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A Sb2Se3 nanorod array was uniformly grown by co-evaporation on a MoSe2 interlayer. MoSe2 interlayer improves the preferential growth and contact quality of Sb2Se3 nanorods.

Early twentieth-century Korean publishing was undergirded by a twofold urgency: the construction of a new inscriptional culture premised on the telos of text production using the Korean writing system and the imperatives of the production of knowledge about Korea’s past against colonial censorship and the colonial episteme. This paper traces early twentieth-century reception of yadam texts from Chosŏn Korea (1392–1910). The paper first examines how the ‘Syosyŏl’ (쇼셜 小說) section of the Korean-language weekly Kyŏnghyang sinmun (Capital and Provinces Weekly, 1906.10.19–1910.12.30) integrated eighteen Chosŏn yadam texts in 1909 and next analyzes the rhetorical framing and orthographic materiality of several collections of tales from precolonial Korea in the 1910s and 1920s. These two reception moments formed a process of transcontextualization that authenticated tales of precolonial Korea as heritage tales, priming Korean co-nationals to romance Korea’s precolonial past as an idyllic haven and a wellspring of national pride.

In this study, we investigated the effect of the stacking order of metal precursors on the formation of volume defects, such as blisters and nanopores, in CZTSSe thin-film solar cells. We fabricated CZTSSe thin films using three types of metal-precursor combinations, namely, Zn/Cu/Sn/Mo, Cu/Zn/Sn/Mo, and Sn/Cu/Zn/Mo, and studied the blister formation. The blister-formation mechanism was based on the delamination model, taking into consideration the compressive stress and adhesion properties. A compressive stress could be induced during the preferential formation of a ZnSSe shell. Under this stress, the adhesion between the ZnSSe film and the Mo substrate could be maintained by the surface tension of a metallic liquid phase with good wettability, or by the functioning of ZnSSe pillars as anchors, depending on the type of metal precursor used. Additionally, the nanopore formation near the back-contact side was found to be induced by the columnar microstructure of the metal precursor with the Cu/Zn/Mo stacking order and its dezincification. Based on the two volume-defect-formation mechanisms proposed herein, further development of volume-defect-formation suppression technology is expected to be made.

This ground-breaking volume on early modern inter-Asian translation examines how translation from plain Chinese was situated at the nexus between, on the one hand, the traditional standard of biliteracy characteristic of literary practices in the Sinographic sphere, and on the other, practices of translational multilingualism (competence in multiple spoken languages to produce a fully localized target text). Translations from plain Chinese are shown to carve out new ecologies of translations that not only enrich our understanding of early modern translation practices across the Sinographic sphere, but also demonstrate that the transregional uses of a non-alphabetic graphic technology call for different models of translation theory.

The standard origin story of Chosŏn fiction glossaries of Shuihuzhuan, Xixiangji, Sanguozhiyanyi, and Xiyouji goes that they emerged primarily because Chosŏn readers lacked linguistic proficiency in vernacular Chinese. Contextualizing fiction glossaries within the Chosŏn reception discourse of the four Chinese works and examining the patterns of explication undergirding fiction glossaries in comparison with those of a glossary of Zhuzi yulei, I instead assert that fiction glossaries were Chosŏn readers’ cultural response to the eloquence of plain Chinese in novelistic writing. Further, I explain that fiction glossaries are a textual space within which the creative, performative, and affective eloquence of Korean is contrasted with the limited articulacy of Literary Sinitic.

