Hole transport layer engineering in high performance quasi-2D perovskite blue light emitting diodes.

Quasi-2D perovskites have emerged as highly promising materials for application in perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs), garnering significant attention due to their outstanding semiconductor properties. These materials boast an inherent multi-quantum well structure that imparts a robust confinement effect, particularly advantageous for blue emission. However, the development of blue emitters utilizing quasi-2D perovskites encounters challenges, notably colour instability, multipeak emission, and suboptimal fluorescence yield. The hole transfer layer (HTL) on which the perovskite layer is deposited in PeLEDs further affects the performance and efficiency. In this review, we delve into the evolution of blue PeLEDs and elucidate the optical properties of quasi-2D perovskites with the primary focus on HTL materials. We explore different HTL materials like PEDOT:PSS, metal oxides, and conjugated polyelectrolytes as well as ionic liquids, and their role in enhancing the colour stability, minimizing interfacial defects and increasing the fluorescence yield. This review endeavours to provide a holistic perspective of the different HTLs and serve as a valuable reference for researchers navigating the realm of HTL engineering towards the realization of high-performance blue quasi-2D PeLEDs.

A Novel Pre-Clinical Modeling of Massive Hemorrhagic Shock in Non-Human Primate: A Safe and Reproducible Method (Macaca fascicularis).

BACKGROUND: Although non-human primates are the closest animals to humans to simulate physiological and metabolic responses, there is a paucity of primate hemorrhagic shock models that are standardized and reproducible. Herein, we describe a model that is a clinical replica of extreme class IV hemorrhagic shock with a step-by-step description of the procedure in cynomolgus macaque monkeys. METHODS: The physiological changes that occurred during the process were evaluated using hemodynamic parameters, echocardiogram, and laboratory values. Five female monkeys were subjected to trauma laparotomy, followed by cannulation of the abdominal aorta to achieve graded hemorrhage. A central line was placed in the right internal jugular vein, which was subsequently used for laboratory sampling and volume resuscitation. The withdrawal of blood was ceased when a predefined cardiac endpoint with cardiac arrhythmia or bradycardia was reached. The animals were then immediately resuscitated with transfusion. The primary cardiac endpoint was consistently reached in all 5 animals during the fourth hemorrhage when more than 70% of the estimated total blood volume was lost. RESULTS: No mortality occurred during the process. The blood pressure, cardiac output measured from an echocardiogram, and hemoglobin correlated well with increasing loss of circulating volume, whereas the pulse pressure variation did not. The echocardiogram was also a useful predictor for urgent volume replacement. CONCLUSION: This model offers a safe and reproducible surgical hemorrhagic model in non-human primates and simulates clinical practice. This could provide a useful platform on which further studies can be carried out to address unanswered questions in trauma management.

An analysis of Y-chromosome microdeletion in infertile Korean men with severe oligozoospermia or azoospermia.

PURPOSE: Infertility affects 10% to 15% of couples, and male factor accounts for 50% of the cases. The relevant male genetic factors, which account for at least 15% of male infertility, include Y-chromosome microdeletions. We investigated clinical data and patterns of Y-chromosome microdeletions in Korean infertile men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 919 infertile men whose sperm concentration was ≤5 million/mL in two consecutive analyses were investigated for Y-chromosome microdeletion. Among them, 130 infertile men (14.1%) demonstrated Y-chromosome microdeletions. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: In 130 men with Y-chromosome microdeletions, 90 (69.2%) had azoospermia and 40 (30.8%) had severe oligozoospermia. The most frequent microdeletions were in the azoospermia factor (AZF) c region (77/130, 59.2%), followed by the AZFb+c (30/130, 23.1%), AZFa (8/130, 6.2%), AZFb (7/130, 5.4%), AZFa+b+c (7/130, 5.4%), and AZFa+c (1/130, 0.7%) regions. In men with oligozoospermia, 37 (92.5%) had AZFc microdeletion. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 30 patients (23.1%). Higher follicle-stimulating hormone level (23.2±13.5 IU/L vs. 15.1±9.0 IU/L, p<0.001), higher luteinizing hormone level (9.7±4.6 IU/L vs. 6.0±2.2 IU/L, p<0.001), and lower testis volume (10.6±4.8 mL vs. 13.3±3.8 mL, p<0.001) were observed in azoospermia patients compared to severe oligozoospermia patients. CONCLUSIONS: Y-chromosome microdeletion is a common genetic cause of male infertility. Therefore, Y-chromosome microdeletion test is recommended for the accurate diagnosis of men with azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia. Appropriate genetic counseling is mandatory before the use of assisted reproduction technique in men with Y-chromosome microdeletion.

