Advances in metal-organic frameworks for optically selective alkaline phosphatase activity monitoring: a perspective.

The study of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) has gained significant momentum due to their remarkable properties, including adjustable pore sizes, extensive surface area, and customizable compositions, which have urged scientists to investigate their applicability in pertinent societal issues such as water absorption, environmental remediation, and sensor technology. MOFs have the ability to transport and detect specific biomolecules, including proteins. One such biomolecule is alkaline phosphatase (ALP) that can be influenced by various diseases and can lead to severe consequences when its regulation is disrupted. The porous nature of MOFs and their tunable nature allows them to selectively adsorb, interact directly or indirectly with ALP. This ultimately influences the electronic and optical properties of the MOF, leading to measurable changes. Early detection and continuous monitoring of ALP play a crucial role in the use of an effective treatment, and recent studies have shown that MOFs are effective in detecting alkaline phosphatases. This manuscript offers a thorough examination of the potential biomedical applications of MOFs for monitoring alkaline phosphatase and envisions possible future trends in this field.

Development of hybrid MIL-53(Al)@CBS for ternary adsorption of tetracyclines antibiotics in water: Physical interpretation of the adsorption mechanism.

In this study, a hybrid material, MIL-53(Al)@CBS, was synthesized via the solvothermal method, involving the growth of MIL-53(Al) crystals on cocoa bean shell residues (CBS). Physicochemical characterization techniques, including TGA, BET, FTIR, XRD, and SEM, confirmed successful hybridization. MIL-53(Al)@CBS was employed as an adsorbent for antibiotics (oxytetracycline, tetracycline, chlortetracycline) separation from aqueous solutions. Parameters like pH, adsorbent dose, concentration, time, and temperature were systematically evaluated. FTIR revealed π-π interactions and hydrogen bonds between tetracyclines and the adsorbent. MIL-53(Al)@CBS exhibited adsorption, with removal rates up to 98.92%, 99.04%, and 98.24% for OTC, TC, and CTC, respectively. Kinetics suggested adsorption depends on active site availability, with TC adsorbing fastest. Microscopic models showed adsorption on three distinct active site types with different affinities without competition or adherence to the Langmuir hypothesis. Importantly, MIL-53(Al)@CBS maintained high adsorption capacity even after ten washing cycles, highlighting its potential for water treatment.

Metal-Organic Frameworks as Sensors for Human Amyloid Diseases.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are versatile compounds with emergent applications in the fabrication of biosensors for amyloid diseases. They hold great potential in biospecimen protection and unprecedented probing capabilities for optical and redox receptors. In this Review, we summarize the main methodologies employed in the fabrication of MOF-based sensors for amyloid diseases and collect all available data in the literature related to their performance (detection range, limit of detection, recovery, time of analysis, among other parameters). Nowadays, MOF sensors have evolved to a point where they can, in some cases, outperform technologies employed in the detection of several amyloid biomarkers (amyloid ß peptide, α-synuclein, insulin, procalcitonin, and prolactin) present in biological fluids, such as cerebrospinal fluid and blood. A special emphasis has been given by researchers on Alzheimer's disease monitoring to the detriment of other amyloidosis that are underexploited despite their societal relevance (e.g., Parkinson's disease). There are still important obstacles to overcome in order to selectively detect the various peptide isoforms and soluble amyloid species associated with Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, MOF contrast agents for imaging peptide soluble oligomers in living humans are also scarce (if not nonexistent), and action in this direction is unquestionably required to clarify the contentious link between the amyloidogenic species and the disease, guiding research toward the most promising therapeutic strategies.

Easy Handling and Cost-Efficient Processing of a Tb3+-MOF: The Emissive Capacity of the Membrane-Immobilized Material, Water Vapour Adsorption and Proton Conductivity.

The development of convenient, non-complicated, and cost-efficient processing techniques for packing low-density MOF powders for industry implementation is essential nowadays. To increase MOFs' availability in industrial settings, we propose the synthesis of a novel 3D Tb-MOF (1) and a simple and non-expensive method for its immobilization in the form of pellets and membranes in polymethacrylate (PMMA) and polysulphone (PSF). The photoluminescent properties of the processed materials were investigated. To simulate industrial conditions, stability towards temperature and humidity have been explored in the pelletized material. Water-adsorption studies have been carried out in bulk and processed materials, and because of the considerable capacity to adsorb water, proton-conduction studies have been investigated for 1.

Adsorptive Capacity, Inhibitory Activity and Processing Techniques for a Copper-MOF Based on the 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoate Ligand.

Due to the fast, emerging development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the need for novel, efficient routes to battle these pathogens is crucial; in this scenario, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials for combating them effectively. Herein, a novel Cu-MOF-namely 1-that displays the formula [Cu3L2(DMF)2]n (DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) is described, synthesized by the combination of copper(II) and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (H3L)-both having well-known antibacterial properties. The resulting three-dimensional structure motivated us to study the antibacterial activity, adsorptive capacity and processability of the MOF in the form of pellets and membranes as a proof-of-concept to evaluate its future application in devices.

Multifunctional Lanthanide-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks Derived from 3-Amino-4-hydroxybenzoate: Single-Molecule Magnet Behavior, Luminescent Properties for Thermometry, and CO2 Adsorptive Capacity.

Herein, we describe and study a new family of isostructural multifunctional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with the formula {[Ln5L6(OH)3(DMF)3]·5H2O}n (where (H2L) is 3-amino-4-hydroxybenzoic acid ligand) for magnetism and photoluminescence. Interestingly, three of the materials (Dy-, Er-, and Yb-based MOFs) present single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior derived from the magnetic anisotropy of the lanthanide ions as a consequence of the adequate electronic distribution of the coordination environment. Additionally, photoluminescence properties of the ligand in combination with Eu and Tb counterparts were studied, including the heterometallic Eu-Tb mixed MOF that shows potential as ratiometric luminescent thermometers. Finally, the porous nature of the framework allowed showing the CO2 sorption capacity.

