Review: Ethical responsibilities and transformation strategies of focal companies in the meat supply chain: the implementation dilemma.

In Germany (and other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries), the need for a fundamental transformation of livestock farming has become increasingly evident in recent years. Two broad-based stakeholder commissions including the German farmers' association, the meat industry, and Non-Governmental Organizations have endorsed this demand. Nevertheless, major steps towards its implementation are still missing - a circumstance we refer to in this paper as the implementation dilemma. In a globalised economy, farmers cannot solve the problem of low animal welfare standards alone although they are important actors. Moreover, consumer behaviour is changing too slowly, and possibilities for granting more subsidies are limited in the face of multiple economic crises. Against this background, we argue for a stronger focus on voluntary (private) sustainability agreements. We therefore analyse how the German meat supply chain is organised and what responsibility and power the individual actors have to push the sector's transformation. Large slaughterhouses, processors, and the retailing sector seem promising due to their high market concentration and power. Especially retailers can influence the transformation of the market through their role as gatekeepers between suppliers and consumers. Based on business ethics principles of taking responsibility, we consider the focus on sustainability obligations of the retail sector to be ethically justified. However, it is then necessary to give the four retail groups dominating the meat chain in Germany more leeway for sustainability agreements in antitrust law.

Controlling Near-Surface Ni Composition in Octahedral PtNi(Mo) Nanoparticles by Mo Doping for a Highly Active Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalyst.

We report and study the translation of exceptionally high catalytic oxygen electroreduction activities of molybdenum-doped octahedrally shaped PtNi(Mo) nanoparticles from conventional thin-film rotating disk electrode screenings (3.43 ± 0.35 A mgPt-1 at 0.9 VRHE) to membrane electrode assembly (MEA)-based single fuel cell tests with sustained Pt mass activities of 0.45 A mgPt-1 at 0.9 Vcell, one of the highest ever reported performances for advanced shaped Pt alloys in real devices. Scanning transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (STEM-EDX) reveals that Mo preferentially occupies the Pt-rich edges and vertices of the element-anisotropic octahedral PtNi particles. Furthermore, by combining in situ wide-angle X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and STEM-EDX elemental mapping with electrochemical measurements, we finally succeeded to realize high Ni retention in activated PtNiMo nanoparticles even after prolonged potential-cycling stability tests. Stability losses at the anodic potential limits were mainly attributed to the loss of the octahedral particle shape. Extending the anodic potential limits of the tests to the Pt oxidation region induced detectable Ni losses and structural changes. Our study shows on an atomic level how Mo adatoms on the surface impact the Ni surface composition, which, in turn, gives rise to the exceptionally high experimental catalytic ORR reactivity and calls for strategies on how to preserve this particular surface composition to arrive at performance stabilities comparable with state-of-the-art spherical dealloyed Pt core-shell catalysts.

Microguided Endodontics: a method to achieve minimally invasive access cavity preparation and root canal location in mandibular incisors using a novel computer-guided technique.

AIM: To present a novel miniaturized and minimally invasive treatment approach for root canal localization in mandibular incisors with pulp canal calcification and apical periodontitis. SUMMARY: A 51-year-old male patient presented with pain from his mandibular incisors. The patient had a history of severe dental trauma over 30 years ago. Both mandibular central incisors (teeth 31, 41) were tender to percussion and had a yellowish discoloration. They did not respond to thermal and electrical sensitivity tests. Two periapical radiographs from different projections revealed severe pulp canal calcifications and signs of periapical periodontitis. To facilitate the 'Microguided Endodontics' technique, a CBCT and an intra-oral surface scan were aligned using special software. This allowed the virtual planning of optimal access cavities up to the apical third of the root. In this technique, a 3D-printed template guides a customized drill to the orifice of the root canal. After negotiation of the root canals, conventional root canal treatment was performed. This case report demonstrates that minimally invasive and apically extended access cavities are feasible in mandibular incisors with this technique. KEY LEARNING POINTS: The 'Microguided Endodontics' technique is a safe and minimally invasive method for root canal location and prevention of technical failures in anterior teeth with pulp canal calcification.

