Neuroprotection from inflammation: Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis facilitates traumatic spinal cord injury recovery

Passive immunization with T cells activated against central nervous system (CNS) - associated myelin antigens has been found to provide neuroprotection following CNS trauma, leading to the concept of protective autoimmunity. However, limited research exists about whether actively induced CNS autoimmunity may offer any similar benefit. In this study, the kinetics and the effect of endogenously anti-myelin activated T cells following spinal cord injury (SCI), were investigated. Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) was actively induced in Lewis rats following immunization with myelin basic protein (MBP). In vivo 5-Bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation from activated T cells was used as a marker of T cell- proliferation. BrdU was injected on 5th, 6th and 7th day post-induction (DPI) at all EAE-animals. On DPI 8, spinal cord compressive injury was induced by a transient extradural application of an aneurysm clip at the T8 spinal level. SCI resulted in spastic paralysis of hindlimbs, in all but sham-injured animals. Recovery from SCI was significantly better in EAE-animals. Activated mononuclear cells were selectively accumulated at the site of the injury. Axonal loss was less in the EAE group following SCI. Our findings indicate that actively induced autoimmunity against CNS myelin antigens may protect spinal cord pathways from mechanical injury

A platform for health record management of the conscripts in the Hellenic Navy

Summarization: eMass project aims to digitalize the medical examination procedure of recruitment phase of conscripts in the Hellenic Navy. eMass integrates recruits’ Electronic Health Record (EHR), while allows a pre-screening test, through portable telemedicine equipment. The data will be exploited to assess the individual’s cardiovascular risk through appropriate digital tools and algorithms. The eMass digital platform, will be accessible to health experts involved in the recruitment procedure for further assessment and processing. Recruits’ personal data is stored in the database encrypted using Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). eMass solution contributes to beneficial management and medical data analysis, preventing inessential physical or medical examinations minimizing danger of possible errors and reducing time-consuming processes. Moreover, eMass exploits Electronic Health Record data through a machine-learning based cardiovascular risk assessment tool.Appearing in: Public Health and Informatic