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Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) Jul 2024We analyzed quantitative computed tomography (CT) and chemical shift-encoded magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from a Chinese cohort to investigate the effects of...
OBJECTIVE
We analyzed quantitative computed tomography (CT) and chemical shift-encoded magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from a Chinese cohort to investigate the effects of BMI and aging on different adipose tissue (AT) depots.
METHODS
In 400 healthy, community-dwelling individuals aged 22 to 83 years, we used MRI to quantify proton density fat fraction (PDFF) of the lumbar spine (L2-L4) bone marrow AT (BMAT), the psoas major and erector spinae (ES) muscles, and the liver. Abdominal total AT, visceral AT (VAT), and subcutaneous AT (SAT) areas were measured at the L2-L3 level using quantitative CT. Partial correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship of each AT variable with age and BMI. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed in which each AT variable was evaluated in turn as a function of age and the other five independent AT measurements.
RESULTS
Of the 168 men, 29% had normal BMI (<24.0 kg/m), 47% had overweight (24.0-27.9 kg/m), and 24% had obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m). In the 232 women, the percentages were 46%, 32%, and 22%, respectively. Strong or very strong correlations with BMI were found for total AT, VAT, and SAT in both sexes. BMAT and ES PDFF was strongly correlated with age in women and moderately correlated in men. In both sexes, BMAT PDFF correlated only with age and not with any of the other AT depots. Psoas PDFF correlated only with ES PDFF and not with age or the other AT depots. Liver PDFF correlated with BMI and VAT and weakly with SAT in men. VAT and SAT correlated with age and each other in both sexes.
CONCLUSIONS
Age and BMI are both associated with adiposity, but their effects differ depending on the type of AT.
Topics: Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Female; Adult; Aged; Body Mass Index; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Adiposity; Intra-Abdominal Fat; Liver; Aged, 80 and over; Bone Marrow; Young Adult; Obesity; Subcutaneous Fat; Aging; Muscle, Skeletal; Overweight; Lumbar Vertebrae; China; Age Factors
PubMed: 38783517
DOI: 10.1002/oby.24040 -
European Journal of Medical Research May 2024To assess the feasibility of long-term muscle monitoring, we implemented an AI-guided segmentation approach on clinically indicated Computed Tomography (CT) examinations...
OBJECTIVES
To assess the feasibility of long-term muscle monitoring, we implemented an AI-guided segmentation approach on clinically indicated Computed Tomography (CT) examinations conducted throughout the hospitalization period of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with acute pancreatitis (AP). In addition, we aimed to investigate the potential of muscle monitoring for early detection of patients at nutritional risk and those experiencing adverse outcomes. This cohort served as a model for potential integration into clinical practice.
MATERIALS
Retrospective cohort study including 100 patients suffering from AP that underwent a minimum of three CT scans during hospitalization, totaling 749 assessments. Sequential segmentation of psoas muscle area (PMA) was performed and was relative muscle loss per day for the entire monitoring period, as well as for the interval between each consecutive scan was calculated. Subgroup and outcome analyses were performed including ANOVA. Discriminatory power of muscle decay rates was evaluated using ROC analysis.
RESULTS
Monitoring PMA decay revealed significant long-term losses of 48.20% throughout the hospitalization period, with an average daily decline of 0.98%. Loss rates diverged significantly between survival groups, with 1.34% PMA decay per day among non-survivors vs. 0.74% in survivors. Overweight patients exhibited significantly higher total PMA losses (52.53 vs. 42.91%; p = 0.02) and average PMA loss per day (of 1.13 vs. 0.80%; p = 0.039). The first and the maximum decay rate, in average available after 6.16 and 17.03 days after ICU admission, showed convincing discriminatory power for survival in ROC analysis (AUC 0.607 and 0.718). Both thresholds for maximum loss (at 3.23% decay per day) and for the initial loss rate (at 1.98% per day) proved to be significant predictors of mortality.
CONCLUSIONS
The innovative AI-based PMA segmentation method proved robust and effortless, enabling the first comprehensive assessment of muscle wasting in a large cohort of intensive care pancreatitis patients. Findings revealed significant muscle wasting (48.20% on average), particularly notable in overweight individuals. Higher rates of initial and maximum muscle loss, detectable early, correlated strongly with survival. Integrating this tool into routine clinical practice will enable continuous muscle status tracking and early identification of those at risk for unfavorable outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Female; Critical Illness; Pancreatitis; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Aged; Intensive Care Units; Adult; Muscular Atrophy; Psoas Muscles; Acute Disease; Hospitalization
PubMed: 38778361
DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01884-7 -
BMJ Open May 2024We aimed to develop an automated method for measuring the volume of the psoas muscle using CT to aid sarcopenia research efficiently.
