Polymer Light‐Emitting Transistors With Charge‐Carrier Mobilities Exceeding 1 cm2 V−1 s−1

The vast majority of conjugated polymer-based light emitting field-effect transistors (LEFETs) are characterized by low charge carrier mobilities typically in the range 10-5 to 10-3 cm2 V-1 s-1 range. Fast carrier transport is a highly desirable characteristic for high frequency LEFET operation and, potentially, for use in electrically-pumped lasers. Unfortunately, high mobility organic semiconductors are often characterised by strong intermolecular π-π interactions that reduce luminescence. Development of new materials and/or device concepts that overcome this hurdle are therefore required. We report single organic semiconductor layer, light-emitting transistors that combine the highest hole mobilities reported to date for any polymer-based LEFET, with encouraging light emission characteristics. We achieve this in a single polymer layer LEFET, which was further enhanced through the use of a small-molecule/conjugated polymer blend system that possesses a film microstructure which supports enhanced charge carrier mobility (3.2 cm2 V-1 s-1) and promising light emission characteristics (1600 cd m-2) as compared to polymer-only based LEFETs. This simple approach represents an attractive strategy to further advance the performance of solution-processed LEFETs

Efficacy of Mannan-Oligosaccharides as Alternatives to Commonly Used Antibiotic Growth Promoters in Broilers

The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in broiler diets. Two hundred day-old Hubbard broiler chicks were randomly placed in twenty floor pens of ten chicks each. Dietary treatments consisted of a corn-based basal diet having 21% CP with 2750 kcal/kg ME in starter (1 to 7 d), 20% CP with 2775 kcal/ kg ME in grower (8 to 21 d), and 19% CP with 2800 kcal/kg ME in finisher (22 to 35 d) period (Control group); and the same diet supplemented with 0.1% MOS (MOS), 0.05% zinc bacitracin (ZB), 0.001% furazolidone (FUR) and 0.001% enramycin (ENR). Each experimental diet was assigned randomly to four replicate-pens. The growth performance was not different among treatments during any growth period except in grower period where weight gain and feed conversion ratio were improved (P<0.05) with AGP as compared to control. No difference was observed in carcass characteristics including carcass yield, breast meat yield, abdominal fat, liver and heart weight of broilers fed different diets. Similarly, cecal and ileal bacterial populations (total bacterial count, total coliform count, Clostridium perfringens, Lactobacillus, E.coli, Salmonella) and serum concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, Alanine aminotransferase and Aspartate aminotransferase were not affected due to MOS or AGP supplementation. Economic evaluation showed that use of MOS in feed was not cost effective as compared to other groups. In conclusion, although, there was no difference among groups fed MOS and various AGP; their supplementation did not improve the performance, lipid profile or intestinal bacterial ecology of broilers. © 2021. All Rights Reserved

Surface-modified polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery to cancer cells

Introduction: The utilization of polymeric nanoparticles, as drug payloads, has been extensively prevailed in cancer therapy. However, the precise distribution of these nanocarriers is restrained by various physiological and cellular obstacles. Nanoparticles must avoid nonspecific interactions with healthy cells and in vivo compartments to circumvent these barriers. Since in vivo interactions of nanoparticles are mainly dependent on surface properties of nanoparticles, efficient control on surface constituents is necessary for the determination of nanoparticles’ fate in the body. Areas covered: In this review, the surface-modified polymeric nanoparticles and their utilization in cancer treatment were elaborated. First, the interaction of nanoparticles with numerous in vivo barriers was highlighted. Second, different strategies to overcome these obstacles were described. Third, some inspiring examples of surface-modified nanoparticles were presented. Later, fabrication and characterization methods of surface-modified nanoparticles were discussed. Finally, the applications of these nanoparticles in different routes of treatments were explored. Expert opinion: Surface modification of anticancer drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles can enhance the efficacy, selective targeting, and biodistribution of the anticancer drug at the tumor site

A randomised, blinded, trial of clopidogrel versus aspirin in patients at risk of ischaemic events (CAPRIE). CAPRIE Steering Committee

Many clinical trials have evaluated the benefit of long-term use of antiplatelet drugs in reducing the risk of clinical thrombotic events. Aspirin and ticlopidine have been shown to be effective, but both have potentially serious adverse effects. Clopidogrel, a new thienopyridine derivative similar to ticlopidine, is an inhibitor of platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate. METHODS: CAPRIE was a randomised, blinded, international trial designed to assess the relative efficacy of clopidogrel (75 mg once daily) and aspirin (325 mg once daily) in reducing the risk of a composite outcome cluster of ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction, or vascular death; their relative safety was also assessed. The population studied comprised subgroups of patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease manifested as either recent ischaemic stroke, recent myocardial infarction, or symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. Patients were followed for 1 to 3 years. FINDINGS: 19,185 patients, with more than 6300 in each of the clinical subgroups, were recruited over 3 years, with a mean follow-up of 1.91 years. There were 1960 first events included in the outcome cluster on which an intention-to-treat analysis showed that patients treated with clopidogrel had an annual 5.32% risk of ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction, or vascular death compared with 5.83% with aspirin. These rates reflect a statistically significant (p = 0.043) relative-risk reduction of 8.7% in favour of clopidogrel (95% Cl 0.3-16.5). Corresponding on-treatment analysis yielded a relative-risk reduction of 9.4%. There were no major differences in terms of safety. Reported adverse experiences in the clopidogrel and aspirin groups judged to be severe included rash (0.26% vs 0.10%), diarrhoea (0.23% vs 0.11%), upper gastrointestinal discomfort (0.97% vs 1.22%), intracranial haemorrhage (0.33% vs 0.47%), and gastrointestinal haemorrhage (0.52% vs 0.72%), respectively. There were ten (0.10%) patients in the clopidogrel group with significant reductions in neutrophils (< 1.2 x 10(9)/L) and 16 (0.17%) in the aspirin group. INTERPRETATION: Long-term administration of clopidogrel to patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease is more effective than aspirin in reducing the combined risk of ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction, or vascular death. The overall safety profile of clopidogrel is at least as good as that of medium-dose aspirin