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Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have tunable chemical structures, orderly pore structures, and modifiable surface functional groups making them a promising material for environmental remediation. However, their rigid powder morphology poses significant challenges for customizing MOF structures with adjustable mechanical properties. Here, we synthesis the stretchable UV‐curable MOF hydrogels through high‐resolution digital light processing 3D printing, and evaluated its adsorption effect on seven common dyesand.The results showed that it had selective adsorption effect on methylene blue (MB), and the adsorption effect increased with the increase of the initial concentration of MB: its adsorption capacity on 6 mgL−1, 12 mgL−1 and 24 mgL−1 MB solution reached 13.55 mgg−1, 26.31 mgg−1 and 50.70 mgg−1 respectively. Compared to powdered MOFs, the 3D‐printed MOF (Cu‐BTC) exhibited superior adsorption for dye and radioactive pollution, with methylene blue adsorption increasing from 8.93 mgg−1 to 25.05 mgg−1 and I2 adsorption from 141.56 mgg−1 to 792.65 mgg−1. Furthermore, the 3D‐printed MOF structure proved easily cleanable with dilute HCl and reusable over five times without degradation. In addition, our study highlighted the suitability of the 3D‐printed MOF for CO2‐sensing devices, demonstrating its broad applicability in environmental remediation and sensing technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel reflective anode flat-panel X-ray source using ZnO nanowire cold cathode and a metal anode has been developed. Simulation analysis indicated that the reflective anode structure reduces electric field concentration compared to a transmission anode structure. The current–voltage characteristics, X-ray radiation dose rate, and stability of the fabricated device were thoroughly characterized. The device demonstrated a maximum emission current of 481.1 μA and a maximum radiation dose rate of 303 μGy/s at an anode voltage of 40 kV. The X-ray imaging of various objects was also conducted. Our findings are of significance for developing high-performance, robust flat-panel X-ray sources for diverse applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeThe current study aims to evaluate a porous silicon-based drug delivery system meant for sustained delivery of dexamethasone (Dex) to the vitreous and retina.MethodsDexamethasone was grafted covalently into the pore walls of fully oxidized porous silicon particles (pSiO2-COO-Dex), which then was evaluated for the pharmacological effect of the payload on cultured ARPE19 cells before intravitreal injection. The Dex release profile was investigated in a custom designed dynamic dissolution chamber to mimic the turnover of vitreous fluid in rabbit eyes. Ocular safety, in vivo release, and pharmacodynamics were evaluated in rabbit eyes, and the human VEGF-induced rabbit retinal vascular permeability model.ResultsLoading efficiency of Dex was 69 ± 9 μg per 1 mg of the pSiO2-COO-Dex particles. Dynamic in vitro release demonstrated a sustained mode when compared to free Dex, with the drug half-life extended by 5 times. The released Dex was unaltered and biologically active. In vivo drug release in rabbit eyes revealed a mode similar to the release seen in vitro, with a vitreous half-life of 11 days. At 2 and 4 weeks after a single intravitreal injection of pSiO2-COO-Dex particles (mean 2.71 ± 0.47 mg), intravitreal 500 ng of VEGF did not induce significant retinal vessel dilation or fluorescein leakage, while these events were observed in the eyes injected with empty pSiO2 particles or with free Dex. The retinal vessel score from fluorescein angiography for the control eyes was double the score for the eyes injected with pSiO2-COO-Dex. No adverse reaction was observed for the eyes injected with drug-loaded pSi particles during the course of the study.ConclusionsThe porous silicon-based Dex delivery system (pSiO2-COO-Dex) can be administered safely into vitreous without toxicity. Dex release from the porous silicon particles was sustained for 2 months and was effective against VEGF-induced retinal vessel reaction.

