Abstract: Polymeric conjugates comprising a polymeric backbone having attached thereto a bone targeting moiety and a therapeutically active agent, wherein the bone targeting moiety is attached to one end of the polymeric backbone via a branching unit such that a molar ratio of the bone targeting moiety to the polymer is at least 2:1, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these conjugates and uses thereof in the treatment of bone related disorders are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the combination of the TLG1 glucoamylase from Thermomyces lanuginoses with: (i) the SFA1 alpha-amylase from Saccharomycopsis fibuligera; and/or (ii) the LKA alpha-amylase. The enzyme combinations may be expressed in a host cell (e.g. in Saccharomyces cerevisiae) or provided as an enzyme composition. Methods for making the enzyme combinations of the invention are provided. The invention also relates to a yeast strain which exhibits amylolytic activity and promising fermentative abilities. Processes for producing a fermentation product (in particular alcohol) from starch-containing material are described.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the formula (I) which are fluorescently labeled antagonists of the A3 adenosine receptor: wherein A, R1, R2, and Y are as described herein. Also disclosed are diagnostic compositions and a method of diagnosis of a patient for a possible treatment by an antagonist of the A3 adenosine receptor, involving the use of one or more of these compounds as diagnostic agents.

Abstract: Cu(I) complexes of the type [Cu(thp)4]n[X]?n, wherein thp is a tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine, X is a counteranion, n=1-4, for the use as antineoplistic agents against solid tumors in humans.

Abstract: A method and a system for the enhancement of the sensitivity in surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors based metallic grating by exploiting the conical configuration is presented. We consider the propagation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) excited by light from the visible to infrared spectrum range, incident on a plasmonic grating at different directions by varying both the zenith and azimuthal angles. For specific azimuthal angles, SPPs propagate in the grating plane perpendicular to the incident light momentum. This is the condition that allows increasing the number of different excited SPPs modes largely. We exploit this effect to increase the sensor sensitivity with the change of refractive index of thin film on the plasmonic grating surface. Polarization effects also contribute to a further modes enhancement and increase the sensitivity. A scheme for a lab-on-chip implementation of a system that allows a parallel detection in microfluidic channels has been shown.

Abstract: A method (400) controls the delivery of insulin in a diabetic patient (P) based on data (d) representative of at least a fraction of a meal (m(k+i)) that the patient (P) will consume. The method provides from a block (R) representative of conventional therapy or open loop rule that the patient (P) is subject to, based on the data (d) representative of at least a fraction of the meal (m(k+i)), a reference insulin value (u0). The method is also based on data representative of the difference between input data (?), a reference glycemic level, and feedback data (yCGM) representative of the glycemic level detected in the patient (P). A control module (301; 401) provides a value of insulin (i) to be delivered to the patient (P) based on the various representative data.

Abstract: In a method for distributing execution of a problem to a plurality of K (wherein K?2) workers, a pair of identifiers (k, K) is transmitted to each worker, wherein k uniquely identifies each worker and wherein K indicates the total number of workers. Each worker applies a first rule deterministically and autonomously without communicating between the workers. The first rule is the same for each worker. The first rule splits the problem in m parts, wherein m?K. Each worker applies a second rule deterministically and autonomously without communicating between the workers. The second rule assigns each of the m parts to one of the K workers. The second rule is the same for each worker. Each worker processes exactly the parts that have been assigned thereto, thereby generating a unit of output. Each of the units of output from each worker is merged.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method for preparing stoichiometrically pure maghemite iron superparamagnetic nanoparticles. The method for preparing maghemite (?-Fe2O3) superparamagnetic nanoparticles disclosed in the present application is characterized by a step of reduction and appropriate steps of oxidation of the Fe-based composition obtained by the same. The maghemite nanoparticles obtained show a suitable size as well as binding properties without any surface modification. These nanoparticles can be therefore easily used as reagents for detection of inorganic and/or organic molecules as well as nanocarriers of organic and/or biomolecules.

Abstract: Polymeric conjugates comprising a polymeric backbone having attached thereto a bone targeting moiety and a therapeutically active agent, wherein the bone targeting moiety is attached to one end of the polymeric backbone via a branching unit such that a molar ratio of the bone targeting moiety to the polymer is at least 2:1, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these conjugates and uses thereof in the treatment of bone related disorders are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and a device for assessing the level of microbial activity of a substrate (9), preferably agricultural soil, biomass and other contexts, where there is enzymatic activity. The method includes: preparing one or more biodegradable threads (8); tensioning the one or more biodegradable threads with a pre-defined tension; introducing the one or more tensioned biodegradable threads partially in the substrate; leaving the one or more biodegradable threads in the substrate; measuring the time elapsed from the introduction of the one or more biodegradable threads in the substrate to the breakage of the one or more threads. The device includes one or more biodegradable threads (8) with a first fixing element (12) suited to fix one end of the biodegradable thread and a second fixing element (20) suited to fix the other end of the biodegradable thread, between which each biodegradable thread can be independently tightened with a pre-defined tension.

