Article
Biophysics
Sujata Khandare, Molly Smallcomb, Ali A. Butt, Jacob Elliott, Julianna C. Simon, Meghan E. Vidt
Summary: This study evaluated the mechanical effects of dry needling (DN) and focused ultrasound (fUS) on tendons. The results showed that fUS preserved the mechanical properties of tendons better than DN, with fUS-1 performing the best. Further research on the mechanical and healing effects of fUS could help evaluate its potential as a non-invasive treatment for tendon injuries.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Alfredo Bravo-Sanchez, Pablo Abian, Giacomo Lucenteforte, Fernando Jimenez, Javier Abian-Vicen
Summary: The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of shear wave elastography in evaluating the stiffness of muscles and tendons in the lower limbs during an incremental isometric strength test, and to differentiate the stiffness changes between superficial and deep muscle regions. The results showed that the stiffness values in deep muscle regions were higher than those in superficial muscle regions, and the stiffness of the rectus femoris muscle increased gradually during the incremental isometric strength test.
Article
Biophysics
Sujata Khandare, Molly Smallcomb, Bailey Klein, Colby Geary, Julianna C. Simon, Meghan E. Vidt
Summary: The study compared the effects of dry needling (DN) and focused ultrasound (fUS) on the mechanical properties and cell morphology of rat Achilles tendons. Results showed that fUS preserved the mechanical properties of tendons better than DN, with no significant cellular injury observed in the fUS group.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Acoustics
Guo-Xuan Xu, Pei-Yu Chen, Chih-Chung Huang
Summary: This study used high-frequency ultrasound dual-direction shear wave imaging to generate transverse and longitudinal shear waves in the human flexor carpi radialis tendon and obtained SWV maps from two directions. The results showed that the shear wave velocities of the tendon increased with tendon flexion, and the transverse shear wave velocity surpassed the longitudinal shear wave velocity in all cases.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS FERROELECTRICS AND FREQUENCY CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhirui Dong, Ruoxuan Peng, Yuehua Zhang, Yicheng Shan, Wang Ding, Yifan Liu, Jian Li, Mingdong Zhao, Li-Bo Jiang, Shengjie Ling
Summary: This study utilized a bio-inspired fibrous artificial tendon (FAT) to repair Achilles tendon defects. The FAT exhibited a highly ordered molecular and nanofibrillar architecture similar to tendons, and promoted the expression of tendon-related genes. These findings suggest the potential clinical applications of FAT.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Phong K. Nguyen, Aniket Jana, Chi Huang, Alison Grafton, Iverson Holt, Michael Giacomelli, Catherine K. Kuo
Summary: Tendon mechanical properties are compromised in adult tendon injuries and connective tissue disorders. Currently, there is no effective treatment to restore native tendon mechanical properties. However, promoting LOX-mediated collagen crosslinking may be an effective method to enhance tendon mechanical properties without toxicity.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Eman Y. Merza, Stephen J. Pearson, Glen A. Lichtwark, Peter Malliaras
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of isometric intervention on Achilles tendon (AT) volume and stiffness. The results showed that long-duration and high-intensity loading could significantly reduce AT volume and stiffness, while lower load intensity led to less reduction.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Xiangjun Yin, Huanjing Yue, Mengxi Zhang, Huihui Yue, Xingyu Cui, Jingyu Yang
Summary: This paper proposes an end-to-end lensless object inference network and designs three phases to acquire features, highlight object regions, and eliminate false features. In addition, it also constructs the first dataset for lensless object inference research.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTATIONAL IMAGING
(2022)
Review
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Bill Pass, Philip Robinson, Alice Ha, Benjamin Levine, Corrie M. Yablon, Emma Rowbotham
Summary: This article discusses the role of ultrasound and MRI in evaluating Achilles tendon pathology, and describes common diagnoses and key imaging findings. It also reviews the application of image-guided interventions and summarizes the supporting evidence.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ROENTGENOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Acoustics
Boquan Wang, Yulin Zhou, Yuchen Wang, Xiaoniu Li, Liyuan He, Zhiyi Wen, Teng Cao, Lei Sun, Dawei Wu
Summary: This study proposes a new scanning method using a helical ultrasonic motor for 3-D IVUS imaging, which overcomes the challenges of existing systems that use electromagnetic motors. The ultrasonic motor is compact, lightweight, free of EMI, and shows promising application potential in mobile imaging devices. Experimental results demonstrate superior signal-to-noise ratio, rotary speed, and positioning accuracy of the proposed imaging device, with successful imaging of phantoms and porcine coronary artery.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS FERROELECTRICS AND FREQUENCY CONTROL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jie Xu, Ninghao Wang, Tianxiang Chu, Bingqian Yang, Xiaohua Jian, Yaoyao Cui
Summary: This paper proposes a high-frequency ultrasound imaging system based on mechanical scanning, which achieves reciprocating scanning in a range of 14 mm at a speed of 168 mm/s. The system has the characteristics of simple structure, high frequency, real-time, and good imaging performance, and can meet the clinical needs of high-resolution ultrasound images.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xiaoxiao Zhao, Carly Pellow, David E. Goertz
Summary: Focused ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles have been proven to induce blood flow shutdown and necrosis in various tissues, showing potential in antitumor treatment. However, the underlying mechanisms and standardized protocols are still unclear. In this study, a murine tumor model integrated with ultrasound transmitters and receivers was used to monitor vessel types, caliber, and viability under different pressure conditions. The observations and identified cavitation signatures provide a better understanding of antivascular ultrasound on a microscale, aiding the development of specific treatment protocols and control platforms.
