Shape optimization of a curved duct with Free Form Deformations

The Free Form Deformation method was applied to a S-duct geometry to reduce total pressure losses and flow distortion. The deformation method was coupled with a multiobjective genetic algorithm to optimize the shape of a diffusing S-duct, which was previously investigated, both numerically and experimentally. During the optimization process, 200 deformed shapes were tested with steady-state CFD simulations and the performances were evaluated both in terms of total pressure losses and swirl angle at the outlet. It was obtained a Pareto front with a maximum total pressure losses reduction of 20% and a maximum swirl reduction of 10%. The two extreme points of the Pareto front were further investigated by transient Detached Eddy Simulations to assess also the impact of the optimization on the flow instability. Surprisingly, one of the solutions showed stable and stationary vortical structures. This is in strong contrast with the previous investigations of the flow field time history of the baseline configuration, which outlined strong oscillations of the flow field combined with a high increase of the distortion parameters in comparison with the time-averaged flow field

Restrictive cardiomyopathy: definition and diagnosis

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by restrictive left ventricular pathophysiology, i.e. a rapid rise in ventricular pressure with only small increases in filling volume due to increased myocardial stiffness. More precisely, the defining feature of RCM is the coexistence of persistent restrictive pathophysiology, diastolic dysfunction, non-dilated ventricles, and atrial dilatation, regardless of ventricular wall thickness and systolic function. Beyond this shared haemodynamic hallmark, the phenotypic spectrum of RCM is wide. The disorders manifesting as RCM may be classified according to four main disease mechanisms: (i) interstitial fibrosis and intrinsic myocardial dysfunction, (ii) infiltration of extracellular spaces, (iii) accumulation of storage material within cardiomyocytes, or (iv) endomyocardial fibrosis. Many disorders do not show restrictive pathophysiology throughout their natural history, but only at an initial stage (with an evolution towards a hypokinetic and dilated phenotype) or at a terminal stage (often progressing from a hypertrophic phenotype). Furthermore, elements of both hypertrophic and restrictive phenotypes may coexist in some patients, making the classification challenge. Restrictive pathophysiology can be demonstrated by cardiac catheterization or Doppler echocardiography. The specific conditions may usually be diagnosed based on clinical data, 12-lead electrocardiogram, echocardiography, nuclear medicine, or cardiovascular magnetic resonance, but further investigations may be needed, up to endomyocardial biopsy and genetic evaluation. The spectrum of therapies is also wide and heterogeneous, but disease-modifying treatments are available only for cardiac amyloidosis and, partially, for iron overload cardiomyopathy

Monocentric Analysis of the Effectiveness and Financial Consequences of the Use of Lenograstim Versus Filgrastim for Mobilization of Peripheral Blood Progenitor Cells in Patients With Lymphoma and Myeloma Receiving Chemotherapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation

Purpose: Granulocyte-colony stimulating factors (G-CSFs) are widely used to mobilize CD34+ stem cells and to support the engraftment after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A budget impact analysis and an incremental cost-effectiveness study of two G-CSFs (Lenograstim and Filgrastim biosimilar), considering engraftment, number of hospitalization days and number of G-CSF vials administered were performed. Patients and methods: Between 2009 and 2016, 248 patients undergoing autologous HSCT have been evaluated and divided into three groups (100 Leno-Leno, 93 Leno-Fil, 55 Fil-Fil) according to the type of G-CSF used for hematopoietic stem cell mobilization and hematopoietic stem cell recovery after transplant. Results: The following statistically significant differences have been observed between Leno-Leno, Leno-Fil, Fil-Fil groups: a higher number of harvested CD34+ cells (10.56 vs 8.00 vs 7.20; p=0.0003) and a lower number of G-CSF vials (8 vs 8 vs 9; p=0.00020) used for full bone marrow recovery favoring Lenograstim. No statistically significant differences were found regarding the number of G-CSF vials used for mobilization, apheresis number and CD34+ cell peak. The post-transplant hematological recovery was faster in Lenograstim group than Filgrastim group: median time to neutrophil count engraftment (>500/mmc) was 12 vs 13 days; median time for platelets recovery (>20.000/mmc) was 12 vs 15 days (p=0.0001). The use of Lenograstim achieved cost savings of \u20ac566/patient over Filgrastim biosimilar, related to a decreased number of days of hospitalization (16 vs 17 days; p=0.00012), a lower overall incidence of adverse events, laboratory tests, transfusions for platelet recovery following discharge. Conclusion: In our experience, Lenograstim outperforms Filgrastim in terms of effectiveness and lower cost. This study shows a clinical superiority of Lenograstim over Filgrastim suggesting a potential cost savings favoring Lenograstim

