Reform of the Coal Sector in an Open Economy: The Case of China

Cheap, abundant and easy to transport and store, coal has been produced and consumed to meet people's energy needs. The last decade's growth in global coal use has been driven mainly by developing economies like China, whose phenomenal economic growth has been powered by coal-fired electricity and promoted by the export of manufactured goods. A recent reform focus in China's coal sector is on coal taxation. The paper develops a game-theoretic model tailored to the context of China where coal taxation reform takes place against the background of privatisation of coal firms and an open economy. It finds that the adoption of special coal taxes is optimal for social welfare under most circumstances, but may induce coal firms to commit opportunistic behaviour in the process of privatisation. The paper also cautions about potential resistance to the reform from consumers, coal firms and government officials

Association of the microsatellite in the 3' untranslated region of the CD154 gene with rheumatoid arthritis in females from a Spanish cohort: a case-control study

CD40–CD154 interaction is an important mediator of inflammation and has been implicated in T helper type 1-mediated autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Linkage studies have shown association of markers in the proximity of the CD154 gene. In the present work we investigated whether specific allele variants of the microsatellite in the 3' UTR of the CD154 gene might modulate the risk of RA. The study, in a case-control setting, included 189 patients and 150 healthy controls from the Canary Islands, Spain. The 24CAs allele was less represented in female patients than in controls (0.444 in controls versus 0.307 in patients, P = 0.006, odds ratio (OR) 0.556, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.372 to 0.831) but not in males (0.414 versus 0.408), and only when homozygous (P = 0.012; OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.77). We also verified that CD154 association with RA was independent of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) phenotype. A further functional study showed that after stimulation anti-CD3, CD154 mRNA was more stable in CD4+ T lymphocytes from patients with RA bearing the 24CAs allele (mRNA half-life 208 minutes) than in patients without the 24CAs allele (109 minutes, P = 0.009). However, a lower percentage of CD154+CD4+ T lymphocytes was seen in freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients carrying 24CAs alleles (mean 4.28 versus 8.12; P = 0.033), and also in CD4+ T lymphocytes stimulated with anti-CD3 (median 29.40 versus 47.60; P = 0.025). These results were concordant with the smaller amounts of CD154 mRNA isolated from stimulated T lymphocytes with 24CAs alleles. The CD154 microsatellite therefore seems to affect the expression of the gene in a complex manner that implies not only mRNA stability. These data suggest that the CD154 microsatellite contributes to the regulation of mRNA and protein expression, although further studies will be necessary to elucidate its role in disease predisposition

La imagen y la narrativa como herramientas para el abordaje psicosocial en escenarios de violencia. Departamento del Caquetá.

El presente documento aborda una de las problemáticas colombianas que ha conllevado al desequilibrio político, social, económico y familiar del país, y es, el conflicto armado interno de Colombia, el cual ha encerrado y victimizado a todo tipo de población, edades, y géneros. La complejidad de la situación y las graves consecuencias en las victimas de este fenómeno, ha conllevado a llamar la atención y a la integración de diferentes instituciones y profesionales del ámbito social. Las diferentes estrategias para la reconstrucción del tejido social, son esenciales para la reparación emocional, social, económica y familiar de cada una de las víctimas, de tal manera, que el objetivo primordial es rescatar a las personas de los sentimientos de miedo, frustración, tristeza, etc., e incentivar a enfocarse en un futuro próspero olvidando aquel pasado. Ante estas situaciones, es importante conocer historias como las de la señora Ana Ligia y como el caso de los pobladores de Cacarica, los cuales representan vivencias reales del conflicto armado de nuestro país, pero que así mismo, en ellas se encuentran ejemplos de superación y motivación. En el presente trabajo los puntos específicos como lo son las preguntas formuladas son punto estratégico de argumentación, para dar a conocer las diferentes opiniones que se tienen acerca de la guerra que se ha vivido y se vive actualmente, reflexionando desde la investigación y apoyo psicológico requerido, el objetivo de este valioso trabajo es conocer el trabajo del psicólogo frente a estos temas implementando estrategias de superación, generando reflexiones que demuestren el trabajo del acampamiento psicosocial frente al conflicto bien sea en grupo o individual, la importancia el mismo está radicada en el fortalecimiento y acompañamiento significativo en la superación de condiciones de la víctima, pretendiendo quitar episodios de violencia e injusticia, Los resultados del presente trabajo enseñan una situación sobre las principales posiciones reconocidas en los campos de intervención psicosocial para víctimas del conflicto armado producido en Colombia. El desempeño psicológico frente a estas crisis de desplazamientos forzados, violación sexual y entre otras arbitrariedades a los derechos del ser humano y crímenes que ha causado la guerra ha ocasionado secuelas. Palabras claves: Afrontamiento, Conflicto armado, Desplazamiento, Emergentes psicosociales, Estrategias, Emancipación discursiva, Victimas.This document addresses one of the Colombian problems that has led to the countrys political, social, economic and family imbalance, and is, the internal armed conflict in Colombia, which has locked up and victimized all types of population, ages, and gender . The complexity of the situation and the serious consequences in the victims of this phenomenon, has led to the attention and integration of different institutions and professionals in the social field. The different strategies for the reconstruction of the social fabric, are essential for the emotional, social, economic and family reparation of each of the victims, in such a way that the primary objective is to rescue people from feelings of fear, frustration, sadness, etc., and encourage focus on a prosperous future forgetting that past. Given these situations, it is important to know stories such as those of Mrs. Ana Ligia and as the case of the inhabitants of Cacarica, which represent real experiences of the armed conflict in our country, but also, there are examples of overcoming and motivation. In the present work, the specific points such as the questions asked are strategic point of argument, to make known the different opinions that have about the war that has been lived and is currently lived, reflecting from the research and psychological support required , the objective of this valuable work is to know the work of the psychologist in dealing with these issues by implementing strategies of overcoming, generating reflections that demonstrate the work of psychosocial camping in the face of the conflict, whether in a group or individual, the importance is based on strengthening and significant support in overcoming the conditions of the victim, trying to remove episodes of violence and injustice, The results of this work teach a situation about the main positions recognized in the fields of psychosocial intervention for victims of the armed conflict produced in Colombia. The psychological performance in the face of these crises of forced displacement, sexual rape and among other arbitrariness of human rights and crimes caused by the war has caused consequences. Keywords: Coping, Armed Conflict, Displacement, Emerging Psychosocial, Strategies, Discursive Emancipation, Victims