Development and validation of a reliable method for automated measurements of psoas muscle volume in CT scans using deep learning-based segmentation: a cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to develop an automated method for measuring the volume of the psoas muscle using CT to aid sarcopenia research efficiently.
METHODS
We used a data set comprising the CT scans of 520 participants who underwent health check-ups at a health promotion centre. We developed a psoas muscle segmentation model using deep learning in a three-step process based on the nnU-Net method. The automated segmentation method was evaluated for accuracy, reliability, and time required for the measurement.
RESULTS
The Dice similarity coefficient was used to compare the manual segmentation with automated segmentation; an average Dice score of 0.927 ± 0.019 was obtained, with no critical outliers. Our automated segmentation system had an average measurement time of 2 min 20 s ± 20 s, which was 48 times shorter than that of the manual measurement method (111 min 6 s ± 25 min 25 s).
CONCLUSION
We have successfully developed an automated segmentation method to measure the psoas muscle volume that ensures consistent and unbiased estimates across a wide range of CT images.
Topics: Humans; Deep Learning; Psoas Muscles; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Male; Sarcopenia; Reproducibility of Results; Middle Aged; Aged; Adult; Organ Size
PubMed: 38777592
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079417 -
International Journal of Clinical... May 2024Skeletal muscle (SM) is a key factor in cancer treatment. However, it is unclear whether pretreatment SM change affects the outcome of immune checkpoint inhibitors...
BACKGROUND
Skeletal muscle (SM) is a key factor in cancer treatment. However, it is unclear whether pretreatment SM change affects the outcome of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) therapy in gastric cancer (GC).
METHODS
Advanced GCs treated with ICIs were retrospectively investigated. SM evaluated by psoas muscle area at the third lumbar vertebra was measured on CT acquired within 1 month from the start of ICIs therapy (CT-1), and on CT acquired 2.8 ± 0.84 months before CT-1. Monthly change rate of SM (MCR-SM) was defined as the change rate of SMs between those two CTs divided by the period between those CTs (month). Monthly change rate of body weight (MCR-BW) during the same period was also calculated. They were compared with disease-specific survival (DSS) and progression-free survival (PFS). MCR-SM was compared with pretreatment markers including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and liver-to-spleen CT attenuation ratio (LSR) as a marker of liver lipid metabolism.
RESULTS
This study enrolled eighty-three GC patients. MCR-SM significantly correlated with DSS and PFS (P < 0.0001, 0.001, respectively), whereas MCR-BW did not. Kaplan-Meier analyses demonstrated that higher MCR-SM (MCR-SM ≥ -0.7185%) significantly associated with better DSS and PFS (P = 0.0002, 0.03, respectively). Patients with positive MCR-SM showed significantly lower NLR, MLR, and CRP than those with negative (P = 0.01, 0.006, 0.003, respectively). MCR-SM showed a significant positive correlation with LSR (P = 0.007, R = 0.30).
CONCLUSIONS
Pretreatment SM loss, associated with high systemic inflammation and hepatic fat accumulation, related to poor outcome of ICIs therapy in GC.
PubMed: 38775896
DOI: 10.1007/s10147-024-02551-x -
Cancer Reports (Hoboken, N.J.) May 2024The presence of cancer cachexia is a significant adverse prognostic indicator in patients with malignant tumors. Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome...
BACKGROUND
The presence of cancer cachexia is a significant adverse prognostic indicator in patients with malignant tumors. Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by a constant loss of skeletal muscles with or without a loss of weight, leading to immune dysfunction. We performed a retrospective study to investigate the influence of cachexia on the immunotherapy efficacy and prognosis for malignant tumors of the digestive system.
METHODS
The present study adopts a cross-sectional design. The prognosis data of patients with advanced cancer of the digestive system who received immunotherapy from September 2021 to December 2022 were analyzed. Cachexia was calculated using the change of the area of the psoas major muscle (PMMA) or the weight. We measured the change at the beginning of immunotherapy and at least 2 cycles afterward. The participants were categorized into the cachexia group and control group based on the evaluation criteria. Kaplan-Meier and Log-rank methods were used for survival analysis. Cox proportional hazard model as a method to assess the contribution of different clinical factors to overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).
RESULTS
A total number of 98 patients, including esophageal carcinoma (4, 4%), gastric (36, 37%), colorectal (51, 52%), and other cancer types (7, 7%), were enrolled. Fifty-four patients were diagnosed with non-cancer cachexia, and the cancer cachexia group included 44 patients. The median PFS in the cachexia group was shorter than that in the control group (130 days vs. 212 days). Their difference was not significant (p = .321). The survival rate of the patients without cachexia was longer than of those with cachexia (p = .027). The level of albumin and the number of metastatic organs were related to PFS (p = .020, p = .029). The albumin level was significantly associated with the OS of patients (p = .003).
