Aberrant follicular regulatory T cells associate with immunoglobulin hyperproduction in nasal polyps with ectopic lymphoid tissues.

BACKGROUND: Ectopic lymphoid tissues (eLTs) and associated follicular helper T (TFH) cells contribute to local immunoglobulin hyperproduction in nasal polyps (NPs). Follicular regulatory T (TFR) cells in secondary lymphoid organs counteract TFH cells and suppress immunoglobulin production; however, the presence and function of TFR cells in eLTs in peripheral diseased tissues remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the presence, phenotype, and function of TFR cells in NPs. METHODS: The presence, abundance, and phenotype of TFR cells in NPs were examined using single-cell RNA sequencing, immunofluorescence staining, and flow cytometry. Sorted polyp and circulating T-cell subsets were cocultured with autologous circulating naïve B cells, and cytokine and immunoglobulin production were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: TFR cells were primarily localized within eLTs in NPs. TFR cell frequency and TFR cell/TFH cell ratio were decreased in NPs with eLTs compared with NPs without eLTs and control inferior turbinate tissues. TFR cells displayed an overlapping phenotype with TFH cells and FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in NPs. Polyp TFR cells had reduced CTLA-4 expression and decreased capacity to inhibit TFH cell-induced immunoglobulin production compared with their counterpart in blood and tonsils. Blocking CTLA-4 abolished the suppressive effect of TFR cells. Lower vitamin D receptor expression was observed on polyp TFR cells compared with TFR cells in blood and tonsils. Vitamin D treatment upregulated CTLA-4 expression on polyp TFR cells and restored their suppressive function in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Polyp TFR cells in eLTs have decreased CLTA-4 and vitamin D receptor expression and impaired capacity to suppress TFH cell-induced immunoglobulin production, which can be reversed by vitamin D treatment in vitro.

Immune signatures predict response to house dust mite subcutaneous immunotherapy in patients with allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Identifying predictive biomarkers for allergen immunotherapy response is crucial for enhancing clinical efficacy. This study aims to identify such biomarkers in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) undergoing subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) for house dust mite allergy. METHODS: The Tongji (discovery) cohort comprised 72 AR patients who completed 1-year SCIT follow-up. Circulating T and B cell subsets were characterized using multiplexed flow cytometry before SCIT. Serum immunoglobulin levels and combined symptom and medication score (CSMS) were assessed before and after 12-month SCIT. Responders, exhibiting ≥30% CSMS improvement, were identified. The random forest algorithm and logistic regression analysis were used to select biomarkers and establish predictive models for SCIT efficacy in the Tongji cohort, which was validated in another Wisco cohort with 43 AR patients. RESULTS: Positive SCIT response correlated with higher baseline CSMS, allergen-specific IgE (sIgE)/total IgE (tIgE) ratio, and frequencies of Type 2 helper T cells, Type 2 follicular helper T (TFH2) cells, and CD23+ nonswitched memory B (BNSM) and switched memory B (BSM) cells, as well as lower follicular regulatory T (TFR) cell frequency and TFR/TFH2 cell ratio. The random forest algorithm identified sIgE/tIgE ratio, TFR/TFH2 cell ratio, and BNSM frequency as the key biomarkers discriminating responders from nonresponders in the Tongji cohort. Logistic regression analysis confirmed the predictive value of a combination model, including sIgE/tIgE ratio, TFR/TFH2 cell ratio, and CD23+ BSM frequency (AUC = 0.899 in Tongji; validated AUC = 0.893 in Wisco). CONCLUSIONS: A T- and B-cell signature combination efficiently identified SCIT responders before treatment, enabling personalized approaches for AR patients.

