Fedotova v. Russ. (Eur. Ct. H.R.)

On June 13, 2021, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) delivered a judgment in Fedotova and Others v. Russia. The ECtHR found that Russia was in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) for not allowing same-sex couples to have their partnerships legally recognized. The decision reflects the ECtHR's firm position: the formal recognition of partnership shall not depend on the partners' sex, and the complete exclusion of same-sex couples cannot be justified with opposing public sentiments or the need to protect traditional families. While the Fedotova ruling is the first judgment that challenged the discriminatory legislative framework in a country belonging to the Eastern Bloc of the Council of Europe, it is not unprecedented. In its judgment, the ECtHR applied the standards entrenched in the case law on the rights of same-sex partners and, although it did not address the issue of marriage equality under Article 12 of the ECHR, it did conclude that the applicants' rights under Article 8 had been violated.

The Metabolism of Gammekane and Related Compounds

<p>1. A detailed kinetic study has been made of the glutathione S-aryl-transferases from the New Zealand grass grub (Costelytra zealandica) and from sheep liver. The insect enzyme behaves in accordance with a Michaelis-Menten model for two-substrate enzymes. It is inhibited by the sulphonphthaleins, phthaleins, fluoresceins and dicarboxylic acids competing with glutathione, while the sheep-liver enzyme is not susceptible to this type of inhibition. From this, and other data obtained from a study of the variation of kinetics with pH, it is proposed that two basic groups (possibly lysine residues) are involved in binding of glutathione to the insect enzyme, while only one such group appears in the sheep-liver enzyme. Binding of the aromatic substrate to the enzyme in both species may involve a histidine residue. 2. The accumulation of little significant radioactivity in diluant 2gamma-pentachlorocyclohexene (gamma-PCCH) during the in vitro metabolism of [14C]gamma-hexachlorohexane (gamma-HCH) suggests that the PCCH's are not formed as free intermediates during the metabolism of the HCH's. However, certain ambiguities introduced with the experimental techniques used preclude the complete exclusion of this possibility. 3. gamma-HCH, gamma-PCCH and delta-PCCH metabolized in vivo by M.domestica and C.zealandica and in vitro by preparations from both species, all produce as the principal metabolite a glutathione conjugate with chromatographic properties identical with those of authentic S-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)glutathione. There is, however some doubt as to the identity of the S-substituent moiety. 4. The in vitro metabolism of gamma-HCH and delta-PCCH is glutathione-dependent and is inhibited by various phthaleins and sulphonphthaleins. The in vivo metabolism of delta-PCCH in C.zealandica is profoundly affected by this type of compound, but its effects on the rate of metabolism in vivo of delata-HCH in M.domestica and C.zealandica are only marginal. 5. The enzyme concerned in the metabolism of delta-PCCH has been shown to differ from aryltransferase in M.domestica and C.zealandica by gel filtration techniques and by differences in activity in different enzyme preparations. The delta-PCCH-metabolising activity appears to be associated with a DDT dehydrochlorinase activity. In M.domestica, there appears to be, in addition, a second DDT dehydrochlorinase with only a low cross-specificity towards delta-PCCH.</p>

The Metabolism of Gammekane and Related Compounds

<p>1. A detailed kinetic study has been made of the glutathione S-aryl-transferases from the New Zealand grass grub (Costelytra zealandica) and from sheep liver. The insect enzyme behaves in accordance with a Michaelis-Menten model for two-substrate enzymes. It is inhibited by the sulphonphthaleins, phthaleins, fluoresceins and dicarboxylic acids competing with glutathione, while the sheep-liver enzyme is not susceptible to this type of inhibition. From this, and other data obtained from a study of the variation of kinetics with pH, it is proposed that two basic groups (possibly lysine residues) are involved in binding of glutathione to the insect enzyme, while only one such group appears in the sheep-liver enzyme. Binding of the aromatic substrate to the enzyme in both species may involve a histidine residue. 2. The accumulation of little significant radioactivity in diluant 2gamma-pentachlorocyclohexene (gamma-PCCH) during the in vitro metabolism of [14C]gamma-hexachlorohexane (gamma-HCH) suggests that the PCCH's are not formed as free intermediates during the metabolism of the HCH's. However, certain ambiguities introduced with the experimental techniques used preclude the complete exclusion of this possibility. 3. gamma-HCH, gamma-PCCH and delta-PCCH metabolized in vivo by M.domestica and C.zealandica and in vitro by preparations from both species, all produce as the principal metabolite a glutathione conjugate with chromatographic properties identical with those of authentic S-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)glutathione. There is, however some doubt as to the identity of the S-substituent moiety. 4. The in vitro metabolism of gamma-HCH and delta-PCCH is glutathione-dependent and is inhibited by various phthaleins and sulphonphthaleins. The in vivo metabolism of delta-PCCH in C.zealandica is profoundly affected by this type of compound, but its effects on the rate of metabolism in vivo of delata-HCH in M.domestica and C.zealandica are only marginal. 5. The enzyme concerned in the metabolism of delta-PCCH has been shown to differ from aryltransferase in M.domestica and C.zealandica by gel filtration techniques and by differences in activity in different enzyme preparations. The delta-PCCH-metabolising activity appears to be associated with a DDT dehydrochlorinase activity. In M.domestica, there appears to be, in addition, a second DDT dehydrochlorinase with only a low cross-specificity towards delta-PCCH.</p>

