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The LaCr(0.99)Pd(0.01)O(3)compound has been synthesized with solid-state reaction method. The microstructure, crystalline structure, chemical composition, and oxidation states of elements were investigated via SEM, Raman and XPS analysis techniques. SEM has revealed that particles have various sizes. XPS investigation has unveiled the oxidation states of La (3+), Pd (4+), and Cr (both 3+ and 6+). Electrical characterization has been performed in nitrogen ambient using Novocontrol Dielectric Spectrometer. Real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function, impedance, modulus, and conductivity of studied compound were investigated in wide temperature and frequency range. The activation energy from the logf(max)vs. (kT)(-1)and log sigma(dc)vs. (kT)(-1)plots has been obtained as 0.240 eV and 0.231 eV, respectively. It has been demonstrated that the correlated barrier hopping (CBH) and non-overlapping small polaron tunneling (NSPT) conductions take place in the LaCr(0.99)Pd(0.01)O(3)compound.

Genetic diagnostics of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) has been performed in Slovakia in many different forms before the year 2000. Complex HBOC genetic analysis consists of many steps, including the initial genetic consultation, laboratory testing of genes associated with HBOC, interpretation and report of DNA analysis results, secondary explanatory genetic consultation and recommendation of clinical management for pathological mutation carriers. Many clinicians are participating on this workflow, such as clinical geneticists, laboratory diagnosticians as well as gynaecologists, oncologists or radio-diagnosticians. Currently, genetic testing is still technically and financially demanding and aimed only at selected families or patients who fulfil the defined clinical indication criteria.Positive result of DNA analysis, that is, detection of pathological mutation in genes associated with HBOC syndrome means that the risk of breast/ovarian cancer onset in mutation carriers is amplified. This predisposition markedly affects the clinical management and treatment of patient and other members of the family, thus creating the demand to establish widely accepted specific recommendations for genetic diagnostics of HBOC. In the past, the analysis of HBOC in Slovakia followed various technical approaches and indication criteria depending on the workflow of specific laboratory. The guidelines reported below adhere to the current trends in DNA analysis and clinical healthcare, define the criteria for diagnostic laboratories, conditions for genetic testing and determine indications for selection of HBOC families and further clinical management of mutation carriers.

Methylation of the cytosine residues within the CpG dinucleotides plays an important role in the fundamental cellular processes, human diseases and even cancer. The DNA methylation represents a very stable sign and therefore may be used as a valuable marker for cancer screening. Epigenetic cancer biomarkers are independent of classical morphology and thus show extensive potential to overcome the limitations of cytology. Several epigenetic cancer markers have been reported to be detectable in body fluids such as bronchial aspirate, sputum, plasma and serum.Short stature homeobox gene 2 (SHOX2) encodes a homeo-domain transcription factor, which has been identified as a close homologue of the SHOX gene and both genes are involved in skeletogenesis and heart development. Methylation of SHOX2 gene has been shown to be present at high prevalence in carcinomas of lung, however may also be used to identify other tumour entities.In the presented study, we have compared suitability of two types of material associated with lung cancer for the detection of SHOX2 methylation. We have confirmed that methylation of SHOX2 gene represents reliable marker of lung malignancies. The parallel tests in the blood plasma revealed that it may represent a good alternative material for testing of the SHOX2 methylation, making the test available to patients who are unable to undergo bronchoscopy.

This paper describes lessons learned during the floods in 2014 in Bulgaria where a large group of professionals and researchers working in early warning and crises management (EWCM) got involved. The paper describes the site and the chronological order of the events, which disturbed the Seminar on EWCM, June, 2014.Due to heavy rain the conference participants got isolated in a flooded area. The National Programme for Disaster Protection provided information but could not help in the crisis situation. The emergency telephone line was open and online forecast information was available but the conference organizers were not aware of any procedures how to deal with crisis situations. The maps and images of the area were not available before and after the event.Triggered by these events, we discuss the need of better preparedness in detail. We propose a number of maps that we believe need to be prepared and made available to citizens in similar situation. The maps are classified and their properties are discussed in detail. A map, based on satellite images, was produced by Copernicus project after the event. We elaborate on its content, aim and usefulness.We emphasize on the need of a better cooperation and exchange of information between professionals in the field and regular citizens. Two types of information streams are considered: from the responders to the citizens and from the citizens to the responders. We conclude the paper with suggestions for future improvement of the preparedness of organizers of big events.

