An Octacarboxylate-Linked Sodium Metal-Organic Framework with High Porosity.

Alkali metal-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with permanent porosity are scarce because of their high tendency to coordinate with solvents such as water. However, these MOFs are lightweight and bear gravimetric benefits for gas adsorption related applications. In this study, we present the successful construction of a microporous MOF, designated as HIAM-111, built solely on sodium ions by using an octacarboxylate linker. The structure of HIAM-111 is based on 8-connected Na4 clusters and exhibits a novel topology with an underlying 32,42,8-c net. Remarkably, HAM-111 possesses a robust and highly porous framework with a BET surface area of 1561 m2/g, significantly surpassing that of the previously reported Na-MOFs. Further investigations demonstrate that HIAM-111 is capable of separating C2H2/CO2 and purifying C2H4 directly from C2H4/C2H2/C2H6 with high adsorption capacities. The current work may shed light on the rational design of robust and porous MOFs based on alkali metals.

Melatonin-priming enhances maize seedling drought tolerance by regulating the antioxidant defense system.

Drought stress (DS) challenges sustainable agriculture production by limiting crop growth and development. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of melatonin-priming on enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense mechanisms and its relation with leaf ultrastructure and stomatal traits in maize (Zea mays L) seedlings under DS (PEG-6000). DS drastically decreased seed germination, plant growth, and leaf chlorophyll content due to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Melatonin-priming significantly (P < 0.05) increased seed germination, root length, shoot length, fresh seedling weight, proline content, total soluble protein content, sugar content, chlorophyll content, and stomatal aperture size by 101%, 30%, 133%, 51%, 22%, 59%, 54%, 20%, and 424%, compared to no priming (NP) under DS, respectively. Similarly, priming improved leaf ultrastructure and reduced the amount of chlorophyll loss and oxidative damage in maize seedlings. Melatonin seed priming with 500 µM melatonin (M2) greatly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), glutathione, and ascorbate (AsA) activity, by 65%, 63%, 94%, 41%, and 55% compared to NP under DS and by 0.26%, 8%, 33%, 42%, and 15% under no-stress (NS), respectively. Melatonin-priming also reduced malondialdehyde content, electrolyte leakage, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, and superoxide anion (O2-) content by 26%, 31%, 31%, and 33% compared to NP under DS and by 8%, 18%, 10%, and 11% under NS, respectively. In response to DS, melatonin-priming also stabilized the chloroplast structure, sustained cell expansion, protected cell walls, and greatly improved stomatal traits, including stomatal number, length, and width. Our results suggest that melatonin-priming improves drought tolerance in maize seedlings by alleviating the negative effect of ROS.

Analysis of physiological response and differential protein expression of Paramichelia baillonii saplings under phosphorus deficiency.

Paramichelia baillonii is a rare and fast-growing tree species in subtropical China. The acidic red soil in southern China severely limits its growth as it lacks sufficient available phosphorus (P), resulting in declining soil fertility and nutrient availability. The effect of P deficiency on P. Baillonii growth, root attributes, and physiological response has not yet been reported. Understanding the adaptability of P. baillonii to low-P conditions can improve afforestation and soil management in southern China. Therefore, we conducted a pot experiment on 2-year-old saplings and treated them with different P levels. Results showed that P deficiency (0-5 mg L-1 ) decreased growth attributes, root morphological traits, and nutrient uptake of P. baillonii saplings compared to control (CK). Similarly, reduction in chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), and Gs were seen in low P treatment saplings compared to CK. Whereas superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, malondialdehyde, acid phosphatase activity, and soluble protein content increased with increasing P-deficiency up to 5 mg L-1 , and soluble sugar showed oppsite trend. Moreover, the proteomics analysis identified 2721 proteins, 196 showing differential expression, with 90 up- and 106 down-regulated. Importantly, the metabolic activities increased in the pentose phosphate pathway, starch and sucrose metabolism, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways to sustain regular plant growth under P deficiency. This study delves into the dynamic morpho-physiological and proteomic changes in response to P deficiency. Overall, growth and nutrient uptake were reduced, countered by adaptive biochemical and proteomic shifts, including heightened antioxidant activities and modifications in metabolic pathways, highlighting the resilient strategies of P. baillonii saplings under P deficiency.

