Thermotropic Phase Transition of Benzodithiophene Copolymer Thin Films and Its Impact on Electrical and Photovoltaic Characteristics

Ko, Sangwon,Kim, Do Hwan,Ayzner, Alexander L.,Mannsfeld, Stefan C. B.,Verploegen, Eric,Nardes, Alexander M.,Kopidakis, Nikos,Toney, Michael F.,Bao, Zhenan American Chemical Society 2015 Chemistry of materials Vol.27 No.4

<P>We observed a thermotropic phase transition in poly[3,4-dihexyl thiophene-2,2′:5,6′-benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene] (<B>PDHBDT</B>) thin films accompanied by a transition from a random orientation to an ordered lamellar phase via a nearly hexagonal lattice upon annealing. We demonstrate the effect of temperature-dependent molecular packing on charge carrier mobility (μ) in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and photovoltaic characteristics, such as exciton diffusion length (<I>L</I><SUB>D</SUB>) and power conversion efficiency (PCE), in organic solar cells (OSCs) using <B>PDHBDT</B>. The μ was continuously improved with increasing annealing temperature and <B>PDHBDT</B> films annealed at 270 °C resulted in a maximum μ up to 0.46 cm<SUP>2</SUP>/(V s) (μ<SUB>avg</SUB> = 0.22 cm<SUP>2</SUP>/(V s)), which is attributed to the well-ordered lamellar structure with a closer π–π stacking distance of 3.5 Å as shown by grazing incidence-angle X-ray diffraction (GIXD). On the other hand, <B>PDHBDT</B> films with a random molecular orientation are more effective in photovoltaic devices than films with an ordered hexagonal or lamellar phase based on current–voltage characteristics of <B>PDHBDT</B>/C60 bilayer solar cells. This observation corresponds to an enhanced dark current density (<I>J</I><SUB>D</SUB>) and a decreased <I>L</I><SUB>D</SUB> upon annealing. This study provides insight into the dependence of charge transport and photovoltaic characteristics on molecular packing in polymer semiconductors, which is crucial for the management of charge and energy transport in a range of organic optoelectronic devices.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/cmatex/2015/cmatex.2015.27.issue-4/cm503773j/production/images/medium/cm-2014-03773j_0006.gif'></P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/cm503773j'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>

The Expression of Genes Related to Egg Production in the Liver of Taiwan Country Chickens

Ding, S.T.,Ko, Y.H.,Ou, B.R.,Wang, P.H.,Chen, C.L.,Huang, M.C.,Lee, Y.P.,Lin, E.C.,Chen, C.F.,Lin, H.W.,Cheng, Winston Teng Kuei Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.1

The purpose of this study was to detect expression of genes related to egg production in Taiwan Country chickens by suppression subtractive hybridization. Liver samples of mRNA extraction from two Taiwan Country chicken strains (L2 and B), originated from the same population but with very distinct egg production rates after long-term selection for egg and meat production respectively. Two-way subtraction was performed. The hepatic cDNA from the low egg production chickens (B) was subtracted from the hepatic cDNA from the high egg production strain (L2). The reversed subtraction (L2 from B) was also performed. The resulting differentially expressed gene fragments were cloned and sequenced. We sequenced 288 clones from the forward subtraction and 96 clones from the reverse subtraction. These genes were subjected to further screening to confirm the differential expression between the two genetic breeds of chickens. The apolipoprotein B (apoB) was expressed to a greater extent in the liver of the L2 than in the B line chickens. The 5-aminoimidazole- 4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase/IMP cyclohydrolase (PURH) was expressed to a greater extent in the liver of the B than in the L2 strain chickens. We demonstrated that both apoB and PURH were more highly expressed in the liver than that in other tissues (muscle, ovary, and oviduct) in laying Taiwan Country chickens. Taken together, these data suggest that after the selection for egg production, expression of apoB and PURH genes were also changed. Whether the changed expression of these genes is directly related to egg production is not known, but these two genes may be useful markers for egg laying performance in Taiwan Country chickens.

