Search Results (36)

In this study, the in situ solvothermal synthesis of a copper-based metal–organic framework (Cu-BTC MOF) into two porous ceramic substrates with a 10 cm diameter and 2 cm thickness was reported. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Tauc plot analysis, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were the techniques that were utilized to verify the formation and incorporation of the MOF into ceramics (two samples, with different SiO₂ particles; 500 µm (Ceramic 1), and 150 µm (Ceramic 2)). The synthesized Cu-MOF exhibited a crystalline structure. Both the composites and the Cu-MOF exhibited visible-light absorption, with optical band gaps of 2.5 eV and 2.4 eV, respectively, as determined by DRS. TEM images demonstrated that crystalline MOF domains were successfully included inside the ceramics. Methyl orange (MO), Congo red (CR), and methylene blue (MB) were used to assess the composites’ ability to remove dyes. Catalytic hydrogenation, powered by in situ hydrogen production from NaBH₄ hydrolysis, demonstrated high removal efficiencies of 91–97% after 60 min. Adsorption, on the other hand, was ineffective. Despite undergoing four consecutive cycles without performance degradation, the materials demonstrated remarkable recyclability. Cu-MOF@ceramic composites are effective, durable, and practically applicable for improved wastewater treatment. Full article

The widespread use of antibiotics has taken a heavy toll on the environment, which cannot be ignored. Tetracycline antibiotics (TCs), as representative pharmaceutical contaminants, have emerged as a growing environmental concern due to their persistence and potential ecological risks. This study utilized 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (BTC) as a functionalizing reagent to synthesize magnetic nanoparticles NiFe₂O₄-COOH. These were then combined with Zr-MOF to create the magnetic adsorbent designated as NCF@Zr-MOF (where NCF represents carboxyl-functionalized nickel ferrite). Magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) technology was employed to remove two representative tetracycline antibiotics, tetracycline (TC) and chlortetracycline (CTC) from the environment. The Langmuir model fitting revealed maximum adsorption reached 190.85 and 196.32 mg/g for TC and CTC, respectively, both of which conformed to the pseudo-second-order model during the adsorption process with spontaneous, heat-absorbing and entropy-increasing properties. Furthermore, following five cycles of adsorption and desorption, the removal rate for TCs was found to have decreased by 30%, yet the removal of CTCs remained at 95.32%. This adsorbent enables rapid separation via an external magnetic field. With its excellent stability and reusability, NCF@Zr-MOF shows great potential for removing antibiotics from water. Full article

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer high porosity for water remediation but face challenges in handling as powders. We address these limitations by physically immobilizing Fe–BTC MOF within calcium-crosslinked low-methoxyl pectin matrices (PE–Ca–MOF). Solvent-cast films and freeze-dried foams were fabricated using water-based and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-assisted Fe–BTC dispersions, preserving MOF and pectin structures confirmed by FT–IR. PVP improved Fe–BTC dispersion and reduced particle size, enhancing distribution and plasticizing the matrix proved by DSC. Incorporation of water-dispersed Fe–BTC increased the equilibrium adsorption capacity but reduced the initial adsorption rate, while the PVP-assisted foam further enhanced uptake in comparative batch tests through its more open porous structure. At pH 7, PE–Ca–5%MOF films showed high adsorption capacities and removal efficiencies for paraquat (35.5 mg/g, 70.6%) and tetracycline (14.5 mg/g, 46.8%), while maintaining Zn²⁺ uptake compared to calcium-pectin films without MOF. Adsorption followed pseudo-first-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherms. Green regeneration with acetic acid enabled >80% capacity retention over five adsorption–desorption cycles. Foam architectures increased porosity and active-site accessibility (SEM), improving performance even at lower MOF loadings. Overall, controlling MOF dispersion and composite morphology enables efficient, reusable, and environmentally friendly bio-based adsorbents for water purification. Full article

