CIRF: Coupled Image Reconstruction and Fusion Strategy for Deep Learning Based Multi-Modal Image Fusion.

Multi-modal medical image fusion (MMIF) is crucial for disease diagnosis and treatment because the images reconstructed from signals collected by different sensors can provide complementary information. In recent years, deep learning (DL) based methods have been widely used in MMIF. However, these methods often adopt a serial fusion strategy without feature decomposition, causing error accumulation and confusion of characteristics across different scales. To address these issues, we have proposed the Coupled Image Reconstruction and Fusion (CIRF) strategy. Our method parallels the image fusion and reconstruction branches which are linked by a common encoder. Firstly, CIRF uses the lightweight encoder to extract base and detail features, respectively, through the Vision Transformer (ViT) and the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) branches, where the two branches interact to supplement information. Then, two types of features are fused separately via different blocks and finally decoded into fusion results. In the loss function, both the supervised loss from the reconstruction branch and the unsupervised loss from the fusion branch are included. As a whole, CIRF increases its expressivity by adding multi-task learning and feature decomposition. Additionally, we have also explored the impact of image masking on the network's feature extraction ability and validated the generalization capability of the model. Through experiments on three datasets, it has been demonstrated both subjectively and objectively, that the images fused by CIRF exhibit appropriate brightness and smooth edge transition with more competitive evaluation metrics than those fused by several other traditional and DL-based methods.

ALA-PDT combined with 2940 nm ablative fractional Er:YAG laser for Darier's disease.

Darier's disease is a rare, genetically determined dyskeratotic skin disorder. Although many conventional treatments have been reported, management of Darier's disease remains challenging. Most patients are at high risk of recurrence during long-term follow-up. Here, we present two patients who were successfully treated with ALA photodynamic therapy (PDT) and ablative 2940 nm Er:YAG fractional laser. Both patients exhibited significant improvements in the affected areas with moderate pain, transient erythema and edema. Remission durations of up to 2 years were observed in both patients after combination treatment. Our findings suggest that the combination of ALA-PDT and 2940 nm fractional Er:YAG laser may be an effective, safe and well-tolerated treatment option for Darier's disease.

Methotrexate for chronic non-necrotizing anterior scleritis in Chinese patients.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness and corticosteroid-sparing capabilities of methotrexate (MTX) in the treatment of chronic non-necrotizing anterior scleritis in Chinese patients. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients with active anterior scleritis between January 2015 and June 2019 was conducted. All patients received 10 to 15 mg/wk MTX orally, and corticosteroids (10 to 40 mg/d prednisolone or equivalent methylprednisolone) with slow tapering. Topical corticosteroid eye drops (1% prednisolone actate, 0.1% dexmathosone or 0.1% fluoromethalone) were applied to control comorbid anterior uveitis at presentation or during follow up. The main outcomes were inflammation control and corticosteroid-sparing success, and secondary outcomes were reduction of immunosuppression load and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). RESULTS: Thirty-two eyes (22 patients) were included. The proportion of patients who achieved corticosteroid-sparing success was 50.0% at 3mo and 77.3% at 12mo [8 (36.4%) patients discontinued corticosteroid]. The proportion of eyes that achieved inflammation control was 59.4% at 3mo and 78.1% at 12mo. The immunosuppression load was 5.14±0.87 at presentation and 2.76±2.34 at 12mo (P<0.01). BCVA maintained unchanged or improved in 29 (90.6%) of all affected eyes. One patient discontinued MTX treatment because of an abnormal liver function test, and no other serious adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSION: According to this pilot study, low dose MTX appear to be a well-tolerated and effective treatment for chronic non-necrotizing anterior scleritis patients in the Chinese population.

