Zur Politischen Ökonomie öffentlicher Infrastrukturausgaben*

This article reviews results from the literature on the political-economy determinants of infrastructure investments. I discuss three criteria which may be applied to describe efficiency, redistribution and equity concerns of governments when using infrastructure investments as a means of regional policy. Using the planned investment figures of highway construction in the German federal states, I demonstrate that these criteria often lead to conflicting priorities regarding infrastructure investment allocation across regions. Finally, I summarize the findings of previous studies on the political factors that influence infrastructure investment decisions. Copyright 2007 die Autoren Journal compilation 2007, Verein für Socialpolitik und Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Microbiological contamination of a hemodialysis center water distribution system Contaminação microbiológica no sistema de distribuição de água de um centro de hemodiálise

The microbiological monitoring of the water used for hemodialysis is extremely important, especially because of the debilitated immune system of patients suffering from chronic renal insufficiency. To investigate the occurrence and species diversity of bacteria in waters, water samples were collected monthly from a hemodialysis center in upstate São Paulo and tap water samples at the terminal sites of the distribution system was sampled repeatedly (22 times) at each of five points in the distribution system; a further 36 samples were taken from cannulae in 19 hemodialysis machines that were ready for the next patient, four samples from the reuse system and 13 from the water storage system. To identify bacteria, samples were filtered through 0.22 µm-pore membranes; for mycobacteria, 0.45 µm pores were used. Conventional microbiological and molecular methods were used in the analysis. Bacteria were isolated from the distribution system (128 isolates), kidney machine water (43) and reuse system (3). Among these isolates, 32 were Gram-positive rods, 120 Gram-negative rods, 20 Gram-positive cocci and 11 mycobacteria. We propose the continual monitoring of the water supplies in hemodialysis centers and the adoption of effective prophylactic measures that minimize the exposure of these immunodeficient patients to contaminated sources of water.<br>O monitoramento microbiológico da água utilizada no procedimento de hemodiálise é de extrema importância, principalmente devido à imunodebilidade dos pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica. Nosso objetivo foi verificar qualitativa e quantitativamente a presença de bactérias na água de um centro de hemodiálise do interior do Estado de São Paulo. Foram realizadas 22 coletas de cada um dos cinco pontos do sistema de distribuição; 36 amostras de 19 máquinas de hemodiálise, prontas para utilização; quatro amostras do sistema de reuso e 13 amostras do sistema de armazenamento de água, empregando-se a técnica da membrana filtrante com poros de 0,22 µm para bactérias e de 0,45 µm para micobactérias. A identificação foi realizada através de métodos microbiológicos convencionais e de biologia molecular. Isolados bacterianos foram obtidos de sistema de distribuição (128), águas das máquinas (43) e sistema de reuso (3). Entre os isolados 32 foram de bacilos Gram-positivos, 120 bacilos Gram-negativos, 20 Cocos Gram-positivos e 11 micobactérias. Neste estudo, sugerimos que suprimentos de água para o Centro de Hemodiálise devam ser monitorados, adotando-se medidas profiláticas eficazes que minimizem a exposição destes pacientes imunodeficientes a fontes aquáticas ambientais contaminadas

Effect of microcystin-LR on protein phosphatase 2A and its function in human amniotic epithelial cells*

Due to their toxicity, the increased distribution of microcystins (MCs) has become an important worldwide problem. MCs have been recognized as inhibitors of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) through their binding to the PP2A catalytic subunit. However, the exact mechanism of MC toxicity has not been elucidated, especially concerning the cellular response and its autoregulation. To further dissect the role of PP2A in MC-induced toxicity, the present study was undertaken to determine the response of PP2A in human amniotic epithelial (FL) cells treated with microcystin-LR (MCLR), one of the MC congeners. The results show that a low-dose treatment of MCLR in FL cells for 6 h induced an increase in PP2A activity, and a high-dose treatment of MCLR for 24 h decreased the activity of PP2A, as expected. The increased mRNA and protein levels of the PP2A C subunit may explain the increased activity of PP2A. Furthermore, MCLR altered microtubule post-translational modifications through PP2A. These results further clarify the underlying mechanism how MCLR affects PP2A and may be helpful for elucidating the complex toxicity of MCLR