Loss of periostin/OSF-2 in ErbB2/Neu-driven tumors results in androgen receptor-positive molecular apocrine-like tumors with reduced Notch1 activity

INTRODUCTION: Periostin (Postn) is a secreted cell adhesion protein that activates signaling pathways to promote cancer cell survival, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Interestingly, Postn is frequently overexpressed in numerous human cancers, including breast, lung, colon, pancreatic, and ovarian cancer.METHODS: Using transgenic mice expressing the Neu oncogene in the mammary epithelium crossed into Postn-deficient animals, we have assessed the effect of Postn gene deletion on Neu-driven mammary tumorigenesis.RESULTS: Although Postn is exclusively expressed in the stromal fibroblasts of the mammary gland, Postn deletion does not affect mammary gland outgrowth during development or pregnancy. Furthermore, we find that loss of Postn in the mammary epithelium does not alter breast tumor initiation or growth in mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-Neu expressing mice but results in an apocrine-like tumor phenotype. Surprisingly, we find that tumors derived from Postn-null animals express low levels of Notch protein and Hey1 mRNA but increased expression of androgen receptor (AR) and AR target genes. We show that tumor cells derived from wild-type animals do not proliferate when transplanted in a Postn-null environment but that this growth defect is rescued by the overexpression of active Notch or the AR target gene prolactin-induced protein (PIP/GCDFP-15).CONCLUSIONS: Together our data suggest that loss of Postn in an ErbB2/Neu/HER2 overexpression model results in apocrine-like tumors that activate an AR-dependent pathway. This may have important implications for the treatment of breast cancers involving the therapeutic targeting of periostin or Notch signaling

Naturalized alien flora of the world: species diversity, taxonomic and phylogenetic patterns, geographic distribution and global hotspots of plant invasion

Using the recently built Global Naturalized Alien Flora (GloNAF) database, containing data on the distribution of naturalized alien plants in 483 mainland and 361 island regions of the world, we describe patterns in diversity and geographic distribution of naturalized and invasive plant species, taxonomic, phylogenetic and life-history structure of the global naturalized flora as well as levels of naturalization and their determinants. The mainland regions with the highest numbers of naturalized aliens are some Australian states (with New South Wales being the richest on this continent) and several North American regions (of which California with 1753 naturalized plant species represents the world's richest region in terms of naturalized alien vascular plants). England, Japan, New Zealand and the Hawaiian archipelago harbour most naturalized plants among islands or island groups. These regions also form the main hotspots of the regional levels of naturalization, measured as the percentage of naturalized aliens in the total flora of the region. Such hotspots of relative naturalized species richness appear on both the western and eastern coasts of North America, in north-western Europe, South Africa, south-eastern Australia, New Zealand, and India. High levels of island invasions by naturalized plants are concentrated in the Pacific, but also occur on individual islands across all oceans. The numbers of naturalized species are closely correlated with those of native species, with a stronger correlation and steeper increase for islands than mainland regions, indicating a greater vulnerability of islands to invasion by species that become successfully naturalized. South Africa, India, California, Cuba, Florida, Queensland and Japan have the highest numbers of invasive species. Regions in temperate and tropical zonobiomes harbour in total 9036 and 6774 naturalized species, respectively, followed by 3280 species naturalized in the Mediterranean zonobiome, 3057 in the subtropical zonobiome and 321 in the Arctic. The New World is richer in naturalized alien plants, with 9905 species compared to 7923 recorded in the Old World. While isolation is the key factor driving the level of naturalization on islands, zonobiomes differing in climatic regimes, and socioeconomy represented by per capita GDP, are central for mainland regions. The 11 most widely distributed species each occur in regions covering about one third of the globe or more in terms of the number of regions where they are naturalized and at least 35% of the Earth's land surface in terms of those regions' areas, with the most widely distributed species Sonchus oleraceus occuring in 48% of the regions that cover 42% of the world area. Other widely distributed species are Ricinus communis, Oxalis corniculata, Portulaca oleracea, Eleusine indica, Chenopodium album, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Stellaria media, Bidens pilosa, Datura stramonium and Echinochloa crus-galli. Using the occurrence as invasive rather than only naturalized yields a different ranking, with Lantana camara (120 regions out of 349 for which data on invasive status are known), Calotropis procera (118), Eichhornia crassipes (113), Sonchus oleraceus (108) and Leucaena leucocephala (103) on top. As to the life-history spectra, islands harbour more naturalized woody species (34.4%) than mainland regions (29.5%), and fewer annual herbs (18.7% compared to 22.3%). Ranking families by their absolute numbers of naturalized species reveals that Compositae (1343 species), Poaceae (1267) and Leguminosae (1189) contribute most to the global naturalized alien flora. Some families are disproportionally represented by naturalized aliens on islands (Arecaceae, Araceae, Acanthaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Asparagaceae, Convolvulaceae, Rubiaceae, Malvaceae), and much fewer so on mainland (e.g. Brassicaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Boraginaceae). Relating the numbers of naturalized species in a family to its total global richness shows that some of the large species-rich families are over-represented among naturalized aliens (e.g. Poaceae, Leguminosae, Rosaceae, Amaranthaceae, Pinaceae), some under-represented (e.g. Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae), whereas the one richest in naturalized species, Compositae, reaches a value expected from its global species richness. Significant phylogenetic signal indicates that families with an increased potential of their species to naturalize are not distributed randomly on the evolutionary tree. Solanum (112 species), Euphorbia (108) and Carex (106) are the genera richest in terms of naturalized species; over-represented on islands are Cotoneaster, Juncus, Eucalyptus, Salix, Hypericum, Geranium and Persicaria, while those relatively richer in naturalized species on the mainland are Atriplex, Opuntia, Oenothera, Artemisia, Vicia, Galium and Rosa. The data presented in this paper also point to where information is lacking and set priorities for future data collection. The GloNAF database has potential for designing concerted action to fill such data gaps, and provide a basis for allocating resources most efficiently towards better understanding and management of plant invasions worldwide

