Mind the gap! Organized hypocrisy in EU cooperation with Southern neighbor countries on international protection

The European Union (EU) has reacted to the migration crises of the last decade with growing externalization of migration management to neighbor countries often accused of not respecting human rights and individual liberties. Focusing on EU cooperation with the Southern neighborhood, as defined within the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) framework, this paper investigates the recent developments in the EU's external migration policies, demonstrating that there is a gap between EU discourses and policy instruments identified by the EU as strategic tools of the European migration and asylum policy (MAP). Five Southern neighbor countries (SNCs) have been selected, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon, to assess the extent to which the EU, when cooperating on migration and asylum issues, places international protection at risk instead of playing the role of humanitarian actor in accordance with the ideals and principles it defends. The research critically analyzes the EU's cooperation with SNCs concerning migration, as developed via international agreements, action plans, and mobility partnerships under the umbrella of the ENP. In particular, it explores the incompatibility between the European MAP instruments and international protection. MAP, the qualitative analysis shows, represents a clear mismatch between EU talk and action, outlining another case of organized hypocrisy

Activity of Tagetes minuta Linnaeus (Asteraceae) essential oil against L3 Anisakis larvae type 1

Abstract Objective To evaluate in vitro effects of Tagetes minuta L. essential oil (TEO) on L3 Anisakis larvae type 1. Methods In order to evaluate the potential use of Tagetes minuta essential oil against L3 Anisakis larvae three different media were tested: 1) a saline solution (SS); 2) an industrial marinating solution (MS); 3) sunflower seeds oil (SO). For each media and concentrations of TEO (0.1%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 5.0% v/v), 20 parasites were introduced into plastic Petri dishes (diameter 90 mm) and maintained at room temperature. As controls, larvae were maintained without TEO under identical experimental conditions in SS, MS and SO. A total of 900 larvae were tested. The normalized mean viability, LT100, LT50 and the percentage of inactivation at 24 h were calculated. Results In vitro tests revealed a complete inactivation of parasites in saline solution after 2 h with 5% and 1% of TEO. In marinating solution, a complete inactivation of parasites was observed after 4 h at all concentrations used. A slower activity for all TEO concentration was reported in SO. Conclusions The results obtained, showing a strong activity against Anisakis larvae, confirm TEO as a larvicidal agent in the treatment of human anisakidosis and in the industrial marinating process

Study on microbial communities in domestic kitchen sponges: Evidence of Cronobacter sakazakii and Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria

Domestic environment, in particular, kitchen setting is a well-established source of microbial contamination. Kitchen sponges represent an important vehicle of microbial transmission and maintenance of spoilage bacteria and pathogenic strains responsible for food borne diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial communities of 100 ‘in-use’ kitchen sponges, improving the knowledge on their role in cross-contamination in domestic environment and transmission of ESBLproducing strains. Sponges were processed for: aerobic mesophilic bacteria (AMB), Enterobacteriaceae (EB), yeasts and molds (YM), coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS), micrococci (MCC), anaerobic sulfite reducing bacteria (ASR), and for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp. and Yersinia enterocolitica. A total of 309 enterobacteria strains were identified and then processed for ESBL (Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase) phenotypical expression. A high contamination level of kitchen sponges was observed (mean value AMB 8.25±1.1; EB 5.89±1.2; YM 5.57±1.1; MCC 4.82±0.1 log CFU/g). Identified enterobacteria strains revealed several opportunistic and pathogenic agents such as Enterobacter cloacae (28%), Citrobacter freundii (23.3%), Cronobacter sakazakii (14.6%) and other strains in lower percentage. Listeria monocytogenes was found in only one sponge (1%). A total of 69 (22.3%) enterobacteria resulted ESBL+, with the following prevalence: P. rettgeri (50%), L. adenocarboxilata (30%), K. pneumoniae (25%), K. oxytoca (25%), C. sakazakii (20%), E. cloacae (20.7%), C. freundii (20.1%). Results confirm the potential role of kitchen sponges as vehicle for food-borne pathogens such as, C. sakazakii for the first time, infectious agents and spoilage microorganisms. The observed high contamination level and the presence of several ESBLs opportunistic pathogens, stresses the necessity to improve a proper education of the consumers on the effective treatment to reduce their microbial loads

Glutamate signaling in human melanoma cell line SK-MEL-28

Glutamate, recognized as the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system, has been shown to regulate proliferation, migration and survival of immature and mature neurons. In addition, glutamate exerts regulatory roles in the physiology of non-neuronal cells, as confirmed by its expression in peripheral tissues [1]. Recently, the involvement of both ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors in the pathophysiology of various human malignancies such as melanoma has been proposed [2]. In this study, we investigate the role of ionotropic NMDA and AMPA receptors in human melanoma cell line SK-MEL-28, via the evaluation of gene expression profile of markers for neural crest (Slug, Snail, Twist), mesenchymal stem cell (Vimentin) and embryonic stem cell (Nanog and Oct4). We reported significant alterations in neural crest and embryonic stem cell markers expression in SK-MEL-28 following stimulation with 10 or 100 mM AMPA or NMDA. In addition, modulatory actions of glutamate receptors on cell proliferation and migration were also demonstrated via in vitro proliferation assay and wound healing assay. Overall, our results enhance the knowledge of glutamate signaling in human melanoma

