Development strategy of service sector in conditions of federal states entities autonomy increasing

© 2016, Econjournals. All rights reserved.The relevance of the study is caused by the necessity to develop the sphere of services as a component of balanced socio-economic development of Federal State’s territories. The purpose of the paper is to define strategies for the development of services in conditions of increasing independence of the Federal State’s entities. A leading approach is the institutional one that considers the strategy of development of service sector in the Federal State as long-term programs of transition to innovative socially oriented type of economic development, reducing interregional differentiation in the level and quality of life of the population, creating equal opportunities for citizens and promoting human development. In the conditions of Federal State entities’ autonomy increasing the strategy of development in the sphere of services consists of citizens’ life conditions and social environment’ quality improving; accelerated development of human potential; competitiveness improving of human and ensuring it economic social sectors’ capital; development of competitive service markets; improving of the efficiency of politico-legal institutions providing social services to the population. Strategies’ defining for the development of services in the conditions of Federal State entities’ autonomy increasing is based on the principles of subsidiarity, sustainability, selectivity, fractals and transvers. Certain strategies of development of services are aimed at reducing territorial socio-economic differentiation to the level, caused by objective differences of the Federation’s entities, as well as ensuring the balance of the revenue base and expenditure commitments

Regulation of the apoptotic genes in breast cancer cells by the transcription factor CTCF

CTCF is a highly conserved and ubiquitous transcription factor with versatile functions. We previously demonstrated that elevated protein levels of CTCF in breast cancer cells were associated with the specific anti-apoptotic function of CTCF. We used proteomics and microarray approaches to identify regulatory targets of CTCF specific for breast cancer cells. Among the CTCF identified targets were proteins involved in the control of apoptosis. A proapoptotic protein, Bax, negatively regulated by CTCF, was chosen for further investigation. Repression of the human Bax gene at the transcriptional level by CTCF in breast cancer cells was confirmed by real-time PCR. Two CTCF binding sites within the Bax promoter were identified by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and footprinting. In reporter assays, the Bax-luciferase reporter construct, containing CTCF-binding sites, was negatively regulated by CTCF. In vivo, CTCF occupied its binding sites in breast cancer cells and tissues, as confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Our findings suggest a possible mechanism of the specific CTCF anti-apoptotic function in breast cancer cells whereby CTCF is bound to the Bax promoter, resulting in repression of Bax and inhibition of apoptosis; depletion of CTCF leads to activation of Bax and apoptotic death. CTCF binding sites in the Bax promoter are unmethylated in all cells and tissues inspected. Therefore, specific CTCF interaction with the Bax promoter in breast cancer cells, and the functional outcome, may depend on a combination of epigenetic factors characteristic for these cells. Interestingly, CTCF appears to be a negative regulator of other proapoptotic genes (for example, Fas, Apaf-1, TP531NP1). Conversely, stimulating effects of CTCF on the anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-2, Bag-3) have been observed. Taken together, these findings suggest that specific mechanisms have evolved in breast cancer cells to protect them from apoptosis; regulation of apoptotic genes by CTCF appears to be one of the resistance strategies

Slater-Pauling Behavior of the Half-Ferromagnetic Full-Heusler Alloys

Using the full-potential screened Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method we study the full-Heusler alloys based on Co, Fe, Rh and Ru. We show that many of these compounds show a half-metallic behavior, however in contrast to the half-Heusler alloys the energy gap in the minority band is extremely small. These full-Heusler compounds show a Slater-Pauling behavior and the total spin-magnetic moment per unit cell (M_t) scales with the total number of valence electrons (Z_t) following the rule: M_t=Z_t-24. We explain why the spin-down band contains exactly 12 electrons using arguments based on the group theory and show that this rule holds also for compounds with less than 24 valence electrons. Finally we discuss the deviations from this rule and the differences compared to the half-Heusler alloys.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, revised figure 3, new text adde

Сравнение слабительных препаратов для подготовки к КТ-колонографии при использовании схемы с полным очищением толстой кишки

