Title Participants Abstract "Introduction to the Ruling of the Higher Regional Court of Stuttgart of 25 February 2010 - The proportionality of a European arrest warrant" "Karen Weis" "This article forms an introduction to the ruling of the Higher Regional Court of Stuttgart on the execution of a (dis)proportionate European arrest warrant." "The legitimacy of area-based restrictions to maintain public order : giving content to the proportionality principle from a European legal perspective" "Liesbeth Todts" "This contribution aims to provide a first exploratory analysis of the criteria that must be taken into account by national authorities when considering the proportionality of public order measures restricting the individual's fundamental right to freedom of movement, such as area-based restrictions. The content of the proportionality principle as regards area-based restrictions is not always clear, in particular at European human rights level, while it is an important condition that these restrictions be compatible with the right to freedom of movement. To that end, this article first gives a brief overview of the content of this principle at European level. In order to find some inspiration, it then compares it with the interpretation of this principle at national level, more specifically Belgium and the United Kingdom, where new forms of area-based restrictions have been introduced recently. The case law of the Belgian Council of State is an interesting case to examine since the Council applies a different proportionality test depending on the legal classification of the measure imposed. The contribution proceeds with an analysis of the proportionality principle in the UK case law, where it is a relative newcomer used instead of the traditional ""Wednesbury unreasonableness"" test in cases that fall under the European Convention on Human Rights." "Adding and Removing Elements of the Proportionality and Necessity Test to Achieve Desired Outcomes. Breyer and the Necessity to End Anonymity of Cell Phone Users" "The Breyer judgment concerns the storage of subscriber data by telecommunications service providers. To the Court, the collection and storage of such data amounted to interference of a rather limited nature. Additional safeguards were provided in the relevant German laws and there was independent supervision by the data protection authorities. The German lawmaker had not exceeded the margin of appreciation. There had been no violation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights." "The 'logics' of procedural review by the European Court of Human Rights" "Eva Brems" "Traditionally, courts adjudicate fundamental rights cases by applying substantive tests of reasonableness or proportionality. Increasingly, however, European courts are also expressly taking account of the quality of the procedure that has led up to a fundamental rights interference. Yet this procedural review is far from uncontroversial. There still is a lack of clarity as to what ‘procedural review’ really means, what its potential for judicial decision-making is, how it relates and should relate to substantive review, and what its limitations are. Featuring contributions from experts in the field, this book is the first in-depth study into procedural review, considering the theoretical and conceptual issues at play, as well as the applicability of procedural review in different legal systems. It will therefore be of great importance to scholars and practitioners interested in fundamental rights adjudication in Europe, judicial reasoning and procedural justice." "'Don't use a sledgehammer to crack a nut' : less restrictive means in the case law of the European court of Human Rights" "Eva Brems, Laurens Lavrysen" "Using a sledgehammer to crack a nut obviously is a disproportionate action, since one could use a nutcracker instead. Verifying whether there exists a less restrictive means (LRM) for a human rights restriction is a central question of proportionality analysis. This article provides both a theoretical discussion of the LRM test as developed within the German legal tradition, and an exhaustive analysis of the European Court of Human Rights' practice in applying LRM reasoning. In two recent Grand Chamber judgments, the Court has explicitly endorsed the LRM test as part of its proportionality analysis. Nonetheless, it appears that the Court has not fully made up its mind on the application of the LRM test, which is illustrated by the lack of consistency in applying LRM reasoning, the lack of clarity regarding the substantive or procedural nature of the test and the struggle in applying the test to scrutinise general measures." "Composition and function of macroencapsulated human embryonic stem cell-derived implants: comparison with clinical human islet cell grafts." "Evi Motté, Edit Szepessy, Krista Suenens, Geert Stange, Myriam Bomans, Daniel Jacobs-Tulleneers-Thevissen, Zhidong Ling, Evert Kroon, Danny Pipeleers" "beta-Cells generated from large-scale sources can overcome current shortages in clinical islet cell grafts provided that they adequately respond to metabolic variations. Pancreatic (non)endocrine cells