Antibacterial Activity of Two Zn-MOFs Containing a Tricarboxylate Linker.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can be used as reservoirs of metal ions with relevant antibacterial effects. Here, two novel Zn-based MOFs with the formulas [Zn4(µ4-O)(µ-FA)L2] (GR-MOF-8) and [Zn4(µ4-O)L2(H2O)] (GR-MOF-9) (H3L: 5-((4-carboxyphenyl)ethynyl) in isophthalic acid and FA (formate anion) were solvothermally synthetized and fully characterized. The antibacterial activity of GR-MOF-8 and 9 was investigated against Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Escherichia Coli (EC) by the agar diffusion method. Both bacteria are among the most relevant human and animal pathogens, causing a wide variety of infections, and are often related with the development of antimicrobial resistances. While both Zn-based materials exhibited antibacterial activity against both strains, GR-MOF-8 showed the highest inhibitory action, likely due to a more progressive Zn release under the tested experimental conditions. This is particularly evidenced in the inhibition of SA, with an increasing effect of GR-MOF-8 with time, which is of great significance to ensure the disappearance of the microorganism.

Catalytic Performance and Electrophoretic Behavior of an Yttrium-Organic Framework Based on a Tricarboxylic Asymmetric Alkyne.

A new Y-based metal-organic framework (MOF) GR-MOF-6 with a chemical formula of {[YL(DMF)2]·(DMF)}n {H3L = 5-[(4-carboxyphenyl)ethynyl] isophthalic acid; DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide} has been prepared by a solvothermal route. Structural characterization reveals that this novel material is a three-dimensional MOF in which the coordination of the tritopic ligand to Y(III) metal ions leads to an intercrossing channel system extending over three dimensions. This material has proven to be a very efficient catalyst in the cyanosilylation of carbonyls, ranking second in catalytic activity among the reported rare earth metal-based MOFs described so far but with the lowest required catalyst loading. In addition, its electrophoretic behavior has been studied in depth, providing a zero-charge point between pH 4 and 5, a peak electrophoretic mobility of -1.553 µm cm V-1 s-1, and a ζ potential of -19.8 mV at pH 10.

Two Isostructural URJC-4 Materials: From Hydrogen Physisorption to Heterogeneous Reductive Amination through Hydrogen Molecule Activation at Low Pressure.

Herein, two novel isostructural metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) M-URJC-4 (M = Co, Ni; URJC = "Universidad Rey Juan Carlos") with open metal sites, permanent microposity, and large surface areas and pore volumes have been developed. These novel MOFs, with polyhedral morphology, crystallize in the monoclinic P21/c space group, exhibiting a three-dimensional structure with microporous channels along the c axis. Initially, they were fully characterized and tested in hydrogen (H2) adsorption at different conditions of temperature and pressure. The physisorption capacities of both materials surpassed the gravimetric H2 uptake shown by most MOF materials under the same conditions. On the basis of the outstanding adsorption properties, the Ni-URJC-4 material was used as a catalyst in a one-pot reductive amination reaction using various carbonyl compounds and primary amines. A possible chemical pathway to obtain secondary amines was proposed via imine formation, and remarkable performances were accomplished. This work evidences the dual ability of M-URJC-4 materials to be used as a H2 adsorbent and a catalyst in reductive amination reactions, activating molecular H2 at low pressures for the reduction of C═N double bonds and providing reference structural features for the design of new versatile heterogeneous materials for industrial application.

Novel and Versatile Cobalt Azobenzene-Based Metal-Organic Framework as Hydrogen Adsorbent.

A novel URJC-3 material based on cobalt and 5,5'-(diazene-1,2-diyl)diisophthalate ligand, containing Lewis acid and basic sites, has been synthesized under solvothermal conditions. Compound URJC-3, with polyhedral morphology, crystallizes in the tetragonal and P43 21 2 space group, exhibiting a three-dimensional structure with small channels along a and b axes. This material was fully characterized, and its hydrogen adsorption properties were estimated for a wide range of temperatures (77-298 K) and pressures (1-170 bar). The hydrogen storage capacity of URJC-3 is quite high in relation to its moderate surface area, which is probably due to the confinement effect of hydrogen molecules inside its reduced pores of 6 Å, which is close the ionic radii of hydrogen molecules. The storage capacity of this material is not only higher than that of active carbon and purified single-walled carbon nanotubes, but also surpasses the gravimetric hydrogen uptake of most MOF materials.

Single-cell RNA-sequencing uncovers transcriptional states and fate decisions in haematopoiesis.

The success of marker-based approaches for dissecting haematopoiesis in mouse and human is reliant on the presence of well-defined cell surface markers specific for diverse progenitor populations. An inherent problem with this approach is that the presence of specific cell surface markers does not directly reflect the transcriptional state of a cell. Here, we used a marker-free approach to computationally reconstruct the blood lineage tree in zebrafish and order cells along their differentiation trajectory, based on their global transcriptional differences. Within the population of transcriptionally similar stem and progenitor cells, our analysis reveals considerable cell-to-cell differences in their probability to transition to another committed state. Once fate decision is executed, the suppression of transcription of ribosomal genes and upregulation of lineage-specific factors coordinately controls lineage differentiation. Evolutionary analysis further demonstrates that this haematopoietic programme is highly conserved between zebrafish and higher vertebrates.

Validation of the Spanish version of the Clinical Assessment for Negative Symptoms (CAINS).

Negative symptoms are a core feature of schizophrenia and their reliable and valid assessment is a prerequisite for developing effective therapeutic interventions. This study examined the psychometric properties and validity of the Spanish version of a new rating instrument, the Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms (CAINS). Outpatients and inpatients (N=100) with DSM-IV schizophrenia were administered the translated CAINS, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), and the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS). A subsample (N=46) was rated for Parkinsonism using the Extrapyramidal Symptoms Rating Scale (ESRS). The scale showed good inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. Both the CAINS overall and the subscales for motivation/pleasure (CAINS-Map) and expression (CAINS-Exp) scores correlated significantly with the SANS and PANSS negative symptom scale. Significant correlations with positive symptoms and general psychopathology were also found, but these reduced and mostly became insignificant when overall severity of illness was controlled for. Significant correlations with depression also disappeared when severity was controlled for. There was a trend-level correlation between the CAINS total score and Parkinsonism, which reflected an association with the CAINS-Exp subscale only. Factor analysis revealed a two-dimensional structure that explained the 67.44% of the variance. Overall, the Spanish version of the CAINS appears to be a valid tool for measuring negative symptoms in schizophrenia.