Immediate effect of kinesiology taping on muscle strength, static balance and proprioception after eccentric muscle fatigue on ankle: a randomized cross-over trial.

BACKGROUND: Kinesiology Taping(KT) is commonly used as a physical therapy to prevent exercise-induced fatigue. This study aims to evaluate the immediate effects of KT on muscle strength, static balance, and proprioception after eccentric muscle fatigue on ankle. METHODS: Twenty healthy male university students were recruited. The experimental protocol was structured into four sessions, each separated by a one-week washout period to prevent carryover effects. Participants were randomly allocated to one of four intervention conditions in each session, ensuring no participant received the same intervention twice. These conditions were: no taping(NT),sham taping(ST),athletic taping(AT),and kinesiology taping(KT).Taping was applied immediately following an eccentric muscle fatigue protocol targeting the ankle, and assessments were conducted in the order of proprioception, muscle strength and static balance. Isometric muscle strength and proprioception were evaluated using the Biodex isokinetic system. Static balance was measured using the TecnoBody balance platform. RESULTS: KT had a significantly higher plantarflexion/dorsiflexion peak torque, dorsiflexion average peak torque, and plantarflexion/dorsiflexion average power at 60°/s compared with NT and ST in terms of isometric muscle strength (p < 0.05).Furthermore, the plantarflexion peak torque of KT was significantly greater than AT at 60°/s[p = 0.005,95% confidence interval(CI) = 3.39 to 18.20] and 180°/s[p = 0.006,95%CI(2.62,21.98)]. In terms of proprioception, KT showed a lower absolute error in 25° plantarflexion and 10° dorsiflexion compared to NT, ST and AT. For static balance with eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions, AT and KT had a lower total sway area than NT and ST (p < 0.05). Additionally, a significant difference in total sway length with eyes-open condition was observed between AT and KT[p < 0.001,95%CI(-431.81,-168.25)];total sway area and the center of pressure(COP) velocity in the mediolateral(ML) and anteroposterior(AP) directions with eyes-closed condition were significantly lower in AT compared to KT. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that KT is more effective than other taping conditions in improving muscle strength and proprioception after eccentric muscle fatigue on ankle. However, AT is more helpful in increasing static postural control ability after ankle muscle fatigue than KT. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered with www.chictr.org.cn (registration number: ChiCTR2300068278) on 13/2/2023.

Design and application of personalized exercise prescription for primary osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND: Regular exercise has been shown to have a beneficial effect on primary osteoporosis (POP). However, current exercise prescriptions have limitations such as insufficient individualized features and low participant compliance, which in turn limit their application in clinical practice. In this study, we propose to establish a personalized exercise prescription based on the Chinese traditional exercise-Yi Jin Jing, combined with treadmill exercises and strength training, and then observe its effects on pain, muscle strength, balance, bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolic indexes in patients with POP. METHODS: This trial is a single-center, randomized, assessor-blinded, controlled clinical study. We will recruit 40 patients with POP and assign them to the control group and the experimental group in a 1:1 ratio according to the intended protocol. The control group received 24 weeks of conventional medication and health promotion, and the experimental group received 24 weeks of personalized exercise prescription intervention (Yijinjing, treadmill exercises, and strength training). Outcome measures include pain (visual analogue scale), muscle strength (bilateral upper limb grip strength and isometric muscle strength of the trunk, hip, and knee), balance (Balance test with eyes open and closed while standing on one leg), and BMD (Lumbar spine 2-4 and femoral neck). In addition, bone metabolism indicators include parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH) 2D3), type I procollagen aminoterminal peptide and type I collagen carboxy-terminal peptide. Outcome measures will be assessed before and after 24 weeks of intervention. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS22.0. DISCUSSION: This trial aimed to enrich the content and form of exercise rehabilitation prescriptions for patients with POP, which is conducive to improving the exercise rehabilitation effect and quality of life in this population.

Remediation of Chromium-Contaminated Soil Based on Bacillus cereus WHX-1 Immobilized on Biochar: Cr(VI) Transformation and Functional Microbial Enrichment.

Microorganisms are applied to remediate chromium (Cr)-contaminated soil extensively. Nevertheless, the microbial loss and growth inhibition in the soil environment restrain the application of this technology. In this study, a Cr(VI)-reducing strain named Bacillus cereus WHX-1 was screened, and the microbial aggregates system was established via immobilizing the strain on Enteromorpha prolifera biochar to enhance the Cr(VI)-reducing activity of this strain. The mechanism of the system on Cr(VI) transformation in Cr-contaminated soil was illuminated. Pot experiments indicated that the microbial aggregates system improved the physicochemical characteristics of Cr-contaminated soil obviously by increasing organic carbon content and cation exchange capacity, as well as decreasing redox potential and bulk density of soil. Moreover, 94.22% of Cr(VI) was transformed into Cr(III) in the pot, and the content of residue fraction Cr increased by 63.38% compared with control check (CK). Correspondingly, the physiological property of Ryegrass planted on the Cr-contaminated soil was improved markedly and the main Cr(VI)-reducing microbes, Bacillus spp., were enriched in the soil with a relative abundance of 28.43% in the microbial aggregates system. Considering more active sites of biochar for microbial aggregation, it was inferred that B. cereus WHX-1 could be immobilized by E. prolifera biochar, and more Cr(VI) was transformed into residue fraction. Cr stress was decreased and the growth of plants was enhanced. This study would provide a new perspective for Cr-contaminated soil remediation.

Enhanced polarization photodetection of metallic cavity ensemble through spontaneously configured lateral electrodes.

Metallic cavities show substantial advantages in light confinement, providing opportunities to modulate the optical resonances and absorption. Here, we report on the configuration of horizontally aligned ZnO-nanowires-based metallic cavity ensemble with a light to dark current ratio of ∼1000. An enhanced polarization photodetection ratio of transverse electric (TE) to transverse magnetic (TM) was experimentally observed compared to the single ZnO nanowire photodetector. Finite difference time domain simulation was performed on the metallic cavities, showing the distinct resonance behaviors under TE and TM light. The confinement by the multi-reflection and optical resonances between the metallic claddings contribute to the high anisotropy ratio. Furthermore, the polarized light absorption in the metallic cavity was studied as well as in the naked nanowire, which reveal a significant dependence on the cavity diameter and wavelength. For the metallic cavities, the absorption ratio of TE to TM show an enhanced value in the range of 300-500 nm wavelength and 85-150 diameter and a reversed value in the range of 400-500 nm wavelength and 17-50 diameter. While for the naked nanowires, the ratio show an apparently opposite value in these two regions. The presented metallic cavities demonstrate a specific paradigm of optical engineering in nanoscale and potentially helps the development of optoelectronic devices.