The Efficacy and Safety of Adalimumab in Treating Pediatric Noninfectious Chronic Anterior Uveitis With Peripheral Retinal Vascular Leakage: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: This study is aimed to assess the efficacy of adalimumab in alleviating peripheral vascular leakage in pediatric chronic anterior uveitis patients, along with its ability to improve best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and inflammation parameters, its efficacy in reducing topical glucocorticosteroids (GCs) and systemic immunomodulatory therapy (IMT), and its safety profile. Methods: A self-controlled study of pediatric chronic anterior uveitis patients who presented with peripheral retinal vascular leakage on ultra-widefield fluorescein fundus angiography and underwent adalimumab treatment was conducted. The primary outcome was the extent of retinal vascular leakage at the 3- and 6-month follow-up visits. Secondary outcomes included BCVA, inflammation parameters (fresh keratic precipitates, anterior chamber cell, and vitreous cell grades), frequency of topical glucocorticosteroid eye drops, IMT load, and adverse effects at the 3- and 6-month follow-up visits. Results: Twenty patients with a mean age of 9.30 ± 3.26 years old were included. The mean follow-up period was 9.0 ± 3.0 months, with all patients followed up for at least 6 months. At the 3- and 6-month follow-ups, the peripheral vascular leakage score decreased significantly (2.87, 95% CI (2.14, 3.60), p < 0.001 for 3 months, 2.75, 95% CI (1.76, 3.73), p < 0.001 for 6 months). Alongside BCVA (p = 0.013 for 3 months, p = 0.005 for 6 months) was improved significantly, inflammatory parameters represented by fresh keratic precipitates, anterior chamber cell, and vitreous cell grades were improved significantly (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, for all parameters) and topical GC usage was significantly reduced (p < 0.001, p < 0.001) at 3 and 6 months. There was also a statistically significant reduction in systemic IMT load at 6 months (p < 0.001). Adverse events in the observation period included local redness around the injection site and mild upper respiratory symptoms. Conclusion: Adalimumab could effectively alleviate peripheral vascular leakage in pediatric patients with chronic anterior uveitis. It could also be helpful in improving BCVA and inflammation parameters and decreasing topical glucocorticosteroid eye drops and systemic IMT. Adalimumab is generally safe for pediatric uveitis.

Efficacy and safety of adalimumab for inflammatory flare prevention in paediatric non-infectious anterior uveitis with peripheral retinal vascular leakage: a study protocol for a single-centre, randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Paediatric patients with chronic anterior uveitis are more prone to suffer from the chronic course of intraocular inflammation and adverse effects of long-term immunomodulatory therapy, either topical glucocorticosteroids or systemic immunomodulatory agents. The performance of adalimumab has been shown to be fairly favourable in treating refractory non-infectious uveitis, but the detailed indication is still under investigation. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of adalimumab for inflammatory flare prevention in non-infectious paediatric anterior uveitis with peripheral retinal vascular leakage, compared with methotrexate. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Children weighed ≥30 kg and aged between 4 and 16 years old with active non-infectious anterior uveitis with peripheral retinal vascular leakage on ultra-wildfield fluorescein fundus angiography will be included. They will be treated with a predesigned inflammatory control regimen to reach inflammatory quiescence in 1 month. After that they will be treated with either methotrexate 10 mg once a week or adalimumab once every 2 weeks and regularly followed up for 6 months. The primary endpoint is uveitis flare defined as defined as anterior chamber cell count grading increased from 0 to 1 within the observation period. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China (Approved protocol V3, dated 27 July 2021. Approval number 25-ZS-3062) and has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. Written informed consent will be collected from every patient and their guardians prior to study participation. The results of this trial will be presented at local and international meetings and submitted to peer-reviewed journals for publication. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05015335.

Results of modified CO2 laser-assisted sclerectomy monotherapy versus trabeculectomy combination therapy in the eyes with uveitic glaucoma.

This study compared the efficacy of modified CO2 laser-assisted sclerectomy surgery (CLASS) with combined CLASS and trabeculectomy (CLASS-TRAB) in patients with uveitic glaucoma (UG). UG patients who underwent CLASS-TRAB between August 2015 and April 2019 were retrospectively compared with a control group who underwent a modified CLASS standalone procedure during the same period. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), use of supplemental medical therapy and postoperative complications were recorded at baseline, 1 week, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. Forty patients (40 eyes) were enrolled, and each group had 20 patients (20 eyes). The age and sex distribution were matched between groups (P > 0.05). Both the preoperative IOP (CLASS: 34.9 ± 9.3 mmHg, CLASS-TRAB: 36.8 ± 8.7 mmHg; P > 0.05) and number of glaucoma medications (CLASS: 3.3 ± 0.4, CLASS-TRAB: 3.5 ± 0.5; P > 0.05) were relatively higher in the CLASS-TRAB group than in the CLASS group. At the final follow-up, the IOP (CLASS: 12.9 ± 3.4 mmHg, CLASS-TRAB: 11.2 ± 2.5 mmHg) and number of glaucoma medications (CLASS: 0.4 ± 0.7 and CLASS-TRAB: 0.2 ± 0.5) significantly decreased in both groups (P < 0.01). Both the complete success rate and qualified success rate were comparable between the two groups (CLASS versus CLASS-TRAB: 55% versus 80%, P = 0.09; 80% versus 95%, P = 0.34). CLASS-TRAB is as efficient as modified CLASS in terms of the IOP-lowering effect, providing a new option for patients with UG that is severe and ineligible for other treatments.