Untargeted metabolomic profiling identifies disease-specific and outcome-related signatures in chronic rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Although metabolomics provides novel insights into disease mechanisms and biomarkers, the metabolic alterations in local tissues affected by chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) are unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the metabolomic profiles of sinonasal tissues associated with different types of CRS and their treatment outcomes. METHODS: Untargeted metabolomic profiling was performed on sinonasal tissues obtained from patients with eosinophilic CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), noneosinophilic CRSwNP or CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), and controls. The messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of inflammatory cytokines in nasal tissues were detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. Nasal polyp tissues were cultured ex vivo and treated with glutathione. RESULTS: Distinct metabolomic profiles were observed for the CRS subtypes. Eosinophilic CRSwNP had profoundly enhanced unsaturated fatty acid oxidization, which correlated with mucosal eosinophil numbers and IL-5 mRNA levels. Noneosinophilic CRSwNP was characterized by uric acid accumulation. Increased uric acid levels were positively correlated with mucosal neutrophil numbers and IFN-γ, IL-17A, IL-1ß, and IL-8 mRNA levels. Disrupted purine metabolism was specifically detected in CRSsNP. Reduced levels of amino acid metabolites were found in eosinophilic CRSwNP and CRSsNP, and were inversely associated with mucosal total inflammatory cell numbers and inflammatory cytokines. Compared to non-difficult-to-treat CRS, difficult-to-treat CRS had higher glutathione disulfide levels, which were positively correlated with IL-8 mRNA levels. Glutathione treatment reduced IL-8 mRNA expression in cultured nasal polyp tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Specific metabolic signatures are associated with different types of CRS, inflammatory patterns, and disease outcomes, which may provide novel insights into pathophysiologic mechanisms, subtype-specific biomarkers, and treatment targets of CRS.

Defective STING expression potentiates IL-13 signaling in epithelial cells in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND: Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) activation favors effective innate immune responses against viral infections. Its role in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to explore the expression, regulation, and function of STING in CRSwNP. METHODS: STING expression in sinonasal mucosal samples was analyzed by means of quantitative RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and Western blotting. Regulation and function of STING expression were explored by using cultured primary human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) and cells of the line BEAS-2B in vitro. RESULTS: STING expression was reduced in eosinophilic nasal polyps compared with that in noneosinophilic nasal polyps and control tissues. STING was predominantly expressed by epithelial cells in nasal tissue and was downregulated by IL-4 and IL-13 in a signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6)-dependent manner. HNECs derived from eosinophilic polyps displayed compromised STING-dependent type I interferon production but heightened IL-13-induced STAT6 activation and CCL26 production as compared with HNECs from noneosinophilic polyps and control tissues, which were rescued by exogenous STING overexpression. Knocking down or overexpressing STING decreased or enhanced expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) in BEAS-2B cells, respectively, independent of the canonic STING pathway elements TBK1 and IRF3. Knocking down SOCS1 abolished the inhibitory effect of STING on IL-13 signaling in BEAS-2B cells. STING expression was positively correlated with SOCS1 expression but negatively correlated with CCL26 expression in nasal epithelial cells from patients with CRSwNP. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced STING expression caused by the type 2 milieu not only impairs STING-dependent type I interferon production but also amplifies IL-13 signaling by decreasing SOCS1 expression in nasal epithelial cells in eosinophilic CRSwNP.

Stromal cells and B cells orchestrate ectopic lymphoid tissue formation in nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND: Although the importance of ectopic lymphoid tissues (eLTs) in the pathophysiology of nasal polyps (NPs) is increasingly appreciated, the mechanisms underlying their formation remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To study the role of interleukin (IL)-17A, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13) and lymphotoxin (LT) in eLT formation in NPs. METHODS: The expression levels of CXCL13 and LT and their receptors, in addition to the phenotypes of stromal cells in NPs, were studied by flow cytometry, immunostaining, and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Purified nasal stromal cells and B cells were cultured, and a murine model of nasal type 17 inflammation was established by intranasal curdlan challenge for the mechanistic study. RESULTS: The excessive CXCL13 production in NPs correlated with enhanced IL-17A expression. Stromal cells, with CD31- Pdpn+ fibroblastic reticular cell (FRC) expansion, were the major source of CXCL13 in NPs without eLTs. IL-17A induced FRC expansion and CXCL13 production in nasal stromal cells. In contrast, B cells were the main source of CXCL13 and LTα1 ß2 in NPs with eLTs. CXCL13 upregulated LTα1 ß2 expression on B cells, which in turn promoted CXCL13 production in nasal B cells and stromal cells. LTα1 ß2 induced expansion of FRCs and CD31+ Pdpn+ lymphoid endothelial cells, which were the predominant stromal cell types in NPs with eLTs. IL-17A knockout and CXCL13 and LTßR blockage diminished nasal eLT formation in the murine model. CONCLUSION: We identified an important role of IL-17A-induced stromal cell remodeling in the initiation and crosstalk between B and stromal cells via CXCL13 and LTα1 ß2 in the enlargement of eLTs in NPs.

