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@#Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and in New Zealand. However, a significant inequality in the burden of CVD amongst different ethnic groups exists with a 2 - 3-times higher CVD mortality rate in Pasifika compared to Pākehā. It is unknown whether a difference in cardiac fibrosis might underly this ethnic inequality in CVD mortality. To address this, we determined cardiac fibrosis, myocardial fat infiltration, and the expression of some key miRNAs (miR-15a, miR-15b, miR- 34a and miR-153) in right atrial appendages of Pacific Islanders and New Zealand European patients (n=21) undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Cardiac fibrosis was measured by total collagen deposition identified by Picro Sirius Red staining, whereas fat accumulation was determined via Oil-Red-O staining. No differences in cardiac fibrosis were observed between ethnic groups (Collagen: Pasifika 23.4±12.5% vs. New Zealand European 29.4±13.2%, one-way ANOVA, p=0.17). Similarly, no differences were observed in accumulation of lipid nor the expression of the miRNAs examined (-15a, - 15b, -34a and -153) between different groups. In conclusion, the earlier requirements for surgical intervention for CVD of Pasifika in Aotearoa might not be explained by differences in miRNAs associated with cardiomyocyte loss, fibrosis or myocardial lipid infiltration. New and Noteworthy Despite the established significant inequality in the burden of CVD amongst the Pasifika compared to the Pākehā (New Zealand European) populations in Aotearoa, we found no difference inhistopathological (cardiac fibrosis, lipid infiltration, or associated pro- or anti-f
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Objectives To investigate the relationship between the degeneration of lumbar multifidus mus-cles and facet joint osteoarthritis(FJOA)by MRI. Methods This retrospective study included 248 patients with low back and leg pain,aged from 55 to 70.MRI was used to measure TCSA,FCSA,fCSA and FI% of the L4~5and L5~S1segments on the both sides of their multifidus muscle in the cross section in T2weighted image.All the cases were divided into three grades:grade 0~1,grade 2 and grade 3 according to their FJOA grades. The relationship between the FJOA grades at the same level and TCSA,FCSA and FI% of both sides was analyzed retrospectively. Results There were significant differences of the FI% of the multifidus muscle between both sides of the two seg-ments(P < 0.05);The TCSA,FCSA and fCSA of the left and right multifidus muscle all showed an increasing trend from L4~5to L5~S1segment and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05);the FI% of two sides of multifidus muscle was negatively correlated with the right FJOA grade at L5~S1segment(P<0.05).There was a re-lationship between females and right FJOA grade at L5~S1segment(all P < 0.05). Whereas,no significant differ-ence was found in other parameters(all P>0.05).Conclusions There is no relationship between the cross-sec-tional area of the multifidus muscle and the FJOA grade. The higher FI% degree of multifidus muscle in the L5~S1 segment is accompanied with a lower grade of FJOA.The degeneration of multifidus muscle occurs earlier than the degeneration of articular process joints,so the earlier exercise of lumbar muscle is recommended.
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Objective To study the distribution characteristics of myocardial fat infiltration and to analyze the function of the left ventricle (LV).Methods The images of patients who performed coronary CT angiography (CTA)in Siemens DSCT were reviewed retrospectively.The imaging characteristics and location of myocardial fat infiltration were recorded and the LV function was analyzed by Siemens Syngo.via software.Results Totally 4 477 patients were enrolled in this study.Among them,myocardial fat infiltration of the LV was found in 94 (accounting for 2.1%)patients.The fat infiltration was mainly located underlying the endocardium,including the inferior,anterior,lateral and posterior walls of the LV,as well as the inferior part of the interventricular septum.The enhancement image showed low intensity in the myocardium with fat infiltration.Conclusion The characteristics of myocardial fat infiltration can be well displayed by DSCT,as well as the LV function.DSCT can provide both morphological and functional information of the heart via one scan.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the risk factors of surgical site infection (SSI) following posterior lumbar intervertebral fusion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This retrospective case-control study was conducted in 2904 patients undergoing posterior lumbar intervertebral fusion from 2011 to 2016. Forty-three patients with SSI within 30 days after the operation served as the case group, and 334 randomly selected patients without infection served as the control group. Age, gender, diabetes, body mass index (BMI), albumin level, multilevel procedures, subcutaneous fat thickness, surgery duration and the percentage of lumbar multifidus muscle fat infiltration were analyzed, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors of SSI.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Multivariate logical regression analysis identified a female gender, subcutaneous fat thickness, multilevel surgery, and lumbar multifidus muscle fat infiltration as significant risk factors for SSI ( < 0.05). BMI was not correlated with fat infiltration in the lumbar multifidus muscle ( > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>A female gender, multilevel surgery, subcutaneous fat thickness and fat infiltration in the multifidus muscle are related to SSI following posterior lumbar intervertebral fusion. Fat infiltration in the multifidus muscle was a spine-specific risk factor for SSI independent of BMI.</p>