Metabolomic Signatures of Brainstem in Mice following Acute and Subchronic Hydrogen Sulfide Exposure.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an environmental toxicant of significant health concern. The brain is a major target in acute H2S poisoning. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that acute and subchronic ambient H2S exposures alter the brain metabolome. Male 7-8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were exposed by whole-body inhalation to 1000 ppm H2S for 45 min and euthanized at 5 min or 72 h for acute exposure. For subchronic study, mice were exposed to 5 ppm H2S 2 h/day, 5 days/week for 5 weeks. Control mice were exposed to room air. The brainstem was removed for metabolomic analysis. Enrichment analysis showed that the metabolomic profiles in acute and subchronic H2S exposures matched with those of cerebral spinal fluid from patients with seizures or Alzheimer's disease. Acute H2S exposure decreased excitatory neurotransmitters, aspartate, and glutamate, while the inhibitory neurotransmitter, serotonin, was increased. Branched-chain amino acids and glucose were increased by acute H2S exposure. Subchronic H2S exposure within OSHA guidelines surprisingly decreased serotonin concentration. In subchronic H2S exposure, glucose was decreased, while polyunsaturated fatty acids, inosine, and hypoxanthine were increased. Collectively, these results provide important mechanistic clues for acute and subchronic ambient H2S poisoning and show that H2S alters brainstem metabolome.

Validation of the Korean Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Questionnaire.

Background: Measuring accurate and reliable scores of quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is important in both decision-making and treatment planning for the disease. Questionnaire, The ankylosing spondylitis quality of life (ASQoL), is one of the representative tools for assessing how seriously AS patients view their disease severity, activity, as well as their overall health. To make these types of questionnaires readable and understandable, local language translation of surveys should be required. A Korean version of the ASQoL questionnaire has accordingly been developed. This study assessed the Korean version of the ASQoL survey to evaluate the reliability and validity of it. Methods: Translation and reverse translation of the English ASQoL survey were conducted. A total of 120 consecutive AS patients received a mail including the Korean-translated 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), the ASQoL survey, and the visual analog scale (pain). The coefficient of intraclass correlation and Cronbach's alpha were computed, and factor analysis, as well as reliability assessments utilizing the kappa agreement statistics for each item, was undertaken. By analyzing the responses to SF-36 and ASQoL questionnaire utilizing Pearson's correlation coefficient, construct validity was calculated. Results: Factor analysis was performed regarding pain, physical function, and mental function. The kappa statistic of agreement was larger than 0.6 for all items. The ASQoL questionnaire had adequate test and re-test reliability (0.814). Furthermore, Cronbach'sα, the internal consistency, was very good (0.877). The Korean-translated ASQoL questionnaire demonstrated a significantly strong correlation between the single domain and total SF-36 scores. Conclusions: The Korean version of the ASQoL questionnaire showed acceptable properties of measurement and successful translation. Thus, it can be said that the questionnaire is appropriate for evaluating the outcomes of Korean patients with AS.

Disrupted brain mitochondrial morphology after in vivo hydrogen sulfide exposure.

