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Ghrelin is an orexigenic peptide hormone synthesized in times of stress and hunger and alterations of the ghrelin system following acute stressors could be repeatedly shown in humans. However, little data exists on long-term effects of trauma on the ghrelin system. We aimed to investigate the influence of childhood trauma on total ghrelin serum levels in a large, population-based study. Total serum ghrelin was measured in 1666 participants of a population-based cross-sectional study ('LIFE study'). The Childhood Trauma Screener (CTS) was used for the assessment of childhood trauma in the final sample (n = 1086; mean age: 57.10 ± 16.23 years; 632 males, 454 females). Multiple linear regression analyses and generalized linear models were chosen to examine the association between childhood trauma and total serum ghrelin concentrations. Childhood sexual abuse went along with significantly higher ghrelin serum levels in the total sample (β = 0.114, t = 3.958; p = 0.00008) and in women (β = 0.142, t = 3.115; p = 0.002), but not in men (β = 0.055; t = 1.388; p = 0.166). Women with severe emotional neglect in the childhood had higher ghrelin levels than those without (odds ratio = 1.204; p = 0.018). For the CTS Sum Score and other CTS sub-scale scores, no significant association with ghrelin serum levels was found. Our study is the first to show associations between childhood sexual trauma and total ghrelin levels in adults in a large, community-based sample. Our results should initiate further research of the role of ghrelin in human stress response in prospective study designs.

BackgroundGhrelin and the adipokines leptin and adiponectin have been suggested to be involved in mood and anxiety regulation and to be altered in affective disorders. However, studies investigating the association between ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin and depressive symptomatology are scarce but might contribute to a better understanding of their involvement in mood regulation. We thus aimed investigating the association between depressive symptomatology and total ghrelin as well as leptin and adiponectin serum levels in a large population-based sample.MethodsTotal serum ghrelin, adiponectin and leptin levels were determined in 1666 subjects of a population-based cross-sectional study (“LIFE”). The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Inventory of Depressive Symptoms – Self Rating (IDS-SR) were administered. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between total serum ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin and the intensity of depressive symptoms.ResultsIn the total sample (n = 1,092), neither ghrelin nor leptin or adiponectin serum levels showed a significant association with CES-D or IDS-SR sum scores (N = 1,092) or in depressed/non-depressed subjects. Leptin serum levels showed a significantly positive association with IDS-SR sum scores in elderly men (≥60 years; β = 0.122, 95% CI: 0.009; 0.236; p = 0.035).ConclusionOur study suggests that peripheral levels of ghrelin and adipokines in a cross-sectional study design might not be sufficient to measure their involvement in depression, suggesting that associations are more complex and multi-layered.

The European Marine Strategy Framework Directive requires European member states to develop strategies for their marine waters leading to programs of measures that achieve or maintain good environmental status (GES) in all European seas by 2020. An essential step toward reaching GES is the establishment of monitoring programs, enabling the state of marine waters to be assessed on a regular basis. A register for impulsive noise-generating activities would enable assessment of their cumulative impacts on wide temporal and spatial scales; monitoring of ambient noise would provide essential insight into current levels and any trend in European waters.

The components of the hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) stain (i.e. hemalum and eosin Y), their contributions to the typical staining pattern, and the reasons why the H & E stains are the preferred oversight stains for routine diagnostic histopathology are discussed. The essential diagnostic significance of effective nuclear staining by hemalum, providing information on nuclear morphology and texture, is emphasized; as is the ironic advantage for routine diagnostic histopathology of the limited range of colors provided by H & E staining, that allows recognition of significant features under low microscopic magnifications. Standardization of hemalum is considered, along with probable reasons why users show resistance to such a concept. Counterstaining with anionic (acid) dyes is discussed, as is the important phenomenon of contrast. The particular advantages and disadvantages of eosin Y and phloxin B as counterstains to hemalum are outlined. The concept of an "ideal routine histological stain" is considered, and H & E is compared to such an ideal case. Finally, deficiencies of H & E staining are discussed, and a program to develop an improved oversight stain is introduced.

