Subcutaneous fat thickness and abdominal depth are risk factors for surgical site infection after gastric cancer surgery

BACKGROUND Surgical site infection(SSI)is one of the most common complications after gastric cancer(GC)surgery.The occurrence of SSI can lead to a prolonged postoperative hospital stay and increased medical expenses,and it can also affect postoperative rehabilitation and the quality of life of patients.Subcutaneous fat thickness(SFT)and abdominal depth(AD)can be used as predictors of SSI in patients undergoing radical resection of GC.AIM To explore the potential relationship between SFT or AD and SSI in patients undergoing elective radical resection of GC.METHODS Demographic,clinical,and pre-and intraoperative information of 355 patients who had undergone elective radical resection of GC were retrospectively collected from hospital electronic medical records.Univariate analysis was performed to screen out the significant parameters,which were subsequently analyzed using binary logistic regression and receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis.RESULTS The prevalence of SSI was 11.27%(40/355).Multivariate analyses revealed that SFT[odds ratio(OR)=1.150;95%confidence interval(95%CI):1.090-1.214;P<0.001],AD(OR=1.024;95%CI:1.009-1.040;P=0.002),laparoscopic-assisted surgery(OR=0.286;95%CI:0.030-0.797;P=0.017),and operation time(OR=1.008;95%CI:1.001-1.015;P=0.030)were independently associated with the incidence of SSI after elective radical resection of GC.In addition,the product of SFT and AD was a better potential predictor of SSI in these patients than either SFT or AD alone.CONCLUSION SFT and AD are independent risk factors and can be used as predictors of SSI in patients undergoing radical resection of GC.

The relation between epicardial fat thickness and metabolic syndrome

To the editor We read the article Usefulness of the epicardial fat tissue thickness as a diagnostic criterion for geriatric patients with metabolic syndrome by Kaya, et al. The authors aimed to evaluate the epicardial fat tissue thickness （EFT） as a diagnostic criterion for geriatric patients with metabolic syndrome （MetS）. They concluded that EFT levels were higher in geriatric patients with MetS and can therefore be used as a diagnostic criterion for MetS.

Correlation Study of Aortic Velocity Propagation, Abdominal Aortic Intima-Media Thickness, and Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness in Subclinical Hypothyroidism Patients

Objective:To explore the correlation between epicardial fat thickness(EFT),aortic velocity propagation(AVP),and abdominal aortic intima-media thickness(AA-IMT)in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism(SH).Additionally,to compare these indicators between SH patients and healthy individuals,providing a new theoretical basis for the clinical prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.Method:Clinical data from 50 SH patients(23 males and 27 females)and 50 healthy outpatient examinees(22 males and 28 females)were analyzed.The participants were selected from January 2022 to December 2023 at Loudi Central Hospital.EFT,AVP,and AA-IMT were measured,and their correlations were analyzed.Results:SH patients had significantly higher EFT and AA-IMT levels than the control group,while their AVP was significantly lower,with these differences being statistically significant(P<0.05).Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between EFT and AVP(P<0.001),a significant positive correlation between EFT and AAO-IMT(P<0.001),and a significant negative correlation between AVP and AAO-IMT(P<0.001).Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis identified increased EFT,decreased AVP,and increased AAO-IMT as independent risk factors for SH patients.Conclusion:In SH patients,EFT and AAO-IMT are elevated,whereas AVP is reduced.EFT and AVP are significantly correlated with AAO-IMT.EFT and AAO-IMT can serve as reliable indicators for evaluating subclinical atherosclerosis in SH patients,providing a diagnostic basis for clinical practice.

Periprostatic fat thickness measured on MRI correlates with lower urinary tract symptoms,erectile function,and benign prostatic hyperplasia progression

This study investigated the correlation between periprostatic fat thickness(PPFT)measured on magnetic resonance imaging and lower urinary tract symptoms,erectile function,and benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)progression.A total of 286 treatment-naive men diagnosed with BPH in our department between March 2017 and February 2019 were included.Patients were divided into two groups according to the median value of PPFT:high(PPFT>4.35 mm)PPFT group and low(PPFT<4.35 mm)PPFT group.After the initial evaluation,all patients received a combination drug treatment of tamsulosin and finasteride for 12 months.Of the 286 enrolled patients,244 completed the drug treatment course.Patients with high PPFT had larger prostate volume(PV;P=0.013),higher International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS;P-0.008),and lower five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function(IIEF-5)score(P=0.002)than those with low PPFT.Both high and low PPFT groups showed significant improvements in PV,maximum flow rate,IPSS,and quality of life score and a decrease of IIEF-5 score after the combination drug treatment.The decrease of IIEF-5 score was more obvious in the high PPFT group than that in the low PPFT group.In addition,more patients in the high PPFT group underwent prostate surgery than those in the low PPFT group.Moreover,Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis indicated that PPFT was positively correlated with age,PV,and IPSS and negatively correlated with IIEF-5 score;however,body mass index was only negatively correlated with IIEF-5 score.

Usefulness of the epicardial fat tissue thickness as a diagnostic criterion for geriatric patients with metabolic syndrome

Objective To evaluate the epicardial fat tissue thickness （EFTT） as a diagnostic criterion for geriatric patients with metabolic syn- drome （MetS）. Methods Sixty geriatric patients over 65 years of age were recruited for the study. Patients were divided into two groups： Group 1 （n = 30） consisted of patients with MetS; Group 2 （n = 30） consisted of patients without MetS. Echocardiography was used to measure EFTT in all patients, and blood samples were analyzed for biochemical parameters. Results Compared to Group 2, EFTT levels of Group 1 were statistically higher （P 〈 0.05）. In a binary logistic regression analysis, EFTT levels served as the independent factor for meta- bolic syndrome 03 = 17.35, SE = 4.93, Wald = 12.36, P 〈 0.001）. Receivers operating characteristic Curve （ROC-curve） analysis revealed that EFTT predicted MetS with 96.7% sensitivity and 86.7% specificity above the level of 7.3 mm [area under the curve = 0.969; 95% con- fidence interval （CI）： 0.928-1.00]. Conclusions The present study demonstrated that serum EFTT levels were higher in geriatric patients with MetS and can therefore be used as a diagnostic criterion for MetS.

