Determination of Current Knowledge

2021 ◽  
pp. 45-66
Author(s):  
Andriy Kuzmov ◽  
Ronak Savla
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge

scholarly journals Cancer of Unknown Primary: Challenges and Progress in Clinical Management

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 451
Author(s):  
Noemi Laprovitera ◽  
Mattia Riefolo ◽  
Elisa Ambrosini ◽  
Christiane Klec ◽  
Martin Pichler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Distant Metastases ◽  
Cancer Of Unknown Primary ◽  
Unknown Primary ◽  
Diagnostic Strategies ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Tissue Of Origin ◽  
Novel Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Aggressive Clinical Behavior

Distant metastases are the main cause of cancer-related deaths in patients with advanced tumors. A standard diagnostic workup usually contains the identification of the tissue-of-origin of metastatic tumors, although under certain circumstances, it remains elusive. This disease setting is defined as cancer of unknown primary (CUP). Accounting for approximately 3–5% of all cancer diagnoses, CUPs are characterized by an aggressive clinical behavior and represent a real therapeutic challenge. The lack of determination of a tissue of origin precludes CUP patients from specific evidence-based therapeutic options or access to clinical trial, which significantly impacts their life expectancy. In the era of precision medicine, it is essential to characterize CUP molecular features, including the expression profile of non-coding RNAs, to improve our understanding of CUP biology and identify novel therapeutic strategies. This review article sheds light on this enigmatic disease by summarizing the current knowledge on CUPs focusing on recent discoveries and emerging diagnostic strategies.

Variation in the respiratory quotient of birds and implications for indirect calorimetry using measurements of carbon dioxide production

1995 ◽  
Vol 198 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Walsberg ◽  
B Wolf
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Power Consumption ◽  
Indirect Calorimetry ◽  
Respiratory Quotient ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Production ◽  
Accurate Estimation

Determination of animal power consumption by indirect calorimetry relies upon accurate estimation of the thermal equivalent of oxygen consumed or carbon dioxide produced. This estimate is typically based upon measurement or assumption of the respiratory quotient (RQ), the ratio of CO2 produced to O2 consumed. This ratio is used to indicate the mixture of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins in the metabolic substrate. In this analysis, we report the RQ for two bird species, Passer domesticus and Auriparus flaviceps, under several dietary and fasting regimes. RQ commonly differed substantially from those typically assumed in studies of energy metabolism and often included values below those explainable by current knowledge. Errors that could result from these unexpected RQ values can be large and could present the primary limit to the accuracy of power consumption estimates based upon measurement of carbon dioxide production.

scholarly journals THE DETERMINATION OF FINANCIAL STRUCTURE IN AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHING INDUSTRY IN SELECTED COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 58-78
Author(s):  
Petra Růčková ◽  
Nicole Škuláňová
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rates ◽  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Financial Structure ◽  
Fishing Industry ◽  
Inflation Rates

Every economic sector, every single industry, every economy, and even every firm has its specific financial structure. Given that it is not possible to examine thousands of individual companies for scientific purposes, it is necessary to at least examine the differences between individual sectors, industries and countries. At the same time, the formation and optimization of the financial structure is influenced by a myriad of diverse factors that financial managers should take into account in their decisions. Thanks to these facts, more and more researches had been created for over half a century. This research expands knowledge in seven selected countries of Central and Eastern Europe – the Visegrád Group, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Romania. The aim of the research is to evaluate, based on the Generalized Method of Moments, the relationship between the six selected factors and the indebtedness level in companies belonging to the agricultural, forestry and fishing industry. The subject of the research is medium, large and very large companies during the years 2009 to 2016. The research deals with the influence of profitability, liquidity, asset structure, economic development, inflation and interest rates on the total, long-term and short-term indebtedness of companies. The main finding of the research is that companies are influenced by both internal and external determinants. However, even though the industry should be neutral, external determinants – GDP growth rates, inflation rates and interest rates – have a more significant impact on the debt level. The results of this research will not only extend current knowledge in the field of corporate finance, but at the same time, the results may be stimulating in setting support rules for public administration and even European institutions, as the selected industry is strongly linked to subsidy policies.

Number of rational points of elliptic curves

2021 ◽  
pp. 2250017
Author(s):  
Viliam Ďuriš ◽  
Timotej Šumný
Keyword(s):  
Elliptic Curve ◽  
Elliptic Curves ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
American Mathematical Society ◽  
Rational Points ◽  
Modern Theory ◽  
Cambridge University ◽  
Weil Theorem ◽  
A Finite Group

