Thickness-ratio-dependent performances of broadband organic photodiodes based on a tin phthalocyanine/PTCDA heterojunction.

Employing a photosensitive donor/acceptor planar heterojunction (DA-PHJ) with complementary optical absorption as the active layer is one of the key strategies for realizing broad spectral organic photodiodes (BS-OPDs). To achieve superior optoelectronic performance, it is vital to optimize the thickness ratio of the donor layer to acceptor layer (the DA thickness ratio) in addition to the optoelectronic properties of the DA-PHJ materials. In this study, we realized a BS-OPD exploiting tin(II) phthalocyanine (SnPc)/3,4,9,10-perylenete-acarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) as the active layer and investigated the effect of the DA thickness ratio on the device performance. The results showed that the DA thickness ratio has a significant impact on the device performance, and an optimized DA thickness ratio of 30:20 was found. Upon the optimization of the DA thickness ratio, improvements of 187% in photoresponsivity and 144% in specific detectivity were achieved on average. Trap-free space-charge-limited photocarrier transport and balanced optical absorption over the wavelength range can be ascribed to the improved performance at the optimized DA thickness ratio. These results establish a solid photophysical foundation for improving the performance of BS-OPDs via thickness ratio optimization.

Impermeable Atomic Layer Deposition for Sputtering Buffer Layer in Efficient Semi-Transparent and Tandem Solar Cells via Activating Unreactive Substrate.

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) turns out to be particularly attractive technology for the sputtering buffer layer when preparing the semi-transparent (ST) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and the tandem solar cells. ALD process turns to be island growth when the substrate is unreactive with the ALD reactants, resulting in the pin-hole layer, which causes an adverse effect on anti-sputtering. Here, p-i-n structured PSCs with ALD SnOx as sputtering buffer layer are conducted. The commonly used electron transportation layer (ETL) PCBM in the p-i-n structured PVK solar cell is an unreactive substrate that prevents the layer-by-layer growth for the ALD SnOx . PCBM layer is activated by introducing reaction sites to form impermeable ALD layers. By introducing reaction sites/ALD SnOx as sputtering buffer layer, the authors succeed to fabricate ST-PSCs and perovskite/silicon (double-side polished) tandem solar cells with power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.25% and 23.31%, respectively. Besides, the unencapsulated device with reaction sites maintains more than 99% of the initial PCE after aging over 5100 h. This work opens a promising avenue to prepare impermeable layer for stable PSCs, ST-PSCs, tandem solar cells, and the related scale-up solar cells.

Effect of dexmedetomidine on opioid consumption and pain control after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical evidence on dexmedetomidine (DEX) for postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption remains unclear in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). AIM: To evaluate whether DEX could reduce opioid consumption and pain control after LC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A meta-analysis search of EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane CENTRAL databases was performed and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing DEX with control for adult patients undergoing LC were searched. The primary outcome was opioid consumption in the first 24 h after the operation. The secondary outcomes were the time of first request of analgesia, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores 24 h after the operation, the incidence of patients' need for rescue analgesics, opioid-related adverse effects, DEX-related adverse effects and other complications. RESULTS: There were fourteen aspects of twelve trials and 967 patients included in the analysis. DEX use significantly reduced the opioid consumption in the first 24 h after the operation (weighted mean difference (WMD), -19.17; 95% confidence interval (CI), -30.29 to -8.04; p = 0.0007), lengthened the time of first request of analgesia (WMD = 38.90; 95% CI: 0.88-76.93; p = 0.04) and lowered post-operative nausea or vomiting (PONV) (odds ratio (OR) = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.27-0.89; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous DEX infusion significantly improved the duration of the analgesic effect and reduced postoperative opioid consumption. Moreover, lower incidence of post-operative nausea or vomiting was found in the DEX group.