Background: Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have demonstrated efficacy in tumors with homologous recombination repair (HRR) deficiency. However, actionable BRCA1/2 mutations are rare in BTC. Epigenetic modulation via DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibition is a proposed strategy for inducing an HR-deficient (“BRCAness”) phenotype and thereby enhancing therapeutic response to PARP inhibitors. This study aimed to determine whether the DNMT inhibitor azacitidine (AZA) enhances the antitumor effects of the PARP inhibitor niraparib (NIR) and to identify molecular mechanisms underlying this interaction. Methods: Two BTC cell lines, TFK-1 and RBE, were treated with AZA and/or NIR or subjected to siRNA-mediated DNMT1, DNMT3A, or DNMT3B knockdown. Functional analyses included homologous recombination (HR) assays, flow cytometric evaluation of cell-cycle distribution and apoptosis, proliferation and survival assays, and IC₅₀ determination. Whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes after AZA treatment or DNMT3B knockdown, followed by validation via qPCR and Western blotting. To explore epigenetic regulation, whole-genome bisulfite sequencing was performed on TFK-1 cells following DNMT3B knockdown. Results: AZA treatment decreased HR frequency in a dose-dependent manner and enhanced the sensitivity of BTC cells to NIR, as evidenced by increased apoptosis, suppressed proliferation, and reduced IC₅₀ values. DNMT3B knockdown recapitulated these effects, establishing a causal relationship between DNMT3B suppression and disrupted HR repair. RNA sequencing identified opioid growth factor receptor (OGFR) as a commonly upregulated gene after DNMT3B knockdown. Functional validation showed that OGFR overexpression reduced HR activity, increased apoptosis, and enhanced NIR sensitivity. Contrarily, OGFR knockdown conferred relative resistance. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing showed no significant CpG methylation changes at the OGFR promoter region, indicating that OGFR induction is mediated through DNMT3B-dependent transcriptional regulation rather than direct promoter demethylation. Conclusions: DNMT3B inhibition sensitizes BTC cells to PARP inhibitors by disrupting HR repair. OGFR was identified as a novel regulator of HR and PARP inhibitor sensitivity, controlled via noncanonical DNMT3B-dependent transcriptional mechanisms that operate independently of CpG methylation. These findings provide new mechanistic insights into the epigenetic control of DNA repair and support the rationale for combining DNMT and PARP inhibitors as a promising therapeutic strategy for BTC beyond genetically HR-deficient cases. Full article

Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) has been implicated in multiple biological processes during pregnancy in ruminants. However, the regulatory effects of PGE₂ on endometrial function during the diestrus period and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Herein, PGE₂ treatment promoted the accumulation of lipid droplets and induced cytoskeletal reorganization in bEECs. As a well-established inducer of lipid droplet formation, oleic acid (OA) treatment significantly increased the number of lipid droplets in bEECs, altered the distribution of F-actin and disrupted the expression patterns of key adhesion-related proteins. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the PPAR signaling pathway was the key pathway that responded to PGE₂ treatment in bEECs, and its downstream target gene FABP3 was markedly up-regulated. Knockdown of FABP3 led to a reduced number of BTC spheroids and down-regulation of adhesion-related proteins in bEECs while increasing the density of microvilli and up-regulating the expression of epithelial markers. Prostaglandin E receptor 4 (PTGER4) was the primary receptor that responded to PGE₂ treatment, and PTGER4 knockdown or pharmacological inhibition with GW-627368 suppressed FABP3 expression in bEECs. Moreover, uterine samples from dairy cows at different stages of the estrous cycle showed that FABP3 expression was significantly elevated in the endometrium tissue during mid-diestrus compared to metestrus, with predominant localization in the luminal and superficial glandular epithelium. Collectively, these findings indicate that FABP3 regulates lipid droplet accumulation and adhesion ability in bEECs via the PGE₂/PTGER4/PPAR signaling axis, providing new insights into the metabolic regulation of endometrial receptivity in ruminants. Full article

Background: The role of normal tissues adjacent to tumors (NATs) in biliary tract cancer (BTC) remains unclear, despite their potential contributions to field cancerization. Methods: Targeted genomic profiling of tumor tissues, patient-matched NATs, and peripheral blood leukocytes from 13 patients with BTCs was performed. Clinicopathological data, including inflammatory conditions and precursor lesions (biliary intraepithelial neoplasia [BilIN] and intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct), were integrated with genomic findings. Results: Tumor tissues exhibited recurrent alterations in genes regulating DNA damage response, cell cycle control, and oncogenic signaling. Importantly, rather than being genetically silent, NATs harbor early somatic variants distinct from those in both tumor and germline DNA. These alterations were not directly associated with cancer-related pathways, but rather with extracellular matrix-receptor interactions, suggesting that NATs may represent an intermediate step in carcinogenesis. All patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma presented with BilIN in adjacent tissues, providing histological evidence of field cancerization linked to chronic inflammation. Conclusions: This systematic comparison of tumors, NATs, and germline DNAs in BTCs revealed that NATs contain biologically relevant somatic mutations. The concordance between the inflammatory background, precursor lesions, and genomic alterations supports a multistep carcinogenic model and highlights opportunities for early BTC detection and risk stratification. Full article

