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Lead sulfide quantum dot solar cells have been largely studied only in the n–i–p architecture, with very few reports on the inverted p–i–n structure. Although the p–i–n structure provides several advantages, such as low-temperature processing and is generally compatible with tandem applications, the realization of p–i–n PbS solar cells has been hindered by the absence of suitable hole transport layers. That led to the necessity of introducing a 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT) passivated PbS layer, which, while improving hole extraction, significantly hinders device reproducibility and stability. Here, we demonstrate PbS quantum dot solar cells based on carbazole- and dibenzothiophene-based self-assembled molecules as hole transport layers for the first time. We show that the properties of the organic interlayer influence the formation of the PbS quantum dot active layer and, consequently, the device performance. Among the studied self-assembled molecules, the best photovoltaic performance was obtained for Br-2EPT, reaching power conversion efficiencies of up to 6.3%, among the highest for p–i–n devices that are not based on the use of EDT-PbS. These results underline the great potential of self-assembled molecules as hole transport layers in inverted p–i–n PbS quantum dot solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the remarkable advances in the field of perovskite photovoltaics, the use of toxic solvents for their fabrication poses a significant challenge to their scale‐up and commercialization. The vast majority of studies rely on using the highly hazardous N, N‐Dimethylformamide (DMF), with green alternatives remaining scarce. In this work, the use of glycerol formal (Gly‐F) is reported as a green solvent for fabricating quasi‐2D (n = 5) perovskite solar cells. Quasi‐2D perovskite films processed from Gly‐F exhibit a high degree of uniformity and a compact microstructure. When integrated into solar cells, the green solvent‐processed films reach a promising power conversion efficiency of 14.53%. This performance is lower than that of DMF‐based perovskites, most likely due to the presence of laterally oriented low n perovskite phases. Interestingly, while the performance of DMF‐based devices is rather irreproducible, the performance of Gly‐F‐based devices is robust and consistent. These results demonstrate the potential of Gly‐F‐ as a promising green alternative to DMF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a consequence of multiple factors, including genetics, lifestyle and nutritional choices, physical activity, sleep duration, screen time, and mood disorders. These behavioral elements can impair the regulation of energy balance and obesity management that link obesity to a constellation of chronic conditions that lead to a high prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors, metabolic syndrome, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Multidisciplinary therapy is defined as an approach delivered by a multidisciplinary‐trained health team covering at least two components of behavior, physical activity/exercise, dietary habits, and/or psychological counseling associated with clinical interventions. This narrative review summarizes the effects of multidisciplinary therapy on neuroendocrine regulation of energy balance, inflammatory biomarkers, cardiometabolic risk factors, metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases, behavior, and quality of life. We found that multidisciplinary therapy, including medical, nutritional, exercise, and behavioral counseling, and/or education, was useful for addressing outcomes such as visceral adiposity, neuroendocrine regulation of energy balance, inflammatory biomarkers, cardiometabolic risk factors, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and metabolic syndrome. The effects were mediated by improvements in neuroendocrine regulation of energy balance, downregulation of the pro‐inflammatory states, and a reduction in comorbidities. Multidisciplinary therapy also improved mood disorders and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammation plays a central role in many chronic diseases that characterize modern society. Leptin/adiponectin and adiponectin/leptin ratios have been recognized as notable markers of dysfunctional adipose tissue and, consequently, an inflammatory state. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 41 adult volunteers (40.2 ± 8.3 years) diagnosed with severe obesity (BMI 46.99; 42.98–51.91 kg/m2). The adipokines were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while the serum fatty acid analysis was conducted using chromatography. Results: The results unveiled a positive correlation between the leptin/adiponectin ratio and the 20:3n6 fatty acid (r = 0.52, p = 0.001), as well as a similar positive correlation between the adiponectin/leptin ratio and the 22:6n3 fatty acid (r = 0.74, p = 0.001). In the regression analysis, the 22:6n3 fatty acid predicted the adiponectin/leptin ratio (β = 0.76, p < 0.001), whereas C20:3 n-6 was a predictor for inflammatory markers (β = 4.84, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In conclusion, the 22:6n3 fatty acid was demonstrated to be a predictive factor for the adiponectin/leptin ratio and C20:3 n-6 was a predictor for inflammatory markers. This discovery, novel within this population, can help develop new intervention strategies aimed at controlling the inflammatory status in individuals classified as having severe obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serotonin (5-HT) acts as a neuromodulator and plays a critical role in brain development. Changes in 5-HT signaling during the perinatal period can affect neural development and may result in behavioral changes in adulthood; however, further investigations are necessary including both sexes to study possible differences. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of neonatal treatment with fluoxetine on the development of male and female offspring. The animals were divided into four groups according to sex and treatment. The experimental groups received fluoxetine at 10 mg * [kg.sup.-1] (1 [micro]L/g of body weight (bw)) and the animals of control group received saline solution 0.9% (1 [micro]L/g of bw) from postnatal days 1-21. In the neonatal period, reflex ontogeny, somatic development, physical features, and food intake were recorded. In the postnatal period (until day 31) bw and post-weaning food intake were recorded. Chronic administration of fluoxetine in the neonatal period caused a delay in the reflex ontogeny and somatic development, as well as reduction of lactation, post-weaning bw, and post-weaning food intake in rats. No difference was found between the sexes. These changes reaffirm that serotonin plays an important role in regulating the plasticity of the brain during the early development period, but without sex differences. Key words: serotonin, fluoxetine, reflex, growth and development, feeding behavior, sex difference. La serotonine (5-HT) agit comme neuromodulateur et joue un role crucial dans le developpement du cerveau. Des variations dans les voies de signalisation de la 5-HT au cours de la periode perinatale peuvent affecter le developpement neurologique et pourraient entrainer des changements comportementaux a l'age adulte. Cependant, plus de recherches sont necessaires, y compris des etudes portant sur des differences eventuelles entre les sexes. Par consequent, cette etude portait sur l'incidence de l'administration de fluoxetine au cours de la periode neonatale sur le developpement de rejetons males et femelles. Nous avons reparti les animaux dans quatre groupes selon le sexe et le traitement administre. Les groupes experimentaux ont recu de la fluoxetine a 10 mg/kg (1 [micro]l/g de masse corporelle) et les animaux du groupe temoin ont recu une solution saline a 0,9 % (1 [micro]l/g de masse corporelle) de 1 a 21 jours apres la naissance. Au cours de la periode neonatale, nous avons enregistre les parametres suivants: ontogenese des reflexes, developpement somatique, caracteristiques physiques et apport alimentaire. Au cours de la periode postnatale (jusqu'au jour 31) nous avons enregistre la masse corporelle et l'apport alimentaire apres le sevrage. L'administration prolongee de fluoxetine au cours de la periode neonatale a mene a un retard dans l'ontogenie des reflexes et le developpement somatique, une diminution de la masse corporelle avant et apres le sevrage, ainsi que de l'apport alimentaire apres le sevrage. Nous n'avons observe aucune difference entre les sexes. Ces variations reconfirment que la 5-HT joue un role important dans la regulation de la plasticite du cerveau au cours de la periode de developpement precoce, mais sans difference entre les sexes. Mots-cles: serotonine, fluoxetine, reflexe, croissance et developpement, comportements alimentaires, differences entre les sexes., 1. Introduction Serotonin (5-HT) is a widely distributed neuromodulator that plays an important role in regulating brain development (Gaspar et al. 2003). In early developmental periods, it acts as a [...]