Canine Angiostrongylus vasorum

The French heartworm Angiostrougylus vasorum is a parasitic nematode that lives in the pulmonary vessels and the heart of canids. Transmission occurs through ingestion of infected intermediate hosts, such as snails and slugs. There are increasing reports of autochthonous infections in our neighbouring countries. Clinical signs usually relate to the respiratory system, coagulopathy and the neurologic system. Anorexia, gastrointestinal dysfunction and weight loss are also frequently observed. Diagnosis is not straightforward, but abnormalities detected by thoracic radiography, echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan can be helpful. Eosinophilia, regenerative anemia and thrombocytopenia with or without abnormalities in the coagulation profile can occur. Definitive diagnosis is made by demonstrating the parasite in the cerebrospinal fluid, in faeces (Baermann technique) and/or in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Treatment consists of anthelmintic drugs and supportive care if necessary

Tree species selection for land rehabilitation in Ethiopia: from fragmented knowledge to an integrated multi-criteria decision approach

Dryland regions worldwide are increasingly suffering from losses of soil and biodiversity as a consequence of land degradation. Integrated conservation, rehabilitation and community-based management of natural resources are therefore of vital importance. Local planting efforts should focus on species performing a wide range of functions. Too often however, unsuitable tree species are planted when both ecological suitability for the targeted area or preferences of local stakeholders are not properly taken into account during selection. To develop a decision support tool for multi-purpose species selection, first information needs to be pooled on species-specific ranges, characteristics and functions for a set of potentially valuable species. In this study such database has been developed for the highly degraded northern Ethiopian highlands, using a unique combination of information sources, and with particular attention for local ecological knowledge and preferences. A set of candidate tree species and potentially relevant criteria, a flexible input database with species performance scores upon these criteria, and a ready-to-use multi-criteria decision support tool are presented. Two examples of species selection under different scenarios have been worked out in detail, with highest scores obtained for Cordia africana and Dodonaea angustifolia, as well as Eucalyptus spp., Acacia abyssinica, Acacia saligna, Olea europaea and Faidherbia albida. Sensitivity to criteria weights, and reliability and lack of knowledge on particular species attributes remain constraints towards applicability, particularly when many species are jointly evaluated. Nonetheless, the amount and diversity of the knowledge pooled in the presented database is high, covering 91 species and 45 attributes

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Bicalutamide (Casodex™)* *Casodex™ is a registered trademark for AstraZeneca. for Adjuvant Treatment of Early Prostate Cancer

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the cost-effectiveness of bicalutamide (Casodex™) as adjuvant treatment in early prostate cancer (EPC).MethodsA Markov state transition model was developed, using disease progression rates from a large (N = 8113) clinical trial program comparing bicalutamide in addition to standard care with standard care alone. Utility scores for different disease stages were obtained from published reports. Costs of disease progression were obtained from a retrospective patient chart analysis in six Belgian centers (n = 60). The time horizon was 15 years and the analysis was conducted from the public payer perspective.ResultsThe model showed good validity in predicting clinical outcomes. At a time horizon of 15 years, an incremental cost-effectiveness of 27,059€/QALY was obtained. The main factors influencing conclusions included the time horizon, the duration of bicalutamide treatment, which was set at a maximum (5 years) in the base case, and possible differences in prognosis of metastatic cancer between comparators. Also the discounting of health effects significantly altered cost-effectiveness ratios. Many of these influences are inherently associated with any cost-effectiveness analysis related to treatment of early, slowly progressing malignancies because such an analysis requires a sufficient time horizon to include not only the treatment costs but its benefits as well.ConclusionBased on the current data, bicalutamide appears to be a cost-effective option for adjuvant treatment of EPC

België ontsnapt niet aan het 'rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus-2'

Since 2016, an extensive spread of RHDV2, a virus variant of the classical rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is ongoing in the Belgian rabbit population. Both variants of the virus usually cause acute death without prior symptoms. Vaccination against both variants of the virus is possible. In Belgium, only a vaccine protecting against the classical RHDV has been registered. On their own responsibility, veterinarians are allowed to import a vaccine protecting against RHDV2 that is registered in another EU member state, in accordance with the so-called legislative waterfall-system. The current epidemiological situation warrants preventive vaccination of rabbits against RHD. It should be noted that myxomatosis is currently rather neglected in view of the increased attention for the RHDV2 spread. Myxomatosis also still causes a high mortality in both wild and domesticated rabbits. Veterinarians should correctly inform the public about the two important viral diseases in rabbits and the possibilities for prevention

Efectos de la profesionalidad en materia de obligación de saneamiento

El Código Civil y Comercial de la Nación en el art. 1036 prescribe que la obligación de saneamiento es, en principio, una cláusula natural en los contratos a título oneroso, y por lo tanto es disponible para las partes, sin perjuicio de lo dispuesto en el artículo siguiente. A su turno el art. 1037 establece que las cláusulas de supresión o disminución son de interpretación restrictiva. La cláusula de saneamiento se torna imperativa e indisponible, en cuanto a la supresión o disminución de la misma, en rigor en los supuestos previstos en el art. 1038. Este artículo establece: “La supresión y la disminución de la responsabilidad por saneamiento se tienen por no convenidas en los siguientes casos: a) Si el enajenante conoció, o debió conocer el peligro de la evicción, o la existencia de vicios; b) Si el enajenante actúa profesionalmente en la actividad a la que corresponde la enajenación, a menos que el adquirente también se desempeñe profesionalmente en esa actividad”. En cuanto a la responsabilidad por daños, el art- 1040 establece que “El acreedor de la obligación de saneamiento también tiene derecho a la reparación de los daños en los casos previstos en el art. 1039 salvo que a) el adquirente conoció o pudo conocer el peligro de la evicción o la existencia de vicios; c) si la transmisión fue hecha a riesgo del adquirente, c) si la adquisición resulta de una subasta judicial o administrativa. La exención de responsabilidad por daños previstas en los incs. a y b no puede invocarse por el enajenante que actúa profesionalmente en la actividad a la que corresponde la enajenación, a menos que el adquirente también se desempeñe profesionalmente en esa actividad”.Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociale