95th Values Research Articles

Amide proton transfer-weighted MRI for assessing rectal adenocarcinoma T-staging and perineural invasion: a prospective study.

To investigate the value of the pre-operative amide proton transfer-weighted (APTw) MRI to assess the prognostic factors in rectal adenocarcinoma (RA). This prospective study ran from January 2022 to September 2023 and consecutively enrolled participants with RA who underwent pre-operative MRI and radical surgery. The APTw signal intensity (SI) values of RA with various tumor (T), node (N) stages, perineural invasion (PNI), and tumor grade were compared by Mann-Whitney U-test or t-test. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the APTw SI values. A total of 51 participants were enrolled (mean age, 58 years ± 10 [standard deviation], 26 men). There were 24 in the T1-T2 stage and 9 with positive PNI. The APTw SI max, 99th, and 95th values were significantly higher in T3-T4 stage tumor than in T1-T2; the median (interquartile range) (M (IQR)) was (4.0% (3.6-4.9%) vs 3.4% (2.9- 4.3%), p = 0.017), (3.7% (3.2-4.1%) vs 3.2% (2.8-3.8%), p = 0.013), and (3.3% (2.8-3.8%) vs 2.9% (2.3-3.5%), p = 0.033), respectively. These indicators also differed significantly between the PNI groups, with the M (IQR) (4.5% (3.6-5.7%) vs 3.7% (3.2-4.2%), p = 0.017), (4.1% (3.4-4.8%) vs 3.3% (3.0-3.9%), p = 0.022), and (3.7% (2.7-4.2%) vs 2.9% (2.6-3.5%), p = 0.045), respectively. Pre-operative APTw MRI has potential value in the assessment of T-staging and PNI determination in RA. Pre-operative amide proton transfer-weighted MRI provides a quantitative method for noninvasive assessment of T-staging and PNI in RA aiding in precision treatment planning. The efficacy of APTw MRI in RA needs further investigation. T3-T4 stage and PNI positive APTw signal intensities were higher than T1-T2 and non-PNI, respectively. APTw MRI provides a quantitative method for assessment of T staging and PNI in RA.

The normative values of vertical jump and sit-and-reach in a large general Chinese population aged 8–80 years: The China National Health Survey

The normative values of vertical jump (VJ) and sit-and-reach (SR) for Chinese people are still unclear. We aimed to determine these values and their correlations with body composition using data from China National Health Survey which included 19,269 participants aged 8–80 years. Sex-specific smoothed centile tables were generated for the P1, P5, P25, P50, P75, P95, and P99 centiles of VJ and SR using lambda-mu-sigma method. The median (Interquartile range) values of VJ and SR in males and females were as follows: 20.3 (8.8) cm and 14.1 (5.5) cm for VJ, 1.8 (11.6) cm and 6.8 (10.4) cm for SR, respectively. In males, VJ values increased to a peak around the age of 18, with the 5th and 95th values being 17.7 cm and 41.3 cm, respectively. After reaching the peak, VJ values gradually declined with age. In females, VJ values remained relatively stable from childhood to early adulthood, and then declined after the age of 30. The peak values of SR were observed in early adulthood in both sexes, and remained stable in females but declined with age in males. VJ had a negative association with body composition, particularly in females. SR was found to have a negative association with fat mass indexes in males. However, correlations in females were only marginally statistically significant. The study provides age- and sex-specific percentile reference values for VJ and SR in Chinese people and can aid in the assessment of muscle fitness and facilitate early prediction of neuromuscular disorders.

Percentile Charts of Neonatal Blood Pressure Values at a Tertiary Iranian Hospital

Background: Blood pressure (BP) is an important vital sign and indicator of clinical stability. Therefore, the accurate measurement and interpretation of this physiological signal is essential for the optimal management of ill newborns. In this regard, the present study aimed to determine BP values and percentiles in stable newborns in the first weeks of life and evaluate the relevant factors.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on 320 term and preterm newborns between 26 and 42 weeks gestational age (GA) within 2015-2017. The exclusion criteria entailed: 1) birth asphyxia,2) preeclampsia, 3) gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) type I, 4) illicit substance use, and 5) major congenital anomaly. The oscillometric technique was used for BP measurement and systolic and diastolic BPs were analyzed by regression analysis for various percentiles (5th to 95th).Results: The neonates in the current study consisted of 185 (57.8%) males and 135 (42.2%) females with mean (SD) birth weight of 2058.3±582.5grams. Mean (SD) gestational age was reported as 32.95(3.97) weeks. 69.1 % of neonates were delivered via cesarean section. Percentile charts (5th- 95th values) which were developed for systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) demonstrated a steady rise on the respective days that were comparable between different groups. Term neonates were found to have higher BPs, compared to their preterm counterparts on the respective days. Moreover, the neonates who were delivered vaginally had higher mean BP values than neonates delivered via cesarean section.Conclusion: The current study provided normative BP values among neonates, especially in the first two weeks of life. Data presented in this study which include delivery-mode-specific BP percentile curves using an oscillometric method serve as a valuable reference for physicians in the management of newborns in the neonatal unit.