Efficiency Enhancement of Organic Solar Cells Using Hydrophobic Antireflective Inverted Moth‐Eye Nanopatterned PDMS Films

Poly‐dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films with 2D periodic inverted moth‐eye nanopatterns on one surface are implemented as antireflection (AR) layers on a glass substrate for efficient light capture in encapsulated organic solar cells (OSCs). The inverted moth‐eye nanopatterned PDMS (IMN PDMS) films are fabricated by a soft imprint lithographic method using conical subwavelength grating patterns formed by laser interference lithography/dry etching. Their optical characteristics, together with theoretical analysis using rigorous coupled‐wave analysis simulation, and wetting behaviors are investigated. For a period of 380 nm, IMN PDMS films laminated on glass substrates exhibit a hydrophobic surface with a water contact angle (θ_CA) of ≈120° and solar weighted transmittance (SWT) of ≈94.2%, both significantly higher than those (θ_CA≈ 36° and SWT ≈ 90.3%) of bare glass substrates. By employing IMN PDMS films with a period of 380 nm on glass substrates for OSCs, an enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.19% is obtained mainly due to the increased short‐circuit current density (J_sc) of 19.74 mA cm^‐2 compared to the OSCs with the bare glass substrates (PCE = 5.16% and J_sc = 17.25 mA cm^‐2). For the OSCs, the device stability is also studied.     

Tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells alleviate concanavalin A-induced acute liver injury

Acute liver failure, the fatal deterioration of liver function, is the most common indication for emergency liver transplantation, and drug-induced liver injury and viral hepatitis are frequent in young adults. Stem cell therapy has come into the limelight as a potential therapeutic approach for various diseases, including liver failure and cirrhosis. In this study, we investigated therapeutic effects of tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (T-MSCs) in concanavalin A (ConA)- and acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury. ConA-induced hepatitis resembles viral and immune-mediated hepatic injury, and acetaminophen overdose is the most frequent cause of acute liver failure in the United States and Europe. Intravenous administration of T-MSCs significantly reduced ConA-induced hepatic toxicity, but not acetaminophen-induced liver injury, affirming the immunoregulatory capacity of T-MSCs. T-MSCs were successfully recruited to damaged liver and suppressed inflammatory cytokine secretion. T-MSCs expressed high levels of galectin-1 and -3, and galectin-1 knockdown which partially diminished interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor α secretion from cultured T-cells. Galectin-1 knockdown in T-MSCs also reversed the protective effect of T-MSCs on ConA-induced hepatitis. These results suggest that galectin-1 plays an important role in immunoregulation of T-MSCs, which contributes to their protective effect in immune-mediated hepatitis. Further, suppression of T-cell activation by frozen and thawed T-MSCs implies great potential of T-MSC banking for clinical utilization in immune-mediated disease.     

Regulation of c-Myc Expression by Ahnak Promotes Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Generation

We have previously reported that Ahnak-mediated TGFβ signaling leads to down-regulation of c-Myc expression. Here, we show that inhibition of Ahnak can promote generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) via up-regulation of endogenous c-Myc. Consistent with the c-Myc inhibitory role of Ahnak, mouse embryonic fibroblasts from Ahnak-deficient mouse (Ahnak^−/− MEF) show an increased level of c-Myc expression compared with wild type MEF. Generation of iPSC with just three of the four Yamanaka factors, Oct4, Sox2, and Klf4 (hereafter 3F), was significantly enhanced in Ahnak^−/− MEF. Similar results were obtained when Ahnak-specific shRNA was applied to wild type MEF. Of note, expressionof Ahnak was significantly induced during the formation of embryoid bodies from embryonic stem cells, suggesting that Ahnak-mediated c-Myc inhibition is involved in embryoid body formation and the initial differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. The iPSC from 3F-infected Ahnak^−/− MEF cells (Ahnak^−/−-iPSC-3F) showed expression of all stem cell markers examined and the capability to form three primary germ layers. Moreover, injection of Ahnak^−/−-iPSC-3F into athymic nude mice led to development of teratoma containing tissues from all three primary germ layers, indicating that iPSC from Ahnak^−/− MEF are bona fide pluripotent stem cells. Taken together, these data provide evidence for a new role for Ahnak in cell fate determination during development and suggest that manipulation of Ahnak and the associated signaling pathway may provide a means to regulate iPSC generation.     

