Renewable powered Battery Swapping Stations for sustainable urban mobility

Due to sustainability concerns raised by the transportation sector, still relying mostly on oil as main energy source, urban mobility is quickly shifting towards the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), The EV charging process should heavily rely on Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and be smartly scheduled to promote sustainability and pollution reduction. In this context, renewable powered Battery Swapping Stations (BSS) represent a promising solution to enable sustainable and feasible e-mobility. Focusing on a BSS powered by photovoltaic panels, we investigate the issue of properly dimensioning its capacity (in terms of number of sockets) and the renewable energy supply to satisfy the battery swapping demand, trading off cost, Quality of Service and feasibility constraints. In addition, we analyse the potential benefits of smart scheduling strategies for battery recharging. Our results show that considerable cost saving of up to almost 40% can be achieved with a local RE supply to power the BSS. Furthermore, a proper tuning of the scheduling strategy configuration parameters is required to better trade off cost and Quality of Service, based on the desired performance targets

An Internet- and Kinect-Based Multiple Sclerosis Fitness Intervention Training With Pilates Exercises: Development and Usability Study

background: balance impairments are common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), with reduced ability to maintain position and delayed responses to postural adjustments. Pilates is a popular alternative method for balance training that may reduce the rapid worsening of symptoms and the increased risk of secondary conditions (eg, depression) that are frequently associated with physical inactivity.objective: In this paper, we aimed to describe the design, development, and usability testing of MS Fitness Intervention Training (MS-FIT), a Kinect-based tool implementing Pilates exercises customized for MS. methods: MS-FIT has been developed using a user-centered design approach (design, prototype, user feedback, and analysis) to gain the target user's perspective. a team composed of 1 physical therapist, 2 game programmers, and 1 game designer developed the first version of MS-FIT that integrated the knowledge and experience of the team with MS literature findings related to pilates exercises and balance interventions based on exergames. MS-FIT, developed by using the Unity 3D (Unity Technologies) game engine software with kinect Sensor V2 for Windows, implements exercises for breathing, posture, and balance. Feedback from an Italian panel of experts in MS rehabilitation (neurologists, physiatrists, physical therapists, 1 statistician, and 1 bioengineer) and people with MS was collected to customize the tool for use in MS. The context of MS-FIT is traveling around the world to visit some of the most important cities to learn the aspects of their culture through pictures and stories. At each stay of the travel, the avatar of a Pilates teacher shows the user the exercises to be performed. Overall, 9 people with MS (n=4, 44% women; mean age 42.89, SD 11.97 years; mean disease duration 10.19, SD 9.18 years; Expanded Disability Status Scale score 3.17, SD 0.75) were involved in 3 outpatient user test sessions of 30 minutes; MS-FIT's usability was assessed through an ad hoc questionnaire (maximum value=5; higher the score, higher the usability) evaluating easiness to use, playability, enjoyment, satisfaction, and acceptance.Results: A user-centered design approach was used to develop an accessible and challenging tool for balance training. all people with MS (9/9, 100%) completed the user test sessions and answered the ad hoc questionnaire. the average score on each item ranged from 3.78 (SD 0.67) to 4.33 (SD 1.00), which indicated a high usability level. The feedback and suggestions provided by 64% (9/14) of people with MS and 36% (5/14) of therapists involved in the user test were implemented to refine the first prototype to release MS-FIT 2.0. Conclusions: The participants reported that MS-FIT was a usable tool. It is a promising system for enhancing the motivation and engagement of people with MS in performing exercise with the aim of improving their physical status

Clinical characteristics of a large cohort of patients with narcolepsy candidate for pitolisant: a cross-sectional study from the Italian PASS Wakix® Cohort

