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Background Sarcopenia is defined as either low pre-operative muscle mass or low muscle density on abdominal CT imaging. It has been associated with worse short-term outcomes after surgery for colorectal liver metastases. This study aimed to evaluate whether sarcopenia also impacts long-term survival outcomes in these patients. Methods A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) outcomes were evaluated. Results Eleven studies were included, ten reporting on the impact of low muscle mass and four on low muscle density. Sample sizes ranged between 47 and 539 (2124 patients in total). Altogether, 897 (42%) patients were considered sarcopenic, although definitions varied between studies. Median follow-up was 21–74 months. Low muscle mass (hazard ration (HR) 1.35, 95%CI 1.08–1.68) and low muscle density (HR 1.97, 95%CI 1.07–3.62) were associated with impaired OS. Low muscle mass (pooled HR 1.17, 95%CI 0.94–1.46) and low muscle density (pooled HR 1.13, 95%CI 0.85–1.50) were not associated with impaired RFS. Discussion Sarcopenia is associated with poorer OS, but not RFS, in patients with CRLM. Additional studies with standardized sarcopenia definitions are needed to better assess the impact of sarcopenia in patients with CRLM.

Human coronary arteries in both early and advanced stages of atherosclerosis were studied for understanding the nature of Ca deposits in terms of their Ca/P mass ratio with the use of Eindhoven nuclear microprobe. The ratios observed differed appreciably from that of hydroxyapatite (2.15), which is commonly referred to as the Ca component in arteries affected by atherosclerosis. Very small granular calcified structures were found in an early stage. Broadly, two types of calcified structures were observed: the Ca/P ratio corresponding to the advanced stage (3.18) was found higher compared to those for the early stage (1.46–1.77). It has been argued that besides phosphates, the large Ca/P ratio corresponding to intense calcification may be due to a Ca deposit with a different anion (oxalate, hydroxide or even carbonate), while, the lower ratios may be due to an additional inorganic phosphate. The distribution of S/P ratios was used to account for enhanced deposition of lipid materials in the affected area at the expense of proteins.