Carrier dynamics in quantum-dot sensitized solar cells measured by transient grating and transient absorption methods.

Carrier dynamics in quantum-dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) was clarified by combining the information obtained by the heterodyne transient grating (HD-TG), transient absorption (TA) and transient photocurrent (TP) measurements under the short circuit conditions in the time range from microseconds to seconds. The HD-TG signal is sensitive to the ionic species at the electrode/electrolyte interface, and the electrons in the titanium oxide layer injected from quantum dots (QDs) were monitored by the TA signal, and the photocurrent as a final output was monitored by the TP signal. By using the compensating information, the whole picture of the charge dynamics was obtained in the time region after the initial electron injection from QDs into the titanium oxide layer.

Detection of non-absorbing charge dynamics via refractive index change in dye-sensitized solar cells.

The carrier dynamics in dye-sensitized solar cells was investigated by using the transient grating, in addition to the transient absorption method and transient photocurrent method on the order of microseconds to seconds. The signals for the same sample were obtained under a short-circuit condition to compare the carrier dynamics via refractive index change with the transient photocurrent measurement. Optically silent carrier dynamics by transient absorption have been successfully observed via a refractive index change.

Nucleation reaction dynamics of Pt nanoparticles observed by the heterodyne transient grating method.

The nucleation reaction dynamics of platinum nanoparticles in the photoreduction process of H(2)Pt(IV)Cl(6) solution were investigated by the heterodyne transient grating (HD-TG) method. The formation mechanism of platinum nanoparticles was considered, supported by information obtained from UV/VIS absorption spectroscopy during the reaction and SEM images of the generated nanoparticles. In particular, the roles of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) as a protective polymer and ethanol as a solvent were studied.

Increased serum anandamide level at ruptured plaque site in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Inflammation caused by activated macrophages and T lymphocytes may trigger plaque rapture in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Anandamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) are macrophage-derived signal lipids and may be involved in the pathogenesis of ACS, but no clinical relevant data have been reported. In 43 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients (66 +/- 2 years), blood samples were obtained from the aortic root and the infarct-related coronary artery (IRA) using a PercuSurge system during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Effect of vasoconstrictor coupling factor 6 on gene expression profile in human vascular endothelial cells: enhanced release of asymmetric dimethylarginine.

Background: Coupling factor 6 (CF6), a component of ATP synthase, inhibits phospholipase A2 and induces vasoconstriction. However, because arachidonic acid acts in the widespread fields of vascular biology, CF6 might exert profound effects in addition to vasoconstriction. We investigated the effect of CF6 on the gene expression profile in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Feasibility and safety of thrombectomy with TVAC aspiration catheter system for patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Early reperfusion with angioplasty and stenting is established as a central, effective treatment for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The role of thrombectomy prior to angioplasty remains to be elucidated. To evaluate its feasibility, safety, and efficacy, thrombectomy using a TVAC aspiration catheter system was attempted prior to angioplasty and stenting in 40 consecutive patients with AMI.

Intracellular signaling for vasoconstrictor coupling factor 6: novel function of beta-subunit of ATP synthase as receptor.

Coupling factor 6 (CF6), a component of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase, is circulating and functions as an endogenous vasoconstrictor by inhibiting cytosolic phospholipase A2. We showed a high plasma level of CF6 in human hypertension. The present study focused on the identification and characterization of a receptor for CF6 and its post-receptor signaling pathway.

Enalapril suppresses ventricular remodeling more effectively than losartan in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. ELITE II study showed that losartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker, shows a survival benefit to the same degree as captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, does in patients with heart failure. However, recent OPTIMAAL study showed that clinical outcomes after losartan are not superior to those after captopril in patients with AMI.

Roxithromycin is an inhibitor of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells proliferation: a potential ability to prevent coronary heart disease.

Roxithromycin (RXM), a macrolide antibiotic, is used in clinical trials to address secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. However, the effects of RXM on human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMC) proliferation remain unclear. Human CASMC were stimulated with growth medium containing 5% fetal bovine serum and growth factors.

Troglitazone and 15-deoxy-delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 inhibit shear-induced coupling factor 6 release in endothelial cells.

Objective: We previously showed that mitochondrial coupling factor 6 (CF6), an endogenous inhibitor of prostacyclin synthesis and a vasoconstrictor, is present on the surface of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and is released outside of the cells by shear stress. We investigated the intracellular signaling mechanism for shear-induced release of CF6 in HUVEC and the effects of troglitazone and 15-deoxy-delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2), both peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma ligands, on it.

Methods And Results: The release and gene expression of CF6 in HUVEC were enhanced by shear stress at 25 dyn/cm2, measured by radioimmunoassay and real-time RT-PCR, respectively.

Nocturnal blood pressure decrease is associated with increased regional cerebral blood flow in patients with a history of ischemic stroke.

Background: It remains controversial whether there is a J-shaped relationship between blood pressure and recurrent stroke among patients with a recent history of ischemic stroke.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and the dipping of nocturnal blood pressure in patients receiving antihypertensive treatment after ischemic stroke.

Methods And Results: Forty-seven patients with a previous history of ischemic stroke and 37 patients with a history of non-ischemic stroke underwent 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and rCBF measurement with single photon emission computed tomography.