Designing a new science-policy communication mechanism for the UN Convention to Combat Desertification

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has lacked an efficient mechanism to access scientific knowledge since entering into force in 1996. In 2011 it decided to convene an Ad Hoc Working Group on Scientific Advice (AGSA) and gave it a unique challenge: to design a new mechanism for science-policy communication based on the best available scientific evidence. This paper outlines the innovative 'modular mechanism' which the AGSA proposed to the UNCCD in September 2013, and how it was designed. Framed by the boundary organization model, and an understanding of the emergence of a new multi-scalar and polycentric style of governing, the modular mechanism consists of three modules: a Science-Policy Interface (SPI); an international self-governing and self-organizing Independent Non-Governmental Group of Scientists; and Regional Science and Technology Hubs in each UNCCD region. Now that the UNCCD has established the SPI, it is up to the worldwide scientific community to take the lead in establishing the other two modules. Science-policy communication in other UN environmental conventions could benefit from three generic principles corresponding to the innovations in the three modules-joint management of science-policy interfaces by policy makers and scientists; the production of synthetic assessments of scientific knowledge by autonomous and accountable groups of scientists; and multi-scalar and multi-directional synthesis and reporting of knowledge

Failed manual removal of the placenta after vaginal delivery

Purpose A retained placenta after vaginal delivery where manual removal of placenta fails is a clinical challenge. We present six cases that illustrate the heterogeneity of the condition and discuss the etiology and terminology as well as the clinical management. Methods Members of the European Working group on Abnormally Invasive Placenta (EW-AIP) were invited to report all recent cases of retained placenta that were not antenatally suspected to be abnormally adherent or invasive but could not be removed despite several attempts at manual removal. Results The six cases from Denmark, the Netherlands and the UK provide examples of various treatment strategies such as ultrasound-guided vaginal removal, removal of the placenta through a hysterotomy and just leaving the placenta in situ. The placentas were all retained and clinically seemed to be abnormally adherent, but it was only possible to diagnose abnormal invasion in the one case which had a histopathological diagnosis of increta. Based on these cases we present a flow chart to aid clinical management for future cases. Conclusion We need properly defined stringent terminology for the different types of retained placenta, as well as improved tools to predict and diagnose both abnormally invasive and abnormally adherent placentas. Clinicians need to be aware of the options available to them when confronted by the rare case of a retained placenta in a patient who is not bleeding.</p

In Situ Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Ex Vivo Characterization of Renal Crystalline Deposits Induced in Multiple Preclinical Drug Toxicology Studies

Drug toxicity observed in animal studies during drug development accounts for the discontinuation of many drug candidates, with the kidney being a major site of tissue damage. Extensive investigations are often required to reveal the mechanisms underlying such toxicological events and in the case of crystalline deposits the chemical composition can be problematic to determine. In the present study, we have used mass spectrometry imaging combined with a set of advanced analytical techniques to characterize such crystalline deposits in situ. Two potential microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 inhibitors, with similar chemical structure, were administered to rats over a seven day period. This resulted in kidney damage with marked tubular degeneration/regeneration and crystal deposits within the tissue that was detected by histopathology. Results from direct tissue section analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging were combined with data obtained following manual crystal dissection analyzed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The chemical composition of the crystal deposits was successfully identified as a common metabolite, bisulphonamide, of the two drug candidates. In addition, an un-targeted analysis revealed molecular changes in the kidney that were specifically associated with the area of the tissue defined as pathologically damaged. In the presented study, we show the usefulness of combining mass spectrometry imaging with an array of powerful analytical tools to solve complex toxicological problems occurring during drug development.De två första författarna delar förstaförfattarskapet.De två sista författarna delar sistaförfattarskapet.</p

Validation of national empirical pavement design approaches for cold recycled asphalt bases

The applied pavement design procedures differ from country to country within Europe. Especially the use of cold recycling materials which is handled similar to hot-mix asphalt (HMA) in the most available guidelines isn’t sufficient researched. To verify developed procedures, practical trial sections are indispensable. Within this study cold recycled asphalt base layers (CRAB) were assessed according to the German procedure for monitoring and evaluation of road surface conditions. It can be concluded, that the general applied empirical design approach, in which the CRAB layer thickness is increased by 50 % compared to a HMA base will result in a feasible pavement structure. In general, the re-designing of the sections according to various national empirical pavement design approaches partly results in high differences for same layer types