External sources of clean technology: evidence from the clean development mechanism

New technology is fundamental to sustainable development. However, inventors from industrialized countries often refuse technology transfer because they worry about reverse-engineering. When can clean technology transfer succeed? We develop a formal model of the political economy of North–South technology transfer. According to the model, technology transfer is possible if (1) the technology in focus has limited global commercial potential or (2) the host developing country does not have the capacity to absorb new technologies for commercial use. If both conditions fail, inventors from industrialized countries worry about the adverse competitiveness effects of reverse-engineering, so technology transfer fails. Data analysis of technology transfer in 4,894 projects implemented under the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism during the 2004–2010 period provides evidence in support of the model

Role of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase in fluoropyrimidine sensitivity

Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF)/thymidine phosphorylase (TP) catalyses the reversible phosphorolysis of thymidine to thymine and 2-deoxyribose-1-phosphate and is involved in the metabolism of fluoropyrimidines. It can also activate 5'-deoxyfluorouridine (5'DFUR) and possibly 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and Ftorafur (Ft), but inactivates trifluorothymidine (TFT). We studied the contribution of TP activity to the sensitivity for these fluoropyrimidines by modulating its activity and/or expression level in colon and lung cancer cells using a specific inhibitor of TIP (TPI) or by overproduction of TIP via stable transfection of human TP. Expression was analysed using competitive template-RT-PCR (CT-RT-PCR), Western blot and an activity assay. TP activity ranged from nondetectable to 70678 pmol h(-1) 10(-6) cells, in Colo320 and a TP overexpressing clone Colo320TPI, respectively. We found a good correlation between TIP activity and mRNA expression (r = 0.964, P <0.01) in our cell panel. To determine the role of TIP in the sensitivity to 5FU, 5'DFUR, Ft and TFT, cells were cultured with the various fluoropyrimidines with or without TPI and differences in IC50's were established. TPI modified 5'DFUR, increasing the IC50's 2.5- to 1396-fold in WiDR and Colo320TPI, respectively. 5-Fluorouracil could be modified by inhibiting TP but to a lesser extent than 5'DFUR: IC50's increased 1.9- to 14.7-fold for WiDR and Colo320TPI, respectively. There was no effect on TFT or Ft. There appears to be a threshold level of TP activity to influence the 5'DFUR and 5FU sensitivity, which is higher for 5FU. Even high levels of TP overexpression only had a moderate effect on 5FU sensitivity. (C) 2003 Cancer Research UK

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Hodgkin’s lymphoma occurs frequently in younger age. Fertility preservation is an important issue as survival rates are very high and some of the treatments are highly gonadotoxic. Two relevant chemotherapy protocols are performed in Hodgkin’s lymphoma: ABVD and escalated BEACOPP. Some patients also receive local radiotherapy. Risk of amenorrhoea is >20% in women ≥30 years receiving any escalated BEACOPP therapy, and in women <30 years receiving ≥6 cycles escalated BEACOPP. Oligospermia can be detected among male patients independent of chemotherapy regimens and radiation. Azoospermia depends on intensity of the chemotherapy regimen. Therefore, women and men who are treated with these regimens should be advised to undergo fertility preservation therapy. The treatments which can be offered are freezing of oocytes, freezing of ovarian tissue and GnRHa, alone or in combination, as well as freezing of sperm or testicular tissue

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in young women. Fortunately, the survival rates are very high, especially in the early stages. Chemotherapy can lead to amenorrhea and infertility, especially in women >30 years of age. The most common chemotherapies impose a significant risk of premature ovarian insufficiency, especially in women >30 years of age. In these women GnRH agonists, freezing of oocytes and freezing of ovarian tissue alone or in combination are options to preserve fertility. If ovarian stimulation is chosen, aromatase inhibitors should be added in estrogen-sensitive cancer to reduce estrogen blood concentrations

The efficiency test under competition law and regulation in the small distant open economy that is New Zealand

This paper considers the application of competition law and price regulation in the very small and isolated economy that is New Zealand. It argues that the total surplus (efficiency) criterion should be applied in tests of practices and actions where the competition threshold is not met or doubtful. Further, it argues that this criterion is admitted, if not required, under New Zealand statutes. The differential treatment of affected parties, including foreign investors, in measuring the surplus is considered.