Imaging High-Risk Atherothrombosis Using a Novel Fibrin-Binding Positron Emission Tomography Probe

Background and Purpose: High-risk atherosclerosis is an underlying cause of cardiovascular events, yet identifying the specific patient population at immediate risk is still challenging. Here, we used a rabbit model of atherosclerotic plaque rupture and human carotid endarterectomy specimens to describe the potential of molecular fibrin imaging as a tool to identify thrombotic plaques. Methods: Atherosclerotic plaques in rabbits were induced using a high-cholesterol diet and aortic balloon injury (N=13). Pharmacological triggering was used in a group of rabbits (n=9) to induce plaque disruption. Animals were grouped into thrombotic and nonthrombotic plaque groups based on gross pathology (gold standard). All animals were injected with a novel fibrin-specific probe 68 Ga-CM246 followed by positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging 90 minutes later. 68 Ga-CM246 was quantified on the PET images using tissue-to-background (back muscle) ratios and standardized uptake value. Results: Both tissue-to-background (back muscle) ratios and standardized uptake value were significantly higher in the thrombotic versus nonthrombotic group ( P <0.05). Ex vivo PET and autoradiography of the abdominal aorta correlated positively with in vivo PET measurements. Plaque disruption identified by 68 Ga-CM246 PET agreed with gross pathology assessment (85%). In ex vivo surgical specimens obtained from patients undergoing elective carotid endarterectomy (N=12), 68 Ga-CM246 showed significantly higher binding to carotid plaques compared to a D-cysteine nonbinding control probe. Conclusions: We demonstrated that molecular fibrin PET imaging using 68 Ga-CM246 could be a useful tool to diagnose experimental and clinical atherothrombosis. Based on our initial results using human carotid plaque specimens, in vivo molecular imaging studies are warranted to test 68 Ga-CM246 PET as a tool to stratify risk in atherosclerotic patients.

Changing the pattern of the back-muscle flexion–relaxation phenomenon through flexibility training in relatively inflexible young men

Although several studies have investigated the back-muscle flexion–relaxation phenomenon (FRP), the effect of individual flexibility on the FRP has been discussed infrequently, with very limited data on the influence of flexibility training on the FRP. This study thus examined the effect of flexibility training on the change of back-muscle FRP pattern in relatively inflexible young men. We collected and analyzed the valid data from 20 male participants (10 each with high and low flexibility included in the control and trained groups, respectively) when flexing their trunks at seven trunk flexion positions (0°–90°, in increments of 15°); their erector spinae and hamstring activation, pelvic tilt, and lumbosacral angle were then recorded. After 7 weeks of flexibility training for the low-flexibility group, no difference in flexibility was discovered between this group and the control (originally high-flexibility) group. The trunk flexion experiment was then repeated. The results showed that before the training stage, the low-flexibility group had lower erector spinae and higher hamstring activation, a larger pelvic tilt, and a smaller lumbosacral angle. By contrast, after training, the erector spinae and hamstring activation, pelvic tilt, and lumbosacral angle were significantly changed, and no intergroup differences were observed in FRP patterns. The study results suggest that flexibility training changes lumbopelvic movement and thereby reduces the degree of the back-muscle FRP when trunk flexion is performed.

Correlation between Psoas Muscle Index and Degeneration of Spinal Back Muscle in Patients with Back Pain

Sarcopenia is characterized by a decline in systemic muscle mass and physical performance. Disc degeneration also causes back muscle atrophy. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the influence of systemic muscle mass decline on back muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration compared to disc degeneration. We included 127 patients (65.54 ± 14.93 years) with back pain who underwent lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Axial T2-weighted MRI data of the L4–5 and L5-S1 levels were used to measure the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the psoas and spinal muscles. The psoas index (cm2/m2) was used as a surrogate for systemic muscle mass. The Pfirrmann grading system was used to evaluate intervertebral disc degeneration. The functional area of the back muscles was calculated by subtracting the fat infiltration area from the CSA; the functional CSA ratio was calculated by dividing the functional CSA by the CSA. Image-processing software (ImageJ; National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA) was used for analysis. Psoas index and aging significantly affected CSA and the ratio of functional CSA of the back muscles and multifidi. Disc degeneration did not significantly affect the back muscles beyond aging in patients with back pain. Males showed substantially higher CSA of the back muscles and multifidi than females; however, sex did not affect the functional CSA ratio of these muscles. Systemic muscle mass decline showed a more powerful influence on back muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration than disc degeneration. Therefore, proper evaluation of sarcopenia is needed for patients with chronic back pain and back muscle degeneration.