The efficacy and safety of snare traction-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection for circumferential superficial esophageal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of snare traction-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for the management of circumferential superficial esophageal cancer. METHODS: A total of 68 patients who underwent ESD for circumferential superficial esophageal cancer were included in this study. All the patients were divided into two groups based on whether the snare traction was used or not; the snare traction group (S-ESD, group n = 35) and the control group (C-ESD, group n = 33). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the size of the resected area between the groups [21.98 (18.30, 27.00) cm2 vs 24.00 (15.28, 30.72) cm2, P = 0.976]. The snare traction group had a shorter dissection time [92.00 (74.00, 121.00) min vs 110.00 (92.50, 137.00) min, P = 0.017] and a faster resection speed [0.28 ± 0.13 cm2/min vs 0.22 ± 0.11cm2/min, P = 0.040] compared to the control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of hospital stay, cost, en bloc resection rate, R0 resection rate, curative resection rate, bleeding rate, perforation rate, stricture rate, and recurrence rate (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Snare traction-assisted ESD is a safe and efficient approach for the treatment of circumferential superficial esophageal cancer. Its advantages includes shorter procedure so the anesthesia requirement, clear operative filed view, improved mucosal dissection efficiency, simple, and easily accessible equipment.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) contamination suppressed soil microbial biomass carbon and mitigated CO2 emissions against the background of alfalfa from different soils.

Plastic mulching and organic amendments are prevalent agricultural practices worldwide. Plastic mulching has long been suspected as a significant source of DEHP contamination in terrestrial ecosystems. However, effects of DEHP contamination on greenhouse gas emissions and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) remain unclear. Here, a microcosm experiment was set up to assess the impact of DEHP exposure on MBC and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission in two different soils (acidic and alkaline) with the inclusion of alfalfa straw. The treatment includes: (i) control with no amendment (T1); (ii) alfalfa straw addition (20 g kg-1) (T2); (iii) DEHP (10 mg kg-1) + alfalfa straw (T3); and (iv) DEHP (100 mg kg-1) + alfalfa straw (T4). Against the background of alfalfa inclusion, DEHP exposure led to a potential reduction in cumulative CO2 emissions by 16.35 % and 6.91 % in alkaline soil and 12.27 % and 13.65 % in acidic soil for T3 and T4, respectively. The addition of DEHP triggered CO2 emissions and manifested a detrimental negative priming effect in both soil types. In both soils, average CO2 emission fluxes were highest for the T2 treatment. The MBC fluctuated at around 80 mg kg-1 for the control group, alfalfa straw alone (T2) treatment considerably enhanced MBC contents, whereas DEHP contamination in T3 and T4 treatments suppressed the stimulatory effect of alfalfa on MBC in both alkaline and acidic soils. Furthermore, a positive relationship was observed between soil CO2 emissions and MBC in both soils. Overall, these findings highlight the toxic impact of DEHP on MBC and its role in mitigating CO2 emissions in diverse soils. DEHP exposure counters the CO2 emissions induced by alfalfa straw. In addition, the inhibitory effect of DEHP on CO2 fluxes in alkaline soil is less pronounced than in acidic soil. Therefore, further cutting-edge research is crucial since DEHP contamination poses serious ecological threats to agroecosystems.

Fault Diagnosis of a Multistage Centrifugal Pump Using Explanatory Ratio Linear Discriminant Analysis.

This study introduces an innovative approach for fault diagnosis of a multistage centrifugal pump (MCP) using explanatory ratio (ER) linear discriminant analysis (LDA). Initially, the method addresses the challenge of background noise and interference in vibration signals by identifying a fault-sensitive frequency band (FSFB). From the FSFB, raw hybrid statistical features are extracted in time, frequency, and time-frequency domains, forming a comprehensive feature pool. Recognizing that not all features adequately represent MCP conditions and can reduce classification accuracy, we propose a novel ER-LDA method. ER-LDA evaluates feature importance by calculating the explanatory ratio between interclass distance and intraclass scatteredness, facilitating the selection of discriminative features through LDA. This fusion of ER-based feature assessment and LDA yields the novel ER-LDA technique. The resulting selective feature set is then passed into a k-nearest neighbor (K-NN) algorithm for condition classification, distinguishing between normal, mechanical seal hole, mechanical seal scratch, and impeller defect states of the MCP. The proposed technique surpasses current cutting-edge techniques in fault classification.

Pipeline Leak Detection: A Comprehensive Deep Learning Model Using CWT Image Analysis and an Optimized DBN-GA-LSSVM Framework.

