Highly selective fluorescence turn-on sensor for·thiol compounds detection.

As a kind of commonly-used synthetic materials for many pesticides, thiol compounds, once being leaked, can cause serious harm to the environment and humans. Therefore, the efficient detection of thiol compounds is essential. In this study developed a turn-on fluorescent probe (Cu@Zn-CP) for the highly sensitive fluorescence detection of thiol compounds. The probe was constructed based on a zinc coordination polymer (Zn-CP), whose fluorescence was quenched through the effective doping of Cu2+ ions. After the introduction of methyl thioglycolate (MTC), a rapid fluorescence turn-on response was generated within 90 s with a low detection limit of 23 ppb. Even after being reused for five cycles, the sensor maintains excellent detection performance and demonstrates good recyclability. It can also detect MTC in river water, with a spike recovery rate between 98-103 %. Furthermore, the designed Cu@Zn-CP exhibits good universality for detecting multifarious thiol compounds, including L-cysteine, glutathione, monothioglycerol, and 2-hydroxy-1-ethanethiol. This result provides a potential recyclable fluorescent sensor for thiol compounds.

Preparation of a Nanosheeted Uranyl-Organic Framework for Enhanced Photocatalytic Oxidation of Toluene.

Preparation of ultrathin metal-organic framework (MOF) nanosheets is an effective way to improve the catalytic efficiency of MOF photocatalysts owing to their superiority in reducing the recombination rate of photogenerated electrons and holes and enhancing charge transfer. Herein, a light-sensitive two-dimensional uranyl-organic framework named HNU-68 was synthesized. Due to its interlayer stacking structure, the corresponding ultrathin nanosheets with a thickness of 4.4 nm (HNU-68-N) can be obtained through ultrasonic exfoliation. HNU-68-N exhibited an enhanced ability to selectively oxidize toluene to benzaldehyde, with the value of turnover frequency being approximately three times higher than that of the bulk HNU-68. This enhancement is attributed to the smaller size and interface resistance of the layered HNU-68-N nanosheets, which facilitate more thorough substrate contact and faster charge transfer, leading to an improvement in the photocatalytic efficiency. This work provides a potential candidate for the application of ultrathin uranyl-based nanosheets.

mNGS helped diagnose scrub typhus-associated HLH in children: a report of two cases.

Background: Scrub typhus, caused by the Orientia tsutsugamushi (Ot), is a widespread vector-borne disease transmitted by chigger mites. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is considered to be one of the potentially severe complications. The diagnosis of scrub typhus-associated HLH may be overlooked due to the non-specific clinical characteristics and the absence of pathognomonic eschar. Case presentation: We obtained clinical data from two patients in the South of Sichuan, China. The first case involved a 6-year-old girl who exhibited an unexplained fever and was initially diagnosed with sepsis, HLH, and pulmonary infection. The other patient presented a more severe condition characterized by multiple organ dysfunction and was initially diagnosed with septic shock, sepsis, HLH, acute kidney injury (AKI), and pulmonary infection. At first, a specific examination for scrub typhus was not performed due to the absence of a characteristic eschar. Conventional peripheral blood cultures yielded negative results in both patients, and neither of them responded to routine antibiotics. Fortunately, the causative pathogen Orientia tsutsugamushi (Ot) was detected in the plasma samples of both patients using metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Subsequently, they both were treated with doxycycline and recovered quickly. Conclusion: The unbiased mNGS provided a clinically actionable diagnosis for an uncommon pathogen-associated infectious disease that had previously evaded conventional diagnostic approaches.

A primary pediatric acute myelomonocytic leukemia with t(3;21)(q26;q22): A case report.

