58 research outputs found
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Ethical Exit: When Should Peacekeepers Depart?
When is it morally permissible or required for peacekeepers partially or fully withdraw from a country or region in which they are operating? This important question has received little scholarly attention. However, it has profound implications. If peacekeepers withdraw prematurely, as happened in Rwanda in 1994, the consequences can be disastrous with the potential to lead to widespread preventable deaths and human suffering. If they overstay, peacekeepers risk alienating the population they are seeking to protect and undercutting popular sovereignty at significant economic costs. Striking a balance, we propose a framework for just withdrawal that is both normatively compelling and empirically sound. It focuses on three aspects that are vital for understanding when peacekeepers can depart in an ethically justified manner: just cause, effectiveness, and legitimacy. We illustrate our argument with theoretical and empirical examples and a discussion of UN peacekeeping in East Timor. Finally, by considering a number of objections, we address critics who challenge the overarching premise of peacekeeping or might prefer different standards by which to suggest peacekeepers should stay or depart
A short history of the 5-HT2C receptor: from the choroid plexus to depression, obesity and addiction treatment
This paper is a personal account on the discovery and characterization of the 5-HT2C receptor (first known as the 5- HT1C receptor) over 30 years ago and how it translated into a number of unsuspected features for a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and a diversity of clinical applications. The 5-HT2C receptor is one of the most intriguing members of the GPCR superfamily. Initially referred to as 5-HT1CR, the 5-HT2CR was discovered while studying the pharmacological features and the distribution of [3H]mesulergine-labelled sites, primarily in the brain using radioligand binding and slice autoradiography. Mesulergine (SDZ CU-085), was, at the time, best defined as a ligand with serotonergic and dopaminergic properties. Autoradiographic studies showed remarkably strong [3H]mesulergine-labelling to the rat choroid plexus. [3H]mesulergine-labelled sites had pharmacological properties different from, at the time, known or purported 5-HT receptors. In spite of similarities with 5-HT2 binding, the new binding site was called 5-HT1C because of its very high affinity for 5-HT itself. Within the following 10 years, the 5-HT1CR (later named 5- HT2C) was extensively characterised pharmacologically, anatomically and functionally: it was one of the first 5-HT receptors to be sequenced and cloned. The 5-HT2CR is a GPCR, with a very complex gene structure. It constitutes a rarity in theGPCR family: many 5-HT2CR variants exist, especially in humans, due to RNA editing, in addition to a few 5-HT2CR splice variants. Intense research led to therapeutically active 5-HT2C receptor ligands, both antagonists (or inverse agonists) and agonists: keeping in mind that a number of antidepressants and antipsychotics are 5- HT2CR antagonists/inverse agonists. Agomelatine, a 5-HT2CR antagonist is registered for the treatment of major depression. The agonist Lorcaserin is registered for the treatment of aspects of obesity and has further potential in addiction, especially nicotine/ smoking. There is good evidence that the 5-HT2CR is involved in spinal cord injury-induced spasms of the lower limbs, which can be treated with 5-HT2CR antagonists/inverse agonists such as cyproheptadine or SB206553. The 5-HT2CR may play a role in schizophrenia and epilepsy. Vabicaserin, a 5-HT2CR agonist has been in development for the treatment of schizophrenia and obesity, but was stopped. As is common, there is potential for further indications for 5-HT2CR ligands, as suggested by a number of preclinical and/or genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on depression, suicide, sexual dysfunction, addictions and obesity. The 5-HT2CR is clearly affected by a number of established antidepressants/antipsychotics and may be one of the culprits in antipsychotic-induced weight gain
Morally Evaluating Human Smuggling: The Case of Migration to Europe
Much of the recent debate on immigration to Europe has focused on how many refugees should be allowed to enter and how refugees should be distributed among EU member states, but there has been less academic focus on under what conditions, if any, human smuggling is morally permissible. How should we morally assess those who make a business out of helping migrants reach their desired destination and those who pay smugglers to reach their destination? We argue that human smuggling is morally permissible under some conditions even if it is illegal. Human trafficking, by contrast, is immoral and should be illegal. The moral conditions for permissible human smuggling are sometimes being met on the route from Africa to Europe (but are all too often grossly violated). We consider and rebut objections based on the arguments that a legal prohibition on human smuggling must translate into a moral one, and that human smuggling violates the rights of individuals to freedom of association in receiving countries. We conclude with policy implications.Security and Global Affair
Antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus in suppurative lesions in Lacor Hospital, Uganda
Background: Staphylococcus aureus , a mainly acquired hospital
infection is responsible for many suppurative lesions and has
demonstrated the ability of developing resistance to many antimicrobial
agents leading to life threatening infections and long hospital stay.
Objective: To determined the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility
of Staphylococcus aureus in suppurative lesions of the surgical ward
and outpatients of Lacor Hospital (Uganda). Methods: A
cross-sectional study was conducted at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor
to determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility profiles of
Staphylococcus aureus in suppurative lesions in both surgical
inpatients and outpatients. Using culture techniques on MacConkey and
blood agar, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated based on the colonial
characteristics and confirmed by Catalase and tube Coagulase tests. The
antibiotic susceptibility test was done using Kirby-Buer disk diffusion
method on 4% Salt Muellar Hinton II agar for the Methicillin and non
salted Muellar Hinton II agar for the other antibiotics (NCCLS M100S9).
Results: The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in 122 patients
sampled was 59.4% for the surgical inpatients and 48.3% for outpatients
giving an average prevalence of 53.9% for both groups of patients. The
average antibiotic susceptibility patterns for the 8 antibiotic tested
were: Ampicillin (75.0%), Chloramphenicol (34.4%), Ciprofloxacin
(1.6%), Erythromycin (7.8%), Gentamycin (0%), Methicillin (1.6%),
Tetracycline (45.3%) and Co-trimoxazole (50.0%). The resistance in
surgical inpatients was significantly higher than outpatients (t=1299,
p<0.05) and Methicillin resistance was confirmed by PCR.
Conclusion: Staphylococcus aureus is highly prevalent and more
resistant in inpatients. There is a higher risk of acquiring drug
resistant staphylococcus aureus infection in inpatients of Lacor
Hospital with a Methicillin resistance of 0% and 2.6% for out and
inpatients respectively
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