On-Chip Template-Directed Conversion of Metal Hydroxides to Metal-Organic Framework Films with Enhanced Adhesion

Interfacial compatibility between metal-organic framework (MOF) films and the underlying substrates determines the integrity of MOF films and their associated functions, and thus it has been gaining growing attention. Herein, we present a comparison of adhesion properties at the chip level of two disparate nickel (Ni)-MOF films, respectively, obtained by direct hydro/solvothermal growth and template-directed conversion approaches. We demonstrate that the on-chip delamination/corrugation of the films obtained by the direct growth approach can be circumvented by adopting the template-directed approach, which enables delicate dissolution of primarily grown nanoflaked nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)₂) films and thus triggers the controllable formation of Ni-MOF films. Successful on-chip conversions of Ni(OH)₂ layers to different Ni-MOF thin films with good homogeneity, compactness, and appreciable affinity to the substrates are verified by multiple microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Notably, the resultant Ni-MOF films do not show delamination even after activation with additional treatments, such as solvent soaking, nitrogen (N₂) blowing for 1 h, and scotch-tape tests. As a demonstration of the application of MOF films, a Ni-NDC (NDC stands for 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate) MOF-coated sensor exhibits selective detection toward benzene vapor. This study highlights the importance of interfaces between MOF films and substrates and provides new perspectives for integrating MOF films onto microelectronic devices with robust adhesion for practical applications.

An Integrated Chemiluminescence Microreactor for Ultrastrong and Long-Lasting Light Emission

A porous metal-organic framework [Ba(H2 LLOMe 2- )·DMF·H2O]·2DMF (UPC-2) (H4 LLOMe = 4',4'''-(2,3,6,7-tetramethoxyanthracene-9,10-diyl)bis([1,1'-biphenyl]-3,5-dicarbo-xylic acid N,N-Dimethylformamide [DMF]), which can act as an excellent chemiluminescence microreactor, is designed and constructed. In the framework of UPC-2, the catalytic Ba cluster and electron-rich anthracene fluorescent centers are fixed and interconnected in an orderly fashion, and this can shorten the energy transfer path and weaken the relaxation of the chemiluminescence process. Meanwhile, the rhombic channels of UPC-2 can provide a proper diffusion ratio of reactants to support a stable and continuous energy supply. The UPC-2 chemiluminescence microreactor exhibits an ultrastrong and long-lasting light emission, which possesses potential application in emergency lights and biological mapping. The concept of the chemiluminescence microreactor and its construction using a metal-organic framework as a platform will promote further research in the design and fabrication of functional MOFs for chemiluminescence applications.

A Phototheranostic Strategy to Continuously Deliver Singlet Oxygen in the Dark and Hypoxic Tumor Microenvironment

Continuous irradiation during photodynamic therapy (PDT) inevitably induces tumor hypoxia, thereby weakening the PDT effect. In PDT-induced hypoxia, providing singlet oxygen from stored chemical energy may enhance the cell-killing effect and boost the therapeutic effect. Herein, we present a phototheranostic (DPPTPE@PEG-Py NPs) prepared by using a 2-pyridone-based diblock polymer (PEG-Py) to encapsulate a semiconducting, heavy-atom-free pyrrolopyrrolidone-tetraphenylethylene (DPPTPE) with high singlet-oxygen-generation ability both in dichloromethane and water. The PEG-Py can trap the 1 O2 generated from DPPTPE under laser irradiation and form a stable intermediate of endoperoxide, which can then release 1 O2 in the dark, hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, fluorescence-imaging-guided phototherapy demonstrates that this phototheranostic could completely inhibit tumor growth with the help of laser irradiation.

FRI0593 CORRELATION BETWEEN DISEASE ACTIVITY AND MENTAL HEALTH OF AS PATIENTS: A CROSS-SECTION STUDY WITH SELF-ASSESSMENTS BASED ON SMART SYSTEM OF DISEASE MANAGEMENT (SSDM) MOBILE TOOLS

Background:

WHO survey showed that the prevalence of anxiety and depression in Chinese population and Chinese patients with chronic diseases were between 3.1% - 4.2% and 3.1% - 7.3%, respectively. Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) are commonly used to evaluate AS patients’ disease activity and mental health. All those assessments were mainly performed by health professionals (HCPs) with paper questionnaire previously. SSDM is a novel smart disease management tool that allows patients to do self-assessments on ASDAS and HADS by mobile terminals.

