Background Anatomical studies and the mechanical property studies showed that there is a strong correlation between Achilles tendon (AT) elasticity and individual gastrocnemius muscle (the medial head of gastrocnemius (MG) and the lateral head of gastrocnemius (LG)) elasticity. Limited ankle dorsiflexion range of motion has been correlated with decreased flexibility of the MG/LG/AT complex. However, no studies have been conducted to examine the exact correlation between the Achilles tendon and the individual muscle of the gastrocnemius. Purposes The purposes of the present study were (1) to evaluate intra- and interoperator reliabilities of elastic property measurements in the gastrocnemius muscle-Achilles tendon complex by using the shear wave elastography (SWE) and (2) to examine the correlation between the regional elastic properties of the AT and the individual muscle of the gastrocnemius. Methods Twenty healthy subjects (mean age: 22.50 (3.02) years) were recruited in this study. The elastic properties of the AT and the individual muscle of the gastrocnemius were quantified using the SWE. Findings The SWE has comparatively high reliability in quantifying the elastic properties of the muscle-tendon range from good to excellent. The intraoperator ICC of the gastrocnemius muscle-Achilles tendon complex was 0.77 to 0.95, while the interoperator ICC was 0.76 to 0.94. The minimal detectable change (MDC) of the muscle was 1.72 kPa, while the AT was 32.90 kPa. A significant correlation was found between the elastic modulus of AT and the elastic modulus of the MG (r = 0.668 and p = 0.001 at the relaxing position and r = 0.481 and p = 0.032 at the neutral position). Conclusions The SWE has the potential to assess localized changes in muscle-tendon elastic properties, provide more intuitive relations between elastic properties of the muscle tendon and function, and evaluate the therapeutic effect of the muscle tendon. A significant correlation between the AT and the MG was found, and it may provide a new treatment idea (targeted to the tight muscle heads) for the clinical setting to treat subjects with AT disorders.
The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the passive stiffness of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) in patients with and without plantar fasciitis (PF), (2) to explore the correlation between gastrocnemius stiffness and plantar fascia thickness (PFT) as well as the intensity of pain in patients with PF, (3) to detect optimal cutoff points for stiffness of the MG and LG for identifying patients with pf. forty patients (mean age = 51.1 years ± 12.9) participated in this study. The elastic properties of the MG and LG were quantified using shear wave elastography ultrasound. The thickness of the plantar fascia was measured by B-mode imaging. the intensity of pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale. The results showed that when the ankle was in the relaxed position, patients with PF had increased passive stiffness in the MG (P < 0.05) but not in the LG. Significant correlations were found between pain and the stiffness of the MG (middle, distal; all P-values < 0.05) and no correlation was observed between pain and pft (P = 0.416). The initial cutoff point for the stiffness of the MG was 29.08 kPa when the ankle was in the relaxed position. The findings from the present study show that an increase in muscle stiffness is not the same in the individual muscles of the gastrocnemius muscle. traditional treatment of the whole gastrocnemius muscle might not be targeted at the tight muscle.
Background. Neck and shoulder complaints caused by poor posture may influence upper trapezius stiffness. The relationship between the shear elastic modulus of the upper trapezius and cervical flexion angles is unknown. Therefore, it is essential to assess upper trapezius stiffness during cervical flexion. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the intra- and interoperator reliabilities of evaluating upper trapezius stiffness and calculate the minimal detectable change (MDC); (2) examine the elastic modulus alterations of the upper trapezius during cervical flexion; and (3) explore the difference of upper trapezius stiffness between the dominant and nondominant sides. Methods. Twenty healthy male participants were recruited in this study. The shear modulus of the upper trapezius was evaluated by two independent investigators using shear wave elastography (SWE) during cervical flexion at 0° and 50°. Findings. The intraoperator (intraclass correlation coefficient ICC=0.85–0.86) and interoperator (ICC=0.94–0.98) reliabilities for measuring the shear elastic modulus of the upper trapezius during the cervical flexion ranged from good to excellent. An increase of 35.58% in upper trapezius stiffness was found at 0° to 50° of cervical flexion, and the MDC was 7.04 kPa. In addition, a significant difference was obtained in the elastic modulus of the upper trapezius muscle between the dominant and nondominant sides (P<0.05). Conclusions. Our findings revealed that SWE could quantify the elastic modulus of the upper trapezius and monitor its changes. Therefore, further studies are required to delineate the modulation in upper trapezius muscle stiffness among subjects with neck and shoulder pain.
Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture on the morphological change of the bladder tissue and the protein expression levels of NGF, TrkA, p-TrkA, AKT, and p-AKT in the bladder tissue of rats with neurogenic bladder after suprasacral spinal cord injury and to preliminarily explore its partial mechanism of action. Methods: Eighty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, electroacupuncture group, model/siNGF group, and electroacupuncture/siNGF group according to random number table method with 16 rats in each group. Eighty Neurogenic bladder models after suprasacral spinal cord injury were established by adopting a modified spinal cord transection method. Electroacupuncture intervention was conducted on the 19th day after modeling. The bladder function was detected by bladder weight, urine output, serum BUN, and urine protein. After treatment for 7 consecutive days, the rats were killed and the bladder tissues were removed rapidly for microscopic observation of morphological change after hematoxylin and eosin stain and for determination of the protein expression levels of NGF, TrkA, p-TrkA, AKT, and p-AKT via Western blot analysis. The transcription of NGF was measured by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: After treatment, compared with the blank group, the bladder weight of model and electroacupuncture groups were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the bladder weight of the electroacupuncture group was decreased (P > 0.05). Compared with the blank group, the urine output of the model group was increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the blank group, the urine output of the electroacupuncture group was increased (P > 0.05). Compared with the blank group, the serum BUN of the model group was increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the blank group, the serum BUN of the electroacupuncture group was increased (P > 0.05). Compared with the blank group, the urine protein of the model group was increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the blank group, the urine protein of the electroacupuncture group was increased (P > 0.05). The expression of NGF, p-TrkA, and p-AKT in the model and electroacupuncture groups was obviously higher than that in the J Cell Biochem. 2019;120:9900-9905. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jcb How to cite this article: Zhang T, Yu J, Huang Z, Wang G, Zhang R. Electroacupuncture improves neurogenic bladder dysfunction through activation of NGF/TrkA signaling in a rat model. J Cell Biochem. 2019;120:9900-9905.
ObjectiveOsteoporosis is a common disease in postmenopausal women. Several studies have analysed the associations between dietary supplementation with probiotics and bone health in postmenopausal women, but the results are still controversial. We conducted this meta-analysis to assess the effects of probiotics supplement on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers for postmenopausal women.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library from their inception to November 2020 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing probiotic supplements and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Study-specific risk estimates were combined using random-effect models.ResultsFive RCTs (n=497) were included. Probiotic supplements were associated with a significantly higher BMD in the lumbar spine (standardised mean difference, SMD=0.27, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.44) than in control. There was no difference between probiotic supplements and BMD in hips (SMD=0.22, 95% CI −0.07 to 0.52). Collagen type 1 cross-linked C-telopeptide levels in the treatment groups were significantly lower than those of the placebo group (SMD=−0.34, 95% CI −0.60 to −0.09). In subgroup meta-analysis, levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, osteoprotegerin, osteocalcin and tumour necrosis factor did not differ between the probiotic and placebo groups.ConclusionsWe conclude cautiously that supplementation with probiotics could increase lumbar BMD. More RCTs are recommended to validate or update these results.
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