A cosmological concordance model with dynamical vacuum term

We demonstrate that creation of dark-matter particles at a constant rate implies the existence of a cosmological term that decays linearly with the Hubble rate. We discuss the cosmological model that arises in this context and test it against observations of the first acoustic peak in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy spectrum, the Hubble diagram for supernovas of type Ia (SNIa), the distance scale of baryonic acoustic oscillations (BAO) and the distribution of large scale structures (LSS). We show that a good concordance is obtained, albeit with a higher value of the present matter abundance than in the \Lambda CDM model. We also comment on general features of the CMB anisotropy spectrum and on the cosmic coincidence problem.Comment: Revised version. Accepted for publication in Physics Letters

Peptide-based molecules in angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis refers to the process of remodeling the vascular tissue characterized by the branching out of a new blood vessel from a pre-existing vessel. Angiogenesis is particularly active during embriogenesis, while during adult life it is quiescent and limited to particular physiological phenomena. Recently, the study of molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis has stirred renewed interest due to the recognition of the role played by angiogenesis in several pathologies of large social impact, such as tumors and cardiovascular disease, and due to the pharmacological interest rising from the possibility of modulating these phenomena. Antibodies, peptides and small molecules targeting active endothelial cells represent an innovative tool in therapeutic and diagnostic fields. In this article we reviewed the literature of peptide and peptidomimetics in angiogenesis and their potential applications. Two specific protein systems, namely the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and its receptor and Integrins, will be discussed in detail