Opportunities and limits of the ecosystem services framework in capturing the cultural dimension of sustainable regional and landscape development in protected areas

With regard to protected areas, the concepts of ecosystem services and the cultural dimension of sustainable development (SD) are increasingly under debate. This contribution analyses the role of cultural aspects within the ecosystem services framework using the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment classification as a reference. The limits of the ecosystem services framework in capturing the cultural dimension are highlighted. Potential ways of strengthening the position of cultural values within this framework are discussed.

Percutaneous cement augmentation techniques for osteoporotic spinal fractures

Minimally invasive vertebral augmentation-based techniques have been used for the treatment of spinal fractures (osteoporotic and malignant) for approximately 25 years. In this review, we try to give an overview of the current spectrum of percutaneous augmentation techniques, safety aspects and indications. Crucial factors for success are careful patient selection, proper technique and choice of the ideal cement augmentation option. Most compression fractures present a favourable natural course, with reduction of pain and regainment of mobility after a few days to several weeks, whereas other patients experience a progressive collapse and persisting pain. In this situation, percutaneous cement augmentation is an effective treatment option with regards to pain and disability reduction, improvement of quality of life and ambulatory and pulmonary function.

High life in the sky? Mortality by floor of residence in Switzerland

Living in high-rise buildings could influence the health of residents. Previous studies focused on structural features of high-rise buildings or characteristics of their neighbourhoods, ignoring differences within buildings in socio-economic position or health outcomes. We examined mortality by floor of residence in the Swiss National Cohort, a longitudinal study based on the linkage of December 2000 census with mortality and emigration records 2001-2008. Analyses were based on 1.5 million people living in buildings with four or more floors and 142,390 deaths recorded during 11.4 million person-years of follow-up. Cox models were adjusted for age, sex, civil status, nationality, language, religion, education, professional status, type of household and crowding. The rent per m² increased with higher floors and the number of persons per room decreased. Mortality rates decreased with increasing floors: hazard ratios comparing the ground floor with the eighth floor and above were 1.22 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-1.28] for all causes, 1.40 (95% CI 1.11-1.77) for respiratory diseases, 1.35 (95% CI 1.22-1.49) for cardiovascular diseases and 1.22 (95% CI 0.99-1.50) for lung cancer, but 0.41 (95% CI 0.17-0.98) for suicide by jumping from a high place. There was no association with suicide by any means (hazard ratio 0.81; 95% CI 0.57-1.15). We conclude that in Switzerland all-cause and cause-specific mortality varies across floors of residence among people living in high-rise buildings. Gradients in mortality suggest that floor of residence captures residual socioeconomic stratification and is likely to be mediated by behavioural (e.g. physical activity), and environmental exposures, and access to a method of suicide.

Internationale Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit der Schweiz: vom Forum running zum judgment running?

Zum 65. Geburtstag von Prof. Dr. iur. et lic. oec. Heinrich Koller, haben über 40 Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter des Bundesamtes für Justiz (BJ) eine Festschrift für ihren scheidenden Direktor verfasst. Die in deutscher und französischer Sprache verfassten Beiträge spiegeln das breite Spektrum einer Institution, aus deren «atelier» manch ein Gesetzesentwurf stammt. Oft übersehen wird dabei, dass das BJ aber auch eine «Werkstatt» ist, die das geltende Recht umsetzt und im Rahmen dieser Konkretisierung wichtige Akzente setzt. Die Festschrift bietet damit einen Blick hinter die Kulissen eines wichtigen Kompetenzzentrums für Rechtsfragen und beleuchtet aktuelle Probleme aus «erster Hand». Abgerundet wird die Festschrift mit einem Grusswort des Vorstehers EJPD (Bundesrat Christoph Blocher) und einem Schriftenverzeichnis von Heinrich Koller. Enthalten ist unter Anderem - die Bundesverfassung - weitere wichtige Gesetze und Verordnungen aus dem öffentlichen Recht - ZGB und Nebenerlasse - OR und Nebenerlasse - Erlasse zum Strafrecht und zur Strafrechtspflege - Gesetze zu Gesundheit, Arbeit und sozialer Sicherheit - wichtige Gesetze zu Wirtschaft und Kredit Autorinnen und Autoren Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter des Bundesamtes für Justiz

Quantitative 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy of human brain: Influence of composition and parameterization of the basis set in linear combination model-fitting

Localized short-echo-time (1)H-MR spectra of human brain contain contributions of many low-molecular-weight metabolites and baseline contributions of macromolecules. Two approaches to model such spectra are compared and the data acquisition sequence, optimized for reproducibility, is presented. Modeling relies on prior knowledge constraints and linear combination of metabolite spectra. Investigated was what can be gained by basis parameterization, i.e., description of basis spectra as sums of parametric lineshapes. Effects of basis composition and addition of experimentally measured macromolecular baselines were investigated also. Both fitting methods yielded quantitatively similar values, model deviations, error estimates, and reproducibility in the evaluation of 64 spectra of human gray and white matter from 40 subjects. Major advantages of parameterized basis functions are the possibilities to evaluate fitting parameters separately, to treat subgroup spectra as independent moieties, and to incorporate deviations from straightforward metabolite models. It was found that most of the 22 basis metabolites used may provide meaningful data when comparing patient cohorts. In individual spectra, sums of closely related metabolites are often more meaningful. Inclusion of a macromolecular basis component leads to relatively small, but significantly different tissue content for most metabolites. It provides a means to quantitate baseline contributions that may contain crucial clinical information.

