Objective To determine the effect of knee extension constraint training on bilateral knee biomechanics and bilateral symmetry in running after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction(ACLR).Methods A total of 33 male patients with unilateral ACL injuries were randomly assigned to a BRACE group of 14 wearing a brace with limitation of knee extension,a PLACEBO group of 10 wear-ing a brace without limitation of knee extension,and a CONTROL group of 9,wearing no brace.All groups underwent unilateral hamstring-auto graft ACLR surgery,immediately followed by 12-week rou-tine rehabilitation.Between week 13 and 48,both the BRACE and PLACEBO groups wore braces for one hour on Mondays.Then,running biomechanical tests were performed at the ends of Week 12 and Week 48,and the bilateral knee extension/flexion angle,moment and inter-leg difference(ILD)were calculated.One-dimensional statistical parametric mapping(SPM1d)two-way ANOVA with repeated measures on one factor was used to identify differences in bilateral knee biomechanics and ILD among the three groups before and after the intervention.Results There was no significant interaction effect of group and time on bilateral knee flexion angle,knee extension moment,and ILD in running(P>0.05).Moreover,no significant effect of group was found on the bilateral knee biomechanics and ILD in running(P>0.05).Additionally,significant effects of time were observed on bilateral knee flexion angle and extension moment in running.However,bilateral knee flexion angle decreased during termi-nal stance(ACLR leg:89%～100%,P=0.036;non-ACLR leg:94%～100%,P=0.046),while the bi-lateral knee extension moment increased during mid-stance(ACLR leg:17%～59%,P<0.001;non-ACLR leg:38%～61%,P<0.001)between week 12 and 48.Conclusion In this study,no improvement was found in the abnormal knee biomechanics and symmetry during running in male patients after uni-lateral ACL reconstruction through long-term knee extension constraint training.Moreover,within one year after ACL reconstruction,the knee extension moment of the surgical limb increased gradually over time,with no changes in the knee flexion angle of the surgical limb and bilateral knee symme-try,suggesting that abnormal knee biomechanics and bilateral symmetry should be paid attention to in the post-surgery rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND:It has been found that anterior knee pain is related to the biomechanics of the lower limbs,but there is still a lack of research on the effects of gluteal muscle training on the knee joint and daily activities of the lower limbs.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of gluteal muscle activation exercise therapy on the muscle strength of hip and knee joint muscle groups and pain in young male patients with anterior knee pain.METHODS:Twenty-five young male patients with anterior knee pain were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups:gluteal muscle activation group(n=12)and blank control group(n=13).The gluteal muscle activation group performed gluteal muscle activation exercises,40 minutes each,3 times/week,for 6 weeks.The blank control group did not perform any intervention.Assessments were conducted at the time of enrollment and again after 6 weeks.The relative peak torque,total work,ratio of flexors and extensors,and muscle endurance values of the affected hip and knee joints were evaluated through isokinetic flexion and extension tests at 60(°)/s and 180(°)/s.At the same time,floors at which climbing was stopped in the stair-climbing test were detected and the visual analog scale score was assessed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Isokinetic knee extension and flexion test:For the hip joint,the gluteal muscle activation group showed a significant increase in the relative peak torque at 60(°)/s and 180(°)/s by 29.74%and 25.95%respectively after intervention(P=0.022,P=0.024);the blank control group showed a 12.12%decrease in muscle endurance at 180(°)/s compared to before intervention(P=0.000).For the knee joints,the gluteal muscle activation group had a significant increase in the relative peak torque at 60(°)/s and 180(°)/s by 18.69%and 7.27%respectively after intervention(P=0.006,P=0.033);there were no significant changes in the blank control group before and after intervention(P>0.05).(2)Stair-climbing test:The number of floors climbed to cessation in the gluteal muscle activation group was(6.41±6.1)floors,which was higher than that in the blank control group(P=0.024),and increased by 33.11%compared with before intervention(P=0.016);there were no significant changes in all the indicators of the blank control group before and after intervention(P>0.05).(3)Pain assessment:After intervention,the visual analogue scale score of the gluteal muscle activation group was significantly lower than that of the blank control(P=0.036),and also decreased compared to before intervention(P=0.000);there were no significant changes in the blank control group before and after intervention(P>0.05).To conclude,the 6-week gluteal activation exercise therapy can improve the explosive power and endurance of the lower limb muscles,and reduce the degree of anterior knee pain.For patients with anterior knee pain,gluteal muscle training is necessary to promote recovery.

