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Current Opinion in Ophthalmology Mar 2022Biomechanics is an important aspect of the complex family of diseases known as the glaucomas. Here, we review recent studies of biomechanics in glaucoma. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Biomechanics is an important aspect of the complex family of diseases known as the glaucomas. Here, we review recent studies of biomechanics in glaucoma.
RECENT FINDINGS
Several tissues have direct and/or indirect biomechanical roles in various forms of glaucoma, including the trabecular meshwork, cornea, peripapillary sclera, optic nerve head/sheath, and iris. Multiple mechanosensory mechanisms and signaling pathways continue to be identified in both the trabecular meshwork and optic nerve head. Further, the recent literature describes a variety of approaches for investigating the role of tissue biomechanics as a risk factor for glaucoma, including pathological stiffening of the trabecular meshwork, peripapillary scleral structural changes, and remodeling of the optic nerve head. Finally, there have been advances in incorporating biomechanical information in glaucoma prognoses, including corneal biomechanical parameters and iridial mechanical properties in angle-closure glaucoma.
SUMMARY
Biomechanics remains an active aspect of glaucoma research, with activity in both basic science and clinical translation. However, the role of biomechanics in glaucoma remains incompletely understood. Therefore, further studies are indicated to identify novel therapeutic approaches that leverage biomechanics. Importantly, clinical translation of appropriate assays of tissue biomechanical properties in glaucoma is also needed.
Topics: Biomechanical Phenomena; Glaucoma; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Optic Disk; Sclera; Trabecular Meshwork
PubMed: 34954731
DOI: 10.1097/ICU.0000000000000829 -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2022In athletics sprint events, the block start performance can be fundamental to the outcome of a race. This Systematic Review aims to identify biomechanical factors of... (Review)
Review
In athletics sprint events, the block start performance can be fundamental to the outcome of a race. This Systematic Review aims to identify biomechanical factors of critical importance to the block start and subsequent first two steps performance. A systematic search of relevant English-language articles was performed on three scientific databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) to identify peer-reviewed articles published until June 2021. The keywords "Block Start", "Track and Field", "Sprint Running", and "Kinetics and Kinematics" were paired with all possible combinations. Studies reporting biomechanical analysis of the block start and/or first two steps, with track and field sprinters and reporting PB100m were sought for inclusion and analysis. Thirty-six full-text articles were reviewed. Several biomechanical determinants of sprinters have been identified. In the "Set" position, an anthropometry-driven block setting facilitating the hip extension and a rear leg contribution should be encouraged. At the push-off, a rapid extension of both hips and greater force production seems to be important. After block exiting, shorter flight times and greater propulsive forces are the main features of best sprinters. This systematic review emphasizes important findings and recommendations that may be relevant for researchers and coaches. Future research should focus on upper limbs behavior and on the analysis of the training drills used to improve starting performance.
Topics: Acceleration; Athletic Performance; Biomechanical Phenomena; Running; Track and Field
PubMed: 35409757
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074074 -
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology,... Dec 2021
Topics: Biomechanical Phenomena; Humans; Joint Instability; Musculoskeletal System; Shoulder; Shoulder Joint
PubMed: 34559246
DOI: 10.1007/s00167-021-06743-0 -
Physiology (Bethesda, Md.) Nov 2019Muscle contraction is a three-dimensional process, as anyone who has observed a bulging muscle knows. Recent studies suggest that the three-dimensional nature of muscle... (Review)
Review
Muscle contraction is a three-dimensional process, as anyone who has observed a bulging muscle knows. Recent studies suggest that the three-dimensional nature of muscle contraction influences its mechanical output. Shape changes and radial forces appear to be important across scales of organization. Muscle architectural gearing is an emerging example of this process.
Topics: Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Humans; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Skeletal
PubMed: 31577172
DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00023.2019 -
Journal of Comparative Physiology. A,... Mar 2023Representatives of arthropods, the largest animal phylum, occupy terrestrial, aquatic, arboreal, and subterranean niches. Their evolutionary success depends on specific...
Representatives of arthropods, the largest animal phylum, occupy terrestrial, aquatic, arboreal, and subterranean niches. Their evolutionary success depends on specific morphological and biomechanical adaptations related to their materials and structures. Biologists and engineers have become increasingly interested in exploring these natural solutions to understand relationships between structures, materials, and their functions in living organisms. The aim of this special issue is to present the state-of-the-art research in this interdisciplinary field using modern methodology, such as imaging techniques, mechanical testing, movement capture, and numerical modeling. It contains nine original research reports covering diverse topics, including flight, locomotion, and attachment of the arthropods. The research achievements are essential not only to understand ecological adaptations, and evolutionary and behavioral traits, but also to drive prominent advances for engineering from exploitation of numerous biomimetic ideas.
Topics: Animals; Arthropods; Biomechanical Phenomena; Locomotion; Biological Evolution; Acclimatization
PubMed: 36813948
DOI: 10.1007/s00359-023-01621-1 -
Journal of Sports Science & Medicine Mar 2020Different shoes and strike patterns produce different biomechanical characteristics that can affect injury risk. Running shoes are mainly designed as lightweight,...
