Analysis of early response to chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma by quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound: A prospective case-control crossectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in assessing and predicting early therapy response of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). METHODS: Fifty-six cases of NHL were studied using CEUS before and after three cycles of R-CHOP / CHOP. Quantitative parameters such as arrival time (ATM), time to peak (TTP), △T = TTP-ATM, area under the gamma curve (Area), curve gradient (Grad), wash-out time (WT), base intensity (BI), peak intensity (PI) and ΔI = PI-BI were compared between the lymphoma and normal lymph nodes before and at mid-treatment, respectively. Changes in quantitative CEUS parameters were also compared between complete response (CR) and incomplete response(non-CR) groups. Besides, the correlation analysis was performed between pretreatment PI and changes in quantitative parameters. RESULTS: After three cycles of R-CHOP/CHOP, S/L (P < 0.001), PI (P = 0.002), ΔI (P < 0.001), Grad (P < 0.001), and Area (P < 0.001) of NHL were significantly decreased. The CR group and non-CR group only differed in ATM before treatment. In contrast, there was no statistical difference in any of the parameters between the two groups at mid-treatment. Finally, a significant correlation was observed between pre-treatment PI and PI△% (r = 0.736, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CEUS is promising for the assessment of response of NHL to R-CHOP/CHOP. Intra-lesion perfusion changes take precedence over morphological changes suggesting treatment efficacy. Pre-treatment ATM values may help to suggest efficacy outcomes and pre-treatment PI values may be a valid predictor of lymphoma perfusion response.

[Recent developments in the application of covalent organic frameworks in capillary electrochromatography].

Capillary electrochromatography (CEC) has received increased attention from the academic community because it combines the excellent selectivity of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the high efficiency of capillary electrophoresis (CE). Selecting the most appropriate stationary phase material is crucial to achieve better separation effects in CEC. In recent years, a considerable number of materials, such as graphene oxide, proteins, metal organic frameworks, and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), have been widely used as stationary phases in CEC to further improve its separation performance and extend its scope of potential applications. Among these materials, COFs have shown great application prospects in CEC owing to their unique properties, which include high porosity, large surface area, excellent stability, tunable pore size, and high designability of the framework structure. This review systematically summarizes published papers on the development and application of COFs in CEC from 2016 to 2023. First, two COF-based capillary columns (i. e., open-tube CEC columns and monolithic CEC columns) and their preparation methods are introduced. Second, the applications of CEC based on COF stationary phases in the separation of environmental endocrine disruptors, pesticides, aromatic compounds, amino acids, and drugs, particularly chiral drugs, are systematically summarized. The separation mechanism of CEC based on COF stationary phases is also introduced. At present, the good separation ability of COF-based CEC is mainly attributed to two factors: 1) The size exclusion effect of the pores of the COF stationary phase. Because of differences in the sizes of their organic molecular building units and side chains, COFs have varying pore sizes and topological structures. Thus, target analytes smaller than the pores of the COFs can enter the frameworks and interact with them during separation. On the other hand, target analytes larger than the pores of the COFs cannot enter the frameworks and interact with them during separation; thus, they can be separated. 2) The interactions between the target analytes and side chains (e. g., hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions, etc.) of the COFs. Since COFs usually contain alkyl side chains, aromatic structures, and oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms with high electronegativity, various interactions could occur between the COFs and target analytes. Finally, directions for the future development and strategic application of CEC based on COF stationary phases are proposed. We believe that future research in CEC based on COF stationary phases should focus on the following aspects: 1) The use of cheminformatics to design and construct COFs to improve the efficiency of COF capillary column preparation; 2) the development of milder methods to synthesize COFs that can meet the requirements of high performance COF capillary columns; and 3) in-depth research to explore the separation mechanism of CEC based on COF stationary phases to provide theoretical guidance for developing CEC methods suitable for the separation and analysis of complex samples.

The role of ultrasound quantitative parameters in the assessment of acute radiodermatitis after breast-conserving surgery.