BACKGROUND: Visual input significantly influences cerebral activity related to locomotor navigation, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze the effects of chronic visual impairment and its rehabilitation on sensorimotor integration during level walking in patients with age-related cataract. METHODS: This prospective case series enrolled 14 female patients (68.4 ± 4.7 years) with age-related cataract, scheduled for consecutive cataract surgeries at the Department of Ophthalmology in Peking University Third Hospital from June 2019 to June 2020. Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals during level walking were recorded using a portable EEG system before and 4 weeks after visual restoration. Walking speed was assessed using the Footscan system. Spectral power of the theta and alpha bands was analyzed with repeated-measures analysis of variance, with Assignment (rest and walking), Phase (preoperative and postoperative), and Electrode sites (F3, Fz, F4, O1, and O2) as within-subject factors. RESULTS: Compared to the visual impairment state, theta band power significantly decreased after visual restoration (13.16 ± 1.58 μV 2vs. 23.65 ± 3.48 μV 2 , P = 0.018). Theta activity was notably reduced during walking (17.24 ± 2.43 μV 2vs. 37.86 ± 6.62 μV 2 , P = 0.017), while theta power at rest was not significantly different between the two phases (9.44 ± 1.24 μV 2vs. 9.08 ± 1.74 μV 2 , P = 0.864). Changes in walking speed were correlated with alterations in theta power at electrode sites of O1 ( r = -0.574, P = 0.032) and O2 ( r = -0.648, P = 0.012). Alpha band power remained stable during walking and was unaffected by visual status. CONCLUSIONS Chronic visual impairment from age-related cataract triggers enhanced cerebral activation of sensorimotor integration to compensate for visual decline during locomotion. This cerebral over-activation is effectively alleviated by visual restoration.
Humans ; Female ; Walking/physiology* ; Aged ; Electroencephalography/methods* ; Prospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Cataract/physiopathology* ; Vision Disorders/physiopathology*

Objective:To compare the efficacy of endoscopic mucosal resection with grasping forceps (EMR-G) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for the resection of rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NET)≤10 mm.Methods:Data of 74 patients with ≤10 mm rectal NET admitted to Shantou Central Hospital from August 2020 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the ESD group and the EMR-G group according to the surgical method. Outcomes included R0 resection rate, margin-to-base distance, operative time, cost, and hospital stay.Results:The EMR-G group demonstrated significantly higher R0 resection rates [100.0% (37/37) VS 81.1% (30/37), χ2=7.731, P=0.006], greater margin-to-base distance (median 330 μm VS 110 μm, Z=-5.890, P<0.001), shorter operative time (15.22±2.94 min VS 27.95±6.50 min, t=-10.854, P<0.001), lower cost (2 409.51±205.00 yuan VS 7 899.19±420.14 yuan, t=-71.430, P=0.001), and reduced hospital stay (1.08±0.27 days VS 2.76±0.80 days, t=-12.095, P<0.001). Conclusion:EMR-G outperforms ESD for ≤10 mm rectal NETs by improving R0 resection, shortening procedure duration and hospitalization, and reducing costs, which is worth promotion.

