Spoke 3 - DARE Work Packages

SPOKE 3

WP1
Evidence, Outcome Indicators, and Stakeholders Engagement
WP1 LEADER: UNIPD
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PARTNERS: UNIBA, UNIROMA2, IOR, ASL BA, AOUP, BI-REX
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Uniroma2
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WP objectives
The aim is to coordinate the implementation of the pilots, collect evidence and process indicators, promote participatory approaches, and raise awareness. Tasks are mirroring and will coordinate with the activities carried out in WP1 - spoke 1.  

TASK SPOKE 3 WP1

Task 1.1

Collection of the technological, legal, and organizational requirements .

Task 1.2

Collecting Evidence and Indicators within the pilots.

Task 1.3

Identification and networking of local stakeholders: building a stakeholder platform. 

Task 1.4

End-users and stakeholders' engagement within the pilots .

Task 1.5

Communication and dissemination .

List of Deliverables:
  • D1.1: List of process and outcome indicators, M6
  • D1.2: Identification and consultation of local stakeholders and end users, M36
  • D1.3: Communication and dissemination plan for Spoke 3, M12
  • D1.4: Synthesis of evidences in the Spoke 3, M44
WP2
Personalization and Risk Stratification Tools
WP2 LEADER: IOR
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PARTNERS: UNIPR, UNIROMA2, PTV, MCHGVM
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Uniroma2
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WP objectives
the aim is to deliver digital models of the human body. Mechanistic models such as Digital Twins will be applied as modern In-Silico Trials to replace In-Vitro, animal, and human experimentation in assessing the safety and efficacy of new treatments. 

TASK SPOKE 3 WP2

Task 2.1 – Digital Twin technology for monitoring fracture risk in osteoporotic patients

Development and validation of predictions of bone fracture risk in fragile elders by using the Bologna Biomechanical Computed Tomography (BBCT), a digital twin technology that estimates non-invasively the biomechanical strength of any region of the skeleton starting from calibrated CT.

Task 2.2 – Prediction of osteoarthritis risks and joint prosthesis failure

We plan to combine digital twin technology and muscle power analysis to explore how body weight, muscle conditioning, and neuromuscular control can contribute to the risk of joint overloading, a major determinant for the progression of osteoarthritis and failure of many joint replacements.  

Task 2.3 – Personalized functional models for preoperative planning of high tibial osteotomy

Comprehensive computer-based planning of High Tibial Osteotomy is possible through arthritic knee joint modeling; for a better outcome for this surgical intervention, able to slow down the progression of medial compartment osteoarthritis and delay joint replacement.  

Task 2.4 – Prediction of bone fracture risk in patients with metastatic cancer

Patients with carcinoma are at high risk of bone fracture. This risk can be stratified by retrospective analyses of image series of patients from X-ray, CT, and MRI.  

Task 2.5 – Cardiovascular radiomics for stratifying the risk of postoperative adverse events

To establish a set of radiomics-based features from CT and MR to predict post-operative complications and adverse events after endo- and vascular surgery.  

Task 2.6 – Rischi di disturbi del sonno in pazienti anziani sarcopenici e fisicamente fragili

Correlations between traditional screening instruments and neuropsychological evaluations of motoric cognitive function using brain CT and MRI can reveal and predict sleep disorders.

Task 2.7 – Physiological models for neurorehabilitation

We plan to develop personalized protocols for neurorehabilitation in children with cerebral palsy based on psychophysics, kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic non-invasive analyses. These will also be exploited in individuals with type 2 diabetes and older adults at risk of falling.  

List of Deliverables:
  • D2.1: Concept and relevant design of the models, M12
  • D2.2: Models preliminary assessment and validation, M26
  • D2.3: Final report on WP2 pilots, M48
WP3
Digital Tools for Screening and Early Diagnosis
WP3 LEADER: UNIROMA2
Uniroma2
PARTNERS: UNIBA, UNIPR, UNIPD, IOR, IRCCS AOU BO, FPG, IRCCS GPII BA, ASL BA, PTV, EXP
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WP objectives

The objective is to test the efficacy of AI to predict the risk of complications and treatment efficacy in a variety of non-communicable and communicable diseases in different ages  

TASK SPOKE 3 WP3

Task 3.1 – Digital Tools in children and aged frail subjects

Data mining, artificial intelligence, and machine learning approaches to predict the risk of infections and acute CVD adverse events in a) "elderly frail frequent users" of the Emergency Department (ED), and b) to stratify response to vaccinations.  