Neuroprotection from protein misfolding in cerebral hypoperfusion concurrent with metabolic syndrome. A translational perspective

Based on clinical and experimental evidence, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are considered risk factors for chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) and neurodegeneration. Scientific evidence suggests that protein misfolding is a potential mechanism that explains how CCH can lead to either Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). Over the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the number of experimental studies regarding this issue. Using several animal paradigms and different markers of CCH, scientists have discussed the extent to which MetSor T2D causes a decrease in cerebral blood flow (CBF). In addition, different models of CCH have explored how long-term reductions in oxygen and energy supply can trigger AD or VCID via protein misfolding and aggregation. Research that combines two or three animal models could broaden knowledge of the links between these pathological conditions. Recent experimental studies suggest novel neuroprotective properties of protein-remodeling factors. In this review, we present a summarized updated revision of preclinical findings, discussing clinical implications and proposing new experimental approaches from a translational perspective. We are confident that research studies, both clinical and experimental, may find new diagnostic and therapeutic tools to prevent neurodegeneration associated with MetS, diabetes, and any other chronic non-communicable disease (NCD) associated with diet and lifestyle risk factors

p63 is an alternative p53 repressor in melanoma that confers chemoresistance and a poor prognosis.

The role of apoptosis in melanoma pathogenesis and chemoresistance is poorly characterized. Mutations in TP53 occur infrequently, yet the TP53 apoptotic pathway is often abrogated. This may result from alterations in TP53 family members, including the TP53 homologue TP63. Here we demonstrate that TP63 has an antiapoptotic role in melanoma and is responsible for mediating chemoresistance. Although p63 was not expressed in primary melanocytes, up-regulation of p63 mRNA and protein was observed in melanoma cell lines and clinical samples, providing the first evidence of significant p63 expression in this lineage. Upon genotoxic stress, endogenous p63 isoforms were stabilized in both nuclear and mitochondrial subcellular compartments. Our data provide evidence of a physiological interaction between p63 with p53 whereby translocation of p63 to the mitochondria occurred through a codependent process with p53, whereas accumulation of p53 in the nucleus was prevented by p63. Using RNA interference technology, both isoforms of p63 (TA and ΔNp63) were demonstrated to confer chemoresistance, revealing a novel oncogenic role for p63 in melanoma cells. Furthermore, expression of p63 in both primary and metastatic melanoma clinical samples significantly correlated with melanoma-specific deaths in these patients. Ultimately, these observations provide a possible explanation for abrogation of the p53-mediated apoptotic pathway in melanoma, implicating novel approaches aimed at sensitizing melanoma to therapeutic agents

Relationships between quality of life and family function in caregiver

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There are caregivers who see their quality of life (QoL) impaired due to the demands of their caregiving tasks, while others manage to adapt and overcome the crises successfully. The influence of the family function in the main caregiver's situation has not been the subject of much evaluation. The aim of this study is to analyse the relationship between the functionality of the family and the QoL of caregivers of dependent relatives.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a cross-sectional study including 153 caregivers. Setting: Two health centers in the city of Salamanca(Spain). Caregiver variables analysed: demographic characteristics, care recipient features; family functionality (Family APGAR-Q) and QoL (Ruiz-Baca-Q) perceived by the caregiver. Five multiple regressions are performed considering global QoL and each of the four QoL dimensions as dependent variables. The Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to study the influence of the family function questionnaire on QoL.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Family function is the only one of the variables evaluated that presented an association both with global QoL and with each of the four individual dimensions (p < 0.05). Using the CCA, we found that the physical and mental well-being dimensions are the ones which present a closer relationship with family functionality, while social support is the quality dimension that is least influenced by the Family APGAR-Q.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We find an association between family functionality and the caregiver's QoL. This relation holds for both the global measure of QoL and each of its four individual dimensions.</p

