Cancer cells undergoing epigenetic transition show short-term resistance and are transformed into cells with medium-term resistance by drug treatment

To elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms of drug resistance, epigenetically reprogrammed H460 cancer cells (R-H460) were established by the transient introduction of reprogramming factors. Then, the R-H460 cells were induced to differentiate by the withdrawal of stem cell media for various durations, which resulted in differentiated R-H460 cells (dR-H460). Notably, dR-H460 cells differentiated for 13 days (13dR-H460 cells) formed a significantly greater number of colonies showing drug resistance to both cisplatin and paclitaxel, whereas the dR-H460 cells differentiated for 40 days (40dR-H460 cells) lost drug resistance; this suggests that 13dR-cancer cells present short-term resistance (less than a month). Similarly, increased drug resistance to both cisplatin and paclitaxel was observed in another R-cancer cell model prepared from N87 cells. The resistant phenotype of the cisplatin-resistant (CR) colonies obtained through cisplatin treatment was maintained for 2–3 months after drug treatment, suggesting that drug treatment transforms cells with short-term resistance into cells with medium-term resistance. In single-cell analyses, heterogeneity was not found to increase in 13dR-H460 cells, suggesting that cancer cells with short-term resistance, rather than heterogeneous cells, may confer epigenetically driven drug resistance in our reprogrammed cancer model. The epigenetically driven short-term and medium-term drug resistance mechanisms could provide new cancer-fighting strategies involving the control of cancer cells during epigenetic transition.Subject terms: Tumour heterogeneity, Epigenetics     

Selective Recognition of Calcium Ion through Liquid Membrane

The mole transport rate of alkaline earth metal ions through a bulk liquid membrane and a supported liquid membrane using a series of proton diionizable acyclic polyethers was measured. Among alkaline earth metal ions, the calcium ion was observed to be selectively transported in both single and competitive transport experiments. Potentiometric titration and solution calorimetric titration also gave calcium selectivity over other alkaline earth metal ions. Acyclic polyether bearing a diethylene glycol unit andn-tetradecyl lipophilic chain at the α position of carboxylic acid affords the best selectivity for the calcium ion in bulk and supported liquid membranes.     

Azido- or hydroxyl-capped half-cubanes containing Cp*Rh fragments: [Cp*3Rh3(mu-X)3(mu3-X)]2+ (X-=OH- or N3-)

Treatment of [Cp*Rh(H(2)O)(3)](OTf)(2) (1) with Me(3)SiNH-t-Bu in acetone gave a hydroxyl-capped half-cubane [Cp*(3)Rh(3)(mu-OH)(3)(mu(3)-OH)](OTf)(3)(t-BuNH(3)) (2). Slow diffusion of Me(3)SiN(3) in diethyl ether into compound in acetone produced an azido-capped half-cubane [Cp*(3)Rh(3)(mu-N(3))(3)(mu(3)-N(3))](OTf)(2) (3). On the other hand, treating 1 with Me(3)SiN(3) in acetone gave an azido-bridged, dinuclear rhodium(III) complex [Cp*Rh(mu-N(3))(OH(2))](2)(OTf)(2) (4). Complexes 2 and 3 represent the first azido- or hydroxyl-capped, incomplete cubane-type Rh clusters. Under appropriate conditions, complexes 2 and 3 could be converted to complex 4. The structures of all products were determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Imide-siloxane block copolymer/silica hybrid membranes: preparation, characterization and gas separation properties

Imide-siloxane block copolymer/silica hybrid membranes with covalent bonds were prepared via sol–gel reaction. The structural informations of these hybrid membranes were obtained by using Fourier transform-infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), ²⁹Si nuclear magnetic resonance (²⁹Si NMR), XPS and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The gas separation properties of the hybrid membranes were also investigated in terms of organosiloxane (PDMS) or silica content at various temperatures. In the hybrids, the addition of PDMS phase increased the permeabilities of gases such as He, CO₂, O₂, and N₂, indicating that the gas transport occurred mainly through rubbery organic matrix. Meanwhile, the PDMS phase contributed the decreased gas selectivities to nitrogen but the reduction in selectivities was very small in comparison with other siloxane containing polymeric membranes. This might be due to the restriction of chain mobility by the existence of inorganic component such as silica network in the hybrids. Additionally, the increase of silica content in these hybrid membranes considerably retarded the falling-off of gas selectivity at elevated temperature. The increase of silica content in hybrid membranes resulted in well-formed silica networks and hence these inorganic components restricted the plasticization of organic matrix by the thermal segmental motion of organic components, leading to preventing the large decrease of the gas selectivity.     

