Preparation of Cd/Pb Chalcogenide Heterostructured Janus Particles via Controllable Cation Exchange.

We developed a strategy for producing quasi-spherical nanocrystals of anisotropic heterostructures of Cd/Pb chalcogenides. The nanostructures are fabricated via a controlled cation exchange reaction where the Cd(2+) cation is exchanged for the Pb(2+) cation. The cation exchange reaction is thermally activated and can be controlled by adjusting the reaction temperature or time.

Inactivation of autophagy ameliorates glucocorticoid-induced and ovariectomy-induced bone loss.

Objectives: Autophagy has recently been shown to regulate osteoclast activity and osteoclast differentiation. Here, we aim to investigate the impact of autophagy inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of osteoporosis in preclinical models.

Methods: Systemic bone loss was induced in mice by glucocorticoids and by ovariectomy (OVX).

Activation of the Endogenous Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System or Aldosterone Administration Increases Urinary Exosomal Sodium Channel Excretion.

Urinary exosomes secreted by multiple cell types in the kidney may participate in intercellular signaling and provide an enriched source of kidney-specific proteins for biomarker discovery. Factors that alter the exosomal protein content remain unknown. To determine whether endogenous and exogenous hormones modify urinary exosomal protein content, we analyzed samples from 14 mildly hypertensive patients in a crossover study during a high-sodium (HS, 160 mmol/d) diet and low-sodium (LS, 20 mmol/d) diet to activate the endogenous renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Heterogeneous Charge Carrier Dynamics in Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials: Nanoscale Lateral and Depth-Dependent Variation of Recombination Rates in Methylammonium Lead Halide Perovskite Thin Films.

We reveal substantial luminescence yield heterogeneity among individual subdiffraction grains of high-performing methylammonium lead halide perovskite films by using high-resolution cathodoluminescence microscopy. Using considerably lower accelerating voltages than is conventional in scanning electron microscopy, we image the electron beam-induced luminescence of the films and statistically characterize the depth-dependent role of defects that promote nonradiative recombination losses. The highest variability in the luminescence intensity is observed at the exposed grain surfaces, which we attribute to surface defects.

Transdermal Estradiol Treatment for Postpartum Depression: A Pilot, Randomized Trial.

Postpartum depression occurs in 14.5% of women in the first 3 months after birth. This study was an 8-week acute phase randomized trial with 3 cells (transdermal estradiol [E2], sertraline [SERT], and placebo [PL]) for the treatment of postpartum major depressive disorder.

DOES SCREENING WITH THE MDQ AND EPDS IMPROVE IDENTIFICATION OF BIPOLAR DISORDER IN AN OBSTETRICAL SAMPLE?

Background: Women with bipolar disorder (BD) are at high risk for postpartum affective episodes and psychosis. Although validated screening tools are available for postpartum unipolar depression, few screening tools for hypomania/mania exist. Screening tools for BD in the postpartum period are essential for improving detection and planning appropriate treatment.

Multiple exciton generation in quantum dots versus singlet fission in molecular chromophores for solar photon conversion.

Both multiple exciton generation (MEG) in semiconductor nanocrystals and singlet fission (SF) in molecular chromophores have the potential to greatly increase the power conversion efficiency of solar cells for the production of solar electricity (photovoltaics) and solar fuels (artificial photosynthesis) when used in solar photoconverters. MEG creates two or more excitons per absorbed photon, and SF produces two triplet states from a single singlet state. In both cases, multiple charge carriers from a single absorbed photon can be extracted from the cell and used to create higher power conversion efficiencies for a photovoltaic cell or a cell that produces solar fuels, like hydrogen from water splitting or reduced carbon fuels from carbon dioxide and water (analogous to biological photosynthesis).

Undernutrition and stage of gestation influence fetal adipose tissue gene expression.

Low birthweight is a risk factor for neonatal mortality and adverse metabolic health, both of which are associated with inadequate prenatal adipose tissue development. In the present study, we investigated the impact of maternal undernutrition on the expression of genes that regulate fetal perirenal adipose tissue (PAT) development and function at gestation days 89 and 130 (term=145 days). Singleton fetuses were taken from adolescent ewes that were either fed control (C) intake to maintain adiposity throughout pregnancy or were undernourished (UN) to maintain conception weight but deplete maternal reserves (n=7/group).

Metal halide solid-state surface treatment for high efficiency PbS and PbSe QD solar cells.

We developed a layer-by-layer method of preparing PbE (E = S or Se) quantum dot (QD) solar cells using metal halide (PbI2, PbCl2, CdI2, or CdCl2) salts dissolved in dimethylformamide to displace oleate surface ligands and form conductive QD solids. The resulting QD solids have a significant reduction in the carbon content compared to films treated with thiols and organic halides. We find that the PbI2 treatment is the most successful in removing alkyl surface ligands and also replaces most surface bound Cl(-) with I(-).

A facile solvothermal growth of single crystal mixed halide perovskite CH3NH3Pb(Br(1-x)Cl(x))3.

We demonstrate a facile synthetic approach for preparing mixed halide perovskite (CH3NH3)Pb(Br1-xClx)3 single crystals by the solvothermal growth of stoichiometric PbBr2 and [(1 - y)CH3NH3Br + yCH3NH3Cl] DMF precursor solutions. The band gap of (CH3NH3)Pb(Br1-xClx)3 single crystals increased and the unit cell dimensions decreased with an increase in Cl content x, consistent with previous theoretical predictions. Interestingly, the Cl/Br ratio in the (CH3NH3)Pb(Br1-xClx)3 single crystals is larger than that of the precursor solution, suggesting an unusual crystal growth mechanism.

Proteomics characterization of exosome cargo.

Characterization of exosomal cargo is of significant interest because this cargo can provide clues to exosome biogenesis, targeting, and cellular effects and may be a source of biomarkers for disease diagnosis, prognosis and response to treatment. With recent improvements in proteomics technologies, both qualitative and quantitative characterization of exosomal proteins is possible. Here we provide a brief review of exosome proteomics studies and provide detailed protocols for global qualitative, global quantitative, and targeted quantitative analysis of exosomal proteins.

Depression Subtypes in Predicting Antidepressant Response: A Report From the iSPOT-D Trial.

Objective: The study aims were 1) to describe the proportions of individuals who met criteria for melancholic, atypical, and anxious depressive subtypes, as well as subtype combinations, in a large sample of depressed outpatients, and 2) to compare subtype profiles on remission and change in depressive symptoms after acute treatment with one of three antidepressant medications.

Method: Participants 18-65 years of age (N=1,008) who met criteria for major depressive disorder were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of treatment with escitalopram, sertraline, or extended-release venlafaxine. Participants were classified by subtype.

Symptoms of depressed mood, disturbed sleep, and sexual problems in midlife women: cross-sectional data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

Background: Women report many nonvasomotor symptoms across the menopausal transition, including sleep disturbances, depressed mood, and sexual problems. The co-occurrence of these three symptoms may represent a specific menopausal symptom triad. We sought to evaluate the interrelatedness of disturbed sleep, depressed mood, and sexual problems in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) and determine the characteristics of women exhibiting this symptom triad.

Pre-treatment insomnia as a predictor of single and combination antidepressant outcomes: a CO-MED report.

Background: Most patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) report clinically significant sleep problems. Pre-treatment insomnia has been associated with poorer treatment outcomes in some antidepressant trials, leading to suggestions that combined treatment regimens may be more successful in this subgroup. This study investigated this question using data from the CO-MED trial.

Theoretical approaches to maternal-infant interaction: which approach best discriminates between mothers with and without postpartum depression?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine which of the four common approaches to coding maternal-infant interaction best discriminates between mothers with and without postpartum depression.

Methods: After extensive training, four research assistants coded 83 three minute videotapes of maternal infant interaction at 12month postpartum visits. Four theoretical approaches to coding (Maternal Behavior Q-Sort, the Dyadic Mini Code, Ainsworth Maternal Sensitivity Scale, and the Child-Caregiver Mutual Regulation Scale) were used.