RATIONALE: The rare t(3;21)(q26;q22) translocation results in gene fusion and generates multiple fusion transcripts, which are typically associated with therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome, acute myeloid leukemia, and chronic myelogenous leukemia. Here, we report a rare case of de novo acute myelomonocytic leukemia in a young child with t(3;21)(q26;q22). PATIENT CONCERNS: A 2-and-a-half-year-old female patient presented with abdominal pain, cough, paleness, and fever for 3 weeks, without any history of malignant diseases. DIAGNOSES: Chest computed tomography revealed pneumonia. Bone marrow smear confirmed acute myelomonocytic leukemia. Cytogenetic analysis and Sanger sequencing identified RUNX1-MECOM and RUNX1-RPL22 fusion genes as a result of t(3;21)(q26;q22). INTERVENTIONS: The patient received 3 courses of chemotherapy, but bone marrow smear examination showed no remission. According to the wishes of the patient family, the allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT) was chosen. OUTCOMES: The patient did not experience any adverse reactions after Allo-HSCT. The red blood cells and platelets increased without transfusion. The pneumonia recovered after antibiotic treatment. LESSONS: The patient recovered well after Allo-HSCT. Therefore, for patients with RUNX1-MECOM and RUNX1-RPL22 fusion genes, transplantation may be a good choice when chemotherapy is not effective.

Fluorescence Thermometers Involving Two Ranges of Temperature: Coordination Polymer and DMSP Embedding.

The measurement of temperature is indispensable in the fields of life, science, and industry. Fluorescence thermometers are attractive to researchers because of their advantages such as noncontact, high sensitivity, fast response, and excellent anti-interference. Here, a new coordination polymer (HNU-76) was synthesized by assembling Zn2+ with the H3TCA ligand, a fluorescent molecule with an AIE behavior, which can be used as a fluorescence thermometer. At 100-210 K, the fluorescence intensity ratio of HNU-76 versus temperature conforms to an Arrhenius-type decay relationship (R2 = 0.997), which can be the candidate for low-temperature sensing. In order to increase the sensing range, 4-[4-(dimethylamino)styryl] pyndine (DMSP) was successfully embedded on HNU-76, obtaining HNU-76⊃DMSP. The fluorescence intensity of HNU-76⊃DMSP conforms to an Arrhenius-type decay relationship (R2 = 0.997) at 270-360 K versus temperature. HNU-76 can be used for fluorescence detection at low temperatures, due to the DMSP loading, and HNU-76⊃DMSP can serve as the temperature thermometer in a range of temperatures common. Both materials show good cyclability and have the potential to be used in fluorescence thermometers.

Single-phase white light material and antibiotic detection of lanthanide metal-organic frameworks.

WLEDs have been widely used in lighting and display equipment due to their energy-saving and environment-friendly advantages, but it is still a great challenge to construct high-quality single-phase white light materials for the preparation of WLEDs. In this work, three Ln-MOFs (HNU-82-84) with the same structure were synthesized by assembling rare earth ions (Tb3+, Eu3+, La3+) and 4,4',4''-nitrilotribenzoic acid (H3TCA) ligands. The structure and optical properties of the three compounds were investigated. Under the ultraviolet lamp, HNU-82-84 displays green light, red light, and blue light emission, respectively. Based on the RGB principle, aiming at the single-phase white material, the proportion of adding rare earth ions is reasonably adjusted to design and synthesize the Ln-MOF (Eu0.015Tb0.037La0.148-TCA) with CIE chromaticity coordinates of (0.319, 0.344). In addition, the WLED was prepared by Eu0.015Tb0.037La0.148-TCA and commercial LED lamps. Furthermore, HNU-82 has strong fluorescence emission and good water stability and can be used to detect nitrofurazone (NZF) and nitrofurantoin (NFT). The concentrations of the aqueous solutions of NZF and NFT had a well correlated linear relationship with the fluorescence quenching effect of HNU-82, and the detection limits were 6.60 × 10-7 mol L-1 and 4.62 × 10-7 mol L-1, respectively. Hence, HNU-82 also has potential as a fluorescent sensor for the detection of NZF and NFT in the aquatic environment.

Detection of organic arsenic based on acid-base stable coordination polymer.