Dexamethasone is a glucocorticoid that is widely used in the ophthalmic arena. The recent FDA approved dexamethasone implant can provide a three month efficacy but with high rate of drug related cataract and high intraocular pressure (IOP). It seems that higher steroid in aqueous humor and around lens may be associated with these complications based on clinical fact that higher IOP was observed with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (TA) than with subtenon TA. We hypothesize that placing a sustained dexamethasone release system near back of the eye through a fine needle can maximize efficacy while mitigate higher rate of IOP rise and cataract. To develop a sustained intravitreal dexamethasone delivery system, porous silicon dioxide (pSiO2) microparticles were fabricated and functionalized with amines as well as carboxyl groups. Dexamethasone was conjugated to pSiO2 through the Steglich Esterification Reaction between hydroxyl of dexamethasone and carboxyl groups on the pSiO2. The drug loading was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and loading efficiency was quantitated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In vitro release was conducted for three months and dexamethasone was confirmed in the released samples using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). A pilot ocular safety and determination of vitreous drug level was performed in rabbit eyes. The drug loading study demonstrated that loading efficiency was from 5.96% to 10.77% depending on the loading reaction time, being higher with longer loading reaction time before reaching saturation around 7 days. In vitro drug release study revealed that dexamethasone release from pSiO2 particles was sustainable for over 90 days and was 80 days longer than free dexamethasone or infiltration-loaded pSiO2 particle formulation in the same setting. Pilot in vivo study demonstrated no sign of ocular adverse reaction in rabbit eyes following a single 3 mg intravitreal injection and free drug level at 2-week was 107.23 ± 10.54 ng/mL that is well above the therapeutic level but only around 20% level of dexamethasone released from OZURDEX(®) (dexamethasone intravitreal implant) in a rabbit eye model. In conclusion, dexamethasone is able to covalently load to the pSiO2 particles and provide sustained drug release for at least 3 months in vitro. Intravitreal injection of these particles were well tolerated in rabbit eyes and free drug level in vitreous at 2-week was well above the therapeutic level.

[Objective] As a typical structure of carbonate rocks, the formation of stylolites is of great significance for the enrichment of organic matter and fluid migration within the carbonate rock itself. However, there is currently no in-depth research on the source of organic matter and the mechanism of fluid transport in stylolites. [Methods] This study collected carbonate core samples containing stylolites from the Dachigan structural belt in the eastern Sichuan Basin. The stylolites and matrix were respectively subjected to organic carbon and pyrolysis (Rock-Eval), common thin section observation, thin section observation under fluorescent light, whole rock X-ray diffraction, carbon and oxygen isotopes and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and other testing items. [Results and Conclusions] The organic matter occurred in the stylolites is mainly in the form of three types including soluble organic matter, pyrobitumen, and bitumen, indicating that the organic matter in the stylolites is mainly the secondary migrated organic matter. Secondary dolomite and pyrite are well developed in the stylolites that the intercrystalline pore spaces and fractures are retained, thereby to provide good conditions for the accumulation and migration of oil and gas. The strong cementation on the contact between the stylolites and matrix and the formation of secondary minerals nearby may be the results of fractionation when the hydrocarbon fluid migrates from the matrix to stylolites. Through analysis, it is believed that the strong cementation at the contact interface between the suture and the matrix, as well as the formation of nearby secondary minerals, are the reasons for the fractionation effect of hydrocarbon fluids when migrating from the matrix to the suture. Through this study, it was found that during the development of sutures, the organic matter in the sutures will crack and form natural gas during the high evolution stage. When mixed with natural gas of other origins, it will affect the identification of natural gas sources ; When the suture line serves as a migration channel for crude oil, the fractionation effect on crude oil can also cause certain difficulties in identifying the source of crude oil. Therefore, appropriate biomarker comparison parameters should be selected to analyze the oil source relationship, and the spatial variation pattern of crude oil properties should also be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SnO2 has been a widely used electron transport layer, due to its high electron mobility and stable chemical properties in n–i–p type perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the interfacial mismatch, especially on the residual strain and the different mechanical properties between SnO2 and perovskite films, leads to an obvious decrease in power conversion efficiency (PCE) and flexibility in the SnO2‐based PSCs. This limitation has severely hindered the large‐scale implementation of flexible PSCs. Herein, polydopamine is introduced in SnO2 as "depletion intermediary", which significantly improves the interfacial contact and mitigates the inherent brittleness of SnO2 film. The obtained PSCs have achieved a PCE of 22.70% and 21.04% based on the rigid and flexible devices, respectively. Most importantly, the flexibility has been largely improved, that after 3000 bending cycles with a 5 mm bending radius, approximately 87% of its original efficiency has been retained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]