TET3- and OGT-Dependent Expression of Genes Involved in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Endometrial Cancer

TET3 is a member of the TET (ten-eleven translocation) proteins family that catalyzes the conversion of the 5-methylcytosine into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine. TET proteins can also affect chromatin modifications and gene expression independently of their enzymatic activity via interactions with other proteins. O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), the enzyme responsible for modification of proteins via binding of N-acetylglucosamine residues, is one of the proteins whose action may be dependent on TET3. Here, we demonstrated that in endometrial cancer cells both TET3 and OGT affected the expression of genes involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), i.e., FOXC1, TWIST1, and ZEB1. OGT overexpression was caused by an increase in TWIST1 and ZEB1 levels in HEC-1A and Ishikawa cells, which was associated with increased O-GlcNAcylation of histone H2B and trimethylation of H3K4. The TET3 had the opposite effect on gene expressions and histone modifications. OGT and TET3 differently affected FOXC1 expression and the migratory potential of HEC-1A and Ishikawa cells. Analysis of gene expressions in cancer tissue samples from endometrial cancer patients confirmed the association between OGT or TET3 and EMT genes. Our results contribute to the knowledge of the role of the TET3/OGT relationship in the complex mechanism supporting endometrial cancer progression.     

Inhibition or Reversal of the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Gastric Cancer: Pharmacological Approaches

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) constitutes one of the hallmarks of carcinogenesis consisting in the re-differentiation of the epithelial cells into mesenchymal ones changing the cellular phenotype into a malignant one. EMT has been shown to play a role in the malignant transformation and while occurring in the tumor microenvironment, it significantly affects the aggressiveness of gastric cancer, among others. Importantly, after EMT occurs, gastric cancer patients are more susceptible to the induction of resistance to various therapeutic agents, worsening the clinical outcome of patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need to search for the newest pharmacological agents targeting EMT to prevent further progression of gastric carcinogenesis and potential metastases. Therapies targeted at EMT might be combined with other currently available treatment modalities, which seems to be an effective strategy to treat gastric cancer patients. In this review, we have summarized recent advances in gastric cancer treatment in terms of targeting EMT specifically, such as the administration of polyphenols, resveratrol, tangeretin, luteolin, genistein, proton pump inhibitors, terpenes, other plant extracts, or inorganic compounds.     

CPW-fed passive and active microstrip antennas

A numerical modelling based on the solution of coupled integral equations is used for the design ofCPW-fed microstrip antennas. This type of antennas shows properties close to those of aperture-coupled antennas fed by microstrip lines. Oscillating antennas and large bandwidth antennas working in the C-band are realized with the help of the theoretical model. Various shapes of excitation slots are studied and the slot-loop is shown to be a convenient feeding for the insertion of active devices.     

Development of the chemical model of a typical food product: Olive oil from an italian region (Basilicata)

Samples (158) of olive oil produced in an Italian region (Basilicata) and described by 52 chemical variables were analysed together with samples of different geographical origin, using chemometric techniques. After selection of the variables discriminating best between the samples from Basilicata and those from the reference regions, two homogeneous zones of Basilicata were studied in detail: several class-modelling methods were applied in order to build the models of the oil produced in those areas. Compact models of the northern and central areas of Basilicata were obtained with a variance comparable to the models of well-characterised regions of oil production.     

Compact oscillating slot loop antenna with conductor backing

An oscillating slot loop antenna working at 4.02 GHz is realised with a low cost GaAs MESFET. A conductor backing is used to obtain a unidirectional radiation pattern     

Beyond the Mind—Serum Trace Element Levels in Schizophrenic Patients: A Systematic Review

The alterations in serum trace element levels are common phenomena observed in patients with different psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, or major depressive disorder. The fluctuations in the trace element concentrations might act as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of many psychiatric and neurological disorders. This paper aimed to assess the alterations in serum trace element concentrations in patients with a diagnosed schizophrenia. The authors made a systematic review, extracting papers from the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Among 5009 articles identified through database searching, 59 of them were assessed for eligibility. Ultimately, 33 articles were included in the qualitative synthesis. This review includes the analysis of serum levels of the following trace elements: iron, nickel, molybdenum, phosphorus, lead, chromium, antimony, uranium, magnesium, aluminum, zinc, copper, selenium, calcium, and manganese. Currently, there is no consistency regarding serum trace element levels in schizophrenic patients. Thus, it cannot be considered as a reliable prognostic or diagnostic marker of schizophrenia. However, it can be assumed that altered concentrations of those elements are crucial regarding the onset and exaggeration of either psychotic or negative symptoms or cognitive dysfunctions.     

CPW-fed oscillating microstrip antennas

Operating with a low-cost FET, oscillating CPW-fed microstrip antennas working at ~4 GHz have been presented. Because the design is based on slot or slot loop apertures, no via holes are required, These oscillating antennas are compact, easy to fabricate while providing uniform radiation patterns with cross-polarisation levels below -17 dB. Active integrated power combining arrays or active integrated phased arrays are possible future applications of these radiating elements