Translational pharmacology of an inhaled small molecule αvβ6 integrin inhibitor for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

The αvβ6 integrin plays a key role in the activation of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ), a pro-fibrotic mediator that is pivotal to the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We identified a selective small molecule αvβ6 RGD-mimetic, GSK3008348, and profiled it in a range of disease relevant pre-clinical systems. To understand the relationship between target engagement and inhibition of fibrosis, we measured pharmacodynamic and diseaserelated end points. Here we report, GSK3008348 binds to αvβ6 with high affinity in human IPF lung and reduces downstream pro-fibrotic TGFβ signaling to normal levels. In human lung epithelial cells, GSK3008348 induces rapid internalization and lysosomal degradation of the αvβ6 integrin. In the murine bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis model, GSK3008348 engages αvβ6, induces prolonged inhibition of TGFβ signaling and reduces lung collagen deposition and serum C3M, a marker of IPF disease progression. These studies highlight the potential of inhaled GSK3008348 as an anti-fibrotic therapy

An Ru-based catalytic membrane reactor for dry reforming of methane : its catalytic performance compared with tubular packed bed reactors

The methane reforming with CO2 seems to be a promising reaction system useful to reduce the greenhouse contribution of both gases into the atmosphere. On this basis, and considering the potentiality of this reaction system, the dry reforming reaction has been carried out in an Ru-based ceramic tubular membrane reactor, in which two Ru depositions have been performed using the co-condensation technique. Experimental results in terms of CH4 and CO2 conversion versus temperature during time are presented, as well as product selectivity and carbon deposition. These experiments have also been carried out using a traditional reactor. A comparison with literature data regarding dry reforming reaction is also provided. Experimental evidence points out a good catalyst activity for the methane dry reforming reaction, confirming the potentiality of a catalytic membrane applied to the reaction system. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 10.1016/S0920-5861(03)00202-

PISA: PI SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE FOR INTEGRATED SATELLITE PAYLOAD CONTROLLERS

With the growing amount of data produced by instruments and the increasing importance of the payload element that delivers the added value of the missions, a satellite can be regarded as a distributed system with a platform integrating all the traditional on-board control functions (Attitude and Orbit Control and Data Handling Control) and collaborating with the payload through the spacecraft bus. In PISA, we investigate tools and methods to develop a payload controller based on a single embedded computer integrating instrument control software components developed by several PI teams. A hardware demonstrator based on PowerPC running RTAI Linux is also presented

Estrazione di aflatossine con una nuova metodica di purificazione atta alla determinazione per HPLC/FD in spezie.

Il lavoro descrive le verifiche di efficienza analitica svolte al fine di validare l\u2019impiego di clean-up per la preparazione di estratti da spezie da destinare alla determinazione delle Aflatossine B1, B2, G1, G2 attraverso analisi HPLC/FD. La metodica estrattiva proposta consente di semplificare tempi e manualit\ue0 nei confronti delle operazioni di estrazione e purificazione comunemente svolte attraverso l\u2019impiego di colonnine di immunoaffinit\ue0. La metodica HPLC/FD adottata \ue8 quella che prevede l\u2019uso di Kobra Cell e di Coring Cell. La sperimentazione riporta i dati di validazione del metodo, e dati di riproducibilit\ue0 svolti fra due laboratori dotati di strumentazione analoga. I valori di RSD riscontrati per la B1 sono dell\u2019ordine di 0,05 e 0,07 rispettivamente per i due laboratori che hanno svolto la sperimentazione. Tali valori consentono di valutare l\u2019incertezza, secondo la procedura NMKL, in \ub10,1 \u3bcg/kg per livelli di concentrazione dell\u2019ordine di ca 1 \u3bcg/kg e in \ub10,5-0,8 \u3bcg/kg per concentrazioni di B1 nell\u2019intorno di 6 \u3bcg/kg