Danuše Nerudová

Microarray analysis of metallothioneins in human diseases—A review

Metallothioneins (MTs), low molecular mass cysteine-rich proteins, which are able to bind up to 20 monovalent and up to 7 divalent heavy metal ions are widely studied due to their functions in detoxification of metals, scavenging free radicals and cells protection against the oxidative stress. It was found that the loss of the protective effects of MT leads to an escalation of pathogenic processes and carcinogenesis. The most extensive area is MTs expression for oncological applications, where the information about gene patterns is helpful for the identification biological function, resistance to drugs and creating the correct chemotherapy. In other medical applications the effect of oxidative stress to cell lines exposed to heavy metals and hydrogen peroxide is studied as well as influence of drugs and cytokines on MTs expression and MTs expression in the adipose tissue. The precise detection of low metallothionein concentrations and its isoforms is necessary to understand the connection between quantity and isoforms of MTs to size, localization and type of cancer. This information is necessary for well-timed therapy and increase the chance to survival. Microarray chips appear as good possibility for finding all information about expression of MTs genes and isoforms not only in cancer, but also in other diseases, especially diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, ageing, osteoporosis, psychiatric disorders and as the effects of toxic drugs and pollutants, which is discussed in this review.

EU Taxes for the EU Budget in the Light of Sustainability Orientation – a Survey

Abstract EU taxes play a key role in political and economic discussions about the future of the EU own resource system, and their desirability can vary accordingly. It is therefore essential to clearly articulate the goals which are to be achieved by the introduction of this new financing tool. This paper provides a critical review of pros and cons of EU taxes put forward in the literature. Reviewing the conventional fiscal federalism and political economy literature on this topic it can be concluded that there is no convincing (overall) case for funding the EU budget with EU taxes rather than with contributions by Member States which currently make up for the lion’s share of EU own resources. There are, however, some specific issues arising from a sustainability perspective, which could be addressed with the introduction of EU taxes. Departing from a comprehensive concept of sustainability which is based on the economic, the social, the environmental and the cultural/institutional pillar of sustainability, the paper identifies existing sustainability gaps in taxation in the EU. EU taxes if designed accordingly may be suitable instruments to reduce these sustainability gaps and thus to strengthen sustainability-orientation of taxation in the EU.

Double Dividend Hypothesis: Can it Occur when Tackling Carbon Emissions?☆

Abstract The paper focuses on the double dividend hypothesis occurrence in case of carbon taxation enactment. Our assessment questions the conditional occurrence of the hypothesis, where environment improvement and the reduction of tax distortions depend not only on the design of carbon taxes but also on the complementary measures implemented to enhance their efficiency. This paper takes into consideration previous proposals to reduce labor taxation in order to strengthen double dividend hypothesis and aims to point out the risks of such measures, for they could endanger the process of pollution abatement. Due to this fact, the paper proposes another set of alternative measures to boost carbon taxation efficiency.

Missing Data and its Impact on the CCCTB Determination

Abstract The impact of missing data on quantitative research can be serious. It could lead to biased estimates of parameters, loss of information, increased standard errors or decreased statistical power and weakened results of findings. The aim of the paper is to discuss three missing data methods: regression, imputation and multiple imputation; and their impact on the CCCTB determination and based on the results to identify the most suitable method which will lead to the least distortion. The results gained with the application of those methods are compared with those obtained from the complete data set.