Impact of immunosuppressive therapy on therapy-neutralizing antibodies in transplanted patients with Fabry disease.

BACKGROUND: Inhibitory antibodies towards enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) are associated with disease progression and poor outcome in affected male patients with lysosomal disorders such as Fabry disease (FD). However, little is known about the impact of immunosuppressive therapy on ERT inhibition in these patients with FD. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we investigated the effect of long-term immunosuppression on ERT inhibition in male patients with FD (n = 26) receiving immunosuppressive therapy due to kidney (n = 24) or heart (n = 2) transplantation. RESULTS: No ERT-naïve transplanted patient (n = 8) developed antibodies within follow-up (80 ±72 months) after ERT initiation. Seven (26.9%) patients were tested ERT inhibition positive prior to transplantation. No de novo ERT inhibition was observed after transplantation (n = 18). In patients treated with high dosages of immunosuppressive medication such as prednisolone, tacrolimus and mycophenolate-mofetil/mycophenolate acid, ERT inhibition decreased after transplantation (n = 12; P = 0.0160). Tapering of immunosuppression (especially prednisolone) seemed to re-increase ERT inhibition (n = 4, median [range]: 16.6 [6.9; 36.9] %; P = 0.0972) over time. One ERT inhibition-positive patient required interventions with steroid therapy and increased doses of tacrolimus, which also lowered ERT inhibition. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the immunosuppressive maintenance therapy after transplantations seems to be sufficient to prevent de novo ERT inhibition in ERT-naïve patients. Intensified high dosages of immunosuppressive drugs are associated with decreased antibody titres and decreased ERT inhibition in affected patients, but did not result in long-term protection. Future studies are needed to establish ERT inhibition-specific immunosuppressive protocols with long-term modulating properties to warrant an improved disease course in ERT inhibition-positive males.

Labeling strategies to overcome the problem of niche markets for sustainable milk products: The example of pasture-raised milk.

Pasture-raised milk is gaining in importance in some European countries and in the United States. The production of pasture-raised milk is linked to higher costs, as the milk is normally collected and processed separately from conventional barn milk. This could hinder the production of sustainable milk products. We discuss alternative labeling strategies that allow the mixing of pasture-raised (sustainable) and conventional milk to reduce costs and break free from the current niche market. The lower price would allow for more pasture-raised milk to be produced and enter the mainstream market. The aim of this study was to analyze consumers' willingness to pay for alternative labeling types using a discrete choice experiment with 1,065 German milk buyers. The 2 alternative labels, besides the classical labeling approach, are based on the mass balance approach (at least 50% pasture-raised milk in a package) and cause-related marketing (support of farmers who keep their cows on pasture). The discrete choice experiment was combined with a cluster analysis to get a deeper understanding of the buying behavior of the diverse consumer segments for milk. We found that all consumer groups prefer the classical label where products are segregated but also understand the benefits of cause-related marketing. The average consumer was willing to pay €0.50 more for pasture-raised milk certified with the classical label and €0.38 more for pasture-raised milk labeled with a cause-related marketing claim. However, differences between the clusters are strong: The smallest cluster of ethically involved consumers (15%) is willing to pay the highest premiums, especially for the classical label. Cause-related marketing is an interesting alternative for involved buyers under price pressure (41%), whereas the mass balance approach is little understood and thus less valued by consumers. From our results we concluded that cause-related marketing (in our case, the support of pasturing of dairy cows) can be useful for dairies for which it is not efficient to collect and process products separately. This approach is furthermore suitable for reaching consumers who are mainly interested in altruistic issues but at the same time are more price sensitive, as this labeling strategy does not need separate collection and processing and can thereby be marketed at a lower price.