Copper indium gallium selenide (Cu(In,Ga)Se2; CIGS) solar cells with small thicknesses active layer have limits to show high efficiency owing to high carrier recombination and low reflection at the electrode/active layer interface. A passivation layer applied to the rear of the CIGS solar cell is regarded as one of the solutions. However, depending on the thickness of the passivation layer, the surface morphology of the thin CIGS absorber layer can be changed, affecting light absorption and photovoltaic properties. In this study, the optical electrical performances of CIGS solar cells with a thin enough layer of the local contact aluminum oxide (Al2O3) (LC-Al2O3) rear passivation were analyzed and demonstrated. The thin passivation layer with tens of nanometers resulted in higher increased efficiency because of improved open circuit voltage and short circuit current density. In addition, from the experiment, the optimal thickness of the thin passivation layer was derived. Too thin a layer causes a degradation of the performance, providing the surface scattering and parasitic resistance. Our results can be used to develop guidelines for designing high-performance CIGS solar cells with optimized passivation layers.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a flowable hemostatic matrix, and their effects for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreatectomy. Methods: This was a randomized, clinical, single-center, single-blind (participant), non-inferiority, phase IV, and parallel-group trial. The primary endpoint was the incidence of POPF. The secondary endpoints were risk factors for POPF, drain removal days, incidence of complication, 90-day mortality, and length of hospital stay. Results: This study evaluated a total of 53 patients, of whom 26 patients were in the intervention group (flowable hemostatic matrix) and 27 patients were in the control group (thrombin-coated collagen patch). POPF was more common in the control group than in the intervention group (59.3% vs. 30.8%, p = 0.037). Among participants who underwent distal pancreatectomy, POPF (33.3% vs. 92.3%, p = 0.004), and clinically relevant POPF (8.3% vs. 46.2%, p = 0.027) was more common in the control group. A multivariate logistic regression model identified flowable hemostatic matrix use as an independent negative risk factor for POPF, especially in cases of distal pancreatectomy (DP) (odds ratio 17.379, 95% confidential interval 1.453&ndash, 207.870, p = 0.024). Conclusion: Flowable hemostatic matrix application is a simple, feasible, and effective method of preventing POPF after pancreatectomy, especially for patients with DP. Non-inferiority was demonstrated in the efficacy of preventing POPF in the intervention group compared to the control group.

In this paper, we propose that the microstructural control of (hk1) preferentially oriented Sb2Se3 films from flat films to rod arrays can improve their photovoltaic efficiency by maximizing the carrier transport characteristics. We found that, during co-evaporation, there is a narrow substrate temperature window where the Sb2Se3 rod array can be formed with an (hk1) preferred orientation, thus maximizing the carrier transport characteristics. The substrate-temperature-dependent morphology of the Sb2Se3 films can be explained by nucleation and growth theory and the terrace-ledge-kink model. Dramatic changes in the (hk0) and (hk1) texture coefficients occur at 315 °C, and the critical temperature for obtaining the (hk1) preferentially oriented Sb2Se3 film is a substrate temperature of 315 °C. On the basis of the observed variation in the film microstructure and texture coefficient, the optimum Sb2Se3 rod array having an (hk1) preferred orientation is formed in a narrow range of substrate temperatures. As a result, we obtained an optimized Sb2Se3 thin-film rod array that shows effective carrier transportation. Further, the optimum fill factor, short circuit current, open circuit voltage, and efficiency of the Sb2Se3 device were observed in the Sb2Se3 rod array having an (hk1) preferred orientation, and the enhanced carrier transport characteristics are the main reason for the improved device properties. These results show that controlling the microstructure of Sb2Se3 allows improvements in the efficiency of (hk1) preferentially oriented Sb2Se3 films.

We fabricated CZTSSe thin films using optimized SLG-Mo/Zn/Cu/Sn (MZCT) as a stacked structure and described the phenomenon of Zn elemental volatilization using the MZCT stacked structure. We introduced H2S gas to effectively control the S/(S + Se) ratio of the film in the sulfo-selenization process and to suppress Zn volatilization. Unlike during the selenization process, a stable ZnSSe thin film was formed on the precursor surface during the sulfo-selenization process. The formation of the ZnSSe thin film inhibited Zn volatilization, which facilitated control of the thin film stoichiometry and played an important role in crystal growth. In addition, the sulfo-selenization process using H2S forms a grading of the S/(S + Se) ratio in the depth direction in the ZnSSe layer. The ZnSSe layer with this property causes the band gap grading in the CZTSSe absorption layer. Finally, through our optimized annealing process, we realized a world record CZTSSe solar cell with a certified power conversion efficiency of 12.62% and a centimetre-scale (1.1761 cm2) efficiency of 11.28%.

