Attraction of human monocytes by the neuropeptide secretoneurin

AbstractSecretoneurin is a newly discovered 33-amino-acid peptide derived from secretogranin II (chromogranin C) that is found in sensory afferent C-fibers. We show here that secretoneurin triggers the selective migration of human monocytes in vitro and in vivo. Combinations of secretoneurin with the sensory neuropeptides, substance P or somatostatin, synergistically stimulate such migration. The attraction of monocytes represents the first established function of secretoneurin as a sensory neuropeptide

Near Earth space plasma monitoring under COST 296

This review paper presents the main achievements of the near Earth space plasma monitoring under COST 296 Action. The outputs of the COST 296 community making data, historical and real-time, standardized and available to the ionospheric community for their research, applications and modeling purposes are presented. The contribution of COST 296 with the added value of the validated data made possible a trusted ionospheric monitoring for research and modeling purposes, and it served for testing and improving the algorithms producing real-time data and providing data users measurement uncertainties. These value added data also served for calibration and validation of space-borne sensors. New techniques and parameters have been developed for monitoring the near Earth space plasma, as time dependent 2D maps of vertical total electron content (vTEC), other key ionospheric parameters and activity indices for distinguishing disturbed ionospheric conditions, as well as a technique for improving the discrepancies of different mapping services. The dissemination of the above products has been developed by COST 296 participants throughout the websites making them available on-line for real-time applications

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Reconstruction of topside density profile by using the topside sounder model profiler and digisonde data

To improve the accuracy of the real time topside electron density profiles given by the Digisonde software a new model-assisted technique is used. This technique uses the Topside Sounder Model (TSM), which provides the plasma scale height (Hs), O+–H+ transition height (HT), and their ratio Rt = Hs/HT, derived from topside sounder data of Alouette and ISIS satellites. The Topside Sounder Model Profiler (TSMP) incorporates TSM and uses the model quantities as anchor points in construction of topside density (Ne) profiles. For any particular location, TSMP calculates topside Ne profiles by specifying the values of foF2 and hmF2. In the present version, TSMP takes the F2 peak characteristics – foF2, hmF2, and the scale height at hmF2 – from the Digisonde measurements. The paper shows results for the Digisonde stations Athens and Juliusruh. It is found that the topside scale height used in Digisonde reconstruction is less than that extracted from topside sounder profiles. Rough comparison of their bulk distributions showed that they differ by an average factor of 1.25 for locations of Athens and Juliusruh. When the Digisonde scale heights are adjusted by this factor, the reconstructed topside profiles are close to those provided by TSM. Compared with CHAMP reconstruction profiles in two cases, TSMP/Digisonde profiles show lower density between 400 and 2000 km

Analysis of the IMAGE RPI electron density data and CHAMP plasmasphere electron density reconstructions with focus on plasmasphere modelling

The electron density of the topside ionosphere and the plasmasphere contributes essentially to the overall Total Electron Content (TEC) budget affecting Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) signals. The plasmasphere can cause half or even more of the GNSS range error budget due to ionospheric propagation errors. This paper presents a comparative study of different plasmasphere and topside ionosphere data aiming at establishing an appropriate database for plasmasphere modelling. We analyze electron density profiles along the geomagnetic field lines derived from the Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) satellite/Radio Plasma Imager (RPI) records of remote plasma sounding with radio waves. We compare these RPI profiles with 2D reconstructions of the topside ionosphere and plasmasphere electron density derived from GNSS based TEC measurements onboard the Challenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) satellite. In summary, the results encourage the application of IMAGE RPI data for plasmasphere and plasmapause modeling

