Background: Established equations to predict peak oxygen uptake (VOmax) in healthy subjects are not directly applicable to patient populations, including people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). PwMS, who commonly exhibit impaired cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular function, often require tailored predictive models. This study aimed at (1) testing the validity, reliability, and accuracy of four widely used formulae, developed in healthy populations, to estimate VOmax in mildly to moderately disabled women with MS, and (2) develop adjusted formulae tailored on MS features.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol
December 2024
Background: This study aimed at quantifying ankle plantarflexors' resistance to passive motion (RPM) by isokinetic dynamometry and muscle activity through surface electromyography (sEMG) in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) with limb stiffness and spasticity.
Methods: Slow and fast ankle dorsiflexions (from 5°/s to 210°/s) were imparted passively by an isokinetic dynamometer, and sEMG activity of plantarflexors was recorded at the same time as the square root of the moving average. Based on RPM evaluated at 5°/s, ankles were classified as more- and less-resistant as measured by average peak torque (APT).
Concomitant aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease in the elderly population is frequent and the proper therapeutic approach is a matter of debate. We present 2 challenging cases of patients affected by severe aortic stenosis and chronic total occlusion of the left main, demonstrating the safety and feasibility of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, performed both with balloon-expandable and self-expanding valves.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), which primarily affects young women without traditional cardiovascular risk factors, often presenting as sudden cardiac death. This study aims to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, predictors, and outcomes of cardiac arrest in SCAD patients.
Methods: The DISCO IT/SPA registry, an international retrospective multicenter study, enrolled 375 SCAD patients from 26 centers in Italy and Spain.
Physical fitness has been extensively shown to strongly associate with general health status and major health risks. Here we tested the ability of a novel estimate of fitness age (FitAge) to differentiate aging trajectories.This study aimed at (1) testing the ability of FitAge to differentiate aging patterns among decelerated, normal, and accelerated agers in selected health domains, (2) estimating the risk for developing major health issues depending on the aging trajectory, and (3) comparing FitAge to body mass index (BMI) categorization in differentiating healthy from unhealthy aging patterns.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCoronary artery calcification (CAC) accompanies the development of advanced atherosclerosis. Its role in atherosclerosis holds great interest because the presence and burden of coronary calcification provide direct evidence of the presence and extent of coronary artery disease; furthermore, CAC predicts future events independently of concomitant conventional cardiovascular risk factors and to a greater extent than any other noninvasive biomarker of this disease. Nevertheless, the relationship between CAC and the susceptibility of a plaque to provoke a thrombotic event remains incompletely understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To evaluate the effects of wild trekking by examining, in postmenopausal women, the physiological adaptations to an intensive 5-day wild trek and comparing their responses to those displayed by a group of men of comparable age, training status and mountaineering skills.
Methods: Six healthy, active postmenopausal women in their sixth decade of life participated in the study. Six men of comparable age and training status were also enrolled for gender-based comparisons.
Recent research highlights the need for a correct instrument for monitoring the individual health status, especially in the elderly. Different definitions of biological aging have been proposed, with a consistent positive association of physical activity and physical fitness with decelerated aging trajectories. The six-minute walking test is considered the current gold standard for estimating the individual fitness status in the elderly.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMany commentators argue that, until the 1980s, Brisbane and Queensland were cultural backwaters within the Australian context. However, with the hosting of the highly successful (1982) and (1988) and with the development of the Queensland Cultural (1976-) and South Bank (1974-) Precincts, Brisbane and Queensland cast aside perennial apologism to acquire prominence, maturity, and self-respect. Within these national, state, and municipal settings, the theme, timing, and venue for the (1985) involved risk.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: The aim of this study was to assess the morphological characteristics and prognostic implications of the optical coherence tomography (OCT)-derived lipid core burden index (LCBI).
Methods And Results: OCT-LCBI was assessed in 1003 patients with 1-year follow-up from the CLIMA multicentre registry using a validated software able to automatically obtain a maximum OCT-LCBI in 4 mm (maxOCT-LCBI4mm). Primary composite clinical endpoint included cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target-vessel revascularization.
Accounts of dental history in Queensland are few and almost invariably authored by those who either held or hold power. The focus is 'who, what, when' rather than 'why and how'. -related developments as a case study provide an opportunity to assess aspects of the Australian Dental Association Queensland Branch's (ADAQ) model of administration in the early 1970s.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe present investigation aims to study the interaction between systemic and intra-plaque inflammation in predicting cardiac events. We investigated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels as well as plaque inflammation with optical coherence tomography (OCT)-detected macrophages in the CLIMA study. 689 patients had admission CRP serum values reported, and high CRP values were defined as ≥ 2 mg/dl.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a strong negative impact on physical and psychological health. Obesity, especially visceral adiposity, but also smoking or unhealthy nutritional habits, have been reported to be significantly associated with hidradenitis suppurativa.
Design And Methods: Case-control study in 35 patients of both sexes affected with hidradenitis suppurativa, and 35 healthy subjects matched for sex, age, and geographic origin (Sardinia, Italy).
Background: The ability of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to recognize intraplaque macrophage infiltration is now well acknowledged. This post-hoc analysis of the CLIMA study aimed to address the clinical impact of the circumferential extension of OCT-defined macrophages and their location at one year follow-up.
Methods: The multicentre CLIMA study enrolled 1003 patients undergoing OCT evaluation of the untreated proximal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery.
Background: Obesity in youth is associated with increased risk of metabolic disorders. Adipose tissue hormones are involved in body-weight regulation. Among these, apelin is recognized as an insulin-sensitizer adipokine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Cardiovasc Imaging
January 2021
The rationale that underpins volunteering has long fascinated behavioral scientists. James Meyrick Croker's personal life, professional career and community engagement conform to the classic twentieth century model for professional behavior. Accordingly, the authors use historical methods of investigation to evaluate the influences on and the legacies from a remarkable contribution to the professions and the community.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In this in-vivo human study we tested the reproducibility for optical coherence tomography (OCT) assessment of lumen area (LA) and plaque components measurements, such as lipid arc extension and fibrous cap thickness (FCt).
Methods: We tested the variability of LA, lipid arc and FCt assessments in two repeated OCT pullbacks from the same diseased coronary segment matched using fiduciary anatomical landmarks. In particular, for the reliability of minimal FCt measurement we compared four different approaches based on continuous (longitudinal) or segmental (spot) individuation of smaller thickness: 1) comparison of single minimal FCt individuated alongside all plaque extension in the two pullbacks (Longitudinal (L)-spot minimal FCt value); 2) comparison of the mean FCt values of the plaque in the two pullbacks (L-plot mean FCt value); 3) comparison between the single minimal FCt value obtained in the first pullback and the single FCt obtained in the matched CS of second pullback (L-spot CS matched FCt value); 4) comparison of measurements obtained by visual selection of CS with minimal FCt s in the two pullbacks (single-spot minimal FCt value).
Pseudoaneurysm of mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa (P-MAIVF) is a rare acquired malformation of the mitral-aortic intervalvular area. It appears as a pulsatile cavity in the mitral-aortic junction communicating with the left ventricular outflow tract. P-MAIVF has been reported as a complication of aortic and mitral valve surgery, infective endocarditis, and thoracic trauma.
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