Large Area Emission in p-Type Polymer-Based Light-Emitting Field-Effect Transistors by Incorporating Charge Injection Interlayers

Organic light-emitting field-effect transistors (LEFETs) provide the possibility of simplifying the display pixilation design as they integrate the drive-transistor and the light emission in a single architecture. However, in p-type LEFETs, simultaneously achieving higher external quantum efficiency (EQE) at higher brightness, larger and stable emission area, and high switching speed are the limiting factors for to realise their applications. Herein, we present a p-type polymer heterostructure-based LEFET architecture with electron and hole injection interlayers to improve the charge injection into the light-emitting layer, which leads to better recombination. This device structure provides access to hole mobility of ~2.1 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ and EQE of 1.6% at a luminance of 2600 cd m⁻². Most importantly, we observed a large area emission under the entire drain electrode, which was spatially stable (emission area is not dependent on the gate voltage and current density). These results show an important advancement in polymer-based LEFET technology toward realizing new digital display applications.     

Native valve endocarditis due to Candida albicans in two children: Two new case reports

Candida endocarditis (CE) is a rare and serious complication of candidemia. Using current diagnostic tools a confirmed diagnosis is often delayed and outcomes remain poor. The majority of new cases occur following cardiac valvular surgery, and/or in patients with the following risk factors: intravenous drug use, cancer chemotherapy, prolonged presence of central venous catheters, and prior history of bacterial endocarditis. It is not a common complication in non‐neutropenic patients particularly with the absence of a prosthetic valve, and very few reports in the literature are available. Attempting to add to the limited data, 211 candidemia episodes from 172 nonneutropenic pediatric cases between January 2008 and December 2017 were evaluated. All patients were considered asymptomatic for underlying heart disease. However, 2 (0.9%) patients with a central venous catheter were determined as having endocarditis following echocardiography.     

Rotenone impairs oxidant/antioxidant balance both in brain and intestines in zebrafish

Aim of the study: Rotenone is a commonly used pesticide that inhibits complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport system. Rotenone exposed rats demonstrate many characteristics of Parkinson Disease (PD). Oxidative stress is one of the hallmarks of PD, being the major sources of ROS in the DA neurons. In recent years the strong connection between the intestinal environment and the function of the central nervous system (CNS) has gained widespread popularity. In order to explain the mechanism underlying the GI dysfunction in PD, we aimed to investigate oxidant-antioxidant status in the brain and intestine, as well as locomotor activity, in rotenone exposed zebrafish.

Materials and methods: Adult zebrafish were exposed to 2 mg/L rotenone for 30 days. At the end of the experiment, locomotor activity was determined by simple observation. Lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities were determined in the homogenates.

Results: Locomotor activity decreased in the rotenone exposed zebrafish. LPO increased in both brain and intestines whereas NO increased only in the brain. Decreased GST and CAT activities were found in both tissues whereas SOD activity decreased only in the intestines.

Conclusion: As a conclusion, the results of our study support the connection between gut and brain axis in rotenone exposed zebrafish by means of oxidative stress and NO for the first time in literature.     

Cholesterol removal from human plasma with biologically modified cryogels

Abstract

In this study, low molecular weight heparin immobilized P(HEMA) cryogels were fabricated for the removal of LDL-C in hypercholesterolemic human plasma. After characterization studies for P(HEMA) cryogels, effects of the parameters including medium pH, CNBr concentration, heparin concentration and contact time on heparin immobilization were investigated. Blood compatibility and cell adhesion tests were also performed, and platelet and leucocyte loss for P(HEMA)-Hp cryogels were found to be 2.95% and 4.91%, respectively. Maximum adsorption capacity for LDL-C from hypercholesterolemic human plasma was found to be 26.7?mg/g for P(HEMA)-Hp cryogel while it was only 1.67?mg/g for bare P(HEMA) cryogel. The P(HEMA)-Hp cryogels exhibit high desorption ratios up to 96% after 10 adsorption-desorption cycles with no significant decrease in the adsorption capacity. The findings indicated that these reusable P(HEMA)-based cryogels proposed good alternative adsorbents for removal of LDL-C.     

Triple‐negative breast cancer—Role of immunology: A systemic review

Recently, the complex role of immune therapy has been the target of increased attention in breast cancer, particularly in triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). Although TNBC is sensitive to chemotherapy, the recurrence and mortality rates are worse compared with the other breast cancer types. In addition, TNBC still lacks targeted treatment options. With the improved understanding of the immune system in TNBC, it is expected that new predictive and prognostic markers will be identified, and innovative treatment modalities will be developed. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the effector cells in the TNBC's microenvironment and to highlight a novel approach to treat this kind of cancer. A computer‐based literature research was carried out using PubMed, American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting (ASCO) and San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). To date, studies have shown that tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tumor‐associated macrophages ( TAMs) play a very important role in the TNBC's microenvironment. Tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes can even be considered as biomarkers to predict chemotherapy response in TNBC. Furthermore, TNBC was shown to have immune active subtypes, and therefore, the use of immunotherapy may be an attractive treatment approach. In this respect, several randomized studies have been designed or are currently ongoing to explore the combination of chemotherapy with immunotherapy in TNBC. Combination of chemo‐ and immunotherapy is likely to be beneficial in a subgroup of patients with TNBC.     

The effect of hyperinflation on respiratory muscles and breathing pattern in COPD

Lung hyperinflation is a consequence of airway obstruction, increased airway resistance and compliance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which may result in respiratory muscle fatigue and deterioration of gas transfer. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of hyperinflation on respiratory muscles, gas transfer and breathing pattern and compare the differences between mild and severe COPD. Twenty-eight COPD patients with radiological and tomographic evidence of emphysema were included in the study and they were divided into two groups according to the severity of COPD. Group I= FEV(1) < or = 49% (n= 16). Group II= FEV(1) > or = 50% (n= 12). Airflow rates were decreased and airway resistance was increased significantly in Group I. Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) was significantly reduced in Group I. FRC, RV and RV/TLC ratio were increased above 120% in both groups with more significant increase in Group I. Group I showed moderate hypoxemia (PaO(2) = 54.02 mmHg) with hypercapnia (PaCO(2)= 46.65 mmHg) whereas Group II patients were mildly hypoxemic (PaO(2)= 63.78 mmHg) with normocapnia. Parameters of breathing pattern were similar in both groups. Diaphragm height index (DHI) didn't showed significant difference between groups. But there were significant correlations between DHI and RV, FRC. MIP showed significant positive correlation with airflow rates and DLCO, negative correlation with lung volumes, positive correlation with PaO(2) and negative correlation with PaCO(2). FRC also negatively correlated with Ti and Ti/Ttot. In conclusion, hyperinflation present even in the mild forms of COPD causes inspiratory muscle weakness which in return results in impairment in gas transfer.