A case report of acute dermatitis that developed during an experiment examining the bromination of 3-hexylthiophene

Occupational cases with allergic reaction to fragrance substances, which refer to various chemicals providing aroma characteristics, are arising with its recent usage diversification from pharmaceutical, perfume industry to aromatic remedies. However, chemicals responsible for fragrance allergy have hardly been identified because its component is complex and its sensitization is not frequent. This report will present a case of acute allergic dermatitis that is likely induced by 3-hexylthiophene, one of aromatic compounds often contained in fragrance substances. The case, who was a 27-year male researcher engaged in organic chemical synthesis for six years, was exposed to 3-hexylthiophene and its product (2-bromo-3-hexylthiophene) through an experiment in May 2004 and itching, swelling and eczema immediately developed from face to back. This case of sensitization to 3-hexylthiophene suggests that it be a possible allergen for fragrance allergy

Alternative selection of processing additives to enhance the lifetime of OPVs

The use of processing additives is known to accelerate the degradation of Organic Photovoltaics (OPVs) and therefore, this paper studies the impact of selecting alternative processing additives for PCPDTBT:PC71BM solar cells in order to improve the stability. The use of naphthalene-based processing additives has been undertaken, which is shown to reduce the initial power conversion efficiency by 23%-42%, primarily due to a decrease in the short-circuit current density, but also fill factor. However, the stability is greatly enhanced by using such additives, with the long term stability (T50%) enhanced by a factor of four. The results show that there is a trade-off between initial performance and stability to consider when selecting the initial process additives. XPS studies have provided some insight into the decreased degradation and show that using 1-chloronaphthalene (ClN) leads to reduced morphology changes and reduced oxidation of the thiophene-ring within the PCPDTBT backbone.HW would like to thank Bangor University for his 125 scholarship enabling his PhD study. JK would like to thank Sêr Cymru national research network in Advanced Engineering and Materials and the Newton Research Collaboration Programme scheme through the Royal Academy for Engineerin

Analysis of prostate cancer localization toward improved diagnostic accuracy of transperineal prostate biopsy

PurposeDelineating the precise localization of prostate cancer is important in improving the diagnostic accuracy of prostate biopsy.MethodsIn Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, initial 12-core or repeat 16-core biopsies were performed using a transrectal ultrasound guided transperineal prostate biopsy method. We step-sectioned prostates from radical prostatectomy specimens at 5-mm intervals from the urethra to the urinary bladder and designated five regions: the (1) Apex, (2) Apex-Mid, (3) Mid, (4) Mid-Base, and (5) Base. We then mapped prostate cancer localization on eight zones around the urethra for each of those regions.ResultsProstate cancer was detected in 93 cases of 121 cases (76.9%) in the Apex, in 115 cases (95.0%) in the Apex-Mid, in 101 cases (83.5%) in the Mid, in 71 cases (58.7%) in the Mid-Base, and in 23 cases (19.0%) in the Base. In 99.2% of all cases, prostate cancers were detected from the Apex to Mid regions. For this reason, transperineal prostate biopsies have routinely been prioritized in the Apex, Apex-Mid, and Mid regions, while the Base region of the prostate was considered to be of lesser importance. Our analyses of prostate cancer localization revealed a higher rate of cancer in the posterior portion of the Apex, antero-medial and postero-medial portion of the Apex-Mid and antero-medial and postero-lateral portion of the Mid. The transperineal prostate biopsies in our institute performed had a sensitivity of 70.9%, a specificity of 96.6%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 92.2% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 85.5%.ConclusionsThe concordance of prostate cancer between prostatectomy specimens and biopsies is comparatively favorable. According to our study, the diagnostic accuracy of transperineal prostate biopsy can be improved in our institute by including the anterior portion of the Apex-Mid and Mid regions in the 12-core biopsy or 16-core biopsy, such that a 4-core biopsy of the anterior portion is included

All-conjugated block copolymers for efficient and stable organic solar cells with low temperature processing

The low embodied energy within Organic Photovoltaics (OPVs) provides the technology with a characteristic that surpasses all other PV materials. In this work, all-conjugated block copolymers comprising of P3HT and PTB7-Th have been synthesized which enable even lower temperature processibility, thus reducing the embodied energy further. The all-conjugated block copolymers comprise of P3HT and poly[4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)thiophen-2-yl)benzo[1,2-b;4,5-b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl-alt-(4-(2-ethylhexyl)-3-fluorothieno[3,4-b]thiophene-)-2-carboxylate-2-6-diyl)] (PTB7-Th). To synthesis these, a narrow-distributed, monobrominated P3HT (Mn = 7000, Mw/Mn = 1.31) is synthesized by Grignard metathesis polymerisation. This is further reacted with distannyl and dibromo monomers of PTB7-Th by Stille step-growth polycondensation to provide the block copolymers of P3HT-b-PTB7-Th. In these reactions, block ratios are adjusted to 1 to 2 and 1 to 10 based on the numbers of the repeating units of the monomers (i.e. 3-hexylthiophene unit: two monomers of PTB7-Th = 1:2 and 1:10). The block copolymer showed hole mobility of 5.9 × 10−5 cm2/Vs. The highest power conversion efficiency of 3.6%, which was achieved with the photoactive layer processed at 60 °C, which is substantially lower than the annealing temperature needed for standard P3HT-based solar cells. Furthermore, the stabilised lifetime of encapsulated devices is enhanced compared to P3HT and PTB7-Th devices, with no drop in efficiency noted for 7 days after initial burn in process

