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Ternary organic solar cells (TOSCs) are a promising approach to enhance power conversion efficiency in organic-based solar cells. The combination of fullerene and non-fullerene acceptors works to optimize the light absorption and phase separation for better charge dissociation and collection. Herein, we describe the synthesis and characterization of three chalcogens substituted PCBM derivatives with a 5-membered aromatic ring linked to the methyl ester position with the objective to study the relationship between interphase separation and power conversion efficiency. Therefore, the effect of furan, thiophene and selenophene in the PCBM derivatives (PCBFu, PCBTh and PCBSe, respectively) are investigated on the photovoltaic performance of ternary organic solar cells based on PM6:Y6. We observed that the addition of the PCBTh and PCBSe derivatives increase the short circuit current density and the fill factor pointing to the suppression of charge recombination. In addition, surface analysis confirms that the morphology is optimized in both cases, which implies that organized thin film nanomorphology is key for supression of carrier losses. The TOSC with PCBTh exhibited the highest power conversion efficiency among all the devices reaching 14.6%

Amaranth has been of interest for its nutritional quality and its multiple benefits; however, there is little research on its toxicological effect. This work studied antinutritional compounds, the cytotoxic and genotoxic effect in the Amaranthus protein extract (PEAh). The content of lectins, tannins, saponins, and trypsin inhibitors was determined. Biological studies were conducted to determine toxicity in male CD-1 mice by intraperitoneal administration. The genotoxic potential was determined by the micronucleus test. The bone marrow cytotoxicity was determined by polychromatic erythrocyte (PE) rate and the cytotoxic effect was evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Our results showed considerably high concentrations of lectins and trypsin inhibitors, lower concentrations of tannins and saponins in PEAh. The PEAh was toxic to mice, presenting genotoxic and cytotoxic damage to bone marrow and hepatocytes.

A cobalt-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of bis(aryl)alkyne is used as an innovative tool to obtain hole-transport materials (HTMs). The novel HTM containing six units of oligotriarylamine (HAB1), characterized by UV-vis, cyclic voltammetry, DFT, and thermogravimetric analysis, confirms its suitability as an efficient HTM in PSCs. A PCE of 17.5% was obtained in HAB1-containing PSCs, a performance comparable to that obtained with spiro-OMeTAD and with slightly better thermal stability.

Herein, we describe the synthesis of a hole transporting material based on a partially planarised quart-p-phenylene core incorporating tetraketal and diphenylamine substituents that show optimal energy levels and solubility for perovskite solar cell applications. The triple-cation perovskite devices incorporating such quart-p-phenylene derivatives show power-conversion efficiencies, short circuit currents, open circuit voltages, and fill factors that are comparable to those of spiro-OMeTAD.

Disinfection/sterilization is an essential step during the manufacturing process of any implantable medical device. Cross-linking is also required for biopolymers to control resistance to degradation and enhance mechanical integrity. To date, there is still no single disinfection/sterilization treatment and cross-linking method that can be used universally for collagen-based devices. Herein, we assessed the influence of ethylene oxide, ethanol, gamma irradiation, and gas plasma disinfection/sterilization on the structural, biophysical, biochemical, and biological properties of self-assembled collagen films cross-linked with 4-arms polyethylene glycol succinimidyl glutarate and genipin. Microscopy analysis revealed that gas plasma treatment induced the most profound differences in the non-cross-linked and 4-arms polyethylene glycol succinimidyl glutarate cross-linked collagen films. Gas plasma also significantly increased the swelling ratio of the non-cross-linked and the 4-arms polyethylene glycol succinimidyl glutarate cross-linked films. Non-cross-linked and gas plasma treated 4-arms polyethylene glycol succinimidyl glutarate collagen films exhibited the lowest resistance to collagenase degradation and denaturation temperature. Between the non-cross-linked groups, the gas plasma treatment resulted in the collagen films with the lowest stress at break, strain at break, force at break, and Young's modulus values. Within the 4-arms polyethylene glycol succinimidyl glutarate groups, the ethylene oxide treatment resulted in collagen films with the lowest stress at break, strain at break, force at break, and Young's modulus values. Within the genipin groups, the gas plasma treatment resulted in collagen films with the lowest stress at break, strain at break, force at break, and Young's modulus values. Proliferation, metabolic activity, and viability of human skin fibroblasts were not affected as a function of cross-linking method and disinfection/sterilization treatment. However, proliferation, metabolic activity, and viability of THP1 cells were significantly reduced as a function of the cross-linking method, but they were not affected as a function of the disinfection/sterilization treatment. Overall, our data illustrate that the cross-linking method and the disinfection/sterilization treatment differentially affect the structural, biophysical, biochemical, and biological properties of collagen-based devices, and thus, they should be optimized according to the clinical indication.

