Cystic variant of favorable-histology Wilms′ tumor presenting with osteolytic metastasis to the ribs

Cystic neoplasms of the kidney presenting in childhood always present a therapeutic dilemma. Low-risk renal tumors of childhood cover a wide spectrum: cystic nephroma, cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma and cystic Wilms′ tumor. There are difficulties in differentiating these tumors on preoperative imaging. The present case presented such a therapeutic dilemma and was finally diagnosed as a cystic variant of favorable-histology Wilms′ tumor with osteolytic metastasis to the ribs. The case is presented in view of its rare presentation and the therapeutic and diagnostic challenges involved

Overcrowding and ‘under-occupancy’ in Romania : a case study of housing inequality

This paper examines aspects of space consumption in two very different housing types, the communist mid-rise estates and post-communist suburban self-built housing. Examining residents’ perceptions in order to categorize space as overcrowded or under-occupied, the paper engages critically with the issue of the inefficient distribution of Romanian housing, that is a considerable mismatch between dwelling and household size. The analysis documents the continued salience of overcrowding in the communist estates and conversely, self-builders’ satisfaction with the generous size of their new homes. Market forces permit various modes of residential mobility but their likely outcome is growing housing inequality while any redistributive impact will remain insignificant unless policy incentives could facilitate conversion of under-occupied space into (social) renting housing. However, only a sustained delivery of larger and affordable new dwellings could alleviate overcrowding.PostprintPeer reviewe

Determination of phenolic compounds based on co-immobilization of methylene blue and HRP on multi-wall carbon nanotubes

This work evaluated an amperometric biosensor based on multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), chemically modified with methylene blue (Met) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP), for detection of phenolic compounds. The dependences of the biosensor response due to the enzyme immobilization procedure, HRP amounts, pH and working potential were investigated. The amperometric response for catechol using the proposed biosensor showed a very wide linear response range (1 to 150 mu mol L-1), good sensitivity (50 nA cm(-2) mu mol(-1) L), excellent operational stability (after 300 determinations the response remained at 97%) and very good storage stability (lifetime > 3 months). Based on all these characteristics, it is possible to affirm that the material is promising for phenol detection due to its good electrochemical response and enzyme stabilization. The biosensor response for various phenolic compounds was investigated.19554955

Multilevel governance in the cross-boundary region of Hong Kong: Pearl River Delta, China

Multilevel governance (MLG) has been extensively applied to elucidate the dispersion of decisionmaking across multiple levels of governments—supranational, national, and subnational in the European Union (EU) and its member states. In this paper I attempt to contribute to the literature through the case of Hong Kong (HK) and the Pearl River Delta (PRD) in China. I argue that a pattern of MLG has been emerging since the early 2000s in this subnational-level cross-boundary region, accompanied by the gradual institutionalization of economic integration between Hong Kong and the PRD. Decisionmaking competencies in the HK – PRD cross-boundary region have tended to disperse across multiple levels of governments ranging from the central, Guangdong Provincial, HK Special Administrative Region, to municipal, city, and county level of the PRD, as well as businesses and residents on both sides of the boundary. In response to the lack of an effective regional authority and the unique political framework of ‘one country, two systems’, central government has played a somewhat backstage coordinator role in the transition of the integration mechanism and cross-boundary governance. Previous explanations of the integration and governance of the HK – PRD cross-boundary region need to be reevaluated. A regional level authority, similar to the supranational institutions in the EU, is urgently required to foster and upgrade cross-boundary cooperation