Subcutaneous Tissue Thickness Research Articles

DNA Microarray and Bioinformatic Analysis Reveals the Potential of Whale Oil in Enhancing Hair Growth in a C57BL/6 Mice Dorsal Skin Model.

Much research has been conducted to determine how hair regeneration is regulated, as this could provide therapeutic, cosmetic, and even psychological interventions for hair loss. The current study focused on the hair growth effect and effective utilization of fatty oil obtained from Bryde's whales through a high-throughput DNA microarray approach in conjunction with immunohistochemical observations. The research also examined the mechanisms and factors involved in hair growth. In an experiment using female C57BL/6J mice, the vehicle control group (VC: propylene glycol: ethanol: water), the positive control group (MXD: 3% minoxidil), and the experimental group (WO: 20% whale oil) were topically applied to the dorsal skin of the mouse. The results showed that 3% MXD and 20% WO were more effective than VC in promoting hair growth, especially 20% WO. Furthermore, in hematoxylin and eosin-stained dorsal skin tissue, an increase in the number of hair follicles and subcutaneous tissue thickness was observed with 20% WO. Whole-genome transcriptome analysis also confirmed increases for 20% WO in filaggrin (Flg), a gene related to skin barrier function; fibroblast growth factor 21 (Fgf21), which is involved in hair follicle development; and cysteine-rich secretory protein 1 (Crisp1), a candidate gene for alopecia areata. Furthermore, the results of KEGG pathway analysis indicated that 20% WO may have lower stress and inflammatory responses than 3% MXD. Therefore, WO is expected to be a safe hair growth agent.

Comparison Between Fetal Abdominal Subcutaneous Tissue Thickness and Abdominal Circumference to Predict Large for Gestational Age Neonate in Gestational Diabetes.

Increased subcutaneous fat deposition in abdomen in large for gestational age (LGA) fetuses of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus can be measured by fetal abdominal subcutaneous tissue thickness (FASTT) using ultrasound. The current study aimed to evaluate the correlation between FASTT and birth weight and compare FASTT and abdominal circumference (AC) for prediction of LGA babies in gestational diabetes. 150 term GDM women were enrolled into the study. FASTT was measured weekly. Birth weight was measured immediately after delivery and categorized into SGA, AGA and LGA according to International growth charts. The last FASTT and AC values were recorded for analysis. Correlation statistics was used to determine the relation between FASTT with birth weight and ROC curves were used to compare FASTT and AC for prediction of LGA fetuses. There was weak positive correlation between FASTT and birth weight with Pearson's co-efficient (r) of 0.375. The cut-off value for FASTT to predict LGA fetuses obtained by ROC curve was ≥8.05 mm with sensitivity and specificity of 68.8% and 68.7%. The mean values of FASTT for small for gestational age (SGA), appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and LGA fetuses were significantly different. AUC for FASTT was 0.692 and for AC was 0.755. FASTT had a positive but weak correlation with birth weight. The utility of FASTT as a screening tool may not be impressive. FASTT can discriminate between SGA, AGA and LGA fetuses. AC is a better predictor than FASTT for LGA neonates.

The magnetic resonance imaging-based vertebral bone quality scoring system: A novel method to evaluate endplate changes in patients with primary single-level disk herniation and Modic changes.

This study aimed to investigate differences in vertebral fat distribution and bone density between patients with and without Modic changes (MCs) using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) scoring system. In this retrospective study, 189 patients (95 males, 94 females; mean age: 54±2.2 years; range, 18 to 82 years) with primary single-level disk herniation were reviewed between June 2021 and June 2022. The patients were divided into the MC group (n=99) and the non-MC (NMC) group (n=90). The subcutaneous fat tissue thickness and bone mineral density were determined. The system consisted of two scores: the VBQ score, which reflected the fatty infiltration within the vertebral body, and the endplate bone quality (EBQ) score, which reflected the signal intensity (SI) of the upper and lower endplates. The EBQ score is a novel measurement that we introduced in this study. The VBQ and EBQ were measured and scored using MRI scans. The mean SI of the upper and lower endplates (endplate SI)/the bone marrow SI (marrow SI) was measured. There was a considerable difference in subcutaneous fat tissue thickness between the MC and NMC groups (1.40 vs. 1.16 cm, p=0.01). The EBQ scores of the L4 and L5 vertebrae and endplate SI/marrow SI of all vertebral body levels were significantly higher in the MC group. The occurrence of MCs in the lumbar spine may be associated with abnormal fat distribution. The distribution of vertebral fat in patients with MCs is distributed earlier in the upper and lower endplates of the vertebral body, and this trend is not observed in patients without MC. The thickness of subcutaneous fat tissue is a key factor in the occurrence of MCs.