Pengaruh Pelatihan Medicine Ball Sit Up Throw Terhadap Kekuatan Otot Lengan dan Otot Punggung Pada Siswa Putra kelas VII SMP Negeri 4 Bolo

This studi aims to determine the effect of medicine ball sit-up throw training to arm muscle power and back muscle power. The research is quasi-experimentally in which the randomized pretest posttest control group design.Sample were male students SMP Negeri 4 bolo numbered people. The instrument used for research testing arm muscle power is push-up 60 second while the instrument to test the back muscle power is back and leg dynamometer.Furthermore the data analyzed by independent t-test at a significance level of less (α) of 0,05 with SPSS.16.0 Based on the results of independent t-test showed; (1) Variable arm muscle power with significance value 0,000, (2) Variable back muscle power with significance value 0,010. The significant value calculated is less than the value of a 0,05 so the hypothesis research “ Medicine ball sit -up throw effect on arm muscle power and back muscle power” accepted. It can be concluded that the training medicine ball sit-up throw significant effect on the increase in arm muscle power and back power on male students SMP Negeri 4 Bolo I the academic year of 2020/2021. For sports teacher trainers coaches and atheles are advised to use alternate training as medicine ball sit-up throw alternative way to increase arm muscle power and back muscle power.

The Effect of Sitting Posture and Postural Activity on Low Back Muscle Stiffness

While it is generally recognized that prolonged sitting periods at work can harm the locomotor system, little attention has been paid to the impact of sitting behavior on muscle stiffness. This study investigated the effect of sitting posture and postural activity on lower back muscle stiffness in a controlled experiment in which participants sat at a desk for 4.5 h. Lower back muscle stiffness was measured before and after the sitting period. In addition, continuous recording of kinematic data of the lower back using an eight-camera motion analysis system was applied to quantify sitting posture and the level of postural activity. The results show that the prolonged sitting period led to a significant increase in muscle stiffness. Further, all participants spent a substantial amount of time in a slumped sitting posture, and the level of postural activity varied significantly throughout the 4.5 h sitting period. Those results suggest that the increase in lumbar muscle stiffness is presumably related to the often-preferred slump sitting posture and may help to understand how prolonged sitting periods can increase susceptibility to common pathological conditions such as low back pain. However, the results also leave some uncertainties that need further investigation.

Isoquinoline Alkaloids in Sows’ Diet Reduces Body Weight Loss during Lactation and Increases IgG in Colostrum

Isoquinoline alkaloids (IQ) exert beneficial antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects in livestock. Therefore, we hypothesized that supplementing sows’ diets with IQ during gestation would decrease farrowing stress, affecting the piglets’ development and performance. Sows were divided into: IQ1, supplemented with IQ from gestation day 80 (G80) to weaning; IQ2, supplemented from gestation day 110 (G110) to weaning, and a non-supplemented (NC) group. Sow body weight (BW), feed intake, back-fat thickness and back-muscle thickness were monitored. Cortisol, glucose and insulin were measured in sows’ blood collected 5 d before, during, and after 7 d farrowing. Protein, fat, IgA and IgG were analyzed in the colostrum and milk. Piglets were monitored for weight and diarrhea score, and for ileum histology and gene expression 5 d post-weaning. IQ-supplemented sows lost less BW during lactation. Glucose and insulin levels were lower in the IQ groups compared to NC-sows 5 d before farrowing and had higher levels of protein and IgG in their colostrum. No other differences were observed in sows, nor in the measured parameters in piglets. In conclusion, IQ supplementation affected sows’ metabolism, reducing body weight loss during lactation. Providing IQ to sows from their entrance into the maternity barn might be sufficient to induce these effects. IQ improved colostrum quality, increasing the protein and IgG content, improving passive immunity for piglets.