Different shoes and strike patterns produce different biomechanical characteristics that can affect injury risk. Running shoes are mainly designed as lightweight, minimal, or traditional cushioned types. Previous research on different shoes utilized shoes of not only different mass but also different shoe structures. However, it is unclear whether biomechanical changes during running in different shoe types with differing mass are the result of the structural design or the mass of the shoe. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of shoes of different mass on running gait biomechanics. Twenty male runners participated in this study. The experimental shoe masses used in this study were 175, 255, 335 and 415 g. The peak vertical ground reaction force increased with shoe mass (p < 0.05), but the strike index, ankle plantarflexion at initial contact, peak moment of the ankle during the stance phase, and initial contact angles of the lower extremity joints did not change. During the pre-activation phase, the integrated EMG data showed that the tibialis anterior muscle was the most activated with the 175 g and 415 g shoes (p < 0.05). During the push-off phase, the semitendinosus, lateral gastrocnemius and soleus muscles displayed higher activation with the heavier shoes (p < 0.05). The center of pressure also moves forward; resulting in mid foot striking. The lightest shoes might increase gastrocnemius muscle fatigue during the braking phase. The heaviest shoes could cause semitendinosus and triceps surae muscle fatigue during the push-off phase. Therefore, runners should consider their lower extremity joints, muscle adaptation and cushioning to remain in their preferred movement path.
Topics: Ankle; Athletic Injuries; Biomechanical Phenomena; Electromyography; Equipment Design; Foot; Gait Analysis; Humans; Male; Muscle Fatigue; Muscle, Skeletal; Pressure; Running; Shoes; Young Adult
PubMed: 32132836
DOI: No ID Found -
Injury Jun 2021
Topics: Biomechanical Phenomena; Bony Callus; Fracture Healing; Humans
PubMed: 34099104
DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2021.05.023 -
Current Opinion in Cell Biology Oct 2020As the brain develops, proliferating cells organize into structures, differentiate, migrate, extrude long processes, and connect with other cells. These biological... (Review)
Review
As the brain develops, proliferating cells organize into structures, differentiate, migrate, extrude long processes, and connect with other cells. These biological processes produce mechanical forces that further shape cellular dynamics and organ patterning. A major unanswered question in developmental biology is how the mechanical forces produced during development are detected and transduced by cells to impact biochemical and genetic programs of development. This gap in knowledge stems from a lack of understanding of the molecular players of cellular mechanics and an absence of techniques for measuring and manipulating mechanical forces in tissue. In this review article, we examine recent advances that are beginning to clear these bottlenecks and highlight results from new approaches that reveal the role of mechanical forces in neurodevelopmental processes.
Topics: Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Biophysics; Brain; Humans; Mechanotransduction, Cellular; Neural Crest; Neural Stem Cells
PubMed: 32687993
DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2020.05.012 -
Cells Jan 2022Early limb bud development has been of considerable interest for the study of embryological development and especially morphogenesis. The focus has long been on... (Review)
Review
Early limb bud development has been of considerable interest for the study of embryological development and especially morphogenesis. The focus has long been on biochemical signalling and less on cell biomechanics and mechanobiology. However, their importance cannot be understated since tissue shape changes are ultimately controlled by active forces and bulk tissue rheological properties that in turn depend on cell-cell interactions as well as extracellular matrix composition. Moreover, the feedback between gene regulation and the biomechanical environment is still poorly understood. In recent years, novel experimental techniques and computational models have reinvigorated research on this biomechanical and mechanobiological side of embryological development. In this review, we consider three stages of early limb development, namely: outgrowth, elongation, and condensation. For each of these stages, we summarize basic biological regulation and examine the role of cellular and tissue mechanics in the morphogenetic process.
Topics: Biomechanical Phenomena; Embryonic Development; Limb Buds; Morphogenesis; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 35159230
DOI: 10.3390/cells11030420 -
Annual Review of Marine Science Jan 2024How do the morphologies of organisms affect their physical interactions with the environment and other organisms? My research in marine systems couples field studies of... (Review)
Review
How do the morphologies of organisms affect their physical interactions with the environment and other organisms? My research in marine systems couples field studies of the physical habitats, life history strategies, and ecological interactions of organisms with laboratory analyses of their biomechanics. Here, I review how we pursued answers to three questions about marine organisms: () how benthic organisms withstand and utilize the water moving around them, () how the interaction between swimming and turbulent ambient water flow affects where small organisms go, and () how hairy appendages catch food and odors. I also discuss the importance of different types of mentors, the roadblocks for women in science when I started my career, the challenges and delights of interdisciplinary research, and my quest to understand how I see the world as a dyslexic.
Topics: Humans; Female; Biomechanical Phenomena; Life History Traits; Swimming; Water
PubMed: 37669565
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-marine-032223-014227