Effects of L-tryptophan, Fructan, and Casein on Reducing Ammonia, Hydrogen Sulfide, and Skatole in Fermented Swine Manure

Sheng, Q.K.,Yang, Z.J.,Zhao, H.B.,Wang, X.L.,Guo, J.F. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.8

The effects of daily dietary Bacillus subtilis (Bs), and adding L-tryptophan, fructan, or casein to fecal fermentation broths were investigated as means to reduce the production of noxious gas during manure fermentation caused by ammonia, hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$), and 3-methylindole (skatole). Eighty swine ($50.0{\pm}0.5kg$) were equally apportioned to an experimental group given Bs in daily feed, or a control group without Bs. After 6 weeks, fresh manure was collected from both groups for fermentation studies using a $3{\times}3$ orthogonal array, in which tryptophan, casein, and fructan were added at various concentrations. After fermentation, the ammonia, $H_2S$, L-tryptophan, skatole, and microflora were measured. In both groups, L-tryptophan was the principle additive increasing skatole production, with significant correlation (r = 0.9992). L-tryptophan had no effect on the production of ammonia, $H_2S$, or skatole in animals fed Bs. In both groups, fructan was the principle additive that reduced $H_2S$ production (r = 0.9981). Fructan and Bs significantly interacted in $H_2S$ production (p = 0.014). Casein was the principle additive affecting the concentration of ammonia, only in the control group. Casein and Bs significantly interacted in ammonia production (p = 0.039). The predominant bacteria were Bacillus spp. CWBI B1434 (26%) in the control group, and Streptococcus alactolyticus AF201899 (36%) in the experimental group. In summary, daily dietary Bs reduced ammonia production during fecal fermentation. Lessening L-tryptophan and increasing fructan in the fermentation broth reduced skatole and $H_2S$.

Investigation of PCR-RFLPs within Major Histocompatibility Complex B-G Genes Using Two Restriction Enzymes in Eight Breeds of Chinese Indigenous Chickens

R. F. Xu,K. Li,G. H. Chen,B. Y. Z. Qiang,D. L. Mo,B. Fan,C. C. Li,M. Yu,M. J. Zhu,T. A. Xiong,B. Liu 아세아·태평양축산학회 2005 Animal Bioscience Vol.18 No.7

New polymorphism of major histocompatibility complex B-G genes was investigated by amplification and digestion of a 401bp fragment including intron 1 and exon 2 using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCRRFLP) technique with two restriction enzymes of Msp I and Tas I in eight breeds of Chinese indigenous chickens and one exotic breed. In the fragment region of the gene, three novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected at the two restriction sites. We found the transition of two nucleotides of A294G and T295C occurred at Tas I restriction site, and consequently led to a nonsynonymous substitution of asparagine into serine at position 54 within the deduced amino acid sequence of immunoglobulin variableregion- like domain encoded by the exon 2 of B-G gene. It was observed at rare frequency that a single mutation of A294G occurring at the site, also caused an identical substitution of amino acid, asparagine 54-to-serine, to that we described previously. And the transversion of G319C at Msp I site led to a non-synonymous substitution, glutamine 62-to-histidine. The new alleles and allele frequencies identified by the PCR-RFLP method with the two enzymes were characterized, of which the allele A and B frequencies at Msp I and Tas I loci were given disequilibrium distribution either in the eight Chinese local breeds or in the exotic breed. By comparison, allele A at Msp I locus tended to be dominant, while, the allele B at Tas I locus tended to be dominant in all of the breeds analyzed. In Tibetan chickens, the preliminary association analysis revealed that no significant difference was observed between the different genotypes identified at the Msp I and Tas I loci and the laying performance traits, respectively.