Basolite^® F300 and synthetic nano-{Fe-BTC} MOFs, two iron-trimesate MOFs, have been investigated, demonstrating broad pH range adsorption for monomethylarsenate (MMA), cacodylic acid (DMAA), 4-aminophenylarsonate (ASA), and arsenate, while arsenite adsorption was notable at pH > 9.5. A similar uptake trend was found for both MOFs, with Basolite^® F300 being the more effective given its higher porosity and greater surface area. Pseudo-second-order kinetic models were followed by MMA, DMAA, ASA, and As(V), suggesting a chemisorption mechanism with arsenic species diffusion into MOF pores as the controlling step. Equilibrium data for DMAA and ASA fit the Langmuir model whereas MMA adsorption fits the Redlich–Peterson model. The uptake of MMA, DMAA, and ASA by both Fe-MOFs is mainly attributed to their coordination with Fe(III). Aromatic units in ASA enhance adsorption through П-П stacking interactions. The competition between all arsenic species for the sorption sites of the Fe-MOFs led to an uptake decrease of 10% for MMA and ASA and higher than 30% for DMAA and As(V) with respect to the individual uptakes. The Fe-MOFs can be reused for four cycles by washing with acidic methanol. Basolite^® F300 and synthetic nano-{Fe-BTC} effectively removed organic and inorganic arsenic species, exhibiting rapid adsorption, selective uptake, stability, and easy regeneration. Full article

A novel Ag(I) coordination polymer, [Ag₂(bipy)(btca)]_n, (SCP 1) was synthesized using 4,4′-bipyridyl (bipy) and 1,2,4,5-benzene-tetracarboxylic acid (H₄BTC). Characterization by FT-IR, ¹H/¹³C NMR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirmed its 3D network structure. The structure of SCP 1 consists of two chains arranged in …ABAB… fashion. Chain A is one-dimensional, containing [Ag(4,4′-bipy)]_n chain, while chain B is free, containing uncoordinated 1,2,4,5-benzene tetracarboxylate and water molecules. The stacking and argentophilic interactions extend the chain A of [Ag(4,4′-bipy)]_n into a two-dimensional layer. In contrast, chain B of uncoordinated 1,2,4,5-benzene tetracarboxylate and water molecules form a 1-D chain through extensive hydrogen bonds between water molecules and BTC ions and between water molecules themselves. Chains A and B are connected through extensive hydrogen bonds, generating a three-dimensional network structure. This Silver I supramolecular coordination polymer (SCP 1) demonstrated high catalytic activity as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles via [3+2] cycloaddition of NaN₃ and terminal nitriles under solvent-free conditions in a Q-tube pressure reactor (yields: 94–99%). A mechanistic proposal involving cooperative Lewis acidic Ag(I) sites and Brønsted acidic -COOH groups facilitates the cycloaddition and protonation steps. SCP 1 catalyst exhibits reusability up to 4 cycles without significant loss of activity. The structural stability of the SCP 1 catalyst was assessed based on PXRD and FTIR analyses of the catalyst after usage, confirming its integrity during the recycling process. Full article

Background/Objectives: Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) refer to an invasive group of malignancies consisting of gallbladder cancer, ampullary cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). BTCs are often diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to poor prognoses. While cisplatin-based chemotherapy remains the standard first-line treatment, carboplatin/gemcitabine serves as an alternative, particularly for patients with contraindications to cisplatin. This retrospective study evaluates the real-world efficacy and safety of carboplatin/gemcitabine in patients with advanced BTC who were ineligible for cisplatin-based treatment at a single UK centre. Methods: Data from 66 patients treated between March 2018 and July 2023 were analysed for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and toxicities. Results: The median OS was 8.97 months (95% CI: 6.78–11.16), and the median PFS was 5.88 months (95% CI: 4.78–6.98). Tumour control rate was achieved in 70% of cases. Patients receiving fewer than four chemotherapy cycles or presenting with poor baseline markers exhibited significantly worse survival outcomes (p < 0.05). Haematological toxicities were common, including thrombocytopenia (63.7%), neutropenia (48.5%), and anaemia (50.0%). Conclusions: While carboplatin/gemcitabine is a viable treatment for advanced BTC, larger trials are necessary to confirm its efficacy. Full article

