1.Functional Role of the Triceps Surae-Tendon Unit and its Contribution to Running Biomechanics
Liqin DENG ; Xini ZHANG ; Songlin XIAO ; Weijie FU
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2025;40(1):223-230
The triceps surae muscle-tendon unit(MTU)is the key for effective force generation,transmission,and energy storage and release in human movement,with great influences on sports efficiency,but its injury rate remains high.This review summarizes MTU function and its biomechanical adaptations during running,aiming to deepen the understanding of MTU's role in movement and explore how external factors influence its biomechanical properties,offering scientific insights for improving running performance and preventing injuries.During running,under forefoot striking and wearing shoes with greater stiffness,such as shoes with carbon plate,the energy contraction or return could be achieved through a more economical MTU behavior,namely reducing energy consumption by more economically muscle contraction and more energy storage of elastic elements,and the muscle contraction was exerted at a length closer to the optimal muscle fascicle length and reduced energy consumption caused by muscle contraction.However,adopting forefoot striking,barefoot running,or wearing minimalist shoes during running could increase the mechanical loads on the MTU.After gait retraining,the MTU could contract or return energy more efficiently during running,while the impact of other training methods on MTU was relatively poor,and the research in this area is still not sufficient.Therefore,future research should focus on optimizing the biomechanical properties of the MTU,MTU interaction and balanced development through changes in movement patterns,equipment,and training methods to enhance performance and reduce injuries.
2.Isolation and identification of mosquito-borne viruses in Huachuan county and Huanan county, Heilongjiang province, China
Han CHEN ; Fengming LIU ; Liqin YU ; Fan LI ; Shihong FU ; Qikai YIN ; Qianqian CUI ; Ruichen WANG ; Kai NIE ; Mingjia BAO ; Huanyu WANG ; Songtao XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2025;39(2):182-188
Objective:To investigate the mosquito-borne viruses carried by mosquito specimens collected from Huachuan county and Huanan county in Heilongjiang province.Methods:Mosquito samples were collected locally in 2023 and processed in the laboratory. Homogenates of the mosquitoes were inoculated into cells for virus isolation, followed by molecular and bioinformatics analyses of the viral isolates.Results:In 2023, ten viral isolates were obtained from Anopheles sinensis specimens collected in Heilongjiang province, China. Among these isolates, one was identified as Culex flavivirus (CxFV), one as Menghai rhabdovirus (MRV), and eight as Nam Dinh virus (NDiV). The phylogenetic analysis showed that CxFV belongs to genotype I and is clustered with the strains isolated from Liaoning province in 2011 and Ningxia Hui autonomous Region in 2019 in the same evolutionary branch, with amino acid similarity ranging from 98.2% to 99.2% and nucleotide similarity ranging from 98.8% to 99.2%. The MRV strain belongs to the same evolutionary subclade as the strain detected in Guangdong, with both nucleotide and amino acid similarity of 98.0%. Eight NDiV isolates clustered with the South Korean isolates on the same evolutionary branch, forming an independent evolutionary sub-branch. The nucleotide similarity among these eight isolates ranged from 98.5% to 99.7%, while the amino acid similarity ranged from 98.1% to 99.7%. In comparison, when matched with other NDiV isolates from China, the nucleotide similarity of these eight isolates ranged from 94.1% to 97.8%, and the amino acid similarity ranged from 93.5% to 97.7%.Conclusions:This study represents the first isolation of CxFV, MRV, and NDiV in Heilongjiang province, China, and the findings provide fundamental data for the prevention and control of mosquito-borne viral diseases in this region.
