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In this study, the multifaceted properties of hyaluronic acid (HA) were used for the targeted therapy of cancer by photodynamic therapy (PDT) guided by molecular imaging. Near-infrared (NIR) photosensitizers (Chlorin e6; Ce6) were encapsulated into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA NPs) coated with HA that can act as CD44 targeting ligand. The abundant carboxylate groups of HA also enabled the chelation of gadolinium ions (Gd 3+ ), T1-weighted MRI contrast agents, on the surface of PLGA NPs. Through both in vitro and in vivo fluorescence and MRI signal analysis, we confirmed that the HA-Gd-Ce6-PLGA NPs (HAGCP-NPs) could efficiently target CD44-overexpressing A549 cancer cells. When an NIR laser was illuminated to irradiate A549 tumor-bearing mice, the groups treated with HAGCP-NPs showed remarkable delays in tumor growth or tumor regression. Taken together, the HAGCP-NPs are expected to be used as a theranostic platform for the dual modal (MR/NIR) imaging and PDT of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the degradation behavior of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and Al-doped ZnO (AZO) films in CIGS PV modules after the damp heat test. We observed losses of the FF and efficiency in the modules after 1000 h of damp heat (DH) exposure and some of them were discolored from the outside edge and the center. To clarify the degradation behavior of the non-discolored and discolored modules, a failure analysis for each position of the EVA and AZO in the CIGS module films from the edge to the center was performed. The resistivity of the AZO films in the non-discolored modules increased due to the adsorption of oxygen. In discolored modules, the resistivity of the AZO films rapidly increased at the edge region, and the morphologies of the AZO films were also changed due to the chemical degradation of EVA. These degradation behaviors of the AZO films and EVA in discolored modules were attributed to the formation of hydroxyl and carboxylic species caused by water penetration. Moreover, we reported that the transmittance and the mechanical properties of EVA after 1000 h DH exposure were deteriorated by water molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]