Gastric cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Recent research suggests that tissue stem cells and the self renewal transcription factor, octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4), could be involved in the development of certain tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression pattern of Oct4 in normal human stomach and during multistep gastric carcinogenesis. Pyloric antral mucosal tissues were obtained from consenting individuals undergoing endoscopy (due to upper gastrointestinal symptoms) and gastrectomy (due to pyloric antral adenocarcinoma). Some tissue samples were processed to assemble an array of tissue sections representing multistep carcinogenesis and probed using anti-Oct4 antibodies and lectins specific for α-L-fucose or N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. Some tissue samples were processed for subcellular fractionation and western blot analysis using the same antibodies. The results revealed that Oct4-expressing cells were found in the proliferative cell compartment of the pit-gland units of microscopically normal gastric mucosal biopsies. Mucosal tissues with evidence of severe gastritis, metaplastic/dysplastic transformation and gastric cancer showed a significant increase in the expression of Oct4 (the labeled area increased from 2% in the control to 6 and 16% in the gastritis and cancerous tissues, respectively), suggesting a role for Oct4 in the early stages of cancer development. Furthermore, the data revealed an alteration in the subcellular distribution of Oct4, possibly due to the inhibition of cytoplasm-to-nucleus translocation during carcinogenesis. In conclusion, this study demonstrates an alteration in the expression pattern and nuclear translocation of Oct4 during gastric carcinogenesis and may be helpful in designing new modalities for the early detection and/or therapy of gastric cancer.

An important problem in teaching the subjects of Computer Architecture and Organization (CO&CA) is the linking of the theoretical knowledge with the practical experience. Visualization of different computer hardware architectures with the use of the simulators enhances the learning process among students. Many useful computer simulators can help address this issue by covering various aspects of CO&CA. The programs range from simple simulators to specific teaching tools to advanced and specialized software. We assessed several simulators and selected one that was freely available and that enabled the students to learn the concepts to the fullest. This paper describes our experience of incorporating simulation tools into teaching the CO&CA to information technology and computing students. We demonstrate that the use of simulators helped students understand better how a computer was constructed and how it functioned internally. ß 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 24:215-224, 2016; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/ journal/cae;

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ABSTRACT:The characterization of standard cells (basic digital blocks) is an iterative and arduous process. Our web-based tool enables the students/users to quickly perform a large number of characterization experiments. The tool is useful for various courses on micro/nano-electronics and circuit design, and eliminates the need for costly CAD-software/hardware. ß 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 23:304-313, 2015; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae;

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