Ion release from dental implants and prosthetic restoration can affect osteointegration and implant viability over a long period of time. Therefore, the aim of this study was to study the ion release from implants and crowns, with and without intermediate anodized abutments, in two different media, simulating clinical conditions. The implants, intermediate prosthetic abutments and Cr&ndash, Co crowns were divided into two groups depending on the media: Hanks&rsquo, solution and 1% lactic acid, simulating body fluids and microbiologically conditioned fluids, respectively. The study followed the ISO 10271:2011 and 10993-15:2000 standards modified to simulate the replacement of fluids in the oral environment. The ions&rsquo, release was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-EOS), and only aluminum, chromium, cobalt, titanium and vanadium were identified. Ion concentration was higher in lactic acid than in Hanks&rsquo, solution at all time points (p &lt, 0.05). Only vanadium showed a very low ion release in lactic acid, with no statistically significant differences from the ion release in Hanks&rsquo, solution (p = 0.524). Both anodized abutments and the immersion medium influenced the release of ions and affected the corrosion of these structures. The presence of an intermediate anodized abutment also affected ion release, as the level of ions was lower in groups with this component.

Recently, industry has been focusing on the development of new products made from food by-products in order to reduce and take advantage of food wastes. The objective of this study was to evaluate tablet formulations developed by mixing two commercial excipients, microcrystalline cellulose (M) and &alpha, lactose-monohydrate (L), added with powder from residues (mesocarp and pericarp) of green and red (G and R) cactus pear fruit (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill), having the following formulations: green with microcrystalline cellulose (GM), green with lactose (GL), red with microcrystalline cellulose (RM), and red with lactose (RL). The results showed lower disintegration times for the tablets with microcrystalline cellulose. The fiber functional properties presented good values for lipid and water holding capacity. There was a higher total phenolic content (TPC) in formulations with green cactus pear residue powder with microcrystalline cellulose and lactose (GM and GL, respectively), but the DPPH and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) values were higher in the formulations with red cactus pear residues (RM and RL), while ABTS values were similar among all formulations. In conclusion, tablets made from Opuntia residues are proposed as a product of interest for the food supplement industry because of the good quality parameters and the functional and antioxidant properties that they provide.

The purpose of this research was to obtain optimal thermosonication (TS) processing conditions of beetroot juice by using response surface methodology and its comparison with two thermal treatments at 70 °C for 20 min (TT1) and 80 °C for 10 min (TT2). Optimal TS processing conditions were amplitude of 80% and 10.5 min. Treated beetroot juice by TS had a greater inactivation in microbiological load and enzymatic activity in comparison to treated juices by thermal treatment (TT). Higher betanin content, antioxidant activity by ABTS and chelating activity were found in treated beetroot juice by TS than TT ones. After in vitro digestion processing, juice by TS presented higher betalains content than TT1, similar TPC and high chelating activity in comparison with both juice by TT and similar antioxidant activity by ABTS with TT1. These results suggest that TS processing can replace the thermal treatment in beetroot juice, maintaining their antioxidant properties as well as providing better in vitro digestion.

An understanding of the improvements achieved in the use of cosolvents for methylammonium lead triiodide (MAPbI3):C70 blend films (MAPbI3:C70) processing is presented. A comparative study using aromatic (i.e., o-xylene and o-dichlorobenzene) and aliphatic (i.e., methylcyclohexane and chlorocyclohexane) cosolvents proves the nature of the cosolvent interacting with fullerene to be determining for achieving enhanced devices. UV–vis spectra of the different C70 solutions suggest a major impact of the solute–aromatic solvent interactions on the optoelectronic properties. The effect of aromatic and aliphatic solvents in the electronic structure of C70 crystals, obtained from the different solutions, is indeed demonstrated by electron energy loss spectroscopy. Morphological studies show elimination of pinholes (field emission scanning electron microscopy) and different nanometric features related to fullerene (atomic force microscopy) in MAPbI3:C70 blend films processed using aromatic cosolvents. A severe quenc...

Pancreatic cancer is the most common lethal tumor in America. This lethality is related to limited treatment options. Conventional treatments involve the non-specific use of chemotherapeutical agents such as 5-FU, capecitabine, gemcitabine, paclitaxel, cisplatin, oxaliplatin, or irinotecan, which produce several side effects. This review focuses on the use of targeted nanoparticles, such as metallic nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, and carbon nanotubes as an alternative to standard treatment for pancreatic cancer. The principal objective of nanoparticles is reduction of the side effects that conventional treatments produce, mostly because of their non-specificity. Several molecular markers of pancreatic cancer cells have been studied to target nanoparticles and improve current treatment. Therefore, properly functionalized nanoparticles with specific aptamers or antibodies can be used to recognize pancreatic cancer cells. Once cancer is recognized, these nanoparticles can attack the tumor by drug delivery, gene therapy, or hyperthermia.

Extracted forms of collagen are subjected to chemical cross-linking to enhance their stability. However, traditional cross-linking approaches are associated with toxicity and inflammation. This work investigates the stabilization capacity, cytotoxicity and inflammatory response of collagen scaffolds cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (GTA), 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide, 4-arm polyethylene glycol (PEG) succinimidyl glutarate (4SP), genipin (GEN), and oleuropein. Although all cross-linking methods reduced free amine groups, variable data were obtained with respect to denaturation temperature, resistance to collagenase digestion, and mechanical properties. With respect to biological analysis, fibroblast cultures showed no significant difference between the treatments. Although direct cultures with human-derived leukemic monocyte cells (THP-1) clearly demonstrated the cytotoxic effect of GTA, THP-1 cultures supplemented with conditioned medium from the various groups showed no significant diff...