Introduction Narcolepsy is a chronic and rare hypersomnia of central origin characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and a complex array of symptoms as well as by several medical comorbidities. With growing pharmacological options, polytherapy may increase the possibility of a patient-centered management of narcolepsy symptoms. The aims of our study are to describe a large cohort of Italian patients with narcolepsy who were candidates for pitolisant treatment and to compare patients' subgroups based on current drug prescription (drug-naive patients in whom pitolisant was the first-choice treatment, switching to pitolisant from other monotherapy treatments, and adding on in polytherapy). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey based on Italian data from the inclusion visits of the Post Authorization Safety Study of pitolisant, a 5-year observational, multicenter, international study. Results One hundred ninety-one patients were enrolled (76.4% with narcolepsy type 1 and 23.6% with narcolepsy type 2). Most patients (63.4%) presented at least one comorbidity, mainly cardiovascular and psychiatric. Pitolisant was prescribed as an add-on treatment in 120/191 patients (62.8%), as switch from other therapies in 42/191 (22.0%), and as a first-line treatment in 29/191 (15.2%). Drug-naive patients presented more severe sleepiness, lower functional status, and a higher incidence of depressive symptoms. Conclusion Our study presents the picture of a large cohort of Italian patients with narcolepsy who were prescribed with pitolisant, suggesting that polytherapy is highly frequent to tailor a patient-centered approach

Clinical validation of full HR-HPV genotyping HPV Selfy assay according to the international guidelines for HPV test requirements for cervical cancer screening on clinician-collected and self-collected samples

Background According to international guidelines, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA tests represent a valid alternative to Pap Test for primary cervical cancer screening, provided that they guarantee balanced clinical sensitivity and specificity for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or more (CIN2+) lesions. The study aimed to assess whether HPV Selfy (Ulisse BioMed - Trieste, Italy), a full-genotyping HPV DNA test that detects and differentiates 14 high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) types, meets the criteria for primary cervical cancer screening described in the international guidelines, on clinician-collected as well as on self-collected samples. Methods For each participant woman, consecutively referring to Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (Trieste, Italy) and CRO-National Cancer Institute (Aviano, Italy) for the cervical cancer screening program, the following samples were tested: (a) a clinician-collected cervical specimen, analyzed with the reference test (Hybrid Capture (R) 2 test, HC2) and HPV Selfy; and (b) a self-collected vaginal sample, analyzed with HPV Selfy. Enrolled women were also asked to fulfill a questionnaire about self-sampling acceptability. As required by guidelines, a non-inferiority test was conducted to compare the clinical performance of the test under evaluation with its reference test. Results HPV Selfy clinical sensitivity and specificity resulted non-inferior to those of HC2. By analysis of a total of 889 cervical liquid-based cytology samples from a screening population, of which 98 were from women with CIN2+, HPV Selfy showed relative sensitivity and specificity for CIN2+ of 0.98 and 1.00 respectively (non-inferiority score test: P = 0.01747 and P = 0.00414, respectively); the test reached adequate intra- and inter-laboratory reproducibility. Moreover, we demonstrated that the performance of HPV Selfy on self-collected vaginal samples was non-inferior to the performance obtained on clinician-collected cervical specimen (0.92 relative sensitivity and 0.97 relative specificity). Finally, through HPV Selfy genotyping, we were able to describe HPV types prevalence in the study population. Conclusions HPV Selfy fulfills all the requirements of the international Meijer's guidelines and has been clinically validated for primary cervical cancer screening purposes. Moreover, HPV Selfy has also been validated for self-sampling according to VALHUDES guidelines. Therefore, at date, HPV Selfy is the only full-genotyping test validated both for screening purposes and for self-sampling. Trial registration ASUGI Trieste n. 16008/2018; CRO Aviano n.17149/201

How future surgery will benefit from SARS-COV-2-related measures: a SPIGC survey conveying the perspective of Italian surgeons

COVID-19 negatively affected surgical activity, but the potential benefits resulting from adopted measures remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in surgical activity and potential benefit from COVID-19 measures in perspective of Italian surgeons on behalf of SPIGC. A nationwide online survey on surgical practice before, during, and after COVID-19 pandemic was conducted in March-April 2022 (NCT:05323851). Effects of COVID-19 hospital-related measures on surgical patients' management and personal professional development across surgical specialties were explored. Data on demographics, pre-operative/peri-operative/post-operative management, and professional development were collected. Outcomes were matched with the corresponding volume. Four hundred and seventy-three respondents were included in final analysis across 14 surgical specialties. Since SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, application of telematic consultations (4.1% vs. 21.6%; p < 0.0001) and diagnostic evaluations (16.4% vs. 42.2%; p < 0.0001) increased. Elective surgical activities significantly reduced and surgeons opted more frequently for conservative management with a possible indication for elective (26.3% vs. 35.7%; p < 0.0001) or urgent (20.4% vs. 38.5%; p < 0.0001) surgery. All new COVID-related measures are perceived to be maintained in the future. Surgeons' personal education online increased from 12.6% (pre-COVID) to 86.6% (post-COVID; p < 0.0001). Online educational activities are considered a beneficial effect from COVID pandemic (56.4%). COVID-19 had a great impact on surgical specialties, with significant reduction of operation volume. However, some forced changes turned out to be benefits. Isolation measures pushed the use of telemedicine and telemetric devices for outpatient practice and favored communication for educational purposes and surgeon-patient/family communication. From the Italian surgeons' perspective, COVID-related measures will continue to influence future surgical clinical practice