Relationship between location and size of myocardial infarction and their reciprocal influences on post-infarction left ventricular remodeling

AimsTo assess the intricate relationship between myocardial infarction (MI) location and size and their reciprocal influences on post-infarction left ventricular (LV) remodelling.Methods and resultsA cohort of 260 reperfused ST-segment elevation MI patients was prospectively studied with cardiovascular magnetic resonance at 1 week (baseline) and 4 months (follow-up). Area at risk (AAR) and MI size were quantified by T2-weighted and late-gadolinium enhancement imaging, respectively. Adverse LV remodelling was defined as an increase in LV end-systolic volume ≥15 at follow-up. One hundred and twenty-seven (49) patients had anterior MI and 133 (51) patients had non-anterior MI. Although the degree of myocardial salvage was similar between groups (P=0.74), anterior MI patients had larger AAR and MI size than non-anterior MI patients yielding worse regional and global LV function at baseline and follow-up. At univariable analysis, anterior MI was associated with increased risk of adverse LV remodelling (P=0.017) and lower LV ejection fraction (EF) at follow-up (P=0.001), but not when accounted for baseline MI size. Accordingly, at multivariable analysis, baseline MI size but not its location was an independent predictor of adverse LV remodelling (odds ratio 1.061, P < 0.001) and EF at follow-up (β-coefficient=-0.255, P < 0.001).ConclusionAnterior MI patients experience more pronounced post-infarction LV remodelling and dysfunction than non-anterior MI patients due to a greater magnitude of irreversible ischaemic LV damage without any independent contribution of MI location. © 2011 The Author

Electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with cardiomyopathies

Abnormalities in impulse generation and transmission are among the first signs of cardiac remodeling in cardiomyopathies. Accordingly, 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) of patients with cardiomyopathies may show multiple abnormalities. Some findings are suggestive of specific disorders, such as the discrepancy between QRS voltages and left ventricular (LV) mass for cardiac amyloidosis or the inverted T waves in the right precordial leads for arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Other findings are less sensitive and/or specific, but may orient toward a specific diagnosis in a patient with a specific phenotype, such as an increased LV wall thickness or a dilated LV. A “cardiomyopathy-oriented” mindset to ECG reading is important to detect the possible signs of an underlying cardiomyopathy and to interpret correctly the meaning of these alterations, which differs in patients with cardiomyopathies or other conditions

ANTIOXIDANT AND EFFECTS OF PROCESSING USING BIXIN POTASSIUM SALT AS A NITRITE REPLACEMENT IN RESTRUCTURED MEAT PRODUCTS

This study aimed to evaluate bixin potassium salt as a replacement for sodium nitrite (NaNO2) in restructured meat products. Bixin was obtained from the chloroform extract of annatto seeds using a Soxhlet apparatus. Restructured meat samples were prepared using raw retail cuts of beef (vastus lateralis), stored at −16º C, and evaluated during storage at 60 days. The efficacy of bixin potassium salt as a NaNO2 replacement in restructured meat was evaluated by measuring residual concentrations of TBARS, color (L*, a*, and b* components), a sensory preference test, and microbiological parameters. Bixin potassium salt proved to be a viable alternative to nitrites for preserving the color and inhibiting the oxidative degradation of restructured meat. The outcomes showed that the effect of bixin potassium salt on microbiological stabilization was quite variable, depending on the bacterial species considered

