Beyond technology: A research agenda for social sciences and humanities research on renewable energy in Europe

This article enriches the existing literature on the importance and role of the social sciences and humanities (SSH) in renewable energy sources research by providing a novel approach to instigating the future research agenda in this field. Employing a series of in-depth interviews, deliberative focus group workshops and a systematic horizon scanning process, which utilised the expert knowledge of 85 researchers from the field with diverse disciplinary backgrounds and expertise, the paper develops a set of 100 priority questions for future research within SSH scholarship on renewable energy sources. These questions were aggregated into four main directions: (i) deep transformations and connections to the broader economic system (i.e. radical ways of (re)arranging socio-technical, political and economic relations), (ii) cultural and geographical diversity (i.e. contextual cultural, historical, political and socio-economic factors influencing citizen support for energy transitions), (iii) complexifying energy governance (i.e. understanding energy systems from a systems dynamics perspective) and (iv) shifting from instrumental acceptance to value-based objectives (i.e. public support for energy transitions as a normative notion linked to trust-building and citizen engagement). While this agenda is not intended to be—and cannot be—exhaustive or exclusive, we argue that it advances the understanding of SSH research on renewable energy sources and may have important value in the prioritisation of SSH themes needed to enrich dialogues between policymakers, funding institutions and researchers. SSH scholarship should not be treated as instrumental to other research on renewable energy but as intrinsic and of the same hierarchical importance.acceptedVersio

An update on genomic-guided therapies for pediatric solid tumors

YesCurrently, out of the 82 US FDA-approved targeted therapies for adult cancer treatments, only three are approved for use in children irrespective of their genomic status. Apart from leukemia, only a handful of genomic-based trials involving children with solid tumors are ongoing. Emerging genomic data for pediatric solid tumors may facilitate the development of precision medicine in pediatric patients. Here, we provide an up-to-date review of all reported genomic aberrations in the eight most common pediatric solid tumors with whole-exome sequencing or whole-genome sequencing data (from cBioPortal database, Pediatric Cancer Genome Project, Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments) and additional non-whole-exome sequencing studies. Potential druggable events are highlighted and discussed so as to facilitate preclinical and clinical research in this area.Seed Grant of Strategic Research Theme for Cancer, The University of Hong Kong of AKSC. VWY Lui is funded by the Research Grant Council, Hong Kong (#17114814, #17121616, General Research Fund; T12–401/13-R, Theme-based Research Scheme), and the Start-up Fund, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. W Piao is funded by the Faculty Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong

Genomic characterization of large rearrangements of the LDLR gene in Czech patients with familial hypercholesterolemia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mutations in the <it>LDLR </it>gene are the most frequent cause of Familial hypercholesterolemia, an autosomal dominant disease characterised by elevated concentrations of LDL in blood plasma. In many populations, large genomic rearrangements account for approximately 10% of mutations in the <it>LDLR </it>gene.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>DNA diagnostics of large genomic rearrangements was based on Multiple Ligation dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA). Subsequent analyses of deletion and duplication breakpoints were performed using long-range PCR, PCR, and DNA sequencing.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In set of 1441 unrelated FH patients, large genomic rearrangements were found in 37 probands. Eight different types of rearrangements were detected, from them 6 types were novel, not described so far. In all rearrangements, we characterized their exact extent and breakpoint sequences.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Sequence analysis of deletion and duplication breakpoints indicates that intrachromatid non-allelic homologous recombination (NAHR) between <it>Alu </it>elements is involved in 6 events, while a non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) is implicated in 2 rearrangements. Our study thus describes for the first time NHEJ as a mechanism involved in genomic rearrangements in the <it>LDLR </it>gene.</p

Scientific Validation of Three-Dimensional Stereophotogrammetry Compared to the IGAIS Clinical Scale for Assessing Wrinkles and Scars after Laser Treatment

Measuring outcomes from treatments to the skin is either reliant upon patient’s subjective feedback or scale-based peer assessments. Three-Dimensional stereophotogrammetry intend to accurately quantify skin microtopography before and after treatments. The objective of this study is comparing the accuracy of stereophotogrammetry with a scale-based peer evaluation in assessing topographical changes to skin surface following laser treatment. A 3D stereophotogrammetry system photographed skin surface of 48 patients with facial wrinkles or scars before and three months after laser resurfacing, followed immediately by topical application of vitamin C. The software measured changes in skin roughness, wrinkle depth and scar volume. Images were presented to three observers, each independently scoring cutaneous improvement according to Investigator Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (IGAIS). As for the results, a trend reflecting skin/scar improvement was reported by 3D SPM measurements and raters. The percentage of topographical change given by the raters matched 3D SPM findings. Agreement was highest when observers analysed 3D images. However, observers overestimated skin improvement in a nontreatment control whilst 3D SPM was precise in detecting absence of intervention. This study confirmed a direct correlation between the IGAIS clinical scale and 3D SPM and confirmed the efficacy and accuracy of the latter when assessing cutaneous microtopography alterations as a response to laser treatment

Contribution of natural Sciences and Archeology to historical Topography of the Old Brno

Contribution of natural Sciences and Archeology to historical Topography of the Old Brno

Biosimilars: controversies as illustrated by rhGH.

Item does not contain fulltextAbstract Background and scope: Similar biological medicinal products, also called 'biosimilars', are copies of biopharmaceutical products whose patent has expired. Whether biosimilars are truly comparable and interchangeable with their reference biopharmaceutical products in terms of quality, efficacy and tolerability, is still a matter of debate. This review discusses the controversies related to the criteria for regulatory approval of biosimilars. These concerns are illustrated using recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) biosimilars as an example. Methods: Publications on the regulatory approval of biosimilars in general and rhGH biosimilars in particular were searched in MEDLINE by exploding and combining the medical subject heading terms 'human growth hormone', 'efficacy' or 'safety' and the free-text words 'biosimilar', 'biopharmaceutical', 'similar biological medicinal product', 'follow-up biologic' or 'biogeneric'. Searches were limited to full-text English-language articles. The websites from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and from the American Food and Drug Administration were also consulted. Regulatory status: To obtain regulatory approval of a biosimilar product by EMA, demonstration of comparability with an approved reference biopharmaceutical product in terms of quality, efficacy and tolerability is needed. Thus, comparative quality studies, non-clinical and clinical efficacy and tolerability studies are required. However, in contrast to the reference product, comparative non-clinical pharmacokinetics, safety pharmacology, reproduction toxicology, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity studies are not mandatory to obtain approval of a biosimilar. In addition, comparable efficacy and tolerability only needs to be established by one study in a single population during a limited time interval (12 months) and often allows extrapolation to all other approved indications of the reference product. Consequently, for the currently approved rhGH biosimilars, long-term efficacy and tolerability in all indications has not been proven to the same degree as for the reference products. Conclusions: The validity of the current criteria for comparability and interchangeability of biosimilars and their reference products remains controversial. The authors conclude that long-term clinical investigations and systematic monitoring of the efficacy and tolerability of rhGH biosimilars in all indications are needed. In addition, the medico-economical environment should allow physicians to take a free and informed decision about the type of rhGH to be prescribed.1 mei 201