Coal-fired power plants, as the largest source of human-made mercury emissions, often lack specialized mercury emission control devices. Therefore, developing cost-effective adsorbents and studying their regeneration properties are highly important for mercury removal from flue gas. In this study, the regeneration efficiency and stability of a composite material made from polymetallic Fe/Cu-doped modified biochar combined with the MOF material Cu-BTC were investigated. Based on the analysis of microscopic characteristics, the molecular structure of the regenerated composites was modeled, and the adsorption and regeneration process of Hg⁰ on their surface was simulated using density functional theory. This helped uncover the underlying mechanisms of mercury removal and regeneration. The results indicate that the optimal regeneration temperature and atmosphere were 350 °C and 5% O₂, resulting in the formation of a derived carbon material. The regeneration efficiency reached 92% of that of the original mercury adsorption capacity, and over 80% efficiency was maintained after 10 regeneration cycles. The regenerated samples adsorbed Hg⁰ through the combined action of surface metal oxides, the metal element Cu, and oxygen-containing functional groups. Full article

In this study, we couple precise interface engineering via alternating current electrophoretic deposition (AC–EPD) with performance-enhancing structural transformation via annealing, enabling the development of high-performance, stable, and tunable Mn-based cathodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs). Using AC–EPD to fabricate Mn(BTC) (BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) cathodes followed by thermal annealing to synthesize MOF-derived Mn₃O₄ offers a synergistic approach that addresses several key challenges in aqueous ZIB systems. The Mn₃O₄ cathode prepared via AC–EPD from Mn(BTC) exhibited a remarkable specific capacity of up to 430 mAh/g at a current density of 200 mA/g. Interestingly, the capacity continued to increase progressively with cycling, suggesting dynamic structural or interfacial changes that improved Zn²⁺ transport and utilization over time. Such capacity enhancement behavior during prolonged cycling at elevated rates has not been observed in previously reported Mn₃O₄-based ZIB systems. Kinetic analysis further revealed that the charge storage process is predominantly governed by diffusion-controlled mechanisms. This behavior can be attributed to the intrinsic characteristics of the Mn₃O₄ phase formed from the MOF precursor, where the bulk redox reactions involving Zn²⁺ insertion require ion migration into the electrode interior. Even though the electrode was processed as an ultrathin film with enhanced electrolyte contact, the charge storage remains limited by solid-state ion diffusion rather than fast surface-driven reactions, reinforcing the diffusion-dominant nature of the system. Full article

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overactive in many tumors. This phase I trial evaluated the safety and preliminary efficacy of afatinib plus capecitabine in refractory pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), biliary tract cancers (BTC), and other solid tumors. Patients and Methods: The phase Ia study had a 3 + 3 design with capecitabine 1000 mg/m² twice daily on days 1–14 and afatinib 20 mg, 30 mg, or 40 mg daily in 21-day cycles. In phase Ib, 15 patients, each with PDA and BTC, were treated at maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Results: A total of 41 patients were enrolled. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed, and the MTD was 40 mg afatinib plus capecitabine. Among 36 response-evaluable patients, one had a partial response (3%), and eight (22%) had stable disease. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 1.9 months (95% CI 1.0, 2.0) for PDA and 1.9 months (95% CI 1.6, 3.4) for BTC. Median overall survival (OS) was 3.2 months (95% CI 2.0, 5.8) for PDA, and 4.6 months (95% CI 1.9, 6.1) for BTC. Median OS was 5.8 months (95% CI 2.0, 9.6) for KRAS^WT PDA, and 5.0 months (95% CI 1.6, 6.1) for KRAS^WT BTC, vs. 3.9 months (95% CI 1.9, 5.8) for KRAS^MUT PDA and 3.1 months (95% CI 1.0, 22.8) for KRAS^MUT BTC, respectively. Conclusions: Afatinib plus capecitabine is tolerable but does not have clinically meaningful efficacy in refractory PDA/BTC. Future studies should test novel anti-EGFR/HER2 therapies in KRAS^WT cancers further selected with a comprehensive molecular profile. Full article

