Exercise, Spinal Microglia and Neuropathic Pain: Potential Molecular Mechanisms.

As one of the most common neuropathic disorders, neuropathic pain often has a negative impact on patients with persistent pain, mood disorders and sleep disturbances. Currently, neuropathic pain is not treated with any specific drug, instead, drugs for other diseases are used as replacements in clinics, but most have adverse effects. In recent years, the role of spinal cord microglia in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain has been widely recognized, and they are being explored as potential therapeutic targets. Spinal microglia are known to be involved in the pathogenic mechanisms of neuropathic pain through purine signaling, fractalkine signaling, and p38 MAPK signaling. Exercise is a safe and effective treatment, and numerous studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in improving neurological symptoms. Nevertheless, it remains unclear what the exact molecular mechanism is. This review summarized the specific molecular mechanisms of exercise in alleviating neuropathic pain by mediating the activity of spinal microglia and maintaining the phenotypic homeostasis of spinal microglia through purine signaling, fractalkine signaling and p38 MAPK signaling. In addition, it has been proposed that different intensities and types of exercise affect the regulation of the above-mentioned signaling pathways differently, providing a theoretical basis for the improvement of neuropathic pain through exercise.

Comparative efficacy of sequential treatment and open abdomen approaches for corrosive abdominal hemorrhage due to inadequate drainage of duodenal leakage: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Intra-abdominal bleeding resulting from inadequate drainage of duodenal leakage (DL) is typically caused by the corrosiveness of duodenal fluid. Open abdomen (OA) treatment addresses both the drainage and bleeding simultaneously. However, a sequential treatment (ST) approach involving hemostasis through transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) followed by percutaneous drainage of source control has emerged as an alternative method. This study aimed to evaluate the prognosis of ST in cases of DL-induced intra-abdominal bleeding. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 151 participants diagnosed with DL-induced intra-abdominal bleeding from January 2004 to December 2010, and January 2013 to December 2021. The ST and OA groups were established based on the treatment method applied. Propensity score-matching (PSM) matched patients in the ST group with those in the OA group. RESULTS: Among the 151 patients, 61 (40.4%) died within 90 days after the bleeding episode. ST was associated with a lower mortality rate (28.2% vs. 51.3% adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.17-0.68; P = 0.003) compared to OA. Following PSM, ST remained the only factor associated with reduced mortality (OR = 0.32; 95% CI 0.13-0.75; P = 0.009). Moreover, ST demonstrated a higher rate of initial hemostasis success before (90.1% [64/71] vs. 77.5% [62/80]; adjusted OR = 2.84; 95% CI 1.07-7.60; P = 0.04) and after PSM (94.4% [51/54] vs. 77.8% [42/54], adjusted OR = 3.85; 95% CI 2.15-16.82; P = 0.04). Additionally, ST was associated with a lower incidence of rebleeding within 90 days after the initial bleeding, before (7 vs. 23; adjusted OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.18-0.92; P = 0.03) and after PSM (5 vs. 14; adjusted OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.15-0.93; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Applying ST involving TAE and subsequent percutaneous drainage might be superior to OA in lowering the mortality in DL-induced intra-abdominal hemorrhage.

Synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of novel psoralen derivatives against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Today, the bacterial infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens seriously threaten human health. Thereby, there is an urgent need to discover antibacterial drugs with novel mechanism. Here, novel psoralen derivatives had been designed and synthesized by a scaffold hopping strategy. Among these targeted twenty-five compounds, compound ZM631 showed the best antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) with the low MIC of 1 µg/mL which is 2-fold more active than that of the positive drug gepotidacin. Molecular docking study revealed that compound ZM631 fitted well in the active pockets of bacterial S. aureus DNA gyrase and formed a key hydrogen bond binding with the residue ASP-1083. These findings demonstrated that the psoralen scaffold could serve as an antibacterial lead compound for further drug development against multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.

Process design and techno-economic analysis of activated carbon derived from anthracite coal.