3.Effects of different running shoes and foot strike patterns on Achilles tendon length changes and loading characteristics during running based on real-time ultrasound
Xini ZHANG ; Baisheng FU ; Liqin DENG ; Yuxin LI ; Weijie FU
Chinese Journal of Sports Medicine 2025;44(8):618-625
Objective To compare the effect of immediately wearing different running shoes and foot-strike patterns on the in vivo Achilles tendon(AT)length and loading of habitual rearfoot striking(RFS)runners.Methods Eleven male running enthusiasts were recruited(age:33.7±8.7 years old,running experience:5.3±2.3 years).They were randomly assigned to wear cushioned running shoes or minimalist shoes,and run at 10 km/h on a Bertec 3-D force platform with forefoot striking(FFS)and RFS,respectively.The ultrasound imaging probe was fixed at the junction of the AT and the me-dial head of the gastrocnemius muscle with an elastic bandage,synchronized with the Vicon high-speed infrared motion capture system,which collected and calculated real-time length changes and loading characteristics of the AT in vivo.A 2×2 two-way ANOVA was used to determine the effect of different running shoes(cushioned running shoes vs.minimalist shoes)and foot strike patterns(FFS vs.RFS)on the in vivo AT loading characteristics during running,and the significance level α was set at 0.05.Results There was a significant interaction between footwear type and footstrike patterns on the foot strike angle.Within the same shoe condition(cushioned or minimalist),foot strike angle(FSA)was significantly greater during RFS than during FFS(P<0.05).Moreover,during RFS,FSA was significantly greater in cushioned shoes than in minimalist shoes(P<0.05).In addition,under acute manipulations of footwear and strike pattern,the instantaneous AT loading rate also exhibited a signifi-cant footwear and foot strike patterns interaction(P<0.05).The instantaneous AT loading rate was sig-nificantly greater when immediately wearing minimalist shoes with RFS than when wearing cushioned running shoes with RFS,as well as significantly greater when immediately wearing cushioned running shoes with FFS than when running with RFS(P<0.05).In addition,there was no interaction effect for the other parameters,except the significant group or time main effects(P<0.05).The peak AT force,average AT loading rate,AT impulse,peak AT stress,peak AT length change,and AT work during FFS were significantly greater than those during RFS(P<0.05).What's more,the peak AT force when immediately wearing minimalist shoes was significantly greater than that when wearing cushioned run-ning shoes(P<0.05).Conclusion It is suggested that immediately wearing minimalist shoes and/or transi-tioning to FFS could provide higher tendon loading intensity,which might improve the morphology and mechanical properties of the AT.However,the increased AT loading rate also indicated that if RFS was maintained while running in minimalist shoes,the reduced cushioning could have led to a greater risk of injury without an appropriate adaptation process.
4.Construction and effects of evidence-based early exercise rehabilitation nursing for elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty
Xiaoxia ZHU ; Jinxia JIANG ; Man XU ; Hong WU ; Huan ZHANG ; Liqin FU ; Jing WU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(2):168-175
Objective:To develop an early exercise rehabilitation nursing for elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) based on the best evidence, and explore its clinical effects.Methods:This study was a randomized controlled trial. From August to December 2022, convenience sampling was used to select 126 elderly THA patients admitted to the Department of Orthopedics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University as participants. Patients were divided into observation group and control group using a random number table method, with 63 cases in each group. Control group was treated with a usual exercise rehabilitation nursing, while observation group was treated with an early exercise rehabilitation nursing for elderly THA patients based on the best evidence. Changhai Pain Rating Scale, Harris Hip Score, and Barthel Index were used to evaluate pain, hip function, and activities of daily living in two groups of patients. The first time off the bed, hospital stay, and incidence of complications were recorded and compared between the two groups.Results:The Harris Hip scores of observation group patients three days after surgery and on the day of discharge were (61.13±4.82) and (77.84±4.43), respectively, which were higher than those of control group (50.75±6.19) and (70.25±7.47), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=10.502, 6.937; both P<0.01). Barthel Index scores of observation group patients were higher than those of control group on the day of surgery, three days after surgery, and the day of discharge, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=3.531, 4.609, 10.112; all P<0.01). The incidence of postoperative complications in observation group was 11.11% (7/63), while in control group it was 42.86% (27/63), with a statistically significant difference (χ 2=16.113, P<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in the resting pain score and exercise pain score between the two groups of patients on the day after surgery ( t=-1.693, -1.354; both P>0.05). The resting pain score and exercise pain score of observation group were lower than those of control group three days after surgery and on the day of discharge, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Observation group had a shorter first time off the bed and hospital stay (1.34±0.37) and (5.48±0.66) days compared to control group (2.13±0.48) and (6.29±0.83) days, with statistically significant differences ( t=-10.346, -6.063; both P<0.01) . Conclusions:An evidence-based early exercise rehabilitation nursing for elderly THA patients can reduce the degree of pain, minimize the occurrence of complications, shorten the first time off the bed and hospital stay, and promote recovery of elderly patient.
