Crystallization-Induced Liquid Gate for Tunable Gas Flow Control.

Gas flow control is essential in multifarious fields, such as chemical engineering, environmental governance, and biomedical science. More precise regulation, especially tunable gas flow rates, will spark further applications in smart valves, microreactors, and drug delivery. Here, we propose a crystallization-induced liquid gate (CILG) comprising a supersaturated gating liquid confined within a solid framework capable of tunable gas flow rates under steady-state pressure in a simple and compact manner. When ultrasound is employed to stimulate the crystallization, the CILG exhibits different gas transport behaviors due to the adjustable pore sizes modulated by crystal morphologies under varied ultrasound intensities. Additionally, the exothermic crystallization process allows CILG with variable gas permeability to be observable via infrared imaging. Moreover, we demonstrate the potential applications of CILG in infrared-monitored flow-regulating valves and gas-involved chemical reactors.

Enhanced inhibition of protein disulfide isomerase and anti-thrombotic activity of a rutin derivative: rutin:Zn complex.

Rutin is a flavonoid that exists in plants and in commonly consumed foods. In recent years, rutin has been demonstrated to have anti-thrombotic efficacy through its inhibition of protein disulfide isomerase. However, the low aqueous solubility and high dose limit the therapeutic applications of rutin. In this study, we found that the chelation of zinc ions increased rutin aqueous solubility by 4-fold. More importantly, the thus-formed rutin:Zn complex inhibited PDI activity more potently than rutin itself. In a murine model with electric current-induced arterial thrombosis, the rutin:Zn complex slowed mouse arterial occlusion compared to rutin without increasing bleeding risk. Thus, the zinc chelation not only improved rutin aqueous solubility but achieved stronger inhibition of PDI. Furthermore, zinc chelation of a selected list of flavonoids containing the adjacent keto and phenoxy groups also increased their inhibition of PDI. Hence, our study provides a strategy to promote flavonoids' anti-thrombotic properties.