Short term outcome of myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccines: a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging study

To evaluate clinical and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) short-term follow-up (FU) in patients with vaccine-associated myocarditis, pericarditis or myo-pericarditis (VAMP) following COVID-19 vaccination. We retrospectively analyzed 44 patients (2 women, mean age: 31.7 +/- 15.1 years) with clinical and CMR manifestations of VAMP, recruited from 13 large tertiary national centers. Inclusion criteria were troponin raise, interval between the last vaccination dose and onset of symptoms &lt; 25 days and symptoms-to-CMR &lt; 20 days. 29/44 patients underwent a short-term FU-CMR with a median time of 3.3 months. Ventricular volumes and CMR findings of cardiac injury were collected in all exams. Mean interval between the last vaccination dose and the onset of symptoms was 6.2 +/- 5.6 days. 30/44 patients received a vaccination with Comirnaty, 12/44 with Spikevax, 1/44 with Vaxzevria and 1/44 with Janssen (18 after the first dose of vaccine, 20 after the second and 6 after the "booster" dose). Chest pain was the most frequent symptom (41/44), followed by fever (29/44), myalgia (17/44), dyspnea (13/44) and palpitations (11/44). At baseline, left ventricular ejection fraction (LV-EF) was reduced in 7 patients; wall motion abnormalities have been detected in 10. Myocardial edema was found in 35 (79.5%) and LGE in 40 (90.9%) patients. Clinical FU revealed symptoms persistence in 8/44 patients. At FU-CMR, LV-EF was reduced only in 2 patients, myocardial edema was present in 8/29 patients and LGE in 26/29. VAMPs appear to have a mild clinical presentation, with self-limiting course and resolution of CMR signs of active inflammation at short-term follow-up in most of the cases

