Value transfer in ecosystem accounting applications.

Ecosystem accounting is a statistical framework that aims to track the state of ecosystems and ecosystem services, with periodic updates. This framework follows the statistical standard of the System of Environmental Economic Accounting Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA). SEEA EA is composed of physical ecosystem extent, condition and ecosystem service supply-use accounts and monetary ecosystem service and asset accounts. This paper focuses on the potential use of the "Value Transfer" (VT) valuation method to produce the monetary ecosystem service accounts, taking advantage of experience with rigorous benefit transfer methods that have been developed and tested over many years in environmental economics. Although benefit transfer methods have been developed primarily for welfare analysis, the underlying techniques and advantages are directly applicable to monetary exchange values required for ecosystem accounting. The compilation of regular accounts is about to become a key area of work for the National Statistical Offices worldwide as well as for the EU Member States in particular, due to the anticipated amendment to regulation on European environmental economic accounts introducing ecosystem accounts. On this basis, accounting practitioners have voiced their concerns in a global consultation during SEEA EA revision, about three issues in particular: the lack of resources, the need for guidelines and the challenge of periodically updating the accounts. We argue that VT can facilitate empirical applications that assess ecosystem services in monetary terms, especially at national scales and in situations with limited expertise and resources available. VT is a low-cost valuation approach in line with SEEA EA requirements able to provide periodic, rigorous and consistent estimates for use in accounts. While some methodological challenges remain, it is likely that VT can help to implement SEEA EA at scale and in time to respond to the pressing need to incorporate nature into mainstream decision-making processes.

Immature malignant sacrococcygeal teratoma: case report and review of the literature.

Immature malignant sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is a rare tumor, deriving from the three germinal layers and is found in the sacrococcygeal region. It is the most frequent site of teratomas in the fetus. A nut-brown, solid tumor with cystic areas with a ten-cm diameter is reported in the sacrococcygeal region of a female fetus of 23 weeks and with a weight of 308 g. The ultrasound and pathology evaluations revealed characteristics of an immature malignant SCT. The incidence of this tumor type is one in 35,000 to 40,000 live births and females are four times more likely to be affected than males. Sacrococcygeal and cervical teratomas can be diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Teratomas are considered an interesting field for research.

Molecular diagnosis of CMV infection in fetal aborted tissues in the region of Thrace.

PURPOSE: To detect the incidence of CMV infection in spontaneous abortion in Thrace. METHODS: Genetic material from 143 fetuses aged from 11 to 39 weeks was examined. The material originated from various regions of Thrace. All fetuses and the respective placentas underwent routine histopathology. DNA was isolated from sections of paraffinized tissues. Detection of CMV in the DNA genomic samples was performed using a commercial PCR-based detection kit. RESULTS: From the 143 fetuses that were examined, two were found to be CMV positive. Pathological findings related to inflammatory corruptions were observed in the placentas of 97 embryos, including the CMV infected ones. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates CMV-DNA infection in 1.4% of aborted fetuses. CMV infection incidence in aborted fetuses is similar to this reported in other European regions. The molecular technique of PCR applied on paraffin-embedded biopsy material is proven to be an accurate, valid and fast method for investigating the CMV infection in aborted fetuses.