Software Reference Architecture for CubeSats – A Direct Approach

Ever since the first CubeSat mission was launched, the concept and complexity of CubeSat missions has evolved at a pace that current operational system/doctrine cannot match. In an increasingly dynamic space economy, where small businesses have become the norm, innovative solutions that abstract away complexity and increase autonomy are fundamental to reduce operational costs. It is within this frame that the current study is presented. To address the need for a standardized software architecture of NewSpace companies, we first assess the European small satellite market needs through a survey with key players in the space sector. From this survey, we derive the high-level requirements, functionalities, and interfaces of a software architecture for CubeSats, the preferred platform due to its lower cost when compared with traditional platforms. Finally, we report the implementation results of a set of these components and show how they reflect design drivers

Chitin Nanofibril-Nanolignin Complexes as Carriers of Functional Molecules for Skin Contact Applications

Chitin nanofibrils (CN) and nanolignin (NL) were used to embed active molecules, such as vitamin E, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, lutein, nicotinamide and glycyrrhetinic acid (derived from licorice), in the design of antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nanostructured chitin nanofibrils–nanolignin (CN-NL) complexes for skin contact products, thus forming CN-NL/M complexes, where M indicates the embedded functional molecule. Nano-silver was also embedded in CN-NL complexes or on chitin nanofibrils to exploit its well-known antimicrobial activity. A powdery product suitable for application was finally obtained by spray-drying the complexes co-formulated with poly(ethylene glycol). The structure and morphology of the complexes was studied using infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy, while their thermal stability was investigated via thermo-gravimetry. The latter provided criteria for evaluating the suitability of the obtained complexes for subsequent demanding industrial processing, such as, for instance, incorporation into bio-based thermoplastic polymers through conventional melt extrusion. In vitro tests were carried out at different concentrations to assess skin compatibility. The obtained results provided a physical–chemical, morphological and cytocompatibility knowledge platform for the correct selection and further development of such nanomaterials, allowing them to be applied in different products. In particular, chitin nanofibrils and the CN-NL complex containing glycyrrhetinic acid can combine excellent thermal stability and skin compatibility to provide a nanostructured system potentially suitable for industrial applications

Switch to maraviroc with darunavir/r, both QD, in patients with suppressed HIV-1 was well tolerated but virologically inferior to standard antiretroviral therapy: 48-Week results of a randomized trial

Objectives Primary study outcome was absence of treatment failure (virological failure, VF, or treatment interruption) per protocol at week 48. Methods Patients on 3-drug ART with stable HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL and CCR5-tropic virus were randomized 1:1 to maraviroc with darunavir/ritonavir qd (study arm) or continue current ART (continuation arm).Results In June 2015, 115 patients were evaluable for the primary outcome (56 study, 59 continuation arm). The study was discontinued due to excess of VF in the study arm (7 cases, 12.5%, vs 0 in the continuation arm, p = 0.005). The proportion free of treatment failure was 73.2% in the study and 59.3% in the continuation arm. Two participants in the study and 10 in the continuation arm discontinued therapy due to adverse events (p = 0.030). At VF, no emergent drug resistance was detected. Co-receptor tropism switched to non-R5 in one patient. Patients with VF reported lower adherence and had lower plasma drug levels. Femoral bone mineral density was significantly improved in the study arm. Conclusion Switching to maraviroc with darunavir/ritonavir qd in virologically suppressed patients was associated with improved tolerability but was virologically inferior to 3-drug therap

Neutralizing activity and T Cell response after bivalent fifth dose of mRNA vaccine in person living with HIV

