making sense of concepts, research frameworks and results

Transnational public-private partnerships have become a popular theme in International Relations (IR) research. Such partnerships constitute a hybrid type of governance, in which non-state actors co-govern along with state actors for the provision of public goods, and thereby adopt governance functions that have formerly been the sole authority of sovereign states. Their recent proliferation is an expression of the contemporary reconfiguration of authority in world politics that poses essential questions on the effectiveness and the legitimacy of global governance. Significant issues are at stake concerning whether transnational public-private partnerships can in fact deliver public goods in an effective and legitimate way. This article surveys the literature with regard to three central issues: It addresses the questions why transnational public-private partnerships emerge, under which conditions they are effective, and under which conditions they are legitimate governance instruments. The article demonstrates that, at present, research on transnational public-private partnerships is theoretically under-informed and suffers from poor research designs. As is pointed out in the course of the article, future research on transnational public-private partnerships could benefit from well-known IR theories on international institutions, from compliance theories in particular. Applying these IR theories to partnerships opens up the possibility for the systematic comparative research that is necessary to obtain conclusive knowledge about transnational public-private partnerships

Vergleichende Untersuchung von phaken Vorder- und Hinterkammerlinsen zur Korrektur der Myopie

Zur Korrektur der Fehlsichtigkeit kommen neben der refraktiven Hornhautchirurgie immer mehr auch linsenchirurgische Verfahren zum Einsatz. Die Implantation phaker Linsen spielt darunter eine große Rolle. Ziel dieser retrospektiven nicht randomisierten Studie war es, drei phake intraokulare Linsen zur Korrektur hoher Myopie im Beobachtungszeitraum von einem Jahr zu untersuchen. Untersucht wurden hierbei Stabilität, Vorhersagbarkeit, Sicherheit, Effizienz, Endothelzelldichte, Intraokularer Druck, Kontrastsehen, Stabilität des Linsensitzes sowie die Morphologie der Pupille. Insgesamt wurde in elf myope Augen die kammerwinkelgestützte Vorderkammerlinse Bausch & Lomb NuVita, in 25 myope Augen die Irisklauenlinse Ophtec Artisan und in 25 myope Augen die sulcusfixiete Hinterkammerlinse STAAR ICL von einem erfahrenen Operateur (Prof. Dr. med. T. Kohnen) implantiert. Postoperativ wurde nach einer Woche, einem Monat, drei Monaten und einem Jahr die Refraktion, der intraokulare Druck sowie die Position der pIOLs, sowie nach einem Jahr die Endothelzellzahl, das Kontrastsehen und der Pupillendurchmesser bestimmt. Die Endothelzellzahl wurde teils mit dem konfokalen Mikroskop (ConfoScan P4; Tomey, Erlangen, Deutschland), teils mit einem Kontaktspiegelmikroskop (EM 1100; Tomey, Erlangen) bestimmt und manuell ausgewertet. Das Kontrastsehen wurde mit dem Pelli-Robson-Chart getestet. Die Position der Linse wurde mittels Scheimpflugbildern und Infrarot-Retroilluminationsbildern mit dem Anterior Eye Segment Analysis System (EAS-1000, Fa. Nidek, Gamagori, Japan) untersucht und anschließend mit der zugehörigen Software ausgewertet. Anhand der Spaltbilder wurde die Berechnung des Abstandes der pIOL zu Kornea und Linse durchgeführt und anhand der Retroilluminationsaufnahmen eine Rotation der pIOL um die optische Achse ausgemessen. Die Irisfotographie erfolgte teils mit einer Spaltkamera (Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen/Württemberg, Deutschland), teils mit einer Mavica MVC-CD500 Digitalkamera (Sony, Tokyo, Japan). Die Pupillen wurden mit einem handelsüblichen Geodreieck mit Milimetereinteilung ausgemessen. Die refraktiven Ergebnisse wie auch der intraokulare Druck wurden mit Datagraph med ® (Version 2.7; Ingenieurbüro Pieger, Wendelstein, Deutschland) ausgewertet. Die statistischen Auswertungen erfolgten mit BiAS für Windows Version 8.0 (Dr. H. Ackermann, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland). Der bestkorrigierte Visus verbesserte sich in der NuVita-Gruppe nach drei