Objective: To investigate and contrast the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), including repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), on walking and balance ability in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).Methods: The PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane, CNKI, and Chinese WanFang databases were searched up to June 2022. Quality assessment was performed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk-of-bias guidelines, and the standardized mean differences (SMD) or mean differences (MD) for each outcome were calculated.Results: Among 32 eligible studies, including 1,586 participants were analyzed in this meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis showed that NIBS was effective in improving UPDRS-III scores (MD = −2.07; 95% CI, −2.62 to −1.53; P < 0.00001; I² = 6%) and variables associated with the ability of walk such as step width (SMD = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.16–0.55; P = 0.0005; I² = 38%), cadence (SMD = 0.3; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.55; P = 0.02; I² = 25%), and 6MWT (MD = 62.86; 95% CI, 39.43–86.29; P < 0.00001; I² = 0%). In subgroup analyses across intervention types, UPDRS-III scores (rTMS: MD = −2.54; 95% CI, −3.16 to −1.92; P < 0.00001; I² = 0%; tDCS: MD = −1.20; 95% CI, −1.99 to −0.40; P = 0.003; I² = 0%) and TUGT time (rTMS: MD = −4.11; 95% CI, −4.74 to −3.47; P < 0.00001; I² = 0%; tDCS: MD = −0.84; 95% CI, −1.48 to −0.21; P = 0.009; I² = 0%) significantly improved. Moreover, our results also showed that compared to tDCS, rTMS was more significant in improving UPDRS-III scores and TUGT time (p < 0.05).Conclusion: NIBS benefits some walking ability variables but not balance ability in 36 patients with PD. The rTMS significantly improved UPDRS-III scores and TUGT time compared to tDCS. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal protocol and to illuminate effects based on the ideal target brain regions, stimulation intensity, timing, and type of intervention.Systematic review registration: http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022350782.

Lumbar Disc Herniation (LDH) is a syndrome in which lumbar disc degeneration, rupture of the annulus fibrosus, and herniation of the nucleus pulposus irritate and compress the nerve roots and cauda equina, resulting in the main manifestations of lumbar pain and/or lower extremity pain. There is evidence in various clinical areas that exercise is effective in treating LDH, and exercise intervention for more than 2 weeks reduces disease activity in LDH. However, the mechanism of exercise’s action in reducing disease activity in LDH is unclear. In this article, we first summarize and highlight the effectiveness of exercise in treating LDH and provide guideline recommendations regarding exercise type, intensity, frequency, and duration. Then, we integrate the existing evidence and propose biological mechanisms for the potential effects of exercise on neuromechanical compression, inflammatory chemical stimuli, and autoimmune responses from the perspective of LDH pathogenesis as an entry point. However, a large body of evidence was obtained from non-LDH populations. Future research needs to investigate further the proposed biological mechanisms of exercise in reducing disease activity in LDH populations. This knowledge will contribute to the basic science and strengthen the scientific basis for prescribing exercise therapy for the routine clinical treatment of LDH.

Objective: Mobile phone usage while performing postural-locomotor tasks is everyday activity across persons of all ages in various environmental contexts and health conditions. However, it is also an important factor contributing to accidents. To lower the risk of pedestrian accidents, this meta-analysis aimed to examine how mobile phones affect pedestrian gait and identify how mobile phone tasks and participant age affect gait differently.Methods: Electronic database searches were performed in The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Medline. Two examiners evaluated the eligibility and quality of included studies using the Downs and Black checklist. The mean differences (MD) or standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated for each outcome. Subgroup analyses were used to compare the differential effects of mobile phone task and participant age on gait.Results: Among 22 eligible studies, 592 participants in 10 countries were analyzed in this meta-analysis. The overall meta-analysis showed that using a mobile phone significantly decreased pedestrian gait velocity (SMD = −1.45; 95% CI: −1.66 to −1.24; p < 0.00001; I² = 66%), step length (SMD = −1.01; 95% CI: −1.43 to −0.59; p < 0.00001; I² = 82%), and stride length (SMD = −0.9; 95% CI: −1.19 to −0.60; p < 0.00001; I² = 79%), significantly increased pedestrian step time (SMD = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.45 to 1.08; p < 0.00001; I² = 78%), stride time (SMD = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.69 to 1.06; p < 0.00001; I² = 24%), step width (SMD = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.34 to 1.24; p = 0.0006. I² = 75%), double support time (SMD = 1.09; 95% CI: 0.86 to 1.31; p < 0.00001; I² = 42%), and double support (%gait cycle, %GC) (MD = 2.32; 95% CI: 1.75 to 2.88; p < 0.00001; I² = 26%).Conclusion: In summary, the effects of mobile phone tasks and participant age on gait were inconsistent. Our study found that resource-intensive tasks (texting and reading) significantly reduced gait velocity, and step time; however, small resource-intensive tasks (calling, talking, and dialing) did not affect these outcomes. In contrast to young adults, step length and step time were not affected by mobile phone use in older adults. Tips: Pedestrians should consider using a mobile phone in their daily lives according to the application scenarios (walking environment, the complexity of mobile phone tasks, pedestrians’ task processing abilities, etc.) as appropriate to avoid dangerous accidents.Systematic Review Registration: identifier CRD42022358963.

