Guohua Zhou

Bio: Guohua Zhou is an academic researcher from Southwest Jiaotong University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Buck converter & Digital control. The author has an hindex of 32, co-authored 319 publications receiving 3903 citations. Previous affiliations of Guohua Zhou include Tsinghua University & Soochow University (Suzhou).

Quantitative detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms for a pooled sample by a bioluminometric assay coupled with modified primer extension reactions (BAMPER)

Abstract: A new method for SNP analysis based on the detection of pyrophosphate (PPi) is demonstrated, which is capable of detecting small allele frequency differences between two DNA pools for genetic association studies other than SNP typing. The method is based on specific primer extension reactions coupled with PPi detection. As the specificity of the primer-directed extension is not enough for quantitative SNP analysis, artificial mismatched bases are introduced into the 3′-terminal regions of the specific primers as a way of improving the switching characteristics of the primer extension reactions. The best position in the primer for such artificial mismatched bases is the third position from the primer 3′-terminus. Contamination with endogenous PPi, which produces a large background signal level in SNP analysis, was removed using PPase to degrade the PPi during the sample preparation process. It is possible to accurately and quantitatively analyze SNPs using a set of primers that correspond to the wild-type and mutant DNA segments. The termini of these primers are at the mutation positions. Various types of SNPs were successfully analyzed. It was possible to very accurately determine SNPs with frequencies as low 0.02. It is very reproducible and the allele frequency difference can be determined. It is accurate enough to detect meaningful genetic differences among pooled DNA samples. The method is sensitive enough to detect 14 amol ssM13 DNA. The proposed method seems very promising in terms of realizing a cost-effective, large-scale human genetic testing system.

DNA base sequencing system

Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA base sequencing system having a compact, simple and convenient structure. In one embodiment of the present invention, a reaction chamber module for pyrosequencing in which a multiple number of reaction vessels (reaction chambers) 10 and reagent-introducing narrow tubes 6 are integrated is formed in a device board 5. Reagents held in reagent reservoirs 1, 2, 3 and 4 mounted separately from this reaction chamber module are introduced into the reaction vessels 10 via reagent-introducing narrow tubes (capillaries) 6. The reagent-introducing narrow tubes (capillaries) 6 at the area of 2 cm from the reaction vessels 10 are structured with narrow capillaries having an inner diameter of about 0.1 mm and the conductance of these capillaries for the reagent solution determines the injection speed of the solution. Using the present invention, many kinds of DNAs can be analyzed simultaneously.

Simultaneous Determination of Human Enterovirus 71 and Coxsackievirus B3 by Dual-Color Quantum Dots and Homogeneous Immunoassay

Abstract: Human Enterovirus 71 (EV71) and Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) have high risks for morbidity and mortality. A virus quantitation immunoassay has been proposed by employing two colored quantum dots (QDs), antibodies of the virus, and graphene oxide (GO). The QDs are streptavidin-conjugated quantum dots (SA-QDs), and the antibodies are biotinylated antibodies. Biotinylated EV71 antibody (Ab1) was associated with 525 nm green colored SA-QDs via biotin-streptavidin interaction forming QDs-Ab1, whereas biotinylated CVB3 antibody (Ab2) was associated with 605 nm red colored SA-QDs via biotin–streptavidin interaction forming QDs-Ab2. GO was an excellent quencher to the fluorescence of both QDs-Ab1 and QDs-Ab2. The targets of EV71 and CVB3 can break up the complex of QDs-Ab and GO, recovering the fluorescence of QDs-Ab1 and QDs-Ab2, respectively. Using these two different colored QDs-Ab fluorescence recovery intensities upon the addition of targets EV71 and CVB3, the two enteroviruses can be simultaneously quantitative...

One-pot synthesized aptamer-functionalized CdTe:Zn2+ quantum dots for tumor-targeted fluorescence imaging in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: High quality and facile DNA functionalized quantum dots (QDs) as efficient fluorescence nanomaterials are of great significance for bioimaging both in vitro and in vivo applications. Herein, we offer a strategy to synthesize DNA-functionalized Zn2+ doped CdTe QDs (DNA-QDs) through a facile one-pot hydrothermal route. DNA is directly attached to the surface of QDs. The as-prepared QDs exhibit small size (3.85 ± 0.53 nm), high quantum yield (up to 80.5%), and excellent photostability. In addition, the toxicity of QDs has dropped considerably because of the Zn-doping and the existence of DNA. Furthermore, DNA has been designed as an aptamer specific for mucin 1 overexpressed in many cancer cells including lung adenocarcinoma. The aptamer-functionalized Zn2+ doped CdTe QDs (aptamer-QDs) have been successfully applied in active tumor-targeted imaging in vitro and in vivo. A universal design of DNA for synthesis of Zn2+ doped CdTe QDs could be extended to other target sequences. Owing to the abilities of specif...

I and i

Abstract: There is, I think, something ethereal about i —the square root of minus one. I remember first hearing about it at school. It seemed an odd beast at that time—an intruder hovering on the edge of reality. Usually familiarity dulls this sense of the bizarre, but in the case of i it was the reverse: over the years the sense of its surreal nature intensified. It seemed that it was impossible to write mathematics that described the real world in …

Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract: Summary Background Since December, 2019, Wuhan, China, has experienced an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 have been reported but risk factors for mortality and a detailed clinical course of illness, including viral shedding, have not been well described. Methods In this retrospective, multicentre cohort study, we included all adult inpatients (≥18 years old) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from Jinyintan Hospital and Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital (Wuhan, China) who had been discharged or had died by Jan 31, 2020. Demographic, clinical, treatment, and laboratory data, including serial samples for viral RNA detection, were extracted from electronic medical records and compared between survivors and non-survivors. We used univariable and multivariable logistic regression methods to explore the risk factors associated with in-hospital death. Findings 191 patients (135 from Jinyintan Hospital and 56 from Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital) were included in this study, of whom 137 were discharged and 54 died in hospital. 91 (48%) patients had a comorbidity, with hypertension being the most common (58 [30%] patients), followed by diabetes (36 [19%] patients) and coronary heart disease (15 [8%] patients). Multivariable regression showed increasing odds of in-hospital death associated with older age (odds ratio 1·10, 95% CI 1·03–1·17, per year increase; p=0·0043), higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (5·65, 2·61–12·23; p Interpretation The potential risk factors of older age, high SOFA score, and d-dimer greater than 1 μg/mL could help clinicians to identify patients with poor prognosis at an early stage. Prolonged viral shedding provides the rationale for a strategy of isolation of infected patients and optimal antiviral interventions in the future. Funding Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences; National Science Grant for Distinguished Young Scholars; National Key Research and Development Program of China; The Beijing Science and Technology Project; and Major Projects of National Science and Technology on New Drug Creation and Development.