The working mechanism of organic photovoltaic cell by using copper phthalocyanine as exciton blocking layer

We demonstrate the working mechanism of organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell with copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) as exciton blocking layer (EBL). The new EBL material CuPc, commonly has been used as electron donor in the organic solar cells due to its electron-donating and hole-transporting properties. But here we proves that the α-polymorph CuPc layer can transfer electrons to Al cathode through the half-filled b_1g level, this mechanism is different from that of general EBL material with larger band gap and electron-transporting property, which is based on damage states induced by the heat of evaporating Al.     

Inhibitors of Mitochondrial Human Carbonic Anhydrases VA and VB as a Therapeutic Strategy against Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Mice

Neuropathy development is a major dose-limiting side effect of anticancer treatments that significantly reduces patient’s quality of life. The inadequate pharmacological approaches for neuropathic pain management warrant the identification of novel therapeutic targets. Mitochondrial dysfunctions that lead to reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase, cytosolic Ca²⁺ imbalance, and lactate acidosis are implicated in neuropathic pain pathogenesis. It has been observed that in these deregulations, a pivotal role is played by the mitochondrial carbonic anhydrases (CA) VA and VB isoforms. Hence, preclinical studies should be conducted to assess the efficacy of two novel selenides bearing benzenesulfonamide moieties, named 5b and 5d, and able to inhibit CA VA and VB against paclitaxel-induced neurotoxicity in mice. Acute treatment with 5b and 5d (30–100 mg/kg, per os – p.o.) determined a dose-dependent and long-lasting anti-hyperalgesic effect in the Cold plate test. Further, repeated daily treatment for 15 days with 100 mg/kg of both compounds (starting the first day of paclitaxel injection) significantly prevented neuropathic pain development without the onset of tolerance to the anti-hyperalgesic effect. In both experiments, acetazolamide (AAZ, 100 mg/kg, p.o.) used as the reference drug was partially active. Moreover, ex vivo analysis demonstrated the efficacy of 5b and 5d repeated treatments in reducing the maladaptive plasticity that occurs to glia cells in the lumbar portion of the spinal cord and in improving mitochondrial functions in the brain and spinal cord that were strongly impaired by paclitaxel-repeated treatment. In this regard, 5b and 5d ameliorated the metabolic activity, as observed by the increase in citrate synthase activity, and preserved an optimal mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) value, which appeared depolarized in brains from paclitaxel-treated animals. In conclusion, 5b and 5d have therapeutic and protective effects against paclitaxel-induced neuropathy without tolerance development. Moreover, 5b and 5d reduced glial cell activation and mitochondrial dysfunction in the central nervous system, being a promising candidate for the management of neuropathic pain and neurotoxicity evoked by chemotherapeutic drugs.     

Immobilization of Lathyrus cicera Amine Oxidase on Magnetic Microparticles for Biocatalytic Applications

Amine oxidases are enzymes belonging to the class of oxidoreductases that are widespread, from bacteria to humans. The amine oxidase from Lathyrus cicera has recently appeared in the landscape of biocatalysis, showing good potential in the green synthesis of aldehydes. This enzyme catalyzes the oxidative deamination of a wide range of primary amines into the corresponding aldehydes but its use as a biocatalyst is challenging due to the possible inactivation that might occur at high product concentrations. Here, we show that the enzyme’s performance can be greatly improved by immobilization on solid supports. The best results are achieved using amino-functionalized magnetic microparticles: the immobilized enzyme retains its activity, greatly improves its thermostability (4 h at 75 °C), and can be recycled up to 8 times with a set of aromatic ethylamines. After the last reaction cycle, the overall conversion is about 90% for all tested substrates, with an aldehyde production ranging between 100 and 270 mg depending on the substrate used. As a proof concept, one of the aldehydes thus produced was successfully used for the biomimetic synthesis of a non-natural benzylisoquinoline alkaloid.     

Genetics and Epigenetics of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a complex and heterogeneous disease, and there is no effective treatment. Spontaneous ICH represents the final manifestation of different types of cerebral small vessel disease, usually categorized as: lobar (mostly related to cerebral amyloid angiopathy) and nonlobar (hypertension-related vasculopathy) ICH. Accurate phenotyping aims to reflect these biological differences in the underlying mechanisms and has been demonstrated to be crucial to the success of genetic studies in this field. This review summarizes how current knowledge on genetics and epigenetics of this devastating stroke subtype are contributing to improve the understanding of ICH pathophysiology and their potential role in developing therapeutic strategies.     

