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In the scientific journal Sensor, researchers from ''TINCARE'' (research module 3) of NODES recently published and article demonstrating how calculating ntrophy on the gait of elderly individuals affected by chronic issues and/or Parkinson's disease serves as a valid indicator of the walking quality. Entrophy can be appliaed to gait measurements for diagnostic and preventive purposes.    From Juve 2022 to June 2023, approximately 70 elderly individuals wor a daily electonic bracelet capable of monitoring their movements.  These data were collected at a frequency of 25 samples per second, resulting in a dataset that, for each eldelry person, involved storing more than 2 million data points per day. These data were then trasnferred to a cloud system, which, utilizing state-of-the-art artificial intelligence algorithms, enabled the calculation of the ''degree of disorder'' in a person's walk.    Throughout the observation year, it was possible to identify individuals who experienced improvements and those who exhibited deteriorations in walking quality.  This value, in the next experiments and researchers, will be exploited to try falls, as a decline in walking quality that can serve as an early symptom of a potential future fall episode.    Massimo Canonico, Francesco Desimoni, Alberto Dal Molin, et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23187743  

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease characterized by the progressive scarring of lung tissue, which causes a impairment of the lungs' ability to perform their physiological function, that is to transfer oxygen from ambient air to blood and carbon dioxide from blood to air. It predominantly affects males between 50 and 70 years old and, unfortunately, it has a poor prognosis, with an average survival approximately of 3-5 years.    In a recent study1 published by researchers from Research Module 4 of flagship project TINCARE, the capacity of a non-invasive monitoring system (ReDSTM - Remote Dielectric Sensing) was tested for this first time to estimate the degree of pulmonary fibrosis in patient suffering from IPF. This device, by placing a sensor on the patient's shoulder, enables the measurement of lung tissue water content and has previously been validated in patients with heart failure2.    In this study, they demonstrated that water percentage measured with ReDS is higher in a group of 52 patients with IPF compared to healthy subjects, and that higher is the obtained value lower is the lung's functional capacity.  If the results of this study are confirmed in larger populations, it could open the way for the use of this non-invasive tool in monitoring IPF patients.           Citations 1. Respir Med. 2023 Oct; 217:107370. 2. J Clin Med. 2023 Jan 11;12(2):598.   

On September 23rd, the Festival of Health took place with great success in the Sant'Agabio District of Novara. This event, entirely dedicated to prevention and health promotion, represented a valuable opportunity for the Novara community. Organized under the patronage of the Municipality of Novara, the University of Piemonte Orientale. the Service Center for the Territory of Novara and Vco and the Parish of Sant'Agabio, in collaboration with many local voluntary associations and institutions, the Festival aimed to promote a healthy and active lifestyle, as well as a culture of safety in every aspect of everyday life, so that each individual can promote and preserve their own health.    The University of Piemonte Orientale and the NODES project enthusiastically participated in this initiative due to its significance. Furthermore, the festival coincided with the UPO Research Week and the Open Lab event at the Traslational Research Center on autoimmune and allergic diseases (CAAD).   During the event, there was the stand ''The University enters the neighborhoods: the PNRR-NODES Projects for the health of citizens'', presentign the CAAD to the Sant'Agabio neighborhood by presenting its research projects and opening its laboratories to the public. The main objective was to promote Spoke 5 and the flagship projects INNDIANA and TINCARE and the structures hosting the respective Researchers.    This event was an important step forward in the education of the local community on health topics and in the promotion of scientific research, highlighting the contribution of higher education that will continue to work towards improving the health and well-being of the community through innovative research projects and collaborative initiatives.         Image 1: researchers from INNDIANA and TINCARE projects at the stands. In the left photo, Mattia Bellan and Carmela Rinaldi; in the center photo, researchers from INNDIANA (from left, Rita Di Martino, Giuseppe Cappellano, Elena Canciani).     Image 2: photo from the Open Lab day, thanking the Researchers from the CAAD Research Center laboratories of Immunomics, Innovation; UPO biobank; Division Oncology, Genomics Lab, Biological Mass Spectometry and the Rectorate Office (Valentina Toson in the photo and Eleonora Mazzucco), and the people who visited the center.      

