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Review of The Abolition of the eath Penalty in International Law by William A. Schaba

Human Rights and the International Legal Order

A Review of Human Rights, International Law and the Helsinki Accord edited by Thomas Buergentha

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Optimization of an implantable magnetic marker for surgical localization of breast cancer

For small, early-stage or otherwise non-palpable breast tumors, surgeons rely on localization technologies to accurately find and remove the tumor tissue during breast conserving surgery. However, current widely accepted localization technologies either use painful and logistically challenging guidewires, or complex radioactive iodine sources. We have developed an implantable magnetic marker, intended to mark the location of a breast tumor, that can be detected during surgery using a clinical handheld magnetic susceptometry system. Here, we report on the development and optimization of this magnetic marker, focusing on the material, shape and various material assemblies. It was found that the effects of magnetic shape anisotropy may decrease localization precision. This can be circumvented by combining multiple isotropic magnetic elements separated from one another. A final optimized prototype was constructed and compared to a commercially available magnetic marker. Finally, the technology was tested in an ex vivo surgical setting on tissue to assess radiological visibility and surgical feasibility. The marker was successfully detected and removed in all ex vivo sessions, and the technology was found feasible.</p

Stimulation of cyclic AMP production in human alveolar macrophages induced by inflammatory mediators and β-sympathicomimetics

Abstract We have investigated the effects of inflammatory mediators and β-adrenoceptor agonists on the adenylyl cyclase responsiveness in alveolar macrophages from control subjects, patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthmatics. Basal cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels in alveolar macrophages from COPD patients were significantly elevated (plus 42%) as compared to controls. In addition, the adenylyl cyclase responsiveness to prostaglandin E2, histamine and the β-adrenoceptor agonist salbutamol was significantly impaired in alveolar macrophages from COPD patients and asthmatics. The lipid mediator platelet activating factor showed no effect on cAMP production in all three alveolar macrophage populations. Furthermore, the cAMP-enhancing effects of isoprenaline, salbutamol and histamine appeared to be mediated via β2-adrenoceptors and histamine H2-receptor subtypes respectively. Taken together, these data suggest an intrinsic desensitization phenomenon in alveolar macrophages from COPD patients and asthmatics