Abstract: Path planning method for computing optimal parking maneuvers for road vehicles including the steps of computing a set of value functions of a cost function of parking maneuvers reaching the target set of states as unique viscosity solution of a Hamilton Jacobi Bellman equation, supplying the set of value functions, together with a starting state of the vehicle, as input to the dynamic programming calculation procedure calculating at least the set of vehicle controls. The set of equations modeling the evolution of the state of said road vehicle is a switched system of equations between a first sub-system if the vehicle is in forward motion and a second sub-system if the vehicle is in reverse motion. The cost function takes into account the arrival time a number of direction changes of the road vehicle between forward motion and reverse motion.

Abstract: New preparative approach of dry powder vaccines for mucosal (e.g. nasal) administration for the purpose of human or animal immunization; it requires spraying a vaccine liquid dispersion, previously mixed with a sub-micron particulate adjuvant, onto a solid carrier while blending the mixture, followed by drying in mild conditions; the sub-micron particulate adjuvant is an O/W nanoemulsion stabilized with a polysaccharide. Improved dry powder vaccines are obtained in form of aggregated antigen-carrier particles, whereby the antigen is finely and firmly dispersed within the carrier; once in contact with the mucosal surface, the product quickly dissociates and releases the antigen component.

Abstract: A system (10) for the remote detection of substances, comprising a vehicle (20) that is mobile in space and remote-piloted using a control device (40) with a haptic interface suitable to return a force feedback to a user of the control device (40), wherein the vehicle (20) is equipped with a position sensor (22) and a sensor (21) for detecting a physical quantity whose intensity depends on the distance of at least one substance present in a detection point located in a vicinity of the position of the vehicle (20).

Abstract: Compounds and pharmaceutical compositions are contemplated that inhibit N-acyl-ethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA) to so increase the concentration of the substrate of NAAA, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). NAAA inhibition is contemplated to be effective to alleviate conditions associated with a reduced concentration of PEA. Among other uses, various NAAA inhibitors are especially contemplated as therapeutic agents in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Device for administering a fluid into a patient's conjunctival sac, which combines in a single product optimum characteristics in terms of stability, positioning and spacing of the fluid dispenser with respect to the surface of the eye, as well as guiding of the dispensed fluid towards the center of the eye. The device has the shape of a hollow truncated cone, the minor (top) base of which is adapted to house the dripper of a fluid dispenser and the major (bottom) base of which has a non-coplanar ovoid shape and is adapted to rest precisely on the periocular area. The device allows safe spacing of the tip of the dripper from the corneal surface, preventing accidental contact between dripper and cornea. The dispensed fluid is directed towards the center of the eye surface, without coming into contact with the device. The device is constructively simple, low-cost and suitable for possible disposable use.

Abstract: Described herein are compounds and pharmaceutical compositions which inhibit N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA). Described herein are methods for synthesizing the compounds set forth herein and methods for formulating these compounds as pharmaceutical compositions which include these compounds. Also described herein are methods of inhibiting NAAA in order to sustain the levels of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and other N-acylethanolamines (NAE) that are substrates for NAAA, in conditions characterized by reduced concentrations of NAE. Also, described here are methods of treating and ameliorating pain, inflammation, inflammatory diseases, and other disorders in which modulation of fatty acid ethanolamides is clinically or therapeutically relevant or in which decreased levels of NAE are associated with the disorder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody capable of binding with high-affinity and high selectivity to the ectodomain of the transmembrane proteoglycan (PG) NG2/CSPG4, preferably to discrete isoforms of said PG, preferably isoforms that may be generated by alternative splicing, and/or coding single nucleotide polymorphisms, and/or post-transcriptional and/or post-translational modifications. The invention further relates to an anti-NG2/CSPG4 antibody possessing the ability to uniquely induce programmed cell death, exhibited as both canonical caspase-dependent apoptosis and authophagy, in NG2/CSPG4-expressing cancer cells. This action being manifested irrespectively of the coaction of other exogenously added factors. Moreover, the present invention refers to a composition comprising the antibody of the invention, in its naked, encapsulated or genetically engineered form, as pharmaceutical excipient.

Abstract: Described herein are compounds and pharmaceutical compositions which inhibit N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA). Described herein are methods for synthesizing the compounds set forth herein and methods for formulating these compounds as pharmaceutical compositions which include these compounds. Also described herein are methods of inhibiting NAAA in order to sustain the levels of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and other N-acylethanolamines (NAE) that are substrates for NAAA, in conditions characterized by reduced concentrations of NAE. Also, described here are methods of treating and ameliorating pain, inflammation, inflammatory diseases, and other disorders in which modulation of fatty acid ethanolamides is clinically or therapeutically relevant or in which decreased levels of NAE are associated with the disorder.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making and using peripherally restricted inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). The present invention provides compounds and compositions that suppress FAAH activity and increases anandamide levels outside the central nervous system (CNS). The present invention also sets forth methods for inhibiting FAAH as well as methods for treating conditions such as, but not limited to, pain, inflammation, immune disorders, dermatitis, mucositis, the over reactivity of peripheral sensory neurons, neurodermatitis, and an overactive bladder. Accordingly, the invention also provides compounds, methods, and pharmaceutical compositions for treating conditions in which the selective inhibition of peripheral FAAH (as opposed to CNS FAAH) would be of benefit.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA). Inhibition of NAAA is contemplated as a method to sustain the levels of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleylethanolamide (OEA), two substrates of NAAA, in conditions characterized by reduced concentrations of PEA and OEA. The invention also provides methods for treating inflammatory diseases and pain, and other disorders in which decreased levels of PEA and OEA are associated with the disorder.