Sustained proliferation in cancer: mechanisms and novel therapeutic targets

Proliferation is an important part of cancer development and progression. This is manifest by altered expression and/or activity of cell cycle related proteins. Constitutive activation of many signal transduction pathways also stimulates cell growth. Early steps in tumor development are associated with a fibrogenic response and the development of a hypoxic environment which favors the survival and proliferation of cancer stem cells. Part of the survival strategy of cancer stem cells may manifested by alterations in cell metabolism. Once tumors appear, growth and metastasis may be supported by overproduction of appropriate hormones (in hormonally dependent cancers), by promoting angiogenesis, by undergoing epithelial to mesenchymal transition, by triggering autophagy, and by taking cues from surrounding stromal cells. A number of natural compounds (e.g., curcumin, resveratrol, indole-3-carbinol, brassinin, sulforaphane, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, genistein, ellagitannins, lycopene and quercetin) have been found to inhibit one or more pathways that contribute to proliferation (e.g., hypoxia inducible factor 1, nuclear factor kappa B, phosphoinositide 3 kinase/Akt, insulin-like growth factor receptor 1, Wnt, cell cycle associated proteins, as well as androgen and estrogen receptor signaling). These data, in combination with bioinformatics analyses, will be very important for identifying signaling pathways and molecular targets that may provide early diagnostic markers and/or critical targets for the development of new drugs or drug combinations that block tumor formation and progression

Molecular mechanism of central nervous system repair by the Drosophila NG2 homologue kon-tiki:Drosophila NG2 in CNS repair

Neuron glia antigen 2 (NG2)–positive glia are repair cells that proliferate upon central nervous system (CNS) damage, promoting functional recovery. However, repair is limited because of the failure of the newly produced glial cells to differentiate. It is a key goal to discover how to regulate NG2 to enable glial proliferation and differentiation conducive to repair. Drosophila has an NG2 homologue called kon-tiki (kon), of unknown CNS function. We show that kon promotes repair and identify the underlying mechanism. Crush injury up-regulates kon expression downstream of Notch. Kon in turn induces glial proliferation and initiates glial differentiation by activating glial genes and prospero (pros). Two negative feedback loops with Notch and Pros allow Kon to drive the homeostatic regulation required for repair. By modulating Kon levels in glia, we could prevent or promote CNS repair. Thus, the functional links between Kon, Notch, and Pros are essential for, and can drive, repair. Analogous mechanisms could promote CNS repair in mammals

Molecular analysis of ex-vivo CD133+ GBM cells revealed a common invasive and angiogenic profile but different proliferative signatures among high grade gliomas

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumours, and in this group glioblastomas (GBMs) are the higher-grade gliomas with fast progression and unfortunate prognosis. Two major aspects of glioma biology that contributes to its awful prognosis are the formation of new blood vessels through the process of angiogenesis and the invasion of glioma cells. Despite of advances, two-year survival for GBM patients with optimal therapy is less than 30%. Even in those patients with low-grade gliomas, that imply a moderately good prognosis, treatment is almost never curative. Recent studies have demonstrated the existence of a small fraction of glioma cells with characteristics of neural stem cells which are able to grow <it>in vitro </it>forming neurospheres and that can be isolated <it>in vivo </it>using surface markers such as CD133. The aim of this study was to define the molecular signature of GBM cells expressing CD133 in comparison with non expressing CD133 cells. This molecular classification could lead to the finding of new potential therapeutic targets for the rationale treatment of high grade GBM.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eight fresh, primary and non cultured GBMs were used in order to study the gene expression signatures from its CD133 positive and negative populations isolated by FACS-sorting. Dataset was generated with Affymetrix U133 Plus 2 arrays and analysed using the software of the Affymetrix Expression Console. In addition, genomic analysis of these tumours was carried out by CGH arrays, FISH studies and MLPA;</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Gene expression analysis of CD133+ vs. CD133- cell population from each tumour showed that CD133+ cells presented common characteristics in all glioblastoma samples (up-regulation of genes involved in angiogenesis, permeability and down-regulation of genes implicated in cell assembly, neural cell organization and neurological disorders). Furthermore, unsupervised clustering of gene expression led us to distinguish between two groups of samples: those discriminated by tumour location and, the most importantly, the group discriminated by their proliferative potential;</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Primary glioblastomas could be sub-classified according to the properties of their CD133+ cells. The molecular characterization of these potential stem cell populations could be critical to find new therapeutic targets and to develop an effective therapy for these tumours with very dismal prognosis.</p