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Metallothionein-3 (MT-3), or neuronal growth inhibitory factor, which exhibits growth inhibitory activity, is a brain-specific metallothionein. In this study, the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on metal release (using Cd2+ as a probe) from MT-3 was examined by 113Cd and 2D [1H-15N] heteronuclear single-quantum coherence NMR spectroscopy. The exposure of human MT-3 to NO leads to a nonselective release of the three metals from the beta-domain. In contrast to metallothionein-1 and metallothionein-2, two of the bound metals in the alpha-domain were also partially released, with the domain structure remaining almost unchanged. Further addition of NO resulted in the complete release of metals and concomitant unfolding of the protein. The preference of release of the two metals in the alpha-domain was attributed to the presence of two slightly different coordination environments for the four cadmium/zinc atoms.

Background: Using self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) and decompression tubes (DT) as a bridge-to-surgery (BTS) treatment may avoid emergency operations for patients with colorectal cancer-caused obstructions. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the two approaches. Methods: We systematically retrieved literature from January 1, 2000, to May 30, 2023, from the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, SinoMed, Wanfang Data, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or cohort studies of SEMS versus DT as BTS in colorectal cancer obstruction were selected. Risks of bias were assessed for RCTs and cohort studies using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool version 2 and Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies of Interventions. Certainty of evidence was determined using the Graded Recommendation Assessment. Odds ratio (OR), mean difference (MD), and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used to analyze measurement data. Results: We included eight RCTs and eighteen cohort studies involving 2,061 patients (SEMS, 1,044; DT, 1,017). Pooled RCT and cohort data indicated the SEMS group had a significantly higher clinical success rate than the DT group (OR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.04, 3.81, P = 0.04), but no significant difference regarding technical success (OR = 1.29, 95% CI 0.56, 2.96, P = 0.55). SEMS had a shorter postoperative length of hospital stays (MD = − 4.47, 95% CI − 6.26, − 2.69, P < 0.00001), a lower rates of operation-related abdominal pain (OR = 0.16, 95% CI 0.05, 0.50, P = 0.002), intraoperative bleeding (MD = − 37.67, 95% CI − 62.73, − 12.60, P = 0.003), stoma creation (OR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.23, 0.73, P = 0.002) and long-term tumor recurrence rate than DT (OR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.22, 0.99, P = 0.05). Conclusion: SEMS and DT are both safe as BTS to avoid emergency surgery for patients with colorectal cancer obstruction. SEMS is preferable because of higher clinical success rates, lower rates of operation-related abdominal pain, intraoperative bleeding, stoma creation, and long-term tumor recurrence, as well as a shorter postoperative length of hospital stays. Trial registrationCRD42022365951. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, great efforts have been spent on addressing concerns over energy and environmental crises. Among these efforts, electrocatalysis is widely recognized and studied for its high efficiency and easy processability. As a class of emerging electrocatalysts, metal aerogels (MAs) stand out in the last decade. In virtue of their three-dimensional conductive pathways, their library of catalytically/optically active sites, and their robust network structures, MAs have unique advantages in electrocatalysis. However, due to the short history of MAs, there is insufficient research on them, leaving significant room for material design and performance optimization. This perspective will mainly focus on electrocatalysis with MAs, aiming to summarize the state-of-the-art progress and to guide the on-target design of efficient MAs-based electrocatalysts towards energy- and environment-related applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two metal coordination polymers, namely {[Co(MIBA)2]·2H2O}n (SNUT-3) and {[Cu(MIBA)2]·2H2O}n (SNUT-4), where HMIBA = 4-(1H-2-methylimidazol-1-yl)benzoic acid, were prepared by hydrothermal methods. Single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed that the structure of SNUT-3 exhibits a 3D→3D fourfold interpenetrating structure with diamondoid frameworks, while SNUT-4 shows a 2D + 2D → 3D inclined polycatenation structure. The gas adsorption property of SNUT-3 and photocatalytic activity of SNUT-4 for the degradation of Rhodamine B has been explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eco-friendly disposal of post-harvest and metal-enriched hyperaccumulator biomass is critical for the industrialization of phytoremediation. The addition of Al/Si-based materials, such as sludge and natural mineral additives, is intended to solve the issue of HM metal