Collagen is the oldest and most abundant extracellular matrix protein that has found many applications in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and biomedical industries. First, an overview of the family of collagens and their respective structures, conformation, and biosynthesis is provided. The advances and shortfalls of various collagen preparations (e.g., mammalian/marine extracted collagen, cell-produced collagens, recombinant collagens, and collagen-like peptides) and crosslinking technologies (e.g., chemical, physical, and biological) are then critically discussed. Subsequently, an array of structural, thermal, mechanical, biochemical, and biological assays is examined, which are developed to analyze and characterize collagenous structures. Lastly, a comprehensive review is provided on how advances in engineering, chemistry, and biology have enabled the development of bioactive, 3D structures (e.g., tissue grafts, biomaterials, cell-assembled tissue equivalents) that closely imitate native supramolecular assemblies and have the capacity to deliver in a localized and sustained manner viable cell populations and/or bioactive/therapeutic molecules. Clearly, collagens have a long history in both evolution and biotechnology and continue to offer both challenges and exciting opportunities in regenerative medicine as nature's biomaterial of choice. This work forms part of the Teagasc Walsh Fellowship (grant award number: 2014045) and the ReValueProtein Research Project (grant award number: 11/F/043) supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) under the National Development Plan 2007–2013 funded by the Irish Government. This work has also been supported from the: Health Research Board, Health Research Awards Programme (grant agreement number: HRA_POR/2011/84); Science Foundation Ireland, Career Development Award Programme (grant agreement number: 15/CDA/3629); Science Foundation Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund (grant agreement number: 13/RC/2073); College of Engineering and Informatics, National University of Ireland Galway; EU FP7/2007-2013, NMP award, Green Nano Mesh Project (grant agreement number: 263289); EU FP7/2007-2013, Health award, Neurograft Project (grant agreement number: 304936); EU H2020, ITN award, Tendon Therapy Train Project (grant agreement number: 676338); National University of Singapore Tissue Engineering Programme (NUSTEP). The authors would like to thank M Doczyk, E Collin, W Daly, M Abu-Rub, D Thomas, S Browne, C Tapeinos, A Satyam and D Cigognini for their help in producing the figures. A.S., L.M.D., Z.W., N.S., A.K., R.N.R., A.M.M., A.P., M.R., and D.I.Z. have no competing interests. Y.B. is an employee of Sofradim Production – A Medtronic Company. D.I.Z would like to dedicate the manuscript to A.G.Z. who left and A.D.Z. who came peer-reviewed

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), also known as jamaica in Spanish, is a perennial plant that grows in tropical and subtropical regions, including China, Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia. It has a long history of uses, mainly focused on culinary, botanical, floral, cosmetic, and medicinal uses. The latter being of great impact due to the diuretic, choleretic, analgesic, antitussive, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-cancer effects. These therapeutic properties have been attributed to the bioactive compounds of the plant, mainly phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and organic acids (citric, hydroxycitric, hibiscus, tartaric, malic, and ascorbic). Most literature reviews and meta-analyses on the therapeutic potential of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Hs) compounds have not adequately addressed the contributions of its organic acids present in the Hs extracts. This review compiles information from published research (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies) on demonstrated pharmacological properties of organic acids found in Hs. The intent is to encourage and aid researchers to expand their studies on the pharmacologic and therapeutic effects of Hs to include assessments of the organic acid components.

The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in color, betalain content, browning index, viscosity, physical stability, microbiological growth, antioxidant content and antioxidant activity of purple cactus pear juice during storage after thermoultrasonication at 80% amplitude level for 15 and 25 min in comparison with pasteurized juice. Thermoultrasound treatment for 25 min increased color stability and viscosity compared to treatment for 15 min (6.83 and 6.72 MPa, respectively), but this last parameter was significantly lower (p

Two electron transport chains (2 and 3) featuring two fullerenes with different electron acceptor strengths have been synthesized, characterized, and coordinated to a light harvesting/electron donating zinc porphyrin. Electrochemical assays corroborate the redox gradients along the designed electron transport chains, and complementary absorption and fluorescence titrations prove the assembly of ZnP-2 and ZnP-3 hybrids.

A series of [60]fullerenes covalently functionalized with the polymer poly(ethylene glycol) is presented. These new [60]fullerene-based materials have been incorporated as additives in CH3 NH3 PbI3 (MAPbI3 ), the most common organic-inorganic perovskite used in perovskite solar cells. The extensive photovoltaic study performed by using these materials shows several beneficial effects on the performance of these cells, including a reduction in hysteresis and an increased stability against moisture, whereby the solar cells retain up to 97 % of their initial power conversion efficiency in an ambient atmosphere.

Collagen based devices are frequently associated with foreign body response. Although several pre(e.g. species, state of animal, tissue) and post-(e.g. cross-linking, scaffold architecture) extraction method factors have a profound effect on foreign body response, little is known about which and how during the extraction process factors mediate foreign body response. In this study, we assessed the influence of acetic acid and hydrochloric acid and the utilisation or not of pepsin or salt precipitation during collagen extraction on the yield, purity, free amines, denaturation temperature, resistance to collagenase degradation and macrophage response. Acetic acid/pepsin extracted collagen exhibited the highest yield, purity and free amine content and the lowest denaturation temperature. No differences in resistance to collagenase digestion were detected between the groups. Although all treatments exhibited similar macrophage morphology comprised of round cells (M1 phenotype), elongated cells (M2 phenotype) and cell aggregates (foreign body response), significantly more elongated cells were observed on HC films. Although no differences in metabolic activity were observed between the groups, the DNA concentration was significantly lower for the hydrochloric acid treatments. Further, cytokine analysis revealed that hydrochloric acid treatments induced significantly higher IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha release with respect to acetic acid treatments. Salt precipitation did not influence the parameters assessed. Collectively, these data suggest that during the collagen extraction process variables should also be monitored as, evidently, they affect the physicochemical and biological properties of collagen preparations.

Chitosan is a biodegradable natural polysaccharide that has been widely studied for regenerative purposes in the central nervous system. In this study we assessed the in vitro glial and neuronal cells response to chitosan either flat or patterned with grooves in the micrometric range. Chitosan demonstrated to be a good substrate for the attachment and growth of both neurons and glial cells. Chitosan micropatterns promoted glial cell maturation, suggesting astroglial activation. Nevertheless, those mature/reactive glial cells were permissive for axonal growth. Axons aligned and organized along the patterned grooves and the size of the linear topographic patterns is also affecting neurite and cell response. Patterns with 10 µm width induced fasciculation of axons, which can be useful for CNS tissue engineering substrates when precise orientation of the axonal outgrowth is desired.

Near-infrared (NIR) absorbing nanomaterials, built from anionic heptamethine cyanine dyes and single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) or few layer graphene (FLG), are presented. The covalent linkage, by using 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions, results in nanoconjugates that synchronize the properties of both materials as demonstrated by the thoughtful characterization study carried out by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). UV-Vis-NIR and Raman spectroscopies further confirmed the unique electronic structure of the novel photoactive nanomaterials.

We report the synthesis of a full-fledged family of covalent electron donor–acceptor1–acceptor2 conjugates and their charge-transfer characterization by means of advanced photophysical assays. By virtue of variable excited state energies and electron donor strengths, either Zn(II)Porphyrins or Zn(II)Phthalocyanines were linked to different electron-transport chains featuring pairs of electron accepting fullerenes, that is, C60 and C70. In this way, a fine-tuned redox gradient is established to power a unidirectional, long-range charge transport from the excited-state electron donor via a transient C60•– toward C70•–. This strategy helps minimize energy losses in the reductive, short-range charge shift from C60 to C70. At the forefront of our investigations are excited-state dynamics deduced from femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopic measurements and subsequent computational deconvolution of the transient absorption spectra. These provide evidence for cascades of short-range charge-transfer proces...

The purpose of the present study was to determine the optimal ultrasound conditions (amplitude level and time) for the extraction of cactus pear seed oil with the highest antioxidant activity using a closed system. Seed oil was analyzed for yield, antioxidant activity by ABTS and DPPH, and antimicrobial activity. Conventional extraction methods were assessed for comparison. Amplitude level significantly affected antioxidant activity in linear terms (p< 0.0001 DPPH andp< 0.001 ABTS, resp.) so, at lower amplitudes, the higher antioxidant activity was achieved. The optimum ultrasound extraction conditions were of 78% amplitude for 10 min and yielded antioxidant activity values of 66.25 mg AAE/100 g and 289 µmol TE/100 g for ABTS and DPPH, respectively. Compared with conventional extraction methods, ultrasound exhibited lower oil yield and antioxidant activity but had the potential to achieve comparable results if multiple ultrasound extractions are performed in the time needed by conventional methods. Seed oils showed similar antimicrobial activity despite the extraction method and were more effective againstEscherichia coli. The results demonstrated that ultrasound can be an alternative extraction method of seed oils from fruits such as cactus pear.

For many years, several studies have been employing lectin from vegetables in order to prove its toxic effect on various cell lines. In this work, we analyzed the cytotoxic, antiproliferative, and post-incubatory effect of pure tepary bean lectins on four lines of malignant cells: C33-A; MCF-7; SKNSH, and SW480. The tests were carried out employing MTT and 3[H]-thymidine assays. The results showed that after 24 h of lectin exposure, the cells lines showed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect, the effect being higher on MCF-7, while C33-A showed the highest resistance. Cell proliferation studies showed that the toxic effect induced by lectins is higher even when lectins are removed, and in fact, the inhibition of proliferation continues after 48 h. Due to the use of two techniques to analyze the cytotoxic and antiproliferative effect, differences were observed in the results, which can be explained by the fact that one technique is based on metabolic reactions, while the other is based on the 3[H]-thymidine incorporated in DNA by cells under division. These results allow concluding that lectins exert a cytotoxic effect after 24 h of exposure, exhibiting a dose-dependent effect. In some cases, the cytotoxic effect is higher even when the lectins are eliminated, however, in other cases, the cells showed a proliferative effect.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the antibacterial properties of silver-doped titanium surfaces prepared with a novel electrochemical anodizing process. Material and methods: Titanium samples were anodized with a pulsed process in a solution of silver nitrate and sodium thiosulphate at room temperature with stirring. Samples were processed with different electrolyte concentrations and treatment cycles to improve silver deposition. Physicochemical properties were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, white-light interferometry, and scanning electron microscopy. Cellular cytotoxicity in human fibroblasts was studied with lactate dehydrogenase assays. The in vitro effect of treated surfaces on two oral bacteria strains (Streptococcus sanguinis and Lactobacillus salivarius) was studied with viable bacterial adhesion measurements and growth curve assays. Nonparametric statistical Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests were used for multiple and paired comparisons, respectively. Post hoc Spearman's correlation tests were calculated to check the dependence between bacteria adhesion and surface properties. Results: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results confirmed the presence of silver on treated samples and showed that treatments with higher silver nitrate concentration and more cycles increased the silver deposition on titanium surface. No negative effects in fibroblast cell viability were detected and a significant reduction on bacterial adhesion in vitro was achieved in silver-treated samples compared with control titanium. Conclusions: Silver deposition on titanium with a novel electrochemical anodizing process produced surfaces with significant antibacterial properties in vitro without negative effects on cell viability. info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersion

This review deals with functional molecules able to transfer one electron from the donor to the acceptor moiety upon light irradiation. Donor-bridge-acceptor molec- ular systems are of interest for a wide variety of applica- tions, namely artificial photosynthetic architectures and ma- terials for organic photovoltaic devices. In the respective sections, we have addressed some of the most recent and remarkable examples to explain the construction of artificial photosynthetic systems by means of a variety of remarkable photo- and electro-active electron donor molecules covalent- ly or supramolecularly connected to a fullerene unit as the electron acceptor unit. We have also systematically reviewed the most efficient fullerene derivatives used for photovoltaic applications by blending with different semiconducting or- ganic polymers or small molecules, affording all-organic solar cells.

Low in macro-porosity electro-spun scaffolds are often associated with foreign body response, whilst macro-porous electro-spun scaffolds have low mechanical integrity. Herein, compressed, macro-porous and collagen (bovine Achilles tendon and human recombinant) coated electro-spun poly-ε-caprolactone scaffolds were developed and their biomechanical, in vitro and in vivo properties were assessed. Collagen coating, independently of the source, did not significantly affect the biomechanical properties of the scaffolds. Although no significant difference in cell viability was observed between the groups, collagen coated scaffolds induced significantly higher DNA concentration. In vivo, no signs of adverse tissue effect were observed in any of the groups and all groups appeared to equally integrate into the subcutaneous tissue. It is evidenced that macro-porous poly-ε-caprolactone electro-spun meshes with adequate mechanical properties and acceptable host response can be developed for biomedical applications.

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit is a berry with a tasty pulp full of seeds that constitutes about 10–15% of the edible pulp. In Mexico, cactus pear is mainly consumed fresh, but also has the potential to be processed in other products such as juice. The objective of this study was to eval uate the effect of different ultrasound conditions at amplitude levels ranging (40% and 60% for 10, 15, 25 min; 80% for 3, 5, 8, 10, 15 and 25 min) on the characteristics of purple cactus pear juice. The evaluated parameters were related with the quality (stability, Brix, pH), microbial growth, total phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH and % chelating activity) of purple cactus pear juices. The ultrasound treatment for time period of 15 and 25 min significantly reduced the microbial count in 15 and 25 min, without affecting the juice quality and its antioxidant properties. Juice treated at 80% of amplitude level showed an increased of antioxidant compounds. Our results demon strated that sonication is a suitable technique for cactus pear processing. This technology allows the achievement of juice safety and quality standards without comp romising the retention of antioxidant compounds.

The solution processing of pinhole-free methylammonium lead triiodide perovskite–C70 fullerene (MAPbI3:C70) blend films on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)-coated glass substrates is presented. Based on this approach, a simplified and robust protocol for the preparation of efficient electron-transport layer (ETL)-free perovskite solar cells is described. Power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 13.6 % under AM 1.5 G simulated sunlight is demonstrated for these devices. Comparative impedance spectroscopy and photostability analysis of the MAPbI3:C70 and single MAPbI3 films compared with conventional compact TiO2 ETL-based devices are shown. The beneficial impact of using MAPbI3:C70 blend films is emphasized. We thank Sandra Rodriguez for the excellent technical support. This work was partially supported by Basque Government and MINECO (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain), under projects PC2015-1-03 (16-79), MAT2013-47192-C3-1-R MAT2013-47192-C3-2-R, CTQ2015-70921-P and MAT2015-70611-ERC. J.L.D. acknowledges Ikerbasque, the Basque Foundation for Science, for an “Ikerbasque Research Fellow” contract, Polymat Foundation, and MINECO of Spain for IEDI-2015-00666 grant. T.T.N. acknowledges the MINECO of Spain for her Ph.D. scholarship. J.P.M. and J.L.D. acknowledge Iberdrola Foundation for financial support.

The development of metal-free organic sensitizers is a key issue in dye-sensitized solar cell research. We report successful photovoltaic conversion with a new class of stable tetrathiafulvalene derivatives, showing surprising electrochemical and kinetic properties. With time-resolved spectroscopy we could observe highly efficient regeneration of the photo-oxidized tetrathiafulvalene sensitizers, which were attached to a mesoporous TiO(2) film, by a redox mediator in the pores (iodide/tri-iodide), even though the measured driving force for regeneration was only approximately 150 mV. This important proof-of-concept shows that sensitizers with a small driving force, i.e. the oxidation potential of the sensitizer is separated from the redox potenial of the mediator by as little as 150 mV, can operate functionally in dye-sensitized solar cells and eventually aid to reduce photovoltage losses due to poor energetic alignment of the materials.