Final overall survival analysis for the phase II RECORD-3 study of first-line everolimus followed by sunitinib versus first-line sunitinib followed by everolimus in metastatic RCC

Knox, J. J.,Barrios, C. H.,Kim, T. M.,Cosgriff, T.,Srimuninnimit, V.,Pittman, K.,Sabbatini, R.,Rha, S. Y.,Flaig, T. W.,Page, R. D.,Beck, J. T.,Cheung, F.,Yadav, S.,Patel, P.,Geoffrois, L.,Niolat, J.,B Oxford University Press 2017 ANNALS OF ONCOLOGY Vol.28 No.6

<P><B>Background</B></P><P>RECORD-3 compared everolimus and sunitinib as first-line therapy, and the sequence of everolimus followed by sunitinib at progression compared with the opposite (standard) sequence in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). This final overall survival (OS) analysis evaluated mature data for secondary end points.</P><P><B>Patients and methods</B></P><P>Patients received either first-line everolimus followed by second-line sunitinib at progression (<I>n = </I>238) or first-line sunitinib followed by second-line everolimus (<I>n = </I>233). Secondary end points were combined first- and second-line progression-free survival (PFS), OS, and safety. The impacts of neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and baseline levels of soluble biomarkers on OS were explored.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>At final analysis, median duration of exposure was 5.6 months for everolimus and 8.3 months for sunitinib. Median combined PFS was 21.7 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 15.1–26.7] with everolimus-sunitinib and 22.2 months (95% CI 16.0–29.8) with sunitinib-everolimus [hazard ratio (HR)<SUB>EVE-SUN/SUN-EVE</SUB>, 1.2; 95% CI 0.9–1.6]. Median OS was 22.4 months (95% CI 18.6–33.3) for everolimus-sunitinib and 29.5 months (95% CI 22.8–33.1) for sunitinib-everolimus (HR<SUB>EVE-SUN/SUN-EVE</SUB>, 1.1; 95% CI 0.9–1.4). The rates of grade 3 and 4 adverse events suspected to be related to second-line therapy were 47% with everolimus and 57% with sunitinib. Higher NLR and 12 soluble biomarker levels were identified as prognostic markers for poor OS with the association being largely independent of treatment sequences.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>Results of this final OS analysis support the sequence of sunitinib followed by everolimus at progression in patients with mRCC. The safety profiles of everolimus and sunitinib were consistent with those previously reported, and there were no unexpected safety signals.</P><P><B>Clinical Trials number</B></P><P>ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT00903175</P>

Ixabepilone Plus Capecitabine for Metastatic Breast Cancer Progressing After Anthracycline and Taxane Treatment

Thomas, Eva S.,Gomez, Henry L.,Li, Rubi K.,Chung, Hyun-Cheol,Fein, Luis E.,Chan, Valorie F.,Jassem, Jacek,Pivot, Xavier B.,Klimovsky, Judith V.,de Mendoza, Fernando Hurtado,Xu, Binghe,Campone, Mario,L Grune & Stratton 2007 Journal of clinical oncology Vol.25 No.33

<B>Purpose</B><P>Effective treatment options for patients with metastatic breast cancer resistant to anthracyclines and taxanes are limited. Ixabepilone has single-agent activity in these patients and has demonstrated synergy with capecitabine in this setting. This study was designed to compare ixabepilone plus capecitabine versus capecitabine alone in anthracycline-pretreated or -resistant and taxane-resistant locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.</P><B>Patients and Methods</B><P>Seven hundred fifty-two patients were randomly assigned to ixabepilone 40 mg/m<SUP>2</SUP>intravenously on day 1 of a 21-day cycle plus capecitabine 2,000 mg/m<SUP>2</SUP>orally on days 1 through 14 of a 21-day cycle, or capecitabine alone 2,500 mg/m<SUP>2</SUP>on the same schedule, in this international phase III study. The primary end point was progression-free survival evaluated by blinded independent review.</P><B>Results</B><P>Ixabepilone plus capecitabine prolonged progression-free survival relative to capecitabine (median, 5.8 v 4.2 months), with a 25% reduction in the estimated risk of disease progression (hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.88; P = .0003). Objective response rate was also increased (35% v 14%; P < .0001). Grade 3/4 treatment-related sensory neuropathy (21% v 0%), fatigue (9% v 3%), and neutropenia (68% v 11%) were more frequent with combination therapy, as was the rate of death as a result of toxicity (3% v 1%, with patients with liver dysfunction [≥ grade 2 liver function tests] at greater risk). Capecitabine-related toxicities were similar for both treatment groups.</P><B>Conclusion</B><P>Ixabepilone plus capecitabine demonstrates superior efficacy to capecitabine alone in patients with metastatic breast cancer pretreated or resistant to anthracyclines and resistant to taxanes.</P>