Purpose. Our study aimed to identify an optimal full-cleanse bowel preparation scheme for patients undergoing CT colonography.Material and methods. The final sample included 118 patients: 81 females (68.6%), with the median age being 75 years (IQR 675-80 years). For bowel preparation 39 (33.1%) patients used PM/Ca, 36 (30.5%) – 2 L PEG + Asc, 19 (16.1%) – 3 L PEG, 24 (20.3%) – 4 L PEG. Otherwise, the preparation did not differ in all four groups. Visual assessment of residual stool, residual fluid, and distension degree was performed using a 4-point Likert scale. The patient’s subjective tolerance assessment was executed according to the survey results using a 5-point Likert scale.Results. There were no statistically significant differences in quality of bowel preparation in all four groups. Mean value of the total residual stool score in groups was 46.2 ± 2.87 for PM/Ca; 46.9 ± 2.34 for 2 L PEG + Asc; 46.5 ± 1.98 for 3 L PEG; 45.9 ± 3.18 for 4 L PEG (p > 0.05). The median of the total residual fluid score in groups was 36 (33–38) for PM/Ca; 36.5 (34–39) for 2 L PEG + Asc; 37 (36–39) for 3 L PEG; 36 (34–40) for 4 L PEG (p > 0.05). Mean value of the total distention degree score in groups was 43 ± 4.34 for PM/Ca; 44.6 ± 3.13 for 2 L PEG + Asc; 44.2 ± 3.98 for 3 L PEG; 43.5 ± 4.9 for 4 L PEG (p > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the patient tolerance total score, depending on the laxative (p = 0.001). The total preparation score was significantly lower for PM/Ca when compared with 2 L PEG + Asc. (p = 0.021), 3 L PEG (p = 0.001), and 4 L PEG (p = 0.043).Conclusion. Use of PM/Ca in CTC preparation lowers the burden of full cleanse exam preparation and can be recommended as a safe laxative choice, including senior age patients. Цель исследования: выявить оптимальную схему подготовки слабительным препаратом с полным очищением кишки для пациентов, проходящих КТ-колонографию (КТК).Материал и методы. В финальную выборку включено 118 пациентов: женщин – 81 (68,6%); медиана возраста составила 75 лет (Q1–Q3: 67,5–80 лет). 39 (33,1%) проходили подготовку слабительным препаратом натрия пикосульфатом, магния оксидом, лимонной кислотой (НП+МО+ЛК), 36 (30,5%) пациентов – 2 л полиэтиленгликоля в сочетании с аскорбиновой кислотой (2 л ПЭГ+АК), 19 (16,1%) – 3 л ПЭГ, 24 (20,3%) – 4 л ПЭГ. В остальном подготовка не отличалась во всех четырех группах. Визуальная оценка остаточного содержимого, остаточной жидкости и степени растяжения проводилась с использованием 4-балльной шкалы Лайкерта. Оценка субъективной переносимости подготовки осуществлялась по 5-балльной шкале Лайкерта.Результаты. Статистически значимой разницы качества подготовки выявлено не было при всех вариантах подготовки. Среднее значение суммарного балла остаточного кишечного содержимого составило 46,2 ± 2,87 для группы НП+МО+ЛК; 46,9 ± 2,34 для группы ПЭГ+АК; 46,5 ± 1,98 для группы 3 л ПЭГ; 45,9 ± 3,18 для группы 4 л ПЭГ (р > 0,05). Медиана суммарного балла остаточной жидкости составила 36 (33–38) для группы НП+МО+ЛК; 36,5 (34–39) для группы ПЭГ+АК; 37 (36–39) для группы 3 л ПЭГ; 36 (34–40) для группы 4 л ПЭГ (р > 0,05). Среднее значение суммарного балла степени растяжения составила 43 ± 4,34 для группы НП+МО+ЛК; 44,6 ± 3,13 для группы ПЭГ+АК; 44,2 ± 3,98 для группы 3 л ПЭГ; 43,5 ± 4,9 для группы 4 л ПЭГ (р > 0,05). Была выявлена статистически значимая разница в суммарном балле переносимости подготовки у исследуемых в зависимости от вида слабительного препарата (p = 0,001). Суммарный балл подготовки был значительно ниже при подготовке НП+МО+ЛК при сравнении с ПЭГ+АК (p = 0,021), 3 л ПЭГ (p = 0,001) и 4 л ПЭГ (p = 0,043).Заключение. Использование НП+МО+ЛК повышает переносимость подготовки к КТК с полным очищением толстой кишки и может быть рекомендовано в качестве безопасного препарата выбора, в том числе у пациентов старшей возрастной группы.

