Reversible ammonia uptake at room temperature in a robust and tunable metal-organic framework.

Ammonia is useful for the production of fertilizers and chemicals for modern technology, but its high toxicity and corrosiveness are harmful to the environment and human health. Here, we report the recyclable and tunable ammonia adsorption using a robust imidazolium-based MOF (JCM-1) that uptakes 5.7 mmol g-1 of NH3 at 298 K reversibly without structural deformation. Furthermore, a simple substitution of NO3 - with Cl- in a post-synthetic manner leads to an increase in the NH3 uptake capacity of JCM-1(Cl-) up to 7.2 mmol g-1.

SuFEx in Metal-Organic Frameworks: Versatile Postsynthetic Modification Tool.

A new type of click reaction, sulfur(VI) fluoride exchange (SuFEx), has been utilized to prepare five postsynthetically modified UiO-67 series metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The postsynthetic modification (PSM) via SuFEx can be achieved selectively for the sulfonyl fluoride (R-SO2F) without degrading the MOF structure as confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The present SuFEx method provides a straightforward tool for introducing new functionality inside MOFs. Introduction of an imidazolium group into the MOF afforded a heterogeneous catalyst for the benzoin condensation reaction.

Characteristics of upper limb muscular strength in male wheelchair tennis players.

The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of muscular strength in upper limb and to present the preliminary information for development of sports injury prevention program and exercise rehabilitation program in wheelchair tennis players. Participants were 12 male wheelchair tennis players. Muscular strength was measured in shoulder and elbow joints with isokinetic dynamometer. Ipsilateral (IR) and bilateral (BR) balance ratio were calculated with isokinetic strength at 60°/sec. As a result, extension strength (ES) was significantly higher than flexion strength (FS) (P< 0.001), and IR in both sides and BR in ES were maintained within normal range whereas BR in FS was lower than normal range in shoulder joint. In elbow joint FS was significantly higher than ES (P< 0.05), and IR and BR were lower than normal range. Consequently, the different tendency in IR between shoulder and elbow joints and lower IR and BR in elbow joints could be the characteristics in male wheelchair tennis players. It is suggested that flexor strengthening program in nondominant shoulder joint, extensor strengthening program in both elbow joint, and flexor strengthening program in non-dominant elbow joint should be introduced for male wheelchair tennis players.

Potent anti-inflammatory effect of a novel furan-2,5-dione derivative, BPD, mediated by dual suppression of COX-2 activity and LPS-induced inflammatory gene expression via NF-κB inactivation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We previously reported that 3-(benzo[d]-1,3-dioxol-5-yl)-4-phenylfuran-2,5-dione (BPD) showed strong inhibitory effects on PGE(2) production. However, the exact mechanism for the anti-inflammatory effect of BPD is not completely understood. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism involved in the effects of BPD on inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated macrophages and animal models of inflammation. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The expressions of COX-2, inducible NOS (iNOS), TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1ß, in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and murine peritoneal macrophages, were determined by Western blot and/or qRT-PCR, respectively. NF-κB activation was investigated by EMSA, reporter gene assay and Western blotting. Anti-inflammatory effects of BPD were evaluated in vivo in carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats and LPS-induced septic shock in mice. KEY RESULTS: BPD not only inhibited COX-2 activity but also reduced the expression of COX-2. In addition, BPD inhibited the expression of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1ß at the transcriptional level. BPD attenuated LPS-induced DNA-binding activity and the transcription activity of NF-κB; this was associated with a decrease in the phosphorylation level of inhibitory κB-α (IκB-α) and reduced nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Furthermore, BPD suppressed the formation of TGF-ß-activated kinase-1 (TAK1)/TAK-binding protein1 (TAB1), which was accompanied by a parallel reduction of phosphorylation of TAK1 and IκB kinase (IKK). Pretreatment with BPD inhibited carrageenan-induced paw oedema and LPS-induced septic death. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Taken together, our data indicate that BPD is involved in the dual inhibition of COX-2 activity and TAK1-NF-κB pathway, providing a molecular basis for the anti-inflammatory properties of BPD.