Crystal structure and second harmonic generation in Bi₂TeO₅: An X-N study from synchrotron and neutron diffraction data

Ló,pez, C.A.,Bâ,ati, E.,Ferná,ndez-Dí,az, M.T.,Saouma, F.O.,Jang, J.I.,Alonso, J.A. Academic Press 2019 Journal of solid state chemistry Vol.276 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Bi<SUB>2</SUB>TeO<SUB>5</SUB> has been obtained in polycrystalline form via solid state reaction and structurally characterized from both synchrotron and neutron powder diffraction data, enabling the precise determination of the atomic positions. The crystal structure is defined in the acentric <I>Amb</I>2 space group, containing three crystallographically unequivalent Bi atoms. The position of the stereochemically active electron lone pairs of both Bi<SUP>3+</SUP> and Te<SUP>4+</SUP> ions is inferred to be opposite to the strongly covalent BiO and TeO chemical bonds; the global electron polarization arises from the non-compensated Bi<SUP>3+</SUP> lone electron pairs. Additionally, from difference Fourier maps between synchrotron and neutron diffraction data (X-N technique) it was possible to observe experimental evidence of the lone electron pair for Bi<SUP>3+</SUP>. Nonlinear optical measurements display highly active second harmonic generation response, comparable to that of reference AgGaSe<SUB>2</SUB>.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> The crystal structure is defined in the non-centrosymmetric <I>Amb</I>2 space group. </LI> <LI> Fourier maps between synchrotron and neutron diffraction data (X-N technique). </LI> <LI> Experimental evidence of Bi<SUP>3+</SUP>lone electron pair from X-N study. </LI> <LI> Nonlinear optical measurements display highly active SHG response. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Effects of Forage:Concentrate Ratio on Growth Performance, Ruminal Fermentation and Blood Metabolites in Housing-feeding Yaks

Chen, G.J.,Song, S.D.,Wang, B.X.,Zhang, Z.F.,Peng, Z.L.,Guo, C.H.,Zhong, J.C.,Wang, Y. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.12

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of forage: concentrate ratio (F:C) on growth performance, ruminal fermentation and blood metabolites of housing-feeding yaks. Thirty-two Maiwa male yaks (initial body weight = $207.99{\pm}3.31kg$) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (8 yaks per treatment). Experimental diets were: A, B, C, D which contained 70:30, 60:40, 50:50 and 40:60 F:C ratios, respectively. Dry matter intake and average daily gain in yaks fed the C and D diets were greater (p<0.05) than yaks fed the A and B diets. No differences were found in ruminal $NH_3-N$, total volatile fatty acids, acetate, butyrate, valerate, and isovalerate concentrations. The propionate concentration was increased (p<0.05) in the C and D groups compared with the A and B diets. In contrast, the acetate to propionate ratio was decreased and was lowest (p<0.05) in the C group relative to the A and B diets, but was similar with the D group. For blood metabolites, no differences were found in serum concentrations of urea-N, albumin, triglyceride, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase (p>0.05) among treatments. Treatment C had a higher concentration of total protein and high density lipoprotein (p<0.05) than A and B groups. In addition, there was a trend that the globulin concentration of A group was lower than other treatments (p = 0.079). Results from this study suggest that increasing the level of concentrate from 30% to 50% exerted a positive effect on growth performance, rumen fermentation and blood metabolites in yaks.

