University of Ioannina

About: University of Ioannina is a education organization based out in Ioannina, Greece. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Large Hadron Collider. The organization has 7654 authors who have published 20594 publications receiving 671560 citations. The organization is also known as: Panepistimio Ioanninon.

Extinction risk of soil biota

Abstract: No species lives on earth forever. Knowing when and why species go extinct is crucial for a complete understanding of the consequences of anthropogenic activity, and its impact on ecosystem functioning. Even though soil biota play a key role in maintaining the functioning of ecosystems, the vast majority of existing studies focus on aboveground organisms. Many questions about the fate of belowground organisms remain open, so the combined effort of theorists and applied ecologists is needed in the ongoing development of soil extinction ecology.

Noninvasive assessment of pulmonary vascular resistance by Doppler echocardiography.

Abstract: Background The ratio of tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV) to the time-velocity integral of the right ventricular outflow tract (TVI RVOT ) has been studied as a reliable measure to distinguish elevated from normal pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). The equation TRV/TVI RVOT × 10 + 0.16 (PVR echo ) has been shown to provide a good noninvasive estimate of PVR. However, its role in patients with significantly elevated PVR (> 6 Wood units [WU]) has not been conclusively evaluated. The aim of this study was to establish the validity of the TRV/TVI RVOT ratio as a correlate of PVR. The role of TRV/TVI RVOT was also compared with that of a new ratio, TRV 2 /TVI RVOT , in patients with markedly elevated PVR (>6 WU). Methods Data from five validation studies using TRV/TVI RVOT as an estimate of PVR were compared with invasive PVR measurements (PVR cath ). Multiple linear regression analyses were generated between PVR cath and both TRV/TVI RVOT and TRV 2 /TVI RVOT . Both PVR echo and a new derived regression equation based on TRV 2 /TVI RVOT : 5.19 × TRV 2 /TVI RVOT - 0.4 (PVR echo2 ) were compared with PVR cath using Bland-Altman analysis. Logistic models were generated, and cutoff values for both TRV/TVI RVOT and TRV 2 /TVI RVOT were obtained to predict PVR > 6 WU. Results One hundred fifty patients remained in the final analysis. Linear regression analysis between PVR cath and TRV/TVI RVOT revealed a good correlation ( r = 0.76, P Z = 0.92). There was a better correlation between PVR cath and TRV 2 /TVI RVOT ( r = 0.79, P Z = −0.01) in the entire cohort as well as in patients with PVR > 6 WU. Moreover, PVR echo2 compared better with PVR cath than PVR echo using Bland-Altman analysis in the entire cohort and in patients with PVR > 6 WU. TRV 2 /TVI RVOT and TRV/TVI RVOT both predicted PVR > 6 WU with good sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions TRV/TVI RVOT is a reliable method to identify patients with elevated PVR. In patients with TRV/TVI RVOT > 0.275, PVR is likely > 6 WU, and PVR echo2 derived from TRV 2 /TVI RVOT provides an improved noninvasive estimate of PVR compared with PVR echo .

Prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome.

Abstract: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is increasing owing to lifestyle changes leading to obesity. This syndrome is a complex association of several interrelated abnormalities that increase the risk for cardiovascular disease and progression to diabetes mellitus (DM). Insulin resistance is the key factor for the clustering of risk factors characterizing the metabolic syndrome. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III defined the criteria for the diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome and established the basic principles for its management. According to these guidelines, treatment involves the improvement of the underlying insulin resistance through lifestyle modification (eg, weight reduction and increased physical activity) and possibly by drugs. The coexistent risk factors (mainly dyslipidemia and hypertension) should also be addressed. Since the main goal of lipid-lowering treatment is to achieve the NCEP low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) target, statins are a good option. However, fibrates (as monotherapy or in combination with statins) are useful for the treatment of the metabolic syndrome that is commonly associated with hypertriglyceridemia and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. The blood pressure target is < 140/90 mm Hg. The effect on carbohydrate homeostasis should possibly be taken into account in selecting an antihypertensive drug. Patients with the metabolic syndrome commonly have other less well-defined metabolic abnormalities (eg, hyperuricemia and raised C-reactive protein levels) that may also be associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. It seems appropriate to manage these abnormalities. Drugs that beneficially affect carbohydrate metabolism and delay or even prevent the onset of DM (eg, thiazolidinediones or acarbose) could be useful in patients with the metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, among the more speculative benefits of treatment are improved liver function in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and a reduction in the risk of acute gout.