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| 2. |
- Belli, LS, et al.
(författare)
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COVID-19 in liver transplant candidates: pretransplant and post-transplant outcomes - an ELITA/ELTR multicentre cohort study
- 2021
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Ingår i: Gut. - : BMJ. - 1468-3288 .- 0017-5749. ; 70:10, s. 1914-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Explore the impact of COVID-19 on patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation (LT) and on their post-LT course.DesignData from consecutive adult LT candidates with COVID-19 were collected across Europe in a dedicated registry and were analysed.ResultsFrom 21 February to 20 November 2020, 136 adult cases with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from 33 centres in 11 European countries were collected, with 113 having COVID-19. Thirty-seven (37/113, 32.7%) patients died after a median of 18 (10–30) days, with respiratory failure being the major cause (33/37, 89.2%). The 60-day mortality risk did not significantly change between first (35.3%, 95% CI 23.9% to 50.0%) and second (26.0%, 95% CI 16.2% to 40.2%) waves. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed Laboratory Model for End-stage Liver Disease (Lab-MELD) score of ≥15 (Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score 15–19, HR 5.46, 95% CI 1.81 to 16.50; MELD score≥20, HR 5.24, 95% CI 1.77 to 15.55) and dyspnoea on presentation (HR 3.89, 95% CI 2.02 to 7.51) being the two negative independent factors for mortality. Twenty-six patients underwent an LT after a median time of 78.5 (IQR 44–102) days, and 25 (96%) were alive after a median follow-up of 118 days (IQR 31–170).ConclusionsIncreased mortality in LT candidates with COVID-19 (32.7%), reaching 45% in those with decompensated cirrhosis (DC) and Lab-MELD score of ≥15, was observed, with no significant difference between first and second waves of the pandemic. Respiratory failure was the major cause of death. The dismal prognosis of patients with DC supports the adoption of strict preventative measures and the urgent testing of vaccination efficacy in this population. Prior SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic infection did not affect early post-transplant survival (96%).
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| 3. |
- Eckstein, Brian J., et al.
(författare)
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Naphthalene Bis(4,8-diamino-1,5-dicarboxyl)amide Building Block for Semiconducting Polymers
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of the American Chemical Society. - : AMER CHEMICAL SOC. - 0002-7863 .- 1520-5126. ; 139:41, s. 14356-14359
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We report a new naphthalene bis(4,8-diamino-1,5-dicarboxyl)amide (NBA) building block for polymeric semiconductors. Computational modeling suggests that regio-connectivity at the 2,6- or 3,7-NBA positions strongly modulates polymer backbone torsion and, therefore, intramolecular pi-conjugation and aggregation. Optical, electrochemical, and X-ray diffraction characterization of 3,7- and 2,6-dithienyl-substituted NBA molecules and, corresponding isomeric NBA, bithiophene copolymers P1 and P2, respectively, reveals the key role of regio-connectivity. Charge transport measurements demonstrate that while the twisted 3,7-NDA-based P1 is a poor semiconductor, the planar 2,6-functionalized NBA polymers (P2-P4) exhibit ambipolarity, with mu(e) and mu(h) of up to 0.39 and 0.32 cm(2)/(V.s), respectively.
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| 4. |
- Fabiano, Simone, et al.
(författare)
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Charge transport orthogonality in all-polymer blend transistors, diodes, and solar cells
- 2014
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Ingår i: Advanced Energy Materials. - : Wiley-VCH Verlag. - 1614-6832 .- 1614-6840. ; 4:6, s. 1301409-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Polymer aggregation and phase separation of polymer-polymer blends are effectively tuned from self-stratified to laterally phase-separated by adjusting the relative solubility of the two polymers in the mixture. This is found to dramatically alter the charge transport characteristics from a preferential in-plane to an out-of-plane direction, revealing the critical dependence of the resulting device performance on the film morphology and structure of the active layer. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
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| 5. |
- Facchetti, D., et al.
(författare)
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Heparin enriched-wpi coating on ti6al4v increases hydrophilicity and improves proliferation and differentiation of human bone marrow stromal cells
- 2022
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Ingår i: International Journal of Molecular Sciences. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-6596 .- 1422-0067. ; 23:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) is one of the most prominent biomaterials for bone contact because of its ability to bear mechanical loading and resist corrosion. The success of Ti6Al4V implants depends on bone formation on the implant surface. Hence, implant coatings which promote adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of bone-forming cells are desirable. One coating strategy is by adsorption of biomacromolecules. In this study, Ti6Al4V substrates produced by additive manufacturing (AM) were coated with whey protein isolate (WPI) fibrils, obtained at pH 2, and heparin or tinzaparin (a low molecular weight heparin LMWH) in order to improve the proliferation and differentiation of bone-forming cells. WPI fibrils proved to be an excellent support for the growth of human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSC). Indeed, WPI fibrils were resistant to sterilization and were stable during storage. This WPI-heparin-enriched coating, especially the LMWH, enhanced the differentiation of hBMSC by increasing tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) activity. Finally, the coating increased the hydrophilicity of the material. The results confirmed that WPI fibrils are an excellent biomaterial which can be used for biomedical coatings, as they are easily modifiable and resistant to heat treatments. Indeed, the already known positive effect on osteogenic integration of WPI-only coated substrates has been further enhanced by a simple adsorption procedure.
