Prodrugs of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS): A New Challenge

The concept of a substance acting as a prodrug for an intended drug is not new and has been known and utilized with particular benefits within medicine for efficacy and patient safety. Prodrugs of psychoactive substances are also not particularly new but this has also extended to considerations of prodrugs of new psychoactive substances (NPS). The continuing evolution of NPS has been a constant forensic challenge. In some countries, this constant evolution has led to the introduction of various alternative methods of drug control. Whether for this reason or in the pursuit of user experimentation, prodrugs of NPS have been discussed, developed, and exploited, posing some distinct forensic challenges. This is especially the case within toxicological analysis of biological fluids and for some substances, also forensic chemical analysis, through inherent instability of the prodrug or metabolism in the body. Particular examples of NPS prodrugs include 1-propanoyl-LSD, 1-butanoyl-LSD, 1-acetyl-LSD, and 2C-B-AN. This is in addition to associated substances and medicines that may be used for an intended pharmacological effect. Various prodrugs for stimulant and hallucinogenic substances in particular have appeared in the literature and have been discussed within drug user forums and made available for purchase online. Presently, drug monitoring data from national and international systems indicate that prodrugs are not widely available or problematic. Nevertheless, it is important that there is sufficient awareness of the prodrug concept and potential impact and associated forensic implications, not just for chemical analysis but also for toxicological considerations when a substance has been used.     

Integrating Concerns with Climate Change into Local Development Planning in Cambodia

Integration of climate change adaptation with development planning at multiple scales is widely seen as preferable to reactive, fragmented, or highly centralized responses. At the same time, there are growing concerns on when intervention is most appropriate, the transaction costs of coordination, and the adequacy of institutional capacity at local levels, especially in developing countries. This article examines entry points and mechanisms for integrating concerns with climate change into local development planning in Cambodia. An institutional ethnography of the planning process indicates that subnational planning is participatory and flexible; and thus, provides plausible entry points to integrate climate change concerns. Case study methods applied to two externally supported, climate‐resilient development projects identify promising mechanisms and strategies, as well as obstacles to integration. A vulnerability reduction assessment tool and top‐up grant scheme both included promising deliberative and participatory elements from which lessons for future and elsewhere can be drawn. At the same time, key stakeholders concede that local integration more widely is hampered by multiple obstacles, including weak institutional capacity, low community participation, and lack of resources and incentives. Addressing these challenges requires political commitments for good governance, capacity development, and additional resources.     

消瘀接骨散对兔膝骨关节炎模型关节液中MMP-1、MMP-3表达的影响

目的观察消瘀接骨散对兔膝骨关节炎模型中关节软骨病理改变及关节液中基质金属蛋白酶(matrix metalloproteinase,MMP)-1、MMP-3表达的影响。方法将24只新西兰大耳白兔分为正常组、模型组、用药组,每组8只。采用膝关节石膏制动方法复制膝骨关节炎模型,模型复制成功后,正常饲养并驱赶1周,给予用药组家兔消瘀接骨散外敷,给予模型组和正常组家兔相同大小药棉、绷带、胶布固定。光镜下观察膝关节软骨退变情况,采用酶联免疫吸附法测定关节液中MMP-1、MMP-3表达水平。结果用药组家兔膝关节软骨损伤较模型组明显减轻,关节软骨表面较正常组粗糙,滑膜增厚、稍有肿胀,镜下可见细胞排列规律尚可,偶见少量细胞簇集现象,关节软骨细胞有轻度变性,潮线尚完整。用药组家兔膝关节软骨的Mankin评分及关节液中MMP-1、MMP-3表达水平明显低于模型组(P0.05)。结论消瘀接骨散外敷治疗兔膝骨关节炎的机制与其降低关节液中MMP-1、MMP-3的表达水平有关。     

Parental Alienation Syndrome in Spain: opposed by the Government but accepted in the Courts

ABSTRACT

For over fifteen years, Spain has seen the promulgation of feminist-inspired legal frameworks to combat male violence against women and, as a result, Spanish law contains a variety of mechanisms that target male violence. However, the parallel dissemination of the pseudo-scientific concept of Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS), especially since 2004, has become a tool to stall the enforcement of gender equality legislation. Specifically, PAS is causing severe harm in legal procedures related to marital breakdown. Both the government and the General Council of the Judiciary have taken a stand against the deployment of PAS in the legal system, but the notion of parental alienation is still widely used in family courts. This article analyses the contemporary significance of PAS in Spain. It grounds itself in an examination of key government reports and legal cases, and draws on qualitative survey data from interviews with 20 women who have been either formally accused, or threatened with accusations of parental alienation.     

Forensic Identification of CITES Protected Slimming Cactus (Hoodia) Using DNA Barcoding

Slimming cactus (Hoodia), found only in southwestern Africa, is a well‐known herbal product for losing weight. Consequently, Hoodia extracts are sought‐after worldwide despite a CITES Appendix II status. The failure to eradicate illegal trade is due to problems with detecting and identifying Hoodia using morphological and chemical characters. Our aim was to evaluate the potential of molecular identification of Hoodia based on DNA barcoding. Screening of nrITS1 and psbA‐trnH DNA sequences from 26 accessions of Ceropegieae resulted in successful identification, while conventional chemical profiling using DLI‐MS led to inaccurate detection and identification of Hoodia. The presence of Hoodia in herbal products was also successfully established using DNA sequences. A validation procedure of our DNA barcoding protocol demonstrated its robustness to changes in PCR conditions. We conclude that DNA barcoding is an effective tool for Hoodia detection and identification which can contribute to preventing illegal trade.     

