An easily recoverable and recyclable homogeneous polyester-based Pd catalytic system for the hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds

Homogeneous catalysis is an efficient tool to carry out hydrogenation processes but the major drawback is represented by the separation of the expensive catalyst from the product mixture. In this view we prepared a polyester-based Pd catalytic system that offers the advantages of both homogenous and heterogeneous catalyses: efficacy, selectivity and recyclability. Here its application in the hydrogenation of selected alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds is described

MEDIATION: An eMbEddeD System for Auditory Feedback of Hand-water InterAcTION while Swimming

Cesarini D, Calvaresi D, Farnesi C, et al. MEDIATION: An eMbEddeD System for Auditory Feedback of Hand-water InterAcTION while Swimming. Procedia Engineering. 2016;147:324-329.In swimming sport, the proper perception of moving water masses is a key factor. This paper presents an embedded system for the acquisition of values of pressure on swimmers hands and their transformation into sound. The sound, obtained using sonification, is used as an auditive representation of hand-water interactions while swimming in water. The sound obtained is used as an auditive feedback for the swimmer and as an augmented communication channel between the swimming trainer and the athlete. The developed system is self-contained, battery powered and able to work continuously for over eight hours, thus, representing a viable solution for daily usage in swimmers training. Preliminary results from in-pool experiments with both novel and experienced swimmers demonstrate the high acceptability of this technology and its promising future evolution and usage possibilities

Doppler and Spectral Ultrasound of Sacroiliac Joints in Pediatric Patients with Suspected Juvenile Spondyloarthritis

Background: Power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) with spectral wave analysis (SWA) has been compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in documenting active sacroiliitis in early spondyloarthritis (SpA) but, to date, PDUS/SWA has not been yet applied to the study of sacroiliac joints (SIJs) in children. Methods: A group of 20 children (13 F/7 M, mean age 14.2 y) with suspected juvenile SpA (jSpA) underwent PDUS/SWA and, subsequently, MRI of the SIJs. SIJs PDUS scoring and resistance index (RI) of the SIJs flows were recorded. The accuracy of PDUS/SWA for the diagnosis of active sacroiliitis was evaluated, with MRI as the gold standard. Results: PDUS signals were detected in 19 patients and 30 SIJs. Bone marrow edema (BME) lesions on MRI were detected in 12 patients (diagnosed as jSpA) and 22 SIJs. PDUS scoring on SIJs were higher in patients with a final diagnosis of jSpA (p = 0.003). On SWA, the mean RIs in patients with or without final diagnosis of active sacroiliitis were, respectively, 0.604 and 0.767 (p = 0.005) at joint level. A RI < 0.55 and PDUS > 1 showed the higher specificity for sacroiliitis (AUROC curve 0.854 for PDUS and 0.920 for RI). SIJs PDUS/SWA showed an overall concordance of 82.35%, with substantial agreement (k = 0.627) with MRI on the diagnosis of sacroiliitis. Conclusions: In children with sacroiliitis, PDUS demonstrates a rich vascularization into SIJs and low RIs (<0.55) have high specificity for this condition. SIJs PDUS/SWA could be useful as a screening method in children with suspected jSpA

Clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic findings at baseline predict long-term outcome of polymyalgia rheumatica: a multicentric retrospective study : Polymyalgia rheumatica predicted by ultrasonographic findings polymyalgia rheumatica outcome predicted early by ultrasound

To assess the rate of PMR who, during the follow-up, undergo a diagnostic shift as well as to assess which clinical, laboratory and US findings are associated to a diagnostic shift and predict the long-term evolution of PMR. All PMR followed-up for at least 12 months were included. According to the US procedures performed at diagnosis, patients were subdivided into four subgroups. Clinical data from follow-up visits at 12, 24, 48 and 60 months, including a diagnostic shift, the number of relapses and immunosuppressive and steroid treatment, were recorded. A total of 201 patients were included. During the follow-up, up to 60% had a change in diagnosis. Bilateral LHBT was associated with persistence in PMR diagnosis, whereas GH synovitis and RF positivity to a diagnostic shift. Patients undergoing diagnostic shift had a higher frequency of GH synovitis, shoulder PD, higher CRP, WBC, PLT and Hb and longer time to achieve remission, while those maintaining diagnosis had bilateral exudative LHBT and SA-SD bursitis, higher ESR, lower Hb and shorter time to remission. Cluster analysis identified a subgroup of older patients, with lower CRP, WBC, PLT and Hb, lower PD signal or peripheral synovitis who had a higher persistence in PMR diagnosis, suffered from more flares and took more GCs. Most PMR have their diagnosis changed during follow-up. The early use of the US is associated with a lower dosage of GCs. Patients with a definite subset of clinical, laboratory and US findings seem to be more prone to maintain the diagnosis of PMR