Longitudinal changes in adiposity following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and associations with knee symptoms and function

ObjectiveTo evaluate adiposity after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR): i) cross-sectionally (1-year post-ACLR) compared to uninjured controls; ii) longitudinally up to 5 years post-ACLR; and iii) associations with patient-reported symptoms and physical performance. MethodsIn 107 individuals post-ACLR and 19 controls, we assessed global (BMI), peripheral (subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness on the posteromedial side of knee MRI), and central (waist circumference in ACLR group) adiposity. Patient-reported symptoms (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) and physical performance (hop for distance) were evaluated at 1 and 5 years post-ACLR. Linear regression models evaluated adiposity between groups. Paired t-tests evaluated changes in adiposity from 1- to 5 years post-ACLR. Linear regression models analyzed adiposity's associations with patient-reported symptoms and physical performance at 1-year post-ACLR, changes in symptoms and performance over 4 years post-ACLR, and longitudinal changes in adiposity and symptoms and performance, controlling for age, sex, and activity level. ResultsIndividuals 1-year post-ACLR were associated with higher average global (3 ​kg/m2) and peripheral adiposity (2.3 ​mm). From 1- to 5 years post-ACLR, higher average global (0.58 ​kg/m2) and central (5 ​cm) adiposity, and lower average peripheral adiposity (1.3 ​mm) were observed. In general, adiposity at one-year post-ACLR was negatively associated with patient-reported symptoms and physical performance, and changes from 1 to 5 years post-ACLR. Increases in adiposity were negatively associated with changes in patient-reported symptoms and physical performance over four years post-ACLR. ConclusionGreater global and central adiposity is a feature of young adults following ACLR and influences current and future patient-reported symptoms and physical performance.

The impact of gestational weight gain on fetal and neonatal outcomes: the Araraquara Cohort Study

BackgroundGestational weight gain (GWG) is an important indicator for monitoring maternal and fetal health. Objective: To evaluate the effect of GWG outside the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) on fetal and neonatal outcomes.Study designA prospective cohort study with 1642 pregnant women selected from 2017 to 2023, with gestational age ≤ 18 weeks and followed until delivery in the city of Araraquara, Southeast Brazil. The relationship between IOM-recommended GWG and fetal outcomes (abdominal subcutaneous tissue thickness, arm and thigh subcutaneous tissue area and intrauterine growth restriction) and neonatal outcomes (percentage of fat mass, fat-free mass, birth weight and length, ponderal index, weight adequateness for gestational age by the Intergrowth curve, prematurity, and Apgar score) were investigated. Generalized Estimating Equations were used.ResultsGWG below the IOM recommendations was associated with increased risks of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (aOR 1.61; 95% CI: 1.14–2.27), low birth weight (aOR 2.44; 95% CI: 1.85–3.21), and prematurity (aOR 2.35; 95% CI: 1.81–3.05), and lower chance of being Large for Gestational Age (LGA) (aOR 0.38; 95% CI: 0.28–0.54), with smaller arm subcutaneous tissue area (AST) (-7.99 g; 95% CI: -8.97 to -7.02), birth length (-0.76 cm; 95% CI: -1.03 to -0.49), and neonatal fat mass percentage (-0.85%; 95% CI: -1.12 to -0.58). Conversely, exceeding GWG guidelines increased the likelihood of LGA (aOR 1.53; 95% CI: 1.20–1.96), with lower 5th-minute Apgar score (aOR 0.42; 95% CI: 0.20–0.87), and increased birth weight (90.14 g; 95% CI: 53.30 to 126.99).ConclusionAdherence to GWG recommendations is crucial, with deviations negatively impacting fetal health. Effective weight control strategies are imperative.

