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Introduction: Social network strategies, in which social networks are utilized to influence individuals or communities, are increasingly being used to deliver human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) interventions to key populations. We summarized and critically assessed existing research on the effectiveness of social network strategies in promoting HIV self‐testing (HIVST). Methods: Using search terms related to social network interventions and HIVST, we searched five databases for trials published between 1st January 2010 and 30th June 2023. Outcomes included uptake of HIV testing, HIV prevalence and linkage to antiretroviral therapy (ART) or HIV care. We used network meta‐analysis to assess the uptake of HIV testing through social network strategies compared with control methods. A pairwise meta‐analysis of studies with a comparison arm that reported outcomes was performed to assess relative risks (RR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Among the 4496 manuscripts identified, 39 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, including one quasi‐experimental study, 22 randomized controlled trials and 16 observational studies. Networks HIVST testing was organized by peers (distributed to known peers, 15 studies), partners (distributed to their sexual partners, 16 studies) and peer educators (distributed to unknown peers, 8 studies). Among social networks, simulating the possibilities of ranking position, peer distribution had the highest uptake of HIV testing (84% probability), followed by partner distribution (80% probability) and peer educator distribution (74% probability). Pairwise meta‐analysis showed that peer distribution (RR 2.29, 95% CI 1.54−3.39, 5 studies) and partner distribution (RR 1.76, 95% CI 1.50−2.07, 10 studies) also increased the probability of detecting HIV reactivity during testing within the key population when compared to the control. Discussion: All of the three social network distribution strategies enhanced the uptake of HIV testing compared to standard facility‐based testing. Linkage to ART or HIV care remained comparable to facility‐based testing across the three HIVST distribution strategies. Conclusions: Network‐based HIVST distribution is considered effective in augmenting HIV testing rates and reaching marginalized populations compared to facility‐based testing. These strategies can be integrated with the existing HIV care services, to fill the testing gap among key populations globally. PROSPERO Number: CRD42022361782 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of high‐entropy alloys (HEAs) with ultra‐small particle sizes has long been a challenging task. The complex and time‐consuming synthesis process hinders their practical application and widespread adoption. This study presents the novel synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles loaded with a quinary high‐entropy alloy through flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) for the first time. The extremely fast heating rate of flame combustion makes the precursor fast pyrolysis gasification, high temperature in the flame field promotes the metal vapor mixing uniformly, and the fast quenching process can reduce the particle aggregation sintering, the ultra‐small particle size of HEA firmly attached to the TiO2 surface. The catalysts prepared via this gas‐to‐particle pathway exhibit excellent performance in CO2 hydrogenation, achieving a conversion rate of 62% at 450 °C, and maintaining their activity for over 220 h without significant particle agglomeration. This finding provides valuable insights for the future design of catalytically active materials with enhanced activity and long‐term stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Integrated knowledge regarding pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness and willingness to use PrEP can be useful for HIV prevention in high incidence groups. This review summarizes the awareness of PrEP and willingness to use PrEP among men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: Online electronic databases were searched before 31 August 2021. A meta‐analysis was conducted to pool studies analysing PrEP awareness and willingness to use PrEP. LOESS regression and linear regression were applied to fit the trends over time for the proportion of MSM aware of PrEP and willing to use PrEP. Dose–response meta‐analysis (DRMA) was conducted by a restricted cubic spline model to explore the relationship between willingness to use PrEP and selected factors. Results and Discussion: A total of 156 articles involving 228,403 MSM were included. The pooled proportions of MSM aware of PrEP and willing to use PrEP were 50.0 (95% CI: 44.8–55.2) and 58.6% (95% CI: 54.8–62.4), respectively. PrEP awareness varied among countries with different economic status and different WHO regions, among different publication and research years, PrEP types and