Simultaneous Defect Passivation and Electric Level Regulation with Rubidium Fluoride for High-Efficiency CsPbI2Br Perovskite Solar Cells.

Due to the good balance of efficiency and stability, CsPbI2Br perovskite solar cells (PSCs) recently have attracted widespread attention. However, the improvement in photovoltaic performance for CsPbI2Br PSCs was mainly limited by massive defects and unmatched energy levels. Surface modification is the most convenient and effective strategy to decrease defect densities of perovskite films. Herein, we deposited rubidium fluoride (RbF) onto the surface of CsPbI2Br perovskite films by spin-coating. The numerous defects could be significantly passivated by RbF, resulting in suppressed nonradiative recombination. Furthermore, the CsPbI2Br perovskite film after RbF treatment exhibits a deeper Fermi level, and an additional built-in electric field forms to promote charge transport. Consequently, the champion device achieves a high efficiency of 10.82% with an improved VOC of 1.14 V, and it also exhibits excellent stability after long-term storage. This work offers a simple and effective approach to enhance the photovoltaic performance and stability of PSCs for broader applications in the future.

Cu2+-Doped CsPbI3 Nanocrystals with Enhanced Stability for Light-Emitting Diodes.

Black phase CsPbI3 perovskites have emerged as one of the most promising materials for use in optoelectronic devices due to their remarkable properties. However, black phase CsPbI3 usually possesses poor stability and involves a phase change process, resulting in an undesired orthorhombic (δ) yellow phase. Here, the enhanced stability of CsPbI3 nanocrystals is achieved by incorporating the Cu2+ ion into the CsPbI3 lattice under mild conditions. In particular, the Cu2+-doped CsPbI3 film can maintain red luminescence for 35 days in air while the undoped ones transformed into the nonluminescent yellow phase in several days. Furthermore, first-principles calculations verified that the enhanced stability is ascribed to the increased formation energy due to the successful doping of Cu2+ in CsPbI3. Benefiting from such an effective doping strategy, the as-prepared Cu2+-doped CsPbI3 as an emitting layer shows much better performance compared with that of the undoped counterpart. The turn-on voltage of the Cu2+-doped quantum-dot light-emitting diode (QLED) (1.6 V) is significantly reduced compared with that of the pristine QLED (3.8 V). In addition, the luminance of the Cu2+-doped QLED can reach 1270 cd/m2, which is more than twice that of the pristine CsPbI3 QLED (542 cd/m2). The device performance is believed to be further improved by optimizing the purification process and device structure, shedding light on future applications.

The genetic polymorphisms of ZC3HC1 and SMARCA4 are associated with hypertension risk.

AIM: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between genetic variants of ZC3HC1 and SMARCA4 and hypertension risk in the Chinese Han population. METHODS: The Agena MassAssary platform was used to determine the genotypes of eight SNPs in ZC3HC1 and SMARCA4 from 350 hypertension patients and 483 healthy controls. Chi-squared tests and genetic model were used to evaluate the associations. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using unconditional logistic regression. The statistical power of this study was estimated through the Power and Sample Size Calculation online software. RESULT: In the genetic model analysis, we identified that the SNP of rs1464890 in ZC3HC1 was associated with a 0.68-fold decreased risk of hypertension in the codominant model and 0.65-fold decreased risk in the dominant model. Rs4507692 in ZC3HC1 was associated with a 0.69-fold decreased risk of hypertension in the codominant model and 0.66-fold decreased risk in the dominant model. The genotype "G/A-A/A" of rs11879293 and the genotype "G/T-T/T" of rs1122608 in SMARCA4 were significantly associated with decreasing the hypertension risk. In addition, the "Ars2242487 Trs1464890 Trs4507692 " ZC3HC1 haplotype was associated with a decreased risk of hypertension. CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that ZC3HC1 and SMARCA4 polymorphism may conducive to play a protective role against the hypertension risk.

The role of FOXO3 polymorphisms in susceptibility to tuberculosis in a Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant worldwide health problem, and is caused by Mycobacteria tuberculosis. Recent studies have suggested that FOXO3 plays vital roles in the risk of immune-related infectious diseases such as TB. METHODS AND RESULTS: The present study aimed to evaluate FOXO3 genetic variants and TB risk. We recruited 510 TB patients and 508 healthy controls in this study. All subjects were genotyped with the Agena MassARRAY platform. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression adjusted for age and gender. Our result revealed that rs3800229 T/G and rs4946935 G/A genotypes significantly increased the risk of TB (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.04-1.74, p = 0.026; OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.03-1.73, p = 0.029, respectively). In stratified analysis according to gender and age, we observed that rs3800229 T/G and rs4946935 G/A genotypes were associated with an increase the risk of TB among males and age ≤41 years, respectively (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.06-2.04, p = 0.022 and OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.05-2.02, p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that rs3800229 and rs4946935 in FOXO3 were associated with a risk of TB in the Chinese population.

