Tailoring molecular diffusion in core-shell zeolite imidazolate framework composites realizes efficient kinetic separation of xylene isomers.

The separation of xylene isomers is a critical and energy-intensive process in the petrochemical industry, primarily due to their closely similar molecular structures and boiling points. In this work, we report the synthesis and application of a novel core-shell zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) composite, ZIF-65@ZIF-67, designed to significantly enhance the kinetic separation of xylene isomers through a synergistic "shell-gated diffusion and core-facilitated transport" strategy. The external ZIF-67 shell selectively restricts the diffusion of larger isomers (MX and OX), while the internal ZIF-65 core accelerates the diffusion of PX, thereby amplifying the diffusion differences among the isomers.

Clinical and Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain characteristics of tuberculosis patients with diabetes mellitus in Changping District, Beijing, China.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major risk factor for tuberculosis (TB), However, limited research exists on their clinical and strain characteristics. This study aims to investigate the correlation between these factors in TB-DM patients in Changping District.  METHODS: Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and drug susceptibility tests (DST) were performed on culture-positive strains.

Xylan thermoplastics with closed-loop recyclability.

Xylan-derived packaging materials have gained considerable popularity owing to their renewability, non-toxicity, and biodegradability. However, thermoforming is challenging owing to its rigid structure and hydrogen-bonding network of the xylan molecular chain, which limits its large-scale production. Herein, a heat-processable xylan derivative, xylan cinnamate (XC), was synthesized via an esterification reaction in ionic liquids.

Association between chest pain and risk of depression in patients with or without coronary heart disease.

Background: Research on the relationship between chest pain and depression risk in patients with or without coronary heart disease (CHD) is limited.

Methods: This cross-sectional study includes adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2018. The diagnoses of chest pain and CHD were based on self-reports from participants, while depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).

LGR4 is a key regulator of hepatic gluconeogenesis.

Aims/hypothesis: Emerging evidence underscored the significance of leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor (LGR) 4 in endocrine and metabolic disorders. Despite this, its role in LGR4 in hepatic glucose metabolism remains poorly understood. In this study we set out to test whether LGR4 regulates glucose production in liver through a specific signaling pathway.

Yttrium-doped NiMo-MoO heterostructure electrocatalysts for hydrogen production from alkaline seawater.

Active and stable electrocatalysts are essential for hydrogen production from alkaline water electrolysis. However, precisely controlling the interaction between electrocatalysts and reaction intermediates (HO*, H*, and *OH) remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate an yttrium-doped NiMo-MoO heterogenous electrocatalyst that efficiently promotes water dissociation and accelerates the intermediate adsorption/desorption dynamics in alkaline electrolytes.

A tale of two strands: Decoding chromatin replication through strand-specific sequencing.

DNA replication, a fundamental process in all living organisms, proceeds with continuous synthesis of the leading strand by DNA polymerase ε (Pol ε) and discontinuous synthesis of the lagging strand by polymerase δ (Pol δ). This inherent asymmetry at each replication fork necessitates the development of methods to distinguish between these two nascent strands in vivo. Over the past decade, strand-specific sequencing strategies, such as enrichment and sequencing of protein-associated nascent DNA (eSPAN) and Okazaki fragment sequencing (OK-seq), have become essential tools for studying chromatin replication in eukaryotic cells.

Synthetic photorespiratory bypass improves rice productivity by enhancing photosynthesis and nitrogen uptake.

Photorespiration, often considered as a wasteful process, is a key target for bioengineering to improve crop yields. Several photorespiratory bypasses have been designed to efficiently metabolize 2-phosphoglycolate and increase the CO2 concentration in chloroplasts, thereby reducing photorespiration. However, the suppression of primary nitrate assimilation remains an issue when photorespiration is inhibited.

Using synthetic biology to express nitrogenase biosynthesis pathway in rice and to overcome barriers of nitrogenase instability in plant cytosol.

Engineering nitrogen fixation in cereals could reduce usage of chemical nitrogen fertilizers. Here, a nitrogenase biosynthesis pathway comprising 13 genes (nifB nifH nifD nifK nifE nifN nifX hesA nifV nifS nifU groES groEL) was introduced into rice by transforming multigene vectors and subsequently by sexual crossing between transgenic rice plants. Genome sequencing analysis revealed that 13 nif genes in F hybrid rice lines L12-13 and L8-17 were inserted at two loci on rice chromosome 1.

Efficient continuous SF/N separation using low-cost and robust metal-organic frameworks composites.

Physisorption presents a promising alternative to cryogenic distillation for capturing the most potent greenhouse gas, SF, but existing adsorbents face challenges in meeting diverse chemical and engineering concerns. Herein, with insights into in-pore chemistry and industrial process design, we report a systematic investigation that constructed two low-cost composites pellets (Al(fum)@2%HPC and Al(fum)@5%Kaolin) coupled with an innovative two-stage Vacuum Temperature Swing Adsorption (VTSA) process for the ultra-efficient recovery of low-concentration SF from N. Record-high selectivities (> 2×10) and SF dynamic capacities (~ 2.

