Agriculture and European Union Enlargement

Potential accession of a number of eastern and central European countries into the European Union (EU) seems destined to lead to further reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The financial costs of absorbing these countries may be extreme. This report documents the modeling framework (European Simulation Model, ESIM) used to analyze the 1992 CAP reform and discusses possible effects of EU enlargement.CAP reform, European Union, EU, European Union enlargement, Agricultural and Food Policy,

Measuring a bank’s financial health : a case study for the Greek banking sector

The main aim of this article is to demonstrate a holistic framework for measuring a bank’s financial health by classifying its main responsibilities between conformance and performance. Responsibilities are classified into five categories as follows: First, Corporate Financial Reporting (CFR) that integrates General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Services Authority (FSA), and International Accounting Standards (IAS). Second, Risk Management Procedures (RMP), that incorporates methods and directives which arise from Basel I, Basel II, Capital Adequacy frameworks or solvency ratio benchmarks. Third, Corporate Governance (CG), that integrates Sarbanes – Oxley Act, Audit Committees, and Internal Audit Mechanisms. Fourth, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), that consists of instructions and standards such as Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) – social and environmental, Social accountability (SA 8000) – working conditions, International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9000). Fifth, Stockholders Value Creation (SVC), that is a set of methodologies and ratios used in order to measure value creation for shareholders such as Strategic and Balanced scorecard, Economic Value Added EVA®, and other business performance management tools. On the other, the Rating Agencies (RA) applies various rating systems in different fields. Based on this framework, the article correlates all qualitative and quantitative components, with the banks’ ratings. The dependent variable is the bank’s financial health score, represented by a dummy variable based on the bank’s rating by the rating agencies and from the relevant value of each bank that arises from its performance in the above mentioned framework of responsibilities. The independent quantitative variables belong to a set of financial, risk and market key ratios and the qualitative variables to a set of dummy variables which describe the above framework. With the use of financial and other published data of the Greek banking sector the article proposes a new model and a procedure for the explanation, management and monitoring of a bank’s financial health.peer-reviewe

Phase-Retrieved Tomography enables imaging of a Tumor Spheroid in Mesoscopy Regime

Optical tomographic imaging of biological specimen bases its reliability on the combination of both accurate experimental measures and advanced computational techniques. In general, due to high scattering and absorption in most of the tissues, multi view geometries are required to reduce diffuse halo and blurring in the reconstructions. Scanning processes are used to acquire the data but they inevitably introduces perturbation, negating the assumption of aligned measures. Here we propose an innovative, registration free, imaging protocol implemented to image a human tumor spheroid at mesoscopic regime. The technique relies on the calculation of autocorrelation sinogram and object autocorrelation, finalizing the tomographic reconstruction via a three dimensional Gerchberg Saxton algorithm that retrieves the missing phase information. Our method is conceptually simple and focuses on single image acquisition, regardless of the specimen position in the camera plane. We demonstrate increased deep resolution abilities, not achievable with the current approaches, rendering the data alignment process obsolete.Comment: 21 pages, 5 figure

The effects of sevelamer hydrochloride and calcium carbonate on kidney calcification in uremic rats

The control of serum phosphorus (P) and calcium-phosphate (Ca x P) product is critical to the prevention of ectopic calcification in chronic renal failure (CRF). Whereas calcium (Ca) salts, the most commonly used phosphate binders, markedly increase serum Ca and positive Ca balance, the new calcium- and aluminum-free phosphate binder, sevelamer hydrochloride (RenaGel), reduces serum P without altering serum Ca in hemodialysis patients. Using an experimental model of CRF, these studies compare sevelamer and calcium carbonate (CaCO(3)) in the control of serum P, secondary hyperparathyroidism (SH), and ectopic calcifications. 5/6 nephrectomized rats underwent one of the following treatments for 3 mo: uremic + high-P diet (U-HP); UHP + 3% CaCO(3) (U-HP+C); UHP + 3% sevelamer (U-HP+S). Sevelamer treatment controlled serum P independent of increases in serum Ca, thus reducing serum Ca x P product and further deterioration of renal function, as indicated by the highest creatinine clearances. Sevelamer was as effective as CaCO(3) in the control of high-P-induced SH, as shown by similar serum PTH levels, parathyroid (PT) gland weight, and markers of PT hyperplasia. Also, both P binders elicited similar efficacy in reducing the myocardial and hepatic calcifications induced by uremia. However, sevelamer caused a dramatic reduction of renal Ca deposition (29.8 +/- 8.6 micro g/g wet tissue) compared with both U-HP (175.5 +/- 45.7 micro g/g wet tissue, P < 0.01) and the U-HP+C (58.9 +/- 13.7 micro g/g wet tissue, P < 0.04). Histochemical analyses using Von Kossa and Alizarin red S staining of kidney sections confirmed these findings. The high number of foci of calcification in the kidney of uremic controls (108 +/- 25) was reduced to 33.0 +/- 11.3 by CaCO(3) and decreased even further with sevelamer (16.4 +/- 8.9, P < 0.02 versus CaCO(3)). Importantly, the degree of tubulointerstitial fibrosis was also markedly lower in U-HP+S (5%) compared with either U-HP+C (30%) or U-HP (50%). It is concluded that in experimental CRF in rats, despite a similar control of serum P and SH, sevelamer is more effective than CaCO(3) in preventing renal Ca deposition and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, including better preservation of renal function. These findings cannot be extrapolated to human disease, and further studies in patients are necessary to determine the benefits of either P binder

