Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for measuring paraspinal muscle parameters using MRI. Two-dimensional MRI image slices of a subject's spine may be obtained. A slice selection model may identify one or more representative slices, each located at or adjacent to a physiological region corresponding to a specific biomechanical environment in a respective spine level of the subject's spine. A muscle segmentation model may segment each representative slice. Segmenting a representative slice may include generating an image segmentation mask including a plurality of pixels in the representative slice corresponding to paraspinal muscle and excluding a plurality of pixels in the representative slice corresponding to metal artifacts and/or to biological matter other than paraspinal muscle.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting HMGB1 release by a mammalian cell are provided. The methods comprise treating the cell with sufficient fetuin to inhibit HMGB1 release. Methods of inhibiting an inflammatory cytokine cascade in a mammal are also provided. These methods comprise administering sufficient fetuin to the mammal to inhibit HMGB1 release in the mammal. Also provided are methods of treating a condition in a mammal characterized by an inflammatory cytokine cascade. These methods comprise administering sufficient fetuin to the mammal to inhibit HMGB1 release in the mammal.