ObjectiveEsterified collagen (EC) can be functionalized with heparin to enhance islet graft stability. Growth factors secreted by human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) can bind efficiently to EC-heparin (EC-Hep), which enhances revascularization and cell protection. We investigated the therapeutic potential of a combined heparin-esterified collagen-hADSC (HCA)-islet sheet to enhance islet engraftment.Research design and methodsThis study was designed to assess the efficiency of using EC-Hep as a scaffold for subcutaneous islet transplantation in diabetic athymic mice. After the hADSC-cocultured islets were seeded in the EC-Hep scaffold, islet function was measured by glucose-stimulated insulin secretion test and growth factors in the culture supernatants were detected by protein array. Islet transplantation was performed in mice, and graft function and survival were monitored by measuring the blood glucose levels. β-Cell mass and vascular densities were assessed by immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe EC-Hep composite allowed sustained release of growth factors. Secretion of growth factors and islet functionality in the HCA-islet sheet were significantly increased compared with the control groups of islets alone or combined with native collagen. In vivo, stable long-term glucose control by the graft was achieved after subcutaneous transplantation of HCA-islet sheet due to enhanced capillary network formation around the sheet.ConclusionsThe findings indicate the potential of the HCA-islet sheet to enhance islet revascularization and engraftment in a hADSC dose-dependent manner, following clinical islet transplantation for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Choice of appropriate biomaterial is a key factor for the success of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP)-2 therapy. Inspired by osteogenic cell-differentiating and osteoclast-suppressing capabilities of alendronate (ALN), we manufactured a composite type of ALN-loaded collagen sponge (ALN-CS), which controls the early detrimental effect of high-dose rhBMP-2. This study aimed to evaluate ALN-CS as a high-dose rhBMP-2 carrier by investigating its initial biomolecular effect and efficacy on intramembranous ossification at 1, 4, 8, and 24 weeks using a rat calvarial defect model compared with nonloaded CS. The in vitro rhBMP-2 release in the ALN-CS showed a low initial burst and steady release phase during the rest period despite lack of calcium compared with that in CS alone. ALN release showed the same tendency as rhBMP-2 release. In vitro characterization showed that osteoblast differentiation and mineralization of mesenchymal stromal cells were more enhanced with ALN-CS. The ALN-CS-BMP group showed higher expression of bone-forming and -resorbing markers in vivo than the CS-BMP group after the first 7 days, which might be attributable to the relatively large amount of rhBMP-2 remaining. However, osteoclast activation in the ALN-CS-BMP group was significantly reduced compared with the CS-BMP group. Radiological and histological analyses revealed that ALN-CS-BMP promoted early and dense ossification at the initial defect, with 100% greater bone mass, 20% greater bone density, and less fatty marrow tissue than CS-BMP, which continued during the whole healing period. However, CS or ALN-CS alone failed to show complete defect closure even at the 24-week healing interval. Our results demonstrate that ALN-CS has remarkable advantages over CS alone in high-dose BMP-2 delivery, with potent suppression of resorption, early and dense ossification at the target area with less fatty marrow formation, and continuation of bone quality over the long term, which highlights its great clinical potential as a rhBMP carrier for bone regeneration at intramembranous ossification sites.

