Perspective: Water-Filtered Infrared-A-Radiation (wIRA) – novel treatment options for chlamydial infections?

Water-filtered infrared-A-radiation (wIRA) is a promising therapeutic method, which is particularly used as supportive treatment for wound closure, and wound infection treatment and prevention. High penetration properties of the heat field and beneficial effects on wound healing processes predispose wIRA irradiation to be a non-invasive treatment method for bacterial infections in superficial tissues. Since Chlamydia trachomatis still represents the leading cause of infectious blindness in third world countries (WHO http://www.who.int/topics/trachoma/en/) and wIRA displays beneficial effects on chlamydial infections in vitro without inducing cellular damage in ex vivo eye models and also shows beneficial effects on wound healing, this irradiation technique might represent a promising future treatment for trachoma patients. To this end, further studies investigating shorter irradiation times or irradiation of Chlamydia in chronic infections [the chlamydial stress response (Bavoil, 2014)] as well as safety studies in animal models should clearly be performed

Improved seed train strategy applied to PER.C6® cells for manufacturing readiness in vaccines production

The prevention of infectious diseases is a major goal for global healthcare and vaccines are still among the best preventive tools. The recent Ebola virus outbreak has challenged the vaccine industry to boost the speed to market and process development activities for new vaccines. To be able to cope with infectious disease outbreaks, our company developed an intensified cell and virus culture process using PER.C6® cells and AdVac™ platform. In our intensified process, perfusion bioreactors are used to increase Adeno vector titers while minimizing capital investments. To further increase readiness and flexibility for manufacturability, we improved the current process by substituting the classical cell culture seed train with an innovative concept called LVHD (Large volume high density) where the seed train can be generated from a single bag of cells at high density reducing significantly the time needed for the final cell culture. In the current study the LVHD expansion train in comparison to the classic roller bottle expansion was evaluated in regard to Cost of Goods, facility footprint and operational flexibility. Moreover, the Adeno vector drug substances obtained from the two processes were compared. Finally, the robustness and consistency of our LVHD seed train will be shown by using Monte Carlo simulation approach

Water-Filtered Infrared A (wIRA) Irradiation: Novel Treatment Options for Chlamydial Infections

wIRA has been shown to reduce extracellular chlamydial forms and intracellular chlamydial inclusions in different cell culture infection models, and similarly on different human or animal chlamydial species. Repeated wIRA applications increase the efficacy of treatment in vitro, and in vivo in a guinea pig ocular model of inclusion conjunctivitis. The guinea pig model reflects the human ocular disease trachoma, the most common cause of infectious blindness worldwide which is caused by ocular strains of Chlamydia trachomatis. In this model, ocular wIRA treatment reduces conjunctival chlamydial load and ocular pathology. First insights into the mechanisms of anti-chlamydial activity indicate the involvement of both thermal and non-thermal effects. Interestingly, wIRA treatment of non-infected cells renders them more resistant to subsequent chlamydial infection, suggesting cell-related mechanisms that might involve cytochrome C. Further studies envisage the refinement of wIRA treatment protocols, the enhancement of anti-chlamydial activity by adding photodynamic substances, and characterization of the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic benefit of wIRA

Arbeitszeiterfassung : Rechtslage und Praxis der Arbeitszeiterfassung in Deutschland, Frankreich, Italien und Österreich

In der Schweiz wird verschiedentlich der Wunsch nach einer Lockerung der arbeitsgesetzlichen Pflicht zur Aufzeichnung der Arbeitszeit geäussert. Das Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO hat das Zentrum für Sozialrecht der Zürcher Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften (ZHAW) in diesem Zusammenhang mit einem Gutachten beauftragt. Es ging darum, die Rechtslage wie auch die Praxis der Arbeitsinspektorate in Deutschland, Frankreich, Italien und Österreich zu erheben. Obwohl diese vier Staaten dem europäischen Recht unterstehen und (wie die Schweiz) das ILO-Abkommen Nr. 81 über die Arbeitsinspektion ratifiziert haben, ergeben sich gemäss schriftlichen und telefonischen Befragungen der relevanten Akteure in den jeweiligen Ländern gewisse Unterschiede im innerstaatlichen Recht und in der praktischen Umsetzung

Wohnen im Alter im ländlichen Raum mit Versorgungssicherheit durch Einbezug von Nachbarschafts- und Freiwilligenhilfe

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Analysis of diabetes attitudes, wishes and needs in Switzerland, the Swiss DAWN2™ Study.

