ß-Cell replacement as a treatment for type 1 diabetes: an overview of possible cell sources and current axes of research.

To efficiently treat type 1 diabetes, exogenous insulin injections currently represent the main approach to counter chronic hyperglycaemia. Unfortunately, such a therapeutic approach does not allow for perfectly maintained glucose homeostasis and, in time, cardiovascular complications may arise. Therefore, seeking alternative/improved treatments has become a major health concern as an increasing proportion of type 2 diabetes patients also require insulin supplementation. Towards this goal, numerous laboratories have focused their research on ß-cell replacement therapies. Herein, we will review the current state of this research area and describe the cell sources that could potentially be used to replenish the depleted ß-cell mass in diabetic patients.

Building Bridges for Innovation in Ageing: Synergies between Action Groups of the EIP on AHA.

The Strategic Implementation Plan of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) proposed six Action Groups. After almost three years of activity, many achievements have been obtained through commitments or collaborative work of the Action Groups. However, they have often worked in silos and, consequently, synergies between Action Groups have been proposed to strengthen the triple win of the EIP on AHA. The paper presents the methodology and current status of the Task Force on EIP on AHA synergies. Synergies are in line with the Action Groups' new Renovated Action Plan (2016-2018) to ensure that their future objectives are coherent and fully connected. The outcomes and impact of synergies are using the Monitoring and Assessment Framework for the EIP on AHA (MAFEIP). Eight proposals for synergies have been approved by the Task Force: Five cross-cutting synergies which can be used for all current and future synergies as they consider overarching domains (appropriate polypharmacy, citizen empowerment, teaching and coaching on AHA, deployment of synergies to EU regions, Responsible Research and Innovation), and three cross-cutting synergies focussing on current Action Group activities (falls, frailty, integrated care and chronic respiratory diseases).

Sludge dewatering using macrophytes in a small wastewater treatment system: a case study of a pilot scale plant in northern Italy.

A study was conducted on a system consisting of two beds of 12 m2 each, planted with reeds and filled with sludge from an activated sludge plant dimensioned for 3000 p.e. During 2001, 10 kg of TS/m2 were loaded in each bed using sludge with a dry matter content of 3% during winter and of 0.5% in summer. The aim of the study was to evaluate parameters such as: COD, TSS, P-PO4(3-), N-NO2-, N-NO3-, N-NH4+ in percolation water, the dewatering capability of the two beds and to estimate N mass balance. The observations on dewatering process showed that dried sludge reached a content of 23% TS in winter and of 30% TS in summer. During summertime the plant did not release any percolation flow; in the rest of the year the concentrations of COD, TSS, P-PO4(3-), N-NO2-, N-NH4- remained within bounds of the European directive (91/271/CEE). The N mass balance proved that 90% of N was removed by the denitrification process.