Alcohol-dispersed polymer complex as an effective and durable interface modifier for n-i-p perovskite solar cells

Abundant interfacial defects remain a significant challenge that hampers both the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells(PSCs).Herein,an alcohol-dispersed conducting polymer complex,denoted as PEDOT:F(Poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):Perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomers),is introduced into the interface between perovskite and hole transporting layer in regular-structured PSCs.PEDOT:F serves as a multi-functional interface layer(filling grain boundaries and covering perovskite's grain-surface)to achieve a robust interaction with organic groups within perovskites,which could induce a structural transformation of PEDOT to increase its conductivity for the efficient hole-transport.Furthermore,the strong interaction between PEDOT and perovskites could promote an effective coupling of undercoordinated Pb~(2+)ions with the lone electron pairs near O&S atoms in PEDOT molecules,thereby enhancing defect passivation.Additionally,PEDOT:F with inherent hydrophobic properties prevents effectively moisture invasion into perovskites for the improved long-term stability of the PSCs.Consequently,the PEDOT:F-based PSCs achieved a champion efficiency of 24.81%,and maintained ca.92%of their initial efficiency after 7680 h of storage in a dry air environment,accompanied by the enhanced photothermal stability.

Synergistic Optimization of Buried Interface by Multifunctional Organic-Inorganic Complexes for Highly Efficient Planar Perovskite Solar Cells

For the further improvement of the power conversion efficiency(PCE)and stability of perovskite solar cells(PSCs),the buried interface between the perovskite and the electron transport layer is crucial.However,it is challenging to effectively optimize this interface as it is buried beneath the perovskite film.Herein,we have designed and synthesized a series of multifunctional organic-inorganic(OI)complexes as buried interfacial material to promote electron extraction,as well as the crystal growth of the perovskite.The OI complex with BF4−group not only eliminates oxygen vacancies on the SnO_(2) surface but also balances energy level alignment between SnO_(2) and perovskite,providing a favorable environment for charge carrier extraction.Moreover,OI complex with amine(−NH_(2))functional group can regulate the crystallization of the perovskite film via interaction with PbI2,resulting in highly crystallized perovskite film with large grains and low defect density.Consequently,with rational molecular design,the PSCs with optimal OI complex buried interface layer which contains both BF4−and−NH_(2) functional groups yield a champion device efficiency of 23.69%.More importantly,the resulting unencapsulated device performs excellent ambient stability,maintaining over 90%of its initial efficiency after 2000 h storage,and excellent light stability of 91.5%remaining PCE in the maximum power point tracking measurement(under continuous 100 mW cm−2 light illumination in N2 atmosphere)after 500 h.

Up-to-date meta-analysis of long-term evaluations of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for complex perianal fistula

BACKGROUND Local mesenchymal stem cell(MSC)therapy for complex perianal fistulas(PFs)has shown considerable promise.But,the long-term safety and efficacy of MSC therapy in complex PFs remain unknown.AIM To explore the long-term effectiveness and safety of local MSC therapy for complex PFs.METHODS Sources included the PubMed,EMBASE,and Cochrane Library databases.A standard meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3.RESULTS After screening,6 studies met the inclusion criteria.MSC therapy was associated with an improved long-term healing rate(HR)compared with the control condition[odds ratio(OR)=2.13;95%confidence interval(95%CI):1.34 to 3.38;P=0.001].Compared with fibrin glue(FG)therapy alone,MSC plus FG therapy was associated with an improved long-term HR(OR=2.30;95%CI:1.21 to 4.36;P=0.01).When magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate fistula healing,MSC therapy was found to achieve a higher long-term HR than the control treatment(OR=2.79;95%CI:1.37 to 5.67;P=0.005).There were no significant differences in long-term safety(OR=0.77;95%CI:0.27 to 2.24;P=0.64).CONCLUSION Our study indicated that local MSC therapy promotes long-term and sustained healing of complex PFs and that this method is safe.