support policies. PrEP willingness differed among countries with different economic status and groups with different risks of HIV. The awareness of PrEP increased from 2007 to 2019 with a slope of 0.040260 (p<0.0001), while the proportion of MSM willing to use PrEP decreased from 2007 to 2014 (slope = –0.03647, p = 0.00390) but increased after 2014 (slope = 0.04187, p = 0.03895). The main facilitators of willingness to use PrEP were PrEP awareness, condomless sexual behaviours, high perceived risk of HIV infection and influence of social network. The main barriers were doubts about the efficacy and side effects of PrEP. DRMA results indicated that MSM with more sexual partners and lower level of education were more willing to use PrEP. No publication bias was observed. Conclusions: The proportions of PrEP awareness and willingness to use PrEP among MSM have increased since 2014, although the awareness was low and the willingness was moderate. Improving awareness of PrEP through increasing access to PrEP‐related health education and enhancing risk perceptions of HIV infection could have positive effects on the willingness to use PrEP among MSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Islet transplantation is poised to play an important role in the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). However, there are several challenges limiting its widespread use, including the instant blood‐mediated inflammatory reaction, hypoxic/ischemic injury, and the immune response. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are known to exert regenerative, immunoregulatory, angiogenic, and metabolic properties. Here, we review recent reports on the application of MSCs in islet allo‐ and xenotransplantation. We also document the clinical trials that have been undertaken or are currently underway, relating to the co‐transplantation of islets and MSCs. Increasing evidence indicates that co‐transplantation of MSCs prolongs islet graft survival by locally secreted protective factors that reduce immune reactivity and promote vascularization, cell survival, and regeneration. MSC therapy may be a promising option for islet transplantation in patients with T1DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in CRISPR based biotechnologies have greatly expanded our capabilities to repurpose CRISPR for the development of biomolecular sensors for diagnosing diseases and understanding cellular pathways. The key attribute that allows CRISPR to be widely utilized is the programmable and highly selective mechanism. In this Minireview, we first illustrate the molecular principle of CRISPR functioning process from sensing to actuating. Next, the CRISPR based biosensing strategies for nucleic acids, proteins and small molecules are summarized. We highlight some of recent advances in applications for in vitro detection of biomolecules and in vivo imaging of cellular networks. Finally, the challenges with, and exciting prospects of, CRISPR based biosensing developments are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modular construction of an autonomous and programmable multi‐functional heterogeneous biochemical circuit that can identify, transform, translate, and amplify biological signals into physicochemical signals based on logic design principles can be a powerful means for the development of a variety of biotechnologies. To explore the conceptual validity, we design a CRISPR‐array‐mediated primer‐exchange‐reaction‐based biochemical circuit cascade, which probes a specific biomolecular input, transform the input into a structurally accessible form for circuit wiring, translate the input information into an arbitrary sequence, and finally amplify the prescribed sequence through autonomous formation of a signaling concatemer. This upstream biochemical circuit is further wired with a downstream electrochemical interface, delivering an integrated bioanalytical platform. We program this platform to directly analyze the genome of SARS‐CoV‐2 in human cell lysate, demonstrating the capability and the utility of this unique integrated system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optical microstructure on the roller surface is the key for manufacturing microstructures on optical film. In this context, the fabrication of optical microstructures on the cylindrical roller surface is more difficult than that on the planar surface. This Letter starts with a machinability of microstructure arrays on a cylindrical surface, and studies the restriction influences of the tool geometry and process parameters on the characteristics of the microstructure. Then a suitable flexible hinge holder for the fast tool servo is designed based on finite element analysis, and the influential factors to the machining precision of microstructure arrays are investigated. Finally, a machining test of spherical arrays on an aluminium cylindrical surface is carried out, and the high quality of the microstructure indicates that the