Combined use of multiparametric high-content-screening and in vitro circadian reporter assays in neurotoxicity evaluation.

Accumulating evidence indicates that chronic circadian rhythm disruption is associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases induced by exposure to neurotoxic chemicals. Herein, we examined the relationship between cellular circadian rhythm disruption and cytotoxicity in neural cells. Moreover, we evaluated the potential application of an in vitro cellular circadian rhythm assay in determining circadian rhythm disruption as a sensitive and early marker of neurotoxicant-induced adverse effects. To explore these objectives, we established an in vitro cellular circadian rhythm assay using human glioblastoma (U87 MG) cells stably transfected with a circadian reporter vector (PER2-dLuc) and determined the lowest-observed-adverse-effect levels (LOAELs) of several common neurotoxicants. Additionally, we determined the LOAEL of each compound on multiple cytotoxicity endpoints (nuclear size [NC], mitochondrial membrane potential [MMP], calcium ions, or lipid peroxidation) using a multiparametric high-content screening (HCS) assay using transfected U87 MG cells treated with the same neurotoxicants for 24 and 72 h. Based on our findings, the LOAEL for cellular circadian rhythm disruption for most chemicals was slightly higher than that for most cytotoxicity indicators detected using HCS, and the LOAEL for MMP in the first 24 h was the closest to that for cellular circadian rhythm disruption. Dietary antioxidants (methylselenocysteine and N-acetyl-l-cysteine) prevented or restored neurotoxicant-induced cellular circadian rhythm disruption. Our results suggest that cellular circadian rhythm disruption is as sensitive as cytotoxicity indicators and occurs early as much as cytotoxic events during disease development. Moreover, the in vitro cellular circadian rhythm assay warrants further evaluation as an early screening tool for neurotoxicants.

Reactive Disperse Dyes Bearing Various Blocked Isocyanate Groups for Digital Textile Printing Ink.

Wastewater management is of considerable economic and environmental importance for the dyeing industry. Digital textile printing (DTP), which is based on sublimation transfer and does not generate wastewater, is currently being explored as an inkjet-based method of printing colorants onto fabric. It finds wide industrial applications with most poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and nylon fibers. However, for additional industrial applications, it is necessary to use natural fibers, such as cotton. Therefore, to expand the applicability of DTP, it is essential to develop a novel reactive disperse dye that can interact with the fabric. In this study, we introduced a blocked isocyanate functional group into the dye to enhance binding to the fabric. The effect of sublimation transfer on fabrics as a function of temperature was compared using the newly synthesized reactive disperse dyes with different blocking groups based on pyrazole derivatives, such as pyrazole (Py), di-methylpyrazole (DMPy), and di-tert-butylpyrazole (DtBPy). Fabrics coated with the new reactive disperse dyes, including PET, nylon, and cotton, were printed at 190 °C, 200 °C, and 210 °C using thermal transfer equipment. In the case of the synthesized DHP-A dye on cotton at 210 °C, the color strength was 2.1, which was higher than that of commercial dyes and other synthesized dyes, such as DMP-A and DTP-A. The fastness values of the synthesized DHP-A were measured on cotton, and it was found that the washing and light fastness values on cotton are higher than those of commercial dyes. This study confirmed the possibility of introducing isocyanate groups into reactive disperse dyes.

Evaluation of Caspase-3 and Ki-67 expression in squamous cell hyperplasia of the stomach induced by Platycodi radix water extract in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Platycodi radix is widely used in traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. This study aimed to investigate cell proliferation (Ki-67) and apoptosis (Caspase-3) potential in squamous cell hyperplasia of the stomach induced by a Platycodi radix water extract in a subchronic toxicity study. One hundred formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded stomach tissues of rats treated with Platycodi radix at doses of 0, 500, 1,000, and 3,000 mg/kg body weight/day were used for the analysis. They were conventionally stained using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemically (IHC) stained using caspase-3 and Ki-67 antibodies. The incidence of squamous cell hyperplasia was significantly increased in the 3,000 mg/kg b.w./day treatment group in both sexes (p<0.01). However, the hyperplastic change was completely repaired after 4 weeks of recovery period. Ki-67 expression was similar in all groups, with no statistically significant differences among the groups. Caspase-3 expression was significantly increased in both sexes in the 3,000 mg/kg b.w./day treatment group (p<0.01), compared with the vehicle control groups, and then reduced to normal levels in the recovery groups in both sexes. In conclusion, this study showed that squamous cell hyperplasia induced by the Platycodi radix water extract in the limiting ridge of the stomach is not considered to be abnormal proliferative change; as a result, squamous cell hyperplasia is considered to be a non-adverse effect when induced by the oral administration of the Platycodi radix water extract once daily for 13 weeks in rats.

