High-Performance Inverted Organic Solar Cells with MXene-Based Interfacial Engineering.

Inverted organic solar cells (OSCs) offer superior operational stability for practical applications, yet their power conversion efficiencies (PCE) lag behind those of conventional devices. This shortfall is primarily due to an excessive downshift in the electron affinity of nonfullerene acceptors, which hinders efficient charge extraction. Here, we introduce an MXene interlayer (TiCOH) to simultaneously optimize the energetic landscape at the ZnO/active layer interface and passivate ZnO surface defects.

Ligand impacts on band edge energies and excited state splittings of silicane.

Two-dimensional (2D) silicanes are promising semiconductors for applications in optoelectronics and photochemistry. Covalent functionalization presents a facile strategy to customize silicanes to attain desired properties. A comprehensive understanding of the impacts of ligands on silicanes is thus pivotal.

Photoinduced Long-Distance Charge Transfer in Silicanes: The Stacking Matters.

The generation of interlayer charge transfer excitons upon photoexcitation is strongly desirable for two-dimensional (2D) materials stacked through van der Waals interactions. In this work, we investigate photoinduced charge transfer in silicanes (SiH) with three typical stackings. A concept of the regional natural hole orbital and its conjugated particle orbital is developed to characterize excited states in solids.

Unified one-electron Hamiltonian formalism of spin-orbit Jahn-Teller and pseudo-Jahn-Teller problems in tetrahedral and octahedral symmetries.

Heavy element compounds with high symmetries often feature both spin-orbit coupling and vibronic coupling. This is especially true for systems with tetrahedral and octahedral symmetries, whose electronic states may be threefold degenerate and experience complicated Jahn-Teller and pseudo-Jahn-Teller interactions. To accurately describe these interactions, high quality spin-orbit vibronic Hamiltonian operators are needed.

0D/2D mixed-dimensional perovskite constructed by thiol- and disulfide-containing ligands.

Reduced-dimensional (RD) perovskites have shown attractive chemical and physical properties for optoelectronic applications. Incorporating large organic ligands enables infinite tunability in the components and structures. Theoretically, it is feasible to apply multiple types of organic ligands in a single RD crystal to achieve multiple-dimensional perovskites.

Rapid BMI Increases and Persistent Obesity in Small-for-Gestational-Age Infants.

In order to compensate for the early intrauterine growth restriction, small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants have "catch-up growth" after birth. Increased caloric intake has been suggested for SGA infants conventionally. It is important to determine if the early growth rate of body mass index (BMI) is associated with risk of persistent obesity later in life.

Spontaneous Polarization Effect and Photocatalytic Activity of Layered Compound of BiOIO.

Internal polarized electric field is found to be an effective and available strategy to separate photogenerated electron-hole pairs. By this method, the efficiency of photocatalytic reactions can be obviously enhanced. Here, the layered compound of BiOIO with spontaneous polarization was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method.

[Studies of the norm and psychometrical properties of the ages and stages questionnaires, third edition, with a Chinese national sample].

Objective: To introduce the Ages and Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (ASQ-3), to China, created ASQ-Chinese (ASQ-C) and carried out studies of its national norm and the psychometrical properties in the children aged 1-66 months in the mainland of China in collaboration with the author of the ASQ System and under the authorizations from its publisher on translation, researches, publication and distribution of the ASQ-3.

Method: The ASQ-3 questionnaires were translated and adapted into a Simplified Chinese version, the ASQ-C, with six steps such as translation, back-translation and adaptation and so on to ensure consistency with the core of the original document and to have the cultural relevance in China.A stratified cluster sampling method was utilized to recruit children aged 1-66 months with respect to demographic characteristics such as the proportion of population in each administrative region and in urban and rural areas and so on that are representative of 2010 China census data.

The constitutive expression of type x collagen in mesenchymal stem cells from osteoarthritis patients is reproduced in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis.

