Biofuels for a Greener Economy? Insights from Jatropha Production in Northeastern Ethiopia

Many observers view Jatropha as a miracle plant that grows in harsh environments, halts land degradation and provides seeds for fuel production. This makes it particularly attractive for use in Ethiopia, where poverty levels are high and the degradation of agricultural land is widespread. In this article, we investigate the potentials and limitations of a government-initiated Jatropha project for smallholders in northeastern Ethiopia from a green economy perspective. Data are based on a 2009 household survey and interviews with key informants, as well as on a 2012 follow-up round of interviews with key informants. We conclude that the project has not contributed to a greener economy so far, but has the potential to do so in the future. To maximize Jatropha’s potential, interventions must focus mainly on smallholders and pay more attention to the entire biofuel value chain.

Taiji practice in Switzerland: a short report

Over the past two decades the demand for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the general population has continuously increased in Switzerland and is frequently implemented in medical teaching. Together with Qigong, Taiji is commonly regarded as a mind-body practice integrating TCM principles of health and longevity. This form of slow intentional body movements is rooted in ancient Chinese martial arts and aims to strengthen and relax the physical body and mind, enhance the natural flow of qi, and improve health, personal development, and self-defense. In the West, as the preventive and therapeutic benefits of Taiji practice are gaining empirical support, the popularity of this form of low impact mind-body practice is increasing. The present article aims to provide a brief overview of the development and current status of Taiji practice in Switzerland with an outlook on future perspectives.

Sozialismus ohne Wachstum und Technologie? Die Linke in der Schweiz und die Umweltfrage 1968–1990

Die Arbeiterbewegung hat sich ursprünglich der sozioökonomischen Schattenseite der Industrialisierung verschrieben. Für die ökologischen Nebenfolgen der technoökonomischen Entwicklung haben die linken Gesellschaftskritiker insofern kein Gespür gezeigt, als der historische Naturschutz bis in die 1970er Jahre eine traditionelle Domäne der Konservativen war. Die Linke verstand sich selbst als „progressiv“ und glaubte, einzig mit dem Fortschreiten von Wachstum und Technologie die Utopie einer sozialistischen Zukunft realisieren zu können. Dann aber – im Zuge der ökologischen Zäsur Ende der 1960er Jahre – wurde das Verhältnis zur Natur aus einer neuen Perspektive betrachtet. Die sich für die Umwelt zuständig fühlenden Kräfte gruppierten sich um. Das Umweltthema geriet in das Blickfeld der Arbeiterparteien, die sich mit dem eigenen Fortschrittsmythos auseinander zu setzen hatten. Wie haben die „Progressiven“ die Diskussion um die Grenzen der wirtschaftlichen und technologischen Entwicklung geführt? Welche traditionellen Denkmuster wurden im Zuge der Lernprozesse ökologisch aufgebrochen? Welchen Einfluss hatte der Umweltdiskurs der Linken auf das gesamtgesellschaftliche Reden und Denken über die Umwelt?

Preliminary study on carprofen concentration measurements after transcutaneous treatment with Vetdrop® in a microfracture joint defect model in sheep.

BackgroundThe present preliminary study describes concentration time courses of the NSAID carprofen in the plasma and synovial fluid in a microfrature sheep model after transcutaneous treatments with a novel application device (Vetdrop®). To treat circumscribed inflammatory processes a transcutaneous application device could potentially be beneficial. After transcutaneous application normally lower systemic concentrations are measured which may reduce the incidence of side effects, whereas efficacy is still maintained.In this study carprofen was used based on its capacity to provide analgesia after orthopaedic procedures in sheep and it is considered that it may have a positive influence on the healing of cartilage in low concentrations.ResultsIn all transcutaneously treated animals, carprofen plasma concentrations exceeded those of synovial fluid, although plasma levels remained significantly reduced (300-fold) as compared to carprofen administered intravenously. Furthermore, in contrast to the intravenously treated animals, a modest accumulation of carprofen in plasma and synovial fluid was observed in the transcutaneously treated animals over the 6-week treatment period.ConclusionsThe transcutaneously administered carprofen using the Vetdrop® device penetrated the skin and both, plasma- and synovial concentrations could be measured repeatedly over time. This novel device may be considered a valuable transcutaneous drug delivery system.

