Эпидемиологические исследования в сексологии

Представлены результаты эпидемиологического исследования, позволившие автору на примере обследования 1000 человек популяции из западного региона Украины сформулировать основные закономерности изменения отношения к браку и сексуального поведения мужчин и женщин в современном обществе.The findings of epidemiological study, which allowed the author to formulate main regularities of the changes in the attitude to the marriage and sexual behavior of men and women in the contemporary society on the example of the examination of 1000 persons from the western regions of Ukraine, are presented

Die Notverordnungen des kroatischen Präsidenten aus den Jahren 1991 und 1992

U radu se razmatraju uredbe iz nužde koje je donio predsjednik Republike Franjo Tuđman u drugoj polovici 1991. i početkom 1992. godine u vrijeme otvorene agresije na Republiku Hrvatsku. Glavnina uredbi donesena je 10. rujna 1991., a do kraja 1991. godine donesene su gotovo sve uredbe iz nužde. Uredbama su regulirani klasični državni resori poput pravosuđa, unutarnjih poslova i vojske, no velik dio uredbi regulirao je i javne službe te gospodarstvo.At the beginning, this paper gives a brief notional historical overview of emergency decrees, after which follows a reconstruction of events in 1990 that led to the introduction of articles 17 and 101 of the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia as Constitutional decrees relating to states of emergency. The central part of the paper deals with emergency decrees passed by the Croatian President Franjo Tuđman at the time of the open aggression against the Republic of Croatia in the second half of 1991 and the beginning of 1992. In this section, using sources, especially the minutes of the Commission for Constitutional Matters of the Croatian Partliament and the minutes of the plenary sessions of the Croatian Parliament, and also relevant literature, the paper sheds light on the circumstances under which the decrees were passed and approved by the Croatian Parliament, and thus provides a new interpretation of the decrees. After discussing the circumstances under which the decrees were passed, the author deals with various aspects of the decrees\u27 content, first noting the basic characteristics of the decrees, and then classifying them according to fields, such as: internal affairs, defense and justice, and also those covering public services and the economy. While discussing particular decrees the author sets out only the main provisions of the decrees with a view to presenting their basic characteristics, such as the limitation of constitutional rights and the centralisation of public services and of the economy. In the last part of the paper, the author analyzes the constitutionality of the decrees and their lifting. The question of whether the Parliament could convene is paramount in considering the constitutionality of the decrees, since this is important in establishing whether the President of the Republic had the power to pass decrees limiting constitutional rights. The author also considers the decision of the Constitutional Court to approve the constitutionality of the decrees. The lifting of the decrees is analyzed with special consideration given to the circumstances leading to this.Am Anfang dieser Arbeit wird eine kurze begriffshistorische Übersicht über die Notverordnungen präsentiert, wonach rekonstruiert wird, wie die den Ausnahmezustand regelnden Artikel 17 und 101 der Verfassung der Republik Kroatien von 1990 zustande kamen. Der zentrale Teil dieser Arbeit befasst sich mit den Notverordnungen, die der damalige kroatische Staatspräsident Franjo Tuđman während des offenen Angriffskrieges gegen die Republik Kroatien in der zweiten Hälfte des Jahres 1991 und Anfang 1992 erließ. Dabei wird versucht, anhand des Quellenstudiums, vor allem der Niederschriften zur Arbeit der parlamentarischen Kommission für Verfassungsfragen, der Protokolle zu den Plenarsitzungen des Parlaments der Republik Kroatien (Sabor), aber auch unter Rückgriff auf die entsprechende Literatur die Umstände des Erlasses der Notverordnungen sowie ihrer Bestätigung durch den Sabor zu beleuchten und auf diese Weise einen Beitrag zur Reinterpretation der betreffenden Verordnungen zu leisten. Nach einer dementsprechenden Klärung werden die inhaltlichen Aspekte der Verordnungen dargestellt, indem zunächst deren Hauptmerkmale bestimmt werden und danach eine Zuordnung zum Bereich des Inneren, der Verteidigung und der Justiz beziehungsweise zum Bereich der öffentlichen Aufgaben und der Wirtschaft erfolgt. Innerhalb der Darstellung einzelner Verordnungen versuchen wir, lediglich ihre wesentlichen Bestimmungen zu präsentieren, an denen die wichtigsten Merkmale wie die Beschränkung der Verfassungsrechte und die Zentralisierung der öffentlichen Aufgaben und der Wirtschaft deutlich werden. Im letzten Teil der Arbeit werden die Verfassungskonformität der Verordnungen und das Ende ihrer Gültigkeit analysiert. Die Verfassungsmäßigkeit der Verordnungen wird in erster Linie unter dem Aspekt untersucht, ob das Parlament hätte zusammentreten können, wovon schließlich die Zuständigkeit des Präsidenten der Republik für das Erlassen von verfassungsrechtsbeschränkenden Verordnungen abhing. Ebenfalls wird die Entscheidung des Verfassungsgerichts besprochen, in der es den Verordnungen Verfassungsmäßigkeit bescheinigt. Die Aufhebung der Verordnungen wird hinsichtlich der dafür verantwortlichen Umstände analysiert

Antibiotic resistance determinants in the interplay between food and gut microbiota

