Recently, more than 1000 large intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) have been reported. These RNAs are evolutionarily conserved in mammalian genomes and thus presumably function in diverse biological processes. Here, we report the identification of lincRNAs that are regulated by p53. One of these lincRNAs (lincRNA-p21) serves as a repressor in p53-dependent transcriptional responses. Inhibition of lincRNA-p21 affects the expression of hundreds of gene targets enriched for genes normally repressed by p53. The observed transcriptional repression by lincRNA-p21 is mediated through the physical association with hnRNP-K. This interaction is required for proper genomic localization of hnRNP-K at repressed genes and regulation of p53 mediates apoptosis. We propose a model whereby transcription factors activate lincRNAs that serve as key repressors by physically associating with repressive complexes and modulate their localization to sets of previously active genes.

A Large Intergenic Noncoding RNA Induced by p53 Mediates Global Gene Repression in the p53 Response

Due to the recent expanding interest in two-dimensional layered materials, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has been receiving much research attention. Having an ultrathin layered structure and an appreciable direct band gap of 1.9 eV in the monolayer regime, few-layer MoS2 has good potential applications in nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, and flexible devices. In addition, the capability of controlling spin and valley degrees of freedom makes it a promising material for spintronic and valleytronic devices. In this review, we attempt to provide an overview of the research relevant to the structural and physical properties, fabrication methods, and electronic devices of few-layer MoS2. Recent developments and advances in studying the material are highlighted.

Few-Layer MoS2: A Promising Layered Semiconductor

We study the synthesis and electrochemical and mechanical performance of layered free-standing papers composed of acid-exfoliated few-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) flakes for use as a self-standing flexible electrode in sodium-ion batteries. Synthesis was achieved through vacuum filtration of homogeneous dispersions consisting of varying weight percent of acid-treated MoS2 flakes in GO in DI water, followed by thermal reduction at elevated temperatures. The electrochemical performance of the crumpled composite paper (at 4 mg cm–2) was evaluated as counter electrode against pure Na foil in a half-cell configuration. The electrode showed good Na cycling ability with a stable charge capacity of approximately 230 mAh g–1 with respect to total weight of the electrode with Coulombic efficiency reaching approximately 99%. In addition, static uniaxial tensile tests performed on crumpled composite papers showed high average strain to failure reaching approximately 2%.

/pdf/mos2-graphene-composite-paper-for-sodium-ion-battery-2qsnjsa9gy.pdf

MoS2/Graphene Composite Paper for Sodium-Ion Battery Electrodes

A process for forming a three-dimensional article in sequential layers in accordance with a digital model of the article. The process comprises the steps of defining a layer of a first liquid, applying a second liquid to the first liquid layer in a pattern corresponding to the digital model, and repeating these steps to form succesive layers. The first liquid comprises a first active component and the second liquid includes a second active component capable of reacting with the first reactive component so that the article is built up in layers.

Three-dimensional printing

Regenerative medicine aims to replace the lost or damaged cells in the human body through a new source of healthy transplanted cells or by endogenous repair. Although human embryonic stem cells were first thought to be the ideal source for cell therapy and tissue repair in humans, the discovery by Yamanaka and colleagues revolutionized the field. Almost any differentiated cell can be sent back in time to a pluripotency state by expressing the appropriate transcription factors. The process of somatic reprogramming using Yamanaka factors, many of which are oncogenes, offers a glimpse into how cancer stem cells may originate. In this review we discuss the similarities between tumor dedifferentiation and somatic cell reprogramming and how this may pose a risk to the application of this new technology in regenerative medicine.

/pdf/dedifferentiation-and-reprogramming-origins-of-cancer-stem-3gf16fwk1x.pdf

Dedifferentiation and reprogramming: origins of cancer stem cells

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are pervasively transcribed in the genome and are emerging as new players in tumorigenesis due to their various functions in transcriptional, posttranscriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation. LncRNAs are deregulated in a number of cancers, demonstrating both oncogenic and tumor suppressive roles, thus suggesting their aberrant expression may be a substantial contributor in cancer development. In this review, we will summarize their emerging role in human cancer and discuss their perspectives in diagnostics as potential biomarkers.

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/14/3/4655/pdf

Long non-coding RNA in cancer.

Colorimetric properties of reversible thermochromic printing inks

In order to study the role of polymer crystallinity, we performed oxygen plasma treatment experiments on amorphous and semicrystalline poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) polymers. The samples were treated in weakly ionized, highly dissociated RF oxygen plasma in glow region for different exposure times. We found that the degree of polymer crystallinity has an influence on the recombination probability of neutral atoms which interact with the surface. For amorphous polymers the recombination coefficient is in the range from 8.3 x 10 -4 to 2.1 x 10 -4 and for semicrystalline from 4 x 10 -4 to 2.5 x 10 -5 . The degree of crystallinity in plasma processing also has influences on surface topography, formation of new functional groups, etching and hydrophobic recovery (ageing). Therefore, the polymer crystallinity should be taken into consideration when optimizing plasma treatment processes for industry as well as for accounting neutral atom recombination on polymer surfaces.

The Role of Crystallinity on Polymer Interaction with Oxygen Plasma

We report on the first exfoliation of MoS2 coaxial nanotubes. The single-layer flakes, as the result of exfoliation, represent the transition metal dichalcogenides' analogue of graphene. They show a very low degree of restacking in comparison with exfoliation of MoS2 plate-like crystals. MoS2 monolayers were investigated by means of electron and atomic force microscopies, showing their structure, and ultraviolet-visible spectrometry, revealing quantum confinement as the consequence of the nanoscale size in the z-direction.

/pdf/optical-properties-of-exfoliated-mos2-coaxial-nanotubes-2swx4bht30.pdf

Nina Hauptman

Papers

Long non-coding RNA in cancer.

Colorimetric properties of reversible thermochromic printing inks

The Role of Crystallinity on Polymer Interaction with Oxygen Plasma

Optical properties of exfoliated MoS2 coaxial nanotubes - analogues of graphene

High temperature oxidation of stainless steel AISI316L in air plasma