搜索结果：Goods

Dopamine (DA) is a crucial catecholamine neurotransmitter, and its abnormal levels are closely associated with neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease. Electrochemical sensing technology offers a rapid and cost-effective platform for DA detection; however, it often suffers from interference from coexisting biomolecules such as ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA). In this study, we report a novel electrochemical biosensor based on PdMo bimetallene, a nanomaterial synthesized via a facile wet-chemical approach, aiming to enhance the detection performance and selectivity for DA. PdMo bimetallene is a highly curved, atomically thin two-dimensional nanosheet featuring abundant strained sites and a high density of active centers, enabling the selective and sensitive detection of DA. The results demonstrate that the as-prepared PdMo bimetallene-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of DA. The sensor displays a good linear response over the concentration range from 10 nM to 200 µM, with an ultrahigh sensitivity of 80 µA·µM-1 cm-2 and a low detection limit of 0.14 µM (S/N = 3). Owing to the synergistic electronic effect between Pd and Mo, the high density of exposed active sites, and the unique strained lattice structure of the bimetallene, the sensor enables accurate determination of DA concentrations even in the presence of interfering species such as AA and UA. In summary, the successfully fabricated PdMo bimetallene-based sensor offers the advantages of low cost, facile synthesis, a wide linear range, and high sensitivity, positioning it as a promising candidate for neurotransmitter detection applications.

In this study, a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based solid electrolyte composite (PEG)10LiClO4/NaAlOSiO suitable for anodic bonding packaging was successfully fabricated via a combined ball milling and hot pressing process. The micromorphology, ion transport characteristics, and mechanical packaging properties of the composite were systematically investigated using characterization techniques including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and anodic bonding performance tests. The results demonstrate that doping with NaAlOSiO molecular sieve can effectively reduce the crystallinity of the polymer matrix, construct more efficient carrier transport pathways, and simultaneously enhance the ionic conductivity and mechanical properties of the material. When the mass fraction of NaAlOSiO doping is 8 wt.%, the composite exhibits a room temperature ionic conductivity of up to 1.31 × 10-5 S·cm-1. Under room temperature and a bonding voltage of 800 V, the sample with this doping ratio achieves the optimal anodic bonding with metallic Al, and the tensile strength of the bonding interface reaches 5.93 MPa, showing excellent application prospects in micro-nano-packaging.

Paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) or paraneoplastic autoimmune multiorgan syndrome (PAMS) is a rare, mucocutaneous blistering condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. Most reported cases occur in the setting of lymphoproliferative malignancies, with limited data describing associations with solid tumors. Additionally, standardized diagnostic criteria and management guidelines remain lacking. We describe the first, to our knowledge, case of PNP/PAMS associated with primary peritoneal clear cell carcinoma. A 47-year-old woman with recurrent, platinum-resistant primary peritoneal clear cell carcinoma presented with painful oral mucosal erosions, intermittent epistaxis, and a pruritic cutaneous eruption involving the trunk, groin, and lower extremities approximately four weeks after her fourth cycle of gemcitabine, cisplatin, and bevacizumab. Skin punch biopsy, serologies, and clinical findings were consistent with PNP/PAMS. She was treated with high-dose intravenous corticosteroids, followed by multiple adjunctive systemic and supportive therapies through a multidisciplinary approach; however, her recalcitrant and aggressive mucocutaneous disease progressed, contributing to significant clinical decline. She ultimately transitioned to comfort-focused care and died from complications of her underlying malignancy. This case highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of PNP/PAMS in patients with solid tumors and underscores the importance of multidisciplinary management in the absence of standardized treatment guidelines.