Background: Historically, the standard of care for advanced biliary tract cancers (aBTCs) was gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GemCis). Immunotherapy plus GemCis is now recommended as a first-line treatment for aBTCs. Whether patients can tolerate eight cycles of GemCis in clinical practice, as per the Advanced Biliary Cancer (ABC)-02 study, remains to be assessed. We performed a retrospective observational cohort study to assess real-world treatment patterns and overall survival (OS) in patients with de novo or recurrent aBTCs treated with first-line gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in the United States. Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study used Optum’s de-identified Market Clarity Data (Market Clarity). Adults diagnosed with de novo or recurrent aBTCs in the United States who began first-line gemcitabine-based chemotherapy from January 2016–March 2022 were identified and followed from index until death, the end of continuous enrolment, or the end of study period. Treatment patterns and OS were assessed. Results: Overall, 559 patients were included (de novo, n = 462; recurrent, n = 97). GemCis was the most common first-line therapy received (de novo: 73.8%; recurrent: 57.7%). Most patients received approximately five cycles of GemCis; median (95% CI) time to discontinuation was 4.6 (4.3–5.1) months. Most patients died over the follow-up period (de novo: 70.3%; recurrent: 62.9%). Median OS (95% CI) was 14.2 (12.1–16.1) months (de novo) and 18.5 (15.6–26.9) months (recurrent). Conclusions: GemCis was the most common first-line therapy received during the study period; most patients were unable to receive eight cycles of GemCis. Survival was limited over the follow-up period, highlighting the need for new treatments for aBTCs. Future studies are warranted to understand the real-world impact of first-line immunotherapy plus GemCis for patients with aBTCs. Full article

To address large volumetric expansion and low conductivity of bismuth-based anodes, an ion-replacement technique is proposed to prepare Bi/C composites, using 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylicacid (H₃BTC) based metal–organic framework as precursors. The characterizations reveal that the Bi/C composite derived from Cu-H₃BTC is a sheet structure with the size of 150 nm, and Bi nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed in carbon sheets. When assessed as anode material for sodium ion batteries (SIBs), a sheet-like Bi/C anode exhibits superior sodium storage performance. It delivers a reversible capacity of 254.6 mAh g⁻¹ at 1.0 A g⁻¹ after 100 cycles, and the capacity retention is high at 91%. Even at 2.0 A g⁻¹, the reversible capacity still reaches 242.8 mAh g⁻¹. The efficient sodium storage performance benefits from the uniform dispersion of Bi nanoparticles in the carbon matrix, which not only provides abundant active sites but also alleviates the volume expansion. Meanwhile, porous carbon sheets can increase the electrical conductivity and accelerate the electrochemical reaction kinetics. Full article

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) are known to affect many ovarian cell functions. CuNPs, prepared using a chemical reduction method, were fully characterized by different means (TEM, DLS, XRD, Z potential, XPS, and AES). The resulting colloidal suspension contained needle-like CuNPs aggregates made of a core of metallic copper and an oxidized surface of Cu₂O and CuO. The separate and coupled effects of CuNPs and the growth factor betacellulin (BTC) were analyzed on the control of some basic functions of ovarian cells. With this purpose, porcine ovarian granulosa cells, together with CuNPs, BTC, and both (CuNPs + BTC), were cultured. Viability and BrDU tests, quantitative immunocytochemistry, TUNEL, and ELISA were used to evaluate markers of the S-phase (PCNA) and G-phase (cyclin B1) of the cell cycle, cell proliferation (BrDU incorporation), cytoplasmic/mitochondrial apoptosis (bax) and extrinsic (nuclear DNA fragmentation) markers, and the release of estradiol and progesterone. CuNPs were accumulated within the cells and were found to reduce all the markers of proliferation, but promoted all the markers of apoptosis and the release of steroid hormones. When added alone, BTC raised the expression of all cell viability and proliferation markers, depleted the expression of all apoptosis markers, and stimulated the release of both estradiol and progesterone. Furthermore, BTC prevented and even reversed the effect of CuNPs on all the measured parameters, whereas CuNPs mitigated BTC’s effect on all the analyzed cell functions. These results support a direct toxic effect of CuNPs and a stimulatory effect of BTC on ovarian cell functions, as well as the capability of BTC to protect against the adverse effects of CuNPs. Full article