Effects of L-tryptophan, Fructan, and Casein on Reducing Ammonia, Hydrogen Sulfide, and Skatole in Fermented Swine Manure

Q.K. Sheng,Z.J. Yang,H.B. Zhao,X.L. Wang,J.F. Guo 아세아·태평양축산학회 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.8

The effects of daily dietary Bacillus subtilis (Bs), and adding L-tryptophan, fructan, or casein to fecal fermentation broths were investigated as means to reduce the production of noxious gas during manure fermentation caused by ammonia, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and 3-methylindole (skatole). Eighty swine (50.0±0.5 kg) were equally apportioned to an experimental group given Bs in daily feed, or a control group without Bs. After 6 weeks, fresh manure was collected from both groups for fermentation studies using a 3×3 orthogonal array, in which tryptophan, casein, and fructan were added at various concentrations. After fermentation, the ammonia, H2S, L-tryptophan, skatole, and microflora were measured. In both groups, L-tryptophan was the principle additive increasing skatole production, with significant correlation (r = 0.9992). L-tryptophan had no effect on the production of ammonia, H2S, or skatole in animals fed Bs. In both groups, fructan was the principle additive that reduced H2S production (r = 0.9981). Fructan and Bs significantly interacted in H2S production (p = 0.014). Casein was the principle additive affecting the concentration of ammonia, only in the control group. Casein and Bs significantly interacted in ammonia production (p = 0.039). The predominant bacteria were Bacillus spp. CWBI B1434 (26%) in the control group, and Streptococcus alactolyticus AF201899 (36%) in the experimental group. In summary, daily dietary Bs reduced ammonia production during fecal fermentation. Lessening L-tryptophan and increasing fructan in the fermentation broth reduced skatole and H2S.

Emergence and Persistence of NS5A and NS3 Resistance-Associated Substitutions in HCV Genotype 1b Patients Treated with Daclatasvir and Asunaprevir

( F. Mcphee ),( D. Hernandez ),( N. Zhou ),( F. Yu ),( B. Kienzle ),( Y. Zhao ),( M. Linaberry ),( S. Noviello ),( M. L. Yu ),( S. H. Ahn ),( Y. Karino ),( K. Chayama ),( H. Kumada ) 대한간학회 2017 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2017 No.1

Aims: A pooled analysis of emergent RAS was performed in HCV genotype (GT-)1b-infected patients receiving daclatasvir and asunaprevir (DCV+ASV) and the persistence of DCV- and ASV-resistant substitutions through ≥post-treatment Week (PTWK)192 was assessed to understand the RAS profile and help guide potential retreatment options. Methods: HCV GT-1b-infected patients without a sustained virologic response (SVR) and with HCV RNA ≥1000 IU/mL on or after DCV+ASV treatment were included from 5 Phase 2 and 3 studies. Baseline and post-baseline plasma samples were sequenced at a sensitivity cut-off ł20%. To determine the persistence of emergent RAS, samples at the end of study (up to PTWK48) and/or from a 3-year long-term follow-up rollover study were sequenced (sensitivity cut-off ≥20%, and ≥1% for select samples). Results: 152 DCV+ASV-treated patients without SVR met the resistance testing criteria: 89% (136/152) had NS5A and 95% (145/152) had NS3 sequences at both baseline and virologic failure (VF). NS5A and NS3 RAS emerged in 99% (134/136) and 89% (129/145), respectively, at VF (Table). Overall, 93% (142/152) of patients with VF had both NS5A and NS3 sequence data at failure, of which 77% (109/142) had RAS at L31, Y93 and D168. Emergent NS5A RAS persisted at PTWK96 (92%;24/26) and ≥PTWK192 (100;7/7compared with 22% (6/27) and 14% (1/7), respectively, for emergent NS3 RAS. Replacement of emergent NS5A and NS3 RAS observed at VF occurred in 8% (2/26) of NS5A and 74% (17/23) of NS3 sequences at PTWK96 and in 0% (0/7) of NS5A and 86% (6/7) of NS3 sequences at ≥PTWK192. Conclusions: NS5A and NS3 RAS emerged in most patients treated with DCV+ASV who experienced VF, and NS5A RAS persisted post-treatment. Therapy options for DCV+ASV treatment failures may depend on the timing of retreatment: an NS3 inhibitor-containing regimen may be possible if NS3 RAS are no longer observed, while regimens not impacted by the NS5A-L31+Y93 and NS3-D168 RAS combination would offer an immediate alternative.