Mutational profiles of 153 Korean myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients were investigated. Sequencing of 87 genes presented similar mutational profiles in Korean MDS patients compared with previous reports. The most frequently mutated genes were ASXL1 (22.9%), U2AF1 (16.3%), TP53 (13.7%), RUNX1 (10.5%), TET2 (10.5%), DNMT3A (8.5%), and SRSF2 (8.5%). The U2AF1 mutation frequency was higher, with different frequencies in the mutated sites of U2AF1 (S34Y, 6/25; S34F, 11/25; and Q157P 8/25). The U2AF1 S34Y mutation was strongly associated with isolated trisomy 8 (5/6, 83%) and was characterized by a younger age of MDS onset (median, 39 years). The S34F mutation was associated with trisomy 8 (6/11, 55%) and del(20q) (3/11, 27%). Data from 10 literatures (total 3460 patients) of 229 U2AF1-mutated cases revealed a significant association between the S34Y and trisomy 8 in Asians (P=0.0001), but not in Caucasians (P=0.080). We infer that U2AF1 S34 mutations characterize a distinct subgroup of MDS: younger age of onset and differential associations with particular cytogenetic aberrations depending on specific mutations [S34Y to +8; S34F to +8 and del(20q)]. The impact and causal relationship between U2AF1 S34 and trisomy 8 need to be elucidated, which might contribute to design of tailored treatments.

Background: Flowable hemostatic agents may be more advantageous than nonflowable hemostats, as they have capability to cover irregular wound surfaces, fill deep lesions, and easily remove excess materials with irrigation. In this study, we evaluated the hemostatic efficacy of the collagen hemostatic matrix (CHM) compared to FloSeal ® via incisions in the heart and cardiac vessels in a porcine model. Methods: In each of the two female pigs, a total of two incisions were made in seven locations: right atrium (RA), right ventricle (RV), and cardiac vessels, such as the innominate vein (IV), superior vena cava (SVC), pulmonary artery (PA), coronary artery (CA), and aorta. Hemostatic agents were applied directly to the bleeding wounds. In certain location, one incision was treated with the CHM and the other with FloSeal ® , and the time to hemostasis and the degree of bleeding of the two agents were assessed and compared. One week after surgery, the animals were sacrificed, and specimens were collected for histologic evaluation. Results: Bleeding from the vessels with relatively low pressure (the IV, SVC, and RA) was controlled within 1–2 minutes using both a CHM and FloSeal ® . Bleeding from the vessels with high blood pressure (the RV, PA, CA, and aorta) was controlled within 3–10 minutes with the CHM. However, hemostasis in the PA and CA was not achieved with FloSeal ® . Histological analysis revealed that the use of both the CHM and FloSeal ® resulted in foreign body reactions of similar severity. Conclusions: The hemostatic effect and safety of the CHM may be similar to that of FloSeal ® . Further clinical studies must be conducted to validate our results.

Background Current diagnostic tests for hereditary spherocytosis (HS) focus on the detection of hemolysis or indirectly assessing defects of membrane protein, whereas direct methods to detect protein defects are complicated and difficult to implement. In the present study, we investigated the patterns of genetic variation associated with HS among patients clinically diagnosed with HS. Methods Multi-gene targeted sequencing of 43 genes (17 RBC membrane protein-encoding genes, 20 RBC enzyme-encoding genes, and six additional genes for the differential diagnosis) was performed using the Illumina HiSeq platform. Results Among 59 patients with HS, 50 (84.7%) had one or more significant variants in a RBC membrane protein-encoding genes. A total of 54 significant variants including 46 novel mutations were detected in six RBC membrane protein-encoding genes, with the highest number of variants found in SPTB (n = 28), and followed by ANK1 (n = 19), SLC4A1 (n = 3), SPTA1 (n = 2), EPB41 (n = 1), and EPB42 (n = 1). Concurrent mutations of genes encoding RBC enzymes (ALDOB, GAPDH, and GSR) were detected in three patients. UGT1A1 mutations were present in 24 patients (40.7%). Positive rate of osmotic fragility test was 86.8% among patients harboring HS-related gene mutations. Conclusions This constitutes the first large-scaled genetic study of Korean patients with HS. We demonstrated that multi-gene target sequencing is sensitive and feasible that can be used as a powerful tool for diagnosing HS. Considering the discrepancies of clinical and molecular diagnoses of HS, our findings suggest that molecular genetic analysis is required for accurate diagnosis of HS. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13023-019-1070-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BACKGROUND Telomere shortening is thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of myeloid malignancies, but telomere lengths (TL) during interphase and metaphase in hematopoietic malignancies have not been analyzed. We aimed to assess the TLs of interphase and metaphase cells of MDS and telomerase activity (TA) and to find out prognostic significances of TL and TA. METHODS The prognostic significance of TA by quantitative PCR and TL by quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (QFISH) of interphase nuclei and metaphase chromosome arms of bone marrow cells from patients with MDS were evaluated. RESULTS MDS patients had shorter interphase TL than normal healthy donors (P

Telomere length (TL) is a prognostic indicator in Caucasian chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), but its significance in Asian CLL remains unknown. To investigate the prognostic significance of TL and its correlation with cytogenetic aberrations and somatic mutations, we analyzed TL measurements at the cellular level by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization in patients with CLL in Korea. The present study enrolled 110 patients (41 females and 69 males) diagnosed with CLL according to the World Health Organization criteria (2001–2017). TLs of bone marrow nucleated cells at the single-cell level were measured by quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (Q-FISH) in 71 patients. The correlations of TL with clinical characteristics, cytogenetic aberrations, genetic mutations, and overall survival were assessed. The median value of mean TL in CLL patients (T/C ratio 7.46 (range 1.19–18.14) was significantly shorter than that in the normal controls (T/C ratio 15.28 (range 8.59–24.93) (p < 0.001). Shorter TLs were associated with complex karyotypes (p = 0.030), del(11q22) (p = 0.023), presence of deletion and/or mutation in ATM and/or TP53 (p = 0.019), and SH2B3 mutation (p = 0.015). A shorter TL was correlated with lower hemoglobin levels and adverse survival (mean TL < 9.35, p = 0.021). When the proportion of cells with extremely short TLs (< 7.61) was greater than 90%, CLL patients showed poor survival (p = 0.002). Complex karyotypes, TP53 mutation, and the number of mutated genes were determined to be significant adverse variables by multivariable Cox analysis (p = 0.011, p = 0.002, and p = 0.002, respectively). TL was attrited in CLL, and attrited telomeres were correlated with adverse survival and other well-known adverse prognostic factors. We infer that TL is an independent adverse prognostic predictor in Korean CLL.

Although Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) has attracted attention as an alternative to CuInGaSe2 (CIGS) as an absorber material in solar cells, its low efficiency is a serious shortcoming preventing its commercialization. To realize a high-efficiency CZTSSe solar cell, improved grain crystallinity, inhibited secondary-phase formation, controlled defect generation, adequate Na content, and band gap grading are required in the absorber layer. Few studies have focused specifically on band gap grading. In this study, a method of using SeS2, a new potential chalcogenization source material, to control the S and Se contents in a CZTSSe absorber and its effects were investigated. Using an appropriate SeS2/Se weight ratio, band gap grading was realized within the depletion region. By increasing the value of VOC through band gap grading in the depletion region, a record VOC deficit of 0.576 V was achieved. Furthermore, the possibility of enhancing JSC through the formation of a type-inverted n-type phase at the absorber surface in response to an appropriate alignment of the conduction-band minimum energy level and the Fermi energy pinning level is discussed. By introducing the chalcogenization source material SeS2 during the annealing process, CZTSSe solar cells with a maximum efficiency of 12.3% were obtained.

Collagen, one of the most important components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), may play a role in the survival of pancreatic islet cells. In addition, chemical modifications that change the collagen charge profile to a net positive charge by esterification have been shown to increase the adhesion and proliferation of various cell types. The purpose of this study was to characterize and compare the effects of native collagen (NC) and esterified collagen (EC) on β cell function and survival. After isolation by the collagenase digestion technique, rat islets were cultured with NC and EC in 2 dimensional (2D) and 3 dimensional (3D) environments for a long-term duration in vitro. The cells were assessed for islet adhesion, morphology, viability, glucose-induced insulin secretion, and mRNA expression of glucose metabolism-related genes, and visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Islet cells attached tightly in the NC group, but islet cell viability was similar in both the NC and EC groups. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was higher in the EC group than in the NC group in both 2D and 3D culture. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of glucokinase in the EC group were higher than those in the NC group and were associated with glucose metabolism and insulin secretion. Finally, SEM observation confirmed that islets had more intact component cells on EC sponges than on NC sponges. These results indicate that modification of collagen may offer opportunities to improve function and viability of islet cells.