The expression of type X collagen (COL X), a late-stage chondrocyte hypertrophy marker in human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from osteoarthritis (OA) patients poses a major setback to current cartilage and intervertebral disc tissue engineering efforts. However, it is not yet clear whether COL X is expressed by all human bone marrow stem cells or if it is related to age, gender, site, disease status, or drug therapy. In the current study, we report that COL X expression is upregulated in MSCs from rabbits in a surgical instability model of OA (anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)) when compared to control rabbit MSCs.

[Cutoff scores of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-Chinese for screening infants and toddlers].

Objective: To study the validity and accuracy of differing cutoff scores of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires-Chinese (ASQ-C) for screening infants and toddlers in comparison with the gold standard, Bayley Scale of Infant Development, Second Edition (BSID II).

Method: The 269 samples were enrolled from the normative children, aged 3 - 31 months, of the ASQ-C in Shanghai. The age-appropriate ASQ-Cs were completed by parents/caregivers and the BSIDIIwas administered by professionals.

Effect of synthetic link N peptide on the expression of type I and type II collagens in human intervertebral disc cells.

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is associated with proteolytic degradation of proteoglycan aggregates present within the extracellular matrix of the disc. Link N peptide (DHLSDNYTLDHDRAIH) is the N-terminal peptide of link protein, which stabilizes the proteoglycan aggregates. It is generated in vivo by proteolytic degradation during tissue turnover.

[Studies of the norm and psychometric properties of Ages and Stages Questionnaires in Shanghai children].

Objective: To introduce the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) to China, we created ASQ-Chinese (ASQ-C) and carried out studies of its norm and the psychometrical properties in Shanghai children aged 3-66 months in collaboration with the author of the ASQ with the permissions from the publisher.

Method: The 19 ASQ intervals were translated into Chinese, to make the ASQ-C culturally relevant, and back translated into English. The project used a stratified cluster sampling method and recruited children aged 3 - 66 months with respect to demographic characteristics that were representative of Shanghai census data, and excluded the children whose mother tongue was not Chinese and/or diagnosed with disabilities by the authoritative hospitals in Shanghai.

[Thyroid disruption induced by pentachlorophenol].

Objective: To assess thyroid disruption induced by sodium pentachlorophenol (PCP) using Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recommended TG 407 method.

Methods: A total of 30 specific pathogen free (SPF) SD adult male and female rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, and treated with water, 0.33 and 30 mg x kg(-1)x d(-1) of PCP-Na by oral gavage for consecutive 28 days, respectively.

Effect of parathyroid hormone on type X and type II collagen expression in mesenchymal stem cells from osteoarthritic patients.

A major drawback of current cartilage and intervertebral disc tissue engineering is that human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from osteoarthritic (OA) patients express type X collagen (COL10), a marker of late-stage chondrocyte hypertrophy (associated with endochondral ossification). Parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulates endochondral ossification by inhibiting chondrocyte differentiation toward hypertrophy. In this study, we investigated the effect of PTH on expression of COL10 in MSCs from OA patients and analyzed the potential mechanisms related to its effect.

[Effects of lycopene on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats].

Objective: To study the protective effects of lycopene (LP) on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and oxidative stress in SD rats and the mechanism of them.

Methods: The rats were divided into five groups: normal control group, model control group, sham group and two LP groups (fed with 5 mg/kg bw or 20 mg/kg bw of lycopene daily for 15 days). The model for cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

Regulation of the novel Mg2+ transporter transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) cation channel by bradykinin in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Background: Transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) channels have been identified in the vasculature. However, their regulation and function remain unclear.

Methods: Here, we tested the hypothesis that bradykinin and its second messenger cAMP upregulate TRPM7, which stimulates activation of annexin-1 (TRPM7 substrate) and increases transmembrane Mg2+ transport and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration.

Redox-sensitive signaling by angiotensin II involves oxidative inactivation and blunted phosphorylation of protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 in vascular smooth muscle cells from SHR.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) involves reactive oxygen species (ROS) through unknown mechanisms. We propose that Ang II induces phosphorylation of growth signaling kinases by redox-sensitive regulation of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP) in VSMCs and that augmented Ang II signaling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) involves oxidation/inactivation and blunted phosphorylation of the PTP, SHP-2. PTP oxidation was assessed by the in-gel PTP method.

