Fracture hospitalizations between years 2000 and 2007 in Switzerland: a trend analysis

Summary: In Switzerland, the total number and incidence of hospitalizations for major osteoporotic fractures increased between years 2000 and 2007, while hospitalizations due to hip fracture decreased. The cost impact of shorter hospital stays was offset by the increasing cost per day of hospitalization. Introduction: The aim of the study was to establish the trends and epidemiological characteristics of hospitalizations for major osteoporotic fractures (MOF) between years 2000 and 2007 in Switzerland. Methods: Sex- and age-specific trends in the number and crude and age-standardized incidences of hospitalized MOF (hip, clinical spine, distal radius, and proximal humerus) in women and men aged ≥45years were analyzed, together with the number of hospital days and cost of hospitalization, based on data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office hospital database and population statistics. Results: Between 2000 and 2007, the absolute number of hospitalizations for MOF increased by 15.9% in women and 20.0% in men, mainly due to an increased number of non-hip fractures (+37.7% in women and +39.7% in men). Hospitalizations for hip fractures were comparatively stable (−1.8% in women and +3.3% in men). In a rapidly aging population, in which the number of individuals aged ≥45years grew by 11.1% (women) and 14.6% (men) over the study period, the crude and age-standardized incidences of hospitalizations decreased for hip fractures and increased for non-hip MOF, both in women and men. The length of hospital stay decreased for all MOF in women and men, the cost impact of which was offset by an increase in the daily costs of hospitalization. Conclusions: Between years 2000 and 2007, hospitalizations for MOF continued to increase in Switzerland, driven by an increasing number and incidence of hospitalizations for non-hip fractures, although the incidence of hip fractures has decline

Fracture hospitalizations between years 2000 and 2007 in Switzerland: a trend analysis

In Switzerland, the total number and incidence of hospitalizations for major osteoporotic fractures increased between years 2000 and 2007, while hospitalizations due to hip fracture decreased. The cost impact of shorter hospital stays was offset by the increasing cost per day of hospitalization

A Standardized Morpho-Functional Classification of the Planet’s Humipedons

It was time to take stock. We modified the humipedon classification key published in 2018 to make it easier and more practical. This morpho-functional taxonomy of the topsoil (humipedon) was only available in English; we also translated it into French and Italian. A standardized morphofunctional classification of humipedons (roughly the top 30–40 cm of soil: organic and organomineral surface horizons) would allow for a better understanding of the functioning of the soil ecosystem. This paper provides the founding principles of the classification of humipedon into humus systems and forms. With the recognition of a few diagnostic horizons, all humus systems can be determined. The humus forms that make up these humus systems are revealed by measuring the thicknesses of the diagnostic horizons. In the final part of the article, several figures represent the screenshots of a mobile phone or tablet application that allows for a fast recall of the diagnostic elements of the classification in the field. The article attempts to promote a standardized classification of humipedons for a global and shared management of soil at planet level

A standardized morpho-functional classification of the planet’s humipedons

It was time to take stock. We modified the humipedon classification key published in 2018 to make it easier and more practical. This morpho-functional taxonomy of the topsoil (humipedon) was only available in English; we also translated it into French and Italian. A standardized morphofunctional classification of humipedons (roughly the top 30–40 cm of soil: organic and organomineral surface horizons) would allow for a better understanding of the functioning of the soil ecosystem. This paper provides the founding principles of the classification of humipedon into humus systems and forms. With the recognition of a few diagnostic horizons, all humus systems can be determined. The humus forms that make up these humus systems are revealed by measuring the thicknesses of the diagnostic horizons. In the final part of the article, several figures represent the screenshots of a mobile phone or tablet application that allows for a fast recall of the diagnostic elements of the classification in the field. The article attempts to promote a standardized classification of humipedons for a global and shared management of soil at planet level

Longitudinal Study on Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-E. coli in Sentinel Mallard Ducks in an Important Baltic Stop-Over Site for Migratory Ducks in Germany