Deviations of different systems for guided implant surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the deviation of different systems for Guided Implant Surgery (GIS) related to the specific tolerance between drills and sleeves. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four different systems for GIS and their appropriate sleeves were used: Camlog Guide (CG), Straumann Guided Surgery (SG), SIC Guide (SIG), and NobelGuide (NG). System-appropriate metal sleeves were inserted into plexiglass boxes, and guided drilling procedure was performed (i) holding the drills in the most centric position of the sleeves and (ii) applying forces eccentrically. Digital microscope images of the plexiglass boxes were taken and axial deviations were calculated based on the Pythagorean Theorem, whereas coronal and apical deviations were measured with a corresponding software-device and calculated by subtracting the measured deviations from the original diameter of the drills. Statistically significant differences between centric and eccentric drilling were determined applying the t-test for independent data. RESULTS: The axial deviation ranged from 0° (SG) to 5.64° (CG). The apical deviations varied between 0.01 mm (SIG) and 3.2 mm (NG) and the coronal deviations ranged from 0.01 mm (SIG) to 1.60 mm (NG). In terms of angular deviation, there were statistically significant differences between centric and eccentric drilling for all four systems. Coronal and apical deviations, showed no statistical significance between centric and eccentric drilling for SIG and NG, in contrast to CG and SG. CONCLUSIONS: The clinician may have considerable impact on the accuracy of GIS when applying eccentric forces.

Guided endodontics: accuracy of a novel method for guided access cavity preparation and root canal location.

AIM: To present a novel method utilizing 3D printed templates to gain guided access to root canals and to evaluate its accuracy in vitro. METHODOLOGY: Sixty extracted human teeth were placed into six maxillary jaw models. Preoperative CBCT scans were matched with intra-oral scans using the coDiagnostix(™) software. Access cavities, sleeves and templates for guidance were virtually planned. Templates were produced by a 3D printer. After access cavity preparation by two operators, a postoperative CBCT scan was superimposed on the virtual planning. Accuracy was measured by calculating the deviation of planned and prepared cavities in three dimensions and angle. Ninety-five per cent confidence intervals were calculated for both operators. RESULTS: All root canals were accessible after cavity preparation with 'Guided Endodontics'. Deviations of planned and prepared access cavities were low with means ranging from 0.16 to 0.21 mm for different aspects at the base of the bur and 0.17-0.47 mm at the tip of the bur. Mean of angle deviation was 1.81°. Overlapping 95% confidence intervals revealed no significant difference between operators. CONCLUSION: 'Guided Endodontics' allowed an accurate access cavity preparation up to the apical third of the root utilizing printed templates for guidance. All root canals were accessible after preparation.

Transcrestal maxillary sinus augmentation: Summers' versus a piezoelectric technique--an experimental cadaver study.

OBJECTIVES: Sinus floor augmentation using transalveolar techniques is a successful and predictable procedure. The aim of the study was to compare the performance of conventional hand instruments using mallets and osteotomes with that of piezoelectric-hydrodynamic devices for maxillary sinus floor elevation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 17 undamaged cadaver heads on randomly allocated sites, Schneiderian membrane elevation was carried out transcrestally using piezosurgery and a hydrodynamic device or by conventional hand instrumentation. After simulation of sinus augmentation by the use of a radiopaque impression material, a post-operative CT scan was carried out and volumes were determined. Statistic significant differences between the two methods were evaluated by nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test with P < 0.05. RESULTS: A mean graft volume of 0.29 ± 0.18 cm(3) (0.07-0.60 cm(3)) was measured for the Summers' technique compared to 0.39 ± 0.32 cm(3) (0.05-1.04 cm(3)) for the Sinus Physiolift(®) technique. There is no statistically significant difference with regard to trauma to the Schneiderian membrane or augmented volume. CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques generate expedient augmentation volume in the posterior atrophic maxilla. The piezoelectric technique can be recommended as an alternative tool to graft the floor of human maxillary sinuses.

