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Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to investigate the interfacial structure of the N,N′-di-n-alkyl-3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI)/rubrene interface, which represents the donor/acceptor interface in new types of organic light-emission diodes. In particular, the interfacial structure was examined for different alkyl chain lengths of PTCDI (Cn-PTCDI) at n = 4, 8, and 13, in order to elucidate the observed maximum charge transfer efficiency at the C8-PTCDI/rubrene interface in a recent experiment. The results revealed that the molecular conformation of the acceptor (Cn-PTCDI) molecules at the interface undergoes changes depending on the alkyl chain length when interacting with the rubrene molecule. It was found that the closest complex between Cn-PTCDI and rubrene is formed at n = 8, consistent with the experimental observation. In addition, the interfacial structures of Cn-PTCDI/air and rubrene/air were examined and compared to gain insights into the inherent stability associated with the intermolecular interactions at the interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergic dermatitis (AD) is a skin disease characterized by a chronic inflammation caused by immune dysregulation. In the histopathology of patients with AD, there are several features, such as accumulation of eosinophils and mast cells, hyperkeratosis, and dermal fibrosis which are related to the exacerbation of AD. Mast cells and eosinophils are thought to be involved in fibrosis, but the details are unknown. Yama mouse is an inbred mouse showing genetically eosinophilia. If eosinophils have significant effect on fibrosis, it may be possible to establish a new AD model with severe fibrosis. In this study, AD was induced by applying dinitrofluorobenzene to mice auricle. Yama mice showed AD lesion with more severe dermal fibrosis with severe eosinophil infiltration than Balb/c and Nc/nga mice. The expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a cytokine important for fibrosis, was not significantly different among Yama, Balb/c, and Nc/nga mice, while the expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4), which is also mediator of tissue fibrosis, was increased only in Yama mice. The results of this study showed that AD with more severe fibrosis could be induced in Yama mice than in Balb/c and Nc/nga mice. In Yama mice, it can be concluded that the severe fibrosis is TGF-β independent, and IL-4 would be the main mediator of severe fibrosis. This mouse model may be useful for elucidating the mechanism of fibrosis in chronic AD, and for conducting research leading to the development of new therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brainstem metastases are challenging to manage owing to the critical neurological structures involved. Although stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) offers targeted high doses while minimizing damage to adjacent normal tissues, the optimal dose fractionation remains undefined. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of multifraction SRT with an inhomogeneous dose distribution. This retrospective study included 31 patients who underwent 33 treatments for 35 brainstem lesions using linear accelerator-based multifraction SRT (30 Gy in five fractions, 35 Gy in five fractions or 42 Gy in 10 fractions) with an inhomogeneous dose distribution (median isodose, 51.9%). The outcomes of interest were local failure, toxicity and symptomatic failure. The median follow-up time after brainstem SRT for a lesion was 18.6 months (interquartile range, 10.0–24.3 months; range, 1.8–39.0 months). Grade 2 toxicities were observed in two lesions, and local failure occurred in three lesions. No grade 3 or higher toxicities were observed. The 1-year local and symptomatic failure rates were 8.8 and 16.7%, respectively. Toxicity was observed in two of seven treatments with a gross tumor volume (GTV) greater than 1 cc, whereas no toxicity was observed in treatments with a GTV less than 1 cc. No clear association was observed between the biologically effective dose of the maximum brainstem dose and the occurrence of toxicity. Our findings indicate that multifraction SRT with an inhomogeneous dose distribution offers a favorable balance between local control and toxicity in brainstem metastases. Larger multicenter studies are needed to validate these results and determine the optimal dose fractionation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease characterized by acute onset of high fever, hemorrhagic tendency, gastrointestinal and neurologic symptoms, thrombocytopenia, and leukocytopenia (1-4). The causative [...]

Postoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer reportedly increases the risk of thoracic soft tissue sarcomas, particularly angiosarcomas; however, the risk in the Japanese population remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the incidence of thoracic soft tissue sarcoma among patients with breast cancer in Japan and determine its association with radiotherapy. This retrospective cohort study used data from the population-based cancer registry of the Osaka Prefecture. The inclusion criteria were female sex, age 20–84 years, diagnosis of breast cancer between 1990 and 2010, no supraclavicular lymph node or distant metastasis, underwent surgery and survived for at least 1 year. The primary outcome was the occurrence of thoracic soft tissue sarcomas 1 year or later after breast cancer diagnosis. Among the 13 762 patients who received radiotherapy, 15 developed thoracic soft tissue sarcomas (nine angiosarcomas and six other sarcomas), with a median time of 7.7 years (interquartile range, 4.0–8.6 years) after breast cancer diagnosis. Among the 27 658 patients who did not receive radiotherapy, four developed thoracic soft tissue sarcomas (three angiosarcomas and one other sarcoma), with a median time of 11.6 years after diagnosis. The 10-year cumulative incidence was higher in the radiotherapy cohort than in the non-radiotherapy cohort (0.087 vs. 0.0036%, P  < 0.001). Poisson regression analysis revealed that radiotherapy increased the risk of thoracic soft tissue sarcoma (relative risk, 6.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.4–24.4). Thus, although rare, breast cancer radiotherapy is associated with an increased risk of thoracic soft tissue sarcoma in the Japanese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endogenous regenerative capacity of the brain is quite weak; however, a regenerative reaction, the production of new neurons (neurogenesis), has been reported to occur in brain lesions. In addition, leukocytes are well known to infiltrate brain lesions. Therefore, leukocytes would also have a link with regenerative neurogenesis; however, their role has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated leukocyte infiltration and its influence on brain tissue regeneration in a trimethyltin (TMT)‐injected mouse model of hippocampal regeneration. Immunohistochemically, CD3‐positive T lymphocytes were found in the hippocampal lesion of TMT‐injected mice. Prednisolone (PSL) treatment inhibited T lymphocyte infiltration and increased neuronal nuclei (NeuN)‐positive mature neurons and doublecortin (DCX)‐positive immature neurons in the hippocampus. Investigation of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)‐labeled newborn cells revealed the percentage of BrdU/NeuN‐ and BrdU/DCX‐positive cells increased by PSL treatment. These results indicate that infiltrated T lymphocytes prevent brain tissue regeneration by inhibiting hippocampal neurogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Further development of organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) requires a reduction in driving voltage. Exciplex upconversion‐type OLEDs (ExUC‐OLEDs), which are actively utilized to form exciplexes at the donor/acceptor interface, are an optimal solution for reducing the driving voltage. However, a phenomenon that cannot be explained by simple exciton diffusion is observed in these devices. Herein, an exciton capture layer is inserted into the emitter (donor) layer of ExUC‐OLEDs to elucidate the exciton diffusion mechanism. All ExUC‐OLEDs emit light via triplet–triplet upconversion (TTU) and at more than half the applied voltage (1 V) of the energy gap of the emitter material. In addition, long‐range exciton diffusion of up to 40 nm is confirmed by TTU and singlet fission contributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient carrier injection at the electrode/organic semiconductor interface of organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) is challenging. It is well‐known that an electric dipole at the electrode/semiconductor interface improves the carrier injection from the electrode because of a vacuum‐level shift. In this study, poly (vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF/TrFE)] is used as a polar polymer with spontaneous polarization. P(VDF/TrFE) is spin‐coated on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode surface as a hole injection layer for OLEDs. The P(VDF/TrFE) layer enhances the hole injection from the ITO electrode by causing a vacuum‐level shift. As a result, the device driving voltage can be lowered. In addition, annealing temperature dependence is observed. To investigate the origin of the hole injection effect, the P(VDF/TrFE)‐layered ITO surface and the thin film structure of the P(VDF/TrFE) layer are measured. The P(VDF/TrFE) layers at different annealing temperatures show no difference in surface properties but show significant differences in the thin film structure. The hole injection of OLEDs is significantly enhanced because of the structural change in ultrathin P(VDF/TrFE) layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 14‐years‐old squirrel monkey was euthanized due to weakness. Histopathological examination revealed multifocal growth of oval cells with severe atypia in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. The neoplastic cells were positive for histiocytic markers (Iba1, HLA‐DR, CD204). This is the fourth case of histiocytic sarcoma in non‐human primates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]