The development of new light harvesting materials is a key issue for the progress of the research on organic & hybrid photovoltaics. Here, we report a new class of organic sensitizers based on the bi-fluorenylidene moiety as π-linker within the donor–π-linker–acceptor (D–π–A) scheme. The new dyes are endowed with electron donor and electron acceptor units at strategic positions in order to improve their electronic and light-harvesting properties. The comprehensive study of these compounds through the use of different experimental and theoretical techniques, provides an in-depth understanding of their electronic and photophysical properties, and reveal their interest as photovoltaic materials.

The present study examines the effect of high hydrostatic pressure processing (HHP) as an alternative to thermal pasteurization treatments for the conservation of olive pate and its stability during refrigerated storage, through the characterization of microbiological, physico-chemical and sensory aspects. The olive pate was made with green, pitted table olives packed in brine. Orange juice, olive oil, spices and potassium sorbate were added to the olives after being washed in water. To evaluate the effects of processing, four treatments of APH (450 and 600MPa for 5 and 10 min) and a thermal pasteurization (80 °C for 20 min) were applied to compare them with the unprocessed product. APH-treated samples showed a further reduction in the presence of microorganisms, an increase in oxidative stability, a higher sensory acceptance, greater clarity and less browning regarding the colorimetric coordinates, in comparison with those treated by thermal pasteurization. The study of the shelf life of the product in refrigeration would indicate the feasibility to implement APH technology in order to obtain food with a similar shelf life to foods obtained through the traditional thermal pasteurization treatment, but with better sensory quality.En el presente trabajo se valoró el efecto del procesado por altas presiones hidrostáticas (APH) como método alternativo al tratamiento térmico de pasteurización para la conservación del paté de aceituna y su estabilidad durante el almacenamiento en refrigeración, mediante la caracterización de los aspectos microbiológicos, físico-químicos y sensoriales. El paté de aceituna fue elaborado partiendo de aceituna de mesa verde deshuesada y envasada en salmuera, a la cual, previo lavado con agua, se le adiciona zumo de naranja natural, aceite de oliva virgen, especias y sorbato potásico. Para evaluar el efecto del procesado, se aplicaron cuatro tratamientos de APH (450 y 600MPa durante 5 y 10min) y otro de pasteurización térmica (80 °C durante 20min), comparándose con el producto no procesado. Las muestras tratadas con APH presentaron, frente a las tratadas por pasteurización térmica, una reducción en la presencia de microorganismos, un aumento de su estabilidad oxidativa, una mayor aceptación sensorial; y respecto a las coordenadas colorimétricas mayor claridad y menor pardeamiento. El estudio de la vida útil del producto en refrigeración, indicaría la viabilidad de la aplicación de la tecnología de APH para obtener alimentos con vida útil similar a la obtenida con el tratamiento tradicional de pasteurización, pero con mejor calidad sensorial.

A fullerene derivative bearing two pyridine subunits has been designed to allow assembly with a bis- Zn (II)-phorphyrin receptor with two equivalent Zn binding sites separated by about 20 Å. Owing to the complementarity between the bis- Zn (II)-porphyrin receptor and a fullerene ligand bearing two pyridine substituents, the substrate can be clicked on the ditopic receptor, thus leading to a stable non-covalent macrocyclic 1:1 complex.

A diethynylbenzene monomer substituted with two fullerene moieties has been prepared, and its oligomerization performed in the presence of phenylacetylene as end-capping reagent afforded the corresponding end-capped mono- and di-mer with an oligo(phenylenebutadiyndiyl) (OPB) conjugated backbone substituted with two and four fullerene subunits, respectively.

A soluble, functionalized Py-SWNT has been synthesized and characterized by solution (1)H and (13)C NMR, FT-Raman, and electron microscopy. Experimental data indicate that Py-SWNT has short tubes with pentyl esters at the tips and pyridyl isoxazolino units along the walls. The synthesis of Py-SWNT is based on a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a nitrile oxide on the SWNT walls, similar to 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions that are common for fullerene functionalization. The resulting Py-SWNT forms a complex with a zinc porphyrin (ZnPor) in a way similar to that reported for pyridyl-functionalized [60]-fullerenes. Formation of this metal-ligand complex was firmly established by a detailed electrochemical study. However, in contrast to the behavior observed for the ZnPor/Py-C(60) complex, photochemical excitation of the complex between ZnPor/Py-SWNT does not lead to electron transfer with the generation of charge-separated states. Fluorescence and laser flash studies indicate that the main process is energy transfer from the singlet ZnPor excited state to the Py-SWNT with observation of emission from Py-SWNT. Triplet ZnPor excited-state quenching by Py-SWNT is only observed in polar solvents such as DMF, but not in benzonitrile.

Two new alternating polyfluorene copolymers containing different low band gap segments have been designed and synthesized for use in optoelectronic devices. The low band gap segments consist of electron donating and accepting moieties which induce a partial charge transfer in the polymer backbone and thereby, a lower band gap. Results obtained from characterization of the new materials, called APFO-Green1 and APFO-Green2, include absorption and emission at extended wavelengths as well as high stability. Furthermore, blends of the new copolymers with different fullerene derivatives exhibit unprecedented photovoltaic behavior at long wavelengths.