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Objective To explore the correlation between the posterior vertebral muscle group aging degeneration and body mass index (BMI) in normal middle-aged and elderly women.Methods One hundred and fifteen women(48-75 years old) were divided into the middle-aged group (＜60 years old) and elderly group (≥60 years old).The muscle area of posterior vertebral muscle group and fat area at lumbar levels L3 were measured by quantitative computed tomography (QCT).The muscle fat infiltration (MFI),e.g.fat area/(muscle area + fat area),was calculated.The differences between the two groups were compared by using independent-samples t test.The correlation and linear regression analysis were used for analyzing the correlations between the muscle area,fat area and MFI with age and BMI.Results The BMI had no statistical difference between the two groups (P＞0.05),while the muscle area of posterior vertebral muscle group,fat area and MFI had statistical difference (t=2.182,-1.997,-2.604,P=0.031,0.048,0.010);the correlation and linear regression analysis showed that controlling the body height,body mass factor and age were positively correlated with the fat area of posterior vertebral muscle group and MFI(r=0.275,0.320,t=2.915,3.445,P=0.004,0.001),while had no obvious correlation with the muscle area(r=-1.109,P =0.270);controlling age factor and BMI were positively correlated with the fat area of posterior vertebral muscle group and MFI(r=0.361,0.307,t=3.945,3.277,P≤0.001),while had no obvious correlation with the muscle area(t=1.653,P=0.101).Conclusion In middle-aged and elderly women,the fat content of posterior vertebral muscle group is increased with the age increase.In evaluating the degeneration,especially greater body mass,the fat content of muscles and their proportion have more significance than the muscle area.
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Objective To explore the age related decline in spine muscle volume and fat content in healthy elderly males . Methods Totally 88 males aged 50-79 years were selected from the patients who underwent quantitative CT (QCT) exam of lum‐bar spine .They were subgrouped by 50- <60 years ,60- <70 years and 70-79 years .The muscle fat area ,skeletal muscular area , muscle fat infiltration (MFI) ,abdominal visceral fat volume and subcutaneous fat volume ,abdominal total fat volume were measured by the QCT software .Statistical analysis was performed using intraclass correlation coefficient ,ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni correction ,Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis .Results Compared to other two groups ,subjects in 70-79 years subgroup had highest muscle fat area/MFI and least skeletal muscular mass(P<0 .05) .Age‐dependent correlation was found in muscle fat mass(r=0 .381 ,P<0 .05) and MFI(r=0 .358 ,P=0 .001) ,but no obvious correlation was found between age and skeletal muscular mass .Age was the only factor entered into the all three paravertebral muscle composition regression equations , meaning age may had an important influence on paravertebral muscle degeneration .Conclusion Lumbar paravertebral muscle de‐generation in elderly men is correlated with the aging and MFI ,which may play a important role in the normative age‐related decline of skeletal muscle .
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STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of fat infiltration at low back extensor muscles on osteoporotic vertebral fracture. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: In persons with stronger back muscles, the risk of osteoporotic vertebral fractures will likely be lower than in those persons with weaker back muscles. However, the degree of influence of fat infiltration of the back extensor muscle on osteoporotic vertebral fracture remains controversial. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-seven patients who had undergone lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging and bone mineral density (BMD) were enrolled in this study. The amount of low back extensor muscle was determined using the pseudocoloring technique on an axial view of the L3 level. The patients were divided into two groups: osteoporotic vertebral fracture group (group A) and non-fracture group (group B). The amount of low back extensor muscle is compared with BMD, degenerative change of disc, osteophyte grade of facet joint and promontory angle to reveal the association between these factors. RESULTS: A negative correlation is found between age and the amount of low back extensor muscle (p=0.001). The amount of low back extensor muscle in group A and group B was 60.3%+/-14.5% and 64.2%+/-9.3% respectively, thus showing a significantly smaller amount of low back extensor muscle in the osteoporotic vertebral fracture group (p=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Fat infiltration of low back extensor muscle was increased in osteoporotic vertebral fracture patients. Therefore, fat infiltration of low back extensor muscle in an elderly person may be a risk factor of osteoporotic vertebral fracture.