Development of an Integrated Disposable Device for SARSCoV-2 Nucleic Acid Extraction and Detection

Objective To develop a highly sensitive and rapid nucleic acid detection method for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2).Methods We designed,developed,and manufactured an integrated disposable device for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid extraction and detection.The precision of the liquid transfer and temperature control was tested.A comparison between our device and a commercial kit for SARS-Cov-2 nucleic acid extraction was performed using real-time fluorescence reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The entire process,from SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid extraction to amplification,was evaluated.Results The precision of the syringe transfer volume was 19.2±1.9μL(set value was 20),32.2±1.6(set value was 30),and 57.2±3.5(set value was 60).Temperature control in the amplification tube was measured at 60.0±0.0℃(set value was 60)and 95.1±0.2℃(set value was 95)respectively.SARS-Cov-2 nucleic acid extraction yield through the device was 7.10×10^(6) copies/mL,while a commercial kit yielded 2.98×10^(6) copies/mL.The mean time to complete the entire assay,from SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid extraction to amplification detection,was 36 min and 45 s.The detection limit for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid was 250 copies/mL.Conclusion The integrated disposable devices may be used for SARS-CoV-2 Point-of-Care test(POCT).

Study on the correlation between abdominal infection and psychological stress in children based on nucleic acid detection

BACKGROUND Diagnosing and treating abdominal infection in children remains a challenge.Nucleic acid detection,as a rapid and accurate diagnosis tool,has great significance in this field.AIM To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of abdominal infection by nucleic acid detection and its possible correlation with psychological stress in children.METHODS A total of 50 pediatric patients diagnosed with abdominal infections between September 2020 and July 2021 were included in this study.Intra-abdominal pus samples were collected for pathogen culture,drug susceptibility testing,and broad-spectrum bacterial nucleic acid testing.Psychological stress,anxiety,depression,and coping styles were assessed using the coping with a disease(CODI)scale.RESULTS Based on susceptibility testing,a regimen of cefazoxime,piperacillin/tazobactam,and metronidazole or ornidazole achieved 100%effectiveness in treating appendicitis.Psychological assessments revealed a positive correlation between pressure level and both anxiety(r=0.324,P=0.001)and depressive disorders(r=0.325,P<0.001).Acceptance and distancing as coping strategies were negatively correlated with anxiety and depression,while negative emotional responses were strongly associated with increased anxiety(r=0.574,P<0.001)and depression(r=0.511,P=0.001).Coping strategies such as illusion and escape showed no significant correlation with emotional outcomes.CONCLUSION Nucleic acid testing helps in the diagnosis of abdominal infections in children,and also focuses on children's mental health.

Recent advances and perspectives of nucleic acid detection for coronavirus

The recent pneumonia outbreak caused by a novel coronavirus(SARS-CoV-2)is posing a great threat to global public health.Therefore,rapid and accurate identification of pathogenic viruses plays a vital role in selecting appropriate treatments,saving people's lives and preventing epidemics.It is important to establish a quick standard diagnostic test for the detection of the infectious disease(COVID-19)to prevent subsequent secondary spread.Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)is regarded as a gold standard test for the molecular diagnosis of viral and bacterial infections with high sensitivity and specificity.Isothermal nucleic acid amplification is considered to be a highly promising candidate method due to its fundamental advantage in quick procedure time at constant temperature without thermocycler opera-tion.A variety of improved or new approaches also have been developed.This review summarizes the currently available detection methods for coronavirus nucleic acid.It is anticipated that this will assist researchers and clinicians in developing better techniques for timely and effective detection of coro-navirus infection.

A brief review of novel nucleic acid test biosensors and their application prospects for salmonids viral diseases detection

Viral diseases represent one of the major threats for salmonids aquaculture.Early detection and identification of viral pathogens is the main prerequisite prior to undertaking effective prevention and control measures.Rapid,sensitive,efficient and portable detection method is highly essential for fish viral diseases detection.Biosensor strategies are highly prevalent and fulfill the expanding demands of on-site detection with fast response,cost-effectiveness,high sensitivity,and selectivity.With the development of material science,the nucleic acid biosensors fabricated by semiconductor have shown great potential in rapid and early detection or screening for diseases at salmonids fisheries.This paper reviews the current detection development of salmonids viral diseases.The present limitations and challenges of salmonids virus diseases surveillance and early detection are presented.Novel nucleic acid semiconductor biosensors are briefly reviewed.The perspective and potential application of biosensors in the on-site detection of salmonids diseases are discussed.

