Influence of urban forests on residential property values: A systematic review of remote sensing-based studies

Urban forests provide direct and indirect benefits to human well-being that are increasingly captured in residential property values. Remote Sensing (RS) can be used to measure a wide range of forest and vegetation parameters that allows for a more detailed and better understanding of their specific influences on housing prices. Herein, through a systematic literature review approach, we reviewed 89 papers (from 2010 to 2022) from 21 different countries that used RS data to quantify vegetation indices, forest and tree parameters of urban forests and estimated their influence on residential property values. The main aim of this study was to understand and provide insights into how urban forests influence residential property values based on RS studies. Although more studies were conducted in developed (n = 55, 61.7%) than developing countries (n = 34, 38.3%), the results indicated for the most part that increasing tree canopy cover on property and neighborhood level, forest size, type, greenness, and proximity to urban forests increased housing prices. RS studies benefited from spatially explicit repetitive data that offer superior efficiency to quantify vegetation, forest, and tree parameters of urban forests over large areas and longer periods compared to studies that used field inventory data. Through this work, we identify and underscore that urban forest benefits outweigh management costs and have a mostly positive influence on housing prices. Thus, we encourage further discussions about prioritizing reforestation and conservation of urban forests during the urban planning of cities and suburbs, which could support UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and urban policy reforms.

[Invasive versus noninvasive (MSCT) coronary angiography. Importance of cardiac diagnostics with multislice computed tomography]

Cardiac imaging with fast computed tomography (CT) is a quickly evolving field starting to become established in the cardiac routine work-up. The exclusion of coronary calcification is the most accurate noninvasive method to exclude significant coronary stenosis whereas the detection of calcification identifies coronary arteriosclerosis. The total calcium load correlates with the risk of coronary stenosis, but there is not a 1 : 1 relationship. CT angiography with contrast enhancement offers promises to increase diagnostic accuracy. 4-slice scanners acquire data with a slide width down to 1 mm. The spatial resolution of invasive coronary angiography cannot be achieved yet. Severe coronary stenosis may be excluded with 90% specificity if image quality is not impaired by artifacts, severe calcification, arrhythmia, and a heart rate > 70 beats/min. With present technology, about 26% of segments may not be adequately assessed. Despite these limitations CT angiography is a useful tool to reduce the number of invasive diagnostic angiography. In patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD), progression as well as stent occlusion can be assessed. Instent stenosis can only be diagnosed indirectly. The patency of arterial and venous grafts can be assessed very well including also the bypass insertion site. Actual studies on the significance of noncalcified plaques are in progress.A CT angiography should take place in order to avoid further exposure to radiation. Therefore, patients with typical angina or significant signs of coronary ischemia have to be investigated by invasive methods and do not profit from a CT scan. Preparation and implementation of this method should only be applied in cooperation with radiologists and cardiologists in an experienced center.

Procalcitonin and CGRP-1 mrna expression in various human tissues

Procalcitonin (PCT) is a highly sensitive and specific marker of systemic bacterial infection and sepsis. In contrast to its diagnostic significance, the cellular sources of plasma procalcitonin remain to be clarified. Two forms of PCT mRNAs originate from calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide gene (CALC-I gene) along with mRNA for calcitonin gene-related peptide-I (CGRP-I). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with newly designed primers detecting different PCT mRNAs and CGRP-I mRNA was used to identify tissues that might contribute to PCT production. Our study indicates that a variety of human tissues (13 of the 16 analyzed overall) express PCT-I, PCT-II, and/or CGRP-I mRNAs, with the highest levels detected for liver, testis, lung, prostate, kidney, and small intestine. Various tissues differ in the proportions of PCT-I, PCT-II, and CGRP-I mRNA expression levels. Thus we demonstrate the complexity of tissue-specific regulation of CALC-I gene expression and suppose a variety of tissues as a potential source of CALC-I-encoded peptides.

[The SPHA technic (solid phase hemadsorption) in syphilis serology. A year's experience in routine laboratory procedure]

The first results in routine syphilis serology with the new solid-phase hemadsorption assay (SPHA) are presented. Sera (63019) were screened by the VDRL test and by the automated hemagglutination assay with Treponema pallidum antigen (AMHA-TP). Samples reactive to one or both of these tests were further examined by the FTA-ABS test, the IgM-FTA-ABS test, the 19S IgM-FTA-ABS test (IgM-FTA-ABS test performed with the 19S fraction of the serum after gelfiltration) and the IgM-SPHA test. IgM-SPHA reactive sera derived from patients who were in the early stage or in the phase of latency (of undefinable duration), further from patients with active neurosyphilis and from 26 patients after reinfection. Erroneous results in the IgM-FTA-ABS test caused by a competitive inhibition of IgM by IgG can be eliminated by the IgM-SPHA method. The agreement between 19S IgM-FTA-ABS test and IgM-SPHA test is above 96.3%. As compared to the fluorescence test, the IgM-SPHA test is simpler to perform and can be easily automated.