SUMMARY The Cancer Genome Atlas Network recently catalogued recurrent genomic abnormalities in glioblastoma (GBM). We describe a robust gene expression-based molecular classification of GBM into Proneural, Neural, Classical and Mesenchymal subtypes and integrate multi-dimensional genomic data to establish patterns of somatic mutations and DNA copy number. Aberrations and gene expression of EGFR, NF1, and PDGFRA/IDH1 each define Classical, Mesenchymal, and Proneural, respectively. Gene signatures of normal brain cell types show a strong relation between subtypes and different neural lineages. Additionally, response to aggressive therapy differs by subtype with greatest benefit in Classical and no benefit in Proneural. We provide a framework that unifies transcriptomic and genomic dimensions for GBM molecular stratification with important implications for future studies.

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Nanofibrous biocomposite scaffolds of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and graphene oxide (GO) were prepared by using electrospinning method. The microstructure, crystallinity, and morphology of the scaffolds were characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties were investigated by tensile testing. Moreover, Mouse Osteoblastic Cells (MC3T3-E1) attachment and proliferation on the nanofibrous scaffolds were investigated by MTT [3-(4,5-dimeth-ylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay, SEM observation and fluorescence staining. XRD and FTIR results verify the presence of GO in the scaffolds. SEM images show the three-dimensional porous fibrous morphology, and the average diameter of the composite fibers decreases with increasing the content of GO. The mechanical properties of the scaffolds are altered by changing the content of GO as well. The tensile strength and elasticity modulus increase when the content of GO is lower than 1 wt %, but decrease when GO is up to 3 and 5 wt %. MC3T3-E1 cells attach and grow on the surfaces of the scaffolds, and the adding of GO do not affect the cells' viability. Also, MC3T3-E1 cells are likely to spread on the PVA/GO composite scaffolds. Above all, these unique features of the PVA/GO nanofibrous scaffolds prepared by electrospinning would open up a wide variety of future applications in bone tissue engineering and drug delivery systems.

Exciton transformation, a non-radiative process in changing the spin multiplicity of an exciton usually between singlet and triplet forms, has received much attention recently due to its crucial effects in manipulating optoelectronic properties for various applications. However, current understanding of exciton transformation mechanism does not extend far beyond a thermal equilibrium of two states with different multiplicity and it is a significant challenge to probe what exactly control the transformation between the highly active excited states. Here, based on the recent developments of three types of purely organic molecules capable of efficient spin-flipping, we perform ab initio structure/energy optimization and similarity/overlap extent analysis to theoretically explore the critical factors in controlling the transformation process of the excited states. The results suggest that the states having close energy levels and similar exciton characteristics with same transition configurations and high heteroatom participation are prone to facilitating exciton transformation. A basic guideline towards the molecular design of purely organic materials with facile exciton transformation ability is also proposed. Our discovery highlights systematically the critical importance of vertical transition configuration of excited states in promoting the singlet/triplet exciton transformation, making a key step forward in excited state tuning of purely organic optoelectronic materials.

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Podocyte autophagy is activated in lupus-prone mice and patients with lupus nephritis. Increased autophagy is cytoprotective against antibody and interferon-α induced podocyte injury.

While the high performance for electrooxidation of formic acid (HCOOH) has been recognized, Pd-based catalysts still suffer from CO poisoning, even though they are much more tolerant than Pt-based catalysts. Existing theoretical studies on the decomposition of HCOOH on Pd(111) surface cannot rationalize the catalyst poisoning effect. By performing density functional theory calculations, the present work reexamined the decomposition of HCOOH on Pd(111) along with the dual-path mechanism consisting of indirect and direct pathways. Two new adsorption configurations of HCOOH on Pd(111) are presented, from which the formation of CO is found to be either the same or more favorable in comparison with the formation of CO 2 . The present results are in distinct contrast to previous calculations where the barrier for the formation of CO 2 was much lower than that for the formation of CO. Furthermore, this work also discussed the formation of CO through the reduction of CO 2 and the effects of coadsorbed HCOOH and H 2 O molecules on the reactivity. From calculated results, it seems that the newly formed CO 2 on Pd(111) can return to the surface to interact with adsorbed H atoms, partly contributing to the formation of CO. Coadsorbed HCOOH and H 2 O molecules are found to importantly affect the initial adsorption configuration and the decomposition mechanism of HCOOH on Pd(111). These results provide new insight into the reactivity of HCOOH on the Pd(111) surface and rationalize CO poisoning of Pd-based catalysts.

Hierarchical, three-fold symmetrical dendritic gold was prepared in an aqueous solution of the quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB). Similar surfactants with different head groups and hydrocarbon chain lengths were also used for comparison. Two-fold and one-fold symmetrical dendritic gold nanostructures were obtained in N-dodecyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bromide (C(12)-MPB) and dodecyltriethylammonium bromide (DTEAB) aqueous solutions, respectively. Longer hydrocarbon chain lengths were unfavorable for the formation of dendritic nanostructures. The interaction energies between the individual surfactants and Au (111) plane were calculated using molecular dynamics simulations. Based on a series of contrast experiments and molecular dynamics simulations, the possible growth mechanism and fabrication process of the dendritic structures were proposed. The DTAB-capped, three-fold gold dendrites exhibited good surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensitivity toward rhodamine 6G (R6G), indicating their potential for use in SERS-based detections and analysis. This work provides a simple and effective strategy for fabricating dendritic gold nanostructures in aqueous solutions.