As a promising class of catalysts for enzymatic glucose sensors, Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) exhibit exceptional biomimetic activity. However, their performance is often constrained by poor intrinsic conductivity, which typically limits their sensitivity. To address this limitation, this study presents an effective approach using direct in situ growth of PBAs on the electrode substrates, which enables the effective integration of PBA-based electrochemical systems. A porous Ni framework was first electrodeposited onto a screen-printed gold electrode substrate, followed by the reduction of Pt onto the porous Ni. Subsequently, NiFe PBA was synthesized in situ using the porous Pt/Ni structure as a sacrificial template. Functionalized with glucose oxidase (GOx), the PBA/Pt/Ni biosensor exhibited excellent performance for glucose detection in buffer solution, with a high sensitivity of 262.6 μA mM-1·cm-2 and an ultra-low detection limit of 1.45 μM (calculated at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, S/N = 3). Notably, its sensitivity corresponds to a two-fold enhancement relative to the electrodes modified with commercial Prussian blue using the conventional drop-casting method. Even when tested in human sweat samples, the biosensor achieved a high sensitivity of 236.4 μA mM-1·cm-2 and a linear detection range of 20-1000 μM, with the broad sensing range fully encompassing the typical physiological concentrations of glucose in human sweat. This excellent performance arises from the high specific surface area of the porous Pt/Ni structure and the tight connection between PBA and the sacrificial Ni anode. This research presents a promising design strategy for advanced, wearable, and non-invasive health-monitoring platforms.

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a sesquiterpenoid plant hormone widely used in agriculture and the food industry. In Yarrowia lipolytica, ABA production relies on complex heterologous enzymatic pathways that have not been systematically engineered, which severely limits biosynthetic efficiency. Here, we establish de novo ABA biosynthesis in Y. lipolytica. We optimized carbon flux by up- and down-regulating key genes, and rationally engineered rate-limiting cytochrome P450 monooxygenases BcABA2 to improve pathway efficiency. Electron transfer was engineered by incorporating an NADPH regeneration module to enhance BcABA2 catalysis. Peroxisomal compartmentalization of the entire ABA pathway, followed by complementation of the defective tag to obtain a complete strain, increased ABA titer to 330.69 mg/L. The engineered strain was scaled up in a 5 L bioreactor, achieving an ABA titer of 2554.36 mg/L after 168 h, which is the highest titer reported to date for microbial fermentation. This work provides feasible enzyme and metabolic engineering strategies for microbial cell factory production of ABA and other terpenoids.

To evaluate the impact of low-level laser-based photobiomodulation (PBM) on cellular homeostasis and oncology safety by examining viability and proliferation in gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), and MCF-7 breast cancer cells under different irradiation conditions, and by assessing the signaling-related protein expression in HGFs. The HGFs, HDFs, and MCF-7 cells were exposed to 808 nm diode laser irradiation at 2 and 3 J/cm², applied immediately or 24 h after seeding or continuous dose specifically for MCF-7. Cell viability and metabolic activity were assessed using the MTT assay, and immunohistochemical analysis was performed in HGFs to evaluate the expression of Ki-67, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), integrin β1, COX-1, and COX-2. PBM did not induce cytotoxic effects or excessive proliferation in any cell line. Metabolic activity and growth trends were comparable to non-irradiated controls, preserving cellular homeostasis in fibroblast. Notably, PBM exhibited a neutral effect of MCF-7 cells, supporting its in vitro oncologic safety under the tested conditions. While no significant upregulation of proliferative or inflammatory markers was observed in HGFs. PBM at conservative parameters (2-3 J/cm²) preserves cellular homeostasis and suggests a neutral in vitro effect on neoplastic cells. These findings suggest that these specific protocols are safe for adjunctive clinical applications without promoting undesirable proliferative or inflammatory responses.

To report the clinical outcomes, return to sport (RTS) and psychological readiness of patients who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair with knotless all-suture anchors with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. In this retrospective case series, consecutive patients who underwent primary arthroscopic Bankart repair using knotless all-suture anchors between 08/2019 and 07/2022 were included. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH), Shoulder Instability-Return to Sport after Injury (SI-RSI) scale, subjective shoulder value (SSV), and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain. Patient satisfaction, RTS, return to preinjury level of sport, instability recurrence and revisions were recorded. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to assess the discriminative performance of the SI-RSI scale, and the Youden's index was employed to determine the optimal cutoff for prediction of return to preoperative level of sports. Of 57 patients eligible for inclusion, 46 patients (11.1% female, 28.7&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;6.8 years at surgery) were available at a follow-up of 2.9 [2.3-3.4] years. Three patients (6.5%) reported a redislocation, one patient (2.2%) underwent a revision and was excluded from analysis. At final follow-up, an ASES score of 98 (92-100), a DASH score of 2.5 (0-6.7), a WOSI of 11 (3.3-18), an SSV of 93 (85-97) along with low levels of pain were reported. A total of 43 (97.7%) of patients reporting preoperative activity (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;44) achieved RTS, with 20 patients (45.5%) who had returned to preoperative level of sports. Patients achieving return to preoperative level of sports had a significantly higher SI-RSI scale (89 [83-94]) than those who did not (61 [50-81], p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). The SI-RSI showed high discriminative performance for return to preoperative level of sports (area under ROC curve: 0.84 [95%CI 0.73-0.97]) with an optimal cutoff of 80 (Youden's index: 0.597). At short-term follow-up, Bankart repair using knotless all-suture anchors demonstrated favorable patient-reported outcomes and low redislocation rates. Patients who did not return to their preinjury level of sport exhibited significantly lower psychological readiness. The SI-RSI exhibited high discriminative performance in predicting return to preoperative level of sports, with an optimal cutoff value of 80. IV - Retrospective case series.

