Genomic and phenotypic stability of fusion-driven pediatric sarcoma cell lines.

Human cancer cell lines are the mainstay of cancer research. Recent reports showed that highly mutated adult carcinoma cell lines (mainly HeLa and MCF-7) present striking diversity across laboratories and that long-term continuous culturing results in genomic/transcriptomic heterogeneity with strong phenotypical implications. Here, we hypothesize that oligomutated pediatric sarcoma cell lines mainly driven by a fusion transcription factor, such as Ewing sarcoma (EwS), are genetically and phenotypically more stable than the previously investigated adult carcinoma cell lines.

Electrospray Mass Spectrometry to Study Combinatorial iClick Reactions and Multiplexed Kinetics of [Ru(N)(N∧N)(terpy)]PF with Alkynes of Different Steric and Electronic Demand.

In a combinatorial approach, a family of ruthenium(II) azido complexes [Ru(N)(N∧N)(terpy)]PF with terpy = 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine and N∧N as a bidentate chelator derived from 2,2'-biypridine and its 4,4'-disubstituted derivatives, 2,2'-bipyrimidine, and 1,10-phenanthroline were reacted with different internal and terminal alkynes to give access to a total of 7 × 7 = 49 triazolato complexes in a room-temperature catalyst-free iClick reaction. The reactants were mixed in a repurposed high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) autosampler, and the reaction progress was monitored by direct injection into an electrospray mass spectrometer. The ratio of the peak intensities of [Ru(N)(N∧N)(terpy)] and [Ru(triazolato)(N∧N)(terpy)] was converted to a colored heat map for facile visual inspection of the conversion ratio.

Neomorphic DNA-binding enables tumor-specific therapeutic gene expression in fusion-addicted childhood sarcoma.

Chimeric fusion transcription factors are oncogenic hallmarks of several devastating cancer entities including pediatric sarcomas, such as Ewing sarcoma (EwS) and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS). Despite their exquisite specificity, these driver oncogenes have been considered largely undruggable due to their lack of enzymatic activity.Here, we show in the EwS model that - capitalizing on neomorphic DNA-binding preferences - the addiction to the respective fusion transcription factor EWSR1-FLI1 can be leveraged to express therapeutic genes.

Polymer-Conjugated Carbon Nanotubes for Biomolecule Loading.

Nanomaterials have emerged as an invaluable tool for the delivery of biomolecules such as DNA and RNA, with various applications in genetic engineering and post-transcriptional genetic manipulation. Alongside this development, there has been an increasing use of polymer-based techniques, such as polyethylenimine (PEI), to electrostatically load polynucleotide cargoes onto nanomaterial carriers. However, there remains a need to assess nanomaterial properties, conjugation conditions, and biocompatibility of these nanomaterial-polymer constructs, particularly for use in plant systems.

Stringing the Perylene Diimide Bow.

This study explores a new mode of contortion in perylene diimides where the molecule is bent, like a bow, along its long axis. These bowed PDIs were synthesized through a facile fourfold Suzuki macrocyclization with aromatic linkers and a tetraborylated perylene diimide that introduces strain and results in a bowed structure. By altering the strings of the bow, the degree of bending can be controlled from flat to highly bent.

A backward encoding approach to recover subcortical auditory activity.

Several subcortical nuclei along the auditory pathway are involved in the processing of sounds. One of the most commonly used methods of measuring the activity of these nuclei is the auditory brainstem response (ABR). Due to its low signal-to-noise ratio, ABR's have to be derived by averaging over activity generated by thousands of artificial sounds such as clicks or tone bursts.

Submicrometer-Sized Roughness Suppresses Bacteria Adhesion.

Biofilm formation is most commonly combatted with antibiotics or biocides. However, proven toxicity and increasing resistance of bacteria increase the need for alternative strategies to prevent adhesion of bacteria to surfaces. Chemical modification of the surfaces by tethering of functional polymer brushes or films provides a route toward antifouling coatings.

Using a regional ocean model to understand the structure and variability of acoustic arrivals in Fram Strait.

A regional ocean model for Fram Strait provides a framework for interpretation of the variability and structure of acoustic tomography arrivals. The eddy-permitting model (52 vertical levels and 4.5 km horizontal resolution) was evaluated using long-term moored hydrography data and time series of depth-range averaged temperature obtained from the inversion of acoustic tomography measurements.

When and how self-cleaning of superhydrophobic surfaces works.

Despite the enormous interest in superhydrophobicity for self-cleaning, a clear picture of contaminant removal is missing, in particular, on a single-particle level. Here, we monitor the removal of individual contaminant particles on the micrometer scale by confocal microscopy. We correlate this space- and time-resolved information with measurements of the friction force.

Singlet Fission in Tetraaza-TIPS-Pentacene Oligomers: From fs Excitation to μs Triplet Decay via the Biexcitonic State.

Generating two long-living low-energy excitations after absorption of a single high-energy photon has stoked interest in singlet fission (SF) to enhance solar energy conversion in photovoltaics. To this end, survival of the triplet states is critical. This process is investigated in diethynylbenzene-linked tetraaza-triisopropylsilylethynyl-pentacene dimers, for which SF is energetically feasible and facilitated by the close distances between the azapentacenes.

Controlling Singlet Fission by Molecular Contortion.

Singlet fission, the generation of two triplet excited states from the absorption of a single photon, may potentially increase solar energy conversion efficiency. A major roadblock in realizing this potential is the limited number of molecules available with high singlet fission yields and sufficient chemical stability. Here, we demonstrate a strategy for developing singlet fission materials in which we start with a stable molecular platform and use strain to tune the singlet and triplet energies.

Flow-Induced Long-Term Stable Slippery Surfaces.