Ultrathin metal-organic framework nanosheets (Cu-TCPP)-based isothermal nucleic acid amplification for food allergen detection

The rapid and accurate detection of peanuts and soybeans allergen is important to the food safety. In this study, Cu-TCPP nanosheet, a kind of ultra-thin metal-organic framework(MOF)was synthesized and applied in loop-mediated isothermal amplification(named Cu-TCPP@LAMP), which can inhibit the non-specific amplification by absorbing and precise temperature releasing of single primer. As thus, Cu-TCPP@LAMP can achieve high sensitivity and specific amplification of the target gene. As a result, peanut and soybean allergens genes contained in food were successfully detected with a favorable detection sensitivity(5 ng/μL for peanuts and 10 ng/μL for soybeans)and reliable repeatability(The coefficient of variation was 3.38% for peanuts and 3.33% for soybeans). Moreover, the established method was utilized for detection of several commercial products, and had a high consistency with the standard method. Apart from food allergens, this novel assay can be widely used in other areas, such as pathogen detection, tumor nucleic acid detection and so on.

Development of Nucleic Acid Sequence-Based Amplification Assay for Detection of Macrobrachium rosenbergii Nodavirus

A nucleic acid sequence-based amplification（NASBA）assay was established for the detection of Macrobrachium rosenbergii Nodavirus（MrNV）.The specific primers were designed according to the high conserved region of RNA2 sequence of MrNV.The 224 bp specific amplification product was obtained in positive sample determined with 3%agarose gel electrophoresis,while no product was generated from shrimp infected with other viruses including DNA viruses（IHHNV,WSSV）and RNA viruses（TSV,IMNV,YHV）.The detecting limit of the assay was 8pg nucleic acid,which is more sensitive than that of PCR method.

Clinical application of combined detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody and nucleic acid

BACKGROUND The global outbreak of human severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus(SARS-CoV)-2 infection represents an urgent need for readily available,accurate and rapid diagnostic tests.Nucleic acid testing of respiratory tract specimens for SARS-CoV-2 is the current gold standard for diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).However,the diagnostic accuracy of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)tests for detecting SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid may be lower than optimal.The detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies should be used as a serological non-invasive tool for the diagnosis and management of SARS-CoV-2 infection.AIM To investigate the diagnostic value of SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG and nucleic acid detection in COVID-19.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 652 suspected COVID-19 patients,and 206 non-COVID-19 patients in Wuhan Integrated TCM and Western Medicine Hospital.Data on SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid tests and serum antibody tests were collected to investigate the diagnostic value of nucleic acid RT-PCR test kits and immunoglobulin(Ig)M/IgG antibody test kits.The j2 test was used to compare differences between categorical variables.A 95%confidence interval(CI)was provided by the Wilson score method.All analyses were performed with IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0(IBM Corp.,Armonk,NY,United States).RESULTS Of the 652 suspected COVID-19 patients,237(36.3%)had positive nucleic acid tests,311(47.7%)were positive for IgM,and 592(90.8%)were positive for IgG.There was a significant difference in the positive detection rate between the IgM and IgG test groups(P<0.001).Using the RT-PCR results as a reference,the specificity,sensitivity,and accuracy of IgM/IgG combined tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection were 98.5%,95.8%,and 97.1%,respectively.Of the 415 suspected COVID-19 patients with negative nucleic acid test results,366 had positive IgM/IgG tests with a positive detection rate of 88.2%.CONCLUSION Our data indicate that serological IgM/IgG antibody combined test had high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection,and can be used in combination with RT-PCR for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Improved Nucleic Acid Spot Hybridization Technique for Detection of Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid(PSTVd)

Potato spindle tuber viroid(PSTVd)disease is one of the major diseases that threatens potato production.Therefore,an advanced,rapid and sensitive detection technology is needed to detect the disease for better control.In order to establish an easier nucleic acid spot hybridization(NASH)method,some studies were tried as the followings:(1)the pre-hybridization step of nucleic acid spot hybridization(NASH)was omitted compared with ordinary way;(2)RNA extraction(phenol extraction and Ames buffer extraction)methods were compared;(3)fixed RNA by UV lamp and oven compared with UV cross-linker;(4)hybridized the RNA in shaking incubator and so on.The results showed that RNA extracted by Ames buffer was more effective than by the phenol extraction method.Besides,the result of hybridization without pre-hybridization step was better than that with 1.5 h of pre-hybridization.The more important discovery was that the shaking incubator could replace the hybridization oven and the ordinary UV lamp could replace the UV cross-linker.After a long term repeated research and testing,a new hybridization system that could rapidly detect the PSTVd by improved NASH technique merely using common instruments and equipment was established.

Consistency Analysis of Detection Results of Two Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type II Nucleic Acid Detection Kits

Objective: The objective of the study is to verify the clinical validity of the following kits with the comparative experimental analysis and evaluate whether their performance can meet the clinical requirements, i.e. Class III in vitro diagnostic reagent “Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type II Nucleic Acid Detection Kit (PCR-Fluorescence Probe Method)” of Daan Gene Co., Ltd. (Daan kit for short) and “Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type II Nucleic Acid Detection Kit (Fluorescence PCR Method)” of Wuhan Biot Gene Co., Ltd. (Biot kit for short). Method: In the study process, the samples were divided into positive and negative groups according to the control test results, and the clinical application performance of Daan kit and Biot kit was evaluated by comparing their test results. Results: The results show that two kits indicate the same test results, i.e. 26 positive and 107 negative samples in a total of 133 male urethral discharge samples, and 32 positive and 238 negative samples in a total of 270 female cervical secretion samples. Conclusion: It can be concluded from the clinical test that Daan and Biot Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type II Nuc- leic Acid Test Kits are reliable, accurate, safe, convenient for use, stable and high-value in the clinical application.

Recent advances in living cell nucleic acid probes based on nanomaterials for early cancer diagnosis

The early diagnosis of cancer is vital for effective treatment and improved prognosis. Tumor biomarkers, which can be used for the early diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic evaluation of cancer, have emerged as a topic of intense research interest in recent years. Nucleic acid, as a type of tumor biomarker, contains vital genetic information, which is of great significance for the occurrence and development of cancer. Currently, living cell nucleic acid probes, which enable the in situ imaging and dynamic monitoring of nucleic acids, have become a rapidly developing field. This review focuses on living cell nucleic acid probes that can be used for the early diagnosis of tumors. We describe the fundamental design of the probe in terms of three units and focus on the roles of different nanomaterials in probe delivery.

Spherical nucleic acids for biomedical applications

Spherical nucleic acids(SNAs)are a 3D spherical nanostructure composed of highly oriented,dense layers of oligonucleotides conjugated to a hollow or solid core.This structure allows SNAs to show resistance to nuclease degradation,enter into nearly all cells without transfection agents and enable precise interactions with target molecules.Based on superior biological properties,SNAs can be tailored for diverse biological applications,rendering them a flexible and biosafe tool for biological applications as well as an enabling platform for therapy.In this review,we mainly discuss the structure and conjugation mode of SNAs and focus on recent advances in their applications,such as biomedical detection,imaging,and drug delivery.Finally,the remaining challenges and future directions of SNAs are also discussed and proposed.

Research advances in the detection of miRNA

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of endogenous, small (approximately 22 nucleotides in length), noncoding, functional RNAs. With the development of molecular biology, the research of miRNA biological function has attracted significant interest, as abnormal miRNA expression is identified to contribute to serious human diseases such as cancers. Traditional methods for miRNA detection do not meet current demands. In particular, nanomaterial-based methods, nucleic acid amplification-based methods such as rolling circle amplification (RCA), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), strand-displacement amplification (SDA) and some enzyme-free amplifications have been employed widely for the highly sensitive detection of miRNA. MiRNA functional research and clinical diagnostics have been accelerated by these new techniques. Herein, we summarize and discuss the recent progress in the development of miRNA detection methods and new applications. This review will provide guidelines for the development of follow-up miRNA detection methods with high sensitivity and specificity, and applicability to disease diagnosis and therapy.

