Single-Dose Rifapentine in Household Contacts of Patients with Leprosy.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that a single dose of rifampin has protective effects against leprosy in close contacts of patients with the disease. Rifapentine was shown to have greater bactericidal activity against Mycobacterium leprae than rifampin in murine models of leprosy, but data regarding its effectiveness in preventing leprosy are lacking. METHODS: We conducted a cluster-randomized, controlled trial to investigate whether single-dose rifapentine is effective in preventing leprosy in household contacts of patients with leprosy. The clusters (counties or districts in Southwest China) were assigned to one of three trial groups: single-dose rifapentine, single-dose rifampin, or control (no intervention). The primary outcome was the 4-year cumulative incidence of leprosy among household contacts. RESULTS: A total of 207 clusters comprising 7450 household contacts underwent randomization; 68 clusters (2331 household contacts) were assigned to the rifapentine group, 71 (2760) to the rifampin group, and 68 (2359) to the control group. A total of 24 new cases of leprosy occurred over the 4-year follow-up, for a cumulative incidence of 0.09% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02 to 0.34) with rifapentine (2 cases), 0.33% (95% CI, 0.17 to 0.63) with rifampin (9 cases), and 0.55% (95% CI, 0.32 to 0.95) with no intervention (13 cases). In an intention-to-treat analysis, the cumulative incidence in the rifapentine group was 84% lower than that in the control group (cumulative incidence ratio, 0.16; multiplicity-adjusted 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.87; P = 0.02); the cumulative incidence did not differ significantly between the rifampin group and the control group (cumulative incidence ratio, 0.59; multiplicity-adjusted 95% CI, 0.22 to 1.57; P = 0.23). In a per-protocol analysis, the cumulative incidence was 0.05% with rifapentine, 0.19% with rifampin, and 0.63% with no intervention. No severe adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of leprosy among household contacts over 4 years was lower with single-dose rifapentine than with no intervention. (Funded by the Ministry of Health of China and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Chinese Clinical Trial Registry number, ChiCTR-IPR-15007075.).

Characterization of an autonomous pathway complex that promotes flowering in Arabidopsis.

Although previous studies have identified several autonomous pathway components that are required for the promotion of flowering, little is known about how these components cooperate. Here, we identified an autonomous pathway complex (AuPC) containing both known components (FLD, LD and SDG26) and previously unknown components (EFL2, EFL4 and APRF1). Loss-of-function mutations of all of these components result in increased FLC expression and delayed flowering. The delayed-flowering phenotype is independent of photoperiod and can be overcome by vernalization, confirming that the complex specifically functions in the autonomous pathway. Chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with sequencing indicated that, in the AuPC mutants, the histone modifications (H3Ac, H3K4me3 and H3K36me3) associated with transcriptional activation are increased, and the histone modification (H3K27me3) associated with transcriptional repression is reduced, suggesting that the AuPC suppresses FLC expression at least partially by regulating these histone modifications. Moreover, we found that the AuPC component SDG26 associates with FLC chromatin via a previously uncharacterized DNA-binding domain and regulates FLC expression and flowering time independently of its histone methyltransferase activity. Together, these results provide a framework for understanding the molecular mechanism by which the autonomous pathway regulates flowering time.

Linewidth Measurement of a Narrow-Linewidth Laser: Principles, Methods, and Systems.

Narrow-linewidth lasers mainly depend on the development of advanced laser linewidth measurement methods for related technological progress as key devices in satellite laser communications, precision measurements, ultra-high-speed optical communications, and other fields. This manuscript provides a theoretical analysis of linewidth characterization methods based on the beat frequency power spectrum and laser phase noise calculations, and elaborates on existing research of measurement technologies. In addition, to address the technical challenges of complex measurement systems that commonly rely on long optical fibers and significant phase noise jitter in the existing research, a short-delay self-heterodyne method based on coherent envelope spectrum demodulation was discussed in depth to reduce the phase jitter caused by 1/f noise. We assessed the performance parameters and testing conditions of different lasers, as well as the corresponding linewidth characterization methods, and analyzed the measurement accuracy and error sources of various methods.

