Modelli computazionali per il calcolo delle greche

Alla luce delle più recenti implementazioni del pathwise derivative method, pubblicate dal The Journal of Computational Finance, viene proposto un codice di Matlab in grado da unire le migliorie introdotte e di avvalorare le posizioni esposte ed i risultati numerici ottenuti dagli autori negli articoli analizzati in questo lavoro

Contessa Entellina (PA). Forme di insediamento tra tarda antichità e età islamica

International audienceIl contributo presenta i risultati preliminari risultanti dallo studio della ceramica tardoantica e medievale della prospezione archeologica nel comune di Contessa Entellina (Palermo)

Effect of a fatty meal on inflammatory markers in healthy volunteers with a family history of type 2 diabetes

A family history of type 2 diabetes (T2D) confers a high risk of developing the disease, independent of that due to other common risk factors. Postprandial state is a pro-inflammatory condition associated with a transiently impaired endothelial function; an increased oxidative stress is considered as a mediator of such effects in T2D. We evaluated the short-term effect of a lipid meal on markers of early vascular damage in subjects at risk of developing T2D. A total of thirty-two healthy volunteers, divided according to the presence (FHD+) or absence (FHD - ) of a family history of T2D, underwent a fatty meal test. We measured the monocyte mRNA expressions of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1β, and IL-6, soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and nitrotyrosine plasma concentrations at baseline and in the post-meal phase, relating them to the lipid profile and other biochemical parameters. The basal expression of the cytokines did not differ in FHD - and FHD+ subjects; neither was it modified by the meal ingestion. IL-6 and sCD40L plasma levels, similar in the two groups in the fasting state, did not vary after the meal. VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 increased in FHD+ subjects but not in FHD - subjects. Nitrotyrosine, similar between the FHD - and FHD+ subjects at baseline, increased more in FHD+ subjects than in FHD - subjects after the meal. In conclusion, the presence of a familial history of T2D confers an abnormal endothelial activation after an oral lipid meal, coupled with an increased oxidative stress, supporting the hypothesis of an early endothelial dysfunction already present in healthy individuals prone to develop T2D

Effect of supplemental phytonutrients on impairment of the flow-mediated brachialartery vasoactivity after a single high-fat meal

AbstractObjectivesOur objective was to determine if long-term daily administration of phytonutrient supplements can prevent the immediate adverse impact of a high-fat meal and increase the production of nitric oxide.BackgroundIngestion of a high-fat meal impairs flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery for at least 4 h; however, co-ingestion of vitamin antioxidants or a green salad has been shown to prevent this effect.MethodsFlow-mediated brachial artery reactivity test (BART) both before and 3 h after a 900 calorie 50 g fat meal was evaluated in 38 healthy volunteers (age 36.4 ± 10.1 years). Subjects were randomized to four weeks of daily supplementation with a powdered fruit vegetable juice concentrate (Juice Plus [JP]) along with a complex supplement providing nutritional antioxidants and various herbal extracts (Vineyard [V]), JP alone, or a matching placebo. At three and four weeks, BART was repeated both before and after the high-fat meal. Serum nitrate/nitrite concentrations were measured at baseline and at four weeks.ResultsFour weeks of the JP-V combination blunted the detrimental effect of the high-fat meal (−47.5 ± 23.4% at baseline vs. −1.7 ± 9.7% at four weeks [p < 0.05]). Four weeks of JP alone had a similar beneficial effect (−45.1 ± 19.7% at baseline vs. −16.6 ± 10.3% at four weeks [p < 0.05]), whereas there was no substantial effect of the placebo. In the subjects treated with supplements, concentrations of serum nitrate/nitrite increased from 78 ± 39 to 114 ± 62 μm/l (p < 0.02).ConclusionsDaily ingestion of modest amounts of a fruit/vegetable juice concentrate with or without adjunctive phytonutrient supplementation can reduce the immediate adverse impact of high-fat meals on flow-mediated vasoactivity and increase nitrate/nitrite blood concentration

EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to cocoa flavanols and maintenance of normal endothelium-dependent vasodilation pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