The Tian Anmen massacre

The aftermath of the 2008 general election saw a series of upheavals occur in the Malaysian political landscape, not least of which was the emergence of a so-called “new politics.” Driven primarily by concerns over issues of public governance, this politics contained a set of interrelated questions involving changing notions of legitimate political authority. Although much has already been written about whether or not the post-2008 changes to Malaysia's socio-political terrain are genuine and enduring, I argue that many such analyses are too narrow in scope and fail to adequately recognise the complexity involved in such social realities. By distinguishing between the images and practices of the Malaysian state, this article aims to highlight the dynamic, contingent and contested nature of processes of legitimation. A detailed investigation of the consensus/dissensus surrounding Prime Minister Najib Razak's concept of 1Malaysia as the basis of a collective national identity reveals a more fundamental contestation occurring within contemporary Malaysian politics and society over the source(s) of political and moral legitimacy. While the opposition's challenge to Najib's administration remains formidable, of more pressing concern to Najib might be the objections arising from within his own party over the direction in which he is taking them. To define the present horizon of socio-political possibilities in Malaysia it is not enough, therefore, to simply explain how legitimation occurs; we must also be able to account for the way(s) in which it can occur.     

关于破解制约基层所队发展瓶颈性问题的实践与思考

在破解制约公安基层所队发展的各种瓶颈问题中,应善用讲成本、求多能、谋共赢为主要内容的"科学用警"理念,以破解基层所队普遍存在的警力不足,许多事没人做、做不了的问题;善用以警为本和重在激励为主要内容的"人本管理"理念,以破解有些基层所队士气不足、部分民警工作热情不高的问题;善用以提升基本能力、基本功为主要内容的"素质强警"理念,破解基层所队中民警素质能力参差不齐、部分民警事不会干的问题;用规范工作流程、方法和考核奖惩为主要内容的"制度管人"的理念,破解有些基层所队机制不全不活,不能使人都能干成事,以及工作缺乏长效性的问题。     

Selbstverwaltung durch die Wohnungseigentümer mit Aufteilung bestimmter gemeinschaftlicher Verwaltungsaufgaben – gerichtliche Bestellung eines WE-Verwalters nach § 30 Abs 1 Z 6 WEG 2002

Gemeinschaftliche Eigen- oder Selbstverwaltung der Eigentümergemeinschaft vertreten durch die Mehrheit der Wohnungseigentümer – wie im schlichten Miteigentumsrecht nach den §§ 833ff ABGB so im WEG 1948, 1975 und 2002 als Normalfall konzipiert – liegt vor, solange diese nach dem Mehrheitswillen der Wohnungseigentümer die WE-Verwaltung selbstverantwortlich führt, auch wenn hiebei einzelne Wohnungseigentümer bestimmte einzelne Verwaltungsaufgaben (hier: zB gemeinsame Kontoführung oder Erstellen der Jahresabrechnungen) wahrnehmen, ohne dass sie auf Grund dieser Aufteilung die WE-Verwalterpflichten nach § 20 WEG 2002 treffen. Deshalb scheidet in diesem Fall auch eine Verwalterabberufung gem § 21 WEG 2002 aus. Die rechtsgestaltende Au?erstreitrichterentscheidung nach § 30 Abs 1 Z 6 (und § 23 Satz 1) WEG 2002, ob auf Antrag eines Wohnungseigentümers anstelle der bisherigen Selbstverwaltung ein WE-Verwalter zu bestellen ist, setzt voraus, dass der ASt die Untunlichkeit oder Unm?glichkeit der Aufrechterhaltung der Selbstverwaltung darzutun vermag. Lehre und Rsp zu § 13a Abs 1 Z 6 WEG 1975 idF 3. W?G (davor § 15) werden vom OGH für das geltende Recht übernommen. Der WE-Verwalter/die selbstverwaltenden Wohnungseigentümer ist/sind nicht verpflichtet, in der Jahresabrechnung die Umsatzsteuer bei jeder einzelnen Ausgabenpost auszuweisen. Zum Verh?ltnis von § 32 Abs 2 WEG 2002 zu § 17 Abs 2 MRG hinsichtlich der Nutzfl?chenberechnung von Keller- und Dachbodenr?umen.     

大鼠脊髓损伤后HIF—1α基因的表达

目的观察大鼠脊髓损伤后低氧诱导因子-1α（HIF—1α）的表达规律，探讨其在脊髓损伤发生发展过程中的作用及法医学应用。方法建立大鼠静压脊髓损伤模型，采用RT—PCR和免疫组化SP法对伤后不同时间（0、3、6、12h和1、3、5、7、11、14d）HIF-1α和HIF-1α mRNA的表达进行检测，BI2000图像分析系统分析结果。结果正常及假手术对照组大鼠脊髓组织内有低水平的HIF-1α mRNA表达，但几乎检测不到HIF-1α阳性细胞；脊髓损伤后，HIF-1α及HIF-1α mRNA表达开始升高，其中HIF-1α mRNA表达在伤后3h开始增加，3d达高峰，14d时恢复正常；HIF—1α表达在伤后3h开始增加，1d达高峰，较HIF—1α mRNA的达峰时间（伤后3d）提前。HIF-1α免疫阳性产物可见于脊髓神经元、胶质细胞、室管膜细胞及间质内的血管内皮细胞。结论脊髓损伤后HIF-1α基因表达开始升高，对组织和细胞起低氧保护作用，其表达的时序性规律可望用于法医学损伤时间推断。