Carbon Nanohorns as Effective Nanotherapeutics in Cancer Therapy

Different carbon nanostructures have been explored as functional materials for the development of effective nanomaterials in cancer treatment applications. This review mainly aims to discuss the features, either strength or weakness, of carbon nanohorn (CNH), carbon conical horn-shaped nanostructures of sp2 carbon atoms. The interest for these materials arises from their ability to couple the clinically relevant properties of carbon nanomaterials as drug carriers with the negligible toxicity described in vivo. Here, we offer a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in the use of CNH in cancer treatments, underlining the benefits of each functionalization route and approach, as well as the biological performances of either loaded and unloaded materials, while discussing the importance of delivery devices

PIN auxin efflux carrier polarity is regulated by PINOID kinase-mediated recruitment into GNOM-independent trafficking in Arabidopsis

Plant science

Copper chelation suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transition by inhibition of canonical and non-canonical TGF-β signaling pathways in cancer

Background: Metastatic cancer cells exploit Epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) to enhance their migration, invasion, and resistance to treatments. Recent studies highlight that elevated levels of copper are implicated in cancer progression and metastasis. Clinical trials using copper chelators are associated with improved patient survival; however, the molecular mechanisms by which copper depletion inhibits tumor progression and metastasis are poorly understood. This remains a major hurdle to the clinical translation of copper chelators. Here, we propose that copper chelation inhibits metastasis by reducing TGF-β levels and EMT signaling. Given that many drugs targeting TGF-β have failed in clinical trials, partly because of severe side effects arising in patients, we hypothesized that copper chelation therapy might be a less toxic alternative to target the TGF-β/EMT axis. Results: Our cytokine array and RNA-seq data suggested a link between copper homeostasis, TGF-β and EMT process. To validate this hypothesis, we performed single-cell imaging, protein assays, and in vivo studies. Here, we used the copper chelating agent TEPA to block copper trafficking. Our in vivo study showed a reduction of TGF-β levels and metastasis to the lung in the TNBC mouse model. Mechanistically, TEPA significantly downregulated canonical (TGF-β/SMAD2&3) and non-canonical (TGF-β/PI3K/AKT, TGF-β/RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, and TGF-β/WNT/β-catenin) TGF-β signaling pathways. Additionally, EMT markers of MMP-9, MMP-14, Vimentin, β-catenin, ZEB1, and p-SMAD2 were downregulated, and EMT transcription factors of SNAI1, ZEB1, and p-SMAD2 accumulated in the cytoplasm after treatment. Conclusions: Our study suggests that copper chelation therapy represents a potentially effective therapeutic approach for targeting TGF-β and inhibiting EMT in a diverse range of cancers

Male, National, and Religious Collective Narcissism Predict Sexism

Results of three cross-sectional studies indicate that sexism in Poland is associated with collective narcissism—a belief that one’s own group’s (the in-group’s) exaggerated exceptionality is not sufficiently recognized by others—with reference to three social identities: male, religious, and national. In Study 1 (n = 329), male collective narcissism was associated with sexism. This relationship was sequentially mediated by precarious manhood and traditional gender beliefs. In Study 2 (n = 877), Catholic collective narcissism predicted tolerance of violence against women (among men and women) over and above religious fundamentalism and in contrast to intrinsic religiosity. In Study 3 (n = 1070), national collective narcissism was associated with hostile sexism among men and women and with benevolent sexism more strongly among women than among men. In contrast, national in-group satisfaction—a belief that the nation is of a high value—predicted rejection of benevolent and hostile sexism among women but was positively associated with hostile and benevolent sexism among men. Among men and women collective narcissism was associated with tolerance of domestic violence against women, whereas national in-group satisfaction was associated with rejection of violence against women

Vajont landslide (Italy) : an example of a natural disaster induced by human activity

Vajont landslide, which affected the northern slope of Monte Toc in the Dolomites (NW Italy), is one of the most famous examples of a natural disaster induced by human activity. A wave, generated by displaced material that filled the Vajont reservoir, overtopped the dam and destroyed a few villages in the nearby Piave valley, resulting in death of approximately 2000people. In this review paper, some facts about the disaster are presented and its triggering factors are discussed. Information related to tourism development in the area is also provided