Research Advances of Nonfused Ring Acceptors for Organic Solar Cells.

The last few decades have witnessed the rapid development of organic solar cells (OSCs). High power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of over 19% have been successfully achieved due to the emergence of fused-ring acceptors (FRAs). However, the high complexity and low yield for the material synthesis result in high production costs of FRAs, limiting the further commercial application of OSCs. In contrast, nonfused ring acceptors (NFRAs) with the merits of facile synthesis, high yield, and preferable stability can promote the development of low-cost OSCs. Currently, the PCEs of NFRAs-based OSCs have exceeded 17%, which is expected to reach efficiency comparable to that of the FRAs-based OSCs. This review describes the advantages of the recent advances in NFRAs, which emphasizes exploring how the chemical structures of NFRAs influence molecular conformation, aggregation, and packing modes. In addition, the further development of NFRA materials is prospected from molecular design, morphological control, and stability perspectives.

Nrf2/HO-1 pathway is involved the anti-inflammatory action of intrauterine infusion of platelet-rich plasma against lipopolysaccharides in endometritis.

OBJECTIVE(S): Endometritis is the inflammatory response of the uterine lining which is linked to infertility. Administration of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) represents a well-recommended strategy for the treatment of endometrium-associated infertility. In this study, we set to characterize the role and molecular mechanism of PRP intrauterine infusion in mice with endometritis. METHODS: A mouse model of endometritis was established using lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Mouse endometrial epithelial cells were obtained in primary culture. PRP-treated cells were assayed for proliferative and apoptotic activities. Moreover, iNOS expression and chemokine and inflammatory factor contents in cells were assessed using RT-qPCR and ELISA. The mice were subjected to PRP intrauterine infusion. The expression of genes related to uterine development was analyzed by qPCR and the ki-67 content and caspase-3 activation in endometrial tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry. Finally, the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway activity in tissues was examined by Western blot. RESULTS: LPS induced inflammatory cell recruitment and tissue damage in the endometrium of mice, along with significantly increased levels of inflammatory and chemokine factors. PRP significantly enhanced endometrial epithelial cell activity, decreased apoptosis, and reduced inflammatory factor secretion. In addition, PRP intrauterine infusion significantly increased the expression of genes related to uterine development, promoted tissue proliferation, decreased apoptosis, and diminished inflammatory response in endometrial tissues of mice. PRP intrauterine infusion significantly elevated Nrf2/HO-1 pathway activity in endometrial epithelial cells and tissues. CONCLUSION: PRP intrauterine infusion significantly inhibited endometrial cell injury and alleviated the inflammatory response through activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Acute retroperitoneal hemorrhage after oocyte retrieval: a case report.

A 29-year-old woman with a 5-year history of primary infertility underwent in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment. Hemorrhagic shock caused by retroperitoneal hematoma after oocyte retrieval was treated promptly by the evaluation of diagnostic laparoscopy and angiography. The patient was recovered and discharged from the hospital 7 days later without any complications. She was later diagnosed with Von Willebrand disease by a hematologist.

[Autoimmune disorders affect the in vitro fertilization outcome in infertile women].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of autoimmune disorders on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in infertile women. METHODS: A total of 236 infertile women underwent IVF-ET, including 34 with antiphospholipid antibody (APA) positive, 33 anti-trophoblast antibody (ATA) positive, 35 anti-hCG antibody (hCGAb) positive, 32 anti-endometrium antibody (EmAb) positive, and 102 with antibodies negative that comprised the control group. Those with two or more antibodies positive were excluded in this study. Comparisons were made in the rates of embryo implantation, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage and biochemical pregnancy between the positive groups and the negative controls. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the rates of embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy between the positive and negative groups (P > 0.05). The rate of biochemical pregnancy was higher in the APA, ATA and hCGAb positive than in the EmAb positive and the control group (P < 0.05). The miscarriage rate was higher while the ongoing pregnancy rate was lower in the positive groups than in the negative control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Such autoantibodies as APA, ATA, HCG-Ab and EmAb may cause miscarriage in infertile women undergoing IVF and consequently reduce the rate of ongoing pregnancy, which necessitates the determination of these antibodies in these patients.