Changes in mitochondrial dynamics are often associated with dietary patterns, medical treatments, xenobiotics, and diseases. Toxic exposures to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) harm mitochondria by inhibiting Complex IV and via other mechanisms. However, changes in mitochondrial dynamics, including morphology following acute exposure to H2S, are not yet fully understood. This study followed mitochondrial morphology changes over time after a single acute LCt50 dose of H2S by examining electron microscopy thalami images of surviving mice. Our findings revealed that within the initial 48 h after H2S exposure, mitochondrial morphology was impaired by H2S, supported by the disruption and scarcity of the cristae, which are required to enhance the surface area for ATP production. At the 72-h mark point, a spectrum of morphological cellular changes was observed, and the disordered mitochondrial network, accompanied by the probable disruption of mitophagy, was tied to changes in mitochondrial shape. In summary, this study sheds light on how acute exposure to high levels of H2S triggers alterations in mitochondrial shape and structure as early as 24 h that become more evident at 72 h post-exposure. These findings underscore the impact of H2S on mitochondrial function and overall cellular health.

Semen quality and sperm DNA fragmentation in cancer patients undergoing sperm cryopreservation.

PURPOSE: We compared semen quality and sperm DNA fragmentation in cancer patients who underwent sperm banking and controls who underwent sperm cryopreservation for assisted reproductive technology (ART). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 132 men, 65 cancer patients and 67 controls, were prospectively enrolled and performed sperm cryopreservation for fertility preservation from May 2019 to February 2021. Sperm quality was determined by measuring semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI). Sperm quality and sperm DFI were compared in cancer patients and controls. RESULTS: The major cancers of the 65 cancer patients were leukemia (26.2%), testicular cancer (23.1%), and lymphoma (20.0%). Sperm concentration, sperm total motility, and sperm progressive motility were significantly lower in cancer patients than in controls. Sperm DFI was significantly higher in cancer patients than in controls (24.32%±15.69% vs. 19.11%±11.63%; p=0.033). After excluding 8 cancer patients who received chemotherapy before sperm banking, sperm concentration, sperm total motility, and sperm progressive motility were significantly lower in cancer patients than in controls, but there was no significant difference in sperm DFI for cancer patients and controls (23.14%±12.79% vs. 19.11%±11.63%; p=0.069). CONCLUSIONS: Sperm quality was lower in cancer patients than in controls. There was no difference in the sperm DFI of cancer patients prior to chemotherapy and men presenting for sperm cryopreservation for ART. We recommend that all men who are planning cancer therapy should be offered sperm banking prior to gonadotoxic chemotherapy as a standard of fertility preservation.

Vitamin D in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare serum vitamin D levels in girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and controls using meta-analysis methods. We searched Medline (via PubMed), Cochrane, Scopus, and Embase databases for studies evaluating outcomes in AIS, including patient age, body mass index, bone mineral density (BMD), and serum levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, and phosphate, published between January 2000 and June 2020. We searched for studies that were limited to humans only. The inclusion criteria were a scoliosis study that measured vitamin D levels. We excluded duplicate publications such as review articles, case reports, and letters without original data. Two authors extracted data independently and resolved any discrepancies by consensus. RESULTS: Eight comparative studies were identified. Demographic characteristics, bone density, serum levels of vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and phosphate levels were not significantly different between AIS group and controls, except for serum calcium levels. The serum calcium levels were lower in AIS group than in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: This review includes eight comparative studies reporting serum vitamin D and/or parathyroid hormone levels in AIS. Due to heterogeneity, a limited number of meta-analyses have shown a weak correlation between serum vitamin D levels and the incidence of AIS. Larger, multicenter studies are therefore needed to validate the results.

Auxiliary liver xenotransplantation technique in a transgenic pig-to-non-human primate model: A surgical approach to prolong survival.