Comparison of microRNA expressions for the identification of chemical hazards in in vivo and in vitro hepatic injury models.

Biofluid-based biomarkers provide an efficient tool for hazard identification of chemicals. Here, we explored the potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers for hepatotoxicity of chemicals by linking in vitro to in vivo animal models. A search of the literature identified candidate circulating miRNA biomarkers of chemical-induced hepatotoxicity. The expression of candidate miRNAs (miR-122, miR-151a, miR-192, miR-193a, miR-194, miR-21, miR-29c), was determined by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in in vivo acute liver injury induced by acetaminophen, and then were further compared with those of in vitro cell assays. Candidate miRNAs, except miR-29c, were significantly or biologically upregulated by acetaminophen, at a dose that caused acute liver injury as confirmed by hepatocellular necrosis. Except miR-122 and miR-193a, other miRNAs elevated in in vivo models were confirmed by in vitro models using HepG2 cells, whereas they failed by in vitro models using human primary hepatocytes. These findings indicate that certain miRNAs may still have the potential of toxicological biomarkers in linking in vitro to in vivo hepatotoxicity.

Chemically induced hepatotoxicity in human stem cell-induced hepatocytes compared with primary hepatocytes and HepG2.

Stem cell-induced hepatocytes (SC-iHeps) have been suggested as a valuable model for evaluating drug toxicology. Here, human-induced pluripotent stem cells (QIA7) and embryonic stem cells (WA01) were differentiated into hepatocytes, and the hepatotoxic effects of acetaminophen (AAP) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) were compared with primary hepatocytes (p-Heps) and HepG2. In a cytotoxicity assay, the IC50 of SC-iHeps was similar to that in p-Heps and HepG2 in the AAP groups but different from that in p-Heps of the AFB1 groups. In a multi-parameter assay, phenotypic changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, calcium influx and oxidative stress were similar between QIA7-iHeps and p-Heps following AAP and AFB1 treatment but relatively low in WA01-iHeps and HepG2. Most hepatic functional markers (hepatocyte-specific genes, albumin/urea secretion, and the CYP450 enzyme activity) were decreased in a dose-dependent manner following AAP and AFB1 treatment in SC-iHeps and p-Heps but not in HepG2. Regarding CYP450 inhibition, the cell viability of SC-iHeps and p-Heps was increased by ketoconazole, a CYP3A4 inhibitor. Collectively, SC-iHeps and p-Heps showed similar cytotoxicity and hepatocyte functional effects for AAP and AFB1 compared with HepG2. Therefore, SC-iHeps have phenotypic characteristics and sensitivity to cytotoxic chemicals that are more similar to p-Heps than to HepG2 cells.

Synthesis and Property of New Propeller Shaped Emitting Materials for Organic Light-Emitting Devices.

New propeller type emitting compound, namely 3,6-di-anthracen-9-yl-9,10-bis-(4-anthracen-9-yi-phenyl)-phenanthrene[TAnDAP] and 3,6-bis-(10-phenyl-anthracen-9-yl)-9,10-bis-[4-(10-phenyl-anthracen-9-yl)-phenyl]-phenanthrene [TAnPDAP] were synthesized through Suzuki and McMurry reactions. We investigated their physical properties such as optical, electrochemical, and electroluminescent properties. The two compounds were used as an emitting layer in OLED devices: ITO/2-TNATA (60 nm)/NPB (15 nm)/non-doped: TAnDAP or TAnPDAP (35 nm)/Alq3 (20 nm)/LiF (1 nm)/Al (200 nm). The TAnDAP OLED device showed C.I.E. value of (0.28, 0.41) and luminance efficiency of 3.81 cd/A at 10 mA/cm2. The TAnPDAP device showed C.I.E. value of (0.20, 0.27) and high luminance efficiency of 5.40 cd/A at 10 mA/cm2. TAnPDAP was found to show better luminance efficiency and C.I.E. value than TAnDAP because it has a bulky 9-phenylanthracene.