Organic arsenic, usually found in animal feed and livestock farm wastewater, is a carcinogenic and life-threatening substance. Hence, for the rapid and sensitive detection of organic arsenic, the development of new fluorescent sensors is quite essential. Here, an acid-base stable coordination polymer (HNU-62) was constructed by the introduction of hydrophobic fluorescence ligand, which can be used as a highly selective sensor for the detection of roxarsone (ROX) in water. The limit of detection (LOD) of HNU-62 for ROX was 4.5 × 10-6 M. Furthermore, HNU-62 also exhibits good anti-interference and recyclability, which can be used in detecting ROX in real samples of pig feed. This work provides an alternative approach for the construction of water-stable coordination polymer-based fluorescence sensors.

Light-driven uranyl-organic frameworks used as signal-enhanced photoelectrochemical sensors for monitoring anthrax.

The semiconductor-like characteristics and light absorption ability of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) make it have the potential for photoelectrochemical sensing. Compared with composite and modified materials, the specific recognition of harmful substances directly using MOFs with suitable structures can undoubtedly simplify the fabrication of sensors. Herein, two photosensitive uranyl-organic frameworks (UOFs) named HNU-70 and HNU-71 were synthesized and explored as the novel "turn-on" photoelectrochemical sensors, which can be directly applied to monitor the biomarker of anthrax (dipicolinic acid). Both sensors have good selectivity and stability towards dipicolinic acid with the low detection limits of 1.062 and 1.035 nM, respectively, which are far lower than the human infection concentration. Moreover, they exhibit good applicability in the real physiological environment of human serum, demonstrating a good application prospect. Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies show that the mechanism of photocurrent enhancement results from the interaction between dipicolinic acid and UOFs, which facilitates the photogenerated electron transport.

Efficient Photocatalytic Oxidative Coupling of Benzylamine over Uranyl-Organic Frameworks.

Visible-light-driven organic transformation photocatalyzed by metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) under mild conditions is considered a feasible route to conserve energy and simplify synthesis. Herein, a light-sensitized, three-dimensional uranyl-organic framework (HNU-64) with twofold interpenetration and its derivatives HNU-64-CH3 and HNU-64-Cl with functionalized ligands of -CH3 and -Cl groups were obtained. These MOFs have broad optical absorption bands and suitable band energy levels in photooxidation, which makes them exhibit high activity and selectivity for the photooxidation of benzylamine to N-benzylbenzoimide under mild conditions. This work provides an efficient and simple synthetic option for oxidative coupling of amines to directly produce imines.

Multisite Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections Detected by Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing in a Child with Aplastic Anemia: A Case Report.

Microbial cultivation is the current gold standard for the clinical diagnosis of bacterial infections. However, this method sometimes produces false negative results. We present a case study of multisite Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections detected by metagenomic next-generation sequencing in a child with aplastic anemia, highlighting the rapid and accurate advantages of this technique.

Low expression of NTF3 is associated with unfavorable prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Neurotrophin 3 (NTF3) is a member of the nerve growth factor (NGF) family involved in cancer progression, including medulloblastoma and breast cancer. However, the expression and prognostic value of NTF3 has not been reported in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we first performed an mRNA expression analysis of the NTF family using the TCGA database and found that NTF3 was significantly downregulated in patients with HCC. Low expression of NTF3 in various HCC cohorts from the GEO database was frequently identified. Consistently, NTF3 protein level was also decreased in HCC tissues as compared with controls. Moreover, survival analysis showed that low NTF3 expression correlated with shorter overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in HCC patients. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the mRNA expression of NTF3 and TrkC in HCC specimens. Generally, these results revealed that low expression of NTF3 predicted an unfavorable clinical outcome. NTF3 may be a diagnostic and prognostic marker in HCC.

Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin Catalyzed Chemoselective Oxidation of Benzylic Alcohols and Diarylmethanes in Water.

We report the highly efficient and chemoselective oxidation of benzylic alcohols catalyzed by sodium copper chlorophyllin in water, producing corresponding arylcarbonyl compounds. Importantly, the catalytic system exhibits a wide substrate scope and high functional group tolerance. Moreover, secondary alcohols and even diarylmethanes were smoothly oxidized to the desired aryl ketones with excellent yields.