Aerial dispersal of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae): estimating falling speed and dispersal distance of adult females

Aerial dispersal is important to immigration and redistribution of phytoseiid mites that often can provide biological control of spider mite pests. Falling speed of a mite and wind largely determine dispersal distance of such a passively blown organism. A diffusion model of wind-blown phytoseiids could provide insight into their dispersal. To this end, we measured body weights and falling speeds of adult females of 13 phytoseiid and one tetranychid mite species. These data were then incorporated into seed dispersal models (Greene and Johnson, Okubo and Levin) and results were compared to mite dispersal distances in wind tunnel, greenhouse and field. Weights of phytoseiid species ranged from 5.25 to 2l.7 μg; starved mites weighed less than fed mites. Geometric diameters ( d _g ) of idiosomas were correlated to weights. Falling speeds for phytoseiids were 0.39–0.73 m/s, and less than for T. urticae (0.79 m/s) in still air. In some species, active mites had slower falling speeds than inactive (anesthetized) mites indicating that behavior may influence falling. Starved mites had significantly slower falling speeds than fed mites and dispersed farther. Equation-based estimates of falling speed were close to measured ones (2–8% deviation) for some species. There were significant relationships between falling speed and body weight and morphological traits. Greene and Johnson's seed dispersal model provided better fits to dispersal of mites in the wind tunnel, greenhouse and field studies than Okubo and Levin's model. Limits of models in describing mite dispersal distance and applications to IPM are discussed.     

Sequence diversity of the peptaibol antibiotic suzukacillin-A from the mold Trichoderma viride.

From the culture broth of the mold Trichoderma viride, strain 63 C-I, the polypeptide antibiotic suzukacillin (SZ) was isolated. A peptide mixture named SZ-A was obtained by crystallization from crude SZ. Individual peptides from SZ-A were isolated by semipreparative HPLC and sequences were determined by HPLC-ESI-MS. The data confirm a general sequence of SZ-A published previously and in addition establish the individual sequences of 15 acetylated eicosa peptides with C-terminal alcohols. The major peptide SZ-A4 (21% of all peptides) shows the sequence:Ac-Aib-Ala-Aib-Ala-Aib-Ala(6)-Gln-Aib-Lx(9)-Aib-Gly-Aib(12)-Aib-Pro-Vx(15)-Aib-Vx(17)-Gln-Gln-Fol. Amino acid exchanges of the peptaibol are located in position 6 (Ala/Aib), 9 (Vx/Lx), 12 (Aib/Lx), 17 (Aib/Vx) and possibly at position15 (Val/Iva) (uncommon abbreviations: Aib (alpha-aminoisobutyric acid); Iva (D-isovaline); Lx (L-leucine or L-isoleucine); Vx (L-valine or D-isovaline); Fol (L-phenylalaninol)).     

Temperature range of thermodynamic stability for the native state of reversible two-state proteins

The difference between the heat (T(G)) and the cold (T(G)') denaturation temperatures defines the temperature range (T(Range)) over which the native state of a reversible two-state protein is thermodynamically stable. We have performed a correlation analysis for thermodynamic parameters in a selected data set of structurally nonhomologous single-domain reversible two-state proteins. We find that the temperature range is negatively correlated with the protein size and with the heat capacity change (DeltaC(p)) but is positively correlated with the maximal protein stability [DeltaG(T(S))]. The correlation between the temperature range and maximal protein stability becomes highly significant upon normalization of the maximal protein stability with protein size. The melting temperature (T(G)) also shows a negative correlation with protein size. Consistently, T(G) and T(G)' show opposite correlations with DeltaC(p), indicating a dependence of the T(Range) on the curvature of the protein stability curve. Substitution of proteins in our data set with their homologues and arbitrary addition or removal of a protein in the data set do not affect the outcome of our analysis. Simulations of the thermodynamic data further indicate that T(Range) is more sensitive to variations in curvature than to the slope of the protein stability curve. The hydrophobic effect in single domains is the principal reason for these observations. Our results imply that larger proteins may be stable over narrower temperature ranges and that smaller proteins may have higher melting temperatures, suggesting why protein structures often differentiate into multiple substructures with different hydrophobic cores. Our results have interesting implications for protein thermostability.     

Muscle interstitial potassium kinetics during intense exhaustive exercise: effect of previous arm exercise

Interstitial K+ ([K+]i) was measured in human skeletal muscle by microdialysis during exhaustive leg exercise, with (AL) and without (L) previous intense arm exercise. In addition, the reproducibility of the [K+]i determinations was examined. Possible microdialysis-induced rupture of the sarcolemma was assessed by measurement of carnosine in the dialysate, because carnosine is only expected to be found intracellularly. Changes in [K+]i could be reproduced, when exhaustive leg exercise was performed on two different days, with a between-day difference of approximately 0.5 mM at rest and 1.5 mM at exhaustion. The time to exhaustion was shorter in AL than in L (2.7 +/- 0.3 vs. 4.0 +/- 0.3 min; P < 0.05). Furthermore, [K+]i was higher from 0 to 1.5 min of the intense leg exercise period in AL compared with L (9.2 +/- 0.7 vs. 6.4 +/- 0.9 mM; P < 0.001) and at exhaustion (11.9 +/- 0.5 vs. 10.3 +/- 0.6 mM; P < 0.05). The dialysate content of carnosine was elevated by exercise, but low-intensity exercise resulted in higher dialysate carnosine concentrations than subsequent intense exercise. Furthermore, no relationship was found between carnosine concentrations and [K+]i. Thus the present data suggest that microdialysis can be used to determine muscle [K+]i kinetics during intense exercise, when low-intensity exercise is performed before the intense exercise. The high [K+]i levels reached at exhaustion can be expected to cause fatigue, which is supported by the finding that a faster accumulation of interstitial K+, induced by prior arm exercise, was associated with a reduced time to fatigue.     

