Light extraction from surface plasmons and waveguide modes in an organic light-emitting layer by nanoimprinted gratings.

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) usually exhibit a low light outcoupling efficiency because a large fraction of power is lost to surface plasmons (SPs) and waveguide modes. In this paper it is demonstrated that periodic grating structures with almost µm-scale can be used to extract SPs as well as waveguide modes and therefore enhance the outcoupling efficiency in light-emitting thin film structures. The gratings are fabricated by nanoimprint lithography using a commercially available diffraction grating as a mold which is pressed into a polymer resist.

Formation of organic crystalline nanopillar arrays and their application to organic photovoltaic cells.

To enhance the performance of organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells, preparation of organic nanometer-sized pillar arrays is fascinating because a significantly large area of a donor/acceptor heterointerface having continuous conduction path to both anode and cathode electrodes can be realized. In this study, we grew cupper phthalocyanine (CuPc) crystalline nanopillar arrays by conventional thermal gradient sublimation technique using a few-nanometer-sized trigger seeds composed of a CuPc and 3,4,9,10-perylene-tetracarboxylic-dianhydride (PTCDA) stacked layer. We optimized the pillar density by tuning crystal growth condition in order to apply it to OPV cells.

Abnormalities in aggression and anxiety in transgenic mice overexpressing activin E.

To study the function of activin E, a TGF-beta superfamily member, in the regulation of affective behavior, we investigated the behavior of transgenic mice overexpressing activin E (TgActbetaE mice). Male TgActbetaE mice showed aggressive behavior in resident-intruder tests. In elevated plus-maze tests, the percentage of open arm entries was significantly increased in female TgActbetaE mice compared with that in wild-type mice.

Nanoparticles of adaptive supramolecular networks self-assembled from nucleotides and lanthanide ions.

Amorphous nanoparticles of supramolecular coordination polymer networks are spontaneously self-assembled from nucleotides and lanthanide ions in water. They show intrinsic functions such as energy transfer from nucleobase to lanthanide ions and excellent performance as contrast enhancing agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Furthermore, adaptive inclusion properties are observed in the self-assembly process: functional materials such as fluorescent dyes, metal nanoparticles, and proteins are facilely encapsulated.

Systemic treatment of anti-CD4CD25 T cell monoclonal antibody exacerbates sialoadenitis in submandibular glands during the early life in lupus-prone female NZB x NZWF mice.

Background: The maintenance mechanisms of peripheral tolerance by CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells before the development of sialoadenitis in secondary Sjögren's syndrome (sSS) are not well understood. The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of reduction of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells on the development of sialoadenitis during the early life in female NZB x NZWF(1) (B/WF(1)) mice, a model for human sSS.

Methods: Female B/WF(1) mice at 3 days after birth were treated with either anti-mouse CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells rat IgG(1) monoclonal antibody (mAb) or Rat IgG(1)(control).

Photophysical and photosensitizing properties of brominated porphycenes.

A heavy atom, bromine, was directly substituted into the porphycene macrocycle to promote intersystem crossing by way of spin-orbit coupling. The singlet oxygen production ability of the porphycene is dramatically enhanced, and the highest value of 0.95 for the quantum yield of singlet oxygen generation (PhiDelta) was obtained for the dibrominated porphycene by visible light excitation.

Ultrastructure of myoepithelial cells as a target cell in sialoadenitis of submandibular glands of lupus-prone female NZBxNZWF1 mice.

The changes of myoepithelial cells of sialoadenitis in submandibular glands in lupus-prone female NZB x NZWF1 (B/WF1) mice, a model for human secondary Sjögren's syndrome (sSS), were examined ultrastructurally. Inflammatory foci consisting of mainly lymphoid cells (lymphocytes and plasma cells) in the interlobular interstitium began to develop from 18 weeks of ages, and those were found within acini from the age of 25 weeks. These were paralleled with the production of anti-double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid and anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies with age.

High current density in light-emitting transistors of organic single crystals.

We measured the external electroluminescence quantum efficiency (eta(ext)) in light-emitting field-effect transistors (LETs) made of organic single crystals and found that, in the ambipolar transport region, eta(ext) is not degraded up to several hundreds A/cm(2) current-density range, which is 2 orders of magnitude larger than that achieved in conventional organic light-emitting diodes. The present result indicates the single-crystal organic LET is a promising device structure that is free from various kinds of nonradiative losses such as exciton dissociation near electrodes and exciton annihilations.

