How ‘universal’ is the United Nations’ universal periodic review? An examination of the discussions held on female genital mutilation in the first cycle of review

Hailed as the most innovative and unique human rights monitoring mechanism at the United Nations, the Universal Periodic Review process promises to promote and protect the universality of all human rights issues and concerns in an objective, universal, and transparent manner. With the interactive dialogue session being at the heart of the review, coupled with the possibility of peer States potentially raising any international human rights norm to hold States accountable, there is a possible challenge to the universality of human rights norms, vocalised by State representatives when certain contentious issues are raised during State reviews. Selecting one such issue, this paper uses the issue of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as a focus to explore whether, and to what extent normative claim of universality of international human rights norms in relation to FGM is challenged during the State reviews in the first cycle of the UPR process

Effect of Lyophilization on Stability of PEG-Protein Conjugate: A Case Study with Peginterferon alfa-2b

The purpose of the present study was to develop stable lyophilized formulation of peginterferon alfa-2b which is acquiescent to the short lyophilization process. The present study evaluates the effect of buffering components and cryoprotectant(s) on depegylation of the peginterferon alfa-2b in combination with lyophilization process. Finally, a short lyophilization process was identified which can produce a stable pharmaceutical form of peginterferon alfa-2b without any depegylation during long-term storage. Formulations were analyzed mainly for depegylation by HP-size exclusion chromatography and in-vitro antiviral activity. Residual moisture content in the lyophilized product was also used as a key indicating parameter to check its role with respect to depegylation upon storage under various temperature conditions. It was observed that the peginterferon alfa-2b when formulated in presence of cryoprotectant like sucrose requires longer lyophilization process of about 5 days, irrespective of the buffering components used, to reduce the level of residual moisture content and thereby to produce the stable formulation without depegylation. A stable formulation in presence of high concentration of lactose as a cryoprotectant was developed which can withstand stresses exerted to protein-polymer conjugate during lyophilization phases without any significant depegylation. A short lyophilization process of about 48 hours can be utilized for peginterferon alfa-2b when formulated in presence of lactose as a cryoprotectant through which a stable lyophilized formulation can be produced as against longer process required when sucrose is used a cryoprotectant, which is essential from commercial point of view as lyophilization is a costly process

FORMULATION OPTIMIZATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GANCICLOVIR LOADED DRY CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES

ABSTRACTObjective: The objective of this work was to formulate, optimize, and characterize ganciclovir (GCV) loaded dry chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs).Methods: The GCV loaded CSNPs was prepared by ionic gelation method. Box–Behnken design was employed to optimize the influence of independentprocess and formulation variables like drug to polymer ratio, concentration of sodium tripolyphosphate, and stirring time (min) on the dependentvariables such as particle size (PS) and drug encapsulation efficiency (% EE). The optimum conditions were determined by regression analysis of theoutput data.Results: The independent variables had interactive effects and they affected both the responses. The optimum formulation had PS within the range of100-120 nm and % EE between 85% and 86%. The prepared GCV loaded CSNPs were dried by fluidized bed drying method. Fourier transform infraredspectra showed there was no physicochemical interaction between GCV and CS. Powder X-ray diffraction study showed less intense crystalline peaksindicated that GCV may exist in the formulation as amorphous nanodispersion or molecular dispersion form. Differential scanning calorimetry studywas performed which indicated that the drug was molecularly dispersed inside the matrix of CS. Higuchi model was the best to fit the in vitro releasedata for the GCV loaded CSNPs.Conclusion: From the results, it can be concluded that the GCV loaded dry CSNPs were formulated, optimized, and characterized using desiredpharmacotechnical properties.Keywords: Chitosan nanoparticles, Box–Behnken design, Sodium tripolyphosphate, Ionic gelation