Evaluation of a Combination Approach to Improving Muscle Tone and Decreasing Subcutaneous Tissue Thickness Using a Sequential, Dual-Modality, Energy-Based Device

Abstract Background The body shaping market has long been at the forefront of the aesthetic industry. With technological advances, patient demand for body sculpting in terms of reduction in subcutaneous tissue and enhancement of muscle has seen continual growth. Several devices have emerged in the space, however few that achieve both SQR (Subcutaneous Tissue Reduction) and VMI (Voluntary Muscle Increase) as measured by thickness, during the same treatment session. Objectives This article presents the results of a pilot study on a unique approach to subcutaneous tissue reduction and increasing muscle thickness using a dual modality, energy-based device. Methods 12 compliant subjects (8 female and 4 male with an average age of 40 years were enrolled in this single center, prospective study. All subjects were treated with the dual modality device (850 nm super-luminescent diode matrix and electrical muscle stimulation) with external applicators being placed over the lower abdomen. The subjects received five (5) weekly treatments. Ultrasound measurements, photos, weight and waist measurements were taken at baseline, prior to the start of the 5th treatments and at the two (2) week and two (2) month follow-up visits. Results At the two (2) month follow up visit, the average Subcutaneous Tissue Reduction (SQR) was 34.03% and the Voluntary Muscle Increase (VMI) measured 22.97% in all subjects who completed the study. All subject and physician evaluations rated results as satisfactory or better. There were no complications. Conclusions Preliminary data shows this dual-modality, Electrical Muscle Stimulation/Super Luminescent Diode Matrix (EMS/SDM) system provides both a safe and effective treatment for the reduction of subcutaneous tissue thickness and increase in muscle definition and thickness. Objective and subjective evaluations demonstrated high levels of efficacy and satisfaction in all subjects.

Adiposity and cartilage lesions following ACL reconstruction

ObjectiveTo determine if global, central, or peripheral adiposity is associated with prevalent and worsening cartilage lesions following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). MethodsIn 107 individuals one-year post-ACLR, adiposity was assessed globally (body mass index, BMI), centrally (waist circumference), and peripherally (knee subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness) from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Tibiofemoral and patellofemoral cartilage lesions were assessed from knee MRIs at 1- and 5-years post-ACLR. Poisson regression evaluated the relation of adiposity with prevalent and worsening tibiofemoral and patellofemoral cartilage lesions adjusting for age, sex, and activity level. ResultsThe prevalence ratios of adiposity with tibiofemoral (presence in 49%) and patellofemoral (44%) cartilage lesions ranged from 0.99 to 1.03. Adiposity was more strongly associated with longitudinal changes in tibiofemoral (worsening in 21%) and patellofemoral (44%) cartilage lesions. One-unit increase in global (kg/m2), central (cm), and peripheral (mm) adiposity was associated with a higher risk of worsening tibiofemoral cartilage lesions by 17% (risk ratios [95% CI]: 1.17 [1.09 to 1.23]), 5% (1.05 [1.02 to 1.08]), and 9% (1.09 [1.03 to 1.16]), and patellofemoral cartilage lesions by 5% (1.05 [1.00 to 1.12]) 2% (1.02 [1.00 to 1.04]) and 2% (1.02 [1.00 to 1.04]), respectively. ConclusionGreater adiposity was a risk factor for worsening cartilage lesions up to 5 years post-ACLR. Clinical interventions aimed at mitigating excess adiposity may be beneficial in preventive approaches for early post-traumatic OA.