Financial Transaction Tax: Can it be Sufficient Resource of EU Budget when Introduced through Enhanced Cooperation?☆

Abstract The discussion about the possible taxation of the financial sector has started in the European Union as a result of the financial crisis which has spread to the Europe from the United States in 2008. The EU Member States individually committed to support the financial sector for a total about EUR 4.6 trillion (i.e. 39% of EU-27 GDP in 2009). Those public interventions have significant budgetary consequences (strongly felt in Greece, Spain or Italy) and imposed a heavy burden on the present and future generations. Therefore there is a strong consensus not only on the level of the European Union but also internationally, that financial sector should contribute to the public finance more fairly. Moreover, with respect to the fact, that the crises was the result of complex interaction of market failures, global monetary and financial imbalances and weak supervision, it has been argued, that taxes could be used as regulatory tools. However, the imposition of FTT on financial sector is very sensitive issue. Due to this fact it will not be implemented through the directive (requiring the unanimity of all EU Member States) but rather through enhanced cooperation (i.e. only by countries willing to do that – by EU-11). The aim of the paper is to research, whether the revenues from the imposition of financial transaction tax through enhanced cooperation could be used as a new own resource of EU budget and whether it would enable to replace GNI contribution of EU-11 as announced by the European Commission.

Overall Approach of the EU in the Question of Emissions: EU Emissions Trading System and CO2 Taxation☆

Abstract The EU Emissions Trading System was established in 2005 as the cost-effective tools for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Initially allowances were allocated free, but from 2013 auctioning is the main method of allocating allowances. Further, the European Commission proposed CO2-related taxation in a way that complements the EU ETS in order to establish a comprehensive and consistent CO2 price signal outside the EU ETS. The aim of the paper is to discuss the EU ETS system, its development in 2013, and its impacts on the proposed CO2-related taxation. Further there is mentioned position of the Czech Republic in this question.

The application of an accounting standard for SMEs

Small and medium-sized companies have a very important position in the European Union (EU) economy, mainly in the area of employment. Their activities in the internal market are limited by a great deal of obstacles. The most important obstacles are the different national accounting and tax systems. At present, it is obvious that a certain degree of accounting and tax harmonisation has to take place. International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) is designed to apply to the general-purpose harmonised financial statements of all profit-oriented SMEs. General-purpose financial statements are directed toward the common information needs (an entitys financial position, performance, cash flow) of a wide range of users (shareholders, creditors, employees). Determining taxable income requires special-purpose financial statements designed to comply with the tax laws and regulations in a particular jurisdiction. An entitys taxable income is defined by the laws and regulations of the country or other jurisdictions in which it is domiciled. Tax authorities are also important external users of the financial statements of SMEs. Profit or loss recognised under IFRS for SMEs could be a starting point for determining taxable income.

Výnosový potenciál společného konsolidovaného korporátního základu daně v Evropské unii

The non-existence of a link between reaching smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and the EU budget is resulting in the existence of sustainability gaps in the European Union. This research reveals that the introduction of the Common (Consolidated) Corporate Tax Base (hereinafter as C(C)CTB) could be an important contribution to close the existing sustainability gaps. To research the revenue potential of the C(C)CTB, a model based on a remittance system was designed. The system expects the replacement of the VAT-based own resource (resp. GNI-based own resource) through the transfer of a part of the corporate tax revenues from the C(C)CTB raised on the national level to the EU budget. The results of the research show that the C(C)CTB-based own resource would be able to fully replace the VAT-based own resource, with the only exception of Cyprus. However, the C(C)CTB-based own resource cannot be considered to be a sufficient resource to fully replace the GNI-base own resource.

Safe Harbour as an Alternative Approach to Transfer Pricing of SMEs

This segment of the book contains the history of development of safe harbours from the perspective of transfer pricing issues, advantages and disadvantages of safe harbours, recommendations for the form and scope of safe harbours and the current situation of safe harbours in the European Union. The last part of the chapter includes our proposal on safe harbours as an alternative approach to the transfer pricing of SMEs in the European Union.

Compliance Costs of Transfer Pricing for SMEs

This segment of the book contains an analysis of compliance costs of taxation with respect to SMEs and transfer pricing issues as well as critiques of current approaches. The last part of the chapter includes a case study on the determination of compliance costs of transfer pricing with respect to SMEs in the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic and Poland, which represent countries from the Visegrad Group, and the European Union, as based on the results of our questionnaire. To determine the compliance costs of transfer pricing, cost and time approaches were used.