Dipolar Chemical Bridge Induced CsPbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells with 21.86 % Efficiency.

CsPbI3 perovskite receives tremendous attention for photovoltaic applications due to its ideal band gap and good thermal stability. However, CsPbI3 perovskite solar cells (PSCs) significantly suffer from photovoltage deficits because of serious interfacial energy losses within the PSCs, which to a large extent affects the photovoltaic performance of PSCs. Herein, a dipolar chemical bridge (DCB) is constructed between the perovskite and TiO2 layers to lower interfacial energy losses and thus improve the charge extraction of PSCs. The results reveal that the DCB could form a beneficial interfacial dipole between the perovskite and TiO2 layers, which could optimize the interfacial energetics of perovskite/TiO2 layers and thus improve the energy level alignment within the PSCs. Meanwhile, the constructed DCB could also simultaneously passivate the surface defects of perovskite and TiO2 layers, greatly lowering interfacial recombination. Consequently, the photovoltage deficit of CsPbI3 PSCs is largely reduced, leading to a record efficiency of 21.86 % being realized. Meanwhile, the operation stability of PSCs is also largely improved due to the high-quality perovskite films with released interfacial tensile strain being obtained after forming the DCB within the PSCs.

Ionic Liquid-Induced Multisite Synergistic Interactions for Highly Efficient Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells.

The interfacial properties of p-i-n inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) play a key role in further improving the photovoltaic performance of PSCs. Herein, multisite synergistic interactions were constructed using ionic liquids (ILs) prepared by mixing urea and choline chloride (ChCl) to substantially improve the interfacial properties of inverted PSCs. Systematically theoretical calculations and experimental studies are comprehensively performed, which reveal that the C═O···Pb2+ coordination interaction, N-H···I hydrogen bond, and Cl-Pb bond could be simultaneously formed between the perovskites and IL, and Ch in IL could interact with the perovskite by occupying the formamidinium site. Meanwhile, -OH/π and -NH/π interactions could be formed between -OH and -NH in IL and the phenyl group in PTAA, respectively. These multisite synergistic interactions are beneficial to improve the perovskite film quality and interfacial properties of inverted PSCs, which could greatly suppress nonradiative recombination within the PSCs. Consequently, the inverted PSCs show an impressive efficiency of 22.4% and an excellent electroluminescence efficiency of 3.7%.

Ligand exchange engineering of FAPbI3 perovskite quantum dots for solar cells.

Formamidinium lead triiodide (FAPbI3) perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) show great advantages in photovoltaic applications due to their ideal bandgap energy, high stability and solution processability. The anti-solvent used for the post-treatment of FAPbI3 PQD solid films significantly affects the surface chemistry of the PQDs, and thus the vacancies caused by surface ligand removal inhibit the optoelectronic properties and stability of PQDs. Here, we study the effects of different anti-solvents with different polarities on FAPbI3 PQDs and select a series of organic molecules for surface passivation of PQDs. The results show that methyl acetate could effectively remove surface ligands from the PQD surface without destroying its crystal structure during the post-treatment. The benzamidine hydrochloride (PhFACl) applied as short ligands of PQDs during the post-treatment could fill the A-site and X-site vacancies of PQDs and thus improve the electronic coupling of PQDs. Finally, the PhFACl-based PQD solar cell (PQDSC) achieves a power conversion efficiency of 6.4%, compared to that of 4.63% for the conventional PQDSC. This work provides a reference for insights into the surface passivation of PQDs and the improvement in device performance of PQDSCs.

Insight into the Interface Engineering of a SnO2/FAPbI3 Perovskite Using Lead Halide as an Interlayer: A First-Principles Study.

The interfacial properties of the perovskite photovoltaic layer and electron transport layer (ETL) are critical to minimize energy losses of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) induced by interfacial recombination. Herein, the interface engineering of the SnO2/FAPbI3 perovskite using PbX2 (X = Cl, Br, or I) as an interlayer is extensively studied using first-principles calculations. The results reveal that the thickness of the PbI2 interlayer needs to be finely controlled, which may limit charge transport if there is a large amount of PbI2 precipitation at the interface. The high lattice mismatch of the PbBr2 with the SnO2/FAPbI3 interface makes PbBr2 an unfavorable passivation material. Due to the strong coupling of the PbCl2 with both SnO2 and FAPbI3, an efficient electron transport pathway could be built after applying PbCl2 as an interlayer. Meanwhile, the PbCl2 interlayer could also effectively passivate interface defects, therefore lowering the energy losses of PSCs.