One of the main features to consider when designing bioresorbable bone scaffolds is the degradation rate of the material. The literature focuses mostly on its influence on mechanical properties, omitting its effect on the bone remodeling process. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of changes caused by ongoing biodegradation of scaffolds on the bone remodeling process. A uniaxial compression test was numerically simulated on simplified 2D bone models with bone marrow and callus tissue containing the scaffold. A total of 35 models were analyzed, considering five porosities (30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%), four materials (Ti6Al4V, PLLA, PLGA, PDGLA) with constant (without biodegradation) and variable (with biodegradation, ignored for Ti6Al4V) Young's modulus. Higher porosity of scaffolds (especially 60% and 70%) allows greater load-bearing by the newly forming tissue, relieving the scaffold. Consideration of the influence of biodegradation caused achieving a higher average Young's modulus of callus, especially in the first 20&#x2009;days, accelerating bone adaptation to the implant. Ti6Al4V caused lower changes in average Young's modulus of callus than in the case of polymers, which is caused due to its higher stiffness. This research shows the need to consider scaffold degradation when designing and analyzing their long-term biomechanical efficiency.

This work presents wirelessly interrogated microelectromechanical system (MEMS) capacitive sensors for continuous intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring. The sensor uses a passive inductor-capacitor (LC) tank circuit comprising a fixed, on-chip spiral inductor and a pressure-sensitive, variable-gap capacitor with parallel-plate membrane electrodes and side anchors. The membrane is designed with dimensions of 500 &#xb5;m &#xd7; 500 &#xb5;m &#xd7; 2 &#xb5;m and a capacitive transducer gap of 2.5 &#xb5;m. Applied pressure deflects the top membrane, producing a corresponding capacitance variation that changes the frequency and phase response of the LC tank circuit, enabling real-time and continuous IOP monitoring over a target detection range of 0-50 mmHg and beyond. Mutual inductive coupling between the sensor and the external readout coil is investigated as a reliable readout mechanism.

Fungi represent a prolific source of structurally diverse secondary metabolites, yet the extent to which culture conditions reshape the metabolic profile and functional bioactivity remains incompletely understood. In this exploratory study, ten fungal strains belonging to genera Penicillium and Aspergillus were cultivated in Yeast Extract Sucrose (YES) and Czapek Yeast Autolysate (CYA) media and analysed using untargeted LC-HRMS metabolomics. The objective of this study was to evaluate how culture medium influences metabolic profiles and to investigate medium-dependent metabolic variation and its relation to cytotoxic, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. Global metabolic profiling revealed moderate but statistically significant medium-associated metabolite variation, with discriminant metabolites predominantly enriched under CYA conditions. Putative structural annotation suggested patterns consistent with differential regulation of isoprenoid-derived sterols, terpenoids, alkaloid-like metabolites, and aromatic polyketides. While antimicrobial activities displayed a heterogeneous, strain-dependent pattern with limited correlation to individual metabolites, cytotoxic activity co-varied with metabolite composition in OPLS regression modelling. Sterols and terpenoid-related features emerged as major contributors to cytotoxicity. Given the absence of biological replication and the limited sample size inherent to this pilot study, all findings should be considered hypothesis-generating and interpreted within an exploratory framework. These results suggest that nutrient composition influences biosynthetic pathway activation while functional outcomes remain strongly dependent on strain-specific metabolic capacity. This work provides a systematic framework and targeted hypothesis for future investigations into condition-dependent fungal chemical diversity in natural product discovery.