A parasitic myoma: clinicopathological study of a rare case

Leiomyoma is a benign tumour composed of smooth muscle cells with fibrous stroma and it is the commonest tumour amongst the tumours of uterus. As per FIGO classification system parasitic leiomyoma has no myometrial involvement or uterine attachment. These myomas get detached from the uterus and receive the blood supply from another source. The etiology and pathologic basis of these parasitic fibroids is not yet clearly understood. We report a rare case of parasitic myoma in a 29 years old female patient presented with abdominal discomfort and difficulty in micturition. Clinical examination and subsequent imaging studies revealed a pelvic mass. Histopathological examination of which proved it to be a parasitic myoma. Parasitic myoma is a rare entity which may be iatrogenically created after surgery particularly with morcellation technique. With increasing rates of laparoscopic procedures, surgeons should be aware of the possibility of formation of parasitic myoma and should take intraoperative precautions to minimise its formation

Spatial Context of Tumor Immune Microenvironment of Matched Primary and Recurrent Glioblastomas

https://openworks.mdanderson.org/sumexp22/1078/thumbnail.jp

Difference in clinical profile between juvenile onset and adult-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis

The aim was to systematically review the studies that compared clinical and serological variation between adult-onset systematic lupus erythematosus (aSLE) andjuvenile-onset systematic lupus erythematosus (jSLE). A comprehensive literature search was done, in various available electronic databases for relevant publication that compared juvenile onset SLE and adult onset SLE. The data of adverse clinical features, serological profile and mortality were extracted. Juvenile onset was defined as 18 years. The methodological quality of study was assessed by Newcastle Ottawa scale (NOS) criteria and R version 3.3.1 was used for analysis and ORs and 95% CIs, were used as statistical parameter. A total of 14,920 patients; (12,230: aSLE, and 2,690: jSLE) were included. Renal involvement especially nephritis was significantly more in j-SLE OR: 2.18, 95% CI: [1.81;2.62]; I2=10.8% whereas musculoskeletal was significant in aSLE O.R: 0.64; C.I: [0.44; 0.93]; I2=83.4%. Seizure and malar rash were significantly higher in J-SLE OR:1.69, CI: [1.31; 2.18]; I2=31.1%,1.43; C.I [1.04; 1.97]; I2=82%, respectively. Raynaud’s phenomenon and pleuritis were significantly higher in adult onset SLE. Anemia and thrombocytopenia were significantly higher in juvenile onset SLE. Anti-ds DNA, anti-histone, and anti-ribosomal-P were more frequent in juvenile-onset SLE while, anti-Ro was more common in adult-onset disease. The cause of mortality was not significantly different in both groups. Renal biopsy of class III and IV combined and class V were significantly more in adult-onset SLE. SLEDAI was higher in j-SLE. Meta-analysis indicated that, regardless of many similar clinical and serological manifestations, there is still some variation between adult-onset SLE and juvenile-onset SLE. Although, SLE disease is continuum from juvenile to adult but disease aggressive in juvenile onset SLE

Once a feminist: Lynne Segal on Grace Paley’s The Little Disturbances of Man

The following contributions came in response to a request, sent to a number of key figures in feminism today, to write on a text that had been formative for their thinking as feminists. The chosen text could be a theory, a novel, an artwork, a performance, a poem: one that had stimulated, or even revolutionised, their ideas. As we hoped, this project has created a selection of texts central to our many and different experiences as feminists. I used to say that Margaret Drabble's The Garrick Year was the story of my life, in my early twenties, as if I was just a creature of time and circumstance. I read The Garrick Year sometime between October 1965, when my first child was born, and the end of 1967, before my marriage disintegrated. Like the heroine Emma Evans, I married a successful actor, had a child, and followed his career—which in the novel led Emma to Hereford for a summer season of plays

Public Attitudes Toward Psychiatric Hospitals: A Rural-Urban Comparative Public Survey in Odisha State, India