The synthesis of three novel pyrazolo[60]fullerene derivatives containing electron-withdrawing substituents has been described. High solubility in ordinary organic solvents was proved. Their electr...

The 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic study of four p-nitrophenylhydrazones of aldehydes is reported. The data have been analysed using theoretically calculated absolute shieldings (GIAO/DFT). Tautomerism, isomerism and signal anisochrony are described.

A new, versatile methodology for functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), using 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile imines to the sidewalls of SWNTs has been used to synthesize two soluble, photoactive single walled carbon nanotubes containing n-pentyl esters at the tips and 2,5-diarylpyrazoline units at the walls of the tubes. The success of the synthesis has been demonstrated by solution 1H and 19F NMR as well as UV−vis and FT-IR spectroscopy. These two compounds have been selected to have soluble single wall carbon nanotubes substituted either with an electron-poor 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl or electron-rich 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl on the C atom of the pyrazoline ring. Laser flash photolysis in dynamic flow of these carbon nanotubes in acetonitrile reveals the formation of several transient species decaying in the microsecond time scale. All the available data, including the photochemistry of model compounds, quenching experiments with electron donors and acceptors, and inf...

A simple and efficient method for the preparation of new synthons based on versatile amino-functionalize pyrazoline[60]fullerene is described. These intermediates are useful in the preparation of new derivatives for applications in materials science. Finally, electrochemical studies of the newly prepared compounds have been performed in solvents with different polarities.

A series of pyrazolino[60]fullerenes has been prepared in one pot by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to C60 of the corresponding nitrile imine, which was generated in situ from the corresponding hydrazone. A range of donors and acceptors were introduced as substituents. Electrochemical and photophysical studies have revealed weak ground-state interactions between the organic addends and the fullerene sphere. Steady-state fluorescence has shown that, in both toluene and benzonitrile solutions, an efficient electron transfer process takes place when a strong donor is attached to the pyrazolino[60]fullerene system.

This review deals with functional molecules able to transfer one electron from the donor to the acceptor moiety upon light irradiation. Donor-bridge-acceptor molec- ular systems are of interest for a wide variety of applica- tions, namely artificial photosynthetic architectures and ma- terials for organic photovoltaic devices. In the respective sections, we have addressed some of the most recent and remarkable examples to explain the construction of artificial photosynthetic systems by means of a variety of remarkable photo- and electro-active electron donor molecules covalent- ly or supramolecularly connected to a fullerene unit as the electron acceptor unit. We have also systematically reviewed the most efficient fullerene derivatives used for photovoltaic applications by blending with different semiconducting or- ganic polymers or small molecules, affording all-organic solar cells.

The results of the treatment of 43 patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (PML) are reported: 27 were treated initially with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), whereas 16 were treated with conventional chemotherapy. All patients received myelosuppressive chemotherapy after the initial treatment. Respectively, the complete remission rate was 92% and 37% (P < 0.01), the 5-day mortality rate was 0% and 44% (P < 0.001), and the 28-day mortality rate was 4% and 44% (P < 0.001). The median disease-free survival was 12 and 1 months (P < 0.01), whereas the 12-month disease-free survival was 50% and 13% (P < 0.01) and the 36-month disease-free survival was 41% and 9% (P < 0.01). Thirteen of the patients treated with ATRA were given the treatment fully as outpatients. ATRA given as initial therapy decreased significantly early mortality in promyelocytic leukemia patients; because some promyelocytic leukemia patients given ATRA as initial therapy can be treated as outpatients, the costs of this treatment modality may be diminished.

The use of all-transretinoic acid (ATRA) in APL is a great advance in the treatment of acute leukemia, driving the maturation steps until adult form. The effect of this medication in pregnant women with APL is being a safe and effective treatment only after the first trimester of pregnancy. If used in the first three months, it can cause fetus malformations due to its potent teratogenicity. The two patients we reported here, gave birth to normal children, yet they received ATRA. After a week with ATRA treatment, fibrinogen level improved and "D" dimers decreased, so as observed slowly maturation of leukemic leucocytes. ATRA used at the same time with chemotherapy; such as Cytarabine and Idarrubicine seems highly useful for induction and long term control of disease. One short discussion about the findings and compare with those found in the literature are presented.

The first synthesis of a conjugated hybrid of C60–fullerene and a single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) is reported. The new nanohybrid material has been prepared by amidation of acid functionalized SWCNTs by an amine functionalized-fullerene derivative. The formation of this new nanomaterial was demonstrated by high resolution TEM, attenuated total reflectance/FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. Acid hydrolysis of the new material produced carboxylic-SWCNTs and the recovery of the aminofullerene derivative as complementary evidence of their covalent link. This new SWCNT–fullerene material may be of interest in optoelectronic applications.

