Czech Women's Civic Organising under the State Socialist Regime, Socio-economic Transformation and the EU Accession Period

The article describes Czech women's civic organising focused on gender equality & women's rights since the Second World War & explains its character & development in the context of (a) the state socialist regime, (b) the impact of foreign & international donors on Czech women's civic organising during the socio-economic & political transformation of the first part of the 1990s, & (c) the current process of the formalisation of Czech women's civic groups brought about by the Czech Republic's preparation for EU accession. The formalisation of women's civic groups is a process that consists of project-orientation, reform-orientation & the professionalisation of women's civic groups. In the era when the funding of women's civic groups has changed (as a result of EU Eastern enlargement) & the range of national political actors engaged in promoting gender equality has broadened (owing to pressure from the EU), these processes have brought about a shifts in the topics, activities, partnerships & strategies of Czech women's civic groups. These processes have contributed on the one hand to the marginalisation of those topics, activities & strategies previously addressed by some of Czech women's civic groups that do not fit in with the mainstream topics, activities & strategies defined by the EU (& by the EU influenced state). At the same time, however, some channels for having an impact on national decision-making processes have opened up to specific women's civic groups. EU Eastern enlargement paradoxically led to the orientation of women's civic groups towards national rather than supranational lobbying

Why did distinct types of dual-earner models in Czech, Slovak and East German societies develop and persist?

"Wir untersuchen Arrangements der Aufteilung von Erwerbsarbeit und Kinderbetreuung in Tschechien, der Slowakei und Ostdeutschland, vor und nach 1989. Basierend auf dem institutionalistischen Ansatz untersuchen wir, wie, wann und weshalb sich zwei unterschiedliche Arrangements in dieser Region entwickelt und durchgesetzt haben. Als die Konflikte des modernisierten Gender-Modells offenkundig wurden, schlugen die politischen Entscheidungsträger in der Tschechoslowakei und der DDR verschiedene Pfade ein, um Erwerbsarbeit und Kinderbetreuung in Einklang zu bringen. Infolgedessen entstanden zwischen den Ländern grundlegende Unterschiede in der Kombination von Erwerbsarbeit und Kinderbetreuung und in den damit verbundenen Werten und Normen. Wir erklären ausgehend von der Analyse des institutionellen und kulturellen Erbes dieser Länder, weshalb der Übergang von einem totalitären zu einem demokratischen Gesellschaftstypus mit einem hohen Maß an Kontinuität in den Arrangements der Kombination von Erwerbsarbeit und Kinderbetreuung einherging. Ein zentrales Ergebnis unserer Untersuchung ist, dass neuere Änderungen der institutionellen Rahmenbedingungen der Vereinbarkeit von Beruf und Familie in Tschechien, der Slowakei und in Ostdeutschland nicht auf die massiven Umwälzungen im Zuge des Mauerfalles zurückgehen, sondern in einer Phase relativer Stabilität stattfanden." (Autorenreferat)"We examine pre-1989 and post-1989 work-care models in Czech, Slovak and East German societies. Inspired by the institutionalist approach, we develop a framework that allows to analyze how, when and why two distinct work-care models evolved and persisted in the region. Once problems of the modernized gender model emerged, Czechoslovak and East German governments set the two countries on two distinct work-care policy paths. Consequently, fundamental differences in work-care practices and work-care related values and norms emerged between the two countries. Based on an examination of the institutional and cultural legacy, we explain why the transition from totalitarian to democratic regimes was accompanied by continuity in work-care models rather than radical departures from the previous models. In contrast to traditional institutionalist studies we point out that more recent institutional changes in the sphere of work-care policies in Czech, Slovak and East German societies did not occur as a consequence of the 1989 revolutionary period, but rather evolved in a period of relative stability." (author's abstract

Gendered visions of family life and parenthood among Czech young people: restricted or transforming imaginations