Activated carbon (AC), renowned for its versatile applications in water treatment, air purification, and industrial processes, is a critical component in environmental remediation and resource recovery strategies. This study encompasses the process modeling of AC production using anthracite coal as a precursor, involving multiple activation stages at different operating conditions, coupled with a detailed techno-economic analysis aimed at assessing the operational feasibility and financial viability of the plant. The economic analysis explores the investigation of economic feasibility by performing a detailed cashflow and sensitivity analysis to identify key parameters influencing the plant's economic performance, including raw material and energy prices, operational and process parameters. Capital and operational costs are meticulously evaluated, encompassing raw material acquisition, labor, energy consumption, and equipment investment. Financial metrics like Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and payout period (POP) are employed, and the results show that AC selling price, raw material cost and plant capacity are the most influential parameters determining the plant's feasibility. The minimum AC production cost of 1.28 $/kg is obtained, corresponding to coal flow rate of 14,550 kg/h. These findings provide valuable insights for stakeholders, policymakers, and investors seeking to engage in activated carbon production from anthracite.

Study on the Antitumor Mechanism of Tanshinone IIA In Vivo and In Vitro through the Regulation of PERK-ATF4-HSPA5 Pathway-Mediated Ferroptosis.

As a traditional Chinese medicine, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge was first recorded in the Shennong Materia Medica Classic and is widely used to treat "the accumulation of symptoms and masses". The main active ingredient of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Tanshinone IIA (TIIA), has shown anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antifibrosis, antibacterial, and antioxidative activities, etc. In this study, the results showed that TIIA could inhibit the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells and downregulate glutathione (GSH) and Glutathione Peroxidase 4 (GPX4) levels; besides, TIIA induced the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), and upregulated the total iron content. Based on network pharmacology analysis, the antitumor effect of TIIA was found to be focused on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mediated ferroptosis signaling pathway, with protein kinase R (PKR)-like ER kinase (PERK)-activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)-heat shock 70 kDa protein 5 (HSPA5) as the main pathway. Herein, TIIA showed typical ferroptosis characteristics, and a ferroptosis inhibitor (ferrostatin-1) was used to verify the effect. The antitumor effects of TIIA, occurring through the inhibition of the PERK-ATF4-HSPA5 pathway, were further observed in vivo as significantly inhibited tumor growth and the improved pathological morphology of tumor tissue in H22-bearing mice. In summary, the antitumor mechanism of TIIA might be related to the downregulation of the activation of PERK-ATF4-HSPA5 pathway-mediated ferroptosis.

Linear Codes Constructed from Two Weakly Regular Plateaued Functions with Index (p - 1)/2.

Linear codes are the most important family of codes in cryptography and coding theory. Some codes only have a few weights and are widely used in many areas, such as authentication codes, secret sharing schemes and strongly regular graphs. By setting p≡1(mod4), we constructed an infinite family of linear codes using two distinct weakly regular unbalanced (and balanced) plateaued functions with index (p-1)/2. Their weight distributions were completely determined by applying exponential sums and Walsh transform. As a result, most of our constructed codes have a few nonzero weights and are minimal.

CD24 is a novel target of chimeric antigen receptor T cells for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer with the highest degree of malignancy and the worst prognosis. The application of immunotherapy for TNBC is limited. This study was to verify the potential application of chimeric antigen receptor-T cells (CAR-T cells) targeting CD24 named as 24BBz in treatment of TNBC. 24BBz was constructed by lentivirus infection and then was co-culture with breast cancer cell lines to evaluate the activation, proliferation and cytotoxicity of engineered T cells. The anti-tumor activity of 24BBz was verified in the subcutaneous xenograft model of nude mice. We found that CD24 gene was significantly up-regulated in breast cancer (BRCA), especially in TNBC. 24BBz showed antigen-specific activation and dose-dependent cytotoxicity against CD24-positive BRCA tumor cells in vitro. Furthermore, 24BBz showed significant anti-tumor effect in CD24-positive TNBC xenografts and T cells infiltration in tumor tissues, while some T cells exhibited exhaustion. No pathological damage of major organs was found during the treatment. This study proved that CD24-specific CAR-T cells have potent anti-tumor activity and potential application value in treatment of TNBC.

