Molecular Engineering on Bis(benzothiophene-S,S-dioxide)-Based Large-Band Gap Polymers for Interfacial Modifications in Polymer Solar Cells.

The development of effectively universal interfacial materials for both conventional and inverted polymer solar cells (PSCs) plays a very crucial role in achieving highly photovoltaic performance and feasible device engineering. In this study, two novel alcohol-soluble conjugated polymers (PBSON-P and PBSON-FEO) with bis(benzothiophene-S,S-dioxide)-fused aromatics (FBTO) as the core unit and amino as functional groups are synthesized. They are utilized as universal cathode interfacial layers for both conventional and inverted PSCs simultaneously. Ascribing to the enlarged conjugated planarity and higher electron affinity for an FBTO unit, both PBSON-P and PBSON-FEO exhibit versatile electron-transporting abilities. They show wide band gaps that are important for light absorption in inverted PSCs, at which point PBSON-P and PBSON-FEO are more progressive than some of the reported small band gap cathode interfacial materials. Importantly, PBSON-P and PBSON-FEO display deep highest occupied molecular orbital energy levels, which can block holes at the cathode and thus increase the fill factor. As a result, both conventional and inverted PSCs using PBSON-P and PBSON-FEO as cathode interlayers realize high photovoltaic performance. Therefore, this series of novel polymers are amphibious cathode interfacial materials for high-performance conventional and inverted PSCs.

miR-140-5p-mediated regulation of the proliferation and differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells occurs through the lipopolysaccharide/toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway.

Human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are oral mesenchymal stem cells with potential to differentiate into various cell types. Recent studies of DPSCs have focused on microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small noncoding RNAs that play crucial roles in regulating DPSC phenotypes. In the current study, the expression of miR-140-5p was significantly decreased during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated differentiation of DPSCs in vitro. Overexpression of miR-140-5p enhanced proliferation of DPSCs and inhibited DPSC differentiation, whereas suppression of miR-140-5p produced the opposite effect. Moreover, the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), a critical regulator of DPSCs, was negatively correlated with the levels of miR-140-5p. A luciferase reporter analysis confirmed that miR-140-5p could regulate TLR-4 by directly binding to the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of the TLR4 mRNA. Additionally, we suppressed TLR-4 expression by treating cells with a TLR-4 inhibitor, CLI-095, and demonstrated that the effect of the miR-140-5p inhibitor on DPSC proliferation and differentiation could be partially reversed by blocking TLR-4. Taken together, our data suggest that miR-140-5p is a novel miRNA that regulates DPSC proliferation and differentiation.

Applying Thienyl Side Chains and Different π-Bridge to Aromatic Side-Chain Substituted Indacenodithiophene-Based Small Molecule Donors for High-Performance Organic Solar Cells.

A pair of linear tetrafluorinated small molecular donors, named as ThIDTTh4F and ThIDTSe4F, which are with tetrathienyl-substituted IDT as electron-rich central core, electron-deficient difluorobenzothiadiazole as acceptor units, and donor end-capping groups, but having differences in the π-bridge (thiophene and selenophene), were successfully synthesized and evaluated as donor materials in organic solar cells. Such π-bridge and core units in these small molecules play a decisive role in the formation of the nanoscale separation of the blend films, which were systematically investigated through absorption spectra, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction pattern, transmission electron microscopy images, resonant soft X-ray scattering profiles, and charge mobility measurement. The ThIDTSe4F (with selenophene π-bridge)-based device exhibited superior performance than devices based on ThIDTh4F (with thiophene π-bridge) after post annealing treatment owing to optimized film morphology and improved charge transport. Power conversion efficiency of 7.31% and fill factor of ∼0.70 were obtained by using a blend of ThIDTSe4F and PC71BM with thermal annealing and solvent vapor annealing treatments, which is the highest PCE from aromatic side-chain substituted IDT-based small molecular solar cells. The scope of this study is to reveal the structure-property relationship of the aromatic side-chain substituted IDT-based donor materials as a function of π-bridge and the post annealing conditions.

Dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide and Bispyridinium-Based Cationic Polyfluorene Derivative as an Efficient Cathode Modifier for Polymer Solar Cells.

