Development of High Throughput Photopolymerizations Using Micron-Sized Ultrathin Metal-Organic Framework Nanosheets.

Polymer syntheses in a high throughput format are still challenging due to the tedious procedures for prior deoxygenation and catalyst removal. 2D metal-organic framework (MOF) nanosheets are advantageous for elevating the catalytic efficiency and catalyst recyclability. Polymerization of a wide variety of monomers, including hydrophilic acrylamides and hydrophobic acrylates, is attempted directly in a multi-well plate by employing Zn-ZnPPF-2D nanosheets (PPF = porphyrin paddlewheel framework) as a heterogeneous photocatalyst. Various parameters such as monomer concentration, catalyst concentration, and light wavelength are investigated with respect to their effects on polymerization rate and the degree of control over the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. Due to the larger surface area and more accessible catalytic sites, the top-performing Zn-ZnPPF-2D exhibits fast polymerization kinetics over the Zn-ZnPPF-3D bulk crystals. In addition, the synthesis of triblock copolymers with a single loading of catalysts confirms the outstanding catalytic performance of these 2D MOF catalysts. Finally, photopolymerization is demonstrated to be achievable entirely in a microliter-scale human cell culture medium. As such, this strategy provides high levels of control and precision over macromolecular synthesis outcomes that best align with the requirements of high throughput approaches toward biological applications.

IMPACT OF IMMUNE RESPONSE OF A PARASITIC BEETLE Dastarcus helophoroides ON ITS HOST BEETLE Monochamus alternatus.

Dastarcus helophoroides is an ectoparasitoid beetle of Monochamus alternatus, and the parasitism by D. helophoroides larvae remarkably influenced on the immune responses of M. alternatus larvae in many aspects. The hemolymph melanization reactions in the hosts were inhibited 1 h and 24 h postparasitization. The phenoloxidase activities of hemolymph were significantly stimulated 4 h postparasitization and inhibited 12 h postparasitization, and back to control level. The antibacterial activities of hemolymph in the parasitized hosts were significantly lower than that in the unparasitized ones 1 h postparasitization. By 72 h postparasitism, the total hemocyte numbers of the parasitized larvae declined to not more than one-seconds of the number collected from the unparasitized larvae. All sampled hemolymph held the capability of nodulation, and there were fluctuations in the number of nodules the hemocytes made. However, there were no significant differences between unparasitized and parasitized larvae at each time point in the hemagglutination activity and the ratios of spreading hemocytes. In conclusion, D. helophoroides larvae could regulate M. alternatus immune system and resulted in the changes in host immune responses.