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Capsular contracture is a common adverse outcome following implant breast reconstruction, often associated with radiation treatment. The authors hypothesize that muscle fibrosis is the main contributor of breast reconstruction contracture after radiation. Retrospective chart review identified patients that underwent DTI reconstruction with pre-or post-operative breast irradiation. Signs of capsular contracture were assessed using clinic notes and independent graders reviewing two-dimensional images and anatomic landmarks. Capsular contracture rate was greater in the subpectoral vs. prepectoral group (n = 28, 51.8% vs. n = 12, 30.0%, p = 0.02). When compared to prepectoral DTI reconstruction in irradiated patients, subpectoral implant placement was nearly 4 times as likely to result in capsular contracture (p < 0.01). Rates of explantation, infection, tissue necrosis, and hematoma were comparable between groups. We also found that when subpectoral patients present with breast contracture, chemoparalysis of the muscle alone can resolve breast asymmetry, corroborating that muscle is a key contributor to breast contracture. As prepectoral breast reconstruction is gaining popularity, there have been questions regarding outcome following radiation treatment. This study suggest that prepectoral breast reconstruction is safe in an irradiated patient population, and in fact compares favorably with regard to breast contracture.

Spaghetti meat (SM), woody breast (WB), and white striping (WS) are myopathies that affect the pectoral muscle of fast-growing broiler chickens. The prevalence and possible risk factors of these myopathies have been reported in other countries, but not yet in Canada. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with these myopathies in a representative population of Canadian broilers. From May 2019 to March 2020, 250 random breast fillets from each of 37 flocks (total, 9,250) were obtained from two processing plants and assessed for the presence and severity of myopathies. Demographic data (e.g., sex and average live weight), environmental conditions during the grow-out period (e.g., temperature), and husbandry parameters (e.g., vaccination) were collected for each flock. Associations between these factors and the myopathies were tested using logistic regression analyses. The prevalence of SM, severe WB, and mild or moderate WS was 36.3% (95% CI: 35.3–37.3), 11.8% (95% CI: 11.2–12.5), and 96.0% (95% CI: 95.6–96.4), respectively. Most (85.1%) of the fillets showed multiple myopathies. Regression analyses showed that the odds of SM increased with live weight (OR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.01–1.69) and higher environmental temperature during the grow-out period (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.31–2.34). The odds of WB increased with live weight (OR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.03–1.47) and when flocks were not vaccinated against coccidia (OR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.51–2.29). This study documents for the first time a high prevalence of myopathies in Ontario broilers, and suggests that these lesions may have a significant economic impact on the Canadian poultry industry. Our results indicate that environmental conditions and husbandry are associated with the development of breast myopathies, in agreement with the current literature. Future studies are needed to determine how risk factors can promote the occurrence of these conditions, in order to implement possible mitigating strategies.

Muscle wasting in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a poor prognosis and is not readily assessed by measures of body mass index (BMI). BMI does not discriminate between relative proportions of adipose tissue and lean muscle and may be insensitive to early pathologic changes in body composition. Computed tomography (CT)-based assessments of the pectoralis muscles may provide insight into the clinical significance of skeletal muscles in smokers. We hypothesized that objective assessment of the pectoralis muscle area on chest CT scans provides information that is clinically relevant and independent of BMI. Data from the ECLIPSE (Evaluation of COPD Longitudinally to Identify Predictive Surrogate Endpoints) Study (n = 73) were used to assess the relationship between pectoralis muscle area and fat-free mass. We then used data in a subset (n = 966) of a larger cohort, the COPDGene (COPD Genetic Epidemiology) Study, to explore the relationship between pectoralis muscle area and COPD-related traits. We first investigated the correlation between pectoralis muscle area and fat-free mass, using data from a subset of participants in the ECLIPSE Study. We then further investigated pectoralis muscle area in COPDGene Study participants and found that higher pectoralis muscle area values were associated with greater height, male sex, and younger age. On subsequent clinical correlation, compared with BMI, pectoralis muscle area was more significantly associated with COPD-related traits, including spirometric measures, dyspnea, and 6-minute-walk distance (6MWD). For example, on average, each 10-cm(2) increase in pectoralis muscle area was associated with a 0.8-unit decrease in the BODE (Body mass index, Obstruction, Dyspnea, Exercise) index (95% confidence interval, -1.0 to -0.6; P < 0.001). Furthermore, statistically significant associations between pectoralis muscle area and COPD-related traits remained even after adjustment for BMI. CT-derived pectoralis muscle area provides relevant indices of COPD morbidity that may be more predictive of important COPD-related traits than BMI. However, the relationship with clinically relevant outcomes such as hospitalization and death requires additional investigation. Pectoralis muscle area is a convenient measure that can be collected in the clinical setting in addition to BMI.

