Fasting therapy - an expert panel update of the 2002 consensus guidelines

Fasting for medical purpose (fasting therapy) has a long tradition in Europe and is established as a defined therapeutic approach in specialized fasting hospitals or within clinical departments for integrative medicine. In 2002, the first guidelines for fasting therapy were published following an expert consensus conference; here we present a revised update elaborated by an expert panel. Historical aspects and definitions, indications, methods, forms, and accompanying procedures of fasting as well as safety and quality criteria of fasting interventions are described. Fasting has shown beneficial effects in various chronic diseases with highest level of evidence for rheumatic diseases. Preliminary clinical and observational data and recently revealed mechanisms of fasting and caloric restriction indicate beneficial effects of fasting also in other chronic conditions such as metabolic diseases, pain syndromes, hypertension, chronic inflammatory diseases, atopic diseases, and psychosomatic disorders. Fasting can also be applied for preventing diseases in healthy subjects. In order to guarantee successful use of fasting and to ensure adherence of all safety and quality standards it is mandatory that all interventions during fasting are guided/accompanied by physicians/therapists trained and certified in fasting therapy

Effektivitaet und Effizienz technischer Normen und Standards fuer kommunale Umweltschutzaufgaben am Beispiel der kommunalen Abwasserentsorgung Abschlussbericht

The objective of the study focused especially on examining the effectiveness of technical standards in the field of municipal waste water systems with regard to imparting knowledge, possible simplification or obstruction of administration, influence on the market and competition. In addition, the economic effects (e.g. rationalisation effects, facilitation of innovative solutions or the entrenchment of suboptimal technologies, other impacts on production and transaction costs, influence on external effects) had to be critically analysed. The process of setting-up standards by private institutions as well as the impacts of the application of technical standards are examined. The process of setting-up standards was evaluated using the materials of standardisation institutions, relevant publications, discussions with experts and in depth interviews regarding 6 selected technical standards. The application of norms was examined in detail using 43 examples for the planning and realisation of sewing or waste water treatment plants. In spite of the deficiencies determined, overall, a positive effect of technical standards can be ascertained. (orig.)Available from TIB Hannover: RN 8908(98-108,1) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEUmweltbundesamt, Berlin (Germany); Bundesministerium fuer Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit, Bonn (Germany)DEGerman

Metal-on-metal: history, state of the art (2010)

The history of metal-on-metal bearing began with K. Mc Kee. Several "episodes" have marked the history of metal-on-metal articulations, and each has contributed to a better understanding of this type of tribology. But to date the indications for this bearing are debated and are subject to reservations because of the existence of permanently elevated levels of circulating metal ions. It therefore appears that the monitoring of our patients, the documentation of our revisions and the collaboration with our industry partners as well as communicating with our biology and pathology colleagues is necessary to help us solve these problems