Angiogenesis in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Angiogenesis is a crucial component of lung pathophysiology, not only in cancer but also in other disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In COPD angiogenesis is definitely able to control and orchestrate the progression of airway remodeling. Herein, we provide several remarkable translational aspects of angiogenesis in COPD, exploring both basic and clinical research in this field. Indeed, we present a number of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors, which can be also used as potential biomarkers to monitor disease progression. 

This pre-print has subsequently been published at http://www.unisa.it/uploads/7100/06.pd

Dual morphology (fibres and particles) cellulosic filler for WPC materials

Wood-plastic composites (WPC) were fabricated by using a polyethylene (PE) matrix and filling it with wood flour in the amount of 30 wt.%, and compared with the same composites with further amount of 10 wt.% of cellulosic recycled fibres added. The materials were produced by turbomixing and subsequent moulding under pressure. Mechanical properties of both WPC and WPC with cellulosic recycled fibres were evaluated through mechanical and physical-chemical tests. Tensile tests clarified that a moderate reduction is strength is observed with the bare introduction of wood flour with respect to the neat PE matrix, whilst some recovery is offered by the addition of recycled cellulose fibres. Even more promisingly, the elastic modulus of PE matrix is substantially improved by the addition of wood flour (around 8% on average) and much more so with the further addition of recycled cellulose (around 20% on average). The fracture surfaces from the tensile test were analysed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicating a reduction in microporosity as an effect of added cellulose. The water absorption test and the hardness measure (Shore D) were also performed. SEM analysis underlined the weak interface between both wood particle and cellulosic recycled fibres and matrix. The water absorption test showed a higher mass variation for pure WPC than WPC with cellulosic recycled fibres. The hardness measurement showed that the presence of cellulosic recycled fibres improves both superficial hardness of the composite and temperature resistance. © 2016 Author(s)

Coronary heart disease risk factors and mortality

This study challenges conventional wisdom that patients with more coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors have worse outcomes following their first MI. We found that patients with multiple CHD risk factors presented much earlier in life with MI and had lower hospital mortality than patients with fewer or no risk factors. We confirmed that the high prevalence of risk factor exposure in patients with MI was consistent with the prior literature. In summary, we report an unexpected and possibly controversial association that, like all observational findings, should be considered hypothesis-generating and further explored in terms of health care provided to patients who reach the hospital alive with first MI

The influence of augmented reality on consumers’ online purchase intention : the Sephora Virtual Artist case

The advent of digitalization lead to the change of many business models and it has had a particular impact on retail. Indeed, brands are experimenting new ways to respond to consumers’ needs, blurring digital and physical experiences. An answer to this is Augmented Reality (AR) and it can be implemented in companies’ online platforms. This dissertation relies on studying this phenomenon through Sephora Virtual Artist, an e-commerce platform with AR features launched by the company. This research analyses if this technology can contribute to an e-commerce business in the cosmetic industry, through an experimental design comparing consumers’ responses to the Sephora 2D traditional website to Sephora Virtual Artist. From the outcome of the study, it was possible to affirm that AR could be a successful strategy for beauty companies that want to increment the performances of their online channels. Moreover, the main drivers of Online Purchase Intention were identified, and a specific target as well. The collected data might contribute for companies of the beauty industry whether to decide or not to invest in Augmented Reality and how to implement it. Moreover, it might also help brand managers communicating in the right way, to the right target and on the right channel.O advento da digitalização leva à mudança de muitos modelos de negócios e tem um impacto particular no retalho. De fato, as marcas estão a experimentar novas maneiras de responder às necessidades dos consumidores, fundindo as experiências digitais e físicas. A Realidade Aumentada (RA) é uma resposta para isso e pode ser implementada nas plataformas online das empresas. Esta dissertação baseia-se no estudo desse fenómeno através da Sephora Virtual Artist, uma plataforma de e-commerce com recursos de RA lançados pela empresa. Esta pesquisa analisa se esta tecnologia pode contribuir para um negócio de e-commerce na indústria cosmética, através de um projeto experimental comparando as respostas dos consumidores do site tradicional da Sephora 2D aos da Sephora Virtual Artist. A partir do resultado do estudo, foi possível afirmar que a RA pode ser uma estratégia bem-sucedida para empresas de beleza que desejem incrementar o desempenho de seus canais online. Além disso, os principais fatores de sucesso para a plataforma foram identificados bem como o seu público alvo. Os dados recolhidos podem contribuir para que empresas do setor de beleza decidam ou não investir em Realidade Aumentada e como implementá-la. Além disso, também pode ajudar os gerentes de marca a comunicarem da maneira certa, para o público certo e no canal certo