Objective To determine the effect of knee extension constraint training on bilateral knee biomechanics and bilateral symmetry in running after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction(ACLR).Methods A total of 33 male patients with unilateral ACL injuries were randomly assigned to a BRACE group of 14 wearing a brace with limitation of knee extension,a PLACEBO group of 10 wear-ing a brace without limitation of knee extension,and a CONTROL group of 9,wearing no brace.All groups underwent unilateral hamstring-auto graft ACLR surgery,immediately followed by 12-week rou-tine rehabilitation.Between week 13 and 48,both the BRACE and PLACEBO groups wore braces for one hour on Mondays.Then,running biomechanical tests were performed at the ends of Week 12 and Week 48,and the bilateral knee extension/flexion angle,moment and inter-leg difference(ILD)were calculated.One-dimensional statistical parametric mapping(SPM1d)two-way ANOVA with repeated measures on one factor was used to identify differences in bilateral knee biomechanics and ILD among the three groups before and after the intervention.Results There was no significant interaction effect of group and time on bilateral knee flexion angle,knee extension moment,and ILD in running(P>0.05).Moreover,no significant effect of group was found on the bilateral knee biomechanics and ILD in running(P>0.05).Additionally,significant effects of time were observed on bilateral knee flexion angle and extension moment in running.However,bilateral knee flexion angle decreased during termi-nal stance(ACLR leg:89%～100%,P=0.036;non-ACLR leg:94%～100%,P=0.046),while the bi-lateral knee extension moment increased during mid-stance(ACLR leg:17%～59%,P<0.001;non-ACLR leg:38%～61%,P<0.001)between week 12 and 48.Conclusion In this study,no improvement was found in the abnormal knee biomechanics and symmetry during running in male patients after uni-lateral ACL reconstruction through long-term knee extension constraint training.Moreover,within one year after ACL reconstruction,the knee extension moment of the surgical limb increased gradually over time,with no changes in the knee flexion angle of the surgical limb and bilateral knee symme-try,suggesting that abnormal knee biomechanics and bilateral symmetry should be paid attention to in the post-surgery rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND:It has been found that anterior knee pain is related to the biomechanics of the lower limbs,but there is still a lack of research on the effects of gluteal muscle training on the knee joint and daily activities of the lower limbs.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of gluteal muscle activation exercise therapy on the muscle strength of hip and knee joint muscle groups and pain in young male patients with anterior knee pain.METHODS:Twenty-five young male patients with anterior knee pain were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups:gluteal muscle activation group(n=12)and blank control group(n=13).The gluteal muscle activation group performed gluteal muscle activation exercises,40 minutes each,3 times/week,for 6 weeks.The blank control group did not perform any intervention.Assessments were conducted at the time of enrollment and again after 6 weeks.The relative peak torque,total work,ratio of flexors and extensors,and muscle endurance values of the affected hip and knee joints were evaluated through isokinetic flexion and extension tests at 60(°)/s and 180(°)/s.At the same time,floors at which climbing was stopped in the stair-climbing test were detected and the visual analog scale score was assessed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Isokinetic knee extension and flexion test:For the hip joint,the gluteal muscle activation group showed a significant increase in the relative peak torque at 60(°)/s and 180(°)/s by 29.74%and 25.95%respectively after intervention(P=0.022,P=0.024);the blank control group showed a 12.12%decrease in muscle endurance at 180(°)/s compared to before intervention(P=0.000).For the knee joints,the gluteal muscle activation group had a significant increase in the relative peak torque at 60(°)/s and 180(°)/s by 18.69%and 7.27%respectively after intervention(P=0.006,P=0.033);there were no significant changes in the blank control group before and after intervention(P>0.05).(2)Stair-climbing test:The number of floors climbed to cessation in the gluteal muscle activation group was(6.41±6.1)floors,which was higher than that in the blank control group(P=0.024),and increased by 33.11%compared with before intervention(P=0.016);there were no significant changes in all the indicators of the blank control group before and after intervention(P>0.05).