Agromyces mangrovi sp. nov., a Novel Actinobacterium Isolated from Mangrove Soil.

A novel, Gram-stain-positive, microaerophilic to aerobic, non-endospore-forming, no-motile and rod-shaped bacterium designated Q14T was isolated from mangrove soil samples collected on chengmai, Hainan province, China. Strain Q14T was able to grow at 10-40 °C (optimum 30 °C), pH 5.5-10.0 (optimum 6.5-8.0) and with 0.5-6% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1%). The genomic DNA G+C content was 70.1%. The chemotaxonomic analysis showed that the predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-12 and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The major polar lipids of strain Q14T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and one glycolipid. The strain Q14T contained 2,4-diaminobutylic acid (A2bu), alanine acid, glutamic acid and glycine in the peptidoglycans. The phylogenetic analysis and DNA-DNA hybridization, along with the phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, indicate that strain Q14T as a novel species of the genus Agromyces, for which the name Agromyces mangrovi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Q14T (= MCCC 1K03191T = KCTC 39814T).

RETRACTED: Long non-coding RNA NEAT1 plays an important role in sepsis-induced acute kidney injury by targeting miR-204 and modulating the NF-κB pathway.

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of authors with the approval of the Editor-in-Chief. Panel 'LPS+sh-NEAT1' from Figure 2C appears similar to panel 'si-PVT1' from Figure 2A of the article published by Wei Huang, Xiuwen Lan, Xueting Li, Dawei Wang, Yinghao Sun, Qian Wang, Hong Gao and Kaijiang Yu in the International Immunopharmacology 47 (2017) 134-140 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2017.03.030 and panel 'Control' from Figure 1D of the article published by Xiaodi Liu, Chengying Hong, Shipin Wu, Shiling Song, Zhi Yang, Lin Cao, Tongwei Song and Ying Yang in the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 120 (2019) 11331-11341 https://doi.org/10.1002/jcb.28409. Given the comments of Dr Elisabeth Bik https://scienceintegritydigest.com/2020/02/21/the-tadpole-paper-mill/ regarding this article, the journal requested the corresponding author to provide the raw data. However, the author was not able to fulfil this request.

Xuebijing injection attenuates pulmonary injury by reducing oxidative stress and proinflammatory damage in rats with heat stroke.

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of Xuebijing injection (XBJ) on lung injury in heat-stroke rats and the underlying mechanisms. In total, 54 rats were randomly assigned to non-thermal, saline vehicle and XBJ groups. The rectal temperature (Tc), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and respiratory rate (RR) of the rats were recorded. The time-point of heat stroke and the time of survival were assessed, and indicators of arterial blood gas were regularly measured from 0 to 60 min. The concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and IL-10 was also determined. At the end of the experiment, lung tissue was harvested for histopathological analysis. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) expression was measured by immunohistochemistry. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling was used to measure apoptosis. XBJ pretreatment prolonged the decline of clinical characteristics, as demonstrated by increases in Tc, MAP, RR and indicators in arterial blood gas in rats under heat stress. The time until heat stroke and the survival time in the Saline group were shorter than in rats treated with XBJ. The expression of iNOS in lung tissue and the concentration of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-10 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of rats treated with saline was higher than in rats with XBJ pre-treatment. Contrarily, SOD expression in rats treated with saline was decreased compared with that in rats treated with XBJ. Moreover, the apoptotic rate in the lung tissues of rats with saline treatment was higher than that in rats treated with XBJ. In conclusion, XBJ delayed the development of heat stroke and increased the survival time in rats under heat-stress by ameliorating pulmonary failure and acute lung injury. The underlying mechanisms of this effect may be the reduction of inflammatory cytokines as well as attenuation of oxidative stress and apoptosis by XBJ.

Neuroprotective and antioxidant lanostanoid triterpenes from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma atrum.