A phase 1 study of a novel fully human BCMA-targeting CAR (CT103A) in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have shown efficacy in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Because the non-human originated antigen-targeting domain may limit clinical efficacy, we developed a fully human BCMA-specific CAR, CT103A, and report its safety and efficacy in a phase 1 trial. Eighteen consecutive patients with RRMM, including 4 with prior murine BCMA CAR exposures, were enrolled. CT103A was administered at 1, 3, and 6 × 106 CAR-positive T cells/kg in the dose-escalation phase, and 1 × 106 CAR-positive T cells/kg in the expansion cohort. The overall response rate was 100%, with 72.2% of the patients achieving complete response or stringent complete response. For the 4 murine BCMA CAR-exposed patients, 3 achieved stringent complete response, and 1 achieved a very good partial response. At 1 year, the progression-free survival rate was 58.3% for all cohorts and 79.1% for the patients without extramedullary myeloma. Hematologic toxicities were the most common adverse events; 70.6% of the patients experienced grade 1 or 2 cytokine release syndromes. No immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome was observed. To the cutoff date, CAR transgenes were detectable in 77.8% of the patients. The median CAR transgene persistence was 307.5 days. Only 1 patient was positive for the anti-drug antibody. Altogether, CT103A is safe and highly active in patients with RRMM and can be developed as a promising therapy for RRMM. Patients who relapsed from prior murine BCMA CAR T-cell therapy may still benefit from CT103A. This trial was registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn as #ChiCTR1800018137.

P2Y1R and P2Y2R: potential molecular triggers in muscle regeneration.

Muscle regeneration is indispensable for skeletal muscle health and daily life when injury, muscular disease, and aging occur. Among the muscle regeneration, muscle stem cells' (MuSCs) activation, proliferation, and differentiation play a key role in muscle regeneration. Purines bind to its specific receptors during muscle development, which transmit environmental stimuli and play a crucial role of modulator of muscle regeneration. Evidences proved P2R expression during development and regeneration of skeletal muscle, both in human and mouse. In contrast to P2XR, which have been extensively investigated in skeletal muscles, the knowledge of P2YR in this tissue is less comprehensive. This review summarized muscle regeneration via P2Y1R and P2Y2R and speculated that P2Y1R and P2Y2R might be potential molecular triggers for MuSCs' activation and proliferation via the p-ERK1/2 and PLC pathways, explored their cascade effects on skeletal muscle, and proposed P2Y1/2 receptors as potential pharmacological targets in muscle regeneration, to advance the purinergic signaling within muscle and provide promising strategies for alleviating muscular disease.

Effect of placing double-lumen irrigation-suction tube on closure of anastomotic defect following rectal cancer surgery.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of placement of double-lumen irrigation-suction tubes (DLIST) on the closure of anastomotic defect (AD) after rectal cancer surgery. METHODS: The study was carried out at two centers managed by one surgeon, both adopted the same treatments. Patients with postoperative AD after rectal cancer surgery from January 2011 to June 2020 were eligible and were divided into a passive drainage (PD) group and a DLIST group according to whether the PD, placed in the rectal cancer surgery, had been replaced with the DLIST. The effect of DLIST on the AL was evaluated. RESULT: There distributed 76 patients in the DLIST group and 52 in the PD group. A higher closure rate was reported in the DLIST group (46 patients in DLIST group, for a closure rate of 60.5%, and 21 patients in PD group, for a closure rate of 40.4%. HR = 3.05; 95% CI: 1.79-5.19; P < 0.001). Both length of stay and costs of the treatment in the DLIST group were lower (54 days [interquartile range, IQR: 41-17] days vs. 112 days [IQR: 66-27] days, P = 0.005; and $18,721 [IQR: $14,982-4,960] vs. $40,840 [IQR: $20,932-50,529], P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Placement of DLIST might serve as an effective method for treating AD following rectal cancer surgery. In comparison with PD, it costs lower to apply DLIST in the treatment of AD and the length of stay is shorter.