(3)Pain assessment:After intervention,the visual analogue scale score of the gluteal muscle activation group was significantly lower than that of the blank control(P=0.036),and also decreased compared to before intervention(P=0.000);there were no significant changes in the blank control group before and after intervention(P>0.05).To conclude,the 6-week gluteal activation exercise therapy can improve the explosive power and endurance of the lower limb muscles,and reduce the degree of anterior knee pain.For patients with anterior knee pain,gluteal muscle training is necessary to promote recovery.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of endoscopic mucosal resection with grasping forceps (EMR-G) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for the resection of rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NET)≤10 mm.Methods:Data of 74 patients with ≤10 mm rectal NET admitted to Shantou Central Hospital from August 2020 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the ESD group and the EMR-G group according to the surgical method. Outcomes included R0 resection rate, margin-to-base distance, operative time, cost, and hospital stay.Results:The EMR-G group demonstrated significantly higher R0 resection rates [100.0% (37/37) VS 81.1% (30/37), χ2=7.731, P=0.006], greater margin-to-base distance (median 330 μm VS 110 μm, Z=-5.890, P<0.001), shorter operative time (15.22±2.94 min VS 27.95±6.50 min, t=-10.854, P<0.001), lower cost (2 409.51±205.00 yuan VS 7 899.19±420.14 yuan, t=-71.430, P=0.001), and reduced hospital stay (1.08±0.27 days VS 2.76±0.80 days, t=-12.095, P<0.001). Conclusion:EMR-G outperforms ESD for ≤10 mm rectal NETs by improving R0 resection, shortening procedure duration and hospitalization, and reducing costs, which is worth promotion.

Objective:To evaluate knee biomechanics of patients about 12 months after anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)reconstruction during cutting and determine the abnormal biomechanical characteristics.Methods:Sixteen males about 12 months after ACL reconstruction were recruited for this study.Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data were collected during cutting movement.Knee joint angles and moments were calculated.Paired t-tests were used to compare the differences in knee biomechanics be-tween the surgical leg and nonsurgical leg.Results:The peak posterior ground reaction force(surgical leg:0.380±0.071;nonsurgical leg:0.427±0.069,P=0.003)and vertical ground reaction force(surgical leg:1.996±0.202,nonsurgical leg:2.110±0.182,P=0.001)were significantly smaller in the surgical leg than in the nonsurgical leg.When compared with the uninjured leg,the surgical leg demonstrated a smaller knee flexion angle(surgical leg:38.3°±7.4°;nonsurgical leg:42.8°±7.9°,P＜0.001)and larger external rotation angle(surgical leg:10.3°±2.4°;nonsurgical leg:7.7°±2.1°,P=0.008).The surgical leg also demonstrated a smaller peak knee extension moment(surgical leg:0.092±0.031;nonsurgical leg:0.133±0.024,P＜0.001)and peak knee external rotation moment(surgical leg:0.005±0.004;nonsurgical leg:0.008±0.004,P=0.015)when com-pared with the nonsurgical leg.Conclusion:The individuals with ACL reconstruction mainly showed asymmetrical movements in the sagittal and horizontal planes.The surgical leg demonstrated a smaller peak knee flexion angle,knee extension moment,and knee external rotation moment,with greater knee external rotation angle.

Background::Visual inputs are critical for locomotor navigation and sensorimotor integration in the elderly; however, the mechanism needs to be explored intensively. The present study assessed the gait pattern after cataract surgery to investigate the effects of visual restoration on locomotion.Methods::The prospective study recruited 32 patients (70.1 ± 5.2 years) with bilateral age-related cataracts in the Department of Ophthalmology at Peking University Third Hospital from October 2016 to December 2019. The temporal-spatial gait parameters and kinematic parameters were measured by the Footscan system and inertial measurement units. Paired t-test was employed to compare data normally distributed and Wilcoxon rank-sum test for non-normally distributed. Results::After visual restoration, the walking speed increased by 9.3% (1.19 ± 0.40 m/s vs. 1.09 ± 0.34 m/s, P=0.008) and exhibited an efficient gait pattern with significant decrease in gait cycle (1.02 ± 0.08 s vs. 1.04 ± 0.07 s, P=0.012), stance time (0.66 ± 0.06 s vs. 0.68 ± 0.06 s, P=0.045), and single support time (0.36 ± 0.03 s vs. 0.37 ± 0.02 s, P=0.011). High amplitude of joint motion was detected in the sagittal plane in the left hip (37.6° ± 5.3° vs. 35.5° ± 6.2°, P=0.014), left thigh (38.0° ± 5.2° vs. 36.4° ± 5.8°, P=0.026), left shank (71.9° ± 5.7° vs. 70.1° ± 5.6°, P=0.031), and right knee (59.1° ± 4.8° vs. 56.4° ± 4.8°, P=0.001). The motor symmetry of thigh improved from 8.35 ± 5.30% to 6.30 ± 4.73% ( P=0.042). Conclusions::The accelerated gait in response to visual restoration is characterized by decreased stance time and increased range of joint motion. Training programs for improving muscle strength of lower extremities might be helpful to facilitate the adaptation to these changes in gait.

