To formulate folate receptor (FR)-specific graphene-based electrochemical electrodes, a folic acid (FA) derivative attached with two pyrene molecules on the glutamate tail of FA was synthesized. The resulting pyrene-functionalized FA (FA-Py) presented the spontaneous noncovalent binding on chemically reduced graphene oxides (rGO) through an π-π interaction. Ultrathin morphology, high water-resistance, and preservation of intact FR-specific pteroates from the rGO/FA-Py assembly allow this assembly to be exploited as robust and FR-specific electrochemical electrode materials. The limits of detecting rGO/FA-Py modified electrodes were found to be as low as 3.07 nM in FR concentrations in cyclic voltammetry analysis.

Background : Ramie, Boehmeria nivea (L) Gaud, is a bast fiber plant of the nettle family (Urticaceae) and originated in Asia. We have taken an active interest in ramie breeding for edible ramie, and consequently select "Yeonggwang No.1" with high yielding and good quality for edible leaves in 2015. Methods and Results : "Yeonggwang No.1" is a new ramie variety for edible leaves, which was derived from the plants of the population for pure clone isolation from 2013 to 2014, and progressively for specific character and yield trial in 2014 to 2015. The yield trials were carried on the field and the greenhouse with two replications, respectively. The plant height of "Yeonggwang No.1" is about 140 ㎝ with 6 ㎝ higher than that of check variety "Seobang" The leaves are heart-shaped, with large size, and finely serrated margins. The color of the upper side of the leaf is dark green, and silvery white on the under surface. The flowers are light purple in color and are borne in declinate clusters in the axils of the leaves. The average SLW (specific leaf weight) was 8.56 ㎎/㎠, which was weight lighter than that of check "Seobang", but chlorophyll content measured by a Chlorophyll meter, SPAD-502 was 12.3 SPAD higher than that of "Seobang". Fresh leaf yield was the annual total 1,578 ㎏/10 a in the field, and 2,479 ㎏/10 a in the greenhouse, which was 98% level of "Seobang" in the field, and increased by 10% than check "Seobang" in the greenhouse. The fresh leaves yield of "Yeonggwang No.1" tended to increased in changes according to time more than "Seobang". Conclusion : As a new variety, Yeonggwang No.1 can be harvested leaves several times annually, with the yield range of 1,578 – 2,479 ㎏/10 a, having 72.3% moisture, 6.61% crude protein, 987 ㎎ calcium, 5.27 Fe in its leaves. These results seem to indicate that there is considerable scope for increasing the fresh leaf yield of ramie and improving the processing quality by means of selection from the large and comparatively unexplored pool of variation, which should be obtainable from this heterozygous plant.

JAK2 V617F mutation is a common event in chronic myeloproliferative disorders. However, de novo acute myeloid leukemia with JAK2 V617F is rarely encountered. The authors report the case of a 74-year-old male with de novo acute myeloblastic leukemia without maturation (AML M1) and a JAk2 V617F heterozygotic mutation. Despite treatment with standard AML regimens, the patient died 2 months after a diagnosis of acute leukemia. This case of an AML patient with a JAK2 V617F mutation with a poor prognosis suggests that despite its rarity, a JAK2 V617F mutational study be considered for prognostic purposes in AML.