The impact of carotid plaque presence and morphology on mortality outcome in cardiological patients

BACKGROUND: Carotid plaque severity and morphology can affect cardiovascular prognosis. We evaluate both the importance of echographically assessed carotid artery plaque geometry and morphology as predictors of death in hospitalised cardiological patients. METHODS: 541 hospitalised patients admitted in a cardiological division (age = 66 ± 11 years, 411 men), have been studied through ultrasound Duplex carotid scan and successively followed-up for a median of 34 months. Echo evaluation assessed plaque severity and morphology (presence of heterogeneity and profile). RESULTS: 361 patients showed carotid stenosis (67% with <50% stenosis, 18% with 50–69% stenosis, 9% with >70% stenosis, 4% with near occlusion and 2% with total occlusion). During the follow-up period, there were 83 all-cause deaths (15% of the total population). Using Cox's proportional hazard model, age (RR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03–1.09, p = 0.000), ejection fraction > 50% (RR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.4–0.96, p = 0.03), treatment with statins (RR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.29–0.95, p = 0.34) and the presence of a heterogeneous plaque (RR 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.14, p = 0.002) were independent predictors of death. Kaplan – Meier survival estimates have shown the best outcome in patients without plaque, intermediate in patients with homogeneous plaques and the worst outcome in patients with heterogeneous plaques (90% vs 79% vs 73%, p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In hospitalised cardiological patients, carotid plaque presence and morphology assessed by ultrasound are independent predictors of death

European Society of Vascular Surgery (ESVS) guidelines. Invasive treatment for carotid stenosis: indications, techniques

Europejskie Towarzystwo Chirurgii Naczyniowej (ESVS) zgromadziło grupę ekspertów zajmujących się patologią tętnic szyjnych (CAD) w celu stworzenia uaktualnionych wytycznych dotyczących inwazyjnego leczenia zwężenia tętnicy szyjnej. Zalecenia oceniano, przypisując im odpowiedni poziom dowodów. Wykonanie endarterektomii tętnicy szyjnej (CEA) zaleca się u pacjentów z objawami, u których zwężenie jest większe niż 50%, jeśli częstość występowania udaru mózgu/zgonu w okresie okołooperacyjnym wynosi mniej niż 6% [A]; najlepiej, aby CEA wykonano w ciągu 2 tygodni od wystąpienia ostatnich objawów [A]. Zabieg ten zaleca się także u mężczyzn, u których nie stwierdza się objawów, w wieku poniżej 75 rż., ze zwężeniem wynoszącym 70&#8211;99%, jeśli częstość występowania udaru mózgu/zgonu w okresie okołooperacyjnym wynosi mniej niż 3% [A]. Korzyści z przeprowadzenia CEA u kobiet, u których nie występują objawy, są istotnie mniejsze niż u mężczyzn [A], dlatego wykonanie tego zabiegu powinno rozważać się tylko u młodszych kobiet bez dodatkowych obciążeń. Preferuje się przeprowadzanie angioplastyki z użyciem łaty nad pierwotnym zamknięciem tętnicy [A]. Przed zabiegiem CEA, w jego trakcie i po nim chorym należy zalecić stosowanie kwasu acetylosalicylowego w dawce dobowej 75&#8211;325 mg i terapię statynami [A]. Zabieg stentowania tętnicy szyjnej (CAS) powinno się wykonywać jedynie u pacjentów, u których przeprowadzenie zabiegu CEA wiąże się z dużym ryzykiem, w dużych ośrodkach o udokumentowanym małym ryzyku wystąpienia zgonu i udaru mózgu w okresie okołooperacyjnym lub w ramach randomizowanych kontrolowanych badań klinicznych [C]. Zabieg CAS należy wykonywać, stosując jednocześnie podwójne leczenie przeciwpłytkowe z użyciem kwasu acetylosalicylowego i klopidogrelu [A]. Wykorzystanie systemów protekcji mózgu prawdopodobnie jest korzystne [C]. Acta Angiol 2010; 16, 4: 190&#8211;21

Spatiotemporal expression and transcriptional perturbations by long noncoding RNAs in the mouse brain