The Earth: Plasma Sources, Losses, and Transport Processes

This paper reviews the state of knowledge concerning the source of magnetospheric plasma at Earth. Source of plasma, its acceleration and transport throughout the system, its consequences on system dynamics, and its loss are all discussed. Both observational and modeling advances since the last time this subject was covered in detail (Hultqvist et al., Magnetospheric Plasma Sources and Losses, 1999) are addressed

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362

OVERTON WINDOW – MIND CONTROL'S THEORY OR A POLITICAL REALITY?

Данная статья посвящена манипуляции сознанием на примере технологии Овертона. В современном мире подобного рода проблема приобретает особо острый характер, так как для средств массовых коммуникаций разрушаются любые границы (как пространственные, так и временные), что позволяет производить мощное идеологическое влияние. Данная технология – одно из нововведений в политтехнологии, которая уже довольно обширно распространена и дает эффективные результаты, когда способы противостояния ей так до сих пор и не найдены

Attitudes towards Biobank Donation Among University Community

Worldwide significant efforts are invested in building biobanks—specialized facilities for storing biological materials for research and medical purposes. The successful functioning of biobanks depends directly on people’s willingness to donate their biological materials. Fragmentary empirical studies of people’s attitudes toward donations to biobanks have been undertaken in Russia. The goal of this study was to measure at titudes toward biobank donation among Russians population and to evaluate potential sociopsychological factors that play a role in a person’s readiness to become a donor. Data from 542 students and 254 scientific staff at St. Petersburg State University were collected from group-administered paper-and-pencil and online surveys respectively. Both students (74%) and scientific staff (52%) indicated a relatively high level of readiness to become biobank donors. Regression analysis showed that refusal to be a biobahk donor was correlated significantly with being university scientific staff vs. students, no previous awareness about biobank, need for relative’s or friend’s opinion before decision making, presence of payment for donation and type of requested biological material