&lt;p&gt;Following an application from Nutrilinks Sarl, submitted for authorisation of a claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Belgium, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to &lt;em&gt;Opti&lt;/em&gt;&lt;sub&gt;EFAX&lt;/sub&gt;&amp;trade; and maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations. The food that is the subject of the health claim, &lt;em&gt;Opti&lt;/em&gt;&lt;sub&gt;EFAX&lt;/sub&gt;&amp;trade;, which is standardised pure krill oil, is sufficiently characterised in relation to the claimed effect. The claimed effect, maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations, is a beneficial physiological effect. The target population proposed by the applicant is the general population. No human studies have been provided from which conclusions could be drawn for the scientific substantiation of the claim. A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of &lt;em&gt;Opti&lt;/em&gt;&lt;sub&gt;EFAX&lt;/sub&gt;&amp;trade; and maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations.&lt;/p&gt

Subthreshold psychiatric psychopathology in Functional gastrointestinal disorders: Can it be the bridge between gastroenterology and psychiatry?

Background and Aims: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGDs) are multifactorial disorders of the gut-brain interaction. This study investigated the prevalence of Axis I and spectrum disorders in patients with FGD and established the link between FGDs and psychopathological dimensions. Methods: A total of 135 consecutive patients with FGD were enrolled. The symptoms' severity was evaluated using questionnaires, while the psychiatric evaluation by clinical interviews established the presence/absence of mental (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-4th edition, Axis I Diagnosis) or spectrum disorders. Results: Of the 135 patients, 42 (32.3%) had functional dyspepsia, 52 (40.0%) had irritable bowel syndrome, 21 (16.2%) had functional bloating, and 20 (15.4%) had functional constipation. At least one psychiatric disorder was present in 46.9% of the patients, while a suprathreshold panic spectrum was present in 26.2%. Functional constipation was associated with depressive disorders (p < 0.05), while functional dyspepsia was related to the current major depressive episode (p < 0.05). Obsessive-compulsive spectrum was correlated with the presence of functional constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The high prevalence of subthreshold psychiatric symptomatology in patients with FGD, which is likely to influence the expression of gastrointestinal symptoms, suggested the usefulness of psychological evaluation in patients with FGDs

Influence of Atrial Function and Mechanical Synchrony on LV Hemodynamic Status in Heart Failure Patients on Resynchronization Therapy

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate atrial and ventricular function in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).BackgroundRight atrial pacing (AP) in CRT induces delays in electrical and mechanical activation of the left atrium. The influence of atrial sensing (AS) versus AP on ventricular performance in CRT and the mechanisms underlying the differences between AS and AP in CRT have not been fully elucidated.MethodsFifty-five patients with heart failure undergoing CRT for 9 ± 12.5 months and 22 control subjects without heart failure were enrolled. Conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography was performed to examine atrial and ventricular mechanics and hemodynamic status.ResultsThe optimal atrioventricular interval was shorter in AS compared with AP mode (126 ± 19 ms vs. 155 ± 20 ms, p < 0.0001). Left ventricular (LV) outflow tract time-velocity integral (22 ± 7 cm vs. 20 ± 7 cm, p < 0.001), diastolic filling period (468 ± 124 ms vs. 380 ± 93 ms, p < 0.001), and global strain (−32 ± 24% vs. −27 ± 22%, p = 0.001) were greater in AS compared with AP mode. Atrial strain was higher in AS compared with AP mode in the right atrium (−28.2 ± 8.6% vs. −22.6 ± 7.6%, p = 0.0007), interatrial septum (−17.1 ± 6.5% vs. −13.2 ± 5.4%, p = 0.002), and left atrium (−16.4 ± 11.0% vs. −13.6 ± 8.5%, p = 0.02). There was no difference in intraventricular dyssynchrony but significantly lower atrial dyssynchrony in AS compared with AP mode (31 ± 19 ms vs. 42 ± 24 ms, p = 0.0002).ConclusionsAS is associated with preserved atrial contractility and atrial synchrony, resulting in optimal LV diastolic filling, stroke volume, and LV systolic mechanics. This pacing mode maximizes LV performance and the hemodynamic benefit of CRT in patients with heart failure