Formation mechanism of conducting polypyrrole nanotubes in reverse micelle systems

Polypyrrole (PPy) nanotubes were readily fabricated through chemical oxidation polymerization in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse (water-in-oil) emulsions. The reverse cylindrical micelle phase was characterized, and the key factors affecting the formation of PPy nanotubes were systematically inspected. AOT reverse cylindrical micelles were prepared via a cooperative interaction between an aqueous FeCl3 solution and AOT in an apolar solvent. In the H2O/FeCl3/AOT/apolar solvent system, the aqueous FeCl3 solution played a role in increasing the ionic strength and decreasing the second critical micelle concentration of AOT. As a result, AOT reverse cylindrical micelles could be spontaneously formed in an apolar solvent. In addition, iron cations were adsorbed to the anionic AOT headgroups that were capable of extracting metal cations from the aqueous core. Under these conditions, the addition of pyrrole monomer resulted in the chemical oxidation polymerization of the corresponding monomer at the surface of AOT reverse cylindrical micelles, followed by the formation of tubular PPy nanostructures. In a typical composition (74.0 wt % hexane, 22.4 wt % AOT, and 3.6 wt % aqueous FeCl3 solution at 15 degrees C), the average diameter of PPy nanotubes was approximately 94 nm and their length was more than 2 mum. The PPy nanotube dimensions were affected by synthetic variables such as the weight ratio of aqueous FeCl3 solution/AOT, type of apolar solvent, and reaction temperature. Moreover, the relationship between the diameter and the conductivity of the nanotubes was investigated.     

Morphology, crystallization behavior and properties of impact-modified polypropylene copolymer with or without sodium benzoate as a nucleating agent

 The morphology, crystallization behavior, and properties of an impact-modified polypropylene (PP) copolymer with or without sodium benzoate were investigated. The contents of ethylene–propylene rubber (EPR) in the reactor-made PP copolymer is about 15 wt%. For comparison, blends of PP and EPR containing the same EPR composition were prepared by melt-mixing. Morphological studies by scanning probe microscopy indicated that the impact-modified copolymer consists of three different phases, i.e., polyethylene, PP, and EPR phases, which is considerably different from the morphology of the conventional PP/EPR blend of the corresponding composition. The impact-modified PP copolymer exhibited a higher crystallization rate in terms of the lower crystallization half-time and thus higher thermal and mechanical properties, such as impact strength and hardness, than the PP/EPR blend did. The addition of sodium benzoate as a nucleating agent to the copolymer increased the crystallization rate and the mechanical properties. Received: 4 June 2001 Accepted: 31 October 2001     

2,3,7‐Triazabicyclo[3.3.0]octenes Prepared by Tandem Cascade Reaction of Allyl Azides and Olefinic Dipolarophiles

Tandem cascade reactions of allylazides and olefinic dipolarophiles to give cis‐fused 2,3,7‐triazabicyclo [3.3.0]octenes ( 5, 6 or 7 ) are reported. Therein, an intermolecular dipolar cycloaddition of azide and alkene gave a triazoline which was followed by isomerization of the triazoline to a diazoester ( 4 ) and then an intramolecular dipolar cycloaddition from the diazo functional group and the double bond in 4 to give 5 . Compound 5 may further more undergo a Michael addition to give 7‐substituted‐ 2,3,7‐ triazabicyclo [3.3.0]oct‐2‐ene ( 6 ) or a tautomerization to give 2,3,7‐triazabicyclo[3.3.0]oct‐3‐ene ( 7 ). The reaction may be manipulated to stop at a particular stage by adopting a suit able solvent or an appropriate temperature.     

Lyotropic effect in surface charge,electrokinetics, and coagulation of a rutile dispersion

Potentiometric, electrokinetic, and coagulation experiments with a rutile dispersion in the pH region above the point of zero charge exhibit an inverse lyotropic sequence for counterions: Li⁺>K⁺>Cs⁺. The potentiometric and electrokinetic data were interpreted by a surface complexation model assuming the Stern-Gouy-Chapman structure of the interfacial layer, which yielded the values of inner layer capacitances,C, and the intrinsic equilibrium constants,K _ass ⁰ , characterizing the specificity of each counterion. These parameters were used to explain the order of lyotropic sequences in the adsorption, coagulation, and electrokinetic phenomena.     

An ultraviolet-curable mold for sub-100-nm lithography

We describe a novel UV-curable mold that is stiff enough for replicating dense sub-100-nm features even with a high aspect ratio. It also allows for flexibility when the mold is prepared on a flexible support such that large area replication can be accomplished. The composite material of the mold is inert to chemicals and solvents. The surface energy is made low with a small amount of releasing agent such that the mold can be removed easily and cleanly after patterning. In addition, the material allows self-replication of the mold. These unique features of the mold material should make the mold quite useful for various patterning purposes.