The influence of bone marrow aspirates and concentrates on the early volume stability of maxillary sinus grafts with deproteinized bovine bone mineral - first results of a RCT.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate whether bone marrow aspirates (BMA) and concentrates (BMAC) influence the grafts' stability when added to deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) within the first 6 months after maxillary sinus augmentation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 26 CT data of 13 patients undergoing bilateral maxillary sinus augmentation in a split-mouth design were evaluated using the Voxim software by comparing the graft volumes 2 weeks after the sinus lift procedure with CT data obtained 6 months later. DBBM with (N = 6) or without tibial BMA (N = 6) and DBBM with (N = 7) and without adding iliac BMAC (N = 7) were used as grafts. Absolute and percentage changes in the graft volumes were evaluated, and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test and the nonparametric Wilcoxon test were performed to determine significant differences between the graft volumes within each single split-mouth group and between the two groups. RESULTS: Overall, the volumes decreased between 15% and 21%. All single groups showed statistically significant decreases over 6 months of healing. The time-dependent changes in volumes between the different groups were not statistically significant (P = 0.818). CONCLUSIONS: An evident decrease in graft volume over the first 6 months of healing has to be expected irrespectively of graft composite. Neither BMA nor BMAC seem to have an evident impact. Overaugmentation seems recommendable in two-stage maxillary sinus surgery.

Cost-effectiveness of anterior implants versus fixed dental prostheses.

For the restoration of an anterior missing tooth, implant-supported single crowns (ISCs) or fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) are indicated, but it is not clear which type of restoration is more cost-effective. A self-selected trial was performed with 15 patients with ISCs and 11 with FDPs. Patient preferences were recorded with visual analog scales before treatment, 1 month following restoration, and then annually. Quality-adjusted tooth years (QATYs) were estimated by considering the type of reconstruction for replacing the missing tooth and its effect on the adjacent teeth. A stochastic cost-effectiveness model was developed using Monte Carlo simulation. The expected costs and QATYs were summarized in cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. ISC was the dominant strategy, with a QATY increase of 0.01 over 3 years and 0.04 over 10 years with a higher probability of being cost-effective. While both treatment options provided satisfactory long-term results from the patient's perspective, the lower initial costs, particularly laboratory fees, were responsible for the dominance of ISCs over FDPs.

[Pain therapy for Fabry's disease]. / Schmerztherapie bei Morbus Fabry.

Fabry's disease is an X-chromosome linked lysosomal storage disorder with α-galactosidase A deficiency and subsequent multiple organ involvement. An early and common symptom also in later stages of the disease is pain. This pain depends on various precipitating factors and can severely compromise the quality of life. So-called Fabry crises can lead to the necessity for intensive care treatment. The pain can be classified as predominantly neuropathic and is difficult to treat. In addition, medication has to be adjusted to concomitant cardiac and renal involvement in Fabry's disease. This review gives guidance for pain therapy in Fabry's disease based on the available evidence and on experience.

Accuracy of full guided vs. half-guided implant surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The benefit in terms of higher accuracy for full guided implant surgery (template based guided cavity preparation and guided implant insertion) compared with half-guided surgery (template based guided cavity preparation and free-handed, manual implant insertion) has not been proved till now. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 38 identical implants were inserted into five human cadaver jaws, after virtual implant planning with the coDiagnostiX(™) device. All cavities were drilled using templates equipped with tubes for guidance. At random, 19 implants were inserted in a free handed way (half-guided), whereas 19 implants were inserted in a guided way through the templates tubes (full guided). Postoperative cone beam computer tomographies (CBCT) were performed, and based on image fusion the total deviations between the virtual implant positions at the implants base and tip were determined and compared between both implantation modi. RESULTS: The mean difference in accuracy between both implantation modalities at the implants bases was 0.72 mm (range: 0.16-1.17 mm, SD: 0.45). The mean difference in accuracy between both modalities at the implants tips was 0.46 mm (range: 0.16-1.23 mm. SD: 0.49). Although full guided implantation showed a generally higher accuracy (mean tip: 1.54 mm, range: 0.33-3.64 mm; mean base: 1.52 mm, range: 0.4-3.54 mm) than half-guided implantation (mean tip: 1.84 mm, range: 0.84-3.22 mm; mean base: 1.56 mm, range: 0.49-3.43 mm), the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of half-guided implant surgery is comparable with full guided implant surgery.

Intraosseous temperature changes during the use of piezosurgical inserts in vitro.