proposed method is appropriate for the fabrication of optical microstructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate, rapid, and cost‐effective biosensor for the quantification of disease biomarkers is vital for the development of early‐diagnostic point‐of‐care systems. The recent discovery of the trans‐cleavage property of CRISPR type V effectors makes CRISPR a potential high‐accuracy bio‐recognition tool. Herein, a CRISPR‐Cas12a (cpf1) based electrochemical biosensor (E‐CRISPR) is reported, which is more cost‐effective and portable than optical‐transduction‐based biosensors. Through optimizing the in vitro trans‐cleavage activity of Cas12a, E‐CRIPSR was used to detect viral nucleic acids, including human papillomavirus 16 (HPV‐16) and parvovirus B19 (PB‐19), with a picomolar sensitivity. An aptamer‐based E‐CRISPR cascade was further designed for the detection of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1) protein in clinical samples. As demonstrated, E‐CRISPR could enable the development of portable, accurate, and cost‐effective point‐of‐care diagnostic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of very recently developed electrochemical biosensing strategies are promoting electrochemical biosensing systems into practical point‐of‐care applications. The focus of research endeavors has transferred from detection of a specific analyte to the development of general biosensing strategies that can be applied for a single category of analytes, such as nucleic acids, proteins, and cells. In this Minireview, recent cutting‐edge research on electrochemical biosensing strategies are described. These developments resolved critical challenges regarding the application of electrochemical biosensors to practical point‐of‐care systems, such as rapid readout, simple biosensor fabrication method, ultra‐high detection sensitivity, direct analysis in a complex biological matrix, and multiplexed target analysis. This Minireview provides general guidelines both for scientists in the biosensing research community and for the biosensor industry on development of point‐of‐care system, benefiting global healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Polymerase I and transcript release factor (Ptrf, also known as Cavin1) is an essential component in the biogenesis and function of caveolae. Ptrf knockout mice or patients with PTRF mutations exhibit numerous pathologies including markedly aberrant fuel metabolism, lipodystrophy and muscular dystrophy. In this study, we generated Ptrf transgenic mice to explore its function in vivo. Compared with wild‐type (WT) mice, we found that the Ptrf transgenic mice showed obesity with an increased level of ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate transaminase). Ptrf transgenic mice exhibited severe fat degeneration and a higher degree of fat accumulation in the liver compared with WT mice. Consistently, we found that the expression of the fat synthesis gene, Fasn, was increased in the liver of Ptrf transgenic mice. Thus, Ptrf transgenic mice would be a good model for investigating the molecular mechanism and therapeutic targets of obesity and fatty liver associated diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Antibody‐mediated rejection is a barrier to the clinical application of xenotransplantation, and xenoantigens play an important role in this process. Early research suggested that N‐acetyl‐D‐galactosamine (GalNAc) could serve as a potential xenoantigen. GalNAc is the immunodominant glycan of the Sda antigen. Recently, knockout of β1,4‐N‐acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 2 (β1,4GalNAcT‐II) from the pig results in a decrease in binding of human serum antibodies to pig cells. It is believed that this is the result of the elimination of the GalNAc on the Sda antigen, which is catalyzed by the enzyme, β1,4GalNAcT‐II. However, research into human blood group antigens suggests that only a small percentage (1%‐2%) of people express anti‐Sda antibodies directed to Sda antigen, and yet a majority appear to have antibodies directed to the products of pig B4GALNT2. Questions can therefore be asked as to (i) whether the comprehensive structure of the Sda antigen in humans, that is, the underlying sugar structure, is identical to the Sda antigen in pigs, (ii) whether the human anti‐Sda antibody binds ubiquitously to pig cells, but not to human cells, and (iii) what role the Sda++ (also called Cad) antigen is playing in this discrepancy. We review what is known about these antigens and discuss the discrepancies that have been noted above. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under normal conditions, the activity of platelets is stringently and precisely balanced between activation and quiescent state. This guarantees rapid hemostasis and avoids uncontrolled thrombosis. However, excessive platelet activation and resulting thrombotic microangiopathy are frequently observed in pig-to-primate xenotransplantation models. Endothelium-derived inhibitory mechanisms play an important role in regulation of platelet activation. These mainly include nitric oxide (NO), prostacyclin PGI2, and adenosine, which are synthesized by endothelial NO synthases (eNOS), prostacyclin synthase, and CD39/CD73, respectively. We investigated whether endothelium-derived regulatory mechanisms are affected in porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAECs) after exposure to human serum. In the present study, exposure of PAECs or porcine iliac arteries to human serum suppressed gene expression of eNOS and prostacyclin synthase, while induced gene expression of prostaglandin G/H synthase and thromboxane synthase. Simultaneously, exposure to human serum reduced NO and PGI2 production in PAEC culture supernatants. Thus, human serum altered the balance of endothelium-derived inhibitory mechanisms in PAECs, which may indicate a regulatory mechanism of excessive platelet activation in pig-to-primate xenotransplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To investigate graft survival after full-thickness corneal xenotransplantation from α1,3-galactosyltransferase gene-knockout (GTKO) pigs expressing a human complement regulatory protein ( GTKO/ CD46 pigs) in rhesus monkeys. Methods Rhesus monkeys (n=10) were transplanted with full-thickness corneas from wild-type ( WT; n=4) and GTKO/ CD46 (n=4) pigs or from monkeys (n=2). All recipient monkeys received post-transplant subconjunctival injections of betamethasone. Corneal grafts were evaluated by slit-lamp. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry of the grafts, and cytokine concentrations in the aqueous humor were tested 6 months after transplantation. Anti-pig IgM/IgG and anti-galactose-α1,3-galactose (Gal) antibodies were determined by flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. Results The longest graft survival of WT and GTKO/ CD46 xenografts was 157 and 171 days, respectively. There was no significant difference in graft survival between WT and GTKO pig corneas. Anterior synechiae occurred in two recipients of WT and all recipients of GTKO/ CD46 grafts. All xenograft recipients developed a retrocorneal membrane, inflammatory cells ( CD3+ T lymphocytes) infiltrated the corneal stroma, and in the aqueous humor, IL-6 was increased 6 months after transplantation. Induced antibody responses were documented against Gal and/or non-Gal pig antigens. In contrast, allografts survived >180 days without any rejection, with no increase in cytokines in the aqueous humor, and no elicited serum anti-pig antibodies were detected. Conclusions α1,3-galactosyltransferase gene-knockout/ CD46 pig corneas were not associated with prolonged graft survival or a reduced antibody response compared with WT pig corneas. The prevention of the development of anterior synechiae and a retrocorneal membrane after corneal xenotransplantation would appear to be important if prolonged corneal xenograft survival is to be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term success in pig-to-primate xenotransplantation is currently hampered by acute vascular rejection ( AVR), characterized by endothelial cell ( EC) activation and injury. Klotho has anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory effects on EC and protects EC against reactive oxygen species, rendering klotho a promising molecule to control AVR. In this study, porcine ECs were pre-incubated with klotho and then exposed to xenoreactive antibodies and complement. Real-time PCR revealed that klotho suppressed antibody-induced pro-inflammatory gene expression of VCAM-1 and IL-1α. NF-κB activation, IκBα phosphorylation, was also attenuated by klotho administration. Furthermore, klotho induced in porcine EC resistance against complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Accompanying this change, the binding of IgG and IgM xenoreactive antibodies to porcine EC was decreased and the expression of anti-inflammatory gene HO-1 was upregulated. These findings indicated that klotho protein protected porcine EC from activation and injury caused by binding of xenoreactive antibodies and was a promising candidate molecule in a multitransgenic pig strategy for xenotransplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-dimensional ion-beam figuring (1D-IBF) can improve grazing-incidence reflective optics, such as Kirkpatrick-Baez mirrors. 