Abstract: Compounds and pharmaceutical compositions are contemplated that inhibit N-acyl-ethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA) to so increase the concentration of the substrate of NAAA, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). NAAA inhibition is contemplated to be effective to alleviate conditions associated with a reduced concentration of PEA. Among other uses, various NAAA inhibitors are especially contemplated as therapeutic agents in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Peripherally restricted inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) are provided. The compounds can suppress FAAH activity and increases anandamide levels outside the central nervous system (CNS). Despite their relative inability to access brain and spinal cord, the compounds attenuate behavioral responses indicative of persistent pain in rodent models of inflammation and peripheral nerve injury, and suppresses noxious stimulus-evoked neuronal activation in spinal cord regions implicated in nociceptive processing. CBi receptor blockade prevents these effects. Accordingly, the invention also provides methods, and pharmaceutical compositions for treating conditions in which the inhibition of peripheral FAAH would be of benefit. The compounds of the invention are according to the formula (I): in which R1 is a polar group. In some embodiments, R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and the physiologically hydro lysable esters thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making and using peripherally restricted inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). The present invention provides compounds and compositions that suppress FAAH activity and increases anandamide levels outside the central nervous system (CNS). The present invention also sets forth methods for inhibiting FAAH as well as methods for treating conditions such as, but not limited to, pain, inflammation, immune disorders, dermatitis, mucositis, the over reactivity of peripheral sensory neurons, neurodermatitis, and an overactive bladder. Accordingly, the invention also provides compounds, methods, and pharmaceutical compositions for treating conditions in which the selective inhibition of peripheral FAAH (as opposed to CNS FAAH) would be of benefit.

Abstract: Novel melatonin ligands of Formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein: n is 1 or 2; m is 0, 1 or 2; p is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8; v is 2 or 3; A is aryl or heteroaryl; Z is O, S or NR8; Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, —OCF3, CF3, C1-C8 alkyl, C1-C8 alkyloxy, C1-C8 alkylthio, halogen and —Z—(CH2)p-A; R1 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C4 alkyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, CF3, hydroxy-substituted C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxy-substituted C3-C8 cycloalkyl, and NHR5, wherein R5 is C1-C3 alkyl or C3-C6 cycloalkyl; R2 is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkyloxy, OCF3, CF3, hydroxyl, and halogen; R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkyloxy, OCF3, CF3, hydroxyl, and halogen; R and R3 may be connected together to form an —O—(CH2)v bridge representing with the carbon atoms to which th

Abstract: Compounds and pharmaceutical compositions are contemplated that inhibit N-acyl-ethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA) to so increase the concentration of the substrate of NAAA, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). NAAA inhibition is contemplated to be effective to alleviate conditions associated with a reduced concentration of PEA. Among other uses, various NAAA inhibitors are especially contemplated as therapeutic agents in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: An innovative pharmaceutical form for controlled drug release relates to systems obtained by the assembly of individual release modules, of which the capacity to release the drug in time and in space depends on the way in which the modules have been assembled. The modular structure offers high reproducibility of manufacture and flexibility of release.

Abstract: A polypeptide molecule able to selectively modulate uric acid conversion into S(+)- allantoin is described. A pharmaceutical composition for treating uric acid related disorders and a process to selectively modulate uric acid conversion into S(+)-allantoin are also disclosed.

Abstract: An innovative pharmaceutical form for controlled drug release relates to systems obtained by the assembly of individual release modules, of which the capacity to release the drug in time and in space depends on the way in which the modules have been assembled. The modular structure offers high reproducibility of manufacture and flexibility of release.

Abstract: An innovative pharmaceutical form for controlled drug release relates to systems obtained by the assembly of individual release modules, of which the capacity to release the drug in time and in space depends on the way in which the modules have been assembled. The modular structure offers high reproducibility of manufacture and flexibility of release.

Abstract: Fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors of the Formula: are provided wherein X is NH, CH2, O, or S; Q is O or S; Z is O or N; R is an aromatic moiety selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted biphenylyl, substituted or unsubstituted naphthyl, and substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; substituted or unsubstituted terphenylyl; substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, or alkyl; and R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl, and substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, substituted or unsubstituted biphenylyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, and substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; with the proviso that if Z is O, one of R1 and R2 is absent, and that if Z is N, optionally R1 and R2 may optionally be taken together to form a substituted or unsubstituted N-heterocycle or substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl with the N atom to which they