A Lightweight Loudspeaker for Aircraft Communications and Active Noise Control

A series of new, lightweight loudspeakers for use on commercial aircraft has been developed. The loudspeakers use NdFeB magnets and aluminum alloy frames to reduce the weight. The NdFeB magnet is virtually encapsulated by steel in the new speaker designs. Active noise reduction using internal loudspeakers was demonstrated to be effective in 1983. A weight, space, and cost efficient method for creating the active sound attenuating fields is to use the existing cabin loudspeakers for both communication and sound attenuation. This will require some additional loudspeaker design considerations

Measurements of biochemical markers of pollution in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis from coastal areas of the Saronikos Gulf (Greece)

Alterations in a number of biochemical parameters in marine organisms represent specific markers of exposure to particular classes of contaminants. They are used as tools for the detection and monitoring of pollution. In this study, two biochemical markers of pollution, metallothionein (MT) content and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were measured in indigenous and transplanted mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis from coastal areas within the Saronikos Gulf subject to high anthropogenic activities. Biannual measurements of the two biomarkers in indigenous mussel populations for two years revealed no significant differences among stations representing a pollution gradient. Limited differences in MT levels were only found between mussel populations transplanted at lesser and more impacted stations. Both biomarkers showed a variation with respect to the season of sampling, whilst during the second year of measurements a concomitant increase in metallothionein content with a decrease in acetylcholinesterase activity was noted. Our results indicate that the applied biochemical markers in indigenous mussel populations do not reflect the type of pollution in the Saronikos Gulf to a degree that can be used for pollution monitoring in the area

Detection of Cathelicidin-1 in the Milk as an Early Indicator of Mastitis in Ewes

The objective of the study was the investigation of the behaviour of cathelicidin-1 in the milk after experimental infection with two prominent bacterial pathogens (experiment 1: Mannheimia haemolytica, experiment 2: M. haemolytica and Staphylococcus chromogenes) as a potential early indicator for diagnosis of mastitis in sheep. In two experiments, after bacterial inoculation into the udder of ewes, bacteriological and cytological examinations of milk samples as well as proteomics examinations [two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis] were performed sequentially. Cathelicidin-1 was detected and spot densities obtained from PDQuest v.8.0 were recorded. Associations were calculated between cell content and spot densities as well as between presence of mastitis in a mammary gland at a given time-point and detection of cathelicidin-1 in the respective milk sample. All inoculated mammary glands developed mastitis, confirmed by the consistent bacterial isolation from mammary secretion and increased leucocyte content therein. Spot density of cathelicidin-1 in samples from inoculated glands increased 3 h postinoculation; spot density of cathelicidin-1 in samples from inoculated glands was higher than in samples from uninoculated controls. There was clear evidence of correlation between cell content and cathelicidin-1 spot densities in milk samples. There was significant association between presence of mastitis in the mammary gland and detection of cathelicidin-1 in the respective milk sample; overall accuracy was 0.818\u2014this was significantly greater during the first 24 h postchallenge (0.903) than after the first day (0.704). In conclusion, detection of cathelicidin-1 in milk was significantly associated with presence of mastitis in ewes. The associations were stronger during the first 24 h post-infection than after the first day. Cathelicidin-1 has the advantage that it can be a non-specific biomarker, as simply a \u201cpositive\u201d / \u201cnegative\u201d assessment would be sufficient

Post-operative Aspergillus mediastinitis in a man who was immunocompetent: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p><it>Aspergillus </it>spp. infections mainly affect patients who are immunocompromised, and are extremely rare in immunocompetent individuals.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p><it>Aspergillus </it>post-operative mediastinitis is considered to be a devastating infection, usually affecting patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery with specific predisposing factors. We describe the case of an immunocompetent 68-year-old Caucasian man with severe chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, who underwent pulmonary thromboendarterectomy and developed post-operative mediastinitis due to <it>Aspergillus flavus</it>. The environmental control did not reveal the source of <it>A. flavus </it>infection and, despite combined antifungal therapy, our patient died as a result of septic shock and multiple organ failure.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>Aspergillus </it>mediastinitis mainly affects patients after cardiosurgery operations with predisposing factors, and it is unusual in patients who are immunocompetent. The identification of the <it>Aspergillus </it>spp. source is often difficult, and there are no guidelines for the administration of pre-emptive therapy in this population of at-risk patients.</p

COVID-19 and post-traumatic stress disorder: The perfect 'storm' for mental health (Review).

