Caged AIEgens: Multicolor and White Emission Triggered by Mechanical Activation.

Aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) that respond to mechanical force are increasingly used as force probes, memory devices, and advanced security systems. Most of the known mechanisms to modulate mechanoresponsive AIEgens have been based on changes in aggregation states, involving only physical alterations. Instances that employ covalent bond cleavage are still rare.

Unlocking the potential: strategic synthesis of a previously predicted pyrazolate-based stable MOF with unique clusters and high catalytic activity.

The metal-organic framework (MOF) constructed from [CoPz] clusters (Pz = pyrazolate) and 1,3,5-tris(pyrazolate-4-yl) benzene (BTP) ligands was structurally predicted many years ago, and expected to be a promising candidate for various applications owing to its unique clusters and highly open 3D framework structure. However, this MOF has not been experimentally prepared yet, despite extensive efforts were made. In this work, we present the successful construction of this MOF, hereinafter referred to as BUT-124(Co), by adopting a two-step synthesis strategy, involving the initial construction of a template framework (BUT-124(Cd)) followed by a post-synthetic metal metathesis process.

A Glucose-Responsive Cannula for Automated and Electronics-Free Insulin Delivery.

Automated delivery of insulin based on continuous glucose monitoring is revolutionizing the way insulin-dependent diabetes is treated. However, challenges remain for the widespread adoption of these systems, including the requirement of a separate glucose sensor, sophisticated electronics and algorithms, and the need for significant user input to operate these costly therapies. Herein, a user-centric glucose-responsive cannula is reported for electronics-free insulin delivery.

A Thermally Stable SO-Releasing Mechanophore: Facile Activation, Single-Event Spectroscopy, and Molecular Dynamic Simulations.

Polymers that release small molecules in response to mechanical force are promising candidates as next-generation on-demand delivery systems. Despite advancements in the development of mechanophores for releasing diverse payloads through careful molecular design, the availability of scaffolds capable of discharging biomedically significant cargos in substantial quantities remains scarce. In this report, we detail a nonscissile mechanophore built from an 8-thiabicyclo[3.

Expanding the Structural Topologies of Rare-Earth Porphyrinic Metal-Organic Frameworks through Ligand Modulation.

Expanding the structural diversity of porphyrinic metal-organic frameworks (PMOFs) is essential to develop functional materials with novel properties or enhanced performance in different applications. Herein, we establish a strategy to construct rare-earth (RE) PMOFs with unprecedented topology via rational functionalization of porphyrinic ligands. By introducing phenyl/pyridyl groups to the -positions of the porphyrin core, the symmetries and connectivities of the ligands are tuned, and three RE-PMOFs (BUT-224/-225/-226) with new topologies are successfully obtained.

Construction and application of base-stable MOFs: a critical review.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a new class of porous crystalline materials constructed from organic ligands and metal ions/clusters. Owing to their unique advantages, they have attracted more and more attention in recent years and numerous studies have revealed their great potential in various applications. Many important applications of MOFs inevitably involve harsh alkaline operational environments.

A tissue-like neurotransmitter sensor for the brain and gut.

Neurotransmitters play essential roles in regulating neural circuit dynamics both in the central nervous system as well as at the peripheral, including the gastrointestinal tract. Their real-time monitoring will offer critical information for understanding neural function and diagnosing disease. However, bioelectronic tools to monitor the dynamics of neurotransmitters in vivo, especially in the enteric nervous systems, are underdeveloped.

Stable Metal-Organic Frameworks for Fluorescent Detection of Tetracycline Antibiotics.

The rapid detection of antibiotics in agricultural products is of great significance. In this work, two stable fluorescent metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), BUT-178 and BUT-179, are synthesized and used to detect tetracycline antibiotics. Among them, BUT-179 exhibits better performance in the detection of different tetracycline antibiotics in water and eggs.

A Hydrolytically Stable Cu(II)-Based Metal-Organic Framework with Easily Accessible Ligands for Water Harvesting.

Water scarcity is a critical issue in desert and arid regions, and atmospheric water harvesting is a potential solution. The challenge is lacking ideal adsorbents that can efficiently capture water from low-humidity air and be regenerated readily. Herein, we report a hydrolytically stable metal-organic framework (MOF), [Cu(AD)(SA)] (Cu-AD-SA), with excellent performance in water harvesting.

