Sarcopenia is closely associated with an increased risk of various chronic diseases, falls, fractures, and mortality, posing a significant threat to the health of older adults.While abdominal CT is regarded as the gold standard for measuring muscle mass, chest CT, as an 'opportunistic examination, ' offers distinct advantages due to its convenience.Chest CT not only effectively evaluates muscle quantity but also provides insights into muscle morphology, structure, and fat infiltration, thereby supporting a comprehensive assessment of muscle quality.This review focuses on the methods for assessing skeletal muscle using chest CT, the correlation between muscle mass and quality evaluated by chest CT and clinical outcomes, as well as its value in screening, monitoring disease progression, and predicting prognosis for sarcopenia.

Sarcopenia is closely associated with an increased risk of various chronic diseases, falls, fractures, and mortality, posing a significant threat to the health of older adults.While abdominal CT is regarded as the gold standard for measuring muscle mass, chest CT, as an 'opportunistic examination, ' offers distinct advantages due to its convenience.Chest CT not only effectively evaluates muscle quantity but also provides insights into muscle morphology, structure, and fat infiltration, thereby supporting a comprehensive assessment of muscle quality.This review focuses on the methods for assessing skeletal muscle using chest CT, the correlation between muscle mass and quality evaluated by chest CT and clinical outcomes, as well as its value in screening, monitoring disease progression, and predicting prognosis for sarcopenia.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) represents a complex pathophysiological process involving the interaction of multiple cell types. Conventional sequencing methods can only detect the average gene expression level of the damaged local cell populations, which is difficult to reflect its heterogeneity. Therefore, new technologies are needed to reveal the intercellular heterogeneity and the complex intercellular interactions of the damaged lesions. The single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technique facilitates high-resolution profiling of gene expression at the single-cell level, providing insights into cellular heterogeneity and function, potential molecular pathways, cell fate transitions, and the intercellular interactions pertinent to disease progression. This technology generates valuable gene expression data that support both basic and translational research efforts aiming at the identification of therapeutic targets for intervention. The scRNA-seq technique and its multifaceted application in the local immune microenvironment of injury after SCI were discussed, which will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiological processes in the immune microenvironment of SCI.
Spinal Cord Injuries/genetics* ; Humans ; Single-Cell Analysis/methods* ; Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods* ; Animals ; Gene Expression Profiling/methods* ; Cellular Microenvironment/genetics*

Objective To observe the expression characteristics of green fluorescent protein(GFP)-positive myeloid cells(mainly monocytes,macrophages,and neutrophils)and their pattern of response to diphtheria toxin(DT)in Lyz2 internal ribosome entry site(IRES)DT receptor/enhanced GFP(DTREGFP)mice.Methods Transgenic Lyz2 IRES DTREGFP mice(6～8 weeks old)and C57BL/6J mice with the same genetic background were selected randomly and injected intraperitoneally with DT(25 ng/g)for 3 consecutive days.Bone marrow,peripheral blood,and spleen cells were separated and made into single-cell suspensions with GFP and CD11b as markers.Changes in the proportion of GFP+cells to total myeloid cells(CD11b+)was detected in these tissues at different time points before and after drug administration,using flow cytometry.Results Peripheral blood CD11b+GFP+cells accounted for(24.62±5.655)％of CD11b+cells before DT injection,and this proportion gradually decreased after injection and reached a minimum of(7.982±2.729)％on the third day.The proportions in spleen and bone marrow were(13.73±2.994)％and(65.23±4.261)％before DT injection,respectively,decreased most significantly on the first day after injection to(3.468±0.5862)％and(50.98±7.957)％,respectively,and then gradually recovered.Conclusions DT effectively reduced the proportions of monocytes,macrophages,and neutrophils in Lyz2 IRES DTREGFP mice,but the pattern of change varied among tissues.

Objective To observe the expression characteristics of green fluorescent protein(GFP)-positive myeloid cells(mainly monocytes,macrophages,and neutrophils)and their pattern of response to diphtheria toxin(DT)in Lyz2 internal ribosome entry site(IRES)DT receptor/enhanced GFP(DTREGFP)mice.Methods Transgenic Lyz2 IRES DTREGFP mice(6～8 weeks old)and C57BL/6J mice with the same genetic background were selected randomly and injected intraperitoneally with DT(25 ng/g)for 3 consecutive days.Bone marrow,peripheral blood,and spleen cells were separated and made into single-cell suspensions with GFP and CD11b as markers.Changes in the proportion of GFP+cells to total myeloid cells(CD11b+)was detected in these tissues at different time points before and after drug administration,using flow cytometry.Results Peripheral blood CD11b+GFP+cells accounted for(24.62±5.655)％of CD11b+cells before DT injection,and this proportion gradually decreased after injection and reached a minimum of(7.982±2.729)％on the third day.The proportions in spleen and bone marrow were(13.73±2.994)％and(65.23±4.261)％before DT injection,respectively,decreased most significantly on the first day after injection to(3.468±0.5862)％and(50.98±7.957)％,respectively,and then gradually recovered.Conclusions DT effectively reduced the proportions of monocytes,macrophages,and neutrophils in Lyz2 IRES DTREGFP mice,but the pattern of change varied among tissues.