Lung carcinoma is the most frequently occurring cancer worldwide and the Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) subtype represents 80% of all diagnosed cases. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has an important dual role in NSCLC patients. On one hand, EGFR is frequently mutated in many types of tumors, which leads to deregulation of important downstream pathways including those affecting cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. On the other hand, presence of certain activating mutation leads to increased sensitivity of EGFR to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) treatment. Detection of these mutations is essential for identification of NSCLC patients who would profit from such therapy. However, due to the nature of available tumor material and the relatively high number of mutation hot spots, such DNA analysis may be challenging and time consuming. Here we present an approach combining direct sequencing and SNaPshot assay for identification of EGFR mutations in FFPE tissues as well as in rarely analyzed cytological smears. Using this strategy on the set of 450 tested NSCLC samples; we have identified 29 activating mutations and 14 variants, which might be interesting in predicting the efficiency of TKI therapy.

To mitigate the consequences of increasingly frequent disasters across the globe, better real-time collaborative post-disaster management tools are needed. The International Charter ‘Space and Major Disasters’, in conjunction with intermediary agencies, provides for space resources to be available to support disaster response. It is widely seen as a successful example of international humanitarian assistance following disasters. However, the Charter is also facing challenges with respect to lack of collaboration and validation, with the information flow being largely mono-directional. It is, therefore, fundamental to move away from static map data provision to a more dynamic, distributed and collaborative environment. Geo Web Services can bring together vast stores of data from heterogeneous sources, along with geospatial services that can interact in a loosely coupled environment and be used to create more suitable information for different stakeholders. The aim of this chapter is to evaluate the relevance and importance of Geo Web Services in the disaster management domain and present a suitable Geo Web Service architecture for a collaborative post-disaster damage mapping system. We focus particularly on satellite image-based post-disaster support situations, and present our ideas for a prototype based on this architecture with possibilities for User Generated Content.

International audience; One wonders about the contribution of the morphogenetic representation in the field of geography in the cycle understanding: reality, representation, model, and reality. A distinction is made between map and geomap based on the locus-geographical object notion.

Considering label as one of the important map component, this paper is an attempt to provide empirical evidence of label size design rules and frames which is based on the design aesthetics and efficiency. Determining the ‘best’ legible label size is critical concern involves testing design aspect and needs. Both aesthetics and efficiency can set the design frames for better perception and legibility. Aesthetics was calculated by determining users´ preference of different use of label sizes, whereas efficiency was calculated by measuring time to locate targets of different. Both areal and point data were involved in the study to determine the combination of the two measurements of label size design. Digital maps were designed and presented to users as they were firstly asked about their preference of different use of label size, and secondly they were asked to locate different label size. The intersection between the first test and the second one attributes the frames for label size design. The correlation between the preferable sizes and the efficient sizes is being traced and the relation between label size aesthetics and efficiency is being identified. This study indicates the need to test other visual variable in order to serve many labelling functions.

Background: Increased activity of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (AP) occurs locally in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), aimed at repairing inflammatory tissue damage. We evaluated the safety and preliminary efficacy of exogenous AP administered to patients with UC in an open-label, first-in-patient exploratory trial, conducted in the Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology hospital departments in the Czech Republic and Italy. Methods: Twenty-one patients were enrolled (13 females), age 23–54 years, with steroid- and/or immunosuppressant-refractory, moderate/severe UC (Mayo score 6–11). Oral AP enzyme 30,000 U was administered daily for 7 days, intraduodenally. Efficacy outcomes were changes in Mayo score at Day 21 posttreatment; changes in Modified Truelove–Witts Severity index (MTWSI) at Days 21, 63; C-reactive protein and stool calprotectin levels at Days 7, 21, 63. Safety evaluations were adverse events and laboratory abnormalities reported up to Day 63 posttreatment. Results: No clinically relevant adverse events causing withdrawal or considered serious, or laboratory abnormalities or antibody formation against AP were observed. Mayo scores were significantly decreased at Day 21, and MTWSI at Days 21 and 63. C-reactive protein and stool calprotectin levels were decreased at Days 21 and 63. Clinical response on the Mayo score after a single 7-day AP course was 48% at Day 21. Conclusions: In this uncontrolled trial, administration of exogenous AP enzyme daily over a 7-day course to patients with UC was associated with short-term improvement in disease activity scores, with clinical effects being observed within 21 days and associated with reductions in C-reactive protein and stool calprotectin. AP enzyme treatment was well tolerated and nonimmunogenic. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2009;)