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.

An Update on the Role of Markers of Inflammation in Atherosclerosis

Abstract: In recent years, several studies have used the measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) as a marker of early atherosclerosis: IMT has been shown to correlate significantly with the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and to predict fatal and not fatal cerebro- and cardio-vascular events. These findings highlight the importance of recognizing and managing early stages of atherosclerosis for effective cardiovascular prevention. Beyond traditional established cardiovascular risk factors, inflammation has been shown to be crucial throughout atherosclerosis from endothelial dysfunction to plaque rupture and thrombosis. Several studies have shown the existence of a strong relation between CAD and fibrinogen or highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and their predictive role has been examined through stratification or multivariable statistical analyses: levels of these markers of inflammation have been independently associated with the incidence of coronary events after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Recent studies have further addressed the importance of therapeutical modulation of hs-CRP levels in high-risk patients for the prevention of vascular events. The strong relationship between hs-CRP and IMT may potentially account for the complex role of hs-CRP and IMT in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular events. However, beyond the utility of measuring markers of inflammation to assess patients with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis at higher risk of vascular events, further studies are needed to evaluate the therapeutic implications in this category of patients.

A review of the general theory of thermoelastic stress analysis

Abstract: Thermoelastic stress analysis (TSA) is now a well-known experimental technique providing information on the surface stress field in structures. Many studies have assessed the potential of the technique for a number of applications and some useful and detailed reviews of these investigations are available, focusing mainly on the experimental aspects related to the measurement of the thermoelastic signal. In this work, instead, a complete and detailed insight into the origins of the various forms of the equations describing the thermoelastic effect is given with reference to the concepts of the thermodynamic theory of a continuum. A discussion on the theory leading to the thermoelastic effect law is intended to give a useful overview of the applications and real limitations of TSA.

Entanglement Trapping in Structured Environments

Abstract: We highlight the direct link between the time-dependent entanglement and single-qubit excited-state population for two independent qubits, each coupled to a zero-temperature bosonic environment. We show that, in environments structured so as to inhibit spontaneous emission, entanglement trapping and thus prevention of entanglement sudden death occur. We explicitly show that, for photonic band-gap materials as environment, high values of entanglement trapping can be achieved. We finally discuss how, under these conditions, coherent quantum operations can be implemented.

Lipid lowering nutraceuticals in clinical practice: position paper from an International Lipid Expert Panel.

Abstract: 1.1. Cardiovascular disease and dyslipidemia: prevalence and global economic impact Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, reaching 31% of deaths in 2012 [1]. In particular, atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease (IHD) are the main causes of premature death in Europe and are responsible for 42% of deaths in women and 38% in men under 75 years old [2]. The global economic impact of CVD is estimated to have been US $906 billion in 2015 and is expected to rise by 22% by 2030 [3]. Cardiovascular diseases also represent the major cause of disability in developed countries. It has been estimated that their growing burden could lead to a global increase in loss of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), from a loss of 85 million DALYs in 1990 to a loss of ~150 million DALYs in 2020, becoming a major non-psychological cause of lost productivity [4]. Several risk factors contribute to the etiology and development of CVD; they are divided into those modifiable through lifestyle changes or by taking a pharmacologic treatment (e.g. for hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia) and those that are not modifiable (age, male gender, and family history) [5]. Elevated total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) blood concentrations are the major modifiable risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD), whereas high concentrations of plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in certain conditions are considered protective [6]. Moreover, LDL-C remains a fundamental CV risk factor (and a main target of therapy) even when statins are largely used in the general population [7]. An examination of the data of 18 053 participants aged ≥ 20 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) from 1999 to 2006 showed that the unadjusted prevalence of hypercholesterolemia ranged from 53.2% to 56.1% in United States adults [8]. Differences related to gender and race or ethnicity were observed; in particular, a lower rate of control was found among women than men and lower rates of having a cholesterol check and being told about hypercholesterolemia were reported by African Americans and Mexican Americans than whites [8]. A recent report from the American Heart Association confirmed that in the US only 75.7% of children and 46.6% of adults present targeted TC levels (TC < 170 mg/dl for children and < 200 mg/dl for adults, in untreated individuals) [9]. The pattern is similar in other Western countries [10, 11].