CONCLUSIONS
The presence of cachexia was significantly associated with poor OS in patients with malignant tumors of the digestive system who received immunotherapy, not with PFS or the response to immunotherapy.
Topics: Humans; Cachexia; Male; Female; Retrospective Studies; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Aged; Digestive System Neoplasms; Cross-Sectional Studies; Immunotherapy; Adult; Survival Rate; Progression-Free Survival
PubMed: 38775250
DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.2100 -
MSystems Jun 2024Probiotics and synbiotics have been intensively used in animal husbandry due to their advantageous roles in animals' health. However, there is a paucity of research on...
Dietary probiotic and synbiotic supplementation starting from maternal gestation improves muscular lipid metabolism in offspring piglets by reshaping colonic microbiota and metabolites.
UNLABELLED
Probiotics and synbiotics have been intensively used in animal husbandry due to their advantageous roles in animals' health. However, there is a paucity of research on probiotic and synbiotic supplementation from maternal gestation to the postnatal growing phases of offspring piglets. Thus, we assessed the effects of dietary supplementation of these two additives to sows and offspring piglets on skeletal muscle and body metabolism, colonic microbiota composition, and metabolite profiles of offspring piglets. Pregnant Bama mini-pigs and their offspring piglets (after weaning) were fed either a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with antibiotics, probiotics, or synbiotics. At 65, 95, and 125 days old, eight pigs per group were euthanized and sampled for analyses. Probiotics increased the intramuscular fat content in the psoas major muscle (PMM) at 95 days old, polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and n-3 PUFA levels in the longissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) at 65 days old, C16:1 level in the LDM at 125 days old, and upregulated , , and expressions in the PMM at 65 days old. Synbiotics increased the plasma HDL-C level at 65 days old and TC level at 65 and 125 days old and upregulated the expression in the PMM at 125 days old. In addition, probiotics and synbiotics increased the plasma levels of HDL-C at 65 days old, CHE at 95 days old, and LDL-C at 125 days old, while decreasing the C18:1n9t level in the PMM at 65 days old and the plasma levels of GLU, LDH, and TG at 95 days old. Microbiome analysis showed that probiotic and synbiotic supplementation increased colonic Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobia, , , and abundances. However, antibiotic supplementation decreased colonic Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, , and abundances. Furthermore, probiotic and synbiotic supplementation was associated with alterations in 8, 7, and 10 differential metabolites at three different age stages. Both microbiome and metabolome analyses showed that the differential metabolic pathways were associated with carbohydrate, amino acid, and lipid metabolism. However, antibiotic supplementation increased the C18:1n9t level in the PMM at 65 days old and xenobiotic biodegradation and metabolism at 125 days old. In conclusion, sow-offspring's diets supplemented with these two additives showed conducive effects on meat flavor, nutritional composition of skeletal muscles, and body metabolism, which may be associated with the reshaping of colonic microbiota and metabolites. However, antibiotic supplementation has negative effects on colonic microbiota composition and fatty acid composition in the PMM.
IMPORTANCE
The integral sow-offspring probiotic and synbiotic supplementation improves the meat flavor and the fatty acid composition of the LDM to some extent. Sow-offspring probiotic and synbiotic supplementation increases the colonic beneficial bacteria (including Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobia, Actinobacteria, , , and ) and alters the colonic metabolite profiles, such as guanidoacetic acid, beta-sitosterol, inosine, cellobiose, indole, and polyamine. Antibiotic supplementation in sow-offspring's diets decreases several beneficial bacteria (including Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, , and ) and has a favorable effect on improving the fatty acid composition of the LDM to some extent, while presenting the opposite effect on the PMM.
Topics: Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Lipid Metabolism; Female; Swine; Synbiotics; Probiotics; Pregnancy; Muscle, Skeletal; Dietary Supplements; Colon
PubMed: 38767377
DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00048-24 -
Animal Nutrition (Zhongguo Xu Mu Shou... Jun 2024Fat content is an important trait in pig production. Adipose tissue and muscle are important sites for fat deposition and affect production efficiency and quality. To...