Prolonged Intermittent Renal Replacement Therapy Combined with Hemoperfusion Can Improve Early Recovery of Moderate and Severe Acute Pancreatitis, Especially in Patients with Acute Kidney Injury.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of prolonged intermittent renal replacement therapy (PIRRT) plus hemoperfusion (HP) in treating moderately severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP) and severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS: A total of 105 MSAP and SAP patients were enrolled. Sixty of them received routine internal medical therapy (control group), and 45 received PIRRT and HP in addition to routine internal medical therapy (PIRRT + HP group). The vital signs, laboratory results, and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score were compared between the two groups before treatment and on the 3rd and 7th days of treatment. RESULTS: No deaths or treatment-related serious adverse reactions occurred in both groups. After 3 and 7 days of treatment, the APACHE II score decreased more significantly in the PIRRT + HP group than in the control group (3 days: 5.47 [±3.30] vs. 7.53 [±3.89], p = 0.005. 7 days: 4.82 [±3.49] vs. 6.87 [±3.54], p = 0.004). After 3 days of treatment, the inflammatory combination parameters systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the PIRRT + HP group decreased more significantly than those in the control group (SII: 1,239.00 [737.80-1,769.00] vs. 2,013.00 [1,260.00-3,167.00], p = 0.001. NLR: 8.78 [±4.52] vs. 11.88 [±7.30], p = 0.009). After 7 days of treatment, SII, NLR, and hypersensitive C-reactive protein decreased significantly compared with baseline, but no statistical differences between the two groups were observed. AST in both groups remained stable with treatment. There was no significant difference in baseline creatinine between the two groups of AKI patients, but after 3 and 7 days of treatment, the proportion of acute kidney injury (AKI) patients in the PIRRT + HP group whose creatinine decreased by 50% from baseline or fell to the normal range was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PIRRT + HP therapy could not only improve the general conditions, as measured by APACHE II score, but also reduce the inflammatory cascade of patients with acute pancreatitis. For MSAP and SAP patients complicated with AKI, this therapy may accelerate the recovery of renal function.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) overexpression alleviates endoplasmic reticulum stress after acute kidney injury.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial biogenesis dysregulation and enhanced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress have been implicated in the progression of acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the interaction between these two events remains poorly understood. This study was designed to investigate the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) expression, a key factor in mitochondrial biogenesis, in renal ER stress at 24 h after AKI and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Mice were administered recombinant adenovirus encoding murine PGC-1α (100 µl, 1.0 × 109PFU/ml) or vehicle five days before renal ischemia reperfusion (I/R) or sham operation. Twenty-four hours after the operation, kidney and serum samples were collected for evaluation. RESULTS: We first confirmed that PGC-1α transfection elevated the PGC-1α levels and mitochondrial transcripts in the kidney 24 h after AKI. Then, we found PGC-1α overexpression improved renal function. PGC-1α transfection inhibited AKI-induced ER stress through the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway, resulting in the suppression of apoptosis via both mitochondrial and ER pathways. Further study showed that the expression of mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), an interaction protein between mitochondria and ER, was increased after PGC-1α overexpression. We also found the expression of a novel ER stress regulator, hairy and enhancer of split 1 (Hes1), was decreased after PGC-1α transfection. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal that mitochondrial biogenesis plays an important role in the progression of AKI-induced ER stress and provide useful evidence for research on organelle crosstalk during AKI.

A 1-µm-Band Injection-Locked Semiconductor Laser with a High Side-Mode Suppression Ratio and Narrow Linewidth.

We demonstrate a narrow-linewidth, high side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) semiconductor laser based on the external optical feedback injection locking technology of a femtosecond-apodized (Fs-apodized) fiber Bragg grating (FBG). A single frequency output is achieved by coupling and integrating a wide-gain quantum dot (QD) gain chip with a Fs-apodized FBG in a 1-µm band. We propose this low-cost and high-integration scheme for the preparation of a series of single-frequency seed sources in this wavelength range by characterizing the performance of 1030 nm and 1080 nm lasers. The lasers have a maximum SMSR of 66.3 dB and maximum output power of 134.6 mW. Additionally, the lasers have minimum Lorentzian linewidths that are measured to be 260.5 kHz; however, a minimum integral linewidth less than 180.4 kHz is observed by testing and analyzing the power spectra of the frequency noise values of the lasers.

