The role of fat indices as factors leading to sarcopenia in older adults residing in underpopulated areas.

Simplifying the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia is key to establishing effective interventions. Herein, we aimed to clarify novel diagnostic factors. We calculated novel fat indices [total fat index (TFI) and limb fat index (LFI)] and clarified factors leading to pre-sarcopenia and sarcopenia in 594 enrolled older adults. Physical measurements [height, weight, body mass index (BMI), gait speed, grip strength, and skeletal muscle mass] were performed. Sarcopenia was determined using established diagnostic criteria (pre-sarcopenia, n = 102; sarcopenia, n = 42). Age was associated with sarcopenia status. BMI, TFI, and LFI were lower in patients with pre-sarcopenia and sarcopenia. Logistic regression analysis showed the following odds ratios (ORs) for pre-sarcopenia: BMI [OR: 0.787, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.7-0.885], LFI (OR: 0.589, 95% CI: 0.402-0.863), and age (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02-1.1). ORs for sarcopenia (vs pre-sarcopenia) were as follows: LFI (OR: 50.6, 95% CI: 10.2-250.0), age (OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0-1.2), and BMI (OR: 0.418, 95% CI: 0.28-0.608). Our findings contribute to informing medical guidelines.

Can bone mass measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis be used to diagnose sarcopenia?

The simplification of diagnostic criteria is critical to promoting interventions for sarcopenia. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between sarcopenia and bone mass [measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)], as well as to identify new indicators associated with this disease. Basic interviews and measurement of physical function were performed on 474 community-dwelling older adults (aged 77.1 ±â€…7.6 years), including older adult patients with sarcopenia, in Wakasa Town, Fukui Prefecture. The findings led to 363, 71, and 40 participants being classified as 'normal', 'pre-sarcopenia', and 'having sarcopenia', respectively. An Ordinal Logistic Regression Analysis showed that age, bone mass phase angle (lower limb), Fat-free Mass Index, and leg muscle score were aggravating factors for sarcopenia in both men and women. A receiver operating characteristic analysis of bone mass and sarcopenia status showed that the area under the curve and cut-off value, as well as its sensitivity and specificity, in men were 0.915 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.853-0.977], 2.2 kg, 81%, and 87%, respectively, and 0.913 (95% CI: 0.858-0.968), 1.6 kg, 91%, and 88%, respectively, in women. This study revealed that the BIA method of measuring bone mass has excellent accuracy in detecting sarcopenia in both males and females.

Individualized Nutritional Management Using Dishcook Improves Nutrition Status Markers in Patients with Intellectual Disability.

Dishcook is a new cooking system that allows individual cooking using a dedicated induction heater. This study investigated whether Dishcook use affects the nutritional value of individuals with intellectual disabilities. This study was conducted on users receiving support from a continuous-employment office in Obama City, Fukui Prefecture, in 2022. Of these participants, 18 (seven women and 11 men) who requested the use of the Dishcook were included in the analysis. The study period was from January to August 2023. The mean age was 48.72±16.24 y. A significant increase in the overall phase angles of the limbs was observed. Triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, HbA1c, and serum zinc levels improved in patients who used the Dishcook. The phase angle obtained using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis also improved, indicating the usefulness of the Dishcook in treating metabolic diseases and the possibility of individualized nutritional management.

Motion analysis of the wrist joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

We investigated the characteristics of the wrist joint motion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), using a biaxial flexible goniometer. Wrist joint range of motion and velocity were measured on the dominant hand in RA patients (n = 22) and normal individuals (n = 5). We investigated flexion-extension (FE) task, radial-ulnar deviation (RUD) task, and functional motion tasks, such as writing letters or unscrewing the lid of a jar. In normal individuals, there was cooperative coupling of FE and RUD during wrist movement, and this coupling motion was essential for normal wrist movements. On the other hand, in RA patients, wrist joint range of motion was restricted at various degrees, with reduced joint motion velocity that was severe on RUD. Functional wrist motion tasks indicated circumductive movement with both FE and RUD in normal individuals, whereas the direction of movement was limited in RA patients, and results revealed failure of cooperative coupling of FE and RUD. Our results indicate that disturbed coupling of FE and RUD results in difficulties in the cooperative movements and have great influence on the daily activities in RA wrist joint.

Changes of calcitonin gene-related peptide in primary sensory neurons and their central branch after nerve root compression of the dog.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes in axonal flow after nerve root compression by using immunohistochemical techniques to detect calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which is thought to be involved in pain sensation. DESIGN: Experimental, controlled study. SETTING: University medical school in Japan. ANIMALS: Forty adult mongrel dogs (weight, 7-15kg). INTERVENTIONS: In dogs, the lumbar nerve roots were compressed using 4 types of clips with different pressures. Changes of CGRP levels in the spinal dorsal horn, dorsal root, and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were examined immunohistochemically after compression for 24 hours or for 1 week. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CGRP-positive neurons and CGRP-positive fibers. RESULTS: After compression, axonal flow in the dorsal root was impaired, accumulation of CGRP was observed distal to the site of compression, and the number of DRG cells showing positively for CGRP decreased. Compression for 1 week resulted in a decrease in the number of CGRP-positive fibers in the spinal dorsal horn. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that CGRP dynamics are modified by nerve compression.