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The past five years have witnessed the uniquely rapid emergence of the mixed organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells. Here, a modified deposition process, continuous dripping method, is reported for fabricating high-performance and reproducible perovskite solar cells. The best power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.76% and an average PCE of 16.74% were obtained via this process. Moreover, the conventional solution two steps method was also carried out as a comparison to this process. This work provides a new simple solution approach to obtain high quality of perovskite thin films for high-performance and reproducible PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The past five years have witnessed the significant breakthrough of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). High certificated power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.1% was achieved in a short time after the inorganic-organic perovskite was firstly used as the light absorber in the solar cells. It is believed that PSCs now become one of the most promising photovoltaic in the new-generation solar cells, which may rival silicon based solar cells. In this article, simplified planar perovskite solar cells without a hole-blocking layer were fabricated by a two-step spin-coating method, and the highest PCE of 15.1% was achieved with an average PCE of 13.6%. Moreover, it is found that the hysteresis effect is reduced in this kind of devices. The research on improved performance for the PSCs with simplified device architecture is very important both for understanding the working mechanism of cells, and for fabricating low-cost and high-performance PSCs to approach commercial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An innovative lab-on-a-chip device based on iridium oxide (IrOx) nanowires was designed, fabricated, and developed for real-time “point-of-care” diagnostics. The turnaround time in detection and the need for expensive equipment for analysis have considverably limited rapid and “point-of-care” diagnosis. This research demonstrates the potential of IrOx nanowires toward early disease diagnosis by detecting proteins that are disease markers. The device designed is based on electrical detection of protein biomarkers wherein a single capture immunoassay is built onto a vertically aligned IrOx nanowire platform. Detection of two inflammatory proteins, C-reactive protein (CRP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) (Calbiochem, La Jolla, CA), that are biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases is demonstrated individually and concurrently. The performance metrics of the device in response to the two biomarkers in pure form and in serum samples were evaluated and compared with standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The methodology that has been adopted is based on measuring real-time impedance changes because of the protein binding event through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and calibrating its change in magnitude with concentration of proteins. We have demonstrated limit of detection up to 500pg/mL for protein MPO and 1ng/mL for CRP with cross-reactivity of less than 8% of selective binding of these two inflammatory biomarkers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights • Proper tuning of HSF4 transcription activity is important for lens development. • Identification of HSF4/S299 is one of MEK-ERK1/2 targets. • Phosphorylation of HSF4 at S299 by ERK1/2 induces HSF4 sumoylation and low expression of alpha B-crystallin. • Phosphorylation of HSF4/S299 is responsive of turning off HSF4 transcription activity during postnatal lens development. Abstract Dysfunction of HSF4 is associated with congenital cataracts. HSF4 transcription activity is turned on and regulated by phosphorylation during early postnatal lens development. Our previous data suggested that mutation HSF4b/S299A can upregulate HSF4 transcription activity in vitro, but the biological significance of posttranslational modification on HSF4/S299 during lens development remains unclear. Here, we found that the mutation HSF4/S299A can upregulate the expression of HSP25 and alpha B-crystallin at both protein and mRNA levels in mouse the lens epithelial cell line, but HSF4/S299D does not. Using the rabbit polyclonal antibody against phospho-S299 of HSF4, we found that EGF and ectopic expression of MEK1 can increase the phosphorylation of HSF4/S299 and induce HSF4 sumoylation, and these effects are inhibited by U0126. ERK1/2 can phosphorylate the S299 in HSF4/wt but not in HSF4/S299A in the in vitro kinase assay. Functionally, ectopic MEK1 can inhibit HSF4-controled alpha B-crystallin expression but has less effect on HSF4/S299A. EGF can upregulate phospho-HSF4/S299 and downregulate alpha B-crystallin expression in P3 mouse lens, and this downregulation is suppressed by U0126. During mouse lens development, phosphorylation of HSF4/S299 is downregulated in P3 lens and upregulated in P7 and P14 lens. However, in 2 months old lens, both phosphorylation of HSF4/S299 and total HSF4 protein are decreased. Interestingly, ERK1/2 activity is lower in P3 lens than in P7 and P14 lens, which is in line with the phosphorylation of HSF4/S299. Taken together, our data demonstrate that HSF4/299 is a phosphorylation target of MEK1-ERK1/2, and phosphorylation of S299 is responsible for tuning down HSF4 transcription activity during postnatal lens development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we systematically investigated the properties of three kinds of NiO x films prepared by magnetron sputtering either NiO or Ni target under direct current (DC) or radio