can develop from human embryonic stem (huES) cells following in vitro derivation to pancreatic endoderm (PE) that is subsequently implanted in immune-incompetent mice for further differentiation. Encapsulation of PE increases the proportion of endocrine cells in subcutaneous implants, with enrichment in beta-cells when they are placed in TheraCyte-macrodevices and predominantly beta-cells when they are alginate-microencapsulated. At posttransplant (PT) weeks 20-30, macroencapsulated huES implants presented higher glucose-responsive plasma C-peptide levels and a lower proinsulin-over-C-peptide ratio than human islet cell implants under the kidney capsule. Their ex vivo analysis showed the presence of single-hormone-positive alpha- and beta-cells that exhibited rapid secretory responses to increasing and decreasing glucose concentrations, similar to isolated human islet cells. However, their insulin secretory amplitude was lower, which was attributed in part to a lower cellular hormone content; it was associated with a lower glucose-induced insulin biosynthesis, but not with lower glucagon-induced stimulation, which together is compatible with an immature functional state of the huES-derived beta-cells at PT weeks 20-30. These data support the therapeutic potential of macroencapsulated huES implants but indicate the need for further functional analysis. Their comparison with clinical-grade human islet cell grafts sets references for future development and clinical translation. Copyright © 2014 the American Physiological Society." "Comparative Assessment of the Structural Features of Originator Recombinant Human Follitropin Alfa Versus Recombinant Human Follitropin Alfa Biosimilar Preparations Approved in Non-European Regions" "Thomas D'Hooghe" "Although the full primary structures of the alfa and beta subunits of reference r-hFSH-alfa and its biosimilars are identical, cell context-dependent differences in the expressing cell lines and manufacturing process can lead to variations in glycosylation profiles. In the present study, we compared the structural features of reference r-hFSH-alfa with those of five biosimilar preparations approved in different global regions outside Europe (Primapur®, Jin Sai Heng®, Follitrope®, Folisurge®, and Corneumon®) with respect to glycosylation, macro- and microheterogeneity, and other post-translational modifications and higher order structure. The mean proportion of N-glycosylation-site occupancy was highest in reference r-hFSH-alfa, decreasing sequentially in Primapur, Jin Sai Heng, Corneumon, Follisurge and Follitrope, respectively. The level of antennarity showed slightly higher complexity in Corneumon, Primapur and Follitrope versus reference r-hFSH-alfa, whereas Jin Sai Heng and Folisurge were aligned with reference r-hFSH-alfa across all N-glycosylation sites. Sialylation level was higher in Corneumon and Follitrope, but small differences were detected in other biosimilar preparations compared with reference r-hFSH-alfa. Jin Sai Heng showed higher levels of N-glyconeuramic acid than the other preparations. Minor differences in oxidation levels were seen among the different products. Therefore, in summary, we identified var ious differences in N-glycosylation occupancy, antennarity, sialylation and oxidation between reference r-hFSH-alfa and the biosimilar preparations analyzed." "Source attribution of human echinococcosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis" "Paul R. Torgerson, Lucy J Robertson, Heidi L. Enemarkx, Junwei Foehr, Joke W. B. van der Giessen, Christian M. O. Kapel, Ivana Klun, Chiara Trevisan" "Author summary Echinococcus granulosusandE.multilocularisare zoonotic parasites that cause human cystic (CE) and alveolar (AE) echinococcosis, respectively, in humans: both diseases resulting in a substantial burden of disease. They are transmitted to humans via wild or domestic caniid definitive hosts. This study aimed at finding and evaluating the source attribution of echinococcosis and provides evidence that transmission by direct contact with the definitive hosts perhaps results in 26.1% and 34.4% cases of CE and AE, respectively. Indirect transmission by contaminated water may result in 29.4% and 24.8% of cases of CE and AE, respectively. There is evidence that indirect transmission through contaminated food may result in 23.5% of cases of CE globally. Contaminated food may result in 32.5% of cases of AE, but only in low incidence regions such as Europe. In areas of high human incidence such as China, the evidence for foodborne AE was not convincing. Other sources of transmission such as contact with a contaminated environment result in approximately 30.4% of CE cases and 11.1% of AE cases.Background A substantial proportion of echinococcosis transmission to humans via contamination of food has been assumed. However, the relative importance of food as a transmission vehicle has previously been estimated through expert opinion rather than empirical data. Objective To find and evaluate empirical data that could be used to estimate the source attribution of echinococcosis, in particular the proportion that is transmitted through contaminated