The integrated care pathway for melanoma: the Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata experience in Rome

Introduction: The Integrated Care Pathway (ICP) represents a multidisciplinary outline of anticipated care, placed in an appropriate timeframe, to support patients with specific conditions or symptoms. The aim of this paper is to define the ICP for patients with melanoma referring to the "Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata-IRCCS di Roma e Villa Paola" ("Center"). Methods and results: A multidisciplinary group (oncologists, dermatologists, surgeons, pathologists etc.) was defined as well as a facilitator to act as a link between all experts. The first step of ICP development was a review of current practice for patients with melanoma referring to the Center. This first step had the scope to define the multidisciplinary process map (a "picture" of the care plan) for patients with melanoma. The process map defined: i) the activities performed during delivery of care to the patients, ii) the responsibilities for these activities and iii) potential problem areas or opportunities for improvements. The process map formed the basis of the final ICP document. Conclusion: The adoption of melanoma ICP will allow the multidisciplinary group to ensure that clinical guidelines and available evidence are incorporated into everyday practice. (Oncology, HTA & Market Access

Production of He-4 and (4) in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S=2.76 TeV at the LHC

Results on the production of He-4 and (4) nuclei in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S = 2.76 TeV in the rapidity range vertical bar y vertical bar <1, using the ALICE detector, are presented in this paper. The rapidity densities corresponding to 0-10% central events are found to be dN/dy4(He) = (0.8 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.3 (syst)) x 10(-6) and dN/dy4 = (1.1 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.2 (syst)) x 10(-6), respectively. This is in agreement with the statistical thermal model expectation assuming the same chemical freeze-out temperature (T-chem = 156 MeV) as for light hadrons. The measured ratio of (4)/He-4 is 1.4 +/- 0.8 (stat) +/- 0.5 (syst). (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

EU attempts to export norms of good governance to the Mediterranean and Western Balkan countries. JMWP No. 53.04, October 2004

An assessment of the EU international role as a normative power and its capacity to export norms of good governance (in particular democracy and human rights protection) to Mediterranean and Western Balkan countries is provided. A normative analysis is adopted to compare the EU Human Rights and Democratization (HRD) policy towards the two regional areas. Has the EU HRD policy the potential to foster political changes in the targeted countries? This comparative analysis suggests that when the enlargement is a long term prospective the EU initiatives can favour the local political reform process (as in the case of the Western Balkans); but when the EU adopts a comprehensive framework of regional cooperation (such as the EuroMediterranean Partnership) it is difficult to effectively promote democracy and human rights protection

Conceptualising the Mediterranean Global South: A research agenda on security, borders and human flows

This paper assumes the Mediterranean as a critical junction between Global North and Global South. It explores current challenges at the European Union (EU) Mediterranean borders and investigates the intertwined area at the EU borders that we call ‘Mediterranean Global South’. The paper explores actors providing security in the Mediterranean Global South and critically addresses the EU capacity to manage its borders. Specific attention is devoted to South to North human flows, one of the most critical challenges to human security in current times deploying its effects well beyond states’ borders. Human flows across the Mediterranean Sea have put EU member states (EUMS), EU institutions and European societies under stress. The paper challenges those state-centered approaches that regard closing the borders as the most effective solution to acquire security and stability in Europe, and focuses on non-state actors’ practices that seek to address regional problems more effectively. The paper thus investigates the complexification of regional relations deriving from the actual role of those actors, state or non-state actors, EU and EUMS, regional and global powers, that play crucial functions in the provision of solutions to complex security issues. The EU Mediterranean borders are expanding and actors involved in securing the Mediterranean Global South are increasingly engaged in the South of the Mediterranean for the management of regional crises. Keywords:&nbsp;Mediterranean, migration, securitization, European Union, border

European citizenship and European identity: from the Treaty of Maastricht to public opinion attitudes. JMWP No. 03.96, December, 1996

In order to answer the question whether the establishment of European citizenship helped to develop a European identity, both institutional and empirical aspects of European citizenship and European identity will be taken into account. The distinction between the formal meaning of citizenship as established in the Treaty of Maastricht on the European Union (TEU) and the attitudes of the Europeans is useful as it results from the Eurobarometer (EB) data on whether European public opinion is aware of the attempts to bring the European Union (EU) closer to the citizens. To understand the contemporary debate on the meaning of European identity, issues such as the relationship between European identity and national identity, and the necessity of strengthening the europeanness in order to indirectly increase the public support to the EU, will be addressed. The process of European integration is today faced with contradictory trends. On the one hand, there is increasing economic interdependence, the advantages of a large scale economy, the necessity of co-operation to cope with environmental disasters or epidemics, etc. On the other, there are local movements claiming for independence in the name of a particular local identity. In an era of globalization and fragmentation, the only way to cope with the clash between identities is to develop and spread a broader concept of European identity. The Maastricht Treaty established a "multiple citizenship". In a similar way, we can refer to a European "multiple identity" by considering local, regional, and national identities as compatible without excluding the one from the other. Recent empirical results indicate that the majority of Europeans declare having both a national and a European identity, demonstrating that they consider them compatible. But when asked to make a choice, the national attachment prevails. In reality, in the TEU the citizens are not asked to choose to have either a national identity or a European one. Identity cannot be analysed in terms of zero-sum games