Xenotransplantation using pigs' liver offers a potentially alternative method to overcome worldwide donor shortage, or more importantly as a bridge to allotransplantation. However, it has been challenged by profound thrombocytopenia and fatal coagulopathy in non-human primate models. Here we suggest that a left auxiliary technique can be a useful method to achieve extended survival of the xenograft. Fifteen consecutive liver xenotransplants were carried out in a pig-to-cynomolgus model. Right auxiliary technique was implemented in two cases, orthotopic in eight cases, and left auxiliary in five cases. None of the right auxiliary recipients survived after surgery due to hemorrhage during complex dissection between the primate's right lobe and inferior vena cava. Orthotopic recipients survived less than 7 days secondary to profound thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy. Two out of five left auxiliary xenotransplants survived more than 3 weeks without uncontrolled thrombocytopenia or anemia, with one of them surviving 34 days, the longest graft survival reported to date. Left auxiliary xenotransplant is a feasible approach in non-human primate experiments, and the feared risk of thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy can be minimized. This may allow for longer evaluation of the xenograft and help better understand histopathological and immunological changes that occur following liver xenotransplantation.

Relationships between Clinical Status and Gait Parameters in Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Background: This study aimed to identify the relationship between gait parameters and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: The study group comprised 134 patients with AS and 124 patients were enrolled as controls. All study participants underwent instrumented gait analysis and completed clinical questionnaires. The kinematic parameters of gait were walking speed, step length, cadence, stance phase, single support, double support, phase coordination index (PCI), and gait asymmetry (GA). For each patient, a visual analog scale (VAS; 0-10) score was used to assess back pain, 36-item short form survey (SF-36) questionnaire was administered to evaluate the HRQOL, and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) was calculated. Using kinematic parameters and questionnaires, statistical analyses were done to investigate significant differences between the groups. Relationship of gait kinematic data and questionnaires of clinical outcome was also evaluated. Results: Among the 134 patients with AS, 34 were women and 100 were men. In the control group, 26 were women and 98 were men. The patients with AS and control group patients had significant differences in terms of walking speed, step length, single support, PCI, and GA. However, such differences were not observed in cadence, stance phase, and double support (p > 0.05). In correlation analyses, gait kinematic parameters and clinical outcomes were significantly related with each other. In multiple regression analysis performed to identify predictive factors for clinical outcome, walking speed was found to predict VAS, and walking speed and step length were found to predict the BASDAI and SF-36 scores. Conclusions: Patients with and without AS had significant differences in the gait parameters. Correlation analysis showed significant correlation between the gait kinematic data and clinical outcomes. In particular, walking speed and step length successfully predicted clinical outcomes in patients with AS.

Investigations into hydrogen sulfide-induced suppression of neuronal activity in vivo and calcium dysregulation in vitro.

Acute exposure to high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) leads to sudden death and, if survived, lingering neurological disorders. Clinical signs include seizures, loss of consciousness, and dyspnea. The proximate mechanisms underlying H2S-induced acute toxicity and death have not been clearly elucidated. We investigated electrocerebral, cardiac and respiratory activity during H2S exposure using electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (EKG) and plethysmography. H2S suppressed electrocerebral activity and disrupted breathing. Cardiac activity was comparatively less affected. To test whether Ca2+ dysregulation contributes to H2S-induced EEG suppression, we developed an in vitro real-time rapid throughput assay measuring patterns of spontaneous synchronized Ca2+ oscillations in cultured primary cortical neuronal networks loaded with the indicator Fluo-4 using the fluorescent imaging plate reader (FLIPR-Tetra®). Sulfide >5 ppm dysregulated synchronous calcium oscillation (SCO) patterns in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibitors of NMDA and AMPA receptors magnified H2S-induced SCO suppression. Inhibitors of L-type voltage gated Ca2+ channels and transient receptor potential channels prevented H2S-induced SCO suppression. Inhibitors of T-type voltage gated Ca2+ channels, ryanodine receptors, and sodium channels had no measurable influence on H2S-induced SCO suppression. Exposures to > 5 ppm sulfide also suppressed neuronal electrical activity in primary cortical neurons measured by multi-electrode array (MEA), an effect alleviated by pretreatment with the nonselective transient receptor potential channel inhibitor, 2-APB. 2-APB also reduced primary cortical neuronal cell death from sulfide exposure. These results improve our understanding of the role of different Ca2+ channels in acute H2S-induced neurotoxicity and identify transient receptor potential channel modulators as novel structures with potential therapeutic benefits.