Systemic administration of interleukin-4 expressing plasmid DNA delays the development of glomerulonephritis and prolongs survival in lupus-prone female NZB x NZW F1 mice.

Background: T helper (Th)1/Th2 balance determines the direction of some kinds of autoimmune diseases. Th1 cytokines, especially interferon (IFN)-gamma has been proven important in the pathogenesis in lupus. The present study examined the effects of administration of interleukin (IL)-4 (Th2 cytokine) expressing plasmid DNA (IL-4pDNA) on the development of glomerulonephritis and survival in lupus-prone female NZB x NZW (B/W)F1 mice.

Electrical properties of 1,4-bis(4-(phenylethynyl)phenylethynyl)benzene and its application for organic light emitting diodes.

We found that a phenylene ethynylene derivative, 1,4-bis(4-(phenylethynyl)phenylethynyl)benzene (BPPB), provides very high photoluminescence efficiency both in solution (Phi(PL) = 95 +/- 3%) and thin films (Phi(PL) = 71 +/- 3%); further, we observed blue electroluminescence (EL) of lambda(EL(max)) approximately 470 and 510 nm with an external EL efficiency of eta(EL) approximately 0.53% and maximum luminance of approximately 70000 cd m(-2) at current density of approximately 2 A cm(-2) with BPPB as an emitter; also we identified that BPPB functions as a hole transport layer in organic light emitting diodes.

Synthesis and photophysical characteristics of 2,7-fluorenevinylene-based trimers and their electroluminescence.

Three new 2,7-fluorenevinylene-based trimers were synthesized and characterized. The synthesis was carried out by the Heck coupling reaction of 9,9-dihexyl-2,7-divinylfluorene with 2-(4-bromophenyl)-5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole, N,N-diphenyl-4-bromoaniline, or 3-bromopyrene to afford the trimers OXD, TPA, and PYR, respectively. All the trimers were readily soluble in common organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, chloroform, and toluene.

A cross sectional study of the respiratory health of workers handling printing toner dust.

Background: Although recent case reports have suggested possible respiratory effects of solid toner dust inhalation, this hypothesis has not been verified by epidemiological studies.

Objectives: To conduct a cross sectional study to evaluate the association between the biological indices of lung fibrosis and toner dust exposure in an occupational cohort handling solid toner dust in their work life.

Methods: A total of 600 male toner workers and 212 control subjects were surveyed in terms of their subjective respiratory symptoms, pulmonary functions, and chest radiographic findings.

Intermolecular interaction and a concentration-quenching mechanism of phosphorescent Ir(III) complexes in a solid film.

Solid-state self-quenching processes of highly efficient Ir(III) phosphorescent emitters are investigated by the measurement of thin film photoluminescence quantum efficiency and transient lifetime as a function of doping concentration in a host matrix. The radiative decay rate constant is found to be independent from the average distance between dopant molecules (R), and the concentration-quenching rate constant is shown to be dependent on R(-6). The quenching dependence on R strongly suggests that luminescent concentration quenching in a phosphorescent Ir(III) complex:host film is controlled by dipole-dipole deactivating interactions as described by the Förster energy transfer model.

Elimination of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cell accelerates the development of glomerulonephritis during the preactive phase in autoimmune-prone female NZB x NZW F mice.

The role of CD4(+)CD25+ T cell in glomerulonephritis (GN) development during the preactive phase was investigated in autoimmune-prone female NZB x NZW F1 (B/WF1) mice. The administration of anti-mouse CD25+ T-cell monoclonal antibody (PC61.5) 3 days after birth induced the development of GN with an increase in IgG2a antinuclear antibody, productions of IL-6 and IFN-gamma, whereas TGF-beta1 production decreased, compared to untreated control mice.

Reproducibility and validity of a self-administered food frequency questionnaire used in the JACC study.

Background: A self-administered questionnaire on dietary habits used in the JACC Study contained a 40-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Although more than 110 thousand subjects enrolled in JACC Study and responded to the FFQ, no validation study has been conducted to date.

