Differences in knee flexor and extensor force and kinematic variables in rural versus urban area female students in Romania.

The study aimed to identify and explain the typical differences in low-intensity high-volume resistance training (LIHV-RT) performances for major muscle groups between rural versus urban young female students to establish the relevant set of quantitative and qualitative resistance training parameters. The study sample included 46 recreational active female students at the Transilvania University of Brașov, (mean ± SD age, 20 ± 1 year; body mass, 60 ± 3 kg; height, 160 ± 4 cm) grouped urban vs. rural.

Three-Dimensional Combined Atrioventricular Coupling Index-A Novel Prognostic Marker in Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Atrioventricular coupling has recently emerged as an outcome predictor. Our aim was to assess, through three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography, the role of the left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI), right atrioventricular coupling index (RACI) and a novel combined atrioventricular coupling index (CACI) in a cohort of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). One hundred twenty-one consecutive patients with DCM underwent comprehensive 3D echocardiographic acquisitions.

Left Ventricular-Arterial Coupling as an Independent Predictor of Adverse Events in Young Patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction-A 3D Echocardiographic Study.

Left ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) is a key determinant of global cardiovascular performance, calculated as the ratio between arterial elastance (EA) and left ventricular end-systolic elastance (EES). Over the years, acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) has remained an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although, until recently, it was considered a disease occurring mostly in older patients, its prevalence in the young population is continuously rising.

Complex Substrate Leading to PVC-Mediated Systolic Dysfunction in addition to Sustained Monomorphic VT in Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot.

Frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) are associated with deleterious effects on left ventricular (LV) function in various clinical scenarios. Repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) is frequently affected by sustained ventricular arrhythmias dependent on complex post-surgical substrates. However, there is limited data regarding the potential of arrhythmogenic isthmuses to generate frequent PVCs and PVC-mediated LV systolic dysfunction development in rTOF.

Functional Surfaces via Laser Processing in Nickel Acetate Solution.

This study presents a novel laser processing technique in a liquid media to enhance the surface mechanical properties of a material, by thermal impact and micro-alloying at the subsurface level. An aqueous solution of nickel acetate (15% wt.) was used as liquid media for laser processing of C45E steel.

Behind Enemy Lines: Vital Echocardiographic Data Prior to Ventricular Arrhythmia Ablation.

Ventricular arrhythmias (VA) are a major cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Echocardiography is the first widely available imaging tool which guides VA management strategies. Along with other invasive and noninvasive imaging techniques, it provides essential information for identification of VA substrate such as differentiation between ischemic and non-ischemic etiology and identification of structural heart disease.

IL-6, IL-1RA and Resistin as Predictors of Left Ventricular Remodelling and Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Patients with Acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Despite continuous advances in diagnostic and therapeutic methods, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Considering the role of inflammation in AMI etiopathogenesis, we aimed to explore the role of a group of three inflammatory cytokines (IL-1RA, IL-6 and resistin) as an independent prognostic factor for LVR assessed by 3D echocardiography and MACE in patients with STEMI. We enrolled 41 patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI.

Right atrial phasic function and outcome in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: Insights from speckle-tracking and three-dimensional echocardiography.

Background: Atrial phasic function can be assessed using speckle-tracking and three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography. The extent and role of right atrial (RA) dysfunction in left-sided heart failure (HF) is incompletely understood. We aimed to characterize RA phasic function in HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and to assess its prognostic significance.

Three-dimensional right ventriculo-arterial coupling as an independent determinant of severe heart failure symptoms in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Right ventricular-pulmonary artery coupling (RVPAC) is a predictor of outcome in pulmonary hypertension. However, the role of this parameter in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains to be established. The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of RVPAC to the occurrence of severe heart failure (HF) symptoms in patients with DCM using three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography.

Non-invasive right ventriculo-arterial coupling as a rehospitalization predictor in dilated cardiomyopathy: A comparison of five different methods.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) pulmonary artery coupling (RVPAC) is a predictor of outcome in left-sided heart failure (HF). Several echocardiographic estimates for RVPAC have been proposed.

Aims: This study aimed to compare multiple non-invasive methods to calculate RVPAC and to assess its prognostic role in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

The prognostic value of right ventricular longitudinal strain and 3D ejection fraction in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Several studies showed that right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is a powerful predictor in heart failure (HF). Advanced echocardiographic techniques such as speckle-tracking imaging and three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography proved to be accurate tools for RV assessment, but their clinical significance remains to be clarified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of two-dimensional (2D) RV strain and 3D ejection fraction (RVEF) in predicting adverse outcome in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Ratio between Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain and Pulmonary Arterial Systolic Pressure: Novel Prognostic Parameter in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Background: We aimed to evaluate whether right ventricle (RV) longitudinal strain indexed to pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) has prognostic significance in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Methods: Patients undergoing CRT were prospectively included. The primary endpoint was adverse cardiovascular events (death and HF-related hospitalizations).

Right ventricular-arterial coupling - A new perspective for right ventricle evaluation in heart failure patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: Right ventricular - arterial (RV-PA) coupling can be estimated by echocardiography using the ratio between (TAPSE) and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP). TAPSE/PASP ratio proved to be a prognostic parameter in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Objective: To evaluate the significance of RV-PA coupling in patients with HFrEF undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

The Role of Left-Atrial Mechanics Assessed by Two-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography to Differentiate Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy from Hypertensive Left-Ventricular Hypertrophy.

Unlabelled: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and arterial hypertension (HTN) are conditions with different pathophysiology, but both can result in left-ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The role of left-atrial (LA) functional changes detected by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in indicating LVH etiology is unknown.

Methods: We aimed to characterize LA mechanics using STE in LVH patients with HCM and HTN.

Forgotten No More-The Role of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: An Echocardiographic Perspective.

During the last decade, studies have raised awareness of the crucial role that the right ventricle plays in various clinical settings, including diseases primarily linked to the left ventricle. The assessment of right ventricular performance with conventional echocardiography is challenging. Novel echocardiographic techniques improve the functional assessment of the right ventricle and they show good correlation with the gold standard represented by cardiac magnetic resonance.

Left Atrial Strain for Predicting Atrial Fibrillation Onset in Hypertensive Patients.

Introduction: We aimed to find new predictive parameters for atrial fibrillation (AF) onset in hypertensive patients using two-dimensional (2D) conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography of the left atrium (LA).

Methods: One hundred and eight patients with essential hypertension (HTN) were prospectively enrolled, from which 67 patients had no other important comorbidities (HTN group), while 41 patients had a recent AF episode, but were in sinus rhythm at the moment of enrollment (HTN and AF group). LA diameters and maximal volume, LV mass, LV ejection fraction and diastolic function were assessed through 2D conventional echocardiography.

Future Generations and the Justifiability of Germline Engineering.

The possibility of performing germline modifications on currently living individuals targets future generations' health and well-being by reducing the diversity of the human gene pool. This can have two negative repercussions: (1) reduction of heterozygosity, the latter being associated with a health or performance advantage; (2) uniformization of the genes involved in reproductive recombination, which may lead to the health risks involved in asexual reproduction. I argue that germline interventions aimed at modifying the genomes of future people cannot be ethically justifiable if there is no possibility of controlling the intervention either by reversing or altering it, whenever need demands it.