To investigate the relationship between the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and physical performance in patients with liver cirrhosis.

This study analyzed ambulatory patients with liver cirrhosis aged < 65 years, who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) tests from December 2018 to December 2019. A total of 46 patients (36 men, 10 women) were included. In abdominal CT scans, the psoas muscle cross-sectional area (mm²) was measured at the distal end-plate level of the L4 vertebral body and normalized by dividing by height (m). Physical performance was evaluated using SPPB. A correlation analysis between the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB was performed. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine differences in the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB according to the Child-Pugh classification. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine factors affecting SPPB.

The correlation coefficient between the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB was 0.459 at the P < 0.01 level. No difference was observed in the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB according to the Child-Pugh classification. The psoas muscle cross-sectional area was a factor affecting SPPB in multiple regression analysis.

Abdominal CT is an essential diagnostic tool in patients with liver cirrhosis. Ambulatory patients with liver cirrhosis aged < 65 years could have reduced physical performance. In this study, the psoas muscle cross-sectional area was correlated with physical performance and was a factor affecting physical performance. The psoas muscle cross-sectional area and physical performance should be evaluated in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Shoulder subluxation is common complication after stroke. And it can result in delayed neurological recovery in hemiplegic stroke patients. The aim of this study is identifying the incidence and associating factors of shoulder subluxation in stroke patients.

Stroke patients from 1 rehabilitation center from January 2008 to January 2012 were enrolled in the present study. The basic demographic data were registered at the time of admission or transfer to rehabilitation center. To assess the shoulder subluxation, we have used fingers'breadth method and plain radiography. We diagnosed shoulder subluxation with vertical distance (VD) were more than 12.4cm on plain anteroposteior view. And then shoulder subluxation was analyzed with associated factors.

Of 154 stroke patients, this retrospective study included 109 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 28 patients had shoulder subluxation. After univariated analysis, shoulder subluxation was significantly associated with motor power of shoulder and elbow, loss of proprioception, stroke duration and functional ability. Especially elbow extensor less than poor grade is mostly related to shoulder subluxation among the motor powers. Then multivariated analysis was carried out including all significant subjects, elbow extensor less than poor grade, loss of proprioception and stroke duration more than 6 months were related to shoulder subluxation.

Post stroke shoulder subluxation was commonly observed, and the incidence was 25.6% in this study. Shoulder subluxation was correlated with muscle power of elbow(less than F grade), loss of proprioception and stroke duration more than 6 months

To investigate the time course of the development of acquired and experimental lymphedema.

We studied an experimental model of acute post - surgical lymphedema in the tails of female hairless mice. The procedures that remove the skin and subcutaneous tissue in tails of the mice (5-10 mm from tail base) were performed, and then the murine has acquired lymphatic insufficiency. We measured volume of the tails in 2 times per week for 5 weeks, histological biopsy, and lymphoscintigraphy to assess lymphatic flow.

There was gradually increased volume of the tails and observed twice volume at post - surgical 18 days. In lymphoscintigraphy, we identified decreased lymphatic flow and dermal back flow in the tails. Histological biopsy showed inflammatory response that was edema and increased neutrophils in epidermis and subdermis, and lymphatic microvascular dilatation.

We have a mouse model of acute acquired lymphedema. This post - surgical murine tail model of lymphedema can be used to simulate an attribute of human lymphedema and provides knowledge about functional and structural alterations of lymphedema.