Heroin addictions in Italians: Evaluation of OPRM1 genetic variants by case–control association study

The opportunities to analyse the genetic variations related to the risk of addiction are of interest to forensics, who beside their involvement in drugs-related fatalities may also be required to assess driving and working ability as well as permanent invalidity due to drugs-related conditions. Several genetic variants have been shown to be associated with heroin addiction. The most investigated gene is OPMR1 that encode the μ-opioid receptor. The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of genetics variants in OPRM1 to the susceptibility to addiction.     

Book Reviews

Abstract

Stretching a third of the way around the globe, the Asia Pacific is the world's most populous region. Yet, it remains the sole region without a human rights court or commission, and without a human rights treaty. The notable absence there of a human rights mechanism based on such institutions is often explained away by reference to the region's size and heterogeneity, the constituent states’ reluctance to interfere in the affairs of others, and the existence of rivalries. Whilst agreeing that there is no inter-governmental initiative that looks set to change the present state of affairs in the Asia Pacific, this article places the spotlight on another model of creating a regional human rights mechanism, that is, the unique and burgeoning Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions. Specifically, it assesses the prospects for Japan, Taiwan and China – three key regional players whose membership of the Forum is still outstanding – to create domestic human rights bodies that eventually join.     

The founders of the association for the study of nationalities: the case of Stepan Horak (1920–1986) and the Shevchenko Scientific Society,USA

The present article critically evaluates the contribution of the Shevchenko Scientific Society, USA, and the founder of the Association for the Study of Nationalities (ASN), Stepan Horak, to the genesis and development of the ASN.     

Western Medical Education on Trial: The Endurance of Peking Union Medical College, 1949–1985

Abstract

In the early twentieth century, Beijing's Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) stood as a prominent symbol of Western medical science and education in China. After the People's Republic of China was established in 1949, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) took control of the College between 1952 and 1956.This article argues that the endurance of PUMC as an institute of scientific, Western biomedicine in China was largely contingent upon reforms that the PLA instituted there. Drawing on Chinese accounts, as well as the observations of North American and European physicians, it asserts that political campaigns under Army leadership vehemently attacked American influences on the College but avoided direct criticisms of Western medical science itself. This dynamic politically legitimized the Western medical education that the College embodied. It also permitted PUMC to contribute to the development of Chinese military medicine, suggesting a significant connection between civilian and military medical education in the early People's Republic.     

萨瑟兰的不同交往理论与我国青少年犯罪控制

"不同交往理论"是美国著名犯罪学家萨瑟兰解释犯罪的一个重要的理论。它在美国犯罪学研究史上产生了重要影响。从这一理论的9个命题出发,可以分析这一理论的积极意义及其困境,由此可以得到对我国青少年犯罪控制的有益启示。     

英联邦国家医疗侵权诉讼中因果关系之证明及评价

在因果关系的证明上,英联邦国家司法总体上贯彻了法律与科学有别、司法者与医学专家有别的观念。传统的因果关系证明规则在医疗诉讼中面临挑战和困境。在寻找解决此类困境的方法中,举证负担转移方法因其操作生硬、对传统规则的过于颠覆以及可能对医学、医疗诉讼和医疗保险产生不良影响而未能在英联邦司法中获得普遍认可;风险的实质性增加方法和机会丧失视为损害的方法能否适用于医疗侵权案件尚未得到确定。与前些方法相比,因果关系的推断在英联邦司法中获得了较大程度的认可。该方法的优势在于弹性强、对传统规则的偏离较为缓和且充分利用了法庭的事实认定过程。它进一步增加了法院的自由裁量,减弱了对医疗专家意见的依赖。     

电视购物发展对策探析

作为一种新兴的营销模式,电视购物符合人们快节奏的生活方式,在我国有着较大的发展空间。但是目前,电视购物在我国的发展过程中存在着许多问题,这在一定程度上制约了电视购物的发展。为此国家应健全相关法律,加强监管,电视购物企业自身要诚信经营,以促进电视购物行业的健康发展。     

论医疗损害侵权行为归责原则的配置

我国现行法上,医疗损害侵权行为采过错推定的归责原则。学界对此问题有四种不同的看法。侵权责任法草案二次审议稿,是否采过错推定,也存在着疑义。笔者认为,二次审议稿的问题在于没有正确处理基础事实和推定事实的关系。在立法论上,应当将医疗损害侵权纳入侵权法的规范体系中。过错责任原则具有道德贬抑性,存在行为安全区。医疗损害侵权行为应当采过错责任,举证责任上则采过错推定。损害是基础事实,过错是推定事实。     

医疗事故技术鉴定专家出庭质证问题阐释

医疗事故技术鉴定专家出庭接受质证是法院审查、认定鉴定结论以及克服医疗事故技术鉴定自身中立性不足和程序不完善等问题的必然要求。鉴定专家出庭接受质证程序要体现交叉询问原则,同时,要引入专家辅助人、专家陪审员制度以构建均衡合理的质证主体结构。质证的内容应该围绕鉴定专家资格．鉴定结论的相关性、科学性、事实材料充分性、证明过程符合逻辑性等来展开。     

Medical driver selection and alcohol

Due to the rapid development of motorisation in the past few decades, the epidemic of traffic injuries has become a serious problem. Numerous studies indicate that the human factor, often in connection with alcohol consumption, plays a major role in traffic accidents. Studies also show that people addicted to alcohol often drive under the influence and are not deterred by the possibility of punishment, e.g. a revocation of their driving licence.Our study examined people who caused traffic accidents under the influence of alcohol in Slovenia, the consequences of their actions, police and judicial measures and medical selection.In the last decade, the share of people causing traffic accidents under the influence of alcohol in Slovenia has been on the rise. Higher blood alcohol levels are found in people causing fatal traffic accidents, most of them are cyclists, pedestrians and tractor drivers, aged between 25 and 34; the accidents are most common on village roads, on weekends. The discrepancy between numbers of intoxicated drivers with suspended driving licences (approximately 8500/year) and between numbers of successfully terminated judicial procedures is particularly worrisome. When these drivers get their licences back, the medical selection process is inadequate.Our results emphasise the problem of medical selection for reinstatement of penalized drivers. The inadequate approach currently in force allows too many dangerous drivers, most still addicted to alcohol, to return to traffic without medical selection. The only solution to this problem is an immediate change in legislation that would require rigorous medical selection for all reinstatements of drivers who drove under the influence of alcohol. This would decrease the numbers of intoxicated drivers in traffic and at least partly decrease the numbers of alcohol addicts in society.