This study aimed to assess the severity of acute radiodermatitis (ARD) by ultrasound quantitative parameters and to try to identify the influencing factors of skin toxicity. A total of 55 patients who underwent radiotherapy after unilateral breast-conserving surgery (BCS) were included in the study. The irradiated side of the breast was used as the research object and the quantitative ultrasound parameters (skin thickness, shear wave elasticity) were evaluated before radiotherapy, every week during radiotherapy. Two weeks after radiotherapy, the patients were divided into two groups, according to the World Health Organization scoring standard: mild (0-2 grade) and severe (3-4 grade). The differences in the parameters between the groups and the changes during radiotherapy were compared, and the relationship between these parameters and the severity of ARD was analyzed. In addition, some clinical factors that may affect ARD were also included in our study. Ninety-eight percent of patients developed different degrees of ARD, and Group 2 accounted for ~31%. At the end of 5 weeks of radiotherapy, the difference in thickness between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no significant change in the elastic modulus of breast skin between the two groups (P > 0.05). Body mass index >25 kg/m2, breast thickness ≥18 mm, skin basic elastic modulus <23 kPa and skin thickness increment >0.3 mm were considered to be associated with severe skin reactions (P < 0.05). Ultrasound can be a useful tool for the non-invasive and objective assessment of skin changes during radiotherapy, documenting quantitative changes in the skin of breast cancer patients following BCS undergoing radiotherapy.

Recent advances in fluorescent probes of peroxynitrite: Structural, strategies and biological applications.

Peroxynitrite (ONOO-), owing to its high oxidative and nitrating stress, is associated with several physiological processes in addition to various pathological processes, including those related to neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Detection of ONOO- at the cellular level is of great significance to understand its pathogenesis. To this end, a variety of fluorescent probes based on small molecules and nanoparticles (NPs) have been engineered and applied as excellent tools for imaging of ONOO- in cells as well as in their diverse biological applications. In this review, we highlight representative cases of fluorescent probes based on recognition mechanism and emphasize their response type (ratiometric, two-photon, long-wavelength/near-infrared, and targeting) in ONOO- detection in the last five years. We further discuss their design strategy, sensing mechanism, and application in bio-imaging and describe NP-based probes according to diverse nanoplatforms.

Extraction of Gold Based on Ionic Liquid Immobilized in UiO-66: An Efficient and Reusable Way to Avoid IL Loss Caused by Ion Exchange in Solvent Extraction.

Ionic liquids (ILs) have received considerable attention as a promising green solvent for extracting metal ions from aqueous solutions. However, the recycling of ILs remains difficult and challenging because of the leaching of ILs, which is caused by the ion exchange extraction mechanism and hydrolysis of ILs in acidic aqueous conditions. In this study, a series of imidazolium-based ILs were confined in a metal-organic framework (MOF) material (UiO-66) to overcome the limitations when used in solvent extraction. The effect of the various anions and cations of the ILs on the adsorption ability of AuCl4- was studied, and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazole tetrafluoroborate ([HMIm]+[BF4]-@UiO-66) was used for the construction of a stable composite. The adsorption properties and mechanism of [HMIm]+[BF4]-@UiO-66 for Au(III) adsorption were also studied. The concentrations of tetrafluoroborate ([BF4]-) in the aqueous phase after Au(III) adsorption by [HMIm]+[BF4]-@UiO-66 and liquid-liquid extraction by [HMIm]+[BF4]- IL were 0.122 mg/L and 18040 mg/L, respectively. The results reveal that Au(III) coordinated with the N-containing functional groups, while [BF4]- was effectively confined in UiO-66, instead of undergoing anion exchange in liquid-liquid extraction. Electrostatic interactions and the reduction of Au(III) to Au(0) were also important factors determining the adsorption ability of Au(III). [HMIm]+[BF4]-@UiO-66 could be easily regenerated and reused for three cycles without any significant drop in the adsorption capacity.

