Thigh Muscle Research Articles

Feasibility and effectiveness of a foam rolling intervention in pregnant women requiring bed rest for foetal protection: a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundBed rest during pregnancy can lead to reduced physical activity, impairing lower limb venous blood flow and increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and muscle atrophy. We investigated the clinical efficacy of foam rolling intervention (FRI) in enhancing lower limb venous blood flow, mitigating the risk of DVT and muscle atrophy in pregnant women on bed rest.MethodsThis single-blind, randomised controlled trial enrolled 86 pregnant women with long-term bed rest for foetal protection (≥ 7 days), gestational age ≥ 20 weeks, and maternal age < 40 years. Participants were randomly assigned to a control or experimental group using a random number table. The control group received standard care, whereas the experimental group underwent FRI. Researchers and statisticians were aware of the treatment groups, however, the participants were blinded. Lower limb blood flow velocity, D-dimer levels, incidence of DVT, and the extent of lower limb muscle atrophy were assessed in both groups at baseline and post-intervention (day 7). To account for a 5% attrition rate and potential sampling error, the estimated sample size for each experimental and control group was 40.ResultsBefore the intervention, no significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in peak blood flow, mean flow velocity, D-dimer values, or leg circumference (P > 0.05), however, the peak blood velocities of the popliteal veins were significantly higher in the control group (P = 0.031). On the seventh day post-intervention, the experimental group had significantly higher mean and peak blood velocities in femoral and popliteal veins, significantly (P < 0.05), lower mean D-dimer levels (P = 0.035), and a significantly smaller reduction in thigh and calf circumference (P < 0.001). Consequently, the rate of thigh muscle atrophy was significantly slower in the experimental group (P = 0.011).ConclusionsFRI is an effective intervention for improving lower limb venous blood flow, mitigating the risk of DVT and muscle atrophy in pregnant women on bed rest.Trial registrationThis trial was retrospectively registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on June 18, 2024 (registration number: ChiCTR2400085770).

Dietary metabolizable energy and crude protein levels affect Taihe silky fowl growth performance, meat quality, and cecal microbiota during fattening

The effects of dietary metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) on the growth performance, meat quality, and cecal microbiota of Taihe Silky Fowl (TSF) during fattening were investigated. In total, 900 twelve-week-old female fowl were randomly allocated to 9 treatments (5 replicates per group, 20 fowl per replicate), and were fed a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments diets (ME: 11.30, 11.93, or 12.56 MJ/kg; CP: 15%, 16%, or 17%). As ME increased, the average daily feed intake (ADFI, P<0.001), feed conversion ratio (FCR, P<0.001), pectoral and thigh shear forces (P<0.05), pectoral and thigh muscle fiber diameter (P<0.001) decreased significantly, while muscle fiber density increased (P<0.001). Pectoral muscle fiber diameter was lower and muscle fiber density higher at 16% CP than 15% or 17%. As ME increased, pectoral crude fat content increased significantly (P = 0.007). Pectoral crude protein, total amino acid (TAA), and essential amino acid (EAA) content were higher at 15% dietary CP than 16% or 17%. As ME increased, pectoral inosine monophosphate (IMP, P = 0.006), uridylic monophosphate (UMP, P = 0.003), guanylic monophosphate (GMP, P = 0.009), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP, P <0.001) decreased significantly, while hypoxanthine riboside (HxR, P = 0.045) increased. As dietary CP increased, IMP (P = 0.019), AMP (P <0.001), and HxR (P = 0.024) increased significantly. Cecal microbiota composition varied with dietary ME: 12.56 MJ/kg ME increased the abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae, and 15% CP increased that of Paraprevotella. These findings suggest that 12.56 MJ/kg dietary ME and 15% CP can enhance growth performance, improve meat quality by reducing shear force, enhancing flavor and nutritional value, and benefit for intestinal microbiota in fattening TSF.

Effects of cassava root meal on the growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, organ and intestinal indices, and slaughter performance of yellow-feathered broiler chickens.

