Size-and composition optimized sub-nanometer and nm size catalysts for low-temperature jet-fuel activation

Adding catalysts to jet fuels has advantages such as accelerated combustion and increased heat sink capacity. The multitude of parameters determining catalyst performance forms a considerable challenge, such as optimal particle composition and size which primarily determine reaction rates and energetics, plus sintering resistance. Prerequisites for such studies are 1) catalysts with well defined size/composition and 2) characterization of the catalyst at work. In this study, cyclohexane is used as fuel surrogate and its dehydrogenation on Pt- and Co-based catalysts is monitored by temperature programmed reaction combined with in situ X-ray scattering and absorption. The results shows that efficient dehydrogenation of cyclohexane can be performed on subnanometer and nanometer size catalysts, moreover at low temperatures. Catalytic performance can be tuned by varying composition and functionalization of the support material, the size and doping of the nanocatalyst. DFT studies are used to help understand the structures and reaction pathways

c-Myc and Her2 cooperate to drive a stem-like phenotype with poor prognosis in breast cancer

The HER2 (ERBB2) and MYC genes are commonly amplified in breast cancer, yet little is known about their molecular and clinical interaction. Using a novel chimeric mammary transgenic approach and in vitro models, we demonstrate markedly increased self-renewal and tumour-propagating capability of cells transformed with Her2 and c-Myc. Coexpression of both oncoproteins in cultured cells led to the activation of a c-Myc transcriptional signature and acquisition of a self-renewing phenotype independent of an epithelial–mesenchymal transition programme or regulation of conventional cancer stem cell markers. Instead, Her2 and c-Myc cooperated to induce the expression of lipoprotein lipase, which was required for proliferation and self-renewal in vitro. HER2 and MYC were frequently coamplified in breast cancer, associated with aggressive clinical behaviour and poor outcome. Lastly, we show that in HER2+ breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (but not targeted anti-Her2 therapy), MYC amplification is associated with a poor outcome. These findings demonstrate the importance of molecular and cellular context in oncogenic transformation and acquisition of a malignant stem-like phenotype and have diagnostic and therapeutic consequences for the clinical management of HER2+ breast cancer