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High-quality perovskite films are essential for achieving high performance of optoelectronic devices; However, solution-processed perovskite films are known to suffer from compositional and structural inhomogeneity due to lack of systematic control over the kinetics during the formation. Here, the microscopic homogeneity of perovskite films is successfully enhanced by modulating the conversion reaction kinetics using a catalyst-like system generated by a foaming agent. The chemical and structural evolution during this catalytic conversion is revealed by a multimodal synchrotron toolkit with spatial resolutions spanning many length scales. Combining these insights with computational investigations, a cyclic conversion pathway model is developed that yields exceptional perovskite homogeneity due to enhanced conversion, having a power conversion efficiency of 24.51% for photovoltaic devices. This work establishes a systematic link between processing of precursor and homogeneity of the perovskite films.

Pompe disease (PD) is a rare autosomal recessive glycogen storage disorder that causes proximal muscle weakness and loss of respiratory function. While enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is the only effective treatment, biomarkers for disease monitoring are scarce. Following ex vivo biomarker validation in phantom studies, we apply multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT), a laser- and ultrasound-based non-invasive imaging approach, in a clinical trial (NCT05083806) to image the biceps muscles of 10 late-onset PD (LOPD) patients and 10 matched healthy controls. MSOT is compared with muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, spirometry, muscle testing and quality of life scores. Next, results are validated in an independent LOPD patient cohort from a second clinical site. Our study demonstrates that MSOT enables imaging of subcellular disease pathology with increases in glycogen/water, collagen and lipid signals, providing higher sensitivity in detecting muscle degeneration than current methods. This translational approach suggests implementation in the complex care of these rare disease patients. Pompe disease (PD) is a rare disorder that leads to progressive muscle weakness if left untreated. Here, the authors use multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) to map and quantify the composition of affected muscle tissue to determine disease severity and potentially monitor future therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driven by their many unique features, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have become one of the most promising candidates in the photovoltaic field. Two‐step preparation of perovskite film is advantageous for its higher stability and reproducibility compared to the one‐step method, which is more suitable for practical application. However, the incomplete conversion of the dense lead iodide (PbI2) layer during the sequential spin‐coating of formamidinium/methylammonium (FA+/MA+) organic amine salts severely affect the performance of PSCs. Herein, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) is used to induce the formation of porous PbI2, which facilitates the penetration of the FA+/MA+ ions and the formation of a perovskite film with high crystallinity and large grain microstructure. Meanwhile, the introduction of Na+ not only improves the energetic alignment of the PSC, but also increases the conductivity via p‐doping. As a result, the optimized NaHCO3‐modified PSC achieves a champion power conversion efficiency of 24.0% with suppressed hysteresis. Moreover, the significant reduction in defect density and ion migration as well as a mild alkaline environment enhance the stability of device. The unencapsulated NaHCO3‐modified PSCs maintain over 90% of their original efficiency upon storage in ambient air (30%–40% relative humidity) for 2160 h. We have demonstrated an ingenious strategy for controlling the quality of perovskite and improving the performance of device by low‐temperature foaming of simple inorganic molecules of NaHCO3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is a rare cutaneous malignancy that most commonly affects the apocrine glands of older men and women. Because it is associated