66 research outputs found

    The Coca-leaf - miracle good or social menace?

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    Indigene Völker finden sich beinah tĂ€glich mit dem Umstand konfrontiert, dass sie weiterhin um gewisse Grund- und Menschenrechte kĂ€mpfen mĂŒssen, meist aufgrund der Tatsache dass sie in den LĂ€ndern, die sie bewohnen, eine Minderheit darstellen. Dies in Kontroverse zu der Tatsache, dass ihnen, auf Basis des Umstandes dass sie nicht eine dominante Gruppe in der Gesellschaft darstellen , zusĂ€tzlich zum allgemeinen Menschenrechtsschutz weitere, spezielle Rechte und Schutzpflichten von Seiten des Staates zustehen. Besonders im Bereich der kulturellen, traditionellen und religiösen Rechte finden mit RegelmĂ€ĂŸigkeit Rechtsverletzungen statt oder treten juristische Kontroverse auf, die Personen indigener Gruppen an einer freien und friedvollen Auslebung ihrer eigenen Kultur, ihrer Lebensform, hindern. Ein Konfliktbeispiel in diesem Zusammenhang ist die Koka-Pflanze, einerseits ein traditionelles, der Kultur inhĂ€rentes, Objekt der indigenen Kultur in den Anden, andererseits ein international pönalisierter und gefĂŒrchteter Rohstoff. In dieser Arbeit ist es mein Ziel, ebendiese Dichotomie zu diskutieren, die aktuellen Debatten aufzuzeigen, bestĂ€ndige BemĂŒhungen zur Legalisierung des Koka-Blattes von Vereinen, Organisationen und Vertretern indigener Völker, die sich fĂŒr eine Streichung des Koka-Blattes von der Liste verbotener Substanzen der Drogen- Rahmenkonvention von 1961 bemĂŒhen, zu kanalisieren. Eine zentrale Argumentationslinie in dieser Hinsicht wird sein, dass Vertreter indigener Völker, wie auch Menschenrechtsvertreter, diese Streichung fordern, da ein Verbot des Koka-Blattes eine Verletzung der traditionellen, kulturellen und IdentitĂ€ts- Rechte der indigenen Völker des Andenraumes reprĂ€sentiert und die Pflanze, als Kernelement der andinen Kultur, einen differenzierteren Status im internationalen Gesetz innehaben sollte. Indigene Völker des Andenraumes klagen, dass ihre spezifischen Menschenrechte verletzt werden, da ein inhĂ€renter Teil ihres Seins auf internationaler Ebene unterdrĂŒckt und stigmatisiert wird, anhand der Drogengesetzgebung der Vereinten Nationen in diesem Bereich, und der respektiven Auswirkung auf regionaler Ebene. Im Gegensatz dazu stehen die fĂŒr die internationale Drogenkontrolle verantwortlichen Organe der UNO, wie etwa das International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), das in seinem letzten Statement in dieser Angelegenheit seinem rigiden Ansatz treu bleibt und weiterhin keinerlei Koka in keinerlei Form oder Art toleriert. Diese Politik kommt praktisch einer Illegalisierung des Koka gleich und verbietet jegliche Kommerzialisierung der Pflanze oder ihrer BlĂ€tter außerhalb der traditionellen Anbaugebiete: Bolivien und Peru . Als Diskussionsbasis, sollen einerseits die relevanten internationalen Drogenkonventionen und –Abkommen, und andererseits die internationalen Gesetze ĂŒber die Rechte indigener Völker , aber auch die allgemeinen Menschenrechtstexte, analysiert und in Beziehung gesetzt werden. Ein Ziel wird sein, die relevanten Diskrepanzen, Dichotomien und WidersprĂŒchlichkeiten im Hinblick auf die UnterdrĂŒckung des Koka-Blattes, der DrogenbekĂ€mpfung und die geforderte Garantie des Menschenrechtsschutzes und der persönlichen Freiheiten zu thematisieren und in den Kontext dieser Arbeit zu setzen. Die zwei Andenstaaten Peru und der plurinationale Staat Bolivien gehören zu den Hauptproduzenten des Kokablattes weltweit. Beide Staaten haben eine vergleichsweise hohe Bevölkerung indigener Gruppen (Völker), vor allem im andinen Hochland. KĂŒrzlich fanden im plurinationalen Staat Bolivien signifikante VerfassungsĂ€nderungen statt, die die politische Gewichtung und Lage der indigenen Völker im Staat und die Thematisierung der Koka-Pflanze als nationales Kulturgut weitgreifend verĂ€nderten . Diese aktuellen Entwicklungen werden in ihren relevanten Kontexten auch in diese Arbeit einfließen. Weiters ist es meine Absicht, eine ausfĂŒhrliche und verstĂ€ndliche Genesis der Koka-Pflanze und ihres Bedeutungsspektrums auf nationalem wie auch internationalem Level vorzulegen, wobei besonders auf die mythologische Entstehungsgeschichte des Blattes, seiner kontemporĂ€ren Bedeutung, der traditionellen Nutzungsformen und deren kulturelle Relevanz eingegangen werden wird. In dieser Hinsicht werden auch Studien zu den nutritiven