The improvement of the efficiency of Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe)-based solar cells requires the formation of high-grain-sized pure CZTSSe throughout the film. We have successfully selenized precursor samples of Cu/SnS/ZnS/Mo/Soda lime glass in an almost sealed selenium furnace. Owing to the presence of confined and high-pressure Se vapor in the furnace, Se easily diffused into the precursor samples, and high-quality Se-rich CZTSSe absorbers were obtained. To understand the effect of the growth mechanism in our precursor and annealing system, this study examines the phase evolution and grain formation. Device parameters are discussed from the perspective of a material microstructure in order to improve performance. At a selenization temperature of 570 °C, a CZTSSe film showed fully developed grains with a size of around 2 μm without noticeable pore development near the Mo back contact. Solar cells with up to 8.03% efficiency were obtained with a layer thickness of about 1.2 μm. Detailed electrical analysis of ...

Objectives: We investigated mutation profiles of CALR , JAK2 , and MPL in 199 Korean patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Methods: In total, 199 patients with MPN (54 primary myelofibrosis [PMF], 79 essential thrombocythemia [ET], 58 polycythemia vera [PV], and eight MPN-unclassifiable [MPN-U]) and 4 patients with acute panmyelosis with myelofibrosis (APMF) were retrospectively subjected to Sanger sequencing for CALR , JAK2 , and MPL . Results: The overall frequency of CALR mutations was 12.6% (type 1 mutation, 16 patients; type 2 mutation, nine patients): most frequent in MPN-U (37.5%), followed by ET (17.7%) and PMF (14.8%). CALR mutations were not found in PV or APMF. CALR and JAK2 or MPL mutations were mutually exclusive. In PMF, the CALR mutations were associated with lower levels of leukocytes, lower bone marrow cellularity, and higher number of megakaryocytes. Patients with CALR -mutated ET more frequently progressed to the accelerated or blast phases compared with patients with JAK2 mutations. CALR mutations were frequently observed in the JAK2 -negative MPNs, most frequently in MPN-U. Conclusions: The prognostic significance of CALR mutations likely differs among the MPN subtypes.

Raman scattering and atomic force microscopy measurements on Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 thin films prepared by a direct solution method revealed that metal sulfates of various morphologies (dense clusters or separated particles) were partially embedded on the surface of the Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 layer. This residue was removed during the subsequent chemical bath deposition of the CdS buffer layer. However, the removal of the residue led to poor crystallinity and reduced photocurrent near the location of the residue, which suggests that controlling the formation of the sulfates during the fabrication of the absorber layer would be critical for obtaining high efficiency solar cells by the solution method.

Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) solar cells are attracting significant attention as an alternative to CIGS (Culn1-xGa(x)S2) solar cells because of the non-toxic and inexpensive constituent elements of CZTS. Recently, solution-based deposition methods are being developed because they have advantages such as suitability for use in large-area deposition, high-throughput manufacturing, and a very short energy payback time with drastically lower manufacturing costs. In this work, we fabricated solution-based CZTS thin films and investigated them in order to observe the effects of sulfurization temperature on CZTS thin films. We confirmed the grain size, morphology, chemical composition, crystallinity, and electrical properties of CZTS thin films depending on various sulfurization temperatures.

