Analysis of Energy Economy to drive Ukraine's economic growth

Tato práce vyšetřuje vztah mezi spotřebou energie a ekonomickým růstem patnácti postsovětských republik s primárním zaměřením na Ukrajinu v období let 1991 - 2013. Testy panelových jednotkových kořenů jsou nejprve aplikovaný v časových řadách energetické spotřeby a hrubého domácího produktu (GDP) pro jednotlivé země bývalého Sovětského svazu. Poté jsou použity testy kointegrace pro identifikace vztahů mezi jednotlivými proměnnými. Empirická strategie analýzy panelových dat je založena na specifikaci neoklasického růstového modelu, který obsahuje gross capital formation a celkovou zaměstnanost jednotlivé země jako dodatečné vysvětlující proměnné pro ekonomický růst spolu s energetickou neefektivností v procentech (%), využití fosilních paliv, liberalizaci energetického sektoru a několik dalších proměnných. Datová sada je analyzována pomocí metody nejmenších čtverců (Pooled OLS), metody fixních efektů a metody náhodného modelu efektů, s čímž metoda fixních efektů je identifikována jako optimální estimátor. Výsledek analýzy ukazuje že existuje pozitivní obousměrný příčinný vztah mezi ekonomickým růstem a energetickou spotřebou Ukrajiny ("Hypotéza zpětné vazby"). Navíc výsledek analýzy panelových dat naznačuje, že snižování energetické neefektivnosti zvyšuje vlastní produkci energie (včetně obnovitelné energie)...This thesis investigates the relationship between energy consumption and economic growth in 15 post- Soviet states with a primary focus on Ukraine over the time period 1991-2013. First, panel unit root tests are applied to the time series for energy use and GDP for each post-Soviet country, then cointegration tests are run to identify the relationship between the variables. The empirical strategy of the panel data analysis is based on a neoclassical growth model specification, which includes the gross capital formation and total labor force of each country as additional explanatory variables for economic growth, along with energy inefficiency, % fossil fuel use, liberalization of the energy sector, and several other variables. The dataset is analyzed using Pooled OLS, Fixed Effects and Random Effects models, with Fixed Effects being identified as the optimal estimator. The results of the analysis show that there is a positive, bidirectional causality relationship between economic growth and energy consumption for Ukraine (the "Feedback Hypothesis"). In addition, the results of the panel data analysis suggest that reducing energy inefficiency, increasing "own production" of energy (including renewable energy), and liberalizing the energy sector of Ukraine could all be valuable strategies for increasing the...Institut ekonomických studiíInstitute of Economic StudiesFaculty of Social SciencesFakulta sociálních vě

Amphiregulin Mediates Estrogen, Progesterone, and EGFR Signaling in the Normal Rat Mammary Gland and in Hormone-Dependent Rat Mammary Cancers

Both estrogen (E) and progesterone (P) are implicated in the etiology of human breast cancer. Defining their mechanisms of action, particularly in vivo, is relevant to the prevention and therapy of breast cancer. We investigated the molecular and cellular mechanisms of E and/or P-induced in vivo proliferation, in the normal rat mammary gland and in hormone-dependent rat mammary cancers which share many characteristics with the normal human breast and hormone-dependent breast cancers. We show that E+P treatment induced significantly greater proliferation in both the normal gland and mammary cancers compared to E alone. In both the normal gland and tumors, E+P-induced proliferation was mediated through the increased production of amphiregulin (Areg), an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligand, and the activation of intracellular signaling pathways (Erk, Akt, JNK) downstream of EGFR that regulate proliferation. In vitro experiments using rat primary mammary organoids or T47D breast cancer cells confirmed that Areg and the synthetic progestin, R5020, synergize to promote cell proliferation through EGFR signaling. Iressa, an EGFR inhibitor, effectively blocked this proliferation. These results indicate that mediators of cross talk between E, P, and EGFR pathways may be considered as relevant molecular targets for the therapy of hormone-dependent breast cancers, especially in premenopausal women

Partial Inhibition of Estrogen-Induced Mammary Carcinogenesis in Rats by Tamoxifen: Balance between Oxidant Stress and Estrogen Responsiveness

Epidemiological and experimental evidences strongly support the role of estrogens in breast tumor development. Both estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent and ER-independent mechanisms are implicated in estrogen-induced breast carcinogenesis. Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator is widely used as chemoprotectant in human breast cancer. It binds to ERs and interferes with normal binding of estrogen to ERs. In the present study, we examined the effect of long-term tamoxifen treatment in the prevention of estrogen-induced breast cancer. Female ACI rats were treated with 17β-estradiol (E2), tamoxifen or with a combination of E2 and tamoxifen for eight months. Tissue levels of oxidative stress markers 8-iso-Prostane F2α (8-isoPGF2α), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, and oxidative DNA damage marker 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were quantified in the mammary tissues of all the treatment groups and compared with age-matched controls. Levels of tamoxifen metabolizing enzymes cytochrome P450s as well as estrogen responsive genes were also quantified. At necropsy, breast tumors were detected in 44% of rats co-treated with tamoxifen+E2. No tumors were detected in the sham or tamoxifen only treatment groups whereas in the E2 only treatment group, the tumor incidence was 82%. Co-treatment with tamoxifen decreased GPx and catalase levels; did not completely inhibit E2-mediated oxidative DNA damage and estrogen-responsive genes monoamine oxygenase B1 (MaoB1) and cell death inducing DFF45 like effector C (Cidec) but differentially affected the levels of tamoxifen metabolizing enzymes. In summary, our studies suggest that although tamoxifen treatment inhibits estrogen-induced breast tumor development and increases the latency of tumor development, it does not completely abrogate breast tumor development in a rat model of estrogen-induced breast cancer. The inability of tamoxifen to completely inhibit E2-induced breast carcinogenesis may be because of increased estrogen-mediated oxidant burden

