Comparing the Effects of the EU- Versus the US-JUUL Pod in a Sample of UK Smokers: Nicotine Absorption, Satisfaction, and Other Nicotine-Related Subjective Effects.

Introduction: Pod Vaping Devices (PVD) such as JUUL have become extremely popular in the United States although their uptake and use in the United Kingdom remain lower. A key difference between the United States and the United Kingdom is the nicotine strength legally permitted, typically 59 mg/mL in the United States but capped at 20 mg/mL in the United Kingdom and European Union. This may limit the ability of EU vaping devices to deliver satisfactory nicotine levels.

The Type of Per-Cooling Strategies Currently Employed by Competitive and Professional Cyclists-Triathletes During Training and Competition Are Condition (Dry vs. Humid) Dependant.

Purpose: To investigate cooling strategies employed by athletes (cyclists-triathletes) during training and competition in hot and dry (HD) and hot and humid (HH) conditions.

Methods: Thirty-five athletes completed an online questionnaire on the type, timing, and justification of cooling strategies employed during past training and/or competitions in HD and HH conditions. In addition, 3 athletes also completed a one-to-one follow-up interview.

Accuracy of peak nasal flow to determine nasal obstruction in patients with allergic rhinitis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF) and Peak Nasal Expiratory Flow (PNEF) measures to predict symptoms of nasal obstruction.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, carried out in 131 individuals (64 with symptomatic allergic rhinitis and 67 asymptomatic) aged between 16 and 50 years.

Results: PNIF and PNEF were higher among non-rhinitis.

Reliability and Accuracy of a Time-Efficient Method for the Assessment of Achilles Tendon Mechanical Properties by Ultrasonography.

The assessment of the force-length relationship under mechanical loading is widely used to evaluate the mechanical properties of tendons and to gain information about their adaptation, function, and injury. This study aimed to provide a time-efficient ultrasound method for assessing Achilles tendon mechanical properties. On two days, eleven healthy young non-active adults performed eight maximal voluntary isometric ankle plantarflexion contractions on a dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasonographic recording.

Ventilation Rates Achieved in Eucapnic Voluntary Hyperpnea Challenge and Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction Diagnosis in Young Patients with Asthma.

Purpose: Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) affects approximately 50% of young asthma patients, impairing their participation in sports and physical activities. Eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea (EVH) is an approved surrogate challenge to exercise for objective EIB diagnosis, but the required minimum target hyperventilation rates remain unexplored in this population. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the achieved ventilation rates (VRs) during a challenge and EIB-compatible response (EIB-cr) in young asthma patients.

The impact of virtual simulation on the recognition and response to the rapidly deteriorating patient among undergraduate nursing students.

A major patient safety challenge is recognition and response to deteriorating patients since early warning signs are often not detected in a timely manner. Nursing students typically learn the skills for early identification through clinical placement, but clinical placements are not guaranteed to provide exposure to deteriorating patients. Nursing students require practice with emergency scenarios to develop their competency and confidence to act in this area.

A survey of minimally invasive cardiac surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Lack of scientific data on the feasibility and safety of minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) during the COVID-19 pandemic has made clinical decision making challenging. This survey aimed to appraise MICS activity in UK cardiac units and establish a consensus amongst front-line MICS surgeons regarding standard best MICS practise during the pandemic.

Methods: An online questionnaire was designed through the 'googleforms' platform.

Short-Term Perceptually Regulated Interval-Walk Training in Hypoxia and Normoxia in Overweight-to-Obese Adults.

We compared the effects of short-term, perceptually regulated training using interval-walking in hypoxia . normoxia on health outcomes in overweight-to-obese individuals. Sixteen adults (body mass index = 33 ± 3 kg·m) completed eight interval-walk training sessions (15 × 2 min walking at a rating of perceived exertion of 14 on the 6-20 Borg scale; rest = 2 min) either in hypoxia (FiO = 13.

Less Is More-Cyclists-Triathlete's 30 min Cycling Time-Trial Performance Is Impaired With Multiple Feedback Compared to a Single Feedback.

The purpose of this article was to (i) compare different modes of feedback (multiple vs. single) on 30 min cycling time-trial performance in non-cyclist's and cyclists-triathletes, and (ii) investigate cyclists-triathlete's information acquisition. 20 participants (10 non-cyclists, 10 cyclists-triathletes) performed two 30 min self-paced cycling time-trials (TT, ∼5-7 days apart) with either a single feedback (elapsed time) or multiple feedback (power output, elapsed distance, elapsed time, cadence, speed, and heart rate).

Acute psycho-physiological responses to perceptually regulated hypoxic and normoxic interval walks in overweight-to-obese adults.

Objectives: We investigated psycho-physiological responses to perceptually regulated interval walks in hypoxia versus normoxia in obese individuals.

Design: Within-participants repeated measures.

Methods: Ten obese adults (BMI=32±3kg/m) completed a 60-min interval session (15×2min walking at a rating of perceived exertion of 14 on the 6-20 Borg scale with 2min of rest) either in hypoxia (FiO=13.

Running mechanics adjustments to perceptually-regulated interval runs in hypoxia and normoxia.

Objectives: We determined whether perceptually-regulated, high-intensity intermittent runs in hypoxia and normoxia induce similar running mechanics adjustments within and between intervals.

Design: Within-participants repeated measures.

Methods: Nineteen trained runners completed a high-intensity intermittent running protocol (4×4-min intervals at a perceived rating exertion of 16 on the 6-20 Borg scale, 3-min passive recoveries) in either hypoxic (FiO=0.

Acute Psychophysiological Responses to Cyclic Variation of Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure in Adults with Obesity.

We compared acute psychophysiological responses with a single intermittent hypoxic exposure (IHE)/normoxic exposure trial with varying cycle lengths in adults with obesity. Eight obese adults (body mass index = 33.0 ± 2.

Evidence of a Uniform Muscle-Tendon Unit Adaptation in Healthy Elite Track and Field Jumpers: A Cross Sectional Investigation.

Different adaptive responses to mechanical loading between muscle and tendon can lead to non-uniform biomechanical properties within the muscle-tendon unit. The current study aimed to analyze the mechanical properties of the triceps surae muscle-tendon unit in healthy male and female elite track and field jumpers in order to detect possible inter-limb differences and intra-limb non-uniformities in muscle and tendon adaptation. The triceps surae muscle strength and tendon stiffness were analyzed in both limbs during maximal voluntary isometric plantar flexion contractions using synchronous dynamometry and ultrasonography in sixty-seven healthy young male ( = 35) and female ( = 32) elite international level track and field jumpers (high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault).

Perception, Action, and Cognition of Football Referees in Extreme Temperatures: Impact on Decision Performance.

Different professional domains require high levels of physical performance alongside fast and accurate decision-making. Construction workers, police officers, firefighters, elite sports men and women, the military and emergency medical professionals are often exposed to hostile environments with limited options for behavioral coping strategies. In this (mini) review we use football refereeing as an example to discuss the combined effect of intense physical activity and extreme temperatures on decision-making and suggest an explicative model.

Distinguishing between acute and chronic elements of ill health when assessing patients.

Recognising ill health in patients is a multifaceted skill. Nurses can use aneclectic mix of assessment tools to differentiate between the severity of acute illness and to grade chronic illness. The end point of such assessment is an appropriate and individualised patient management plan.

Holistic assessment of patients with COPD before the use of non-invasive ventilation.

The use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) to manage patients with exacerbations of COPD has increased in the past 10 years. However, this intervention can be counterproductive. This article highlights why holistic patient assessment as well as arterial blood gas analysis are important before NIV is used.

Aortic valve replacement with the Sorin Pericarbon Freedom stentless valve: five-year follow up.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Presumed benefits from stentless bioprostheses include larger orifice areas with lower transvalvular gradients, and improved hemodynamic flow characteristics and annular mechanics. Herein are reported the results of a large series of the Sorin Pericarbon Freedom stentless valve implanted in the aortic position.

Methods: Between July 1998 and June 2003, a total of 102 consecutive patients (58 males, 44 females; mean age 71.

A cardiac paraganglioma presenting with atypical chest pain.

Primary cardiac tumours are rare. The majority are benign and 75% are atrial myxomas. One of the more unusual benign tumours affecting the heart is a cardiac paraganglioma.

Clinicopathologic study and laboratory diagnosis of 23 cases with West Nile virus encephalomyelitis.

The differences in pathologic findings of fatal cases of West Nile virus (WNV) encephalitis in the context of underlying conditions and illness duration are not well known. During 2002, we studied central nervous system (CNS) tissue samples from 23 patients who had serologic and immunohistochemical (IHC) evidence of a recent WNV infection. Fifteen patients had underlying medical conditions (5 malignancies, 3 renal transplants, 3 with diabetes or on dialysis, 2 with AIDS, and 2 receiving steroids).

Tuberous sclerosis-associated lesions of the kidney, brain, and skin are angiogenic neoplasms.

Background: Tuberous sclerosis is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by the development of benign neoplasms of the brain, kidney, and skin. Progressive growth and malignant transformation of brain and kidney lesions constitute the major cause of morbidity and mortality in adults with tuberous sclerosis. In addition, growth of skin lesions may be disfiguring to patients.