Detection of macular ganglion cell complex loss and correlation with choroidal thickness in chronic and recurrent central serous chorioretinopathy

AIM:To investigate the association of ganglion cell complex thickness(GCCt),global loss volume percentage(GLV%),and focal loss volume percentage(FLV%)with structural and functional findings among patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy(CCSC)and recurrent central serous chorioretinopathy(RCSC)by optical coherence tomography(OCT).METHODS:Among 29 patients with monocular affected central serous chorioretinopathy(CSC),15 had CCSC,and 14 had RCSC.The GCCt,FLV%,GLV%,and subfoveal choroidal thickness(SFCT)and sublesional choroidal thickness(SLCT)values were determined using OCT,and the association of these characteristics with neural structure parameters,choroidal morphology,features and functional alterations were estimated for the CCSC and RCSC patients.RESULTS:In CCSC,the affected eyes had significantly lower GCCt values than the fellow eyes in the macular regions(all P<0.05),with the highest GCCt observed in the inferior area.A significant association was found between the GCCt in different regions and the change in best corrected visual acuity(BCVA;r=-0.696;-0.695;-0.694,P<0.05)in CCSC patients.A statistically significant moderate negative correlation indicated that long-term CCSC was associated with greater differences in the GCCt in different regions between affected and fellow eyes(r=-0.562;r=-0.556;r=0.525,P<0.05).Additionally,observation of thickened SFCT was associated with a worse FLV%(r=0.599;r=0.546,P<0.05)in both groups.Similarly,thickened SLCT was associated with FLV%in RCSC patients(r=0.544,P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The distribution and GCCt are associated with the duration and visual outcomes of CCSC,whereas there is no correlation among RCSC patients.FLV%may be instrumental in differentiating the various outer choroidal vessels(pachyvessels)in long-term CSC.These results suggest that neural structure parameters may aid in estimating and predicting the recovery of altered morphology and function in CCSC and RCSC patients.

Inhibiting Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation via Immobilization of Heparin/Fibronectin Complexes on Titanium Surfaces

The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of heparin/fibronectin （Hep/Fn） complexes on neointimal hyperplasia following endovascular intervention. Hep/Fn complexes were immobilized onto titanium （Ti） surfaces, with subsequent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）, Toluidine Blue 0 （TBO） and immunohistochemistry methods were used to characterize surface properties. Smooth muscle cell （SMC） cultures were used to evaluate the effect of Hep/Fn complexes on SMC proliferation. Results showed that Hep/Fn complexes successfully immobilized onto Ti surfaces and resulted in an inhibition of SMC proliferation. This study suggests that Hep/Fn surface-immobilized biomaterials develop as a new generation of biomaterials to prevent neointimal hyperplasia, particularly for use in cardiovascular implants.

STUDY ON EFFECTS OF Yb^(3+) AND ITS COMPLEXES ON CELLS IN VITRO

This paper reports the effects of the Yh^(3+) and its four complexes on cultured cells.The results indicate that the 5 mmol YbCl_3 has evident toxicity on cultured cells,and after it is coordinated with ligands,its toxicity is decreased.These.four complexes neither destroy the growth nor inhibit the adliesion of diploid cell to the surface of the flasket,but they inhibit the adhesion of cancer cells,and result in cell death.The complex of Yb~?(3+) with ligand(1) can destroy the cancer cells in division phase.forming aberrant mitotic cells,but the other three complexes of Yb^(3+) with ligands can destroy the cancer cells in interphase.These effects depend on the dose of the complex.

Enhancing the treatment effects of tumor cell purified autogenous heat shock protein 70-peptide complexes on HER-3-overexpressing breast cancer

Objective The aim of this study was to enhance the treatment effect of tumor purified autogenous heat shock protein 70-peptide complexes(HSP70-PCs)on HER-3-overexpressing breast cancer.Methods In this study,we first studied the expression of HER-3 in breast cancer tissues and its relationship with patient characteristics.We then purified HSP70-PCs from primary breast cancer cells with different HER-2 and HER-3 expression profiles and determined the cytotoxicity of autogenous dendritic cells(DCs)and CD8+T cells induced by these complexes.Third,recombinant human HSP70-HER-3 protein complexes were used to inhibit the autogenous HSP70-PCs purified from HER-3-overexpressing breast cancer cells,and the resulting immunological response was examined.Results The results show that HSP70-PCs can be combined with recombinant HSP70-HER-3 protein complexes to induce stronger immunological responses than autogenous HSP70-PCs alone and that these treatments induce autogenous CD8+T cell killing of HER-3-positive breast cancer cells.Conclusion These findings provide a new direction for HSP70-DC-based immunotherapy for patients with HER-3-overexpressing breast cancer.

