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Metal–organic complexes (MOCs) derived porous carbon have attracted considerable attention due to easy functionalization with metal/metal oxides or other heteroatoms and hierarchical porosity. Herein, four g-C3N4/TiO2/CNOT photocatalyst structures were prepared via a reasonable design and control of the amount of MOC crystal materials. g-C3N4/TiO2/CNOT photocatalysts have a 3D porous structure, high surface area and heterojunction interface between g-C3N4 and TiO2, which together enhance the adsorption and photocatalytic performance. The 3D porous structure of g-C3N4/TiO2/CNOT supplied multidimensional adsorption-enrichment sites, and the heterojunction promoted the separation of the photogenerated electrons and holes. The g-C3N4/TiO2/CNOT-15 photocatalyst with the highest surface area reached up to 1644.1 m2 g−1. Heterojunctions promoted the separation and migration of the photogenerated electrons and holes. Benefiting from the above-mentioned excellent characteristics, g-C3N4/TiO2/CNOT exhibits efficient synergistic adsorption–photocatalysis performance for the removal of chlortetracycline hydrochloride (CTC-HCl). Apparently, g-C3N4/TiO2/CNOT-15 shows the highest CTC-HCl photocatalytic efficiency up to 97.8% after 60 min in the static system. In the dynamic system, the maximum CTC-HCl removal rate reached 35.5% and equilibrium removal rate was 19.9%. Free radical trapping experiments demonstrated that ˙O2− radical, ˙OH radical and holes serving as active species work together to promote photocatalytic reactions. This study provides a clear direction for the preparation of a 3D porous heterojunction for the efficient removal of antibiotics via synergy adsorption and photocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus has been a leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), with a heterogeneous distribution worldwide. Optimal healthcare planning requires an understanding of how the burden of CKD as a result of type 2 diabetes mellitus has changed over time and geographic location, as well as the potential roles of sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral factors in these changes. Materials and Methods: We used the Global Burden of Disease data from 1990 to 2017 at the global, regional and national levels to investigate changes in the incidence, death and disability‐adjusted life years of CKD as a result of type 2 diabetes mellitus, incorporating both epidemiological research and risk factor monitoring. Results: The incident cases of CKD as a result of type 2 diabetes mellitus worldwide in 2017 had increased by 74% compared with 1990; total disability‐adjusted life years had increased by 113%, mainly attributable to population expansion and demographic transition. The Sociodemographic Index was significantly and negatively correlated with overall CKD as a result of type 2 diabetes mellitus burden. However, in 82 countries and territories, the burden was not alleviated in parallel with socioeconomic development. Conclusions: CKD as a result of type 2 diabetes mellitus has been the main contributor to the increasing burden of CKD over the past several decades. We suggest a more pragmatic approach focusing on early diagnosis, primary care and adequate follow up to reduce mortality and the long‐term burden in low‐to‐middle Sociodemographic Index regions. Interventions should address high systolic blood pressure, as well as overweight and obesity problems, especially in high‐income regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the standard bidopants of hole transport layers (HTLs) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide lithium salt (Li‐TFSI) and 4‐tert‐butylpyridine not only induce adverse influence on the quality of thin films, but also seriously impair the long‐term stability of devices. Herein, a metal–organic framework‐derived 2D graphitic N‐rich porous carbon (NPC) is first introduced into the HTLs as an effective auxiliary additive. The introduction of NPC significantly reduces the aggregation of lithium salts and the formation of HTL defects, optimizing film quality for rapid hole extraction and migration. Furthermore, inherent porosity and hydrophobicity of NPCs are extremely beneficial to restrict the permeation of Li+ ions and anode metals, and prevent the moisture from eroding the HTLs and perovskite layers, enhancing the stability of PSCs. As expected, the PSCs with NPC realize a satisfactory fill factor of 0.76 and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.51%, apparently higher than that of pristine devices (0.70% and 16.47%). In addition, over 85% of the initial PCE for optimized PSCs is maintained after 720 h of exposure to air. Obviously, an innovative strategy for highly efficient and long‐term stable PSC devices is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most commonly diagnosed liver cancer, accounting for ~90% of all primary malignancy of the liver. Although various medical treatments have been used as systemic therapies, patient survival time may be extended by only a few months. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms of HCC development and progression remain poorly understood. In the present study, the single-cell transcriptome of one in vivo HCC tumor sample, two in vitro HCC cell lines and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analysed in order to identify the potential mechanism underlying the development and progression of HCC. Interestingly, JunB proto-oncogene was identified to serve a role in the immune response and in development and progression of HCC, potentially contributing to the development of novel therapeutics for HCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, two novel crystal materials pcp1 and pcp1‐L have been synthesized successfully. The different conformations of the two crystals are mainly attributed to the introduction of the Schiff‐base ligand L (L=(E)‐4‐methyl‐N‐((6‐methoxypyridin‐2‐yl)methylene)aniline). Subsequently, pcp1 and pcp1‐L composites have been firstly produced by a vacuum filtration method on various substrates (i.e. melamine foam, plastic mesh, carbon fiber cloth and glass cloth). The obtained robust composites show excellent performance in removing PMs owing to high ζ potential, microporous structure, large conjugation system and electron cloud‐exposed metal center (DFT calculations) of pcp1 and pcp1‐L. Particularly, pcp1‐L@glass cloth with low pressure drop exhibits high thermal stability and high long‐term reproducibility. Additionally, the high removal efficiency of pcp1‐L@glass cloth towards particulate matters could also be maintained, even achieving >99.9 % in the car exhaust gas field test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heteroatom-doped carbon materials have been proven to be very effective for gas adsorption. Herein, edge-carboxylated graphene nanoplatelets with gradient oxygen contents and consistent pore structures were used as model adsorbents to independently determine the effects of the oxygen functionalization of carbon materials on the SO2 adsorption. The OGnPs were obtained by employing a simple ball milling method using dry ice by which an oxygen content as high as 14.06 wt% could be achieved, resulting in a 20 times increase in SO2 adsorption capacity as compared to that of oxygen-free graphene nanoplatelets. Both the experiments and density functional theory calculations demonstrated that the enhanced SO2 adsorption on the oxygenated carbon surface had a physisorption nature, which provided new insights into the development of advanced carbon materials with heteroatom doping for gas molecule adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven Schiff base fluorescent sensors (L1−L7) with multiple-color aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties for detection of Hg2+ ions and pH integrating Boolean logic operations were reported. With appropriate ligand-to-metal coordination (L−HgCl2) and AIE characteristic, L−HgCl2 can aggregate into nanoparticles, followed by activation of strong emission, therefore, the "turn-on" assay for detection of Hg2+ can be established. Sensing mechanism was calculated through single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Job's Plot, Benesi−Hildebrand equation, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, and elemental mapping analysis. Density functional theory calculations revealed that L−HgCl2 can avoid one-electron transfer and retain bright luminescence compared with that of L. Different (highest unoccupied orbit) HOMO and (Lowest empty orbit) LUMO energy gaps enable the different electron transitions, resulting in the multiple-color fluorescence properties. Especially, L1−L7 exhibit pH-dependent fluorescent characteristics: different electron-donating ability of the substituent groups for L1−L7 show different titration jump of pH. Advanced level molecular logic gates have been constructed integrating the sensing of Hg2+ and pH. More importantly, the L-coated test paper applied in Hg2+ sensing makes tracing possible, which is convenient for confidential purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fabrication of luminescent materials with lanthanide cations encapsulated within MOF pores is currently of interest because luminescent materials are used in numerous applications. In this study, a distinctive strategy via postsynthetic modification (PSM) of a novel metal–organic framework [Cu(HCPOC)2]n (Cu1) (H2CPOC = 5-(4′-carboxyphenoxy)nicotinic acid) and terbium ions (Tb3+) for sensing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is reported. The obtained composite Tb3+@Cu1 emits a weak typical Tb3+ ion emission and strong ligand-centred emission. Interestingly, H2S, as a strong electron donor, can strongly enhance the luminescence of Tb3+ through its superior affinity for Cu2+ ions. The composite Tb3+@Cu1 was designed as a luminescent turn-on ratiometric probe for H2S detection, showing high sensitivity and selectivity. The detection limit of Tb3+@Cu1 (1.20 μM) is far below that of Cu1 (13.25 μM). Moreover, a similar ligand, 5-(4′-carboxyphenyl)nicotinic acid (H2CPC), was used to synthesize a fascinating structure, [Cu5(CPC)2(HCPC)2(OH−)4]n (Cu2), which was quite similar to that of the famous semiconductor MoS2, with the advantageous support of an organic linker between layers, and it showed a band gap of 2.45 eV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]