Effect of Wearable Sensor-Based Exercise on Musculoskeletal Disorders in Individuals With Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BackgroundThe application of wearable sensor technology in an exercise intervention provides a new method for the standardization and accuracy of intervention. Considering that the deterioration of musculoskeletal conditions is of serious concern in patients with neurodegenerative diseases, it is worthwhile to clarify the effect of wearable sensor-based exercise on musculoskeletal disorders in such patients compared with traditional exercise.MethodsFive health science-related databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and Ebsco Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, were systematically searched. The protocol number of the study is PROSPERO CRD42022319763. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that were published up to March 2022 and written in English were included. Balance was the primary outcome measure, comprising questionnaires on postural stability and computerized dynamic posturography. The secondary outcome measures are motor symptoms, mobility ability, functional gait abilities, fall-associated self-efficacy, and adverse events. Stata version 16.0 was used for statistical analysis, and the weighted mean difference (WMD) was selected as the effect size with a 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsFifteen RCTs involving 488 participants with mean ages ranging from 58.6 to 81.6 years were included in this review, with 14 of them being pooled in a quantitative meta-analysis. Only five included studies showed a low risk of bias. The Berg balance scale (BBS) was used in nine studies, and the pooled data showed a significant improvement in the wearable sensor-based exercise group compared with the traditional exercise group after 3–12-week intervention (WMD = 1.43; 95% CI, 0.50 to 2.36, P = 0.003). A significant change in visual score was found both post-assessment and at 1-month follow-up assessment (WMD = 4.38; 95% CI, 1.69 to 7.07, P = 0.001; I2 = 0.0%). However, no significant differences were found between the two groups in the secondary outcome measures (all p > 0.05). No major adverse events were reported.ConclusionThe wearable sensor-based exercise had advantages in improving balance in patients with neurodegenerative diseases, while there was a lack of evidence in motor symptoms, mobility, and functional gait ability enhancement. Future studies are recommended to construct a comprehensive rehabilitation treatment system for the improvement in both postural control and quality of life.Systematic Review Registrationhttp://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022319763

Sedimentary ancient DNA reveals past ecosystem and biodiversity changes on the Tibetan Plateau: Overview and prospects

Alpine ecosystems on the Tibetan Plateau are being threatened by ongoing climate warming and intensified human activities. Ecological time-series obtained from sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) are essential for understanding past ecosystem and biodiversity dynamics on the Tibetan Plateau and their responses to climate change at a high taxonomic resolution. Hitherto only few but promising studies have been published on this topic. The potential and limitations of using sedaDNA on the Tibetan Plateau are not fully understood. Here, we (i) provide updated knowledge of and a brief introduction to the suitable archives, region-specific taphonomy, state-of-the-art methodologies, and research questions of sedaDNA on the Tibetan Plateau; (ii) review published and ongoing sedaDNA studies from the Tibetan Plateau; and (iii) give some recommendations for future sedaDNA study designs. Based on the current knowledge of taphonomy, we infer that deep glacial lakes with freshwater and high clay sediment input, such as those from the southern and southeastern Tibetan Plateau, may have a high potential for sedaDNA studies. Metabarcoding (for microorganisms and plants), metagenomics (for ecosystems), and hybridization capture (for prehistoric humans) are three primary sedaDNA approaches which have been successfully applied on the Tibetan Plateau, but their power is still limited by several technical issues, such as PCR bias and incompleteness of taxonomic reference databases. Setting up high-quality and open-access regional taxonomic reference databases for the Tibetan Plateau should be given priority in the future. To conclude, the archival, taphonomic, and methodological conditions of the Tibetan Plateau are favorable for performing sedaDNA studies. More research should be encouraged to address questions about long-term ecological dynamics at ecosystem scale and to bring the paleoecology of the Tibetan Plateau into a new era

Linkage of root morphology to anatomy with increasing nitrogen availability in six temperate tree species

Aims Fine root morphological traits are generally changed under soil nitrogen (N) enrichment, however, the underlying mechanism and functional significance are still not well understood. Our aims were to investigate the linkage of root morphology to anatomy, and its implication for root function at elevated soil N availability. Methods Ingrowth cores were used to sample root tips (0-20 cm soil depth) from six temperate tree species growing in monoculture plantations at a common site in northeastern China. Root morphological and anatomical traits were concurrently measured, and their relationships were determined within and among species in both control and N fertilization (10 g N m(-2)y(-1)) plots. Results Root diameter generally increased in all six species (non-significant for Phellodendron amurense) following N fertilization, which was caused by the increased root stele radius rather than cortical thickness. Congruently, N fertilization significantly decreased the ratio of cortical thickness to stele radius, but increased the ratio of total cross-sectional area of conduits to stele area in root tips across all species. Conclusions The observed anatomical changes of root tips contributed to the alternations of morphological root traits following N fertilization, with potentially important impacts on root physiological functions, like increased water and nutrient transport

Changes in soil phosphorus fractions after 9 years of continuous nitrogen addition in a Larix gmelinii plantation

International audienceThe key message N addition decreased soil inorganic P availability, microbial biomass P, and acid phosphatase activity in the larch plantation. Soil inorganic P availability decreased after N addition due to the changes in both microbial properties and plant uptake.• Context Soil phosphorus (P) availability is considered an important factor in influencing the biomass production of plants. Sustained inputs of nitrogen (N) through atmospheric deposition or N fertilizers, particularly in temperate forests, may change the composition and availability of P and thus affect long-term forest productivity.• Aims The objective of this study was to assess soil P availability, P fractions, and microbial properties including microbial biomass P and acid phosphatase activity after 9 consecutive years of N addition in a larch (Larix gmelinii) plantation, northeastern China.• Methods From 2003 to 2011, NH4NO3 was added to replicate plots (three 20 m × 30 m plots) in the larch plantation each year at a rate of 100 kg N ha−1 year−1. Soil samples from 0–10-cm and 10–20-cm depths were collected in N addition plots and control (no N addition) plots.• Results N addition significantly decreased soil NaHCO3-Pi (Pi is inorganic P), microbial biomass P, and acid phosphatase activity but increased the NaOH-Pi concentration. N addition appeared to induce a decrease in soil inorganic P availability by changing pH and P uptake by trees. In addition, N addition significantly decreased the NaOH-Po (Po is organic P) concentration, possibly because of increased P mineralization. However, the total P and other P fractions were unaffected by N fertilization.• Conclusion Our results suggested that N addition enhanced P uptake by trees, whereas it reduced soil inorganic P availability as well as microbial biomass and activity related to soil P cycling in the larch plantation