University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

About: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia is a education organization based out in Modena, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 8179 authors who have published 22418 publications receiving 671337 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia & Universita degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia.

Selective COX-2 inhibitors and dual acting anti-inflammatory drugs: critical remarks.

Abstract: Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are still the most commonly used remedies for rheumatic diseases. But NSAIDs produce serious adverse effects, the most important being gastric injury up to gastric ulceration and renal damage. Several strategies have been adopted in order to avoid these shortcomings, especially gastrointestinal toxicity. So, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been associated with gastroprotective agents that counteract the damaging effects of prostaglandin synthesis suppression: however, a combination therapy introduces problems of pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and patient s compliance. Also incorporation of a nitric oxide (NO)-generating moiety into the molecule of several NSAIDs was shown to greatly attenuate their ulcerogenic activity: however, several findings suggest a possible involvement of NO in the pathogenesis of arthritis and subsequent tissue destruction. A most promising approach seemed to be the preparation of novel NSAIDs, specific for the inducible isoform of cyclooxygenase (COX-2): they appear to be devoid of gastrointestinal toxicity, in that they spare mucosal prostaglandin synthesis. However, a number of recent studies raised serious questions about the two central tenets that support this approach, namely that the prostaglandins that mediate inflammation and pain are produced solely via COX-2 and that the prostaglandins that are important in gastrointestinal and renal function are produced solely via COX-1. So, increasing evidence shows that COX-2 (not only COX-1) also plays a physiological role in several body functions and that, conversely, COX-1 (not only COX-2) may also be induced at sites of inflammation. Moreover, COX-2 selective NSAIDs have lost the cardiovascular protective effects of non-selective NSAIDs, effects which are mediated through COX-1 inhibition (in addition, COX-2 has a role in sustaining vascular prostacyclin production). The products generated by the 5-lipoxygenase pathway (leukotrienes) are particularly important in inflammation: indeed, leukotrienes increase microvascular permeability and are potent chemotactic agents; moreover, inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase indirectly reduces the expression of TNF-alpha (a cytokine that plays a key role in inflammation). This explains the efforts to obtain drugs able to inhibit both 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenases: the so-called dual acting anti-inflammatory drugs. Such compounds retain the activity of classical NSAIDs, while avoiding their main drawbacks, in that curtailed production of gastroprotective prostaglandins is associated with a concurrent curtailed production of the gastro-damaging and bronchoconstrictive leukotrienes. Moreover, thanks to their mechanism of action, dual acting anti-inflammatory drugs could not merely alleviate symptoms of rheumatic diseases, but might also satisfy, at least in part, the criteria of curative drugs. Indeed, leukotrienes are pro-inflammatory, increase microvascular permeability, are potent chemotactic agents and attract eosinophils, neutrophils and monocytes into the synovium. Finally, recent data strongly suggest that dual inhibitors may have specific protective activity also in neurodegeneration.

The Generalized Dynamic Factor Model: One-Sided Estimation and Forecasting

Abstract: This Paper proposes a new forecasting method that exploits information from a large panel of time series. The method is based on the generalized dynamic factor model proposed in Forni, Hallin, Lippi, and Reichlin (2000), and takes advantage of the information on the dynamic covariance structure of the whole panel. We first use our previous method to obtain an estimation for the covariance matrices of common and idiosyncratic components. The generalized eigenvectors of this couple of matrices are then used to derive a consistent estimate of the optimal forecast, which is constructed as a linear combination of present and past observations only (one-sided filter). This two-step approach solves the end-of-sample problems caused by two-sided filtering (as in our previous work), while retaining the advantages of an estimator based on dynamic information. Both simulation results and an empirical illustration on the forecast of the Euro area industrial production and inflation, based on a panel of 447 monthly time series show very encouraging results.

The Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study (BASICS): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Abstract: Despite recent advances in acute stroke treatment, basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is associated with a death or disability rate of close to 70%. Randomised trials have shown the safety and efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) given within 4.5 h and have shown promising results of intra-arterial thrombolysis given within 6 h of symptom onset of acute ischaemic stroke, but these results do not directly apply to patients with an acute BAO because only few, if any, of these patients were included in randomised acute stroke trials. Recently the results of the Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study (BASICS), a prospective registry of patients with acute symptomatic BAO challenged the often-held assumption that intra-arterial treatment (IAT) is superior to IVT. Our observations in the BASICS registry underscore that we continue to lack a proven treatment modality for patients with an acute BAO and that current clinical practice varies widely. BASICS is a randomised controlled, multicentre, open label, phase III intervention trial with blinded outcome assessment, investigating the efficacy and safety of additional IAT after IVT in patients with BAO. The trial targets to include 750 patients, aged 18 to 85 years, with CT angiography or MR angiography confirmed BAO treated with IVT. Patients will be randomised between additional IAT followed by optimal medical care versus optimal medical care alone. IVT has to be initiated within 4.5 h from estimated time of BAO and IAT within 6 h. The primary outcome parameter will be favourable outcome at day 90 defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0–3. The BASICS registry was observational and has all the limitations of a non-randomised study. As the IAT approach becomes increasingly available and frequently utilised an adequately powered randomised controlled phase III trial investigating the added value of this therapy in patients with an acute symptomatic BAO is needed (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01717755).

High performance automotive chassis design: a topology optimization based approach

Abstract: Automotive chassis design in view of car weight reduction is a challenging task due to the many performance targets that must be satisfied, in particular in terms of vehicle safety. In this paper a methodology for automotive chassis design in involving optimization techniques is presented. In particular, topology, topometry and size optimizations are coupled with fem analyses and adopted in cascade for reaching an optimum chassis configuration. The methodology is applied to the design process of a rear-central engine high performance vehicle chassis. The objective of the optimization process is the chassis weight reduction, yet in fulfilment of structural performance constraints as required by Ferrari standards. The results demonstrate the general applicability of the methodology presented for obtaining the general trusses layout and thicknesses distribution of the structure. The numerical model at this stage shows a significant weight reduction when compared to the chassis of the Ferrari F458 Italia.

The greatest magic of Harry Potter: Reducing prejudice

Abstract: Recent research shows that extended contact via story reading is a powerful strategy to improve out-group attitudes. We conducted three studies to test whether extended contact through reading the popular best-selling books of Harry Potter improves attitudes toward stigmatized groups (immigrants, homosexuals, refugees). Results from one experimental intervention with elementary school children and from two cross-sectional studies with high school and university students (in Italy and United Kingdom) supported our main hypothesis. Identification with the main character (i.e., Harry Potter) and disidentification from the negative character (i.e., Voldemort) moderated the effect. Perspective taking emerged as the process allowing attitude improvement. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed in the context of extended intergroup contact and social cognitive theory.