Fat content is an important trait in pig production. Adipose tissue and muscle are important sites for fat deposition and affect production efficiency and quality. To regulate the fat content in these tissues, we need to understand the mechanisms behind fat deposition. Laiwu pigs, a Chinese indigenous breed, have significantly higher fat content in both adipose tissue and muscle than commercial breeds such as Duroc. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptomes in adipose tissue and muscle of 21-d-old Laiwu and Duroc piglets. Results showed that there were 828 and 671 differentially expressed genes (DEG) in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), respectively. Functional enrichment analysis showed that these DEG were enriched in metabolic pathways, especially carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Additionally, in the longissimus muscle (LM) and psoas muscle (PM), 312 and 335 DEG were identified, demonstrating enrichment in the cell cycle and metabolic pathways. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of these DEG were analyzed and potential hub genes were identified, such as and in adipose tissues and and in muscles. Meanwhile, results showed that there were common DEG between adipose tissue and muscle, such as , , and . These findings showed that there are significant differences in the transcriptomes of the adipose tissue and muscle between Laiwu and Duroc piglets ( < 0.05), especially in metabolic patterns. This insight serves to advance our comprehensive understanding of metabolic regulation in these tissues and provide targets for fat content regulation.
PubMed: 38766520
DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2023.12.012 -
World Journal of Gastrointestinal... May 2024Sarcopenia is a progressively diminishing state characterized by the reduction of muscle mass and density, which is frequently observed in malignancies of solid organs.
BACKGROUND
Sarcopenia is a progressively diminishing state characterized by the reduction of muscle mass and density, which is frequently observed in malignancies of solid organs.
AIM
To assess how sarcopenia affects the overall survival of individuals who have been diagnosed with metastatic gastric cancer.
METHODS
The study retrospectively included individuals who had been diagnosed with metastatic gastric cancer between January 2008 and December 2020. Sarcopenia was identified through the calculation of the average Hounsfield units (HUAC) using computed tomography (CT) images taken at the time of diagnosis in patients.
RESULTS
A total of 118 patients with metastatic gastric cancer were evaluated. Sarcopenia was detected in 29 patients (24.6%). The median survival of all patients was 8 (1-43) mo. The median survival of patients with sarcopenia was 2 mo, while it was 10 mo for those without sarcopenia ( < 0.001). A significant relationship was found between sarcopenia and survival.
CONCLUSION
Sarcopenia has been observed to impact survival outcomes in various types of solid tumor cancers. Sarcopenic patients can be identified in a short time, easily and inexpensively, by HUAC measurements from CT images used for diagnosis, and survival could be promoted with nutritional support.
PubMed: 38764843
DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i5.1861 -
Journal of Bodywork and Movement... Apr 2024Chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP) is a common disorder in people of active ages and significantly affects their quality of life. Different structures in the...
BACKGROUND
Chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP) is a common disorder in people of active ages and significantly affects their quality of life. Different structures in the lumbar area can cause LBP. The lumbar muscle disorders, including the psoas major (PM) muscles, have an essential role in LBP. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been introduced as a safe and useful instrument for investigating the morphological properties of skeletal muscle. In general, PM morphology changes may be one reason for the pain and disability experienced in CNLBP patients. Thus, this study aimed to assess the relationship among the PM's Cross-sectional area (CSA), medial-lateral (ML), and anterior-posterior (AP) diameters, with disability index and pain score in patients with CNLBP.
METHOD
One hundred twenty patients with CNLBP (60 men and 60 women) participated in this cross-sectional study. Axial MRIs were obtained from L3/L4 and L4/L5 disc levels. Then, patients filled out Rolland Morris Disability Questionnaires, demographic data forms, and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Image J software was used to analyze the images. Using Linear Regression and the Pearson test, the correlation between muscle CSA and diameters, as well as data obtained from questionnaires and NPRS, was analyzed.
RESULTS
Results from the statistical analysis showed no statistically significant relationship among morphological characteristics of the psoas major muscle in L3/L4 and L4/L5 disc levels with disability index and pain score (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
There is no significant relationship between the PM morphological characteristics and disability index and pain score. Therefore, muscle CSA and diameters are insufficient to determine the cause of CNLBP.
Topics: Humans; Low Back Pain; Female; Male; Psoas Muscles; Cross-Sectional Studies; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Adult; Middle Aged; Disability Evaluation; Pain Measurement; Chronic Pain
PubMed: 38763592
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.11.065 -
Folia Morphologica May 2024While many structures within the human body demonstrate anatomical variations, this is not typically the case for the iliopsoas muscle complex. However, the present...
BACKGROUND
While many structures within the human body demonstrate anatomical variations, this is not typically the case for the iliopsoas muscle complex. However, the present paper describes a case of an anomalous psoas major composed of four different muscular heads in a 78-year-old male cadaver.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
During a routine dissection of the right posterior abdominal wall, an unusual psoas major was observed, measured and photographed.
RESULTS
The psoas major was found to possess four muscular heads, otherwise the anatomy of the wall was normal.
CONCLUSIONS
The presence of so many heads could interfere with the functions of the psoas major muscle. Therefore this anatomical variation merits further study.
PubMed: 38757502
DOI: 10.5603/fm.98920