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“In this paper, WO3 nanorods (NRs)/g-C3N4 composite photocatalysts were

constructed by assembling WO3 NRs with sheet-like g-C3N4. The Ricolinostat purchase as-synthesized photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence. The photocatalytic activity of the photocatalysts was evaluated by degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under simulated sunlight irradiation. Compared to pristine WO3 NRs and g-C3N4, WO3 NRs/g-C3N4 composites exhibit greatly enhanced photocatalytic activities. The enhanced performance of WO3 NRs/g-C3N4 composite photocatalysts was mainly ascribed AZD1390 mouse to the synergistic effect between WO3 NRs and g-C3N4, which improved the photogenerated carrier separation. A possible degradation mechanism of

RhB over the WO3 NRs/g-C3N4 composite photocatalysts was proposed. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd and Techria Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.”
“Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the interleukin 28B (IL28B) gene are associated with viral clearance and treatment response in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection; however, most of the available selleck inhibitor SNP genotyping methods are expensive. Aims: This study sought to evaluate the cost effectiveness of four methods used to genotype the rs12979860 and rs8099917 SNPs of the IL28B gene. Methods: Tetra-primer amplification-refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), quantitative (q) PCR and

direct sequencing methods were evaluated in terms of specificity, cost and run time in 281 blood samples obtained from chronic HCV patients. Results: In ARMS-PCR method, the primers designed to target both SNPs produced PCR fragments of specific sizes that distinguished the alleles of rs12979860 and rs8099917. In RFLP, the band profile allowed the distinction between genotypes. The qPCR was the faster and easier to perform. Validation by nucleotide sequencing showed 100% agreement among the three methods. The cost for a single reaction was lowest for ARMS-PCR, followed in turn by RFLP, qPCR and sequencing. Conclusions: The methodology described for the ARMS-PCR showed the most favorable cost-benefit ratio. Moreover, this approach is fast and simple, requiring only equipment that is commonly used in molecular diagnosis, which is an essential parameter for use in developing countries where laboratories have scarce financial resources. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.