On the Role of Context in the Design of Mobile Mashups

This paper presents a design methodology and an accompanying platform for the design and fast development of Context-Aware Mobile mashUpS (CAMUS). The approach is characterized by the role given to context as a first-class modeling dimension used to support i) the identification of the most adequate resources that can satisfy the users' situational needs and ii) the consequent tailoring at runtime of the provided data and functions. Context-based abstractions are exploited to generate models specifying how data returned by the selected services have to be merged and visualized by means of integrated views. Thanks to the adoption of Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) techniques, these models drive the flexible execution of the final mobile app on target mobile devices. A prototype of the platform, making use of novel and advanced Web and mobile technologies, is also illustrated

An immunochemical study of the synovial fluid can contribute to the distinction between rheumatoid and non rheumatoid arthritis.

Synovial fluids from 102 patients affected by various joint diseases have been analyzed for their protein, immunoglobulin and beta 2-microglobulin contents, for the total and alternative pathway hemolytic activities of the complement components, for the presence of rheumatoid factors and Clq binding materials. The aim of this study was to verify whether an immunochemical analysis of the synovial fluid could help to distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from other arthropathies. With regard to this, we emphasize that the latex test, the Clq binding assay, as well as the measurement of C3d and beta 2-microglobulin concentrations in synovial fluids, were the most helpful assays. An immunochemical synovial score was calculated summing the results of these four tests, thus making the recognition of rheumatoid arthritis, among the various inflammatory joint diseases, easier

Complement deficiency and antibody profile in survivors of meningococcal meningitis due to common serogroups in Italy

A collaborative survey was carried out in Italy on a group of 59 subjects with a past history of meningococcal meningitis. The aim was to evaluate the prevalence of complement deficiencies, the serogroup of meningococci responsible for the disease and other possible immune abnormalities associated with the infection. Complement analysis allowed the detection of 10 cases (17%) with deficiencies of the terminal components, and in particular six cases of C8-beta, three of C7 and one of C6 defect. Half of the subjects with complement deficiencies had recurrences of meningitis and developed the infection at an older age in comparison with the control group with normal complement activity. The meningococcal C strain was the most diffuse (68%) and infected all the complement-deficient subjects. Evaluation of the antibody response to meningococcal capsular polysaccharides (PS) showed that only 42.5%. of the individuals with group C had antibodies as opposed to 83% and 100% of the patients with meningitis due to group A and B, respectively. In all 59 subjects serum Ig as well as IgG subclasses were present, al normal levels for the age. Vaccination of seven out of the 24 subjects without detectable anti-meningococcal PS antibodies with the sole PS A + C induced a normal response in six of them, including a subject with complement defect. In the subject who did not respond to the antigen, the antibodies against the ubiquitous pneumococcal PS type 14 were also lacking. whereas anti-tetanus toxoid (TT) antibodies were normally present. From these data we may conclude the following: (1) the high prevalence of late complement components defect among survivors of meningococcal meningitis is also confirmed in the Italian population; (2) the serogroup C, responsible for the infections in all the cases with late complement components defect. is highly recirculating in Italy and apparently less immunogenic; (3) specific vaccination with meningococcal PS is a valid prophylaxis in subjects with lack of specific antibodies as well as in subjects with complement defect

Complement deficiency and antibody profile in survivors of meningococcal meningitis due to common serogroups in Italy

A collaborative survey was carried out in Italy on a group of 59 subjects with a past history of meningococcal meningitis. The aim was to evaluate the prevalence of complement deficiencies, the serogroup of meningococci responsible for the disease and other possible immune abnormalities associated with the infection. Complement analysis allowed the detection of 10 cases (17%) with deficiencies of the terminal components, and in particular six cases of C8-beta, three of C7 and one of C6 defect. Half of the subjects with complement deficiencies had recurrences of meningitis and developed the infection at an older age in comparison with the control group with normal complement activity. The meningococcal C strain was the most diffuse (68%) and infected all the complement-deficient subjects. Evaluation of the antibody response to meningococcal capsular polysaccharides (PS) showed that only 42.5%. of the individuals with group C had antibodies as opposed to 83% and 100% of the patients with meningitis due to group A and B, respectively. In all 59 subjects serum Ig as well as IgG subclasses were present, al normal levels for the age. Vaccination of seven out of the 24 subjects without detectable anti-meningococcal PS antibodies with the sole PS A + C induced a normal response in six of them, including a subject with complement defect. In the subject who did not respond to the antigen, the antibodies against the ubiquitous pneumococcal PS type 14 were also lacking. whereas anti-tetanus toxoid (TT) antibodies were normally present. From these data we may conclude the following: (1) the high prevalence of late complement components defect among survivors of meningococcal meningitis is also confirmed in the Italian population; (2) the serogroup C, responsible for the infections in all the cases with late complement components defect. is highly recirculating in Italy and apparently less immunogenic; (3) specific vaccination with meningococcal PS is a valid prophylaxis in subjects with lack of specific antibodies as well as in subjects with complement defect