Monaten in 82 %, nach einem Jahr in 80 % der Fälle, in der Artisan-Gruppe nach drei Monaten in 82 %, nach einem Jahr in 77 %,in der ICL-Gruppe nach drei Monaten 86 %, nach einem Jahr in 95 %. Kein Auge verlor an bestkorrigiertem Visus. Der unkorrigierte Visus war in der NuVita-Gruppe nach drei Monaten in 63 % 0,5 oder besser, nach einem Jahr in 90 % der Fälle. In der Artisan-Gruppe erreichten nach drei Monaten 100 % einen Visus von 0,5 oder besser, nach einem Jahr 95 %. In der ICL-Gruppe erreichten nach drei Monaten 78 % einen s.c. Visus über 0,5, nach einem Jahr 84 %. Der Effizienzindex lag in der NuVita-Gruppe nach drei Monaten bei 1,07, nach einem Jahr bei 1,11, in der Artisan-Gruppe nach drei Monaten bei 1,03, nach einem Jahr bei 1,06 und in der ICL-Gruppe nach drei Monaten bei 1,06 und 1,07 nach einem Jahr. Nach einem Jahr lagen in der NuVita-Gruppe 90 % bei einem sphärischen Äquivalent von ±1,0 dpt, in der Artisan-Gruppe 85,7 % und in der ICL-Gruppe 70,8 %. In der NuVita-Gruppe kam es zu einer mittleren Regression von -0,74 dpt innerhalb eines Jahres, in der Artisan-Gruppe von +0,01 dpt und in der ICL-Gruppe von +0,04 dpt. Beim Kontrastsehen konnten keine signifikanten Änderungen beobachtet werden. Der intraokulare Druck blieb auch nach Implantation der pIOLs im Mittel im Normbereich. Ein kurzer postoperativer Anstieg ließ sich in einem Fall (9 %) in der NuVita-Gruppe beobachten, in einem Fall (9 %) in der NuVita-Gruppe kam es zu einem akuten Winkelblockglaukom. In der Artisan-Gruppe kam es in 8 %, in der ICLGruppe in 20 % zu einer passageren intraokularen Druckerhöhung innerhalb des ersten postoperativen Monats. Bei der Hinterkammerlinse kam es innerhalb von einem Jahr zu einer ständigen Abnahme des Abstandes zwischen der kristallinen Linse und der pIOL, so dass nach einem Jahr bei vier Augen kein Abstand mehr nachweisbar war. Obwohl die NuVita-Linsen in vier Fällen eine Rotation von über 10° ze igte, war im Vergleich zu den anderen Linsenmodellen kein signifikanter Unterschied nachweisbar. Ein Jahr postoperativ kam es nur in der NuVita-Gruppe zu einer signifikanten Pupillenverziehung Glare und Halos traten in der NuVita-Gruppe bei 18,2 %, in der Artisan-Gruppe bei 48 % und in der ICL-Gruppe bei 20 % auf. Ein Patient in der ICL-Gruppe (4 %) entwickelte eine anteriore subkapsuläre Linsentrübung, in der Artisan-Gruppe kam es bei einer Patientin (4,7 %) zu einer Netzhautblutung aufgrund eines Netzhautforamens. Alle drei Verfahren sind sichere, effektive und vorhersagbare Verfahren bei der Korrektur der hohen Myopie mit guter refaktiver Stabilität nach einem Jahr. Die Bewegung der Hinterkammerlinse in Richtung der kristallinen Linse ist jedoch ein ernstzunehmendes Problem. Nur die NuVita-Linse wies ein Jahr nach Implantation eine signifikante Pupillenverziehung auf. Es sind jedoch Langzeitstudien nötig, um die kurzfristigen ermutigenden Ergebnisse zu bestätigen.Beside the refractive surgery techniques that alter the cornea, more and more surgical techniques concerning the lens are in use to correct refractive errors. The implantation of phakic lenses plays an important part among these. The purpose of this retrospective non-randomized clinical study was to evaluate three phakic intraocular lenses for the correction of high myopia one year after surgery. Stability, predictability, safety, efficacy, endothelial cell density, intraocular pressure, contrast sensitivity, stability of the pIOL position as well as the shape of the pupil was examined. In eleven myopic eyes an anterior chamber angle-supported lens (Bausch & Lomb NuVita), in 25 myopic eyes an anterior chamber iris-fixated lens (Ophtec Artisan) and in 25 myopic eyes the ciliary sulcus implanted lens (STAAR ICL) was implanted by just one experienced surgeon (Prof. Dr. med. T. Kohnen). One week, one month, three month and one year after surgery the refraction, the visual acuity, the position of the pIOL and the intraocular pressure were examined. After one year the contrast sensitivity, the endothelial density and the shape of the pupil were examined. The contrast sensitivity was measured by the Pelli Robson Chart. The endothelial cell count was performed in one part by a confocal microscopy (ConfoScan P4; Tomey, Erlangen, Germany), in one part