A novel n-type conjugated polymer containing dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide (FSO), bispyridinium, and fluorene scaffolds in the backbone (PFSOPyCl) was synthesized and used in the cathode interfacial layers (CILs) of conventional polymer solar cells (PSCs). The high electron affinities and large planar structures of the FSO and bispyridinium units endowed this polymer with good energy level alignments with [6,6]-phenyl-C71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) and metal cathode, and excellent electron transport and extraction properties. Polymer solar cells (PSCs) based on the poly[N-9″-heptadecanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4',7'-di-2-thienyl-2',1',3'-benzothiadiazole)] (PCDTBT):PC71BM system with PFSOPyCl CIL exhibited simultaneous enhancement in open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current density (Jsc), and fill factor (FF), while the power conversion efficiency increased from 5.47% to 6.79%, relative to the bare Al device. Besides, PSC based on the poly[4,8-bis(2-ethylhexyloxyl)benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithio-phene-2,6-diyl-alt-ethylhexyl-3-fluorothithieno [3,4-b]thiophene-2-carboxylate-4,6-diyl] (PTB7):PC71BM system achieved a PCE of 8.43% when using PFSOPyCl as CIL. Hence, PFSOPyCl is a promising candidate CIL for PSCs.

Synthesis, photophysics, electrochemistry, thermal stability and electroluminescent performances of a new europium complex with bis(ß-diketone) ligand containing carbazole group.

We synthesized a new europium complex [Eu(ecbpd)3 (Phen)] with bis(ß-diketone) ligand containing a carbazole group, in which ecbpd and Phen are dehydro-3,3'-(9-ethyl-9H-carbazole-3,6-diyl)bis(1-phenylpropane-1,3-dione) and 1,10-phenanthroline, respectively. Its UV/vis and photoluminescent spectra, quantum yield, luminescence lifetime, electrochemistry, thermal stability and electroluminescent performances were studied. This europium complex showed low efficiency luminescence, which is probably due to the mismatching energy levels of its ligand and Eu3+ , as well as the double Eu3+ core resonance.

Series of Multifluorine Substituted Oligomers for Organic Solar Cells with Efficiency over 9% and Fill Factor of 0.77 by Combination Thermal and Solvent Vapor Annealing.

We report the synthesis of a family of multifluorine substituted oligomers and the corresponding polymer that have the same backbones but different conjugation lengths and amounts of fluorine atoms on the backbone. The physical properties and photovoltaic performances of these materials were systematically investigated using optical absorption, charge mobility, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, resonant soft X-ray scattering methods, and photovoltaic devices. The power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) based on oligomers were much higher than that in the polymer. Moreover, the devices based on BIT6F and BIT10F, which have an axisymmetric electron-deficient difluorobenzothiadiazole as the central unit, gave slightly higher PCEs than those with centrosymmetric electron-rich indacenodithiophene (IDT) as the central unit (BIT4F or BIT8F). Using proper solvent vapor annealing (SVA), particularly using thermal annealing (TA) followed by SVA, the device performance could be significantly improved. Notably, the best PCE of 9.1% with a very high FF of 0.76 was achieved using the medium-sized oligomer BIT6F with the optimized film morphology. This efficiency is the highest value reported for organic solar cells from small-molecules without rhodanine terminal group. More excitingly, devices from the shortest oligomer BIT4F showed an impressively high FF of 0.77 (the highest FF value reported for solution-processed small-molecule organic solar cells). These results indicate that photovoltaic performances of oligomers can be modulated through successive change in chain-length and fluorine atoms, alternating spatial symmetric core, and combined post-treatments.

Efficient solution-processed double-layer red OLEDs based on a new europium complex with a carbazole group.

A new europium complex EuL3 (Phen) was used as guest dopant, and a blend of Polyvinylcarbazole and 2-(biphenyl-4-yl)-5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PVK and PBD) as host matrix. Efficient red organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) with double-layer structures were manufactured via a solution-processed technique. The guest-doped levels were 1, 3 and 5 wt% relative to the blend mass, respectively. For the 1 wt% doping-level device, the luminous efficiency and luminance were up to 2.96 cd/A and 635.78 cd/m(2) with emissions from both EuL3 (Phen) and from the host; for the 3 wt% doping-level device, the maximum luminous efficiency and luminance were 1.01 cd/A and 370.91 cd/m(2) for the single emission from EuL3 (Phen) only.

Clinical trial with traditional Chinese medicine intervention ''tonifying the kidney to promote liver regeneration and repair by affecting stem cells and their microenvironment'' for chronic hepatitis B-associated liver failure.

