Decomposition-Reassembly Synthesis of a Silverton-Type Polyoxometalate 3D Framework: Semiconducting Properties and Photocatalytic Applications.

Polyoxometalate-based all-inorganic three-dimensional (3D) frameworks have recently attracted attention as a unique class of materials due to their unique physicochemical properties and a wide field of application with excellent prospects. We herein synthesized a novel all-inorganic 3D framework material based on cobalt-substituted Silverton-type polyoxometalate, H6{Co6W10O42[Co(H2O)4]3}·2H2O (Co9W10), which was successfully constructed using Na12[WCo3II(H2O)2(CoIIW9O34)2]·46-48H2O (Co5W19) and Co(NO3)2·6H2O as starting materials in a hydrothermal reaction via a decomposition-reassembly route together with the rational adjustment of pH values. Co9W10 has been structurally characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Photocurrent response, band-gap (Eg) value, and the VB-XPS spectrum have been measured to reveal the semiconducting property of Co9W10. Furthermore, we synthesized x% PTh/Co9W10 composites (PTh = polythiophene, x = 0.5, 1, 2, 5) for photodegradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TH) to evaluate the photocatalytic activities of title composites. Due to the optimal molar ratio of hybrids and matching energy levels, 2% PTh/Co9W10 composites show the best photocatalytic activities among these composites.

pH-Controlled assembly of [ZnW12O40]6--based hybrids from a 0D dimer to a 2D network: synthesis, crystal structure, and photocatalytic performance in transformation of toluene into benzaldehyde.

Polyoxometalate-based organic-inorganic hybrids have attracted considerable attention due to their fascinating structures and wide application prospects. In this work, using the same building blocks, ligands and metal ions (ZnW12O406-(ZnW12), 2,2'-bipyridine (2,2'-bipy), and Cu2+), we synthesized three new POM-based hybrids by controlling the pH values of the reaction systems. These three compounds {(Zn0.6(H2)0.4W12O40)[Cu(2,2'-bipy)(H2O)][Cu(2,2'-bipy)(H2O)2][Cu(2,2'-bipy)(H2O)3]}2·6H2O (1), (Me4N)2{ZnW12O40[Cu(2,2'-bipy)(H2O)][Cu(2,2'-bipy)(H2O)3]}·5H2O (2), and {(Zn0.5(H2)0.5W12O40)[Cu(2,2'-bipy)][Cu(2,2'-bipy)(H2O)][Cu(2,2'-bipy)(H2O)2]}·5H2O (3) have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 appears as a dimeric cluster structure, while compounds 2 and 3 appear as a 1D chain structure and a 2D network, respectively. The semiconducting properties of compounds 1-3 are different, which was demonstrated by band gap (Eg) and photocurrent response measurements. Compound 3 can efficiently catalyze the photooxidation of toluene to benzaldehyde with high selectivity using molecular oxygen as the oxidant component. Moreover, compound 3 was recycled and reused three times without significant degradation in conversion and selectivity. In addition, the mechanism of the photocatalytic reaction was also investigated.

An unprecedented polyoxometalate-based 1D double chain compound with opposite charges enables conductivity improvement.

A POM-based one-dimensional (1D) chain compound, {BW12O40[Cu(2,2'-bipy)2]2[Cu(2,2'-bipy)(H2O)]}{BW12O40[Cu(2,2'-bipy)2][Cu(2,2'-bipy)(H2O)2]}·7H2O, has been synthesized and structurally characterized, which represents an unprecedented 1D double chain structure with opposite charges. In contrast to common POMs, this compound exhibits a relatively high electrical conductivity of 1.17 × 10-9 S cm-1 at 25 °C. In addition, its semiconducting properties have also been investigated by application of photoelectrochemical sensing of H2O2.

[Association between overweight/obesity in parents and autism spectrum disorders in offspring].

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between overweight/obesity in parents before maternal pregnancy and the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in offspring. METHODS: A total of 36 children who were diagnosed with ASD (ASD group) and 72 normal children matched for sex and age (control group) were enrolled. A questionnaire survey was performed to collect the general information, including body height and body weight of parents before maternal pregnancy and maternal weight gain during pregnancy. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association between overweight/obesity in parents before maternal pregnancy and ASD in offspring. RESULTS: The ASD group had a significantly higher detection rate of overweight/obesity in the father than the control group (56% vs 32%; P=0.018) before maternal pregnancy. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that overweight/obesity of the father before maternal pregnancy was a risk factor for ASD in offspring (OR=2.66 and 2.58 respectively; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Overweight/obesity of the father before maternal pregnancy is an independent risk factor for ASD in offspring, and therefore, it is important for the father to control his body mass index within the normal range before maternal pregnancy.

Mutational spectrum of phenylketonuria in Jiangsu province.

UNLABELLED: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is caused by variants in the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene. We systematically investigated all 13 exons of the PAH gene and their flanking introns in 31 unrelated patients and their parents using next-generation sequencing (NGS). A total of 33 different variants were identified in 58 of 62 mutant PAH alleles. The prevalent variants with a relative frequency of 5 % or more were c.721C > T, c.1068C > A, c.611A > G, c.1197A > T, c.728G > A, c.331C > T, and c.442-1G > A. One novel variant was identified in this study-c.699C > G. We studied genotype-phenotype correlations using the Guldberg arbitrary value (AV) system, which revealed a consistency rate of 38 % (8/21) among the 21 predicted phenotypes. The genotype-based prediction of BH4 responsiveness was also evaluated, and 14 patients (45.2 %) were predicted to be BH4 responsive. CONCLUSION: This study presents the spectrum of PAH variants in Jiangsu province. The information obtained from the genotype-based prediction of BH4 responsiveness might be used for the rational selection of candidates for BH4 testing. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Phenylketonuria (PKU) is caused by variants in the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene. • The spectrum of PAH variants in different Chinese populations has been reported. What is new: • This is the first report on the spectrum of PAH variants in Jiangsu province. • This study identified one novel PAH variant-c.699C>G-and and tries to show a genotype-phenotype relationship also regarding BH4-responsiveness.