Objectives:

To estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in Chinese patients with AS and to analyze the potential association between disease activity and mental health.

Methods:

Under the guidance and training by HCPs, AS patients downloaded SSDM and performed self-assessments bundle of ASDAS and HADS with SSDM. ASDAS<=1.3, 1.3-2.1, 2.1-3.5 and >3.5 are defined as inactive (IDA), moderate (MDA), high (HDA) and very high (VHDA) disease activity, respectively. ASDAS score <=1.3 represents inactive disease status and achievement of T2T. HADS score >=8 can be diagnosed with anxiety or depression.

Results:

From June 2016 to Jan 2020, 1,931 AS patients (1,118 male, 813 female) with a mean age of 34.09 ± 11.86 (12-82) years and the median disease duration of 2.61 years from 207 hospitals performed bundle self-assessments for 2,477 times in total. According to the HADS and ASDAS assessment results, the prevalence of anxiety and depression in all patients was 36.7% and 39.3% respectively, which was significantly higher than that in the WHO survey in Chinese population and chronic disease patients. The proportion of patients achieved and failed on T2T was 29% and 71%, respectively. The prevalence of anxiety (A) and depression (D) was 25% and 23% among T2T achievers; and 37% and 32% among T2T failures, respectively (pA<0.05, pD<0.05).

According to ASDAS, in IDA, MDA, HDA and VHDA subgroups, the prevalence of anxiety and depression was 27%, 36%, 41%, 52% and 29%, 38%, 45%, 56%, respectively. The correlation coefficients of anxiety (A) and depression (D) with ASDAS were rA=0.9908 and rD=0.9964. It suggested that with the increase of disease activity, the proportion of AS patients with anxiety and depression increased significantly. (Figure 1)

Figure 1.

The prevalence of anxiety and depression according to ASDAS.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of anxiety and depression in AS patients was significantly higher than that in the WHO survey in Chinese population and chronic disease patients. Higher prevalence of anxiety and depression were associated with higher levels of disease activity. SSDM is an effective mobile interface to monitor and study entanglement of disease activity and mental health in AS patients, which build a foundation for proactive interventions in future.

Acknowledgments:

Smart system of disease management (SSDM) was developed by Shanghai Gothic Internet Technology Co., Ltd.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

SAT0560 THE PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH ASYMPTOMATIC HYPERURICEMIA

Background:

Chronic and steady asymptomatic hyperuricemia (AHU) can eventually lead to the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joints and soft tissues. The rate of progression from AHU to clinically evident gout varies and mainly depends on serum uric acid levels. However, little is known about the prognostic value of ultrasonographic findings in individuals with AHU in detail.

Objectives:

To explore the prognostic value of ultrasonographic findings in individuals with asymptomatic hyperuricemia.

Methods:

We analyzed the ultrasonographic findings (snowstorm sign, double-contour (DC) sign, tophi, bone erosion, and abnormal blood flow) of bilateral knees, ankles and the first metatarsal-phalangeal joints (1st MTP) of individuals with AHU at Peking University People’s hospital between June 2014 and May 2016. All individuals were followed up for two years.

Results:

Among 218 individuals with AHU, the prevalence of snowstorm sign, DC sign, tophi, bone erosion and abnormal blood flow was 41%, 23%, 4%, 9% and 13%, respectively. Gout attacked in 36 patients during 2-year follow-up with 4.5 years of HU duration. The first attack affected the 1st MTP in 60%, the ankle in 31%, and the knee in 11% of the patients with gout. Patients with gout attack has longer hyperuricemia duration compared with individuals with AHU without gout attack. DC sign, tophi, and bone erosion on ultrasound were more frequently presented in patients with gout attack compared with individuals with AHU without gout attack. However, the prevalence of snowstorm sign and and abnormal blood flow on ultrasound has no significant differences between patients with gout attack and individuals with AHU without gout attack.

Conclusion:

Longer hyperuricemia duration, DC sign, tophi, and bone erosion on ultrasound in individuals with AHU could be associated with gout attack.

References:

[1]Neogi T, Jansen TL, Dalbeth N, Fransen J, Schumacher HR, Berendsen D, et al. 2015 Gout classification criteria: an American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism collaborative initiative. Ann Rheum Dis. 2015;74(10):1789-98.