Potent antitumor effect elicited by gp96-peptide complexes pulsed by dendritic cell on mice of H22 liver cancer

Objective: To improve DC-based tumor vaccination, we studied whether dendritic cells (DCs) which cocultured with H22 liver cancer cells-derived heat shock protein (HSP) glycoprotein 96 (gp96) affect the T cell-activating potential in vitro and the induction of tumor immunity in vivo. Methods: Maturation of murine bone marrow-derived DC was induced by GM-CSF plus IL-4. which mimiced the immunostimulatory effect of DC. Cocultured DC and gp96-peptide complexes were used to vaccine H22 liver cancer cells of mice. Using murine models we compared the immunogenecity of DC modified by gp96-peptides complexes derived from murine liver cancer cells alone or inactive tumor cells. To verify the specificity of the vaccine, in vitro assays were executed. Serum cytokine levels were quantified to explore the supposed pathway of DC modified by gp96 peptide complexes and its effect on antitumor immune response. Results: DC modified by gp96-peptide complexes can activate spleen lymphocyte and the latter can specifically kill H22 cells but not Ehrilich ascites carcinoma cells. Modified DC can induce potent tumor-antigenspecific immune response, augment the proliferation of Th1 cells, and inhibit tumor growth. Conclusion: In this study, we have developed a novel DC-mediated tumor vaccine by combing the gp96 antigenic peptides complexes and inducing immune response against specific tumor cells. gp96 can be identified as a potent DC activator.

Phagocytosis of IgA Immune Complexes by Human U937 Cells

In order to study FcαRⅠ mediated phagocytosis of IgA immune complexes by U937 cells, antigen 8.9NIP/BSA was labeled with FITC and reacted with anti-NIP IgA or anti-NIP IgG antibody to form immune complexes (ICs). They were then incubated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulated U937 cells.The phagocytosed ICs were quantified by flow cytometry. The results was that the expression of FcαRⅠ on U937 cells was higher than that of FcγRⅠ, FcγRⅡ and FcγRⅢ. After stimulation by PMA, expression of FcαRⅠ on U937 cells was markedly upregulated and the phagocytosis of IgA ICs was enhanced. FcαRⅠ mediated specific IgA phagocytosis was stronger than FcγRⅠ and FcγRⅡ mediated IgG phagocytosis. Complement receptors, CR1 and CR3, enhanced U937 cell phagocytosis of IgA ICs. It concludes that FcαRⅠ mediated strong phagocytosis of IgA ICs.

Macular Perfusion Changes and Ganglion Cell Complex Loss in Patients with Silicone Oil-related Visual Loss

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate macular perfusion changes and ganglion cell complex(GCC)loss in patients with unexplained visual loss following vitrectomy and silicone oil(SO)tamponade,and to evaluate the correlation between retinal blood flow and GCC loss using optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)and optical coherence tomography(OCT).Methods This retrospective study included seven eyes(seven patients)with unexpected visual loss after vitrectomy and SO tamponade.OCTA was used to evaluate the alterations in retinal vessel density(VD)in the superficial capillary plexus(SCP),deep capillary plexus(DCP),and radial peripapillary capillary plexus(RPCP).OCT was used to measure the thickness of GCC and retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL).Medical records of patients were reviewed.Results Quantitative analysis of OCTA images revealed a significant reduction in SCP VD in the affected eyes compared with the controls(all sections P<0.05).No difference was found in GCC thickness,but FLV(focal loss volume)and GLV(global loss volume)were significantly higher in the affected eyes(both P<0.001).SCP VD was inversely correlated with FLV and GLV.Conclusions Silicone oil-related severe visual loss was associated with superficial retinal microvasculature damage and ganglion cell apoptosis.