Five new lanostanoid triterpenes were isolated from the ethanol extract of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma atrum. The structures of the isolated compounds were established based on 1D and 2D ((1)H-(1)H COSY, HMQC, and HMBC) NMR spectroscopy, in addition to high resolution mass spectrometry. The isolated compounds were tested in vitro for neuroprotective activities against 6-OHDA-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells and radical scavenging activities. As a result, compounds 2 and 5 exhibited potent neuroprotective activity against 6-OHDA-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells with the lowest IC50 value (0.5 µM) while compounds 1, 3 and 4 possessed significant neuroprotective activity with IC50 value less than 10 µM. Additionally, all tested compounds 1-6 showed the comparable free radical scavenging activities with the standard drug trolox in both ABTS (+) and DPPH experiment.

Xuebijing attenuates hypotension through the upregulation of angiotensin II type 1 receptor-associated protein 1 in rats suffering from heat stroke.

In our previous study, we demonstrated that Xuebijing (XBJ), a traditional Chinese medicine, attenuates hypotension in rats suffering from heatstroke (HS). However, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. Thus, the current study was carried out to investigate the mechanisms underlying the effects of XBJ on hypotension n rats suffering from HS. For this purpose, 72 anesthetized rats were randomized into 3 groups and intravenously injected twice daily for 3 days with XBJ (4 ml/kg body weight, XBJ group) or phosphate­buffered saline (PBS) (HS and sham-operated groups). Models of HS were established in the HS and XBJ groups by placing the rats in a simulated climate chamber with a temperature of 40˚C and a humidity of 60%. Rectal temperature, arterial pressure and heart rate were monitored and recorded. Angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ) levels were increased during HS (shown by ELISA), and XBJ had no apparent effect on Ang Ⅱ levels. The levels of Ang Ⅱ type 1 (AT1) receptor surface expression and AT1 receptor-associated protein 1 (Arap1) were decreased during HS; however, these effects were attenuated by pre-treatment with XBJ (shown by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis). For in vitro experiments, rat macrophages pre-treated with XBJ were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Pre-treatment with XBJ induced a marked inhibitory effect on the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the LPS-stimulated macrophages. Furthermore, XBJ inhibited the activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) induced by LPS in the macrophages. Taken together, our data demonstrate that XBJ promotes Arap1 expression by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which may be the molecular mechanisms through which XBJ alleviates blood pressure reduction in rats suffering from HS.

Irradiation of pyrimidine in pure H2O ice with high-energy ultraviolet photons.

The detection of nucleobases, the informational subunits of DNA and RNA, in several meteorites suggests that these compounds of biological interest were formed via astrophysical, abiotic processes. This hypothesis is in agreement with recent laboratory studies of irradiation of pyrimidine in H2O-rich ices with vacuum UV photons emitted by an H2-discharge lamp in the 6.9-11.3 eV (110-180 nm) range at low temperature, shown to lead to the abiotic formation of several compounds including the nucleobases uracil, cytosine, and thymine. In this work, we irradiated H2O:pyrimidine ice mixtures under astrophysically relevant conditions (14 K, ≤10(-9) torr) with high-energy UV photons provided by a synchrotron source in three different ranges: the 0(th) order light (4.1-49.6 eV, 25-300 nm), the He i line (21.2 eV, 58.4 nm), and the He ii line (40.8 eV, 30.4 nm). The photodestruction of pyrimidine was monitored with IR spectroscopy, and the samples recovered at room temperature were analyzed with liquid and gas chromatographies. Uracil and its precursor 4(3H)-pyrimidone were found in all samples, with absolute and relative abundances varying significantly from one sample to another. These results support a scenario in which compounds of biological interest can be formed and survive in environments subjected to high-energy UV radiation fields.

Curative effect of Xuebijing injection on severe pulmonary contusion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the curative effects of Xuebijing (XBJ) injection, a Chinese patent medicine, on severe pulmonary contusion (PC). METHODS: Sixty-three patients with PC were randomized to conventional therapy plus XBJ injection (n = 33) or conventional therapy alone (n = 30). Between groups differences in corticosteroid treatment, immune regulation therapy, hemofiltration, infusion volume, transfusion volume and antibiotic period were measured, as were intensive care unit (ICU)-free time, ventilation time, 28-day mortality rate and incidence of ventilation-associated pneumonia (VAP). Serum concentrations of procalcitonin (PCT), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10, white blood cell (WBC) counts and percentages of human leukocyte antigen DR/ CD14+ (HLA-DR/CD14+) peripheral blood mononuclear cells were compared. Markers of ventilation were determined by blood gas analysis and ventilator parameters. RESULTS: WBC counts and serum concentrations of PCT, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10 were reduced significantly more quickly, and CD14+ percentage was increased significantly earlier, in the XBJ group than in the control group (P < 0.05 each).The level of ventilation and oxygenation index were ameliorated earlier in the XBJ than in the control group (P < 0.05). XBJ treatment significantly reduced ICU-free time, ventilation time and incidence of VAP (P < 0.05 each), but had no effect on 28-day mortality rate CONCLUSION: XBJ treatment can shorten ICU-free and ventilation times and reduce the incidence of VAP, improving outcomes in patients with severe PC. XBJ may act by regulating inflammation and immunity, alleviating systemic inflammatory response syndrome induced by trauma.