food. Methods A systematic review was undertaken to identify reports on the risk factors for human cystic (CE) and alveolar (AE) echinococcosis. Data bases searched included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, Cab Direct, Science Direct, Google Scholar, eLIBRARY.RU, CyberLeninka, CNKI and VIP. Search terms included Echinococc*, hydatid, epidemiology, logistic regression, risk factors, odds ratio, relative risk, risk factors. Reports, including grey literature where available, that had suitable data were selected and data were extracted. The main pathways of transmission were hypothesised to be contact with the definitive host, contaminated water, contaminated food and contaminated environment (other than food). For each study the attributable fraction for these potential sources of infection was calculated from the data presented. A meta-analysis was then undertaken to obtain pooled estimates for the relative contribution of these transmission pathways. Results Data from 28 cross-sectional studies and 14 case-control studies were extracted. There was strong evidence for transmission by direct contact with dogs for both CE and AE. The estimated attributable fractions were 26.1% (CI 13.8%-39.6%) and 34.4% (CI 20.7% -48.2%) respectively. Transmission through contaminated water was estimated to be responsible for approximately 29.4% (CI 12.1%-51.7%) for CE and 24.8% (CI 10.6% to 42.6%) for AE. Contaminated food may be responsible for approximately 23.4% of CE cases (CI 2.1%-47.3%). Globally, there was insufficient evidence to conclude AE can be transmitted by food, although case control studies from low human incidence areas suggested that possibly 32.5% (CI 10.0%-53.2%) could be transmitted by food. There was also insufficient evidence that direct contact with foxes was a significant source of human disease. There were no suitable studies with a risk of environmental contact reported, but the residual attributable fraction thatwould likely include this pathway was approximately 30.4% for CE and 11.1% for AE. Conclusions The results support the hypothesis that dog contact and drinking contaminated water are major pathways of transmission of both CE and AE. For contaminated food, the results are less consistent, but suggest that it is an important transmission pathway and provide better evidence than expert elicitations as previously used." "The long lifespan and low turnover of human islet beta cells estimated by mathematical modelling of lipofuscin accumulation." "M Cnop, S.j. Hughes, M Igoillo-Esteve, M.b. Hoppa, F Sayyed, L Van De Laar, J.h. Gunter, E.j.p. De Koning, G.v. Walls, D.w.g. Gray, P.r.v. Johnson, B.c. Hansen, J.f. Morris, Miriam Marichal, Ivan Cnop, A Clark" "Aims/hypothesis Defects in pancreatic beta cell turnover are implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes by genetic markers for diabetes. Decreased beta cell neogenesis could contribute to diabetes. The longevity and turnover of human beta cells is unknown; in rodents" "Influence of ultra-low oxygen (2%) tension on in-vitro human embryo development" "Neelke De Munck, Ronny Janssens, Ingrid Segers, Herman Tournaye, Hilde Van De Velde, Greta Verheyen" "STUDY QUESTION: Is a reduction in the oxygen tension from 5 to 2% during extended culture from Day 3 onwards beneficial for human blastocyst development in vitro?SUMMARY ANSWER: A reduction in oxygen concentration from 5 to 2% O2 after Day 3 did not improve embryo development, quality and utilization rate.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: The human embryo leaves the fallopian tube to reach the uterine cavity around Day 3-4 post-ovulation. As the oxygen concentration ranges from 5 to 7% in the fallopian tube and decreases to 2% in the uterus, reducing the oxygen tension during extended culture from Day 3 onwards seems more physiological. We aim to mimic the in-vivo environment during in-vitro embryo culture. Therefore, we compared the effect of extended culture performed at 5% (control arm) or 2% oxygen (O2; study arm) tension on blastocyst formation and quality.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Between December 2016 and September 2017, in two prospective studies, sibling embryos were randomized on Day 3 to either 5% O2 (control) or 2% O2 (study) for extended culture. In the control arms of both studies 1 and 2, the dishes with blastocyst medium were pre-equilibrated overnight in 5% O2, 6% CO2 and 89% N2 at 37°C. In the 2% study groups, the overnight pre-equilibration of blastocyst media was performed in either 2% O2 (study 1, 99 cycles) or 5% O2 (study 2, 126 cycles). The latter provides a gradual transition from 5 to 2% O2 environment for the study arm.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS: Embryo culture until Day 3 was always performed in 5% O2; if at least four embryos of moderate to excellent quality were obtained on Day 3, the sibling embryos were randomized to either 5% O2 or 2% O2 for extended culture. The endpoints were embryo development and quality on Day 5/6 and the utilization rate (embryos transferred and cryopreserved). Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test, a P-value of"