RESUMO
The electrification of passenger cars is one of the most effective approaches to reduce noxious emissions in urban areas and, if the electricity is produced using renewable sources, to mitigate the global warming. This profound change of paradigm in the transport sector requires the use of Li-ion battery packages as energy storage systems to substitute conventional fossil fuels. An automotive battery package is a complex system that has to respect several constraints: high energy and power densities, long calendar and cycle lives, electrical and thermal safety, crash-worthiness, and recyclability. To comply with all these requirements, battery systems integrate a battery management system (BMS) connected to an complex network of electric and thermal sensors. On the other hand, since Li-ion cells can suffer from degradation phenomena with consequent generation of gaseous emissions or determine dimensional changes of the cell packaging, chemical and mechanical sensors should be integrated in modern automotive battery packages to guarantee the safe operation of the system. Mechanical and chemical sensors for automotive batteries require further developments to reach the requested robustness and reliability; in this review, an overview of the current state of art on such sensors will be proposed.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Chronic prostatitis syndrome is a bothering and poorly understood condition. Many patients report genitourinary pain and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms as a main complaint. Many different pharmacological or behavioural therapies are prescribed in daily clinical practice, but efficacy data are still lacking. The aim of our study was to test the efficacy and safety of a transrectal delivered association of Boswellia resin extract and propolis derived polyphenols for the relief of prostatitis - like symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients affected by chronic/recurrent prostatitis - like symptoms were prospectively enrolled in our study from December, 2016 to December, 2018. Patients were screened at baseline through clinical examination and validated questionnaires administration: Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (CPSI), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Inclusion criteria were: age ≥ 18; prostatitis symptoms persisting for at least 3 of the last 6 months; CPSI pain domain score ≥ 5; previous negative Meares-Stamey test. Treatment consisted on the administration of 1 suppository containing Boswellia resin extract and propolis derived polyphenols, once a day for 20 days. The primary endpoint of the study was the improvement of quality of life after treatment, defined by a reduction of ≥ 2 points, or ≥ 25%, of mean CPSI pain domain score, compared to baseline. Secondary endpoints were the improvement of post-treatment CPSI total score and the analysis of treatment - related adverse events. All patients were re-evaluated 1 month after treatment. RESULTS: 40 patients were enrolled in our study. Median age (Inter - Quartile Range IQR) was 51.5 (41.5-63.2) years. Mean baseline CPSI scores were: 22.15 (total score), 9.67 (pain domain), 5.15 (micturition domain) and 7.35 (quality of life domain), respectively. No significant adverse events were reported. At 1 month follow-up, CPSI scores appeared modified as follows: 16.40 (total score, p = 0.001); 6.92 (pain domain; p = 0.001; 4.02 (micturition domain, p = 0.09); 5.45 (quality of life domain, p = 0.002). Mean CPSI pain domain score reduction was -2.75 points (-28.5%). Mean CPSI total score reduction was -5.75 points (-26%). CONCLUSIONS: The association of Boswellia resin extract and propolis derived polyphenols can reduce genitourinary pain and then improve quality of life of men affected by bothersome prostatitis - like symptoms.