AIM: To study the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervention "tonifying the kidney to promote liver regeneration and repair by affecting stem cells and their microenvironment" ("TTK") for treating liver failure due to chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: We designed the study as a randomized controlled clinical trial. Registration number of Chinese Clinical Trial Registry is ChiCTR-TRC-12002961. A total of 144 patients with liver failure due to infection with chronic hepatitis B virus were enrolled in this randomized controlled clinical study. Participants were randomly assigned to the following three groups: (1) a modern medicine control group (MMC group, 36 patients); (2) a "tonifying qi and detoxification" ("TQD") group (72 patients); and (3) a "tonifying the kidney to promote liver regeneration and repair by affecting stem cells and their microenvironment" ("TTK") group (36 patients). Patients in the MMC group received general internal medicine treatment; patients in the "TQD" group were given a TCM formula "tonifying qi and detoxification" and general internal medicine treatment; patients in the "TTK" group were given a TCM formula of "TTK" and general internal medicine treatment. All participants were treated for 8 wk and then followed at 48 wk following their final treatment. The primary efficacy end point was the patient fatality rate in each group. Measurements of various virological and biochemical indicators served as secondary endpoints. The one-way analysis of variance and the t-test were used to compare patient outcomes in the different treatment groups. RESULTS: At the 48-wk post-treatment time point, the patient fatality rates in the MMC, "TQD", and "TTK" groups were 51.61%, 35.38%, and 16.67%, respectively, and the differences between groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the levels of hepatitis B virus DNA or prothrombin activity among the three groups (P > 0.05). Patients in the "TTK" group had significantly higher levels of serum total bilirubin compared to MMC subjects (339.40 µmol/L ± 270.09 µmol/L vs 176.13 µmol/L ± 185.70 µmol/L, P = 0.014). Serum albumin levels were significantly increased in both the "TQD" group and "TTK" group as compared with the MMC group (31.30 g/L ± 4.77 g/L, 30.72 g/L ± 2.89 g/L vs 28.57 g/L ± 4.56 g/L, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in levels of alanine transaminase among the three groups (P > 0.05). Safety data showed that there was one case of stomachache in the "TQD" group and one case of gastrointestinal side effect in the "TTK" group. CONCLUSION: Treatment with "TTK" improved the survival rates of patients with liver failure due to chronic hepatitis B. Additionally, liver tissue was regenerated and liver function was restored.

[The gene ontology and electro localization of ovine skin derived EST-SSR markers].

Abstract: In order to study the potential gene function of ovine EST-SSR markers, nine original EST of Ovine Skin Derived polymorphic EST-SSR loci, which were developed in an early study by our lab, were ontology annotated and Electro localized. The results revealed that the original ESTs of the six loci had high homology with known genes and three of them probably played an important role in wool traits. Compared with its cDNA library, 8 loci were located on chromosomes of cattle. The homology of chromosomes between cattle and sheep was estimated based on the similarity coefficients calculated by positioning markers. Additionally, NJ clustering tree was establishedto serve for electro localization of ovine EST-SSR markers. Finally, 8 EST-SSR markers were successfully positioned on ovine chromosomes. The results from this study not only provide references for further studies on genetic mapping, in silico cloning of key genes for wool traits, but also are helpful to the researchs of chromosome evolution in animal.

[Comparative study on the shaping ability of canals with 2 new nickel- titanium rotary instruments].

PURPOSE: To compare the shaping ability of two nickel-titanium rotary systems: Mtwo and K3. METHODS: Thirty-six mesio-buccal root canals of maxillary first molars were divided into two groups: group A(> or =20> or =) and group B(<20 degrees ),according to the angle of the canal. Then, each group was randomly divided into two subsets and prepared by Mtwo,K3, respectively. All root canals were injected with the contrast medium and digital images of all canals were recorded before and after instrumentation. The computer assistant analyze image software was used to form the geometrical central line of pre-instrumented canals. Then the central line was imaged to the post-instrumented canals. The canal transportation and the decrease of curvature were measured. All the data was analyzed with SPSS11.0 software package. RESULTS: Difference between groups was compared using t test.When the curvature of canal > or =20 degrees ,the transportation at the beginning of the curvature and the decrease of curvature of Mtwo were significantly less than those of K3(P<0.05).When the curvature of canal <20 degrees there was no significant difference between Mtwo and K3 in the transportation and decrease of curvature(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both Mtwo and K3 systems show good preservation of the original geometry of the root canals, the Mtwo system can better preserve original curvature of canals, when the curvature of canal is larger than 20 degrees .

An ionic molecular glass as electron injection layer for efficient polymer light-emitting diode.

An ionic molecular glass based on a dendronized monoammonium salt has been facilely synthesized and utilized as an interfacial electron-injection layer in a light-emitting diode (LED). The characterization of a yellow-green LED that involves an Al cathode and a thin layer of the new compound spin cast from a methanol solution has shown device performances comparable to those obtained with a Ba/Al cathode. Photovoltaic measurements under white light irradiation reveal that a thin layer of the new compound can significantly increase the built-in potential and thus facilitate electron injection from an Al cathode. Furthermore, it is interesting to observe that the new ionic salt could undergo reorganization on the emissive conjugated polymer layer, which leads to the formation of nearly uniform nanoaggregates.