Under embargo until: 2022-02-10This article explores young people’s imaginations of their future family life. Based on qualitative research among young people in North Bohemia, it considers social reproduction and change within the domain of gendered labour and parenting. This is done on the backdrop of post-1989 transformation of Czech society, where drives towards individualisation and diversification of the life course stand against discourses and policies supporting separate gender roles. Through the analytical lenses of gendered relationality, combined with Yanagisako and Delaney’s concepts naturalisation/de-naturalisation, we uncover multiplex structures of imaginations and their specific regional–historical conditioning. While preferences for gender separate roles are quite strong among both young men and young women, there is also a willingness to cross gendered boundaries and share tasks, in particular when it comes to household labour. For childcare, the gendered boundaries appear more rigid in young people’s imaginations; infant care is deemed female and the image of the father as main or equal caregiver is rejected. However, the male main or equal caregiver is not unimaginable. Although undesirable, he is definitely present in the imaginations of both genders, something that leads us to argue that social transformation may also be on its way within this domain.acceptedVersio

Case Report: Pulsed field ablation for epicardial right-sided accessory pathway

We present a case of a 32-year-old male with a history of palpitations and preexcitation on ECG who underwent altogether four failed catheter ablations using different approaches in the two other electrophysiology centers within two years. ECG showed overt preexcitation with a positive delta wave in lead I and negative in leads V1–V3, suggesting a right free wall accessory pathway. During the electrophysiological study, the accessory pathway was localized on the free lateral wall. However, the electrograms and mapping during atrial and ventricular pacing suggested the presence of true epicardial accessory pathway. Repeated radiofrequency energy delivery with the support of the steerable sheath and excellent contact (as assessed by intracardiac echocardiography) at the earliest ventricular activation was not successful. Therefore, the Farawave catheter (Boston Scientific, Inc) was used, and a flower configuration with the intention to cover the entire atrial attachment of the pathway during ventricular pacing was selected. Application of pulsed field resulted in interruption of accessory pathway conduction. An electrophysiological study one year later confirmed the persistent effect of ablation. This case illustrates the potential utility of pulsed field energy for the ablation of atrial insertion of the accessory pathway with an epicardial course. Such an approach can avoid epicardial mapping and access and may improve the safety of the procedure

Lymph node removal enhances corneal graft survival in mice at high risk of rejection

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Systemic Safety in Ranibizumab-Treated Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration : a Patient-Level Pooled Analysis

Topic: This study evaluated the cardiovascular/cerebrovascular safety profile of ranibizumab 0.5 mg versus sham \ub1 verteporfin in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). In addition, comparisons of ranibizumab 0.3 mg with sham and ranibizumab 0.5 mg to 0.3 mg were performed. Clinical Relevance: Intravitreal anti\u2013vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents carry potential increased systemic risks, including cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events. Pooled safety analyses allow better interpretation of safety outcomes seen in individual clinical trials, especially for less common events. To our knowledge, this is the largest patient-level pooled analysis of patients with nAMD treated with ranibizumab. Methods: Patient-level pooled analysis of data from 7 Genentech- and Novartis-sponsored phase II, III, and IV studies in nAMD that were completed by December 31, 2013. Pairwise comparisons (primary comparison: ranibizumab 0.5 mg [globally approved dose for nAMD] vs. sham or verteporfin) were performed using Cox proportional hazard regression (hazard ratios [HRs], 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) and rates per 100 patient-years. Standardized Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities queries (SMQs) and extended searches were used to identify relevant safety endpoints, including arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs), myocardial infarction (MI), stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke (excluding TIA), vascular deaths, and major vascular events as defined by the Antiplatelet Trialists\u2019 Collaboration (APTC). Results: The HRs (95% CIs) for the primary comparison of ranibizumab 0.5 mg (n=480) versus sham or verteporfin (n=462) were 1.16 (0.72\u20131.88) for ATE, 1.33 (0.59\u20132.97) for MI, 1.43 (0.54\u20133.77) for stroke excluding TIA, 1.25 (0.61\u20132.55) for stroke or TIA, 0.57 (0.18\u20131.78) for vascular death, and 1.12 (0.64\u20131.98) for APTC events. Hazard ratio 95% CIs included 1, indicating no significant treatment differences, for all endpoints for comparison of ranibizumab 0.5 mg versus sham or verteporfin. Conclusions: The rates of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events were low in these patients with nAMD and not clinically meaningfully different for patients treated with ranibizumab 0.5 mg versus sham or verteporfin, which supports the favorable benefit\u2013risk profile of ranibizumab in the patient population with nAMD. Pooling these studies allows an analysis with higher power and precision compared with individual study analyses