Syntheses, crystal structures, adsorption properties and visible photocatalytic activities of highly stable Pb-based coordination polymers constructed by 2-(2-carboxyphenyl)imidazo(4,5-f)-(1,10)phenanthroline and bridging linkers.

Five highly stable coordination polymers assembled by 2-(2-carboxyphenyl)imidazo(4,5-f)-(1,10)phenanthroline (2-HNCP) and different aromatic carboxylic acid ligands, namely, [Pb(2-NCP)(L1)]n (1), [Pb2(2-NCP)2(L2)]n·2nH2O (2), [Pb2(2-NCP)2(L2)]n (3), [Pb(2-NCP)(L3)0.5]n (4) and [Pb2(2-NCP)2(L4)]n (5), where HL1 = pyridine-4-carboxylic acid, H2L2 = 2-amino-1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, H2L3 = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid and H2L4 = 2-hydroxy-1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Their structures have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and further characterized by elemental analyses and infrared spectroscopy. In 1, adjacent ladder-like chains are extended into a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular architecture by π-π interactions. In 2, the neighboring layers are interconnected by π-π interactions to afford a 3D supramolecular architecture. 3-5 exhibit similar 3D frameworks with a Schläfli symbol of 412·63 topologies. The different auxiliary ligands and the pH value of the reaction system were discussed in regard to the formation of different structures. In addition, these five complexes present high thermal stabilities, the preferential adsorption of CO2 over N2 and excellent photocatalytic activities for dye degradation under visible light irradiation.

Highly Stable Copper(I)-Based Metal-Organic Framework Assembled with Resorcin[4]arene and Polyoxometalate for Efficient Heterogeneous Catalysis of Azide-Alkyne "Click" Reaction.

A new highly stable copper(I)-based metal-organic framework (MOF), namely, [CuI4(SiW12O40)(L)]·6H2O·2DMF (1), was synthesized by incorporating Keggin-type polyoxometalate (POM) anions and a functionalized wheel-like resorcin[4]arene-based ligand (L) under sovothermal condition. 1 exhibits a charming 3D supramolecular architecture sandwiched by the POM anions. Noticeably, 1 has exceptional chemical stability, especially in organic solvents or aqueous solutions with a wide range of pH values. Considering the catalytically active Cu(I) sites in 1, the azide-alkyne cycloaddition (AAC) reaction was studied by employing 1 as the heterogeneous catalyst. Most strikingly, 1 exhibits excellent catalytic activity as well as recyclability for the AAC reaction.

A multifunctional microporous metal-organic framework: efficient adsorption of iodine and column-chromatographic dye separation.

In this work, a multifunctional microporous metal-organic framework (MOF), [Cd(ABTC)(H2O)2(DMA)]·4DMA (JLNU-4; JLNU = Jilin Normal University; H4ABTC = 3,3',5,5'-azobenzenetetracarboxylic acid), has been synthesized based on the ligand H4ABTC under solvothermal conditions. JLNU-4 shows excellent uptake of iodine both in solution and in the vapor phase, owing to the existence of a microporous structure in JLNU-4. The adsorption kinetics during the process of iodine adsorption were analyzed via a series of qualitative and quantitative analyses, such as the Langmuir and Freündlich adsorption isotherms. In addition, according to UV/vis spectroscopy analysis and the colour variance of JLNU-4, the relatively small sized dye methylene blue (MB) could be efficiently adsorbed by JLNU-4, through size-exclusion effects. Particularly, JLNU-4 can serve as a column-chromatographic filler for the separation of dye molecules. Therefore, JLNU-4 is a multifunctional microporous MOF for iodine adsorption and column-chromatographic dye separation.

The Design of Dual-Emissive Composite Material [Zn2(HL)3]+@MOF-5 as Self-Calibrating Luminescent Sensors of Al3+ Ions and Monoethanolamine.

