A series of semi-crystalline, wide band gap (WBG) photovoltaic polymers were synthesized with varying number and topology of fluorine substituents. To decrease intramolecular charge transfer and to ...modulate the resulting band gap of D-A type copolymers, electron-releasing alkoxy substituents were attached to electron-deficient benzothiadiazole (A) and electron-withdrawing fluorine atoms (0-4F) were substituted onto a 1,4-bis(thiophen-2-yl)benzene unit (D). Intra- and/or interchain noncovalent Coulombic interactions were also incorporated into the polymer backbone to promote planarity and crystalline intermolecular packing. The resulting optical band gap and the valence level were tuned to 1.93-2.15 eV and −5.37 to −5.67 eV, respectively, and strong interchain organization was observed by differential scanning calorimetry, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and grazing incidence X-ray scattering measurements. The number of fluorine atoms and their position significantly influenced the photophysical, morphological and optoelectronic properties of bulk heterojunctions (BHJs) with these polymers. BHJ photovoltaic devices showed a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of up to 9.8% with an open-circuit voltage of 0.94-1.03 V. To our knowledge, this PCE is one of the highest values for fullerene-based single BHJ devices with WBG polymers having a band gap of over 1.90 eV. A tandem solar cell was also demonstrated successfully to show a PCE of 10.3% by combining a diketopyrrolopyrrole-based low band gap polymer.
A new series of wide band gap photovoltaic polymers based on a fluorinated phenylene-alkoxybenzothiadiazole unit with an optical band gap of over 1.90 eV are designed and utilized for high-performance single- and multi-junction bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells.
Abstract
We estimate the effectiveness of a fourth dose booster of coronavirus disease 2019 mRNA vaccine in individuals aged ≥60 years during Omicron BA.2 and BA.5 circulation in Korea. The ...effectiveness against critical infection was 67.7% (95% confidence interval, 50.7%–78.8%) at 31–60 days and 62.1% (95% confidence interval, 45.5%–73.7%) at 61–90 days.
Effectiveness of 4th dose booster of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in Korean adults aged >=60 years during Omicron BA.2 and BA.5 circulation against critical infection was 67.7% (95% CI 50.7%–78.8%) at 31–60 days and 62.1% (45.5%–73.7%) at 61–90 days.
Summary
Objective
We investigated the value of the stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) level at the time of recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH)‐aided remnant ablation for predicting disease status 1 year ...later in patients with DTC who underwent total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection (CND).
Design, setting, and participant
This was a prospective observational study of 253 consecutive patients with DTC who underwent rhTSH‐aided RAI ablation after total thyroidectomy and prophylactic CND. Patients with evidence of initial distant metastasis or positive Tg antibodies were excluded.
Major outcome measure
We compared rhTSH‐stimulated Tg level at RAI ablation according to the disease status at 1 year and evaluated optimal cut‐off value of rhTSH‐stimulated Tg. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the independent predictive factors for disease status 1 year after ablation.
Results
Among study participants, 228 (90·1%) were considered disease free at 1 year after remnant ablation. Patients with persistent or recurrent disease were more likely to be aged ≥45 years, and to have N1b stage, TNM stage III or IV, and higher rhTSH‐stimulated Tg level at RAI ablation. The optimal cut‐off of rhTSH‐stimulated Tg for predicting persistent or recurrent disease was 1·79 ng/ml, with a negative predictive value of 99·5%. A serum rhTSH‐stimulated Tg level ≥1·79 at the time of ablation was independently associated with persistent or recurrent disease 1 year later. N1b stage tended to be associated with persistent or recurrent disease.
Conclusion
A low stimulated serum Tg level at rhTSH‐aided RAI ablation may be a favourable prognostic marker in the setting of prophylactic CND.
The function of microglia/macrophages after ischemic stroke is poorly understood. This study examines the role of microglia/macrophages in the focal infarct area after transient middle cerebral ...artery occlusion (MCAO) in rhesus monkeys. We measured infarct volume and neurological function by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and non-human primate stroke scale (NHPSS), respectively, to assess temporal changes following MCAO. Activated phagocytic microglia/macrophages were examined by immunohistochemistry in post-mortem brains (n=6 MCAO, n=2 controls) at 3 and 24 hours (acute stage), 2 and 4 weeks (subacute stage), and 4, and 20 months (chronic stage) following MCAO. We found that the infarct volume progressively decreased between 1 and 4 weeks following MCAO, in parallel with the neurological recovery. Greater presence of cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68)-expressing microglia/macrophages was detected in the infarct lesion in the subacute and chronic stage, compared to the acute stage. Surprisingly, 98~99% of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) was found co-localized with CD68-expressing cells. CD68-expressing microglia/macrophages, rather than CD206
cells, may exert anti-inflammatory effects by secreting TGFβ after the subacute stage of ischemic stroke. CD68
microglia/macrophages can therefore be used as a potential therapeutic target.
Background/Aims: Coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ 10 ), is a promising antioxidant; however, low bioavailability owing to lipid-solubility is a limiting factor. We developed water-soluble CoQ 10 (CoQ 10 -W) and ...compared its effects with conventional lipid-soluble CoQ 10 (CoQ 10 -L) in an experimental model of chronic tacrolimus (Tac) nephropathy.
Methods: CoQ 10 -W was developed from a glycyrrhizic-carnitine mixed layer CoQ 10 micelle based on acyltransferases. Chronic nephropathy was induced in rats with 28-day Tac treatment; they were concomitantly treated with CoQ 10 -L or CoQ 10 -W. CoQ 10 level in plasma and kidney were measured using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. CoQ 10 -W and CoQ 10 -L effects on Tac-induced nephropathy were assessed in terms of renal function, histopathology, oxidative stress, and apoptotic cell death. Their effects on cell viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were assessed in cultured proximal tubular cells, human kidney 2 (HK-2) cells.
Results: The plasma CoQ 10 level was significantly higher in the CoQ 10 -W group than in the CoQ 10 -L group. Tac treatment caused renal dysfunction, typical pathologic lesions, and oxidative stress markers. Serum creatinine was restored in the Tac + CoQ 10 -L or CoQ 10 -W groups compared with that in the Tac group. CoQ 10 -W administration reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis markers. Mitochondrial ultrastructure assessment revealed that the addition of CoQ 10 -L or CoQ 10 -W with Tac increased mitochondrial size and number than Tac treatment alone. In vitro investigations revealed that both CoQ 10 -L and CoQ 10 -W improved cell viability and reduced ROS production in the Tac-induced HK-2 cell injury.
Conclusions: CoQ 10 -W has a better therapeutic effect in Tac-induced renal injury than conventional CoQ 10 -L, possibly associated with improved CoQ 10 bioavailability.
Sarcomas are rare and heterogenous tumours that constitute fewer than 1% of adult solid cancers.1 Owing to their aggressive behaviour, relative rarity and occurrence at multiple anatomical sites, ...sarcomas can be challenging to treat.2
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