Reduced incidence of cardiovascular events in hyper-Lp(a) patients on lipoprotein apheresis. The G.I.L.A. (Gruppo Interdisciplinare Aferesi Lipoproteica) pilot study.

Background: Lipoprotein apheresis (LA) is the elective therapy for homozygous and other forms of Familial Hypercholesterolemia, Familial Combined Hypercholesterolemia, resistant/intolerant to lipid lowering drugs, and hyper-lipoproteinemia(a). Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has been classified as the most prevalent genetic risk factor for coronary artery disease and aortic valve stenosis.

Aim: Our multicenter retrospective study has the aim to analyze the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events (ACVE) before and during the LA treatment, in subjects with elevated level of Lp(a) (>60 mg/dL) [hyper-Lp(a)] and chronic ischemic heart disease.

Gender-Specific Association of Desacylated Ghrelin with Subclinical Atherosclerosis in the Metabolic Syndrome.

Objective: Ghrelin, a gastric hormone with pleiotropic effects modulates vascular function and may influence atherosclerosis. Plasma ghrelin is reduced in the metabolic syndrome (MS), which is also characterized by early atherosclerosis. Ghrelin circulates in acylated (AG) and desacylated (DAG) forms.

Quantity Distortion Effect in Consumers' Perception of Different Volumes and Weights of Money: A Pilot Study.

Consumers tend to misunderstand the physical value of cash money by adopting improper anchors for their judgments (e.g., banknote size and shape, currency denominations, etc.

HELP LDL apheresis reduces plasma pentraxin 3 in familial hypercholesterolemia.

Background: Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a key component of the humoral arm of innate immunity, is secreted by vascular cells in response to injury, possibly aiming at tuning arterial activation associated with vascular damage. Severe hypercholesterolemia as in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) promotes vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis; low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis is currently the treatment of choice to reduce plasma lipids in FH. HELP LDL apheresis affects pro- and antiinflammatory biomarkers, however its effects on PTX3 levels are unknown.

The O/OREOS mission: first science data from the space environment viability of organics (SEVO) payload.

We report the first science results from the Space Environment Viability of Organics (SEVO) payload aboard the Organism/Organic Exposure to Orbital Stresses (O/OREOS) free-flying nanosatellite, which completed its nominal spaceflight mission in May 2011 but continues to acquire data biweekly. The SEVO payload integrates a compact UV-visible-NIR spectrometer, utilizing the Sun as its light source, with a 24-cell sample carousel that houses four classes of vacuum-deposited organic thin films: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), amino acid, metalloporphyrin, and quinone. The organic films are enclosed in hermetically sealed sample cells that contain one of four astrobiologically relevant microenvironments.