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in numerous cellular processes including brain development. However, the in vivo expression dynamics and molecular pathways regulated by these loci are not well understood. Here, we leveraged a cohort of 13 lncRNA-null mutant mouse models to investigate the spatiotemporal expression of lncRNAs in the developing and adult brain and the transcriptome alterations resulting from the loss of these lncRNA loci. We show that several lncRNAs are differentially expressed both in time and space, with some presenting highly restricted expression in only selected brain regions. We further demonstrate altered regulation of genes for a large variety of cellular pathways and processes upon deletion of the lncRNA loci. Finally, we found that 4 of the 13 lncRNAs significantly affect the expression of several neighboring protein-coding genes in a cis-like manner. By providing insight into the endogenous expression patterns and the transcriptional perturbations caused by deletion of the lncRNA locus in the developing and postnatal mammalian brain, these data provide a resource to facilitate future examination of the specific functional relevance of these genes in neural development, brain function, and disease.National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology DBI-0905973

The Tug1 locus is essential for male fertility

Background: Several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to function as central components of molecular machines that play fundamental roles in biology. While the number of annotated lncRNAs in mammalian genomes has greatly expanded, their functions remain largely uncharacterized. This is compounded by the fact that identifying lncRNA loci that have robust and reproducible phenotypes when mutated has been a challenge. Results: We previously generated a cohort of 20 lncRNA loci knockout mice. Here, we extend our initial study and provide a more detailed analysis of the highly conserved lncRNA locus, Taurine Upregulated Gene 1 (Tug1). We report that Tug1 knockout male mice are sterile with complete penetrance due to a low sperm count and abnormal sperm morphology. Having identified a lncRNA loci with a robust phenotype, we wanted to determine which, if any, potential elements contained in the Tug1 genomic region (DNA, RNA, protein, or the act of transcription) have activity. Using engineered mouse models and cell-based assays, we provide evidence that the Tug1 locus harbors three distinct regulatory activities - two noncoding and one coding: (i) a cis DNA repressor that regulates many neighboring genes, (ii) a lncRNA that can regulate genes by a trans-based function, and finally (iii) Tug1 encodes an evolutionary conserved peptide that when overexpressed impacts mitochondrial membrane potential. Conclusions: Our results reveal an essential role for the Tug1 locus in male fertility and uncover three distinct regulatory activities in the Tug1 locus, thus highlighting the complexity present at lncRNA loci

The anti-inflammatory effects of exercise training promote atherosclerotic plaque stabilization in apolipoprotein E knockout mice with diabetic atherosclerosis

Physical exercise is the cornerstone of cardiovascular disease treatment. The present study investigated whether exercise training affects atherosclerotic plaque composition through the modification of inflammatory-related pathways in apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE-/-) mice with diabetic atherosclerosis. Forty-five male apoE-/- mice were randomized into three equivalent (n=15) groups: control (CO), sedentary (SED), and exercise (EX). Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin administration. High-fat diet was administered to all groups for 12 weeks. Afterwards, CO mice were euthanatized, while the sedentary and exercise groups continued high-fat diet for 6 additional weeks. Exercising mice followed an exercise program on motorized-treadmill (5 times/week, 60 min/session). Then, blood samples and atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic root were examined. A considerable (P&lt;0.001) regression of the atherosclerotic lesions was observed in the exercise group (180.339±75.613 x103μm2) compared to the control (325.485±72.302 x103μm2) and sedentary (340.188±159.108 x103μm2) groups. We found decreased macrophages, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-3, MMP-8 and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations (P&lt;0.05) in the atherosclerotic plaques of the exercise group. Compared to both control and sedentary groups, exercise training significantly increased collagen (P&lt;0.05), elastin (P&lt;0.001), and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) (P&lt;0.001) content in the atherosclerotic plaques. Those effects paralleled with increased fibrous cap thickness and less internal elastic lamina ruptures after exercise training (P&lt;0.05), while body-weight and lipid parameters did not significantly change. Plasma MMP-2 and MMP-3 concentrations in atherosclerotic tissues followed a similar trend. From our study we can conclude that exercise training reduces and stabilizes atherosclerotic lesions in apoE-/- mice with diabetic atherosclerosis. A favorable modification of the inflammatory regulators seems to explain those beneficial effects

Cytotoxicity of crystals involves RIPK3-MLKL-mediated necroptosis

Crystals cause injury in numerous disorders, and induce inflammation via the NLRP3 inflammasome, however, it remains unclear how crystals induce cell death. Here we report that crystals of calcium oxalate, monosodium urate, calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate and cystine trigger caspase-independent cell death in five different cell types, which is blocked by necrostatin-1. RNA interference for receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) or mixed lineage kinase domain like (MLKL), two core proteins of the necroptosis pathway, blocks crystal cytotoxicity. Consistent with this, deficiency of RIPK3 or MLKL prevents oxalate crystal-induced acute kidney injury. The related tissue inflammation drives TNF-alpha-related necroptosis. Also in human oxalate crystal-related acute kidney injury, dying tubular cells stain positive for phosphorylated MLKL. Furthermore, necrostatin-1 and necrosulfonamide, an inhibitor for human MLKL suppress crystal-induced cell death in human renal progenitor cells. Together, TNF-alpha/TNFR1, RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL are molecular targets to limit crystal-induced cytotoxicity, tissue injury and organ failure