Chromium (VI) promotes EMT by regulating FLNA in BLCA.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)), which is a recognized human carcinogen, is widely used in industrial production of raw materials. Evidence verifies that environmental contaminants in the urine can induce malignant transformation in the urinary bladder tract, and our data indicate that Cr (VI) could promote the proliferation and migration and inhibit the apoptosis of bladder cancer (BLCA) cells. However, the molecular mechanism remains ambiguous. We find that Filamin A (FLNA) is overexpressed in BLCA, and Cr (VI) promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by regulating FLNA in BLCA. Thus, inhibiting the expression of FLNA may be a prospective method for limiting the BLCA progression caused by Cr (VI) exposure.

Joint Angles and Joint Moments of the Lower Limbs in Four Typical Tai Chi Movements: Consideration for Management of Knee Osteoarthritis.

This study examined the biomechanics of the lower limbs during four typical Tai Chi (TC) movements: wave hand in cloud, leaning fly side, repulse monkey, and brush knee and twist step, in order to provide biomechanical evidence-based recommendations for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) practicing TC. Joint angles and joint moments of the hip, knee, and ankle in frontal and sagittal plane as well as ground reaction forces were examined while performing TC and regular walking in an experienced 38 years old TC master. The results showed that relative to walking, the four TC movements are characterized by a wide motion range of lower limbs, slow increase in joint loading, and strong muscle activity during performance. Therefore, these TC movements could be suitable for patients with knee OA to practice for improving the muscle strength of their lower limbs and functional ability.

Plantar load characteristics among runners with different strike patterns during preferred speed.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the plantar loads between habitual rearfoot strike (RFS) and non-RFS (NRFS) during running under the participant's preferred speed. METHODS: A total of 66 (36 RFS, 30 NRFS) healthy amateur male runners were included in our study. In-shoe pressure sensors were utilised to the test plantar loads when participants were running using their preferred foot strike pattern and running speed (RFS: 3.2 ± 0.3 m/s; NRFS: 3.4 ± 0.4 m/s). RESULTS: Results indicated that running speed has a significant effect on the total contact area [F (1, 64) = 7.061, P = 0.01, η 2  = 0.101], which also affects midfoot and forefoot regions. No significant difference was found on the total maximum force, force-time-integral, peak pressure (PP) and pressure-time-integral (PTI), but the total contact area of RFS was higher than that of NRFS runners [F (1, 64) = 77.406, P < 0.001, η 2  = 0.551]. Plantar loads were mainly focused on the heel and midfoot for RFS runners in all variables, and NRFS runners experienced increased PP and PTI in medial forefoot regions. CONCLUSION: Habitual runners tend to adjust their contact area according to the running speed through midfoot and forefoot regions. RFS runners remain susceptible to high impact force on the heel and midfoot, and NRFS runners experience high impact force in the first metatarsal regions. Therefore, runners should note this situation to avoid running-related injuries.

Effect of long-term exercise training on static postural control in older adults: a cross-sectional study.

We examined the effects of long-term exercise on age-related decline in static balance control through centre-of-pressure (CoP) measurements of four groups of participants: older controls, younger controls, older Tai Chi exercisers and older joggers. The participants stood quietly in a tandem stance on a force platform for 30 s with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). The older controls showed remarkably larger CoP and EC/EO ratios than younger controls and older Tai Chi exercisers. The EC/EO ratios of velocity in the mediolateral direction of older joggers were significantly smaller than those of older controls. Results suggest that the static balance of older controls showed a significant decline caused by age-related changes. Long-term Tai Chi and jogging, particularly the former, contributed to static balance control in older people. Older adults relied more on visual information in static postural control than young people. Tai Chi would be an ideal exercise for improving static balance in older people.

