The Effect of Body Mass on the Shoe-Athlete Interaction

Long-distance running is known to induce joint overloading and elevate cytokine levels, which are the hallmarks for a variety of running-related injuries. To address this, footwear systems incorporate cushioning midsoles to mitigate injurious mechanical loading. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of athlete body mass on the cushioning capacity of technical footwear. An artificial heel was prototyped to fit the impact pattern of a heel-strike runner and used to measure shock attenuation by an automated drop test. Impact mass and velocity were modulated to simulate runners of various body mass and speeds. The investigation provided refined insight on running-induced impact transmission to the human body. The examined midsole system was optimized around anthropometric data corresponding to an average (normal) body mass. The results suggest that although modern footwear is capable of attenuating the shock waves occurring during foot strike, improper shoe selection could expose an athlete to high levels of peak stress that could provoke an abnormal cartilage response. The selection of a weight-specific cushioning system could provide optimum protection and could thus prolong the duration of physical exercise beneficial to maintaining a simulated immune system

Recurrent Ischemic Stroke and Bleeding in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Who Suffered an Acute Stroke While on Treatment With Nonvitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants: The RENO-EXTEND Study

Background: In patients with atrial fibrillation who suffered an ischemic stroke while on treatment with nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants, rates and determinants of recurrent ischemic events and major bleedings remain uncertain. Methods: This prospective multicenter observational study aimed to estimate the rates of ischemic and bleeding events and their determinants in the follow-up of consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation who suffered an acute cerebrovascular ischemic event while on nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant treatment. Afterwards, we compared the estimated risks of ischemic and bleeding events between the patients in whom anticoagulant therapy was changed to those who continued the original treatment. Results: After a mean follow-up time of 15.0±10.9 months, 192 out of 1240 patients (15.5%) had 207 ischemic or bleeding events corresponding to an annual rate of 13.4%. Among the events, 111 were ischemic strokes, 15 systemic embolisms, 24 intracranial bleedings, and 57 major extracranial bleedings. Predictive factors of recurrent ischemic events (strokes and systemic embolisms) included CHA2DS2-VASc score after the index event (odds ratio [OR], 1.2 [95% CI, 1.0–1.3] for each point increase; P=0.05) and hypertension (OR, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.0–5.1]; P=0.04). Predictive factors of bleeding events (intracranial and major extracranial bleedings) included age (OR, 1.1 [95% CI, 1.0–1.2] for each year increase; P=0.002), history of major bleeding (OR, 6.9 [95% CI, 3.4–14.2]; P=0.0001) and the concomitant administration of an antiplatelet agent (OR, 2.8 [95% CI, 1.4–5.5]; P=0.003). Rates of ischemic and bleeding events were no different in patients who changed or not changed the original nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants treatment (OR, 1.2 [95% CI, 0.8–1.7]). Conclusions: Patients suffering a stroke despite being on nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant therapy are at high risk of recurrent ischemic stroke and bleeding. In these patients, further research is needed to improve secondary prevention by investigating the mechanisms of recurrent ischemic stroke and bleeding

Evaluation of Huawei Smart Wearables for Detection of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Following Ischaemic Stroke: The Liverpool-Huawei Stroke Study.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) often remains undetected following stroke. Documenting AF is critical to initiate oral anticoagulation, which has proven benefit in reducing recurrent stroke and mortality in patients with AF. The accuracy and acceptability of using smart wearables technology to detect AF in patients following stroke is unknown. The aims of the Liverpool-Huawei Stroke Study are to determine the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and patient and staff acceptability of using Huawei smart wearables to detect AF following ischaemic stroke. The study plans to recruit 1000 adults aged ≥18 years following ischaemic stroke from participating hospitals over 12 months. All participants will be asked to wear a Huawei smart band for four weeks post-discharge. If participants do not have access to a compatible smartphone required for the study, they will be provided with a smartphone for the four-week AF monitoring period. Participants with suspected AF detected by the smart wearables, without previous known AF, will be referred for further evaluation. To determine the effectiveness of the Huawei smart wearables to detect AF, the positive predictive value will be determined. Patient acceptability of using this technology will also be examined. Additional follow-up assessments will be conducted at six and 12 months, and clinical outcomes recorded in relation to prevalent and incident AF post-stroke. The study opened for recruitment on 30/05/2022, and is currently open at four participating hospitals; the first 106 participants have been recruited. One further hospital is preparing to open for recruitment. This prospective study will examine the effectiveness and acceptability of the use of smart wearables in patients following ischaemic stroke. This could have important implications for detection of AF and therefore, earlier prophylaxis for recurrent stroke. The study is registered on https://www.isrctn.com/ (Identifier ISRCTN30693819)

