Anthropometry and Scan: A Computational Exploration on Measuring and Imaging

New developments in the field of technology have led to the use of scanners in order to obtain anthropometric measurements. As a matter of fact, anthropometry finds its roots in the seventeenth century, currently its usage has been strengthened by the employment of scanners. 3D whole-body scanners allow to collect reliable data and to visualise the exact human body shape. Thus, this paper aims at exploring the combination of these topics, anthropometry and scan, through an innovative tool, the scientometrics analysis. This technique provides a clear overview of the existing literature in the field investigated. In our study we examined 1\u2019652 papers from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Network analyses have shown an interesting scenario, emphasising the research evolution over time. Specifically, endocrinology and metabolism emerged as the most active publication domains. Accordingly, the two most high-impact journals and the most cited paper regard nutrition issues and metabolic risk factors respectively. However, the predominance of the USA for number of publications has not been confirmed by the institution\u2019s analysis, which has shown the University of Copenhagen as the most influential one. On the other hand, Yumei Zhang currently appears as the main authority in the field and Leslie G. Farkas as the most influential author over the entire time span analysed. The relevant implications of the findings are discussed in terms of future research lines

Left atrial reservoir function predicts atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation: a two-dimensional speckle strain study

BACKGROUND: Predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation (CA) are not fully defined. We hypothesized that 2D left atrial (LA) regional strain maps would help identify abnormal atrial substrate that increases susceptibility to AF recurrence post-CA. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-three patients (63±10 years, 60% male) underwent CA for symptomatic paroxysmal (75%) or persistent (25%) AF. Baseline LA mechanical function determined using speckle tracking echocardiography was compared between those with AF recurrence (AFR) and no recurrence post-CA. Bi-dimensional global and regional maps of LA wall velocity, strain, and strain rate (SR) were obtained during end ejection and early diastole. After 18±12 months of follow-up, 34 patients were free of AFR post-CA. There were no differences in clinical characteristics, LA and LV volumes, and Doppler estimates of LV diastolic function and filling pressures at baseline between patients with recurrent AF and those that maintained sinus rhythm. However, the LA emptying fraction (55±17% vs. 64±14%, p=0.04), global and regional systolic and diastolic strains, SR, and velocities were reduced in patients with recurrent AF. There was marked attenuation of peak LA lateral wall longitudinal strain (LS; 11±7% vs. 20±14%, p=0.007) and SR (0.9±0.4 vs. 1.3±0.6 s(−1), p=0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed lateral wall LS (odds ratio=1.15, 95% CI=1.02–1.28, p=0.01) as an independent predictor of AFR. CONCLUSIONS: Regional LA lateral wall LS is a pre-procedural determinant of AFR in patients undergoing CA, independent of LA enlargement. Characterization of atrial myocardial tissue properties by speckle tracking echo may aid the appropriate selection of adjunctive strategies and prognostication of patients undergoing CA