The effects of shoes and insoles for low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The aim of this review was to examine the effects of shoes and insoles on low back pain (LBP). Seven electronic databases were searched from their inception to May 2020. The methodological quality of the 14 included studies was assessed by PEDro scale. Quality of evidence was assessed using GRADE. Moderate evidence on the disability questionnaire score (SMD, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.77; P < 0.001) and pain score (SMD, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.85; P < 0.001) of the custom-made orthotics for chronic LBP compared with no orthotics/insoles intervention was found. Meta-analysis results also showed moderate evidence on the disability questionnaire score (SMD, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.82; P =0.03) in patients who wore unstable shoes compared with regular shoes. Pain and life quality scores showed low-quality evidence of unstable shoes for chronic LBP. Custom-made orthotics and unstable shoes can be recommended to patients as a management option of chronic LBP.

Foot Morphology in Chinese Adolescents Aged Between 13 to 18 Years Varies by Gender and Age.

BACKGROUND We recently reported age and gender differences in foot shape and size in Chinese school children aged between 7-12 years. This study aimed to analyze age and gender differences in foot shape and size in Chinese adolescents aged between 13-18 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 1,252 adolescent boys and 1274 adolescent girls from seven regions in China. Twelve measurements of foot shape were recorded using a video filming system. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) compared the changes in the measurements with age. An independent t-test was used to analyze gender-associated differences in foot size and shape. RESULTS In adolescent boys, foot length and width increased significantly at 13-14 years and heel width, arch height, and fifth metatarsal head height increased until 18 years (P<0.05). In adolescent girls, most foot measurements ceased to increase after 15 years, except for arch height. Adolescent boys showed significantly larger foot length, width, height, and girth compared with adolescent girls (P<0.05) (Cohen's d effect size >0.8). Adolescent boys showed a significant increase in ball width and girth, and instep length and height compared with adolescent girls, who had a longer medial foot length and higher fifth metatarsal head height compared with adolescent boys (P<0.05) (Cohen's d effect size >0.5). CONCLUSIONS Age and gender associated differences were found in foot measurements in Chinese adolescents, aged between 13-18 years. These differences should be considered by shoe manufacturers and when making clinical decisions about normal foot development.

IgD-activated mast cells induce IgE synthesis in B cells in nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND: Although upregulated expression of local IgD has been reported in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), its function is unclear. OBJECTIVE: We sought to explore the expression and function of soluble IgD in patients with CRS, particularly CRS with nasal polyps. METHODS: IgD levels in sinonasal mucosa were analyzed by using RT-PCR and ELISA. Numbers and phenotypes of IgD+ cells were studied by means of immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. HMC-1 cells, a human mast cell line, and mast cells purified from eosinophilic polyps were cultured alone or with naive B cells purified from peripheral blood. The antigen specificity of nasal IgD was investigated by using ELISA. RESULTS: The mRNA expression of immunoglobulin heavy constant delta gene, numbers of IgD+ cells, and protein levels of secretory IgD in sinonasal mucosa were increased in patients with CRS with or without nasal polyps compared with control subjects. Numbers of IgD+ plasmablasts were increased in both eosinophilic and noneosinophilic polyps, whereas numbers of IgD+ mast cells were only increased in eosinophilic polyps. Cross-linking IgD induced serum preincubated HMC-1 cells and polyp mast cells to produce B-cell activating factor, IL-21, IL-4, and IL-13 and to promote IgM, IgG, IgA, and IgE production from B cells. In eosinophilic polyps expression of those B cell-stimulating factors in mast cells and close contact between mast cells and B cells were found. Moreover, positive correlations of total IgD levels with total IgE levels and eosinophilia and upregulation of specific IgD against house dust mites were discovered in eosinophilic polyps. CONCLUSION: IgD-activated mast cells can facilitate IgE production and eosinophilic inflammation in patients with CRS with nasal polyps.

The effect of Tai Chi practice on brain white matter structure: a diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging study.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures the displacement of water molecules across tissue components and thus provides information on the microstructure of brain white matter. This study examined the effect of Tai Chi and the relation of Tai Chi experiences and skills with brain white matter. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was obtained from the DTI magnetic resonance images of two group participants, namely, the long-term Tai Chi practitioners and sedentary counterparts. Whole-brain voxel-based analysis showed that the Tai Chi group had higher FA in the splenium of corpus callosum (p = 0.015) than the control group. Rank correlation analysis revealed that in the Tai Chi group, the FA value of the splenium of corpus callosum was moderately related with exercise duration (r = 0.45, p = 0.045) but highly related with skill level (r = 0.699, p = 0.001). Long-term Tai Chi practice could benefit to the brain white matter, and these impacts were correlated with exercise duration and skill level.

