Supramolecular metal-organic frameworks that display high homogeneous and heterogeneous photocatalytic activity for H2 production

Self-assembly has a unique presence when it comes to creating complicated, ordered supramolecular architectures from simple components under mild conditions. Here, we describe a self-assembly strategy for the generation of the first homogeneous supramolecular metal-organic framework (SMOF-1) in water at room temperature from a hexaarmed [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺-based precursor and cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]). The solution-phase periodicity of this cubic transition metal-cored supramolecular organic framework (MSOF) is confirmed by small-angle X-ray scattering and diffraction experiments, which, as supported by TEM imaging, is commensurate with the periodicity in the solid state. We further demonstrate that SMOF-1 adsorbs anionic Wells−Dawson-type polyoxometalates (WD-POMs) in a one-cage-one-guest manner to give WD-POM@SMOF-1 hybrid assemblies. Upon visible-light (500 nm) irradiation, such hybrids enable fast multi-electron injection from photosensitive [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ units to redox-active WD-POM units, leading to efficient hydrogen production in aqueous media and in organic media. The demonstrated strategy opens the door for the development of new classes of liquid-phase and solid-phase ordered porous materials.

Self-assembly is robust in creating advanced, homogeneous architectures under mild conditions. Here, the authors describe the generation of the first 3D metal-cored supramolecular organic framework using this strategy and illustrate its capacity in catalysing visible light-induced H₂ production.

The use of transcallosal-interforniceal approach for microsurgical removal of the third ventricle tumors

AIM

The third ventricle is located deep in the brain and is adjacent to important neurovascular structures. This makes tumor resection in this region difficult and causes more postoperative complications than surgeries in other regions of the brain. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility and clinical effects of transcallosal-interforniceal approach for microsurgical removal of the third ventricle tumors.

METHODS

After preoperative evaluation, 23 patients with the third ventricle tumors were microsurgically operated using the transcallosal-interforniceal approach.

RESULTS

Of these 23 patients, 12 (52.2%) underwent total excision, 9 (39.1%) had subtotal resection, and the remaining 2 (8.7%) underwent partial excision. After surgery, the following complications were observed: diabetes insipidus (11 patients), hemorrhages of the upper digestive tract (2 patients), central fever (1 patient), and memory impairment (1 patient). No mortality in the perioperative period was reported.

CONCLUSION

The surgical procedure using the transcallosal-interforniceal approach is direct and provides good surgical field exposure and fewer post operational compilations. This approach should be considered as the method of choice for surgical removal of the third ventricle tumors.

Multiple variants of TERT and CLPTM1L constitute risk factors for lung adenocarcinoma

Recent studies have shown that 5p15.33 is one of the chromosomal regions that is most consistently altered in lung cancer; common variants that are located in this region have been genotyped in various populations. However, the genetic contribution of these variants to carcinogenesis is relatively unknown. A clinic-based case-control study in Shanghai was undertaken on 196 patients with lung cancer and 229 healthy individuals. TERT rs2736100 and CLPTM1L rs401681 and rs402710 were genotyped using the ABI TaqMan Allelic Discrimination assay. For rs2736100, the G variant and the GG genotype were more frequent, whereas the TT genotype was less frequent in patients with lung adenocarcinoma than in controls. The CT genotype at rs401681 was more common and the TT genotype was rare in patients, and the differences were significant between lung adenocarcinoma patients and controls. This was also true for rs402710. Moreover, the frequency of the GGCTCT haplotype was higher and the TTTTTT frequency was lower in patients, especially those with lung adenocarcinoma. Aberrant linkage disequilibrium among the three SNPs was found in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. We conclude that multiple variants at 5p15.33 contribute to susceptibility to lung adenocarcinoma.

Finite Element Analysis of an Osseointegrated Stepped Screw Dental Implant

An osseointegrated stepped screw dental implant was evaluated using 2-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA). The implant was modeled in a cross section of the posterior human mandible digitized from a computed tomography (CT) generated patient data set. A 15-mm regular platform (RP) Branemark implant with equivalent length and neck diameter was used as a control. The study was performed under a number of clinically relevant parameters: loading at the top of the transmucosal abutment in vertical, horizontal, and 45° oblique 3 orientations. Elastic moduli of the mandible varied from a normal cortical bone level (13.4 GPa) to a trabecular bone level (1.37 GPa). The study indicated that an oblique load and elastic moduli of the cortical bone are important parameters to the implant design optimization. Compared with the cylindrical screw implant, the maximum von Mises stress of the stepped screw implant model was 17.9% lower in the trabecular bone-implant area. The study also showed that the stepped screw implant is suitable for the cortical bone modulus from 10 to 13.4 GPa, which is not necessarily as strict as the Branemark implant, for which a minimum 13.4 GPa cortical bone modulus is recommended.