Development of monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of solid tumors resistant to the current pharmacological treatments and overexpressing Carcinoembryonic Antigen-related Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (CEACAM1)

Background: The role of Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) as a recently characterized immune-checkpoint inhibitor as well as marker for tumor progression and metastasis development of several solid tumors, makes it an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. Herein, we describe the development and characterization of DIA 12.3, a new fully human IgG1 antibody against CEACAM1, which derives from the previously developed anti-CEACAM1 single chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody, termed DIATHIS1. Methods: Bicistronic vectors were designed for IgG1 and IgG4 antibody expression and stable cell lines were developed for their production. In vitro assays were performed to evaluate the physico-chemical properties of the antibodies and their biological activity. In addition, the mutated mtN297A IgG1 was developed in order to reduce the effector functions of the antibody Fc region and, thus, to prevent excessive cytotoxicity. After antibody DOTAylation and radiolabeling with 64Cu, PET experiments with NSG and hCEACAM1 and hCEA double transgenic mice were performed to evaluate the in vivo tumor targeting and distribution of 64Cu-DOTAylated-DIA 12.3 antibody. Results: The current project is focused on the IgG1 antibody, since it showed better structural and functional performances compared to IgG4. More in detail, we found that DIA 12.3 purified by Protein A Affinity Chromatography has a high-purity grade monomeric formulation, with structural as well as biological stability eight months after the purification and of storage at 4°C. ELISA assays revealed that DIA 12.3 is able to bind hCEACAM1 antigen with a linear activity and high affinity. Flow cytometry analyses demonstrated high antibody immunoreactivity with hCEACAM1 expressed on the cell surface membrane of human metastatic melanoma, bladder and colon cancer cell lines. Furthermore, cytotoxic assays displayed the capability of DIA 12.3 to enhance the NK-92 cell-mediated cytotoxicity against metastatic melanoma, bladder, colon and head&neck cancer cells. ELISA and flow cytometry assays showed that the N297A mutation does not affect the antibody binding ability, but it results in a reduced stimulation of NK cell-mediated tumor killing, as expected. DIA 12.3 and mtN297A DIA 12.3 antibodies also show binding activity to CEACAM1 antigen on neutrophil cell surface, without inducing toxicity or triggering unnecessary activation of neutrophils. Biodistribution analyses revealed specific localization of radiolabeled DIA 12.3 antibody to hCEACAM1-positive xenograft in NSG mice. Conclusion: These findings highlight the potential of DIA 12.3 antibody as a candidate in immunotherapy treatments of CEACAM1-expressing solid tumors and indicate the need for further in vitro and in vivo evaluation of DIA 12.3 pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile

Comparative analysis of gluten proteins in three durum wheat cultivars by a proteomic approach

The gluten protein composition and expression level influence dough properties and are cultivar and environment dependent. To broaden the knowledge of the durum wheat gluten proteome, three cultivars were compared in two different growing seasons by a proteomic approach. Cultivar-specific and differentially expressed spots in the two years were identified by mass spectrometry. Significant differences were observed among the cultivars: Ofanto showed the lowest protein spot volumes in the high molecular weight (HMW) and low molecular weight (LMW) <35 000 regions and the highest in the LMW 48 000−35000 region, Latino the lowest in the LMW 48 000−35 000 region, and Simeto an intermediate expression level in both LMW regions. In the warmer year the up-regulation of HMW glutenins, α-gliadins, and a globulin 3 protein and the down-expression of LMW glutenins and γ-gliadins were observed. Among the cultivars, Simeto showed the highest stability across the environments