Methods: Eighty-five volunteers among the cohort members completed 2 FFQs (FFQs 1&2) and 12-day weighed dietary records (WDR).

Organometallic complexes as hole-transporting materials in organic light-emitting diodes.

The use of metal complexes fac-tris(1-phenylpyrazolato-N,C(2)('))cobalt(III) [fac-Co(ppz)(3)], fac-tris(2-phenylpyridinato-N,C(2)(') cobalt(III) [fac-Co(ppy)(3)], and [tris[2-((pyrrole-2-ylmethylidene)amino)ethyl]amine]gallium(III) [Ga(pma)] as materials for hole-transporting layers (HTL) in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) is reported. Co(ppz)(3) and Co(ppy)(3) were prepared by following literature procedures and isolated as mixtures of facial (fac) and meridional (mer) isomers. The more stable fac isomers were separated from the unstable mer forms via column chromatography and thermal gradient sublimation.

1,8-Naphthalimides in phosphorescent organic LEDs: the interplay between dopant, exciplex, and host emission.

Four different 1,8-naphthalimide derivatives were examined in phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), i.e., 1,8-naphthalimide, N-phenyl-1,8-naphthalimide, N-2,6-dibromophenyl-1,8-naphthalimide (niBr), and bis-N,N-1,8-naphthalimide.

Highly phosphorescent bis-cyclometalated iridium complexes: synthesis, photophysical characterization, and use in organic light emitting diodes.

The synthesis and photophysical study of a family of cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes are reported. The iridium complexes have two cyclometalated (C(**)N) ligands and a single monoanionic, bidentate ancillary ligand (LX), i.e.

Hemodynamic and biochemical effects of endothelin-A- and -B-receptor antagonist TAK-044 in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We have demonstrated previously that endothelin-1 (ET-1) mRNA expression is increased in hypertensive rats. The aim of the study reported here was to elucidate the effects of the endothelin (ET) receptor antagonist on the hemodynamic and biochemical parameters in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSPs/Izm). The endothelin-A- and -B- (ETA/ETB) receptor antagonist (TAK-044, Takeda Chemical Industries, Osaka, Japan) was administered subcutaneously at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day from the age of 8 weeks for 4 weeks.

Effects of acute and chronic cigarette smoking on the expression of endothelin-1 mRNA of the cardiovascular tissues in rats.

Although smoking has been suggested to be involved in the development of cardiovascular diseases, details of the mechanism still need to be revealed. We investigated the effects of cigarette smoking on the tissue mRNA expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1). Male Wistar rats of 4 weeks of age were exposed to smoke from six cigarettes for 30 min (acute exposure) and six cigarettes for 30 min/day, 5 days a week for 6 months (chronic exposure).

Augmented expression of tissue endothelin-1 messenger RNA is a common feature in hypertensive rats.

Recent studies revealed important roles for endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Whether ET-1 could be a primary cause of hypertension or a secondary factor associated with hypertension, however, remains unknown. In this study, we determined plasma ET-1 levels and the expression of ET-1 mRNA in tissues of rats rendered hypertensive using distinct mechanisms: deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertension: N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester- (L-NAME) induced hypertension; and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SP).

Hydralazine decreases blood pressure and endothelin-1 mRNA expression in tissues but not cardiac weight in SHR-SP/Izm rats.

Although evidence has been accumulated to support a role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in cardiac hypertrophy, details of the pathophysiological significance of ET-1 in cardiac hypertrophy remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the vasodilator hydralazine on the blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy and ET-1 gene expression in various tissues of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SP/Izm). Hydralazine (20 mg/kg/day) was administered orally from the age of 4 weeks for 8 weeks.

Ipriflavone down-regulates endothelin receptor levels during differentiation of rat calvarial osteoblast-like cells.

Ipriflavone (7-isopropoxy-3-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one) is a synthetic flavonoid that has been shown to stimulate the activity of osteoblasts. We show here that ipriflavone also promotes the deposition of calcium and the formation of mineralized nodules by newborn rat calvarial osteoblast-like (ROB) cells as well as the activity of alkaline phosphatase. We reported previously that endothelin-1 inhibits the differentiation of ROB cells [Y.