The biomechanical characteristics of runs in firefighters with different rescue tasks are unclear. This study aimed to explore the biomechanical characteristics of firefighters running in different rescue tasks and provide theoretical and practical references for firefighter training and occupational injury prevention. Eighteen professional healthy male firefighters were randomly selected as participants and tested running on different rescue tasks: wearing firefighting protective clothing (FPC), FPC+carrying a gas can (20 kg, FPC+ C), and FPC+carrying a mannequin (60 kg, FPC+M). Eight Qualisys infrared cameras and an AMTI 3D force measurement platform were used for the participant's acquisition of lower limb kinematic/kinetic data. The results showed that gait velocity and stride length of the FPC+GC and FPC+ M rescue tasks were significantly decreased compared to the FPC rescue task, while the support time was significantly increased. Compared to the FPC rescue task, the FPC+GC rescue task showed significant decreases in vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), minimum ankle dorsiflexion angle, and the maximum ankle plantarflexion power. In contrast, the FPC+M rescue task demonstrated significant increases in ankle range of motion, maximum hip extension angle, minimum knee flexion angle, maximum ankle dorsiflexion angle, maximum hip extension moment, maximum knee flexion moment, maximum hip flexion power, and hip and knee stiffness while exhibiting significant decreases in minimum ankle dorsiflexion angle. Compared to the FPC+ GC rescue task, the FPC+M rescue task exhibited significant increases in the maximum hip extension angle, minimum knee flexion angle, maximum ankle dorsiflexion angle, maximum hip flexion moment, maximum hip extension moment, maximum knee flexion moment, maximum ankle plantarflexion moment, maximum hip flexion power, maximum ankle dorsiflexion power, hip stiffness, and vGRF. Conversely, it showed significant decreases in the maximum knee flexion power. In conclusion, compared to the FPC rescue task, the FPC+GC and FPC+M rescue tasks altered the firefighter's gait performance, as evidenced by decreased gait velocity and stride length and increased support time. FPC+M rescue task would increase firefighter's risk of hip and knee injuries. Therefore, we suggest firefighters increase their strength training of the trunk, hip, and knee joint muscles as part of their daily training programs under large weight load status (60 kg and above) to reduce injury risk during rescue tasks.

Objective: The development of effective rescue strategies is critical for enhancing rescue operations and ensuring firefighter safety. However, limited attention has been given to the exploration of rational rescue strategies in practice, particularly with regard to oxygen consumption. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the optimal rescue strategy by analyzing oxygen consumption across different rescue tasks.Methods: Sixty male firefighters from the Guilin Fire and Rescue Detachment participated in the study. Their oxygen consumption was measured during the completion of running on flat ground and while running up and down three flights of stairs.Results: The results found that firefighters with excellent strength and conditioning levels, those carrying a 10 kg load, or those employing the shoulder-carrying technique had less oxygen consumption. Hand-carrying for a 10 kg load when running up or downstairs and shoulder-carrying for 20 and 30 kg loads while running on the ground resulted in lower oxygen consumption. Additionally, firefighters with excellent strength performance when running with 10 and 20 kg loads or those with excellent speed while running on the ground exhibited decreased oxygen consumption.Conclusion: The current study suggests that firefighters with excellent strength performance are more suited for upstairs rescue tasks, while those with excellent speed performance are better suited for tasks on ground. It is recommended that medium to large loads be carried using the shoulder-carrying technique, and smaller loads be hand-carried when running up or down stairs. Overall, customizing rescue strategies based on firefighters’ strength and conditioning, load characteristics, techniques, and specific task requirements is crucial for improving efficiency and reducing risks in rescue operations.

Post-fermented tea (PFT), a commonly consumed beverage worldwide, is characterized by the rapid growth of its microbial groups and the substantial changes they undergo. Consequently, PFT may contain mycotoxins such as B-type fumonisins (FBs). This study aimed to assess the intake of FBs through the consumption of PFT among consumers in Guangxi, China. A novel quantitative method using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to determine the FB concentration in PFT products. Additionally, a PFT consumption survey was conducted using a face-to-face questionnaire, recording their body weight and PFT consumption patterns based on a three-day dietary recall method. Finally, hazard index was calculated to estimate the health risk of FBs from the consumption of PFT products in Guangxi. The results revealed that the occurrence of FBs in PFT was 20% (24/120), with a concentration ranging from 2.14 to 18.28 μg/kg. The results of the survey showed that the average daily consumption of PFT by consumers was 9.19 ± 11.14 g. The deterministic risk assessment revealed that only 0.026% of the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake of FBs was consumed through PFT, indicating that FB contamination in PFT is not a public health risk.