The relationships between pectoralis muscle parameters and outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain uncertain. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library from 1 January 2019 to 1 May 2024 to identify non-overlapping studies evaluating pectoralis muscle-associated index on chest CT scan with clinical outcome in COVID-19 patients. Random-effects and fixed-effects meta-analyses were performed, and heterogeneity between studies was quantified using the I2 statistic. The risk of study bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Funnel plots for detecting small-study effects. A total of 9 studies with 4109 COVID-19 patients were included. The meta-analysis findings revealed a correlation between pectoralis muscle parameters and COVID-19 prognosis. Specifically, patients with higher pectoralis muscle density (PMD) exhibited a lower mortality risk, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.92-0.99). The rate of intubation was lower in COVID-19 patients with a high pectoralis muscle index (PMI) (OR =  0.96, 95% CI: 0.92-1.00). In summary, a low PMD is associated with a marginally elevated risk of mortality, whereas a decreased PMI represents a risk factor for intubation in COVID-19 patients. These findings suggest that pectoralis muscle parameters on chest CT may be a useful prognostic tool for COVID-19 patients.

The broiler industry is facing an increasing prevalence of breast myopathies, such as white striping (WS) and wooden breast (WB), and the precise aetiology of these occurrences remains poorly understood. To progress our understanding of the structural changes and molecular pathways involved in these myopathies, a transcriptomic analysis was performed using an 8 × 60 K Agilent chicken microarray and histological study. The study used pectoralis major muscles from three groups: slow-growing animals (n = 8), fast-growing animals visually free from defects (n = 8), or severely affected by both WS and WB (n = 8). In addition, a weighted correlation network analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between modules of co-expressed genes and histological traits. Functional analysis suggested that selection for fast growing and breast meat yield has progressively led to conditions favouring metabolic shifts towards alternative catabolic pathways to produce energy, leading to an adaptive response to oxidative stress and the first signs of inflammatory, regeneration and fibrosis processes. All these processes are intensified in muscles affected by severe myopathies, in which new mechanisms related to cellular defences and remodelling seem also activated. Furthermore, our study opens new perspectives for myopathy diagnosis by highlighting fine histological phenotypes and genes whose expression was strongly correlated with defects.

Background Growth-related myopathies, including white striping (WS), wooden breast (WB), and spaghetti meat (SM), compromise broiler meat quality, causing significant economic losses. Although these myopathies share some histological features, their molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood, particularly regarding sex-specific differences. This study aimed to compare transcriptomic profiles of normal and defective pectoralis major muscles to identify biological pathways underlying male and female myopathies. Transcriptomic analysis was performed on RNA-seq data from pectoralis major muscles of male and female Ross 308 broilers. Then, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and enriched pathways were identified using edgeR and functional annotation tools. Results SM samples exhibited the most extensive transcriptional alterations, particularly in males, with significant disruption of pathways related to hypoxia, energy metabolism, calcium signaling, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Compared to normal meat, WB meat demonstrated moderate molecular changes, while WS meat showed minimal transcriptomic impact. Males displayed pronounced metabolic dysregulation and increased activation of pathways associated with inflammation, fibrosis, and vascular remodeling compared to females, where transcriptional changes were generally less pronounced across all myopathies. Shared pathways among myopathies included oxidative phosphorylation, cytoskeletal organization, and inflammatory responses, though their expression patterns varied between sexes and conditions. Conclusions This study highlights marked sex-specific differences in molecular responses to WS, WB, and SM, with males exhibiting more pronounced transcriptomic alterations. These findings underscore the importance of sex-specific approaches to mitigate the economic and welfare impacts of these myopathies in broiler production.

Abstract In recent years, the global poultry industry has been facing increasing and challenging myopathies such as the woody breast (WB) condition that has caused significant economic losses. Even though the etiological causes of WB myopathy are still unknown or partially understood, the intensive genetic selection for rapid-growth rates and high yields in broilers may be the main factor associated with the development of this abnormality. The severity of this anomaly and its incidence rates are associated with fast-growing and heavier broilers, especially with those from high breast yielding strains. Such WB myopathy is primarily characterized by a notorious hardness in broiler breast muscles, which exhibit morphometric and histopathological alterations coupled with physicochemical abnormalities that result in undesired sensory, nutritional, and technological properties. In this negative context, although scientists are trying to solve or reduce the prevalence of this meat quality problem, the poultry industry needs noncontact and rapid in-line methods for WB detection at the fillet and/or carcass level that could help to establish automated objective grading or sorting systems according to its severity. Another need is the development and selection of profitable alternatives for the utilization of WB meat once poultry carcasses or deboned fillets affected by this abnormality are objectively detected and sorted. Indeed, there is a need for studies to expand the industrial applications of WB meat in further processed products, optimizing the incorporation of this affected chicken meat based on sensorial, technological, and nutritional profile evaluations. Even though a better understanding of the contribution of genetic and nongenetic factors to the development of growth-related myopathies can be the main strategy to mitigate their negative effects, the poultry industry could benefit from meeting the aforementioned needs.