Evaluation of Visceral and Subcutaneous Fat by Ultrasound and Its Relationship with Clinical and Metabolic Parameters of Insulin Resistance and Subclinical Atherosclerosis

Objective: this study set out to investigate the association between abdominal obesity ultrasound measurements, waist circumference and body mass index (BMI), metabolic syndrome (MS) components and subclinical atherosclerosis. Methods: sixty patients were recruited and divided equally into two groups, according to the presence of MS. All subjects had an ultrasound examination for measurement of visceral and subcutaneous fat thickness and carotid IMT. Results: the values of visceral fat thickness, preperitoneal circumference and carotid IMT were higher in patients with MS than in control subjects. Visceral fat thickness showed significant correlations with many cardiovascular risk factors (waist circumference, BMI, fasting plasma glucose, HDL and LDL cholesterol). All abdominal obesity measurements were correlated with BMI. Carotid IMT showed correlations with age, visceral fat and preperitoneal circumference. Visceral fat was independently associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressures and fasting plasma glucose. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures and BMI were independent determinants of carotid IMT. Conclusion: visceral fat thickness showed the best correlation with MS components, suggesting that it could be a useful parameter in cardiovascular risk assessment. Age, systolic and diastolic blood pressures and BMI were independent determinants of subclinical atherosclerosis. MS was associated with a higher carotid IMT.

Open Cows in a Beef Cattle Enterprise Managed in a Seasonal Breeding Program? An Appraisal of Their Reproductive Performance Based on Body Fat Reserves

A comparison between two distinct levels of back fat thickness in open cows, females not becoming pregnant during the previous breeding season, was carried out in order to evaluate their reproductive performance prior to the next natural mating in a seasonal breeding program. Thirty open cows from the previous breeding season were divided evenly by age and back fat thickness (BFT) in two groups. HBFT (high back fat thickness ≥ 70 mm) and LBFT (low back fat thickness ≤ 70 mm), values statistically different between groups (P < 0.05). The study was divided into three phases in which the formation of CL and follicular dynamics were recorded by ultrasound and progesterone. Also, serial monitoring of glucose, urea and triglycerides and back fat thickness were studied. A fertile bull previously approved from a breeding soundness evaluation was introduced after the third phase and remained with the herd for 90 days. No differences were found in the follicular dynamics;the number of animals cycling in the two groups and fertility were also similar (80%). Differences in urea and triglycerides were found in cows with high scores of BFT. In conclusion, the decision of keeping open cows to the next breeding season must be based on an economical advantage to the farmer.

Cardiovascular risk after orthotopic liver transplantation, a review of the literature and preliminary results of a prospective study

Improved surgical techniques and greater efficacy of new anti-rejection drugs have significantly improved the survival of patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT). This has led to an increased incidence of metabolic disorders as well as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases as causes of morbidity and mortality in OLT patients. In the last decade, several studies have examined which predisposing factors lead to increased cardiovascular risk(i.e., age, ethnicity, diabetes, NASH, atrial fibrillation, and some echocardiographic parameters) as well as which factors after OLT(i.e., weight gain, metabolic syndrome, immunosuppressive therapy, and renal failure) are linked to increased cardiovascular mortality. However, currently, there are no available data that evaluate the development of atherosclerotic damage after OLT. The awareness of high cardiovascular risk after OLT has not only lead to the definition of new but generally not accepted screening of high risk patients before transplantation, but also to the need for careful patient follow up and treatment to control metabolic and cardiovascular pathologies after transplant. Prospective studies are needed to better define the predisposing factors for recurrence and de novo occurrence of metabolic alterations responsible for cardiovascular damage after OLT. Moreover, such studies will help to identify the timing of disease progression and damage,which in turn may help to prevent morbidity and mortality for cardiovascular diseases. Our preliminary results show early occurrence of atherosclerotic damage, which is already present a few weeks following OLT, suggesting that specific, patient-tailored therapies should be started immediately post OLT.

Analysis of York Pigs Feeding Behavior Using Stepwise Regression and Principal Component Regression

A statistical analysis was conducted on the feeding behavior of 106 York breeding pigs.Pearson correlation analysis,principal component correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression equation methods were applied to establish regression equations of the York breeding pigs total feed intake per time and average feed intake per time with corrected fat thickness,feed conversion rate,and corrected daily gain.The results showed that:①there were three peak feed intake periods for the pigs,and the correlation coefficient between the feed intake and the corrected fat thickness of the pigs in the 24 h period was positive or negative,that is,increasing the number of feeding times and the feed intake was not necessarily conducive to the fat thickness accumulation,but the breeding goal of fat thickness could be achieved by controlling the feeding times and feed intake;②the average feed intake of pigs in the 60-90 kg body weight stage was 30%-50%higher than that of the 30-60 kg body weight stage,but the number of feeding times decreased,the peak feeding time was more concentrated,and the feeding duration per time was 3.0 min longer,indicating that as the weight of pigs increased,the feed intake increased significantly;and③the stepwise regression equations and the principal component equations showed that the feeding behavior of York pigs in the 30-90 kg growth stage was not only affected by the feeding time within 24 h,but also by environmental factors such as temperature and humidity.The feeding behavior of York pigs is a complex process of interaction between environmental factors and animal factors.