A model to predict the prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma based on ultrasound images.

The purpose of this paper was to assess the value of ultrasonography in the prognosis of diffuse large b-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) by developing a new prognostic model. One hundred and eleven DLBCL patients with complete clinical information and ultrasound findings were enrolled in our study. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted and the corresponding area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to assess the accuracy of the international prognostic index (IPI) and new model in DLBCL risk stratification. The results suggested that hilum loss and ineffective treatment were independent risk variables for both PFS and OS in DLBCL patients. Additionally, the new model that added hilum loss and ineffective treatment to IPI had a better AUC for PFS and OS than IPI alone (AUC: 0.90, 0.88, and 0.82 vs. 0.71, 0.74, and 0.68 for 1-, 3-, and 5-year PFS, respectively; AUC: 0.92, 0.85 and 0.86 vs. 0.71, 0.75 and 0.76, for 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS, respectively). The model based on ultrasound images could better suggest PFS and OS of DLBCL, allowing for better risk stratification.

[Clinical study of the effect of combined orthodontic and restoration treatment for introverted deep overbite patients with severe wear].

PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness of combined orthodontic and restoration treatment for introverted deep overbite patients with severe wear. METHODS: A total of 86 introverted deep overbite patients with severe wear admitted to Cangzhou People's Hospital from December 2020 to June 2022 were collected and divided into the control group and the experimental group by gender, age, degree of wear and tear, with 43 cases in each group. The control group received orthodontic treatment, while the experimental group received combined orthodontic and restoration treatment. The gingival index (GI), periodontal index(PI), smile index, temporomandibular joint space [anterior space, superior space, posterior space and In (P/A)], tooth function (chewing function, pronunciation function, dental occlusal function) and chewing efficiency of 2 groups before and after treatment were compared. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 22.0 software package. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the orthodontic treatment time of the experimental group patients was significantly reduced(P＜0.05). Before treatment, there was no significant difference in GI, PI, smile index, buccal gap rate, temporomandibular joint space, swallowing function and chewing efficiency between 2 groups(P＞0.05). After treatment, compared with the control group, the GI, PI, anterior space were significantly reduced(P＜0.05); the smile index, posterior space and In (P/A), chewing function, pronunciation function, tooth occlusion and chewing efficiency significantly increased (P＜0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both orthodontic treatment and combined orthodontic and restoration treatment can be used to treat introverted deep overbite patients with severe wear. However, combination of orthodontic and restoration treatment has significant advantages.

Effects of evodiamine on the proliferation, migration and invasion of neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[摘 要] 目的：探讨吴茱萸碱（Evo）是否通过调控lncRNA LINC00858表达调控神经母细胞瘤SK-N-SH细胞的增殖、迁移及侵袭。方法：在体外以3、6、12 μmol/L Evo处理人神经母细胞瘤SK-N-SH细胞，利用RNA干扰技术分别将si-NC、si-LINC00858转染至SK-N-SH细胞，将pcDNA、pcDNA-LINC00858转染至SK-N-SH细胞并经12 μmol/L Evo处理，实验分为对照组、Evo低剂量组、Evo中剂量组、Evo高剂量组、si-NC组、si-LINC00858组、Evo+pcDNA组、Evo+pcDNA-LINC00858组。采用qPCR法检测各组细胞LINC00858的表达量，MTT、Transwell实验分别检测细胞的增殖、迁移、侵袭能力，WB法检测细胞中cyclinD1、MMP-2、MMP-9和p21蛋白的表达。结果：与对照组相比，Evo低、中、高剂量组SK-N-SH细胞中LINC00858表达均显著降低（均P<0.05），细胞增殖抑制率显著升高、迁移及侵袭细胞数显著减少（均P<0.01），cyclinD1、MMP-2、MMP-9蛋白表达降低、p21蛋白表达升高（均P<0.01）。与si-NC组相比，si-LINC00858组细胞的增殖抑制率、迁移和侵袭细胞数及相关蛋白表达变化同Evo低、中、高剂量组。与Evo+pcDNA组相比，Evo+pcDNA-LINC00858组细胞的增殖抑制率显著降低、迁移及侵袭细胞数均显著增多（均P<0.01），cyclinD1、MMP-2、MMP-9蛋白表达升高、p21蛋白表达降低（均P<0.05）。结论：Evo通过下调LINC00858表达抑制神经母细胞瘤SK-N-SH细胞的增殖、迁移及侵袭。