Porphyrin NanoMetal-Organic Frameworks as Cancer Theranostic Agents.

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are hybrid multifunctional platforms that have found remarkable applications in cancer treatment and diagnostics. Independently, these materials can be employed in cancer treatment as intelligent drug carriers in chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, and photodynamic therapy; conversely, MOFs can further be used as diagnostic tools in fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography imaging, and photoacoustic imaging. One essential property of these materials is their great ability to fine-tune their composition toward a specific application by way of a judicious choice of the starting building materials (metal nodes and organic ligands). Moreover, many advancements were made concerning the preparation of these materials, including the ability to downsize the crystallites yielding nanoporous porphyrin MOFs (NMOFs) which are of great interest for clinical treatment and diagnostic theranostic tools. The usage of porphyrins as ligands allows a high degree of multifunctionality. Historically these molecules are well known for their reactive oxygen species formation and strong fluorescence characteristics, and both have proved helpful in cancer treatment and diagnostic tools. The anticipation that porphyrins in MOFs could prompt the resulting materials to multifunctional theranostic platforms is a reality nowadays with a series of remarkable and ground-breaking reports available in the literature. This is particularly remarkable in the last five years, when the scientific community witnessed rapid development in porphyrin MOFs theranostic agents through the development of imaging technologies and treatment strategies for cancer. This manuscript reviews the most relevant recent results and achievements in this particular area of interest in MOF chemistry and application.

Metal-organic frameworks: a future toolbox for biomedicine?

The present review focuses on the use of Metal-Organic Frameworks, (MOFs) highlighting the most recent developments in the biological field. This review assesses, in the first instance, the cytotoxicity of MOFs (particularly those used for various biological applications described throughout this review), and shows that for standard MOFs based on metals already present in active molecules of the human body, toxicity is not a significant limitation. Here we underline the MIL-, UiO- and ZIF-series of MOFs which remain until now the most used materials in drug delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), such as antitumourals or retroviral drugs (with high loading and slow release time). Porosity remains undoubtedly the most studied key property of MOFs, that allows the protection of active biomolecules such as enzymes or the development of antimicrobial materials. Emphasis is given on the usage of MOFs for the detection of biomarkers in biological fluids such as urine and blood (detection of cystinuria, identification of penicillin anaphylaxis, urea, bilirubin, biomarkers related to human intoxication, tumoural indicators, among several others), for which a number of simple devices (such as paper strips) were developed. Despite the remarkable and promising results presented in recent years, the literature remains scarce (mostly non-existent) in terms of direct comparison of these novel technologies with the solutions presently available in the market. Action on this side may make the difference in the next years concerning research on MOFs, to see if some of these materials may reach the end-user as new and more efficient treatments or detection approaches.

Bone Tissue Disorders: Healing Through Coordination Chemistry.

Osteoporosis, Paget's disease and osteosarcoma are a few examples of bone tissue disorders that affect millions of people worldwide. These conditions can strictly limit the lifestyle of patients and may even lead to their demise. To prevent this or, at least, try to manage the situation, there are several treatments available on the market. Notwithstanding, research has been driven by the possibility to improve the existing therapies, as well as to find new approaches that could better respond to these diseases. In this Review the path is shown through which, in recent years, coordination compounds have been prepared and manufactured to be applied in the management of bone tissue disorders. Starting with the design and preparation of the coordination compounds with various dimensionalities, two approaches have been used: (1) they are prepared as three-dimensional cages that can act as delivery systems for therapeutic substances, or (2) they are constructed/prepared from compounds with intrinsic therapeutic properties. Following this, several strategies have been explored to manufacture the effective delivery to the patients. The versatility of coordination compounds has allowed their use in the preparation of drug tablets, coatings for titanium implants, or even scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. In the end, it becomes clear that these compounds can be a valuable approach to reach a better treatment for bone tissue disorders. Nonetheless, along the road, a few bumps have appeared concerning the therapeutic profile, such as the effect of the structural arrangement or particle size.

Thiophene- and Carbazole-Substituted N-Methyl-Fulleropyrrolidine Acceptors in PffBT4T-2OD Based Solar Cells.

The impact of fullerene side chain functionalization with thiophene and carbazole groups on the device properties of bulk-heterojunction polymer:fullerene solar cells is discussed through a systematic investigation of material blends consisting of the conjugated polymer poly[(5,6-difluoro-2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-4,7-diyl)-alt-(3,3‴-di(2-octyldodecyl)-2,2';5',2″;5″,2‴-quaterthiophen-5,5‴-diyl)] (PffBT4T-2OD) as donor and C60 or C70 fulleropyrrolidines as acceptors. The photovoltaic performance clearly depended on the molecular structure of the fulleropyrrolidine substituents although no direct correlation with the surface morphology of the photoactive layer, as determined by atomic force microscopy, could be established. Although some fulleropyrrolidines possess favorable lowest unoccupied molecular orbital levels, when compared to the standard PC71BM, they originated OPV cells with inferior efficiencies than PC71BM-based reference cells. Fulleropyrrolidines based on C60 produced, in general, better devices than those based on C70, and we attribute this observation to the detrimental effect of the structural and energetic disorder that is present in the regioisomer mixtures of C70-based fullerenes, but absent in the C60-based fullerenes. These results provide new additional knowledge on the effect of the fullerene functionalization on the efficiency of organic solar cells.