The Chimney/Periscope Technique as Total Endovascular Treatment of Kommerell's Diverticulum

We report a case of Kommerell's diverticulum (KD) treated with a total endovascular approach, maintaining supra-aortic trunk (SAT) patency. A 75 year-old female with aneurysmal KD was deemed unsuitable for open surgery. Landing zone 2 was unfeasible; therefore, we planned an endovascular approach with landing in zone 1, chimney to left subclavian artery and periscope to right subclavian artery. Postoperatively she was free from complications, with complete exclusion of KD and SAT patency at 3-year follow-up.

Treatment outcomes of 1-stage clipping of multiple unruptured intracranial aneurysms via keyhole approaches

OBJECTIVE Complete exclusion of multiple unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) in one session of intervention may be ideal. However, such situations are not always feasible in terms of treatment modalities and outcomes. The authors aimed to analyze their experience with 1-stage clipping of multiple UIAs. METHODS Medical records between March 2013 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed, and 111 1-stage keyhole approaches in 110 patients with 261 multiple UIAs were ultimately included in this study. Clinical and radiological outcomes were analyzed, as well as postoperative complications up to 1 month after the surgery and their risk factors. RESULTS Keyhole approaches included unilateral supraorbital in 87 operations (78.4%), bilateral supraorbital in 12 (10.8%), and others in 12. The mean operative duration was 169.6 minutes (range 80–490 minutes). The highest numbers of aneurysms clipped at once were 2 (73.9%) and 3 (18.9%). Complete exclusion and residual neck of the clipped aneurysms were achieved in 89.3% and 7.3%, respectively. There was no significant difference between pre- and postoperative 1-month neurological states (p = 0.14). The permanent morbidity rate was 1.8% (n = 2), and there were no deaths. Postoperative transient neurological deterioration (TND) with no radiological and electrophysiological abnormalities occurred in 8 operations (7.2%). Hypertension was the only significant risk factor for postoperative TND (adjusted odds ratio 17.03, 95% confidence interval 1.99–2232.24, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS One-stage clipping of multiple UIAs via keyhole approaches showed satisfactory treatment outcomes with a low permanent morbidity. Patients with chronic hypertension had a high risk of postoperative TND.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is chronic autoimmune-mediated small intestinal enteropathy. CD caused by ingestion of the dietary gluten that found in wheat, barley, and rye, in the individual who are predisposed genetically by having leucocyte antigen, (HLA)-DQ2 or -DQ8-positive. Rigorous adherence to a gluten-free diet is the only treatment for this condition to reduce the symptoms and the consequences at the short-term and the long term. The aim of this chapter is provide updates and comprehensive overview about the celiac disease epidemiology, pathogenetic information, clinical, and diagnostic methods, updated therapeutic strategy approaches that followed as a treatment and recommendations. Its challenge to understand all the domains that causes celiac disease. Finding alternative diet and trying different lifestyle still under debates. However, complete exclusion of the gluten-containing food from the patient’s diet is the only effective treatment to avoid the disease complications.

The Established Church

Chapter 4 provides an overview of the role played by migration in creating the Church of Ireland and its body of adherents. It discusses the manner in which secular Protestants derived great benefit from their religion and the manner in which they came to emphasize religious ‘reliability’ as a touchstone of loyalty, and the central role of the rebellion of 1641 in developing Irish Protestants’ understanding of their situation and role in Ireland. The chapter demonstrates the profoundly migratory character of Early Modern Irish Protestantism and the manner in which its leadership was dominated primarily by British-born bishops and then secondarily by New English migrants, to the almost complete exclusion of figures of native provenance. As a result, both the church and its community acquired a migrant stamp which contributed to its evangelical inefficacy in Ireland.