Surgical Outcomes of Modified CO2 Laser-assisted Sclerectomy for Uveitic Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of modified CO2 laser-assisted sclerectomy surgery (CLASS) in patients with uveitic glaucoma (UG) using primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients for a comparison. METHODS: This retrospective study included UG and POAG patients from the modified CLASS Study Group database. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of glaucoma medications were compared between groups by the Wilcoxon test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis; complete success was defined as 5≤ IOP≤18 mmHg and a ≥ 20% reduction in IOP from baseline without medication. RESULTS: Twenty-three and 25 eyes in UG and POAG groups were included. At the 12-month visit in both groups, the mean IOP and mean number of IOP-lowering medications were significantly reduced compared to baseline, with complete success rates of 60.9% and 64.0% in the UG and POAG groups (P = .859). CONCLUSIONS: Modified CLASS yields similar outcomes for patients with UG and POAG.

Efficacy and safety of non-penetrating glaucoma surgery with phacoemulsification versus non-penetrating glaucoma surgery: a Meta-analysis.

AIM: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of non-penetrating glaucoma surgery (NPGS) plus phacoemulsification (Phaco-NPGS) and NPGS-alone. METHODS: We systematically searched various databases and reviewed studies that had evaluated the effects of Phaco-NPGS or NPGS-alone for patients with glaucoma. Primary outcomes included postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of postoperative antiglaucoma medications. Secondary outcomes were the prevalence of complications, incidence of needling or goniopuncture, and surgical success rate. RESULTS: In total, 380 and 424 eyes in NPGS-alone and Phaco-NPGS groups respectively were included. Both postoperative IOP and number of medications were significantly lowered in the Phaco-NPGS group than that in the NPDS-alone group [weighted mean difference (WMD)=-1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI): -2.11 to -0.12, P=0.03; WMD=-0.31, 95%CI: -0.53 to -0.09, P=0.006]. Moreover, Phaco-NPGS had a significantly lower prevalence of complications and postoperative procedures compared to NPGS-alone, while no significant difference existed for surgical success. CONCLUSION: Phaco-NPGS superior to NPGS-alone in the reduction of IOP and medications. Phaco-NPGS can be recommended for glaucoma patients with coexisting cataracts owing to its superior efficacy, fewer complications, and postoperative procedures.

[Endophthalmitis Caused by Mixed Infections in Silicone Oil-filled Eye:One Case Report].

The incidence of endophthalmitis after vitrectomy is extremely low,especially lower in silicone oil-filled eyes.Silicone oil exerts a toxic effect on the cell membranes of microorganisms and leads to the lack of nutrients.It is thus believed to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi.Endophthalmitis induced by mixed bacteria in silicone oil-filled eye has been rarely reported.We reviewed the clinical manifestations,diagnosis,and treatment of a patient with endophthalmitis caused by mixed infection of Morganella morganii and Staphylococcus epidermidis in the silicone oil-filled eye,aiming to improve the understanding and diagnosis of mixed infections.