5.Construction and effects of evidence-based early exercise rehabilitation nursing for elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty
Xiaoxia ZHU ; Jinxia JIANG ; Man XU ; Hong WU ; Huan ZHANG ; Liqin FU ; Jing WU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(2):168-175
Objective:To develop an early exercise rehabilitation nursing for elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) based on the best evidence, and explore its clinical effects.Methods:This study was a randomized controlled trial. From August to December 2022, convenience sampling was used to select 126 elderly THA patients admitted to the Department of Orthopedics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University as participants. Patients were divided into observation group and control group using a random number table method, with 63 cases in each group. Control group was treated with a usual exercise rehabilitation nursing, while observation group was treated with an early exercise rehabilitation nursing for elderly THA patients based on the best evidence. Changhai Pain Rating Scale, Harris Hip Score, and Barthel Index were used to evaluate pain, hip function, and activities of daily living in two groups of patients. The first time off the bed, hospital stay, and incidence of complications were recorded and compared between the two groups.Results:The Harris Hip scores of observation group patients three days after surgery and on the day of discharge were (61.13±4.82) and (77.84±4.43), respectively, which were higher than those of control group (50.75±6.19) and (70.25±7.47), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=10.502, 6.937; both P<0.01). Barthel Index scores of observation group patients were higher than those of control group on the day of surgery, three days after surgery, and the day of discharge, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=3.531, 4.609, 10.112; all P<0.01). The incidence of postoperative complications in observation group was 11.11% (7/63), while in control group it was 42.86% (27/63), with a statistically significant difference (χ 2=16.113, P<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in the resting pain score and exercise pain score between the two groups of patients on the day after surgery ( t=-1.693, -1.354; both P>0.05). The resting pain score and exercise pain score of observation group were lower than those of control group three days after surgery and on the day of discharge, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Observation group had a shorter first time off the bed and hospital stay (1.34±0.37) and (5.48±0.66) days compared to control group (2.13±0.48) and (6.29±0.83) days, with statistically significant differences ( t=-10.346, -6.063; both P<0.01) . Conclusions:An evidence-based early exercise rehabilitation nursing for elderly THA patients can reduce the degree of pain, minimize the occurrence of complications, shorten the first time off the bed and hospital stay, and promote recovery of elderly patient.
