Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), which are synthesized through the self‐assembly of organic ligands and inorganic metals, have drawn considerable research interest owing to their unique properties and attractive structures. Many studies on various MOF derivatives, such as MOFs and cellulose aerogels, hydrogel composite materials, and bimetallic‐centered MOF materials, have provided the potential for wide application of MOFs. However, MOFs mostly exist in the form of powder particles, which are difficult to form. In addition, MOFs have problems with structural instability. MOF‐based gels can overcome this problem. MOF‐based gels also have significant advantages in secondary processing. In this review, synthetic methods for MOF‐based gels, particularly the synergistic effect with other materials, are introduced. The applications of MOF‐based hydrogels and aerogels in supercapacitors, water treatment, catalysis, adsorption, and energy storage are also discussed.

Soil salinity is a critical obstacle in modern agriculture which devastates crop growth. Many plants have developed different strategies to sense, transduce, and develop tolerance to salinity. Plant adaptation to salinity stress includes complicated metabolic pathways, genes and molecular networks. Here, we used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to understand the metabolic responses of soybean seedlings upon various levels of salt stress treatments. To this end, one salt tolerant and one salt sensitive soybean cultivar, namely Dongnong 69 and Dongnong 63 were used in this study. A total of 10 metabolites, including sugars, amino acids and organic acid, were identified as differential biomarkers. Our results indicated that these biomarkers were closely related to salinity tolerance in soybean seedlings. In particular, three metabolites, namely isoleucine, serine and aspartic acid, were found respond significantly differently between the different soybean cultivars. These three metabolites can be therefore served as potential biomarkers to screen for salt tolerant soybean cultivars. Overall, results of this study help to improve our knowledge with respect to plant salt tolerance in general, and soybean in particular

In the α/β hydrolases superfamily, the extra module modulated enzymatic activity, substrate specificity, and stability. The functional role of N-terminal extensional long α-helix (Ala2-Glu29, designated as NEL-helix) acting as the extra module in the arylesterase LggEst from Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG had been systemically investigated by deletion mutagenesis, biochemical characterization, and biophysical methods. The deletion of the NEL-helix did not change the overall structure of this arylesterase. The deletion of the NEL-helix led to the shifting of optimal pH into the acidity and the loss of thermophilic activity. The deletion of the NEL-helix produced a 10.6-fold drop in catalytic activity towards the best substrate pNPC10. NEL-Helix was crucial for the thermostability, chemical resistance, and organic solvents tolerance. The deletion of the NEL-helix did not change the overall rigidity of enzyme structure and only reduced the local rigidity of the active site. Sodium deoxycholate might partially replenish the loss of activity caused by the deletion of the NEL-helix. Our research further enriched the functional role of the extra module on catalysis and stability in the α/β hydrolase fold superfamily.