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Assistive technologies have the potential for supporting people with memory complaints in their daily life. User-centered interaction design research helps developers to create systems that are suitable for users. The aim of this work is to describe the methodology and the results of the usability test for the first Memento prototype involving users. In each country, 5 subjects with different levels of cognitive reserve and technical proficiency were enrolled in Italy, Austria and Spain, respectively (15 subjects; 6 M; 9 F, age 72.8 �� 10.8 years, MMSE score 25.6 �� 1.6). Observation methods, performance metrics and the System Usability Scale were used to collect data. The results are presented in terms of design, technical problems, target-group-related challenges and usability perception from the participant perspective. Suggestions for improvement were pointed out by the users. Considering the usability scores interpretation, the first prototype was classified as ���OK��� and ���Good��� by users. The results of the Lab Trials provide important information on usability and the users��� needs in order to improve the Memento prototype and to create a final system to be evaluated during the Field Trials phase of the project.Implication for rehabilitationThe MEMENTO project mission is to improve the quality of life of people in the early and middle stages of dementia, by supporting the management of daily activities that are usually affected by the loss of memory and cognition. The Lab Trial phase is essential to have feedback on the usability of the Memento prototype to allow a better understanding of users' needs and expectations. The MEMENTO project mission is to improve the quality of life of people in the early and middle stages of dementia, by supporting the management of daily activities that are usually affected by the loss of memory and cognition. The Lab Trial phase is essential to have feedback on the usability of the Memento prototype to allow a better understanding of users' needs and expectations.

Central (aortic) systolic blood pressure (cSBP) is the pressure seen by the heart, the brain, and the kidneys. If properly measured, cSBP is closer associated with hypertension-mediated organ damage and prognosis, as compared with brachial SBP (bSBP). We investigated 24-hour profiles of bSBP and cSBP, measured simultaneously using Mobilograph devices, in 2423 untreated adults (1275 women; age, 18-94 years), free from overt cardiovascular disease, aiming to develop reference values and to analyze daytime-nighttime variability. Central SBP was assessed, using brachial waveforms, calibrated with mean arterial pressure (MAP)/diastolic BP (cSBP(MAP/DBPcal)), or bSBP/diastolic blood pressure (cSBP(SBP/DBPcal)), and a validated transfer function, resulting in 144 509 valid brachial and 130 804 valid central measurements. Averaged 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime brachial BP across all individuals was 124/79, 126/81, and 116/72 mm Hg, respectively. Averaged 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime values for cSBP(MAP/DBPcal) were 128, 128, and 125 mm Hg and 115, 117, and 107 mm Hg for cSBP(SBP/DBPcal), respectively. We pragmatically propose as upper normal limit for 24-hour cSBP(MAP/DBPcal) 135 mm Hg and for 24-hour cSBP(SBP/DBPcal) 120 mm Hg. bSBP dipping (nighttime-daytime/daytime SBP) was -10.6 % in young participants and decreased with increasing age. Central SBPSBP/DBPcal dipping was less pronounced (-8.7% in young participants). In contrast, cSBP(MAP/DBPcal) dipping was completely absent in the youngest age group and less pronounced in all other participants. These data may serve for comparison in various diseases and have potential implications for refining hypertension diagnosis and management. The different dipping behavior of bSBP versus cSBP requires further investigation.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a 36-amino-acid peptide member of a family also including peptide YY and pancreatic polypeptide which are all ligands to Gi/Go coupled receptors. NPY regulates several fundamental biologic functions including appetite/satiety, sex and reproduction, learning and memory, cardiovascular and renal function and the immune function. The mesenteric circulation is a major source of NPY in the blood in man and this peptide is considered a key regulator of the gut-brain cross-talk. A progressive rise in circulating NPY accompanies the progression of CKD toward kidney failure and NPY robustly predicts cardiovascular events in this population. Furthermore, NPY is suspected as a possible player in the accelerated cognitive function decline and dementia in patients with CKD and in dialysis patients. In theory, Interfering with the NPY system has relevant potential for the treatment of diverse diseases from cardiovascular and renal diseases to diseases of the central nervous system. Pharmaceutical formulations for effective drug delivery and cost as well as the complexity of diseases potentially addressable by NPY/NPY antagonists have been a problem until now. This in part explains the slow progress of knowledge about the NPY system in the clinical arena. There is now a renewed research interest on the NPY system in psycho pharmacology and in pharmacology in general and new studies and a new breed of clinical trials may eventually bring the expected benefits in human health by drugs interfering with this system.

Little is understood about the genesis of autoimmune diseases caused by deficiencies in TAM receptors (Tyro3, Axl, Mer). One of the causes of autoimmunity could be defective thymic education. Our goal was to elucidate the localization and role of TAM receptors and their ligands within the thymus. We show that Axl and Mer, but not Tyro3, are expressed within the thymus. Through immunohistochemistry, we identify Axl and Mer expression primarily on macrophages in both the medulla and cortex. Using knockout mice, we show that Axl and Mer perform necessary but redundant roles in the elimination of basally accumulated apoptotic thymocytes. The absence of both receptors leads to immense apoptotic cell accumulation within thymic cortex and medulla.These changes result in minor morphological defects as the weight but not the ratio of medulla to cortex was affected in the Axl-/-Mertk-/- mice. We further use this model to instigate Axl dependence on Gas6 as a ligand in thymus. Additionally, we show that during acute thymocyte apoptosis, Mer but not Axl is critical in cellular clearance.