Color-Space-Based Visual-MIMO for V2X Communication.

In this paper, we analyze the applicability of color-space-based, color-independent visual-MIMO for V2X. We aim to achieve a visual-MIMO scheme that can maintain the original color and brightness while performing seamless communication. We consider two scenarios of GCM based visual-MIMO for V2X. One is a multipath transmission using visual-MIMO networking and the other is multi-node V2X communication. In the scenario of multipath transmission, we analyze the channel capacity numerically and we illustrate the significance of networking information such as distance, reference color (symbol), and multiplexing-diversity mode transitions. In addition, in the V2X scenario of multiple access, we may achieve the simultaneous multiple access communication without node interferences by dividing the communication area using image processing. Finally, through numerical simulation, we show the superior SER performance of the visual-MIMO scheme compared with LED-PD communication and show the numerical result of the GCM based visual-MIMO channel capacity versus distance.

Hepatic differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells and adverse effects of arsanilic acid and acetaminophen during in vitro hepatic developmental stage.

In the present study, we differentiated hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) from human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs). The hepatic differentiation was confirmed by increases in hepatic proteins or genes, the cytochrome P450 (CYP) activities, albumin secretion, and glycogen storage. To determine the developmental toxic effect of arsanilic acid (Ars) and acetaminophen (AAP) on the hepatic development, the differentiating cells were treated with the test chemicals (below IC12.5) from day 4 to day 13. The enzymatic activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) did not significantly differ in response to Ars treatment. AAP treatment increased the activities of all enzymes in a dose-dependent manner, significantly at concentrations of 2.5 and 5 mM of AAP. On the expressions of hepatic genes for Ars, the expressions were significantly inhibited by more than 0.5 mM for Albumin (ALB), but only 2.5 mM for α-feto protein (AFP). In the AAP-treated group, the expressions of ALB and AFP were significantly decreased at the concentrations exceeding 0.625 mM. The activities of CYP3A4 were not changed by both treatments. The activities of CYP1A2 were increased by AAP, whereas it was decreased by Ars treatment. In conclusion, AAP could cause serious adverse effects during the hepatic development as compared to Ars.

DNA-assisted photoinduced charge transfer between a cationic poly(phenylene vinylene) and a cationic fullerene.

Water-soluble cationic conjugated poly(phenylene vinylene) (PPV) and cationic fullerene were complexed with negatively charged single stranded DNA and double stranded DNA via electrostatic interactions to achieve photoinduced charge transfer with efficiencies as high as those observed from oppositely charged, cationic PPV and anionic fullerene but with distinctly different quenching mechanisms.

Effect on the H19 gene methylation of sperm and organs of offspring after chlorpyrifos-methyl exposure during organogenesis period.

To elucidate the effect on the H19 gene methylation of sperm and organs in offspring by chlorpyrifos-methyl (CPM) exposure during organogenesis period, CPM was administered at doses of 4 (CPM4), 20 (CPM20), and 100 (CPM100) mg/kg bw/day from 7 days post coitum (d.p.c.) to 17 d.p.c. after mating CAST/Ei (♂) and B6 (♀). Anogenital distance (AGD) was measured at postnatal day (PND) 21. Clinical signs, body weights, feed and water consumption, organs weights, serum hormone values, and H19 methylation level of organ and sperm were measured at PND63. Body weights were significantly lower than control until PND6. AGD was significantly decreased in the CPM100 group in males and increased in the CPM20 group in females. The absolute weights of the thymus and epididymis were significantly increased for males in all of CPM treatment groups. In the CPM20 group, absolute weights of liver, kidney, heart, lung, spleen, prostate gland, and testes were significantly increased. Testosterone concentrations in serum were significantly increased by CPM treatment in males. H19 methylation level of liver and thymus showed decreased pattern in a dose-dependent manner in males. The levels of H19 methylation in sperm were 73.76 ± 7.16% (Control), 57.84 ± 12.94% (CPM4), 64.24 ± 3.79% (CPM20), and 64.24 ± 3.79% (CPM100). Conclusively, CPM exposure during organogenesis period can disrupt H19 methylation in sperm, liver, and thymus and disturb the early development of offspring.

Fluorine effects in new indenofluorenedione derivatives for electron transporting layer in OLED devices.