with other cancers, early diagnosis and evaluation are needed. This study is to evaluate the value of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in diagnosing EMPD. A total of 73 patients with clinically suspicious diagnosis of EMPD were enrolled in this study, and the RCM device imaged their lesions. Moreover, 67 patients underwent skin biopsies to confirm the diagnosis. We retrospectively analyzed the results of RCM and histological diagnosis and then evaluated the RCM value of biopsy‐confirmed lesions. Based on the RCM image analysis, 54 of 73 (74.0%) patients were diagnosed with EMPD. Of all 67 biopsied lesions, 52 (77.6%) were EMPD. Then, we analyzed the RCM characteristics of 52 cases of biopsy‐confirmed EMPD, compared their RCM image characteristics of three different lesions of EMPD, and further concluded the key points of EMPD under RCM microscopy based on the 52 EMPD cases. Finally, we focused on the differential diagnosis of EMPD from other skin diseases. RCM showed great diagnostic value in diagnosing EMPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pattern of itching in patients with atopic dermatitis has not been systematically studied. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the pattern of itching in adults with atopic dermatitis using questionnaires to assess for a circadian rhythm of itching in participating patients at a single institution (n = 241). A self-report questionnaire was used to assess circadian rhythm and intensity of itching in patients. In addition, the patients' disease severity (Eczema Area and Severity Index [EASI]) and quality of life (Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI]) were assessed. Itching occurred most frequently (74.69%) and with the greatest severity (62.66%) between 20:00 and 00:00, and the least number of patients (25.31%) experienced itching between 04:00 and 08:00. The DLQI and EASI scores both correlated with the average and maximum itch intensity (r = 0.582, r = 0.533, respectively; r = 0.539, r = 0.517, respectively; p < 0.001). The DLQI and EASI scores were associated with average itch intensity (B = 0.179, B = 0.204, respectively; 95% CI: 0.112 to 0.246, 95% CI: 0.096 to 0.313, respectively; p < 0.001), and the EASI score was associated with males and family history (B = 0.285, B = 0.287, respectively; 95% CI: 0.094 to 0.476, 95% CI: 0.096 to 0.478, respectively; p = 0.003). Adult patients with atopic dermatitis exhibited a circadian rhythm of itching; these study results could positively impact treatment approaches.

Background: Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is noninvasive technique utilized for identification and analysis skin malignancies. Several studies have applied CLSM in monitoring the therapeutic effects of basal cell carcinoma (BCC)., Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of CLSM in low-risk BCC and the evaluation of photodynamic therapy (PDT)., Methods: We have diagnosed 149 patients with BCC using CLSM and histopathological examination. Based on histopathology, we summarized the classification information of low-risk BCC along with imaging features observed through CLSM. Thirty-four low-risk BCC patients underwent PDT treatment, and we used CLSM to evaluate its efficacy., Results: Out of 149 participants were diagnosed with BCC by CLSM, 52 were pigmented type, 87 were nodular type and 10 were superficial type. After histopathological examination, 44 out of 52 were pigmented type, five were nodular type and three were superficial type. The results of CLSM were consistent with those of 87 nodular type and 10 superficial type. The CLSM features of nodular were observed in the tissue fissures around the tumor, the pigment mass was the CLSM characteristic of pigmented type. The simultaneous occurrence of inflammation and increased vasculature were characteristics of superficial. The effective rate of PDT was 100%, and the cure rate was 67.6%. At 12 months follow up, the recurrence rate of PDT was 11.8%, 15.0% for nodule type, 10.0% for pigmented type and 0% for superficial type., Conclusion: The tissue classification of CLSM for low-risk BCC was consistent with histopathology. CLSM can be used to monitor the efficacy of PDT for low-risk BCC., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of British Association of Dermatologists.)