High linear polarization, narrow linewidth hybrid semiconductor laser with an external birefringence waveguide Bragg grating.

We demonstrate a high linear polarization, narrow linewidth hybrid laser composed of a semiconductor gain chip and a high birefringence waveguide Bragg grating (WBG). The laser operates in the C-band, and a maximum output power of 8.07 mW is obtained in the fiber waveguide. With careful temperature tuning, the hybrid laser can operate in a single longitudinal mode state from above the threshold current to 410 mA. The side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) reaches a value of 50.2 dB, and the polarization extinction ratio exceeds 39.6 dB. We numerically analyze the linewidth suppression for the Bragg grating based on adiabatic chirp theory. The hybrid laser shows a narrow linewidth of 4.15 kHz and a low relative intensity noise (RIN) of <-155 dBc/Hz, providing a high-performance light source for coherent light communication.

Predictive Value of IL-6 Combined with NLR in Inflammation and Cancer.

The strong association between inflammation and cancer is reflected by the high interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in the tumor microenvironment, where it promotes carcinogenesis by regulating all hallmarks of cancer and multiple signaling pathways. In this study, we investigated the prognostic value of IL-6 and other clinical indexes in inflammatory and cancer patients. All the patients were divided into the inflammation group (n = 400) and the cancer group (n = 672) composed of hematological malignancies group (n = 338) and solid tumors group (n = 334). Continuous variables were measured by one-way ANOVA and t-test, and the independent risk factors for carcinogenesis were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves subsequently performed the predictive value of significant serological parameters and the Corheatmaps illustrated the correlation of these parameters in every case. Our retrospective study revealed that various serological indexes could reflect carcinogenesis in inflammatory patients, as significant differences existed in many indexes between them. It was notable that indicator composed of IL-6 and neutrophils/lymphocytes ratio (NLR) occupied the superior position of Area Under Curve (AUC) values in cancer cases, especially in patients with solid tumors (AUC = 0.85). The newly-found indicator could also be referred as an independent risk factor, which provided us with novel clues on the investigation of more reliable and affordable clinical indexes in tumor prediction.

Association between Prolonged Intermittent Renal Replacement Therapy and All-Cause Mortality in COVID-19 Patients Undergoing Invasive Mechanical Ventilation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The mortality rate of critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was high. We aimed to assess the association between prolonged intermittent renal replacement therapy (PIRRT) and mortality in patients with COVID-19 undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all COVID-19 patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation between February 12 and March 2, 2020. All patients were followed until death or March 28, and all survivors were followed for at least 30 days. RESULTS: For 36 hospitalized COVID-19 patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation, the mean age was 69.4 (±10.8) years, and 30 patients (83.3%) were men. Twenty-two (61.1%) patients received PIRRT (PIRRT group), and 14 cases (38.9%) were managed with conventional strategy (non-PIRRT group). There were no differences in age, sex, comorbidities, complications, treatments, and most of the laboratory findings. During the median follow-up period of 9.5 (interquartile range 4.3-33.5) days, 13 of 22 (59.1%) patients in the PIRRT group and 11 of 14 (78.6%) patients in the non-PIRRT group died. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated prolonged survival in patients in the PIRRT group compared with that in the non-PIRRT group (p = 0.042). The association between PIRRT and a reduced risk of mortality remained significant in 3 different models, with adjusted hazard ratios varying from 0.332 to 0.398. Increased IL-2 receptor, TNF-α, procalcitonin, prothrombin time, and NT-proBNP levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality in patients with PIRRT. CONCLUSION: PIRRT may be beneficial for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with invasive mechanical ventilation. Further prospective multicenter studies with larger sample sizes are required.

The HDA19 histone deacetylase complex is involved in the regulation of flowering time in a photoperiod-dependent manner.

