In Car Audio

This chapter presents implementations of advanced in Car Audio Applications. The system is composed by three main different applications regarding the In Car listening and communication experience. Starting from a high level description of the algorithms, several implementations on different levels of hardware abstraction are presented, along with empirical results on both the design process undergone and the performance results achieved

West Nile virus: characterization and diagnostic applications of monoclonal antibodies

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Diagnosis of West Nile virus (WNV) infections is often difficult due to the extensive antigenic cross-reactivity among flaviviruses, especially in geographic regions where two or more of these viruses are present causing sequential infections. The purpose of this study was to characterize a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) produced against WNV to verify their applicability in WNV diagnosis and in mapping epitope targets of neutralizing MAbs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Six MAbs were produced and characterized by isotyping, virus-neutralization, western blotting and MAb-epitope competition. The MAb reactivity against various WNVs belonging to lineage 1 and 2 and other related flaviviruses was also evaluated. The molecular basis of epitopes recognized by neutralizing MAbs was defined through the selection and sequencing of MAb escape mutants. Competitive binding assays between MAbs and experimental equine and chicken sera were designed to identify specific MAb reaction to epitopes with high immunogenicity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All MAbs showed stronger reactivity with all WNVs tested and good competition for antigen binding in ELISA tests with WNV-positive equine and chicken sera. Four MAbs (3B2, 3D6, 4D3, 1C3) resulted specific for WNV, while two MAbs (2A8, 4G9) showed cross-reaction with Usutu virus. Three MAbs (3B2, 3D6, 4D3) showed neutralizing activity. Sequence analysis of 3B2 and 3D6 escape mutants showed an amino acid change at E307 (Lys → Glu) in the E protein gene, whereas 4D3 variants identified mutations encoding amino acid changed at E276 (Ser → Ile) or E278 (Thr → Ile). 3B2 and 3D6 mapped to a region on the lateral surface of domain III of E protein, which is known to be a specific and strong neutralizing epitope for WNV, while MAb 4D3 recognized a novel specific neutralizing epitope on domain II of E protein that has not previously been described with WNV MAbs.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>MAbs generated in this study can be applied to various analytical methods for virological and serological WNV diagnosis. A novel WNV-specific and neutralizing MAb (4D3) directed against the unknown epitope on domain II of E protein can be useful to better understand the role of E protein epitopes involved in the mechanism of WNV neutralization.</p

Spillover Events of Infection of Brown Hares (Lepus europaeus) with Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Type 2 Virus (RHDV2) Caused Sporadic Cases of an European Brown Hare Syndrome-Like Disease in Italy and Spain

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a lagovirus that can cause fatal hepatitis (rabbit haemorrhagic disease, RHD) with mortality of 80\u201390% in farmed and wild rabbits. Since 1986, RHDV has caused outbreaks in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Europe, but never in European brown hares (Lepus europaeus, EBH). In 2010, a new RHDV-related virus, called RHDV2, emerged in Europe, causing extended epidemics because it largely overcame the immunity to RHDV present in most rabbit populations. RHDV2 also was identified in Cape hare (Lepus capensis subsp. mediterraneus) and in Italian hare (Lepus corsicanus). Here, we describe two distinct incidents of RHDV2 infection in EBH that occurred in Italy (2012) and Spain (2014). The two RHDV2 strains caused macroscopic and microscopic lesions similar to European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) in hares, and they were genetically related to other RHDV2 strains in Europe. EBHs are common in Europe, often sharing habitat with rabbits. They likely have been exposed to high levels of RHDV2 during outbreaks in rabbits in recent years, yet only two incidents of RHDV2 in EBHs have been found in Italy and Spain, suggesting that EBHs are not a primary host. Instead, they may act as spillover hosts in situations when infection pressure is high and barriers between rabbits and hares are limited, resulting in occasional infections causing EBHS-like lesions. The serological survey of stocked hare sera taken from Italian and Spanish hare populations provided an understanding of naturally occurring RHDV2 infection in the field confirming its sporadic occurrence in EBH. Our findings increase the knowledge on distribution, host range and epidemiology of RHDV2