Immunity, Vascular Aging and Stroke

Stroke is one of the most devastating manifestations of cardiovascular disease. Growing age, arterial hypertension, and atherosclerosis are identified as independent risk factors for stroke, primarily due to structural and functional alterations in the cerebrovascular tree. Recent data from in vitro and clinical studies have suggested that the immune system influences atherosclerosis, promoting vascular stiffness and vascular aging and contributing to ischemic stroke, intracranial haemorrhage and microbleeds, white matter disease, and cognitive decline. Furthermore, aging is related to a chronic low-grade inflammatory state, in which macrophage, neutrophils, natural killer (NK cells), and B and T lymphocytes act as major effectors of the immune-mediated cell responses. Moreover, oxidative stress and vascular inflammation are correlated with endothelial dysfunction, vascular aging, blood-brain barrier disruption, lacunar lesions, and neurodegenerative disorders. This review discusses the pathophysiological roles of fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms of aging, including the complex interplay between them and innate immunity, as well as vascular dysfunction, arterial stiffness, atherosclerosis, atherothrombosis, systemic inflammation, and blood-brain barrier dysfunction. © 2022 Bentham Science Publishers

Anticoagulation Treatment in Venous Thromboembolism: Options and Optimal Duration

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), clinically presented as deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), constitutes a major global healthcare concern with severe complications, long-term morbidity, and mortality. Although several clinical, genetic, and acquired risk factors for VTE have been identified, the molecular pathophysiology and mechanisms of disease progression remain poorly understood. Anticoagulation has been the cornerstone of therapy for decades, but data is sparse regarding primary and secondary VTE prevention, as well as optimal therapy duration. In this review, we discuss the role of factor Xa in the coagulation cascade and the different choices of anticoagulation therapy based on patients’ predisposing risk factors and risk of event recurrence. Further, we compare newer agents to traditional anticoagulation treatment based on the most recent studies and guidelines. © 2022 Bentham Science Publishers

Intravenous Thrombolysis After Dabigatran Reversal by Idarucizumab: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Background and Purpose: Idarucizumab achieves instant reversal of anticoagulation and enables intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in dabigatran-treated acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. AIS in dabigatran-treated patients is a rare event, therefore the experience is limited. A review of all published cases was performed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this therapeutic strategy. Methods: We searched PubMed and Scopus for all published cases of IVT after reversal with idarucizumab in dabigatran-treated AIS patients. The outcomes were safety assessed by hemorhagic transformation (HT), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) and death, and efficacy assessed by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) reduction. Results: We identified 251 AIS patients (39,9% females) with an average age of 74 years. HT, SICH, and death were reported in 19 (7.6%), 9 (3.6%), and 21 (8.4%) patients, respectively. Patients experiencing HT presented with more severe strokes (median NIHSS on admission: 21 vs. 8, p < 0.001; OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.05-1.20). After IVT there was a significant NIHSS reduction of 6 points (IQR:3-10, p < 0.001) post-stroke and linear regression revealed a correlation of admission NIHSS to NIHSS reduction (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this systematic review of all published cases of IVT in dabigatran-treated AIS patients after reversal with idarucizumab the rates of HT, SICH and mortality, as well as NIHSS reduction, were comparable with previous studies in non-anticoagulated patients. This provides reassuring evidence about the safety and efficacy of this therapeutic strategy. © Copyright © 2021 Frol, Sagris, Pretnar Oblak, Šabovič and Ntaios

Genetic Predisposition and Inflammatory Inhibitors in COVID-19: Where Do We Stand?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the resulting coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) have led to a global pandemic associated with high fatality rates. COVID-19 primarily manifests in the respiratory system as an acute respiratory distress syndrome following viral entry through the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) that is present in pulmonary epithelial cells. Central in COVID-19 is the burst of cytokines, known as a “cytokine storm”, and the subsequent widespread endothelial activation, leading to cardiovascular complications such as myocarditis, arrhythmias, and adverse vascular events, among others. Genetic alterations may play an additive, detrimental role in the clinical course of patients with COVID-19, since gene alterations concerning ACE2, major histocompatibility complex class I, and toll-like receptors may predispose patients to a worse clinical outcome. Since the role of inflammation is quintessential in COVID-19, pharmacologic inhibition of various signaling pathways such as the interleukin-1 and-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon gamma, Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription, and granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor may ameliorate the prognosis following timely administration. Finally, frequently used, non-specific anti-inflammatory agents such as corticosteroids, statins, colchicine, and macrolides represent additional therapeutic considerations. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Diffusion and oxidation phenomena at elevated temperatures in the contact area between hardened steel and various PVD coatings

Growing cost reduction trends in machining applications has led to a significant increase of cutting speeds and process temperatures. In this way, oxidation and diffusion mechanisms in the contact area between chip and tool become substantial, affecting the tool performance.In this paper, diffusion and oxidation interactions at 800 °C among various PVD coated cemented carbide inserts, hardened steel counterparts and low oxygen atmosphere will be introduced. The experiments were conducted under adjustable ambient conditions by a device, developed for this purpose. The coated specimens were fastened inside an electrical heating unit in a controlled gas atmosphere, allowing their contact with steel specimens at a desired pressure and temperature. During the experiments, periodic intervals of the applied pressure were followed by brief non-contact pauses, to avoid any permanent welding between coating and counterpart. For providing insight on the effect of diffusion and oxi dation on the films' chemical composition and mechanical properties, coatings' cross sections in the film contact area were investigated by EDX-line scanning. The results show a considerable deterioration of the films' mechanical properties, which can be attributed more to coatings' oxidation and less to diffusion