Human susceptibility to complex diseases. Genetic analysis in large populations]

Inherited susceptibility underlying the ethiopathogenity of complex diseases is based on the existence of a high number of genetic variants which are cooperating to generate different risk genetic profiles. We try to identify such profiles and construct wide data bases with this genetic information.     

Legal constraints for the protection of privacy and personal data in electronic evidence handling1

This paper describes the application of personal data protection rules in the process of e‐evidence handling. It focuses mainly on the application of Directive 95/46/EC rules to the digital environment. It also makes reference to the legal risks derived from the collection and processing of e‐evidence in violation of privacy and personal data protection law.     

Immunofluorescence demonstration of digoxin in human myocardial tissue and isolated rat cardiac myocytes with monoclonal antibodies

The aim of the present investigation was to identify the morphological correlates of digoxin binding sites in human heart muscle tissue and isolated viable rat heart myocytes. Cardiac glycoside linked to myocardial cells was demonstrated by monoclonal digoxin specific antibody and by FITC-conjugated anti-mouse immunoglobin serum. This versatile immunofluorescence method can be used in diagnostic and experimental studies of cardiac glycoside binding.     

Does Welfare Provision Promote Democratic State Legitimacy? Evidence from Brazil's Bolsa Família Program

Conditional cash transfer programs may boost the electoral fortunes of incumbents among beneficiary groups, but do they also influence recipient attitudes toward state legitimacy? This article examines the relationship between Brazil's Bolsa Família program and recipients’ sense of the Brazilian state's political legitimacy, from 2007 to 2014. Using AmericasBarometer data and propensity score matching, this study provides evidence that targeted cash benefits correlate with citizens’ views of the state, but that this relationship is limited to increasing trust in core state institutions, local government, and incumbent political actors. Diffuse dimensions of regime legitimacy, including recipients’ sense of political community, support for regime principles, and retrospective perceptions of national economic performance, are largely unaffected by the receipt of targeted benefits. Over time, the evidence also suggests that the impact of program receipt on these measures of support remains largely unchanged.     

Spain

European Journal of Political Research -     

Virological analysis in the diagnosis of sudden children death: a medico-legal approach

Infections are considered to be an important cause of unexpected death in children. It has also been assumed that respiratory viruses are involved in the genesis of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The Spanish National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences act as the forensic reference centre for Spain. We analyse the experience of this centre in the virological study of 64 cases of sudden children death where viral serology, virological cultures, herpesviruses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and electron microscopy were performed. According to pathological findings, death could only be attributed to an adenovirus infection in one amygdalitis with upper airways stenosis and asphyxia. Human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) was detected by PCR in one case with pathological findings characteristic of SIDS. Recent infection by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) were also detected. Meanwhile, 85.9% of the cases yielded negative viral results. Twenty-eight infants were finally categorised as SIDS. Pathological findings of infection were detected in 12 patients despite the negativity of viral analyses. Although viral infection is an uncommon cause of sudden children death, a complete microbiological investigation will help to solve the puzzle of SIDS. Definitive guidelines for microbiological analyses need to be updated whilst new pathogens are discovered or new techniques are implemented in order to clarify unsolved cases.     

The Chameleon Nature of Populist Parties. How Recurring Populism is Luring ‘the People’ of Serbia and Croatia

Abstract

In recent years the phenomenon of populism has inspired many debates and many doubts. Despite the growing scholarly interest, it still means different things to different researchers. In the first part of the article the author briefly presents the issues related to the phenomenon of populism itself and its relationship with democracy, and examines the creation of parties that researchers label populist. The second part is a case study that analyses the sources of populism, its manifestations and its importance in Serbia and Croatia over the last century.