[2]Estevez-Garcia IO, Gallegos-Nava S, Vera-Pérez E, Silveira LH, Ventura-Ríos L, Vancini G, et al. Levels of cytokines and MicroRNAs in individuals with asymptomatic hyperuricemia and ultrasonographic findings of gout: A Bench-to-Bedside Approach. Arthritis Care Res. 2018;70(12):1814-21.

[3]Elsaman AM, Muhammad EM, Pessler F. Sonographic findings in gouty arthritis: diagnostic value and association with disease duration. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2016;42(6):1330-6.

[4]Joosten LAB, Crişan TO, Bjornstad P, Johnson RJ. Asymptomatic hyperuricaemia: a silent activator of the innate immune system. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2020;16(2):75-86.

Acknowledgments:

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81571684 to Jiaan Zhu), Peking University People’s Hospital Research and Development Funds (RDC2014-02 to Wenting Fan).

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0474 CAROTID CONTRAST ENHANCED ULTRASOUND IN CASES OF TAKAYASU ARTERITIS COMPLICATED WITH BEHCET’S DISEASE

Background:

Carotid contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is used for diagnosis and activity determination of patients with Takayasu’s arteritis (TA). However, very little is known about the carotid CEUS features of TA complicated with Behcet’s disease (BD).

Objectives:

This study reports the carotid CEUS features in cases of TA complicated with BD (TBD).

Methods:

A total of 10 carotid CEUS examinations were performed on 4 patients of TBD. 10 TA patients complicated with no rheumatoid disease were included as control group. For each carotid artery lesion, the carotid CEUS features was graded as follows: Grade 0, artery wall shows no microbubbles, Grade 1, artery wall shows limited or moderate microbubbles, Grade 2, artery wall shows severe microbubbles.

Results:

2/10 patients in TBD group has oral ulcer during the CEUS examination, while all the other patients included in our study showed no clinical symptoms related to active TA or BD. The carotid wall thickness was greater of CEUS grade 2 than grade 1 in both group(TBD: 2.62±0.74mm vs 1.66±0.22mm,p=0.001; TA:1.84±0.31mm vs 1.53±0.5mm,p=0.136). The carotid wall thickness was significantly greater in TBD group than TA group, but there was no significant differences between the two groups in clinical data and CEUS grade (table 1).

Table 1.

Clinical data and carotid CEUS features of both groups

TBDTApAge (year)32.5±3.4430.5±9.20.487Male320.605ESR (mm/h)4(2, 10)7(3.5, 11)0.406CRP (mg/L)6.42(0.55, 15.38)0.58(0.44, 5.05)0.168Wall thickness (mm)2.10±0.701.67±0.440.030CEUS grade 29120.527

Conclusion:

This study first shows carotid CEUS features in cases of TA complicated with BD, which may help with the comprehensive treatments of the disease.

Disclosure of Interests: :

None declared

Optimizing Multivariate Metal-Organic Frameworks for Efficient C2H2/CO2 Separation

Adsorptive separation of acetylene (C₂H₂) from carbon dioxide (CO₂) promises a practical way to produce high-purity C₂H₂ required for industrial applications. However, challenges exist in the pore environment engineering of porous materials to recognize two molecules due to their similar molecular sizes and physical properties. Herein, we report a strategy to optimize pore environments of multivariate metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for efficient C₂H₂/CO₂ separation by tuning metal components, functionalized linkers, and terminal ligands. The optimized material UPC-200(Al)-F-BIM, constructed from Al³⁺ clusters, fluorine-functionalized organic linkers, and benzimidazole terminal ligands, demonstrated the highest separation efficiency (C₂H₂/CO₂ uptake ratio of 2.6) and highest C₂H₂ productivity among UPC-200 systems. Experimental and computational studies revealed the contribution of small pore size and polar functional groups on the C₂H₂/CO₂ selectivity and indicated the practical C₂H₂/CO₂ separation of UPC-200(Al)-F-BIM.