Auto-avaliação da saúde em adultos no Sul do Brasil

OBJECTIVE: To analyze factors associated with self-rated health in adults. METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional study was performed with a sample of 2,051 adults aged between 20 and 59 years, in the city of Lages, Southern Brazil, in 2007. Household questionnaires were applied to obtain data on self-rated health, socioeconomic and demographic conditions, smoking habit, lifestyle and self-reported morbidities. Blood pressure, weight, height and abdominal circumference were measured. multivariable analysis was performed using Poisson regression, adjusted for the sampling design effect and stratified by sex. RESULTS: Prevalence of positive self-rated health was 74.2% (95% CI: 71.3;77.0), significantly higher in men (82.3%, 95%CI: 79.3;85.0) than in women (66.9%, 95%CI: 63.2;70.7). Poorer, less educated and older men showed higher prevalences of negative self-rated health. After adjustment, high blood pressure levels and reporting chest wheezing were strongly associated with negative self-rated health in men. Prevalence of negative self-assessment was higher in poorer, less educated and older women and in those who showed abdominal obesity. High blood pressure levels, diabetes, chest wheezing and shortness of breath remained associated with the outcome after adjustment in women. The number of morbidities self-reported by women and men showed an association with negative self-rated health. CONCLUSIONS: Women and individuals who were older, poorer or less educated considered their health condition to be fair or poor. The higher the number of self-reported morbidities, the greater the proportion of individuals with negative self-rated health; the effect of morbidities was greater in women.OBJETIVO: Analizar factores asociados con la autoevaluación de la salud en adultos. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal, de base poblacional, con muestra de 2.051 adultos de 20 a 59 años de Lages, Sur de Brasil, en 2007. Fueron aplicados cuestionarios domiciliares para obtener datos sobre autoevaluación de la salud, condiciones socioeconómicas y demográficas, tabaquismo, de estilo de vida y morbilidades autoreferidas. Se compararon la presión arterial, peso, altura y circunferencia abdominal. El análisis multivariable fue realizado por regresión de Poisson, ajustado por el efecto del delineamiento muestral y estratificado por sexo. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de autoevaluación de la salud positiva fue de 74,2% (IC 95%: 71,3;77,0) significativamente mayor en los hombres (82,3% [79,3;85,0]) que en las mujeres (66,9% [63,2;70,7]). Hombres más pobres, menos escolarizados y más viejos presentaron mayores prevalencias de autoevaluación de salud negativa. Posterior al ajuste, niveles de presión elevados y referir chillido en el pecho fueron fuertemente asociados con la autoevaluación negativa entre los hombres. La prevalencia de autoevaluación negativa fue mayor en mujeres más pobres, menos escolarizadas y más viejas y entre las que presentaron obesidad abdominal. Niveles de presión elevados, diabetes, chillido en el pecho y síntomas de falta de aire permanecieron asociados al resultado posterior al ajuste en las mujeres. El número de morbilidades autoreferidas por hombres y mujeres se asoció a la autoevaluación de la salud negativa. CONCLUSIONES: Los más viejos, las mujeres, los más pobres y menos escolarizados evalúan su condición de salud como regular o mala. En la medida que aumentaba el número de morbilidades autoreferidas, mayor era la proporción de individuos con autoevaluación de salud negativa; entre las mujeres, el efecto de las morbilidades es mayor.OBJETIVO: Analisar fatores associados à auto-avaliação da saúde em adultos. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, de base populacional, com amostra de 2.051 adultos de 20 a 59 anos de Lages, SC, em 2007. Foram aplicados questionários domiciliares para obter dados sobre auto-avaliação da saúde, condições socioeconômicas e demográficas, tabagismo, de estilo de vida e morbidades auto-referidas. Foram aferidos pressão arterial, peso, altura e circunferência abdominal. A análise multivariável foi realizada por regressão de Poisson, ajustada pelo efeito do delineamento amostral e estratificada por sexo. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de auto-avaliação da saúde positiva foi de 74,2% (IC 95%: 71,3;77,0), significativamente maior nos homens (82,3%, IC 95%: 79,3;85,0) do que nas mulheres (66,9%, IC 95%: 63,2;70,7). Homens mais pobres, menos escolarizados e mais velhos apresentaram maiores prevalências de auto-avaliação da saúde negativa. Após o ajuste, níveis pressóricos elevados e referir chiado no peito foram fortemente associados à auto-avaliação negativa entre os homens. A prevalência de auto-avaliação negativa foi maior em mulheres mais pobres, menos escolarizadas e mais velhas e dentre as que apresentaram obesidade abdominal. Níveis pressóricos elevados, diabetes, chiado no peito e sintomas de falta de ar permaneceram associados ao desfecho após o ajuste nas mulheres. O número de morbidades auto-referidas por homens e mulheres associou-se à auto-avaliação da saúde negativa. CONCLUSÕES: Os mais velhos, as mulheres, os mais pobres e menos escolarizados avaliam sua condição de saúde como regular ou ruim. Quanto maior o número de morbidades auto-referidas, maior a proporção de indivíduos com auto-avaliação de saúde negativa, sendo o efeito das morbidades maior entre as mulheres

Perspectives in noninvasive imaging for chronic coronary syndromes

Both the latest European guidelines on chronic coronary syndromes and the American guidelines on chest pain have underlined the importance of noninvasive imaging to select patients to be referred to invasive angiography. Nevertheless, although coronary stenosis has long been considered the main determinant of inducible ischemia and symptoms, growing evidence has demonstrated the importance of other underlying mechanisms (e.g., vasospasm, microvascular disease, energetic inefficiency). The search for a pathophysiology-driven treatment of these patients has therefore emerged as an important objective of multimodality imaging, integrating "anatomical" and "functional" information. We here provide an up-to-date guide for the choice and the interpretation of the currently available noninvasive anatomical and/or functional tests, focusing on emerging techniques (e.g., coronary flow velocity reserve, stress-cardiac magnetic resonance, hybrid imaging, functional-coronary computed tomography angiography, etc.), which could provide deeper pathophysiological insights to refine diagnostic and therapeutic pathways in the next future