Search

In an increasingly complex global human rights regime, international governmental organizations like the United Nations remain concerned with closing the human rights governance gap. In this context, national human rights institutions (NHRIs) are uniquely equipped regulatory intermediaries—they have the mandated powers to support and monitor national governments' human rights compliance, but require government cooperation to operate effectively. We argue that institutional independence is key for regulatory intermediaries like NHRIs to conduct their work effectively. At the same time, independence should not be solely a formal, de jure feature; it is essential for it to also manifest as de facto independence. We thus investigate the extent to which the de jure independence of NHRIs matches their de facto independence, and explain variation. We measure NHRIs' de jure independence by employing quantitative data on 187 NHRIs. To study their de facto independence, we collect survey data on the participation of Asia–Pacific NHRIs in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a peer-review mechanism monitoring states' human rights performance. We show that regulatory intermediaries like NHRIs can be successful even when they lack full de jure independence. De facto independence is key, and is facilitated by both NHRI- and UPR-related factors.

Collective mapping (CM) emerged in the Global South as a tool to embed local perspectives into territorial governance, particularly addressing issues of land use and indigenous land rights. In the last decade, several disaster risk reduction (DRR) projects have adopted CM methodologies, recognizing the importance of community participation in this area. So far, however, such projects remain isolated instances, scarcely integrated into formal decision-making mechanisms. Drawing on our research experience in Chile, this contribution argues for the usefulness of CM as a participatory methodology for the study of disaster risk in support of disaster-responsive urban planning. Since existing territorial planning mechanisms tend to overlook the social roots of disasters, they often result in increased risks for vulnerable, low income communities. CM can mitigate these risks by complementing technical information about natural hazards with local knowledge, legitimizing local claims and fostering community-driven processes of regeneration of the built environment. Thus, it can play an important role in supporting innovative forms of local engagement and more inclusive spatial decision-making that will strengthen urban resilience within a holistic and democratic DRR framework.

Italy is considered at low incidence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), and the occurrence of human cases of TBE appears to be geographically restricted to the north east of the country. However, most information to date derives from case series, with no systematic data collection. To estimate incidence rates (IR) and spatial distribution of TBE cases, we conducted a retrospective study in north-eastern Italy. Data were collected through the infectious disease units and public health districts of three regions (Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trentino Alto Adige and Veneto) between 2000 and 2013. Overall, 367 cases were identified (IR: 0.38/100,000). The cases’ median age was 56 years and 257 (70%) were male. Central nervous system involvement was reported in 307 cases (84%). Annual fluctuations in case numbers occurred, with peaks in 2006 and in 2013, when 44 and 42 cases were respectively observed. A strong seasonality effect was noted, with the highest number of cases in July. In terms of geographical location, three main endemic foci with high TBE IR (> 10/100,000) were identified in three provinces, namely Belluno (Veneto region), Udine (Friuli Venezia Giulia) and Trento (Trentino Alto-Adige). When investigating the whole study area in terms of altitude, the IR between 400 and 600 m was greater (2.41/100,000) than at other altitudes (p< 0.01). In conclusion, the incidence of TBE in Italy is relatively low, even considering only the three known affected regions. However, three endemic foci at high risk were identified. In these areas, where the risk of TBEV infection is likely high, more active offer of TBE vaccination could be considered.

Background Hepatitis B vaccination has proven to be very safe and highly effective. This study assessed the proportion of successfully vaccinated individuals among cases with acute hepatitis B, the proportion of preventable cases if individuals were vaccinated as recommended, and the reasons for failures. Methods We analyzed data reported to the Italian Surveillance System for Acute Viral Hepatitis from 1993 to 2014. Results A total of 362 of 11 311 (3.2%) cases with acute hepatitis B were vaccinated. Of the 277 cases for whom immunization data were available, 50 (18%) received a complete vaccination course according to the correct schedule and before exposure to hepatitis B virus. Molecular characterization of 17 of these cases showed that 6 were infected with S-gene mutants. Among the 10 949 unvaccinated cases, 213 (1.9%) escaped mandatory vaccination and 2821 (25.8%) were not vaccinated despite being at increased risk of infection. Among the latter, the most common risk factors were cohabitation with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers, intravenous drug use, and homosexual/bisexual practices. Thirty-seven percent of the unvaccinated households with HBsAg carriers were aware of their risk. Lack of trust in the vaccination, negative attitude, and inaccurate beliefs followed by lack of or poor communication and low perceived severity of the disease were the most frequent reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Conclusions Development of acute disease in successfully vaccinated individuals is a rare event. Further efforts are needed to enhance the vaccine coverage rate in individuals at increased risk of infection.

OBJECTIVE.: To investigate the polymorphisms in the promoter region of B-Lymphocyte Stimulator (BLyS) gene as markers of response to rituximab (RTX) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS.: The study was first conducted in 152 Italian RA patients and then replicated in 117 patients (73 Italian, 44 British). Response to therapy (DAS28; EULAR criteria) was evaluated at months +4 and +6 after RTX and patients were classified according to the best response they showed during this period. BLyS promoter polymorphisms were analyzed by RFLP-PCR, BLyS promoter haplotypes by Expectation-Maximization algorithm and BLyS serum levels by ELISA. RESULTS.: The TTTT BLyS promoter haplotype appeared significantly associated with response to RTX only in the subset of seropositive (rheumatoid factor and/or anti-CCP positive) patients. The replication series confirmed that this association was limited to seropositive RA patients who previously failed anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents. In the whole series of anti-TNF-failure seropositive patients, TTTT-carrying patients were more prevalent in good responders (18/43; 41.9\%) than in moderate (20/83; 24.1\%) and in non responders (1/21; 4.8\%), (good vs. non responders: OR 14.4, 95\%CI:1.77-117.39, p=0.0028). Furthermore, the TTTT BLyS haplotype was selected as an independent marker of good response to RTX by multivariate analysis (good vs. non responders: OR 16.2, 95\% CI 1.7-152.5; p=0.01; good vs. moderate plus non responders: OR 3.05, 95\%CI:1.19-7.82, p=0.02). The relationship between BLyS polymorphims and BLyS serum levels remained unclear. CONCLUSION.: BLyS promoter genotyping may be suitable to identify seropositive RA patients who may show good response to RTX after anti-TNF agents failure.

Summary •Low temperatures limit the fixation of photosynthates and xylogenesis. Here, we hypothesized that reduced longitudinal growth in trees at high altitude is related to the lower hydraulic efficiency of the transport system. •Apical buds of Norway spruce (Picea abies) trees at high and low elevation were heated during 2006 and 2007. At the end of the experiment, trees were felled. Longitudinal increments and tracheid lumen areas were measured along the stem. Apical hydraulic conductivity (k) was estimated from anatomical data. •Before heating, high-altitude trees showed fewer (P = 0.002) and smaller (P = 0.008) apical conduits, and therefore reduced k (P = 0.016) and stem elongation (P