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) requires European Member States (MS) to develop strategies for their marine waters that should lead to programmes of measures that achieve or maintain Good Environmental Status (GES) in European Seas. As an essential step in reaching good environmental status, MS should establish monitoring programmes, enabling the state of the marine waters concerned to be assessed on a regular basis. Criteria and methodological standards on GES of marine waters were published in 2010 (Commission Decision 2010/477/EU). Two indicators were described for Descriptor 11 (Noise/Energy): Indicator 11.1.1 on low and mid frequency impulsive sounds and Indicator 11.2.1 on continuous low frequency sound (ambient noise). As a follow up to the Commission Decision, the Marine Directors in 2010 agreed to establish a Technical Subgroup (TSG) for further development of Descriptor 11 Noise/Energy. TSG (Underwater) Noise in 2011 focused on clarifying the purpose, use and limitation of the indicators and described methodology that would be unambiguous, effective and practicable; the first report [Van der Graaf et al., 2012]1 was delivered in February 2012. Significant progress was made in the interpretation and practical implementation of the two indicators, and most ambiguities were solved. In December 2011, EU Marine Directors requested the continuation of TSG Noise, and the group was tasked with recommending how MS might best make the indicators of the Commission Decision operational. TSG Noise was asked first to provide monitoring guidance that could be used by MS in establishing monitoring schemes for underwater noise in their marine waters. Further work includes providing suggestions for (future) target setting; for addressing the biological impacts of anthropogenic underwater noise and to evaluate new information on the effects of sound on marine biota with a view to considering indicators of noise effects. The present document is Part II of the Monitoring Guidance for Underwater Noise in European Seas and provides MS with the information needed to commence the monitoring required to implement this aspect of MSFD. TSG Noise has identified ambiguities, uncertainties and other shortcomings that may hinder monitoring initiatives and has provided solutions. Methodology is described for monitoring both impulsive and ambient noise to ensure the information required for management and policy is collected in a cost-effective way. Further issues will certainly arise once monitoring starts, but the principles laid out in this guidance will help resolve these. The Monitoring Guidance for Underwater Noise is structured, as follows: - Part I: Executive Summary & Recommendations, - Part II: Monitoring Guidance Specifications, and - Part III: Background Information and Annexes. Part I of the Monitoring Guidance is the executive summary for policy and decision makers responsible for the adoption and implementation of MSFD at national level. It provides the key conclusions and recommendations presented in Part II that support the practical guidance for MS and will, enable assessment of the current level of underwater noise. Part II, is the main report of the Monitoring Guidance, is the main report of the Monitoring Guidance. It provides specifications for the monitoring of underwater noise, with dedicated sections on impulsive noise (Criterion 11.1 of the Commission Decision) and ambient noise (Criterion 11.2 of the Commission Decision) designed for those responsible for implementation of noise monitoring/modelling, and noise registration. Part III, the background information and annexes, is not part of the guidance, but is added for additional information, examples and references that support the Monitoring Guidance specifications. Published Refereed Current 14.1 Ocean sound TRL 9 Actual system "mission proven" through successful mission operations (ground or space) Manual (incl. handbook, guide, cookbook etc) Standard Operating Procedure

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) requires European Member States (MS) to develop strategies for their marine waters that should lead to programmes of measures that achieve or maintain Good Environmental Status (GES) in European Seas. As an essential step in reaching good environmental status, MS should establish monitoring programmes enabling the state of the marine waters concerned to be assessed on a regular basis. Criteria and methodological standards on GES of marine waters were published in 2010 (Commission Decision 2010/477/EU). Two indicators were described for Descriptor 11 (Noise/Energy): Indicator 11.1.1 on low and mid frequency impulsive sounds and Indicator 11.2.1 on continuous low frequency sound (ambient noise). As a follow up to the Commission Decision, the Marine Directors in 2010 agreed to establish a Technical Subgroup (TSG) for further development of Descriptor 11 Noise/Energy. TSG (Underwater) Noise in 2011 focused on clarifying the purpose, use and limitation of the indicators and described methodology that would be unambiguous, effective and practicable; the first report [Van der Graaf et al., 2012]1 was delivered in February 2012. Significant progress was made in the interpretation and practical implementation of the two indicators, and most ambiguities were solved. In December 2011, EU Marine Directors requested the continuation of TSG Noise, and the group was tasked with recommending how MS might best make the indicators of the Commission Decision operational. TSG Noise was asked first to provide monitoring guidance that could be used by MS in establishing monitoring schemes for underwater noise in their marine waters. Further work includes providing suggestions for (future) target setting; for addressing the biological impacts of anthropogenic underwater noise and to evaluate new information on the effects of sound on marine biota with a view to considering indicators of noise effects. The present document is Part I of the Monitoring Guidance for Underwater Noise in European Seas and provides MS with the information needed to commence the monitoring required to implement this aspect of MSFD. TSG Noise has focused on ambiguities, uncertainties and other shortcomings that may hinder monitoring initiatives and has provided solutions, and describes methodology for monitoring both impulsive and ambient noise in such a way that information needed for management and policy can be collected in a cost-effective way. TSG Noise has no doubt that further issues will arise once monitoring starts, but hopes the principles laid out in this guidance will help resolve these. The Monitoring Guidance for Underwater Noise is structured, as follows: - Part I: Executive Summary & Recommendations, - Part II: Monitoring Guidance Specifications,and - Part III: Background Information and Annexes. Part I of the Monitoring Guidance is the executive summary for policy and decision makers responsible for the adoption and implementation of MSFD at national level. It provides the key conclusions and recommendations presented in Part II that support the practical guidance for MS and will, enable assessment of the current level of underwater noise. Part II, is the main report of the Monitoring Guidance. It provides specifications for the monitoring of underwater noise, with dedicated sections on impulsive noise (Criterion 11.1 of the Commission Decision) and ambient noise (Criterion 11.2 of the Commission Decision) registration. Part III, the background information and annexes, is not part of the guidance, but is added for additional information, examples and references that support the Monitoring Guidance specifications. Published Refereed Current 14.1 Ocean sound TRL 9 Actual system "mission proven" through successful mission operations (ground or space) Best Practice Standard Operating Procedure

