Main-chain alternating fullerene and dye oligomers for organic photovoltaics

This work demonstrates for the first time that it is possible to prepare alternating oligomers, containing both dyes and fullerenes in repeating structures, that act as electron acceptors in bulk heterojunction devices. A sterically controlled azomethine ylide cycloaddition polymerization is employed with either C-60 or phenyl-C-61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and the dye diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP). The former results in low molecular weights of around 5600 g mol(-1), whereas the latter, PCBM, enables the formation of more soluble chains with higher molecular weights of ca 11 200 g mol(-1). Remarkably, cyclic voltammetry shows that the incorporation of PCBM into the main-chain raises the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital by ca 380 meV due to the in-chain bis-additions. The observation of the complete quenching of DPP fluorescence by the fullerene moiety, combined with computer modelling studies, indicates both electron and energy transfers between intra-chain moieties. Proof-of-concept devices show low efficiencies most likely due to as-yet-unoptimized preparation and structures, but hint at the possibilities of these novel bi-functionalized, in-chain fullerenes due to their high Voc of 0.89 V with an example low-bandgap polymer, KP115, and reasonable charge mobilities of ca 1x10(-4) cm(2) V-1 s(-1),making this new class of materials of strong interest for applications. Furthermore, their good thermal stability to above 300 degrees C and their stabilization of photovoltaic devices against thermal degradation confirm that this new pathway to a wide range of dye/fullerene structures is extremely promising. (C) 2016 Society of Chemical Industr

Cost-effectiveness of home telemonitoring in chronic kidney disease patients at different stages by a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (eNephro): rationale and study design

BACKGROUND:Home telemonitoring has developed considerably over recent years in chronic diseases in order to improve communication between healthcare professionals and patients and to promote early detection of deteriorating health status. In the nephrology setting, home telemonitoring has been evaluated in home dialysis patients but data are scarce concerning chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients before and after renal replacement therapy. The eNephro study is designed to assess the cost effectiveness, clinical/biological impact, and patient perception of a home telemonitoring for CKD patients. Our purpose is to present the rationale, design and organisational aspects of this study.METHODS:eNephro is a pragmatic randomised controlled trial, comparing home telemonitoring versus usual care in three populations of CKD patients: stage 3B/4 (n = 320); stage 5D CKD on dialysis (n = 260); stage 5 T CKD treated with transplantation (n= 260). Five hospitals and three not-for-profit providers managing self-care dialysis situated in three administrative regions in France are participating. The trial began in December 2015, with a scheduled 12-month inclusion period and 12 months follow-up. Outcomes include clinical and biological data (e.g. blood pressure, haemoglobin) collected from patient records, perceived health status (e.g. health related quality of life) collected from self-administered questionnaires, and health expenditure data retrieved from the French health insurance database (SNIIRAM) using a probabilistic matching procedure.DISCUSSION:The hypothesis is that home telemonitoring enables better control of clinical and biological parameters as well as improved perceived health status. This better control should limit emergency consultations and hospitalisations leading to decreased healthcare expenditure, compensating for the financial investment due to the telemedicine system.TRIAL REGISTRATION:This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under NCT02082093 (date of registration: February 14, 2014)

The Vitamin D Receptor Regulates Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblast Invasion and Morphology

Serum levels of vitamin D levels are commonly reduced in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and have been implicated in disease pathogenesis. We recently identified a new vitamin D receptor transcriptional signature in synovial tissues from rats with mild and nonerosive arthritis, suggesting a vitamin D–mediated protective effect. In the present study, we address the hypothesis that part of the vitamin D protective effect is mediated via interference with fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) invasive properties, an in vitro cellular phenotype that correlates with radiographic and histological damage in pristane-induced arthritis and RA. FLSs derived from DA rats with pristane-induced arthritis and RA patients were studied in an in vitro model of invasion through a collagen-rich barrier (Matrigel) over a 24-h period, in the presence or absence of calcitriol, an active form of vitamin D. Matrix metalloprotease (MMP) expression levels were analyzed with zymography and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the cytoskeleton was studied with immunofluorescense microscopy. Calcitriol significantly inhibited DA and RA FLS invasion by 54% and 53%, respectively. Calcitriol also reduced interleukin (IL)-1β–induced expression of MMP-1 by 95% in DA FLSs and by 73.5% in RA FLS. Calcitriol treatment reduced actin cytoskeleton reorganization, reduced polarized formation of lamellipodia and reduced colocalization of phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (p-FAK) with lamellipodia, all consistent with reduced cell ability to move and invade. In conclusion, we identified a new effect of calcitriol in FLS invasion. This discovery suggests that the reduced serum levels of vitamin D and its metabolites commonly seen in RA might increase risk for FLS-mediated cartilage and bone invasion and erosions. Treatment with vitamin D or its analogs has the potential to become a helpful adjuvant aimed at preventing or reducing joint destruction