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Archives of Osteoporosis Jun 2024Muscular fitness plays a major role in bone health and body composition in overweight and obese children. It is key that the development of this muscle fitness is...
UNLABELLED
Muscular fitness plays a major role in bone health and body composition in overweight and obese children. It is key that the development of this muscle fitness is affected by absolute isometric strength and dynamic strength.
PURPOSE
To compare bone health and body composition between overweight/obese children considering muscular fitness (MF) levels, and to investigate whether weight-bearing dynamic or absolute isometric strength, both involved in the development of this muscular fitness, are more related with bone health.
METHODS
MF of 59 overweight or obese children (10.1 ± 0.9 years, 27 females) was measured by a countermovement jump (CMJ), handgrip, and maximal isometric strength of knee extension. Participants were divided into four groups depending on their MF level performing a cluster analysis: 16 children with high MF (HMF) in all tests, 18 with high performance in isometric strength (HIS), 15 with high performance in CMJ (HCMJ) and 10 low isometric and low dynamic force values (LMF). Body composition values were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and bone strength values were assessed by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Motor skills were evaluated using TGMD-3. Multivariate analysis of covariance test was applied to analyse bone strength differences between children in the different MF groups, using maturity offset, height and weight as covariates, and correlations were investigated.
RESULTS
HMF excelled in bone health. HIS had higher cortical bone area, periosteal circumference, bone mass, polar strength strain index and fracture load than LMF, while HCMJ only showed better results in trabecular bone area than LMF. HMF had significantly better values of fracture load and periosteal and endosteal circumferences than HCMJ, but not than HIS.
CONCLUSIONS
High MF level shows positive effects on bone health in overweight/obese children. Those with highest isometric strength had better bone health compared to those with higher dynamic strength.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The research project was registered in a public database Clinicaltrials.gov in June 2020 with the identification number NCT04418713.
Topics: Humans; Male; Child; Female; Body Composition; Muscle Strength; Bone Density; Pediatric Obesity; Physical Fitness; Overweight; Absorptiometry, Photon; Hand Strength
PubMed: 38856950
DOI: 10.1007/s11657-024-01405-3 -
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual... Jun 2024The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between visual function and severity grading, corneal scatter, or higher-order aberrations (HOAs) in... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between visual function and severity grading, corneal scatter, or higher-order aberrations (HOAs) in patients with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD).
METHODS
This observational case series study included 49 eyes of 27 patients with FECD and 10 eyes of 10 healthy individuals. We evaluated corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) using Landolt-C and Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study charts and contrast sensitivity using the CSV-1000E chart and CSV-1000RN letter chart. We analyzed the associations between visual function and explanatory variables, including age, modified Krachmer grade, central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT)-based grade, HOAs, intraocular straylight, and corneal densitometry. We additionally conducted receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to identify the corneal densitometry thresholds for decreased visual function.
RESULTS
There were significant associations between visual function and the modified Krachmer grade, CCT, AS-OCT-based grade, HOAs, intraocular straylight, and corneal densitometry. A modified Krachmer grade ≥ 3 was identified as a threshold for decreased visual function. Multivariate analysis showed that corneal densitometry was significantly associated with all visual function parameters, and HOAs were significantly associated with CDVA but not with contrast sensitivity. ROC analysis revealed that corneal densitometry of the posterior layer at 0 to 2 mm ≥ 10 grayscale units (GSU), was identified as a threshold for decreased visual function.
CONCLUSIONS
HOAs, forward and backward light scatter affected visual function, with backward light scatter being the most influential. In patients with FECD, modified Krachmer grade ≥ 3 and corneal densitometry ≥ 10 GSU were thresholds for visual disturbance.
Topics: Humans; Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy; Female; Male; Visual Acuity; Middle Aged; Aged; Contrast Sensitivity; Corneal Wavefront Aberration; Scattering, Radiation; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Cornea; Severity of Illness Index; ROC Curve; Aged, 80 and over; Adult
PubMed: 38848076
DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.6.15 -
Clinical and Experimental Medicine Jun 2024Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) have a disproportionately high prevalence of reduced bone mineral density (BMD). Polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR)...
Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) have a disproportionately high prevalence of reduced bone mineral density (BMD). Polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have been associated with osteoporosis in patients with autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and possible effects of VDR polymorphism on BMD and bone metabolism in patients with SSc. In patients with SSc measurement of BMD was performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. VDR polymorphisms (FokI, BsmI) were genotyped using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Markers of bone metabolism (calcium, osteocalcin, β-crosslaps) were determined. Primary endpoint was the prevalence of VDR gene polymorphisms and the association with reduced BMD. Secondary endpoints included associations between bone metabolism and VDR gene polymorphism. 79 Caucasian patients with SSc were included. Overall, 83.5% had reduced BMD (51.9% osteopenia, 31.6% osteoporosis). The prevalence of VDR gene polymorphism (73% BsmI, 77% FokI) was comparable to studies in healthy and rheumatic populations. The homozygous presence of FokI polymorphism, but not BsmI, was significantly associated with reduced axial BMD. Fokl polymorphism was significantly associated with reduced CTX levels, although changes remained within the reference limits. VDR polymorphisms can frequently be found in patients with SSc in comparable prevalence to healthy and rheumatic populations. The homozygous presence of FokI polymorphism, but not BsmI, was significantly associated with reduced axial BMD. This could be a possible contributor for the high prevalence of reduced BMD in 83.5% of patients with SSc in this study.Trial registration. DRKS00032768, date: 05.10.2023, retrospectively registered.
Topics: Humans; Receptors, Calcitriol; Scleroderma, Systemic; Female; Bone Density; Male; Middle Aged; Aged; Adult; Prevalence; Osteoporosis; Absorptiometry, Photon; Polymorphism, Genetic; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Bone Diseases, Metabolic; Genotype
PubMed: 38847864
DOI: 10.1007/s10238-024-01385-1 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and... Jun 2024Existing studies have shown that computed tomography (CT) attenuation and skeletal muscle tissue are strongly associated with osteoporosis; however, few studies have...
BACKGROUND
Existing studies have shown that computed tomography (CT) attenuation and skeletal muscle tissue are strongly associated with osteoporosis; however, few studies have examined whether vertebral HU values and the pectoral muscle index (PMI) measured at the level of the 4th thoracic vertebra (T4) are strongly associated with bone mineral density (BMD). In this study, we demonstrate that vertebral HU values and the PMI based on chest CT can be used to opportunistically screen for osteoporosis and reduce fracture risk through prompt treatment.
METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated 1000 patients who underwent chest CT and DXA scans from August 2020-2022. The T4 HU value and PMI were obtained using manual chest CT measurements. The participants were classified into normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups based on the results of dual-energy X-ray (DXA) absorptiometry. We compared the clinical baseline data, T4 HU value, and PMI between the three groups of patients and analyzed the correlation between the T4 HU value, PMI, and BMD to further evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the T4 HU value and PMI for patients with low BMD and osteoporosis.
RESULTS
The study ultimately enrolled 469 participants. The T4 HU value and PMI had a high screening capacity for both low BMD and osteoporosis. The combined diagnostic model-incorporating sex, age, BMI, T4 HU value, and PMI-demonstrated the best diagnostic efficacy, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.887 and 0.892 for identifying low BMD and osteoporosis, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The measurement of T4 HU value and PMI on chest CT can be used as an opportunistic screening tool for osteoporosis with excellent diagnostic efficacy. This approach allows the early prevention of osteoporotic fractures via the timely screening of individuals at high risk of osteoporosis without requiring additional radiation.
Topics: Humans; Female; Osteoporosis; Male; Thoracic Vertebrae; Retrospective Studies; Middle Aged; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Aged; Bone Density; Absorptiometry, Photon; Pectoralis Muscles; Mass Screening; Aged, 80 and over; Radiography, Thoracic; Adult
PubMed: 38845012
DOI: 10.1186/s13018-024-04825-6 -
Animal : An International Journal of... Jun 2024A prototype, on-line Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometer (DXA) has shown high precision of the prediction of carcass composition for the purpose of improved sheep meat...
A prototype, on-line Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometer (DXA) has shown high precision of the prediction of carcass composition for the purpose of improved sheep meat grading in the Australian lamb supply chain, albeit with small inaccuracies over time. These inaccuracies were present across hours, and more significantly across days, which were unacceptable for any accreditation of this device as an objective carcass measurement tool in Australia. This inaccuracy demanded the creation of a novel image-processing algorithm for the prototype DXA. This DXA was tested for repeatability of predictions of lamb carcass composition over minutes, hours, and days, using two developed image processing algorithms. There was high immediate repeatability for both algorithms when predicting lean muscle % in 40 lamb carcasses, with a maximum CV of 0.65% over five repeated scans. There was a decrease in the CV of the prediction of lean muscle % of 30 lambs scanned three times over a 48-h period from 5.93 to 1.19% when the superior algorithm was used. The inaccuracies of lean muscle % predictions were associated with increases in the unattenuated space pixel values in DXA images. Improvements of the current algorithm are required to demonstrate repeatability over time for the purpose of accreditation within the Australian sheep meat industry, and for possible expansion of this technology into international supply chains.