Duration of postoperative hyperlactatemia has predictive value in recurrent fistula after major definitive surgery for intestinal fistula.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to identify the predictive value of duration of postoperative hyperlactatemia in screening patients at high risk of recurrent fistula after major definitive surgery (DS) for intestinal fistula. METHODS: If the initial postoperative lactate (IPL) > 2 mmol/L, DS was defined as major definitive surgery. The 315 enrolled patients with major DS were divided into group A (2 mmol/L < IPL ≤ 4 mmol/L), group B (mmol/L < IPL ≤ 6 mmol/L), and group C (IPL > 6 mmol/L). The characteristics of patients were collected, and the duration of postoperative hyperlactatemia was analyzed. According to the occurrence of recurrent fistula (RF), patients were further divided into RF group A, and Non-RF group A; RF group B, and Non-RF group B; and RF group C, and Non-RF group C. RESULTS: The duration of postoperative hyperlactatemia was comparable between the RF group A and the Non-RF group A [12 (IQR: 12-24) vs 24 (IQR: 12-24), p = 0.387]. However, the duration of hyperlactatemia was associated with RF in group B (adjusted OR = 1.061; 95% CI: 1.029-1.094; p < 0.001) and group C (adjusted OR = 1.059; 95% CI: 1.012-1.129; p = 0.017). In group B, the cutoff point of duration of 42 h had the optimal predictive value (area under ROC = 0.791, sensitivity = 0.717, specificity = 0.794, p < 0.001). In group C, the cutoff point of duration of 54 h had the optimal predictive value (area under ROC = 0.781, sensitivity = 0.730, specificity = 0.804, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The duration of postoperative hyperlactatemia has a value in predicting RF in patients with an IPL of more than 4 mmol/L after major definitive surgery for intestinal fistula.

Early Enteral Nutrition Could Reduce Risk of Recurrent Leakage After Definitive Resection of Anastomotic Leakage After Colorectal Cancer Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of early enteral nutrition (EEN) after definitive resection of anastomotic leakage (DRAL) resulting from a sigmoid colon or rectal cancer radical resection. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study performed at our center. From January 2014 to May 2016, every patient received a standard postoperative nutritional protocol (SPNP) after DRAL and was included into SPNP group. From June 2016 to December 2018, all patients received an EEN after DRAL and were included into EEN group. The effect of postoperative EEN was evaluated. RESULTS: There were a final total of 133 patients enrolled in our study. There were 70 patients in the SPNP group, and 63 patients in the EEN group. There were 12 cases (19.05%) with a recurrent leakage in the EEN group, and 28 cases (40%) in the SPNP group. The recurrent rate was associated with EEN (HR = 0.417, 95% CI 0.196-0.890, p = 0.024). The median defecation time in the EEN group was 5(4-7) days, while in the SPNP group was 7(6-8.25) days. The defecation was associated with EEN (HR = 1.588, 95% CI 1.080-2.336, p = 0.019), as well. CONCLUSION: EEN could reduce the recurrent leakage rate and defecation time after definitive resection of anastomotic leakage resulting from sigmoid colon or rectal cancer radical resection.

Effects of different preoperative enteral nutrition feeding routes on the duration of gastrointestinal decompression after definitive surgery for small intestinal fistula.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of different preoperative enteral nutrition feeding routes on the duration of gastrointestinal decompression after definitive surgery for small intestinal fistula. METHODS: From January 2015 to June 2019, patients with small intestinal fistula and receiving a definitive surgery were enrolled. According to the feeding route, patients were divided into a nasointestinal tube group and a nasogastric tube group. Clinical characteristics of the two groups were analyzed, and the influence of the two route on the recovery of gastrointestinal function was evaluated. RESULT: A total of 151 patients were enrolled in our study. There were 49 patients in the nasogastric tube group, and 102 patients in the nasointestinal tube group. Enteral nutrition via nasogastric feeding route had a positive effect on shortening the duration of gastrointestinal decompression (adjusted HR = 2.488, 95% CI: 1.692-3.659, P < 0.001). After propensity matching (PM), 44 patients were enrolled (22 vs 22). EN via nasogastric tube was a positive factor for getting rid of gastrointestinal decompression (adjusted HR = 3.563, 95% CI: 1.639-7.746, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative enteral nutrition via nasogastric route can reduce the duration of gastrointestinal decompression after definitive surgery for small intestinal fistula.