AIMS OF THE STUDY Swiss DAWN2™ aimed to evaluate the difficulties and unmet needs of individuals with diabetes and stakeholders, based on the assessments of diabetes care and self-management: the individual burden of disease, the perception of the quality of medical care, and the treatment satisfaction of individuals with diabetes living in the Canton of Bern. The results of the Swiss cohort were analysed and compared with the global DAWN2™ results. METHODS 239 adult individuals with diabetes were enrolled in a cross-sectional study at the Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism at the University Hospital of Bern between 2015 and 2017. The participants completed validated online questionnaires regarding health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-3L) and emotional distress (PAID-5), diabetes self-care activities (SDSCA-6), treatment satisfaction (PACIC-DSF), and health-related wellbeing (WHO-5). Eligibility criteria were as follows: participants were aged >18 years, had a diagnosis of diabetes type 1 or 2 since at least 12 months and gave written informed for the participation in the present study. RESULTS When compared globally, the Swiss cohort reported a higher quality of life (77.28 ± 16.73 vs. 69.3 ± 17.9 EQ-5D-3L score, p 7% correlated to emotional distress (PAID-5, 26.08 ± 23.37 vs. 18.80 ± 17.49, p = 0.024), unfavourable eating habits (4.28 ± 2.22 vs. 4.99 ± 2.15, p = 0.034) and decreased physical activity (3.95 ± 2.16 vs. 4.72 ± 1.92, p = 0.014). Sleeping problems were most commonly reported (35.6%). In total, 28.8% of respondents completed diabetes-related educational programs. CONCLUSION In global comparison, Swiss DAWN2™ showed a lower burden of disease and yet a higher level of treatment satisfaction in patients who were treated in Switzerland. Further studies are required to assess the quality of diabetes treatment and unmet needs in patients treated outside of a tertiary care center

Perspective: Water-Filtered Infrared-A-Radiation (wIRA) – Novel Treatment Options for Chlamydial Infections?

Water-filtered infrared-A-radiation (wIRA) is a promising therapeutic method, which is particularly used as supportive treatment for wound closure, and wound infection treatment and prevention. High penetration properties of the heat field and beneficial effects on wound healing processes predispose wIRA irradiation to be a non-invasive treatment method for bacterial infections in superficial tissues. Since Chlamydia trachomatis still represents the leading cause of infectious blindness in third world countries (WHO http://www.who.int/topics/trachoma/en/) and wIRA displays beneficial effects on chlamydial infections in vitro without inducing cellular damage in ex vivo eye models and also shows beneficial effects on wound healing, this irradiation technique might represent a promising future treatment for trachoma patients. To this end, further studies investigating shorter irradiation times or irradiation of Chlamydia in chronic infections [the chlamydial stress response (Bavoil, 2014)] as well as safety studies in animal models should clearly be performed

Kassenpflichtige Raucherentwöhnung für «kranke» Raucher : Urteil des Bundesgerichts 9C_69/2011 vom 11. Juli 2011, BGE 137 V 295

Das Bundesgericht entschied im Urteil 9C_69/2011 vom 11. Juli 2011 entgegen der Vorinstanz, dass die Nikotinsucht unter gewissen Umständen eine Krankheit darstelle. Das BAG wird die entsprechenden Kriterien definieren müssen. Das Urteil zeigt einmal mehr, dass der Krankheitsbegriff im Sozialversicherungsrecht relativ und funktional ist: Wie andere Süchte begründet auch Nikotinsucht keine Invalidität, kann aber, wie der vorliegende BGE zeigt, zu einer Leistungspflicht der obligatorischen Krankenpflegeversicherung führen