Acute hydrogen sulfide-induced neurochemical and morphological changes in the brainstem.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a toxin affecting the cardiovascular, respiratory, and central nervous systems. Acute H2S exposure is associated with a high rate of mortality and morbidity. The precise pathophysiology of H2S-induced death is a controversial topic; however, inhibition of the respiratory center in the brainstem is commonly cited as a cause of death. There is a knowledge gap on toxicity and toxic mechanisms of acute H2S poisoning on the brainstem, a brain region responsible for regulating many reflective and vital functions. Serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) play a role in maintaining a normal stable respiratory rhythmicity. We hypothesized that the inhibitory respiratory effects of H2S poisoning are mediated by 5-HT in the respiratory center of the brainstem. Male C57BL/6 mice were exposed once to an LCt50 concentration of H2S (1000 ppm). Batches of surviving mice were euthanized at 5 min, 2 h, 12 h, 24 h, 72 h, and on day 7 post-exposure. Pulmonary function, vigilance state, and mortality were monitored during exposure. The brainstem was analyzed for DA, 3,4-dehydroxyphenyl acetic acid (DOPAC), 5-HT, 5-hydroxyindoleatic acid (5-HIAA), norepinephrine (NE), GABA, glutamate, and glycine using HPLC. Enzymatic activities of monoamine oxidases (MAO) were also measured in the brainstem using commercial kits. Neurodegeneration was assessed using immunohistochemistry and magnetic resonance imaging. Results showed that DA and DOPAC were significantly increased at 5 min post H2S exposure. However, by 2 h DA returned to normal. Activities of MAO were significantly increased at 5 min and 2 h post-exposure. In contrast, NE was significantly decreased at 5 min and 2 h post-exposure. Glutamate was overly sensitive to H2S-induced toxicity manifesting a time-dependent concentration reduction throughout the 7 day duration of the study. Remarkably, there were no changes in 5-HT, 5-HIAA, glycine, or GABA concentrations. Cytochrome c oxidase activity was inhibited but recovered by 24 h. Neurodegeneration was observed starting at 72 h post H2S exposure in select brainstem regions. We conclude that acute H2S exposure causes differential effects on brainstem neurotransmitters. H2S also induces neurodegeneration and biochemical changes in the brainstem. Additional work is needed to fully understand the implications of both the short- and long-term effects of acute H2S poisoning on vital functions regulated by the brainstem.

Effect of male age on reproductive function: A comparison of young and middle-aged men.

PURPOSE: There have been concerns regarding potential effects of older paternal age on male reproductive function. However, currently available data on this topic are insufficient and controversy exists. We analyzed semen characteristics and reproductive hormones in young men and middle-aged men to investigate the effect of age on male reproductive function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study examined healthy males of reproductive age who visited a single infertility center from January 2016 to July 2021. The young group consisted of men who were less than 35 years-old, and the middle-age group consisted of men who were more than 45 years-old. RESULTS: The two groups had no significant differences in sperm concentration ([89.9±59.4]×106/mL vs. [104.4±82.1]×106/mL, p=0.108) or sperm morphology (normal forms: 3.6%±1.5% vs. 3.4%±1.6%, p=0.131). However, the middle-age group had a smaller semen volume (3.2±1.5 mL vs. 2.5±1.4 mL, p<0.001), lower sperm motility (42.3%±9.8% vs. 31.2%±12.4%, p<0.001), lower progressive sperm motility (39.2%±10.3% vs. 28.4%±12.6%, p<0.001), and a higher serum follicle-stimulating hormone level. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that advanced male age might have a negative effect on fertility potential, as in women. This finding has important clinical implications because more couples are choosing to have children when they are older. Further studies on this issue, especially those that examine reproductive outcome, are warranted.