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol as a factor affecting virus clearance in covid-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: There were COVID-19 patients with SARS-COV-2 nucleic acid long-term positive. This article aims to understand the relevant factors that affect SARS-COV-2 clearance time. METHODS: The clinical data of 115 COVID-19 patients with SARS-COV-2 nucleic acid positive time exceeding 14 days were collected retrospectively, and the relationship between clinical characteristics, chest CT scans, blood cells, biochemical indicators, and the time of viral nucleic acid turning negative were analyzed. RESULTS: The time from symptom onsets to nucleic acid turning negative was (32.5 ± 8.7) days in this group of patients. The time of nucleic acid turning negative: no fever group was longer than fever group, diabetes group was longer than no comorbidity group, elevated levels of ALT (alanine aminotransferase), or GLU (fasting blood glucose) group, decreased levels of ALB (albumin) group or HDLC (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) group was longer than it's normal group separately (P < 0.05). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that ALT [odds ratio (OR): 2.164 (95% CI: 1.276-3.670), P = 0.004], GLU [OR: 2.064 (95% CI: 1.195-3.566), P = 0.009] and HDLC [OR: 0.527 (95% CI: 0.307-0.907), P = 0.021] were independent factors which affected the time of nucleic acid turning negative. CONCLUSIONS: ALT, GLU and HDLC were independent factors that influenced the time of nucleic acid turning negative. Although diabetes or hyperglycemia is a known risk factor, HDLC is the first to be identified, clinicians should be aware of dyslipidemia in covid-19 patients.

Dexmedetomidine Reduces Atrial Fibrillation After Adult Cardiac Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine has been shown to have antiarrhythmic effects by exhibiting sympatholytic properties and activating the vagus nerve in preclinical studies. Results from clinical trials of dexmedetomidine on atrial fibrillation (AF) following adult cardiac surgery are controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane CENTRAL databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the antiarrhythmic effect of dexmedetomidine versus placebo or other anesthetic drugs in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The primary outcome was the incidence of AF. The secondary outcomes were ventricular arrhythmias [ventricular fibrillation (VF), ventricular tachycardia (VT)], mechanical ventilation (MV) duration, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, and hospital length of stay, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Thirteen trials with a total of 1684 study patients were selected. Compared with controls, dexmedetomidine significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative AF [odds ratio (OR) 0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58-0.97; P = 0.03] and VT (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.11-0.48; P < 0.0001). No significant difference for the incidence of VF existed (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.21-3.03; P = 0.74). There was no significant difference between groups in MV duration [weighted mean difference (WMD) - 0.10; 95% CI - 0.42 to 0.21; P = 0.52], postoperative ICU stay (WMD - 0.49; 95% CI - 2.64 to 1.66; P = 0.65), hospital stay (WMD - 0.01; 95% CI - 0.16 to 0.13; P = 0.88) and mortality (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.15-2.37; P = 0.46). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative administration of dexmedetomidine in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery reduced the incidence of postoperative AF and VT. But there was no significant difference in incidence of VF, MV duration, ICU stay, hospital stay and mortality.