This study concerns intraosseous temperature changes during the use of piezosurgical inserts. On six fresh pig jaws heated to body temperature (36°C), osteotomies and osteoplasties were performed in vitro with the Piezosurgery(®) 3 device (Mectron, Carasco, Italy) and various inserts. The intraosseous temperature increases were measured at a depth of 3mm and at a distance of 1mm from the working site using nickel-chromium/nickel temperature sensors. 20°C Ringer's solution was used for cooling in an initial test series and 10°C Ringer's in a second series. The processed bone was examined using digital volume tomography images to determine the ratio of cortical to cancellous bone thickness. Mean temperature increases of 4.4-10.9°C were found; maximum temperature peaks were over 47°C for an average of only 8.5 s. The type of piezosurgical insert had a marked influence on intraosseous temperature generation (p=0.026); the thickness of the cortical bone and the temperature of the coolant did not. Coolant temperature had an influence on the bone cooling time (p=0.013). The results show that correct use of the piezosurgery device does not give rise to prolonged temperature increases over 47°C and hence does not cause any irreversible thermal damage in the bone.

Status report on dental implantology in Switzerland in 2006. A cross-sectional survey.

PURPOSE: To present results of a survey on the status of implantology in Switzerland in 2006. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all SSO (Swiss Dental Society) members asking for personal (anonymous) background data and their implantology concepts. Specific questions dealt with level of recognition of implants, use of implants, superstructures, success and failure rates, recall and training. RESULTS: A total of 1568 (47.3%) of the 3315 questionnaires were returned. Straumann, Nobel Biocare, 3i, SPI and Frialit were the most commonly used implant systems in Switzerland. Almost two-thirds (63.8%) of the dentists placed more than 20 implants per year. Long-term prognosis was the crucial factor, whereas material costs played a minor role. The edentulous mandible was the indication of choice, whereas the edentulous maxilla applied less. Almost every dentist active in implantology followed continuing educations programs in the field. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to a study undertaken 12 years ago, the number of dentists engaged in implantology doubled, meaning at least one-third of non-hospital dentists in Switzerland were involved in dental implantology. Overall, willingness to extend the therapeutic range has greatly increased.

"Periodic fever" without fever: two cases of non-febrile TRAPS with mutations in the TNFRSF1A gene presenting with episodes of inflammation or monosymptomatic amyloidosis.

BACKGROUND: Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) is caused by dominant mutations in the TNFRSF1A gene. In typical cases TRAPS begins early in childhood and is characterised by high and remittent fever over a period of 1-4 weeks or longer, accompanied by systemic and local inflammation. CASE REPORTS: Patient 1 presented with recurrent episodes of weakness, migrating myalgias, arthralgias, exanthema, and chest pain lasting for 1-4 weeks, but without any fever over an initial period of 4 years at least. Diagnosis of TRAPS was confirmed by the heterozygous mutation Y20H in TNFRSF1A. Patient 2, a 23 year old woman never had any symptoms indicative of TRAPS. Genetic evaluation of all members of her family with a TRAPS index patient disclosed the T50M mutation in TNFRSF1A. A medical check up showed proteinuria, and renal biopsy disclosed AA amyloidosis. CONCLUSIONS: TRAPS associated mutations can induce considerable inflammation that is not necessarily accompanied by fever. Even monosymptomatic severe amyloidosis can occur in these patients. Genetic counselling and appropriate management to prevent or mitigate amyloidosis may be necessary.

Bond strength of chlorine peroxide.

The bond strength of chlorine peroxide (ClOOCl) is studied by photoionization mass spectrometry. The experimental results are obtained from the fragmentation threshold yielding ClO+, which is observed at 11.52 +/- 0.025 eV. The O-O bond strength D(o) is derived from this value in comparison to the first ionization energy of ClO, yielding D(o)298 = 72.39 +/- 2.8 kJ mol(-1). The present work provides a new and independent method to examine the equilibrium constant K(eq) for chlorine peroxide formation via dimerization of ClO in the stratosphere. This yields an approximation for the equilibrium constant in the stratospheric temperature regime between 190 and 230 K of the form K(eq) = 1.92 x 10(-27) cm3 molecules(-1) x exp(8430 K/T). This value of K(eq) is lower than current reference data and agrees well with high altitude aircraft measurements within their scattering range. Considering the error limits of the present experimental results and the resulting equilibrium constant, there is agreement with previous works, but the upper limit of current reference values appears to be too high. This result is discussed along with possible atmospheric implications.

