Evaluation of the role of downregulation of SNF5/INI1 core subunit of SWI/SNF complex in clear cell renal cell carcinoma development

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is characterized by stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF1), and mutations in von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene. Additionally, in about 40% of ccRCC cases the mutation in PBRM1 (POLYBROMO1) gene coding for a non-core subunit of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex was found suggesting potential impairment of this complex function in ccRCC. In this study we assessed the extent to which the core SWI/SNF complex subunit - INI1 (hSNF5/SMARCB1) is affected in ccRCC and whether it has any consequences on the development of this type of cancer. The evaluation of INI1 protein level in samples from 50 patients with diagnosed ccRCC, including three displaying rhabdoid features, showed the INI1 positive staining in rhabdoid cells while the conventional ccRCC cells exhibited reduced INI1 level. This indicated the rhabdoid component of ccRCC as distinct from other known rhabdoid tumors. The reduced INI1 protein level observed in all conventional ccRCC cases used in this study correlated with decreased SMARCB1 gene expression at the transcript level. Consistently, the overexpression of INI1 protein in A498 ccRCC cell line resulted in the elevation of endogenous SMARCB1 transcript level indicating that the INI1-dependent regulatory feedback loop controlling expression of this gene is affected in ccRCC Moreover, the set of INI1 target genes including i.e. CXCL12/CXCR7/CXCR4 chemokine axis was identified to be affected in ccRCC. In summary, we demonstrated that the inactivation of INI1 may be of high importance for ccRCC development and aggressiveness

The Concept of the Auditory Training for Blind and Visually Impaired Children and Teenagers

The paper was inspired by the hitherto published results concerning provision of efficient assistance to visually impaired persons by means of acoustic and vibratory signals. The aim of the auditory training is to shorten the time necessary for execution of auditory information processing, sensibilize blind persons to differences in sounds and teach them to focus auditory attention on small differences in parameters of acoustic waves, in order to achieve independent and correct interpretation of environment by hearing and listening. The basic concept of the auditory training addressed to blind or visually impaired children and teenagers is presented in detail. Preliminary verification of the effectiveness of training of young adults without vision impairments has not shown statistically significant differences in performance before and after the training. Possible reasons for such an effect are pointed out and solutions are suggested

Effect of ELF Magnetic Stimulation on Distortion Product of Otoacoustic Emission in Tinnitus Patients

One of the methods for objective evaluation of the hearing system is based on acoustic otoemissions. Particularly promising is the method based on measurement of the distortion product of otoacoustic emission as it is connected to the problem of tinnitus. Slow-varying magnetic field of low induction has been used in therapy of many diseases and ailments. It is expected that magnetostimulation will be effective in treatment of certain types of tinnitus by inducing the return of the organism to homeostasis. The aim of this study was to identify the changes in distortion product of otoacoustic emission levels in patients, prior and after the magnetostimulation. However any significant changes were found among patients with tinnitus, for the control group statistically important changes in distortion product of otoacoustic emission levels were observed

A New Method of Teaching Spatial Orientation to the Blind

Elaboration of a new method of teaching spatial orientation to blind and visually handicapped persons base on urban environment sounds was shown. Task 1 is a questionnaire inquiry on the problems of the blind moving in a big city. In Task 2 a preliminary selection and classification of the acoustic signals and vibrations that can be useful for spatial orientation was made. In Task 3 an analysis of acoustic signals for sound signalisation at pedestrian crossings was made. Some solutions for acoustic signalization were proposed. In Task 4 sounds and vibrations necessary for a library of acoustic events and situations characteristic of a city were recorded. In Task 5 the library was created and arranged to be ready to be used by teachers in the spatial orientation training. The most important outcome of the study was to develop a method of spatial orientation teaching with employment of sounds and verification of the method (Task 6). After verification it is concluded that the method is useful for spatial education of the blind at different levels of their education

Fuel pin behaviour under irradiation with high Pu content: Benchmark exercise

In Task 2.2, three fuel pins with high plutonium content are modelled using multiple fuel performance codes: CAPRIX, TRABANT1 pin 1, TRABANT2 pin 2. The objective of Task 2.2 is to increase the codes’ validation domain through code-to-code comparison, comparison to experimental data and, if possible, development/improvements of models. Comparison of the codes results with the experimental data allows estimation of the validity of the codes and identification of the set of settings that produce results in the best agreement with experimental data. This deliverable presents the results of the blind benchmark phase. The deliverable outlines the methodology adopted for this benchmark exercise, detailing the codes used, the requested outputs and sensitivity studies performed