Metal-organic framework templated Pd/CeO2@N-doped carbon for low-temperature CO oxidation

A new Pd/Ce based metal-organic framework is designed and synthesized as a self-sacrificial template for fabrication of an efficient catalyst for CO oxidation. The catalyst obtained by thermal annealing at 700 °C (Pd/CeO₂@NC-700) is composed of N-doped carbon with embedded Pd and CeO₂ nanoparticles, which are highly dispersed and closely connected in the N-doped carbon; the high Pd loading (33.7 wt%) and the coupling between Pd and the CeO₂ phase synergistically boost the CO oxidation performance. The Pd/CeO₂@NC-700 catalyst exhibits a 100% conversion temperature of 89 °C and excellent long-term stability. By combining structural characterization with density functional theory calculations, two possible CO oxidation pathways of TPB and TOP are revealed, in which the adsorbed O₂ directly dissociates to O* atoms and activates CO* molecules. The transfer of O* between Pd and Ce (TPB) or Pd and Pd (TOP) facilitates the formation of intermediates and finally results in the production of CO₂. This work provides a new insight into the development of novel efficient catalysts for CO oxidation based on metal-organic frameworks.

Association Between Extent of Stent-Graft Coverage and Thoracic Aortic Remodeling After Endovascular Repair of Type B Aortic Dissection

Purpose: To examine the association between the extent of stent-graft coverage and thoracic aortic expansion after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for type B aortic dissection. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 201 patients (mean age 52.4±11.5 years; 178 men) with acute (135, 67.2%) or chronic (66, 32.8%) type B aortic dissection who underwent TEVAR at 4 medical centers. The mean stent-graft length was 157.1±33.3 mm. The percentage of stented descending aorta (PSDA) represented the extent of stent-graft coverage. After using restricted cubic smoothing spline plots to confirm the roughly linear relationship between PSDA and the risk of thoracic aortic expansion, patients were stratified into 2 groups on the median PSDA: the lower group (≤31.3%) and the higher group (>31.3%). Thoracic aortic expansion was defined as a ≥20% increase in the total thoracic aortic volume on the most recent postoperative computed tomography angiography scan compared with the preoperative measurement. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the cumulative freedom from thoracic aortic expansion after TEVAR; estimates are given with the 95% confidence interval (CI). A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze any independent association of the PSDA as a continuous or categorical variable with the risk of thoracic aortic expansion; results are presented as the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI. Results: No patients developed symptoms of spinal cord ischemia during hospitalization. Over a median 12.4 months of imaging follow-up, 34 (16.9%) patients developed thoracic aortic expansion. The estimate of freedom from thoracic aortic expansion at 12 months for the overall PSDA was 84.0% (95% CI 77.8% to 88.6%); between the groups, the freedom from thoracic aortic expansion estimate for the PSDA ≤31.3% group was significantly lower than in the higher group (p=0.032). Regression analysis showed no significant association between the risk of thoracic aortic expansion and the PSDA as a continuous variable (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.03, p=0.288); however, analyzing the PSDA as a categorical variable indicated a significantly lower risk of thoracic aortic expansion for the PSDA >31.3% group (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.95, p=0.036) after adjusting for a variety of demographic and anatomical characteristics. Conclusion: More extensive stent-graft coverage appears to improve thoracic aortic remodeling after TEVAR. However, the clinician should balance the benefit of extensive stent-graft coverage and its related risk of spinal cord ischemia.

Fabrication of (4, 10) and (4, 12)-Connected Multifunctional Zirconium Metal-Organic Frameworks for the Targeted Adsorption of a Guest Molecule

Following the principle of a topology guide, a zirconium MOF (PCN-207) based on the H₄TPTA ligand (tetramethyl(4,4',4″,4‴-(pyrazine-2,3,5,6-tetrayl))tetrabenzoic acid) with C₂ symmetry and an 8-connected Zr₆(μ_3-OH)₈(OH)₈]⁸⁺ cluster with D_4h symmetry has been synthesized. PCN-206 can also be obtained by modulating the benzoic acid usage to change the flexibility of the H₄TPTA ligand. The unique positions of 8-connected Zr₆ clusters in the flu and scu networks and the flexibility of the tetratopic primary linker enable the precise insertion of fumarate (FA), 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H₂BDC), and even 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (H₂NDC) in a one-pot reaction. Auxiliary linkers are used to generate new MOF structures or topologies or to split the pore spaces, which may significantly change the porosity and chemical and physical properties of scaffold MOFs. The results provide a successful strategy for the rational design of multicomponent Zr-MOFs. Because of differences in composition and configuration between structures, PCN-207 shows the highest separation capability of light hydrocarbons; moreover, PCN-206 exhibits the highest adsorption capacity of 2,4-D and DCF among MOFs at present.