by a specular microscopy (EM 1100; Tomey, Erlangen, Germany) and manually analyzed. The position of the intraocular lens was examined with Scheimpflug photography and the infrared retro illumination images by the Anterior Eye Segment Analysis System (EAS-1000, Fa Nidek, Gamagori, Japan), and afterwards evaluated by the accompanying software. On the basis of the Scheimpflug images the distance between the cornea, the crystalline lens and the pIOL was measured, and on the basis of the infrared retro illumination images the rotation of the pIOL around the optical axis was examined. The images of the iris were partly taken by a slit lamp-camera (Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen/Württemberg, Germany), partly by the Mavica MVC-CD500 digital camera (FA Sony, Tokyo, Japan). The pupil diameters were measured with a standard ruler. The refractive results as well as the intraocular pressure were analyzed by Datagraph med® (Version 2.7; Ingenieurbüro Pieger, Wendelstein, Deutschland). The statistical analyses were carried out using BiAS for Windows Version 8.0 (Dr. H. Ackermann, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt am Main, Germany). In the NuVita group there was an endothelial cell loss of 4.45 % within the first twelve months after surgery, in the Artisan group of 5.96 % and in the ICL group of 1.85 %. The posterior chamber pIOL showed a significant movement towards the crystalline lens between the third and the 12th postoperative month, and after twelve month in four eyes there was no vaulting between the crystalline lens and the pIOL. Even though the NuVita showed a rotation of more than 10 degrees in four cases, there was no significant difference seen towards the other pIOLs. The best corrected visual acuity improved in the NuVita group after three month in 82 %, after one year in 80 %, in the Artisan group after three month in 82 %, after one year in 77 %, in the ICL group after three month in 86 %, after one year in 95 %. There was no loss of best corrected visual acuity in any eye. The uncorrected visual acuity after three month in the NuVita group was in 63 % 0.5 or better, after one year in 90 %, in the Artisan group after three month in 100 %, after one year in 95 %, in the ICL group after three month in78 %, after one year in 84 %. The efficacy index in the NuVita group after three month was 1.07, after one year 1.11, in the Artisan group after three month 1.03, after one year 1.06 and in the ICL group after three month 1.06 and after one year 1.07. One year after surgery 90 % of the NuVita group lay within ± 1.0 dpt of the aimed refraction, in the Artisan group 85.7 % and in the ICL group 70.8 %. In the NuVita group there was a mean regression of -0.74 dpt within the first year after surgery, in the Artisan group of +0.01 dpt and in the ICL group of +0.04 dpt. The intraocular pressure stayed stable after twelve months. An increase of the intraocular pressure shortly after surgery was observed in one case of the NuVita group (9 %), and in one other case (9 %) of the NuVita group there was an acute glaucoma seen, but the intraocular pressure returned to normal two days after a new Yag iridotomy. In the Artisan group there was a temporary increase of intraocular pressure in 8 %, in the ICL group in 20 % within the first month after surgery. Concerning the contrast sensitivity no significant change could be observed in either group. Only in the NuVita group a significant pupil ovalization within one year after surgery was observed. Glare and Halos occurred in the NuVita group in 18 %, in the Artisan group in 48 % and in the ICL group in 20 %. In one case in the ICL group (4 %) there occurred an anterior subcapsular opacification. In the Artisan group a retinal bleeding caused by a retinal break was observed. The NuVita, the Artisan and the ICL proved to be a safe, effective and predictable method to correct high myopia with a good refractive stability. However the movement of the posterior chamber lens towards the crystalline lens is a serious problem that has to be solved. In the NuVita group the problem of pupil ovalization needs to be eliminated. Long-term studies are necessary to proof the encouraging results of these intraocular lenses found in this study

