Clinical Utility of Thigh and Mid-Thigh Dual-Energy x-Ray Absorptiometry to Identify Bone and Muscle Loss.

Sarcopenia and osteoporosis are highly prevalent syndromes in older people, characterized by loss of muscle and bone tissue, and related to adverse outcomes. Previous reports indicate mid-thigh dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is well suited for the simultaneous assessment of bone, muscle, and fat mass in a single scan. Using cross-sectional clinical data and whole-body DXA images of 1322 community-dwelling adults from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study (57% women, median age 59 years), bone and lean mass were quantified in three unconventional regions of interest (ROIs): (i) a 2.

Appendicular and mid-thigh lean mass are associated with muscle strength, physical performance, and dynamic balance in older persons at high risk of falls.

Background: Falls in older persons are associated with muscle mass and strength alterations, which may also affect balance parameters. However, the most appropriate combined approach to assess muscle and balance components that predict falls in older persons is still lacking.

Research Question: We hypothesized that appendicular lean and/or mid-thigh mass and muscle strength and performance are positively associated with balance indices and fall risk in older persons.

Intermittent fasting and continuous energy restriction result in similar changes in body composition and muscle strength when combined with a 12 week resistance training program.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of 12 weeks of resistance training combined with either 5:2 intermittent fasting or continuous energy restriction on body composition, muscle size and quality, and upper and lower body strength.

Methods: Untrained individuals undertook 12 weeks of resistance training plus either continuous energy restriction [20% daily energy restriction (CERT)] or 5:2 intermittent fasting [~ 70% energy restriction 2 days/week, euenergetic consumption 5 days/week (IFT)], with both groups prescribed a mean of ≥ 1.4 g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day.

Frailty in Stroke-A Narrated Review.

This narrative review provides a summary introduction to the relationship between stroke and physical and cognitive frailty syndromes and the neuro-inflammatory similarities (including inflammaging) between the two. The review argues the potential effects of Post COVID-19 Neurological Syndrome (PCNS, also known as Long COVID) with similar pathophysiology. Many patients who have suffered from acute stroke experience long-lasting symptoms affecting several organs including fatigue, brain fog, reduced physical activity, loss of energy, and loss of cognitive reserve, culminating in the loss of independence and poor quality of life.

Evaluating the toxicity of escalating dose of oral picolinic acid in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Picolinic acid (PIC) is a byproduct of tryptophan catabolism through the kynurenine pathway, with anabolic effects on bone in vivo and in vitro. Hence, PIC has been nominated as a possible candidate to treat and/or prevent osteoporosis. However, the effective dose and toxicity of PIC are not known yet.

Validation of a Semiautomatic Image Analysis Software for the Quantification of Musculoskeletal Tissues.

Accurate quantification of bone, muscle, and their components is still an unmet need in the musculoskeletal field. Current methods to quantify tissue volumes in 3D images are expensive, labor-intensive, and time-consuming; thus, a reliable, valid, and quick application is highly needed. Tissue Compass is a standalone software for semiautomatic segmentation and automatic quantification of musculoskeletal organs.

Characterization of Skeletal Phenotype and Associated Mechanisms With Chronic Intestinal Inflammation in the Winnie Mouse Model of Spontaneous Chronic Colitis.

Background: Osteoporosis is a common extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, studies have been scarce, mainly because of the lack of an appropriate animal model of colitis-associated bone loss. In this study, we aimed to decipher skeletal manifestations in the Winnie mouse model of spontaneous chronic colitis, which carries a MUC2 gene mutation and closely replicates ulcerative colitis.

Muscle Volume and Intramuscular Fat of the Tongue Evaluated With MRI Predict Malnutrition in People Living With Dementia: A 5-Year Follow-up Study.

Malnutrition is highly prevalent in older persons with dementia. Therefore, strong predictors of malnutrition in this population are crucial to initiating early interventions. This study evaluates the association between the probability of having malnutrition with the muscle volume and intramuscular fat (iMAT) of the masseter and the tongue in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of community-dwelling older persons diagnosed with mild dementia followed up for 5 years.

Body composition reference ranges in community-dwelling adults using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry: the Australian Body Composition (ABC) Study.

Background: Reference ranges for lean mass (LM) and fat mass (FM) are essential in identifying soft tissue disorders; however, no such reference ranges exist for the most commonly used Hologic dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) machine in Australia.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of community-dwelling adults (aged 18-88 years) who underwent a Hologic DXA scan at one of three commercialized densitometry centres in Australia. Age-specific and sex-specific percentile curves were generated for LM [LM, appendicular lean mass (ALM), ALM adjusted for height squared (ALM/h ), and ALM adjusted for body mass index (ALM/BMI)] and FM [FM, FM adjusted for height squared (FM/h ), appendicular fat mass, and android and gynoid fat] parameters using the LMS statistical method.

Uncovering the Bone-Muscle Interaction and Its Implications for the Health and Function of Older Adults (the Wellderly Project): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.

Background: Bone and muscle are closely linked anatomically, biochemically, and metabolically. Acute exercise affects both bone and muscle, implying a crosstalk between the two systems. However, how these two systems communicate is still largely unknown.

Long-term outcomes of warfarin versus aspirin after Fontan surgery.