Hydrogel-based stem cell therapy uses different stem cells and bioactive molecules for wound healing in the treatment of diabetes and chronic burn wounds by accelerating angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and inhibition of inflammatory responses. Artificial vessels have already been used for patients with cardiovascular diseases, but most of them are polymeric, which can cause thrombosis and restenosis. 3D bioprinting combines cells, growth factors, and biomaterials to create a setting in which cells grow and differentiate into native tissue-like structures. The current study aimed to create a model of blood vessels using collagen and hyaluronic acid hydrogel combined with endothelial and muscle progenitor cells derived from amniotic mesenchymal stem cells using 3D bioprinting. A computer-aided design (CAD) software was employed to create the 3D models of a blood vessel model and printed using a 3D bioprinter with two printheads: one with bioink encapsulating endothelial progenitor cells and the second with bioink encapsulating smooth muscle progenitor cells. The blood vessel constructs were characterized morphologically and structurally by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), immunohistochemistry, water uptake, and enzymatic degradation. Viability, proliferation, oxidative stress, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide (NO) production were assessed to demonstrate the cytocompatibility of the blood vessel constructs. Our results showed that collagen-hyaluronic acid hydrogels embedded with stem cells can be used for vascular constructs, meeting the desired requirements of biocompatibility and accuracy in reproducing the model created in the CAD software v1.0.

Accurate assessment of blood viscosity and red blood cell (RBC) aggregation under continuous flow is important for hemorheological analysis. However, simultaneous measurement remains challenging because both properties are influenced by flow conditions and RBC sedimentation. In this study, a microfluidic method is developed for the simultaneous measurement of blood viscosity and RBC aggregation index (AI) during continuous blood delivery from a driving syringe. The proposed device consists of a viscosity-sensing channel for viscosity measurement and aggregation-sensing channel for AI evaluation. The effects of flow rate, hematocrit, suspension medium, and syringe on-off operation are systematically investigated. Blood viscosity and AI are strongly affected by these factors, and transient flow interruption enhances RBC sedimentation in the syringe, thereby altering hemorheological properties. The proposed method is further used to evaluate thermally exposed RBCs, which reduce RBC aggregation and suppress RBC sedimentation when compared with control blood. At higher exposure temperatures and longer exposure times, blood viscosity and AI remain nearly constant over time, indicating minimal contribution of damaged RBCs to RBC sedimentation. These results demonstrate that the proposed method enables reliable simultaneous evaluation of blood viscosity and RBC aggregation and could be regarded as useful for detecting functional alterations of RBCs under continuous-flow conditions.

Cardiac toxicity from QT-prolonging drugs can precipitate malignant ventricular arrhythmias in susceptible individuals, and family screening may clarify inherited risk. We report a 33-year-old woman with a history of postpartum cardiac arrest treated with a secondary-prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) who developed an electrical storm after self-administration of a single low dose of amitriptyline (12.5&#xa0;mg). ICD interrogation documented 176 episodes of ventricular fibrillation requiring repeated shocks, followed by complete battery depletion, hemodynamic collapse, and the need for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and continuous renal replacement therapy. The admission electrocardiogram showed marked QT prolongation (QTc 651 ms), with previously documented prolonged baseline QTc values. Targeted next-generation sequencing identified a novel SCN5A missense variant (NM_000335.5:c.5738G&#x2009;>&#x2009;A) and a rare pathogenic KCNQ1 splice variant (NM_000218.3:c.1032G&#x2009;>&#x2009;C), cascade testing across the family demonstrated variable expressivity among carriers. Given a suspected contribution of late sodium current, a mechanism-based strategy was implemented with mexiletine added to propranolol and overdrive pacing (90&#xa0;bpm). This case underscores the risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmias after exposure to QT-prolonging agents even at low doses, and supports genotype-informed, mechanism-based therapy to mitigate arrhythmic risk in patients with marked QT prolongation.