Primary age-related tauopathy (PART) is characterized by tau neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the absence of amyloid plaque pathology. In the present study, we analyzed the distribution patterns of phosphorylated 43-kDa TAR DNA-binding protein (pTDP-43) in the brains of patients with PART. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence double-labeling in multiple brain regions was performed on brain tissues from PART, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and aging control cases. We examined the regional distribution patterns of pTDP-43 intraneuronal inclusions in PART with Braak NFT stages > 0 and ≤ IV, and a Thal phase of 0 (no beta-amyloid present). We found four stages which indicated potentially sequential dissemination of pTDP-43 in PART. Stage I was characterized by the presence of pTDP-43 lesions in the amygdala, stage II by such lesions in the hippocampus, stage III by spread of pTDP-43 to the neocortex, and stage IV by pTDP-43 lesions in the putamen, pallidum, and insular cortex. In general, the distribution pattern of pTDP-43 pathology in PART cases was similar to the early TDP-43 stages reported in AD, but tended to be more restricted to the limbic system. However, there were some differences in the distribution patterns of pTDP-43 between PART and AD, especially in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Positive correlations were found in PART between the Braak NFT stage and the pTDP-43 stage and density.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inclusion Bodies ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurofibrillary Tangles ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neurons ; metabolism ; pathology ; Severity of Illness Index ; Tauopathies ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical value of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for differentiation of malignant from benign focal thyroid incidentaloma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 99 patients with focal thyroid incidentaloma of 5216 non-thyroid cancer patients that had undergone PET/CT. PET/CT semi-quantitative parameters, volume-based functional parameters, metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) of thyroid incidentaloma were assessed. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted and areas under the curve (AUC) were compared by Hanley and McNeil test to evaluate usefulness of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), MTV and TLG, as markers for differentiating malignant from benign thyroid incidentalomas. RESULTS: Of 99 thyroid incidentalomas, 64 (64.6%) were malignant and 35 (35.4%) were benign. Malignant thyroid incidentalomas were larger (1.8 cm vs. 1.3 cm, p = 0.006), and had higher SUVmax (11.3 vs. 4.8, p < 0.001), MTV (all p < 0.001) and TLG (all p < 0.001) than benign. TLG 4.0 had the highest performance for differentiation of malignant from benign thyroid incidentaloma in all semi-quantitative parameters with AUC 0.895 by ROC curve analysis. AUC (TLG 4.0) was significantly larger than AUC (SUVmean), AUC (MTV 2.5), AUC (MTV 3.0), AUC (MTV 3.5), AUC (TLG 2.5), and AUC (TLG 3.0), respectively (all, p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between AUC (TLG 4.0) and AUC (SUVmax) (p > 0.05). A threshold TLG 4.0 of 2.475 had 81.3% sensitivity and 94.3% specificity for identifying malignant thyroid incidentalomas. CONCLUSION: Volume-based PET/CT parameters could potentially have clinical value in differential diagnosis of thyroid incidentaloma along with SUVmax.
Area Under Curve ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Electrons ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18* ; Glycolysis ; Humans ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography* ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Tumor Burden

Adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction is a special type of tumor,not only in the special location,but also in the biological characteristics and clinical manifestations are unique.Surgery is the main treatment,but surgery alone sometimes result in poor prognosis,as a new direction of cancer treatment,Molecular targeting therapy is playing an increasingly important role.Some molecular targets such as vascular endothelial growth factor,hepatocyte growth factor receptor,epidermal growth factor receptor,fibroblast growth factor receptor 2,human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 in the treatment of esophageal gastric adenocarcinoma show a broad prospect.This review summarizes the current status and progress of molecular targeted therapy of adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction.

Objective To study effects of oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 in carapax trionycis on rats with liver fibrosis induced by CCl4;To discuss its anti-liver fibrosis effects and possible mechanisms. Methods Forty-eight SD male rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, bifendate group, and oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 group, 12 in each group.CCl4 was injected intraperitoneally to build rat liver fibrosis model.Oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 group and bifendate group were given subcutaneous injection of oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 (0.12μg/g) or bifendate (0.12μg/g). At the same time, normal control group and model group were giventhe same volume of saline for seven weeks. The levels ofALT, AST,MDA, SOD, IL-4, IL-10 and TNF-α were tested.The histomorphology changes were observed under optical microscopeby HE, and the expressions of transforming growth TGF-β1 were determined by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with model group, serum levels of ALT and AST were reduced evidently in oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 group. Hepatic content of MDA, IL-4 and TNF-α decreased, while SOD activity and IL-10 were found significantly increased. Liver fibrosis was ameliorated significantly. Hepatic expressions of TGF-β1 were weakly positive.Conclusion Oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 can ameliorate hepatocyte damage of model rats, thus it has anti-oxidative and anti-liver fibrosis effects on liver fibrosis in rats.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical effect of Zweymüller bicon-threaded cup in total hip arthroplasty for treating hip rheumatoid arthritis.METHODS:A retrospective analysis was performed on 24 cases (39 hips) of rheumatoid arthritis selected at the Department of Joint surgery of the Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Shandong University,including 8 males (14 hips) and 16 females (25 hips),aged from 32 to 64 years (average 49.2 years old),course of disease being from 4 to 15 years (average 8.5 years).All the cases the state of wound healing and perioperativ complications were examined,and the position of acetabulum prosthesis was observed by X-ray film.RESULTS:All patients were followed up,and the follow-up time ranged from 14 to 62 months (average 37.5 months).They were all obtained first-stage wound healing,and two cases of gastrocnemius vein thrombus were found among them,occurred by non-operation.All patients were free from pain with stable fixation and mobility increasing.The process of osseo integration being well,the radiolucent line and radiographic loosening of acetabulum prosthesis and sedimentation of stem were not found on antero-posterior pelvis-radiograph and lateral radiograph of ipsilateral hip.The Harris hip score increased from preoperative 33.5 points (17-46 points) to postoperative 86.5 points (79-96 points) at 3 months.There were no complication appeared such as dislocation,fracture and nerve injury.rheumatoid arthritis.