Role of cardiac resynchronization therapy in the development of new-onset atrial fibrillation: A single-center prospective study.

Albeit several studies examined the association between cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and atrial fibrillation (AF) in heart failure (HF), results are still unclear and quite conflicting. We thereby designed a single-center prospective study to determine whether CRT has a favorable effect on the incidence of new-onset AF in a homogeneous population of patients with non-ischemic idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and severe heart failure HF. We enrolled 58 patients, AF naïve when received CRT. After 1 year of follow-up our population was subdivided into responders (72.4%) and non (27.6%), so to compare the incidence of AF after 1, 2 and 3 years of follow-up in these two groups. Already after 1 year, there is a significant (p<0.05) difference in new-onset AF in non-responder patients respect to responders (18.2% vs 3.3%). These data are confirmed at 2 year (33.3% vs 12.2%) and 3 year (50.0% vs 15.0%) follow-up. In particular, at 3 year follow-up, non-responders have an increased risk to develop new-onset AF (OR=5.67, 95% confidence interval = 1.36-23.59, p=0.019). The present work suggests a possible favorable role of this non-pharmacological therapy, on the prevention of AF

Tailoring mTOR-based therapy: molecular evidence and clinical challenges

The mTOR signaling pathway integrates inputs from a variety of upstream stimuli to regulate diverse cellular processes including proliferation, growth, survival, motility, autophagy, protein synthesis and metabolism. The mTOR pathway is dysregulated in a number of human pathologies including cancer, diabetes, obesity, autoimmune disorders, neurological disease and aging. Ongoing clinical trials testing mTOR-targeted treatments number in the hundreds and underscore its therapeutic potential. To date mTOR inhibitors are clinically approved to prevent organ rejection, to inhibit restenosis after angioplasty, and to treat several advanced cancers. In this review we discuss the continuously evolving field of mTOR pharmacogenomics, as well as highlight the emerging efforts in identifying diagnostic and prognostic markers, including miRNAs, in order to assess successful therapeutic responses

CRT prevents new-onset AF

SUMMARY Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether or not cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has a favourable effect on the incidence of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in a homogeneous population of patients with non-ischaemic idiopathic-dilated cardiomyopathy and severe heart failure. Methods: We designed a single-centre prospective study and enrolled 58 patients AF nao¨ve when received CRT. After 1 year of follow-up our population was subdivided into responders (72.4%) and non-responders (27.6%), so as to compare the incidence of AF after 1, 2 and 3 years of follow-up in these two groups. Results: Already after 1 year, there was a significant (p < 0.05) difference in new-onset AF in non-responder patients with respect to responders (18.2% vs. 3.3%). These data were confirmed at 2 years (33.3% vs. 12.2%) and 3 years (50.0% vs. 15.0%) follow-up. In particular, 3 years after device implantation non-responders had an increased risk to develop new-onset AF (OR = 5.67). Conclusions: This is the first study analysing long-term effects of CRT in a homogeneous population of patients with nonischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy, indicating the favourable role of this non-pharmacological therapy on the prevention of AF. What's known Albeit several studies examined the association between cardiac resynchronization therapy and atrial fibrillation in heart failure, results are still unclear and quite conflicting. What's new In this study we show that in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy a positive response to cardiac resynchronization therapy has a favorable role on the prevention of new-onset atrial fibrillation.

A study of the feasibility of the nursing profession as a vocational goal for the controlled diabetic

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston Universit