On September 29, 2023, the University of Piemonte Orientale opened its doors to the public for an extraordinary evening of scientific discovery and innovation.    The Research Night, held at the Department of Science and Technological Innovation in Viale Teresa Miche 11, embraced the theme ''One Planet, One Health'' and highlighted the NODES- North West Digital and Sustainable.    This event provided participants with a unique opportunity to delve into the depths of science and innovative through a wide range of activities, including conferences, roundtables, interactive workshops and presentations, relating to recycling and reuse, tourism, rare diseases, telemedicine, home care, regenerative medicine but also food and aging.  It was an extraordinary opportunity for students and the general public to learn, share and be inspired. The event demonstrated that scientific research is a fundamental pillar to face global challenges and shape a bettere future, thus confirming the Research Night as an expected and significant event. 

The ESB-ITA 2023 conference in Turin  From September 18 to 19, the Polythecnic University of Turin hosted the XII Annual Meeting of the Italian chapter of the European Society of Biomechanics (ESB-ITA) one of the main national events aimed at bringing together experts in the field of biomechanics to encourage their interaction and to promote research. Among the topics discussed, there was a focus on the development of cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches for health and well-being.    The award for NEWBREATH research  Young researchers from the group led by Professor Alberto Audenino partecipated in the event, taking the opportunity to disseminate some of the results of their research activities within NEWBREATH, the Research Module of TINCARE aimed at developing a ventilator device for the support of patients in the home environment.  The researchers presented their work on the implementation of methodologies for the experimental verification of the performance of digital models capable of predicting their performance in silico under realistic usage conditions, including virtual patients.  The quality of the work presented by the researchers and the interest in the topics discuessed led to the award ''Medical Device Usability and Training: Integrating Scientific Research and Engineering Design to Drive Innovative Solutions'', sponsored by 3B srl.   

On September 29, 2023, the European Researchers' Night took place in Turin within the elegant Royal Gardens.  The event, which is an important occasion for meeting, exchange, and scientific dissemination between researchers and citizens, has involved several groups from the NODES project for this edition, promoting Spoke 5 ''Health Industry and Silver Economy'' and the projects INNDIANA and TINCARE.        

What is sarcopenia e which are the available treatments? It is a condition characterized by the loss of muscle mass and strenght due to aging: over 65 years, sarcopenia affects more than 40% of individuals. In the elderly, it represent one of the most important risk factors in terms of falls, disability and mortality. It is possible try to prevent sarcopenia or delay its occurrence by exercising and following a proper diet.  Until today, effective pharmacological treatments are not available: the only option involves increasing muscle mass by inhibiting myostatin, a protein that normally limits muscle fiber growth. By inhibiting myostatin, muscle can gain volume. However, the significant increase in muscle mass induced in patientas is not sufficient to ensure prolonged muscle performance beyond momentary effort.    ActR-Fc-nL G3: a new effective therapeutic option for sarcopenia. For years, at the Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), new therapeutic strategies have been studied to counteract sarcopenia at the preclinical level, in collaboration with the Swiss company Pharmafox Therapeutics. Recently, Professor Boido e Doctor Schellino (affiliated with NICO and the Department of Neuroscience, Univeristy of Turin) https://www.nico.ottolenghi.unito.it/Ricerca/Gruppi-di-ricerca/Sviluppo-e-patologia-del-cervello) have published an interesting study in the journal Aging and Disease. Using an older mouse model, called ActR-Fc-nLG3, which in addition to acting on myostatin also aims to improve muscle innervation.  Indeed, the muscles to contract must be properly innervated by motoneurons (specific neurons responsible for sending and trasporting movement signals). ActR-Fc-nLG3 promotes the innervation of muscles made hyperthophic by myostatin inhibition, ensuring prolonged endurance during physical exertion. Compared to conventional treatment, the administration of ActR-Fc-nLG3 is capable of improving the stability of neuromuscular joints (the points of contact between motoneurons and muscle fibers) and their innervation, preventing muscle atrophy: this allowed an improvement in motor performance, and in particular an increase in strenght and resistance to prolonged physical exertion in mice treated with ActR-Fc-nGL3.  The application of this approach could also be extended to other diseases similarly characterized by muscle atrophy and innervation deficits, such neuromuscular diseases (including Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis and Spinal Muscular Atrophy), thereby expanding its potential use across a broad range of conditions.          Copyright: © 2023 Schellino R. et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.    