Ventriculo-pyeloureteral (VPU) shunting is a rare salvage procedure for hydrocephalus when traditional ventriculoperitoneal (VP) and ventriculoatrial (VA) shunts fail. We report the successful use of a self-expanding, nitinol-based ureteral stent (Allium Medical Solutions, Israel) to facilitate VPU shunting in a toddler with complex multicystic hydrocephalus. A premature infant born with duodenal atresia developed severe post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus resistant to multiple VP and VA shunt revisions due to extensive peritoneal adhesions and recurrent atrial thrombosis. A VPU shunt was attempted as a last resort but was complicated by urinoma formation and obstruction due to the small caliber of the toddler's ureter relative to the catheter. To salvage the procedure, a large-caliber Allium ureteral stent was deployed to passively dilate the ureter, creating a protected channel for the shunt catheter. At 7 months follow-up, the patient demonstrated stable neurological function, effective CSF drainage, and no vesicoureteral reflux. This case highlights that VPU shunting combined with an Allium stent is a viable last-resort option, preventing ureteral obstruction by the shunt catheter.

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are increasingly explored for immune-mediated diseases, yet standardized analytical readouts that capture coordinated immunomodulatory output across complementary secretory pathways remain limited. Here, we report the feasibility of an HPLC-based multi-analyte secretome characterization panel that quantifies two small-molecule outputs-adenosine and kynurenine-alongside two immunomodulatory proteins-interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-&#x3b2;)-in conditioned media from canine adipose-derived MSCs (cAD-MSCs). Canine immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) was used as a disease context to motivate the selection of these analytes, given the pro-inflammatory cytokine environment characteristic of this condition. Three independent cAD-MSC lines were evaluated under baseline conditions and following cytokine stimulation with recombinant interferon-gamma (IFN-&#x3b3;; 100 ng/mL) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-&#x3b1;; 50 ng/mL), referred to herein as inflammatory priming or licensing. Conditioned media were collected at 72 h for metabolite analysis and 48 h for protein analysis, and quantified by HPLC using external calibration and peak integration. Across all three lines, licensing produced directionally consistent increases: mean adenosine increased 2.3-fold, mean kynurenine increased 3.1-fold, mean IL-10 increased 1.6-fold, and mean TGF-&#x3b2; increased 1.7-fold compared with unlicensed controls. Metabolite measurements for adenosine and kynurenine are reported with full chromatographic selectivity data; IL-10 and TGF-&#x3b2; measurements by reversed-phase HPLC with UV detection are presented as exploratory/semi-quantitative outputs and will require orthogonal confirmation (e.g., immunoassay) in future work. These findings are preliminary, derived from three independent donor lines with no comparator group, and are intended to support feasibility of the analytical framework rather than establish definitive performance specifications. Collectively, the data support the potential of a multi-analyte HPLC-based characterization panel to capture licensing-responsive secretory shifts across mechanistically complementary pathways, providing a foundation for expanded development and validation.

Duration of laser application is correlated with elevation in root temperature. But studies on the duration of erbium, chromium: yttrium, scandium, gallium, garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser application for gutta percha (GP) removal and temperature elevation are lacking. Therefore, this study was done to comparatively evaluate root temperature with duration taken for GP removal using Er,Cr:YSGG laser. Forty-two samples obturated with GP were randomly divided into groups I, II, and III (n=14). In each group, GP obturation was removed with Er,Cr:YSGG laser by employing the same parameters of application. However, the duration taken for GP removal in each group was 8, 10, and 12 minutes, respectively. The external root surface temperature during GP removal was measured at the apical third of samples by using a thermocouple device connected to a digital thermometer. The temperature values in each group were recorded at the end of 8, 10, and 12 minutes, respectively. The data were compiled and statistically analyzed by applying 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test. Group III showed the highest temperature elevation followed by group II and group I. There were significant differences in the elevated temperature among all the 3 groups (P < .05). Hence, temperature was significantly elevated as the duration taken for GP removal with Er,Cr:YSGG laser increased, and it exceeded the range of critical thermal limit in groups II and III. External root surface temperature exceeds critical thermal limit range, including the recommended thermal limit, as the duration taken for GP removal with Er,Cr:YSGG laser gets longer. Although this needs further clinical validation, GP removal with Er,Cr:YSGG laser application as a sole method must be carried out in as shorter a duration as possible, which should not exceed 5-8 minutes, in addition to adopting various measures to minimize temperature elevation beyond the range of critical thermal and time limits that are deemed detrimental to the surrounding tissues of the root.