Fe/Fe3 C Boosts H2 O2 Utilization for Methane Conversion Overwhelming O2 Generation.

H2 O2 as a well-known efficient oxidant is widely used in the chemical industry mainly because of its homolytic cleavage into . OH (stronger oxidant), but this reaction always competes with O2 generation resulting in H2 O2 waste. Here, we fabricate heterogeneous Fenton-type Fe-based catalysts containing Fe-Nx sites and Fe/Fe3 C nanoparticles as a model to study this competition. Fe-Nx in the low spin state provides the active site for . OH generation. Fe/Fe3 C, in particular Fe3 C, promotes Fe-Nx sites for the homolytic cleavages of H2 O2 into . OH, but Fe/Fe3 C nanoparticles (Fe0 as the main component) with more electrons are prone to the undesired O2 generation. With a catalyst benefiting from finely tuned active sites, 18 % conversion rate for the selective oxidation of methane was achieved with about 96 % selectivity for liquid oxygenates (formic acid selectivity over 90 %). Importantly, O2 generation was suppressed 68 %. This work provides guidance for the efficient utilization of H2 O2 in the chemical industry.

Enhanced Safety and Antitumor Efficacy of Switchable Dual Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Engineered T Cells against Solid Tumors through a Synthetic Bifunctional PD-L1-Blocking Peptide.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells (CAR-Ts) therapy has an excellent efficacy in cancer treatment, especially its impressive results in hematological malignancies. Unfortunately, its application on solid tumors is challenged by the off-target effects caused by lacking of tumor specific antigens and the immunosuppression caused by the tumor microenvironment. We constructed a switchable dual receptor CAR-T cell (sdCAR-T) whose activity relied upon double antigens (mesothelin and fluorescein isothiocyanate) and was strictly controlled by a "switch" (FPBM) consisting of a PD-L1 blocking peptide conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate. SdCAR-T cells were activated only when FPBM and cognate tumor cells expressing both PD-L1 and mesothelin coexist. Importantly, long-term proliferation experiments in vitro and the pharmacodynamic study in vivo showed a stronger antitumor activity of this system compared to the second generation mesothelin CAR-T cells. In view of this novel treatment paradigm being safer and more effective than traditional CAR-T cells, it may become a new strategy for the treatment of solid tumors.

Efficient treatment of alizarin yellow R contained wastewater in an electrostimulated anaerobic-oxic integrated system.

An electrostimulated anaerobic-oxic integrated system was constructed for treating alizarin yellow R (AYR) containing wastewater. In electro-stimulated anaerobic unit, AYR decolorization efficiency improved from 51.2% to 96.6%. Two amination metabolites, p-phenylenediamine and 5-aminosalicylic acid, went through oxidation, ammonification and mineralization in oxic unit. Electro-stimulation promoted denitrification and COD removal efficiencies by 15.5% and 8.6%, respectively. A 20% improved nitrification efficiency was observed in oxic unit, due to elimination of AYR toxicity inhibition. No corrosion of heat-treated stainless steel occurred during the 60 days of continuous operation. Electrons sunk in denitrification and decolorization accounted for 34.4-36.8% of those released from COD removal, and 7.3% increase of removed nitrogen in nitrogenous compounds (AYR, nitrate and ammonia) was found. Electro-stimulated anaerobic unit predominated with fermentation and denitrification genera (Propionispira, Rhodocyclus, etc.) and aboundance of electro-active decolorization genus (Desulfovibrio, etc.) increased. Ammonia-oxidizing genus, Comamonas, was the most abundant in aerobic unit. Compared to the suspension, the electrostimulation could increased the abundance of electro-active genera in cathodic biofilm. This study revealed the feasibility of applying electro-stimulation and the conversion laws of nitrogenous organics in secondary bio-treatment system for treating toxic nitrogenous organics-contained wastewater.