Optimizing zirconium metal–organic frameworks through steric tuning for efficient removal of Cr2O72−

Three Zr-based MOFs are obtained through steric tuning. The synergistic effect between porous structures and functional groups enhanced the adsorption capacity and adsorption rate for Cr₂O₇²⁻.

The Nab experiment: A precision measurement of unpolarized neutron beta decay

Neutron beta decay is one of the most fundamental processes in nuclear physics and provides sensitive means to uncover the details of the weak interaction. Neutron beta decay can evaluate the ratio of axial-vector to vector coupling constants in the standard model, λ = gA/gV, through multiple decay correlations. The Nab experiment will carry out measurements of the electron-neutrino correlation parameter a with a precision of δa/a = 10−3 and the Fierz interference term b to δb = 3 × 10−3 in unpolarized free neutron beta decay. These results, along with a more precise measurement of the neutron lifetime, aim to deliver an independent determination of the ratio λ with a precision of δλ/λ = 0.03% that will allow an evaluation of Vud and sensitively test CKM unitarity, independent of nuclear models. Nab utilizes a novel, long asymmetric spectrometer that guides the decay electron and proton to two large area silicon detectors in order to precisely determine the electron energy and an estimation of the proton momentum from the proton time of flight. The Nab spectrometer is being commissioned at the Fundamental Neutron Physics Beamline at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Lab. We present an overview of the Nab experiment and recent updates on the spectrometer, analysis, and systematic effects.

Uncovering Structural Opportunities for Zirconium Metal-Organic Frameworks via Linker Desymmetrization

The discovery of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) mimicking inorganic minerals with intricate topologies requires elaborate linker design guidelines. Herein, the concept of linker desymmetrization into the design of tetratopic linker based Zr-MOFs is applied. A series of bent tetratopic linkers with various substituents are utilized to construct Zr-MOFs with distinct cluster connectivities and topologies. For example, the assembly between a bent linker L-SO2 with C 2v symmetry and an 8-connected Zr6 cluster leads to the formation of an scu topology, while another flu topology can be obtained by the combination of a novel 8-connected Zr6 cluster and a bent linker L-O with C 1 symmetry. Further utilization of restricted bent linker [(L-(CH3)6)] gives rise to a fascinating (4, 6)-c cor net, originated from the corundum lattice, with an unprecedented 6-c Zr6 cluster. In addition, the removal of toxic selenite ions in aqueous solution is performed by PCN-903-(CH3)6 which exhibits rapid and efficient detoxification. This work uncovers new structural opportunities for Zr-MOFs via linker desymmetrization and provides novel design strategies for the discovery of sophisticated topologies for practical applications.

Smart identification of psoriasis by images using convolutional neural networks: a case study in China

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, which holds a high incidence in China. However, professional dermatologists who can diagnose psoriasis early and correctly are insufficient in China, especially in the rural areas. A smart approach to identify psoriasis by pictures would be highly adaptable countrywide and could play a useful role in early diagnosis and regular treatment of psoriasis.

OBJECTIVES

Design and evaluation of a smart psoriasis identification system based on clinical images (without relying on a dermatoscope) that works effectively similar to a dermatologist.

METHODS

A set of deep learning models using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) was explored and compared in the system for automatic identification of psoriasis. The work was carried out on a standardized dermatological dataset with 8021 clinical images of 9 common disorders including psoriasis along with full electronic medical records of patients built over the last 9 years in China. A two-stage deep neural network was designed and developed to identify psoriasis. In the first stage, a multilabel classifier was trained to learn the visual patterns for each individual skin disease. In the second stage, the output of the first stage was utilized to distinguish psoriasis from other skin diseases.

RESULTS

The area under the curve (AUC) of the two-stage model reached 0.981 ± 0.015, which outperforms a single-stage model. And, the classifier showed superior performance (missed diagnosis rate: 0.03, misdiagnosis rate: 0.04) than 25 Chinese dermatologists (missed diagnosis rate: 0.19, misdiagnosis rate: 0.10) in the diagnosis of psoriasis on 100 clinical images.

CONCLUSIONS

Using clinical images to identify psoriasis is feasible and effective based on CNNs, which also builds a solid technical base for smart care of skin diseases especially psoriasis using mobile/tablet applications for teledermatology in China.