Objective:To investigate the correlation of isokinetic thigh muscle asymmetry with gait asymmetry at one year after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.Methods:A retrospective case series analysis was made on 25 patients treated by ACL reconstruction in Third Hospital of Peking University from January 2014 to January 2019. All the subjects were male, aged 17-47 years [(29.4±5.2)years]. Standard rehabilitation treatment procedures were conducted after surgery. The isokinetic muscle strength of the thigh was collected at one year after operation to evaluate knee extensor and flexor concentric strength at 60°/s, 180°/s and 300°/s, and knee extensor and flexor eccentric strength at 60°/s. The maximum concentric and eccentric strength of the knee extensor and flexor were analysed between the injured and intact side. The three-dimensional motion information and ground reaction force was collected during the stance phase of gait, and knee kinematic and kinetic parameters were calculated by inverse dynamics analysis, including the peak flexion moment, peak extension moment, first and second peak adduction moment, peak external and internal rotation moment, peak flexion angle, peak extension angle during the terminal stance phase, flexion angle at heel strike, peak abduction angle, and peak external rotation angle during terminal stance phase. Spearman correlation analysis was used to study the correlation between limb symmetry index (LSI) of isokinetic muscle strength and LSI of gait parameters.Results:One year after ACL reconstruction, the maximum concentric strength of the knee extensor and flexor at 60°/s, 180°/s and 300°/s and maximum eccentric strength of the knee flexor and extensor at 60°/s on the injured side were significantly lower than those on the normal side (all P<0.01). Compared with the intact side, the peak knee extension moment on the injured side was significantly lower during the stance phase of gait ( P<0.01), and the extension angle was insufficient during the terminal stance phase ( P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the injured and intact side in terms of peak flexion moment, first and second peak adduction moment, peak external and internal rotation moment, peak flexion angle, flexion angle at heel strike, peak abduction angle, and peak external rotation angle during terminal stance phase (all P>0.05). One year after ACL reconstruction, Spearman correlation analysis during gait stance phase showed that the LSI of 60°/s concentric strength of the isokinetic knee extensor was significantly related to LSI of peak internal rotation moment ( R=0.42, P<0.05), the LSI of 180°/s concentric strength of the isokinetic knee extensor was significantly related to LSI of peak flexion moment ( R=0.45, P<0.05), the LSI of 180°/s concentric strength of the isokinetic knee flexor was significantly correlated with LSI of peak flexion angle ( R=0.46, P<0.05), the LSI of 300°/s concentric strength of the isokinetic knee extensor was significantly correlated with LSI of peak knee flexion angle ( R=0.42, P<0.05), and the LSI of 60°/s eccentric strength of the isokinetic flexor was significantly correlated with LSI of peak knee flexion angle ( R=0.54, P<0.01). Conclusions:For patients following ACL reconstruction at one year postoperatively, a significant correlation of isokinetic thigh extensor strength asymmetry with peak knee flexion and rotation moment and peak knee flexion angle, and that of isokinetic thigh flexor strength asymmetry with peak knee flexion angle are observed during the stance phase of gait, which suggests that patients with ACL reconstruction still need systematic rehabilitation training one year postoperatively to improve muscle strength and motor function so as to reduce the risk of ACL reinjury and secondary injury.