With the global population growth and shortage of food, the competition between humans and animal for food will become increasingly fierce. Therefore, the development of unconventional energy feed cassava feed is of great significance. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of cassava root meal (CRM) on the growth performance, apparent digestibility, and organ and intestinal indices of broiler chickens. A total of 140 one-day-old chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatment groups [control diet (CT), 15% CRM (CRM15), 30% CRM (CRM30), and 45% CRM (CRM45)] with five replicates of seven birds per replicate. The results showed that the body weight of broiler chickens fed diets containing CRM were significantly lower than that in the CT group at 21 and 42days of age, the average daily gain and average daily feed intake in the CRM group were significantly lower than those in the CT group from 1 to 21days of age. However, from days 22 to 42, there were no significant differences between CRM15 and CT birds regarding average daily gain and average daily feed intake. but there was no difference in feed conversion rate between the CRM15 and CT groups. At 42days of age, there were no significant differences between CRM15 and CT birds in in body measurements, the slaughter performance and the percentage of semi-eviscerated yield. The addition of CRM reduced the proportion of breast and thigh muscles during the feeding period, although we detected no significant difference between CRM15 and CT regarding the apparent digestibility of nutrients. Collectively, our findings indicate that 15% cassava was the optimal proportion for supplementing diets for broiler chicken production.

Effect of in ovo feeding with a multi-strain probiotic containing effective microorganisms and Zn-Gly chelate on the fatty acid profile, lipid profile, and malondialdehyde level in the serum and tissues of newly-hatched chickens

Modern poultry production strives to ensure the safety of food products by constantly improving the health parameters of birds. Multi-strain probiotics containing effective microorganisms and microelements, especially zinc in chelated form, currently play an important role in poultry feeding. We hypothesized that supplementation of chicken embryos with a multi-strain probiotic and glycine-zinc chelate may influence lipid metabolism in the serum and tissues of newly hatched chicks, leading to an increase in the body's antioxidant capacity. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the lipid profile, fatty acid profile and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the serum and tissues of newly hatched chickens supplemented in ovo with a multi-strain probiotic and zinc glycine chelate. The experiment was conducted on 1,500 fertilized hatching eggs obtained from 36-week-old commercial broilers (Ross x Ross 308). A multi-strain probiotic and zinc glycine chelate (Zn-Gly) were administered on the 17th day of incubation. Samples of peripheral blood and tissues of the liver, small intestine (ileum), pectoral muscle, thigh muscle and yolk sac, collected on the day of hatch and at 7 days post-hatch, were used to analyse biochemical parameters and determine the malondialdehyde level and fatty acid profile. The results indicate that in ovo supplementation with a multi-strain probiotic and Zn-Gly chelate on the 17th day of incubation affects fat metabolism. Simultaneous administration of a multi-strain probiotic and Zn-Gly chelate did not increase the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the muscles. In birds treated with Zn-Gly chelate, the PUFA concentration was increased in the muscle tissue in the period up to 7 days post-hatch, i.e. during the development of the chicks. Moreover, the analysis of the results confirmed that in ovo supplementation with a multi-strain probiotic and Zn-Gly chelate stimulates the synthesis of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), mainly stearic, palmitic and myristic acids, and improves the ratio of PUFAs to SFAs. The multi-strain probiotic and Zn-Gly chelate administered in ovo did not cause excessive MDA synthesis in the tissues, suggesting that these preparations reduce oxidative stress in the developing embryo and newly hatched chick.

Limb dominance does not have a meaningful impact on arterial occlusion pressure.