Foot Morphology in Chinese School Children Varies by Sex and Age.

BACKGROUND Knowledge of children's foot shape is essential for podiatric healthcare and footwear design. Differences in foot shapes relative to sex and age were demonstrated among white children; however, no study has examined the foot characteristics of Asian children according to sex and age. This study aimed to analyze the age- and sex-associated differences in foot measurements in Chinese children. MATERIAL AND METHODS We recruited 1240 boys and 1303 girls from China as participants for the present study. Foot dimensions were recorded by a video filming system, and 12 foot-shape measurements were acquired. One-way ANOVA was used to calculated the changes in measurements with age for boys and girls. Scores were analyzed as raw and normalized to foot length using the independent-samples t test. RESULTS Most measurements increased significantly at 7-8 and 8-9 years for girls and 8-9 and 10-11 years for boys. Arch height, instep length, and heel width showed greatest increases for both sexes ages 7-12 years (P<0.05). Sex differences in measurements mainly occurred at 8, 9, and 11 years. When we analyzed the normalized measurements of the same age children, instep length, heel width, ball girth, and instep girth were significantly different between boys and girls (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Sex- and age-associated differences were identified in the foot morphology of the Chinese school-aged children in this study. These differences should be considered when making clinical decisions about normal foot development and manufacturing shoes for Chinese school children.

Kinetics of the lower limb during two typical Tai Chi movements in the elderly.

Tai Chi (TC) is a recommended exercise for elderly people; however, its loading on the joints of the lower limbs is unknown. This study examined the 3D kinetics of the lower limbs during two typical TC movements and walking in the elderly. Fifteen experienced TC practitioners participated. Ground reaction forces, joint moments and time-to-peak joint moment generation were analysed. Compared with walking, both TC movements generated significantly (1) smaller peak ground reaction forces in all directions, except the anterior; (2) larger hip extension, adduction and internal rotational moments, knee adduction/abduction and internal rotation moments and eversion/inversion and external/internal moments of ankle-foot; and (3) longer peak moment generation time for hip extension, adduction and internal rotation, knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion and inversion. The TC loading patterns are consistent with the mechanical behaviour of biological tissues, which could help to strengthen the lower extremities and prevent falls in the elderly.

Effects of regular Tai Chi practice and jogging on neuromuscular reaction during lateral postural control in older people.

This study examined the effects of regular Tai Chi practice and jogging on the neuromuscular activity of the trunk, hip, and ankle joint muscles of older people during lateral postural perturbation. A total of 42 older people participated in the study and formed the Tai Chi, jogging, and sedentary control groups. Electromyography signals were collected from the peroneus longus, anterior tibialis, gluteus medius, and erector spinae during unpredictable mediolateral perturbation. The Tai Chi group exhibited significantly faster latencies of the tibialis anterior and erector spinae than the control group. The jogging group showed a significantly shorter neuromuscular reaction time of the erector spinae than the control group. No significant difference was observed between the Tai Chi and jogging groups. Long-term regular Tai Chi practice enhanced the neuromuscular reaction of the erector spinae and tibialis anterior to lateral perturbation and will help timely posture correction when lateral postural distributions occur.

[Effect of astragaloside â £ combined with Panax notoginseng saponins on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and study of pharmacokinetics in rats].

The aim is to study the effect of astragaloside Ⅳ (AST Ⅳ) combined with Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and to probe the synergistic mechanism through the pharmacokinetics of the four major components such as AST Ⅳ, ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1), ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1), notoginsenoside R1 (R1) in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats. Following the establishment of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model in rats by modified suture method, neurological function score, cerebral infarction area and pathomorphology were used to evaluate the pharmacological effect that the combination of AST Ⅳ and PNS antagonized cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury; the contents of AST Ⅳ, Rg1, Rb1, R1 in rat plasma of different time points were determined with ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem massspectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated and pharmacokinetics changes of the main effective components were analyzed. The results showed that AST Ⅳ, PNS alone and their combination could reduce the cerebral infarction area of rats, relieve the behavioral scores of neurologic deficit, improve the pathological changes after cerebral ischemia, the effects of the combination were better. Among AST Ⅳ, Rg1, Rb1, R1, the area under the curve (AUC) was significantly increased, the mean residence time of (MRT0-t) was delayed, the peak concentration (Cmax) was significantly raised, the apparent volume of distribution (Vz/F) was reduced, and the clearance rate in vivo was significantly slowed. It suggested that AST Ⅳ combined with PNS has synergistic enhancement on anti-cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, moreover, make the pharmacokinetic behavior of the main effective components change, the mechanism may be associated with prolonging the retention time of the effective components in cerebral ischemia condition, elevating the bioavailability.

Ottawa Panel Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Foot Care in the Management of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To create evidence-based guidelines evaluating foot care interventions for the management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). DATA SOURCES: An electronic literature search of the following databases from database inception to May 2015 was conducted: MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), Cochrane CENTRAL, and clinicaltrials.gov. STUDY SELECTION: The Ottawa Panel selection criteria targeted studies that assessed foot care or foot orthotic interventions for the management of JIA in those aged 0 to ≤18 years. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale was used to evaluate study quality, of which only high-quality studies were included (score, ≥5). A total of 362 records were screened, resulting in 3 full-text articles and 1 additional citation containing supplementary information included for the analysis. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers independently extracted study data (intervention, comparator, outcome, time period, study design) from the included studies by using standardized data extraction forms. Directed by Cochrane Collaboration methodology, the statistical analysis produced figures and graphs representing the strength of intervention outcomes and their corresponding grades (A, B, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-). Clinical significance was achieved when an improvement of ≥30% between the intervention and control groups was present, whereas P>.05 indicated statistical significance. An expert panel Delphi consensus (≥80%) was required for the endorsement of recommendations. DATA SYNTHESIS: All included studies were of high quality and analyzed the effects of multidisciplinary foot care, customized foot orthotics, and shoe inserts for the management of JIA. Custom-made foot orthotics and prefabricated shoe inserts displayed the greatest improvement in pain intensity, activity limitation, foot pain, and disability reduction (grades A, C+). CONCLUSIONS: The use of customized foot orthotics and prefabricated shoe inserts seems to be a good choice for managing foot pain and function in JIA.

The effect of unilateral hockey bag carriage on the muscle activities of the trunk and lower limb of young healthy males during gait.

This study explored the trunk and lower limb muscle activity of 15 males during unilateral hockey bag carriage of 10%, 20%, and 30% of one's body weight (BW) compared with without a load during walking. The electromyography (EMG) activities of the left and right erector spinae, rectus abdominis, gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and the medial gastrocnemius were studied. A 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine the differences between the load weight and muscle side. Results showed significant increase in peak EMG and iEMG in the carrying side vastus medialis, rectus abdominis, semitendinosus, and gastrocnemii (p < 0.05) at the 30% BW load. The noncarrying side showed a greater peak EMG in the semitendinosus and rectus femoris at the 30% BW load when compared with the carrying side (p < 0.05). It was concluded that unilateral hockey bag carriage is similar to both backpack and side-pack carriage styles.

The temporospatial and kinematic characteristics of typical Tai Chi movements: Repulse Monkey and Wave-hand in Cloud.

Tai Chi movements share many similar biomechanical features with normal walking. The purpose of the study was to examine and to compare the temporospatial and kinematic features of two typical Tai Chi movements with forward walking. Experienced male Tai Chi practitioners (n = 15) between the ages of 65 to 75, performed 'Repulse Monkey (RM)', 'Wave-hand in Cloud (WHIC)', and forward walking. The results showed that stride width was larger for WHIC compared with walking; double-support time was longer for RM while both Tai Chi movements spent less time in single-support. The Tai Chi movements elicit larger vertical and mediolateral displacement of the centre of mass compared with walking. During RM and WHIC, the knees remained flexed while RM had notably larger abduction and adduction of the knee joint. The gentle and fluid Tai Chi movements have unique biomechanical features that may result in special training to postural control capacity.