Genetic analysis of pharmacogenomic VIP variants in the Blang population from Yunnan Province of China.

BACKGROUND: Genetic polymorphisms in numerous pharmacogenetics studies were regarded as the essential factors involved in the response to or metabolism of drugs. These genetic variants called very important pharmacogenetic (VIP) variants played a role in drugs metabolism, which have been summarized in the PharmGKB database. In this study, we genotyped 80 VIP variants from the PharmGKB in 100 members of Blang volunteers from Yunnan province. METHODS: Based on the PharmGKB database, we genotyped 80 VIP variants loci located in 47 genes. We used χ2 tests to evaluate the significant loci between Blang and the other populations, including ASW, CEU, CHB, CHD, GIH, JPT, LWK, MEX, MKK, TSI, and YRI. The global variation distribution of the significant variants was observed from the ALlele FREquency Database. And then, we used F-statistics (Fst), genetic structure, and phylogenetic tree analyses to ascertain the genetic affinity among 12 populations. RESULTS: Comparing the Blang with the other 11 populations from the HapMap Project, the statistical results revealed that rs3814055 (NC_000003.12:g.119781188C>T) of nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group I member 2 (NR1I2, OMIM# 603,065) was the most significant variant, followed by rs1540339 (NC_000012.12:g.47863543C>T) of vitamin D receptor (VDR, OMIM#601,769). Furthermore, we found that genotype frequency of rs3814055 in the Blang was closer to the populations distributed in Miao. And genetic structure and F-statistics indicated that the Blangs had a relatively closer affinity with CHD, CHB, and JPT populations. In addition, the Han nationality in Shaanxi was closer to it. CONCLUSIONS: Our results will complement the pharmacogenomics information of the Blang ethnic group and provide a theoretical basis for safer drug administration for Blang.

Association between the IL1R2 rs2072472 polymorphism and high-altitude pulmonary edema risk.

AIM: High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), as a multifactorial disease, is caused by stress failure and involves both environmental and genetic factors. Study shows that IL-1 receptors can selectively decrease the oxygen arterial hypertension and influence the blood coagulation. So we evaluated whether genetic polymorphisms in IL1R1 and 1L1R2 genes are associated with the risk of HAPE in Chinese Han population. METHODS: Ten susceptible SNPs in the IL1R1 and IL1R2 genes were genotyped among 265 HAPE cases and 303 controls using the Agena MassARRAY platform. The associations of the SNP frequencies with HAPE were analyzed by chi-square (χ2 ) test/Fisher's test. The genetic models were used to evaluate associations. RESULTS: In the allele model, we found that rs2072472 was significantly associated with a 0.73-fold decreased risk of HAPE (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.55-0.97, p = 0.033). In the genetic model analysis, the rs2072472 in IL1R2 gene was associated with a 0.32-fold decreased risk of HAPE in the codominant model, 0.67-fold decreased risk of HAPE in the dominant model, 0.36-fold decreasing the risk of HAPE in the recessive model, and 0.66-fold decreased risk of HAPE in the log-additive model, respectively. We found three candidate SNPs (rs11674595, rs4851527, and rs719250) in the IL1R2 gene have shown strong linkage, and none of the haplotypes was significantly associated with risk of HAPE. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that IL1R2 polymorphisms may contribute to the protection of HAPE.

A case-control study of the genetic polymorphism of IL6 and HAPE risk in a Chinese Han population.

AIMS: The role of inflammatory cytokines in High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of IL4 and IL6 gene polymorphism in the development of HAPE in Chinese people. METHODS: In the present study, we screened ten polymorphisms of IL4 and IL6 gene in 265 HAPE and 303 healthy volunteers. Genotypes were determined using the Sequenom MassARRAY method. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL6 gene were significantly associated with HAPE. Rs1800796 and rs1524107 (G vs C, OR = 1.31, 95%CI = 1.01-1.69, P = .041 and T vs C, OR = 1.35, 95%CI = 1.05-1.74, P = .020, respectively). However, there did not found any association for IL4 gene. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory cytokines may play a role in the progress of HAPE. These polymorphisms could be genetic markers for predicting the susceptibility to HAPE.

Association analysis of CHRNA3 polymorphisms with schizophrenia in a Chinese Han population: A case-control study.