Rapid Detection of Wheat Blast Pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum Pathotype Using Genome-Specific Primers and Cas12a-mediated Technology

Wheat blast,caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum(MoT)pathotype,is a devastating disease persistent in South America and Bangladesh.Since MoT generally fails to cause visual symptoms in wheat until the heading stage when the infection would have advanced,disease control by fungicide application solely based on the detection of visual symptoms is ineffective.To develop an accurate and sensitive method to detect MoT at the seedling and vegetative stages for disease control,we sequenced the genomes of two MoT isolates from Brazil and identified two DNA fragments,MoT-6098 and MoT-6099,that are present in the MoT genome but not in the genome of the rice-infecting Magnaporthe oryzae Oryzae(MoO)pathotype.Using polymerase chain reaction(PCR),we confirmed the specificity of the two markers in 53 MoT and MoO isolates from South America and Bangladesh.To test the efficiency of the two markers,we first established a loop-mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP)method to detect MoT at isothermal conditions,without the use of a PCR machine.Following this,we used the Cas12a protein and guide RNAs(gRNAs)to target the MoT-6098 and MoT-6099 sequences.The activated Cas12a showed indiscriminate single-stranded deoxyribonuclease(ssDNase)activity.We then combined targetdependent Cas12a ssDNase activation with recombinase polymerase amplification(RPA)and nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay(NALFIA)to develop a method that accurately,sensitively,and cost-effectively detects MoT-specific DNA sequences in infected wheat plants.This novel technique can be easily adapted for the rapid detection of wheat blast and other important plant diseases in the field.

Current molecular methods for the detection of hepatitis C virus in high risk group population:A systematic review

Hepatitis C virus(HCV) is an emerging infection worldwide and the numbers of persons infected are increasing every year. Poor blood transfusion methods along with unsafe injection practices are potential sources for the rapid spread of infection. Early detection of HCV is the need of the hour especially in high riskgroup population as these individuals are severely immunocompromised. Enzyme Immunoassays are the most common detection techniques but they provide no evidence of active viremia or identification of infected individuals in the antibody-negative phase and their efficacy is limited in individuals within high risk group population. Molecular virological techniques have an important role in detecting active infection with utmost specificity and sensitivity. Technologies for assessment of HCV antibody and RNA levels have improved remarkably, as well as our understanding of how to best use these tests in patient management. This review aims to give an overview of the different serological and molecular methods employed in detecting HCV infection used nowadays. Additionally, the review gives an insight in the new molecular techniques that are being developed to improve the detection techniques particularly in High Risk Group population who are severely immunocompromised.

Molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 being challenged by virus variation and asymptomatic infection

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has been a pandemic for more than a year.With the expanding second wave of the pandemic in winter,the continuous evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has brought new issues,including the significance of virus mutations in infection and the detection of asymptomatic infection.In this review,we first introduced several major SARS-CoV-2 mutations since the COVID-19 outbreak and then mentioned the widely used molecular detection techniques to diagnose COVID-19,primarily focusing on their strengths and limitations.We further discussed the effects of viral genetic variation and asymptomatic infection on the molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection.The review finally summarized useful insights into the molecular diagnosis of COVID-19 under the special situation being challenged by virus mutation and asymptomatic infection.

Covalent Attachment of DNA to Glass Supports Using A New Silane Coupling Agent and Chemiluminescent Detection

A new kind of silane coupling agent, N- (β-aminoethyl ) - γ-aminopropyl triet hoxysilane, was used for DNA direct attachment on the surfaces of glass supports, then the immobilized DNA was hybridized with horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled probe, and detected by using enhanced chemiluminescent method. In comparison with γ-aminopropyl triethoxysilane, the detection limits (S/N) of DNA were 10 pg and 75 pg respectively. Several experimental conditions of DNA attachING to glass supports were investigated, and the system of hybridization of nucleic acid on the surfaces of glass supports was developed.

Analysis of diagnosis and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine for COVID-19 nucleic acid

Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),the author has been involved in the treatment of COVID-19 in the first line.It is found that some patients had a long viral nucleic acid negative time,and even the course of the disease lasted more than 40 days.After a thorough investigation of the root causes,it is found the four possible causes were:"Blood stasis syndrome"is difficult to remove;"Damp heat"sticky greasy;Stubborn basic diseases;weak constitution.All the patients treated with traditional Chinese medicine have turned negative,and now the typical cases were analyzed and summarized in order to provide reference for the traditional Chinese medicine treatment and scientific research of the patients with COVID-19 who were difficult to turn negative.

