Economic evaluation of water supply systems operated with solar-driven electro-chlorination in rural regions in Nepal, Egypt and Tanzania.

Reliable data on the economic feasibility of small-scale rural water supply systems are insufficient, which hampers the allocation of funds to construct them, even as the need for their construction increases. To address this gap, three newly constructed water supply systems with water points in Nepal, Egypt, and Tanzania were accompanied by the authors throughout the planning and implementation phases and up to several years of operation. This study presents an analysis of their economic feasibility and suggests important factors for successful water supply system implementation at other rural locations.

Reproducibility and reliability of central corneal thickness determination in more and less profound corneal edema using ultrasound pachymetry, a Scheimpflug camera and anterior segment OCT.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of different degrees of corneal edema on the reliability and reproducibility of central corneal thickness(CCT) measurements by a Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam), anterior segment optical coherence tomography(AS-OCT) and ultrasound pachymetry(USP).

Methods: Forty-four patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery were included in this prospective study. All measurements were acquired by two investigators.

The direct thrombin inhibitor melagatran counteracts endotoxin-induced endothelial leukocyte adherence and microvascular leakage in the rat mesentery. Rationale for the treatment of inflammatory disorders beyond sepsis?

The activation of the coagulation system in the course of an inflammatory reaction impairs the function of the microcirculation. By means of intravital videomicroscopy the effect of the direct thrombin inhibitor melagatran on endotoxin-induced microvascular permeability and leukocyte adhesion to microvascular endothelium of rat mesentery was evaluated. Secondly, plasma concentrations of melagatran or interleukin-6 in response to endotoxin or after treatment with melagatran respectively, were determined.

A 22-year-old woman with lower limb arteriopathy. Buerger's disease, or methamphetamine- or cannabis-induced arteritis?

This case report describes a 22-year-old woman with severe arterial ischemia leading to claudication and ulceration of the feet, presumably due to long-term abuse of amphetamine derivates, such as "speed" or "ecstasy," and cannabis. Known causes for peripheral occlusive disease, such as atherosclerosis, vasculitis, or collagen vascular disease, were excluded. Laboratory test results did not show evidence of risk factors for thromboembolic diseases.

Acute rat lung injury: feasibility of assessment with micro-CT.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of micro-computed tomography (CT) for analysis of the lung fine structure and its alterations during endotoxin-induced lung injury.

Materials And Methods: Intravital perfusion-fixed rat lungs with (n = 5) and without (n = 5) endotoxin perfusion were scanned with micro-CT. Three imaging modalities (conventional histology, intravital microscopy, and electron microscopy) were used to document the effect of endotoxin and the in vivo application of contrast agent (a mixture of barium sulfate, gelatin, and thymol).