MRI and CT Assessment of Abdominal Tissue Composition in Patients After High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Therapy Treatments: One-Year Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Several studies investigating high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) treatments have recently been published. However, due to the novelty of the procedure, long-term data are still missing. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in abdominal tissues on average 1 year after a series of HIFEM treatments, to determine the long-term durability of patients' original body responses. METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scanning were performed on 21 patients a mean of 332.6 [88.5] days after their original HIFEM treatment series. The scans were evaluated by a blinded radiologist for abdominal muscle thickness, subcutaneous fat changes, and abdominal separation. The results were compared with the MRI/CT-assisted measurements taken at baseline and 6-week follow-up. Correlations between collected data sets were calculated and tested. The incidence of any adverse events related to earlier treatments was monitored. RESULTS: When comparing the 1-year follow-up measurements with the baseline, the MRI/CT-assisted calculations revealed mean reductions of 14.63% (2.97 [2.11] mm) in fat, 19.05% (1.89 [0.88] mm) in muscle thickening, and 10.46% (1.96 [1.71] mm) in diastasis recti. All changes were significant (P < 0.05) and not related to weight fluctuations (P > 0.05). The baseline width of diastasis positively correlated with the degree of improvement at follow-up. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: The HIFEM-induced muscle hypertrophy, fat reduction, and reduction in abdominal separation were maintained 1-year posttreatment. This suggests long-term durability of the original bodily response, which needs to be verified by continuing follow-up of this group and by further studies.

High intensity focused electromagnetic therapy evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging: Safety and efficacy study of a dual tissue effect based non-invasive abdominal body shaping.

OBJECTIVES: This study introduces an initial evaluation of a novel High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology. The primary goal is to quantify any effects the treatments may have on abdominal tissues, as well as to establish hypotheses for future research of this technology. METHODS: Twenty-two patients received four abdominal treatments using the EMSCULPT device (BTL Industries Inc., Boston, MA). Anthropometric evaluations were recorded and digital photographs were taken at baseline, at 2 months, and at 6 months post-treatments. The MRI without contrast determined by vertertebras T12 and S1 (FIESTA and FSPRG sequences) was used to measure dimensions in coronal cross-sectional images of abdominal muscle and fatty tissues, in order to assess any anatomical changes induced by the application. RESULTS: Analysis of the same MRI slices verified by tissue artefacts showed a statistically significant (all P < 0.0001) average 18.6% reduction of adipose tissue thickness, 15.4% increase in rectus abdominis muscle thickness, and 10.4% reduction in rectus abdominus separation (diastasis recti) as measured from the medial border of the muscle 2 months post-treatment. More significant improvements were observed in patients with BMI 18.5-24.9 (classified as "normal"). MRI data from 6-month follow-up suggest the changes can be preserved in longer term. Tape measurements showed on average 3.8 cm subumbilical circumference reduction. The weight of the subjects did not change significantly (average -0.5 lb; P > 0.05). No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: MRI, considered as a highly precise diagnostic method, revealed simultaneous muscle growth, fat reduction and reduced abdominal separation at 2 months and at 6 months post treatments, unrelated with dieting. Further research should investigate the exact physiological processes which stand behind the tissue changes observed in this study. Lasers Surg. Med. 51:40-46, 2019. © 2018 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

High Intensity Focused Electro-Magnetic Technology (HIFEM) for Non-Invasive Buttock Lifting and Toning of Gluteal Muscles: A Multi-Center Efficacy and Safety Study

Objective: Surgical intervention has been the only method to improve the aesthetic appearance of buttocks apart from physical exercising. This study evaluates the efficacy of high intensity focused electro-magnetic (HIFEM) treatments as a non-invasive solution for improvement of buttocks through toning and lifting of gluteal muscles. Materials and Methods: A total of 75 patients (aged 22-59) were treated using a device with HIFEM technology which stimulates gluteal muscles (EMSCULPT, BTL Industries, Boston, MA). The protocol included four 30-minute treatments. Patients' weight was monitored throughout the study. Standard photographs were taken at the baseline, after the 4th treatment, and at the 1-month follow-up. Two 7-point Likert scale questionnaires were used to evaluate patients' buttock and treatment satisfaction. Total score of buttock satisfaction was calculated as a sum of all individual questions to reflect the overall perception of patients' buttocks. The level of comfort during procedures was assessed on a visual analog scale (VAS). Results: The overall buttock satisfaction score (range, 4-28) of all subjects improved from 13.1±5.7 at baseline to 18.4±5.2 after the treatment and 18.9±5.1 at follow-up. For subjects with initial buttock dissatisfaction the scores improved from 8.7±1.6 to 16.3±3.1 after the treatment and to 17.3±3.1 at follow-up. The average score of all treatment satisfaction questions (range, 1-7) was 5.2±1.2 immediately after the treatments and 5.1±1.3 at follow-up. In total, patients initially dissatisfied with the appearance of their buttocks reported a significant 85% improvement after the fourth treatment. Immediately after the fourth treatment, all the subjects reported that their buttocks felt more lifted and toned. Results were maintained at one-month follow-up. Weight of the patients didn't change significantly. Digital photographs showed aesthetic improvements of the buttocks for most of the patients. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion: The results show that the investigated device safely and effectively improves the aesthetic appearance of buttocks non-invasively. The treatments not only resulted in a significant visual improvement but also increased patient confidence and satisfaction. The procedure is suitable for patients seeking improvement in tone, shape, lift, and tightness of the buttocks. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(11):1229-1232.

Allelopathic effects of exogenous phenylalanine: a comparison of four monocot species.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Exogenous phenylalanine stunted annual ryegrass but not switchgrass or winter grain rye, with deuterium incorporation up to 3% from phenyalanine-d 8 . Toxicity to duckweed varied with illumination intensity and glucose uptake. Isotopic labeling of biomolecules through biosynthesis from deuterated precursors has successfully been employed for both structural studies and metabolic analysis. Phenylalanine is the precursor of many products synthesized by plants, including the monolignols used for synthesis of lignin. Possible allelochemical effects of phenylalanine have not been reported, although its deamination product cinnamic acid is known to have deleterious effects on root elongation and growth of several plant species. The effects of phenylalanine and its deuterated analog phenylalanine-d 8 added to growth media were studied for annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), winter grain rye (Secale cereale), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) cultivated under hydroponic conditions. Growth of annual ryegrass was inhibited by phenylalanine while switchgrass and rye were not significantly affected. Growth was less affected by deuterated phenylalanine-d 8 than by its protiated counterpart, which may be a typical deuterium kinetic isotope effect resulting in slower enzymatic reaction rates. Deuterium incorporation levels of 2-3% were achieved in biomass of switchgrass and annual ryegrass. Both protiated and deuterated phenylalanine were moderately toxic (IC25 values 0.6 and 0.8 mM, respectively) to duckweed (Lemna minor) grown using a 12 h diurnal cycle under photoautotrophic conditions. A significant increase in toxicity, greater for the deuterated form, was noted when duckweed was grown under higher intensity, full spectrum illumination with a metal halide lamp compared to fluorescent plant growth lamps emitting in the blue and red spectral regions. Supplementation with glucose increased toxicity of phenylalanine consistent with synergy between hexose and amino acid uptake that has been reported for duckweed.

Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in plastic surgery.

Electrotherapy devices, used for decades to reduce pain and swelling following surgery, have undergone significant refinements and have been used successfully in rhytidectomy, liposculpture, laser resurfacing, brow lift, facial fat grafting, rhinoplasty, abdominoplasty, and breast surgery. The devices are currently available as wearable patches.