Stable Ultrathin Ag Electrodes by Tailoring the Surface of Plastic Substrates for Flexible Organic Light-Emitting Devices.

Flexible transparent metal electrodes (FTMEs) have significant application potentials in the fields of flexible optoelectronic devices due to their outstanding optical transmittance and electrical conductivity. However, obtaining excellent optoelectrical properties and mechanical flexibility of FTMEs is challenging because ultrathin metal layers usually follow an island growth mode. In this paper, flexible transparent ultrathin Ag electrodes with high mechanical stability and good optoelectrical properties were exploited by tailoring the surface properties of plastic substrates with ultraviolet-ozone (UVO) treatment for regulating the nucleation and growth kinetics of Ag films. The composite transparent electrodes of Ag (9 nm)/MoO3 (20 nm) fabricated on the UVO-treated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates possess a low sheet resistance of ∼7.9 Ω/sq, a high optical transmittance of ∼87.2% at 550 nm, a long-period environmental stability of 30 days (∼65 °C, ∼80% humidity), and excellent mechanical flexibility of 100,000 bending cycles at a bending radius of 1.5 mm. These properties are derived from the surface treatment of PET substrates by UVO, which increases substrate surface energy and produces chemical nucleation sites of the phenolic hydroxyl groups. The phenolic hydroxyl groups generated on the PET surface not only provided efficient nucleation sites for subsequent Ag film growth but also formed C-O-Ag bonds between the substrate surface and the Ag layer, which act as "anchor chains" to fix firmly the Ag atoms on the substrate surface. As a universal applicability strategy, the composite electrodes on the UVO-treated polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) and norland optical adhesive 63 (NOA63) substrates also possess excellent optoelectrical properties and mechanical flexibility. Based on the ultrathin Ag composite electrodes, the flexible white organic light-emitting devices with PET, PEN, and NOA63 as substrates present the maximum current efficiencies of 53.0, 77.0, and 65.2 cd/A, respectively.

Development and validation of nomograms by radiomic features on ultrasound imaging for predicting overall survival in patients with primary nodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Objectives: To develop and validate a nomogram to predict the overall survival (OS) of patients with primary nodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(N-DLBCL) based on radiomic features and clinical features. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 145 patients confirmed with N-DLBCL and they were randomly assigned to training set(n=78), internal validation set(n=33), external validation set(n=34). First, a clinical model (model 1) was established according to clinical features and ultrasound (US) results. Then, based on the radiomics features extracted from conventional ultrasound images, a radiomic signature was constructed (model 2), and the radiomics score (Rad-Score) was calculated. Finally, a comprehensive model was established (model 3) combined with Rad-score and clinical features. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to evaluate the performance of model 1, model 2 and model 3. Based on model 3, we plotted a nomogram. Calibration curves were used to test the effectiveness of the nomogram, and decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to asset the nomogram in clinical use. Results: According to multivariate analysis, 3 clinical features and Rad-score were finally selected to construct the model 3, which showed better predictive value for OS in patients with N-DLBCL than mode 1 and model 2 in training (AUC,0. 891 vs. 0.779 vs.0.756), internal validation (AUC, 0.868 vs. 0.713, vs.0.756) and external validation (AUC, 914 vs. 0.866, vs.0.789) sets. Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the nomogram based on model 3 was more clinically useful than the other two models. Conclusion: The developed nomogram is a useful tool for precisely analyzing the prognosis of N-DLBCL patients, which could help clinicians in making personalized survival predictions and assessing individualized clinical options.