Diagnostic ability of ganglion cell complex thickness to detect glaucoma in high myopia eyes by Fourier domain optical coherence tomography

AIM：To evaluate the ability of macular ganglion cell complex（GCC） thickness using Fourier domain optical coherence tomography（FD-OCT） to detect glaucoma in highly myopic eyes.METHODS：Cross-sectional study.A total of 114 participants,consecutively were enrolled.Macular GCC thickness and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer（RNFL） thickness were obtained with RTVue FD-OCT.Receiver operating characteristics curves were constructed for each measurement parameter,and areas under the curves（AUCs） were compared.RESULTS：Both the average GCC and average RNFL thickness showed negative correlations with axial length（rGCC=-0.404,P=0.001;rRNFL=-0.561,P〈0.001）.The largest AUCs from GCC,and RNFL parameters were 0.968 [global loss volume（GLV）],and 0.855（average RNFL）,respectively.GLV was significantly better for detecting high myopic glaucoma than average RNFL（P〈0.001）.CONCLUSION：Macular GCC thickness has higher diagnostic power than peripapillary RNFL thickness to discriminate glaucoma patients from non-glaucoma subjects in high myopia.

Stem cell injection for complex anal fistula in Crohn’s disease: A single-center experience

BACKGROUND Despite tremendous progress in medical therapy and optimization of surgical strategies,considerable failure rates after surgery for complex anal fistula in Crohn’s disease have been reported.Therefore,stem cell therapy for the treatment of complex perianal fistula can be an innovative option with potential long-term healing.AIM To evaluate the results of local administration of allogenic,adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells(darvadstrocel)for complex anal Crohn’s fistula.METHODS All patients with complex anal fistulas associated with Crohn’s disease who were amenable for definite fistula closure within a defined observation period were potential candidates for stem cell injection(darvadstrocel)if at least one conventional or surgical attempt to close the fistula had failed.Darvadstrocel was only indicated in patients without active Crohn’s disease and without presence of anorectal abscess.Local injection of darvadstrocel was performed as a standardized procedure under general anesthesia including single-shot antibiotic prophylaxis,removal of seton drainage,fistula curettage,closure of the internal openings and local stem cell injection.Data collection focusing on healing rates,occurrence of abscess and follow-up was performed on a regular basis of quality control and patient care.Data were retrospectively analyzed.RESULTS Between July 2018 and January 2021,12 patients(6 females,6 males)with a mean age of 42.5(range:26-61)years underwent stem cell therapy.All patients had a minimum of one complex fistula,including patients with two complex fistulas in 58.3%(7/12).Two of the 12 patients had horse-shoe fistula and 3 had one complex fistula.According to Parks classification,the majority of fistulas were transsphincteric(76%)or suprasphincteric(14%).All patients underwent removal of seton,fistula curettage,transanal closure of internal opening by suture(11/12)or mucosal flap(1/12)and stem cell injection.At a mean follow-up of 14.3(range:3-30)mo,a healing rate was documented in 66.7%(8/12);mean duration to achieve healing was 12(range:6-30)wk.Within follow-up,4 patients required reoperation due to perianal abscess(33.3%).Focusing on patients with a minimum follow-up of 12 mo(6/12)or 24 mo(4/12),long-term healing rates were 66.7%(4/6)and 50.0%(2/4),respectively.CONCLUSION Data of this single-center experience are promising but limited due to the small number of patients and the retrospective analysis.

Retinal ganglion cell complex changes using spectral domain optical coherence tomography in diabetic patients without retinopathy

