muscle mass was not associated with physical performance in weak older adults. Measures of muscle strength may be of greater clinical importance in weak older adults than is muscle mass per se.

The suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) group of proteins has been implicated in regulation of various cytokine signaling and in a negative crosstalk between distinct signaling pathways. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and LPS were known to induce expression of SOCS-3 in neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages. IL-10 was also reported to inhibit a proinflammatory signal-induced NF-kappaB activation in monocytes and peripheral T lymphocytes. The effects of increased SOCS-3 expression upon IL-10 regulation of NF-kappaB activation have not yet been demonstrated. Here we examined the effects of SOCS-3 on NF-kappaB activity. SOCS-3 did not induce any alterations in NF-kappaB activity induced by LPS or TNF-alpha. However, it enhanced RelA-dependent kappaB promoter activity when cotransfected with RelA. Similar results were observed with SOCS-1. In contrast, SOCS-2 did not show any regulatory effects on RelA activity. Analysis of C-terminal truncation mutants of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 demonstrated that the SOCS box and its N-terminal region, a less well-conserved linker region were important for SOCS-3 activation of RelA. In contrast, the SOCS box itself was critical for SOCS-1 to activate RelA. These results suggest that SOCS proteins can enhance the effects of NF-kappaB/Rel proteins, and therefore, further modulate immune and inflammatory responses.

IntroductionHumeral shaft fractures can lead to radial nerve injury and may require surgery and rehabilitation. We determined the causative events of humeral fracture, including arm wrestling, in young Korean soldiers and examined whether humeral fracture is related to demographic characteristics and the presence of radial nerve palsy.MethodsWe reviewed 7.5 years (July 2012 to June 2019) of medical records covering patients who had experienced a humeral shaft fracture after entering military service and had received surgery for open reduction and internal fixation. Data were obtained on basic demographics, initial event provoking the fracture, presence of radial nerve palsy, initial and follow-up severity of the weakness, and any discharge from military service because of prolonged radial nerve palsy.ResultsOf 123 cases, arm wrestling was the leading cause (52.8%). A high energy injury, such as falling from a height (11.4%), and sports related slips (10.6%) were other causes. All humeral shaft fractures caused by forceful contraction were spiral, while 40% of the fractures caused by external force related events were of a transverse type. The percentage of left-sided fractures was significantly higher for fractures arising from an external force than in those caused by forceful contraction related events. Radial nerve palsy was found in 34 patients (27.6%), and 16 were discharged from the military because of prolonged radial nerve palsy 6 months after the fracture. The causative events and other factors did not affect the presence of radial nerve palsy.ConclusionArm wrestling was the leading cause of humeral fracture in young Korean soldiers but the chance of developing comorbid radial nerve palsy did not differ from that of other causes. These epidemiologic findings in this young active group may help in understanding the causes of humeral shaft fracture in soldiers and in the wider young population.

Purpose To assess liver stiffness by using magnetization-tagged MRI to measure the cardiac-induced motion in the liver of cirrhosis patients with known Child-Pugh scores. Materials and Methods Tagged MRI was performed using a 3T MR scanner on 52 cirrhosis patients classified into 2 groups: liver cirrhosis with Child-Pugh A (LCA;n=39) and liver cirrhosis with Child-Pugh B or C (LCBC;n=13). We also included 19 healthy controls. Tagged images were acquired encompassing both the liver and the heart. The corresponding displacement and strains were calculated using a Gabor filter bank. The maximum displacement (MaxDisp) was found over the cardiac cycle, as well as the local maximum P1 (MaxP1) and minimum P2 strains (MinP2). Group comparisons were made without and with adjustment for age and gender. Results In control, LCA, and LCBC groups, the MaxDisp was 3.98±0.88 mm, 2.52±0.73 mm, and 1.86±0.77 mm; the MaxP1 was 0.10±0.02, 0.04±0.01, and 0.02±0.01; and the MinP2 was −0.08±0.01, −0.05±0.02, and −0.03±0.01, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found between groups (p<0.05 for all). Conclusion This method measures cardiac-induced liver motion and deformation to assess liver stiffness. Significant differences were found in our stiffness measures between control, LCA, and LCBC groups, with more severe disease being associated with greater stiffness.