Carrier-density dependence of the hole mobility in doped and undoped regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene)

We investigate the mobility of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) over a carrier-density range from 1015 to 1020cm-3. Hole-only diodes were used for densities below 1016cm-3 and field-effect transistors were used for carrier densities higher than 1018cm-3. To fill the gap, intermediate densities were probed using chemically doped Schottky diodes and...

Sensitive triplet exciton detection in polyfluorene using Pd-coordinated porphyrin

We developed a sensitive spectroscopic method to probe triplet concentration in thin films of polyfluorene (PF) at room temperature. The energy of photoexcited triplet excitons is transferred to the guest metal-organic complex, meso-tetratolylporphyrin-Pd (PdTPP), and detected as phosphorescent emission. The phosphorescence intensity of PdTPP-PF...

Ordered semiconducting self-assembled monolayers on polymeric surfaces utilized in organic integrated circuits

We report on a two-dimensional highly ordered self-assembled monolayer (SAM) directly grown on a bare polymer surface. Semiconducting SAMs are utilized in field-effect transistors and combined into integrated circuits as 4-bit code generators. The driving force to form highly ordered SAMs is packing of the liquid crystalline molecules caused by...

Structure of phase-separated ferroelectric/ semiconducting polymer blends for organic non-volatile memories

The phase-separated structure of blends of the ferroelectric polymer P(VDF-TrFE) and the semiconducting polymer P3HT used in organic non-volatile memories is revealed with soft X-ray spectromicroscopy. These thin-film blends show a columnar morphology, with P3HT-rich columns enclosed in a continuous, essentially pure P(VDF-TrFE) phase favorable...

High work function transparent middle electrode for organic tandem solar cells

The use of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) in combination with ZnO as middle electrode in solution-processed organic tandem solar cells requires a pH modification of the PEDOT:PSS dispersion. We demonstrate that this neutralization leads to a reduced work function of PEDOT:PSS, which does not affect the...

Leflunomide and methotrexate reduce levels of activated matrix metalloproteinases in complexes with α2 macroglobulin in serum of rheumatoid arthritis patients

Objective: To analyse the effects of leflunomide and methotrexate treatment on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity levels in a2 macroglobulin/MMP (α2M/MMP) complexes in the systemic circulation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods: A total of 102 RA patients from a prospective, double-blind, randomised clinical trial comparing...

Transdermal administration of radiolabelled [14C]rotigotine by a patch formulation: A mass balance trial

Background and objective: The dopamine agonist rotigotine has been formulated in a silicone-based transdermal system for once-daily administration. The objective of the present study was to characterise the mass balance of rotigotine in humans after administration of a single transdermal patch containing radiolabelled [14C]rotigotine and to...

Large area liquid crystal monodomain field-effect transistors

Butyl, hexyl, and decyl derivatives of the liquid-crystalline organic semiconductor 5,5″-bis(5-alkyl-2-thienylethynyl)-2,2′:5′, 2″-terthiophene were synthesized and studied with respect to their structural, optical, and electrical properties. By means of an optimized thermal annealing scheme the hexyl and decyl compounds could be processed into...

Allosteric modulation and constitutive activity of fusion proteins between the adenosine A1 receptor and different 351Cys-mutated Gi α-subunits

We studied fusion proteins between the human adenosine A1 receptor and different 351Cys-mutated Gi1 α-subunits (A1-Giα) with respect to two important concepts in receptor pharmacology, i.e. allosteric modulation and constitutive activity/inverse agonism. The aim of our study was twofold. We first analysed whether such fusion products are still...

Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase-mediated angiogenesis in a fibrin-collagen matrix

Adult angiogenesis, associated with pathologic conditions, is often accompanied by the formation of a fibrinous exudate. This temporary matrix consists mainly of fibrin but is intermingled with plasma proteins and collagen fibers. The formation of capillary structures in a fibrinous matrix in vivo was mimicked by an in vitro model, in which...

Proteolysis of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor by metalloproteinase-12: Implication for angiogenesis in fibrin matrices

Pericellular proteolysis plays an important role in cell migration and the formation of new capillary structures. The plasminogen activator/plasmin and matrix degrading metalloproteinase (MMP) cascades act together in the remodeling of matrix and cell-matrix contacts. Previously we have shown that the formation of capillary structures by human...

Metalloproteinase inhibition reduces constrictive arterial remodeling after balloon angioplasty: A study in the atherosclerotic Yucatan micropig

Background - Arterial remodeling after balloon angioplasty has been recognized as a major determinant of restenosis. Perturbation of collagen metabolism might be important. After balloon injury, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression is upregulated. We investigated the effect of Batimastat, a nonspecific MMP inhibitor, on late lumen loss,...

Fluorogenic MMP activity assay for plasma including MMPs complexed to α2-macroglobulin

Elevated MMP activities are implicated in tissue degradation in, e.g., arthritis and cancer. The present study was designed to measure MMP enzyme activity in plasma. Free active MMP is unlikely to be present in plasma: upon entering the circulation, active MMP is expected to be captured by the proteinase inhibitor α2-macroglobulin (α2M)....