The design strategies and biological applications of probes for the gaseous signaling molecule hydrogen sulfide.

H2S, the smallest and simplest biological thiol in living systems, is the third member of the family of signaling mediators. H2S participates in the regulation of a series of complex physiological and pathological functions in the body, making it a critical fulcrum that balances health and disease in human physiology. Small-molecule fluorescent probes have been proven to possess the unique advantages of high temporal and spatial resolution, good biocompatibility and high sensitivity, and thus their use is a powerful approach for monitoring the level and dynamics of H2S in living cells and organisms and better understanding its basic cellular functions. The field of small-molecule fluorescent probes for monitoring the complex biological activities of H2S in vivo has been thriving in recent years. Herein, we systematically summarize the latest developments in the field of fluorescent probes for the detection of H2S, illustrate their biological applications according to the classification of target-responsive sites, and emphasize the development direction and challenges of H2S-responsive fluorescent probes, hoping to give implications of researchers on fluorescent probes for future research.

Transdermal delivery of inflammatory factors regulated drugs for rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease, with the features of recurrent chronic inflammation of synovial tissue, destruction of cartilage, and bone erosion, which further affects joints tissue, organs, and systems, and eventually leads to irreversible joint deformities and body dysfunction. Therapeutic drugs for rheumatoid arthritis mainly reduce inflammation through regulating inflammatory factors. Transdermal administration is gradually being applied to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, which can allow the drug to overcome the skin stratum corneum barrier, reduce gastrointestinal side effects, and avoid the first-pass effect, thus improving bioavailability and relieving inflammation. This paper reviewed the latest research progress of transdermal drug delivery in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and discussed in detail the dosage forms such as gel (microemulsion gel, nanoemulsion gel, nanomicelle gel, sanaplastic nano-vesiclegel, ethosomal gel, transfersomal gel, nanoparticles gel), patch, drug microneedles, nanostructured lipid carrier, transfersomes, lyotropic liquid crystal, and drug loaded electrospinning nanofibers, which provide inspiration for the rich dosage forms of transdermal drug delivery systems for rheumatoid arthritis.

Fabrication of Curcumin@Ag Loaded Core/Shell Nanofiber Membrane and its Synergistic Antibacterial Properties.

The core/shell structure nanofiber membrane loaded with curcumin and silver nanoparticles was prepared by coaxial electrospinning technology, which is a high-efficiency combined antibacterial material composed of photodynamic antibacterial agent and metal nanoparticle. As a photosensitizer, curcumin could generate singlet oxygen under laser irradiation. Silver nanoparticles have antibacterial properties, and could also enhance the singlet oxygen production of curcumin due to the metal-enhanced singlet oxygen effect, thereby producing a synergistic antibacterial effect. Compared with the antibacterial rate of uniaxial curcumin fiber membrane (45.65%) and uniaxial silver nanoparticle-loaded fiber membrane (66.96%), the antibacterial rate of curcumin@Ag core/shell structure fiber membrane against Staphylococcus aureus is as high as 93.04%. In addition, the antibacterial experiments show that the core/shell fiber membrane also has excellent antibacterial effects on Escherichia coli.

Diagnostic value of thyroid imaging reporting and data system combined with BRAFV600E mutation analysis in Bethesda categories III-V thyroid nodules.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy is a crucial method for preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules. However, thyroid nodules classified as Bethesda categories III-V cannot obtain definite cytological results. Our aim was to study the diagnostic value of thyroid imaging reporting and data system combined with BRAFV600E mutation analysis in Bethesda categories III-V thyroid nodules, so as to provide more precise direction for the follow-up treatments. A total of 174 Bethesda categories III-V thyroid nodules performed TIRADS and BRAFV600E mutation analysis were included in the study. We retrospectively analyzed the ultrasound features as well as the results of BRAFV600E mutation of the 174 thyroid nodules. In the multiple regression analysis models, ultrasound features including lobulated or irregular margin, punctate echogenic foci, and shape with taller-than-wide were statistically significant in malignant nodules (p < 0.05). The area under the curve of the combination of TIRADS and BRAFV600E increased to 0.925, which were much higher than TIRADS (0.861) and BRAFV600E (0.804) separately. Combined diagnosis was of the greatest value to identify Bethesda III-V thyroid nodules definitely, especially with higher sensitivity (93%) and accuracy (90%).

