Energy Cooperation in the Caucasus: Continuity and Change in Russian-Turkish Relations

This article explores the links between the remarkable change in Russian-Turkish foreign relations in the early 2000s and the geostrategic importance of the Caucasus for global energy security. For much of the 1990s, domestic instability and power distribution distracted both countries’ focus on regional issues. Mutual suspicion dominated the bilateral relations, when Turkey, a longstanding NATO stronghold with close ties to the United States and Europe, set out to gain ground in Russia’s traditional sphere of influence. The resulting strategic division of the Caucasus marked a period of continuity in Russian-Turkish relations and resembled the bipolar bloc formation of Cold War times. By drawing on the distinct accounts of Neo-Realism and Liberal Intergovernmentalism, this analysis provides an understanding of the determining factors that changed Russian-Turkish relations from standstill to intensified cooperation despite that national interests in the region proved to be largely consistent. Russia seeks to maintain its traditional hegemonic position and Turkey strives to become a ‘soft power’ in the region. However, central to the new phase of Russian-Turkish relations is a mutual interest in the Caucasus as a stable transport corridor for Caspian energy resources to European and global markets, and both Ankara and Moscow stand to benefit greatly from reconciling geopolitical competition and cooperation in the region

Feasibility of nasal epithelial brushing for the study of airway epithelial functions in CF infants.

International audienceBACKGROUND: For a better understanding of the early stages of cystic fibrosis (CF), it is of major interest to study respiratory epithelial cells obtained as early as possible. Although bronchoalveolar lavage has been proposed for this purpose, nasal brushing, which is a much less invasive technique, has seldom been used in CF infants. The aim of the present study was to examine in a few infants the feasibility of a nasal brushing technique for studies of airway epithelial functions in very young CF infants. METHODS: In 5 CF (median age 12, range 1-18 months) and 10 control infants (median age 5, range 1-17 months), a nasal brushing was performed by means of a soft sterile cytology brush, after premedication with oral paracetamol (15 mg/kg body weight) and rectal midazolam (0.2 mg/kg body weight). Samples were used for microbiological, cytological and functional studies. RESULTS: The procedure was well tolerated. Number of cells collected was similar in CF and non-CF patients (CF: median 230x10(3), range 42x10(3)-900x10(3); non-CF: median 340x10(3), range 140x10(3)-900x10(3)). Median number of viable cells was 67% (range 31-84%). Freshly obtained samples were successfully used for studies of ciliary beating frequency and cAMP-dependent chloride efflux. In 7 out of 17 cell cultures, confluence was obtained (CF: 2 out of 7; non-CF: 5 out of 10). The feasibility of studying protein release and mRNA expression of IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, under basal conditions and after stimulation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: By means of a simple nasal brushing technique easily performed and well tolerated, it is feasible, in infants, to harvest respiratory cells in sufficient amounts to study the airway epithelium using a broad range of techniques including cell culture

42 Nasal epithelial brushing : a valuable method to study airway epithelial cells in CF and non-CF infants

To better understand the early stages of cystic fribrosis disease (CF), it is of major interest to study respiratory epithelial cells obtained as early as possible in humans. Nasal epithelial brushing, a much less invasive technique than broncho-alveolar purpose of the present study was to assess its feassibility in CF infants