Assessment of the Topside Sounder Model Profiler performance

In this investigation we apply a model-assisted technique to construct the topside electron density profile.This technique is based on the Topside Sounder Model (TSM), which provides the plasma scale height (Ts), O+/H+ transition height (Th), and their ratio Rt=Ts/Th, derived from topside sounder data of Alouette and ISIS satellites. The Topside Sounder Model Profiler (TSMP) incorporates TSM and uses the model quantities as anchor points for the construction of topside density (Ne) profiles. In the present version, TSMP takes the F2 peak characteristics – foF2, hmF2, and the neutral scale height HmF2 at hmF2– from ground-based Digisonde measurements. Previous investigations have demonstrated that HmF2, used in the Digisondes to construct the topside profiles, is smaller than the topside scale height extracted from topside sounder profiles, at middle latitudes. Therefore the Digisonde scale heights have to be adjusted by a factor estimated for each Digisonde location. When the Digisonde scale height is corrected by this factor, the reconstructed topside profiles are close to those provided by TSM. The new TSMP/Digisonde assisted technique of topside profile construction can improve the topside profiles from the worldwide network of Digisonde sounders. Extensive comparison and verification with ground and satellite derived TEC assesses the performance of the proposed technique. A first indication from the comparison with CHAMP reconstructed profiles shows lower density of TSMP/Digisonde profiles between 400 km and 2000 km. Further comparisons with Vary-Chap profiles and RPI plasmagrams from the IMAGE satellite will lead to useful conclusions concerning the performance of the proposed method up to geosynchronous altitudes

A new method for reconstruction of the vertical electron density distribution in the upper ionosphere and plasmasphere

Ground-based ionosphere sounding measurements alone are incapable of reliably modeling the topside electron density distribution above the F layer peak density height. Such information can be derived from Global Positioning System (GPS)-based total electron content (TEC) measurements. A novel technique is presented for retrieving the electron density height profile from three types of measurements: ionosonde (foF2, foE, M3000F2, hmf2), TEC (GPS-based), and O+-H+ ion transition level. The method employs new formulae based on Chapman, sech-squared, and exponential ionosphere profilers to construct a system of equations, the solution of which system provides the unknown ion scale heights, sufficient to construct a unique electron density profile at the site of measurements. All formulae are based on the assumption of diffusive equilibrium with constant scale height for each ion species. The presented technique is most suitable for middle- and high-geomagnetic latitudes and possible applications include: development, evaluation, and improvement of theoretical and empirical ionospheric models, development of similar reconstruction methods utilizing low-earth-orbiting satellite measurements of TEC, operational reconstruction of the electron density on a real-time basis, etc

COST 296 scientific results designed for operational use

&lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;The main objective of the COST 296 Action «Mitigation of Ionospheric Effects on Radio Systems» is the establishment/&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;improvement of ionospheric services by coordinating the development of specific algorithms, models,&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;and tools capable of operating in a near-real-time mode.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;Key elements of these activities are contributions related to monitoring, modelling, and imaging of customer-relevant&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;ionospheric quantities. COST stimulates, coordinates, and supports Europe’s goals of development and&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;global cooperation by providing high quality information and knowledge of ionospheric and plasmaspheric conditions&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;enabling high quality and reliable operation of radio systems.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;It also provides a platform for sharing such tools as algorithms or models, and for the joint development of advanced&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;technologies. It takes advantage of many national and European service initiatives, for example DIAS&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;(http://dias.space.noa.gr), SWACI (http://w3swaci.dlr.de), ESWUA (http://www.eswua.ingv.it/ingv), RWC-Warsaw&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;(http://www.cbk.waw.pl/rwc), the COST Prompt Ionospheric Database http://www.wdc.rl.ac.uk/cgibin/&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;digisondes/cost_database.pl, http://www.izmiran.ru/services, and others.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;Existing national capabilities are taken into account to develop synergies and avoid duplication. The enhancement&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;of environment monitoring networks and associated instrumentation yields mutual advantages for European&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;and regional services specialized for local user needs.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;It structurally increases the integration of limited-area services, and generates a platform employing the same&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;approach to each task differing mostly in input and output data. In doing so it also provides a complementary&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;description of the environmental state within issued information, as well as providing a platform for interaction&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;among local end users, who define what kind of information they need, for system providers, who finalize the&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;tools necessary to obtain required information, and for local service providers, who do the actual processing of&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;data, tailoring it to specific users’ needs. Such an initiative creates a unique opportunity for small national services&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;to consolidate their product design so that is no longer limited to their own activity, but can serve the wider&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;European services.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;The development and improvement of techniques for mitigating ionospheric effects on radio systems by the&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;COST 296 Action prepared those services that implemented the new design techniques for the newly announced&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px Times;"&gt;EU and ESA policy-Space Situation Awareness (SSA). COST 296 developments applied to nowcasting and forecasting services are an essential input to the Operational SSA Ionosphere.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt