A Self-Powered Wireless Water Quality Sensing Network Enabling Smart Monitoring of Biological and Chemical Stability in Supply Systems

A smart, safe, and efficient management of water is fundamental for both developed and developing countries. Several wireless sensor networks have been proposed for real-time monitoring of drinking water quantity and quality, both in the environment and in pipelines. However, surface fouling significantly affects the long-term reliability of pipes and sensors installed in-line. To address this relevant issue, we presented a multi-parameter sensing node embedding a miniaturized slime monitor able to estimate the micrometric thickness and type of slime. The measurement of thin deposits in pipes is descriptive of water biological and chemical stability and enables early warning functions, predictive maintenance, and more efficient management processes. After the description of the sensing node, the related electronics, and the data processing strategies, we presented the results of a two-month validation in the field of a three-node pilot network. Furthermore, self-powering by means of direct energy harvesting from the water flowing through the sensing node was also demonstrated. The robustness and low cost of this solution enable its upscaling to larger monitoring networks, paving the way to water monitoring with unprecedented spatio-temporal resolution. Document type: Articl

Neurotrophin p75 receptor (p75NTR) promotes endothelial cell apoptosis and inhibits angiogenesis:implications for diabetes-induced impaired neovascularization in ischemic limb muscles

Diabetes impairs endothelial function and reparative neovascularization. The p75 receptor of neurotrophins (p75<sup>NTR</sup>), which is scarcely present in healthy endothelial cells (ECs), becomes strongly expressed by capillary ECs after induction of peripheral ischemia in type-1 diabetic mice. Here, we show that gene transfer-induced p75<sup>NTR</sup> expression impairs the survival, proliferation, migration, and adhesion capacities of cultured ECs and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and inhibits angiogenesis in vitro. Moreover, intramuscular p75<sup>NTR</sup> gene delivery impairs neovascularization and blood flow recovery in a mouse model of limb ischemia. These disturbed functions are associated with suppression of signaling mechanisms implicated in EC survival and angiogenesis. In fact, p75<sup>NTR</sup> depresses the VEGF-A/Akt/eNOS/NO pathway and additionally reduces the mRNA levels ofITGB1 [beta (1) integrin], BIRC5 (survivin), PTTG1 (securin) and VEZF1. Diabetic mice, which typically show impaired postischemic muscular neovascularization and blood perfusion recovery, have these defects corrected by intramuscular gene transfer of a dominant negative mutant form of p75<sup>NTR</sup>. Collectively, our data newly demonstrate the antiangiogenic action of p75<sup>NTR</sup> and open new avenues for the therapeutic use of p75<sup>NTR</sup> inhibition to combat diabetes-induced microvascular liabilities

Neurotrophin p75 receptor (p75NTR) promotes endothelial cell apoptosis and inhibits angiogenesis: implications for diabetes-induced impaired neovascularization in ischemic limb muscles

Diabetes impairs endothelial function and reparative neovascularization. The p75 receptor of neurotrophins (p75(NTR)), which is scarcely present in healthy endothelial cells (ECs), becomes strongly expressed by capillary ECs after induction of peripheral ischemia in type-1 diabetic mice. Here, we show that gene transfer-induced p75(NTR) expression impairs the survival, proliferation, migration, and adhesion capacities of cultured ECs and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and inhibits angiogenesis in vitro. Moreover, intramuscular p75(NTR) gene delivery impairs neovascularization and blood flow recovery in a mouse model of limb ischemia. These disturbed functions are associated with suppression of signaling mechanisms implicated in EC survival and angiogenesis. In fact, p75(NTR) depresses the VEGF-A/Akt/eNOS/NO pathway and additionally reduces the mRNA levels of ITGB1 [beta (1) integrin], BIRC5 (survivin), PTTG1 (securin) and VEZF1. Diabetic mice, which typically show impaired postischemic muscular neovascularization and blood perfusion recovery, have these defects corrected by intramuscular gene transfer of a dominant negative mutant form of p75(NTR). Collectively, our data newly demonstrate the antiangiogenic action of p75(NTR) and open new avenues for the therapeutic use of p75(NTR) inhibition to combat diabetes-induced microvascular liabilitie

Change in eGFR during FU according to TAp in all patients and in patients with eGFR <30 ml/min.

<p>Change in eGFR during FU according to TAp in all patients and in patients with eGFR <30 ml/min.</p

Renal survival.

<p>(A) Kaplan-Meier estimates of proportion of renal survival (absence of creatinine doubling) in the 325 patients by TAp groups. Estimated 5-year overall survival rates were 97.7% (95% CI 84.9–99.7) for patients with <0.3 g/day; 95.1% (95% CI 89.4–97.8) for patients with 0.3–0.9 g/day, 92.1% (95% CI 79.8–96.3) for those with 1–1.9 g/day, 69.4% (95% CI 46.3–84.1) for those with 2–2.9 g/day and 29.0% (95% CI 14.6–45.1) for those with ≥3 g/day. (B) Kaplan-Meier estimates of proportion of renal survival (absence of ESRD) in the 325 patients by TAp groups. Estimated 5-year overall survival rates were 100% (95% CI: not calculable) for patients with <0.3 g/day; 96.5% (95% CI 90.1–98.7) for patients with <0.3–0.9 g/day, 95.6% (95% CI 84.3–99.2) for those with 1–1.9 g/day, 69.1% (95% CI 45.6–84.0) for those with 2–2.9 g/day and 46.9% (95% CI 27.7–63.9–45.1) for those with ≥3 g/day.</p

Characteristics of the three considered trials.

<p>Characteristics of the three considered trials.</p

End-stage (39 patients): risk factors at univariate analysis (Cox model with multiple imputation).

<p>End-stage (39 patients): risk factors at univariate analysis (Cox model with multiple imputation).</p

100% increase of creatinine (54 patients—66 events): risk factors at univariate analysis.

<p>100% increase of creatinine (54 patients—66 events): risk factors at univariate analysis.</p

Characteristics at baseline, after 6 months and during follow-up according to the treatment.

<p>Characteristics at baseline, after 6 months and during follow-up according to the treatment.</p