Fish robotics: multi-fin propulsion and the coupling of fin phase, spacing, and compliance.

Fish coordinate the motion of their fins and body to create the time-varying forces required for swimming and agile maneuvers. To effectively adapt this biological strategy for underwater robots, it is necessary to understand how the location and coordination of interacting fish-like fins affect the production of propulsive forces. In this study, the impact that phase difference, horizontal and vertical spacing, and compliance of paired fins had on net thrust and lateral forces was investigated using two fish-like robotic swimmers and a series of computational fluid dynamic simulations.

The Effect of Nutrition on Aging-A Systematic Review Focusing on Aging-Related Biomarkers.

Despite the increasing life expectancy, an individual's later years tends to be accompanied by a decrease in the quality of life. Though biological changes that occur through the natural process of aging cannot be controlled, the risk factors associated with lifestyle can. Thus, the main goal of this systematic review was to evaluate how nutrition can modulate aging.

Electrocardiographic abnormalities, preclinical carotid atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk in an apparently healthy real-world population. Data from the "No Stroke, No Infarction" project of the Rotary International - district 2110 (Sicily and Malta).

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent important causes of morbidity and mortality. Our study aimed to evaluate cardiovascular risk using the EuroSCORE, ECG and carotid ultrasound for prevention purpose in a population of companions aged 50-70 years, asymptomatic and without CVD.

Methods: History of CVD, risk factors (RF), ECG and carotid ultrasound were evaluated.

Reverse remodeling and arrhythmic burden reduction in a patient with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator treated with sacubitril/valsartan: Case report.

Sacubitril/valsartan has been shown to reduce cardiovascular mortality and hospitalizations in patients with HFrEF when compared to enalapril. There are also some evidences of its potential antiarrhythmic effects. We present a report where we found a relation between reverse ventricular remodeling and arrhythmic reduction in a patient treated with sacubitril/valsartan.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants in the Setting of Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: State of art.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents the arrhythmia of greatest clinical impact and catheter ablation of AF (CAAF) has become the most effective strategy for rhythm control in selected patients. Therefore, appropriate anticoagulation strategies are of paramount importance for patients undergoing CAAF, especially those at high risk, such those with high CHA2DS2VASc scores. Optimal management of anticoagulation before, during, and after CAAF is crucial.

Management of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Cardioversion.

Atrial fibrillation the most common cardiac arrhythmia. Its incidence rises steadily with each decade, becoming a real "epidemic phenomenon". Cardioversion is defined as a rhythm control strategy which, if successful, restores normal sinus rhythm.

Update on Brugada Syndrome 2019.

Brugada syndrome (BrS) was first described in 1992 as an aberrant pattern of ST segment elevation in right precordial leads with a high incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with structurally normal heart. It represents 4% ∼ 12% of all SCD and 20% of SCD in patients with structurally normal heart. The extremely wide genetic heterogeneity of BrS and other inherited cardiac disorders makes this new area of genetic arrhytmology a fascinating one.

Use of statins in patients with peripheral artery disease.

Atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a growing health issue that affects more than 200 million individuals worldwide, conferring a high risk of cardiovascular events and death. In spite of its high prevalence, PAD has often been neglected in the past and the heightened cardiovascular risk of patients with PAD has been consistently under-recognized by practitioners. Considering that an integrated approach to reduce cardiovascular events and lower limb complications is necessary in this setting, statins represent the cornerstone of therapy as reported by current American and European guidelines.

Passing the Wake: Using Multiple Fins to Shape Forces for Swimming.

Fish use coordinated motions of multiple fins and their body to swim and maneuver underwater with more agility than contemporary unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). The location, utilization and kinematics of fins vary for different locomotory tasks and fish species. The relative position and timing (phase) of fins affects how the downstream fins interact with the wake shed by the upstream fins and body, and change the magnitude and temporal profile of the net force vector.

Defining Accelerometer Nonwear Time to Maximize Detection of Sedentary Time in Youth.

Purpose: The present study examined various accelerometer nonwear definitions and their impact on detection of sedentary time using different ActiGraph models, filters, and axes.

