Donor-π-donor type hole transporting materials: marked π-bridge effects on optoelectronic properties, solid-state structure, and perovskite solar cell efficiency.

Donor-π-bridge-donor type oligomers (D-π-D) have been studied intensively as active materials for organic optoelectronic devices. In this study, we introduce three new D-π-D type organic semiconductors incorporating thiophene or thienothiophene with two electron-rich TPA units, which can be easily synthesized from commercially available materials. A thorough comparison of their optoelectronic and structural properties was conducted, revealing the strong influence of the extent of longitudinal π-bridge conjugation on both the solid structure of the organic semiconductive materials and their photovoltaic performance when applied as hole transporting materials (HTM) in perovskite solar cells. Single-crystal measurements and time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) studies indicate that these coplanar donor-π-donor type HTMs could be promising alternatives to state-of-the-art spiro-OMeTAD, due to the multiple intermolecular short contacts as charge transporting channels and efficient charge extraction properties from the perovskite layer. The optimized devices with PEH-9 exhibited an impressive PCE of 16.9% under standard global AM 1.5 illumination with minimized hysteretic behaviour, which is comparable to that of devices using spiro-OMeTAD under similar conditions. Ambient stability after 400 h revealed that 93% of the energy conversion efficiency was retained for PEH-9, indicating that the devices had good long-term stability.

Late termination of pregnancy: a comparison of obstetricians' experience in eight European countries.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the experience and attitude of obstetricians in Europe towards late termination of pregnancy and the factors affecting their responses. DESIGN: Cluster sampling cross-sectional survey. All neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)-associated maternity units were recruited (census sampling) in Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Sweden. In France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, units were selected at random. In every recruited unit, all obstetricians with at least 6 months' experience were invited to participate. SETTING: NICU-associated maternity units in eight European countries. POPULATION: Obstetricians with at least 6 months' clinical experience. METHODS: An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was used. Multinomial logistic analysis was used to identify factors predicting the obstetricians' views about modifying the law governing late termination in their country. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Obstetricians' experience of late termination of pregnancy and views about national policies. RESULTS: One hundred and five units and 1530 obstetricians participated (response rates 70 and 77% respectively). The most common indications for late termination were congenital anomalies and women's physical health. Feticide was not common except in France, Luxembourg and the UK. Active euthanasia of a liveborn was practiced in France and the Netherlands. Obstetricians in Germany were more likely to feel that late termination should be more severely restricted, the opposite was true in Spain and the Netherlands. In Italy, there was dissatisfaction with current status, but opinion was divided, reflecting views on both sides of the debate. CONCLUSIONS: This research outlines current practice in a difficult and sensitive area and suggests the need for more discussion and support for all those who were involved.

Caesarean section on request: a comparison of obstetricians' attitudes in eight European countries.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the attitudes of obstetricians to perform a caesarean section on maternal request in the absence of medical indication. DESIGN: Cluster sampling cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) associated maternity units in eight European countries. POPULATION: Obstetricians with at least 6 months clinical experience. METHODS: NICU-associated maternity units were chosen by census in Luxembourg, Netherlands and Sweden and by geographically stratified random sampling in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK. An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Obstetricians' willingness to perform a caesarean section on maternal request. RESULTS: One hundred and five units and 1,530 obstetricians participated in the study (response rates of 70 and 77%, respectively). Compliance with a hypothetical woman's request for elective caesarean section simply because it was 'her choice' was lowest in Spain (15%), France (19%) and Netherlands (22%); highest in Germany (75%) and UK (79%) and intermediate in the remaining countries. Using weighted multivariate logistic regression, country of practice (P<0.001), fear of litigation (P= 0.004) and working in a university-affiliated hospital (P= 0.001) were associated with physicians' likelihood to agree to patient's request. The subset of female doctors with children was less likely to agree (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.20-0.42). CONCLUSIONS: The differences in obstetricians' attitudes are not founded on concrete medical evidence. Cultural factors, legal liability and variables linked to the specific perinatal care organisation of the various countries play a role. Greater emphasis should be placed on understanding the motivation, values and fears underlying a woman's request for elective caesarean delivery.

[Adenosarcoma and other uterine sarcomas]. / Adénosarcomes et autres sarcomes utérins.

Sarcomas are tumors of conjunctive origin, rarely relating to the gynaecological sphere; among these, the adenosarcoma only represent one particular aspect. From one clinical case and from literature, the authors attempt to sum up the situation on the different clinical, para-clinical and therapeutic aspects of those bad-know neoplasia.

[Coronary embolism disclosing thrombosis on a Medtronic-Hall aortic valve prosthesis in aortic position]. / Embolie coronaire révélant une thrombose d'une prothèse valvulaire mécanique de Medtronic-Hall en position aortique.

A 32 year-old-man admitted to hospital on the third day of myocardial infarction, three months after aortic valve replacement with a mechanical Medtronic-Hall prosthesis. The embolic character of the disease was evident on coronary angiography which showed a large thrombus in the left main coronary artery. The thrombosis of the valve prosthesis was not detected by non-invasive investigations but at aortography, confirmed at surgery. Thrombolysis with rt-PA did not dissolve the clot and reoperation was necessary (valve replacement with aorto-coronary bypass grafting).

[A rare cause of pure isolated chronic aortic insufficiency: congenital quadricuspid aortic valve. Apropos of 2 cases]. / Une cause rare d'insuffisance aortique pure, isolée et chronique: la quadricuspidie aortique congénitale. A propos de deux cas.

The authors report two new cases of congenital quadricuspid aortic valve complicated by pure, severe, chronic, aortic regurgitation. This abnormality was diagnosed fortuitously at transoesophageal echocardiography in one case and at aortography in the other, and confirmed at surgery. This congenital abnormality was associated with superior displacement of the left coronary ostium.