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Two ionic liquids functionalized CUSs-containing MOF heterogeneous catalysts, MIL-101-N(n-Bu) 3 Br and MIL-101-P(n-Bu) 3 Br, have been prepared by post-synthesis modification method. Due to their synergetic role of Lewis acid sites and Br¯ in ion liquid sites, MIL-101-N(n-Bu) 3 Br and MIL-101-P(n-Bu) 3 Br exhibit high catalyst activity for the cycloaddition of CO 2 and epoxide under mild and co-catalyst free conditions.We reported here a strategy by combining CUSs (CUSs = coordinatively unsaturated metal sites) based MOF with ion liquids (ILs) functional sites to form bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts with extra high activity for CO2 fixation. Based on this strategy, two quaternary ammonium salt and quaternary phosphorus salt ionic liquids functionalized CUSs-containing MOF heterogeneous catalysts, MIL-101-N(n-Bu)3Br and MIL-101-P(n-Bu)3Br, have been prepared for the first time by postsynthesis modification method. Due to their synergetic role of dual functional sites including Lewis acid sites in MOF framwork and Br¯ ion in IL functional sites, MIL-101-N(n-Bu)3Br and MIL-101-P(n-Bu)3Br exhibit high catalyst activity for the cycloaddition of CO2 and epoxide under mild and co-catalyst free conditions, which singnificantly outperforms other benchmark MOF catalysts. Moreover, such bifunctional catalysts can be easily recovered and recycled several times without leaching and loss of activity. Our work thus paves a way for the development of IL functionalized MOFs as heterogeneous catalysts for CO2 fixation.

CO2 gas sensing is of great importance because of the impact of CO2 on global climate change. Here, utilizing an inverse opal hydrogel, we describe a CO2 gas sensing method that allows highly sensitive and selective detection over a wide concentration range. The CO2 sensor is specific, quantitative, interference tolerant and without the need for special instruments.

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Background and Aims: NASH, which is a common clinical condition predisposing to advanced liver diseases, has become a worldwide epidemic. A large and growing unmet therapeutic need for this condition reflects incomplete understanding of its pathogenesis. In the current study, we identified a transcription factor, zinc fingers and homeoboxes 2 (ZHX2), in hepatocytes as a protective factor against steatohepatitis. Approach and Results:We found that hepatic ZHX2 was significantly suppressed in NASH models and steatotic hepatic cells. Hepatocyte-specific ablation of ZHX2 exacerbated NASH-related phenotypes in mice, including lipid accumulation, enhanced inflammation, and hepatic fibrosis. Conversely, hepatocyte-specific overexpression of ZHX2 significantly alleviated the progression of NASH in an experimental setting. Integrated analysis of transcriptomic profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data demonstrated that the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) was a target gene of ZHX2 in hepatocyte. ZHX2 bound to the promoter of PTEN gene and subsequently promoted the transcription of PTEN, which mediated the beneficial role of ZHX2 against NASH. Conclusions:The current findings demonstrate a protective role of ZHX2 against NASH progression by transcriptionally activating PTEN. These findings shed light on the therapeutic potential of targeting ZHX2 for treating NASH and related metabolic disorders.

Hepatitis B is a very common communicable disease in China but the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in patients with autoimmune diseases is unknown. We retrospectively investigated the prevalence of autoimmune diseases in patients with HBV infection. The medical records of 4060 patients with autoimmune or nonautoimmune diseases were reviewed. A positive test result for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was used to indicate the presence of HBV infection. Autoimmune diseases included autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, systemic lupus erythematosus and ulcerative colitis. Nonautoimmune conditions included inguinal hernia, appendicitis and pregnant or postpartum women. The proportion of autoimmune disease patients who were HBsAg positive (2.24%) was significantly lower than that of nonautoimmune disease patients who were HBsAg positive (4.58%; P = 0.0014). Regarding hepatic autoimmune diseases, the positivity rates for HBsAg in autoimmune hepatitis patients (0.83%) and primary biliary cirrhosis patients (1.02%) were both significantly lower than in nonautoimmune patients (4.58%; P = 0.006 and 0.004, respectively). Patients with hepatic autoimmune disease were significantly less likely to be HBsAg positive (0.93%) than patients with non-hepatic autoimmune disease (3.99%; P = 0.002). Patients with autoimmune diseases, especially those with hepatic autoimmune disease, may more efficiently clear HBV than patients with nonautoimmune diseases.