Ultra-sensitive and quantitative analysis of proteins, nucleic acid, virus and other biochemical species are critical technologies for effective dianosis of disease, as well as medical studies. Silicon nanowires field-effect transistor (SiNWs-FET) biosensor is one of the most promising powerful platforms for label-free, real-time, ultra-sensitive detection of analyte. Here, the working principle of SiNWs-FET biosensor and the applications of SiNWs-FET biosensors in medicine were introduced. Moreover, the methods for enhancing the sensitivity of SiNWs-FET biosensor were discussed. Lastly, the prospecting of SiNWs-FET biosensor was presented.
Rare liver diseases are a group of disorders primarily affecting the liver, characterized by complex etiology and diverse clinical manifestations. In China, rare liver diseases include hereditary metabolic liver diseases, cholestatic liver diseases, autoimmune liver diseases, and other rare types of liver damage. Due to low incidence, insufficient awareness, and lack of specific biomarkers, diagnosing and managing these diseases is challenging, often resulting in diagnostic delays, limited treatment options, and difficulties in long-term management. This review aims to summarize the clinical features and the current status of diagnosis and treatment of rare liver diseases in China. It also integrates the latest diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, provides guidance for clinicians, and offers references for future research and policy formulation. Ultimately, this work seeks to promote the development of the diagnosis and treatment system for rare liver diseases in China.
Objective To investigate the value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in the rapid diagnosis of clinical mycobacterial infections. Methods The clinical data of 782 hospitalized patients with suspected mycobacterial infections from April 2023 to December 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. The diagnostic performance of mNGS was compared with that of conventional methods, including culture and acid-fast staining. Results Among the 782 patients, 465 were ultimately diagnosed with mycobacterial infections, including 388 cases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and 77 cases of non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection. Using the final clinical diagnosis as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of mNGS for diagnosing mycobacterial infections in all specimens were 52.5%, 79.8%, 79.2%, and 53.4%, respectively; those of culture were 1.9%, 100.0%, 100.0%, and 41.0%, respectively; and those of acid-fast staining were 14.2%, 99.6%, 98.4%, and 41.1%, respectively. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for mNGS, culture, and acid-fast staining in evaluating the diagnosis of mycobacterial infections were 0.66 [95% confidence interval (CI) (0.63, 0.69)], 0.51 [95%CI (0.50, 0.52)], and 0.57 [95%CI (0.55, 0.59)], respectively. Conclusion mNGS demonstrates certain sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value in the diagnosis of mycobacterial infections, and may serve as a reference for early clinical diagnosis.