Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are a new subclass of porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) which frequently have expanded zeolite topologies. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Most interestingly, some guest-free ZIFs have the large surface area and pore volume of classical MOFs; at the same time, they also have the high chemical and thermal stability of conventional zeolites. [4] Because of these combined and desirable features, ZIFs show great potential for many applications, especially for gas storage and separations. [5,[9][10][11][12] ZIF-8 (Zn(mim) 2 , mim = 2-methylimidazolate) and ZIF-67 (Co(mim) 2 ) are the most representative ZIF materials with a zeolite sod topology. The expanded sod framework exhibits intriguing features: a large sod cage (11.6 ) is accessible through a narrow six-ring pore (3.4 ). Moreover, ZIF-8 has a high thermal stability (550 8C in N 2 ) and large surface area (BET: 1630 m 2 g À1 ).[4] These features have made ZIF-8 the most established ZIF material and it has found a variety of impressive applications. [9, 11,[13][14][15] Thermally and chemically stable ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 have generally been synthesized by using DMF as an organic solvent that ultimately fills the pore space.[4] However, the guest molecule DMF is actually larger than the aperture of the sod cage, and could not be directly released. Their extensive applications require that the synthesis and activation of ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 samples are facile and environmentally friendly. Therefore, solvent-free (melting) synthesis (possible because of the low melting point of mim: m.p. 144 8C) or hydrothermal synthesis, have significant potential for the development of effective and environmentally benign routes to ZIF-8 and ZIF-67.Actually, in the absence of the organic solvent DMF, a eutectic mixture is formed upon heating a mixture of Zn-(OAc) 2 and mim below the melting point of mim (Supporting Information, Figure S1). The eutectic mixture was then kept for 24 h either at 120 8C or 150 8C. However, the powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis of the unwashed products showed that this solvent-free (melting) synthesis had not lead to any detectable ZIF phase (Supporting Information, Figure S2). Moreover, the unwashed products were found to be soluble upon washing with water, further indicating that the required crystallization had not occurred.We attempted a hydrothermal synthesis of ZIF-8 and ZIF-67. However, only two new compounds with the dense dia framework (referred to as dia(Zn): Zn(mim) 2 and dia(Co): Co(mim) 2 ) were formed from Zn(OAc) 2 or Co(OAc) 2 with excess mim (Figure 1, left). The structure of dia(Zn) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Each Zn II ion is coordinated by four N atoms from bridging 2-methylimidazolate groups. A view along the b-axis of the monoclinic cell reveals 1D channel with chairlike hexagonal apertures, which intersect with other regular channels to form an infinite 3D framework that resembles the dia topology (Supporting Information, Figure S3). The dia(Co) analogue was identif...

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MicroRNAs are small, non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression, and miR-124 is the most abundant miRNA in the brain. Studies have shown that miR-124 is clearly reduced in the ischemic brain after stroke; however, the role of miR-124 after stroke is less well studied. Using TargetScan, MicroCosm Targets version 5, and microRNA.org databases, we identified miR-124 as a possible regulator of the DNA repair protein Ku70. We validated that Ku70 is a target for miR-124 with a luciferase reporter activity assay. Moreover, adult rats subjected to focal cerebral ischemia exhibited a substantial reduction of miR-124 expression, which was inversely upregulated by Ku70 expression. In vivo treatment with miR-124 antagomir effectively enhanced Ku70 mRNA and protein levels in the ischemic region. Furthermore, knockdown of cerebral miR-124 reduced cell death and infarct size and improved neurological outcomes. Our data demonstrate that miR-124 is an endogenous regulator of Ku70 that improves ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced brain injury and dysfunction.