels. In this study, we demonstrate the remote monitoring of the glucose levels with existing GPRS/GSM network infra-structures using our proposed functionalized ZnO nanowire arrays sensors integrated with standard readily available mobile phones. The data can be used for centralized monitoring and other purposes. Such applications can reduce health care costs and allow caregivers to monitor and support to their patients remotely, especially those located in rural areas.

Congenital ocular toxoplasmosis with torpedo maculopathy and retinopathy of prematurity in a premature baby.

PURPOSE: To report an unusual case of congenital bilateral abnormality due to coexisting ocular toxoplasmosis and retinopathy of prematurity. OBSERVATIONS: A prematurely born baby with bilateral retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (one eye treated) was found to have a hyperpigmented torpedo maculopathy lesion in one eye while the other eye presented with microphthalmia, congenital cataract and non-specific pigmentary retinopathy. Following negative TORCH screening, laboratory tests subsequently revealed increased plasma IgG and IgM for toxoplasmosis. CONCLUSIONS: We present an unusual case of coexistence of congenital ocular toxoplasmosis with torpedo maculopathy and retinopathy of prematurity.

A Novel Splice-Site Variant in CACNA1F Causes a Phenotype Synonymous with Åland Island Eye Disease and Incomplete Congenital Stationary Night Blindness.

BACKGROUND: CACNA1F-related disorders encompass progressive and non-progressive disorders, including Åland island eye disease and incomplete congenital stationary night blindness. These two X-linked disorders are characterized by nystagmus, color vision defect, myopia, and electroretinography (ERG) abnormalities. Ocular hypopigmentation and iris transillumination are reported only in patients with Åland island eye disease. Around 260 variants were reported to be associated with these two non-progressive disorders, with 19 specific to Åland island eye disease and 14 associated with both Åland island eye disease and incomplete congenital stationary night blindness. CACNA1F variants spread on the gene and further analysis are needed to reveal phenotype-genotype correlation. CASE REPORT: A complete ocular exam and genetic testing were performed on a 13-year-old boy. A novel splice-site variant, c.4294-11C>G in intron 36 in CACNA1F, was identified at hemizygous state in the patient and at heterozygous state in his asymptomatic mother and explained the phenotype synonymous with Åland island eye disease and incomplete congenital stationary night blindness observed in the patient. CONCLUSION: We present a novel variant in the CACNA1F gene causing phenotypic and electrophysiologic findings indistinguishable from those of AIED/CSNB2A disease. This finding further expands the mutational spectrum and our knowledge of CACNA1F-related disease.

Comprehensive Ocular Examination of Healthy Newborns in the Middle East.

Purpose: To report the prevalence of the perinatal ocular disease in healthy infants referred to a referral eye centre in the Middle East region for comprehensive ocular examinations.Methods: All healthy full-term babies born at a tertiary care women's and children hospital were referred to Moorfields Eye Hospital Centre in Abu Dhabi (MEHCAD), the United Arab Emirates for comprehensive ocular examination between January 2018 and April 2019. The examination included red-reflex testing, external, anterior and dilated posterior segment examination, and refraction.Results: Out of 6836 newborns, 4719 (69%) were not referred due to lack of national insurance (n = 3089), out of network referral (n = 1405), required ROP screening (n = 220) and identification of systemic diagnosis (n = 5). Of 2117 eligible referrals 897 (42%) babies were not examined because they either did not attend (890) or had a double booking for ROP screening (7); hence, 1220 babies (56%) were examined. Their mean age was 39 ± 16 days, and 48.8% were male, 51.2% were female. One hundred and sixty-four (13.4%) babies had an ocular abnormality in 249 (10.2%) eyes. The commonest abnormalities were nasolacrimal duct obstruction (36%) and refractive errors in 53 patients (32.3%). Congenital cataract and ptosis were present in four (0.3%) and three (0.2%) babies, respectively. The commonest retinal findings were intra-retinal haemorrhages (1.4%). Other posterior pole abnormalities included optic disc pit (0.08%) and myelinated nerve fibers (0.08%). One eye (0.08%) had a congenital macular hole.Conclusion: Comprehensive ocular examinations of healthy infants identifies a number of ocular abnormalities that would not be detected using red-reflex testing by a paediatrician or nurse.

Diagnostic Performance of Artificial Intelligence-Based Models for the Detection of Early Esophageal Cancers in Barret's Esophagus: A Meta-Analysis of Patient-Based Studies.