Vesicular stomatitis virus matrix protein gene enhances the antitumor effects of radiation via induction of apoptosis.

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) matrix (M) protein can directly induce apoptosis by inhibiting host gene expression when it is expressed in the absence of other viral components. Previously, we found that the M protein gene complexed to DOTAP-cholesterol liposome (Lip-MP) can suppress malignant tumor growth in vitro and in vivo; however, little is known regarding the biological effect of Lip-MP combined with radiation. The present study was designed to determine whether Lip-MP could enhance the antitumor activity of radiation. LLC cells treated with a combination of Lip-MP and radiation displayed apparently increased apoptosis compared with those treated with Lip-MP or radiation alone. Mice bearing LLC or Meth A tumors were treated with intratumoral or intravenous injections of Lip-MP and radiation. The combined treatment significantly reduced mean tumor volumes compared with either treatment alone in both tumor models and prolonged the survival time in Meth A tumor models and the intravenous injection group of LLC tumor models. Moreover, the antitumor effects of Lip-MP combined with radiation were greater than their additive effects when compared with the expected effects of the combined treatment in vivo. This study suggests that Lip-MP enhanced the antitumor activity of radiation by increasing the induction of apoptosis.

[Anterior radical debridement and bone grafting with one-stage instrumentation anteriorly or posteriorly for the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of anterior radical debridement and autologous ilium or titanium cage interbody autografting with one-stage instrumentation anteriorly or posteriorly for the treatment of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis. METHODS: Sixty-eight cases of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis were surgically treated with anterior radical debridement and autologous ilium or titanium cage interbody autografting with one-stage instrumentation anteriorly or posteriorly from Jan 2001 to Feb 2006. Thirty-nine were male and 29 were female age ranged from 28 to 76 years, (average 36.8 years. The course of illness was from 3 months to 1.5 years average 8 months). Fifty-five of them underwent anterior instrumentations, and the remaining underwent posterior instrumentations. All patients were followed up to determine the stages of intervertebral bony fusion and the corrections of spinal kyphosis and the restoration of neurological deficit RESULTS: The follow-up period ranged from 1.5 years to 5 years (mean 36 months). Sinus formation occurred in 3 cases and healed after continuous dressing changes. The ESR of these patients decreased to normal levels after an average of 3.2 months postoperatively. The functions of feeling, motion and sphincter in 27 cases among all 28 paraplegia cases gradually recovered 24 h to 3 months postoperatively and ASIA grades increased at least one grade at the final follow-up. Only 1 case did not recover at all and ASIA grade did not increase at the final follow-up. Intervertebral bony fusions were all achieved for a mean of 4.8 months (ranged from 3 to 15 months) postoperatively. No internal fixation devices were loose, extracted or broken. Average Cobb angle of kyphotic deformities was 41.2 degree preoperatively and decreased to 13.6 degree at 1 week postoperatively. The average correction was 27.6 degree. The average Cobb angle was 15.8 degree at the final follow-up and the average loss of correction was only 2.2 degree. There were no recurrences in all cases. CONCLUSION: The method of anterior radical debridement and interbody grafting with one-stage instrumentation anteriorly or posteriorly was effective for the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.

Liposomal quercetin efficiently suppresses growth of solid tumors in murine models.

PURPOSE: Quercetin is a potent chemotherapeutic drug. Clinical trials exploring different schedules of administration of quercetin have been hampered by its extreme water insolubility. To overcome this limitation, this study is aimed to develop liposomal quercetin and investigate its distribution in vivo and antitumor efficacy in vivo and in vitro. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Quercetin was encapsulated in polyethylene glycol 4000 liposomes. Biodistribution of liposomal quercetin i.v. at 50 mg/kg in tumor-bearing mice was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography. Induction of apoptosis by liposomal quercetin in vitro was tested. The antitumor activity of liposomal quercetin was evaluated in the immunocompetent C57BL/6N mice bearing LL/2 Lewis lung cancer and in BALB/c mice bearing CT26 colon adenocarcinoma and H22 hepatoma. Tumor volume and survival time were observed. The mechanisms underlying the antitumor effect of quercetin in vivo was investigated by detecting the microvessel density, apoptosis, and heat shock protein 70 expression in tumor tissues. RESULTS: Liposomal quercetin could be dissolved in i.v. injection and effectively accumulate in tumor tissues. The half-time of liposomal quercetin was 2 hours in plasma. The liposomal quercetin induced apoptosis in vitro and significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo in a dose-dependent manner. The optimal dose of liposomal quercetin resulted in a 40-day survival rate of 40%. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that liposomal quercetin down-regulated the expression of heat shock protein 70 in tumor tissues. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that liposomal quercetin inhibited tumor angiogenesis as assessed by CD31 and induced tumor cell apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicated that pegylated liposomal quercetin can significantly improve the solubility and bioavailability of quercetin and can be a potential application in the treatment of tumor.

