The near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence sensor for rapid, selective, and sensitive detection of cystenine (Cys) is of great importance in both biological and environmental sciences. Herein, we report a specific probe with turn-on fluorescence property, visible color change with naked-eye, and large wavelength shift on UV spectra for highly selective detection of Cys over homocysteine (Hcy) and glutathione (GSH) in both HEPES buffer (10 mM, pH 7.4) and diluted human serum. The probe based on the conjugate addition-cyclization reaction has a low limit of detection to Cys (0.16 μM as NIR fluorescence sensor and 0.13 μM as UV sensor). Kinetic study indicated that the probe has a very rapid response to Cys, owing to the much higher pseudo-first-order reaction constant with Cys (299 M(-1) s(-1)) than with Hcy (1.29 M(-1) s(-1)) or GSH (0.53 M(-1) s(-1)). Upon addition of Cys to a solution of the probe, the color changed from purple to cyan, with the maximum wavelength shifting from 582 to 674 nm in the UV spectrum and a fluorescence emission at 697 nm appearing. It has been successfully applied for determination of Cys in diluted serum and bioimaging of Cys in living cells with low cell toxicity.

Hydrazine has been applied diffusely in most of the chemical industry; however, it is a hazardous environmental pollutant and highly toxic to organisms. Selective, rapid, and sensitive detection of hydrazine thus becomes absolutely necessary in both biological and environmental sciences. Accordingly, fluorescence probes for hydrazine have been paid great attention in recent years. Disclosed here is the near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence probe with a turn-on fluorescent probe CyJ based on the structure-emission property relationships of the NIR dyes containing an acetyl group as the recognizing moiety. This new probe not only can be readily prepared, but also shows excellent sensing properties. First and most important of all, CyJ is highly selective for N2H4 over various anions, cations, and other amino compounds and has a low limit of detection (LOD) of hydrazine (5.4 ppb as fluorescence sensor and 6.1 ppb as UV sensor). Besides, CyJ exhibited a dramatic increase in fluorescence at λmax = 706 nm in the presence of N2H4, and it offers a rapid, colorimetric and vapor sensing detection process for N2H4 in both aqueous solution and diluted human serum. Furthermore, CyJ has good cell-membrane permeability and low cytotoxicity. In addition, we have successfully applied the CyJ to visualize N2H4 in live mouse and, for the first time, in tissues such as the liver, lung, kidney, heart, and spleen.

Currently, pseudorabies virus (PRV) variant strains are outbreaking in China; these variants belong to genotype II PRV. The traditional Bartha-K61 vaccine has failed to provide complete protection against the emergent variant strains. Therefore, rapid attenuation of current epidemic strains is needed for effective PRV control. In this study, we report a rapid method for editing the PRV genome using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. We developed a triple gE/gI/TK gene-inactivated HeN1 PRV strain, because mice were more susceptible to PRV infection, we then evaluated the attenuation of PRV in the mice and demonstrated that modified PRV was fully attenuated. Furthermore, the attenuated strain also induced immune protection in response to a parental PRV challenge. Overall, we showed that PRVs can be rapidly attenuated using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, which will be critical for PRV control, especially when new variant PRV strains emerge.