Detecting pipeline leaks is an essential factor in maintaining the integrity of fluid transport systems. This paper introduces an advanced deep learning framework that uses continuous wavelet transform (CWT) images for precise detection of such leaks. Transforming acoustic signals from pipelines under various conditions into CWT scalograms, followed by signal processing by non-local means and adaptive histogram equalization, results in new enhanced leak-induced scalograms (ELIS) that capture detailed energy fluctuations across time-frequency scales. The fundamental approach takes advantage of a deep belief network (DBN) fine-tuned with a genetic algorithm (GA) and unified with a least squares support vector machine (LSSVM) to improve feature extraction and classification accuracy. The DBN-GA framework precisely extracts informative features, while the LSSVM classifier precisely distinguishes between leaky and non-leak conditions. By concentrating solely on the advanced capabilities of ELIS processed through an optimized DBN-GA-LSSVM model, this research achieves high detection accuracy and reliability, making a significant contribution to pipeline monitoring and maintenance. This innovative approach to capturing complex signal patterns can be applied to real-time leak detection and critical infrastructure safety in several industrial applications.

Diuretic effects of Hecogenin and Hecogenin acetate via aldosterone synthase inhibition.

Hecogenin (HEC) is a steroidal saponin found in many plant species and serves as a precursor for steroidal drugs. The diuretic effects of HEC and its derivative, hecogenin acetate (HA), remain largely unexplored. The present study aimed to explore the potential diuretic effects of HEC and HA compared to furosemide (FUR) and spironolactone (SPIR). Additionally, the study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism particularly focusing on aldosterone synthase gene expression. Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into nine groups (Group 1-9). Group 1 (control) received the vehicle, Groups 2 received FUR 10 mg/kg, Group 3, 4, and 5 were given HEC, while Groups 6, 7 and 8 received HA i.p at doses of 5, 10, and 25 mg/kg, respectively. Group 9 received SPIR i.p at the dose of 25 mg/kg. Urine volume, diuretic index and diuretic activity were monitored at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 24 h post-administration. Treatment was given daily for seven days. After that, rats were sacrificed and blood was collected for serum electrolytes determination. Adrenal glands were dissected out for gene expression studies. The results revealed that HEC and HA at the administered doses significantly and dose-dependently increased urine and electrolyte excretion. These results were primarily observed at 25 mg/kg of each compound. Gene expression studies demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in aldosterone synthase gene expression, suggesting aldosterone synthesis inhibition as a potential mechanism for their diuretic activity. Notably, HA exhibited more pronounced diuretic effects surpassing those of HEC. This enhanced diuretic activity of HA can be attributed to its stronger impact on aldosterone synthase inhibition. These findings offer valuable insights into the diuretic effects of both HEC and HA along with their underlying molecular mechanisms.

Magnetically Induced Binary Ferrocene with Oxidized Iron.

Ferrocene is perhaps the most popular and well-studied organometallic molecule, but our understanding of its structure and electronic properties has not changed for more than 70 years. In particular, all previous attempts of chemically oxidizing pure ferrocene by binding directly to the iron center have been unsuccessful, and no significant change in structure or magnetism has been reported. Using a metal organic framework host material, we were able to fundamentally change the electronic and magnetic structure of ferrocene to take on a never-before observed physically stretched/bent high-spin Fe(II) state, which readily accepts O2 from air, chemically oxidizing the iron from Fe(II) to Fe(III). We also show that the binding of oxygen is reversible through temperature swing experiments. Our analysis is based on combining Mößbauer spectroscopy, extended X-ray absorption fine structure, in situ infrared, SQUID, thermal gravimetric analysis, and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy measurements with ab initio modeling.

Endoscopic Retrograde Appendicitis Therapy: Is it Really a Need of the Hour?

ABSTRACT: Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) has emerged as a promising, non-invasive treatment for acute uncomplicated appendicitis (AUA). ERAT involves cannulation, appendicography, appendiceal stone extraction, appendiceal lumen irrigation, and stent deployment. Recent randomized trials comparing ERAT to laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) have provided promising results in terms of safety and efficacy of ERAT. If the current trajectory of research and development is maintained, ERAT will likely become a strong contender for the standard of care for AUA. Standardized training and credentialing for ERAT, akin to procedures established for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, will be pivotal to global adoption of this modality.