1D-IBF requires only one motion degree of freedom, which reduces equipment complexity, resulting in compact and low-cost IBF instrumentation. Furthermore, 1D-IBF is easy to integrate into a single vacuum system with other fabrication processes, such as a thin-film deposition. The NSLS-II Optical Metrology and Fabrication Group has recently integrated the 1D-IBF function into an existing thin-film deposition system by adding an RF ion source to the system. Using a rectangular grid, a 1D removal function needed to perform 1D-IBF has been produced. In this paper, demonstration experiments of the 1D-IBF process are presented on one spherical and two plane samples. The final residual errors on both plane samples are less than 1 nm r.m.s. The surface error on the spherical sample has been successfully reduced by a factor of 12. The results show that the 1D-IBF method is an effective method to process high-precision 1D synchrotron optics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface slope profile is widely used in the metrology of grazing-incidence reflective optics instead of surface height profile. Nevertheless, the theoretical and experimental model currently used in deterministic optical figuring processes is based on surface height, not on surface slope. This means that the raw slope profile data from metrology need to be converted to height profile to perform the current height-based figuring processes. The inevitable measurement noise in the raw slope data will introduce significant cumulative error in the resultant height profiles. As a consequence, this conversion will degrade the determinism of the figuring processes, and will have an impact on the ultimate surface figuring results. To overcome this problem, an innovative figuring model is proposed, which directly uses the raw slope profile data instead of the usual height data as input for the deterministic process. In this paper, first the influence of the measurement noise on the resultant height profile is analyzed, and then a new model is presented; finally a demonstration experiment is carried out using a one-dimensional ion beam figuring process to demonstrate the validity of our approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swine leucocyte antigen (SLA) class II molecules on porcine (p) cells play a crucial role in xenotransplantation as activators of recipient human CD4+ T cells. A human dominant-negative mutant class II transactivator (CIITA-DN) transgene under a CAG promoter with an endothelium-specific Tie2 enhancer was constructed. CIITA-DN transgenic pigs were produced by nuclear transfer/embryo transfer. CIITA-DN pig cells were evaluated for expression of SLA class II with/without activation, and the human CD4+ T-cell response to cells from CIITA-DN and wild-type (WT) pigs was compared. Lymphocyte subset numbers and T-cell function in CIITA-DN pigs were compared with those in WT pigs. The expression of SLA class II on antigen-presenting cells from CIITA-DN pigs was significantly reduced (40-50% reduction compared with WT; P < 0·01), and was completely suppressed on aortic endothelial cells (AECs) even after activation (100% suppression; P < 0·01). The human CD4+ T-cell response to CIITA-DN pAECs was significantly weaker than to WT pAECs (60-80% suppression; P < 0·01). Although there was a significantly lower frequency of CD4+ cells in the PBMCs from CIITA-DN (20%) than from WT (30%) pigs ( P < 0·01), T-cell proliferation was similar, suggesting no significant immunological compromise. Organs and cells from CIITA-DN pigs should be partially protected from the human cellular immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innentitelbild: Exploring the Trans-Cleavage Activity of CRISPR-Cas12a (cpf1) for the Development of a Universal Electrochemical Biosensor (Angew. B Ein elektrochemischer Biosensor (E-CRISPR), b der auf CRISPR-Cas12a (cpf1) basiert, wird von Y. Dai, A. I. Caplan, C. C. Liu et al. in ihrem Forschungsartikel auf S. 17560 vorgestellt. Bioanalytische Chemie, Biosensoren, CRISPR Cas12a (cpf1), Elektrochemie, Trans-Spaltung. [Extracted from the article]

After hyperacute rejection in pig‐to‐primate xenotransplantation had been overcome by the introduction of α1,3‐galactosyltransferase gene‐knockout (GTKO) pigs, acute and chronic antibody‐mediated rejection became one of the major barriers to long‐term graft survival. This was associated with exposure of non‐Gal antigens to the recipient's immune system and indicated that further genetic engineering of the pigs would be necessary. We here report that Gabarapl1, a regulator of tumorigenesis, plays a role in the regulation of immunogenicity of porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAECs). Knockdown of Gabarapl1 in PAECs results in a remarkable reduction in binding of serum antibody from PAEC‐immunized monkeys, associated with decreased serum cytotoxicity of pig cells. Expression of swine leukocyte antigens (SLA) II DR was downregulated by Gabarapl1 knockdown. However, suppression of expression of SLA II is associated with less reduction of antibody binding than achieved by Gabarapl1 knockdown, suggesting that other Gabarapl1‐regulated xenoantigens may be more important. These findings indicate a hitherto unknown relationship between Gabarapl1 and xenoimmunogenicity, suggesting a potential new strategy to reduce rejection initiated by the presence of non‐Gal antigens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inkjet printing is rapidly emerging as a means to fabricate low‐cost electronic devices; however, its