University of Palermo

About: University of Palermo is a education organization based out in Palermo, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 15621 authors who have published 40250 publications receiving 964384 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli Studi di Palermo & Universita degli Studi di Palermo.

Effect of algal architecture on associated fauna: some evidence from phytal molluscs

Abstract: In the southern Mediterranean Sea, replicate samples of six common upper-infralittoral algae (Cystoseira barbatula, Cystoseira spinosa, Sargassum vulgare, Halopteris scoparia, Dictyota fasciola, and Dictyota dichotoma) were collected with the major goal of investigating the composition and structure of molluscan assemblages between the algal species. In order to measure the habitat architecture of the six algal species and relate this to the molluscan assemblages, several structural attributes were calculated on each individual plant. There were differences in architectural attributes between the six algal species, with data recorded for S. vulgare and H. scoparia more similar to data for C. barbatula and C. spinosa (which grouped closely), than for the two species belonging to the genus Dictyota, which had a less complex structure. A total of 1,914 specimens and 57 species of molluscs were found on the collected algae. The abundance and diversity of the molluscan assemblages were significantly different between different macroalgae. In general S. vulgare, C. barbatula and C. spinosa supported a higher abundance, greater number of species, Shannon–Wiener diversity, and Margalef's index than the remaining three algal species. Both multivariate analyses (i.e. cluster and multidimensional scaling) and a posteriori tests (Student–Neuman–Keuls' test) demonstrated that samples collected on D. dichotoma were well separated, reflecting the lowest values of abundance and diversity. The molluscan assemblage data were also correlated to the attributes of algal architecture revealing that the combination of degree of branching, algal width and the log of the stem width provides a good explanation for molluscan structure. Differences in the molluscan assemblages of these six common Mediterranean algae can be attributed to different algal architectures, and, consequently, these could be related to the supposed variations in food availability and predation rate.

"European Panel on Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Subclasses": A Statement on the Pathophysiology, Atherogenicity and Clinical Significance of LDL Subclasses

Abstract: Aim of the present Consensus Statement is to provide a comprehensive and up to-date document on the pathophysiology, atherogenicity and clinical significance of low density lipoproteins (LDL) subclasses. We sub-divided our Statement in 2 sections: section I discusses the pathophysiology, atherogenicity and measurement issues, while section II is focused on the effects of drugs and lifestlyle modifications. Suggestions for future research in the field are highlighted at the end of section II. Each section includes Conclusions.

Metabolic syndrome in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): lower prevalence in southern Italy than in the USA and the influence of criteria for the diagnosis of PCOS

Abstract: Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MBS) is a common disorder and is thought to be extremely prevalent in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In the USA the prevalence of MBS in PCOS has been reported to be as high as 43 – 46% using Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP-III) criteria. Because of differences in diet, lifestyle and genetic factors, we postulated that the prevalence of MBS might not be as high in Italian women. This study sought to determine the prevalence of MBS in Italian women using both the ATP-III and the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and to determine whether the prevalence is influenced by the way in which PCOS is diagnosed. Design: Assessment of the prevalence of MBS in 282 women with PCOS, aged 18 – 40 years, living in western Sicily. Eighty-five age- and weight-matched normal women served as controls. Methods: Patients were divided into those with chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism (classic PCOS; n ¼ 225) and others with hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries but who were ovulatory (ovulatory PCOS; n ¼ 57). A 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was carried out, as were lipid determinations; insulin resistance was assessed by the Quantitative Insulin-Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI). We used ATP-III and WHO criteria to diagnose MBS. Results: Using ATP-III criteria, the prevalence of MBS was 8.2% and using WHO criteria it was 16% in Italian women with PCOS. In controls, the prevalence was 2.4% using both methods. In classic PCOS patients, MBS was higher (8.9% by ATP-III, 17.3% by WHO) than in ovulatory PCOS (5% and 10.6% respectively). Body weight significantly modified prevalence rates. Conclusion: MBS is substantially higher in women with PCOS than in the general population, and the prevalence is higher in those women diagnosed by classic criteria. However, the prevalence of MBS in PCOS appears to be much lower in Italy than in the USA.

Customer Satisfaction in the Hotel Industry: A Case Study from Sicily

Abstract: In order to be successful in the market it is not sufficient to attract new customers managers must concentrate on retaining existing customers implementing effective policies of customer satisfaction and loyalty In hotel industry customer satisfaction is largely hooked upon service quality A management approach focused on customer satisfaction can improve customer loyalty, thus increasing the positive image of the touristic destination Hence, exploring the importance for customers of hotel attributes in hotel selection is indispensable Research on the topic of guest satisfaction, which translates into the consideration of whether or not customers will return to a hotel or advise it to other tourists, is pivotal to the success of the hospitality business Neglecting to pay attention to those hotel attributes considered most important by guests, may lead to negative evaluation of the hotel, thus restricting the chance of repeat patronage We perform a qualitative analysis of a large hotel in Sicily (IT), the Sporting Club Hotel in the town Cefalu, using the Critical Incident Approach (Hayes, 2008) Through the analysis of this case we evaluate the overall customer satisfaction level for the hotel and for each supplied service We conclude discussing the result and proposing improvement in customer satisfaction management of the hotel

The role of bisphosphonates in the treatment of painful metastatic bone disease: a review of phase III trials.

Abstract: Metastatic bone disease is a frequent cause of morbidity in advanced cancer patients with a subsequent high incidence of skeletal complications (fractures, hypercalcemia, spinal cord compression) and severe pain. The osteolytic process is mainly characterized by an osteoclastic activity of bone resorption and inflammatory activity provoked by various cytokines and prostaglandins. Bisphosphonates represent a new class of drugs with inhibitory activity on bone resorption and on inflammatory processes which revealed themselves to be efficacious in a series of clinical conditions such as tumour-induced hypercalcemia, Paget's disease, osteoporosis and metastatic bone disease. The aim of this review of the literature is to show the analgesic efficacy of the different bisphosphonates in phase III studies carried out on patients with metastatic bone disease. Medline and Cancerlit database from January 1984 to February 1998 have been considered. From the analysis of the published studies it appears that bisphosphonates and, in particular, intravenous Disodium Pamidronate, are not only able to slow down the progression of the disease and to reduce the onset of skeletal complications but also have an analgesic effect and the possibility of improving the quality of life, above all in patients with osteolytic metastases due to breast cancer and multiple myeloma. Bisphosphonates represent a further valid therapy to add to an already consolidated list of therapies such as radio, chemo and endocrine therapy, analgesic drugs, orthopaedic and physiatric in the pain management of patients with bone metastases. These drugs meet with the patients' compliance, are well-tolerated as well as having a good cost/efficacy profile. It still remains to be seen if the newer and more potent bisphosphonates such as Ibandronate and Zoledronate can be administered differently from the intravenous route such as by mouth or by patch which are readily accepted by the patient and, moreover, if these more potent drugs are able to prevent or delay the onset and/or the progression of bone metastases.