Limb dominancy has been suggested, by some, to influence arterial occlusion pressure (AOP). However, we hypothesized that the differences in AOP between the dominant and nondominant legs were more likely explained by differences in cuff position. To determine the impact of limb dominance, composition, and cuff position on AOP in the context of error associated with measuring AOP twice on the same leg. Fifty-eight adults (30 males) volunteered to have AOP measured on their dominant legs with the cuff bladder covering their inner thighs and on their nondominant legs with the bladder covering their inner and outer thighs (in random order). Thigh circumference and muscle and fat thicknesses were also measured on each leg. We found evidence for differences in AOP between legs [median δ of -0.222, 95% credible interval: (-0.429, -0.016)] when the cuff position was matched. The mean difference was -2.8 mmHg, and the 95% limit of agreement in a Bland-Altman plot was -24.8 to 19.0 mmHg. When plotting this alongside an error range (i.e., 95% limits of agreement) of taking the same measurement twice from our previous study (Spitz et al., 2020), 52 out of 58 measurements were within the error range. This difference was not due to the cuff position. Additionally, there was no evidence that thigh circumference or composition (muscle/fat thickness) moderated any difference between limbs. The difference in AOP between limbs is small and is mostly indistinguishable from the difference observed from taking the measurement twice on the same limb.

Interactions between muscle volume and body mass index on brain structure in the UK Biobank.

Low skeletal muscle volume may increase dementia risk through mechanisms affecting brain structure. However, it is unclear whether this relationship exists outside of sarcopenia and/or varies by other factors. We aimed to study the interplay between skeletal muscle volume and factors, such as age, sex, and body mass index (BMI), in explaining brain structure at midlife in a cohort without sarcopenia. We used abdominal and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from a population-based cohort enrolled in the UK Biobank. The following measures were derived: thigh fat-free muscle volume (FFMV), total brain volume (TBV), gray matter volume (GMV), white matter volume (WMV), total hippocampal volume (THV), and white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV). Participants below sex-based grip strength thresholds suggesting probable sarcopenia were excluded. Linear regression analysis was used to study the interaction or mediation effects of age, sex, and BMI on the associations between FFMV and brain volumes. Data were available for 20,353 participants (median age 64 years, 53% female). We found interactions between thigh FFMV, BMI, and age (all p < 0.05). Greater thigh FFMV was associated with better brain volumes in those aged <64 years with normal (TBV: β = 2.0 ml/L, p = 0.004; GMV: β = 0.8 ml/L, p = 0.04; WMV: β = 1.1 ml/L, p = 0.006; WMHV: β = -0.2 ml/L, p = 3.7 × 10-5) or low BMI (TBV: β = 21.2 ml/L, p = 0.003; WMV: β = 13.3 ml/L, p = 0.002, WMHV: β = -1.1 ml/L, p = 0.04). Greater thigh muscle volume correlates with better brain volumes at midlife in people without sarcopenia, but this relationship weakens with greater age and BMI. Further study is required to investigate the underlying mechanisms to understand which components of body composition are potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia.

MEAT PERFORMANCE AND MEAT QUALITY OF WILD DUCKS (ANAS PLATYRHYNCHOS) REARED IN DOMESTIC CONDITIONS

The aim of the work was to evaluate the meat performance, colour and basic chemical composition (g.100 g-1 of water, protein, fat, and cholesterol) of the breast and thigh muscles (n=20) of the wild ducks reared in domestic conditions. The L* values of the wild ducks ranged from 32.86 (breast muscle) to 36.88 (thigh muscle). The a* value ranged from 10.70 (thigh muscle) to 11.96 (breast muscle). By evaluating the b* parameter, we observed a similar tendency as with the L* value. The highest b* values were measured in the thigh muscle (10.13) and lower in the breast muscle (7.49). The proportion of breast (36.41%) and thigh (21.33%) from the carcass weight of wild ducks is relatively high, and a high average carcass yield (74.03%) was also found. The water content varied from 71% (thigh muscle) to 72.52% (breast muscle). The average protein content of breast 24.11 g.100 g-1 and thigh muscle was 22.84 g.100 g-1. The higher fat content was measured in breast muscle (1.82 g.100 g-1) and lower (1.45 g.100 g-1) in thigh muscle. The cholesterol content in meat from wild ducks ranged from 0.049 g.100 g-1 (thigh muscle) to 0.051 g.100 g-1 (breast muscle).

