Abstract: The present invention refers to Amadoriase enzyme protein variants having de-glycating activity and improved thermostability compared to the wild type Amadoriase. The present invention refers also to the use of the thermostabilized Amadoriase as deglycating agent, preferably in the food industry. Moreover, the present invention refers to the use of the thermostabilized Amadoriase as diagnostic and/or therapeutic tools. Preferably, the Amadoriase enzyme protein variants of the invention can be used for determining the level of glycated haemoglobin in a biological sample and therefore for monitoring diabetes.

Abstract: There is disclosed a trans-acting functional nucleic acid molecule comprising a eukaryotic target binding sequence comprising a sequence reverse complementary to a target mRNA sequence for which protein translation is to be enhanced, and a regulatory sequence comprising an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) sequence or an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) derived sequence and enhancing translation of the target mRNA sequence, wherein the regulatory sequence is located 3? of the target binding sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to magnetic nanoparticles based on iron oxide having cubic shape, suitably functionalized for the release of targeting chemotherapeutic agents, i.e. selectively in the tumors being treated The invention also relates to the pharmaceutical compositions having such nanoparticles and to their use in combined oncological therapies of hyperthermia and chemotherapy, useful in particular in the treatment of ovarian tumors.

Abstract: A grasper device for mini-invasive surgery procedures is provided, having two jaws, each of which having two elastically-deformable elements fixed one another and developing according to a main longitudinal direction, in particular a front element which contacts the tissue to be grasped and a back support element receiving a grasping force from a proximal command and having a higher modulus of elasticity than the front element. During the application of a grasping force Fz, the two elements deform along a transverse direction that is orthogonal to the main longitudinal direction and to the grasping force Fz.

Abstract: Apparatus (1000) and method for automatically detecting odorant substances based on use of nematodes that includes a mechanical selection unit (100) configured to select nematodes in adult stage from an initial nematode population obtaining an intermediate nematode population, a nematode optical selection unit (200) configured to select from the intermediate population a final population of nematodes in adult stage and to select nematodes in young adult stage from nematodes in egg producing adult stage to be sent to a measurement unit (300) configured to detect the response of nematodes of the final population to a stimulus of an odorant substance, the mechanical selection unit (100) being connected to the optical selection unit (200) by a connection channel with an at least three way branch and the optical selection unit (200) being connected to the measurement unit (300) by a loading microchannel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biodegradable composites based on blends of a thermoplastic polymer material with cellulosic materials, useful for several industrial and packaging applications, in particular for the manufacture of biodegradable films and articles of complex shape, having improved mechanical properties, oxygen barrier properties, biodegradation and heat resistance; and to a process for the manufacture of these biodegradable composites.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrocatalyst comprising a Ti substrate coated with a 3D Cu nanostructured matrix decorated with a mixture of amorphous TiO2 and nanoparticles of a noble metal, preferably Pt nanoparticles, an electrochemical cell comprising said electrocatalyst and their use for hydrogen production via hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in basic conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for in vitro three-dimensional cell co-culture, wherein said method comprises a step of seeding a plurality of cells of a first cell type on a first magnetic prismatic porous scaffold and a plurality of cells of a second cell type on a second magnetic prismatic porous scaffold, while keeping the first and second scaffolds physically separate, and a step of moving the first and second scaffolds towards each other under the action of a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generator until contact occurs on at least one surface.

Abstract: An RNA interference (RNAi) strategy is provided based on use of artificial microRNA (amiR) to reduce NKCC1 expression. In particular, a method is provided that achieves neuron-specific expression of specific amiR against NKCC1 by using a human Synapsin promoter to drive transgene expression.

Abstract: A method for operating a point laser-scanning microscope includes scanning a sample with a focused illumination laser beam; recording a plurality of images by detecting elements being configurable to an intensity mode, in which the recorded images are intensity images gi,j(n) related to photons collected during an entire dwell time of the illumination beam on an individual position n, or to a time-resolved mode, in which the recorded images are time-resolved images gi,jt(n, t), the collected photons being discriminated based on their arrival times to individual detecting elements; calculating a fingerprint image a by summing the plurality of intensity images gi,j(n) over all positions n; estimating shift matrices sx and sy from the intensity images gi,j(n); reconstructing at least one of a time-resolved object function ft and an intensity object function f; and visualizing at least one of a high-resolution time-resolved image ft˜ and a high-resolution intensity image f˜.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diterpene compounds of general formula (I) capable of contrasting the antibiotic-resistance mediated by the ArnT enzyme, to their use as a medicament, in particular for use as an adjuvant of an antibiotic therapy in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. The invention relates also to associations of one or more of the compounds of formula (I) with at least another active ingredient, in particular an antibacterial agent and/or an antibiotic, and compositions comprising one or more compounds of formula (I) or the association according to the present invention and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and/or carrier as well as to products, in particular medical devices, comprising at least a compound, an association or a composition according to the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof: It further discloses a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compounds of Formula (I) and their uses, in particular in the treatment of diseases or disorders associated to increased relative to physiological or desired RhoJ/Cdc42 levels of expression or function.