widespread adoption is hindered by the complexity of the inks and the relatively high processing temperatures, limiting it to only a few metals and substrates. A new approach for inkjet printing is described, based on commercially available, particle‐free inks formulated from inorganic metal salts and their subsequent low‐temperature conversion to metallic structures by a non‐equilibrium, inert gas plasma. This single, general method is demonstrated for a library of metals including gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), lead (Pb), bismuth (Bi), and tin (Sn). As one figure of merit, the resistivities of the printed metals are measured to be between 2× and 10× of the respective bulk metals. Uniquely, it is found that the printed metal films exhibit a very large surface area because of the plasma‐initiated nucleation and growth process, making this technique attractive for sensing device applications. A Bi‐based trace Pb sensor, an Au‐based amyloid‐β42 sensor, and an Au‐based strain gauge are fabricated as representative chemical, biological, and mechanical sensors, and are found to exhibit enhanced sensitivity compared to analogues made with conventional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring for immune rejection is crucial for long‐term survival of pig xenografts. Circulating DNA is a promising non‐invasive biomarker for either organ injury or response to therapy. In this study, circulating pig‐specific DNA (cpsDNA) was monitored during xenograft rejection. Potential targets of cpsDNA were selected by in silico analysis, and species specificity of selected primers was confirmed by PCR. Subsequently, cpsDNA as a biomarker was evaluated using a complement‐dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) assay in vitro. Then, early diagnosis and response to rapamycin were assessed by an in vivo imaging model of pig‐to‐mouse cell transplantation. Finally, cpsDNA was monitored in a pig‐to‐monkey artery patch transplantation model. The results showed that (a) a method of cpsDNA quantitation was established for application in mouse and nonhuman primate models; (b) cpsDNA reflected CDC in vitro; (c) cpsDNA in vivo mirrored xenograft rejection, and correlated with xenograft loss in pig‐to‐mouse cell transplantation; (d) cpsDNA was significantly reduced when rapamycin was administered; and (e) dynamic cpsDNA was detectable in pig‐to‐monkey artery patch transplantation. In conclusion, measurement of cpsDNA could prove to be a less invasive, but more specific and sensitive low‐cost biomarker enabling monitoring of xenograft rejection and the response to immunosuppressive therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SIX1 and SIX4 genes play critical roles in kidney development. We evaluated the effect of these genes on pig kidney development by generating SIX1−/− and SIX1−/−/SIX4−/− pig foetuses using CRISPR/Cas9 and somatic cell nuclear transfer. We obtained 3 SIX1−/− foetuses and 16 SIX1−/−/SIX4−/− foetuses at different developmental stages. The SIX1−/− foetuses showed a migration block of the left kidney and a smaller size for both kidneys. The ureteric bud failed to form the normal branching and collecting system. Abnormal expressions of kidney development‐related genes (downregulation of PAX2, PAX8, and BMP4 and upregulation of EYA1 and SALL1) were also observed in SIX1−/− foetal kidneys and confirmed in vitro in porcine kidney epithelial cells (PK15) following SIX1 gene deletion. The SIX1−/−/SIX4−/− foetuses exhibited more severe phenotypes, with most foetuses showing retarded development at early stages of gestation. The kidney developed only to the initial stage of metanephros formation. These results demonstrated that SIX1 and SIX4 are key genes for porcine metanephros development. The creation of kidney‐deficient porcine foetuses provides a platform for generating human kidneys inside pigs using blastocyst complementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate and timely diagnosis of transplant rejection is essential for the long‐term survival of solid‐organ transplant recipients. Biopsy is the "gold standard" for the diagnosis of rejection, but this approach is a time‐consuming, expensive, and invasive process. An efficient, cheap, and noninvasive tool for monitoring of immune rejection is urgently needed. Circulating miRNA and circulating DNA can be easily amplified and quantified by PCR which could be potential biomarkers for monitoring organ survival and/or immune rejection. In this review, we briefly introduce the origins and characteristics of circulating miRNA and circulating DNA. Furthermore, we review their clinical application and potential as noninvasive biomarkers for rejection in organ transplantation. Finally, we sum up their potential as biomarkers, which may help scientists and surgeons choose the proper biomarker for routine assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the cover page for the March 1, 2018 issue of the journal.