Tritrichomonas foetus: Prevalence study in naturally mating bulls in Switzerland

Switzerland is officially free from bovine Tritrichomonas foetus. While bulls used for artificial insemination (AI) are routinely examined for this pathogen, bulls engaged in natural mating, as well as aborted fetuses, are only very sporadically investigated, indicating that the disease awareness for bovine tritrichomoniasis is low. Natural mating in cattle is becoming increasingly popular in Switzerland. Accordingly, a re-introduction/re-occurrence of T. foetus in cattle seems possible either via resurgence from a yet unknown bovine reservoir, or via importation of infected cattle. The low disease awareness for bovine tritrichomoniasis might favor an unnoticed re-establishment of T. foetus in the Swiss cattle population. The aim of our study was thus to search for the parasite, and if found, to assess the prevalence of bovine T. foetus in Switzerland. We included (1) bulls over two years of age used in natural mating and sent to slaughter, (2) bulls used for natural service in herds with or without fertility problems and (3) aborted fetuses. Furthermore, the routinely examined bulls used for AI (4) were included in this study. In total, 1362 preputial samples from bulls and 60 abomasal fluid samples of aborted fetuses were analyzed for the presence of T. foetus by both in vitro cultivation and molecular analyses. The parasite could not be detected in any of the samples, indicating that the maximal prevalence possibly missed was about 0.3% (95% confidence). Interestingly, in preputial samples of three bulls of category 1, apathogenic Tetratrichomonas sp. was identified, documenting a proof-of-principle for the methodology used in this study.

ZPO/StPO plus Verweise: Schweizerisches Prozessrecht inklusive SchKG und Verwaltungsverfahrensrecht des Bundes

Diese Textausgabe enthält mit der ZPO und der StPO zwei unentbehrliche Gesetze für Zivil- und Strafprozesse. Dank dem Einbezug des Verwaltungsverfahrensrechts des Bundes und des SchKG – neu auch mit weiteren massgebenden Erlassen zu Schuldbetreibung und Konkurs – deckt das Werk alle relevanten Bereiche des schweizerischen Prozessrechts ab. Alle in diesen handlichen Band aufgenommenen 23 Erlasse sind auf dem aktuellsten Stand der Gesetzgebung (Stichtag 1. Januar 2015). Diese für Studium und Beruf bestens geeignete Textausgabe ist mit vielen Querverweisen sowie Hinweisen auf die neuste Rechtsprechung des obersten Gerichts versehen, was eine rasche und umfassende Erschliessung der komplexen Materie ermöglicht. Neu ist das Werk mit Randregistern und Inhaltsübersicht auf der Innenklappe versehen, was das Arbeiten besonders effizient macht.

Split for the cure: VEGF, PDGF-BB and intussusception in therapeutic angiogenesis

Therapeutic angiogenesis is an attractive strategy to treat patients suffering from ischaemic conditions and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF) is the master regulator of blood vessel growth. However, VEGF can induce either normal or aberrant angiogenesis depending on its dose localized in the microenvironment around each producing cell in vivo and on the balanced stimulation of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) signalling, responsible for pericyte recruitment. At the doses required to induce therapeutic benefit, VEGF causes new vascular growth essentially without sprouting, but rather through the alternative process of intussusception, or vascular splitting. In the present article, we briefly review the therapeutic implications of controlling VEGF dose on one hand and pericyte recruitment on the other, as well as the key features of intussusceptive angiogenesis and its regulation.

Genetic identification of an oxyurid from a captive, black-handed spider monkey—implications for treatment and control

Parasites are of major clinical significance in captive primates in zoos, particularly those with direct life cycles. Oxyurid nematodes can be a persistent problem, as infection intensity and environmental contamination with infective eggs are usually high. Observations at the Basel Zoo in Switzerland have revealed that particularly black-handed spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) exhibit continuous oxyurid nematode infection(s), despite regular deworming with anthelmintics. In the present study, using a molecular approach, we were able to identify the nematode (Trypanoxyuris atelis) causing this ongoing problem, and we are now evaluating a practical treatment and control regimen to tackle this parasite problem.

Immunoblotting for the serodiagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis in alive and dead Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber)

A novel species-specific anti-beaver-IgG-alkaline-phosphatase conjugate was synthesized for the development of a new serological test for echinococcosis in beavers. Two different ELISAs conventionally used for human Echinococcus multilocularis serology (Em18-ELISA and Em2-ELISA) yielded diagnostic sensitivities of 0% and 46%, respectively. In contrast, the subsequently developed immunoblotting assay gave an 85% diagnostic sensitivity (11 out of 13 beavers with alveolar echinococcosis were immunoblotting-positive, i.e. showed reactivity with a specific 21 Mr band), and maximal specificity. In conclusion, this immunoblotting assay should be the method of choice for use in serological studies on E. multilocularis in Eurasian beavers, and the test proved suitable to investigate both animals alive and post-mortem.

