KLOTHO methylation is linked to uremic toxins and chronic kidney disease

Epigenetic regulation plays a major role in uremic toxin-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. The KLOTHO protein is a key modulator of homeostasis in renal function. Uremic toxin accumulation can induce DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) protein expression, which is involved in the silencing of KLOTHO through hypermethylation. Treatment with DNMT inhibitors can induce a hypermethylated status of KLOTHO and suppress mRNA and protein expression. Epigenetic targeting of specific genes may become an effective strategy to prevent progression of uremia-related CKD

Comparison of the role of NGOs in Natura 2000 implementation in Poland and Hungary ; influence, outcomes and future prospects for Natura 2000 maintenance

With their accession to the EU in 2004, Poland and Hungary had to implement the Natura 2000 programme for biodiversity protection. In both countries NGOs have been active throughout the implementation process. Forms and outcomes of NGO involvement, however, differed. Hungarian NGOs were very influential during the site designation phase, working closely with the governmental authorities and contributing considerably to the country’s site proposal. In Poland, the form of NGO’s involvement changed from opposition towards the government (publication of a Natura 2000 shadow list) to close cooperation with public institutions, resulting in a significant expansion of site designations. This paper analyses the role and impact of NGOs on Natura 2000 implementation in Poland and Hungary and seeks explanation for the observed differences with reference to the theoretical background of policy networks and advocacy coalitions. The qualitative data used for the study is based on in-depth interviews with NGOs representatives and officials of public institutions engaged in Natura 2000 implementation. The comparison shows that the existing architecture of the sector of biodiversity governance is decisive for NGO activities and determines their role and impact. In the European multilevel governance setting new formal and informal opportunities were given to NGOs. In both countries NGOs became stronger during the Natura 2000 process. We argue that this was a result of the establishment of multi-level policy networks between the European Commission, NGOs and public institutions, based on resource dependencies. These networks were powerful enough to overcome dominating policy patterns in both countries. The differences found between Hungary and Poland could be explained by different discoursive positions of the responsible ministries. The change of government in Poland in 2007 shifted the discourse towards supporting conservation, which enabled the formation of an advocacy coalition between the government and NGOs

Global Symposium on Gender and Fisheries : Seventh Asian Fisheries Forum, 1-2 December 2004, Penang, Malaysia

The 18 papers contained in this volume represent a substantive contribution to the literature on the topic of gender and fisheries. Drawing on work undertaken around the globe, the results described here confirm and extend earlier work and show that contributions to the fisheries sector among different genders are highly differentiated but uniformly substantial. As with many other sectors, however, the size and nature of the contribution of women in particular, is inadequately recognized and there is rarely an equitable distribution to each gender of the benefits that derive from their inputs. Such problems are especially stark for the small-scale fisheries of developing countries where women often bear brunt of poverty that pervades the sector.Socioeconomic aspects, Women, Labour, Fishery management, Fishery development, Fishery economics, Fishery regulations, Fish culture, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Thailand, I, Pacific, Vanuatu, Philippines, India, Taiwan, Cambodia, Kiribati, European Union, Canada,

Emerging multilevel environmental governance – A case of public participation in Poland

AbstractIn recent decades, nature conservation policies have increasingly considered the participation of various actors. However, the effectiveness of such efforts is often questionable, and better methods of engaging stakeholders are still being sought. In this paper, we present an analysis of a consultation program conducted in the final stage of site selection for Natura 2000 in Małopolska, a region located in southern Poland. Based on a desk study and qualitative research, we analysed the modes and degrees of participation, the normative foundations of the consultation program, and the goals and expectations that characterise participants. The results are discussed using Unnestall's and Arnstein's typologies of participation, which show the limited success of the participatory process in representing all relevant stakeholders and enabling their actual influence on final decisions. The importance of implementing the EU directives for emerging multilevel governance in the nature conservation sector in Central and Eastern Europe, including Poland, is highlighted. In the context of Poland, the consultation program analysed appeared to be a novel and innovative step forward towards the development of a meaningful participatory approach in this region of Europe

One-dimensional Bose-Hubbard model with pure three-body interactions

Abstract: The extended Bose-Hubbard model with pure three-body local interactions is studied using the Density Matrix Renormalization Group approach. The shapes of the first two insulating lobes are discussed, and the values of the critical tunneling for which the system undergoes the quantum phase transition from insulating to superfluid phase are predicted. It is shown that stability of insulating phases, in contrast to the standard Bose-Hubbard model, is enhanced for larger fillings. It is also shown that, on the tip of the boundary of the insulating phase, the model under consideration belongs to the Berenzinskii-KosterlitzThouless universality class. PAC