In the modern theory of elliptic curves, one of the important problems is the determination of the number of rational points on an elliptic curve. The Mordel–Weil theorem [T. Shioda, On the Mordell–Weil lattices, Comment. Math. University St. Paul. 39(2) (1990) 211–240] points out that the elliptic curve defined above the rational points is generated by a finite group. Despite the knowledge that an elliptic curve has a final number of rational points, it is still difficult to determine their number and the way how to determine them. The greatest progress was achieved by Birch and Swinnerton–Dyer conjecture, which was included in the Millennium Prize Problems [A. Wiles, The Birch and Swinnerton–Dyer conjecture, The Millennium Prize Problems (American Mathematical Society, 2006), pp. 31–44]. This conjecture uses methods of the analytical theory of numbers, while the current knowledge corresponds to the assumptions of the conjecture but has not been proven to date. In this paper, we focus on using a tangent line and the osculating circle for characterizing the rational points of the elliptical curve, which is the greatest benefit of the contribution. We use a different view of elliptic curves by using Minkowki’s theory of number geometry [H. F. Blichfeldt, A new principle in the geometry of numbers, with some applications, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 15(3) (1914) 227–235; V. S. Miller, Use of elliptic curves in cryptography, in Proc. Advances in Cryptology — CRYPTO ’85, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol. 218 (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 1985), pp. 417–426; E. Bombieri and W. Gubler, Heights in Diophantine Geometry, Vol. 670, 1st edn. (Cambridge University Press, 2007)].

Time to repeal the Delaney Clause

1994 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 602-603
Author(s):  
H Elizabeth Driver
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Accurate Determination ◽  
Cancer Risks ◽  
Federal Food ◽  
Genotoxic Carcinogens ◽  
Mechanisms Of Carcinogenesis ◽  
Williams Test ◽  
Important Progress

The Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, enacted in 1958, prohibits the addition to the human food supply of any chemical that had caused cancer in humans or animals. The aim was to prevent cancer in humans. The scientific knowledge on causes of cancer and mechanisms of carcinogenesis in the 1950s can be rationalised to justify enactment of this Clause at that time. Since then, important progress in the fields of mechanism of carcinogenesis and cancer causation, and in analytical chemistry permitting accurate determination of trace amounts of chemicals, suggests that the Clause requires modification based on current knowledge. The documented human carcinogens are DNA reactive or genotoxic. Thus, the Clause should emphasise prohibition of the addition to human foods of proven genotoxins that are likely human cancer risks by contemporary standards. Such genotoxic carcinogens are those reliably positive in a battery of three tests: the Ames test in Salmonella typhimurium; the Williams test with evidence of DNA repair in hepatocytes; and direct documentation of DNA adduct formation in the 32P-postlabelling technique of Randerath.

scholarly journals The path from protein profiling to biomarkers: The potential of proteomics and data integration in beef quality research

2021 ◽  
Vol 854 (1) ◽  
pp. 012029
Author(s):  
Mohammed Gagaoua
Keyword(s):  
Data Integration ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Protein Profiling ◽  
Protein Biomarkers ◽  
Bioinformatics Analyses ◽  
Beef Tenderness ◽  
Beef Carcasses ◽  
Biochemical Mechanisms

Abstract This study aimed to provide an overview of the strategy of meat quality biomarkers identification from protein profiling to the establishment of putative protein biomarkers with a focus on beef tenderness and colour traits. Further, the current knowledge gained by data-integration, also known as integromics, of published meat proteomics studies during the last decade is briefly discussed in terms of the current list of protein candidate biomarkers revealed using different proteomics platforms and evaluated by proteomics-based approaches. The main biochemical pathways underlying the determination of tenderness and colour traits as important beef eating qualities revealed by bioinformatics analyses such as Gene Ontology annotations, pathway and process enrichments are further considered. This paper also addresses the potential of integromics and data-mining, in the era of big data and data analytics, to broaden our knowledge on the biochemical mechanisms underlying the conversion of muscle into meat and the consequences on beef sensory quality traits (tenderness and colour). Finally, the emerging interest of using such gathered and shortlisted protein biomarkers for first validation and then early post-mortem prediction of the potential quality of beef carcasses is highlighted.

Use of entomotoxicology in estimating post-mortem interval and determining cause of death

2017 ◽  
Vol 295 ◽  
pp. 56-63
Author(s):  
Joanna Stojak ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cause Of Death ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
The Body ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Toxicological Analysis ◽  
Post Mortem Interval ◽  
The Impact

Entomotoxicology allows the estimation of the post-mortem interval and the determination of the cause of death in cases in which the corpse has decomposed and the tissues necessary for toxicological analysis are no longer available. Obtaining information about toxic substances potentially present in the body is possible by isolation of larvae and pupae of true flies (Diptera) and/or adult forms of, e.g., beetles (Coleoptera) present on or near the corpse. This article was intended to summarize the current knowledge in the field of entomotoxicology, including examples from the literature, and to present the impact of selected toxic substances and medicines on the development of necrophagous larvae of insects.

scholarly journals Caspase-14 reveals its secrets

2008 ◽  
Vol 180 (3) ◽  
pp. 451-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geertrui Denecker ◽  
Petra Ovaere ◽  
Peter Vandenabeele ◽  
Wim Declercq
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Keratinocyte Differentiation ◽  
Uvb Radiation ◽  
Epidermal Barrier ◽  
Unique Member ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Proliferation And Differentiation ◽  
Deficient Mice

Caspase-14 is a unique member of the evolutionarily conserved family of cysteinyl aspartate–specific proteinases, which are mainly involved in inflammation and apoptosis. However, recent evidence also implicates these proteases in proliferation and differentiation. Although most caspases are ubiquitously expressed, caspase-14 expression is confined mainly to cornifying epithelia, such as the skin. Moreover, caspase-14 activation correlates with cornification, indicating that it plays a role in terminal keratinocyte differentiation. The determination of in vitro conditions for caspase-14 activity paved the way to identifying its substrates. The recent development of caspase-14–deficient mice underscored its importance in the correct degradation of (pro)filaggrin and in the formation of the epidermal barrier that protects against dehydration and UVB radiation. Here, we review the current knowledge on caspase-14 in skin homeostasis and disease.

scholarly journals Comparative study of the stabilities of synthetic in vitro and natural ex vivo transthyretin amyloid fibrils

2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (33) ◽  
pp. 11379-11387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Raimondi ◽  
P. Patrizia Mangione ◽  
Guglielmo Verona ◽  
Diana Canetti ◽  
Paola Nocerino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermodynamic Stability ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Amyloid Formation ◽  
Free Energies

Systemic amyloidosis caused by extracellular deposition of insoluble fibrils derived from the pathological aggregation of circulating proteins, such as transthyretin, is a severe and usually fatal condition. Elucidation of the molecular pathogenic mechanism of the disease and discovery of effective therapies still represents a challenging medical issue. The in vitro preparation of amyloid fibrils that exhibit structural and biochemical properties closely similar to those of natural fibrils is central to improving our understanding of the biophysical basis of amyloid formation in vivo and may offer an important tool for drug discovery. Here, we compared the morphology and thermodynamic stability of natural transthyretin fibrils with those of fibrils generated in vitro either using the common acidification procedure or primed by limited selective cleavage by plasmin. The free energies for fibril formation were −12.36, −8.10, and −10.61 kcal mol−1, respectively. The fibrils generated via plasmin cleavage were more stable than those prepared at low pH and were thermodynamically and morphologically similar to natural fibrils extracted from human amyloidotic tissue. Determination of thermodynamic stability is an important tool that is complementary to other methods of structural comparison between ex vivo fibrils and fibrils generated in vitro. Our finding that fibrils created via an in vitro amyloidogenic pathway are structurally similar to ex vivo human amyloid fibrils does not necessarily establish that the fibrillogenic pathway is the same for both, but it narrows the current knowledge gap between in vitro models and in vivo pathophysiology.

scholarly journals A STUDY OF THE PIONEER ANOMALY: NEW DATA AND OBJECTIVES FOR NEW INVESTIGATION

2006 ◽  
Vol 15 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
SLAVA G. TURYSHEV ◽  
VIKTOR T. TOTH ◽  
LARRY R. KELLOGG ◽  
EUNICE L. LAU ◽  
KYONG J. LEE
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Doppler Frequency ◽  
Blue Shift ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Pioneer Anomaly ◽  
Doppler Data ◽  
History Of ◽  
Anomalous Acceleration ◽  
Pioneer 10

The Pioneer 10/11 spacecraft yielded the most precise navigation in deep space to date. However, their radiometric tracking data has consistently indicated the presence of a small, anomalous, Doppler frequency drift. The drift is a blue shift, uniformly changing with a rate of ~6 × 10-9 Hz/s and can be interpreted as a constant sunward acceleration of each particular spacecraft of aP = (8.74±1.33) × 10-10 m/s 2 (or, alternatively, a time acceleration of at = (2.92±0.44) × 10-18 s/s 2). This signal has become known as the Pioneer anomaly; the nature of this anomaly remains unexplained. We discuss the current state of the efforts to retrieve the entire data sets of the Pioneer 10 and 11 radiometric Doppler data. We also report on the availability of recently recovered telemetry files that may be used to reconstruct the engineering history of both spacecraft using original project documentation and newly developed software tools. We discuss possible ways to further investigate the discovered effect using these telemetry files in conjunction with the analysis of the much extended Pioneer Doppler data. In preparation for this new upcoming investigation, we summarize the current knowledge of the Pioneer anomaly and review some of the mechanisms proposed for its explanation. We emphasize the main objectives of this new study, namely (i) analysis of the early data that could yield the true direction of the anomaly and thus, its origin, (ii) analysis of planetary encounters, which should say more about the onset of the anomaly (e.g. Pioneer 11's Saturn flyby), (iii) analysis of the entire dataset, which should lead to a better determination of the temporal behavior of the anomaly, (iv) comparative analysis of individual anomalous accelerations for the two Pioneers with the data taken from similar heliocentric distances, (v) the detailed study of on-board systematics, and (vi) development of a thermal-electric-dynamical model using on-board telemetry. The outlined strategy may allow for a higher accuracy solution for the anomalous acceleration of the Pioneer spacecraft and, possibly, will lead to an unambiguous determination of the origin of the Pioneer anomaly.

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