[Mechanism of protective effects of procyanidins on liver injury induced by alcohol in mice].

Objective: To study the mechanism of protective effects of procyanidins on liver injury model induced by alcohol in mice.

Methods: Mice were divided into 3 groups to set up the model of liver injury induced by alcohol in mice: the group of liver injury induced by alcohol, the group of procyanidins with low doses (100mg/kg), the group of procyanidins with high doses(300mg/kg). Then established normal group of control.

[Effects of grape seed proanthocyanidins extracts on experimental diabetic nephropathy in rats].

Objective: To study the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidins extracts(GSPE) and its mechanism on early renal lesions of diabetic rats.

Methods: Diabetic rats induced by alloxan were given GSPE intragastrically for 6 weeks, then the antioxidative indexes and NO content, NOS activity in kidney and serum were measured, and the renal function indexes were tested as well.

Results: Compared with the diabetic group, the urinary protein/24h, levels of blood urea nitrogen(BUN)and serum creatinine(SCr), creatinine clearance rate(CCr) and the ratio of kidney weight/body weight were decreased, the SOD activity in kidney was raised while MDA content was fall in the GSPE group(high dose), and the differences were all significant.

Increased systemic inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with worsening congestive heart failure: improvement after short-term inotropic support.

In the present study, we evaluated circulating pro-inflammatory mediators and markers of oxidative stress in patients with decompensated CHF (congestive heart failure) and assessed whether clinical recompensation by short-term inotropic therapy influences these parameters. Patients with worsening CHF (n=29, aged 61.9+/-2.

Differential regulation of transient receptor potential melastatin 6 and 7 cation channels by ANG II in vascular smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Intracellular Mg2+ depletion has been implicated in vascular dysfunction in hypertension. We demonstrated that transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) cation channels mediate Mg2+ influx in VSMCs. Whether this plays a role in [Mg2+]i deficiency in hypertension is unclear.

Negative regulation of RhoA/Rho kinase by angiotensin II type 2 receptor in vascular smooth muscle cells: role in angiotensin II-induced vasodilation in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Objective: To test whether angiotensin II (Ang II) through the Ang II type 2 receptor (AT2R), downregulates RhoA/Rho kinase, which plays a role in AT1 receptor (AT1R)-mediated function.

Methods: In vitro studies were performed in A10 vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and in vivo studies in mesenteric arteries from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive (SHRSP) rats. VSMC were stimulated with Ang II (10 mol/l), CGP42112A (10 mol/l, a selective AT2R agonist) +/- valsartan (10 mol/l, an AT1R antagonist), or the Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil (10 mol/l).

Role of the actin cytoskeleton in angiotensin II signaling in human vascular smooth muscle cells.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) regulates vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) function by activating signaling cascades that promote vasoconstriction, growth, and inflammation. Subcellular mechanisms coordinating these processes are unclear. In the present study, we questioned the role of the actin cytoskeleton in Ang II mediated signaling through mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in VSMCs.

Angiotensin II-dependent chronic hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy are unaffected by gp91phox-containing NADPH oxidase.

The gp91phox-containing NADPH oxidase is the major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cardiovascular system and inactivation of gp91phox has been reported to blunt hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy seen in angiotensin (Ang) II-infused animals. In the current study, we sought to determine the role of gp91phox-derived ROS on cardiovascular outcomes of chronic exposure to Ang II. The gp91phox-deficient mice were crossed with transgenic mice expressing active human renin in the liver (TTRhRen).

Vascular smooth muscle cell NAD(P)H oxidase activity during the development of hypertension: Effect of angiotensin II and role of insulinlike growth factor-1 receptor transactivation.

Objective: We investigated whether angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation is altered in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) during the phases of prehypertension, developing hypertension, and established hypertension and assessed the putative role of insulinlike growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) in Ang II-mediated actions.

Methods: The VSMCs from SHR and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) aged 4 (prehypertensive), 9 (developing hypertension), and 16 (established hypertension) weeks were studied. The ROS production and NAD(P)H oxidase activation were determined by fluorescence and chemiluminescence, respectively.