Эпидемиология и результаты терапии первой линии ВИЧ-ассоциированной лимфомы Ходжкина

Introduction. The risk of developing Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) with HIV infection is higher than in the general population, and the course of the disease itself is more aggressive. Currently, there is no unified approach to the treatment of HIV-related HL, and data on its epidemiology in the Russian Federation are limited.The objective was to study epidemiological characteristics, the used therapeutic tactics and the results of treatment for HIV-related HL.Methods and materials. The multicenter retrospective study included 46 patients with HIV- related HL treated in 9 centers of the Russian Federation. Descriptive statistics methods were used, the analysis of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) was performed using the Kaplan–Meier method.Results. HIV-related HL is more often represented by an advanced stage, B-symptoms, and extranodal lesions. The ABVD regimen was used as the first-line therapy in 60 % for HIV-related HL. The overall response to therapy was 81.6 %, and the 2-year OS and PFS were 85 % and 49 %, respectively. Factors that worsened OS were CD4+˂266 cells/mcL and general somatic status ECOG≥2. Введение. Вероятность развития лимфомы Ходжкина (ЛХ) на фоне ВИЧ-инфекции выше, чем в общей популяции, а течение заболевания имеет более агрессивный характер. В настоящий момент отсутствует единый подход к терапии ЛХ на фоне ВИЧ, а данные об ее эпидемиологии в Российской Федерации ограничены.Цель – изучить эпидемиологическую характеристику, применяемую терапевтическую тактику и результаты лечения лимфомы Ходжкина на фоне ВИЧ-инфекции.Методы и материалы. В многоцентровое ретроспективное исследование были включены 46 пациентов с диагнозом «ЛХ» на фоне ВИЧ, получавших лечение в девяти центрах Российской Федерации. Применяли методы описательной статистки, анализ общей выживаемости (ОВ) и беспрогрессивной выживаемости (БПВ) выполняли с использованием метода Каплана – Мейера.Результаты. ЛХ на фоне ВИЧ чаще представлена распространенной стадией, В-симптомами и экстранодальным поражением. В качестве терапии первой линии ЛХ на фоне ВИЧ в 60 % случаев использовалась схема ABVD. Общий ответ на терапию составил 81,6 %, а 2-летняя ОВ и БПВ составили 85 и 49 % соответственно. Факторами, снижающими ОВ, являлись уровень CD4+<266 кл/мкл и общесоматический статус ECOG≥2. Ключевые слова: лимфома Ходжкина, ВИЧ, CD4+, ECOG, многоцентровое исследование, терапия первой линии>˂ 266 кл/мкл и общесоматический статус ECOG≥2.

Analysis of Energy Economy to drive Ukraine's economic growth

This thesis investigates the relationship between energy consumption and economic growth in 15 post- Soviet states with a primary focus on Ukraine over the time period 1991-2013. First, panel unit root tests are applied to the time series for energy use and GDP for each post-Soviet country, then cointegration tests are run to identify the relationship between the variables. The empirical strategy of the panel data analysis is based on a neoclassical growth model specification, which includes the gross capital formation and total labor force of each country as additional explanatory variables for economic growth, along with energy inefficiency, % fossil fuel use, liberalization of the energy sector, and several other variables. The dataset is analyzed using Pooled OLS, Fixed Effects and Random Effects models, with Fixed Effects being identified as the optimal estimator. The results of the analysis show that there is a positive, bidirectional causality relationship between economic growth and energy consumption for Ukraine (the "Feedback Hypothesis"). In addition, the results of the panel data analysis suggest that reducing energy inefficiency, increasing "own production" of energy (including renewable energy), and liberalizing the energy sector of Ukraine could all be valuable strategies for increasing the..

Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms of Dietary Flavones: Tapping into Nature to Control Chronic Inflammation in Obesity and Cancer

Flavones are natural phytochemicals broadly distributed in our diet. Their anti-inflammatory properties provide unique opportunities to control the innate immune system and inflammation. Here, we review the role of flavones in chronic inflammation with an emphasis on their impact on the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammatory diseases including obesity and cancer. Flavones can influence the innate immune cell repertoire restoring the immune landscape. Flavones impinge on NF-κB, STAT, COX-2, or NLRP3 inflammasome pathways reestablishing immune homeostasis. Devoid of adverse side effects, flavones could present alternative opportunities for the treatment and prevention of chronic inflammation that contributes to obesity and cancer