Chromatin modifications are known to affect flowering time in plants, but little is known about how these modifications regulate flowering time in response to environmental signals like photoperiod. In Arabidopsis thaliana, HDC1, a conserved subunit of the RPD3-like histone deacetylase (HDAC) complex, was previously reported to regulate flowering time via the same mechanism as does the HDAC HDA6. Here, we demonstrate that HDC1, SNLs and MSI1 are shared subunits of the HDA6 and HDA19 HDAC complexes. While the late-flowering phenotype of the hda6 mutant is independent of photoperiod, the hda19, hdc1 and snl2/3/4 mutants flower later than or at a similar time to the wild-type in long-day conditions but flower earlier than the wild-type in short-day conditions. Our genome-wide analyses indicate that the effect of hdc1 on histone acetylation and transcription is comparable with that of hda19 but is different from that of hda6. Especially, we demonstrate that the HDA19 complex directly regulates the expression of two flowering repressor genes related to the gibberellin signaling pathway. Thus, the study reveals a photoperiod-dependent role of the HDA19 HDAC complex in the regulation of flowering time.

Emerging roles of HOTAIR in human cancer.

Long noncoding RNA HOX antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) is overexpressed in many types of cancers, and substantial evidence has suggested a link between cancers and HOTAIR. In the present study, we reviewed the structure and the corresponding biologic function of HOTAIR to clarify its molecular mechanism in cancer progression. HOTAIR promotes proliferation, invasion, and migration, and inhibits apoptosis in cancer cells. HOTAIR also participates in the pathogenesis and progression of cancer by regulating inflammation and immune signaling. These findings suggested that HOTAIR is a novel biomarker in human cancers.

Toehold Mediated One-Step Conformation-Switchable "Signal-On" Electrochemical DNA Sensing Enhanced with Homogeneous Enzymatic Amplification.

The development of highly sensitive and sequence-specific electrochemical DNA (E-DNA) sensors, featuring flexible, one-step, and "signal-on" design, is a long-lasting goal. Here, we present a single-step, toehold-triggered structure-switchable signaling design that is "signal-on" and compatible with homogeneous enzyme-assisted target recycling (EATR). In this design, a partially hybridized duplex is bifunctional, which consists of a signal probe having foldable hairpin sequence and a target recognition probe with exposed toehold domain. In the presence of both target and exonuclease, the toehold sequence rapidly fuels the strand displacement reaction, liberating the surface-confined toehold-target duplex into homogeneous solution for target recycling and meanwhile leaving the dehybridized signal probe to form a stem-loop structure for signaling. Through such an 1:N enzymatic catalysis, more and more unfolded probes self-hybridize to their original folded configuration, giving a remarkable signal gain. This enzyme-assisted toehold E-DNA (etE-DNA) sensor achieves a satisfactory detection limit down to 42 fM, which is lower than that of the routine switchable E-DNA sensor by several orders of magnitude. In addition, the strategy shows high selectivity against a single-base mismatch and is capable of probing low abundant target DNA directly in human serum with minimal interference. By synergizing the toehold-based high selectivity, EATR, and one-step conformation-switchable signaling, this functional etE-DNA sensor appears to be a promising bioassay approach for clinical diagnostics.

Interactions between plant proteins/enzymes and other food components, and their effects on food quality.

Plant proteins are the main sources of dietary protein for humans, especially for vegetarians. There are a variety of components with different properties coexisting in foodstuffs, so the interactions between these components are inevitable to occur, thereby affecting food quality. Among these interactions, the interplay between plant proteins/enzymes from fruits and vegetables, cereals, and legumes and other molecules plays an important role in food quality, which recently has gained a particular scientific interest. Such interactions not only affect the appearances of fruits and vegetables and the functionality of cereal products but also the nutritive properties of plant foods. Non-covalent forces, such as hydrogen bond, hydrophobic interaction, electrostatic interaction, and van der Waals forces, are mainly responsible for these interactions. Future outlook is highlighted with aim to suggest a research line to be followed in further studies.

Two novel NAC transcription factors regulate gene expression and flowering time by associating with the histone demethylase JMJ14.