Comparison of the Safety and Efficacy of Interferon Alpha-2a and Cyclosporine-A When Combined With Glucocorticoid in the Treatment of Refractory Behçet's Uveitis: A Randomized Controlled Prospective Study.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of interferon alpha-2a (IFN-α2a) and cyclosporine-A (CsA) in patients with refractory Behçet's uveitis (BU). Methods: In this 12-month randomized, controlled, prospective trial, 26 participants (44 eyes) completed the study. Patients were randomly allocated to the IFN-α2a or CsA groups. All patients in both groups received a standardized prednisone burst and tapering schedule as per protocol. The primary outcome measures were response rate, complete remission rate, and tolerance rate. The secondary outcome measures included time to achieve complete remission, the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and Behçet's disease ocular attack score 24 (BOS24). T-tests and non-parametric tests were used to compare quantitative variables, and chi-square tests were performed to compare qualitative variables. Results: The response and complete remission rates were 85.7% (12/14 patients) and 50.0% (7/14 patients) in the IFN-α2a group, compared with 66.7% (8/12 patients) and 25.0% (3/12 patients) in the CsA group, respectively (p > 0.05). Complete remission was achieved at 3.3 and 7.0 months after initiation of IFN-α2a and CsA (p = 0.023). LogMAR BCVA significantly improved 1 month after IFN-α2a initiation (23 eyes) (p = 0.002), and this beneficial effect remained statistically significant during the entire follow-up period (p < 0.05); however, this improvement was not observed in the CsA group (21 eyes). At the endpoint, LogMAR BCVA in the IFN-α2a group was significantly better (0.22 vs. 0.31, p = 0.031) with a higher improvement rate (60.9 vs. 47.6%, p > 0.05). Moreover, compared to the CsA group, more eyes in the IFN-α2a group had a lower BOS24 score (87.0 vs. 57.1%, p = 0.042). None of the patients had any side effects that influenced the medication adherence. Conclusion: Compared to CsA plus corticosteroid, IFN-α2a plus corticosteroid appears to induce a better treatment response, a significantly greater improvement in visual acuity, and more stable remission of intraocular inflammation in a 12-month study period.

Decrease of choriocapillary vascular density measured by optical coherence tomography angiography in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

PURPOSE: Changes of choroidal circulation throughout the disease course of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease and the clinical significance remain unclear. Choriocapillary vascular density (CC VD) measured by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) were compared in different disease stages of VKH and its correlation with other parameters was analyzed, aiming to explore their clinical relevance. METHODS: This is a retrospective case series. One hundred and fourteen VKH patients and 47 normal controls (NCs) were included. Patients were grouped into the acute uveitic, convalescent, and chronic recurrent stages (only anterior recurrent cases included), and OCTA images were obtained from VKH patients in these stages. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), CC VD, and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were recorded and compared. RESULTS: CC VD in acute (58.26% ± 0.84%), convalescent (64.85% ± 0.33%), and chronic recurrent (62.78% ± 0.70%) stage of VKH patients were all significantly lower than that in NCs (66.37% ± 0.41%) (p < 0.001, p = 0.017, and p < 0.001, respectively). CC VD increased by 6.59% ± 0.91% with resolution of acute inflammation (p < 0.001) and decreased by 2.07% ± 0.74% during anterior uveitis relapse (p = 0.009). Patients with a positive history of anterior recurrence had lower CC VD (- 2.43% ± 0.75%, p = 0.003) in the convalescent stage than those without. CC VD was negatively correlated with logMAR BCVA in VKH (r = - 0.261, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: CC VD was decreased in every stage of VKH. CC VD has the potential to reflect the status of uveitis and might be promising in monitoring the disease activity. OCTA is a convenient and straightforward tool to evaluate choroidal vascularity, and CC VD provides supplemental quantitative information of the choriocapillaris. Further studies are needed to explore the values of OCTA quantitative parameters in monitoring VKH progression, predicting visual prognosis, and guiding clinical decisions.

Genetic Association of Interleukin 33/ST2 Polymorphisms With Behcet's Uveitis.

Interleukin (IL)33, a member of the IL1 superfamily, functions as a nuclear factor and mediates biological effects by interacting with the ST2 receptor. Recent studies have described IL33 as an emerging pro-inflammatory cytokine in the immune system, and IL33/ST2 gene polymorphisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various immune diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms of IL33/ST2 in Behcet's disease (BD) remain to be defined. Here, we investigated the association between IL33/ST2 gene polymorphisms and BD in 585 BD uveitis (BDU) patients and 834 healthy controls using Agena MassARRAY iPLEX platform. We found that rs3821204 was associated with the development of BDU. Moreover, the frequency of rs2210463 G allele was lower in patients with genital involvement. Association analysis revealed a much greater genetic difference between complete-type and incomplete-type BD groups, including three SNPs (rs7044343, rs1048274, and rs2210463). Our findings suggest that IL33/ST2 gene polymorphisms are involved in the pathogenesis of BDU. Different genetic backgrounds may exist in complete-type and incomplete-type BD patients.

