Audiovisual Media Services in the EU. Next Generation Approach or Old Wine in New Barrels?

In this article, we analyse how the European legislator is currently responding to some of the recent changes in the media and communications environment with the adoption of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive. What is the European approach to address the challenges brought about by the technological changes in the audiovisual sector? How is the EU devising a future model for content regulation? The article also puts forward a number of critical remarks that should be taken into account in the framework of the debate on future content regulation, indicating where the AVMS Directive falls short.content regulation, audiovisual media services.

Enzymatic Modification of Polyamide for Improving the Conductivity of Water-Based Multilayer Nanocoatings

Enzymatic modification, using a protease from Bacillus licheniformis (Subtilisin A), was carried out on polyamide 6.6 (PA6.6) fabric to make it more amenable to water-based nanocoatings used to impart electrical conductivity. The modified PA6.6 fibers exhibit a smoother surface, increased hydrophilicity due to more carboxyl and amino groups, and larger ζ-potential relative to unmodified polyamide. With its improved hydrophilicity and surface functionality, the modified textile is better able to accept a water-based nanocoating, composed of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) stabilized by sodium deoxycholate (DOC) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), deposited via layer-by-layer assembly. Relative to unmodified fabric, the enzymatically modified fibers exhibit lower sheet resistance as a function of PDDA/MWCNT-DOC bilayers deposited. This relatively green technique could be used to impart a variety of useful functionalities to otherwise difficult-totreat synthetic fibers like polyamid

Cell Culture Modeling to Test Therapies Against Hyperglycemia-Mediated Oxidative Stress and Injury

The concept that oxidative stress is a key mediator of nerve injury in diabetes has led us to design therapies that target oxidative stress mechanisms. Using an in vitro model of glucose-treated dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in culture, we can examine both free radical generation, using fluorimetric probes for reactive oxygen species, and cell death via the TUNEL assay. The cell culture system is scaled down to a 96-well plate format, and so is well suited to high-throughput screening. In the present study, we test the ability of three drugs, nicotinamide, allopurinol, and α-lipoic acid, alone and in combination to prevent DRG neuron oxidative stress and cell death. This combination of drugs is currently in clinical trial in type 1 diabetic patients. We demonstrate independent effects on oxidative stress and neuronal survival for the three drugs, and neuronal protection using the three drugs in combination. The data strengthen the rationale for the current clinical trial. In addition, we describe an effective tool for rapid preclinical testing of novel therapies against diabetic neuropathy. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 7, 1494–1506.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/63115/1/ars.2005.7.1494.pd

Individual contextual factors in the validation of the Bernese pain scale for neonates: protocol for a prospective observational study

Background: The Bernese Pain Scale for Neonates (BPSN) is a multidimensional pain assessment tool that is already widely used in clinical settings in the German speaking areas of Europe. Recent findings indicate that pain responses in preterm neonates are influenced by individual contextual factors, such as gestational age (GA), gender and the number of painful procedures experienced. Currently, the BPSN does not consider individual contextual factors. Therefore, the aim of this study is the validation of the BPSN using a large sample of neonates with different GAs. Furthermore, the influence of individual contextual factors on the variability in pain reactions across GA groups will be explored. The results will be used for a modification of the BPSN to account for individual contextual factors in future clinical pain assessment in neonates. Methods and design: This prospective multisite validation study with a repeated measures design will take place in three university hospital neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Switzerland (Bern, Basel and Zurich). To examine the impact of GA on pain responses and their variability, the infants will be stratified into six GA groups ranging from 24 0/7 to 42 0/7. Among preterm infants, 2–5 routine capillary heel sticks within the first 14 days of life, and among full-term infants, two heel sticks during the first days of life will be documented. For each heel stick, measurements will be video recorded for each of three phases: baseline, heel stick, and recovery. The infants’ pain responses will be rated according to the BPSN by five nurses who are blinded as to the number of each heel stick and as to the measurement phases. Individual contextual factors of interest will be extracted from patient charts. Discussion: Understanding and considering the influence of individual contextual factors on pain responses in a revised version of the BPSN will help the clinical staff to more appropriately assess pain in neonates, particularly preterm neonates hospitalized in NICUs. Pain assessment is a first step toward appropriate and efficient pain management, which itself is an important factor in later motor and cognitive development in this vulnerable patient population. Trial registration: The study is registered in the database of Clinical Trial gov. Study ID-number: NCT 02749461. Registration date: 12 April 2016. Keywords: Pain assessment, Premature infants, Contextual factors, Diagnosti