Eigenschaften der Pflanze und Debatten um ihre negativen und positiven Eigenschaften auf den menschlichen Organismus analysiert werden, wofĂŒr Daten und Ergebnisse aus unabhĂ€ngigen wissenschaftlichen Untersuchungen herangezogen werden, jedoch unter BerĂŒcksichtigung von Erfahrungsberichten indigener Vertreter (Praktizierende) selbst. Ein vorrangiges Ziel in diesem Zusammenhang ist, eine klare Abtrennung zwischen der natĂŒrlichen Pflanze (dem Rohstoff) und der verarbeiteten Substanz Kokain zu schaffen. PrimĂ€res Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es aufzuzeigen, dass einige schwere Menschenrechtsverletzungen an indigenen Völkern im Zuge des und mit Legitimation durch den war on drugs begangen werden. Besonders die kollektiven kulturellen und traditionellen, sowie auch die wirtschaftlichen Rechte indigener Völker in den Anden werden noch immer auf diverser Ebene durch die internationale Drogengesetzgebung und deren Implementierung verletzt, sei es durch Stigmatisierung der traditionellen Lebensweise und Rituale, durch Behinderung eines möglicherweise durchaus lukrativen Weges zur Subsistenzwirtschaft oder direkte gewalttĂ€tige Übergriffe auf Individuen in den Anbaugebieten.I came up with the topic for my thesis during my Internship at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna, as I became aware of the challenges Indigenous People face every day in claiming their human rights in their respective countries, concerning their tradition and culture, especially when it comes to cultural, religious and traditional elements, like the coca-leaf, which are alien to the industrialized western world. I will discuss the ongoing efforts of Groups and Associations of Indigenous People to erase the coca leaf from the list of prohibited substances in the Report of the Commission of Enquiry on the Coca Leaf in 1950, claiming their right of traditional use of the “hoja de coca” for religious and cultural habits, as an essential economic good, paramount for their economic survival and minimum standard of living. They thus claim to be violated in their specific human rights through the international oppression of the coca leaf. As a basis for discussion, the relevant International Treaties and Conventions on Narcotic Drugs on the one hand, and on the Rights of Indigenous People , on the other hand, will be analyzed and related to each other. Discrepancies and inconsistencies with regard to the oppression of the coca-leaf and the claimed guarantee of human rights and liberties will be revealed and put into the context of the topic. I further more intend to give a thorough description of the history of the coca-leaf in indigenous societies, of its traditional ways of use and its meaning to the Andean world view. Additionally, I will intend to analyze its positive and negative effects on the human body, relying on scientific as well as genuinely indigenous information on the leaf. A paramount goal is, to strongly distinguish the coca-leaf from its derivate “cocaine”, for which the leaf itself has been depreciated and fought against now for decades. In my thesis, I will try to study the possible economic capacity underlying a decriminalisation of the coca-leaf and its legal derivates (i.e. mate de coca, coca tea), which would open the international markets to this special agrarian Andean product and thus give the Indigenous and campesino communities a new opportunity of self-development for themselves and consequently for their region and their countries. The two Andean countries Bolivia and Peru are among the major coca leaf producers in the world and have a highly dense population on Indigenous People. Recently, there have been important changes in the political order and perception of the coca leaf and Traditional Rights of Indigenous People in Bolivia (with Evo Morales representing a popular figure in the fight for appropriate legal recognition of the traditional use of the coca plant in the Andean society). The aim of my thesis will be to show, that serious human rights violations on Indigenous People have been committed throughout or in the name of the War on Drugs and that the rights of the Indigenous People, mainly their economic and cultural rights, are still being violated in a variety of elements, relating to their traditional use of the coca leaf, their way of subsistence economy, as well as in the context of such basic rights like the right to food and adequate standard of living

    Mannose-Binding Lectin 2 Gene and Risk of Adult Glioma

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    Collection of specimens in this study, including funding: JMG JM MS SST DJH CAC. Selection of genes and SNPs to include in the analysis: FCFC MES. Manuscript editing: DMB DGC MS SST CAC ATP. Conceived and designed the experiments: DSM ATP. Performed the experiments: AS. Analyzed the data: DSM AS DGC. Wrote the paper: DSM.Background and AimsThe immune system is likely to play a key role in the etiology of gliomas. Genetic polymorphisms in the mannose-binding lectin gene, a key activator in the lectin complement pathway, have been associated with risk of several cancers.MethodsTo examine the role of the lectin complement pathway, we combined data from prospectively collected cohorts with available DNA specimens. Using a nested case-control design, we genotyped 85 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 9 genes in the lectin complement pathway and 3 additional SNPs in MBL2 were tested post hoc). Initial SNPs were selected using tagging SNPs for haplotypes; the second group of SNPs for MBL2 was selected based on functional SNPs related to phenotype. Associations were examined using logistic regression analysis. All statistical tests were two-sided. Nominal p-values are presented and are not corrected for multiple comparisons.ResultsA total of 143 glioma cases and 419 controls were available for this analysis. Statistically significant associations were observed for two SNPs in the mannose-binding lectin 2 (ML2) gene and risk of glioma (rs1982266 and rs1800450, test for trend p = 0.003 and p = 0.04, respectively, using the additive model). One of these SNPs, rs1800450, was associated with a 58% increase in glioma risk among those carrying one or two mutated alleles (odds ratio = 1.58, 95% confidence interval = 0.99–2.54), compared to those homozygous for the wild type allele.ConclusionsOverall, our findings suggest that MBL may play a role in the etiology of glioma. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings which may be due to chance, and if reproduced, to determine mechanisms that link glioma pathogenesis with the MBL complement pathway.Yeshttp://www.plosone.org/static/editorial#pee

    The role of host genetic factors in respiratory tract infectious diseases:systematic review, meta-analyses and field synopsis

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    Host genetic factors have frequently been implicated in respiratory infectious diseases, often with inconsistent results in replication studies. We identified 386 studies from the total of 24,823 studies identified in a systematic search of four bibliographic databases. We performed meta-analyses of studies on tuberculosis, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, SARS-Coronavirus and pneumonia. One single-nucleotide polymorphism from IL4 gene was significant for pooled respiratory infections (rs2070874; 1.66 [1.29-2.14]). We also detected an association of TLR2 gene with tuberculosis (rs5743708; 3.19 [2.03-5.02]). Subset analyses identified CCL2 as an additional risk factor for tuberculosis (rs1024611; OR = 0.79 [0.72-0.88]). The IL4-TLR2-CCL2 axis could be a highly interesting target for translation towards clinical use. However, this conclusion is based on low credibility of evidence - almost 95% of all identified studies had strong risk of bias or confounding. Future studies must build upon larger-scale collaborations, but also strictly adhere to the highest evidence-based principles in study design, in order to reduce research waste and provide clinically translatable evidenc

