The use of 222 nm far-UVC radiation can be an effective means of disinfecting public buses against viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. However, it can cause degradation of the mechanical and visual properties of interior materials. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of 222 nm far-UVC radiation on the color and mechanical degradation of materials used to construct public bus interiors. This research work involves exposure of samples of materials commonly used in bus interiors to various levels of far-UVC radiation and measuring and evaluating changes in color and mechanical properties. The results of the study showed that far-UVC irradiation causes significant color degradation (∆E00 >5) in all the polymeric materials tested, after 290 J/cm² radiant exposure. In addition, significant changes in mechanical properties were observed when evaluating elasticity modulus, elongation at ultimate strength, elongation at break, and tensile strength. A particularly large decrease in elongation at break (up to 26%) was observed in fiber-reinforced composite materials. The results of this study can be used as a guide for the development of protocols for the use of far-UVC disinfection in public transportation, which can help limit the transmission of infections while preserving the integrity and visual properties of bus interior materials.

Background and Objectives: Patients with Sjögren’s disease (SjD) do not experience any improvement in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms after SjD treatment, and in some patients, reflux even worsens. It is important to note that GERD manifests itself through typical and atypical symptoms, the latter of which may include eye damage, as evidenced by a growing body of research. When SjD patients were prescribed medication to treat GERD, their condition improved at the same time. Therefore, we aim to investigate whether there is a link between ocular dryness and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients with Sjögren’s disease (SjD). Materials and Methods: Our study included 27 patients with SjD according to the 2016 American College of Rheumatology and the European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) Sjögren’s syndrome Classification Criteria, and 28 patients with non-autoimmune sicca syndrome due to GERD (nonautoimmSicca). Results: The study involved 55 participants, 48 (87.3%) women and 7 (12.7%) men. The median age was 54 years (IQR 49–64). A total of 41 subjects (74.5%) had GERD, and 20 subjects (36.4%) tested positive for Helicobacter pylori: 13 (48.1%) and 1 (3.7%) in the SjD group, and 28 (100.0%) and 19 (67.9%) in the nonautoimmSicca group, respectively. A significant difference in asymmetric tear secretion (p < 0.001) was found between the nonautoimmSicca and SjD patients, with values of 5 (3–10) mm/5 min and 1 (0–2) mm/5 min, respectively. A low correlation was detected between sialometry results and tear secretion asymmetry (r = 0.48, p < 0.001). An increase of 1 mm/5 min in the tear secretion asymmetry between the eyes was associated with a 2.04-fold increase in the odds ratio for having GERD (95% CI 1.25–3.32, p = 0.004), and was associated with a 1.9-fold increase in the odds ratio for having GERD (95% CI 1.04–3.49, p = 0.038) in patients with SjD. The presence of Helicobacter pylori is associated with asymmetric tear secretion [95% CI 1.22 (1.05–1.41, p = 0.010)]. Conclusions: Asymmetric tear secretion between the eyes is associated with the odds of having GERD. Patients with non-autoimmune sicca syndrome due to GERD have significantly greater asymmetry in tear secretion compared to those diagnosed with Sjögren’s disease.

Background/Objectives: To determine whether self-reports on the onset, perceived causes and activity of Sjögren’s disease (SjD) can reflect the local immune status? Materials and methods: This prospective study enrolled a cohort of 80 patients with sicca symptoms (dry eyes and dry mouth) referred to the outpatient department of the State Research Institute Center for Innovative Medicine between September 2024 and January 2026. The study population comprised two distinct clinical groups: 37 patients diagnosed with SjD and 43 patients with non-autoimmune sicca syndrome (nonautoimmunSicca) due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). All patients indicated the perceived causes of their disease, the symptoms at the onset of the disease, and the activity of the disease using Visual analog scale (VAS). Cytokine levels in saliva were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was significantly increased in patients with SjD (median 158.7 (IQR 67.4–465.1) vs. 31.80 (IQR 20.9–45.5); p < 0.001). The IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was significantly and negatively correlated with extraglandular symptoms at the onset of the disease, time from the 1st symptoms, salivary flow rates, and positively correlated with dryness score according to VAS in patients with SjD. The IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was significantly and negatively associated with salivary flow rates and positively correlated with dryness score according to VAS in patients with nonautoimmunSicca. We also found a positive correlation between the perceived cause of the disease and the dryness score on the VAS, as well as a negative correlation between saliva flow rate and the concentration of IFN-γ in saliva among patients with SjD. The salivary IL-4 levels significantly and positively correlated with salivary flow rate, as well as negatively with pain and dryness score on the VAS in SjD group. Conclusions: Patient-reported information regarding disease onset, perceived causes, and symptoms severity of SjD significantly correlates with local Th1/Th2 mucosal immune status, suggesting that patient experiences may reflect underlying inflammatory trends and support patient-centered clinical evaluation.