Abstract: Compounds have a formula (1) wherein Y and Z are independently O, N, P; R, R1, R2, R3, where present, are independently H. Optionally substituted C1-C12 alkyl, O, or R and R1 and/or R2 and R3 form, together with the atom Y and/or Z to which they are attached, a 3-14 membered ring. The compounds optionally contain one or more additional heteroatoms selected from O, N, and S, optionally substituted. Compositions include such compounds and the medical uses utilize such compounds.

Abstract: Method for increasing the optical resolution of a stimulated emission depletion microscope, or STED microscope (Stimulated Emission Depletion), based on the modulation of the intensity of a STED beam on an arbitrary time scale during the acquisition of an image and the analysis of the induced dynamics, without increasing the intensity of the STED beam and in a simple and economic manner.

Abstract: Imaging method for a biological sample using microscopy, for example fluorescence optical microscopy, electron microscopy, or correlative microscopy, which provides to use imaging probes to obtain images in which it is possible to identify the imaging probes and/or possible molecules associated with them. The present invention also concerns the imaging probes, possibly functionalized, that can be used both in CLEM experiments and also in immunocytochemical experiments.

Abstract: Underactuated prosthetic hand including base body; first and second prosthetic fingers each hinged to the base body; first control cable; actuator to move the first control cable; and for each pair of fingers second control cable having control ends associated with the first and second fingers; and transmission block to allow first control cable to control second control cable; transmission block includes guide integral with base body and defining sliding axis; movable element sliding along guide; first pulley for sliding first control cable hinged to movable element and second pulley for sliding second control cable hinged to the movable element so actuator, when moving first cable, determines moveable element translational movement to displace second control cable and the fingers; and elastic means opposing moveable element translational movement so the moveable element translational movement opposes elastic means allowing them to facilitate return to moveable element initial position.

Abstract: An underactuated exoskeleton for lower-limbs, for supporting the knee of a user, includes a first and a second coupling frame and a movement means associated with the first and with the second frame configured to confer to the second frame a roto-translation movement with respect to the first frame or vice versa. The exoskeleton further includes a junction means operatively interposed between the movement means and the first frame and/or the second frame configured to allow a relative rotation between the first and the second frame in a second plane, orthogonal to the first plane, a rotation of said second frame about said main axis of the leg and a relative translation between the first and the second frame in the second plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to silica hollow nanoparticles having inside their cavity a metal core consisting of inorganic nanostructures coated by a protective agent and agglomerated with a polymeric aggregating agent, useful in particular in medicine in the bio-imaging techniques and/or in the radio-therapeutic or chemo-therapeutic techniques; the invention moreover refers to a process for the preparation of such nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wearable actuation device (1) for the assisted movement of the fingers of a user's hand, comprising a supporting platform (10), intended to be positioned on the back of the hand and provided with fixing means for wearing in a removable way the device (1) on the hand. The device also comprises at least an articulated first finger module (2), connected with one end to the supporting platform (10) and suitable to be positioned and connected to a finger of the hand for guiding a movement of flexion or extension of the finger itself, and a motor (11) provided with an output shaft, supported by the supporting platform (10) and suitable to generate a rotational motion in two opposite directions of the motor shaft (11). The device (1) also comprises first transmission means of the first finger module (2) to allow an actuation at least of the first finger module (2).

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of biodegradable plastic films in aqueous environment, starting from vegetal wastes in powder form includes dissolution at a temperature lower than 50° C. of waste material in form of a powder in an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid, and transfer of the aqueous solution in a casting mould and evaporation of the aqueous solution, to yield the biodegradable plastic film. The total concentration of the hydrochloric acid is equal to or lower than 5% by weight. The aqueous solution may include acetic acid. The aqueous solution may also be filtered or centrifuged and/or subjected to dialysis against pure water.