| 1. |
- Bravi, Luca, et al.
(författare)
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Endothelial Cells Lining Sporadic Cerebral Cavernous Malformation Cavernomas Undergo Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
- 2016
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Ingår i: Stroke. - 0039-2499 .- 1524-4628. ; 47:3, s. 886-890
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) is characterized by multiple lumen vascular malformations in the central nervous system that can cause neurological symptoms and brain hemorrhages. About 20% of CCM patients have an inherited form of the disease with ubiquitous loss-of-function mutation in any one of 3 genes CCM1, CCM2, and CCM3. The rest of patients develop sporadic vascular lesions histologically similar to those of the inherited form and likely mediated by a biallelic acquired mutation of CCM genes in the brain vasculature. However, the molecular phenotypic features of endothelial cells in CCM lesions in sporadic patients are still poorly described. This information is crucial for a targeted therapy.METHODS: We used immunofluorescence microscopy and immunohistochemistry to analyze the expression of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers in the cavernoma of sporadic CCM patients in parallel with human familial cavernoma as a reference control.RESULTS: We report here that endothelial cells, a cell type critically involved in CCM development, undergo endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in the lesions of sporadic patients. This switch in endothelial phenotype has been described only in genetic CCM patients and in murine models of the disease. In addition, TGF-β/p-Smad- and β-catenin-dependent signaling pathways seem activated in sporadic cavernomas as in familial ones.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the use of common therapeutic strategies for both sporadic and genetic CCM malformations.
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| 2. |
- Leurent, Martin, et al.
(författare)
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Driving forces and obstacles to nuclear cogeneration in Europe: Lessons learnt from Finland
- 2017
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Ingår i: Energy Policy. - : ELSEVIER SCI LTD. - 0301-4215 .- 1873-6777. ; 107, s. 138-150
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Nuclear power plants generate electricity and a large amount of waste heat which is valuable for cogeneration. District heating (DH) is a suitable technology to decarbonize the European heat sector. By contrast with most of nuclear non-electric applications, nuclear district heating (NDH) has already been implemented in Europe, thus providing us with some valuable empirical insights. This paper investigates the forces and obstacles to nuclear cogeneration by looking at the Loviisa 3 NDH project in Finland. The key forces are energy efficiency, decarbonization of the heat sector, operational competitiveness of future nuclear technologies, and synergies with renewable energies. The key obstacles are split incentives, electricity prices volatility, inexpediency of business models and regulatory frameworks, electioneering of local authorities and pessimist expectations with regards to project financing. Policy makers should recognize nuclear plants alongside other utilities generating large amounts of wasted heat. International cooperation programs involving both nuclear and heat stakeholders should be encouraged. EU28 Member States wanting to promote nuclear cogeneration may consider providing support for the electricity generated by high-efficiency plants.
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