Background: Integration of psychiatric care with public health services and offering mental health care services to patients from lower socioeconomic status remains a global challenge. Scarcity of funds and professional workforce in psychiatric hospitals contribute to this situation. However, negative attitudes in the population are also a known impediment to patients seeking mental health services. This study aimed to assess the attitudes toward psychiatric hospitals among the urban and rural population in India. Subjects and Methods: The study was carried out amongst the general population in Odisha, India. The total sample (n = 988) includes 496 respondents from an urban-setting, and 492 respondents from rural parts of the district. Participants were selected by using simple random-sampling from the Asian Institute of Public Health (AIPH) data base. A standardized seven-item questionnaire was adopted, with responses indicated on a 5-point Likert-scale. Interviews were fully structured and conducted face-to-face. Results: Level of education (B = -0.192, ss = -0.320, p < 0.000) and urban-rural comparison (B = -0.272, ss = -0.189, p < 0.000) significantly influenced attitudes toward psychiatric hospitals. Gender, age, and religious beliefs did not show any significant effect on attitudes toward psychiatric hospitals. Individuals in rural areas and those with lower education levels showed more negative attitudes toward psychiatric hospitals. Conclusion: Negative attitudes toward psychiatric hospitals from those living in rural areas as well as those with lesser education may be reflective of the lack of availability, accessibility, affordability, and credibility of such mental health services. The Mental Health Care Act in India is a progressive legislation which might improve the situation of the provided services and, consequently, reduce negative attitudes in the years to come

'PACLIMS': A component LIM system for high-throughput functional genomic analysis

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in sequencing techniques leading to cost reduction have resulted in the generation of a growing number of sequenced eukaryotic genomes. Computational tools greatly assist in defining open reading frames and assigning tentative annotations. However, gene functions cannot be asserted without biological support through, among other things, mutational analysis. In taking a genome-wide approach to functionally annotate an entire organism, in this application the ~11,000 predicted genes in the rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe grisea), an effective platform for tracking and storing both the biological materials created and the data produced across several participating institutions was required. RESULTS: The platform designed, named PACLIMS, was built to support our high throughput pipeline for generating 50,000 random insertion mutants of Magnaporthe grisea. To be a useful tool for materials and data tracking and storage, PACLIMS was designed to be simple to use, modifiable to accommodate refinement of research protocols, and cost-efficient. Data entry into PACLIMS was simplified through the use of barcodes and scanners, thus reducing the potential human error, time constraints, and labor. This platform was designed in concert with our experimental protocol so that it leads the researchers through each step of the process from mutant generation through phenotypic assays, thus ensuring that every mutant produced is handled in an identical manner and all necessary data is captured. CONCLUSION: Many sequenced eukaryotes have reached the point where computational analyses are no longer sufficient and require biological support for their predicted genes. Consequently, there is an increasing need for platforms that support high throughput genome-wide mutational analyses. While PACLIMS was designed specifically for this project, the source and ideas present in its implementation can be used as a model for other high throughput mutational endeavors

\u27PACLIMS\u27: a component LIM system for high-throughput functional genomic analysis

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in sequencing techniques leading to cost reduction have resulted in the generation of a growing number of sequenced eukaryotic genomes. Computational tools greatly assist in defining open reading frames and assigning tentative annotations. However, gene functions cannot be asserted without biological support through, among other things, mutational analysis. In taking a genome-wide approach to functionally annotate an entire organism, in this application the approximately 11,000 predicted genes in the rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe grisea), an effective platform for tracking and storing both the biological materials created and the data produced across several participating institutions was required. RESULTS: The platform designed, named PACLIMS, was built to support our high throughput pipeline for generating 50,000 random insertion mutants of Magnaporthe grisea. To be a useful tool for materials and data tracking and storage, PACLIMS was designed to be simple to use, modifiable to accommodate refinement of research protocols, and cost-efficient. Data entry into PACLIMS was simplified through the use of barcodes and scanners, thus reducing the potential human error, time constraints, and labor. This platform was designed in concert with our experimental protocol so that it leads the researchers through each step of the process from mutant generation through phenotypic assays, thus ensuring that every mutant produced is handled in an identical manner and all necessary data is captured. CONCLUSION: Many sequenced eukaryotes have reached the point where computational analyses are no longer sufficient and require biological support for their predicted genes. Consequently, there is an increasing need for platforms that support high throughput genome-wide mutational analyses. While PACLIMS was designed specifically for this project, the source and ideas present in its implementation can be used as a model for other high throughput mutational endeavors