Impact of upgrading from a 25-cm to a 30-cm z-axis field of view digital PET/CT in a pediatric hospital

BackgroundIncreased positron emission tomography (PET) scanner z-axis coverage provides an opportunity in pediatrics to reduce dose, anesthesia, or repeat scans due to motion.ObjectiveRecently, our digital PET scanner was upgraded from a 25-cm to a 30-cm z-axis coverage. We compare the two systems through National Electrical Manufacturing Association (NEMA) testing and evaluation of paired images from patients scanned on both systems.Materials and methodsNEMA testing and a retrospective review of pediatric patients who underwent clinically indicated 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET computed tomography (PET/CT) on both systems with unchanged acquisition parameters were performed. Image quality was assessed with liver signal to noise ratio (SNR-liver) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) in the thigh muscle and liver with results compared with an unpaired t-test. Three readers independently reviewed paired (25 cm and 30 cm) images from the same patient, blinded to scanner configuration.ResultsExpansion to 30 cm increased system sensitivity to 29.8% (23.4 cps/kBq to 30.4 cps/kBq). Seventeen patients (6 male/11 female, median age 12.5 (IQR 8.3–15.0) years, median weight 53.7 (IQR 34.2–68.7) kg) were included. SNR-liver and CNR increased by 35.1% (IQR 19.0–48.4%) and 43.1% (IQR 6.2–50.2%) (P-value <0.001), respectively. All readers preferred images from the 30-cm configuration. A median of 1 (IQR 1–1) for fewer bed positions was required with the 30-cm configuration allowing a median of 91 (IQR 47–136) s for shorter scans.ConclusionIncreasing z-axis coverage from 25 to 30 cm on a current-generation digital PET scanner significantly improved PET system performance and patient image quality, and reduced scan duration.

Evaluation of Sonographic Muscle Measurement Using Established Muscle Markers.

Loss of muscle quantity and function is associated with frailty and reduced quality of life. Sonography is a simple option to quantify muscle mass, which could be included into routine diagnostic workup. This study was designed to prospectively evaluate sonographic measurement and to compare it with established measurements of muscle quantity and function. Between March 2020 and May 2022, 723 patients were enrolled in the study. Psoas muscle area index (PMAI) and psoas muscle thickness height index (PMTI) were quantified. Thigh muscle thickness indices (TMTI) were either measured without compression (fTMTI) or under compression (cTMTI). Variation coefficient (VC) as well as intra- and inter-observer reliability were analyzed. The reliability and reproducibility of the sonographic morphometry were assessed using two examiners. Sonographic morphometry was compared with established measurements of muscle using computed tomography and hand grip strength, respectively. In 156 patients, sonographic indices were compared with corresponding CT indices. Of the 723 patients included, sonographic indices were compared with hand strength in 429 patients. Interobserver and intraobserver variability showed better results for the femur indices than for the psoas indices (correlation coefficient: 0.8697/0.9118 vs 0.7502/0.7319). Psoas muscle indices correlated best with the reference standard of the SMI. The optimal cut-off for each muscle index for determining muscle loss according to the SMI and hand grip strength was calculated. Sonography can simplify muscle measurement and should be used in the future. Sonographic muscle indices have the potential to simplify evaluation, especially in risk groups such as patients with liver cirrhosis or other wasting disorders.

Comparative efficacy of muscle energy technique and Bowen technique on hamstrings muscle tightness in chronic low back pain patients.

To compare the effects of the Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and the Bowen Technique on hamstring muscle tightness in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients. A randomized clinical trial (RCT) designed study in which 62 participants were recruited through the purposive sampling technique were divided into two groups by the lottery method. Subjects who had pain for more than six months in the back and hamstring tightness were included. The duration of the study was four months from February to May 2023 conducted at Madinah Teaching Hospital Faisalabad. Subjects in Group-A were given the Bowen technique, whereas subjects in Group-B were given the MET. Numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and active knee extension (AKE) tests were used for measurements of outcomes. Intra-group comparison by using Friedman test revealed that both Group-A & B subject's pain were reduced (P<0.000), their tightness in back thigh muscles were significantly reduced (P<0.000) and functional activities of subjects were also improved (P<0.000). Mann Whitney test was used to determine the between group comparison. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered as significant. Inter Group-Analysis revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between effects of Bowen technique & MET on pain, hamstring tightness and disability as both techniques improved pain, flexibility & disability. This study revealed that both groups treated by MET and Bowen Technique had significantly reduced pain, improved flexibility of back thigh muscle and reduced functional disability.