Topics: Animals; Absorptiometry, Photon; Australia; Algorithms; Body Composition; Abattoirs; Sheep; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Muscle, Skeletal; Reproducibility of Results; Sheep, Domestic; Red Meat
PubMed: 38843667
DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101171 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Studies on the relationship between the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and bone mineral density (BMD) among adult women in the United States are limited. The purpose... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
Studies on the relationship between the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and bone mineral density (BMD) among adult women in the United States are limited. The purpose of this study was to explore this association using a sizable, nationally representative sample.
METHODS
Data from the 2011 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used in this observational study. The AIP was computed as log (triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol). Total BMD was measured via dual-energy X-ray densitometry. We constructed multiple linear regression models to evaluate the correlation between the AIP and BMD. The non-linear relationship was characterized by smooth curve fitting and generalized additive models. We also conducted subgroup and interaction analyses.
RESULTS
In this study, we included 2,362 adult women with a mean age of 38.13 ± 12.42 years. The results of multiple linear regression analysis, the AIP and total BMD showed a negative association (β = -0.021, 95%CI: -0.037, -0.006). The curve fitting analysis and threshold effect analysis showed a non-linear relationship between the two variables, and the inflection point of the AIP was found to be -0.61. The total BMD decreased significantly when the AIP reached this value (β = -0.03, 95%CI: -0.04, -0.01). The results of the subgroup analysis showed that AIP and total BMD had a strong negative relationship in participants who were below 45 years old (β = -0.023; 95% CI: -0.041, -0.004), overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m) (β = -0.022; 95% CI: -0.041, -0.002), had a higher education level (β = -0.025; 95% CI: -0.044, -0.006), and had no partners (β = -0.014; 95% CI: -0.06, -0.009).
CONCLUSIONS
We found a negative correlation between the AIP and total BMD. Clinicians should pay attention to patients with high AIP, which might indicate a low BMD and has reference significance in preventing osteoporosis.
Topics: Humans; Female; Bone Density; Adult; Nutrition Surveys; Middle Aged; Atherosclerosis; Triglycerides; Cholesterol, HDL; Cross-Sectional Studies; Absorptiometry, Photon; United States; Osteoporosis
PubMed: 38836228
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1363889 -
Experimental Gerontology Aug 2024The present study aimed to compare V̇Omax (absolute, adjusted to total body mass, and adjusted to lean mass) in recreational runners and sedentary women <...
The present study aimed to compare V̇Omax (absolute, adjusted to total body mass, and adjusted to lean mass) in recreational runners and sedentary women < and > 50 yr and verify the effect of aging and physical activity level on the three types of V̇O max expression. The study included 147 women:85 runners (45.7 ± 14.1 yr) and 62 sedentary controls (48.8 ± 9.8 yr). They were subjected to cardiopulmonary exercise testing for V̇O max measurement and a body composition test by dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry system. V̇Omax were expressed as absolute values (L/min), relative to total body mass values (mL/kg/min), and relative to lean mass values (mL/kgLM/min). The two-way analysis of variance revealed a significant interaction [F(2,131) = 4.43, p < 0.001] and effects of age group [F(2,131) = 32.79, p < 0.001] and physical activity group [F(2,131) = 55.64, p < 0.001] on V̇Omax (mL/min). V̇Omax (mL/kg/min) and V̇O max (mL/kgLM/min) were significantly influenced by age and physical activity levels. The multiple regression model explains 76.2 % of the dependent variable V̇Omax (mL/kg/min), age (β = -0.335, t = -7.841, p < 0.001), and physical activity group (β = -0.784, t = -18.351, p < 0.001). In conclusion, female runners had higher V̇O max values than sedentary women at all ages, even though aging has a greater impact on V̇O max in the runners group. In addition to cardiorespiratory fitness, women's metabolic lean mass function, as measured by V̇Omax adjusted by lean mass, is significantly influenced by aging. Finally, physical activity has a greater impact on V̇O max levels than aging.