The relationship between postoperative physical changes and the development of homolateral neuropathic pain (HLNP) following mastectomy and lymph node resection remains poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether early postoperative physical and symptom-based assessments could predict HLNP occurrence at 4 months post-surgery. Fifty-seven breast cancer survivors were included, with HLNP defined as a painDETECT Questionnaire score ≥ 13 at 4 months. Independent variables included patient demographics, physical function metrics including pectoralis minor length index (PMI), and questionnaire-based evaluations at 1 month postoperatively. Multivariate logistic regression identified systemic therapy side effects (ST) (odds ratio [OR]: 1.056; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.015–1.098) and PMI (OR: 0.204; 95% CI: 0.043–0.977) as significant predictors of HLNP. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified cutoff values of 23.81 for ST and 9.82 for PMI. Reconstruction type and adjuvant therapy influenced the correlation between PMI and the number of resected lymph nodes, unlike external rotation metrics. Early assessment of ST and PMI facilitates HLNP risk prediction following breast cancer surgery. Multimodal interventions, including targeted physical therapy, may mitigate HLNP risk, highlighting the importance of early postoperative care.

ObjectivesTo evaluate the correlation between psoas muscle area (TPA) on CT images and pectoralis muscle area (PMA) on MRI in breast cancer patients.MethodsThis retrospective study was institutional review board approved and women involved gave written informed consent. Twenty six patients with both body CT and breast MRI available were evaluated. Two radiologists calculated TPA on 1.25-mm and 5-mm body CT images. Two radiologists measured PMA on axial T1-weighted images. Statistical analysis included inter- and intra-reader agreement and correlation between TPA on CT and PMA on MRI.ResultsThe Pearson r correlation coefficient was 0.70 (95% CI 0.41–0.81) and the coefficient of determination was 0.49. The inter-reader agreement was k = 0.85 and k = 0.79 for axial 1.25-mm and 5-mm CT images, respectively. The intra-reader agreement of reader 1 was k = 0.98 and k = 0.94 for 1.25-mm and 5-mm CT images, respectively. The intra-reader agreement of reader 2 was k = 0.95 and k = 0.94 for 1.25-mm and 5-mm CT images, respectively. On axial T1-weighted images, the inter-reader agreement for radiologists evaluating the PMA was k = 0.61. Intra-observer agreement of reader 1 and reader 2 for PMA estimation was good (0.62 and 0.64), respectively.ConclusionThe correlation between TPA on CT images and PMA on MRI was very good. Pectoralis muscle area on breast MRI could be useful to estimate muscle mass in women with breast cancer.Key Points• Pectoralis muscle area can be estimated on breast MRI• Total psoas area on CT and pectoralis muscle area on MRI are strongly correlated• Pectoralis muscle area on breast MRI could estimate the skeletal muscle mass

Objective To evaluate whether the cross-sectional area of the pectoralis major muscle (PMM CSA ), measured via chest CT, can serve as a biomarker for predicting 1-year outcomes in patients previously hospitalized for bronchiectasis exacerbation(BE). Methods Upon admission, the PMM CSA of patients with BE was calculated on the basis of chest CT imaging. Multivariate Cox and Poisson regression analyses were used to analyse the associations between the PMM CSA and the risk of 1-year first rehospitalization, all-cause mortality, and the frequency of rehospitalization for BE. Result In total, 241 patients with BE were included in the present study. Fourteen patients died within 1 year after discharge from the hospital. A total of 80 patients had 143 rehospitalizations for BE within 1 year after discharge from the hospital. Cox regression analysis revealed that a PMM CSA <37.51cm 2 was a risk factor for 1-year first hospitalization for BE. Poisson regression analysis revealed that a PMM CSA <37.51cm 2 was a risk factor for the frequency of rehospitalization for BE. Cox regression analyses revealed that the PMM CSA was not associated with 1-year mortality. Conclusion A PMM CSA <37.51cm 2 was a risk factor for 1-year first hospitalization and frequency of rehospitalization in patients with BE but was not associated with 1-year mortality.