Organic wastewater treatment by a single-atom catalyst and electrolytically produced HO.

The presence of organic contaminants in wastewater poses considerable risks to the health of both humans and ecosystems. Although advanced oxidation processes that rely on highly reactive radicals to destroy organic contaminants are appealing treatment options, substantial energy and chemical inputs limit their practical applications. Here we demonstrate that Cu single atoms incorporated in graphitic carbon nitride can catalytically activate HO to generate hydroxyl radicals at pH 7.

A Practice of Reticular Chemistry: Construction of a Robust Mesoporous Palladium Metal-Organic Framework via Metal Metathesis.

Constructing stable palladium(II)-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) would unlock more opportunities for MOF chemistry, particularly toward applications in catalysis. However, their availability is limited by synthetic challenges due to the inertness of the Pd-ligand coordination bond, as well as the strong tendency of the Pd(II) source to be reduced under typical solvothermal conditions. Under the guidance of reticular chemistry, herein, we present the first example of an azolate Pd-MOF, BUT-33(Pd), obtained via a deuterated solvent-assisted metal metathesis.

In Situ Porphyrin Substitution in a Zr(IV)-MOF for Stability Enhancement and Photocatalytic CO Reduction.

Despite numerous inherent merits of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), structural fragility has imposed great restrictions on their wider involvement in many applications, such as in catalysis. Herein, a strategy for enhancing stability and enabling functionality in a labile Zr(IV)-MOF has been proposed by in situ porphyrin substitution. A size- and geometry-matched robust linear porphyrin ligand 4,4'-(porphyrin-5,15-diyl)dibenzolate (DCPP ) is selected to replace the 4,4'-(1,3,6,8-tetraoxobenzo[lmn][3,8]phenanthroline-2,7(1H,3H,6H,8H)-diyl)dibenzoate (NDIDB ) ligand in the synthesis of BUT-109(Zr), affording BUT-110 with varied porphyrin contents.

Boosting Interfacial Charge-Transfer Kinetics for Efficient Overall CO Photoreduction via Rational Design of Coordination Spheres on Metal-Organic Frameworks.

The recombination of electron-hole pairs severely detracts from the efficiency of photocatalysts. This issue could be addressed in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) through optimization of the charge-transfer kinetics via rational design of structures at atomic level. Herein, a pyrazolyl porphyrinic Ni-MOF (PCN-601), integrating light harvesters, active catalytic sites, and high surface areas, has been demonstrated as a superior and durable photocatalyst for visible-light-driven overall CO reduction with HO vapor at room temperature.

Cryo-EM structures of atomic surfaces and host-guest chemistry in metal-organic frameworks.

Host-guest interactions govern the chemistry of a broad range of functional materials, but direct imaging using conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has not been possible. This problem is exacerbated in metal-organic framework (MOF) materials, which are easily damaged by the electron beam. Here, we use cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to stabilize the host-guest structure and resolve the atomic surface of zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) and its interaction with guest CO molecules.

Neutralization of Interleukin-17A Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Mastitis by Inhibiting Neutrophil Infiltration and the Inflammatory Response.

Mastitis has been recognized as a common and major disease of cows with a strong impact on dairy farming. Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) has been shown to mediate crucial crosstalk between the immune system and various epithelial tissues, initiating a series of defensive mechanisms against bacterial and fungal infections. This crosstalk is especially involved in neutrophil infiltration.

Upregulated expression of MNX1-AS1 long noncoding RNA predicts poor prognosis in gastric cancer.

As important regulators of gene expression long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in various physiological and pathological processes, including cancer. An oncogenic role of MNX1 antisense RNA 1 (MNX1-AS1) lncRNA has been suggested in cervical cancer and glioblastoma. In this study, we investigated the clinicopathological significance and biological function of MNX1-AS1 in gastric cancer (GC).

Wrinkled Graphene Cages as Hosts for High-Capacity Li Metal Anodes Shown by Cryogenic Electron Microscopy.

