Singlet Fission in Concentrated TIPS-Pentacene Solutions: The Role of Excimers and Aggregates.

The excited-state dynamics of 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene is investigated to determine the role of excimer and aggregate formation in singlet fission in high-concentration solutions. Photoluminescence spectra were measured by excitation with the evanescent wave in total internal reflection, in order to avoid reabsorption effects. The spectra over nearly two magnitudes of concentration were nearly identical, with no evidence for excimer emission. Time-correlated single-photon counting measurements confirm that the fluorescence lifetime shortens with concentration. The observed rate constant grows at high concentrations, and this effect is modeled in terms of the hard-sphere radial distribution function. NMR measurements confirm that aggregation takes place with a binding constant of between 0.14 and 0.43 M-1. Transient absorption measurements are consistent with a diffusive encounter mechanism for singlet fission, with hints of more rapid singlet fission in aggregates at the highest concentration measured. These data show that excimers do not play the role of an emissive intermediate in exothermic singlet fission in solution and that, while aggregation occurs at higher concentrations, the mechanism of singlet fission remains dominated by diffusive encounters.

N-triazinyl derivatives of 1- and 9-aminoanthracene: synthesis and photo-physical properties.

New N-triazinyl derivatives were synthesized by reaction of cyanuric chloride with 1- and 9-aminoanthracenes and subsequent nucleophilic substitution of chlorine atoms on triazinyl ring with methoxy and/or phenylamino groups. The compounds were characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR and mass spectra. The influence of the chemical structure and solvent polarity on the UV/Vis absorption and fluorescence spectra and fluorescence quantum yields were investigated. Semi-empirical computations revealed highly polar CT states in singlet excited state manifold connected with charge-transfer from the hydrocarbon moiety to the triazinyl ring. The relationships between the CT-to-emitting state energy gap, solvent polarity and fluorescence quantum yield were discussed.

Fluorescence anisotropy of branched molecules containing 1-aminopyrene chromophores.

Fluorescence anisotropy measurements were performed on a set of multichromophoric compounds, which contain a different number of aminopyrenyl moieties linked to a triazine ring, in order to reveal the nature of both the electronic excited states and relaxation pathways of the compounds. Our experimental results complement quantum chemical calculations. We propose that the lowest excited state from which fluorescence proceeds is localized on a single individual aminopyrene moiety. In contrast, excitation to a higher excited state is likely followed by a migration of energy to another nearby aminopyrene chromophore before the internal conversion to the emitting state takes place. We suggest that this migration is responsible for the experimentally measured decrease of fluorescence anisotropy of the studied compounds.

End-stage kidney disease: gains of chromosomes 7 and 17 and loss of Y chromosome in non-neoplastic tissue.

The aim of this study was to determine the copy number changes of chromosomes 7, 17, 3p, and Y in a non-neoplastic tubular epithelium in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Seventeen kidneys from 11 patients with ESKD were retrieved from the archive files. Non-neoplastic kidney tissue in these cases was examined separately. Tissues containing papillary adenomas (PA), clear (CRCC) and papillary renal cell carcinomas (PRCC), and myxoid liposarcoma (LPS) were examined using the same probes and compared with non-neoplastic tissue. Tubular changes in the kidney parenchyma were classified into three types: (1) The vast majority of tubules were entirely atrophic; (2) Several tubules were hyperplastic, i.e., tubules with undifferentiated large epithelial cells, in which it was impossible to establish the specific type of a renal tubulus; (3) Dysplastic tubules were dilated, sometimes wrinkled. The basal membranes were lined by large eosinophilic epithelial cells with polymorphic nuclei and pseudostratification. Nucleoli were clearly visible. These tubular changes were multifocal with a haphazard distribution within the atrophic parenchyma. PA were detected in nine patients, of whom eight patients also revealed an additional tumor type(s) (4x CRCC, 3x PRCC, 1x PRCC, and CRCC). One patient had a CRCC only, another had a combination of PRCC and LPS. Chromosomal abnormalities were found in the second and third group of tubular changes, i.e., in hyperplastic and dysplastic tubules. Trisomy of chromosome 7 was detected in six cases, whereas trisomy of chromosome 17 in eight cases. A combination of both trisomies was found in five cases. Loss of chromosome Y was found in two cases. Fluorescence in situ hybridization on tissues containing papillary adenomas, renal cell carcinomas, and liposarcoma revealed expected results, i.e., trisomy of chromosomes 7 and 17 in all PAs and PRCC. No gains were present in CRCC and LPS. Loss of Y was found in six PA, five PRCC, and one LPS; loss of X was found in two CRCCs. We suggest that chromosomal changes typical of the papillary renal cell lesions, i.e., trisomies of chromosomes 7 and 17, are very frequent in non-neoplastic parenchyma of the end-stage kidney, and they have a tendency to a multifocal occurrence.

Renal oncocytoma with and without intravascular extension into the branches of renal vein have the same morphological, immunohistochemical and genetic features.