Baricitinib retention rate: ‘real-life’ data from a mono-centric cohort of patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis

ObjectivesThe aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate baricitinib retention rate in patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Secondary aims were to compare the impact on treatment persistence of monotherapy and other variables such as systemic corticosteroid use, line of treatment, disease duration, sex, biomarkers positivity, and Herpes Zoster virus infection.Materials and methodsPatients with Rheumatoid Arthritis undergoing baricitinib were consecutively enrolled. Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis was performed with 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria. The cohort’s demographic, clinical and therapeutical data were retrospectively collected. The whole follow-up duration was 104 weeks.ResultsNinety-five patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis and treated with baricitinib were consecutively enrolled. At the end of follow-up, the overall retention rate was 69.3%. No statistically significant difference in retention rate was observed between patients treated with baricitinib in monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate (p = 0.638) while patients undergoing a steroidal treatment showed a significantly reduced treatment retention (p = 0.028). Contrarily, patients treated with baricitinib as a first-line b/tsDMARD showed higher drug retention (p = 0.002) compared to further treatment lines. Steroid employment, steroid dosage and previous treatment with bDMARDs correlated with risk of treatment discontinuation and at univariate analysis (p = 0.028, p < 0.001, and p = 0.002 respectively). Multivariate analysis confirmed significance for higher steroid dosage and previous treatment with bDMARDs (p = 0.002 and p = 0.046). No adverse events such as deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism or tubercular infection/reactivation were reported during the study observation.ConclusionOur data show a good baricitinib retention rate after 12 and 24 months of observation (75.1 and 69.3%, respectively). In our cohort, concomitant treatment with methotrexate did not influence treatment persistence while retention was reduced in patients undergoing a steroidal treatment and/or in multi-failure subjects

Development and Implementation of the AIDA International Registry for Patients with Non-Infectious Scleritis

Introduction This article points out the design, methods, development and deployment of the international registry promoted by the AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance (AIDA) Network with the aim to define and assess paediatric and adult patients with immune-mediated scleritis. Methods This registry collects both retrospective and prospective real-world data from patients with non-infectious scleritis through the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) tool and aims to promote knowledge and real-life evidence from patients enrolled worldwide; the registry also allows the collection of standardised data, ensuring the highest levels of security and anonymity of patients' data and flexibility to change according to scientific acquisitions over time. The communication with other similar registries has been also ensured in order to pursue the sustainability of the project with respect to the adaptation of collected data to the most diverse research projects. Results Since the launch of the registry, 99 centres have been involved from 20 countries and four continents. Forty-eight of the centres have already obtained a formal approval from their local ethics committees. At present, the platform counts 259 users (95 principal investigators, 160 site investigators, 2 lead investigators, and 2 data managers); the platform collects baseline and follow-up data using 3683 fields organised into 13 instruments, including patient's demographics, history, symptoms, trigger or risk factors, therapies and healthcare utilization. Conclusions The development of the AIDA International Registry for patients with non-infectious scleritis will allow solid research on this rare condition. Real-world evidence resulting from standardised real-life data will lead to the optimisation of routine clinical and therapeutic management, which are currently limited by the rarity of this ocular inflammatory condition

An easily recoverable and recyclable homogeneous polyester-based Pd catalytic system for the hydrogenation of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds

Abstract Homogeneous catalysis is an efficient tool to carry out hydrogenation processes but the major drawback is represented by the separation of the expensive catalyst from the product mixture. In this view we prepared a polyester-based Pd catalytic system that offers the advantages of both homogenous and heterogeneous catalyses: efficacy, selectivity and recyclability. Here its application in the hydrogenation of selected α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds is described.Homogeneous catalysis is an efficient tool to carry out hydrogenation processes but the major drawback is represented by the separation of the expensive catalyst from the product mixture. In this view we prepared a polyester-based Pd catalytic system that offers the advantages of both homogenous and heterogeneous catalyses: efficacy, selectivity and recyclability. Here its application in the hydrogenation of selected alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds is described. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved