Paper-based tuberculosis diagnostic devices with colorimetric gold nanoparticles

A colorimetric sensing strategy employing gold nanoparticles and a paper assay platform has been developed for tuberculosis diagnosis. Unmodified gold nanoparticles and single-stranded detection oligonucleotides are used to achieve rapid diagnosis without complicated and time-consuming thiolated or other surface-modified probe preparation processes. To eliminate the use of sophisticated equipment for data analysis, the color variance for multiple detection results was simultaneously collected and concentrated on cellulose paper with the data readout transmitted for cloud computing via a smartphone. The results show that the 2.6 nM tuberculosis mycobacterium target sequences extracted from patients can easily be detected, and the turnaround time after the human DNA is extracted from clinical samples was approximately 1 h

Bifid mandibular canals and their cortex thicknesses: A comparison study on images obtained from cone-beam and multislice computed tomography

AbstractBackground/purposeHigh prevalence of bifid mandibular canals has been visualized with various types of computerized tomography (CT). Along the canals, a various ranged corticalization was recently reported. The depiction of the fine anatomic structures on multislice and cone-beam CT images was compared.Material and methodsThe presence or absence of the bifid canal was assessed on 327 images obtained by multislice CT (MSCT; n = 173) or by cone-beam CT (CBCT; n = 154), according to the configuration. The cortex thickness and distribution were also assessed.ResultsThe prevalence of bifid canal detected by CBCT was significantly greater than that detected by MSCT (42.2% vs. 18.7% for hemi-mandibles and 58.4% vs. 30.6% for patients). Cortical thickness recorded by CBCT was significantly thinner than that recorded by MSCT (0.48 mm vs. 0.65 mm, P < 0.001); however, the distributions of corticalization detected by the two tomography methods were similar. There was a significant association of cortex thickness with CT type and corticalization degree (R2 = 0.530, P < 0.001).ConclusionThinner cortices, but greater prevalence of bifid canals recorded by CBCT, compared to MSCT, suggests that clinicians should be cautious when using CT to interpret this fine anatomic structure

A genome-wide association study identifies a genomic region for the polycerate phenotype in sheep (Ovis aries)

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Surface modification of NiCo2Te4 nanoclusters: a highly efficient electrocatalyst for overall water-splitting in neutral solution

In this paper, we for the first time report the catalytic activity and durability of nickel cobaltite telluride (NiCo2Te4) nanocluster bifunctional catalysts can be significantly boosted by surface modification with perylene-tetracarboxylic-dianhydride for overall water-splitting in neutral solution. We reveal that tuning energy distribution of nanoclusters via a simple surface ligand can drastically increase the catalytic activity towards efficient hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction simultaneously. A two-electrode based water electrolysis cell using this newly developed nanocluster catalyst operates at a low bias voltage of 1.55 V to achieve a current density of 10 mA·cm-2 in near-neutral pH solution for overall water-splitting. This, to the best of our knowledge, represents the most efficient mixed-transition-metal-based electrode that has so far been reported for electrochemical water splitting

Embedded metal nanopatterns for near-field scattering-enhanced optical absorption

Simulations of metal nanopatterns embedded in a thin photovoltaic absorber show significantly enhanced absorbance within the semiconductor, with a more than 300% increase for {\lambda} = 800 nm. Integrating with AM1.5 solar irradiation, this yields a 70% increase in simulated short circuit current density in a 60 nm amorphous silicon film. Embedding such metal patterns inside an absorber maximally utilizes enhanced electric fields that result from intense, spatially organized, near-field scattering in the vicinity of the pattern. Appropriately configured (i.e. with a thin insulating coating), this optical metamedium architecture may be useful for increasing photovoltaic efficiency in thin film solar cells, including offering prospects for realistic ultrathin hot electron cells.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Status Solidi A (2012). 17 pp, 3 fig

Palmitic acid-modified GnRH-Th epitope peptide immunocastration vaccine (W/O/W adjuvant) can effectively ensure the castration and reduce the smelly smell in boars

IntroductionRecent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in inhibiting testicular growth and development in male animals to achieve castration while improving the meat quality of various livestock species, including cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs.MethodsIn this research, a GnRH-Th vaccine was synthesized using the Fmoc solid-phase synthesis technique, and the T helper (Th) antigen was modified with palmitic acid to improve its efficacy. The vaccine was then coated with a water-in-oil-in-water adjuvant to improve stability and safety. After passing safety and stability tests, the vaccine was administered to 13-week-old boars.ResultsThe results showed that it was stable, safe, and effective for up to 15 months. Moreover, the vaccine did not negatively affect the growth rate and body weight of the pigs. The palmitic acid-modified “GnRH-Th epitope peptide immunocastration vaccine (Water-in-Oil-in-Water (W/O/W)) effectively reduced the testosterone concentration and achieved castration. The concentration of androstenone and skatole hormones significantly decreased, leading to improved meat quality in the boars. The boars were then slaughtered at 33 weeks of age, and the results showed that the meat quality of the vaccinated boars was superior to that of the non-vaccinated control group (p &lt; 0.05).DiscussionThis study demonstrated that GnRH can safely and effectively achieve immune castration in boars after coupling T cell epitopes, palmitic acid modification and W-O-W coating. Provide a better method for the further development of GnRH and the realization of animal welfare