Background: Catecholamines play a crucial role in muscle biogenesis, but their persistent elevation is linked to muscle wasting, which is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the association between catecholamine levels and age-related muscle loss. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the plasma levels of two catecholamines, metanephrine and normetanephrine, and the clinical characteristics of 830 patients with adrenal incidentaloma on computed tomography (CT). Cross-sectional CT data at the L3 lumbar vertebrae were used to measure muscle areas. In vitro studies on C2C12 myotubes were conducted to examine β-adrenergic receptor signaling pathways and their role in myogenesis. Results: Men had significantly higher mean metanephrine levels of 0.17 nmol/L and normetanephrine levels of 0.63 nmol/L than women (P<0.05). Total abdominal muscle area was negatively correlated with catecholamine levels in both men and women, with the strongest negative correlation between normetanephrine levels and total abdominal muscle area in men (r=–0.31, P<0.001). Similarly, the strongest negative correlation between visceral fat area and metanephrine was observed in men (r=–0.25, P=0.004). Clenbuterol, a β-adrenergic receptor agonist, inhibited myogenesis, including myotube formation by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) suppression in C2C12 myoblasts. Conversely, β-blockers increased myogenesis via increasing ERK phosphorylation in C2C12 cells. These findings suggest that β-adrenergic modulation influences skeletal muscle differentiation, with ERK phosphorylation. Conclusion Catecholamine levels are associated with age, sex, muscle mass, and fat mass. Monitoring catecholamine levels, particularly in older men and in individuals with reduced muscle mass, may help manage age-related muscle loss and lead to individualized treatment strategies.

PURPOSE: It is difficult to differentiate urothelial tumours of the renal pelvis, invading the renal parenchyma, from renal cell carcinomas, invading the renal pelvis or calyx. The purpose of this study was to assess the differences between the two conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records, and imaging studies, of 17 patients who underwent nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision for urothelial tumours of the renal pelvis, with parenchymal invasion, and of 30 patients who underwent radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinomas, invading into the renal pelvis or calyx. We assessed the differences in clinical symptoms, urine cytology, intravenous urography, and CT findings between the two conditions. Pearson chi-square tests, with continuity corrections, were performed for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Renal cell carcinomas showed gross hematuria in only 10 cases (33%), positive findings of urine cytology in 1 case of 9 cases (11%). CT scans demonstrated contour bulging in 25 cases (83%), preservation of reniform shape in 5 cases (17%), peripheral location of tumour in 25 cases (83%), and abnormal CT nephogram in 1 cases (3%). In contrast, urothelial tumour of the renal pelvis showed gross hematuria in 13 cases (76%), positive findings of urine cytology in 9 cases of 15 cases (60%). CT scans demonstrated contour bulging in 1 cases (6%), preservation of reniform shape in 16 cases (94%), central location of tumour in all cases (100%), and abnormal CT nephogram in 10 cases (59%). There was no significant difference between renal cell carcinomas and urothelial tumours of the renal pelvis in blood chemistry or IVP. There were no cases of renal cell carcinoma concurrently with bladder tumour, while 2 cases (12%) of urothelial tumour of the renal pelvis had bladder tumours at the same time. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of gross hematuria, positive findings in urine cytology, the presence of bladder tumours, and tumour location, renal contour changes and CT nephogram in CT scans may be helpful in distinguishing both disease entities.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Chemistry ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Kidney Pelvis* ; Medical Records ; Nephrectomy ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Urinary Bladder ; Urography

Congenital epulis of the newborn refers to a very rare gingival tumor that occurs along the anterior alveolar ridge in newborn infants. We report a neonate with 3*2*1.5cm mass protruding from the mouth. This was a pinky, red solid pedunculated mass, attached to the maxillar left canine region of the alveolus at birth. The tumor's large size partially obliterated the oral cavity and caused oral feeding difficulty but did not cause respiratory problems. We described the postnatal MR imaging findings, electromicroscopic, histochemical and immunohistochemical studies of this tumor in order to search for the histogenesis of the tumor. In our case, histochemically, individual tumor cells contained numerous PAS positive cytoplasmic granules. Immunohistochemically, strong and diffuse cytoplasmic staining for vimentin and NSE was observed. Staining with S-100 protein, cytokeratin, desmin, CEA, factor VIII-related antigen, lysozyme, EMA were negative. After total excision of the lesion in our case, we had no complication or recurrence either early or late(up to one year).
Alveolar Process ; Cytoplasm ; Cytoplasmic Granules ; Desmin ; Gingival Neoplasms* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Keratins ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mouth ; Muramidase ; Parturition ; Recurrence ; S100 Proteins ; Vimentin ; von Willebrand Factor

Catel Manzke syndrome is characterized by hyperphalangy of the index fingers associated with Robin malformation sequence. The etiology of Catel Manzke syndrome is still uncertain, with the majority of cases being sporadic. Careful observation to recognize upper airway obstruction secondary to the Robin sequence should be made a part of routine care for newborns with this disorder. Failure to thrive is related to respiratory or cardiac problems. The vast majority of case have normal intelligence. With advancing age, the accessory bone fuses to the proximal phalangeal epiphysis. We report a neonate with the Pierre Robin triad, accessory bone between the second metacarpal and its proximal phalanx of the Rt hand, camptodactyly, coarctation of aorta and hydronephrosis of Lt kidney.
Airway Obstruction ; Aortic Coarctation ; Epiphyses ; Failure to Thrive ; Fingers ; Hand ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Infant, Newborn ; Intelligence ; Kidney ; Pierre Robin Syndrome ; Songbirds

Paragonimiasis is an infection caused by the tematode Paragonimus westermani. Paragonimiasis is endemic in parts of South America, Africa, East and Southest Asia. Human infection occurs by ingestion of raw or incompletely cooked flesh crabs or crayfish infected with metacercaria. Although the lung is the primary site of infection, other organs, notably the brain, may be involved. It rarely affects in abdomen. However, involvement of several intra-abdominal organs has been described. In our knowledge, an ectopic paragonimiasis in prevesical space mimicking urachal cystic mass has not been reported. In this report, we present a case of ectopic paragonimiasis mimicking urachal cystic mass in 66-year-old male.
Abdomen ; Africa ; Aged ; Asia ; Astacoidea ; Brain ; Eating ; Humans ; Lung ; Male ; Paragonimiasis* ; Paragonimus westermani ; South America ; Urachal Cyst*

Retrocaval ureter is a congenital venous anomaly, in which the ureter passes behind and is compassed by inferior vena cava. We experienced a case of multiple urothelial cell carcinoma in retrocaval ureter in 68 years old male. He was treated with transurethral resection of bladder tumor and right nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision.
Aged ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; Humans ; Male ; Retrocaval Ureter* ; Ureter ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Vena Cava, Inferior