New three indenofluorenedione derivatives were synthesized and proposed for electron transporting layer (ETL). Three compounds are indeno[1,2-b]fluorene-6,12-dione (IF-dione), 2,8-Difluoro-indeno[1,2-b]fluorene-6,12-dione (Mono-F-lF-dione), and 1,2,3,7,8,9-Hexafluoro-indeno[1,2- b]fluorene-6,12-dione (Tri-F-IF-dione). UV-visible (UV-Vis) absorption of three compounds in THF solution state showed different absorption maximum values as follows: 292, 318 and 334 nm (IF-dione), 289, 314 and 329 nm (Mono-F-IF-dione), 285, 319 and 334 nm (Tri-F-IF-dione). Three compounds were inserted between emitting layer (EML) and cathode electrode as an ETL in OLED device: ITO/2-TNATA (60 nm)/NPB (15 nm)/Alq3 (30 nm)/synthesized compounds (30 nm)/LiF (1 nm)/Al (200 nm). I-V characteristics of three devices were investigated at 20 mA/cm2. Operating voltages of three compounds were 7.06 V (IF-dione), 6.42 V (MonoF-IF-dione), 5.36 V (TriF-IF-dione), respectively.

A new approach way for white organic light-emitting diodes based on single emitting layer and large stokes shift.

New red dopant, DPPZ based on porphyrin moiety was synthesized. DPPZ showed UV-Vis and PL maximum values of 412 and 638 nm, indicating the large stokes shift. New blue host compound, TATa was also synthesized and used for co-mixed white emission. TATa exhibited UV-Vis. and PL maximum values of 403 nm and 463 nm in film state. Thus, when two compounds are used as co-mixed emitter in OLED device, there is no energy transfer from blue emission of TATa to DPPZ due to large stokes shift of DPPZ. Based on the PL result, it is available to realize two-colored white in PL and EL spectra. As a result of this, two-mixed compounds showed vivid their own PL emission peaks of 466 and 638 nm in film state. Also, white OLED device using two-mixed compounds system was fabricated. EL spectrum shows 481 and 646 nm peaks and two separate EL peaks. As the operation voltage is increased from 8 to 11 V, EL spectrum does not change the peak shape and maximum wavelength values. EL performance of white device showed 0.041 cd/A, 0.018 Im/W, and CIE (0.457, 0.331) at 8 V.

Uncatalyzed synthesis and characterization of a water-soluble polyacetylene: poly[2-ethynyl-N-(propylsulfonate)pyridinium betaine].

A new ionic conjugated polymer was prepared by the activated polymerization of 2-ethynylpyridine with the ring-opening of 1,3-propanesultone without any additional initiator or catalyst. This polymer was characterized by various instrumental methods to have conjugated polymer backbone system with pendant N-propylsulfonate functional groups. The photoluminescence spectrum of polymer showed that the PL peak is located at 552 nm corresponding to the photon energy of 2.25 eV. The cyclovoltammograms of polymer exhibited the irreversible electrochemical behaviors between the oxidation and reduction peaks. The oxidation current density of polymer versus the scan rates is approximately linear relationship in the range of 30-120 mV/sec. It was found that the kinetics of the redox process is almost controlled by the reactant diffusion process from the oxidation current density of polymer versus the scan rates.

Exposure of pregnant mice to chlorpyrifos-methyl alters embryonic H19 gene methylation patterns.

The aim of this study was to identify whether chlorpyrifos methyl (CPM) exposure during pregnancy leads to changes in the methylation patterns of H19 gene. CPM 4, 20, 100 mg/kg bw/day was administered to 4 pregnant mice per group between 7 and 12 days post coitum (d.p.c.). Pregnant mice were killed at 13 d.p.c. The genomic methylation in primordial germ cells (PGCs) and fetal organs (the liver, intestine, and placenta) was examined. Four polymorphism sites in the H19 alleles of maternal (C57BL/6J) and paternal (CAST/Ei) alleles were identified at nucleotide position 1407, 1485, 1566, and 1654. The methylation patterns of 17 CpG sites were analyzed. The methylation level in male and female PGCs was not altered by CPM treatment in the maternal allele H19. The methylation level of the paternal H19 allele was altered in only male PGCs in response to the CPM treatment. The methylation level at a binding site for the transcriptional regulator CTCF2 was higher than that at the CTCF1 binding site in all CPM-treated groups. In the placenta, the aggregate methylation level of H19 was 56.89%in control group. But, those levels were ranged from 47.7% to 49.89% after treatment with increasing doses of CPM. H19 gene from the liver and intestine of 13 d.p.c. fetuses treated with CPM was hypomethylated as compared with controls, although H19 mRNA expression was unaltered. In the placenta, H19 expression was slightly increased in the CPM-treated group, although not significantly. IGF2 expression levels were not significantly changed in the placenta. In conclusion, CPM exposure during pregnancy alters the methylation status of the H19 gene in PGCs and embryonic tissues. We infer that these alterations are likely related to changes in DNA demethylase activity.