Association of differentially expressed genes with activation of mouse hepatic stellate cells by high-density cDNA microarray.

AIM: To characterize the gene expression profiles associated with activation of mouse hepatic stellate cell (HSC) and provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. METHODS: Mice HSCs were isolated from BALB/c mice by in situ perfusion of collagenase and pronase and single-step density Nycodenz gradient. Total RNA and mRNA of quiescent HSC and culture-activated HSC were extracted, quantified and reversely transcribed into cDNA. cDNAs from activated HSC were labeled with Cy5 and cDNAs from the quiescent HSC were labeled with Cy3, which were mixed with equal quantity, then hybridized with cDNA chips containing 4000 genes. Chips were washed, scanned and analyzed. Increased expression of 4 genes and decreased expression of one gene in activated HSC were confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: A total of 835 differentially expressed genes were identified by cDNA chip between activated and quiescent HSC, and 465 genes were highly expressed in activated HSC. The differentially expressed genes included those involved in protein synthesis, cell-cycle regulation, apoptosis, and DNA damage response. CONCLUSION: Many genes implicated in intrahepatic inflammation, fibrosis and proliferation were up-regulated in activated HSC. cDNA microarray is an effective technique in screening for differentially expressed genes between two different situations of the HSC. Further analysis of the obtained genes will help understand the molecular mechanism of activation of HSC and hepatic fibrosis.

[Study on the degradation of polymer light-emitting diodes by in-situ micro-Raman spectroscopy].

The authors report Raman degradation study of polymer light-emitting devices under ambient conditions. In order to investigate the chemical degradation reaction in polymer light-emitting diode (PLEDs) devices, the chemical structure of the poly (2-(4-Ethylhexyl) phenyl-1, 4-phenylene vinylene) (P-PPV) polymer was analyzed by micro-Raman spectroscopy during the lifetime of the devices. The evidence for the reduction of conjugation length is provided by Raman spectroscopy. This reduction of theconjugation length, which dramatically increases the resistance and cuts off the current density, was the main reason for the failure of lighting. These findings provide an important insight into the intrinsic degradation mechanisms of the polymer LEDs and help in the development of even more stable devices.

[Pharmacokinetics of beta-asarone in rats].

AIM: To study the pharmacokinetics of beta-asarone in rats. METHODS: The concentration of beta-asarone in serum and organs were measured by HPLC after i.g. administration, the pharmacokinetics was analyzed with DAS software regarding the organs as independent system. RESULTS: The pharmacokinetics of beta-asarone can be described as first order process of one-compartment model. In the serum, T(1/2), Tpeak and Cmax were 54 min, 12 min and 3.19 mg x L(-1), respectively. The procedure in the organs was similar to that in serum. CONCLUSION: The absorption, distribution and elimination of beta-asarone are very rapid, and it is easy to pass through blood brain barrier. Brain is an important organ of distributing of beta-asarone.

[Long-term follow-up of enlargement annulus aortic valve replacement in small aortic root].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term survival of patients after aortic valve replacement with enlarged annulus. METHODS: From July 1988 to December 2001, the annulus was enlarged in 45 patients. The enlargement techniques included Manouguian's (39 patients), Nicks's (5) and konno's (1). Doppler echocardiography was performed in 43 patients one month after operation. Left ventricular outflow gradient was derived from continuous Doppler measurements of flow velocity, and effective orifice area was calculated by the continuity equation. RESULTS: The operative mortality was 4.4% (2/45) in this group. One patient died of ventricular fibrillation and the other, lower output syndrome. All patients were followed up with a cumulative follow-up period of 6.2 years. Neither valve-related deaths nor valve-related complications occurred. 97.6% survivors (42/43) belonged to NYHA class I-II, and 2.4% (1/43), class III. No significant differences were observed in hemodynamic performance of differently sized prostheses for each valve type. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-prosthesis mismatch with heart valve prostheses as demonstrated by the indexed effective orifice area can be avoided by use of Manouguian's annulus enlarging techniques. The hemodynamic performance of these aortic valve prostheses is satisfactory.