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, and rapid identification of cardiac biomarkers is essential for early detection. Electrochemical voltammetry techniques, particularly cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), are widely used for detecting cardiac troponin; however, interpretation of raw voltammetric signals is often affected by baseline drift, signal noise, and operator-dependent analysis. This study proposes an algorithm-assisted analytical framework for automated interpretation of voltammetric data obtained from a screen-printed carbon electrode potentiostat. Polynomial fitting was applied for baseline correction in CV signals, while asymmetric least squares (ALS) was employed for DPV data. Peak-to-baseline current response was extracted as a quantitative indicator of biomarker presence. The proposed method successfully identified characteristic voltammetric peaks and distinguished samples with higher and lower cardiac biomarker responses relative to a predefined detection threshold. The analysis showed close agreement with reference electrochemical analysis software, demonstrating reliable peak detection and baseline estimation. By reducing manual interpretation and improving signal clarity, the framework enhances the reproducibility and accessibility of electrochemical biosensor measurements and supports early screening of cardiac biomarkers.

Tripterygium glycosides extract (TGE), the primary active component of tripterygium glycosides tablets, is widely used for immune-related disorders but raises significant clinical concerns regarding cholestatic drug-induced liver injury. As conventional models fail to fully recapitulate the complex pathogenesis of traditional Chinese medicine toxicity, this study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of TGE-induced cholestatic injury using a biomimetic microfluidic liver-on-a-chip platform. The chip integrated rat precision-cut liver slices (PCLSs) and human endothelial cells (EA.hy926) to simulate the hepatic sinusoidal microenvironment. Following TGE exposure (15-135 &#x3bc;g/mL for 12 and 24 h), vascular barrier integrity was maintained, while liver injury markers (ALT, AST, TBA, DBIL) significantly increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner, accompanied by progressive histopathological deterioration in PCLSs. Mechanistically, TGE triggered severe oxidative stress (decreased SOD/GSH/GSH-Px and increased MDA) and upregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-1&#x3b2;). Consequently, the expression of the bile acid receptor FXR and transporters (BSEP and MRP2) was significantly downregulated. In conclusion, TGE induces cholestatic liver injury via a sequential pathway: oxidative stress initiates an immune-inflammatory response, which subsequently suppresses the FXR/BSEP/MRP2 axis. Future studies should focus on developing fully humanized liver-on-a-chip systems to further validate these mechanisms and improve clinical translational significance.

Organic-type solar cells containing an active layer of block copolymer donor PTB7-Fx (x = 0, 20, and 100), based on benzo [1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene and variably fluorinated thieno [3,4-b]thiophene units, and fullerene acceptor [6,6]phenyl-C71-methylbutyrate, were constructed. The active layer thin film of the solar cells was obtained from a dichlorobenzene solution at an established concentration via spin-coating of the donor-acceptor mixture in the presence of solvent additives such as 3% diiodooctane and 1% triethyl phosphate. Organic photovoltaic elements with normal device architecture were prepared on glass substrates using an indium tin oxide anode, a spin-coated hole transporting layer of poly(ethylene dioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate, the aforementioned active layer, followed by an electron transporting layer of zinc oxide nanoparticles, and finally a magnetron sputtered silver (Ag) top-electrode. The optical properties, thin film morphology, and the thickness of the active layers were investigated. Additionally, current density-voltage characteristics and impedance spectra of photovoltaic devices were measured. It was found that PTB7-Fx:PC71BM-based solar cells processed in the presence of two types of solvent additives, diiodooctane and triethyl phosphate, with a sputtered Ag top-electrode display similar absorption and quantum efficiency spectra, as well as comparable current density-voltage characteristics and efficiencies to the same devices fabricated without additives. The diiodooctane solvent additive preferably dissolves the fullerene component and has a positive effect on fill factor enhancement, impedance spectra improvement, and amelioration in charge carrier transport and collection, whereas the triethyl phosphate solvent additive preferentially dissolves the copolymer donor and has a more pronounced impact on the refined morphology of the thin film active layers.