Objectives: Crystal-storing histiocytosis (CSH) is an uncommon finding in plasma cell neoplasms. CSH is thought to be an intralysosomal deposition of secreted paraproteins or immunoglobulins, which usually express κ immunoglobulin light chains that finally aggregate in crystals. Because of its rarity, CSH in bone marrow often makes diagnosis difficult. Methods: A 57-year-old woman had IgA κ monoclonal proteinemia and monoclonal proteinuria. In the bone marrow aspirate, plasma cells were initially counted less than what would be expected, whereas histiocytes with intracellular crystals were increased. Then, we used α–naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) staining to distinguish between true histiocytes and plasma cells. Immunostaining for κ, CD138, CD56, and CD68 was performed on a bone marrow biopsy specimen. Results: True histiocytes containing crystalline inclusions were stained strongly for ANAE, while unstained cells with intracytoplasmic crystals represented plasma cells. The biopsy specimen revealed diffuse infiltration of CD138-positive plasma cells. We also confirmed the presence of plasma cells, histiocytes, and their crystallized inclusions with the immunostaining. The patient was finally diagnosed with plasma cell myeloma. Conclusions: The diagnosis was challenging; the bone marrow findings resembled features of other histiocytic disorders. The use of immunohistochemistry enabled the diagnosis of CSH in the presence of plasma cell myeloma.

Idiopathic hypereosinophilia (IHE)/idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (IHES) has been defined by a persistent elevation of the blood eosinophil count exceeding 1.5×103/μL, without evidence of reactive or clonal causes. While T-cell clonality assessment has been recommended for unexplained hypereosinophilia, this approach is not often applied to routine practice in the clinic. We hypothesized that the clonality would exist in a subset of IHE/IHES patients. We aimed to investigate the candidate mutations and T-cell clonality in IHE/IHES and to explore the role of mutations in eosinophil proliferation. We performed targeted capture sequencing for 88 genes using next-generation sequencing, T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement assays, and pathway network analysis in relation to eosinophil proliferation. By targeted sequencing, 140 variants in 59 genes were identified. Sixteen out of 30 patients (53.3%) harbored at least one candidate mutation. The most frequently affected genes were NOTCH1 (26.7%), SCRIB and STAG2 (16.7%), and SH2B3 (13.3%). Network analysis revealed that our 21 candidate genes (BIRC3, BRD4, CSF3R, DNMT3A, EGR2, EZH2, FAT4, FLT3, GATA2, IKZF, JAK2, MAPK1, MPL, NF1, NOTCH1, PTEN, RB1, RUNX1, TET2, TP53 and WT1) are functionally linked to the eosinophilopoietic pathway. Among the 21 candidate genes, five genes (MAPK1, RUNX1, GATA2, NOTCH1 and TP53) with the highest number of linkages were considered major genes. A TCR assay revealed that four patients (13.3%) had a clonal TCR rearrangement. NOTCH1 was the most frequently mutated gene and was shown to be a common node for eosinophilopoiesis in our network analysis, while the possibility of hidden T cell malignancy was indwelling in the presence of NOTCH1 mutation, though not revealed by aberrant T cell study. Collectively, these results provide new evidence that mutations affecting eosinophilopoiesis underlie a subset of IHE/IHES, and the candidate genes are inferred to act their potential roles in the eosinophilopoietic pathway.

We studied how to effectively add/remove organic chemicals to/from CZTS precursor thin films to prepare uniform CZTS thin films that show optimal properties. We used multi-functional thiourea, as both a stabiliser and a source of sulphur, to prepare the precursor solutions. This is because it forms complexes with metal chlorides, which stabilise the CZTS precursor solutions and enable CZTS thin films to be spin-coated onto substrates thereby enabling fabrication of CZTS absorbers. However, the excess thiourea, required to stabilise the CZTS precursor solutions, induced the formation of a ZnS secondary phase in the CZTS thin films, which deteriorated the photovoltaic properties of the CZTS solar cells. We therefore pre-annealed the thin films to inhibit ZnS formation. We used the thiourea-stabilized CZTS precursor solutions and simple solution processing techniques to prepare CZTS precursor thin films, and optimized the pre-annealing temperature to fabricate CZTS solar cells that showed 5.29% efficiency.