Skp2B Overexpression Alters a Prohibitin-p53 Axis and the Transcription of PAPP-A, the Protease of Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 4

We previously reported that the degradation of prohibitin by the SCF(Skp2B) ubiquitin ligase results in a defect in the activity of p53. We also reported that MMTV-Skp2B transgenic mice develop mammary gland tumors that are characterized by an increased proteolytic cleavage of the insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4 (IGFBP-4), an inhibitor of IGF signaling. However, whether a link exists between a defect in p53 activity and proteolysis of IGFBP-4 was not established.We analyzed the levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), the protease of IGFBP-4, in MMTV-Skp2B transgenic mice and found that PAPP-A levels are elevated. Further, we found a p53 binding site in intron 1 of the PAPP-A gene and that both wild type and mutant p53 bind to this site. However, binding of wild type p53 results in the transcriptional repression of PAPP-A, while binding of mutant p53 results in the transcriptional activation of PAPP-A. Since MMTV-Skp2B mice express wild type p53 and yet show elevated levels of PAPP-A, at first, these observations appeared contradictory. However, further analysis revealed that the defect in p53 activity in Skp2B overexpressing cells does not only abolish the activity of wild type of p53 but actually mimics that of mutant p53. Our results suggest that in absence of prohibitin, the half-life of p53 is increased and like mutant p53, the conformation of p53 is denatured.These observations revealed a novel function of prohibitin as a chaperone of p53. Further, they suggest that binding of denatured p53 in intron 1 causes an enhancer effect and increases the transcription of PAPP-A. Therefore, these findings indicate that the defect in p53 function and the increased proteolysis of IGFBP-4, we had observed, represent two components of the same pathway, which contributes to the oncogenic function of Skp2B

Widespread Expression of BORIS/CTCFL in Normal and Cancer Cells

BORIS (CTCFL) is the paralog of CTCF (CCCTC-binding factor; NM_006565), a ubiquitously expressed DNA-binding protein with diverse roles in gene expression and chromatin organisation. BORIS and CTCF have virtually identical zinc finger domains, yet display major differences in their respective C- and N-terminal regions. Unlike CTCF, BORIS expression has been reported only in the testis and certain malignancies, leading to its classification as a “cancer-testis” antigen. However, the expression pattern of BORIS is both a significant and unresolved question in the field of DNA binding proteins. Here, we identify BORIS in the cytoplasm and nucleus of a wide range of normal and cancer cells. We compare the localization of CTCF and BORIS in the nucleus and demonstrate enrichment of BORIS within the nucleolus, inside the nucleolin core structure and adjacent to fibrillarin in the dense fibrillar component. In contrast, CTCF is not enriched in the nucleolus. Live imaging of cells transiently transfected with GFP tagged BORIS confirmed the nucleolar accumulation of BORIS. While BORIS transcript levels are low compared to CTCF, its protein levels are readily detectable. These findings show that BORIS expression is more widespread than previously believed, and suggest a role for BORIS in nucleolar function

Опыт применения противовирусной терапии врожденной генерализованной цитомегаловирусной инфекции

The article presents the results of observation and treatment with ganciclovir and oral valganciclovir form of a premature infant with congenital generalized symptomatic cytomegalovirus infection (CMVI) involving pathology of CNS, cholangitis, spontaneous pathologic fracture of femoral bone. When using ganciclovir and valganciclovir demonstrated gradual normalization of clinical and hematological parameters. In the course of treatment with ganciclovir and valganciclovir was not revealed any adverse reactions. While maintaining the CMV DNA in the blood, the duration of specific therapy, according to international recommendations, should be not less than 6 months. The decision to use a specific therapy should be made on the basis of the medical consultation, the conclusions of the medical commission and informed consent of the parents.В статье представлены результаты наблюдения и лечения ганцикловиром и пероральной формой валганцикловира недоношенного ребенка с врожденной манифестной генерализованной цитомегаловирусной инфекцией (ВЦМВИ), протекающей с поражением ЦНС, холангитом, спонтанным патологическим переломом бедренной кости. При использовании ганцикловира и валганцикловира продемонстрирована постепенная нормализация клинических и гематологических показателей. В процессе лечения ганцикловиром и валганцикловиром не было выявлено каких-либо побочных реакций. Основным методом мониторинга специфического лечения должно быть определение вирусной нагрузки (количество ДНК ЦМВ в лейкоцитах крови). При сохранении ДНК ЦМВ в крови, длительность специфической терапии, согласно международным рекомендациям, должна быть не меньше 6 месяцев. Решение об использовании специфической терапии должно приниматься на основании врачебного консилиума, заключения медицинской комиссии и получения информированного согласия родителей

EuPRAXIA - A compact, cost-efficient particle and radiation source

Plasma accelerators present one of the most suitable candidates for the development of more compact particle acceleration technologies, yet they still lag behind radiofrequency (RF)-based devices when it comes to beam quality, control, stability and power efficiency. The Horizon 2020-funded project EuPRAXIA ("European Plasma Research Accelerator with eXcellence In Applications") aims to overcome the first three of these hurdles by developing a conceptual design for a first international user facility based on plasma acceleration. In this paper we report on the main features, simulation studies and potential applications of this future research infrastructure