Cucurbitacin E has neuroprotective properties and autophagic modulating activities on dopaminergic neurons

Natural molecules are under intensive study for their potential as preventive and/or adjuvant therapies for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). We evaluated the neuroprotective potential of cucurbitacin E (CuE), a tetracyclic triterpenoid phytosterol extracted from the Ecballium elaterium (Cucurbitaceae), using a known cellular model of PD, NGF-differentiated PC12. In our postmitotic experimental paradigm, neuronal cells were treated with the parkinsonian toxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) to provoke significant cellular damage and apoptosis or with the potent N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) to induce superoxide () production, and CuE was administered prior to and during the neurotoxic treatment. We measured cellular death and reactive oxygen species to evaluate the antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties of CuE. In addition, we analyzed cellular macroautophagy, a bulk degradation process involving the lysosomal pathway. CuE showed neuroprotective effects on MPP+-induced cell death. However, CuE failed to rescue neuronal cells from oxidative stress induced by MPP+ or DDC. Microscopy and western blot data show an intriguing involvement of CuE in maintaining lysosomal distribution and decreasing autophagy flux. Altogether, these data indicate that CuE decreases neuronal death and autophagic flux in a postmitotic cellular model of PD.peer-reviewe

Systemic Safety in Ranibizumab-Treated Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Patient-Level Pooled Analysis

Topic This study evaluated the cardiovascular/cerebrovascular safety profile of ranibizumab 0.5 mg versus sham ± verteporfin in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). In addition, comparisons of ranibizumab 0.3 mg with sham and ranibizumab 0.5 mg to 0.3 mg were performed. Clinical Relevance Intravitreal anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents carry potential increased systemic risks, including cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events. Pooled safety analyses allow better interpretation of safety outcomes seen in individual clinical trials, especially for less common events. To our knowledge, this is the largest patient-level pooled analysis of patients with nAMD treated with ranibizumab. Methods Patient-level pooled analysis of data from 7 Genentech- and Novartis-sponsored phase II, III, and IV studies in nAMD that were completed by December 31, 2013. Pairwise comparisons (primary comparison: ranibizumab 0.5 mg [globally approved dose for nAMD] vs. sham or verteporfin) were performed using Cox proportional hazard regression (hazard ratios [HRs], 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) and rates per 100 patient-years. Standardized Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities queries (SMQs) and extended searches were used to identify relevant safety endpoints, including arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs), myocardial infarction (MI), stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke (excluding TIA), vascular deaths, and major vascular events as defined by the Antiplatelet Trialists' Collaboration (APTC). Results The HRs (95% CIs) for the primary comparison of ranibizumab 0.5 mg (n=480) versus sham or verteporfin (n=462) were 1.16 (0.72–1.88) for ATE, 1.33 (0.59–2.97) for MI, 1.43 (0.54–3.77) for stroke excluding TIA, 1.25 (0.61–2.55) for stroke or TIA, 0.57 (0.18–1.78) for vascular death, and 1.12 (0.64–1.98) for APTC events. Hazard ratio 95% CIs included 1, indicating no significant treatment differences, for all endpoints for comparison of ranibizumab 0.5 mg versus sham or verteporfin. Conclusions The rates of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events were low in these patients with nAMD and not clinically meaningfully different for patients treated with ranibizumab 0.5 mg versus sham or verteporfin, which supports the favorable benefit–risk profile of ranibizumab in the patient population with nAMD. Pooling these studies allows an analysis with higher power and precision compared with individual study analyses