Changes in inflammatory edema and fat fraction of thigh muscles following a half-marathon in recreational marathon runners.

It is known that microtrauma exists in the thigh muscles after long-distance running such as the half-marathon. Moreover, training characteristics of long-distance runners may influence the specificity of the distribution of muscle fiber types in the thigh and affect muscle responses to lipid metabolism. However, the specific changes in microtrauma and intramuscular lipid in thigh muscles after a half-marathon are unknown. A cohort of 20 healthy recreational marathon runners was recruited to complete a half-marathon. MRI T2 mapping and 6-echo q-Dixon sequences were employed at baseline (P1), 2-3h after running (P2), and 1day after running (P3). Inflammatory markers (the T2 values) and intramuscular fat fraction (the proton density fat fraction, PDFF) were measured in thigh muscles to detect microtrauma and intramuscular lipid changes, respectively. One-way analysis of variance showed significant time effects for T2 values and PDFF. Post hoc analysis of the 14 datasets collected at three time points revealed significantly higher T2 values in all thigh muscles after running (all p<0.05). Significant differences in T2 values persisted for all thigh muscles at P3 compared to P1 (all p<0.05). The PDFF of the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis was significantly decreased at P2 compared to P1 (p<0.05). No significant differences in PDFF were observed for the thigh muscles at P3 compared to P1. The manifestations of inflammation edema and intramuscular lipid investigated through MRI may offer valuable insights for recreational marathon runners regarding the lower limb movement characteristics during half-marathon running.

Effects of high-dose selenium-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth performance, antioxidant status, tissue fat content and selenium concentration, and selenoenzyme mRNA expression in chicks

Selenium-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SSC) as organic selenium (Se) has been shown to have better advantages and is approved for use in animal feed rather than inorganic Se, however, there is little available data on the toxic effects of SSC on poultry. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of high-dose SSC on growth performance, antioxidant status, tissue fat content and Se concentration, and selenoenzyme mRNA expression in chicks. A total of 500, 1-day-old SPF chicks were randomly divided into 5 groups with 10 replicates of 10 chicks each. Group 1 served as a control and was fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.15 mg/kg Se from sodium selenite (SS), group 2 was fed the basic diet supplemented with 1.5 mg/kg Se from SS, while groups 3, 4, and 5 were fed the basal diet supplemented with 1.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg Se from SSC, respectively. The results showed that SS and SSC supplementation significantly affected the average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed/gain ratio (FCR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, tissue fat content and Se concentration, and GPx1 and GPx4 mRNA levels compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with group 2, group 3 exhibited higher GPx and SOD activities, tissue Se concentration, and lower MDA content on d 30, and higher Se concentration, GPx1 mRNA levels in liver and breast muscle and GPx4 mRNA levels in liver and thigh muscle, and lower MDA content on d 60 (P < 0.05). The results of correlation analysis showed that high-dose SSC supplementation was positively correlated with AFDI, FCR, MDA content, and tissue Se concentration, and negatively correlated with GPx and SOD activities, T-AOC, GPx1 and GPx4 mRNA levels in tissues. In conclusion, up to 1.5 mg/kg Se from SSC in diet may be a safe concentration for chicks that exhibited better biological effects than SS, the toxic effects of high-dose SSC supplementation mainly exhibited growth decrease, peroxidation and lipid metabolism disturbance, and became stronger with the increase of dietary Se levels.