Results on Pathogen Detection of Foot and Mouth Disease in Guangxi China and Analysis on Its Popular Spectrum

Objective: The study aims to understand the characteristics and epidemic trend of the pathogen of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Guangxi regions, China. Besides, it aims to analyze the differences of intestinal virus detection rate between anal swab and pharyngeal swab samples. Methods: Anal swab and pharyngeal swabs of suspected HFMD children were collected in our hospital from 2012 to 2015. Real-time fluorescent PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) was used to detect enterovirus 71 (EV71), coxsackie virus type 16 (CA16), and universal intestinal virus nucleic acid (EV). Composition and conversion of predominant pathogens were analyzed, and paired samples’ test results of swabs anal and pharyngeal swab were statistically analyzed. Results: There are 681 cases with enterovirus in 2351 cases of patients. Among those who got enterovirus, there are 501 cases of EV71, 102 cases of CA16 and 79 cases of EV. From 2012 to 2015, the total proportion of the virus detection is 46.47%, 16.23%, 41.02% and 15.33% respectively in each year, while the proportion of predominant epidemic virus is 93.93% of EV71, 66.12% of CA16, 89.30% of EV71 and 98.73% of EV, non-EV71, non-CA16 EV (from October to December in 2015). It’s obvious that the total virus detection rate in 2012 and 2014 is significantly higher than that in 2013 and 2015. There is statistical significance. Conclusion: The main HFMD pathogens are EV71 from 2012 to 2015 in Guangxi regions. In 2012 and 2014, the predominant epidemic pathogens were EV71, while in 2013 and 2015, the predominant epidemic pathogens turn to be CA16 and non-EV71, non-CA16 EV respectively. What’s more, collecting anal swab and pharyngeal swab virus at the same time for nucleic acid detection is of great significance to improve the HFMD laboratory diagnostic.

不同年龄段呼吸道感染住院患儿的病原体核酸检测结果及混合感染情况分析

目的探讨不同年龄段呼吸道感染住院患儿的病原体核酸检测结果及混合感染状况分析。方法回顾分析2021年1月至2023年12月于郑州市妇幼保健院住院治疗的130例呼吸道感染患儿临床资料,所有患儿均展开核酸呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)、腺病毒(ADV)、流感病毒A和B型(IFA、IFB)、人鼻病毒(HRV)、肺炎支原体(MP)检测。分析不同年龄段、性别各病原体阳性检出率,另探讨患儿呼吸道患儿混合感染状况。结果经统计分析,130例呼吸道感染患儿中共检出79例病原体核酸阳性患者,占60.77%,呼吸道病原体检出率从高至低依次为MP、IFB、RSV、IFA、ADV、HRV。通过分析不同年龄段患儿病原体核酸阳性率,结果显示7~10岁患儿阳性率最高,其次为4~6岁,其中<1岁患儿以RSV感染为主,1~3岁以IFA感染为主,4~6岁患儿以MP感染为主,7~10岁患儿以IFB感染为主。女性患儿病原体阳性率为62.90%,高于男性患儿58.82%,但两者比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。单一病原体核酸阳性患儿共63例(79.75%),双重病原体感染患儿15例(18.99%);仅1例三重病原体感染,为IFB+MP+RSV。结论呼吸道感染住院患儿感染病原体主要为MP、IFB、RSV三种,7~10岁患儿阳性率最高,其次为4~6岁患儿,女性较男性患儿更易感染,混合感染以MP+IFB多见。

Nucleic acid detection in the diagnosis and prevention of schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is an important zoonotic parasitic disease that causes serious harms to humans and animals.Surveillance and diagnosis play key roles in schistosomiasis control,however,current techniques for surveillance and diagnosis of the disease have limitations.As genome data for parasites are increasing,novel techniques for detection incorporating nucleotide sequences are receiving widespread attention.These sensitive,specific,and rapid detection methods are particularly important in the diagnosis of low-grade and early infections,and may prove to have clinical significance.This paper reviews the progress of nucleic acid detection in the diagnosis and prevention of schistosomiasis,including such aspects as the selection of target genes,and development and application of nucleic acid detection methods.