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization in the Treatment of Abdominal Bleeding in Patients Being Treated with Open Abdomen Due to Duodenal Fistula.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in treatment of abdominal bleeding in patients being treated with open abdomen due to duodenal fistula. METHODS: This was a retrospective study performed at our center. From January 2005 to November 2010, all patients with abdominal bleeding were treated with surgical hemostasis (SH) and included in SH group. From January 2012 to December 2018, all patients with a bleeding were treated with TAE and included in the TAE group. Clinical data were reviewed and compared between the two groups. The effect of TAE in the management of abdominal bleeding was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients were enrolled, and there were 64 in the SH group and 67 in the TAE group. The success rate of hemostasis was higher in the TAE group (89.55% vs. 73.44%, adjusted OR = 4.065, 95% CI 1.336-12.336, P = 0.013). Moreover, the recognition rate of hemorrhagic vessels in the TAE group was higher (91.04 vs. 51.56; P < 0.001). The re-bleeding occurred in 20 patients, 7(11.67%) in the TAE group and 13(27.66%) in the SH group. The re-bleeding rate in SH group was higher (adjusted HR = 2.564, 95% CI 1.023-6.428, P = 0.045) CONCLUSIONS: TAE is an effective method in treatment of abdominal bleeding in patients being treated with open abdomen due to duodenal fistula.

A double-lumen irrigation-suction tube placed during operation could reduce the risk of grade C anastomotic leakage resulting from selective sigmoid colon cancer radical resection.

AIM: This study investigated the effect of a double-lumen irrigation-suction tube in reducing the incidence of grade C anastomotic leakage (AL) resulting from a selective sigmoid colon cancer radical resection. METHOD: This multicenter retrospective cohort study reviewed data of patients receiving sigmoid colon cancer radical resection from January 2010 to November 2019. The enrolled patients were divided into the passive drainage tube group and the double-lumen irrigation-suction tube group, based on the use of a double-lumen irrigation-suction tube or a passive drainage tube during the surgery. The effect of double-lumen irrigation-suction tube on the incidence of grade C anastomotic leakage was evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 761 patients included in the study, 56 patients (7.36%) experienced AL. Of the 56 patients, 22 were diagnosed with grade C AL. The double-lumen irrigation-suction tube was a protective factor for forming a grade C AL compared with the passive drainage tube (OR = 0.194, 95% CI: 0.055-0.686, p = 0.011). Of the 34 patients with grade A or B AL, 26 patients had spontaneous closure-19 in the double-lumen irrigation-suction tube group and 7 in the passive drainage tube group. The double-lumen irrigation-suction tube (multivariable HR = 3.418, 95% CI: 1.43-11.203, p = 0.038) was associated with spontaneous closure of grade A or B AL. CONCLUSION: Placing a double-lumen irrigation-suction tube may reduce the risk of grade C AL resulting from a selective sigmoid colon cancer radical resection. However, this study had substantial selection bias and the results should be reconfirmed by a randomized clinical trial.

Full-color emissive carbon-dots targeting cell walls of onion for in situ imaging of heavy metal pollution.

Plant cell walls (CWs) with complex macromolecular structures can surround and protect cells from a variety of harsh environmental conditions such as pathogens, herbivores, and trace metals. Here, a novel strategy for in situ imaging of plant cell walls was developed to evaluate heavy metal pollution via thiolated full-color emissive carbon-dots (F-CDs) targeting Pb(ii)-adsorbed onion cell walls. The thiolated F-CDs with excellent optical properties from red light to blue light were synthesized through a facile electrochemical approach using new precursors of luminol and l-tryptophan and further modified with l-cysteine. Based on a strong covalent interaction of Pb(ii) and thiolated F-CDs, we achieved in situ fluorescence imaging for the Pb(ii) adsorbed on CWs, which showed enhanced red, blue and green multi-color fluorescence (FL) on CWs with increased Pb(ii)-ion content. In contrast, multi-color fluorescence on cytoplasm diminished, attributed to F-CDs targeting and accumulating on the cytoskeleton which thus limited F-CD diffusion into protoplasm. Therefore, in situ fluorescent images for CWs can demonstrate heavy metal contamination degrees in plant cells. This facile and undamaging protocol will be beneficial for investigating heavy metal migration into the protoplast and fast evaluation of food quality and safety.