MiR-455-3p regulates glioma cell proliferation by targeting PAX6

Purpose: To investigate the role of miR-455-3p in gliomas. Method: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure miR-455-3p and paired box 6 (PAX6) levels in glioma cell lines. Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression of cell cycle regulators. In addition to over-expression, silencing of miR-455-3p or PAX6 was performed to study the functions of miR-455-3p in gliomas. Results: The levels of miR-455-3p were significantly up-regulated in glioma cell lines (p < 0.05), while miR-455-3p over-expression increased glioma cell proliferation and interfered with the progress of the cell cycle (p < 0.01). Furthermore, endogenous miR-455-3p silencing prevented glioma cell proliferation by regulating cell cycle progression (p < 0.05).The results also showed that PAX6 controlled the cell cycle while PAX6 silencing selectively regulated p21 expression (p < 0.01). Furthermore, miR-455-3p and PAX6 influenced p53 expression. Re-introduction of PAX6 expressing vector into glioma cells rescued the pro-tumoral effect of miR-455-3p overexpression. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the role of miR-455-3p as a tumour oncogene in gliomas via regulation of the cell cycle, indicating that miR-455-3p might act as a new treatment strategy for glioma cell tumours and a predictor of survival in glioma patients

Mechanical properties of a novel Nano-Thermal Interface Material

Continued miniaturization in combination with increased performance in microelectronics has generated an urgent need for improved thermal management techniques in order to maintain reliability in systems and devices. Thermal interface materials play a key role in the development of solutions for thermal management in microelectronics. In this paper, mechanical properties of a nanotechnology enhanced thermal interface material (Nano-TIM) were studied. The material is based on Sn-Ag-Cu based alloy reinforced with nano scale fiber matrix. Tensile tests were used to investigate and compare the elastic modulus at room temperature and mechanical strength between 20 to 100\ub0C. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis techniques were used to investigate the morphology of the fracture section after tensile tests as well as the internal structure of the samples. The results show that the Nano-TIM can have a significantly lower elastic modulus compared to the pure alloy phase of SnAgCu due to its fiber phase. A lower elastic modulus of the solder joint can be important since it will reduce the stress transfer across the interface. This is particular important when the joint substrates have mismatching coefficients of thermal expansion. The findings of this study thus indicate that the Nano-TIM may provide a useful alternative to improve the thermomechanical reliability compared to pure solder joints. \ua9 2013 IEEE

LIM and SH3 protein 1 regulates cell growth and chemosensitivity of human glioblastoma via the PI3K/AKT pathway

Abstract Background LIM and SH3 protein 1 (LASP1) is upregulated in several types of human cancer and implicated in cancer progression. However, the expression and intrinsic function of LASP1 in glioblastoma (GBM) remains unclear. Method Oncomine and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was analyzed for the expression and clinical significance of LASP1 in GBM. LASP1 mRNA and protein level were measured by qRT-PCR and western blotting. The effect of LASP1 on GBM proliferation was examined by MTT assay and colony formation assay, the effect of LASP1 on sensitivity of Temozolomide was measured by flow cytometry and subcutaneous tumor model. The association between LASP1 and PI3K/AKT signaling was assessed by western blotting. Results Oncomine GBM dataset analysis indicated LASP1 is significantly upregulated in GBM tissues compared to normal tissues. GBM dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) revealed that high LASP1 expression is related to poor overall survival. LASP1 mRNA and protein in clinical specimens and tumor cell lines are frequently overexpressed. LASP1 knockdown dramatically suppressed U87 and U251 cell proliferation. Silencing LASP1 potentiated cell chemosensitivity to temozolomide in vitro, LASP1 knockdown inhibited tumor growth and enhanced the therapeutic effect of temozolomide in vivo. TCGA dataset analysis indicated LASP1 was correlated with PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and LASP1 deletion inhibited this pathway. Combination treatment with PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor LY294002 dramatically accelerated the suppression effect of temozolomide. Conclusion LASP1 may function as an oncogene in GBM and regulate cell proliferation and chemosensitivity in a PI3K/AKT-dependent mechanism. Thus, the LASP1/PI3K/AKT axis is a promising target and therapeutic strategy for GBM treatment

Heat dissipation of a hybrid CNT/Graphene based heat spreader

Graphene and Carbon Nanotube have been received much attention in the microelectronics application, due to their intrinsic unique performance in the thermal and electronic conduction. In this paper, a free standing three dimensional (3D) carbon nanotube (CNT)/graphene (G) hybrid material was synthesized through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process for heat dissipation application. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed to characterize the morphology of this hybrid material. Thermal test chip was designed and fabricated to test the cooling effect of this CNT/G hybrid material. The temperature of the hot spot on the chip can decreased around 10 oC with the help of this hybrid material