The histone demethylase JMJ14 catalyzes histone demethylation at lysine 4 of histone 3 and is involved in transcriptional repression and flowering time control in Arabidopsis. Here, we report that JMJ14 is physically associated with two previously uncharacterized NAC transcription factors, NAC050 and NAC052. The NAC050/052-RNAi plants and the CRISPR-CAS9-mediated nac050/052 double mutant plants show an early flowering phenotype, which is similar to the phenotype of jmj14, suggesting a functional association between JMJ14 and NAC050/052. RNA-seq data indicated that hundreds of common target genes are co-regulated by JMJ14 and NAC50/052. Our ChIP analysis demonstrated that JMJ14 and NAC050 directly bind to co-upregulated genes shared in jmj14 and NAC050/052-RNAi, thereby facilitating H3K4 demethylation and transcriptional repression. The NAC050/052 recognition DNA cis-element was identified by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay at the promoters of its target genes. Together, our study identifies two novel NAC transcription repressors and demonstrates that they are involved in transcriptional repression and flowering time control by associating with the histone demethylase JMJ14.

Photocatalysis-Induced Renewable Field-Effect Transistor for Protein Detection.

The field-effect transistor (FET) biosensor has attracted extensive attentions, due to its unique features in detecting various biomolecules with high sensitivity and selectivity. However, currently used FET biosensors obtaining from expensive and elaborate micro/nanofabrication are always disposable because the analyte cannot be efficiently removed after detection. In this work, we established a photocatalysis-induced renewable graphene-FET (G-FET) biosensor for protein detection, by layer-to-layer assembling reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and RGO-encapsulated TiO2 composites to form a sandwiching RGO@TiO2 structure on a prefabricated FET sensor surface. After immobilization of anti-D-Dimer on the graphene surface, sensitive detection of D-Dimer was achieved with the detection limits of 10 pg/mL in PBS and 100 pg/mL in serum, respectively. Notably, renewal of the FET biosensor for recycling measurements was significantly realized by photocatalytically cleaning the substances on the graphene surface. This work demonstrates for the first time the development and application of photocatalytically renewable G-FET biosensor, paving a new way for G-FET sensor toward a plethora of diverse applications.

Association of peripheral arterial disease with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown an association between peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and increased risk of mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients; however, the estimates vary widely and are inconsistent. It is necessary to elucidate the degree of mortality risk for PAD patients in HD population. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library (from inception to September 4th, 2016) were systematically searched for cohort studies assessing the association between PAD and mortality in HD patients. We calculated the pooled risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality using random effects models. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore the source of heterogeneity. RESULTS: The search identified 2,973 potentially eligible records and 10 studies (n = 32,864) were included. Our meta-analysis revealed that PAD significantly increased the risk of all-cause mortality (RR 2.15, 95 % CI 1.67-2.77, n = 32,864) and CV mortality (RR 2.99, 95 % CI 1.66-5.38, n = 31,794) in HD patients after multivariate adjustment. Subgroup analyses showed the study design and follow-up time might be two sources of heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: PAD may be a prognostic marker of all-cause and CV mortality in HD patients. More attention should be paid to diagnosis and management of PAD in HD patients.

Analysis of 4931 renal biopsy data in central China from 1994 to 2014.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the changing spectrum and clinicopathologic correlation of biopsy-proven renal diseases in central China. We retrospectively analyzed data of 4931 patients who underwent renal biopsy in ten hospitals between September 1994 and December 2014. Among them, 81.55% were primary glomerular diseases (GD), and 13.02% were secondary GD. IgA nephropathy (IgAN) was the most common primary GD (43.45%), followed by focal glomerulonephritis (16.79%), mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN, 14.35%), and membranous nephropathy (MN, 13.28%). IgAN was leading primary GD in patients under 60 years old, while MN was the leading one over 60 years old. The most frequent secondary GD was lupus nephritis (LN) (47.35%). The prevalence of IgAN, MN and minimal change disease was found to increase significantly (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.01, respectively), while that of MsPGN, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and LN decreased significantly (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.05, respectively). The main indication for renal biopsy was proteinuria and hematuria (49.03%), followed by nephrotic syndrome (NS, 20.36%). IgAN was the most common cause in patients with proteinuria and hematuria, chronic-progressive kidney injury, hematuria and acute kidney injury; and MN was the leading cause of NS. Primary GD remained the predominant renal disease in central China. IgAN and LN were the most prevalent histopathologic lesions of primary and secondary GD, respectively. The spectrum of biopsy-proven renal disease had a great change in the past two decades. Proteinuria and hematuria was the main indication for renal biopsy.