Introducing another chromophore into a luminescent MOF is a potential way to assembling novel dual-emissive luminescent materials. Putting the chromophore, for which luminescence can be enhanced by Zn2+ ion, into MOF-5 by the "bottle around ship" strategy is a simple but efficient synthesis method to realize such dual-emissive materials. According to this strategy, a novel dual-emissive luminescent composite material [Zn2(HL)3]+@MOF-5 was constructed by loading the [La3(HL)2L2(NO3)3H2O] (1) (H2L = 7,7'-(ethane-1,1'-diyl)8-hydro-quinoline) into MOF-5, in which the [Zn2(HL)3]+ anions were transformed from 1 with the existence of Zn2+. The dual-emissive composite materials show excellent luminescence with two emissions of MOF-5 at 410 nm and [Zn2(HL)3]+ at 524 nm. Furthermore, by combining characteristics of MOF-5 and the guest chromophore, the composite material is highly selectively sensitive toward Al3+ and monoethanolamine, which makes [Zn2(HL)3]+@MOF-5 a potential self-calibrated fluorescence sensor.

Poly[[tri-µ(3)-hydroxido-tris-(µ(4)-pyridine-2,5-dicarboxyl-ato)trineodymium(III)] monohydrate].

In the title compound, {[Nd(3)(C(7)H(3)NO(4))(3)(OH)(3)]·H(2)O}(n), the Nd(III) atom is eight-coordinated by the three O atoms of three asymmetrically µ(3)-bridging hydroxide groups, by four carboxyl-ate O atoms of four different pyridine-2,5-dicarboxyl-ate (2,5-pydc) ligands, and by the N atom of a 2,5-pydc ligand. Six Nd atoms are connected by six hydroxide groups, forming an [Nd(6)(µ(3)-OH)(6)] cluster unit of symmetry -3 and a slightly compressed octa-hedral geometry. Adjacent [Nd(6)(µ(3)-OH)(6)] clusters are connected by the 2,5-pydc ligands, via O and N atoms, forming chains along the c axis. The remaining O atoms of the 2,5-pydc ligands link these chains into a three-dimensional framework. A disordered water molecule, located on a threefold rotation axis at the opposite side of the [Nd(6)(µ(3)-OH)(6)] cluster and exposed to each of the three Nd atoms, completes the structure.

Bis(1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione-κN,N')silver(I) 2-hy-droxy-3,5-dinitro-benzoate.

In the cation of the title salt, [Ag(C(12)H(6)N(2)O(2))(2)](C(7)H(3)N(2)O(7)), the Ag(I) atom is coordinated in a distorted tetra-hedral geometry by four N atoms from two 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione ligands, while the 3,5-dinitro-salicylate anion has only a short contact [2.847 (6) Å] between one of its O atoms and the Ag(I) atom. The dihedral angle between the two 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione ligands is 58.4 (1)°. There is an intra-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bond in the 3,5-dinitro-salicylate anion.

2,4,5-Tris(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-imidazole monohydrate.

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C(18)H(13)N(5)·H(2)O, adjacent mol-ecules are linked by O-H⋯N and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, generating a chain propagating along [001].

Poly[[(µ-benzene-1,4-dicarboxyl-ato)bis-[µ-4-(1H-1,3,7,8-tetra-aza-cyclo-penta-[l]phenanthren-2-yl)benzoato]dizinc] tetra-hydrate].

In the title complex, [Zn(2)(C(8)H(4)O(4))(C(20)H(11)N(4)O(2))(2)]·4H(2)O, the Zn(II) atom is six-coordinated by two carboxyl-ate O atoms from one bidentate benzene-1,4-dicarboxyl-ate (1,4-BDC) ligand, two carboxyl-ate O atoms from two different monodentate 4-(1H-1,3,7,8-tetra-aza-cyclo-penta-[l]phenanthren-2-yl)benzoate (HNCP) ligands and two HNCP N atoms. The Zn(II) atoms are bridged by the centrosymmetric 1,4-BDC ligands, forming an extended single-chain structure. Neighbouring single chains are connected by the HNCP ligands from two opposite directions, resulting in a sheet. In addition, there are N-H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter-actions between adjacent layers. As a result, the polymeric sheets are further extended into a three-dimensional supra-molecular structure.