In the Laboratory of Human Anatomy of the Università del Piemonte Orientale, directed by Professor Francesca Boccafoschi, research work focuses on regenerative medicine. In this context, master's graduate Emma Zanella and master's student Irene Regano are working on the project ''Psycochemical characterization and biological performances of an ECM-derived hydrogel: role in articular cartilage regeneration''. The ambitious goal of this project is to develop and characterize biomaterials capable of supporting the structural and fucntional regeneration of articular cartilage.   This tissue, indeed, can be the target of various degenerative diseases, including osteoarthritis (OA) which represents an emerging medical challenge. This condition is characterized by high inflammation, reduced lubrification and abnormal cellular behavior at the joint level, which gradually lead to pain and stiffness in movements, strongly affecting the quality of life of patients.    In the current context of ageing of the general population, the prevalence of OA is expected to grow as well as its clinical relevance.  Current therapeutic approaches mainly involve the administration of anti-inflammatories and intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid. However, these methods only provide symptom control and are ineffective in halting the progression of the disease. In severe cases, therefore, surgical intervention, such as joint replacement with prosthetics, becomes the solution.     Considering the incapacity of articular cartilage to regenerate as a result of damage and the current lack of therapeutic strategies to support the functional restoration of this tissue, the study of innovative biomaterials for the treatment of osteoarthritis is of increasing interest.  The project focuses on the characterization of a natural hydrogel derived from decellularized bovine pericardium. This hydrogel combines the high flexibility and adaptability of polymer networks with the intrinsic bioactivity of biological matrices.  Since the cartilage primarly consists mainly of extracellular matrix which is significantly degraded in osteoarthritic contexts, the use of hydrogel capable of providing a suitable microenvironment for resident cells is a potentially promising strategy.     

A digital twin to predict the functioning of lung ventilation devices.   The ''digital twin'' of a medical device is a virtual representation of the device itself created using data and models. It allows to monitor and analyze the device's operation, optimizing performace and testing diffeent configurations or updates virtually before applying them to the real device.  The research group led by Professor Audenino is developing at Politecnico di Torino a digital twin of an innovative non-invasive ventilation system with reduced oxygen consumption. Using engineering modeling techniques, the ongoing development of this twin will allow both to predict the behavior of the device to vary its configuration and to predict the effect of the therapy provided by the device on patients with various lung conditions. In particular, using virtual replication it is possible to evaluate different ventilation interfaces (such as a helmet or mask), providing useful information to the design of the device and its circuit, including the quality of air breathed by the patient during therapy.    Thanks to this innovative approach, new perspectives are opening up in the field of medical design, contributing to ensure safer and more effective solutions for the well-being of patients. 

The metallic complexes used as molecular probes for diagnostic and therapeutic applications are constructed usign chelating agents entirely derived from fossil sources and poorly biodegradable, leading to a growing environmental impact. The collaboration between the research groups of the Department of Drug Sciences and the Department of Sciences and Technological Innovation at UPO has produced a chelating agent (EHDTA) using raw materials derived from waste biomass and highlighted its significant potential in forming complexes with metallic ions of diagnostic and therapeutic interest.  The study, conducted in collaboration with a diagnostic industry company and with the Universities of Milan and Debrecen, is in the process of being published in a prominent international scientific journal. 

Recently, the Augmented Human paradigm has been introduced, which aims to enhance physical, mental, and social capabilities of individuals through the adoption of eXtended Reality (XR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions.  The Health sector is fertile ground for the dissemination of these technologies as it can guarantee benefits for doctors, who may have at their disposal innovative tools during diagnosis, intervention or evaluation. Patients can benefit from personalizet treaments, and these technologies, can also simplify and enhance communication, consequently improving the doctor-patient relationship. This improvement is crucial for expediting and achieving a full recovery.    In this perspective, the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Turin and the 3D Lab affiliated with the Department of Management and Production Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Turin have initiated a collaboration aimed at designin an XR solution to carry out cognitive tests or simple improvements of the patients' state of mind through shared virtual environments that allow sessions to be conducted in familiar settings and remotely with specialists. 