Methods: In total, 61 youth (34 children and 27 adolescents; aged 5-17 y) wore a 7164 and GT3X+ ActiGraph on a hip-worn belt during a 90-minute structured sedentary activity. Data from GT3X+ were downloaded using the Normal filter (N) and low-frequency extension (LFE), and vertical axis (V) and vector magnitude (VM) counts were examined.

[Horizons and perspectives on the problem of non--responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy.].

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been shown as a successful strategy in the treatment of patients with heart failure and electrical dyssincrony. However, a significant proportion of implanted patients fails to respond sufficiently or in a predictable manner. Consequently, non response to CRT remains a valuable problem in clinical practice.

Implementing classroom physical activity breaks: Associations with student physical activity and classroom behavior.

Objective: To investigate the relation of classroom physical activity breaks to students' physical activity and classroom behavior.

Methods: Six elementary-school districts in California implemented classroom physical activity interventions in 2013-2014. Students' (N=1322) accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during school and teachers' (N=397) reports of implementation and classroom behavior were assessed in 24 schools at two time points (both post-intervention).

Medical management of patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is one of the most frequent manifestations of atherosclerosis and is associated with atherosclerosis in the coronary and carotid arteries, leading to a highly increased incidence of cardiovascular events. Major risk factors of PAD are similar to those that lead to atherosclerosis in other vascular beds. However, there are differences in the power of individual risk factors in the different vascular territories.

Active living research: creating and using evidence to support childhood obesity prevention.

The second phase of Active Living Research (ALR-2, 2007-2012) focused on advancing the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)'s goal of reversing the childhood obesity epidemic. The mission was to stimulate and support research to identify environmental factors and policies that influence physical activity for children and families to inform effective childhood obesity prevention strategies, with an emphasis on the lower-income and racial/ethnic communities with highest childhood obesity prevalence. The present report describes ALR activities undertaken to accomplish three goals.

Socioeconomic disparities in elementary school practices and children's physical activity during school.

Purpose: To examine school socioeconomic status (SES) in relation to school physical activity-related practices and children's physical activity.

Design: A cross-sectional design was used for this study.

Setting: The study was set in 97 elementary schools (63% response rate) in two U.

[Polycitemia vera and pulmonary embolism: case report].

Pulmonary embolism is a rare clinical onset of chronic myeloproliferative diseases. Early diagnosis is very important because medical therapy reduces both mortality and morbility. We describe a case of pulmonary embolism as clinical onset of an unknown myeloproliferative disorder.

Elementary school practices and children's objectively measured physical activity during school.

Objective: To examine the relation of physical activity practices covering physical education (PE), recess, and classroom time in elementary schools to children's objectively measured physical activity during school.

Methods: Participants were 172 children from 97 elementary schools in the San Diego, CA and Seattle, WA USA regions recruited in 2009-2010. Children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during school was assessed via accelerometry, and school practices were assessed via survey of school informants.

Prognostic role of aldosterone in patients with acute coronary syndrome: short and medium term follow-up.

Aims: Different studies have shown a correlation between aldosterone, atherosclerosis and ischemia in the past decade. Evidence exists for the relationship between high levels of aldosterone and augmented risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, cardiac failure, coronary artery disease and stroke. The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic role of aldosterone in patients with myocardial infarction.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome: a comparative analysis in an unselected sample of mediterranean subjects.

Aim: The metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with increased cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk. This study aimed to compare the difference of the three established diagnostic criteria of MS, developed by Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III), American Heart Association (AHA) and National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and International Diabetes Federation (IDF), with regard to the prevalence of the syndrome and the ability to correctly identify individuals with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease or subclinical atherosclerosis.

Methods: We studied 947 consecutive patients underwent clinical evaluation between the 1997-2002.

Novo, S. et al. Aliskiren: Just a New Drug for Few Selected Patients or an Innovative Molecule Predestinated to Replace Arbs and Ace-Inhibitors? Pharmaceuticals 2009, 2, 118-124.

In the published version "Paladini et al. reported that aliskiren 300 mg provided a sustained BP-lowering effect beyond the 24-h dosing interval, with a significantly smaller loss of BP-lowering effect in the 24-48 h period after dose than irbesartan 300 mg or ramipril 10 mg [25]". Paladini et al.