How to use implantable loop recorders in clinical trials and hybrid therapy

Epidemiological studies show that atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a doubling of mortality, even after adjustment for confounders. AF can be asymptomatic, but this does not decrease the thromboembolic risk of the patient. Office ECGs, occasional 24-h Holter recordings and long-term ECG event recording might not be sensitive and accurate enough in patients with AF, especially in those with paroxysmal episodes. In one study, 7 days of continuous monitoring with event recorders detected paroxysmal AF in 20 of 65 patients with a previous negative 24-h Holter recording. Over the last decade, enormous improvements have been made in the technology of implantable devices, which can now store significant information regarding heart rhythm. The first subcutaneous implantable monitor (Reveal XT, Medtronic) was validated for continuous AF monitoring by the XPECT study. The dedicated AF detection algorithm uses irregularity and incoherence of R–R intervals to identify and classify patterns in ventricular conduction. Its sensitivity in identifying patients with AF is >96%. Numerous clinical data from continuous monitoring of AF have recently been published. The first applications of this technology have been in the field of surgical and catheter AF ablation. With regard to cryptogenic stroke, an international randomized trial is ongoing to compare standard care with standard care plus the implantable cardiac monitor for AF detection in patients discharged with the diagnosis of cryptogenic stroke: the Crystal AF trial. Continuous AF monitoring provides an optimal picture of daily AF burden, both symptomatic and asymptomatic. Implantable cardiac monitors have high sensitivity, enable better assessment of therapy success and may guide further AF therapy

Long-Term Implications of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation

Background: Scientific guidelines consider atrial fibrillation (AF) complicating degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) a debated indication for surgery. Objectives: This study analyzed the prognostic/therapeutic implications of AF at DMR diagnosis and long-term. Methods: Patients were enrolled in the MIDA (Mitral Regurgitation International Database) registry, which reported the consecutive, multicenter, international experience with DMR due to flail leaflets echocardiographically diagnosed. Results: Among 2,425 patients (age 67 \ub1 13 years; 71% male, 67% asymptomatic, ejection fraction 64 \ub1 10%), 1,646 presented at diagnosis with sinus rhythm (SR), 317 with paroxysmal AD, and 462 with persistent AF. Underlying clinical/instrumental characteristics progressively worsened from SR to paroxysmal to persistent AF. During follow-up, paroxysmal and persistent AF were associated with excess mortality (10-year survival in SR and in paroxysmal and persistent AF was 74 \ub1 1%, 59 \ub1 3%, and 46 \ub1 2%, respectively; p &lt; 0.0001), that persisted 20 years post-diagnosis and independently of all baseline characteristics (p values &lt;0.0001). Surgery (n = 1,889, repair 88%) was associated with better survival versus medical management, regardless of all baseline characteristics and rhythm (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.26; 95% confidence interval: 0.23 to 0.30; p &lt; 0.0001) but post-surgical outcome remained affected by AF (10-year post-surgical survival in SR and in paroxysmal and persistent AF was 82 \ub1 1%, 70 \ub1 4%, and 57 \ub1 3%, respectively; p &lt; 0.0001). Conclusions: AF is a frequent occurrence at DMR diagnosis. Although AF is associated with older age and more severe presentation of DMR, it is independently associated with excess mortality long-term after diagnosis. Surgery is followed by improved survival in each cardiac rhythm subset, but persistence of excess risk is observed for each type of AF. Our study indicates that detection of AF, even paroxysmal, should trigger prompt consideration for surgery

Effects of the different precipitation levels on SAR data.

The present work aimed to identify the impacts of precipitation on the backscattering coefficient from Sentinel-1, in areas with agricultural landscape.Editores: Douglas Francisco Marcolino Gherardi, Ieda Del´Arco Sanches, Luiz Eduardo Oliveira e Cruz de Aragão

Intraspecies Transmission of BASE Induces Clinical Dullness and Amyotrophic Changes