Advanced glycation end products promote osteoporosis by inducing ferroptosis in osteoblasts.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been widely reported to play an important role in osteoporosis (OP), particularly in diabetes­related OP. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of AGEs on osteoblast function and the underlying mechanisms. The level of bone mineral density (BMD), serum AGEs and fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured in patients with OP and healthy individuals, and the correlation between AGE levels and BMD or FBG was then analyzed. For the in vitro experiments, the hFOB1.19 osteoblast cell line was cultured in medium containing AGEs and serum from healthy individuals or patients with OP, and with or without type­2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Cell proliferation, differentiation, mineralization, apoptosis and ferroptosis were evaluated using Cell Counting Kit­8 and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assays, Alizarin red and TUNEL staining, iron indicator, lipid peroxidation tests and western blot analysis, respectively. In a separate set of experiments, the ferroptosis inhibitor, deferoxamine (DFO), was also added to the culture medium of cells treated with AGEs and serum from patients with OP and T2DM. The results demonstrated that patients with OP had a higher level of serum AGEs and FBG compared with that in healthy individuals. The level of serum AGEs in patients with OP was negatively correlated with BMD, but was positively correlated with FBG. In addition, AGEs and serum from patients with OP markedly inhibited hFOB1.19 cell proliferation, ALP production and mineralized nodule formation. Apoptosis and ferroptosis were significantly promoted by AGEs and serum from patients with OP. Moreover, serum from OP patients with T2DM caused stronger effect than that from OP patients with normal FBG. However, DFO reversed the effects induced by AGEs and serum from patients with OP and T2DM on hFOB1.19 cells. Collectively, AGEs could disrupt the functions of osteoblasts by inducing cell ferroptosis, thus contributing to OP.

Comparison Studies on Several Ligands Used in Determination of Cd(II) in Rice by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry after Ultrasound-Assisted Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction.

Ligands plays an important role in the extraction procedures for the determination of cadmium in rice samples by using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). In the present study, comparative evaluation of 10 commercially available ligands for formation of Cd(II)-ligand complex and determination of cadmium in rice samples by ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (UADLLME) combined with FAAS was developed. Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) provided a high distribution coefficient as well as a good absorbance signal, therefore DDTC was used as a ligand in UADLLME. A low density and less toxic solvent, 1-heptanol, was used as the extraction solvent and ethanol was used as the disperser solvent. In addition, the experimental conditions of UADLLME were optimized in standard solution first and then applied in rice, such as the type and volume of extractant and dispersant, pH, extraction time, and temperature. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the detection limit (3σ) was 0.69 µg/L for Cd(II). The proposed method was applied for the determination of Cd(II) in three different rice samples (polished rice, brown rice, and glutinous rice), the recovery test was carried out, and the results ranged between 96.7 to 113.6%. The proposed method has the advantages of simplicity, low cost, and accurate and was successfully applied to analyze Cd(II) in rice.

Study of the mechanism of mitochondrial division and mitochondrial autophagy in the male reproductive toxicity induced by nickel nanoparticles.

Male reproductive health is deteriorating, and fertility is largely affected by environmental factors. This study aims to investigate the potential mechanism underlying mitochondrial division and mitochondrial autophagy in the male reproductive toxicity of nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs). An in vivo mouse (BALB/c) model was constructed to calculate testicular organ coefficients and sperm abnormality rates, and detect serum reproductive hormones, testicular pathological morphology, and the expression of Drp1, Pink1, and Parkin proteins. Furthermore, mouse spermatogonia (GC-1 cells) were used as an in vitro model to detect cell viability, apoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), ATP and protein expression. After treatment with an additional inhibitor, Mdivi-1, such influences were further detected to explore the possible mechanism of male reproductive toxicity induced by Ni NPs. The in vivo studies showed that compared with the control group, exposure to Ni NPs reduced the serum levels of testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, increased the sperm abnormality rate, widened the gaps in the seminiferous tubules of the testes, decreased the sperm count, and increased the expression of Drp1, Pink1 and Parkin proteins (all P < 0.05). The in vitro studies further confirmed that compared with the control group, Ni NPs can lead to decreased cell viability, increased apoptosis, accumulation of ROS, decreased MMP and ATP, increased expression of Drp1, Pink1, Parkin, Bax, caspase-9 and caspase-3 proteins, and decreased expression of Bcl-2, resulting in an increased value of Bax/Bcl-2. It is worth noting that such influences induced by Ni NPs were significantly reversed by the additional Mdivi-1. In conclusion, Drp1-mediated mitochondrial division and Pink1/Parkin-mediated mitochondrial autophagy play an important role in the male reproductive toxicity of Ni NPs, during which both of them form an interaction cycle and accelerate the occurrence of cell apoptosis.

Highly Efficient Inverted Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Adopting a Self-Assembled Modification Layer.

Inverted organic light-emitting diodes (IOLEDs) can be integrated with low-cost n-channel thin-film transistors for use in active-matrix OLEDs (AMOLEDs). However, the electron injection from conventional indium tin oxide (ITO) cathode to the upper electron transport layer usually suffers from a large injection barrier. To improve the electron injection efficiency, the electron injection layers (EILs) of ZnO modified by a self-assembled monolayer arginine (Arg) were developed to construct efficient IOLEDs. ZnO/Arg EILs present an ultralow work function (WF) of 2.35 eV, which is lower than that of ZnO modified by poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) (2.77 eV). The mechanism of low WF is attributed to the generation of strong molecular dipoles and interface dipoles at the interface of ZnO/Arg. The green fluorescent IOLEDs with ZnO/Arg present a low turn-on voltage (Von) of 3.5 V and a maximum current efficiency (CEmax) of 4.5 cd/A. Especially, the device possesses a half-life of 3600 h at an initial luminance of 1700 cd/m2, which is 36 times as long as that of the IOLEDs with ZnO/PEI as EILs. Furthermore, the green phosphorescent IOLEDs show a Von of 3.5 V, a CEmax of 59.1 cd/A, and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 16.8%. At a luminance of 10 000 cd/m2, the efficiency roll-off of the device is only 6.3%.

Exposure effects of inhaled nickel nanoparticles on the male reproductive system via mitochondria damage.

Nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) have a wide range of application prospects, however there is still a lack of their safety evaluation for the reproductive system. Nowadays, male reproductive health has been widely concerned for the increasing incidence of male infertility. To investigate the male reproductive toxicity induced by Ni NPs and its relation with the mitochondrial fission and mitophagy, male mice were administered with or without 5, 15, and 45 mg/kg of Ni NPs by intratracheal instillation. At the end of intervention, sex hormone level, sperm abnormality rate, pathological morphology of testis, cell apoptosis and the expression levels of Drp1, Pink1 and Parkin proteins in testis tissues were detected. The results indicated that the rate of sperm deformity and serum levels of reproductive hormones increased obviously with the increasing concentrations of Ni NPs. Testicular spermatogenic cells were damaged and the number of apoptotic cells increased significantly. Furthermore, the expressions of key proteins (Drp1, Pink1 and Parkin) related to mitochondrial fission/autophagy in testis tissues also increased after exposure to Ni NPs. Collectively, mitochondria damage may play an important role in male mice reproductive toxicity induced by the intratracheal instillation of Ni NPs.