Bandgap adjustment assisted preparation of >18% Cs y FA1-y PbI x Br3-x -based perovskite solar cells using a hybrid spraying process.

The preparation of Cs y FA1-y PbI x Br3-x -based perovskite by ultrasonic spraying has valuable application in the preparation of tandem solar cells on textured substrates due to its excellent stability and the advantages of large-area uniform preparation from the spraying technology. However, the bandgap of perovskite prepared by spraying method is difficult to adjust, and perovskites with a wide bandgap have the issue of phase instability. Here, we improved the crystallinity of the perovskite by simply controlling the post-annealing temperature. The results show that perovskite film prepared by hybrid spray method has the best crystallinity and device performance at a post-annealing temperature of 170 °C. On this basis, the bandgap of perovskite was changed from 1.53 eV to 1.76 eV by controlling the ratio of the organic halogen precursor solution. When the bandgap is 1.57 eV, a perovskite solar cell with an efficiency of 18.31% is obtained.

Analysis of Parafoveal Microvascular Abnormalities in Behcet's Uveitis Using Projection-Resolved Optical Coherence Tomographic Angiography.

Purpose: To assess the characteristics of parafoveal microvascular abnormalities in Behcet's uveitis (BDU) using projection-resolved optical coherence tomographic angiography (PR-OCTA).Methods: A retrospective study of BDU patients who underwent PR-OCTA examination between April 1, 2017 and October 31, 2018.Results: Sixty consecutive BDU patients (102 eyes) were included. Sixty-two (124 eyes) healthy subjects served as normal controls (NCs). As compared with NCs, the vessel densities (VDs) of superficial and deep retinal capillary plexuses were decreased, and the fovea avascular zone area, perimeter and acircularity index were increased in BDU eyes (all p < .001). Macular edema (p < .001) and long uveitis course (p = .033) were identified as risk factors for capillary disruptions. Consistent VD reductions were observed in the quiescent fellow eyes of BDU patients during unilateral uveitis relapse.Conclusions: BDU patients had significant OCTA changes. Macular circulatory disturbances may exist in the quiescent fellow eyes during unilateral BDU attack.

Efficacy and Safety of High-Energy Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty for Steroid-Induced Glaucoma in Patients with Quiescent Uveitis.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of high-energy selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) for steroid-induced glaucoma in patients with quiescent uveitis.Methods: A retrospective study of steroid-induced glaucoma in quiescent uveitic patients who underwent SLT at our center from December 2014 to November 2017 and had been followed up for at least 1 year. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and IOP-lowering medications were recorded at baseline, and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after SLT. Treatment success was defined as IOP ≤18 mmHg and a ≥ 20% reduction in IOP without additional glaucoma surgery.Results: Twenty eyes from 19 patients were included. At the 12-month visit, mean IOP and mean number of IOP-lowering medications were significantly reduced as compared to baseline with an overall success rate of 65.0%.Conclusions: High-energy SLT appeared to be an effective and safe procedure for steroid-induced glaucoma with quiescent uveitis.

Retinal Microcirculation Defects on OCTA Correlate with Active Inflammation and Vision in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease.

Purpose: To analyze quantitative OCT-angiography (OCTA) measurements of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease at different disease stages.Methods: OCTA scans of 110 VKH patients in acute uveitic, convalescent and chronic recurrent stage were reviewed; posterior uveitis recurrent cases were excluded. Superficial and deep capillary plexus (SCP and DCP) vascular densities (VD) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were compared.Results: DCP VD was significantly lower and SFCT higher in VKH than normal controls (NC) in all 3 stages (all p < .001). Anterior uveitis recurrent patients had lower SCP and DCP VDs and thicker SFCT than convalescent patients (p = .001, p < .001, and p = .003, respectively). DCP VD was significantly correlated with visual acuity (p < .05). Patients with history of anterior recurrence had lower retinal VDs in the convalescent stage than those without (p < .001).Conclusion: Retinal microcirculation is impaired in VKH. DCP VD might be a sensitive indicator of inflammatory status and appeared to be well associated with visual outcome.

