We report an electrochemical biosensor combined with recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) for rapid and sensitive detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The electrochemical biosensor based on a multi-microelectrode array allows the detection of multiple target genes by differential pulse voltammetry. The RPA reaction involves hybridization of the RPA amplicon with thiol-modified primers immobilized on the working electrodes, which leads to a reduction of current density as amplicons accumulate. The assay results in shorter “sample-to-answer” times than conventional PCR without expensive thermo-cycling equipment. The limits of detection are about 0.972 fg/μL (RdRP gene) and 3.925 fg/μL (N gene), which are slightly lower than or comparable to that of RPA assay results obtained by gel electrophoresis without post-amplification purification. The combination of electrochemical biosensors and the RPA assay is a rapid, sensitive, and convenient platform that can be potentially used as a point-of-care test for the diagnosis of COVID-19.

No abstract

No abstract

This study investigated the effects of fluorine (F) diffusion from a CYTOP passivation layer into amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs). The F contained in the CYTOP passivation layer was diffused into a-IGZO through 350 °C annealing. The similar ionic radii of F and oxygen (O) allowed the passivation of oxygen vacancy (Vo) and weakly bonded oxygen by F. As a result, the a-IGZO TFTs with CYTOP passivation were highly stable under various stresses. The threshold voltage (Vth) shifts of a-IGZO TFTs without CYTOP passivation and with CYTOP passivation under a negative bias stress test for 10 000 s were −6.7 V and −2.5 V, respectively. In addition, the Vth shifts of each device under a negative bias illumination stress test for 4000 s were −10.9 V and −5.3 V, respectively. This improvement was caused by a reduction of Vo and a widened band gap of a-IGZO through the F diffusion effect. In addition, the CYTOP passivation layer maintained excellent properties as a barrier against moisture after 350 °C annealing.

No abstract

Lactate is an important organic molecule that is produced in excess during anaerobic metabolism when oxygen is absent in the human organism. The concentration of this substance in the body can be related to several medical conditions, such as hemorrhage, respiratory failure, and ischemia. Herein, we describe a graphene-based lactate biosensor to detect the concentrations of L-lactic acid in different fluids (buffer solution and plasma). The active surface (graphene) of the device was functionalized with lactate dehydrogenase enzyme using different substances (Nafion, chitosan, and glutaraldehyde) to guarantee stability and increase selectivity. The devices presented linear responses for the concentration ranges tested in the different fluids. An interference study was performed using ascorbic acid, uric acid, and glucose, and there was a minimum variation in the Dirac point voltage during detection of lactate in any of the samples. The stability of the devices was verified at up to 50 days while kept in a dry box at room temperature, and device operation was stable until 12 days. This study demonstrated graphene performance to monitor L-lactic acid production in human samples, indicating that this material can be implemented in more simple and low-cost devices, such as flexible sensors, for point-of-care applications.

No abstract

Perhaps the most common type of reproductive dysfunction in captive fish is failure of females to undergo final oocyte maturation and thus to ovulate and spawn. The success of aquaculture could therefore be improved by developing techniques to enhance natural spawning, artificial maturation, and/or to induce ovulation in farmed fish. This study aimed to investigate the effects of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) and prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α ) on in vitro oocyte maturation (germinal vesicle breakdown, GVBD) and ovulation in the marine fish Chasmichthys dolichognathus. Post-vitellogenic follicles (0.80-0.94 mm diameter oocytes) were incubated with PGE 2 or PGF 2α at concentrations of 5, 50, or 500 ng/mL for 24 hours. A significant increase in GVBD was seen in 0.84 mm and 0.94 mm oocytes incubated with 50 ng/mL PGE 2 compared with the control. There was no significant increase in GVBD in any of the other experimental conditions (5 or 500 ng/mL PGE 2 or 5, 50, or 500 ng/mL PGF 2α ). Neither of the prostaglandins induced ovulation at the concentrations tested. These results suggest that GVBD was induced by incubation with 50 ng/mL PGE 2 .