An introduction of an easy-operating and economical technique for tissue microarray preparation

AimTissue microarray (TMA) is a powerful and effective tool for in situ tissue analysis. However, manual TMA construction methods showed varied qualities. This study aimed to raise a standardised TMA preparation technique that can be easily operated and is economical.MethodsA sampling needle was used to punch the tissue rods from the donor block and holes in the recipient block. To indicate the dots’ positions and ensure vertical punching, a novel auxiliary device made using commercial three-dimensional printing technology was attached. The TMA block was made up of tissue rods and a recipient block.ResultsA 77-rod (7×11) TMA block was constructed. The rows and columns were fixed in straight lines. There was no specimen loss during the process of embedding.ConclusionsAn alternative method for the construction of TMA blocks that met the basic requirement of many laboratories and can be effortlessly performed was presented.

Donor–acceptor conjugated polymers based on thieno[3,2-b]indole (TI) and 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (BT) for high efficiency polymer solar cells

Three conjugated polymers based on the thieno[3,2-b]indole (TI) unit as electron-donor block and benzothiadiazole (BT) as electron-accepting block and thiophene rings as spacers. Their photovoltaic performance were finely tuned by thiophene spacers.