Slippery lubricant-infused surfaces allow easy removal of liquid droplets on surfaces. They consist of textured or porous substrates infiltrated with a chemically compatible lubricant. Capillary forces help to keep the lubricant in place.

Hydrophobic Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have diverse potential applications in catalysis, gas storage, separation, and drug delivery because of their nanoscale periodicity, permanent porosity, channel functionalization, and structural diversity. Despite these promising properties, the inherent structural features of even some of the best-performing MOFs make them moisture-sensitive and unstable in aqueous media, limiting their practical usefulness. This problem could be overcome by developing stable hydrophobic MOFs whose chemical composition is tuned to ensure that their metal-ligand bonds persist even in the presence of moisture and water.

Triplet Pair States in Singlet Fission.

This account aims at providing an understanding of singlet fission, i.e., the photophysical process of a singlet state ( S) splitting into two triplet states (2 × T) in molecular chromophores.

How to Coat the Inside of Narrow and Long Tubes with a Super-Liquid-Repellent Layer-A Promising Candidate for Antibacterial Catheters.

Fouling of thin tubes is a major problem, leading to various infections and associated morbidities, while cleaning is difficult or even impossible. Here, a generic method is introduced to activate and coat the inside of meter-long and at the same time thin (down to 1 mm) tubes with a super-liquid-repellent layer of nanofilaments, exhibiting even antibacterial properties. Activation is facilitated by pumping an oxidative Fenton solution through the tubes.

Tetrahedral Tetrakis(p-ethynylphenyl) Group IV Compounds in Microporous Polymers: Effect of Tetrel on Porosity.

Three Sonogashira-Hagihara polymerization protocols were applied for the synthesis of conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) by using group IV tetra(p-ethynylphenyl) monomers with 1,4-diiodobenzene or 1,4-dibromobenzene. The optical properties and surface areas of the CMPs were compared and related to the preparation conditions and the geometry of the tetrahedral building block as obtained after X-ray analysis. In each series, surface areas decreased-independently from the chosen parameters of catalyst, base, and solvent-from carbon-centered CMPs (1595 m  g ) to silicon-, germanium-, and tin-centered (649 m  g ) networks.

Ultrafast Processing of Hierarchical Nanotexture for a Transparent Superamphiphobic Coating with Extremely Low Roll-Off Angle and High Impalement Pressure.

Low roll-off angle, high impalement pressure, and mechanical robustness are key requirements for super-liquid-repellent surfaces to realize their potential in applications ranging from gas exchange membranes to protective and self-cleaning materials. Achieving these properties is still a challenge with superamphiphobic surfaces, which can repel both water and low-surface-tension liquids. In addition, fabrication procedures of superamphiphobic surfaces are typically slow and expensive.

Tetraazapentacene constructs: controlling bulk-morphology through molecular dimensionality.

Multi-core TIPSTAP-constructs of different dimensionality were created via "geometrization" of the monomeric, highly crystalline parent using alkyne linkers. Morphological diversity is produced, while the material acceptor strength remains untouched. We establish structure-function relationships as the bulk morphology is predicted from the molecular geometry.

Preparation, Properties, and Structures of the Radical Anions and Dianions of Azapentacenes.

A series of diazapentacenes (5,14-diethynyldibenzo[b,i]phenazine, 6,13-diethynylnaphtho[2,3-b]phenazine) and tetraazapentacenes (7,12-diethynylbenzo[g]quinoxalino[2,3-b]quinoxaline, 6,13-diethynylquinoxalino[2,3-b]phenazine) were reduced to their radical anions and dianions, employing either potassium anthracenide or lithium naphthalenide in THF. The anionic species formed were investigated by UV-vis-NIR, fluorescence and EPR spectroscopy, spectroelectrochemistry, and quantum chemical calculations. Single crystal X-ray structures of three of their radical anions and of three of their dianions were obtained.

Resolution, identification, and stability of broadband acoustic arrivals in Fram Strait.

An ocean acoustic tomography system consisting of three moorings with low frequency, broadband transceivers and a moored receiver located approximately in the center of the triangle formed by the transceivers was installed in the central, deep-water part of Fram Strait during 2010-2012. Comparisons of the acoustic receptions with predictions based on hydrographic sections show that the oceanographic conditions in Fram Strait result in complex arrival patterns in which it is difficult to resolve and identify individual arrivals. In addition, the early arrivals are unstable, with the arrival structures changing significantly over time.

Shape Controlled Hierarchical Porous Hydrophobic/Oleophilic Metal-Organic Nanofibrous Gel Composites for Oil Adsorption.

A versatile and facile synthetic route toward a ultralight hierarchical poroushybrid composed of metal-organic gels and fluorinated graphene oxide is reported. The composite gels show excellent absorbency of oil and various organic solvents due to their prominent meso/macropores, notable hydrophobicity, and superoleophilicity.

Enhancing CO Capture using Robust Superomniphobic Membranes.

Superomniphobic membranes for post-combustion CO capture are introduced. Concentrated aqueous amine solutions stay on the topmost part of the membranes, providing a large liquid/CO interface. Wetting of the membrane, which reduces the capture efficiency, is prevented.

Bent N-Heteroarenes.

The syntheses and optical, electronic, and structural properties of a series of bent N-heteroarenes are described. The targets were obtained by condensation reactions of substituted aromatic o-diamines with 1,2-naphthoquinone and 1,2-anthraquinone in yields between 34 and 94%; naphthoquione-based products are generally formed in higher yields.

The Radical Anion and Dianion of Tetraazapentacene.

The mono- and bis-reduction of 6,13-bis((triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl)quinoxalino[2,3-b]phenazine (1) with potassium anthracenide in THF is reported. Both the radical anion 1(.-) and the dianion 1(2-) were isolated and characterized by optical and structural (single-crystal X-ray diffraction) methods.