[Mastitis management in Swiss dairy farms with udder health problems]

The objective of this study was to describe the udder health management in Swiss dairy herds with udder health problems. One hundred dairy herds with a yield-corrected somatic cell count of 200'000 to 300'000 cells/ml during 2010 were selected. Data concerning farm structure, housing system, milking technique, milking procedures, dry-cow and mastitis management were collected during farm visits between September and December 2011. In addition, quarter milk samples were collected for bacteriological culturing from cows with a composite somatic cell count ≥ 150'000 cells/ml. The highest quarter level prevalence was 12.3 % for C. bovis. Eighty-two percent of the pipeline milking machines in tie-stalls and 88 % of the milking parlours fulfilled the criteria for the vacuum drop, and only 74 % of the pipeline milking machines met the criteria of the 10-l-water test. Eighty-five percent of the farms changed their milk liners too late. The correct order of teat preparation before cluster attachment was carried out by 37 % of the farmers only. With these results, Swiss dairy farmers and herd health veterinarians can be directed to common mistakes in mastitis management. The data will be used for future information campaigns to improve udder health in Swiss dairy farms.

Loss of DAXX and ATRX are associated with chromosome instability and reduced survival of patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

BACKGROUND & AIMS Sporadic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are rare and genetically heterogeneous. Chromosome instability (CIN) has been detected in pNETs from patients with poor outcomes, but no specific genetic factors have been associated with CIN. Mutations in death domain-associated protein gene (DAXX) or ATR-X gene (ATRX) (which both encode proteins involved in chromatin remodeling) have been detected in 40% of pNETs, in association with activation of alternative lengthening of telomeres. We investigated whether loss of DAXX or ATRX, and consequent alternative lengthening of telomeres, are related to CIN in pNETs. We also assessed whether loss of DAXX or ATRX is associated with specific phenotypes of pNETs. METHODS We collected well-differentiated primary pNET samples from 142 patients at the University Hospital Zurich and from 101 patients at the University Hospital Bern (both located in Switzerland). Clinical follow-up data were obtained for 149 patients from general practitioners and tumor registries. The tumors were reclassified into 3 groups according to the 2010 World Health Organization classification. Samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and telomeric fluorescence in situ hybridization. We correlated loss of DAXX, or ATRX, expression, and activation of alternative lengthening of telomeres with data from comparative genomic hybridization array studies, as well as with clinical and pathological features of the tumors and relapse and survival data. RESULTS Loss of DAXX or ATRX protein and alternative lengthening of telomeres were associated with CIN in pNETs. Furthermore, loss of DAXX or ATRX correlated with tumor stage and metastasis, reduced time of relapse-free survival, and decreased time of tumor-associated survival. CONCLUSIONS Loss of DAXX or ATRX is associated with CIN in pNETs and shorter survival times of patients. These results support the hypothesis that DAXX- and ATRX-negative tumors are a more aggressive subtype of pNET, and could lead to identification of strategies to target CIN in pancreatic tumors.

A comparative assessment of endothelium from pseudophakic and phakic donor corneas stored in organ culture

AIMS To evaluate the endothelial quality of corneas obtained from pseudophakic donors and to compare the data with matched phakic controls. METHODS Corneas from eyes with posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PCIOLs) and corneas from phakic eyes (controls) were stored for 1-2 weeks in organ culture and then examined after staining with Alizarin red S. The corneas were divided into two groups according to the duration of storage. Endothelial cell density, the percentage of hexagonal cells, and the coefficient of variation (CV) were determined. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference between the 14 PCIOL corneas and the 13 controls stored in organ culture for 7 days for any of the three parameters studied. The mean cell density was 2155 (SD 529) cells/mm(2) in the PCIOL corneas and 2118 (453) cells/mm(2) in the controls (p=0.85). The mean percentage of hexagonal cells was 52% (8%) and 58% (7%), respectively (p=0.06). The mean CV was 0.32 (0.18) in the pseudophakic corneas and 0.39 (0.18) in the controls (p=0.33). Moreover, there was no significant difference between the PCIOL corneas and the controls stored for up to 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS The corneal endothelium from eyes with PCIOLs appears to be similar to that of phakic eyes after 1-2 weeks in organ culture. This finding suggests that corneas from pseudophakic eyes should not routinely be disqualified for transplantation. The use of at least some pseudophakic corneas may substantially increase the potential donor pool.