Objectives: The causal relationship between eczema and autoimmune diseases has not been previously reported. This study aims to evaluate the causal relationship between eczema and autoimmune diseases., Methods: The two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) method was used to assess the causal effect of eczema on autoimmune diseases. Summary data from the Genome-Wide Association Study Catalog (GWAS) were obtained from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU) database. For eczema and autoimmune diseases, genetic instrument variants (GIVs) were identified according to the significant difference ( P <5×10 -8 ). Causal effect estimates were generated using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method. MR Egger, maximum likelihood, MR-PRESSO, and MR-RAPS methods were used for alternative analyses. Sensitivity tests, including heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, and leave-one-out analyses, were performed. Finally, reverse causality was assessed., Results: Genetic susceptibility to eczema was associated with an increased risk of Crohn's disease ( OR =1.444, 95% CI 1.199 to 1.738, P <0.001) and ulcerative colitis ( OR =1.002, 95% CI 1.001 to 1.003, P =0.002). However, no causal relationship was found for the other 6 autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) ( OR =0.932, P =0.401), bullous pemphigoid (BP) ( OR =1.191, P =0.642), vitiligo ( OR =1.000, P =0.327), multiple sclerosis (MS) ( OR =1.000, P =0.965), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) ( OR =1.001, P =0.121), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) ( OR =1.000, P =0.460). Additionally, no reverse causal relationship was found between autoimmune diseases and eczema., Conclusions: Eczema is associated with an increased risk of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. No causal relationship is found between eczema and SLE, MS, AS, RA, BP, or vitiligo.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) leads to chronic vascular occlusion and results in end organ damage in critically perfused limbs. There are currently no clinical methods available to determine the muscular damage induced by chronic mal-perfusion. This monocentric prospective cross-sectional study investigated n = 193 adults, healthy to severe PAD, in order to quantify the degree of calf muscle degeneration caused by PAD using a non-invasive hybrid ultrasound and single wavelength optoacoustic imaging (US/SWL-OAI) approach. While US provides morphologic information, SWL-OAI visualizes the absorption of pulsed laser light and the resulting sound waves from molecules undergoing thermoelastic expansion. US/SWL-OAI was compared to multispectral data, clinical disease severity, angiographic findings, phantom experiments, and histological examinations from calf muscle biopsies. We were able to show that synergistic use of US/SWL-OAI is most likely to map clinical degeneration of the muscle and progressive PAD., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Knieling, Ferdinand reports a relationship with iThera Medical GmbH that includes: consulting or advisory and travel reimbursement. Maximilian J. Waldner reports a relationship with iThera Medical GmbH that includes: travel reimbursement. Adrian P. Regensburger reports a relationship with iThera Medical GmbH that includes: travel reimbursement. Ferdinand Knieling reports a relationship with Sanofi that includes: funding grants, speaking and lecture fees, and travel reimbursement. Adrian P. Regensburger reports a relationship with Sanofi that includes: speaking and lecture fees and travel reimbursement. Ferdinand Knieling has patent A device and a method for analyzing optoacoustic data, an optoacoustic system and a computer program issued to EP 19 163 304.9. Ferdinand Knieling is serving as a Section Editor for Photoacoustics.U.R. received support from the ELAN Fond at the University Hospital of the FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg. All other authors declare no competing interests., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier GmbH.)

Objectives: Ozone is widely applied to treat allergic skin diseases such as eczema, atopic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis. However, the specific mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of ozonated oil on treating 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and the underling mechanisms., Methods: Besides the blank control (Ctrl) group, all other mice were treated with DNCB to establish an ACD-like mouse model and were randomized into following groups: a model group, a basal oil group, an ozonated oil group, a FcεRI-overexpressed plasmid (FcεRI-OE) group, and a FcεRI empty plasmid (FcεRI-NC) group. The basal oil group and the ozonated oil group were treated with basal oil and ozonated oil, respectively. The FcεRI-OE group and the FcεRI-NC group were intradermally injected 25 µg FcεRI overexpression plasmid and 25 µg FcεRI empty plasmid when treating with ozonated oil, respectively. We recorded skin lesions daily and used reflectance confocal microscope (RCM) to evaluate thickness and inflammatory changes of skin lesions. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, real-time PCR, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq), and immunohistochemistry were performed to detct and analyze the skin lesions., Results: Ozonated oil significantly alleviated DNCB-induced ACD-like dermatitis and reduced the expressions of IFN-γ, IL-17A, IL-1β, TNF-α, and other related inflammatory factors (all P<0.05). RNA-seq analysis revealed that ozonated oil significantly inhibited the activation of the DNCB-induced FcεRI/Syk signaling pathway, confirmed by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (all P<0.05). Compared with the ozonated oil group and the FcεRI-NC group, the mRNA expression levels of IFN-γ, IL-17A, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and other inflammatory genes in the FcεRI-OE group were significantly increased (all P<0.05), and the mRNA and protein expression levels of FcεRI and Syk were significantly elevated in the FcεRI-OE group as well (all P<0.05)., Conclusions: Ozonated oil significantly improves ACD-like dermatitis and alleviated DNCB-induced ACD-like dermatitis via inhibiting the FcεRI/Syk signaling pathway.