The disease phenotype of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and the molecular/ biological properties of its prion strain, including the host range and the characteristics of BSE-related disorders, have been extensively studied since its discovery in 1986. In recent years, systematic testing of the brains of cattle coming to slaughter resulted in the identification of at least two atypical forms of BSE. These emerging disorders are characterized by novel conformers of the bovine pathological prion protein (PrPTSE), named high-type (BSE-H) and low-type (BSE-L). We recently reported two Italian atypical cases with a PrPTSE type identical to BSE-L, pathologically characterized by PrP amyloid plaques and known as bovine amyloidotic spongiform encephalopathy (BASE). Several lines of evidence suggest that BASE is highly virulent and easily transmissible to a wide host range. Experimental transmission to transgenic mice overexpressing bovine PrP (Tgbov XV) suggested that BASE is caused by a prion strain distinct from the BSE isolate. In the present study, we experimentally infected Friesian and Alpine brown cattle with Italian BSE and BASE isolates via the intracerebral route. BASE-infected cattle developed amyotrophic changes accompanied by mental dullness. The molecular and neuropathological profiles, including PrP deposition pattern, closely matched those observed in the original cases. This study provides clear evidence of BASE as a distinct prion isolate and discloses a novel disease phenotype in cattle

Histo-Blood Group Antigens Act as Attachment Factors of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Infection in a Virus Strain-Dependent Manner

Rabbit Hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), a calicivirus of the Lagovirus genus, and responsible for rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD), kills rabbits between 48 to 72 hours post infection with mortality rates as high as 50–90%. Caliciviruses, including noroviruses and RHDV, have been shown to bind histo-blood group antigens (HBGA) and human non-secretor individuals lacking ABH antigens in epithelia have been found to be resistant to norovirus infection. RHDV virus-like particles have previously been shown to bind the H type 2 and A antigens. In this study we present a comprehensive assessment of the strain-specific binding patterns of different RHDV isolates to HBGAs. We characterized the HBGA expression in the duodenum of wild and domestic rabbits by mass spectrometry and relative quantification of A, B and H type 2 expression. A detailed binding analysis of a range of RHDV strains, to synthetic sugars and human red blood cells, as well as to rabbit duodenum, a likely gastrointestinal site for viral entrance was performed. Enzymatic cleavage of HBGA epitopes confirmed binding specificity. Binding was observed to blood group B, A and H type 2 epitopes in a strain-dependent manner with slight differences in specificity for A, B or H epitopes allowing RHDV strains to preferentially recognize different subgroups of animals. Strains related to the earliest described RHDV outbreak were not able to bind A, whereas all other genotypes have acquired A binding. In an experimental infection study, rabbits lacking the correct HBGA ligands were resistant to lethal RHDV infection at low challenge doses. Similarly, survivors of outbreaks in wild populations showed increased frequency of weak binding phenotypes, indicating selection for host resistance depending on the strain circulating in the population. HBGAs thus act as attachment factors facilitating infection, while their polymorphism of expression could contribute to generate genetic resistance to RHDV at the population level

A shift from distal to proximal neoplasia in the colon: a decade of polyps and CRC in Italy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the last years a trend towards proximalization of colorectal carcinomas (CRC) has been reported. This study aims to evaluate the distribution of CRC and adenomatous polyps (ADP) to establish the presence of proximalization and to assess the potential predictors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We retrieved histology reports of colonic specimens excised during colonoscopy, considering the exams performed between 1997 and 2006 at Cuneo Hospital, Italy. We compared the proportion of proximal lesions in the period 1997-2001 and in the period 2002-2006.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Neoplastic lesions were detected in 3087 people. Proximal CRC moved from 25.9% (1997-2001) to 30.0% (2002-2006). Adjusting for sex and age, the difference was not significant (OR 1.23; 95% CI: 0,95-1,58). The proximal ADP proportion increased from 19.2% (1997-2001) to 26.0% (2002-2006) (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.17-1.89). The corresponding figures for advanced proximal ADP were 6.6% and 9.5% (OR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.02-2.17). Adjusting for gender, age, diagnostic period, symptoms and number of polyps the prevalence of proximal advanced ADP was increased among people ≥ 70 years compared to those aged 55-69 years (OR 1.49; 95% CI: 1.032.16). The main predictor of proximal advanced neoplasia was the number of polyps detected per exam (> 1 polyp versus 1 polyp: considering all ADP: OR 2.16; 95% CI: 1.59-2.93; considering advanced ADP OR 1.63; 95% CI: 1.08-2.46). Adjusting for these factors, the difference between the two periods was no longer significant.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>CRC do not proximalize while a trend towards a proximal shift in adenomas was observed among people ≥ 70 years.</p