stabilization in the oxygen-enriched combustion of hyperaccumulator and slow down ash sintering. This study aimed to quantify and reveal the effects of 10% kaolin or modified kaolin on the oxygen-enriched (co-)combustions of Sedum alfredii Hance (SAH) and textile dyeing sludge (TDS) and their combustion kinetics, metal enrichment rates, and immobilization/stabilization mechanisms. The activation energies for the (co-)combustions of SAH and SAH mixed with 10% additives (ST31) were estimated at 75.84–260.97 kJ/mol and 65.58–327.59 kJ/mol, respectively. The (co-)combustion mechanism model was complex, including phase boundary, diffusion, and chemical reaction order. The co-combustion of SAH with 10% modified kaolin increased Cd and Zn immobilization by approximately 66.6% and 3.2%, respectively, compared with the theoretical data at 550 °C. The co-combustion of ST31 with 10% modified kaolin increased Cd immobilization by approximately 160.9% compared with the theoretical data at 750 °C. Obtained via thermal-acid modified treatment, modified kaolin increased the immobilization efficiencies of Zn and Cd through aluminosilicate reactions to form the stable structures (Ca–Zn–Si, Ca–Zn–Al, K–Zn–Si, Zn–Al, Zn–Si, Cd–Al, and Cd–Si) as well as physical absorption. According to the combination of the experimental, multi-objective optimization, and simulation results, SAH mixed 10% modified kaolin at 550 °C and ST31 mixed with 10% modified kaolin at 750 °C were the ideal co-combustion environment. This study can provide new insights into how to best reduce the environmental risks of the hyperaccumulator disposals through the oxygen-enriched combustion technology. [Display omitted] • Oxy-fuel combustion kinetics of hyperaccumulator with Al/Si derivatives were revealed. • Al/Si derivatives retained Zn/Cd as Ca–Zn–Si/Al, K–Zn–Si, Zn–Al/Si, and Cd–Al/Si. • Kaolin enhanced metal stabilization in ash by modifying physicochemical structures. • Experimental, characterization, and simulation results were consistent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract To minimize the structure distortion and potential de-bonding in adhesive bonding of dissimilar materials (e.g., metals and polymeric composites), a two-component (2 K) low temperature cure modified adhesive consisting of 93.5 wt% commercial Henkel 5089 adhesive, 2.5 wt% N-(2-Hydroxyethyl) ethylenediamine (AEEA) and 4.0 wt% 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (2,4-EMI) was formulated. Experimental results showed that the use of the modified adhesive lowered the curing temperature from recommended 177 °C (for 20 min) for Henkel 5089 to 100 °C (for 20 min) or 120 °C (for 10 min) for AA6061-AA6061 joint, and 120 °C (for 20 min) or 130 °C (for 10 min) for AA6061-C f /PA6 (Nylon 6) and C f /PA6-C f /PA6 joints, respectively, due to the faster curing reaction caused by the combined addition of AEEA and 2,4-EMI. It took 5, 3, and 2 days to cure the adhesive-bonded AA6061-AA6061, AA6061-C f /PA6, and C f /PA6-C f /PA6 joints made with the modified adhesive and cured at ambient temperature, respectively. In addition, the modified adhesive had sound working life (5 h) at ambient temperature. The static strengths of all adhesive-bonded AA6061-AA6061, AA6061-C f /PA6, and C f /PA6-C f /PA6 joints with the modified adhesive were hardly affected by thermal exposure cycle (i.e., exposure to 82 °C for 30 min). These results indicated that the modified adhesive possesses the promising characteristics for joining of similar and dissimilar materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the four complexes were constructed by the same 4-(1 H -2-methyli midazol-1-yl)benzoic acid ligand, their structures are quite different. They exhibit fascinating 0D, 1D, 2D+2D→ 3D, and 3D → 3D structures, respectively. • Four new metal(II) ions complexes were synthesized. • X-ray crystal structure determination. • The fluorescent properties and molecular simulation of the complex 4 was investigated. By modulating the synthetic strategy based on changing metal salt used in the synthesis, four new metal(II) complexes, [Cu(MIBA) 2 (H 2 O) 3 ]·2H 2 O (C 22 H 28 CuN 4 O 9) (1), [Ni 2 (MIBA) 4 (H 2 O) 6 ] n (C 44 H 48 Ni 2 N 8 O 14) (2), [Co(MIBA) 2 ] n (C 22 H 18 CoN 4 O 4) (3) and [Zn(MIBA) 2 ] n (C 22 H 18 ZnN 4 O 4) (4) constructed by 4-(1H-2-methylimidazol-1-yl)benzoic acid (HMIBA) were synthesized under hydrothermal/solvothermal conditions and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, powder XRD, FT-IR, TGA and elemental analysis techniques. Although the four complexes were constructed by the same semi-rigid imidazolium carboxylate ligand, their structures are quite different. The structural analyses revealed that complex 1 is a discrete mononuclear unit, which are extended to form 3 D supramolecular architectures by hydrogen bonds. Complex 2 features a 1D antenna-like chain, complex 3 exhibit a 2D + 2D → 3D structure, and complex 4 exhibits a 3D → 3D fourfold interpenetrating framework. Furthermore, the fluorescent properties and molecular simulation of the complex 4 was also investigated in the solid state at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]