LIVER FIBROSIS AND STEATOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: A TRANSIENT ELASTOGRAPHY STUDY

Background :The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is notably high among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The objective of this study was to assess the potential utility of transient elastography (TE), a technique capable of measuring both fibrosis and liver fat content simultaneously, as a screening tool for hepatic involvement in patients with T2DM. Material and methods : Its a retrospective study spanned from January 2019 to January 2024 and included all patients diagnosed with T2DM who underwent TE. LSM values were determined using a Fibroscan 502 touch (Echosens SA, Paris, France) with the original M or XL probe selected based on the patients body weight or subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness, as per the manufacturers guidelines. TE scans were considered reliable when a minimum of 10 successful acquisitions were obtained, and the interquartile range-to-median ratio of the 10 acquisitions was ≤0.3. Results : A total of 124 patients with T2DM who underwent TE examination were included. 46 males and 78 females. The mean BMI of the patients was 33.2±6.6 kg/m2. The mean LSM was 7.1±3.4 kPa. LSM values exhibited significant correlations with BMI (p<0.001) and AST (p<0.001). The mean CAP value was 317±54 dB/m. Univariate correlation analyses demonstrated significant associations between CAP values and BMI (p<0.001). We found higher ALT levels (p<0.05) in patients with F3/F4 fibrosis. Both patients with mild and severe steatosis had higher ALT levels than those without (both p<0.05). However, ALT values did not differ significantly according to steatosis severity (p=0.69). Conclusion : Our results contribute to the existing body of evidence across various studies, approving the clinical utility of LSM and CAP for concurrent screening of liver fibrosis and steatosis in patients with T2DM.

Clinical Efficacy Analysis of Circumferential Upper Arm Liposuction with Double Incision: A Study of 496 Cases.

In cases where the upper arm exhibits an irregular cylindrical appearance with subcutaneous fat concentrated primarily in the posterior lateral aspect, traditional localized fat suction techniques may lead to uneven or disharmonious results when addressing this concern. Many practitioners have turned to circumferential fat suction methods using multi-incision approaches to ensure effective results and fat removal. However, these methods often involve numerous incisions and complex procedures, necessitating the development of new, more efficient surgical techniques. We collected and screened patients who underwent upper arm circumferential liposuction with a double incision technique at our hospital from October 2020 to February 2023. A total of 496 cases were included in our retrospective analysis, in which we examined factors such as the length of surgery, arm circumference before and after surgery, subcutaneous tissue thickness before and after surgery, fat suction volume, postoperative satisfaction, and postoperative complications of the patients. The average length of surgery was 71.7min. 458 cases (92.3%) showed significant improvement, 23 cases (4.6%) reported satisfaction, and 10 cases (2.0%) were essentially satisfied. Additionally, 339 cases (68.3%) experienced an improvement in skin laxity. Four cases (0.8%) developed localized hard nodules with slight tenderness in the early postoperative period, which resolved without special treatment after observation and follow-up for 1-3months. Three cases (0.6%) reported localized pain or numbness, and they were given oral medication. Their symptoms disappeared after 1-3months of observation and follow-up. Three cases (0.6%) had localized pain or numbness, and their symptoms disappeared. All of these cases improved and resolved after onemonth of taking mecobalamin tablets. There were also three cases (0.6%) with mild pigmentation of the incision and two cases (0.4%) with mild limitation of unilateral upper arm abduction movement. However, upper arm activities were not affected after threemonths to oneyear of follow-up. No serious complications were reported, resulting in an overall satisfaction rate of 99.0%. The double incision upper arm liposuction is safe, effective, time-saving, with high satisfaction and fewer complications, and is worthy of clinical popularization and application. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