AIM：To assess the ganglion cell complex（GCC）thickness in diabetic eyes without retinopathy. METHODS：Two groups included 45 diabetic eyes without retinopathy and 21 non diabetic eyes. All subjects underwent full medical and ophthalmological history,full ophthalmological examination,measuring GCC thickness and central foveal thickness（CFT）using the RTVue~？ spectral domainoptical coherence tomography（SD-OCT）,and HbA1C level.RESULTS：GCC focal loss volume（FLV%）was significantly more in diabetic eyes（22.2% below normal）than normal eyes（P=0.024）. No statistically significant difference was found between the diabetic group and the control group regarding GCC global loss volume（GLV%）（P=0.160）. CFT was positively correlated to the average,superior and inferior GCC（P=0.001,0.000 and 0.001 respectively）and negatively correlated to GLV% and FLV%（P=0.002 and0.031 respectively）in diabetic eyes. C/D ratio in diabetic eyes was negatively correlated to average,superior and inferior GCC（P=0.015,0.007 and 0.017 respectively）. The FLV% was negatively correlated to the refraction and level of Hb A1c（P=0.019 and 0.013 respectively）and positively correlated to the best corrected visual acuity（BCVA）in log MAR in diabetic group（P=0.004）.CONCLUSION：Significant GCC thinning in diabetes predates retinal vasculopathy,which is mainly focal rather than diffuse. It has no preference to either the superior or inferior halves of the macula. Increase of myopic error is significantly accompanied with increased focal GCC loss. GCC loss is accompanied with increased C/D ratio in diabetic eyes.

Systematic review of macular ganglion cell complex analysis using spectral domain optical coherence tomography for glaucoma assessment

AIM: To review the use of spectral domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT) for macular retinal ganglion cells(RGC) and ganglion cell complex(GCC) measurement in glaucoma assessment, specifically for early detection and detection of disease progression. METHODS: A systematic review was performed by searching Pub Med, Medline, and Web of Science for articles published in English through July 2014 describing the various macular SD-OCT scanning strategies developed for glaucoma assessment. The review focused on papers evaluating the use of macular RGC/GCC SDOCT to detect early glaucoma and its progression. The search included keywords corresponding to the index test(macular ganglion cell/RGC/GCC/Spectral domain OCT), the target condition(glaucoma), and diagnostic performance. The RGC/GCC SD-OCT scanning strategies used to assess glaucoma of most commonly used SD-OCT instruments were described and compared. These included the Cirrus high definition-OCT(Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, CA, United States), RTVue(Optovue, Inc., Fremont, CA, United States), Spectralis(Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) and the 3D OCT 2000(Topcon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). Studies focusing on the ability of RGC/GCC SD-OCT to detect early glaucomatous damage and on the correlation between glaucomatous progression and RGC/GCC measurement by SD-OCT were reviewed.RESULTS: According to the literature, macular RGC/GCC SD-OCT has high diagnostic power of preperimetric glaucoma, reliable discrimination ability to differentiate between healthy eyes and glaucomatous eyes, with good correlation with visual filed damage. The current data suggests that it may serve as a sensitive detection tool for glaucomatous structural progression even with mild functional progression as the rate of change of RGC/GCC thickness was found to be significantly higher in progressing than in stable eyes. Glaucoma assessment with RGC/GCC SD-OCT was comparable with and sometimes better than circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurement.CONCLUSION: An increasing body of evidence supports using macular RGC/GCC thickness as an indicator for early glaucoma. This might be a useful tool for monitoring disease progression.

Macular ganglion cell complex injury in different stages of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

BACKGROUND Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy(AION)is a group of ophthalmic diseases in which the optic nerve is injured causing blindness.However,the pathogenesis,clinical manifestations,and clinical treatments of AION are yet elusive.Only a few related experimental or clinical reports are available on the disease.In this study,spectral domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT)was used to examine the morphology of thickness swelling and atrophic changes of macular ganglion cell complex(mGCC)in the different stages of AION that were then compared with the visual fields.Thus,the clinical value of mGCC examination was alleged to be similar to that of the visual field.AIM To explore the mGCC injury at different stages in AION and the clinical significance.METHODS Cases with AION were analyzed in a retrospective study.SD-OCT was used to analyze the correlation between mGCC and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses at different stages of AION and the changes in the corresponding stages of visual fields.RESULTS A total of 21 cases(28 eyes)presented AION.The onset time of AION was defined as early stage(within 3 wk of onset),middle stage(from 3 wk to 2 mo),and late stage(disease span>2 mo).In the early stage,the mGCC thickness of SD-OCT was within the normal high limit,and the perioptic nerve fibers thickness was more than the normal.The changes in the visual field in early stage were not consistent with the swelling changes in mGCC and peri-disc nerve fibers.In addition,atrophy and thinning appeared in mGCC,and the perioptic nerve fibers were swollen.However,the thickness was lower in the middle period than that in the early stage.The change in visual field was consistent with that of mGCC in this period.In the late stage,mGCC shrank and thinned,and the thickness of the nerve fibers around the optic disc in the corresponding region shrank and thinned.CONCLUSION The changes in mGCC thickness in patients with AION showed early,middle,and late stages of development by SD-OCT.Although the early stage visual field changes of AION were not consistent with the swelling changes of mGCC,the horizontal delimitation or annular atrophy of mGCC was consistent with that in the middle and late stage of the disease.The atrophy of peripheral nerve fibers was later than that of the mGCC atrophy.