OBJECTIVES: To investigate immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine third booster (3BD; fifth dose) with bivalent vaccine original/BA4/5 vaccine in people living with HIV (PLWH). STUDY DESIGN: This is an observational cohort study to evaluate the outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (HIV-VAC study). We analyzed microneutralization assay and IFN-γ production in 48 PLWH on ART with CD4 count <200 cell/mm3 and/or previous AIDS according to immunization status: vaccinated PLWH who had a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection (hybrid immunization, HI) vs. those only vaccinated (non-hybrid immunization, nHI) and current CD4 count RESULTS: After 15 days from its administration (T1), the 3BD bivalent mRNA vaccine elicited a statistically significant increase of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) geometric mean titers (GMTs) from T0 to T1 against W-D614G (fold-increase 4.8; p<0.0001), BA.5 (8.6 p<0.0001), BQ.1.1 (6.4, p<0.0001) and XBB.1 (6.5, p<0.0001). When compared to BA.5, nAbs GMTs against BQ.1.1 and XBB.1 decreased by 3.5 and 4.1-fold, respectively. After controlling for age, years from AIDS diagnosis, CD4 count at administration and CD4 count nadir, the fold change reduction in nAbs response to other VoCs as compared to BA.1, was larger in participants with HI vs. those nHI: 0.59 lower (95%CI 0.36, 0.97, p=0.04) for BQ.1.1 and 0.67 lower (95% CI: 0.47, 0.96, p=0.03) for XBB.1.In contrast, the analysis carried little evidence for an association between current CD4 count and response to the fifth dose of bivalent vaccine. Furthermore, cell-mediated immunity remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the current recommendation of offering bivalent mRNA vaccine booster doses to PLWH with low CD4 count or previous AIDS at first vaccination, especially in those who never previously acquired SARS CoV2 and regardless of current CD4 count

Risk of COVID-19 in-hospital mortality in people living with HIV compared to general population according to age and CD4 strata: data from the ICONA network

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study whether people living with HIV (PLWH) are at higher risk of in-hospital COVID-19 mortality compared to the general population (GenPop). METHODS: This was a retrospective study in 19 Italian centers (February 2020 to November 2022) including hospitalized PLWH and GenPop with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The main outcome was in-hospital mortality. Competing risk analyses by Fine-Gray regression model were used to estimate the association between in-hospital mortality and HIV status/age. RESULTS: A total of 7399 patients with COVID-19 were included, 239 (3.2%) PLWH, and 7160 (96.8%) GenPop. By day 40, in-hospital death occurred in 1283/7160 (17.9%) among GenPop and 34/239 (14.2%) among PLWH. After adjusting for potential confounders, compared to GenPop 350 (aSHR 1.11 [95% CI 0.41-2.99]). CONCLUSIONS: In PLWH aged <65 years a CD4 ≤350 rather than HIV itself seems the driver for the observed higher risk of in-hospital mortality. We cannot however rule out that HIV infection per se is the risk factor in those aged ≥65 years

Long Term Assessment of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Immunogenicity after mRNA Vaccine in Persons Living with HIV

(1) Background: Waning of neutralizing and cell-mediated immune response after the primary vaccine cycle (PVC) and the first booster dose (BD) is of concern, especially for PLWH with a CD4 count ≤200 cells/mm3. (2) Methods: Neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) titers by microneutralization assay against WD614G/Omicron BA.1 and IFNγ production by ELISA assay were measured in samples of PLWH at four time points [2 and 4 months post-PVC (T1 and T2), 2 weeks and 5 months after the BD (T3 and T4)]. Participants were stratified by CD4 count after PVC (LCD4, ≤200/mm3; ICD4, 201–500/mm3, and HCD4, &gt;500/mm3). Mixed models were used to compare mean responses over T1–T4 across CD4 groups. (3) Results: 314 PLWH on ART (LCD4 = 56; ICD4 = 120; HCD4 = 138) were enrolled. At T2, levels of nAbs were significantly lower in LCD4 vs. ICD4/HCD4 (p = 0.04). The BD was crucial for increasing nAbs titers above 1:40 at T3 and up to T4 for WD614G. A positive T cell response after PVC was observed in all groups, regardless of CD4 (p = 0.31). (4) Conclusions: Waning of nAbs after PVC was more important in LCD4 group. The BD managed to re-establish higher levels of nAbs against WD614G, which were retained for 5 months, but for shorter time for Omicron BA.1. The T cellular response in the LCD4 group was lower than that seen in participants with higher CD4 count, but, importantly, it remained above detectable levels over the entire study period

Switch to maraviroc with darunavir/r, both QD, in patients with suppressed HIV-1 was well tolerated but virologically inferior to standard antiretroviral therapy: 48-Week results of a randomized trial

