One-step high-yield preparation of nitrogen- and sulfur-codoped carbon dots with applications in chromium(vi) and ascorbic acid detection.

In this research, a nitrogen- (N) and sulfur- (S) codoped carbon dot (CDs-IPM)-based sensor was synthesized using a single-step hydrothermal method. Specifically, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was the main raw material, which was extracted from banana pseudo-stem-based waste, while autonomous sulfonic acid-functionalized ionic liquid (SO3H-IL) and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) acted as the N, S dopant, and surface modifier, respectively. Comprehensive spectroscopic characterization of the synthesized CDs-IPM revealed the introduction of S, N atoms in the matrix with existence of surface oxygenic functional groups. The CDs-IPM possessed enhanced photoluminescence (PL) intensity, synthetic yield, and PL quantum yield (PLQY). Additionally, electron transfer between the CDs-IPM, hexavalent chromium (Cr(vi)), and subsequent ascorbic acid (AA) succeeded in turning the fluorescence on and off. The detection limit was 17 nM for Cr(vi), while it was 103 nM for AA. Our study data can simplify the process of synthesis of CDs utilizing biodegradable starting materials. The probe reported in this study may serve as a valuable addition to the field of environment monitoring by virtue of its enhanced detection sensitivity, high selectivity, and stability.

[Territorially ecological restoration zoning and optimization strategy in Guyuan City of Ningxia, China: Based on the balance of ecosystem service supply and demand]. / 基于生态系统服务供需平衡的宁夏固原生态修复分区与优化策略.

Scientifically identifying the territorially ecological restoration zoning is a vital prerequisite for implementing ecological restoration projects and enhancing environmental quality. Based on remote sensing data, we syste-matically assessed supply and demand for ecosystem service and their relationship in Guyuan City, China by using the InVEST model, coordination degree model, and spatial autocorrelation analysis. We carried out territorially ecological restoration zoning by coupling the ecosystem service supply and demand. Furthermore, the corresponding optimization strategies were put forward according to the regional characteristics of natural resources and socio-economic development. The results showed that the areas with high water yield, carbon storage, soil conservation and habitat quality were mainly located in the southern part of Guyuan City. The areas with high population density, economic development level and high ecological demand were mainly located in the central urban area and the location towns of the county government. The spatial mismatch of supply and demand for ecosystem services in Guyuan City was dominant, as indicated by the fact that the areas with high ecological supply having low ecological demand and low ecological supply having high ecological demand. The average coordination index was 0.5, indicating that the relationship between ecological supply and ecological demand was basically coordinated. Based on the diffe-rences between supply and demand of ecosystem services and regional natural geographical pattern, the administrative township units in Guyuan could be classified into six ecological restoration zonings: key ecological restoration area, potential ecological restoration area, ecological economic reconstruction area, characteristic agricultural development area, ecological core protection area, and ecological industry construction area. Different management strategies were proposed to provide scientific support for ecological restoration.

Bioinformatics prediction and experimental verification identify MAD2L1 and CCNB2 as diagnostic biomarkers of rhabdomyosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignant soft-tissue tumour. In recent years, the tumour microenvironment (TME) has been reported to be associated with the development of tumours. However, the relationship between the occurrence and development of RMS and TME is unclear. The purpose of this study is to identify potential tumor microenvironment-related biomarkers in rhabdomyosarcoma and analyze their molecular mechanisms, diagnostic and prognostic significance. METHODS: We first applied bioinformatics method to analyse the tumour samples of 125 patients with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO). Differential genes (DEGs) that significantly correlate with TME and the clinical staging of tumors were extracted. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was applied to validate the expression of mitotic arrest deficient 2 like 1 (MAD2L1) and cyclin B2 (CCNB2) in RMS tissue. Then, we used cell function and molecular biology techniques to study the influence of MAD2L1 and CCNB2 expression levels on the progression of RMS. RESULTS: Bioinformatics results show that the RMS TME key genes were screened, and a TME-related tumour clinical staging model was constructed. The top 10 hub genes were screened through the establishment of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and then Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) was conducted to measure the overall survival (OS) of the 10 hub genes in the sarcoma cases in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Six DEGs of statistical significance were acquired. The relationship between these six differential genes and the clinical stage of RMS was analysed. Further analysis revealed that the OS of RMS patients with high expression of MAD2L1 and CCNB2 was worse and the expression of MAD2L1 and CCNB2 was related to the clinical stage of RMS patients. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that the genes in MAD2L1 and CCNB2 groups with high expression were mainly related to the mechanism of tumour metastasis and recurrence. In the low-expression MAD2L1 and CCNB2 groups, the genes were enriched in the metabolic and immune pathways. Immunohistochemical results also confirmed that the expression levels of MAD2L1 (30/33, 87.5%) and CCNB2 (33/33, 100%) were remarkably higher in RMS group than in normal control group (0/11, 0%). Moreover, the expression of CCNB2 was related to tumour size. Downregulation of MAD2L1 and CCNB2 suppressed the growth, invasion, migration, and cell cycling of RMS cells and promoted their apoptosis. The CIBERSORT immune cell fraction analysis indicated that the expression levels of MAD2L1 and CCNB2 affected the immune status in the TME. CONCLUSIONS: The expression levels of MAD2L1 and CCNB2 are potential indicators of TME status changes in RMS, which may help guide the prognosis of patients with RMS and the clinical staging of tumours.