Topics: Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Oxygen Consumption; Running; Adult; Aging; Sedentary Behavior; Body Composition; Exercise Test; Absorptiometry, Photon; Aged; Case-Control Studies; Exercise
PubMed: 38830478
DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2024.112476 -
Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences 2024To evaluate a PCR based method of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of short tandem repeats and its quantification for detecting donor chimerism after haematopoietic...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a PCR based method of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of short tandem repeats and its quantification for detecting donor chimerism after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in acute leukaemias.
METHODS
The descriptive study was conducted at Genetic Resource Centre (GRC) Lab Rawalpindi from Feb 2018 - Nov 2020. A total of twenty patients with acute leukaemias having undergone HSCT were selected and assessed for the analysis of chimerism status. DNA extraction from the whole blood was done by chelex method and short tandem repeats were amplified by using conventional STR- PCR assay. Electrophoresis was carried out and 6% polyacrylamide gels were used for the resultant amplified DNA products and then followed by their densitometry. These patients had undergone HSCT from Pakistan Institute of Medical Science and Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Centre.
RESULTS
The peaks in the PAGE densitometry represented the donor chimerism in all post transplant samples of the patients.
CONCLUSION
Our study showed that densitometry of STR PCR PAGE is a useful and cheaper method for demonstration of donor chimerism in acute leukaemia patients having undergone HSCT. Hence this method can be a valuable option in the monitoring of chimerism status in these patients and therefore helps in preventing graft failure by fast and early treatment strategies for these patients.
PubMed: 38827851
DOI: 10.12669/pjms.40.5.9216 -
Health Science Reports Jun 2024Asthma is a chronic inflammatory pulmonary disease which affects 10%-20% of children and adolescents. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is one of its most effective...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory pulmonary disease which affects 10%-20% of children and adolescents. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is one of its most effective therapies. The effect of systemic corticosteroids on decreasing bone mineral density (BMD) was investigated and proved in children; however, the influence of ICSs on bone density has still remained unclear. This study evaluates the bone mineral density of children and adolescents with asthma in southern Iran and the associated factors, for example, amount of used inhaled steroid.
METHOD
This case-control study enrolled 41 children and adolescents (aged 8-18 years) with asthma and their age and gender-matched controls in 2019-2020. Serum Calcium, phosphate, vitamin D, and bone mineral density were measured. Their physical activity, sun exposure, and fracture history were evaluated subjectively.
RESULTS
Lumbar BMD and BMD Z-score in patients showed no significant difference with controls ( = 0.23, = 0.73). Also, it showed that there was no significant difference in biochemical studies, growth, and bone densitometry parameters between patients who used ICSs for less than 3 months/year corticosteroid therapy compared to those with equal or more than 3 months/year usage. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 28% and 8% in the controls and patients, respectively ( = 0.005).
CONCLUSION
The present study showed that 9.46% of children and adolescents with asthma had low bone mass for chronological age, and it is not significantly higher than normal population. Dosage of inhaled steroid did not associate with osteoporosis in these patients. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients was lower than normal population, probably due to receiving vitamin D in their routine follow-ups.
PubMed: 38826619
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.2086 -
ACS Omega May 2024DNA origami is an emerging technology that can be used as a nanoscale platform in numerous applications ranging from drug delivery systems to biosensors. The DNA...
DNA origami is an emerging technology that can be used as a nanoscale platform in numerous applications ranging from drug delivery systems to biosensors. The DNA nanostructures are assembled from large single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) scaffolds, ranging from hundreds to thousands of nucleotides and from short staple strands. Scaffolds are usually obtained by asymmetric PCR (aPCR) or infection/transformation with phages or phagemids. Scaffold quantification is typically based on agarose gel electrophoresis densitometry for molecules obtained by aPCR, or by UV absorbance, in the case of scaffolds obtained by infection or transformation. Although these methods are well-established and easy-to-apply, the results obtained are often inaccurate due to the lack of selectivity and sensitivity in the presence of impurities. Herein, we present an HPLC method based on ion-pair reversed-phase (IP-RP) chromatography to quantify DNA scaffolds. Using IP-RP chromatography, ssDNA products (449 and 1000 nt) prepared by aPCR were separated from impurities and from the double stranded (ds) DNA byproduct. Additionally, both ss and dsDNA were quantified with high accuracy. The method was used to guide the optimization of the production of ssDNA by aPCR, which targeted the maximization of the ratio of ssDNA to dsDNA obtained. Moreover, ssDNA produced from phage infection of cells was also quantified by IP-RP using commercial ssDNA from the M13mp18 phage as a standard.
PubMed: 38826531
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c10533