[Validation of a septic myocardial inhibition model by intraperitoneal injection of endotoxin in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To establish septic myocardial inhibition rat model by echocardiography. METHODS: Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into control group and model group according to the random number table method, with 10 rats in each group. The rat model of septic myocardial inhibition was reproduced by intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide, while the control group was given the same volume of saline. The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDd), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVDs), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), right ventricular end-diastolic diameter (RVDd), right ventricular end-systolic diameter (RVDs), heart rate (HR), positive pulmonary artery flow rate and aortic flow rate were measured at 8 hours after model establishment by echocardiography. Then the rats were sacrificed to harvest serum and myocardial tissue. The levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor-ΚB (NF-ΚB), interleukin-1 (IL-1), cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and B-type brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-1 and NF-ΚB in myocardium were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). The pathological changes of myocardium were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining under light microscope. RESULTS: Compared with control group, myocardial inhibition was obviously observed in model group, manifesting as enlargement of overall shape of heart, and prominent increase of HR (bpm: 449.0±21.1 vs. 356.7±23.3, P < 0.01); left ventricular and right ventricular functions were affected, LVDd, LVDs, LVEDV, LVESV were enlarged [LVDd (mm): 10.03±0.95 vs. 7.04±0.71, LVDs (mm): 5.95±0.71 vs. 3.07±0.05, LVEDV (mL): 2.11±0.53 vs. 0.81±0.21, LVESV (mL): 0.51±0.16 vs. 0.07±0.01, all P < 0.05], LVEF was significantly decreased (0.760±0.046 vs. 0.901±0.025, P < 0.01), RVDd was significantly increased (mm: 4.48±0.58 vs. 3.22±0.20, P < 0.05), and positive pulmonary artery velocity was significantly decreased (cm/s: 64.2±9.3 vs. 89.0±0.8, P < 0.05). Compared with control group, the levels of serum NF-ΚB, TNF-α, IL-1, BNP and cTnI in model group were significantly increased [NF-ΚB (ng/L): 103.84±6.55 vs. 57.29±41.34, TNF-α (ng/L): 1 198.32±164.07 vs. 835.45±24.01, IL-1 (ng/L): 1 089.90±221.96 vs. 746.19±165.83, BNP (ng/L): 1 097.36±293.84 vs. 454.71±197.79, cTnI (ng/L): 6 938.59±1 400.21 vs. 3 731.90±1 349.31, all P < 0.01], the mRNA expressions of TNF-α, NF-ΚB and IL-1 in myocardial tissue were significantly increased (2-ΔΔCT: 1.50±0.42 vs. 0.71±0.40, 1.10±0.17 vs. 0.63±0.06, 1.77±0.67 vs. 0.10±0.03, all P < 0.05). It was shown by HE staining that the structure of myocardial tissue in control group was distinct, the arrangement of myocardial fibers was neat, and transverse was clear; the structure of myocardial tissue in model group was loose, blurred, and the cells were swollen, with obvious pathological changes. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography, expression of inflammatory factors, myocardial markers and pathological changes. It was verified that intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg endotoxin could successfully prepare a rat model of septic myocardial inhibition.

Channel-length-dependent performance of photosensitive organic field-effect transistors.

Pentacene is a small molecule organic semiconductor and has high absorption in the UV and visible region. In this work, we report the channel-length-dependent performance of bottom-gate top-contact photosensitive organic field-effect transistors based on pentacene with different channel lengths ranging from 25 to 150 µm. The results show that, for a given drain voltage, the photoresponsivity, external quantum efficiency, and specific detectivity decrease with increasing channel length. For a given channel length and gate voltage, the photoresponsivity, external quantum efficiency, and specific detectivity increase with drain voltages, and then tend to saturate at high drain voltages.

Effect of interleukin-31 on septic shock through regulating inflammasomes and interleukin-1ß.

Sepsis with severe systemic inflammation remains a great challenge for the intensive care unit in clinics. Although biomarkers have been identified to diagnose, monitor and predict these syndromes, novel therapeutic approaches are required for the amelioration of symptoms of sepsis and septic shock. The present study demonstrated that interleukin (IL)-31 was able reduce the mortality rate of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis with the reduction of inflammatory cytokines in the sera. IL-31 also inhibited IL-1ß production in the peritoneal lavage fluid in LPS-induced or cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis. The in vitro mechanism responsible for IL-31 regulation on peritoneal IL-1ß activation following LPS challenge was explored. It was demonstrated that IL-1ß secretion was suppressed by IL-31 treatment from LPS-challenged peritoneal macrophages following adenosine triphosphate stimulation, which is an activator of NLR family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3). Furthermore, IL-31 inhibited the expression of NLRP3 at the transcriptional level. In human THP-1 cells, anti-IL-31/anti-IL-31 receptor (R) neutralizing antibody enhanced NLRP3 expression as well as IL-1ß activation, suggesting a role of the IL-31-IL-31R-NLRP3-IL-1ß signaling axis in the physiological status of sepsis. On the other hand, IL-31 displayed a negative effect on the NLRP1 inflammasome, but not on NLRP3 on the LPS-primed human peripheral blood monocytes, resulting in reduction of the inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, in the supernatant. Taken together, the present data implied that T helper 2-type cytokine, IL-31, may be a promising therapeutic option for treatment of sepsis and septic shock in clinics.