Since its outbreak, in December, 2019, in the Chinese city of Wuhan, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has evolved into an ongoing global pandemic. Due to the novel antigenic properties of this virus, the world population could not develop immunity effectively and this led to the subsequent spread of COVID-19. This caused an unprecedented emergency situation with significant negative effects on health and well-being both on an individual and societal level. Apart from health, economic and social consequences, the impact of this pandemic on mental health is increasingly being reported in the scientific literature. The present review aimed to provide a comprehensive discussion of the possible neurological and neuropsychiatric manifestations of SARS-CoV-2, together with the related underlying molecular pathways. In addition, the present review focused on populations which are at a higher risk of developing psychiatric disturbances due to the COVID-19 pandemic and discussed possible routes of clinical management and therapeutics to minimize the burden associated with psychiatric disorders. Moreover, research findings exploring the prevalence of COVID-19-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms across vulnerable groups, including children, adolescents and COVID-19 survivors are presented, with particular emphasis on those with severe disease who required hospitalization and/or intensive care unit admission. Based on the available literature, the identification of potential determinants associated with PTSD across the different populations is underlined. Lessons learnt from the pandemics across the globe together with the ongoing research on COVID-19 and its impact on mental health, highlight the utmost importance for evidence-based, proactive and targeted interventions in high-risk groups aiming to mitigate the risks and manage vulnerabilities

Effect of intravenous clarithromycin in patients with sepsis, respiratory and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.

Clarithromycin may act as immune-regulating treatment in sepsis and acute respiratory dysfunction syndrome. However, clinical evidence remains inconclusive. We aimed to evaluate whether clarithromycin improves 28-day mortality among patients with sepsis, respiratory and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. We conducted a multicenter, randomized, clinical trial in patients with sepsis. Participants with ratio of partial oxygen pressure to fraction of inspired oxygen less than 200 and more than 3 SOFA points from systems other than the respiratory function were enrolled between December 2017 and September 2019. Patients were randomized to receive 1 gr of clarithromycin or placebo intravenously once daily for 4 consecutive days. The primary endpoint was 28-day all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were 90-day mortality; sepsis response (defined as at least 25% decrease in SOFA score by day 7); sepsis recurrence; and differences in peripheral blood cell populations and leukocyte transcriptomics. Fifty-five patients were allocated to each arm. By day 28, 27 (49.1%) patients in the clarithromycin and 25 (45.5%) in the placebo group died (risk difference 3.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) - 15.7 to 22.7]; P = 0.703, adjusted OR 1.03 [95%CI 0.35-3.06]; P = 0.959). There were no statistical differences in 90-day mortality and sepsis response. Clarithromycin was associated with lower incidence of sepsis recurrence (OR 0.21 [95%CI 0.06-0.68]; P = 0.012); significant increase in monocyte HLA-DR expression; expansion of non-classical monocytes; and upregulation of genes involved in cholesterol homeostasis. Serious and non-serious adverse events were equally distributed. Clarithromycin did not reduce mortality among patients with sepsis with respiratory and multiple organ dysfunction. Clarithromycin was associated with lower sepsis recurrence, possibly through a mechanism of immune restoration. Clinical trial registration clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03345992 registered 17 November 2017; EudraCT 2017-001056-55