A Simple Way to Estimate a Difficult Sleeve Gastrectomy Prior to Operating

BackgroundToday, bariatric procedures are common. These surgeries’ difficulties are classified as patient- or surgical team–related and are estimated by body mass index (BMI). More efficient methods are needed to help surgeons. This study evaluated the effect of measuring patients’ subcutaneous fat tissue thickness (SFT) and umbilicus-xiphoid (DXU) to anticipate surgical difficulties.Material and MethodsThis was a prospective retrospective data analysis study. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy patients seen between May and October 2022 were included in the analysis and divided into three groups, according to a surgeon’s assessment. All patients’ SFT, DXU, rectus muscle thickness, total fat tissue amount (TFT), and operational time were recorded prospectively and analyzed.ResultsIn all, 151 patients were included in the study; of these, 124 (82.1%) were women and 27 (17.9%) were men. Their mean BMI value was 41.1 ± 6.2. Based on expert’s opinion, we classified three groups: easy (n = 123, 81.5%), intermediate (n = 22, 14.6%), or difficult (n = 6, 4%). When the easy group was compared to the intermediate/difficult groups, we found that intermediate/difficult groups’ SFT values were statistically significantly higher than the easy group (p = 0.000). Also, the intermediate/difficult group’s TFT value was statistically significantly higher than the easy group (p = 0.000). We found no statistically significant differences between groups’ DXU and rectus muscle thickness.ConclusionThis is the first study to anticipate sleeve gastrectomy difficulty using SFT and TFT. This is an easy technique to apply and no additional costs. Anticipating difficulties based on these criteria can ensure necessary preparations are made and help avoid complications.Graphical

Is the Absence of Manual Lymphatic Drainage-Based Treatment in Lymphedema after Breast Cancer Harmful? A Randomized Crossover Study.

(1) Background: Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), included within the complex decongestive therapy, as a therapy for the treatment of lymphedema has raised controversy about its benefits for lymphedema after breast cancer. The aim of this research is to test the effects of MLD on lymphedema after breast cancer during the treatment maintenance phase. (2) Methods: A randomized, single-blinded, controlled crossover trial was conducted to analyze the effects of a manual lymphatic drainage intervention compared to a control group without MLD intervention for the treatment of lymphedema. Arm volume measured by circumference measurement, subcutaneous tissue thickness measured by ultrasound, and the sensation of pain, heaviness, and swelling were evaluated as outcome measures. (3) Results: For the control group, an increase in volume was found in some of the circumference and subcutaneous tissue thickness measurements, in addition to a worsening of arm pain, swelling and heaviness. (4) Conclusion: The absence of treatment based on MLD in lymphedema after breast cancer worsens volume measurements, as well as arm heaviness. Therefore, it would be advisable to carry out this type of therapy as part of the maintenance treatment for lymphedema in breast cancer.

Full Title: Is epidural and subcutaneous fat tissue thickness associated with lumbar disc herniation? Short Title: Epidural and subcutaneous fat tissue in disc herniation

Objective: Lumbar disc herniations(LDH) cause important clinical symptoms such as low back pain(LBP) and have many causes. This study investigates the role of epidural and subcutaneous fat tissue thickness in LDH. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, individuals aged 18-83 with lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to LBP were evaluated retrospectively between July 2023 and January 2024. According to lumbar MRI, they were divided into two groups: those with or without herniation. Both groups measured epidural fat tissue thickness(EFTT) and subcutaneous fat tissue thickness(SFTT) at all lumbar levels. The relationship between the two groups in terms of EFTT and SFTT was examined statistically. Results: According to lumbar MRI, herniation was detected in 292 patients, and no herniation was detected in 300 patients. SFTT was found to be greater in the group with herniation than in the group without herniation at all lumbar levels (p = 0.0001). EFTT was lower in the group with herniation at all levels (p = 0.0001). In the group with herniation, there was a statistically significant correlation between the number of hernia levels and SFTT (r: 0.54, p: 0.0001) and EFTT negatively (r: -0.22, p: 0.0001). Conclusion: An increase in SFTT thickness and a decrease in EFTT are associated with disc herniation. This relationship is a result of the mechanical and inflammatory damage caused by obesity. In addition, the relationship between herniation and the decrease in EFTT demonstrates the protective function of epidural fat tissue.