Cyclopentadithiophene–benzothiadiazole copolymers with permutations of repeating unit length and ratios; synthesis, optical and electrochemical properties and photovoltaic characteristics

Conjugated copolymers with varying ratios and lengths of cyclopentadithiophene (CPDT) to benzothiadiazole (BT) repeating units, –[(CPDT)x–(BT)y]n–, have been synthesized by palladium complex catalysed Suzuki coupling polymerisation, direct arylation polymerisation or oxidative polymerisation using iron(III) chloride. The different permutations of the co-polymers allow for tuning of the optical and electrical properties. To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies of its kind for conjugated polymers for use in OPVs. The optical band gaps were measured between 1.7 and 2.0 eV in film, in which the polymer with ratios of CPDT : BT (x : y = 1 : 1) units showed the lowest bandgap followed by x : y = 1 : 2, 2 : 1, 2 : 2 and 3 : 3. Hole mobility and solar cell performance of these polymers with PC61BM as the electron acceptor were measured. A relatively small variation in hole mobility was observed between polymers. However, the best reported power conversion efficiency (PCE) was measured at 2.5% when processed in the absence of any additives using the polymer with ratios of CPDT : BT (x : y = 2 : 2), which was followed by the ratios of x : y = 2 : 1, 1 : 1, 1 : 2 and 3 : 3, indicating that variation of the ratios and length of donor and acceptor units affect OPV performance and better performance is achievable by careful consideration of the donor-to-acceptor ratio

Cytoprotective Role of Nrf2 in Electrical Pulse Stimulated C2C12 Myotube

Regular physical exercise is central to a healthy lifestyle. However, exercise-related muscle contraction can induce reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) production in skeletal muscle. The nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) transcription factor is a cellular sensor for oxidative stress. Regulation of nuclear Nrf2 signaling regulates antioxidant responses and protects organ structure and function. However, the role of Nrf2 in exercise- or contraction-induced ROS/RNS production in skeletal muscle is not clear. In this study, using differentiated C2C12 cells and electrical pulse stimulation (EPS) of muscle contraction, we explored whether Nrf2 plays a role in the skeletal muscle response to muscle contraction-induced ROS/RNS. We found that EPS (40 V, 1 Hz, 2 ms) stimulated ROS/RNS accumulation and Nrf2 activation. We also showed that expression of NQO1, HO-1 and GCLM increased after EPS-induced muscle contraction and was remarkably suppressed in cells with Nrf2 knockdown. We also found that the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly attenuated Nrf2 activation after EPS, whereas the nitric oxide synthetase inhibitor Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) did not. Furthermore, Nrf2 knockdown after EPS markedly decreased ROS/RNS redox potential and cell viability and increased expression of the apoptosis marker Annexin V in C2C12 myotubes. These results indicate that Nrf2 activation and expression of Nrf2 regulated-genes protected muscle against the increased ROS caused by EPS-induced muscle contraction. Thus, our findings suggest that Nrf2 may be a key factor for preservation of muscle function during muscle contraction

Placenta Accreta in a Woman with Childhood Uterine Irradiation: A Case Report and Literature Review

The pregnancies of childhood cancer survivors who have received uterine irradiation are associated with a high risk of several obstetrical complications, including placenta accreta. The present case was a 26-year-old pregnant woman with a history of myelodysplastic syndrome treated with umbilical cord blood transplantation following chemotherapy and total body irradiation at the age of 10. Despite every possible measure to prevent preterm labor, uterine contractions became uncontrollable and a female infant weighing 892 g was vaginally delivered at 27⁺⁴ weeks of gestation. Under the postpartum ultrasonographic diagnosis of placenta accreta, we selected to leave the placenta in situ. Although emergency bilateral uterine artery embolization was required, complete resorption of the residual placenta was accomplished on the 115th day postpartum. Our experience highlighted the following points. (1) The expectant management of placenta accreta arising in an irradiated uterus may not only fulfill fertility preservation, but may also reduce possible risks associated with cesarean hysterectomy. (2) Due to extreme thinning of and a poor blood supply to the myometrium, reaching an antepartum diagnosis of placenta accreta in an irradiated uterus is difficult. (3) The recurrence of placenta accreta in subsequent pregnancies needs to be considered after successful preservation of the uterus

Development of catheter-type tactile sensor composed of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film

To achieve quantitative palpation in vivo, we developed a catheter-type tactile sensor composed of a polyvinylidene fluoride film for minimally invasive surgery. We evaluated the fundamental performance of the prototype sensor by a weight-drop test. We also measured the output of the prototype sensor as it was inserted into a blood vessel model with shapes mimicking lesions. The ø2-mm sensor passed easily into the blood vessel model with lesion-like shapes. Sensor outputs corresponded to the shape of the inner wall of the blood vessel model, making it possible to determine the position of a protrusion and the convexity interval of a rough surface by filtering and frequency analysis of the output

Oncofertility care in young women and the outcomes of pregnancy over the last 5 years

Aim: To ascertain the actual outcomes of oncofertility care in young women to provide more appropriate care. Materials & methods: We analyzed the data of 67 female patients under 43 years of age who underwent oncofertility care between January 2015 and September 2019. Results: There were 28 patients with breast cancer, 19 patients with hematologic cancer and 20 patients with other cancer diagnoses. Breast cancer patients tended to take longer than hematologic cancer patients to initiate oncofertility treatment. Despite undergoing oncofertility care, seven of nine pregnant patients did not choose assisted reproductive technology (ART). Conclusion: As spontaneous pregnancies were more common than ART pregnancies in our study, pregnancy by not only ART but also non-ART method is a viable option for young cancer survivors