Uncovering the Carbon Emission Intensity and Reduction Potentials of the Metro Operation Phase: A Case Study in Shenzhen Megacity

The huge energy consumption of metro operations has become a significant challenge faced by the urban public transportation sector to achieve low-carbon development. Using Shenzhen as an example, this study has made efforts to quantify the metro’s energy consumption and carbon emission intensity during the operation phase by using the Life Cycle Assessment approach. Furthermore, this study evaluates the actions that can be taken to reduce energy consumption and emissions. A comparative analysis between metros and other public transportation modes has also been conducted. The results show that the annual carbon emissions from the metro’s operation phase in Shenzhen city increased from 63,000 t CO2e in 2005 to 1.3 Mt CO2e in 2021, and the historically accumulated carbon emissions are 9.5 Mt CO2e. The unit operating mileage, the unit station area, and the per capita carbon emission intensity were 2.1 kg CO2e/km, 132.5 kg CO2e/m2, and 0.6 kg CO2e per capita (13th Five-Year Plan Period), respectively. By continually promoting the low-carbon operation of the subway, the cumulative carbon savings could reach 0.1 Mt CO2e (2022–2035)

Article ID 352130, 10 pages Databases, including the Cochrane Library

Aims. To explore whether Astragalus or its formulations could prevent upper respiratory infection in children with nephrotic syndrome and how best to use it. Methods. We transformed a common clinical question in practice to an answerable question according to the PICO principle. Databases, including the Cochrane Library (Issue 5, 2012), PUBMED (196

Astragalus in the Prevention of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in Children with Nephrotic Syndrome: Evidence-Based Clinical Practice

Aims. To explore whether Astragalus or its formulations could prevent upper respiratory infection in children with nephrotic syndrome and how best to use it. Methods. We transformed a common clinical question in practice to an answerable question according to the PICO principle. Databases, including the Cochrane Library (Issue 5, 2012), PUBMED (1966–2012.8), CBM (1978–2012.8), VIP (1989–2012.8), and CNKI (1979–2012.8), were searched to identify Cochrane systematic reviews and clinical trials. Then, the quality of and recommendations from the clinical evidence were evaluated using the GRADEpro software. Results. The search yielded 537 papers. Only two studies with high validity were included for synthesis calculations. The results showed that Astragalus granules could effectively reduce URTI in children with nephrotic syndrome compared with prednisone treatment alone (23.9% versus 42.9%; RR = 0.56 and 95% CI = 0.33–0.93). The dose of Astragalus granules was 2.25 gram (equivalent to 15 gram crude Astragalus) twice per day, at least for 3–6 months. The level of evidence quality was low, but we still recommended the evidence to the patient according to GRADEpro with the opinion of the expert. Followup showed the incidence of URTI in this child decreased significantly. Conclusions. Astragalus granules may reduce the incidence of URTI in children with nephrotic syndrome

One-Step Synthesis of Rox-DNA Functionalized CdZnTeS Quantum Dots for the Visual Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide and Blood Glucose

As the blood glucose concentration is an important clinical parameter of diabetes, the rapid and effective detection of blood glucose is very significant for monitoring and managing diabetes. Here, a facile method to prepare Rox-DNA functionalized CdZnTeS quantum dots (QDs) was developed. The Rox-DNA functionalized CdZnTeS QDs were prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal method through phosphorothioate DNA bound to QDs, which were employed as a ratiometric fluorescent probe for the rapid and sensitive detection of H₂O₂ and glucose. Compared with the traditional multistep construction of ratiometric fluorescent probes, this presented approach is simpler and more effective without chemical modification and complicated separation. The CdZnTeS QDs with green fluorescence is specifically sensitive to H₂O₂, while the red fluorescence of Rox is invariable. H₂O₂ is the product from the oxidation of glucose catalyzed by glucose oxidase (GOx). Therefore, a facile method to detect H₂O₂ and glucose with a detection limit of 0.075 μM for H₂O₂ and 0.042 μM for glucose was developed. In addition, this proposed probe has been employed for the detection of glucose in human serum with a satisfactory result. Moreover, this probe has been used for visual detection, and the health and diabetics can be distinguished by the naked eye. Meanwhile, this nanoprobe is also generalizable and can be extended to the detection of many other H₂O₂-mediated analytes

Rox-DNA Functionalized Silicon Nanodots for Ratiometric Detection of Mercury Ions in Live Cells

A ratiometric fluorescent sensor for mercury ions (Hg²⁺) has been constructed via covalent functionalization of silicon nanodot (SiND) with Hg²⁺-specific 6-carboxy-X-rhodamine (Rox)-tagged DNA. For the Rox-DNA functionalized SiND, the red fluorescence of Rox can be quenched by the blue-emitting SiND in the presence of Hg²⁺ due to structural change in DNA, which serves as the response signal. Meawhile, the fluorescence of SiND is insensitive to Hg²⁺ and acts as the reference signal. The wavelength difference in the optimal emission peak is as large as 190 nm between SiND (422 nm) and Rox (612 nm), which can efficaciously exclude the interference of the two emission peaks, and facilitates dual-color visualization of Hg²⁺ ions. The biofunctionalization of SiND improves the acid–base stability of SiND significantly, which is favorable for its application in the intracellular environment. Accordingly, a sensitive, simple, precise and rapid method for tracing Hg²⁺ was proposed. The limit of detection and precision of this method for Hg²⁺ was 9.2 nM and 8.8% (50 nM, <i>n</i> = 7), respectively. The increase of Hg²⁺ concentration in the range of 10–1500 nM was in accordance with linearly increase of the <i>I</i>₄₂₂/<i>I</i>₆₁₂ ratio. As for practical application, the recoveries in spiked human urine and serum samples were in the range of 81–107%. Moreover, this fluorescent nanosensor was utilized to the ratiometric detection of Hg²⁺ in HeLa cells

Light-Driven Cascade Mitochondria-to-Nucleus Photosensitization in Cancer Cell Ablation.

Nuclei and mitochondria are the only cellular organelles containing genes, which are specific targets for efficient cancer therapy. So far, several photosensitizers have been reported for mitochondria targeting, and another few have been reported for nuclei targeting. However, none have been reported for photosensitization in both mitochondria and nucleus, especially in cascade mode, which can significantly reduce the photosensitizers needed for maximal treatment effect. Herein, a light-driven, mitochondria-to-nucleus cascade dual organelle cancer cell ablation strategy is reported. A functionalized iridium complex, named BT-Ir, is designed as a photosensitizer, which targets mitochondria first for photosensitization and subsequently is translocated to a cell nucleus for continuous photodynamic cancer cell ablation. This strategy opens new opportunities for efficient photodynamic therapy

Light-Driven Cascade Mitochondria-to-Nucleus Photosensitization in Cancer Cell Ablation

10.1002/advs.202004379ADVANCED SCIENCE8

Probing cell membrane damage using a molecular rotor probe with membrane-to-nucleus translocation

10.1039/d0mh01141jMATERIALS HORIZONS7123226-323