A complex and heterogeneous microflora performs sugar and lactic acid fermentations in food products. Depending on the fermentable food matrix (dairy, meat, vegetable etc.) as well as on the species composition of the microbiota, specific combinations of molecules are produced that confer unique flavor, texture, and taste to each product. Bacterial populations within such “fermented food microbiota” are often of environmental origin, they persist alive in foods ready for consumption, eventually reaching the gastro-intestinal tract where they can interact with the resident gut microbiota of the host. Although this interaction is mostly of transient nature, it can greatly contribute to human health, as several species within the food microbiota also display probiotic properties. Such an interplay between food and gut microbiota underlines the importance of the microbiological quality of fermented foods, as the crowded environment of the gut is also an ideal site for genetic exchanges among bacteria. Selection and spreading of antibiotic resistance genes in foodborne bacteria has gained increasing interest in the past decade, especially in light of the potential transferability of antibiotic resistance determinants to opportunistic pathogens, natural inhabitants of the human gut but capable of acquiring virulence in immunocompromised individuals. This review aims at describing major findings and future prospects in the field, especially after the use of antibiotics as growth promoters was totally banned in Europe, with special emphasis on the application of genomic technologies to improve quality and safety of fermented foods

Cardiothoracic Applications of 3-dimensional Printing

Medical 3-dimensional (3D) printing is emerging as a clinically relevant imaging tool in directing preoperative and intraoperative planning in many surgical specialties and will therefore likely lead to interdisciplinary collaboration between engineers, radiologists, and surgeons. Data from standard imaging modalities such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiography, and rotational angiography can be used to fabricate life-sized models of human anatomy and pathology, as well as patient-specific implants and surgical guides. Cardiovascular 3D-printed models can improve diagnosis and allow for advanced preoperative planning. The majority of applications reported involve congenital heart diseases and valvular and great vessels pathologies. Printed models are suitable for planning both surgical and minimally invasive procedures. Added value has been reported toward improving outcomes, minimizing perioperative risk, and developing new procedures such as transcatheter mitral valve replacements. Similarly, thoracic surgeons are using 3D printing to assess invasion of vital structures by tumors and to assist in diagnosis and treatment of upper and lower airway diseases. Anatomic models enable surgeons to assimilate information more quickly than image review, choose the optimal surgical approach, and achieve surgery in a shorter time. Patient-specific 3D-printed implants are beginning to appear and may have significant impact on cosmetic and life-saving procedures in the future. In summary, cardiothoracic 3D printing is rapidly evolving and may be a potential game-changer for surgeons. The imager who is equipped with the tools to apply this new imaging science to cardiothoracic care is thus ideally positioned to innovate in this new emerging imaging modality

Human exposure to synthetic endocrine disrupting chemicals (S-EDCs) is generally negligible as compared to natural compounds with higher or comparable endocrine activity : How to evaluate the risk of the S-EDCs?

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Human exposure to synthetic endocrine disrupting chemicals (S-EDCs) is generally negligible as compared to natural compounds with higher or comparable endocrine activity : how to evaluate the risk of the S-EDCs?

Theoretically, both synthetic endocrine disrupting chemicals (S-EDCs) and natural (exogenous and endogenous) endocrine disrupting chemicals (N-EDCs) can interact with endocrine receptors and disturb hormonal balance. However, compared to endogenous hormones, S-EDCs are only weak partial agonists with receptor affinities several orders of magnitude lower. Thus, to elicit observable effects, S-EDCs require considerably higher concentrations to attain sufficient receptor occupancy or to displace natural hormones and other endogenous ligands. Significant exposures to exogenous N-EDCs may result from ingestion of foods such as soy-based diets, green tea and sweet mustard. While their potencies are lower as compared to natural endogenous hormones, they usually are considerably more potent than S-EDCs. Effects of exogenous N-EDCs on the endocrine system were observed at high dietary intakes. A causal relation between their mechanism of action and these effects is established and biologically plausible. In contrast, the assumption that the much lower human exposures to S-EDCs may induce observable endocrine effects is not plausible. Hence, it is not surprising that epidemiological studies searching for an association between S-EDC exposure and health effects have failed. Regarding testing for potential endocrine effects, a scientifically justified screen should use in vitro tests to compare potencies of S-EDCs with those of reference N-EDCs. When the potency of the S-EDC is similar or smaller than that of the N-EDC, further testing in laboratory animals and regulatory consequences are not warranted.publishe

The EU chemicals strategy for sustainability : in support of the BfR position

The EU chemicals strategy for sustainability (CSS) asserts that both human health and the environment are presently threatened and that further regulation is necessary. In a recent Guest Editorial, members of the German competent authority for risk assessment, the BfR, raised concerns about the scientific justification for this strategy. The complexity and interdependence of the networks of regulation of chemical substances have ensured that public health and wellbeing in the EU have continuously improved. A continuous process of improvement in consumer protection is clearly desirable but any initiative directed towards this objective must be based on scientific knowledge. It must not confound risk with other factors in determining policy. This conclusion is fully supported in the present Commentary including the request to improve both, data collection and the time-consuming and bureaucratic procedures that delay the publication of regulations.publishe