Protocol for mechanochemistry-guided assembly strategy for enzyme encapsulation using covalent organic frameworks

Summary: Enzyme immobilization into porous frameworks is an emerging strategy for enhancing the stability of dynamic conformation and prolonging the lifespan of enzymes. Here, we present a protocol for a de novo mechanochemistry-guided assembly strategy for enzyme encapsulation using covalent organic frameworks. We describe steps for mechanochemical synthesis, enzyme loading measurements, and material characterizations. We then detail evaluations of biocatalytic activity and recyclability.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Gao et al. (2022).1 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics

‘Pungent’ Copper Surface Resists Acid Corrosion in Strong HCl Solutions

Extensive efforts have been devoted to the qualification of plant extracts as green corrosion inhibitors for industrial metals, but studies that demonstrate the active component(s) of these extracts remain scarce. We report here that piperine, the major pungent component of peppers, has the best corrosion inhibitive efficiency for copper in HCl among four analogous amide alkaloids isolated from a traditional Chinese medicine. This compound inhibited HCl corrosion more efficiently than cysteine, and did not exhibit markedly decreased efficiency under several harsh experimental conditions. Electrochemical and microscopic analyses suggested that piperine could form a protective layer on the metal surface via both physisorption and chemisorption, reducing the corrosion rate. The adsorption energies of all the test compounds were calculated using a hybrid density functional theory

Structural transition of parenthood among Chinese nulliparous couples with planned pregnancies, 2013–2019

Abstract Background The postponement of parenthood is a global public health issue that has received attention of many public health experts. However, few studies have investigated the postponement in marriage age, marriage and conception interval, and pregnancy age in terms of demographic and regional heterogenicities. Methods This is a cross-sectional, registry-based study, and a total of 13 894 601 nulliparous couples who participated in the National Free Pre-Pregnancy Check-ups Project and became pregnant during 2013–2019 were included. We calculated annual percentage change and forest plots for marriage age, marriage and conception interval, and pregnancy age. Results Late marriage (marriage age ≥ 35 years), long marriage and conception interval (marriage and conception interval ≥ 2 years), and advanced pregnancy (pregnancy age ≥ 35 years) increased from 1.20%, 22.01%, and 1.88% in 2013 to 1.69%, 32.75%, and 2.79% in 2019, respectively. The corresponding annual percentage changes were 6.55%, 8.44%, and 8.17%. Participants without higher education had a higher annual percentage change, but comparable prevalence for long marriage and conception interval with participants with higher education. Participants residing in second- or new first-tier cities, and the northeast of China who had a higher prevalence of parenthood postponement also had higher corresponding annual percentage changes. Conclusions Structural postponement of parenthood with demographic and regional heterogenicities was observed among Chinese nulliparous couples with planned pregnancies during 2013–2019. Inclusive and comprehensive parenting support should be developed and implemented in mainland China to minimize the negative health effects arising from the postponement, especially for couples without higher education and living in new first/second-tier cities or the northeast China

Burden and Trend of Macrosomia and Large-for-Gestational-Age Neonates Attributable to High Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index in China, 2013–2017: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: The world is transitioning to an obese future, but few studies have measured the burden of increased maternal body mass index (BMI) on pathological fetal overgrowth, especially the trends in this burden and its heterogeneity in populations with different characteristics. Methods: A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted with 7,998,620 Chinese females who had participated in the National Free Pre-Pregnancy Check-ups Project and became pregnant during 2013–2017. The proportions of macrosomic and LGA neonates attributable to high BMI (population attributable fraction, PAF) and annual percent change of yearly PAFs were estimated. Results: We found that the burden of macrosomic and LGA (large-for-gestational-age) neonates attributable to high pre-pregnancy BMI increased among Chinese females with planned pregnancies during 2013–2017. The PAF of macrosomia attributable to high BMI increased from 3.16% (95% confidence interval: 2.97–3.35%) to 7.11% (6.79–7.42%) by 23.60% (16.76–30.85%) annually, and the PAF of LGA increased from 2.35% (2.21–2.48%) to 5.00% (4.79–5.21%) by 21.98% (16.14–28.11%) annually. Our study identified that participants with disadvantaged socioeconomic status (including those without higher education, living in provinces with GDP per capita Conclusions: Government authorities should control pre-pregnancy BMI through nationwide intervention programs and direct more resources to focus on the unfair burden on females with disadvantaged socioeconomic status