Embolization of Giant Post-Traumatic Arteriovenous Renal Fistula using the Penumbra Occlusion Device

Purpose: Giant post-traumatic artero-venous renal fistula is a very rare condition, and the exclusion of renal perfusion is the principal risk of embolization. Aim of our presentation is to evaluate new materials and devices derivated by neuro-angio experience to treat the vascular arterio-venous renal fistula. Material and Methods: From march 2017t to december 2020 we have treated 3 post traumatic hight-flow artero-venous renal fistulas. In one case an aneurysmatic dilatation of renal artery was associated. All patients were previously and during follow-up evaluated by MDCTA and US-color-Doppler. POD Penumbra System plus, POD packing coil were used to treat arterio-venous renal fistula. Results: In all cases (3/3) complete arterio-venous renal fistula occlusion was obtained. Pod System and Pod packing coil were delivered with microcatheter directly in the arterial side of the arterio-venous renal fistula. The renal fuction and complete parenchymal preservation were obtained Conclusions: In our preliminary experience Penumbra System revealed to be a secure device for a complete exclusion of high-flow arterio-venous renal fistula and preserving renal perfusion.

PRUŽANjE USLUGA PUTEM MASOVNOG RADA (CROWDWORK)

Digitalization is transforming business and the world of work by redefining the boundaries of production, consumption, and distribution. This brings many advantages, but also disadvantages, both for workers and employers. At the same time, digitalization has resulted in the establishment of a new entity in the field of work – the digital platform. Although, they are most often presented as exclusively intermediary agencies that deal with bringing the job seeker and the client in touch, digital platforms have become much more than that over time. In the legal space given to them, which does not currently treat them as a visible party in the contractual relationship, digital platforms enjoy their legally undefined position, which results in creation of a new formation of workers, known as crowdworkers. The subject of this paper is crowdwork, a sa special form of digital work in which the client (service user) and digital worker usually are not in any form of contractual relationship. The very nature of related tasks in corwdwork is about performing a large number of simple, straightforward work operations, although it can also be about far more complex and creative work tasks. This type of work and provision of services, in addition po positively assessed flexibility, often contains negative sides which are reflected in low labour costs, lack of social protection, as well as complete exclusion of crowdworkers from any form of labour protection.

Mammal-exclusion fencing improves the nesting success of an endangered native Hawaiian waterbird

Invasive predator control is often critical to improving the nesting success of endangered birds, but methods of control vary in cost and effectiveness. Poison-baiting or trapping and removal are relatively low-cost, but may have secondary impacts on non-target species, and may not completely exclude mammals from nesting areas. Mammal-exclusion fencing has a substantial up-front cost, but due to cost savings over the lifetime of the structure and the complete exclusion of mammalian predators, this option is increasingly being utilized to protect threatened species such as ground-nesting seabirds. However, non-mammalian predators are not excluded by these fences and may continue to impact nesting success, particularly in cases where the fence is designed for the protection of waterbirds, open to an estuary or wetland on one side. Thus, there remains a research gap regarding the potential gains in waterbird nesting success from the implementation of mammal-exclusion fencing in estuarine systems. In this study, we compared the nesting success of endangered Hawaiian Stilts (Ae‘o; Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) within a mammal-exclusion fence to that of breeding pairs in a nearby wetland where trapping was the sole means for removing invasive mammals. We predicted success would be greater for breeding pairs inside the exclusion fence and the hatchlings inside the enclosure would spend more time in the nesting area than hatchlings at the unfenced site. During a single breeding season following construction of a mammal-exclusion fence, we used motion-activated game cameras to monitor nests at two sites, one site with mammal-exclusion fencing and one site without. Clutch sizes and hatch rates were significantly greater at the fenced site than the unfenced site, but time spent by chicks in the nesting area did not differ between sites. These results add to the mounting body of evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of mammal-exclusion fencing in protecting endangered birds and suggests it can aid endangered Hawaiian waterbirds toward recovery. These results also suggest that the single greatest predatory threat to the Hawaiian Stilt may be invasive mammals, despite a host of known non-mammalian predators including birds, crabs, turtles, and bullfrogs, as the complete exclusion of mammals resulted in significant gains in nesting success. As additional fences are built, future studies are necessary to compare nesting success among multiple sites and across multiple seasons to determine potential gains in fledging success and recruitment.