Heat dissipation of a hybrid CNT/Graphene based heat spreader

Graphene and Carbon Nanotube have been received much attention in the microelectronics application, due to their intrinsic unique performance in the thermal and electronic conduction. In this paper, a free standing three dimensional (3D) carbon nanotube (CNT)/graphene (G) hybrid material was synthesized through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process for heat dissipation application. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed to characterize the morphology of this hybrid material. Thermal test chip was designed and fabricated to test the cooling effect of this CNT/G hybrid material. The temperature of the hot spot on the chip can decreased around 10 oC with the help of this hybrid material

CH4 concentrations and fluxes in a subtropical metropolitan river network: Watershed urbanization impacts and environmental controls

Urbanization and greenhouse gas emissions are of great global concern, especially in developing countries such as China. However, little is known about the relationship between the two. In this study, we examined the influences of the urbanization of Chongqing Municipality, which covers an area of 5494 km(2), in China, on the CH4 emissions of in its metropolitan river network. The results from 84 sampling locations showed an overall mean CH4 concentration of 0.69 +/- 1.37 mu mol.L-1 and a CH4 flux fromthe river network of 1.40 +/- 2.53mmol CH(4)m(-2)d(-1). The CH4 concentrations and fluxes presented a clear seasonal pattern, with the highest value in the spring and the lowest in the summer. Such seasonal variations were probably co-regulated by the dilution effect, temperature and supply of fresh organicmatter by algal blooms. Another important result was that the CH4 concentrations and fluxes increased with the degree of urbanization or the proportion of urban land use, being approximately 3-13 times higher in urban and suburban areas than in rural ones. The total nitrogen, dissolved oxygen (O%) and possible sewage discharge, which could affect the in situ CH4 production and exogenous CH4 input respectively, were important factors that influenced the spatial patterns of CH4 in human-dominated river networks, while the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) could be good predictors of the CH4 emissions in urban watersheds. Hydrologic drivers, including bottom sediment type, flow velocity and river width, were strongly correlated with the CH4 concentrations and could also affect the spatial variance and predict the CH4 hotspots in such metropolitan river networks. With increasing urbanization, we should pay more attention to the increasing greenhouse gas emissions associated with urbanization. (c) 2017 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved

Compact and low loss electrochemical capacitors using a graphite / carbon nanotube hybrid material for miniaturized systems

With the establishment of the internet of things (IoT) and the rapid development of advanced microsystems, there is a growing demand to develop electrochemical capacitors (ECs) to replace bulky electrolytic capacitors on circuit boards for AC line filtering, and as a storage unit in energy autonomous systems. For this purpose, ECs must be capable of handling sufficiently high signal frequencies, display minimum energy loss through self-discharge and leakage current as well as maintaining an adequate capacitance. Here, we demonstrate ECs based on mechanically flexible, covalently bonded graphite/vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (graphite/VACNTs) hybrid materials. The ECs employing a KOH electrolyte exhibit a phase angle of −84.8\ub0, an areal capacitance of 1.38 mF cm−2 and a volumetric capacitance (device level) of 345 mF cm−3 at 120 Hz, which is among the highest values for carbon based high frequency ECs. Additionally, the performance as a storage EC for miniaturized systems is evaluated. We demonstrate capacitive charging/discharging at μA current with a gel electrolyte, and sub-μA leakage current reached within 50 s, and 100 nA level equilibrium leakage within 100 s at 2.0 V floating with an ionic liquid electrolyte

Construction of a virtual reality platform for computer-aided navigation Lingnan bone setting technique

ABSTRACTTo establish a standard Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) bone setting technique, standardize the operation and inherit the TCM bone setting technique. This project was based on the interactive tracking of bone setting techniques with a dedicated position tracker, the motion tracking of bone setting techniques based on RGBD (Red Green Blue Depth) cameras, the digital analysis of bone setting techniques, and the design of the virtual reality platform for bone setting techniques. These key technical researches were combined to construct an interactive bone setting technique. The virtual simulation system can reproduce the implementation process of the expert’s bone setting technique. The user can observe the implementation of the manipulative technique from multiple angles; through human-computer interaction, the whole process of implementation of the bone setting technique can be simulated, and the movement and reduction of the affected bone can be observed at the same time. It can be used as a teaching and training system for assisting bone setting techniques. Students can use the system to carry out repeated self-training, and can instantly compare with the standard techniques of the expert database, breaking the traditional teaching mode of ‘expected and unspeakable’ and avoid directly using patients. Therefore, this research makes it possible to reduce teaching costs, reduce risks, improve teaching quality, and make up for the lack of teaching conditions. It is very positive for the inheritance of the traditional Chinese ‘intangible culture’ of bone setting techniques, and to promote the digitalization and standardization of bone setting techniques