The LPS receptor (CD14) links innate immunity with Alzheimer's disease.

To rapidly respond to invading microorganisms, humans call on their innate immune system. This occurs by microbe-detecting receptors, such as CD14, that activate immune cells to eliminate the pathogens. Here, we link the lipopolysaccharide receptor CD14 with Alzheimer's disease, a severe neurodegenerative disease resulting in dementia. We demonstrate that this key innate immunity receptor interacts with fibrils of Alzheimer amyloid peptide. Neutralization with antibodies against CD14 and genetic deficiency for this receptor significantly reduced amyloid peptide induced microglial activation and microglial toxicity. The observation of strongly enhanced microglial expression of the LPS receptor in brains of animal models of Alzheimer's disease indicates a clinical relevance of these findings. These data suggest that CD14 may significantly contribute to the overall neuroinflammatory response to amyloid peptide, highlighting the possibility that the enormous progress currently being made in the field of innate immunity could be extended to research on Alzheimer's disease.

Effects of the glenoid labrum and glenohumeral abduction on stability of the shoulder joint through concavity-compression : an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Although the glenohumeral joint is the most mobile articulation of the human body, it is known to exhibit ball-and-socket kinematics. Compression into the glenoid labral concavity keeps the humeral head centered. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of joint position on glenohumeral stability through concavity-compression. METHODS: Ten cadaveric shoulders were tested. The glenoid was mounted horizontally onto a six-component load-cell while the humerus was clamped to a vertically unconstrained slide. An x-y stage translated the load-cell with the glenoid underneath the humeral head in eight different directions. Compressive loads of 20, 40, and 60 N were applied. The tests were repeated in 0 degrees, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees of glenohumeral abduction with and without the labrum. Relative translations between the glenoid and the humeral head and the forces resisting translation were recorded. Then the stability ratio, defined as the peak translational force divided by the applied compressive force, was calculated. RESULTS: The average stability ratio was higher in the hanging-arm position than it was in glenohumeral abduction. The highest stability ratio was detected in the inferior direction (59.8% 7.7%) when the labrum was intact and in the superior direction (53.3% 7.9%) when the labrum had been resected. Under both conditions, the anterior direction was associated with the lowest stability ratio (32.0% 4.4% with the labrum and 30.4% 4.1% without the labrum). Resection of the glenoid labrum resulted in an average decrease in the stability ratio of 9.6% 1.7%. With increasing compressive load, the average stability ratio slightly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Glenohumeral stability through concavity-compression was greater in the hanging-arm position than it was in glenohumeral abduction. The average contribution of the labrum to glenohumeral stability through concavity-compression was approximately 10%, about one-half of the value previously reported. With the labrum intact, the glenohumeral joint was most stable in the inferior direction. Without the labrum, it was most stable in the superior direction. Under both conditions, it was least stable in the anterior direction. Glenohumeral joint stability through concavity-compression decreases with higher compressive loads.

Simvastatin strongly reduces levels of Alzheimer's disease beta -amyloid peptides Abeta 42 and Abeta 40 in vitro and in vivo.

Recent epidemiological studies show a strong reduction in the incidence of Alzheimer's disease in patients treated with cholesterol-lowering statins. Moreover, elevated Abeta42 levels and the varepsilon4 allele of the lipid-carrier apolipoprotein E are regarded as risk factors for sporadic and familial Alzheimer's disease. Here we demonstrate that the widely used cholesterol-lowering drugs simvastatin and lovastatin reduce intracellular and extracellular levels of Abeta42 and Abeta40 peptides in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons and mixed cortical neurons. Likewise, guinea pigs treated with high doses of simvastatin showed a strong and reversible reduction of cerebral Abeta42 and Abeta40 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid and brain homogenate. These results suggest that lipids are playing an important role in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Lowered levels of Abeta42 may provide the mechanism for the observed reduced incidence of dementia in statin-treated patients and may open up avenues for therapeutic interventions.