Decision-making in aortic root surgery in Marfan syndrome: bleeding, thromboembolism and risk of reintervention after valve-sparing or mechanical aortic root replacement†

OBJECTIVES Valve-sparing root replacement (VSRR) is thought to reduce the rate of thromboembolic and bleeding events compared with aortic root replacement using a mechanical aortic root replacement (MRR) with a composite graft by avoiding oral anticoagulation. But as VSRR carries a certain risk for subsequent reinterventions, decision-making in the individual patient can be challenging. METHODS Of 100 Marfan syndrome (MFS) patients who underwent 169 aortic surgeries and were followed at our institution since 1995, 59 consecutive patients without a history of dissection or prior aortic surgery underwent elective VSRR or MRR and were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS VSRR was performed in 29 (David n = 24, Yacoub n = 5) and MRR in 30 patients. The mean age was 33 ± 15 years. The mean follow-up after VSRR was 6.5 ± 4 years (180 patient-years) compared with 8.8 ± 9 years (274 patient-years) after MRR. Reoperation rates after root remodelling (Yacoub) were significantly higher than after the reimplantation (David) procedure (60 vs 4.2%, P = 0.01). The need for reinterventions after the reimplantation procedure (0.8% per patient-year) was not significantly higher than after MRR (P = 0.44) but follow-up after VSRR was significantly shorter (P = 0.03). There was neither significant morbidity nor mortality associated with root reoperations. There were no neurological events after VSRR compared with four stroke/intracranial bleeding events in the MRR group (log-rank, P = 0.11), translating into an event rate of 1.46% per patient-year following MRR. CONCLUSION The calculated annual failure rate after VSRR using the reimplantation technique was lower than the annual risk for thromboembolic or bleeding events. Since the perioperative risk of reinterventions following VSRR is low, patients might benefit from VSRR even if redo surgery may become necessary during follow-up.

BrainCheck - a very brief tool to detect incipient cognitive decline: optimized case-finding combining patient- and informant-based data.

INTRODUCTION Optimal identification of subtle cognitive impairment in the primary care setting requires a very brief tool combining (a) patients' subjective impairments, (b) cognitive testing, and (c) information from informants. The present study developed a new, very quick and easily administered case-finding tool combining these assessments ('BrainCheck') and tested the feasibility and validity of this instrument in two independent studies. METHODS We developed a case-finding tool comprised of patient-directed (a) questions about memory and depression and (b) clock drawing, and (c) the informant-directed 7-item version of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). Feasibility study: 52 general practitioners rated the feasibility and acceptance of the patient-directed tool. Validation study: An independent group of 288 Memory Clinic patients (mean ± SD age = 76.6 ± 7.9, education = 12.0 ± 2.6; 53.8% female) with diagnoses of mild cognitive impairment (n = 80), probable Alzheimer's disease (n = 185), or major depression (n = 23) and 126 demographically matched, cognitively healthy volunteer participants (age = 75.2 ± 8.8, education = 12.5 ± 2.7; 40% female) partook. All patient and healthy control participants were administered the patient-directed tool, and informants of 113 patient and 70 healthy control participants completed the very short IQCODE. RESULTS Feasibility study: General practitioners rated the patient-directed tool as highly feasible and acceptable. Validation study: A Classification and Regression Tree analysis generated an algorithm to categorize patient-directed data which resulted in a correct classification rate (CCR) of 81.2% (sensitivity = 83.0%, specificity = 79.4%). Critically, the CCR of the combined patient- and informant-directed instruments (BrainCheck) reached nearly 90% (that is 89.4%; sensitivity = 97.4%, specificity = 81.6%). CONCLUSION A new and very brief instrument for general practitioners, 'BrainCheck', combined three sources of information deemed critical for effective case-finding (that is, patients' subject impairments, cognitive testing, informant information) and resulted in a nearly 90% CCR. Thus, it provides a very efficient and valid tool to aid general practitioners in deciding whether patients with suspected cognitive impairments should be further evaluated or not ('watchful waiting').

Comparison of three different brushing techniques to isolate and culture primary nasal epithelial cells from human subjects.

PURPOSE Primary nasal epithelial cells are used for diagnostic purposes in clinical routine and have been shown to be good surrogate models for bronchial epithelial cells in studies of airway inflammation and remodeling. We aimed at comparing different instruments allowing isolation of nasal epithelial cells. METHODS Primary airway epithelial cell cultures were established using cells acquired from the inferior surface of the middle turbinate of both nostrils. Three different instruments to isolate nasal cells were used: homemade cytology brush, nasal swab, and curette. Cell count, viability, time until a confluent cell layer was reached, and success rate in establishing cell cultures were evaluated. A standard numeric pain intensity scale was used to assess the acceptability of each instrument. RESULTS Sixty healthy adults (median with interquartile range [IQR] age of 31 [26-37] years) participated in the study. Higher number of cells (×10(5) cells/ml) was obtained using brushes (9.8 [5.9-33.5]) compared to swabs (2.4 [1.5-3.9], p < 0.0001) and curettes (5.5 [4.4-6.9], p < 0.01). Cell viability was similar between groups. Cells obtained by brushes had the fastest growth rate, and the success rate in establishing primary cell cultures was highest with brushes (90% vs. 65% for swabs and 70% for curettes). Pain was highest with curettes (VAS score 4.0 [3.0-5.0] out of 10). The epithelial phenotype of the cultures was confirmed through cytokeratin and E-cadherin staining. CONCLUSIONS All three types of instruments allow collection and growth of human nasal epithelial cells with good acceptability to study participants. The most efficient instrument is the nasal brush.