Lithium (Li) metal has long been considered the "holy grail" of battery anode chemistry but is plagued by low efficiency and poor safety due to its high chemical reactivity and large volume fluctuation, respectively. Here we introduce a new host of wrinkled graphene cage (WGC) for Li metal. Different from recently reported amorphous carbon spheres, WGC show highly improved mechanical stability, better Li ion conductivity, and excellent solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) for continuous robust Li metal protection.

Tailor-Made Pyrazolide-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks for Selective Catalysis.

The predesignable porous structures in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) render them quite attractive as a host-guest platform to address a variety of important issues at the frontiers of science. In this work, a perfluorophenylene functionalized metalloporphyrinic MOF, namely, PCN-624, has been rationally designed, synthesized, and structurally characterized. PCN-624 is constructed by 12-connected [Ni(OH)(HO)Pz] (Pz = pyrazolide) nodes and fluorinated 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-(1 H-pyrazol-4-yl)phenyl)-porphyrin (TTFPPP) linker with an ftw-a topological net.

[ARTICLE WITHDRAWN] Long Noncoding RNA LINC01296 Harbors miR-21a to Regulate Colon Carcinoma Proliferation and Invasion.

THIS ARTICLE WAS WITHDRAWN BY THE PUBLISHERS IN NOVEMBER 2020.

Stable Metal-Organic Frameworks: Design, Synthesis, and Applications.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are an emerging class of porous materials with potential applications in gas storage, separations, catalysis, and chemical sensing. Despite numerous advantages, applications of many MOFs are ultimately limited by their stability under harsh conditions. Herein, the recent advances in the field of stable MOFs, covering the fundamental mechanisms of MOF stability, design, and synthesis of stable MOF architectures, and their latest applications are reviewed.

Ectopic Expression of miR-147 Inhibits Stem Cell Marker and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)-Related Protein Expression in Colon Cancer Cells.

Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial step in tumor progression and is also involved in the acquisition of stem cell-like properties. Some miRNAs have been shown to function as either tumor suppressors or oncogenes in colon cancer.

A Base-Resistant Metalloporphyrin Metal-Organic Framework for C-H Bond Halogenation.

A base-resistant porphyrin metal-organic framework (MOF), namely PCN-602 has been constructed with 12-connected [Ni(OH)(HO)Pz] (Pz = pyrazolate) cluster and a newly designed pyrazolate-based porphyrin ligand, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-(pyrazolate-4-yl)phenyl)porphyrin under the guidance of the reticular synthesis strategy. Besides its robustness in hydroxide solution, PCN-602 also shows excellent stability in aqueous solutions of F, CO, and PO ions. Interestingly, the Mn-porphyrinic PCN-602, as a recyclable MOF catalyst, presents high catalytic activity for the C-H bond halogenation reaction in a basic system, significantly outperforming its homogeneous counterpart.

Incorporation of Alkylamine into Metal-Organic Frameworks through a Brønsted Acid-Base Reaction for CO Capture.

The escalating atmospheric CO concentration is one of the most urgent environmental concerns of our age. To effectively capture CO , various materials have been studied. Among them, alkylamine-modified metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered to be promising candidates.

Seed-Mediated Synthesis of Metal-Organic Frameworks.

The synthesis of phase-pure metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is of prime importance but remains a significant challenge because of the flexible and diversified coordination modes between metal ions and organic linkers. In this work, we report the synthesis of phase-pure MOFs via a facile seed-mediated approach. For several "accompanying" pairs of Zr-porphyrinic MOFs that are prone to yield mixtures, by fixing all reaction parameters except introducing seed crystals, MOFs in phase-pure forms have been obtained because the stage of MOF nucleation, which generates mixed nuclei, is bypassed.

Evaluation of Metal-Organic Frameworks and Porous Polymer Networks for CO2 -Capture Applications.

This manuscript presents experimental data for 20 adsorption materials (metal-organic frameworks, porous polymer networks, and Zeolite-5A), including CO2 and N2 isotherms and heat capacities. With input from only experimental data, working capacities per energy for each material were calculated. Furthermore, by running seven different carbon-capture scenarios in which the initial flue-gas composition and process temperature was systematically changed, we present a range of performances for each material and quantify how sensitive each is to these varying parameters.