A new method that facilitates the diagnosis of endometrial cancer: the ratio of endometrial thickness to the full thickness of the uterine wall and subcutaneous adipose tissue measurements.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between some risk factors and endometrial pathologies determined by transvaginal sonography (TVS), as well as the diagnostic predictive values of serum oestradiol (E2) levels, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) thickness, endometrium thickness (ET), and the ratio of ET to uterine wall full thickness (UWT) in differential diagnosis of malignant, precancerous, and benign pathologies of endometrium in patients with postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) or with asymptomatic increased endometrial thickness. The study was conducted with 211 women who applied to the hospital with complaints of PMB or ET of 5 mm or more in their routine controls. Venous blood samples were taken for complete blood count and the measurement of E2 levels. Patients also underwent TVS; ET, UWT, and the ratio of ET to UWT were measured. Menopausal age and body mass index averages were significantly higher in atypical hyperplasia and endometrial cancer (EC) groups. Endometrial thickness and endometrial thickness/uterine wall full thickness ratio measured by TVS were significantly higher in all precancerous pathologies and EC. Subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness was significantly higher in all precancerous pathologies and EC. Oestradiol levels were higher in the atypical hyperplasia and EC groups. Postmenopausal bleeding is a common symptom of EC, but in some cases this disease may occur asymptomatically. Measurement of the endometrium thickness, and the ratio of endometrium thickness/uterine wall full thickness and SAT thickness by sonography has a high predictive value for this disease.

Clinical Demonstration of the Relationship Between Cervical Subcutaneous Fat Tissue Thickness and Obesity

ABSTRACT Objective Neck pain is an important complaint in neurosurgery practice and is observed with a frequency of 30-50% throughout life. The most common complaint of working women who apply to the doctor is neck pain. Obesity is known as a common disease in recent years and traditional measurements are used in its evaluation in practice. In this research, we aimed to show the relationship between obesity in patients with neck pain that may accompany cervical disc herniation. We examined the usability of neck circumference measurement in indicating obesity. Materials and Methods This study was made on 100 patients aged between 20 and 70, after determining the Sample Size with Power Analysis. The presence of cervical disc herniation and the thickness of the cervical subcutaneous adipose tissue were measured and recorded on Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Neck circumference measurements of the patients were compared with waist circumference measurements. The data collected for the study were recorded using the SPSS 22 program and analysed in the same program. Results 55% of the patients had disc herniation and 38% had an additional chronic disease. Individuals with a cervical herniated disc had higher waist circumference and subcutaneous asymptote tissue values than those without (p<0.01). BMI values of individuals with a cervical herniated disc were found to be higher than those without (respectively, 30.47±4.93, 27.77±4.60, p=0.023). A positive linear correlation was found between the BMI values of the patients, neck circumference, waist circumference and subcutaneous adipose tissue (p<0.05 core coefficient 0.676&0.750&0.463, respectively). Conclusion Neck circumference measurement, which is a simple and fast method, we can diagnose obesity. We saw that in our study, as in many cases, obesity was observed more frequently with cervical disc herniation, especially in women.

Automatic measurement of fetal abdomen subcutaneous soft tissue thickness from ultrasound image based on a U‐shaped attention network with morphological method

AbstractFetal abdominal subcutaneous soft tissue thickness (FASSTT) is a key indicator in evaluating fetal growth, development, and nutritional status. Currently, manual measurement in FASSTT faces the problems of difficulty in positioning, time consumption, and inaccurate measurement. Therefore, this article proposes an automatic measurement scheme for FASSTT. Firstly, a U‐shaped attention network VGG‐SeUnet is proposed to automatically segment the subcutaneous soft tissue area of the fetal abdomen. Secondly, based on the segmentation results, a morphological method is proposed to obtain FASSTT. Specifically, the segmentation network uses VGG16 as the encoder and connects the decoder through jump connections for multi‐scale fusion. We introduce channel attention to jump connections, which enables the model to select key channels for feature fusion. At the same time, the model uses the proposed DF_Loss function for training to solve the problem of sample imbalance. Based on the segmentation results, a morphological distance transformation algorithm is proposed to obtain FASSTT by drawing the maximum inscribed circle and calculating its diameter. The method is evaluated on a fetal abdominal circumference ultrasound dataset containing 135 samples. The DSC, mIOU, mPA, Precision and Recall of the segmentation experiments reache 88.9%, 81.02%, 90.44%, 86.38%, and 90.44% respectively. The difference between FASSTT's result from that provided by radiologist is 0.0615 cm in Average Error (AVE) and 0.081 cm in Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). The overall performance of this algorithm is superior to existing methods with excellent performance, and the measurement error is less than 1 millimeter. This result proves that the proposed scheme in this paper can achieve automated measurement of FASSTT and assist doctors in subsequent evaluation of fetal development and nutritional status.