NSCLC as the Paradigm of Precision Medicine at Its Finest: The Rise of New Druggable Molecular Targets for Advanced Disease

Standard treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) historically consisted of systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy until the early 2000s, when precision medicine led to a revolutionary change in the therapeutic scenario. The identification of oncogenic driver mutations in EGFR, ALK and ROS1 rearrangements identified a subset of patients who largely benefit from targeted agents. However, since the proportion of patients with druggable alterations represents a minority, the discovery of new potential driver mutations is still an urgent clinical need. We provide a comprehensive review of the emerging molecular targets in NSCLC and their applications in the advanced setting.     

Potential of the Stromal Matricellular Protein Periostin as a Biomarker to Improve Risk Assessment in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) ranges from indolent to aggressive tumors that may rapidly progress and metastasize. The switch to aggressive PCa is fostered by reactive stroma infiltrating tumor foci. Therefore, reactive stroma-based biomarkers may potentially improve the early detection of aggressive PCa, ameliorating disease classification. Gene expression profiles of PCa reactive fibroblasts highlighted the up-regulation of genes related to stroma deposition, including periostin and sparc. Here, the potential of periostin as a stromal biomarker has been investigated on PCa prostatectomies by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, circulating levels of periostin and sparc have been assessed in a low-risk PCa patient cohort enrolled in active surveillance (AS) by ELISA. We found that periostin is mainly expressed in the peritumoral stroma of prostatectomies, and its stromal expression correlates with PCa grade and aggressive disease features, such as the cribriform growth. Moreover, stromal periostin staining is associated with a shorter biochemical recurrence-free survival of PCa patients. Interestingly, the integration of periostin and sparc circulating levels into a model based on standard clinico-pathological variables improves its performance in predicting disease reclassification of AS patients. In this study, we provide the first evidence that circulating molecular biomarkers of PCa stroma may refine risk assessment and predict the reclassification of AS patients.     

Localization-limited exciton oscillator strength in colloidal CdSe nanoplatelets revealed by the optically induced stark effect

2D materials are considered for applications that require strong light-matter interaction because of the apparently giant oscillator strength of the exciton tra...     

原油标准体积管结蜡造成的后果及解决方法

探讨了原油动态计量中标准体积管结蜡所引起的误差、原因分析和经济损失,提出了解决问题的办法。     

冷却工艺对新型高速列车焊接构架用钢组织演变的影响

针对高速列车焊接构架用钢的性能要求,设计了一种低成本的Mn-Cu微合金低碳钢,并对该实验钢的连续冷却转变规律以及冷却工艺对组织演变的影响进行了研究.结果表明,实验钢在较宽的冷速范围(1～30℃/s)内均可以获得先共析铁素体和中温相变组织.冷却速度和卷取温度对最终组织形态和细化有着重要影响,轧制结束后立即加速冷却至500～600℃,再缓冷,可以获得以细小准多边形铁素体、针状铁素体和粒状贝氏体为主的混合组织.经实验室控轧控冷验证了具有该组织形态的12 mm中厚钢板屈服强度可达540 MPa,同时拥有良好的塑性和低温韧性.     

Effect of Controlled Cooling After Hot Rolling on Mechanical Properties of Hot Rolled TRIP Steel

A three-step cooling pattern on the runout table（ROT）was conducted for the hot rolled TRIP steel.Microstructural evolution during thermomechanical controlled processing（TMCP）was investigated.Processing condition of controlled cooling on a ROT in the laboratory rolling mill was discussed.The results indicated that the microstructure containing polygonal ferrite,granular bainite and a significant amount of the stable retained austenite can be obtained through three-step cooling on the ROT after hot rolling.TMCP led to ferrite grain refinement.Controlled cooling after hot rolling resulted in the stability of the remaining austenite and a satisfactory TRIP effect.Excellent mechanical properties were obtained through TMCP for the hot rolled TRIP steel.