Subconjunctival injections of triamcinolone acetonide to treat uveitic macular edema.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of subconjunctival triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injections for treating uveitic macular edema (UME). METHODS: This retrospective case series study included patients with UME who received subconjunctival TA injections with a minimum follow-up period of 6mo. The main outcome measure was central macular thickness (CMT). The secondary outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), recurrence rate and intraocular pressure (IOP). RESULTS: In total, 65 patients (80 eyes), mainly including idiopathic uveitis in 33 patients (50.77%) and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome in 19 patients (29.23%), were enrolled in this study. The mean CMT decreased from 457.6±173.0 µm at baseline to 325.9±176.8, 302.7±148.2, 332.2±177.3 and 270.6±121.6 µm at 1-, 2-, 3- and 6-months postinjection, respectively (all P<0.001). BCVA increased from logMAR 0.5±0.3 at baseline to logMAR 0.4±0.3, 0.4±0.3, 0.4±0.4 and 0.4±0.3 at the 1-, 2-, 3- and 6-months postinjection visits, respectively (all P<0.001). Twenty-one (21/80, 26.25%) eyes underwent relapse of UME within 6mo. A total of 20/80 (25%) eyes exhibited elevated IOPs, of which 13 eyes were controlled with topical IOP-lowering agents and 7 eyes underwent surgical removal of subconjunctival TA deposit. CONCLUSION: Subconjunctival TA injections appear to be safe and effective for UME.

Interface modification effect on the performance of CsxFA1-xPbIyBr3-y perovskite solar cells fabricated by evaporation/spray-coating method.

In this study, high quality CsxFA1-xPbIyBr3-y perovskite thin films were successfully fabricated by an evaporation/spray-coating hybrid deposition method. In this method, CsI and PbI2 were first deposited via thermal evaporation, and then FAI/FABr mixed solution was sprayed on the CsI/PbI2 substrate to form the CsxFA1-xPbIyBr3-y film. As confirmed by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy, a perovskite film with full surface coverage and small surface roughness was obtained. Then, the effect of interface modification materials on the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) was investigated: the devices with the [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) interlayer incorporated via vacuum evaporation deposition between SnO2 and perovskite showed remarkably higher performance than those with the C60 interlayer, which was attributed to enhanced charge extraction and reduced recombination at the SnO2/PCBM/perovskite interface. As a result, a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.21% was obtained for the 0.16 cm2 device. To the best of our knowledge, it is the highest efficiency of CsxFA1-xPbIyBr3-y based PSCs fabricated by the spray technique. Furthermore, we fabricated mini-modules with the size of 5 × 5 cm2 and achieved a PCE of 14.7%.

Inhibition of cancer cell growth by Tangeretin flavone in drug-resistant MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells is facilitated via targeting cell apoptosis, cell cycle phase distribution, cell invasion and activation of numerous Caspases.

PURPOSE: In this study, the anticancer effects of a natural flavonoid-Tangeretin, were examined against the drug-resistant MDA-MB-231 breast cancer (BC) cell line and the normal breast cell line Hs 841.T. METHODS: The MTT assay was employed for cell viability determination. Apoptosis was demonstrated by DAPI and Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining. Flow cytometric analyses were performed to gain insights about cell cycle distribution. Western blot assay was used for protein expression determination. RESULTS: Tangeretin inhibited the growth of the drug-resistant MDA-MB-231 cells concentration-dependently and its IC50 was 9 µM, whereas the IC50 was >100 µM against the normal cells. The anti-proliferative effects were due to induction of apoptotic cell death. The apoptotic cell percentage was increased from 5.7% to around 69% as the concentration of Tangeretin was increased. Tangeretin also caused an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and activation of the Caspase 3, 8 and 9. In addition, Tangeretin led to arrest of the cells at G2/M phase which was accompanied by depletion of cyclin B1 and D. Transwell assay showed that Tangeretin also reduced the invasion of the MDA-MB-231 cells. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that Tangeretin exerts potent anticancer effects on the MDA-MB-231 cells and may therefore prove a beneficial lead molecule in BC research.