The importance of periprostatic fat tissue thickness measured by preoperative multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in upstage prediction after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

We analyzed the surgical results of patients who were treated and followed up for prostate cancer in our clinic to predict the relationship between periprostatic adipose tissue and patients with and without pathologically upstaged disease. The study included patients who had undergone robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and preoperative multiparametric prostate magnetic resonance imaging between 18 February 2019 and 1 April 2022. The patients were divided into two groups, and the surgical and transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy pathology results were compared according to tumor grade and distribution in 124 patients who met the selection criteria. We analyzed the relationships between upgrading/upstaging and periprostatic adipose tissue thickness (PPATT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness (SATT) as measured in magnetic resonance imaging. The median PPATT was 4.03 mm, whereas the median SATT was 36.4 mm. Upgrading was detected in 45 patients (36.3%), and upstaging was detected in 42 patients (33.9%). A receiver operating characteristic regression analysis revealed that a PPATT >3 mm was a predictive factor for upstaging after radical prostatectomy (area under curve=0.623, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.519-0.727, p=0.025). Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that prostate specific antigen density ≥0.15 ng/mL/cm3 (odds ratio [OR] 5.054, 95% CI 2.008-12.724, p=0.001), International Society of Urological Pathology grade ≥4 (OR 9.369, 95% CI 2.109-21.626, p=0.003) and higher PPATT (OR 1.358, 95% CI 1.081-1.707, p=0.009) were independent risk factors for upstaging after radical prostatectomy. We believe that the PPATT may be a predictive indicator for upstaging after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Muscle Oxygen Dynamics Measured by NIRS.

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used to measure skeletal muscle oxidative function for more than 30years. Several indicators evaluate muscle oxidative function using NIRS during exercise, such as deoxygenation rate at the start of exercise (Deoxy-rate), changes in deoxygenation during exercise (ΔDeoxy), and reoxygenation speed after exercise (T1/2 reoxy, reoxy rate). Previous studies have reported that these muscle NIRS indicators are significantly correlated with muscle fibre type, phosphocreatine recovery rate, and peak oxygen uptake. In addition, muscle NIRS indicators have been applied to the study of a number of chronic health conditions, including patients with ischaemic heart failure. Recently, wearable NIRS devices monitor muscle function continuously and freely in the field, and we predict that NIRS devices will be widely applied to our lifestyles more than ever before. However, there are some critical problems with measuring muscle oxidative function using NIRS devices. We have previously reported that subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness (SATT) greatly influences the light pathlength and makes it difficult to quantify tissue deoxygenation, especially in the measurements of muscle deoxygenation from the skin surface. The effects of SATT need to, therefore, be corrected when using NIRS devices, especially when comparing differences in sex, age, and trainability, as the subjects' SATT could differ significantly. In addition, we have more recently reported that assuming constant mean pathlength (MPL) in NIRS leads to an inaccurate interpretation of muscle deoxygenation, since there are greater changes in MPL during incremental cycling exercise, especially at shorter wavelengths in the NIRS region. In this mini-review, we will summarise the indicators of muscle oxidative function using NIRS and the challenges of using an NIRS apparatus, especially during exercise.

Uncorrected and subcutaneous fat‐corrected echo intensities are similarly associated with magnetic resonance imaging per cent fat