    Be on Target: Strategies of Targeting Alternative and Lectin Pathway Components in Complement-Mediated Diseases

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    The complement system has moved into the focus of drug development efforts in the last decade, since its inappropriate or uncontrolled activation has been recognized in many diseases. Some of them are primarily complement-mediated rare diseases, such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, C3 glomerulonephritis, and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Complement also plays a role in various multifactorial diseases that affect millions of people worldwide, such as ischemia reperfusion injury (myocardial infarction, stroke), age-related macular degeneration, and several neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we summarize the potential advantages of targeting various complement proteins with special emphasis on the components of the lectin (LP) and the alternative pathways (AP). The serine proteases (MASP-1/2/3, factor D, factor B), which are responsible for the activation of the cascade, are straightforward targets of inhibition, but the pattern recognition molecules (mannose-binding lectin, other collectins, and ficolins), the regulatory components (factor H, factor I, properdin), and C3 are also subjects of drug development. Recent discoveries about cross-talks between the LP and AP offer new approaches for clinical intervention. Mannan-binding lectin-associated serine proteases (MASPs) are not just responsible for LP activation, but they are also indispensable for efficient AP activation. Activated MASP-3 has recently been shown to be the enzyme that continuously supplies factor D (FD) for the AP by cleaving pro-factor D (pro-FD). In this aspect, MASP-3 emerges as a novel feasible target for the regulation of AP activity. MASP-1 was shown to be required for AP activity on various surfaces, first of all on LPS of Gram-negative bacteria

    Anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation : a patient-centred approach

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    HintergrundVorhofflimmern ist ein zunehmendes Gesundheitsproblem, das mit erhöhtem Schlaganfallrisiko einhergeht. Antikoagulantien beugen diesem vor, wenn sich Patienten an eine lebenslange Therapie halten. FĂŒr optimale Ergebnisse ist es wichtig, eine adĂ€quate Verschreibung sicherzustellen und Patientenzufriedenheit durch patientenzentrierte FĂŒrsorge zu verbessern. ZielDie Forschungsfrage dieses Audits ist das Ausmaß der Eignung von verschriebenen Antikoagulantien und das Ausmaß der Patientenzufriedenheit mit bereitgestellter Information und Beteiligung im Entscheidungsprozess festzustellen, nachdem eine BroschĂŒre als Intervention an Patienten mit nicht-valvulĂ€rem Vorhofflimmern verteilt wurde. MethodenEine neu erstellte PatienteninformationsbroschĂŒre wurde ausgewĂ€hlten Patienten mit erstdiagnostiziertem Vorhofflimmern vorgelegt. Ihre Zufriedenheit wurde danach mit einer Befragung festgestellt, und die Eignung der verschriebenen Antikoagulantien von klinischen Pharmazeuten anhand von aktuellen evidenz-basierten Richtlinien beurteilt. Die Ergebnisse wurden dann mit denen des PrĂ€interventions-Audits verglichen. ErgebnisseVon allen 31 erfassten Patienten erhielten 28 (90,32%) eine angemessene Behandlung mit Antikoagulantien. Die BroschĂŒre hatte eine gĂŒnstige Auswirkung auf die Patientenzufriedenheit, die verglichen mit den Richtwerten gestiegen ist. Da die Patientengruppe eher klein war, waren alle Ergebnisse bis auf die Gesamtzufriedenheit (p = 0,019) statistisch nicht signifikant. SchlussfolgerungObwohl die adĂ€quate Verschreibung und Patientenzufriedenheit durch die BroschĂŒre verbessert werden konnten, sind höhere Patientenzahlen notwendig, um signifikante Ergebnisse zu erhalten. Folglich können Ă€hnliche BroschĂŒren fĂŒr andere chronische Krankheiten nĂŒtzlich sein. ZusĂ€tzlich mĂŒssen wirkungsvolle Maßnahmen gefunden werden, um Patientenschulung und Beteiligung zu steigern und optimale patientenzentrierte FĂŒrsorge anbieten zu können.BackgroundAtrial fibrillation is a growing health burden associated with increased stroke risk. Anticoagulants are known to prevent these, if patients comply with a life-long therapy. For best outcomes, it is crucial to ensure appropriate prescribing and improve patient satisfaction by employing patient-centred care. ObjectiveThe research question addressed in this audit is to determine the level of appropriateness of anticoagulant prescribing and the level of patient satisfaction with information provided and involvement in the decision-making process after a leaflet was distributed as an intervention to patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. MethodA new patient information leaflet was created and introduced to selected patients with newly-diagnosed atrial fibrillation. Their level of satisfaction was then gauged by an interview while the appropriateness of their prescribed anticoagulant was evaluated by clinical pharmacists according to current evidence-based guidelines. Results were then compared with the baseline of a pre-intervention audit. ResultsOf all 31 included patients, 28 (90.32%) received appropriate anticoagulant treatment. The leaflet had a beneficial impact on patient satisfaction, which was trending up compared with the baseline. Since the patient panel was rather small, all results except for overall satisfaction (p = 0,019) were not statistically significant. ConclusionAlthough prescribing appropriateness and patient satisfaction could be improved by the leaflet, greater numbers of patients are needed to show significant results. Consequently, similar leaflets may be useful in other chronic diseases as well. Additionally, effective interventions to increase patient education and involvement have to be identified to provide optimal patient-centred care.written by Katharina HeitzenederZusammenfassungen in Deutsch und EnglischKarl-Franzens-UniversitĂ€t Graz, Diplomarbeit, 2017(VLID)224622

    Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans and mannose-binding lectin insufficiency in Argentinean children

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    Background and objective: Post‐infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO) is a severe disorder following acute lower pulmonary infection in young children, especially caused by adenovirus. Mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) deficiency arising from polymorphisms in the coding and non‐coding region on the MBL2 gene has been associated with more frequent and severe respiratory infections. Our aim was to evaluate the influence of MBL variants in the susceptibility and evolution of children with PIBO. Methods: One hundred eleven children with PIBO diagnosis were studied. The coding A, B, D and X promoter variants of MBL2 gene were assessed by PCR‐RFLP. B and D alleles were pooled as O. The combined genotypes A/A and YA/O were grouped as sufficient MBL (sMBL), and O/O and XA/O as insufficient MBL (iMBL) groups. To evaluate the frequency of MBL2 polymorphisms in the general population, we studied DNA samples from 127 healthy donors from the blood bank of the hospital (control group). Results: iMBL variants were significantly more frequent in PIBO children compared with controls (21.6% vs 10.2%, P = 0.01). PIBO patients with iMBL required intensive care unit (P = 0.001) and mechanical assistance at the moment of viral injury (P = 0.001) more frequently than those with sMBL. Conclusions: Insufficiency of MBL was more common in PIBO children than in healthy controls. This genetic condition was significantly associated with more severe initial disease, illustrating the relevance of innate immune defence factors prior to the maturation of the adaptative immune system.Fil: Giubergia, VerĂłnica. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de PediatrĂ­a "Juan P. Garrahan"; ArgentinaFil: Salim, Maximiliano. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de PediatrĂ­a "Juan P. Garrahan"; ArgentinaFil: Fraga, Jesica Anabel. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de PediatrĂ­a "Juan P. Garrahan"; ArgentinaFil: Castiglioni, NicolĂĄs. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de PediatrĂ­a "Juan P. Garrahan"; ArgentinaFil: Sen, Luisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂ­ficas y TĂ©cnicas; Argentina. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de PediatrĂ­a "Juan P. Garrahan"; ArgentinaFil: Castaños, Claudio. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de PediatrĂ­a "Juan P. Garrahan"; ArgentinaFil: Mangano, Andrea MarĂ­a Mercedes. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂ­ficas y TĂ©cnicas; Argentina. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de PediatrĂ­a "Juan P. Garrahan"; Argentin
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