Contrast agents (CAs) are used in over 40% of the tens of millions of MRI clinical examinations performed each year. All CAs approved for clinical use are complexes based on the metal ion Gd(III).   Approximately 50 tons of this element, which belongs to rare earths, are administered to patients every year.  However, the production of rare earths is only 1% in the EU but 90% in China. In addition, these elements are challenging to extract usign environmentally sustainable processes and to recover after use.  To correct these imbalances and strengthen its value chains, the EU aims to find viable alternatives based on metals with low environmental impact and widely available.  Our project explores the possibility of replacing Gd(III) with endogenous ions such as Fe(III) or Mn(II).  Recent results indicate that Fe(III) chelates have properties suitable for this purpose, but there are multiple challenges to overcome.  Dr. Nucera, a researcher in Prof. Botta's research group (DISIT-UPO) within the flagship project INNDIANA, has been selected for an oral presentation at an important scientific congress and he will discuss the chemical and magnetic characterization of two model compound, Fe(III) complexes with derivates of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) containing 1 or 2 benzylidene-methoxy-methylene (BOM) arms: EDTA-BOM1 and EDTA-BOM2.     This study represents an initial basis for the future design of system thta combine high efficacy, stability, kinetic inertia and the ability to engage in non-covalent interactions with proteins. 

Elderly deaf patients are known to be fragile: there is an increased risk of falls and depressive states linked to social isolation. They often have a reduced physical functionality that lead to a decline in daily activities.  Hearing rehabilitation can alleviate these weaknesses and in case of severe to profound hearing loss, cochlear implants provide an optimal solution. These implants directly stimulate the auditory nerve and they need proper control and installation.  In particular, the cochlear implant is mapped (adjustement of the intensity and electrical current for each electrode that stimulates the cochlea) and, especially in the first year, frequent appointments are required to monitor the rehabilitation protocol.  Sometimes this can be a problem for patients, having to undergo frequent hospital checks.    Recognizing the need for a new model of care delivery to alleviate the burden on both patients and healthcare facilities, an innovative solution based on remote monitoring of hearing remediation devices thorugh teleassistance has been conceptualized and will be developed.  This innovative method has been designed to increase clinical efficiency by evaluating the management needs of each individual patient and identifying those who truly require an in-person appointment.  At the same time, patients benefit from a more convenient care option that keeps them in touch with their healthcare provider and ensures the possibility of requesting a hospital visit only when necessary,  In particular, parents can be reassured that their child's device works well without the necessity to go to the hospital.     

It is online the ranking of companies that have expressed interest in co-financing doctoral positions for the XXXIX cycle, a.a. 2023-2024 for Spoke 5 - Health Industry and Silver Economy.  The call, published in May 2023, provided for the activation of 6 research doctoral positions of three years funded by the PNRR-NODES project and by companies interested in establishing collaborations with universities.    The project proposals received were examined by the Evalutation Commission, made up of 3 experts, passing thorugh various evaluation stages.  The impact of the projects on the career prospects and employability of doctoral students was one of the key evaluation criteria, in line with one of the main objectives of NODES project such as increasing youth employment.    The 4 eligible and funded projects are focused on the innovation needs of the Ecosystem's territory and they are aligned with the research and innovation themes of Spoke 5. PhD students will be employed in research based on experimental medicine and persolized therapies, territorial medicine, clinical and pre-clinical experimentation in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields (for both human and veterinary use).     Ranking

The doctor Simona Casarella, PhD student at the laboratory of Human Anatomy led by Professor Francesca Boccafoschi, together with the master student Federica Ferla, deal with the project ''Identification of laminin-binding oligopeptides in cardiac development: a possible use in functionalized dECM-based biomaterials to restore cardiac functionality in late phase of acute-Myocardial Infarction (MI)'', which aims to study cardiac functional regeneration after a heart attack through the use of innovative biomaterials.    Myocardial infarction affects approximately 3 million people worldwide and it is associated with modifiable risk factors (e.g. lifestyle habits, cigarette smoking, etc.) and non-modifiable factors (e.g. gender, family history, etc).  One of the main causes is atherosclerosis, which is the formation of atherosclerotic plaques that lead to vascular occlusion resulting in cellular death due to inadequate or absent vascularization of the tissue and necrosis of the damaged area.  The functional restoration of damaged tissue or its replacement is made complex also by the fact that cardiomyocytes (cardiac muscle cells) lack regenerative capabilities.      The main clinical therapies for heart attack include drug therapies and implantantion of the ventricular assistance device (VAD). However, none of these strategies is capable of restoring the cardiac phenotype of cells and avoiding the functional loss of the affectes area.  Due to the high incidence of the pathology and the inadequacy of current therapeutic solutions, cardiovascular engineering is a field of particular interest for basic and traslational research.  In this regard, biomaterials, composed of synthetic and/or natural materials, would represent a potential solution for cardiac regeneration.