Azoospermic Men with a History of Cryptorchidism Treated by Orchiopexy Have Favorable Outcomes after Testicular Sperm Extraction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the sperm retrieval rate (SRR) and pregnancy rate after testicular sperm extraction in men with azoospermia and those with a history of cryptorchidism treated by orchiopexy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SRR and clinical pregnancy rate were investigated. We performed a sub-analysis that included factors such as bilaterality, age, and idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia (iNOA). The analysis comprised 13 studies from January 1995 to July 2021. The data sources were PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library included "cryptorchidism", "orchidopexy", "azoospermia", and "testicular sperm extraction". RESULTS: The overall mean SRR was 63.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 57.6%-68.6%; I²=62.4%), and the overall mean clinical pregnancy rate was 30.1% (95% CI, 22.6%-38.8%; I²=69.9%). The meta-analysis comparing the SRR, there was no significant difference between patients with a history of bilateral and unilateral orchiopexy (relative risk [RR]=1.02; 95% CI, 0.89-1.16; p=0.79). Orchiopexy performed under the age of 10 years showed significantly increased SRR compared to the age of over 10 years (RR=1.25; 95% CI, 1.06-1.47; p=0.008). Azoospermic men with a history of cryptorchidism treated by orchiopexy had significantly higher SRR than iNOA (RR=1.90; 95% CI, 1.40-2.58; p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Men with azoospermia and a history of cryptorchidism treated by orchiopexy had significantly higher SRR than those with iNOA after testicular sperm extraction. Furthermore, patients who underwent orchiopexy before the age of ten years had significantly higher SRR than patients operated at an older than the age of ten years.

Comparison of Korean Body Image Questionnaires in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study. PURPOSE: To obtain the results of four body image questionnaires analyzed for validity in Korean and compare them to radiographic findings and quality of life scores. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Each of the four body image questionnaires has been studied, but comparative studies of each other are rare. METHODS: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients ages 10 to 19 years completed the Korean version of the Quality of Life Profile for Spinal Deformities (K-QLPSD), the Scoliosis Research Society-22 self-image subscale (K-SRS-22-si), Korean version of the Spinal Appearance Questionnaire (K-SAQ), Korean version of the Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire-Scoliosis (K-BIDQ-S), and Korean version of the Italian Spine Youth Quality of Life (K-ISYQOL). Four body image questionnaires were compared with K-ISYQOL and radiographic major curve magnitude, coronal balance, and sagittal balance. Spearman's correlation was performed to compare the four body image questionnaires. RESULTS: The study included 84 AIS patients, with a mean age of 12.6 years and a major Cobb angle of 29.4°. The four surveys were correlated with major curve magnitude and K-ISYQOL. K-SAQ and K-BIDQ-S were correlated better than K-QLPSD, and K-SRS-22-si was correlated with K-ISYQOL. The four surveys were moderately correlated with major curve magnitude, but there was no correlation with age, coronal balance, and sagittal balance. CONCLUSIONS: K-SAQ and K-BIDQ-S correlate better with K-ISYQOL than K-QLPSD and K-SRS-22-si.

Ion-modulated radical doping of spiro-OMeTAD for more efficient and stable perovskite solar cells.

Record power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been obtained with the organic hole transporter 2,2',7,7'-tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenyl-amine)9,9'-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD). Conventional doping of spiro-OMeTAD with hygroscopic lithium salts and volatile 4-tert-butylpyridine is a time-consuming process and also leads to poor device stability. We developed a new doping strategy for spiro-OMeTAD that avoids post-oxidation by using stable organic radicals as the dopant and ionic salts as the doping modulator (referred to as ion-modulated radical doping). We achieved PCEs of >25% and much-improved device stability under harsh conditions. The radicals provide hole polarons that instantly increase the conductivity and work function (WF), and ionic salts further modulate the WF by affecting the energetics of the hole polarons. This organic semiconductor doping strategy, which decouples conductivity and WF tunability, could inspire further optimization in other optoelectronic devices.

Conformal quantum dot-SnO2 layers as electron transporters for efficient perovskite solar cells.

