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Background: This study analyzed the expression of CD44 and cystine‐glutamate transporter SLC7A11 (xCT) in primary oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and the relationships of expression to tumor recurrence and patient survival. Methods: Associations between CD44 and xCT expression and clinicopathologic results were analyzed in 231 patients with oral cavity SCC. Cox proportional hazard analyses were used to identify factors associated with recurrence‐free survival (RFS), disease‐specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS). Results: Overexpression of CD44 and/or xCT was associated with advanced T classification, perineural invasion, and lymphovascular invasion (P <.05 each). High expression of xCT was also associated with nodal metastasis and depth of invasion (P <.01 each). Multivariate analysis indicated that high expression of xCT and both xCT and CD44 were independent predictors of poor RFS, DSS, and OS (P <.05 each). Conclusion: Overexpression of xCT or xCT plus CD44 may predict posttreatment recurrence and survival in patients with oral cavity SCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3D polymer-network-membrane (3D-PNM) electrolyte is described for highly stable, solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) with excellent power-conversion efficiency (PCE). The 3D-PNM electrolyte is prepared by using one-pot in situ cross-linking polymerization on the surface of dye-sensitized TiO2 particles in the presence of redox species. This method allows the direct connection of the 3D-PNM to the surface of the TiO2 particles as well as the in situ preparation of the electrolyte gel during device assembly. There are two junction areas (liquid and solid-state junctions) in the DSCs that employ conventional polymer electrolytes, and the major interface is at the liquid-state junction. The solid-state junction is dominant in the DSCs that employ the 3D-PNM electrolyte, which exhibit almost constant performance during aging at 65 °C for over 700 h (17.0 to 17.2 mA cm-2). The best cell performance gives a PCE of 9.1%; this is slightly better than the performance of a DSC that employs a liquid electrolyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly stable, solid‐state dye‐sensitized solar cell with excellent power conversion efficiency is demonstrated using a novel 3D polymer network membrane (3D‐PNM) electrolyte. As reported by Taiho Park and co‐workers in article number 1300489, a one‐pot, in situ cross‐linking polymerization on the surface of TiO2 particles in the presence of redox species encapsulates with a thin porous membrane layer and leads to great physical stability for the 3D‐PNM on the surface of the TiO2 electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]