Cerebrovascular mental stress reactivity is impaired in hypertension

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Brachial artery reactivity in response to shear stress is altered in subjects with hypertension. Since endothelial dysfunction is generalized, we hypothesized that carotid artery (CA) reactivity would also be altered in hypertension.</p> <p>Purpose</p> <p>To compare (CA endothelium-dependent vasodilation in response to mental stress in normal and hypertensive subjects.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We evaluated CA reactivity to mental stress in 10 young healthy human volunteers (aged 23 ± 4 years), 20 older healthy volunteers (aged 49 ± 11 years) and in 28 patients with essential hypertension (aged 51 ± 13 years). In 10 healthy volunteers and 12 hypertensive subjects, middle cerebral artery (MCA) PW transcranial Doppler was performed before and 3 minutes after mental stress.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mental stress by Stroop color word conflict, math or anger recall tests caused CA vasodilation in young healthy subjects (0.61 ± 0.06 to 0.65 ± 0.07 cm, p < 0.05) and in older healthy subjects (0.63 ± 0.06 to 0.66 ± 0.07 cm, p < 0.05), whereas no CA vasodilation occurred in hypertensive subjects (0.69 ± 0.06 to 0.68 ± 0.07 cm; p, NS). CA blood flow in response to mental stress increased in young healthy subjects (419 ± 134 to 541 ± 209 ml, p < 0.01 vs. baseline) and in older healthy subjects (351 ± 114 to 454 ± 136 ml, p < 0.01 vs. baseline) whereas no change in blood flow (444 ± 143 vs. 458 ± 195 ml; p, 0.59) occurred in hypertensive subjects. There was no difference in the CA response to nitroglycerin in healthy and hypertensive subjects. Mental stress caused a significant increase in baseline to peak MCA systolic (84 ± 22 to 95 ± 22 cm/s, p < 0.05), diastolic (42 ± 12 to 49 ± 14 cm/s, p < 0.05) as well as mean (30 ± 13 to 39 ± 13 cm/s, p < 0.05) PW Doppler velocities in normal subjects, whereas no change in systolic (70 ± 18 to 73 ± 22 cm/s, p < 0.05), diastolic (34 ± 14 to 37 ± 14 cm/s, p = ns) or mean velocities (25 ± 9 to 26 ± 9 cm/s, p = ns) occurred in hypertensive subjects, despite a similar increase in heart rate and blood pressure in response to mental stress in both groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Mental stress produces CA vasodilation and is accompanied by an increase in CA and MCA blood flow in healthy subjects. This mental stress induced CA vasodilation and flow reserve is attenuated in subjects with hypertension and may reflect cerebral vascular endothelial dysfunction. Assessment of mental stress induced CA reactivity by ultrasound is a novel method for assessing the impact of hypertension on cerebrovascular endothelial function and blood flow reserve.</p

Cardiac Safety of TGF-β Receptor I Kinase Inhibitor LY2157299 Monohydrate in Cancer Patients in a First-in-Human Dose Study

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling plays an important role in the fetal development of cardiovascular organs and in the repair mechanisms of the heart. Hence, inhibitors of the TGF-β signaling pathway require a careful identification of a safe therapeutic window and a comprehensive monitoring of the cardiovascular system. Seventy-nine cancer patients (67 glioma and 12 solid tumor) enrolled in a first-in-human dose study and received the TGF-β inhibitor LY2157299 monohydrate (LY2157299) as monotherapy (n = 53) or in combination with lomustine (n = 26). All patients were monitored using 2D echocardiography/color and Spectral Doppler (2D Echo with Doppler) every 2 months, monthly electrocardiograms, thorax computer tomography scans every 6 months, and monthly serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), troponin I, cystatin C, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Administration of LY2157299 was not associated with medically relevant cardiovascular toxicities, including patients treated ≥6 months (n = 13). There were no increases of troponin I, BNP, or hs-CRP or reduction in cystatin C levels, which may have been considered as signs of cardiovascular injury. Blood pressure was generally stable during treatment. Imaging with echocardiography/Doppler showed an increase in mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation by two grades of severity in only one patient with no concurrent clinical symptoms of cardiovascular injury. Overall, this comprehensive cardiovascular monitoring for the TGF-β inhibitor LY2157299 did not detect medically relevant cardiac toxicity and hence supports the evaluation of LY2157299 in future clinical trials