Improvements to perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have focused on increasing their power conversion efficiency (PCE) and operational stability and maintaining high performance upon scale-up to module sizes. We report that replacing the commonly used mesoporous-titanium dioxide electron transport layer (ETL) with a thin layer of polyacrylic acid-stabilized tin(IV) oxide quantum dots (paa-QD-SnO2) on the compact-titanium dioxide enhanced light capture and largely suppressed nonradiative recombination at the ETL-perovskite interface. The use of paa-QD-SnO2 as electron-selective contact enabled PSCs (0.08 square centimeters) with a PCE of 25.7% (certified 25.4%) and high operational stability and facilitated the scale-up of the PSCs to larger areas. PCEs of 23.3, 21.7, and 20.6% were achieved for PSCs with active areas of 1, 20, and 64 square centimeters, respectively.

Fibromyalgia in Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the demographic characteristics, disease activity, functional status, and quality of life between patients with axial spondyloarthritis and fibromyalgia and patients with axial spondyloarthritis without fibromyalgia. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE via PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Embase databases, from the earliest available indexing date to March 30, 2019, for comparative studies evaluating fibromyalgia in patients with axial spondyloarthritis. Two authors extracted data independently, and all discrepancies were resolved through consensus. RESULTS: Seven comparative studies were identified. No statistically significant differences were observed in terms of age, levels of inflammatory markers, and prevalence of extra-articular manifestations such as uveitis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease between patients with Axial spondyloarthritis fibromyalgia and those without it. Sex ratios (female to male) were approximately 3:2 and 1:3 in patients with and without fibromyalgia, respectively. The ratios concerning human leukocyte antigen B27-positive patients with and without fibromyalgia were 45.1% and 65.6%, respectively. Patients with fibromyalgia had significantly higher Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, and Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life scores. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis showed that patients with Axial spondyloarthritis fibromyalgia had considerably higher pain severity, disease activity, and worse quality of life than patients without fibromyalgia. The sex ratios (female to male) were approximately 3:2 and 1:3, and ratios for human leukocyte antigen B27-positive patients were 45.1% and 65.6% in patients with and without fibromyalgia, respectively. Further well-designed studies are needed to substantiate our results.

Update on genetic screening and treatment for infertile men with genetic disorders in the era of assisted reproductive technology.

A genetic etiology of male infertility is identified in fewer than 25% of infertile men, while 30% of infertile men lack a clear etiology, resulting in a diagnosis of idiopathic male infertility. Advances in reproductive genetics have provided insights into the mechanisms of male infertility, and a characterization of the genetic basis of male infertility may have broad implications for understanding the causes of infertility and determining the prognosis, optimal treatment, and management of couples. In a substantial proportion of patients with azoospermia, known genetic factors contribute to male infertility. Additionally, the number of identified genetic anomalies in other etiologies of male infertility is growing through advances in whole-genome amplification and next-generation sequencing. In this review, we present an up-to-date overview of the indications for appropriate genetic tests, summarize the characteristics of chromosomal and genetic diseases, and discuss the treatment of couples with genetic infertility by microdissection-testicular sperm extraction, personalized hormone therapy, and in vitro fertilization with pre-implantation genetic testing.

Effect of bisphosphonates on ankylosing spondylitis: A meta-analysis.

This study aimed to compare outcomes between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) treated with and without bisphosphonate (BP; non-BP) through a meta-analysis. The Medline (via PubMed), Cochrane, Scopus, and Embase databases were searched for studies that evaluated the outcomes of AS, including patient age, disease duration, disease activity, and bone mineral density (BMD), published between January 2000 and March 2020. Two authors extracted the data independently. Any discrepancies were resolved by a consensus. Six comparative studies were identified. No significant differences were found between the BP and non-BP groups in terms of demographic characteristics, disease activity, and BMD, except for follow-up erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The follow-up ESR was higher in the BP than in the non-BP group. A literature review identified six comparative studies reporting the outcomes of BP and non-BP treatments for AS. Despite the heterogeneity, a limited number of meta-analyses reported that BP treatment was not clearly better than non-BP treatment. Hence, further large-scale multicenter studies are required to validate our results.