Review
Orthopedics
Denes Farago, Blanka Kozma, Rita Maria Kiss
Summary: The study systematically evaluated the impact of different sterilization methods on the biomechanical properties of tendon allografts. Freezing and gamma irradiation or electron beam at 14.8-28.5 kGy were recommended as effective sterilization methods, while ethylene oxide, supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2), and BioCleanse were found to deteriorate mechanical properties and were not recommended.
BMC MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xini Zhang, Liqin Deng, Songlin Xiao, Lu Li, Weijie Fu
Summary: The study found that male Achilles tendons exhibited superior morphological and mechanical properties compared to females, but were exposed to higher stress conditions. However, no significant sex-specific differences were observed in peak Achilles tendon strain and hysteresis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sinan Sabuncu, Ruth Javier Ramirez, Jared M. Fischer, Fehmi Civitci, Adem Yildirim
Summary: Localization-based ultrasound imaging methods using microbubbles or nanodroplets provide high-resolution images with reduced background signal, but suffer from long acquisition times. A new ultrafast localization method using blinking ultrasound-responsive nanoparticles (BNPs) is introduced, enabling background-free ultrasound images with acquisition times as low as 11 ms. In vivo background-free ultrasound imaging in mice is also demonstrated with the use of BNPs, suggesting its potential for more sensitive detection of cancer and other diseases.
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Ross Smith, Glen Lichtwark, Dominic Farris, Luke Kelly
Summary: The study found that intrinsic foot muscles play a role in optimizing ankle joint torque production and leverage during the propulsion phase of vertical jumping, in addition to regulating the energetic function of the foot. The reduction in active control of metatarsophalangeal joint stiffness due to impaired activation of intrinsic foot muscles may impair the gearing function of the foot at the ankle, affecting ankle joint kinetics and musculotendinous dynamics.
JOURNAL OF SPORT AND HEALTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Larissa Sinkam, Iris Boraschi-Diaz, Rene B. Svensson, Michael Kjaer, Svetlana V. Komarova, Raynald Bergeron, Frank Rauch, Louis-Nicolas Veilleux
Summary: The purpose of this study was to assess the tendon properties of Col1a1(Jrt/+) mice, especially in the context of a collagen type I mutation. The results showed that the FDL tendons of Col1a1(Jrt/+) mice had smaller width and thickness, smaller cross-sectional area, and reduced mechanical properties compared to wild-type mice. However, the material properties of the tendons were seemingly normal. It remains unclear whether the tendon phenotype in Col1a1(Jrt/+) mice is due to muscle weakness, the direct effect of the Col1a1 mutation, or a combination of both.
CONNECTIVE TISSUE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Yoshifumi Tsuchiya, Rene B. Svensson, Ching-Yan Chloe Yeung, Peter Schjerling, Michael Kjaer
Summary: Skeletal muscle has adaptability and regenerative potential due to muscle stem cell activity. The interplay between skeletal muscle and adjacent tendon tissue has not been fully investigated. In this study, we found that factors released by mechanically loaded tendon constructs stimulated myotube formation in human-derived myoblasts. These results suggest the importance of mechanical loading in the signaling interplay between skeletal muscle and tendon tissue for musculoskeletal tissue development and regeneration in humans.
TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
James L. Williamson, Glen A. Lichtwark, Gregory S. Sawicki, Taylor J. M. Dick
Summary: Passive ankle exoskeletons lead to a brief period of instability during unexpected perturbations, but users rapidly stabilize via a distal-to-proximal redistribution of joint work such that the knee performs an increased energy dissipation role, and stability is regained within one hop cycle.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Patricio A. Pincheira, Dean L. Mayfield, Aaron S. Fox, Nicholas A. T. Brown, Timothy J. Carroll, Andrew G. Cresswell, Glen A. Lichtwark
Summary: This study investigated the effect of muscle force during active stretch on exercise-induced muscle damage. The results showed that adding 30% body weight during eccentric contractions did have some impact on muscle damage, but did not increase torque loss or intensify muscle soreness.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Ching-Yan Chloe Yeung, Annesofie T. Olesen, Richard Wilson, Shireen R. Lamande, John F. Bateman, Rene B. Svensson, S. Peter Magnusson, Michael Kjaer
Summary: Both aging and physical activity can affect the amount of intramuscular connective tissue in skeletal muscle. This study investigated the impact on specific extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and found that aging is associated with an increased abundance of these proteins. However, regular physical activity did not alter the ECM protein levels. These findings indicate that age-related changes in the intramuscular ECM solubility can occur, but physical training does not have the same effect.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Rikke Hoeffner, Rene B. Svensson, Franciele Dietrich-Zagonel, Daniel Schefte, Michael Kjaer, Pernilla Eliasson, S. Peter Magnusson
Summary: Permanent loss of muscle function after Achilles tendon rupture may be due to tendon elongation and accompanying muscle shortening. In rats, Achilles tendon transection resulted in increased tendon length, decreased muscle mass and length, and reduced serial sarcomere number, regardless of suturing. These changes led to an overshoot lengthening of the sarcomeres.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Luke N. Jessup, Luke A. Kelly, Andrew G. Cresswell, Glen A. Lichtwark
Summary: Many models have been developed to predict metabolic energy expenditure based on biomechanical proxies of muscle function. However, these models have not been rigorously tested across various locomotion tasks and have not adequately characterized different forms of locomotion. In this study, frequency and height constraints were imposed on hopping, and the effects on metabolic power and muscle function were evaluated. The results showed that a decrease in hop frequency and an increase in hop height led to an increase in metabolic power, which could be explained by changes in muscle activation and work requirements.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Ching-Yan Chloe Yeung, Rene B. Svensson, Kateryna Yurchenko, Nikolaj M. Malmgaard-Clausen, Ida Tryggedsson, Marius Lendal, Anja Jokipii-Utzon, Jens L. Olesen, Yinhui Lu, Karl E. Kadler, Peter Schjerling, Michael Kjaer
Summary: By analyzing samples from healthy individuals, researchers found that the gene expression in human tendon tissue exhibited day-to-night changes, with a reduction in collagen I expression during the night. However, chronic tendinopathy patients showed fewer differential gene expressions. This indicates the presence of a conserved circadian clock in healthy human patellar tendons.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Matteo Scorcelletti, Jochen Zange, Jonas Boecker, Wolfram Sies, Patrick Lau, Uwe Mittag, Neil D. Reeves, Alex Ireland, Joern Rittweger
Summary: Features of lower limb bone geometry are important for movement kinematics and clinical outcomes. However, the effects of adulthood physical activity on lower limb geometry and their associations with muscle function are relatively unexplored. This study found that trained individuals had higher femoral frontal bowing and older individuals had greater lateral bowing, but lower limb geometry was not associated with muscle function.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
K. Doslikova, N. D. Reeves, C. N. Maganaris, V. Baltzopoulos, S. M. P. Verschueren, F. P. Luyten, R. K. Jones, D. T. Felson, M. J. Callaghan
Summary: This study aimed to examine the effect of a sleeve knee brace on knee biomechanics during stair negotiation in patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis patients. The findings showed that the knee brace significantly reduced the maximal flexion angle, adduction angle, sagittal and frontal range of motion, and sagittal peak extension moment during stair ascent. During stair descent, the knee brace significantly reduced the maximal flexion angle and total sagittal range of motion compared to control.
CLINICAL BIOMECHANICS
(2024)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Bill Cassidy, Moi Hoon Yap, Joseph M. Pappachan, Naseer Ahmad, Samantha Haycocks, Claire O'Shea, Cornelious J. Fernandez, Elias Chacko, Koshy Jacob, Neil D. Reeves
Summary: This study evaluates the accuracy of an artificial intelligence system on a smartphone for automated detection of diabetic foot ulcers. The results demonstrate high sensitivity and specificity of the system, as well as high inter- and intra-rater reliability.
DIABETES RESEARCH AND CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Louise B. Nielsen, Rene B. Svensson, Niels U. Fredskild, Kenneth H. Mertz, S. Peter Magnusson, Michael Kjaer, Monika L. Bayer
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a muscle strain injury in the gastrocnemius muscle on muscle fascicle length, pennation angle, and the morphology of the deep aponeurosis at rest and during muscle contraction. Electromyography (EMG) was also used to measure muscle activity during a unilateral heel rise.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Elisa Roldan, Neil D. Reeves, Glen Cooper, Kirstie Andrews
Summary: This study evaluated the suitability of gelatin as the sole material to manufacture tissue engineering scaffolds. The gelatin-based electrospun scaffolds exhibited comparable mechanical properties to various human tissues, suggesting their potential application in tissue engineering.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