Task 3.2 – Digital Tools in Cancer

Data mining, artificial intelligence, and machine learning approach to identify subnetworks of cancer associated with early prediction, survival, metastasis, or phenotypes in cancer subtypes focusing on a) colon, b) lung, c) Myeloma, and d) AI predictions. 

Task 3.3 – Digital Tools in Cardiometabolic Diseases

Prediction models based on omics, clinical scores, and electronic administrative claims will be applied to focus on subtasks such as a) diabetes complications; and b) Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, NAFLD. 

Task 3.4 – Digital Tools and psychiatric and cognitive disorders

Focuses on data mining, artificial intelligence, and machine learning approaches to focus on subtasks such as a) identifying subjects at risk for conversion from preclinical conditions to psychosis, and b) factors affecting progression to intellectual disability in genetic syndromes using Down Syndrome as a model.  

List of Deliverables:
  • D3.1: Data acquisition and standardization, M15
  • D3.2: Report on the preliminary validation of the tools, M30
  • D3.3: Clinical validation, M48
WP4
Digitally-enabled Biomarker Discovery
WP4 LEADER: UNIBA
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PARTNERS: UNIPD, UNIROMA2, IOR, IRCCS AOU BO, IRCCS GPII BA, PTV, IRCCS ISNB, EXP, MCHGVM
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Uniroma2
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ptv logo
bellaria
EXPRIVIA logo
mchgvm logo
WP objectives
This WP aims to identify novel biomarkers for the early detection of pathological conditions by using innovative, multimodal, and personalized technologies on a large scale for patients living with oncological pathologies, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and Down Syndrome.

TASK SPOKE 3 WP4

Task 4.1 – Mobility and deformity measurements as biomarkers for orthopedic treatments

This task focuses on assessing, validating and classifying instruments and tools for tracking and monitoring mobility and deformity of human joints and segments. Innovative custom prosthetics and orthotics will be designed and tested on patients.  

Task 4.2 – Biomechanical features to detect complications of diabetic foot

This task aims to prevent diabetic foot complications via state-of-the-art biomechanical analyses based on state-of-the-art techniques using biomedical imaging (CT, WBCT, MRI), stereophotogrammetry, and baropodometry.  

Task 4.3 – Detection of individual oncological markers for early diagnosis (HPV)

It focuses on validating a tool for the early detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) by using the Single-molecule bio-electronic smart system SIMOT Array that detects HPV biomarkers in body fluids.  

Task 4.4 – Bringing Medicine Digitalization in the Italian solid organ transplant network

Digital pathology and AI methods will be applied to solid organ transplant recipients (liver, kidney, heart, and lung) for prediction and stratification to prevent disease transmission. A new online platform will collect information related to post-transplantation biopsies.  

Task 4.5 – Digital biomarkers for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's in subjects with psychiatric and cognitive disorders or Down Syndrome

AI and machine learning will be used to implement biomarkers and identify subjects at risk for conversion from preclinical conditions to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease progression and factors affecting progression to intellectual disability in Down Syndrome.  

Task 4.6 – Human microbiome Eubiosis/dysbiosis state prediction based on DNA-metabarcoding data collection and analysis

In oncology, supervised learning models are being defined to robustly discriminate among eubiosis and dysbiosis of the human microbiome to support the assessment of cancer therapy effectiveness and shed light on physiological processes and the etiopathogenesis of several NCDs.  

Task 4.7 – Neurotransmission enriched connectivity as a biomarker of healthy and accelerated ageing in human brain

Models are being developed to investigate molecular neurotransmission in healthy brain ageing and the alterations in accelerated ageing. The aim is to identify biomarkers from MRI and PET neuroimaging before the degeneration sets and cognition declines.  