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious global health threat with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales as the most critical ones. Studies on AMR in wild birds imply a possible dissemination function and indicate their potential role as sentinel animals. This study aimed to gain a deeper insight into the AMR burden of wild waterfowl by sampling semi-wild mallard ducks used as sentinels and to identify if AMR bacteria could be recommended to be added to the pathogens of public health risks to be screened for. In total, 376 cloacal and pooled fecal samples were collected from the sentinel plant over a period of two years. Samples were screened for ESBL-carrying E. coli and isolates found further analyzed using antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing. Over the sampling period, 4.26% (16/376) of the samples were positive for ESBL-producing E. coli. BlaCTX-M-1 and blaCTX-M-32 were the most abundant CTX-M types. Although none of the top global sequence types (ST) could be detected, poultry-derived ST115 and non-poultry-related STs were found and could be followed over time. The current study revealed low cases of ESBL-producing E. coli in semi-wild mallard ducks, which proves the suitability of sentinel surveillance for AMR detection in water-associated wildlife

Genomic Analysis of ESBL-Producing E. coli in Wildlife from North-Eastern Germany

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious global health threat and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales are a major contributor. This study aimed to gain a deeper insight into the AMR burden of wild animals. In total, 1595 fecal samples were collected by two systematic searches in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, north-east Germany. Samples were screened for ESBL-carrying Escherichia (E.) coli and isolates found were further analyzed using antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing. We found an estimated prevalence of 1.2% ESBL-producing E. coli in wild boar and 1.1% in wild ruminants. CTX-M-1 was the most abundant CTX-M type. We also examined fecal samples from wild boar and wild ruminants using shotgun metagenomics to gain insight into the resistome in wild animals. The latter revealed significantly lower normalized counts for AMR genes in wildlife samples compared to farm animals. The AMR gene levels were lower in wild ruminants than in wild boar. In conclusion, our study revealed a low prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli and a low overall AMR gene burden in wild boar and wild ruminants, probably due to the secluded location of the search area

Highly resolved analysis of the chemistry and mechanical properties of an a-C:H coating system by nanoindentation and auger electron spectroscopy

The small-angle cross-section method was applied to a multi-layered hydrogenated amorphous carbon coating (a-C:H) system deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition. The investigated system consists of a silicon rich adhesion layer and an adjacent ramp layer with a graded chemical composition to the a-C:H coating. The mechanical properties and the corresponding chemical gradients of the coating system were analysed by a combination of the small-angle cross-section method together with auger electron spectroscopy and nanoindentation. Furthermore, energy filtered transmission electron microscopy on a thin lamella was used to check the reliability of the auger electron spectroscopy results. It was found that local gradients in the chemical composition within the coating relate well to gradients observed in the local mechanical properties. The used combination of the different methods enables to resolve the correlation between the microstructure, chemical composition and mechanical properties of thin film systems with high spatial resolution

Antibiotic-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Wastewater of Abattoirs

Antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are regularly detected in livestock. As pathogens, they cause difficult-to-treat infections and, as commensals, they may serve as a source of resistance genes for other bacteria. Slaughterhouses produce significant amounts of wastewater containing antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (AMRB), which are released into the environment. We analyzed the wastewater from seven slaughterhouses (pig and poultry) for extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-carrying and colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. AMRB were regularly detected in pig and poultry slaughterhouse wastewaters monitored here. All 25 ESBL-producing bacterial strains (19 E. coli and six K. pneumoniae) isolated from poultry slaughterhouses were multidrug-resistant. In pig slaughterhouses 64% (12 of 21 E. coli [57%] and all four detected K. pneumoniae [100%]) were multidrug-resistant. Regarding colistin, resistant Enterobacteriaceae were detected in 54% of poultry and 21% of pig water samples. Carbapenem resistance was not detected. Resistant bacteria were found directly during discharge of wastewaters from abattoirs into water bodies highlighting the role of slaughterhouses for environmental surface water contamination