Dexmedetomidine prevents acute kidney injury after adult cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine has been shown to confer direct renoprotection by stabilizing the sympathetic system, exerting anti-inflammatory effects and attenuating ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in preclinical studies. Results from clinical trials of dexmedetomidine on acute kidney injury (AKI) following adult cardiac surgery are controversial. METHODS: We searched EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the renal effect of dexmedetomidine versus placebo or other anesthetic drugs in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The primary outcome was the incidence of AKI. The secondary outcomes were mechanical ventilation (MV) duration, intensive care unit (ICU) stay and hospital length of stay(LOS), and postoperative mortality (in-hospital or within 30 days). RESULTS: Ten trials with a total of 1575 study patients were selected. Compared with controls, dexmedetomidine significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative AKI [68/788 vs 97/787; odds ratio(OR), 0.65; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.45-0.92; P = 0.02; I2 = 0.0%], and there was no difference between groups in postoperative mortality (4/487 vs 11/483; OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.14-1.28; P = 0.13; I2 = 0.0%), MV duration [in days; n = 1229; weighted mean difference(WMD), -0.22; 95% CI, -2.04 to 1.70; P = 0.81], ICU stay (in days; n = 1363; WMD, -0.85; 95% CI, -2.14 to 0.45; P = 0.20), and hospital LOS (in days; n = 878; WMD, -0.24; 95% CI, -0.71 to 0.23; P = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative administration of dexmedetomidine in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery may reduce the incidence of postoperative AKI. Future trials are needed to determine the dose and timing of dexmedetomidine in improving outcomes, especially in patients with decreased baseline kidney function.

[The clinical application and value of intra-aortic balloon pump in patients with septic shock].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and value of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) with vasoactive drugs for septic shock patients. METHODS: A method of single-centre registry was conducted. Data were collected from 78 consecutive septic shock patients in late stage in intensive care unit (ICU) of Beijing Shijitan Hospital diagnosed between July 2006 and October 2010. With the consent of family members of the patients, they were divided into two groups: group A, in whom only vasoactive drugs were used (dopamine + norepinephrine treatment, n = 39), and group B, in whom vasoactive drugs were used combined with IABP (dopamine + norepinephrine + IABP therapy, n = 39). Before and after treatment of two groups, hemodynamic and tissue perfusion monitoring were executed. At the same time, the shock recovery time, the doses of vasoactive drugs, length of ICU stay, and mortality within 28 days were observed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in all above parameters between two groups. After treatment, heart rate, blood pressure and heart function parameters were significantly improved compared with those before treatment. In group B, mean arterial pressure (MAP, mm Hg,1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) 24 hours and 72 hours after IABP, cardiac index [CI, L×min(-1)× m(-2)] after 48 hours of IABP, and in 2 hours after termination of IABP, dopamine dosage [µg×kg(-1)×min(-1)] in 24, 48, 72 hours after IABP and 2 hours after termination were significantly improved than those in group A (MAP: 53.0 ± 6.3 vs. 52.1 ± 6.2, 65.6 ± 4.3 vs. 65.0 ± 2.1; CI: 3.40 ± 0.20 vs. 3.30 ± 0.50, 3.60 ± 0.30 vs. 3.60 ± 0.30; dopamine dosage: 17.5 ± 1.2 vs. 17.6 ± 1.3, 10.2 ± 1.3 vs. 12.8 ± 1.6, 5.8 ± 1.5 vs. 6.8 ± 1.7, 3.0 ± 0.7 vs. 4.1 ± 1.3, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with group A, shock recovery time (days) of group B was significantly shorter (10.4 ± 2.2 vs. 14.1 ± 3.4, P < 0.01) than that of group A; mortality within 28 days was significantly lower (34.1% vs. 45.6%, P < 0.01) in group B; length of ICU stay of two groups showed no significant difference between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: IABP in patients with septic shock significantly improved hemodynamics, increased coronary and systemic tissue perfusion, reduced cardiac afterload, elevated CI, reduced doses of vasoactive drugs, shortened length of ICU stay, improved prognosis, and lowered the mortality rate. IABP had important clinical value, and could be recommended as an additional treatment option in patients with septic shock in whom the effect of drug was poor.