[Reliability Study of Grating Coupled Semiconductor Laser Based on Raman Spectra Technique].

Grating coupled semiconductor lasers (GCSLs) has a wide application prospect in many fields, such as optical free space communication, intersatellite communication, ranging for laser radar, atmospheric environmental testing and medical imaging. In order to verify the reliability of GCSLs, the chips in different preparation stages and products of GCSLs are tested based on Raman spectroscopy. It concluded that for unprocessed semiconductor laser chip, the longitudinal optical (LO) photons mode vibration of GaAs chip is strong but the transverse (TO) optical photons mode vibration of GaAs chip is weak. when the is unprocessed. When the surface of GaAs chip is covered by a layer of SiO2 membrane, the LO mode will movetowards long wavelength direction, but its intensity wouldn't change. When a 100 m mesa is etched on GaAs chip which is covered by SiO2 membrane, LO mode vibration of GaAs chip weakens and TO mode vibration of GaAs chip enhances, and the peak width of LO mode and TO mode increase. After gratings are etched on the 100 m mesa, LO mode vibration of GaAs chip continues to weaken, but TO mode vibration of GaAs chip becomes stronger. It shows that lattice defects exist in the fabrication process of GCSLs. By contrast testson the semiconductor lasers without gratings, it shows that defect peaks present in the Raman spectrum of GCSLs regardless of the defects on light emitting surface. This further proved that the strains or defects were introduced into the fabrication process of grating structure, which affects its reliability, resulting in a decrease of the reliability of GCSLs.

Single-shot analytical assay based on graphene-oxide-modified surface acoustic wave biosensor for detection of single-nucleotide polymorphisms.

The combination of a surface acoustic wave (SAW) biosensor with graphene oxide (GO) provides a promising perspective for detecting DNA mutation. The GO-modified SAW biosensor was prepared by conjugating GO onto the SAW chip surface via electrostatic interaction. Afterward, the probe was immobilized on the GO surface, and detection of DNA mutation was realized by hybridization. The hybridization with a variety of targets would yield different mass and conformational changes on the chip surface, causing the different SAW signals in real time. A total of 137 clinical samples were detected by a single-shot analytical assay based on GO-modified SAW biosensor and direct sequencing in parallel. The diagnostic performance (both sensitivity and specificity) of the assay was evaluated with the direct sequencing as a reference testing method. The phase-shift value of three genotypes in 137 clinical samples was significantly different (p < 0.001). Furthermore, testing of diagnostic performance yielded diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 88.6% for identifying CT and CC genotype, 98.0% and 96.2% for identifying CT and TT genotype, respectively. The single-shot analytical assay based on the GO-modified SAW biosensor could be exploited as a potential useful tool to identify CYP2D6*10 polymorphisms in clinical practice of personalized medicine.

A WS2 nanosheet-based platform for fluorescent DNA detection via PNA-DNA hybridization.

The WS2 nanosheet, a two-dimensional layered nanomaterial, shows high fluorescence quenching ability for the dye-labeled ssDNA. Currently, most of the fluorescent DNA detection methods employ DNA as a probe for recognition of target DNA. Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is a DNA mimic but a neutral molecule, showing superior hybridization properties to target DNA. Based on the unique properties of WS2 nanosheet and PNA-DNA hybridization, we have developed a rapid, simple, stable and sensitive approach for DNA detection based on good fluorescence quenching ability of the WS2 nanosheet as well as high binding affinity and specificity of PNA to DNA. This novel assay is capable of exhibiting high sensitivity and specificity with a detection limit of 500 pM, and discriminating between single bases.