Simultaneous assessment of lung morphology and respiratory motion in retrospectively gated in-vivo microCT of free breathing anesthetized mice

Retrospective gating (RG) is a well established technique in preclinical computed tomography (CT) to assess 3D morphology of the lung. In RG additional angular projections are recorded typically by performing multiple rotations. Consequently, the projections are sorted according to the expansion state of the chest and those sets are then reconstructed separately. Thus, the breathing motion artefacts are suppressed at a cost of strongly elevated X-ray dose levels. Here we propose to use the entire raw data to assess respiratory motion in addition to retrospectively gated 3D reconstruction that visualize anatomical structures of the lung. Using this RG based X-ray respiratory motion measurement approach, which will be referred to as RG based X-ray lung function measurement (rgXLF) on the example of the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscle dystrophy (mdx) we accurately obtained both the 3D anatomical morphology of the lung and the thoracic bones as well as functional temporal parameters of the lung. Thus, rgXLF will remove the necessity for separate acquisition procedures by being able to reproduce comparable results to the previously established planar X-ray based lung function measurement approach in a single low dose CT scan

Treatment strategies for inclusion body myositis

Introduction: Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is the most common acquired myopathy in mid-aged patients, leading to progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. IBM differs from other forms of myositis by the presence of myodegenerative features and its resistance to immunosuppressive treatment. So far, no effective treatment has been identified. Areas covered: In this review, the authors aim to provide an overview of past and current treatment studies in IBM. A range of clinical trials and case series have been conducted in IBM, including those with immunosuppressants, immunomodulators such as intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) and anti-degenerative molecules such as arimoclomol and lithium. Based on critical assessment of our current understanding of the complex disease pathology, we discuss potential treatment strategies for future clinical trials. Expert opinion: Lack of understanding of the disease pathology hampers the identification of successful therapeutic agents. Improvement of the diagnostic criteria and identification of biomarkers are needed to allow for an early diagnosis and timely start of treatment, ideally before irreversible muscle damage has occurred. Promising treatment aims include the reduction of cell-stress, protein-aggregation and inflammation as well as improvement of regeneration. Until an effective treatment for IBM has been identified, probationary treatment for 6 months with IVIg can be justified.Bayer; Biotest; CSL Behring; Grifols; Novartis; Octapharm