Bi- or ter-pyridine tris-substituted benzenes as electron-transporting materials for organic light-emitting devices

We demonstrated that 1,3,5-tris([2',2 '']bipyridin-6'-yl) benzene (BpyB) and 1,3,5-tris([ 2',2 '',6 '',2''']terpyridin-6'-yl)benzene (TpyB) are good electron-transport (ET) layer materials for organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). The new materials exhibit high electron mobilities of around 10 (4) cm(2) V (1) s (1), and OLEDs comprising the materials operate at lower voltage than the OLEDs with tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq) as an ET material. The new materials are also useful for phosphorescent OLEDs in blue-, green-, and red-light-emitting devices, where they function as both electron-transporting and hole-blocking materials. Phosphorescent OLEDs with the new materials operate at lower voltage (while maintaining comparable external quantum efficiencies of electroluminescence) than does the corresponding reference device with bathocuproine/Alq as electron-transporting and hole-blocking layers.ArticleORGANIC ELECTRONICS. 11(12):1966-1973 (2010)journal articl

Bi- or ter-pyridine tris-substituted benzenes as electron-transporting materials for organic light-emitting devices

We demonstrated that 1,3,5-tris([2',2 '']bipyridin-6'-yl) benzene (BpyB) and 1,3,5-tris([ 2',2 '',6 '',2''']terpyridin-6'-yl)benzene (TpyB) are good electron-transport (ET) layer materials for organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). The new materials exhibit high electron mobilities of around 10 (4) cm(2) V (1) s (1), and OLEDs comprising the materials operate at lower voltage than the OLEDs with tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq) as an ET material. The new materials are also useful for phosphorescent OLEDs in blue-, green-, and red-light-emitting devices, where they function as both electron-transporting and hole-blocking materials. Phosphorescent OLEDs with the new materials operate at lower voltage (while maintaining comparable external quantum efficiencies of electroluminescence) than does the corresponding reference device with bathocuproine/Alq as electron-transporting and hole-blocking layers.ArticleORGANIC ELECTRONICS. 11(12):1966-1973 (2010)journal articl

Delphi consensus on bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy:An evolutionary cul-de-sac or the birth pangs of a new technical framework?

Bile duct injury (BDI) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains a serious iatrogenic surgical complication. BDI most often occurs as a result of misidentification of the anatomy; however, clinical evidence on its precise mechanism and surgeons' perceptions is scarce. Surgeons from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the USA, etc. (n=614) participated in a questionnaire regarding their BDI experience and near-misses; and perceptions on landmarks, intraoperative findings, and surgical techniques. Respondents voted for a Delphi process and graded each item on a five-point scale. The consensus was built when 80% of overall responses were 4 or 5. Response rates for the first- and second-round Delphi were 60.6% and 74.9%, respectively. Misidentification of local anatomy accounted for 76.2% of BDI. Final consensus was reached on: (1) Effective retraction of the gallbladder, (2) Always obtaining critical view of safety, and (3) Avoiding excessive use of electrocautery/clipping as vital procedures; and (4) Calot's triangle area and (5) Critical view of safety as important landmarks. For (6) Impacted gallstone and (7) Severe fibrosis/scarring in Calot's triangle, bail-out procedures may be indicated. A consensus was reached among expert surgeons on relevant landmarks and intraoperative findings and appropriate surgical techniques to avoid BD

pH-Tunable High-Performance PEDOT:PSS Aluminum Solid Electrolytic Capacitors

The pH effect of poly­(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly­(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) water dispersion on colloidal particle size (<i>D</i>₅₀), zeta potential (ζ), and electrical conductivity was investigated. An increase in the pH of the PEDOT:PSS water dispersion from 2 to 11 increased the <i>D</i>₅₀ from 10 to 100 nm owing to the aggregation of the colloidal particles and decreased the electrical conductivity from 750 to 62 S cm^–1 by dedoping, respectively, while the ζ remained almost constant at ca. – 50 mV. Furthermore, aluminum solid electrolytic capacitors were fabricated using PEDOT:PSS as a cathode material. It was found that the electrical characteristics of the PEDOT:PSS aluminum solid electrolytic capacitors were optimized at pH 3, where <i>D</i>₅₀ and electrical conductivity played an important role for low equivalent series resistance (ESR) and high capacitance (Cap). Furthermore, the ESR decreased and Cap increased by repeating the fabrication process, where the Cap usable rate reached as high as 92% because of the increase in the surface coverage of the etched aluminum foil with the PEDOT:PSS

A resected case of acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas with liver metastasis following chemotherapy using modified FOLFIRINOX

Abstract Background Acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare exocrine malignancy representing less than 1% of all pancreatic neoplasms. It has been reported that it responds to treatment differently from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and the treatment algorithm for acinar cell carcinoma usually depends on the stage of the respective tumor and the patient’s current status. Case presentation A 60-year-old man presented with upper abdominal pain and anorexia. Abdominal ultrasonography showed a large-sized hepatic mass and he was referred to our hospital. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated a 110-mm low-density area occupying the right hemi-liver and an enhanced mass of 70 × 56 mm in the tail of the pancreas, which seemed to directly infiltrate into the spleen. The case was diagnosed as acinar cell carcinoma with a simultaneous liver metastasis identified by liver biopsy. Upfront resection of pancreatic cancer with distant metastasis might not be considered as an optimal choice, and in this case chemotherapy was administered prior to curative resection. Chemotherapy using the modified FOLFIRINOX regimen was undertaken, resulting in a partial remission; the liver tumor reduced in size from 110 to 47 mm and the pancreatic tumor from 70 to 40 mm. The patient then safely underwent curative hepatic resection with distal pancreato-splenectomy. Histological examinations revealed small-sized atypical cells with large nuclei that had formed acinar patterns, and immunostaining with trypsin was positive in tumor cells, which was in accordance with acinar cell carcinoma. More than 3 years later, the patient is doing well without any recurrence. Conclusion Aggressive and curative surgery in combination with chemotherapy such as FOLFIRINOX could be a treatment option to achieve long-term survival in cases of acinar cell carcinoma with liver metastases