Evaluation of hepatotoxicity of chemicals using hepatic progenitor and hepatocyte-like cells derived from mouse embryonic stem cells: effect of chemicals on ESC-derived hepatocyte differentiation.

Embryonic stem cell testing is an alternative model system to assess drug and chemical toxicities because of its similar developmental characteristics with in vivo embryogenesis and organogenesis. This study evaluated the toxicity of chemicals at specific developmental stages of mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived hepatic differentiation; hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs), and hepatocyte-like cells (HCs). The toxic effects of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and arsanilic acid (Ars) were evaluated by measuring the expressions of Cytokeratin (CK18) and GATA binding protein 4 (GATA-4) and the activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) during the hepatic differentiation process. Non-toxic doses of three chemicals at a range of 25 to 500 µM for CCl(4), 12.5 to 800 nM for 5-FU and 6.25 to 400 mM for Ars were treated. In the CCl(4)-treated group, significant decreases (P < 0.05) of the marker expression were observed by more than 300 µM from day 10 in CK18 and by more than 400 µM of CCl(4) from day 22 in GATA-4, respectively. However, both markers were decreased (P < 0.01) by treatments of all doses at day 40. In the 5-FU-treated group, the expressions of two proteins were not affected by any of the doses at day 10 and 22, whereas the GATA-4 expression was decreased (P < 0.05) by more than 400 nM of 5-FU at days 28 and 40. In the Ars-treated group, the CK18 expression was inhibited (P < 0.05) by more than 100 mM of Ars at day 22 but showed a tendency to recover. Although the GATA-4 was inhibited by all doses at day 22, the inhibition of GATA-4 recovered at days 28 and 40. ALP activities of three chemicals were significantly increased (P < 0.05) by a dose-dependent manner. The activities of AST and LDH were prone to be increased by more than 300 µM of CCl(4,) but not affected by all doses of 5-FU except for 800 nM of 5-FU in AST activities. In the Ars, the enzyme activities were significantly increased (P < 0.05) by more than 50 µM of Ars in AST and more than 6.25 µM of Ars in LDH. The present results indicate that CCl(4) has a more toxic effect on HCs, whereas Ars is more toxic to HPCs. Additionally, in vitro alternative testing using ESC-derived HPCs and HCs could provide useful information on chemical toxicity during the hepatic differentiation process and could be a useful model system for assessing chemical hepatotoxicity.

Structural and functional studies of casein kinase I-like protein from rice.

Casein kinase I (CKI) is a protein serine/threonine kinase that is highly conserved from plants to animals. It performs various functions in both the cytoplasm and nucleus, such as DNA repair, cell cycle, cytokinesis, vesicular trafficking, morphogenesis and circadian rhythm. CKI proteins contain a highly conserved kinase domain responsible for catalytic activity at the N-terminus and a highly diverse regulatory domain responsible for determining substrate specificity at the C-terminus. CKI-like protein has been identified in plants, including in rice, but its function and structure have not been reported. Here, we report the 2.0 Å crystal structure of the kinase domain of CKI-like protein from rice. Although the structure adopts the typical bi-lobal kinase architecture, the length and orientation of the glycine-rich ATP-binding motif are dynamic within the CKI family. A loop between α5 and α6 (the α5-α6 loop), which was previously not detected in the CKI family because of flexibility, was clearly detected in our structure. In addition, we identified a lipase as a substrate of CKI-like protein from rice. Phosphorylation of the lipase dramatically reduced its catalytic activity, suggesting that CKI may play a role in the regulation of lipase activity.