Early elevated HMGB1 level predicting the outcome in exertional heatstroke.

BACKGROUND: Heatstroke is generally considered as a syndrome of hyperthermia associated with systemic inflammation leading to multiorgan dysfunction. High mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) has recently been identified as a late mediator of systemic inflammation inducing multiorgan dysfunction. Elevation of plasma HMGB1 in heatstroke has been observed in animals, but there is no data available about its changes in heatstroke patients. The objectives of this study are to observe the time course of plasma HMGB1 changes and assess its prognostic value in patients with exertional heatstroke. METHODS: Blood samples were taken from the patients with exertional heatstroke. Plasma HMGB1 level was detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. C-reactive protein level was measured using a fully automated IMMAGE Immunochemistry System. Secreted HMGB1 in the culture supernatant of peripheral blood monocyte was assessed by immunoblotting. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was evaluated within 24 hours of admission. RESULTS: HMGB1 released into circulation at early stage, with peak levels occurring within 6 hours to 13 hours postheatstroke. Plasma HMGB1 levels remained markedly elevated in the following 6 days postheatstroke when compared with healthy volunteers (p<0.005). Positive correlation (r=0.798, p<0.001) was found between Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score and HMGB1 level at admission. HMGB1 levels at admission between survivors and nonsurvivors were significantly different (p<0.001). Receiver operating curve analysis showed that at a level of 47 ng/mL, HMGB1 level at admission indicated lethality with 77.4% sensitivity and 84.2% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: HMGB1 level at admission is an indicator of the severity of illness and a useful mortality predictor in exertional heatstroke.

[Role of assessment and monitoring of human leucocyte antigen-DR on CD14+ monocyte in postoperative infection in patients after orthotopic liver transplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in expression level of human leucocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) on CD14(+) monocyte (CD14(+)/HLA-DR) in the patients after orthotopic liver transplantation, and its role in monitoring postoperative infection. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with liver transplantation were divided into three groups, non-infection group with 47 cases, infection group with 10 cases and septic shock group with 6 cases [according to the definition of septic shock of American College of Chest Physicians/Society for Critical Care Medicine (ACCP/SCCM)]. CD14(+)/HLA-DR expression ratio was assessed with flow cytometer, and its clinical implication was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve assay. RESULTS: CD14(+)/HLA-DR expression ratio in infection group [(29.6+/-7.2)%] and septic shock group [(16.3+/-10.5)%] were significantly lower than that in non-infection group [(62.3+/-18.3)%, both P<0.01], but no significant difference of CD14(+)/HLA-DR expression ratio was found between infection group and septic shock group (P=0.128). Total area under ROC curve of CD14(+)/HLA-DR expression ratio for the infection was 0.965, its sensitivity and specificity at 36.35% cut off were 100.0% and 93.6%, respectively. Total area under ROC curve of CD14(+)/HLA-DR expression ratio to predict septic shock was 0.968, its sensitivity and specificity at 31.97% cut off were 100.0% and 87.7%, respectively. Comparing the change of CD14(+)/HLA-DR expression, it was lower in the infection group and septic shock group (P<0.05 and P<0.01), and the expression rate was lowest during period of serious infection in the two groups [infection group: (29.6+/-7.2)%, septic shock group: (16.3+/-0.5)%, all P<0.01]. CONCLUSION: For the patients with possible infection after liver transplantation, sequential assessment of CD14(+)/HLA-DR expression ratio would be a good marker for the judgment of patient's conditions and outcome. CD14(+)/HLA-DR expression ratio below 36.35% could be used as the prewarning value for the diagnosis of postoperative infection, and 31.97% could be used as the critical value for the diagnosis of septic shock.