Thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione‐Based Polymers for Optoelectronic Applications

Over the last decade, great progress has been made in the field of organic electronics. Advancements in organic syntheses as well as in device engineering enabled preparation of polymer solar cells with power conversion efficiency (PCE) exceeding 8%–9%. In search for new polymers suitable for photovoltaic applications, push–pull polymers containing thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione (TPD) motif as an electron deficient (pull) unit emerged as very promising candidates. This Trend Article summarizes research on TPD‐based polymers with a special emphasis on the structure–property relationships.     

Adverse events related to topical drug treatments for acne vulgaris

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Acne vulgaris is a widespread skin disease. Topical therapy is a standard treatment for mild to moderate acne. Given the complex pathophysiology of acne, various agents with complementary action are nowadays frequently combined to increase the efficacy of therapy.

Area covered: This review focus on safety profile of topical agents used for the treatment of acne vulgaris, including topical retinoids, benzyl peroxide, azelaic acid, topical antibiotic, and combined agents. Data from clinical trials but also metanalyses, systematic reviews, and other secondary analyses are presented.

Expert opinion: In general, topical agents used for acne vulgaris have a favorable safety profile. The most commonly reported AEs were associated with local skin irritation, usually mild to moderate in intensity, intermittent, and rarely led to the cessation of therapy. Irritative potential seems to be highest for BPO and topical retinoids. Due to the possibility of development of Cutibacterium acnes resistance, topical antibiotics should not be used in monotherapy but as a part of combination therapy. In female adolescent and adults of childbearing potential, topical retinoids should be used with caution, because they are contraindicated in pregnant females (FDA Pregnancy category) C (adapalene, tretinoin) and X (tazarotene).     

Ecotoxicological characteristics and ecological risk assessment of trace elements in the bottom sediments of the Rożnów reservoir (Poland)

Ecotoxicology - The bottom sediments in catchment areas behind dams play a significant role in water ecosystems. On the other hand, the structure of sediments makes them a natural geosorbent, in...     

Assessment of the level of vaccine-induced anti-HBs antibodies in children with inflammatory systemic connective tissue diseases treated with immunosuppression

Objectives

Protective vaccinations are the most effective method of prevention of type B virus hepatitis. The aim of the study was to determine whether in children receiving immunosuppressive therapy due to inflammatory systemic connective tissue diseases the protective concentration of the anti-HBs antibodies produced after vaccination against type B virus hepatitis in infancy is maintained.

Material and methods

The concentration of anti-HBs antibodies was assessed in the sera of 50 children with inflammatory connective tissue diseases – 37 girls (74%) and 13 boys (26%), aged 1.5–17.5 years – during the immunosuppressive treatment, which lasted at least 6 months. The control group consisted of 50 healthy children – 28 girls (56%) and 22 boys (44%) aged 2–17 years. All children were vaccinated in infancy with Engerix B vaccine according to the 0–1–6 months schedule. The antibody concentration of ≥ 10 mIU/ml in patients is regarded as protective.

Results

No protective antibody concentrations were found in 25 cases (50%) in the group of diseased children and only in 2 children in the control group (4%).

Conclusions

The concentration of vaccine-induced antibodies should be assessed in children with inflammatory systemic connective tissue diseases and, in case of the absence of a protective concentration, revaccination should be started. The use of glucocorticosteroids, synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs is no contraindication to vaccination against hepatitis B.     

Semi-automated identification of cones in the human retina using circle Hough transform

A large number of human retinal diseases are characterized by a progressive loss of cones, the photoreceptors critical for visual acuity and color perception. Adaptive Optics (AO) imaging presents a potential method to study these cells in vivo. However, AO imaging in ophthalmology is a relatively new phenomenon and quantitative analysis of these images remains difficult and tedious using manual methods. This paper illustrates a novel semi-automated quantitative technique enabling registration of AO images to macular landmarks, cone counting and its radius quantification at specified distances from the foveal center. The new cone counting approach employs the circle Hough transform (cHT) and is compared to automated counting methods, as well as arbitrated manual cone identification. We explore the impact of varying the circle detection parameter on the validity of cHT cone counting and discuss the potential role of using this algorithm in detecting both cones and rods separately.OCIS codes: (100.0100) Image processing, (170.3880) Medical and biological imaging, (110.1080) Active or adaptive optics, (170.4470) Ophthalmology     

Factors associated with preservation of C-peptide levels at the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes

Aims

The level of C-peptide can identify individuals most likely to respond to immune interventions carried out to prevent pancreatic β-cell damage.The aim of the study was to evaluate factors associated with C-peptide levels at type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis.