The role of aristolochic acid in the etiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) and associated upper urothelial carcinoma (UUC) was recently confirmed. The aim of this study was to determine the marker(s) specific for BEN-associated UUC. A total of 82 patients with UUC (38 from the BEN region and 44 control tumors) were included in the study. The Ki-67 index in BEN tumors correlated with the ...

Despite broad investigations into the possible role of genetic factors, environmental agents and immune mechanisms, the etiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) is only partially understood. An increased incidence of upper urothelial cancer in patients with BEN and in populations from endemic settlements has been demonstrated. Genetic studies have landed support for genetic predisposition t...

BICEP2 observations, interpreted most simply, suggest an era of inflation with energy densities of order (1016GeV)4, not far below the Planck density. However, models of TeV gravity with large extra dimensions might allow a very different interpretation involving much more modest energy scales. We discuss the viability of inflation in such models, and conclude that existing scenarios do not pro...

Phosphorus Release Characteristics from Biosolids-Derived Organomineral Fertilizers Diogenes L. Antille, Ruben Sakrabani & Richard J. Godwin a School of Applied Science, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK b National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture, University of Southern QueenslandToowoomba, Queensland, Australia c Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire, UK Accepted a...