Recurrent atrial fibrillation markers post radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common type of heart arrhythmia, is recognized as an independent risk factor for stroke. Fortunately, catheter ablation (CA) offers an effective treatment option for AF patients. However, numerous studies have reported suboptimal outcomes, as AF recurrence rates often remain elevated even after CA.

HMGB1 induces unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion by mediating decidual macrophage autophagy.

Background: The overexpression of HMGB1 at the maternal-fetal interface (MFI) is recognized as a significant factor in Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion (URSA). This study aimed to investigate autophagy in the decidual tissues of URSA patients and to explore the relationship between HMGB1 and macrophage autophagy at the MFI in URSA.

Methods: Human decidual tissues were collected from 40 patients diagnosed with URSA and from 60 women undergoing active termination of pregnancy.

[Study of the feasibility of polar body transfer combined with preimplantation genetic testing for blocking the intergenerational transmission of mitochondrial genetic diseases].

Objective: To assess the feasibility of first polar body transfer (PB1T) combined with preimplantation mitochondrial genetic testing for blocking the transmission of a pathogenic mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation.

Methods: A Chinese family affected with Leigh syndrome which had attended the Reproductive Medicine Centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in September 2021 was selected as the study subject. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was carried out for the proband after completing the detection of the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load among the pedigree members.

Boosting Carrier Mobility in 2D Layered Perovskites for High-Performance UV Photodetector.

2D hybrid perovskites have attracted great interest due to their promising potential in photodetectors. The phase structure, dielectric, and excitonic properties in 2D perovskites play a pivotal role in the performance of the corresponding optoelectronic device. Here a lattice anchoring method is demonstrated to boost carrier mobility in 2D perovskites by tailoring large organic spacer cation layers.

H3K56 acetylation regulates chromatin maturation following DNA replication.

Following DNA replication, the newly reassembled chromatin is disorganized and must mature to its steady state to maintain both genome and epigenome integrity. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing this critical process remain poorly understood. Here, we show that histone H3K56 acetylation (H3K56ac), a mark on newly-synthesized H3, facilitates the remodeling of disorganized nucleosomes in nascent chromatin, and its removal at the subsequent G2/M phase of the cell cycle marks the completion of chromatin maturation.

A Distinctive Strategy for Catheter Ablation in Patients With Bilateral Common Ostium in the Inferior Pulmonary Veins: A Case Report.

Pulmonary vein anatomical variations are frequently observed in atrial fibrillation patients undergoing catheter ablation. However, when it comes to patients with atrial fibrillation and bilateral common ostium in the inferior pulmonary veins, using a bilateral circumferential pulmonary vein isolation approach during catheter ablation heightens the risk of esophageal injury. At present, there is no established standard catheter ablation strategy for such cases.

Alarmins and their pivotal role in the pathogenesis of spontaneous abortion: insights for therapeutic intervention.

Alarmins are a class of molecules released when affected cells damaged or undergo apoptosis. They contain various chemotactic and immunomodulatory proteins or peptides. These molecules regulate the immune response by interacting with pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and play important roles in inflammatory response, tissue repair, infection defense, and cancer treatment.

Epidemiology, risk factors and mechanism of breast cancer and atrial fibrillation.

Cancer and cardiovascular diseases are leading causes of death worldwide. Among them, breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women, while atrial fibrillation is one of the most extensively studied arrhythmias, with significant public health implications. As the global population ages and advancements in cancer treatments continue, the survival rates of breast cancer patients have significantly improved, leading to an increasing coexistence of breast cancer and atrial fibrillation.

Combined collaterals and hemodynamic features to predict the prognosis in acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy.

Background: Despite successful recanalization via mechanical thrombectomy (MT), only half of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients achieve functional independence. Post-MT hemodynamic features are insufficiently investigated, and the lack of bilateral comparisons limits individual assessment. Therefore, we aimed to explore how individualized hemodynamic features affect functional outcomes using quantitative digital subtraction angiography (Q-DSA).

Digital transformation and enterprise violation risk: A 'motivation-opportunity-attitude' framework.

In the evolving digital economy, digital transformation has emerged as an important strategic choice for enterprises. Their comprehensive and innovative characteristics have instigated a paradigm shift in enterprise governance ideologies and models. However, this transformation has also introduced heightened demands and challenges to enterprise governance mechanisms during the transitional phase.

An Adaptive Metal-Organic Framework Discriminates Xylene Isomers by Shape-Responsive Deformation.

The separation of xylene isomers, especially para-xylene, is a crucial but challenging process in the chemical industry due to their similar molecular dimensions. Here, a flexible metal-organic framework, Ni(ina), (ina = isonicotinic acid) is employed to effectively discriminate xylene isomers. The adsorbent with adaptive deformation accommodates the shapes of isomer molecules, thereby translating their subtle shape differences into characteristic framework deformation energies.

The First Kr-Selective Carbon Molecular Sieve for Inverse Adsorption of Krypton Over Xenon at Ambient Temperature.

The efficient adsorption-based separation of krypton (Kr) and xenon (Xe) is of paramount importance but is challenged by their similar physicochemical properties. While carbon adsorbents are theoretically promising for Kr/Xe sieving, practical success has remained elusive. Here, a series of ultramicroporous carbon molecular sieves synthesized from sucrose-derived hydrochar is reported.