We attempted to investigate the clinicopathological correlation of renal oncocytoma (RO) with renal vein extension. We identified seven ROs with extension into the branches of renal vein. The age of seven patients ranged from 61 to 82 years. Five cases were identified; incidentally, two patients had gross hematuria. After surgery, all patients were alive and free of tumors with follow-up of 1 to 5 years (mean=3.6). Oncocytomas measured from 2.2 to 7.5 cm. Renal vein extension was grossly suspected in 5/7 cases and histologically confirmed in all seven cases. Tumor cells were positive for cytokeratins, mitochondrial antigen, epithelial membrane antigen, and parvalbumin; 5/7 tumors were focally positive for cluster of differentiation 117. Ultrastructurally, the cytoplasm was packed by mitochondria. Molecular genetic analysis did not detect abnormal numbers of chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 7, 10, 17, and XY by fluorescence in situ hybridization, loss of heterozygosity on 3p, and mutation of Von Hippel-Lindau gene in all cases. Array comparative genomic hybridization analysis of two cases did not show any major genetic changes. Conclusions are: (1) renal oncocytomas may have intravascular extension to the branches of the renal vein; (2) renal oncocytomas with intravascular extension to the branches of the renal vein have the same morphological, immunohistochemical, and cytogenetic findings as have their counterparts without evidence of intravascular invasion; (3) the absence of metastases suggests an overall benign behavior of this tumor, but this has to be substantiated by further studies with a long-term follow-up; (4) in a renal tumor with granular cytoplasm showing renal vein extension, it is necessary to carefully exclude renal cell carcinomas (RCC) such as chromophobe RCC, oncocytic variant of papillary RCC, and granular variant of clear cell RCC.

Renal oncocytoma with and without intravascular extension into the branches of renal vein have the same morphological, immunohistochemical, and genetic features.

We attempted to investigate the clinicopathological correlation of renal oncocytoma (RO) with renal vein extension. We identified seven ROs with extension into the branches of renal vein. The age of seven patients ranged from 61 to 82 years. Five cases were identified incidentally; two patients had gross hematuria. After surgery, all patients were alive and free of tumors with follow-up of 1 to 5 years (mean = 3.6). Oncocytomas measured from 2.2 to 7.5 cm. Renal vein extension was grossly suspected in five of seven cases and histologically confirmed in all seven cases. Tumor cells were positive for cytokeratins, mitochondrial-antigen (MIA), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), and parvalbumin; five of seven tumors were focally positive for CD117. Ultrastructurally, the cytoplasm was packed by mitochondria. Molecular genetic analysis did not detect abnormal numbers of chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 7, 10, 17, and XY by fluorescence in situ hybridization, loss of heterozygosity on 3p and mutation of von Hippel-Lindau gene in all cases. Array comparative genomic hybridization analysis of two cases did not show any major genetic changes. Our conclusions are as follows: (1) renal oncocytomas may have intravascular extension to the branches of the renal vein; (2) renal oncocytomas with intravascular extension to the branches of the renal vein have the same morphological, immunohistochemical, and cytogenetic findings as have their counterparts without evidence of intravascular invasion; (3) the absence of metastases suggests an overall benign behavior of this tumor, but this has to be substantiated by further studies with a long-term follow-up; and (4) in a renal tumor with granular cytoplasm showing renal vein extension, it is necessary to carefully exclude renal cell carcinomas such as chromophobe RCC, oncocytic variant of papillary RCC, and granular variant of clear cell RCC.

Deuteration of Perylene Enhances Photochemical Upconversion Efficiency.

Photochemical upconversion via triplet-triplet annihilation is a promising technology for improving the efficiency of photovoltaic devices. Previous studies have shown that the efficiency of upconversion depends largely on two rate constants intrinsic to the emitting species. Here, we report that one of these rate constants can be altered by deuteration, leading to enhanced upconversion efficiency. For perylene, deuteration decreases the first order decay rate constant by 16 ± 9% at 298 K, which increases the linear upconversion response by 45 ± 21% in the low excitation regime.

A concise history of forensic medicine in Czech Republic.

This paper presents the most important historical facts about all forensic medicine workplaces in the Czech Republic since the beginning till present day, including a perspective on how to establish a new one. Each of the University Forensic Medicine Institutes or district Departments is covered by at least one author. The oldest institute is in Prague and in Brno, the youngest is in Pardubice.

Mutational analysis (c.402C>G) of the FOXL2 gene and immunohistochemical expression of the FOXL2 protein in testicular adult type granulosa cell tumors and incompletely differentiated sex cord stromal tumors.

BACKGROUND: Recently a somatic point mutation in the FOXL2 gene has been characterized in ovarian adult type of granulosa cell tumor (ATGCT) (94.6%), thecomas (12.5%), but not in juvenile type of ovarian granulosa cell tumor, other ovarian sex cord tumors and ovarian surface epithelial neoplasms. Whether this mutation is present in testicular ATGCT or incompletely differentiated sex cord stromal tumor (ISCST) is not known. DESIGN: Four ATGCTs, 4 ISCST were immunohistochemically investigated with anti-FOXL2 and 3 ovarian ATGCTs were used as positive control. RESULTS: Weak-to-moderate immunoreactivity was found in all tested testicular and ovarian tumors. PCR and direct sequencing were used for detection of c.402C>G of the FOXL2 gene. No mutation was found in any of the testicular ATGCTs or ISCSTs whereas all ovarian tumors showed the c.402C>G point mutation of the FOXL2 gene. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this small series of these rare testicular neoplasms, it seems that the c.402C>G mutation of the FOXL2 gene frequently found in adult type of ovarian GCT does not play any significant role in the development of ATGCT and ISCST.

Ultrafast intramolecular electronic energy transfer in rigidly linked aminopyrenyl-aminobenzanthronyl dyads--a femtosecond study.

Ultrafast electronic excitation transfer (EET) followed by structural and vibrational relaxation (VER) of the acceptor have been characterised using transient absorption and transient lens techniques.