Abstract: A tool (1) for insertion into trees comprises a first proximal end (3), a second distal end (4) and a body (2) axially extended between the first and second ends (3,4), wherein the second distal end (4) is of the cuneiform type provided with a linear edge (6) to promote the insertion of the tool (1) into a tree trunk (A), the edge being (6) linearly extended in a direction almost orthogonal to a longitudinal axis (Y) of the body (2), which is provided with a cross section (10) having a bi-convex lenticular shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighting device (1) that comprises a first light source (2) comprising one or more LED devices (21). At least a deformable reflective element (3) is optically coupled to said first light source, so as to receive light from said first light source, said reflective structure comprising at least a first portion (31) having a reflective surface (310) that reflects at least partially the light (L1) received from said first light source, and a second portion (32) that is solidly coupled to said first portion. Driving means (4) are operatively coupled to said second portion (32), which induce a deformation of said second portion that in turn causes a deformation of the reflective surface (310) of said first portion. The position of the focus point (F) of the light (L2) reflected by said reflective surface can thus be varied in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A composition comprising a photoactivatable larvicide and a suitable vector, the latter allowing the larvicide to be ingested by the larvae and a method for controlling mosquito larvae by using said photoactivatable larvicide are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the combination of the TLG1 glucoamylase from Thermomyces lanuginoses with: (i) the SFA1 alpha-amylase from Saccharomycopsis fibuligera; and/or (ii) the LKA alpha-amylase. The enzyme combinations may be expressed in a host cell (e.g. in Saccharomyces cerevisiae) or provided as an enzyme composition. Methods for making the enzyme combinations of the invention are provided. The invention also relates to a yeast strain which exhibits amylolytic activity and promising fermentative abilities. Processes for producing a fermentation product (in particular alcohol) from starch-containing material are described.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the formula (I) which are fluorescently labeled antagonists of the A3 adenosine receptor: wherein A, R1, R2, and Y are as described herein. Also disclosed are diagnostic compositions and a method of diagnosis of a patient for a possible treatment by an antagonist of the A3 adenosine receptor, involving the use of one or more of these compounds as diagnostic agents.

Abstract: Administration of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor is useful in the prevention and treatment of muscle dystrophy. Methods and compositions for inhibiting the production of reactive oxygen species in a muscle cell overproducing reactive oxygen species are provided herein.

Abstract: The invention concerns Au(III) complexes of the type [AuIIIX2(Pdtc)] (X=halogen, pseudo-halogen; pdtc=peptide-/esterified peptidedithiocarbamato) which are able to both maintain the antitumor properties and the lack of nephrotoxic side-effects of the previously reported Au(III)-dithiocarbamato complexes, together with an improved bioavailability through the peptide-mediated cellular internalization. The Au(III) complexes described have shown a significant biological activity on human tumor cell lines and, thus, they can be advantageously used as antineoplastic agents. The preparation method and use for the treatment of tumor pathologies of the Au(III) complexes of the invention are further described.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method for preparing stoichiometrically pure maghemite iron superparamagnetic nanoparticles. The method for preparing maghemite (?-Fe2O3) superparamagnetic nanoparticles disclosed in the present application is characterized by a step of reduction and appropriate steps of oxidation of the Fe-based composition obtained by the same. The maghemite nanoparticles obtained show a suitable size as well as binding properties without any surface modification. These nanoparticles can be therefore easily used as reagents for detection of inorganic and/or organic molecules as well as nanocarriers of organic and/or biomolecules.

Abstract: A device for generating alerts for Hypo and Hyperglycemia Prevention from Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) determines a dynamic risk based on both information of glucose level and a trend obtainable from a CGM signals. The device includes a display whose color depends on the DR (for example, red for high DR, green for low risk). When DR exceeds a certain threshold, alerts are generated to suggest the patient to pay attention to the current glucose reading and to its trend, both of which are shown on the display in numbers and symbols (e.g. an arrow with different slope or color).

Abstract: A MOSFET transistor comprising a substrate of semiconductor material having a source junction connected to a source electrode, a drain junction connected to a drain electrode, and a gate layer connected to a gate electrode, the source junction or the drain junction being a metal-semiconductor junction.