Einfluss von Glycodelin A auf die hCG-Synthese der Trophoblasttumorzelllinie JEG 3 auf Protein- und mRNAEbene

Aus Fruchtwasser isoliertes Glycodelin stimuliert die hCG-Synthese von Trophoblastzel-len. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, die Stimulation auf RNA-Ebene mit Hilfe von rekombinan-tem Glycodelin nachzuweisen. Mittels der Zelllinie HEK 293 konnten 2 biologisch wirk-same rekombinante Glycodeline hergestellt werden. Es konnte eine dosis- und zeitabhän-gig Stimulation der hCG-Proteinsynthese von JEG 3-Zellen sowohl nach Inkubation mit aus Fruchtwasser isoliertem als auch nach Inkubation mit rekombinantem Glycodelin A gezeigt werden

Trap diversity and character evolution in carnivorous bladderworts (Utricularia, Lentibulariaceae)

Bladderworts (Utricularia, Lentibulariaceae, Lamiales) constitute the largest genus of carnivorous plants but only aquatic species (about one fifth of the genus) have so far been thoroughly studied as to their suction trap functioning. In this study, we comparatively investigated trap biomechanics in 19 Utricularia species to examine correlations between life-forms, trapping mechanisms, and functional-morphological traits. Our investigations show the existence of two functional trap principles (passive trap in U. multifida vs. active suction traps), and - in active suction traps - three main trapdoor movement types (with several subtypes). The trapdoor movement types and their corresponding functional-morphological features most presumably represent adaptations to the respective habitat. We furthermore give insights into fluid dynamics during suction in three representatives of the main types of trapdoor movement. The results on functional morphology and trapdoor movement were mapped onto a new phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus, derived from the rapidly evolving chloroplast regions trnK, rps16 and trnQ-rps16 and a sampling of 105 Utricularia species in total. We discuss potential scenarios of trap character evolution and species radiation, highlighting possible key innovations that enable such a unique carnivorous lifestyle in different habitats

Towards resolving Lamiales relationships: insights from rapidly evolving chloroplast sequences

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the large angiosperm order Lamiales, a diverse array of highly specialized life strategies such as carnivory, parasitism, epiphytism, and desiccation tolerance occur, and some lineages possess drastically accelerated DNA substitutional rates or miniaturized genomes. However, understanding the evolution of these phenomena in the order, and clarifying borders of and relationships among lamialean families, has been hindered by largely unresolved trees in the past.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our analysis of the rapidly evolving <it>trnK/matK</it>, <it>trnL-F </it>and <it>rps16 </it>chloroplast regions enabled us to infer more precise phylogenetic hypotheses for the Lamiales. Relationships among the nine first-branching families in the Lamiales tree are now resolved with very strong support. Subsequent to Plocospermataceae, a clade consisting of Carlemanniaceae plus Oleaceae branches, followed by Tetrachondraceae and a newly inferred clade composed of Gesneriaceae plus Calceolariaceae, which is also supported by morphological characters. Plantaginaceae (incl. Gratioleae) and Scrophulariaceae are well separated in the backbone grade; Lamiaceae and Verbenaceae appear in distant clades, while the recently described Linderniaceae are confirmed to be monophyletic and in an isolated position.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Confidence about deep nodes of the Lamiales tree is an important step towards understanding the evolutionary diversification of a major clade of flowering plants. The degree of resolution obtained here now provides a first opportunity to discuss the evolution of morphological and biochemical traits in Lamiales. The multiple independent evolution of the carnivorous syndrome, once in Lentibulariaceae and a second time in Byblidaceae, is strongly supported by all analyses and topological tests. The evolution of selected morphological characters such as flower symmetry is discussed. The addition of further sequence data from introns and spacers holds promise to eventually obtain a fully resolved plastid tree of Lamiales.</p

Article Fast Track Disproportional Plastome-Wide Increase of Substitution Rates and Relaxed Purifying Selection in Genes of Carnivorous Lentibulariaceae

Abstract Carnivorous Lentibulariaceae exhibit the most sophisticated implementation of the carnivorous syndrome in plants. Their unusual lifestyle coincides with distinct genomic peculiarities such as the smallest angiosperm nuclear genomes and extremely high nucleotide substitution rates across all genomic compartments. Here, we report the complete plastid genomes from each of the three genera Pinguicula, Utricularia, and Genlisea, and investigate plastome-wide changes in their molecular evolution as the carnivorous syndrome unfolds. We observe a size reduction by up to 9% mostly due to the independent loss of genes for the plastid NAD(P)H dehydrogenase and altered proportions of plastid repeat DNA, as well as a significant plastome-wide increase of substitution rates and microstructural changes. Protein-coding genes across all gene classes show a disproportional elevation of nonsynonymous substitutions, particularly in Utricularia and Genlisea. Significant relaxation of purifying selection relative to noncarnivores occurs in the plastid-encoded fraction of the photosynthesis ATP synthase complex, the photosystem I, and in several other photosynthesis and metabolic genes. Shifts in selective regimes also affect housekeeping genes including the plastid-encoded polymerase, for which evidence for relaxed purifying selection was found once during the transition to carnivory, and a second time during the diversification of the family. Lentibulariaceae significantly exhibit enhanced rates of nucleotide substitution in most of the 130 noncoding regions. Various factors may underlie the observed patterns of relaxation of purifying selection and substitution rate increases, such as reduced net photosynthesis rates, alternative paths of nutrient uptake (including organic carbon), and impaired DNA repair mechanisms

Financing Maternal and Child Health—What Are the Limitations in Estimating Donor Flows and Resource Needs?

Marco Schäferhoff and colleagues critique funding estimates for the maternal and child health Millennium Development Goals, and make recommendations for improving the tracking of financing flows and estimating the costs of scaling up interventions for mothers and children