4 pags, 4 figs, 1 tab. -- Supporting Information is available at the Publisher's web, Three new push-pull chromophores based on the 10-(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene) anthracene core were synthesized and fully characterized. The new chromophores display broad absorption spectra, nearly covering the whole visible region, with high extinction coefficients. Electrochemistry and theoretical calculations allowed the understanding of these singular electronic properties. The molecular structures were unambiguously confirmed by X-ray diffraction. © 2013 American Chemical Society., This work has been supported by the MINECO of Spain (CTQ 2011-27934, CTQ2011-24652, CTQ2012-31914, and Consolider-Ingenio CSD 2007-00010 on Molecular Nanoscience), the Comunidad de Madrid (MADRISOLAR-2, S2009/PPQ-1533), the Generalitat Valenciana (Prometeo/2012/053), and the EU project (FUNMOLS FP7-212942-1). J.L.D. thanks the MINECO for a Ramón y Cajal Fellowship. P.-A.B. thanks IMDEA-Nanociencia for a postdoctoral research grant. J.C. acknowledges MECD (Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sport) for a FPU grant. L.I. thanks Comunidad de Madrid (Spain) for support (BIPEDD-2: S2010-BMD-2457).

In Mexico, the consumption of green cactus pear fruit it is usually eaten fresh. This fruit could be a natural product with a rapid presence in the market, especially if the production technologies are optimized. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ultrasound (amplitudes 40, 60 and 80% at different times 10, 15 and 25 min) in the quality (pH, °Brix, stability), microbial growth, phenolic content, ascorbic acid and the antioxidant activity of green cactus pear juice. We found that application of a greater amplitude and time of ultrasound (higher 60% 15 min) significantly decreased the microbial load. Treatment >15 min presented higher total solid soluble (°Brix) with values of 13.00 - 13.40 °Brix. Treatment 60% 15 min, 80% 8, 15 and 25 min showed better physical stability (lower % settled solids) around 16.93%-19.41%. Appreciable amount of bioactive compounds was found mainly in treatment at 80% 25 min in total phenolic contents, while ascorbic acid was the treatments at 60% 25 min and 80% 10 min, preserving the antioxidant activity present in the juice mainly treatments >15 min in ABTS. The amplitude and time of ultrasound applied in the juice might allow the suitable conditions of conservation for industrial use.

International audience; A new family ofπ-extended tetrathiafulvalene (exTTF) donor−acceptorchromophores has been synthesized by [2 + 2] cycloaddition of TCNE with exTTF-substituted alkynes and subsequent cycloreversion. X-ray data and theoretical calculations,performed at the B3LYP/6-31G**level, show that the new chromophores exhibit highlydistorted nonplanar molecular structures with largely twisted 1,1,4,4-tetracyanobuta-1,3-diene (TCBD) units. The electronic and optical properties, investigated by UV/visspectroscopy and electrochemical measurements, are significantly modified when theTCBD acceptor unit is substituted with a donor phenyl group, which increases the twistingof the TCBD units and reduces the conjugation between the two dicyanovinyl subunits.The introduction of phenyl substituents hampers the oxidation and reduction processesand, at the same time, largely increases the optical band gap. An effective electroniccommunication between the donor and acceptor units, although limited by the distortedmolecular geometry, is evidenced both in the ground and in the excited electronic states.The electronic absorption spectra are characterized by low-to medium-intense charge-transfer bands that extend to the near-infrared.

The cycloaddition of readily available nitrile imines to [60]fullerene affording 2-pyrazolino[60]fullerenes is a versatile procedure for the functionalization of fullerenes. In contrast to other functionalization methods these cycloadducts are obtained generally in good yields as single isomers, thus avoiding the formation of undesired stereoisomers. This tutorial review discusses these less known fullerene compounds that display, however, interesting electrochemical and photophysical properties. Owing to their outstanding electron acceptor character, similar to pristine C60, and their remarkable thermal stability, these cycloadducts are good candidates for incorporation in photovoltaic devices. However, more work is needed in order to design better pyrazolinofullerenes exhibiting improved performances for PV applications.

New anionic fullerene–heptamethine conjugates absorbing as far as 900 nm have been synthesized and fully characterized by physicochemical means. In terms of electron transfer, we have succeeded in realizing the rarely occurring scenario of a charge transfer commencing with a higher excited state. Kinetic studies reveal that charge separation and charge recombination dynamics occur in the normal and inverted Marcus region, respectively.

Este trabajo presenta una alternativa práctica del aprovechamiento del nopal mediante la elaboración de Bloques Multinutricionales (BM) y su utilización en la alimentación de corderos en crecimiento. Al nopal fresco picado se le adicionó sorgo, soya, urea, minerales y yogurt natural, se dejó fermentar por dos semanas a temperatura ambiente y se elaboraron los BM con un 25 % de nopal fermentado. Se utilizaron 20 corderos destetados con un peso vivo promedio de 17 Kg distribuidos en dos grupos (con y sin BM), ambos grupos recibieron una dieta típica. Durante 57 días de experimentación se midió el consumo de alimento, consumo de BM y el peso de los corderos. Los pesos de los animales fueron analizados estadísticamente mediante un análisis de varianza con un diseño completamente al azar. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (P > .05) en los pesos de los animales. El BM elaborado con nopal fermentado fue consumido adecuadamente por los animales.

The synthesis and photophysical characterization of a subphthalocyanine-polymethine cyanine panchromatic light harvester is described. The new conjugate shows the extraordinary absorption features of both constituents and reveals electron transfer that evolves from both constituents.