Functional marine mammal acoustic communication evolved under natural ambient noise levels, which makes communication vulnerable to intense, anthropogenic noise sources. We consider the potential long-range reduction effects of airgun noise on marine mammal communication range. During the propagation process, airgun impulses are reflected multiple times from the sea surface, refracted in sound channels, and reverberate leading to signal stretching that may result in a continuous received sound. We conducted sound propagation modelling using AcTUP (Acoustic Toolbox User-interface & Postprocessor) to estimate propagation loss and model the received seismic impulse waveform at 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 km distance from the source, and at 10, 50 and 200 m receiver depth for shallow (500 m) and deep sea (4500 m) Antarctic conditions. Modelled waveforms were overlaid with marine mammal vocalizations (song of fin whale Balaenoptera physalus and blue whale Balaenoptera musculus intermedia and Weddell seal Leptonychotes weddelli vocalizations) to assess the distances over which communication masking could occur. Signals were analysed using a leaky integrator and peak detector model within the bandwidth of the modelled vocalization. Hearing abilities of baleen whales were assumed to be noise limited at sea state 4. Preliminary results indicate that airgun noise is intermittent up to 1000 km from the source, changing to a continuous noise between 1000 and 2000 km. Results of masking modelling indicate that airgun sounds can lead to a reduction in communication range for blue and fin whales 2000 km from the source depending strongly on the frequency content of the vocalization.

The European Marine Strategy Framework Directive requires European member states to develop strategies for their marine waters that should lead to programmes of measures that achieve or maintain Good Environmental Status (GES) in all European seas by 2020. As an essential step towards reaching GES, member states should establish monitoring programmes, thus enabling the state of their marine waters to be assessed on a regular basis. In 2010, the European Commission (EC) decided on criteria and methodological standards: low and mid frequency impulsive sounds (10 Hz–10 kHz) and continuous low frequency sound (1/3 octave bands 63 and 125 Hz) will need to be monitored in European seas from 2014 as indicators of GES for underwater noise. The EC expert group TSG Noise has clarified the purpose, use and limitations of the proposed indicators. In 2013 TSG Noise provided guidance for unambiguous, effective and practicable schemes for monitoring underwater noise. A proposed register for impulsive noise generating activities would enable assessment of their cumulative impacts, including assessment on wide spatial and temporal scales, e.g. Regional Seas. Monitoring of ambient noise would provide essential insight into current levels and any trend in European waters. TSG Noise provides advice to monitor annual average levels in a way that is robust to

A new and technically simple Romanowsky-Giemsa (RG) stain is proposed as a standardized technique for use in histology. An RG stock solution (pure azure B 7.5 g/l, eosin Y as eosinic acid 1.2 g/l in dimethylsulfoxide) is diluted to form the working solution with HEPES-buffer, pH 6. Staining time is 30-90 min after formol-calcium solution (or 2-4 hr after formaldehyde-organic acid mixtures). The resulting overstained sections are to be differentiated. A tannic acid-acetic acid combination in an isopropanol-water mixture was found to give optimum results within 100 sec. Subsequent dehydration is in isopropanol only. The staining pattern obtained is polychrome. The distribution of colors in detail is influenced by the modes of pre- and posttreatment. Of practical interest is the development of green and greenish blue colors on collagen fibrils which contrast strongly against the pink of sarcoplasm. For this and other reasons, this RG stain version seems suitable to replace the trichrome Gomori-type trichrome stains under appropriate processing conditions.

La radioactivité de l’environnement autour de l’Organisation Européenne pour la Recherche Nucléaire (CERN) et les doses de rayonnements qui en résultent pour la population avoisinante sont contrôlées par la Commission de Sécurité du CERN et de manière indépendante par les autorités compétentes des deux États Hôtes, l’Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) côté France et l’Office Fédéral de la Santé Publique (OFSP) côté Suisse (voire Chapitre 8.6). Dans ce rapport, les résultats de mesures concernent en particulier le territoire suisse. L’ensemble des mesures effectuées en 2006 prouve que le fonctionnement des installations du CERN était sans conséquence radiologique sur l’environnement et la population. Le contrôle des émissions montre que les rejets effectifs se situent, également en 2006, nettement en dessous des limites réglementaires. Ce constat est confirmé par le contrôle des immissions dans l’environnement. Le CERN a bien respecté en 2006 comme dans les années précédentes la valeur directrice de dose liée à la source fixée à 0.3 mSv/an. L’impact réel représente en fait seulement 2.5% de cette valeur, comme l’indique l’estimation pour le groupe de référence, qui est de l’ordre de 0.01 mSv/an.