Introduction Barret's esophagus (BE) is a precursor of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. The detection of high-grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma at an early stage can improve survival but is very challenging. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based models have been claimed to improve diagnostic accuracy. The aim of the current study was to carry out a meta-analysis of papers reporting the results of artificial intelligence-based models used in real-time white light endoscopy of patients with BE to detect early esophageal adenocarcinoma (EEAC). Methods This meta-analysis was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; Reg No. CRD42021246148) and its conduction and reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy (PRISMA-DTA) statement guidelines. All peer-reviewed and preprint original articles that reported the sensitivity and specificity of AI-based models on white light endoscopic imaging as an index test against the standard criterion of histologically proven early oesophageal cancer on the background of Barret's esophagus reported as per-patient analysis were considered for inclusion. There was no restriction on type and year of publication, however, articles published in the English language were searched. The search engines used included Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, EMCARE, AMED, BNI, and HMIC. The search strategy included the following keywords for all search engines: ("Esophageal Cancer" OR "Esophageal Neoplasms" OR " Oesophageal Cancer" OR "Oesophageal Neoplasms" OR "Barrett's Esophagus" OR "Barrett's Oesophagus") And ("Artificial Intelligence" OR "Deep Learning" OR "Machine Learning" OR "Convolutional Network"). This search was conducted on November 30, 2020. Duplicate studies were excluded. Studies that reported more than one dataset per patient for the diagnostic accuracy of the AI-based model were included twice. Quantitative and qualitative data, including first author, year of publication, true positives (TP), false negatives (FN), false positives (FP), true negatives (TN), the threshold of the index test, and country where the study was conducted, were extracted using a data extraction sheet. The Quality Appraisal for Diverse Studies 2 (QUADS-2) tool was used to assess the quality of each study. Data were analyzed using MetaDTA, interactive online software for meta-analysis of diagnostic studies. The diagnostic performance of the meta-analysis was assessed by a summary receiver operating characteristics (sROC) plot. A meta-analysis tree was constructed using MetaDTA software to determine the effect of cumulative sensitivity and specificity on surveillance of patients with BE in terms of miss rate and overdiagnosis. Results The literature search revealed 171 relevant records. After removing duplicates, 117 records were screened. Full-text articles of 28 studies were assessed for eligibility. Only three studies reporting four datasets met the inclusion criteria. The summary sensitivity and specificity of AI-based models were 0.90 (95% CI, 0.83- 0.944) and 0.86 (95% CI, 0.781-0.91), respectively. The area under the curve for all the available evidence was 0.88. Conclusion Collective evidence for the routine usage of AI-based models in the detection of EEAC is encouraging but is limited by the low number of studies. Further prospective studies reporting the patient-based diagnostic accuracy of such models are required.

Co-existence of blaNDM-1 and blaVIM-1 producing Moellerella wisconsensis in NICU of North Indian Hospital.

Infections caused by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae have become a major threat to public health, worldwide. Here we report clinically significant NDM-1 and VIM-1 producing Moellerella wisconsensis which has not yet been described in the literature; this is the first report of M. wisconsensis strain harbouring blaNDM-1 and blaVIM-1, recovered from the rectal swab of a low birth weight female child admitted in NICU of the north Indian tertiary care hospital. A plasmid of IncW incompatibility with size of 154 kb was observed in AK-92 strain.

Bilateral acute retinal necrosis in premature newborn with skin, eye, and mouth infection presenting with vitreous and subretinal hemorrhage.

A premature newborn with systemic sepsis due to Candida albicans and parapsilosis developed skin, eye, and mouth herpetic infection. Ocular disease presented atypically with vitritis and pre and subretinal hemorrhage due to herpes simplex virus-1 confirmed fulminant bilateral acute retinal necrosis. Pars plana vitrectomy revealed necrotizing retinitis with poor visual prognosis. The baby has survived suffering from multiple morbidities which include post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus, chronic lung disease, patent ductus arteriosus, and developmental delay.

Factors associated with disease severity and mortality among patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the factors associated with disease severity and mortality in Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is imperative to effectively triage patients. We performed a systematic review to determine the demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological factors associated with severity and mortality in COVID-19. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase and WHO database for English language articles from inception until May 8, 2020. We included Observational studies with direct comparison of clinical characteristics between a) patients who died and those who survived or b) patients with severe disease and those without severe disease. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two authors independently. RESULTS: Among 15680 articles from the literature search, 109 articles were included in the analysis. The risk of mortality was higher in patients with increasing age, male gender (RR 1.45, 95%CI 1.23-1.71), dyspnea (RR 2.55, 95%CI 1.88-2.46), diabetes (RR 1.59, 95%CI 1.41-1.78), hypertension (RR 1.90, 95%CI 1.69-2.15). Congestive heart failure (OR 4.76, 95%CI 1.34-16.97), hilar lymphadenopathy (OR 8.34, 95%CI 2.57-27.08), bilateral lung involvement (OR 4.86, 95%CI 3.19-7.39) and reticular pattern (OR 5.54, 95%CI 1.24-24.67) were associated with severe disease. Clinically relevant cut-offs for leukocytosis(>10.0 x109/L), lymphopenia(< 1.1 x109/L), elevated C-reactive protein(>100mg/L), LDH(>250U/L) and D-dimer(>1mg/L) had higher odds of severe disease and greater risk of mortality. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the factors associated of disease severity and mortality identified in our study may assist in clinical decision-making and critical-care resource allocation for patients with COVID-19.

Miniaturized pH Sensors Based on Zinc Oxide Nanotubes/Nanorods.

ZnO nanotubes and nanorods grown on gold thin film were used to create pH sensor devices. The developed ZnO nanotube and nanorod pH sensors display good reproducibility, repeatability and long-term stability and exhibit a pH-dependent electrochemical potential difference versus an Ag/AgCl reference electrode over a large dynamic pH range. We found the ZnO nanotubes provide sensitivity as high as twice that of the ZnO nanorods, which can be ascribed to the fact that small dimensional ZnO nanotubes have a higher level of surface and subsurface oxygen vacancies and provide a larger effective surface area with higher surface-to-volume ratio as compared to ZnO nanorods, thus affording the ZnO nanotube pH sensor a higher sensitivity. Experimental results indicate ZnO nanotubes can be used in pH sensor applications with improved performance. Moreover, the ZnO nanotube arrays may find potential application as a novel material for measurements of intracellular biochemical species within single living cells.