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a highly heritable, chronic, severe psychiatric disorder associated with significant financial costs to families and societies. In this case-control study, we investigated the associations between seven SNPs in CHRNA3 gene and the risk of SCZ.A total of 1071 (384 cases and 687 controls) unrelated subjects were recruited for our association study. Seven candidate tagging SNPs in CHRNA3 gene (rs3743077, rs1317286, rs938682, rs12914385, rs2869546, rs3743075, rs8040868) selected in HapMap database were genotyped by Sequenom MassARRAY. Finally, association analysis was conducted under various models.According to our results, in genetic model analysis, rs12914385 and rs8040868 are associated with decreased risk of SCZ in female subgroup; rs3743075 is associated with decreased risk of SCZ in subgroup with age <45; while rs3743077 and rs2869546 are associated with increased risk of SCZ. Haplotype analysis suggested that the 3 variants comprised 1 block, and that the haplotype Ars938682Crs12914385Crs2869546 was significantly correlated with an increased risk of SCZ in the subgroup with age ≥45.Our data indicate potential associations between CHRNA3polymorphisms and SCZ susceptibility, and the significant variants identified in our study may be used as genetic biomarkers for SCZ susceptibility in Chinese Han population.

Age-related differences in limb fat-free mass and fat mass in healthy Chinese Adults.

Fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) are important elements to evaluate nutritional status. The aims of this study were to establish reference values for FM and FFM of limbs, develop percentile distributions and assess age-related regional differences in body composition by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA) in healthy adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 3419 healthy subjects, 1595 men and 1824 women. Regional FM and FFM were measured by BIA. FM in men remained stable in both upper and lower limbs, with reference values (25-75th percentile) of 1-1.5 kg and 4.9-7.2 kg, respectively. Women's leg FM remained stable with aging (reference values 6.2-7.9 kg), increasing in their arms (0.9-1.5 kg for youngest, 1.3-2.3 kg oldest). The reference values of upper limbs FFM were 5.3-6.2 kg in men and 3.3-3.9 kg in women. Lower limbs FFM decreased with age in both gender: the reference values were 19.5-23.3 kg (men) and 13.8-15.4 kg (women) for 18-30 age group, and 17.3-20 kg and 11.2-13.1 kg, respectively, for 60+ age group. These data provided reference values of FM and FFM in both limbs, enabling the identification of age and gender-related changes in limb composition in healthy Chinese subjects.

Polymorphisms of drug-metabolizing enzyme CYP2E1 in Chinese Uygur population.

Pharmacogenetics is the genetic basis of pharmacokinetics, genetic testing, and clinical management in diseases. Evaluation about genetic alterations of drug metabolizing enzymes in human genome contributes toward understanding the interindividual and interethnic variability for clinical response to potential toxicants. CYP2E1 gene encodes a drug-metabolizing enzyme that metabolizes mostly small, polar molecules, including toxic laboratory chemicals. The aim of this study was to investigate CYP2E1 polymorphisms and gene profile in a Chinese Uygur population. Frequencies for the CYP2E1 mutated alleles and genotypes were screened in 100 unrelated random healthy Uygur volunteers. PCR and direct sequencing revealed a total of 32 polymorphisms, of which 5 novel mutations were presented. Rs 943975 was the most common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). The allele frequencies of CYP2E11A, 4, 7A, and 7C were 65.5, 2, 19.5, and 13%, respectively. The most common genotype combinations were CYP2C191A/1A (43%) and 1A/7C (24%). Functional prediction for 2 nonsynonymous mutations G173S and V179I was performed using MutationTaster, sorting intolerant from tolerant, and PolyPhen-2. The observations of the present study give rise to useful information on CYP2E1 polymorphisms in Chinese Uygur individuals. The results suggest important clinical implications for the use of medications metabolized by CYP2E1 among Uygurs.

The impact of the AHSG genetic polymorphism on the risk of ischemic stroke: a case-control study.

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a complex disease caused by an obstruction within a brain-supplying blood vessel that involves both genetic and environmental factors. In this study, we evaluated the association of genetic polymorphisms in the AHSG gene with ischemic stroke risk in the Chinese population. A case-control study was conducted that included 477 nephropathy patients and 490 healthy controls. Chi-squared tests and a genetic model were used to evaluate associations. In the genetic model analysis, we identified that the SNP of rs2070634 in the AHSG gene was associated with a 1.37-fold increase the risk of stroke in the co-dominant model (adjusted, the "G/T" genotype), and a 1.40-fold increase the risk of stroke in the Over-dominant model (adjusted, the "G/T" genotype), respectively. The rs2518136 in the AHSG gene was associated with a 1.37-fold increase the risk of stroke in the co-dominant model (adjusted, the "T/C" genotype) and a 1.41-fold decrease the risk of stroke in the over-dominant model (adjusted, the "T/C" genotype), respectively. We found four SNPs (rs2248690, rs2070634, rs4917 and rs2518136) show a strong linkage, but the AHSG haplotype was not found to be associated with a risk of ischemic stroke. The present study suggests that the AHSG polymorphism may contribute to an increased risk of ischemic stroke.

