S100A7 and the progression of breast cancer

The S100 gene family comprises more than 20 members whose protein sequences encompass at least one EF-hand Ca(2+ )binding motif. The expression of individual family members is not ubiquitous for all tissues and there appears to be an element of tissue-specific expression. Molecular analysis of breast tumors has revealed that several S100s, including S100A2, S100A4 and S100A7, exhibit altered expression levels during breast tumorigenesis and/or progression. Subsequent studies have started to describe a functional role for these S100 proteins as well as their mechanism of action and the biochemical pathways they modify. The present review outlines what is known about S100A7 in breast cancer and summarizes the need to better understand the importance of this protein in breast cancer

What EU policy framework do we need to sustain High Nature Value (HNV) farming and biodiversity? Policy Paper prepared in the framework of HNV-Link (project funded by the H2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement no 696391)

This policy paper builds upon the work carried out in the framework of HNV-Link (H2020 Project, 2016-2019, www.hnvlink.eu), a thematic multi-actor network on High Nature Value (HNV) Farming involving 13 partners from 10 European countries. The goal of this network is to support HNV farming systems by inspiring and sharing innovations/practices that improve their socio-economic viability while preserving their ecological value and the public services they provide. HNV-Link informs policymakers and authorities at the European and national levels of the main policy stakes around HNV farming, and to recommend adjustments of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and other policies in order to adequately support HNV farming, the territories in which they are embedded, and the communities that depend on them. In Europe, farmers operate within a complex and constraining environment and policy/regulatory framework, including income support and rural development measures of the CAP, but also the numerous regulations related to agriculture, food hygiene/safety, animal health/welfare, environment protection, and climate change. This framework can provide farms with incentives or on the contrary, hinder their development, and it has consequently a major influence on their economic viability and the survival of the communities depending on farming. This institutional framework was designed to deal mainly with the problems that intensive farms face. Far less weight has been placed on designing and implementing policies adapted to the needs of HNV farms, i.e. those low-intensity farms which rely on and safeguard a rich biodiversity and associated ecosystem services made up of a variety of habitats and landscapes elements. Hence, there is a need for a creative yet thoughtful design and implementation of adapted policy measures

Leukotriene E4 in urine in patients with asthma and COPD—The effect of smoking habit

SummaryLeukotriene E4 (LTE4) is implicated in asthma pathophysiology and possibly in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as one of the causes of persistent bronchoconstriction and mucus hypersecretion. Cigarette smoking stimulates cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) production. We investigated whether LTE4 is equally increased in asthma and COPD and whether smoking significantly affects LTE4 levels. Secondary outcomes involved correlations with inflammatory and functional parameters.We studied 40 patients with COPD [20 smokers], 40 asthmatics [20 smokers] and 30 healthy subjects [15 smokers]. Spirometry (FEV1% pred., FEV1/FVC) was performed, urine was collected for measurement of LTE4 and creatinine, induced sputum was collected for differential cell counts and serum for ECP.LTE4/creatinine levels (pg/mg) [mean (sd)] were increased in asthmatic patients compared to COPD and controls, [125.6(54.5) vs. 54.5(19) vs. 55.9(18.9)pg/mg, respectively, P<0.0001 for asthma]. Smoking significantly affects LTE4 levels only in asthmatic patients [164 (48) vs. 87 (26.3), P<0.0001 for smokers]. The only significant correlation was between eosinophils in induced sputum and LTE4/creatinine levels in asthmatics.In conclusion, patients with asthma presented higher LTE4 values compared to normals and patients with COPD. Smoking significantly affects LTE4 values only in asthmatics indicating a different underlying CysLTs inflammatory process in this condition

Leukotriene E-4 in urine in patients with asthma and COPD - The effect of smoking habit

Leukotriene E-4 (LTE4) is implicated in asthma pathophysiology and possibly in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as one of the causes of persistent bronchoconstriction and mucus hypersecretion. Cigarette smoking stimulates cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) production. We investigated whether LTE4 is equally increased in asthma and COPD and whether smoking significantly affects LTE4 levels. Secondary outcomes involved correlations with inflammatory and functional parameters. We studied 40 patients with COPD [20 smokers], 40 asthmatics [20 smokers] and 30 healthy subjects [15 smokers]. Spirometry (FEV1% pred., FEV1/FVC) was performed, urine was collected for measurement of LTE4 and creatinine, induced sputum was collected for differential cell counts and serum for ECP. LTE4/creatinine levels (pg/mg) [mean (SD)] were increased in asthmatic patients compared to COPD and controls, (125.6(54.5) vs. 54.5(19) vs. 55.9(18.9)pg/mg, respectively, P &lt; 0.0001 for asthmal. Smoking significantly affects LTE4 levels only in asthmatic patients [164 (48) vs. 87 (26.3), P &lt; 0.0001 for smokers]. The only significant correlation was between eosinophits in induced sputum and LTE4/creatinine levels in asthmatics. In conclusion, patients with asthma presented higher LTE4 values compared to normals and patients with COPD. Smoking significantly affects LTE4 values only in asthmatics indicating a different underlying CysLTs inflammatory process in this condition. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Dibutades o el arte de dibujar

El presente ensayo pretende explicar el dibujo como una actividad que se encuentra entre dos contrarios tomados de las teorías de Kandinsky: realismo puro y abstracción pura. Ambos se encuentran representados por dos famosas anécdotas clásicas escritas por Plinio en su Historia Natural que son el desafío entre Zeuxis y Parrasio, y el desembarco de Apeles en Rodas, en busca de Protógenes. Otra anécdota tomada también de los escritos de Plinio, la fábula de Dibutades -en donde se relata el nacimiento del dibujo en Corinto- será considerada como la solución a estos dos contrarios. En cualquier caso, esta solución no será tomada como síntesis o como cualquier tipo de justo medio, sino como paradoja, como paradoja creativa

Valorisation des produits laitiers typiques de Thessalie : diagnostic et stratégie locale

Publication du projet européen LACTIMED (ANIMA / CIHEAM-IAMM) avec l'Université de ThessalieLactimed a réalisé un diagnostic de la filière laitière de Thessalie (Grèce) afin d’aider les autorités locales et les structures d’appui à adopter une stratégie pour la valorisation des produits laitiers typiques de leur territoire. Ce rapport de diagnostic inclut un état des lieux de la filière, l’analyse des résultats d’enquêtes de terrain menées auprès des producteurs, l’identification de produits laitiers typiques avec leur cahier des charges de production et des informations sur le marché domestique

Arte, verdad y la verdad del arte como acción creadora

En el ámbito del desarrollo del devenir artístico, la acción creadora ha sido movilizada y potenciada siempre en función de unos criterios de regulación que han formulado y articulado semánticamente dicha acción: el concepto de verdad es en este sentido clave y signficado en la determinación creadora y estética