Computerized respiratory sounds can differentiate smokers and non-smokers

Cigarette smoking is often associated with the development of several respiratory diseases however, if diagnosed early, the changes in the lung tissue caused by smoking may be reversible. Computerised respiratory sounds have shown to be sensitive to detect changes within the lung tissue before any other measure, however it is unknown if it is able to detect changes in the lungs of healthy smokers. This study investigated the differences between computerised respiratory sounds of healthy smokers and non-smokers. Healthy smokers and non-smokers were recruited from a university campus. Respiratory sounds were recorded simultaneously at 6 chest locations (right and left anterior, lateral and posterior) using air-coupled electret microphones. Airflow (1.0–1.5 l/s) was recorded with a pneumotachograph. Breathing phases were detected using airflow signals and respiratory sounds with validated algorithms. Forty-four participants were enrolled: 18 smokers (mean age 26.2, SD = 7 years; mean FEV1 % predicted 104.7, SD = 9) and 26 non-smokers (mean age 25.9, SD = 3.7 years; mean FEV1 % predicted 96.8, SD = 20.2). Smokers presented significantly higher frequency at maximum sound intensity during inspiration [(M = 117, SD = 16.2 Hz vs. M = 106.4, SD = 21.6 Hz; t(43) = −2.62, p = 0.0081, d z = 0.55)], lower expiratory sound intensities (maximum intensity: [(M = 48.2, SD = 3.8 dB vs. M = 50.9, SD = 3.2 dB; t(43) = 2.68, p = 0.001, d z = −0.78)]; mean intensity: [(M = 31.2, SD = 3.6 dB vs. M = 33.7,SD = 3 dB; t(43) = 2.42, p = 0.001, d z = 0.75)] and higher number of inspiratory crackles (median [interquartile range] 2.2 [1.7–3.7] vs. 1.5 [1.2–2.2], p = 0.081, U = 110, r = −0.41) than non-smokers. Significant differences between computerised respiratory sounds of smokers and non-smokers have been found. Changes in respiratory sounds are often the earliest sign of disease. Thus, computerised respiratory sounds might be a promising measure to early detect smoking related respiratory diseases

Fighting multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae by using lytic phages

Introduction: The pandemic diffusion of KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) represents a major public health problem, given their wide spread in nosocomial environments, their extensive multidrug resistance profiles and the very high mortality rates1,2. Here we characterized two phages able to specifically lyse isolates of the pandemic clones of KPC-Kp, and demonstrated their ability in the protection towards death in a Galleria mellonella infection model. Material & Methods: Bacteriophages were isolated from hospital wastewaters. Host specificity was assessed by spot technique. Phages were characterized by TEM and WGS analysis. The ability of phages to protect towards death was assessed by using a G. mellonella infection model. Results: Phages were able to selectively lyse specific KPC-Kp lineages (i.e. CG258-clade I, CG258-clade II)3,4. One phage belonged to Myoviridae, while the other was of the Podoviridae family. Phages were able to protect towards death larvae of G. mellonella infected by representatives of the 2 CG258 clades, including one isolate with a hypermucoviscous phenotype. Conclusion: To our best knowledge these are the first characterized lytic phages targeting KPC-Kp strains of this pandemic CG that could be of potential interest to develop new agents for the treatment of KPC-Kp infections and for decolonization purposes. References: 1. Munoz-Price, L. S., et al. Clinical epidemiology of the global expansion of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases. Lancet Infect. Dis. 13, 785-796 (2013). 2. Lee, C. R. et al. Global dissemination of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumonia epidemiology, genetic context, treatment options, and detection methods. Front. Microbiol. 7, 895;10.3389/fmicb.2016.00895 (2016). 3. Chen, L., Mathema, B., Pitout, J. D., DeLeo, F. R. & Kreiswirth B. N. Epidemic Klebsiella pneumonia ST258 is a hybrid strain. MBio 5, e01355-14; mBio.01355-14 (2014). 4. D'Andrea, M. M. et al. Diversity of capsular polysaccharide gene clusters in KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates of sequence type 258 involved in the Italian epidemic. PLoS One 9,96827. 10.1371/journal.pone.0096827 (2014)

Solar proton events at the end of the 23rd and start of the 24th solar cycle recorded in the PAMELA experiment

The PAMELA magnetic spectrometer was launched into a near-Earth orbit on board the Resurs-DK1 satellite in June 2006; in December 2006, it recorded the last strong solar high-energy particle event of the 23rd solar cycle. A deficit was thereafter observed in solar energetic particle events because of the lengthy solar activity minimum and the weak evolution of the next (24th) solar cycle. As a result, only a few solar events involving protons with energies of more than 100 MeV were recorded between 2010 and 1012. This work presents the preliminary results from measurements of charged particle fluxes in these events, recorded by the Pamela spectrometer. �� 2013 Allerton Press, Inc