6.Effects of different running shoes and foot strike patterns on Achilles tendon length changes and loading characteristics during running based on real-time ultrasound
Xini ZHANG ; Baisheng FU ; Liqin DENG ; Yuxin LI ; Weijie FU
Chinese Journal of Sports Medicine 2025;44(8):618-625
Objective To compare the effect of immediately wearing different running shoes and foot-strike patterns on the in vivo Achilles tendon(AT)length and loading of habitual rearfoot striking(RFS)runners.Methods Eleven male running enthusiasts were recruited(age:33.7±8.7 years old,running experience:5.3±2.3 years).They were randomly assigned to wear cushioned running shoes or minimalist shoes,and run at 10 km/h on a Bertec 3-D force platform with forefoot striking(FFS)and RFS,respectively.The ultrasound imaging probe was fixed at the junction of the AT and the me-dial head of the gastrocnemius muscle with an elastic bandage,synchronized with the Vicon high-speed infrared motion capture system,which collected and calculated real-time length changes and loading characteristics of the AT in vivo.A 2×2 two-way ANOVA was used to determine the effect of different running shoes(cushioned running shoes vs.minimalist shoes)and foot strike patterns(FFS vs.RFS)on the in vivo AT loading characteristics during running,and the significance level α was set at 0.05.Results There was a significant interaction between footwear type and footstrike patterns on the foot strike angle.Within the same shoe condition(cushioned or minimalist),foot strike angle(FSA)was significantly greater during RFS than during FFS(P<0.05).Moreover,during RFS,FSA was significantly greater in cushioned shoes than in minimalist shoes(P<0.05).In addition,under acute manipulations of footwear and strike pattern,the instantaneous AT loading rate also exhibited a signifi-cant footwear and foot strike patterns interaction(P<0.05).The instantaneous AT loading rate was sig-nificantly greater when immediately wearing minimalist shoes with RFS than when wearing cushioned running shoes with RFS,as well as significantly greater when immediately wearing cushioned running shoes with FFS than when running with RFS(P<0.05).In addition,there was no interaction effect for the other parameters,except the significant group or time main effects(P<0.05).The peak AT force,average AT loading rate,AT impulse,peak AT stress,peak AT length change,and AT work during FFS were significantly greater than those during RFS(P<0.05).What's more,the peak AT force when immediately wearing minimalist shoes was significantly greater than that when wearing cushioned run-ning shoes(P<0.05).Conclusion It is suggested that immediately wearing minimalist shoes and/or transi-tioning to FFS could provide higher tendon loading intensity,which might improve the morphology and mechanical properties of the AT.However,the increased AT loading rate also indicated that if RFS was maintained while running in minimalist shoes,the reduced cushioning could have led to a greater risk of injury without an appropriate adaptation process.
7.Functional Role of the Triceps Surae-Tendon Unit and its Contribution to Running Biomechanics
Liqin DENG ; Xini ZHANG ; Songlin XIAO ; Weijie FU
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2025;40(1):223-230
The triceps surae muscle-tendon unit(MTU)is the key for effective force generation,transmission,and energy storage and release in human movement,with great influences on sports efficiency,but its injury rate remains high.This review summarizes MTU function and its biomechanical adaptations during running,aiming to deepen the understanding of MTU's role in movement and explore how external factors influence its biomechanical properties,offering scientific insights for improving running performance and preventing injuries.During running,under forefoot striking and wearing shoes with greater stiffness,such as shoes with carbon plate,the energy contraction or return could be achieved through a more economical MTU behavior,namely reducing energy consumption by more economically muscle contraction and more energy storage of elastic elements,and the muscle contraction was exerted at a length closer to the optimal muscle fascicle length and reduced energy consumption caused by muscle contraction.However,adopting forefoot striking,barefoot running,or wearing minimalist shoes during running could increase the mechanical loads on the MTU.After gait retraining,the MTU could contract or return energy more efficiently during running,while the impact of other training methods on MTU was relatively poor,and the research in this area is still not sufficient.Therefore,future research should focus on optimizing the biomechanical properties of the MTU,MTU interaction and balanced development through changes in movement patterns,equipment,and training methods to enhance performance and reduce injuries.
