15 research outputs found

    An uphill battle : understanding small arms transfers

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    This chapter provides an annual update of the authorized trade in small arms and light weapons. It examines trends in the trade, and provides information on major exporters and importers, whom they trade with, and in what types of weapons. The lack of transparency on the part of many important suppliers and recipients in this global trade makes this effort an uphill battle. In fact, although the issue of small arms and light weapons has been on the international agenda for over a decade, few, if any, states provide full information on their small arms and light weapons exports and imports. So clearly, the Small Arms Trade Transparency Barometer, introduced in Small Arms Survey 2004, remains an important tool. Following up on the analysis of the illicit trade in Europe in Small Arms Survey 2005, this chapter provides more systematic information on the illicit trade in South America. The analysis is based on two sources of internationally comparable data partially available for the illicit trade, namely customs and police seizure data.peer-reviewe

    Myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma: investigations by comparative genomic hybridization of two cases and review of the literature

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    Myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma (MIFS) is a rare low-grade sarcoma of the distal extremities characterized by a myxohyaline stroma, a dense inflammatory infiltrate and virocyte- and lipoblast-like giant cells. Up to now, only two cases have been investigated cytogenetically, showing complex and heterogeneous karyotypes, in part with supernumerary ring chromosomes. We characterized two further cases of MIFS immunohistochemically and performed comparative genomic hybridization as well as DNA image cytometry analyses. Both tumors showed the characteristic histomorphological pattern of MIFS and were positive for Vimentin and CD68. Moreover, both cases presented aberrant karyotypes including distinct DNA copy number changes involving chromosome 7 and disclosed DNA aneuploid

    Mitochondrial physiology

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    As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

    Mitochondrial physiology

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    As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

    "Apical ballooning" - what is the cause?

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    The pathophysiology of takotsubo cardiomyopathy remains enigmatic. Here we attempted to define the link between the coronary arteries and the histopathological involvement of the left ventricle. We observed similarities and discrepancies between patients. All patients experienced stress prior to the event. We found a reduced coronary flow reserve in all patients and signs of hibernating myocardium on biopsy specimen. This raises a strong suspicion of stress-induced endothelial dysfunction with hibernating myocardium in the pathogenesis of this cardiomyopathy

    Cholecystokinin-2 Receptor Agonist 177Lu-PP-F11N for Radionuclide Therapy of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma - Results of the Lumed Phase 0a Study.

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    Treatment of patients with advanced medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is still a challenge. For more than 2 decades it is known that cholecystokinine-2 receptor (CCK2R) is a promising target for the treatment of MTC with radiolabeled minigastrin analogues. Unfortunately, kidney toxicity precluded their therapeutic application so far. In 6 consecutive patients we evaluated with advanced 3D dosimetry whether improved minigastrin analogue 177Lu-DOTA-(DGlu)6-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Trp-Nle-Asp-PheNH2 (177Lu-PP-F11N) is a suitable agent for the treatment of MTC. Methods: Patients received two injections of about 1 GBq (~80 µg) 177Lu-PP-F11N with and without a solution of succinylated gelatin (SG, a plasma expander used for nephroprotection) in a random cross-over sequence in order to evaluate biodistribution, pharmacokinetics as well as tumor- and organ dosimetry. ECG, blood count and blood chemistry were measured up to 12 weeks after administration of 177Lu-PP-F11N to assess safety. Results: In all patients 177Lu-PP-F11N accumulation was visible in tumor tissue, stomach and kidneys. Altogether 13 tumors were eligible for dosimetry. The median (interquartile range = IQR) absorbed dose for tumors, stomach, kidneys and bone marrow was 0.88 Gy/GBq (0.85-1.04), 0.42 (0.25-1.01), 0.11 (0.07-0.13) and 0.028 (0.026-0.034). These resulted in a median (IQR) tumor-to-kidney dose ratio of 11.6 (8.11-14.4) without SG and 13.0 (10.2-18.6) with SG, which were not significantly different (P = 1.0). The median (IQR) tumor-to-stomach dose ratio was 3.34 (1.14-4.7). Adverse reactions (mainly hypotension, flushing and hypokalemia) were self-limiting and not higher than grade 1. Conclusion:177Lu-PP-F11N accumulates specifically in MTC at a dose that is sufficient for a therapeutic approach. With little kidney and bone marrow radiation dose 177Lu-PP-F11N shows promising biodistribution. The dose limiting organ is most likely the stomach. Further clinical studies are necessary to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose and the efficacy of 177Lu-PP-F11N
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