Objectives: Because of the nature of the Fontan physiology, patients are at an increased risk of thromboembolic complications. As such, warfarin or aspirin is generally prescribed lifelong for thromboprophylaxis. This study aimed to compare long-term rates of cerebrovascular injury, thrombosis, bleeding, bone mineral density, and quality of life in people living with Fontan circulation receiving warfarin compared with aspirin.

Impact of adiposity on clinical outcomes in people living with a Fontan circulation.

Background: To assess the association between body composition and the risk of adverse outcomes in Fontan patients.

Methods: Participants from the Australian and New Zealand Fontan Registry with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans were included. Appendicular lean mass (ALM), appendicular lean mass index (ALM divided by height squared; ALMI) and total body fat mass percentage (%BF) were calculated.

Sarcopenia Definitions and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC) Criteria are Strongly Associated With Malnutrition, Depression, Falls, and Fractures in High-Risk Older Persons.

Objectives: Sarcopenia Definitions and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC) provides cut-points based on muscle weakness (low grip strength) and slowness (poor gait speed) for low-risk populations; however, it is unknown if these criteria apply to high-risk populations. We examined the association between SDOC criteria and important health status indicators in high-risk older persons.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

The diagnostic value of the Short Physical Performance Battery for sarcopenia.

Background: Sarcopenia is defined as the age-related loss of muscle mass, strength, and physical performance. The original European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older Persons (EWGSOP1) definition, and its revision (EWGSOP2), provide new cut-points and alternate measures for sarcopenia diagnosis. However, sarcopenia is rarely diagnosed in clinical settings owing to its labor-intensive diagnostic process.

Hemoglobin Levels are Low in Sarcopenic and Osteosarcopenic Older Persons.

Anemia is commonly associated with osteoporosis and sarcopenia in older persons. However, there is a common subset of patients identified as osteosarcopenic at a higher risk of adverse outcomes. Whether these patients are also at a higher risk of anemia remains unknown.

Associations between osteoporosis, the severity of sarcopenia and fragility fractures in community-dwelling older adults.

Purpose: To investigate the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and the severity of sarcopenia using the revised European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) definition.

Methods: BMD [dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)], appendicular lean mass (DXA), handgrip strength (hydraulic dynamometer) and gait speed (over 4-m) were used to screen for osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Participants were categorized as osteoporotic according to the World Health Organization definition (T score ≤ - 2.

Bone Marrow Adipose Tissue Quantification by Imaging.

Purpose Of Review: The significance and roles of marrow adipose tissue (MAT) are increasingly known, and it is no more considered a passive fat storage but a tissue with significant paracrine and endocrine activities that can cause lipotoxicity and inflammation.

Recent Findings: Changes in the MAT volume and fatty acid composition appear to drive bone and hematopoietic marrow deterioration, and studying it may open new horizons to predict bone fragility and anemia development. MAT has the potential to negatively impact bone volume and strength through several mechanisms that are partially described by inflammaging and lipotoxicity terminology.

The Joint Occurrence of Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia (Osteosarcopenia): Definitions and Characteristics.

Objectives: We sought to examine the associations of osteosarcopenia with physical performance, balance, and falls and fractures in community-dwelling older adults. Additionally, we aimed to determine which clinical outcomes are associated with specific components of osteosarcopenia.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

The effects of dietary fatty acids on bone, hematopoietic marrow and marrow adipose tissue in a murine model of senile osteoporosis.

Marrow adipose tissue (MAT) expansion and associated lipotoxicity are important drivers of age-related bone loss and hematopoietic bone marrow (HBM) atrophy. Fish oil and borage oil (rich in ω3 fatty acids) can partially prevent aged-related bone loss in SAMP8 mice. However, whether preservation of bone mass in this progeria model is associated with MAT volumes remains unknown.

Changes in Nutritional Status and Musculoskeletal Health in a Geriatric Post-Fall Care Plan Setting.

Understanding how changes in nutritional status influence musculoskeletal recovery after falling remains unclear. We explored associations between changes in nutritional status and musculoskeletal health in 106 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years, who attended the Falls and Fractures Clinic at Sunshine Hospital in St Albans, Australia after falling. At baseline and after 6 months, individuals were assessed for Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), grip strength, gait speed, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and bone turnover marker levels.

Diagnostic Value of Mid-Thigh and Mid-Calf Bone, Muscle, and Fat Mass in Osteosarcopenia: A Pilot Study.

Osteosarcopenia is defined as the concomitant occurrence of osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Current lack of consensus on sarcopenia definitions, combined with the low sensitivity and specificity of screening methodologies, has resulted in varying prevalences of sarcopenia, and consequently osteosarcopenia diagnosis. Previous research indicates that mid-thigh is a potential surrogate region for the assessment of bone, muscle, and fat mass in a single, efficient and low-radiation dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan.

Association between structural changes in brain with muscle function in sarcopenic older women: the women's healthy ageing project (WHAP).

Objectives: The involvement of changes in brain structure in the pathophysiology of muscle loss (sarcopenia) with aging remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the associations between brain structure and muscle strength in a group of older women. We hypothesized that structural changes in brain could correlate with functional changes observed in sarcopenic older women.