AbstractBackgroundEstablishing interchangeable biomedical imaging‐based measures to assess myosteatosis clinically may lead to the prevention of muscle wasting, yet neither a consensus measure nor a conversion between measures exists. Ultrasound echo intensity (EI) potentially assesses myosteatosis, but subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) thickness and user force application have been shown to influence EI. Although correction factors exist to adjust EI for SAT thickness, they are modelled against poor or no reference measures. Modelling EI corrections against a robust reference measure of myosteatosis, like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based proton density fat fraction (PDFF), is necessary for EI's clinical application.MethodsHealthy young adults, healthy older adults, and older adults undergoing treatment for lung cancer (n = 10 per group with 50% females) had PDFF and EI at 0, 5, 10, and 15 N measured on their right rectus femoris (RF). We compared EI, SAT thickness, and RF thickness between forces and groups and assessed the relationships between EI adjusted by four different correction factors and PDFF.ResultsThe mean age of our sample was 48.63 ± 19.68 years and had a body mass index of 25.21 ± 5.19 kg/m2. The correlation between PDFF and raw EI was r = 0.59 (P < 0.001) with negligible increases by previously published correction factors (Young: 0.62, P < 0.001; Neto Müller: 0.61, P < 0.001). EI, SAT thickness, and RF thickness did not significantly differ between forces (χ2 = 0.31, P = 0.957; χ2 = 2.39, P = 0.496; and χ2 = 7.75, P = 0.051, respectively). EI and PDFF were significantly lower among young healthy adults compared with older adult groups (χ2 = 12.88, P = 0.002, and χ2 = 9.13, P = 0.010, respectively).ConclusionsEI is correlated with PDFF regardless of force with no improvement from previously published correction factors. Our results suggest that EI is clinically useful and influenced by fat content, yet correction factors must account for more than SAT thickness alone and require further investigation.

Are trauma victims with obesity lucky in penetrating trauma injuries?

We aimed to reveal the protective effect of body mass index (BMI) and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness (SATT), together with scores covering the abdomen, in patients with penetrating abdominal trauma. The data of 234 abdominal penetrating trauma patients over the age of 16 who applied to the emergency general sur-gery unit of Istanbul Medipol Hospital between 2017 and 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Sex, age, types of penetrating injuries, BMI, need for blood transfusion and intensive care unit (ICU), mortality, Injury Severity Score (ISS), Penetrating Abdominal Trauma Index (PATI), and Flint Colon Injury Score (FCIS) were recorded. The patients were divided into two groups: Gunshot Wound (GW) and Stab Wound (SW).While there was no significant difference in all parameters examined in all patients and GW patients in terms of BMI, a statistically significant difference was found in terms of blood transfusion need in SW patients (p=0.035). As a result of the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis for the SATT variable, the cutoff value between mortality (p=0.866) and SATT (mm) values in all patients was 11 mm for all patients and 12 mm for GW patients. A significant difference was found in all patients and separately in GW and SW groups in terms of ICU and blood transfusion need, length of stay, ISS, PATI, and FCIS scores in non-operated patients (p<0.05). When all patients were examined, a statistically significant difference was found in terms of mortality (p=0.002). It is the first study to evaluate penetrating abdominal injuries with both BMI and SATT comprehensively and with all abdominal scores. A cutoff value to be determined for SATT with larger and multicenter studies can take its place as a parameter in the penetrating trauma algorithm.

Quantitative muscle ultrasound in adult spinal muscular atrophy. A pilot study.

Muscle ultrasound has been investigated in children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and proposed as a potential biomarker of disease severity. We studied the ultrasound properties in adults with SMA to see whether they also have potential as markers of disease severity in older patients. Thickness and quantitative echogenicity of muscle and subcutaneous tissue were compared between eight prospectively recruited adult patients with SMA and eight age, sex and body mass index-matched controls. Measurements were made in the dominant deltoid, biceps, triceps, forearm extensors, first dorsal interosseous, quadriceps, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius muscles. The muscle-to-subcutaneous (M:S) thickness and echogenicity ratios were also calculated. A mean value across all muscles as well as the individual values for each muscle were then calculated for each parameter in each subject and compared between the two groups. Significance was set at 0.05 after Bonferroni correction. In the SMA patients, mean muscle thickness was significantly smaller (1.3 vs. 1.9 cm), muscle echogenicity higher (106 vs. 67 on the grayscale level), and subcutaneous thickness larger (0.9 vs. 0.3 cm) than in controls; M:S echogenicity ratio was significantly increased and M:S thickness ratio reduced in the patients. The most abnormal scores were found in the nonambulatory patients and the least abnormal in the ambulatory patients. Ultrasound can detect and quantify the severity of muscle atrophy and structure in adult SMA, suggesting a potential role as a marker of disease severity, which will require validation by larger studies.