University of Palermo

The Impact of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery on Nutritional Status and Sarcopenia: A Narrative Overview of Underlying Mechanisms, Clinical Implications, and Prevention Strategies

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity, leading to significant and sustained weight loss and improvement in metabolic comorbidities. However, it is also associated with substantial changes in body composition and nutritional status, including the ris...

Lower-crustal unzipping drives active orogenic deformation

The Apennines-Tyrrhenian Sea system allows us to investigate seismotectonics in coupled thrust belt and back-arc realms driven by subduction retreat, continental collision, and crustal delamination. Since the late Miocene, active extension has progressively migrated forelandward,...

Integrating Collaborative Governance and Environmental Performance Assessment for Nature-Based Solutions: The euPOLIS Experience in Palermo

Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) are increasingly recognized as strategic tools for climate adaptation and urban regeneration, yet their implementation requires balancing environmental performance, territorial identity, and governance feasibility. This article investigates the appli...

Predicting the risk of dehydration and readmission among rectal cancer patients with ileostomy: a multicenter observational study

Abstract Dehydration is a frequent complication among rectal cancer patients after ileostomy, often resulting in hospital readmission. The Dehydration Readmission after Ileostomy Prediction (DRIP) score was used to identify patients at risk of dehydration-related readmission. The...

A Team-Based Learning Activity with AI-Supported Reasoning for Teaching Molecular Dynamics

Abstract Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are increasingly included in chemistry and life science curricula, yet students often struggle to interpret outputs and to integrate multiple descriptors into coherent explanations. This paper presents a Team-Based Learning (TBL) activ...

A gridded dataset of European Forest Types to support forest monitoring, modelling and reporting

Abstract. A standardized system of nomenclature for forest types is essential for effectively monitoring and understanding the impacts of climate change on diverse ecosystems in Europe and beyond. A comprehensive classification system, such as the European Forest Types (EFTs) sch...

Multi-Objective Screening of Bio-Based Phase Change Materials for Building Envelopes Using Surrogate Models Across Italian Climates

Bio-based phase change materials (PCMs) can increase transient heat storage in lightweight building envelopes, but their performance depends on the climate, transition properties, layer design, and assumptions used to translate thermal loads into carbon and cost indicators. Altho...

Updating the Prevalence of H. pylori and Extensive Precancerous Lesions in the Stomach: Results of a Multicenter, Endoscopic Study

Background/Objectives: H. pylori is the main preventable risk factor for gastric cancer through the development of extensive precancerous lesions, namely mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. Methods: This multicenter, nationwide study enrolled consecutive patients who under...

Role of Weathering on the Disintegration of Compatibilized Polymer Blends and Their Release of Microplastics

ABSTRACT The increasing environmental presence of microplastics and nanoplastics constitutes a critical concern for environmental integrity and public health, with notable repercussions across aquatic systems, terrestrial ecosystems, and both human and animal health. These partic...

Photovoltaic power forecasting and anomaly detection: a comparative study of statistical, deep learning, and zero-shot foundation models on seven years of real plant data

Faults and gradual performance degradation in photovoltaic plants often remain undetected, causing energy losses and increasing maintenance costs. Selecting an appropriate forecasting model for residual-based anomaly detection requires understanding the relative contributions of...

Beyond mortality: behavioural disruption and reduced plasticity as sublethal effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

Abstract Environmental pollution represents a major global threat to biodiversity, interfering with a wide range of biological processes and functions. In recent years, behaviour has gained attention as a key focus for detecting the subtle adverse effects of pollution, as polluta...

Toward harmonized reporting of Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers in clinical practice

Abstract Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, and more recently blood-based biomarkers, are playing a pivotal role in reshaping the clinical management of neurodegenerative diseases, supporting early detection, biological diagnosis, patient stratification, prognostic assessment, thera...

Ultrasound-Guided Collagen Peptides Injections Combined with Focused Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy and Therapeutic Exercise in Chronic Partial Common Extensor Tendon Tears at Elbow Lateral Epicondyle: A Retrospective Case Series

Background: Lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET) is a common upper-limb musculoskeletal disorder causing pain during gripping activities, reduced work capacity, and functional limitation. LET is currently considered a predominantly degenerative condition characterized by collagen dis...

Effects of multi-scale drivers on plant diversity and forage quality in traditional wood-pastures of Transylvania (Romania)

Traditional wood-pastures are agroforestry systems shaped by long-term low-intensity management. However, the relative importance of drivers of plant diversity and forage quality operating at different spatial scales in these systems remains poorly understood. We investigated 30...

Scientific Clinical Trial Publication Productivity in Medical Oncology: A Comparative Analysis and Data Review of Northern and Southern Italy

Background: Italy exhibits a socioeconomic divide between its northern and southern regions, which extends into healthcare delivery and biomedical research. Medical oncology is particularly affected by this structural imbalance. This paper examines geographic disparities in clini...

Development and Internal Validation of a Clinical Risk Score for Hypovitaminosis D in Italian Adults Aged ≥50 Years Attending Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Disease Centers

Background/Objectives: Hypovitaminosis-D is a highly prevalent condition worldwide, associated with adverse skeletal and extra-skeletal outcomes. Increasing demand for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) testing points toward the need for simple tools to identify individuals at r...

Quality of life in breast cancer survivors: a comparative analysis between breast conservative treatment (BCT) and post-mastectomy breast reconstruction (PMBR) using either autologous or prosthetic reconstruction

Abstract Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, with surgical intervention as a cornerstone treatment. Options include breast-conserving therapy (BCT) and mastectomy with or without post-mastectomy breast reconstruction (PMBR). This study aimed to comp...

Polyphenol-Rich Opuntia ficus-indica Cladodes: An Integrated Metabolomic, In Vivo and In Silico Study Supporting Their Hypolipidemic and Hepatoprotective Effects

Background: Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiometabolic disorders, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and is closely associated with oxidative stress. Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) cladodes are recognized as a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals;...

Neanderthal’s heel: How the Neanderthal’s external calcaneal shape uniquely differs from that of modern humans

Neanderthals exhibit unique morphological adaptations in their calcaneus compared to Homo sapiens , shedding light on distinct evolutionary pressures and functional requirements shaping their respective foot anatomy. This study assesses which calcaneal traits represent plesiomorp...

Global Real‐World Outcomes of Olaparib in Metastatic Castration‐Resistant Prostate Cancer Patients With Homologous Recombination Repair Alterations

Evidence to guide the treatment for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and Homologous Recombination Repair (HRR) gene alterations outside of clinical trials remains limited. This was an observational, cohort study, including mCRPC patients with...