List of Deliverables:
  • D4.1: Concept and relevant design of the models, M12
  • D4.2: Report on Biomarker Discovery activities preliminary validation, M30
  • D4.3: Final report on WP4 pilots, M48
WP5
Continuity of care interventions for Secondary and Tertiary Prevention
WP5 LEADER: UNIPD
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PARTNERS: UNIBA, UNIROMA2, IRCCS AOU BO, ASL BA, PTV, EXP
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Uniroma2
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asl ba
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EXPRIVIA logo
WP objectives
Its aims are to qualify and improve patient care pathways in various physio-pathological conditions and ages (new-borns to adults), leveraging platforms that integrate data registries, wearable sensors and IoT technologies, decision support systems, home/mobile apps. 

TASK SPOKE 3 WP5

Task 5.1 – IBD care through hub&spoke infrastructure

The Emilia-Romagna Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) hub&spoke infrastructure will be developed further to allow for continuous quality of care assessment, research facilitation, timely alerting on clinical pathway management, benchmarking, and patient engagement. 

Task 5.2 – Home monitoring – based approach to support diagnostic, therapeutic, and assistance pathways of patients with chronic kidney disease

The aim is to integrate an IoT infrastructure with digital, nutritional, and pharmacogenomics approaches based on healthy eating to improve patient care in relation to the risk of disease progression. 

Task 5.3 – Prevention of adverse events in preterm and term infants by remote monitoring

A family-centered tele-health approach leveraging wearable and easy-to-use medical devices will be designed to assist preterm and term infants cared for in neonatal intensive care units and to reduce chronic conditions, hospital stay, comorbidities, and nosocomial infections. 

Task 5.4 – Therapy optimization and prevention of adverse events in diabetes management

A decision support system, able to provide personalized insulin therapy suggestions and usable by non-specialized physicians will be validated. An integrated and scalable mobile platform leveraging continuous glucose monitoring, wearable devices, and innovative real-time personalized algorithms to reduce risks of adverse events will be developed and assessed. 

Task 5.5 – Non-medical wearable devices for monitoring caloric intake

Wearable devices will be used to reconstruct the biting activity and its relationship with food type and, eventually, estimate caloric intake in pathological individuals (obesity, T2DM) from children to the elderly. 

Task 5.6 – Prevention/mitigation of frailty in the continuum of care framework

The aim is to address multiple emergency department accesses (ED) by integrating hospital and community care services. To such a scope, an AI system, able to identify key factors related to frailty in ED users aged 65+, will be developed and used to monitor people at risk.  

List of Deliverables:
  • D5.1: Concept and relevant design of the models, M12
  • D5.2: Preliminary assessment and validation of the models, M30
  • D5.3: Final report on WP5 pilots, M48
WP6
Education and training on digital skills in healthcare
WP6 LEADER: UNIROMA2
Uniroma2
PARTNERS: UNIBA, UNIPR, UNIPD, BI-REX
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WP objectives
The aim is to address the lack of qualified personnel and improve the level of digital skills in the context of health prevention, which employers and employees require.  

TASK SPOKE 3 WP6

Task 6.1 – Creation of educational, research, and career paths for Spoke 3

Task 6.2 – Professional retraining and advanced training courses for the peculiar needs of Spoke 3  

Task 6.3 – Enhancing and supporting human resources for the peculiar needs of Spoke 3  

List of Deliverables:
  • D6.1: Plan for enhanced educational programming, M12
  • D6.2:Plan for Advanced Training Courses, M12
  • D6.3: Intermediate update on the educational and training plans, M32
  • D6.4: Report on the established training courses, M48  
WP7
Sustainability of digital Secondary and Tertiary Prevention, Technology transfer, and cascade funding
WP7 LEADER: BI-REX
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PARTNERS: UNIBA, UNIPR, UNIROMA2, EXP
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Uniroma2
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WP objectives
The aim is to ensure the long-term sustainability of spoke 3 as well as the protection and valorization/exploitation of research results.  

TASK SPOKE 3 WP7

Task 7.1 – Sustainability management plan for Spoke 3

Task 7.2 – IIPR management and exploitation for Spoke 3  

Task 7.3 – Support for entrepreneurship, spin-offs, and start-ups for Spoke 3

Task 7.4 – Cascade funding management for the sake of Spoke 3 

List of Deliverables:
  • D7.1: Sustainability Management Plan for Spoke 3, M12
  • D7.2:IPR management and exploitation services, M12
  • D7.3: Business-oriented services, M36
  • D7.4: Cascade funding management, M48