Ratiometric fluorescence detection of the angiotensin-converting enzyme via single-excitation and double-emission biomass-derived carbon quantum dots.

Efficient and rapid detection of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity is important for preventing hypertension and the discovery of new angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI). In this work, a single-excitation and double-emission biomass-derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) was prepared and applied for ratiometric fluorescence detection of ACE. Fresh banyan leaves were extracted with ethanol and acetone, and the extracted solution was used as the precursor to produce the carbon quantum dots (BL-CQDs) with single-excitation and double-emission properties.

Dual functionalized natural biomass carbon dots from lychee exocarp for cancer cell targetable near-infrared fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive phototherapy that has gained significant attention for cancer therapy. However, image-guided PDT still remains a considerable challenge. Herein, we developed a targeted, near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging nanoprobe for cancer cells by preparing natural biomass carbon dots (NBCDs) from lychee exocarp, and loading transferrin and a photosensitizer on the NBCD surfaces for image-guided PDT of cancer cells and mouse tumors.

Sulfur and nitrogen binary doped carbon dots derived from ammonium thiocyanate for selective probing doxycycline in living cells and multicolor cell imaging.

A novel sulfur and nitrogen binary doped carbon dots (S,N-CDs) was synthesized by one-step manner through the hydrothermal treatment of citric acid (CA) and ammonium thiocyanate, and the procedures for biomedical applications, including probing doxycycline in living cells and multicolor cell imaging were developed. The obtained S,N-CDs are stable in aqueous solution, possess a very high quantum yield (QY, 74.15%) and good photostability.

Green preparation of fluorescent carbon dots from lychee seeds and their application for the selective detection of methylene blue and imaging in living cells.

A green approach was developed for the preparation of fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) by using lychee seeds as precursors. The preparation of CDs was performed by simple pyrolysis. The quantum yield of as-prepared CDs was 10.

[Establishment of human IFN-gamma in vitro release assay and its application in tuberculosis diagnosis].

This study aimed to establish human IFN-gamma (hIFN-gamma) in vitro release assay and to apply it in diagnosis of human tuberculosis. Human IFN-gamma gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant hIFN-gamma was purified and used as immunogen to immunize mice and rabbits respectively.

Potential challenges to the Stop TB Plan for humans in China; cattle maintain M. bovis and M. tuberculosis.

Thirty-eight cows in a herd were determined to be positive for bovine tuberculosis (TB). The bacterial isolation and characterization with multiplex PCR identified six Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates. The Mycobacterium bovis and M.