Impact of prenatal exposure to serotonin reuptake inhibitors or maternal major depressive disorder on infant developmental outcomes.

Objective: To examine the impact of prenatal exposure to both serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs; during any trimester) and maternal major depressive disorder (MDD; by DSM-IV criteria) on infant functioning. We hypothesized that infants with prenatal exposure to SRIs or MDD would have lower psychomotor, mental, and behavioral scores compared with nonexposed infants.

Method: This longitudinal study included 166 mother-infant dyads: 68 with prenatal MDD/SRI (n = 41) or MDD/no SRI exposure (n = 27) and 98 nonexposed controls.

The AP-1 transcription factor Fra1 inhibits follicular B cell differentiation into plasma cells.

The cornerstone of humoral immunity is the differentiation of B cells into antibody-secreting plasma cells. This process is tightly controlled by a regulatory gene network centered on the transcriptional repressor B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (Blimp1). Proliferation of activated B cells is required to foster Blimp1 expression but needs to be terminated to avoid overshooting immune reactions.

Substrate-controlled band positions in CH₃NH₃PbI₃ perovskite films.

Using X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, the surface band positions of solution-processed CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite thin films deposited on an insulating substrate (Al2O3), various n-type (TiO2, ZrO2, ZnO, and F:SnO2 (FTO)) substrates, and various p-type (PEDOT:PSS, NiO, and Cu2O) substrates are studied. Many-body GW calculations of the valence band density of states, with spin-orbit interactions included, show a clear correspondence with our experimental spectra and are used to confirm our assignment of the valence band maximum. These surface-sensitive photoelectron spectroscopy measurements result in shifting of the CH3NH3PbI3 valence band position relative to the Fermi energy as a function of substrate type, where the valence band to Fermi energy difference reflects the substrate type (insulating-, n-, or p-type).

PbSe quantum dot solar cells with more than 6% efficiency fabricated in ambient atmosphere.

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are promising candidates for the next generation of photovoltaic (PV) technologies. Much of the progress in QD PVs is based on using PbS QDs, partly because they are stable under ambient conditions. There is considerable interest in extending this work to PbSe QDs, which have shown an enhanced photocurrent due to multiple exciton generation (MEG).

Effects of aldosterone on insulin sensitivity and secretion.

Dr. Conn originally reported an increased risk of diabetes in patients with hyperaldosteronism in the 1950s, although the mechanism remains unclear. Aldosterone-induced hypokalemia was initially described to impair glucose tolerance by impairing insulin secretion.

Arg287Gln variant of EPHX2 and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids are associated with insulin sensitivity in humans.

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) protect against the development of insulin resistance in rodents. EETs are hydrolyzed to less biologically active diols by soluble epoxide hydrolase (encoded for by EPHX2). Functional variants of EPHX2 encode for enzymes with increased (Lys55Arg) or decreased (Arg287Gln) hydrolase activity.

Nanocrystal grain growth and device architectures for high-efficiency CdTe ink-based photovoltaics.

We study the use of cadmium telluride (CdTe) nanocrystal colloids as a solution-processable "ink" for large-grain CdTe absorber layers in solar cells. The resulting grain structure and solar cell performance depend on the initial nanocrystal size, shape, and crystal structure. We find that inks of predominantly wurtzite tetrapod-shaped nanocrystals with arms ∼5.

Hypertension is a major contributor to 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid-mediated kidney injury in diabetic nephropathy.

In the kidney, 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) is a primary cytochrome P450 4 (Cyp4)-derived eicosanoid that enhances vasoconstriction of renal vessels and induces hypertension, renal tubular cell hypertrophy, and podocyte apoptosis. Hypertension and podocyte injury contribute to diabetic nephropathy and are strong predictors of disease progression. In this study, we defined the mechanisms whereby 20-HETE affects the progression of diabetic nephropathy.