frequency (RF) power without any preheating. Those NiO x films were found to be different in composition ratios, lattice strain and energy levels, thus showing different optical and carrier transport properties. By RF power source, sputtering Ni target in pure O 2 atmosphere led to NiO x film with relatively good crystallization and surface properties compared with other two types of NiO x films. These NiO x films were further introduced into CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 based planar p-i-n heterojunction perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as the hole transport layers (HTL). It is revealed that PSCs based on NiO x HTL prepared by sputtering Ni target in pure O 2 atmosphere achieved a highest power conversion efficiency of 16.3% with negligible hysteresis. Compared with devices with PEDOT:PSS HTL, PSCs based on magnetron sputtered NiO x HTL presented substantially improved stability in air. The results provide theoretical and experimental guidance on selecting NiO x HTLs fabricated by magnetron sputtering techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly crystallized single-phase Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 thin films were fabricated using a simple single-target sputtering technique followed by low-cost sulfurization treatment with sulfur powder. The effects of sulfurization temperature (ranging from 400 to 550 °C) on the structure, morphology, composition, optical and electrical properties of the synthesized CZTS thin film were investigated systematically. The increased sulfurization temperature was found to affect the elemental composition slightly but significantly improve crystallinity, carrier mobility and optical band gap of CZTS films. In particular, the CZTS film sulfurized at 500 °C had excellent optical and electrical properties (an optical band gap of 1.53 eV, a hole concentration of 3.2 × 10 15 cm −3 , and a carrier mobility of 57.6 cm 2 (V.s) −1 ). Furthermore, CZTS-based solar cells were successfully fabricated. Current-voltage (J-V) characteristics indicated that the current density had a tendency of increase with the increase of sulfurization temperature, which was attributed to the relatively large grains and high mobility achieved at a high sulfurization temperature. Importantly, the solar cell based on the CZTS thin film sulfurized at 500 °C had the best performance with a photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 4.4%, open-circuit voltage of 650 mV, short-circuit current density of 19.2 mA/cm 2 , and fill factor of 37%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar cells based on Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 (CIGS) absorber layers have owned the highest energy conversion efficiency among thin film solar cells and it is reported that the efficiency of CIGS solar cells is above 21% at present. In this paper, the performances of monolayer CIGS thin film solar cells with conventional ZnO/CdS/CIGS structure are calculated by using wxAMPS simulative software. The optimum values of the thicknesses of CdS/CIGS layers and carrier density of CIGS layer have been calculated and it is shown that the performances of solar cells have been improved by optimizing the parameters of solar cells. The temperature dependence of performances for CIGS solar cells has been simulated to guide the fabricated devices to obtain higher efficiency in the different temperature conditions. As a result of calculation, it is shown that excellent performance can be obtained by adjusting the parameters, and that the highest efficiency of solar cell can be achieved under certain conditions, where the thicknesses of ZnO, CdS and CIGS are 100 nm, 30 nm and 3 μm, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A skeletal muscle cell line, which was characterized as myoblasts was established in a marine teleost fish. • Myoblast cells cultured in this study could differentiate and fuse to form myotubes in vitro. • The key genes regulating fish myoblast proliferation and differentiation were identified. Skeletal myoblasts are activated satellite cells capable of proliferation and differentiation. Studies on mammalian myoblast differentiation and myogenesis could be carried out in vitro thanks to the availability of mouse myoblast cell line C2C12. Lacking of muscle cell line hinders the studies of teleost fish myogenesis. Here, we established a continuous skeletal muscle cell line from juvenile rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) muscle using explant method and subcultured more than 50 passages for over 150 days. Stable expression of myoblast-specific marker, MyoD (myoblast determination protein) and the potential of differentiation into multi-nucleated skeletal myotubes upon induction suggested the cell line were predominately composed of myoblasts. Transcriptome analysis revealed a total of 4375 genes differentially expressed at four time points after the switch to differentiation medium, which were mainly involved in proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts. KIF22 (kinesin family member 22) and POLA1 (DNA polymerase alpha 1) were identified as the key genes involved in fish myoblast proliferation whereas MYL3 (myosin light chain 3) and TNNT2 (troponin T2) were determined as the crucial genes responsible for differentiation. In all, the continuous myoblasts cultured in this study provided a cell platform for future studies on marine fish myoblast differentiation and myogenesis. The molecular process of myoblast differentiation revealed in this study will open a window into the understanding of indeterminate muscle growth of large teleost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Quercetin nanomedicine has good bioavailability. • Quercetin nanomedicine has neuroprotective actions. • Streptozotocin causing diabetic retinopathy (DR) in zebrafish. • Quercetin nanomedicine ameliorates DR. • Quercetin nanomedicine can be a newer agent for DR. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is progressive damage to the retina and it's caused by damage to the blood-retinal barrier. Quercetin has pleiotropic action like anti-oxidant, regulation cell cycle &vascular integrity, and preventive effect of neuroinflammation. The present study is designed to investigate the nano-formulation of quercetin (NQ) in a zebrafish model of DR. The DR was developed by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 350 mg/kg). The acceleration of retinopathy was made on 7 days of diabetic zebrafish by intravitreal injection of STZ (20 μL of 7 % w/v of STZ stock solution). The treatment of NQ (5 and 10 mg/kg; i.p.) was administered for 21 consecutive days. The reference control i.e., dexamethasone (DEX, 10 mg/kg; i.p.) was also administered for 21 consecutive days. The sign of DR was assessed by eyeball/body weight ratio, eyeball weight, optomotor response (OMR), startle response (SR), phototactic response (PTR), and escape response (ER). Furthermore, the biochemical changes like plasma glucose and homocysteine (HCY) levels; and eye retinal tissue lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione (GSH), and arginase reductase (AR) activity levels were assessed. The NQ found to attenuate the effect of STZ induced DR along with the regulation of biochemical abnormalities. And, it also comparable with reference drug treatment i.e., DEX treated group. Hence, NQ can be used for the treatment of diabetic associated retinopathy and neurosensory disorder visits anti-hyperglycemic, regulation of homocysteine pathway, reduction of lipid peroxidation, and free radical scavenging actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germline mutations in heat shock factor 4 (HSF4) cause congenital cataracts. Previously, we have shown that HSF4 is involved in regulating lysosomal pH in mouse lens epithelial cell in vitro. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. HSF4-deficient mouse lens epithelial cell lines and zebrafish were used in this study. Immunoblotting and quantitative RT-PCR were used for expression analysis. The protein-protein interactions were tested with GST-pull downs. The lysosomes were fractioned by ultracentrifugation. HSF4 deficiency or knock down of αB-crystallin elevates lysosomal pH and increases the ubiquitination and degradation of ATP6V1A by the proteasome. αB-crystallin localizes partially in the lysosome and interacts solely with the ATP6V1A protein of the V1 complex of V-ATPase. Furthermore, αB-crystallin can co-precipitate with mTORC1 and ATP6V1A in GST pull down assays. Inhibition of mTORC1 by rapamycin or siRNA can lead to dissociation of αB-crystallin from the ATP6V1A and mTORC1complex, shortening the half-life of ATP6V1A and increasing the lysosomal pH. Mutation of ATP6V1A/S441A (the predicted mTOR phosphorylation site) reduces its association with αB-crystallin. In the zebrafish model, HSF4 deficiency reduces αB-crystallin expression and elevates the lysosomal pH in lens tissues. HSF4 regulates lysosomal acidification by controlling the association of αB-crystallin with ATP6V1A and mTOR and regulating ATP6V1A protein stabilization. This study uncovers a novel function of αB-crystallin, demonstrating that αB-crystallin can regulate lysosomal ATP6V1A protein stabilization by complexing to ATP6V1A and mTOR. This highlights a novel mechanism by which HSF4 regulates the proteolytic process of organelles during lens development. • Germline mutations in HSF4 gene causes congenital cataracts failing in fiber cell differentiation. • Deficiency of HSF4 down regulates alpha B-crystallin resulting in elevating lysosomal pH. • Alpha B-crystallin associates with and regulates ATP6V1A protein stabilization. • mTOR is involved in regulating the association of alpha B-crystallina and ATP6V1A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aberrant expression of microRNAs plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of retinoblastoma. MiR-25, a member of the miR-106b˜25 cluster, has been reported to be abnormally expressed in retinoblastoma, but the exact role of it remains unclear. In our study, we found that miR-25-3p was upregulated in retinoblastoma tissues and cell lines. Enforced expression of miR-25-3p in retinoblastoma cell line WERI-RB-1 increased cell growth, colony formation, anchorage-independent growth, cell migration and invasion in vitro and tumor xenograft growth in vivo. In contrast, inhibited miR-25-3p expression in retinoblastoma cell line Y79 suppressed cell growth, colony formation, anchorage-independent growth, cell migration and invasion. Through luciferase reporter assay, we found that phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) was a direct target of miR-25-3p. This was verified by western blot that miR-25-3p overexpression suppressed PTEN and activated Akt signaling. In addition, miR-25-3p was found to promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of WERI-RB-1 cells through PTEN/Akt pathway. Western blot analysis revealed that miR-25-3p overexpression increased Vimentin and Snail expression, and suppressed E-cadherin expression, but this could be reversed by restoring PTEN. Moreover, LY294002 treatment or restoring PTEN expression abolished the effects of miR-25-3p on cell invasion, colony formation and anchorage-independent growth in vitro and tumor xenograft growth in vivo. Taken together, our results suggested that miR-25-3p promotes malignant transformation of retinoblastoma cells by suppressing PTEN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]