Association between regulator of telomere elongation helicase1 (RTEL1) gene and HAPE risk: A case-control study.

High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a paradigm of pulmonary edema. Mutations in regulator of telomere elongation helicase1 (RTEL1) represent an important contributor to risk for pulmonary fibrosis. However, little information is found about the association between RTEL1 and HAPE risk. The present study was undertaken to tentatively explore the potential relation between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in RTEL1 and HAPE risk in Chinese Han population. A total of 265 HAPE patients and 303 healthy controls were included in our case-control study. Four SNPs in RTEL1 were selected and genotyped using the Sequenom MassARRAY method. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated by unconditional logistic regression with adjustment for gender and age. All P values were Bonferroni corrected, and statistical significance was set at P < .0025 (.05/20). In allelic model analysis, we found that the allele "G" of rs6089953 and rs6010621 and the allele "A" of rs2297441 were associated with decreased risk of HAPE. In the genetic model analysis, we found that rs6010621, rs6089953, and rs2297441 were relevant to decreased HAPE risk under dominant model (rs6010621: OR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.39-0.78; P = .001; rs6089953: OR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.48-0.96; P = .027; rs2297441: OR = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.45-0.89; P = .008, respectively) and additive model (rs6010621: OR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.46-0.81; P < .001; rs6089953: OR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.55-0.95; P = .022; rs2297441: OR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.57-0.95; P = .019, respectively). SNPs rs6010621 remained significant after Bonferroni correction (P < .0025). In addition, haplotype "GG, GT, AT" of rs6089953-rs6010621 were detected significantly associated with HAPE risk (P < .05), haplotype "GG" remained significant after Bonferroni correction (P < .0025). Our findings provide new evidence for the association between SNPs in RTEL1 and a decreased risk HAPE in the Chinese population. The results need further confirmation.

Association between genetic polymorphism of telomere-associated gene ACYP2 and the risk of HAPE among the Chinese Han population: A Case-control study.

High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a hypoxia-induced, life-threatening, pulmonary edema, which is characterized by exaggerated pulmonary hypertension caused by stress failure. ACYP2 was found to associated with telomere length, the aim of this study was to identify whether ACYP2 polymorphisms increase or decrease HAPE risk in the Chinese Han individuals.In present study, we have genotyped 7 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ACYP2 to determine the haplotypes in a case-control study with 265 HAPE patients and 303 healthy individuals. Genotypes were determined using the Sequenom MassARRAY method. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by unconditional logistic regression with adjustment for gender and age. We found 3 SNPs yielded significant evidence for association with HAPE risk which had not been investigated before. Rs6713088 was found to have a 1.85- and 1.30-fold increased risk of HAPE in the recessive and additive model. The GT of rs843752 also conferred an increased risk of HAPE (GT/TT: OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.05-2.16, P = 0.026) and the genotype frequency distributions of rs843752 had significant difference between cases and controls. The CC genotype of rs17045754 had a protect effect on HAPE patients, and it was found to have a 0.29-fold reduced risk of HAPE in the recessive model.Although additional, larger population-based studies are needed to confirm these findings, our study shed light on the association between ACYP2 variant and HAPE risk in Han Chinese population for the first time.

Genetic polymorphism analysis of cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) in a Chinese Tibetan population.

Cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) gene genetic polymorphisms vary markedly in frequency among different ethnic and racial groups.We studied the genotype distributions and allele frequencies of 3 CYP2E1 polymorphisms: CYP2E11A, CYP2E17A, and CYP2E17C by polymerase chain reaction technique in a sample of 100 healthy subjects representing Tibetan population.The frequencies of CYP2E11A, 7A, and 7C alleles were 0.705, 0.125, and 0.170, respectively. Compared with other populations, we found that the allele frequencies of the variants -352A>G (rs2070672) and -333A>T (rs2070673) in this Tibetan population have significant differences compared with European-American, African-American, Japanese, Korean, and other different geographic areas in Chinese Han population. Furthermore, the results of protein prediction revealed that the variant 6397G>A (rs61710826) could influence the protein structure and function.These findings in this study would be valuable for pharmacogenetics for drug therapy and drug discovery. However, further studies in larger samples are warranted to confirm our results.