Objectives: Primary study outcome was absence of treatment failure (virological failure, VF, or treatment interruption) per protocol at week 48. Methods: Patients on 3-drug ART with stable HIV-1 RNA &lt;50 copies/mL and CCR5-tropic virus were randomized 1:1 to maraviroc with darunavir/ritonavir qd (study arm) or continue current ART (continuation arm). Results: In June 2015, 115 patients were evaluable for the primary outcome (56 study, 59 continuation arm). The study was discontinued due to excess of VF in the study arm (7 cases, 12.5%, vs 0 in the continuation arm, p = 0.005). The proportion free of treatment failure was 73.2% in the study and 59.3% in the continuation arm. Two participants in the study and 10 in the continuation arm discontinued therapy due to adverse events (p = 0.030). At VF, no emergent drug resistance was detected. Co-receptor tropism switched to non-R5 in one patient. Patients with VF reported lower adherence and had lower plasma drug levels. Femoral bone mineral density was significantly improved in the study arm. Conclusion: Switching to maraviroc with darunavir/ritonavir qd in virologically suppressed patients was associated with improved tolerability but was virologically inferior to 3-drug therapy

Humoral and cellular immune response elicited by mRNA vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in people living with HIV (PLWH) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) according with current CD4 T-lymphocyte count

BACKGROUND: Data on SARS-CoV-2 vaccine immunogenicity in PLWH are currently limited. Aim of the study was to investigate immunogenicity according to current CD4 T-cell count. METHODS: PLWH on ART attending a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination program, were included in a prospective immunogenicity evaluation after receiving BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273. Participants were stratified by current CD4 T-cell count (poor CD4 recovery, PCDR: 500/mm^{3}). RBD-binding IgG, SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) and IFN-γ release were measured. As control group, HIV-negative healthcare workers (HCWs) were used. FINDINGS: Among 166 PLWH after 1 month from the second dose, detectable RBD-binding IgG were elicited in 86.7% of PCDR, 100% of ICDR, 98.7% of HCDR, and a neutralizing titre ≥1:10 elicited in 70.0%, 88.2% and 93.1%, respectively. Compared to HCDR, all immune response parameters were significantly lower in PCDR. After adjusting for confounders, current CD4 T-cell 500 cell/mm^{3} and HIV-negative controls. A decreased RBD-binding antibody response than HCWs was also observed in PLWH with CD4 T-cell 200-500/mm^{3}, whereas immune response elicited in PLWH with a CD4 T-cell >500/mm^{}3 was comparable to HIV-negative population

Active Ingredients and Carriers in Nutritional Eco-Cosmetics

Beauty and personal care became a significant part of the global economy for two reasons: (1) The elderly growing in the global population and (2) the desire of women and men to appear younger and more attractive. Thus, both young and old people are looking for revolutionary nutritional eco-cosmetics (combined use of cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals) manufactured by natural active ingredients, using biopolymers as substrates, and made by innovative and sustainable technologies. Consequently, the market of both cosmetics and diet supplements is continually growing together with the request of natural active ingredients, including bio-peptides and biological macromolecules such as chitin and lignin. Therefore, both consumers and industry need to recover innovative active ingredients and carriers (vehicles), naturally derived and supported by advanced methods for controlling their effectiveness and safeness on skin and mucous membrane layers. The use of selected bio-ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and bio-mimetic peptides, obtained by advanced, innovative and sustainable bio nanotechnologies, will be of interest to develop smart cosmeceutical and nutraceutical formulations. Innovation is considered the key business strategy to drive sustainable economic growth. For trying to reduce waste and produce sustainable, biodegradable and innovative products, the realization of new non-woven tissues, used as carriers for making innovative cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals was considered. Both carriers and active ingredients have been obtained from food waste to reduce loss and pollution. This review will report a brief description of the skin functions, trying also to focus and discuss some of the active ingredients and carriers used in nutritional eco-cosmetics to clarify the supposed mechanism of action, effectiveness and safeness of both active ingredients and carriers, as well as the supposed activity of beauty and personal care products