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| 6. |
- Schwartz, David A, et al.
(författare)
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Hofbauer cells and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pregnancy : Molecular pathology analysis of villous macrophages, endothelial cells, and placental findings from 22 placentas infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with and without fetal transmission
- 2021
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Ingår i: Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine. - 0003-9985. ; 145:11, s. 1328-1340
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- CONTEXT: - Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can undergo maternal-fetal transmission, heightening interest in the placental pathology findings from this infection. Transplacental SARS-CoV-2 transmission is typically accompanied by chronic histiocytic intervillosaaitis together with necrosis and positivity of syncytiotrophoblast for SARSCoV-2. Hofbauer cells are placental macrophages that have been involved in viral diseases including HIV and Zika virus, but their involvement in SARS-CoV-2 in unknown.OBJECTIVE: - To determine whether SARS-CoV-2 can extend beyond the syncytiotrophoblast to enter Hofbauer cells, endothelium and other villous stromal cells in infected placentas of liveborn and stillborn infants.DESIGN: - Case-based retrospective analysis by 29 perinatal and molecular pathology specialists of placental findings from a preselected cohort of 22 SARS-CoV-2-infected placentas delivered to pregnant women testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 from 7 countries. Molecular pathology methods were used to investigate viral involvement of Hofbauer cells, villous capillary endothelium, syncytiotrophoblast and other fetal-derived cells.RESULTS: - Chronic histiocytic intervillositis and trophoblast necrosis was present in all 22 placentas (100%). SARS-CoV-2 was identified in Hofbauer cells from 4/22 placentas (18%). Villous capillary endothelial staining was positive in 2/22 cases (9%), both of which also had viral positivity in Hofbauer cells. Syncytiotrophoblast staining occurred in 21/22 placentas (95%). Hofbauer cell hyperplasia was present in 3/22 placentas (14%). In the 7 cases having documented transplacental infection of the fetus, 2 occurred in placentas with Hofbauer cell staining positive for SARS-CoV-2.CONCLUSIONS: - SARS-CoV-2 can extend beyond the trophoblast into the villous stroma, involving Hofbauer cells and capillary endothelial cells, in a small number of infected placentas. Most cases of SARS-CoV-2 transplacental fetal infection occur without Hofbauer cell involvement.
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| 7. |
- Trippodo, Elisa, et al.
(författare)
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Air-stable ternary organic solar cells achieved by using fullerene additives in non-fullerene acceptor-polymer donor blends
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Materials Chemistry C. - : ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY. - 2050-7526 .- 2050-7534. ; 11:24, s. 8074-8083
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Organic solar cells (OSCs) based on donor-acceptor blends have shown a rapid improvement in power conversion efficiency (PCE) now approaching, for small cells, those of the state-of-the art commercial solar modules. However, performance degradation remains one of the most critical impediments for OSC technology commercialization. Ternary solar cells where a third component, for instance an acceptor, is added to a non-fullerene acceptor-polymer donor blend are an effective approach for improving both OSC efficiency and long-term stability. Here, we study the role of two fullerene acceptors, ET18 and PCBM, as the third component in P-D:Y6 blends. These fullerene derivatives significantly enhance the cell stability, which retained > 90% of their initial PCEs (13-14%) even after storage in air for 6 months, compared to only similar to 20% retention for the binary devices. GIWAXS, AFM, in situ impedance spectroscopy and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy measurements reveal that the enhanced stability of the ternary devices results from a more robust blend morphology reducing charge recombination in the ternary devices during aging.
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| 8. |
- Wang, Gang, et al.
(författare)
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Photovoltaic Blend Microstructure for High Efficiency Post-Fullerene Solar Cells. To Tilt or Not To Tilt?
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of the American Chemical Society. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0002-7863 .- 1520-5126. ; 141:34, s. 13410-13420
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Achieving efficient polymer solar cells (PSCs) requires a structurally optimal donor-acceptor heterojunction morphology. Here we report the combined experimental and theoretical characterization of a benzodithiophene-benzo-thiadiazole donor polymer series (PBTZF4-R; R = alkyl substituent) blended with the non-fullerene acceptor ITIC-Th and analyze the effects of substituent dimensions on blend morphology, charge transport, carrier dynamics, and PSC metrics. Varying substituent dimensions has a pronounced effect on the blend morphology with a direct link between domain purity, to some extent domain dimensions, and charge generation and collection. The polymer with the smallest alkyl substituent yields the highest PSC power conversion efficiency (PCE, 11%), reflecting relatively small, high-purity domains and possibly benefiting from "matched" donor polymer-small molecule acceptor orientations. The distinctive morphologies arising from the substituents are investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations which reveal that substituent dimensions dictate a well-defined set of polymer conformations, in turn driving chain aggregation and, ultimately, the various film morphologies and mixing with acceptor small molecules. A straightforward energetic parameter explains the experimental polymer domain morphological trends, hence PCE, and suggests strategies for substituent selection to optimize PSC materials morphologies.
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