Comparison of peripapillary and macular choroidal thickness and ganglion cell complex thickness in glaucomatous and healthy eyes

AIM: To assess choroidal thickness(CT) and its association with ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness(GCIPLT) and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness(RNFLT) in open angle glaucoma(OAG) comparing with preperimetric glaucoma(PPG) and normal eyes.METHODS: Totally 55 eyes of OAG, 40 eyes of PPG, and 40 eyes of age-matched normal eyes were studied. Peripapillary CT(PCT), macular CT(MCT), RNFLT, and GCIPLT were evaluated. Relationship between the CT with RNFLT and GCIPLT were studied. The correlation between CT and confounding variables as gender, age, intraocular pressure, and visual field mean deviation were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean PCT were 113.6±39.1 μm in OAG, 116.3±42.7 μm in PPG, and 148.9±41.7 μm in normal eyes. PCT and MCT was thinner in OAG compared to healthy eyes. There was a significant correlation for PCT and mean RNFLT in 1, 2, 6, and 7 clock hours of OAG eyes. The difference in PCT remained after adjusting for axial length, age, and disc area(P=0.003). No significant correlation was shown between MCT and mean GCIPLT in all eyes.CONCLUSION: PCT is thinner in OAG and PPG compared with healthy eyes. The correlation of RNFLT and PCT found in OAG and PPG is not revealed in normal eyes.

Dominating expression of negative regulatory factors downmodulates major histocompatibility complex Class-Ⅱexpression on dendritic cells in chronic hepatitis C infection

AIM: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms leading to development of functionally impaired dendritic cells(DCs) in chronic hepatitis C(CHC) patients infected with genotype 3 virus.METHODS: This prospective study was conducted on the cohorts of CHC individuals identified as responders or non-responders to antiviral therapy. Myeloid DCs were isolated from the peripheral blood of each subject using CD1c(BDCA1)+ DC isolation Kit. Monocytes from healthy donor were cultured with DC growth factors such as IL-4 and GM-CSF either in the presence or absence of hepatitis C virus(HCV) viral proteins followed by LPS stimulation. Phenotyping was done by flowcytometry and gene expression profiling was evaluated by real-time PCR.RESULTS: Non-responders [sustained virological response(SVR)-ve] to conventional antiviral therapy had significantly higher expression of genes associated with interferon responsive element such as IDO1 and PD-L1(6-fold) and negative regulators of JAK-STAT pathway such as SOCS(6-fold) as compared to responders(SVR+ve) to antiviral therapy. The downregulated genes in non-responders included factors involved in antigen processing and presentation mainly belonging to major histocompatibility complex(MHC) Class-Ⅱ family as HLA-DP, HLA-DQ(2-fold) and superoxide dismutase(2-fold). Cells grown in the presence of HCV viral proteins had genes downregulated for factors involved in innate response, interferon signaling, DC maturation and co-stimulatory signaling to T-cells, while the genes for cytokine signaling and Toll-like receptors(4-fold) were upregulated as compared to cells grown in absence of viral proteins.CONCLUSION: Underexpressed MHC class-Ⅱ genes and upregulated negative regulators in non-responders indicate diminished capacity to present antigen and may constitute mechanism of functionally defective state of DCs.