IgE production in CD40/CD40L cross-talk of B and mast cells and mediator release via TGase 2 in mouse allergic asthma

TGase 2 is over-expressed in a variety of inflammatory diseases including allergic asthma. This study aimed to investigate the role of TGase 2 on IgE production and signaling pathways in mast cell activation related to OVA-induced allergic asthma. Bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) isolated from WT or TGase 2^?/? mice were activated with Ag/Ab (refer to act-WT-BMMCs and act-KO-BMMCs, respectively). B cells isolated from splenocytes were activated with anti-mouse IgM (act-B cells), and B cells were co-cultured with BMMCs. WT and TGase 2^?/? mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA adsorbed in alum hydroxide. Intracellular Ca^2 + ([Ca^2 +]_i) levels were determined by fluorescence intensity; IgE, mediators and TGase 2 activity by ELISA; the CD138 expression by FACS analyzer; cell surface markers and signal molecules by Western blot; NF-κB by EMSA; co-localization of mast cells and B cells by immunohistochemistry; Fcε RI-mediated mast cell activation by PCA test; expression of cytokines, MMPs, TIMPs, TLR2 and Fc?RI by RT-PCR. In vitro, act-KO-BMMCs reduced the [Ca^2 +]i levels, NF-κB activity, expression of CD40/CD40L, plasma cells, total IgE levels and TGase 2 activity in act-B cells co-cultured with act-BMMCs, expression of inflammatory cytokines and MMPs2/9, release of mediators (TNF-α, LTs and cytokines), and activities of signal molecules (PKCs, MAP kinases, I-κB and PLA2), which were all increased in act-WT-BMMCs. TGase 2 siRNA transfected/activated-BMMCs reduced all responses as same as those in act-KO-BMMCs. In allergic asthma model, TGase 2^?/? mice protected against PCA reaction, OVA-specific IgE production and AHR, and they reduced co-localization of mast cells and B cells or IgE in lung tissues, expression and co-localization of surface molecules in mast cells (c-kit and CD40L) and B cells (CD23 and CD40), inflammatory cells including mast cells, goblet cells, amounts of collagen and mediator release in BAL fluid and/or lung tissues, which were all increased in WT mice. TLR expression in TGase 2^?/? mice did not differ from those in WT mice. Our data suggest that TGase 2 expression and Ca^2 + influx required by bidirectional events in mast cell activation facilitate IgE production in B cells via up-regulating mast cell CD40L expression, and induce the expression of numerous signaling molecules associated with airway inflammation and remodeling in allergic asthma.     

Gender-Specific Metabolomic Profiling of Obesity in Leptin-Deficient ob/ob Mice by 1H NMR Spectroscopy

Despite the numerous metabolic studies on obesity, gender bias in obesity has rarely been investigated. Here, we report the metabolomic analysis of obesity by using leptin-deficient ob/ob mice based on the gender. Metabolomic analyses of urine and serum from ob/ob mice compared with those from C57BL/6J lean mice, based on the ¹H NMR spectroscopy in combination with multivariate statistical analysis, revealed clear metabolic differences between obese and lean mice. We also identified 48 urine and 22 serum metabolites that were statistically significantly altered in obese mice compared to lean controls. These metabolites are involved in amino acid metabolism (leucine, alanine, ariginine, lysine, and methionine), tricarbocylic acid cycle and glucose metabolism (pyruvate, citrate, glycolate, acetoacetate, and acetone), lipid metabolism (cholesterol and carnitine), creatine metabolism (creatine and creatinine), and gut-microbiome-derived metabolism (choline, TMAO, hippurate, p-cresol, isobutyrate, 2-hydroxyisobutyrate, methylamine, and trigonelline). Notably, our metabolomic studies showed distinct gender variations. The obese male mice metabolism was specifically associated with insulin signaling, whereas the obese female mice metabolism was associated with lipid metabolism. Taken together, our study identifies the biomarker signature for obesity in ob/ob mice and provides biochemical insights into the metabolic alteration in obesity based on gender.