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Public Health

Η σπογγιόμορφη εγκεφαλοπάθεια των βοοειδών είναι μεταδοτική εκφυλιστική νόσος του κεντρικού νευρικού συστήματος και ανήκει σε ομάδα  ασθενειών, οι οποίες προσβάλλουν τον άνθρωπο και διάφορα είδη ζώων και έχουν παρόμοια ιστοπαθολογική εικόνα. Ο βλαπτικός παράγοντας της BSE, αλλά και όλων των άλλων σπογγιόμορφων εγκεφαλοπαθειών, δεν έχει πλήρως διευκρινιστεί. Η επικρατέστερη σήμερα άποψη είναι ότι αυτός αποτελείται κυρίως ή και μόνον από μη φυσιολογική πρωτεΐνη, που ονομάστηκε prion. Στις διάφορες παρατηρήσεις ο βλαπτικός παράγοντας γίνεται αντιληπτός με τη μορφή πρωτεϊνικών κυλίνδρων, οι οποίοι αποτελούνται από συγκεντρώσεις ή πολυμερισμένη μορφή του βλαπτικού παράγοντα και ονομάστηκε πρωτεΐνη prion (prion protein - PrP). Αποδείχθηκε ότι υπάρχουν δυο ισόμορφες της PrP. Η μία που σημειώνεται ως PrF παράγεται από αρκετά κύτταρα του ανθρώπου και των ζώων και αποτελεί κυτταρικό δομικό στοιχείο. Η δεύτερη που σημειώνεται ως PrPst παρουσιάζει ιδιαίτερες ιδιότητες, που την καθιστούν παθολογική και υπεύθυνη για τη δημιουργία των σπογγιόμορφων εγκεφαλοπαθειών. Ο αναδιπλασιασμός της PrPM φαίνεται ότι διενεργείται στα λυσοσώματα κυττάρων του νευρικού συστήματος και των δενδριτικών, καθώς και λοιπών κυττάρων του δικτυωτού των λεμφοκυτογόνων οργάνων με μετατροπή της PrPc σε PrPsc. Όπως φαίνεται η BSE προκλήθηκε στα βοοειδή εξαιτίας της κατανάλωσης από αυτά κρεαταλεύρων και οστεαλεύρων, που προέρχονταν από πρόβατα μολυσμένα από τη scrapie. Αναφορικά με την παθογένεια φαίνεται από πειραματικά δεδομένα ότι αρχικά η PrPsr εισέρχεται με την τροφή και εγκαθίσταται στα διάφορα λεμφοκυτογόνα όργανα όπου και γίνεται ο πρώτος αναδιπλασιασμός της. Πιστεύεται ότι, από τα λεμφοκυτογόνα όργανα, μεταφέρεται με τα νεύρα στο κεντρικό νευρικό σύστημα, όπου και δημιουργεί τις χαρακτηριστικές αλλοιώσεις της κενοτοπιώδους εκφύλισης των νευρικών κυττάρων και τη σπογγίωση, οπότε και εμφανίζεται κλινικά η νόσος. Τα νευρικά συμπτώματα χαρακτηρίζονται κυρίως από αλλαγή στη συμπεριφορά των ζώων και από κινητικές ανωμαλίες. Η διάγνωση της νόσου γίνεται με την παρατήρηση των ιστοπαθολογικών αλλοιώσεων, την ανίχνευση ινιδίων συνδεμένων με τη scrapie-SAF και την ανοσοϊστοχημική ανίχνευση των μορίων της PrPsc σε ιστολογικές τομές ή με ηλεκτροφόρηση (Western blotting test). Η BSE αποδείχθηκε ότι μπορεί να μεταδοθεί σε άλλα ζώα και υπάρχει η πιθανότητα να μεταδίδεται και στον άνθρωπο με την τροφική αλυσίδα. Ύστερα από αυτά και σ' όλο το διάστημα που διέρρευσε, απότην εμφάνιση της μέχρι σήμερα, λήφθηκαν μέτρα, τόσο από τη Μ. Βρεττανία, όσο και από την ΕΕ για την εκρίζωση της νόσου και την προστασία της δημόσιας υγείας. Τα μέτρα αυτά θα πρέπει να τηρούνται από τις επίσημες αρχές και επιπρόσθετα θα πρέπει να ενημερωθεί ο καταναλωτής για την πιθανή επικινδυνότητα των διαφόρων ζωικών προϊόντων.Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) is a transmissible degenerative disease of the central nervous system. It belongs to a group of diseases which affect man and various kinds of animals and they have a similar histopathological appearance. The harmful agent of BSE and all the others spongiform encephalopathies have not been totally clarified. Today according to the predominant opinion this agent is consisted mainly or/and only of an abnormal protein, which is called prion. In various observations the harmful agent appears like proteinaceous cylinders which are consisted of aggregations or polymerized forms of the agent and it is called prion-protein (PrP). It has been proved that there are two isoforms of PrP. The first of them, called PrPc, is produced from many cells of man and animals and consists a cellular structural element. The second, called PrPs t, due to its specific properties, it is considered to be pathological and responsible for the spongiform encephalopathies. The replication of PrPsc seems to take place in the lysosomes of central nervous system cells, dendritic, and other reticular cells of the lymphatic organs through transformation of PrPc into PrPsc. It appears BSE caused by feeding meat and bone meals to cattle which were originated from scrapie infected sheep. Refering to the pathogenesis originating from experimental data it seems that initially the PrF* enters the body by food and afterwards is settled in various lymphoid organs where the first replication takes place. It is believed that BSE is transmitted through the nerves to the CNS, where it creates the characteristic lesions of vacuolar degeneration of the neurons and finally the spongiosis. Then the clinical signs are expressed. The nervous signs characterised by behavioural alterations of the animals and kinetic abnormalities. The diagnosis of the disease is made by the observation of the histopathological lesions, the detection of Scrapie Associated Fibrils-SAF by EM, the immunohistochemical detection of prpsc i n histological samples or by electrophoresis (Western blotting test). BSE was proved to be transmissible to other animals and there is a possibility that it could be done to man through the food chain. According to the above in these years, from the appearance of the disease until now, have been taken bans from Great Britain as well as from E.U. for the eradication of the disease and the protection of the public health. These instructions should be followed by the authorities and additionally the consumers ought to be informed for the possible danger of various animal products