8.Isolation and identification of mosquito-borne viruses in Huachuan county and Huanan county, Heilongjiang province, China
Han CHEN ; Fengming LIU ; Liqin YU ; Fan LI ; Shihong FU ; Qikai YIN ; Qianqian CUI ; Ruichen WANG ; Kai NIE ; Mingjia BAO ; Huanyu WANG ; Songtao XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2025;39(2):182-188
Objective:To investigate the mosquito-borne viruses carried by mosquito specimens collected from Huachuan county and Huanan county in Heilongjiang province.Methods:Mosquito samples were collected locally in 2023 and processed in the laboratory. Homogenates of the mosquitoes were inoculated into cells for virus isolation, followed by molecular and bioinformatics analyses of the viral isolates.Results:In 2023, ten viral isolates were obtained from Anopheles sinensis specimens collected in Heilongjiang province, China. Among these isolates, one was identified as Culex flavivirus (CxFV), one as Menghai rhabdovirus (MRV), and eight as Nam Dinh virus (NDiV). The phylogenetic analysis showed that CxFV belongs to genotype I and is clustered with the strains isolated from Liaoning province in 2011 and Ningxia Hui autonomous Region in 2019 in the same evolutionary branch, with amino acid similarity ranging from 98.2% to 99.2% and nucleotide similarity ranging from 98.8% to 99.2%. The MRV strain belongs to the same evolutionary subclade as the strain detected in Guangdong, with both nucleotide and amino acid similarity of 98.0%. Eight NDiV isolates clustered with the South Korean isolates on the same evolutionary branch, forming an independent evolutionary sub-branch. The nucleotide similarity among these eight isolates ranged from 98.5% to 99.7%, while the amino acid similarity ranged from 98.1% to 99.7%. In comparison, when matched with other NDiV isolates from China, the nucleotide similarity of these eight isolates ranged from 94.1% to 97.8%, and the amino acid similarity ranged from 93.5% to 97.7%.Conclusions:This study represents the first isolation of CxFV, MRV, and NDiV in Heilongjiang province, China, and the findings provide fundamental data for the prevention and control of mosquito-borne viral diseases in this region.
9.Yunkang Oral Liquid Promotes Restoration of Mice from Postpartum Kidney Deficiency via TGF-β/Smads Signaling Pathway
Jiayi ZHENG ; Jie SU ; Meiqiu YAN ; Jingjing YU ; Yigong CHEN ; Meng FU ; Xueling HU ; Mengxi CHANG ; Guiyuan LYU ; Liqin JIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(6):83-90
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Yunkang oral liquid on postpartum kidney deficiency in mice. MethodPostpartum mice were randomized into model and low-dose (6 mL·kg-1), medium-dose (9 mL·kg-1), and high-dose (12 mL·kg-1) Yunkang oral liquid groups. The mouse model of postpartum kidney deficiency was established by sleep deprivation combined with forced swimming. Another 9 female ICR mice were selected as the normal control group. The mice were administrated with Yunkang oral liquid during the period of modeling. The levels of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the serum were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The morphological changes of ovaries and uterus were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and Smad2/3 was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. ResultThe mice in the model group showed prolonged estrous cycle, reduced voluntary activity, dorsal temperature, grip strength, and bone strength, and whitening tongue coating. Compared with the model group, Yunkang oral liquid shortened the estrous cycle, increased the voluntary activity, dorsal temperature, grip strength, and bone strength, and alleviated the whitening of tongue coating. Moreover, it elevated the E2 and P levels and lowered the FSH and LH levels in the serum, decreased ovarian follicular atresia rate, promoted uterine repair, and down-regulated the expression of TGF-β and Smad2/3 in the ovarian and uterine tissues. ConclusionYunkang oral liquid can ameliorate postpartum kidney deficiency in mice by regulating the TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway.
10.Effects of Different Habitual Foot Strike Patterns During Running on Achilles Tendon Morphology and Mechanical Loading
Xini ZHANG ; Liqin DENG ; Songlin XIAO ; Weijie FU
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2024;39(1):132-138
Objective To investigate the effects of different foot strike patterns during running on Achilles tendon(AT)morphology and mechanical loading.Methods Fourteen habitual rearfoot strike runners and 14 habitual forefoot strike runners were recruited.Morphological characteristics(tendon length,cross-sectional area,and thickness)of the AT were collected using ultrasound imaging.The AT loading characteristics(plantar flexion moment,tendon force,load rate,impulse,and stress)of subjects wearing cushioned running shoes while running at a speed of 10 km/h were collected and calculated using a three-dimensional force measurement treadmill.Results Compared to habitual rearfoot strike runners,habitual forefoot strike runners showed a significant increase in peak plantar flexion moment of ankle joint,AT peak force,average loading rate,and peak loading rate(P<0.05).However,the differences in AT length,cross-sectional area,and thickness between the two groups were not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusions Long-term forefoot strike patterns can adaptively enhance the mechanical loading characteristics of the AT during repetitive stretch-shortening cycles.

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