Effect of repeated sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation on subjective and objective measures of recovery and performance in soccer players following a soccer match simulation

We investigated the effect of repeated sessions of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) on subjective and objective measures of recovery, cognitive and sport-specific performance in professional soccer players following a soccer match simulation (SMS). Sixteen soccer players participated in this randomized, crossover, and sham-controlled study. They completed baseline assessments of well-being, total quality recovery (TQR), electromyographic activity (EMG) of the thigh muscles, countermovement jump (CMJ), and cognitive and Loughborough soccer passing test (LSPT) skills. Then, the participants engaged in an SMS routine (2 × 45 min, 15-min intervals). There was no significant difference in rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during the SMS in the anodal (17.25 ± 0.85) and sham (16.93 ± 0.92) conditions (p = 0.19). Following the SMS, the participants were randomized to receive three sessions of a-tDCS (2 mA, 20 min, +F3/−F4) targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or sham immediately after, 24 h, and 48 h after the SMS. Finally, the same outcome measures were evaluated 24 and 48 h following the SMS. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA showed that a-tDCS stimulation improved passing skills (decreased time to perform the LSPT and number of errors; all ps < 0.01; d = 0.56–2.9) and increased the feeling of well-being (p = 0.02; d = 2.8), with no effect on TQR, cognitive performance, CMJ performance, and EMG. Therefore, the results of the present study indicate, for the first time, that repeated a-tDCS could be used as an adjunct method to accelerate soccer players' well-being and technical performance recovery, particularly after congested matches and/or training sessions. These findings may also be applicable to other team sports with characteristics similar to soccer (e.g., futsal, handball, basketball, etc.).

Quantitative muscle MRI in sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM): A prospective cohort study.

Sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) is the predominant idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) in older people. Limitations of classical clinical assessments have been discussed as possible explanations for failed clinical trials, underlining the need for more sensitive outcome measures. Quantitative muscle MRI (qMRI) is a promising candidate for evaluating and monitoring sIBM. Longitudinal assessment of qMRI in sIBM patients. We evaluated fifteen lower extremity muscles of 12 sIBM patients (5 females, mean age 69.6, BMI 27.8) and 12 healthy age- and gender-matched controls. Seven patients and matched controls underwent a follow-up evaluation after one year. Clinical assessment included testing for muscle strength with Quick Motor Function Measure (QMFM), IBM functional rating scale (IBM-FRS), and gait analysis (6-minute walking distance). 3T-MRI scans of the lower extremities were performed, including a Dixon-based sequence, T2 mapping and Diffusion Tensor Imaging. The qMRI-values fat-fraction (FF), water T2 relaxation time (wT2), fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (λ1), and radial diffusivity (RD) were analysed. Compared to healthy controls, significant differences for all qMRI parameters averaged over all muscles were found in sIBM using a MANOVA (p < 0.001). In low-fat muscles (FF < 10%), a significant increase of wT2 and FA with an accompanying decrease of MD, λ1, and RD was observed (p≤0.020). The highest correlation with clinical assessments was found for wT2 values in thigh muscles (r≤-0.634). Significant changes of FF (+3.0%), wT2 (+0.6 ms), MD (-0.04 10-3mm2/s), λ1 (-0.05 10-3mm2/s), and RD (-0.03 10-3mm2/s) were observed in the longitudinal evaluation of sIBM patients (p≤0.001). FA showed no significant change (p = 0.242). qMRI metrics correlate with clinical findings and can reflect different ongoing pathophysiological mechanisms. While wT2 is an emerging marker of disease activity, the role of diffusion metrics, possibly reflecting changes in fibre size and intracellular deposits, remains subject to further investigations.

Deep network and multi-atlas segmentation fusion for delineation of thigh muscle groups in three-dimensional water-fat separated MRI.