An aromatic imine group enhances the electro-luminescence efficiency and color purity of blue emitter for organic light emitting diodes.

DPBP-EPY has the same structure with DPBP-EIF, one of blue-light-emitting materials, except their cores, in which the former has two imine groups, but the latter has only carbon-containing groups. The electro-optical properties modulated by the adoption of the different core structures were systematically examined. It was confirmed that the maximum values in the UV-visible and PL spectra of DPBP-EPY were about 19-46 nm red-shifted from those of DPBP-EIF due to the electron-withdrawing effect of the imine groups whether in solution or in solid. In addition, in case of DPBP-EPY where imine group is substituted, LUMO level of DPBP-EPY decreased while HOME level did not show any significant change. Furthermore, the results of the non-doped OLED device built with these two materials for an emitting layer indicated that DPBP-EPY needed about 2 V lower operation-voltage, and produced higher quantum yield than DPBP-EIF. In particular, it was shown that DPBP-EPY emitted purer and deeper blue-light with CIE coordinate (0.157,0.131) than DPBP-EIF with CIE coordinate is (0.179, 0.191).

High efficiency new hole injection materials for organic light emitting diodes based on dimeric phenothiazine and phenoxazine moiety derivatives.

New hole injection materials for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on phenothiazine and phenoxazine were synthesized, and the electro-optical properties of synthesized materials were examined by through UV-visible (UV-vis), photoluminescence (PL) spectrum and cyclic voltammetry (CV). 1-BPNA-t-BPBP and 1-BPNA-t-BPBPOX showed T(g) of 127 and 200 degrees C, which are higher than that (110 degrees C) of 2-TNATA, a commercial hole injection layer (HIL) material. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level of the synthesized materials of 1-BPNA-t-BPBP and 1-BPNA-t-BPBPOX were 4.97 and 4.91 eV, indicating values well-matched between HOMO (4.8 eV) of ITO and HOMO (5.4 eV) of NPB, hole transporting layer (HTL) material. As a result of using the synthesized materials in OLED device as HIL, 1-BPNA-t-BPBPOX of 2.43 Im/W was higher than 2-TNATA of 1.98 Im/W and 1-BPNA-t-BPBP of 1.39 Im/W in power efficiency. These results indicated that 1-BPNA-t-BPBPOX shows higher excellent power efficiency which is about 18% improved over 2-TNATA a commercial HIL material.

A study on single-layered white organic light-emitting diodes based on Co-host system using solution process.

Two color white organic light-emitting diode (WOLED) that used a co-host system in a solution process method was prepared. A device configuration is ITO/PEDOT:PSS (40 nm)/emitting layer (50 nm)/TPBi (20 nm)/LiF (1 nm)/Al. The emitting layer consists of TATa+ alpha-NPB or beta-NPB + DPAVBi (blue dopant) + Rubrene (yellow dopant). The device using alpha-NPB or beta-NPB showed white color of CIE (0.30, 0.40) and (0.29, 0.39), respectively. Device efficiency of alpha-NPB was 3.85 cd/A at 100 mA/cm2, which is about 15% higher than beta-NPB's.

New deep blue emitting materials based on indenopyrazine core with high thermal stability.

New deep blue emitting materials 2,8-bis(3,5-diphenylphenyl)-6,6,12,12-tetraethyl-6,12-dihydrodiindeno[1,2-b:1',2'-e]pyrazine (DPP-EPY) and 2,8-bis(3',5'-diphenylbiphenyl-4-yl)-6,6,12,12-tetraethyl-6,12-dihydrodiindeno[1,2-b:1',2'-e]pyrazine (DPBP-EPY) were synthesized through introduction of m-terphenyl or triphenylbenzene bulky side groups in a new indenopyrazine core. These materials all showed high thermal stability and highly reduced intermolecular interaction. DPP-EPY and DPBP-EPY showed PL maxima of 456 nm and 460 nm in deep blue region and narrow PL spectra with full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 46 nm and 52 nm, respectively. As a result of making non-doped OLED devices using these synthesized materials as emitting layers, DPP-EPY showed EL spectrum of 452 nm, very narrow FWHM of 46 nm, luminance efficiency of 1.04 cd/A with current density of 10 mA/cm2 and CIE coordinate of (0.161, 0.104), creating a deep blue OLED close to the National Television System Committee (NTSC) blue standard.