Low Band Gap Polymers Incorporating a Dicarboxylic Imide-Derived Acceptor Moiety for Efficient Polymer Solar Cells

Two novel copolymers incorporating N-alkyl-4,7-di(thien-2-yl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-5,6-dicarboxylic imide (DI) and benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene (BDT) units have been designed, synthesized, and characterized. By the incorporation of the DI unit, both polymers show a bathochromically shifted absorption with a deep lying highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy level. The polymer based on thienyl group substituted BDT exhibits an intense absorption in the longer-wavelength region, a deeper lying HOMO energy level, and a higher carrier mobility, all of which contribute to the resulting polymer solar cells with a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.19% and an increased V_oc of 0.91 V.

Skewing the Balance of Regulatory T-Cells and T-Helper 17 Cells in Breast Cancer Patients

This study investigated the distribution of interleukin (IL)-17-producing CD4+ T-cells (T-helper [Th17] cells) in relation to CD4+CD25+CD127− cells (regulatory T-cells [Treg]) in tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from breast cancer patients. The Th17 and Treg cells were evaluated by flow cytometry and reported as a percentage of total CD4+ cells. In TILs from early breast cancer patients ( n = 12), the frequency of Th17 cells was significantly higher than in PBMCs (14.5 ± 7.2% versus 6.9 ± 2.1%). In TILs from patients with advanced breast cancer ( n = 15), the frequency of Th17 cells was also significantly higher than that in PBMCs (9.1 ± 5.7% versus 3.2 ± 2.3%) but lower compared with early disease. The Th17/Treg ratio in TILs was markedly increased in early versus advanced disease. In conclusion, Th17 and Treg cell accumulation in the tumour microenvironment of breast cancer occurred in early disease; Th17 cell infiltration gradually decreased and Treg cells accumulated with disease progression.

Conductive behaviour and self-conductance characteristic of carbon nanotubes/functionalized graphene hybrid films

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/Functionalized graphite (FG) hybrid films were fabricated by a simple solution-casting method. The films showed a layered, well-entangled and interconnected porous structure at nanometer scale. Such the nanostructures resulted in the films having the relatively high bulk conductivity and self-conductance characteristics. With increasing MWCNT mass fraction, the conductivity rapidly increased from approximately 10(-9) S/m of the host FG to over 10(-1) S/m. The percolation threshold was found to be about 29.6 wt% of MWCNTs. For the film with 83 wt% MWCNTs the specific capacitance was about 1 F/cm3. The hybrid films are of much higher power factor compared to conventional dielectric capacitors. The energy density of the film with 50 wt% MWCNTs was found to be 0.1 Wh/m3 and the charge-discharge period was very short about 8 seconds. It is believed that the MWCNTs/FG hybrid films have great potential as electrode materials for applications to energy storage.

Zoledronate inhibits intimal hyperplasia in balloon-injured rat carotid artery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Zoledronate has been reported to inhibit the proliferation, adhesion and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells. In the present study, we assessed whether systemic and local delivery of zoledronate would be sufficient to prevent intimal hyperplasia.

METHODS

Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into four groups: non-treated group, systemic zoledronate-treated group, local collagen-treated group and local zoledronate-treated group. All four groups underwent balloon injury to the right common carotid artery. The left uninjured carotid arteries of the non-treated group were considered as normal artery samples. Twenty-one days after arterial injury and treatment, the right and left common carotid arteries were fixed, sectioned, stained and measured by computer-aided image analysis.

RESULTS

At 3 weeks, there was a 59% reduction of the intima/media area ratio in the systemic zoledronate-treated group compared with the non-treated group (P < 0.01). There was an 87% reduction of the intima/media area ratio in the local zoledronate-treated group compared with the local collagen-treated group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Both systemic and local delivery of zoledronate correspond to a significant reduction in intimal hyperplasia seen at 3 weeks.

Serum concentrations of selected endogenous estrogen and estrogen metabolites in pre- and post-menopausal Chinese women with osteoarthritis

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether serum levels of selected endogenous estrogens and their metabolites are involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis in pre- and post-menopausal women with osteoarthritis. Sixty-four patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, 48 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of the knee, and 48 healthy women were included in this study. Serum concentrations of estradiol and estrogen metabolites, such as 2- hydroxyestrone, 2-hydroxyestradiol, and 16α-hydroxyestrone, were measured by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Our results show that the serum concentrations of free estradiol and total 2-hydroxyestrone were significantly lower in pre-menopausal women with OA compared to the levels detected in the control groups (RA and healthy women). While serum concentrations of free and total estradiol in post-menopausal women with OA was significantly decreased compared to those of the control groups, the level of total 2-hydroxyestradiol significantly increased in postmenopausal women. Furthermore, the total 2-hydroxyestrone concentration positively correlated with the total estradiol level in pre-menopausal women with OA. In addition, the total 2- hydroxyestradiol level positively correlated with free and total estradiol levels in post-menopausal women with OA. In conclusion, estradiol and estrogen metabolites, including 2-hydroxyestrone and 2-hydroxyestradiol, were found in the sera of pre- and post-menopausal women with OA. Except for free and total estradiol deficiency, a decreased serum level of total 2- hydroxyestrone in pre-menopausal women and an increased total 2-hydroxyestradiol level in post-menopausal women with OA may also correlate with the pathogenesis of female OA.

[Development of one step RT-PCR technique for detection of H7 subtype avian influenza]

According to 45 hemagglutinin (HA) gene sequences of H7 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV), a pair of specific oligonucleotide primers was designed. We developed one step RT-PCR for detecting AIV subtype H7. Sensitivity to detection of allantoic fluid by one step RT-PCR reached 10(5.5) EID50/mL and detection of swab samples reached 10(3) EID50/mL. We simultaneity detected the tissue and swab samples infected with H7 subtypes AIV by one step RT-PCR and virus isolation method. The results showed that the sensitivity of the assay gave an excellent correlation with the conventional virus isolation method. H1-H15 subtypes of avian influenza and other avian diseases were detected by the one step RT-PCR. The results showed the assays were high specific, without cross-reaction with other subtypes or other avian diseases. Development of one step RT-PCR will provide effective technical support for the rapid diagnosis and surveillance of molecular epidemiology of AIV subtype H7.

Assembly of multi-functional nanocomponents on periodic nanotube array for biosensors

Patterned carbon nanotubes arrays (PCNTA) with reduced density and length were developed with polystyrene sphere masked catalyst dots followed by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition method. The nanotubes were then uniformly coated with electropolymerized polypyrrole (PPy). The coating thickness was conformally adjustable. Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) together with glucose oxidase (Gox) were doped into the PPy film on the nanotubes to develop a high performance PCNTA glucose sensor. The sensitivity of the sensor was improved by the co-existence of Gox and AuNP on the carbon nanotube. Moreover, in contrast to previous reported PCNTA glucose sensors, the design herein utilized the entire surface of nanotubes as active sensing areas in order to maximize the Faradic currents. This research outlines a practical avenue to fabricate high performance PCNTA sensor chips with multiple molecules and functional nano-architectures.

Electro-acupuncture-mediated gene transfer

Gene transfer is one of the key techniques in gene therapy application. Unfortunately, it seems that by now, there still exists no approach with simplicity, easiness, efficiency and safety. A novel method for gene delivery, electro-acupuncture needle-mediated gene transfer which combined the Chinese traditional acupuncture with modem gene introduction, was developed. With acupuncture needle carrying exogenous gene into muscle after direct electronic stimuli, efficient gene delivery was achieved.