Контексты межкультурного взаимодействия в высшей школе

This article describes the main contexts of internalization in the high school and several related aspects of teaching patriotism under the conditions of the intensification of intercultural interaction. The Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN) has for many years been a vivid example of the multinational multicultural educational environment, so the results of the sociological research conducted at the university, revealing the features of understanding, and manifesting patriotic views and attitudes of Russian and foreign students are of considerable interest. The conducted research has shown that there are no fundamental differences in the understanding of patriotism by Russian and foreign students. Nevertheless, it is worth noting, that the love for your country, the pride in its achievements, the willingness to sacrifice yourself for the good of the Motherland is more often associated with the concept of patriotism of the Russians. At the same time, veneration and respect for the state system, for symbols, willingness to serve in the army, love for one’s relatives are more characteristic of foreigners. It was also interesting that a considerable number of foreign students (from various regions) are interested in remaining in Russia after graduation. The article also highlights the problems associated with the risks of interethnic conflicts, the language barrier and the common complex adaptation of foreign students, which can be solved by well-established methods of educational work and properly coordinated efforts. The data given in the article can be used to make managerial decisions in universities that teach foreign citizens.В статье рассмотрены основные контексты интернационализации в высшей школе и связанные с ней отдельные аспекты воспитания патриотизма в условиях интенсификации межкультурного взаимодействия. Российский университет дружбы народов (РУДН) в течение многих лет является ярким примером межнациональной мультикультурной образовательной среды, поэтому значительный интерес представляют результаты проведенного в вузе социологического исследования, раскрывающие особенности понимания и проявления патриотических воззрений и установок российских и иностранных студентов. Исследование показало отсутствие принципиальных отличий в понимании патриотизма российскими и иностранными студентами, при этом любовь к своей стране, гордость ее достижениями, готовность пожертвовать собой во благо Родины чаще связываются с понятием патриотизма студентами- россиянами, тогда как уважение к государственному строю, символике, готовность служить в армии, любовь к своим близким оказались в большей степени характерны для студентов-иностранцев. Немалое число иностранных студентов заинтересовано остаться в России после окончания учебы. Авторами затронут ряд проблем, связанных с рисками межнациональных конфликтов, языкового барьера и в целом сложной адаптации иностранных студентов. Полученные данные могут быть использованы для принятия управленческих решений в вузах, обучающих иностранных граждан

Контексты межкультурного взаимодействия в высшей школе

This article describes the main contexts of internalization in the high school and several related aspects of teaching patriotism under the conditions of the intensification of intercultural interaction. The Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN) has for many years been a vivid example of the multinational multicultural educational environment, so the results of the sociological research conducted at the university, revealing the features of understanding, and manifesting patriotic views and attitudes of Russian and foreign students are of considerable interest. The conducted research has shown that there are no fundamental differences in the understanding of patriotism by Russian and foreign students. Nevertheless, it is worth noting, that the love for your country, the pride in its achievements, the willingness to sacrifice yourself for the good of the Motherland is more often associated with the concept of patriotism of the Russians. At the same time, veneration and respect for the state system, for symbols, willingness to serve in the army, love for one’s relatives are more characteristic of foreigners. It was also interesting that a considerable number of foreign students (from various regions) are interested in remaining in Russia after graduation. The article also highlights the problems associated with the risks of interethnic conflicts, the language barrier and the common complex adaptation of foreign students, which can be solved by well-established methods of educational work and properly coordinated efforts. The data given in the article can be used to make managerial decisions in universities that teach foreign citizens.В статье рассмотрены основные контексты интернационализации в высшей школе и связанные с ней отдельные аспекты воспитания патриотизма в условиях интенсификации межкультурного взаимодействия. Российский университет дружбы народов (РУДН) в течение многих лет является ярким примером межнациональной мультикультурной образовательной среды, поэтому значительный интерес представляют результаты проведенного в вузе социологического исследования, раскрывающие особенности понимания и проявления патриотических воззрений и установок российских и иностранных студентов. Исследование показало отсутствие принципиальных отличий в понимании патриотизма российскими и иностранными студентами, при этом любовь к своей стране, гордость ее достижениями, готовность пожертвовать собой во благо Родины чаще связываются с понятием патриотизма студентами- россиянами, тогда как уважение к государственному строю, символике, готовность служить в армии, любовь к своим близким оказались в большей степени характерны для студентов-иностранцев. Немалое число иностранных студентов заинтересовано остаться в России после окончания учебы. Авторами затронут ряд проблем, связанных с рисками межнациональных конфликтов, языкового барьера и в целом сложной адаптации иностранных студентов. Полученные данные могут быть использованы для принятия управленческих решений в вузах, обучающих иностранных граждан