Unsupervised hyperspectral data mining and bioimaging by information entropy and self-modeling curve resolution

Unsupervised estimation of the dimensionality of hyperspectral microspectroscopy datasets containing pure and mixed spectral features, and extraction of their representative endmember spectra, remains a challenge in biochemical data mining. We report a new versatile algorithm building on semi-nonnegativity constrained self-modeling curve resolution and information entropy, to estimate the quantity of separable biochemical species from hyperspectral microspectroscopy, and extraction of their representative spectra. The algorithm is benchmarked with established methods from satellite remote sensing, spectral unmixing, and clustering. To demonstrate the widespread applicability of the developed algorithm, we collected hyperspectral datasets using spontaneous Raman, Coherent Anti-stokes Raman Scattering and Fourier Transform IR, of seven reference compounds, an oil-in-water emulsion, and tissue-engineered extracellular matrices on poly-L-lactic acid and porcine jejunum-derived small intestine submucosa scaffolds seeded with bovine chondrocytes. We show the potential of the developed algorithm by consolidating hyperspectral molecular information with sample microstructure, pertinent to fields ranging from gastrophysics to regenerative medicine

Haemoptysis as the first presentation of COVID-19 : a case report

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is an ongoing pandemic that profoundly challenges healthcare systems all over the world. Fever, cough and fatigue are the most commonly reported clinical symptoms. Case presentation A 58-year-old man presented at the emergency department with acute onset haemoptysis. On the fifth day after admission, he developed massive haemoptysis. Computed tomography (CT) angiography of the chest revealed alveolar haemorrhage, more prominent in the left lung. Flexible bronchoscopy confirmed bleeding from the left upper lobe, confirmed by a bronchial arteriography, which was successfully embolized. Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) tested for SARS-CoV-2 using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) repeatedly returned negative. Surprisingly, SARS-CoV-2 was eventually detected in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Conclusions Life-threatening haemoptysis is an unusual presentation of COVID-19, reflecting alveolar bleeding as a rare but possible complication. This case emphasises the added value of bronchoscopy with BAL in the diagnostic work-up in case of high clinical suspicion and negative serial NPS in patients presenting with severe symptoms

Impact of Body Mass Index on Incident Hypertension and Diabetes in Chinese Asians, American Whites, and American Blacks: The People's Republic of China Study and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Researchers have hypothesized that the impact of body mass index on chronic disease may be greater in Asians than in Whites; however, most studies are cross-sectional and have no White comparison group. The authors compared the associations with body mass index in Chinese Asians (n = 5,980), American Whites (n = 10,776), and American Blacks (n = 3,582) using prospective data from the People’s Republic of China Study (1983–1994) and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (1987–1998). Slopes of risk differences over body mass index levels were compared among the three ethnic groups in adjusted analyses. The authors found larger associations with body mass index in Chinese Asians compared with American Whites and Blacks for hypertension (p < 0.05). The increase in the incidence of hypertension associated with a one-unit increase in body mass index over approximately 8 years of follow-up was 2.5, 1.7, and 1.8 percentage points for Chinese Asians, American Whites, and American Blacks, respectively. For diabetes, the estimates were 1.7, 1.1, and 1.6 percentage points for the same groups— higher in Chinese Asians than in American Whites (p < 0.05) but similar between Chinese Asians and American Blacks. Given the ethnic differences in associations, the results support advocacy of public health and medical actions toward obesity prevention and treatment in China