Segmentation is essential for tissue quantification and characterization in studies of aging and age-related and metabolic diseases and the development of imaging biomarkers. We propose a multi-method and multi-atlas methodology for automated segmentation of functional muscle groups in three-dimensional (3D) thigh magnetic resonance images. These groups lie anatomically adjacent to each other, rendering their manual delineation a challenging and time-consuming task. We introduce a framework for automated segmentation of the four main functional muscle groups of the thigh, gracilis, hamstring, quadriceps femoris, and sartorius, using chemical shift encoded water-fat magnetic resonance imaging (CSE-MRI). We propose fusing anatomical mappings from multiple deformable models with 3D deep learning model-based segmentation. This approach leverages the generalizability of multi-atlas segmentation (MAS) and accuracy of deep networks, hence enabling accurate assessment of volume and fat content of muscle groups. For segmentation performance evaluation, we calculated the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and Hausdorff distance 95th percentile (HD-95). We evaluated the proposed framework, its variants, and baseline methods on 15 healthy subjects by threefold cross-validation and tested on four patients. Fusion of multiple atlases, deformable registration models, and deep learning segmentation produced the top performance with an average DSC of 0.859 and HD-95 of 8.34 over all muscles. Fusion of multiple anatomical mappings from multiple MAS techniques enriches the template set and improves the segmentation accuracy. Additional fusion with deep network decisions applied to the subject space offers complementary information. The proposed approach can produce accurate segmentation of individual muscle groups in 3D thigh MRI scans.

Influence of Histology and Histomorphometry of Thigh Muscles on Thermal Stress-Related Physiological and Plasma Hormonal Responses in Three Broiler Strains

Influence of Histology and Histomorphometry of Thigh Muscles on Thermal Stress-Related Physiological and Plasma Hormonal Responses in Three Broiler Strains

Potential and Metabolic Impacts of Double Enrichments of Docosahexaenoic Acid and 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D3 in Tissues of Broiler Chickens

BackgroundChicken may be enriched with 25-hydroxy D3 [25(OH)D3] and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to enhance the dietary intake of the public. ObjectivesTwo experiments (Expt.) were conducted to determine the potential and metabolic impacts of enriching both DHA and 25(OH)D3 in the tissues of broiler chickens. MethodsIn Expt. 1, 144 chicks (6 cages/treatment and 6 birds/cage) were fed a corn–soybean meal basal diet (BD), BD + 10,000 IU 25(OH)D3/kg [BD + 25(OH)D3], BD + 1% DHA-rich Aurantiochytrium (1.2 g DHA/kg; BD + DHA), or BD + 25(OH)D3+DHA for 6 wk. In Expt. 2, 180 chicks were fed the BD, BD + DHA-rich microalgal oil (1.5–3.0 g DHA/kg, BD + DHA), BD + DHA + eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-rich microalgae (0.3–0.6 g EPA/kg, BD + DHA + EPA), BD + DHA + 25(OH)D3 [6000 to 12,000 IU/kg diet; BD + DHA + 25(OH)D3], and BD + DHA + EPA + 25(OH)D3 for 6 wk. ResultsSupranutrition of these 2 nutrients resulted in 57–62 mg DHA and 1.9–3.3 μg of 25(OH)D3/100 g of breast or thigh muscles. The DHA enrichment was independent of dietary EPA or 25(OH)D3, but that of 25(OH)D3 in the liver was decreased (68%, P < 0.05) by dietary DHA in Expt. 1. Compared with BD, BD + 25(OH)D3 enhanced (P < 0.05) gene expression related to D3 absorption (scavenger receptor class B type 1 and Niemann-pick c1 like 1) in the liver and D3 degradation (cytochrome P450 24A1) in the breast, and decreased mRNA or protein concentrations of vitamin D binding protein in the adipose tissue or thigh muscle. Supranutrition of DHA decreased mRNA concentrations of lipid metabolism-related genes (fatty acid desaturase 1,2, ELOVL fatty acid elongase 5, fatty acid desaturase 2, fatty acid synthase, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1). ConclusionsBoth DHA and 25(OH)D3 were enriched in the muscles up to meeting 50%–100% of the suggested intakes of these nutrients by consuming 2 servings of 100 g of fortified chicken. The enrichments altered gene expression related to lipid biosynthesis and vitamin D transport or storage.

Quantifying canine tissue stiffness change patterns using shear-wave elastography: implications for time of death estimation

ABSTRACT This study investigates the applicability and reproducibility of shear-wave elastography (SWE) in detecting changes in tissue stiffness of canine carcasses. SWE was performed on six canines by two operators. The target organs were liver, spleen, kidney, and thigh muscles. SWE was performed ante-mortem and up to 48-hours post-mortem at specific intervals. The Mann-Whitney U-test and Spearman correlation coefficient showed insignificant correlation between gender and weight with shear-wave velocity (SWV) in ante-mortem scans. The Kruskal-Wallis H-test showed significant differences in SWV for all organs. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) showed excellent correlation for all target organs except for kidneys. Pairwise comparison showed a similar SWV trend for abdominal organs. Accuracy metrics were calculated for determining the post-mortem interval using SWV values. The liver had the highest accuracy (0.69–0.83) across different post-mortem interval thresholds within the cut-off values of ≥2.0 m/s, 1.8–2.0 m/s, <1.8 m/s indicating ≤6 hours post-mortem, 12–18 hours post-mortem and >18 hours post-mortem. The spleen, kidney and thigh muscle demonstrated moderate-to-poor accuracy within the same cut-off parameters. Post-mortem SWV changes in canine solid organs, and soft tissues, particularly the liver, demonstrate a reproducible pattern, which may have value in determining the post-mortem interval.

Hyaluronic Acid-Modified Micelles of Azithromycin and Quercetin Against Infections Caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus.

Resistance of intracellular pathogens is a challenge in microbial therapy. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is able to persist inside the cells of infected tissues, is protected from attack by the immune system and many antimicrobial agents. To overcome these limitations, nano-delivery systems can be used for targeted therapy of intracellular MRSA. Hyaluronic acid-modified azithromycin/quercetin micelles (HA-AZI/Qe-M) were synthesized by thin film hydration. The micelles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the drug loading (DL) and encapsulation efficiency (EE) were detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The uptake ability of RAW264.7 cells was investigated, and its distribution in mice was evaluated by in vivo imaging. The inhibitory effect of the micelles against MRSA in vitro and its ability to eliminate intracellular bacteria were evaluated. Bacterial muscle-infected mice were constructed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the micelles on bacterial infections in vivo and the biocompatibility of the micelles was investigated. HA-AZI/Qe-M had suitable physical and chemical properties and characterization. In vitro antibacterial experiments showed that HA-AZI/Qe-M could effectively inhibit the growth of MRSA, inhibit and eliminate the biofilm formed by MRSA, and have an excellent therapeutic effect on intracellular bacterial infection. The results of RAW264.7 cells uptake and in vivo imaging showed that HA-AZI/Qe-M could increase the cellular uptake, target the infection site, and prolong the treatment time. The results of in vivo antibacterial infection experiments showed that HA-AZI/Qe-M was able to ameliorate the extent of thigh muscle infections in mice and reduce the expression of inflammatory factors. HA-AZI/Qe-M is a novel and effective nano-drug delivery system that can target intracellular bacterial infection, and it is expected to be safely used for the treatment of MRSA infection.

Localizing motor entry points of adductor muscles of thigh for motor point procedures in the treatment of adductor spasticity.

Spasticity which is focal or segmental such as affecting a single muscle group or limb can be treated by chemical neurolysis or surgical denervation at the neurovascular hilus. This study determines the motor entry points (MEPs) of adductor muscles of the thigh in the adult Indian population and identifies precise anatomical landmarks for the successful performance motor point procedures for the relief of muscle spasticity. A total of 10 adult lower limbs were dissected, and nerve branches to adductor muscles were carefully exposed up to their MEP. The morphometry of adductor muscles, precise locations of proximal and distal MEPs, and ideal sites for motor point procedures were identified. The median number of MEPs in adductor longus was two. Most of them were located between 40% and 50% of the muscle length i.e., in the third-fifth of the total muscle length. Adductor magnus and gracilis had a median number of one and six MEPs respectively. The ideal site of motor point procedures is in the second-fifth of the muscle length for both. This preliminary study describes the location of MEPs and ideal sites of motor point procedures in the adductor muscle of the thigh. However, further cadaveric and electromyographic studies with larger samples are necessary to investigate precise locations of MEPs aiding in the treatment of spasticity.