The influence of the European tobacco products directive on socio-economic situation : analysis on the perspective of competencies towards uniformity in family business

Purpose: In terms of the sown area, the largest tobacco plantations in the EU are in Italy, Greece, and Poland. Faced with the issues of globalization and responding to the development of the Internet, the European Parliament initiated works on a directive on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the member states concerning the manufacture, presentation, and sale of tobacco and related product. After the intended purposes of the Directive were announced Poland raised its objections, because – as predicted – the introduction of new rules would bring a change to the economic situation of the rural areas where tobacco was grown. Against this background, the present article pursues to objectives: 1) to identify the main spheres of social and economic life that have potentially been affected by the Directive, and 2) to assess the impact that the Directive has had on these areas five years after it came into force. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was conducted using the document analysis and the comparative analysis methods. The Polish market was used as an example and compared to those in other European countries. Findings: The Tobacco Products Directive was found to potentially affect 4 spheres: human health, level of budget revenues, production and sale of tobacco products, and agriculture and tobacco growing. However, our analyses did not confirm the claim that any area has been negatively affected; on the contrary, improvements have been observed, for example in terms of the income of tobacco growers or the volume of cigarette production. Originality/value: Apparently, this is the first paper involving a wide assessment of the effects of the Tobacco Products Directive.peer-reviewe

Guidelines for the Li–Fraumeni and heritable TP53 -related cancer syndromes

Abstract: Fifty years after the recognition of the Li–Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), our perception of cancers related to germline alterations of TP53 has drastically changed: (i) germline TP53 alterations are often identified among children with cancers, in particular soft-tissue sarcomas, adrenocortical carcinomas, central nervous system tumours, or among adult females with early breast cancers, without familial history. This justifies the expansion of the LFS concept to a wider cancer predisposition syndrome designated heritable TP53-related cancer (hTP53rc) syndrome; (ii) the interpretation of germline TP53 variants remains challenging and should integrate epidemiological, phenotypical, bioinformatics prediction, and functional data; (iii) the penetrance of germline disease-causing TP53 variants is variable, depending both on the type of variant (dominant-negative variants being associated with a higher cancer risk) and on modifying factors; (iv) whole-body MRI (WBMRI) allows early detection of tumours in variant carriers and (v) in cancer patients with germline disease-causing TP53 variants, radiotherapy, and conventional genotoxic chemotherapy contribute to the development of subsequent primary tumours. It is critical to perform TP53 testing before the initiation of treatment in order to avoid in carriers, if possible, radiotherapy and genotoxic chemotherapies. In children, the recommendations are to perform clinical examination and abdominal ultrasound every 6 months, annual WBMRI and brain MRI from the first year of life, if the TP53 variant is known to be associated with childhood cancers. In adults, the surveillance should include every year clinical examination, WBMRI, breast MRI in females from 20 until 65 years and brain MRI until 50 years

Cancer Surveillance Guideline for individuals with PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome

Abstract: PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome is a diverse multi-system disorder predisposing to the development of hamartomatous growths, increasing risk of breast, thyroid, renal cancer, and possibly increasing risk of endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer and melanoma. There is no international consensus on cancer surveillance in PHTS and all current guidelines are based on expert opinion. A comprehensive literature review was undertaken and guidelines were developed by clinicians with expertise from clinical genetics, gynaecology, endocrinology, dermatology, radiology, gastroenterology and general surgery, together with affected individuals and their representatives. Recommendations were put forward for surveillance for breast, thyroid and renal cancers. Limited recommendations were developed for other sites including endometrial, colon and skin. The proposed cancer surveillance recommendations for PHTS require a coordinated multidisciplinary approach and significant patient commitment. The evidence base for cancer surveillance in this guideline are limited, emphasising the need for prospective evaluation of the effectiveness of surveillance in the PHTS population

CONSUMER ETHNOCENTRISM AS A CHANCE FOR REGION DEVELOPMENT

The article analyzes consumer attitudes towards regional products, which may be an important link in building the strategy on regional markets and in usage of intensified strengthening of local traditions and identities. In the paper there has been shown the results of studies on ethnocentric attitudes among Polish consumers reflecting a desire to buy Polish products. There has been also analyzed the regulations of the European Union on regional products. In the article it has been discussed the possible use of ethnocentric tendencies of certain groups of consumers in order to strengthen the position of regions and their development by creating or restoring the forgotten regional products

SOURCES OF REGIONAL COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

The article examines sources of obtaining a competitive advantage by regions. Such an examination is an indispensable element of creating region’s strategic development, including the shaping of the area’s own image. In a market economy all actions including those of local governments, are based on marketing principles. The conscious recognition of that approach is increasingly common as much as the frequent demonstration of various undertaken actions. The article reviews regional development strategies in Poland and presents information about competitive advantage sources included in individual strategies in the context of the undertaken marketing efforts, including the shaping of a territorial administrative entity

Guidelines for the Li–Fraumeni and heritable TP53-related cancer syndromes

Fifty years after the recognition of the Li–Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), our perception of cancers related to germline alterations of TP53 has drastically changed: (i) germline TP53 alterations are often identified among children with cancers, in particular soft-tissue sarcomas, adrenocortical carcinomas, central nervous system tumours, or among adult females with early breast cancers, without familial history. This justifies the expansion of the LFS concept to a wider cancer predisposition syndrome designated heritable TP53-related cancer (hTP53rc) syndrome; (ii) the interpretation of germline TP53 variants remains challenging and should integrate epidemiological, phenotypical, bioinformatics prediction, and functional data; (iii) the penetrance of germline disease-causing TP53 variants is variable, depending both on the type of variant (dominant-negative variants being associated with a higher can