Effects of Side-Chain Engineering with the S Atom in Thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-porphyrin to Obtain Small-Molecule Donor Materials for Organic Solar Cells.

To explore the effect of the introduction of heteroatoms on the properties of porphyrin materials, a new porphyrin-based derivative small-molecule donor named as PorTT-T was designed and synthesized based on alkyl-thieno[3,2-b]thiophene(TT)-substituted porphyrins. The linker bridge and end groups of PorTT-T were the same as those of XLP-II small-molecule donor materials, while the side-chain attached to the core of thieno[3,2-b]thiophene(TT)-substituted porphyrin was different. Measurements of intrinsic properties showed that PorTT-T has wide absorption and appropriate energy levels in the UV-visible range. A comparison of the morphologies of the two materials using atomic force microscopy showed that PorTT-T has a better surface morphology with a smaller root-mean-square roughness, and can present closer intermolecular stacking as compared to XLP-II. The device characterization results showed that PorTT-T with the introduced S atom has a higher open circuit voltage of 0.886 eV, a higher short circuit current of 12.03 mAcm-2, a fill factor of 0.499, a high photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 5.32%, better external quantum efficiency in the UV-visible range, and higher hole mobility.

Effects of pinacidil on changes to the microenvironment around the incision site, of a skin/muscle incision and retraction, in a rat model of postoperative pain.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the microenvironment around an incision site, on peripheral and central sensitization. The effects of pinacidil activation of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels prior to skin/muscle incision and retraction (SMIR) surgery were assessed. A total of 24 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Control, sham (incision operation), SMIR (incision plus retraction 1 h after the skin/muscle incision) and pinacidil (SMIR plus pinacidil). The rats in the pinacidil group were intraperitoneally injected with pinacidil prior to the SMIR procedure. The mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) was determined at each time point. The microvessel density (MVD) value was determined by immunohistochemistry, and western blotting was performed to analyze the relative protein expression levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), glucose transporter protein-1 (GLUT1) and C-jun N-terminal kinases. There was a significant reduction in the levels of MVD, GLUT1 and MWT following SMIR surgery as compared with the incision alone, and a significant increase in the NGF protein expression levels. In the SMIR group, the MVD value was significantly increased seven days after surgery, as compared with three days after surgery. Additionally, intraperitoneal administration of pinacidil prior to the SMIR surgery inhibited the SMIR­induced reduction in MWT and MVD and attenuated the SMIR­induced GLUT1 reduction. The results of the present study suggest that the microenvironment around an incision site may affect the development of peripheral and central sensitization. In addition, pinacidil had an inhibitory effect on the formation of the inflammatory microenvironment around the incision site through activation of KATP channels, thereby inhibiting peripheral and central sensitization.