Functional Effects of let-7g Expression in Colon Cancer Metastasis.

MicroRNA regulation is crucial for gene expression and cell functions. It has been linked to tumorigenesis, development and metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Recently, the let-7 family has been identified as a tumor suppressor in different types of cancers. However, the function of the let-7 family in CRC metastasis has not been fully investigated. Here, we focused on analyzing the role of let-7g in CRC. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) genomic datasets of CRC and detailed data from a Taiwanese CRC cohort were applied to study the expression pattern of let-7g. In addition, in vitro as well as in vivo studies have been performed to uncover the effects of let-7g on CRC. We found that the expression of let-7g was significantly lower in CRC specimens. Our results further supported the inhibitory effects of let-7g on CRC cell migration, invasion and extracellular calcium influx through store-operated calcium channels. We report a critical role for let-7g in the pathogenesis of CRC and suggest let-7g as a potential therapeutic target for CRC treatment

Characterization of magnetic properties of Sr2CuWO6 and Sr2CuMoO6

In this work we examine the low-temperature magnetic properties of the two double-perovskite compounds Sr2CuWO6 and Sr2CuMoO6 using magnetic susceptibility, muon spin rotation and relaxation, and neutron powder diffraction measurements. Additionally, the most relevant spin exchange interaction constants are derived from ab initio electronic structure calculations, aided by x-ray absorption spectroscopy. The compounds exhibit quasi-two-dimensional magnetic properties, with broad maxima at Tmax = 83 and 95 K for Sr2CuWO6 and Sr2CuMoO6, respectively. However, three-dimensional long-range order takes place below TN = 24(1) and 28(2) K for Sr2CuWO6 and Sr2CuMoO6, respectively. Our results show that the low-dimensional magnetic correlations are mainly due to the significant next-nearest-neighbor interactions in the ab plane of the double-perovskite structure, whereas three-dimensional long-range magnetic order is caused by weaker next-nearest-neighbor interactions along the c axis. Next-nearest-neighbor interactions are also slightly frustrated by weaker nearest-neighbor interactions within the ab plane. Based on these results we predict the low-temperature magnetic structure in these compounds to be type-II antiferromagnetic order of the double-perovskite lattice.Peer reviewe

InGaN-based light-emitting diodes with an embedded conical air-voids structure

The conical air-void structure of an InGaN light-emitting diode (LEDs) was formed at the GaN/sapphire interface to increase the light extraction efficiency. The fabrication process of the conical air-void structure consisted of a dry process and a crystallographic wet etching process on an undoped GaN layer, followed by a re-growth process for the InGaN LED structure. A higher light output power (1.54 times) and a small divergent angle (120o) were observed, at a 20mA operation current, on the treated LED structure when compared to a standard LED without the conical air-void structure. In this electroluminescence spectrum, the emission intensity and the peak wavelength varied periodically by corresponding to the conical air-void patterns that were measured through a 100nm-optical-aperture fiber probe. The conical air-void structure reduced the compressed strain at the GaN/sapphire interface by inducing the wavelength blueshift phenomenon and the higher internal quantum efficiency of the photoluminescence spectra for the treated LED structure