Five-year follow-up of 165 Italian patients with undifferentiated connective tissue diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To study those conditions with a proven or hypothesised immunologic pathogenesis and denominated under a working definition of undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (UCTD). METHODS: A multicentre prospective study was organised involving 10 tertiary referral centers of internal medicine in Italy, with the aim of describing the natural history of UCTD and the prevalence of its different clinical and immunological manifestations. RESULTS: After a five-year follow-up period, data on 165 patients were available for analysis. UCTDs occur mainly in females in their fourth decade of life. Articular and mucocutaneous features and Raynaud's phenomenon represent the most common findings. Nevertheless, we also detected a relatively high incidence of permanent major organ damage. Regarding the immunologic parameters, we documented some conflicting results in the correlation between serologic abnormalities and clinical features. In 10 patients UCTD evolved to a major disease, generally systemic lupus erythematosus or Sjögren's syndrome. CONCLUSION: A low rate of evolution to a defined autoimmune disease, the limited use of steroid or immunosuppressive therapy, and a favourable course in the majority of cases are the main characteristics of patients with UCTDs

Five-year follow-up of 165 Italian patients with undifferentiated connective tissue diseases

Objective To study those conditions with a proven or hypothesised immunologic pathogenesis and denominated under a working definition of undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (UCTD). Methods A multicentre prospective study was organised involving 10 tertiary referral centers of internal medicine in Italy, with the aim of describing the natural history of UCTD and the prevalence of its different clinical and immunological manifestations. Results After a five-year follow-up period, data on 165 patients were available for analysis. UCTDs occur mainly in females in their fourth decade of life. Articular and mucocutaneous features and Raynaud's phenomenon represent the most common findings. Nevertheless, we also detected a relatively high incidence of permanent major organ damage. Regarding the immunologic parameters, we documented some conflicting results in the correlation between serologic abnormalities and clinical features, In 10 patients UCTD evolved to a major disease, generally systemic lupus erythematosus or Sjogren's syndrome. Conclusion A low rate of evolution to a defined autoimmune disease, the limited use of steroid or immunosuppressive therapy, and a favourable course in the majority of cases are the main characteristics of patients with UCTDs

Long-term chikungunya infection clinical manifestations after an outbreak in Italy: A prognostic cohort study

Objectives: Following a Chikungunya (CHIKV) outbreak in Italy, a cohort study was conducted to describe the infection long-term clinical course and outcome. Methods: Persons identified through active and passive surveillance as confirmed or possible CHIKV cases during the outbreak were enrolled and interviewed by trained public health nurses, between 4-5 and 12-13 months following the acute stage. Patients reporting persistent clinical symptoms were evaluated by rheumatologists. Serum samples were obtained and anti-CHIKV specific IgG and IgM immune responses detected. Only confirmed cases who completed the follow-up were analysed. Results: Out of 250 patients, 66.5% still reported myalgia, asthenia or arthralgia (most frequent sign) after 12 months. Functional ability, measured by the ROAD index, was more impaired for lower extremities (3.75; Inter Quartile Range - IQR 4.4), and the activities of daily living (average 4.2; IQR 5). Variables independently associated with the presence of joint pain at 12-13 months were increasing age, and history of rheumatologic diseases). Elderly, females, and persons with history of rheumatologic diseases had higher anti-CHIKV IgG titres at 12-13 months. Conclusions: This study confirms, in an unselected population, that the long-lasting burden of CHIKV infection is significant